I woke up the next morning to Ava licking my nose gently. I mumbled and picked her up off me. I swung my legs over the bed making sure not to wake Ripley next to me. Archie came strolling through the door with a piece of paper in his mouth. He placed it on my lap and I read the small sticky note.

Hazel and Ripley,

Neji and I had some errands to run so we'll most likely be out all day. Help yourselves to anything you'd like.

I tossed the note on the nightstand next to the bed and stood up. I moaned and held my head in my hands. I felt exhausted, but I knew I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. I looked around the room for nothing in particular, but I did find Ari still sleeping on top of Ripley's legs. I chuckled a little, and one of Ari's ears poked up. Her eye opened suddenly, and she yawned.

"Sorry to wake you." I answered as she jumped off the bed to stretch. I grabbed some clothes from my bag, my toothbrush, and makeup and headed into the bathroom. Ripley was still sleeping by the time I was ready to head out for the day. I took Leyah's note from the table, and grabbed a pencil nearby.

Rip,

Be back later. I'm taking the dogs with me so you can be free to do whatever. Please be safe.

- Hazel

I quietly whistled for the dogs to follow me as I opened the front door of her house. As the four of us strolled the streets of Konoha, I bought each of them a small toy from the vendors. About an hour after we had been walking I sat on one of the street benches to let the dogs rest in the cool shade. I closed my eyes and breathed in the fresh air of my old home. I opened my eyes, and was looking at Ichiraku Ramen. Suddenly my stomach growled as I remembered I hadn't eaten breakfast.

"Hey guys I'll be right back," I told them as I stood, "Wait right here." Ari moved closer to her children as I walked across the street to the shop. When I stepped in I noticed two people also sitting here, but I ignored them for the time being so I could order. Once my food came and I payed, I had nothing else to do but eat and listen to the two people's conversation. At one point I glanced over to them when I heard one of my old friend's names. I nearly dropped my chopsticks when I noticed her long blonde hair and blue eyes. They boy next to her wore a jonin jacket, and sigh lazily as he replied to one of her questions.

"Ino I don't see what a big deal this is." He replied as he took a small pause to slurp his ramen, "Its not our business its theirs."

"But they've been dating for nearly two years now." Ino complained quietly, "Shikamaru you don't understand that its because he still misses Taryn." I began to choke as I heard my name being said. The two of them turned their heads to me as I coughed and regained my composure.

"Are you alright?" Ino asked obviously not knowing who I was. I looked to Shikamaru who stared at me with wide eyes. He knows. I thought as I wiped my mouth.

"Yes I'm sorry but I couldn't help overhear you're conversation." I answered as I looked at Ino, "Who is this that we're talking about?" I glanced in Shikamaru's direction to see him nudge her and tell her to shush. Ino waved him off being happy to tell me.

"Oh Kiba and Carinha." She answered then leaned in towards me. In a quieter voice she added, "He won't... do it with her." My jaw hung open as I pushed my bowl away from me.

"Right, right." I responded trying to hold myself together as I then thanked the cook, payed and walked out. I kept my head down as I walked quickly back across the street, but not before I knocked into someone on my way.

"Miss Taryn," Kakashi answered with a nod of his head, "I'm sorry I ran into you."

"No it's alright," I said, "And please call me Hazel."

"Right, of course." He said. I thought I saw a slight smile curl up under his mask but I couldn't be sure.

"I know this is might not concern you, but do you know how Izumi is doing?" I asked, "I know you two were good friends."

"Oh yes, we still keep in touch," He said, "She moved back to the Mist Village with Elliot when her mother fell ill. She's doing fine from what I've heard." Great that's another person I've lost in the past five minutes.

"Well at least that's good." I was about to excuse myself, until I remembered my father's story back when I had returned to Symphonia five years ago. I was about to mention it, but Kakashi beat me to it.

"So how is your father?" Kakashi asked.

"He's good." I told him then redirected the conversation, "Did you know the whole time Kakashi?" His one visible eye softened and I worried I hadn't been specific enough, but he knew what I meant. Kakashi nodded his head and explained.

"I knew from the minute you arrived here when you were little. Miro was already beginning to look just like him, and had the same compassion for you girls as Link had for his sister and Minato. And you were as strong as he was, and you looked just like you're mother." I smiled at the ground, and kicked a rock with my foot.

"How come you never said anything?" I asked as I looked back up at him.

"Well if Link didn't even use his last name as your cover he obviously didn't want people finding out," Kakashi answered with a shrug, "We've written a few times since the secrets been out to keep Lady Tsunade updated with you kids." He chuckled a bit before continuing, "But I guess you are adults now, right?" I laughed and nodded my head.

"Well thank you Kakashi for keeping our secret, and being one of my mentors." I answered, "If you'll excuse me I must be going." I curtsied a little with a smile on my face. Kakashi bowed his head. As I turned to get past him he spoke one more time.

"You're father was right about what a wonderful lady you have become, Queen Hazel." I smiled to myself, and without turning around I answered,

"Thank you, Kakashi."

In all the commotion of running into Kakashi I had forgotten about what Ino said about Kiba back at the ramen shop. I was now walking miserably along the streets again with the dogs skipping besides me. With the time alone my mind was racing. Was it true? Is Kiba seeing someone? Am I too late? Of course I'm late its' been five years! I shook my head thinking the thoughts would escape, but only more came. I wanted to just collapse on the ground until someone found me, until Archie and Ava started barking. Then Ari started barking to quiet them down, and people began to look. I knelt down to the dogs and shushed them immediately.

"What's going on?" I asked quietly. Ari nudged her head in the direction of the forest, and Archie barked wildly. "Alright let's go." The two puppies had other plans though and ran off without me. Ari followed them and left me with dust flying around my head. "Ugh..." I moaned as I followed their scent into the forest. After jogging around for a few minutes I finally saw Ari's pink hair, and Ava's orange one sticking out from behind a bush. I ran up behind them and grabbed the two puppies tails. "Are you nuts?" I exclaimed semi quietly, and Ari barked.

"Who's there?" Someone asked from in front of me. I looked up to see a tall boy with a large white dog next to him. The boy had brown hair, and wore a Konoha headband around his forehead. His eyes were dark, and he had red cheeks that I knew so well.

"Uhm...S-Sorry I was looking for something." I stuttered nervously as I pushed the dogs behind the bush, so he wouldn't see. I shut my eyes hoping this would all disappear but when I opened my eyes again, Kiba was even more confused.

"Alright well my dog and I were training so..." He said and I nodded.

"Yeah sorry." I apologized, and began to turn away. I heard Kiba go back to instructing the now large Akamaru when I turned back around. "Sorry but I have a question." I replied loudly. Kiba looked back up at me, then at Akamaru.

"Alright."

"Do you have a girlfriend?" I questioned. Kiba looked taken back by my comment, but answered me.

"Yeah why?" I felt as if I'd collapse any moment, and I prayed my heart would literally break into pieces so I wouldn't have to live with this pain. What'd you expect? For him to be waiting around for you? Of course not. I debated with myself in my mind. He waited for my answer, and I took a deep breathe.

"You just look like the type of guy to have one," I said with a small smile. He obviously didn't believe that was why I asked. I was screwed now, and there was no way I could lie myself out of this one. "Kiba, I-" I stopped not knowing what to say next.

"How do you know who I am?" He asked as Akamaru barked deeply, "I've never seen you before."

"Yes you have." I told him as I released my hair from my ponytail. I shook out my hair and let my long curls fall to my waist. "Kiba, it's me."

"Me who?" He asked.

"Y-You don't recognize me?" I asked him desperately. His eyebrows narrowed in concentration but he shook his head. I threw my arms in the air and lifted the ground between us. "Kiba it's me!" I cried now. "It's me! Taryn!" Kiba's jaw hung open as he stood there speechless like a dumb ass.

"So you know." Was all he said. When I didn't answer he specified, "About me and Carinha."

"Yes, I know." I mumbled hopelessly. I forced myself to take a step to make a run for it. "I shouldn't have come I'm sorry..." I turned to leave but I felt a hand on my arm.

"Wait." He answered, "You're finally back and I'm already losing you."

"You lost me five years ago," I answered as I found the courage to look into his eyes, "And I'm only visiting. I have to go back and get married so... I guess it turned out alright for the two of us then." I gave him a polite smile to show him I wouldn't break down, but as I turned to walk away the dogs didn't follow me. I turned my head to see Ari approaching Akamaru cautiously as Kiba pet Archie and Ava's head.

"Are these them?" He asked. I turned my body back around and bit my bottom lip.

"Yeah, the white one is Archie, and the orange one is Ava." I told him. He smiled at the two dogs and I couldn't help but smile back. They were our "grandchildren" as the people had put it years ago. We were forever bounded by these dogs, and that was something I didn't want to lose. "I hope you don't mind that I named them-"

"No I like them," He said as he stood, "Archie looks just like Akamaru except he has Ari's eyes."

"Yeah." Neither of us spoke for a little as we watched the reunited family play around with one another.

"Can I take them for the rest of the day?" He asked.

"Sure, take Ari too." I told him. He bent back down to the ground to play with the dogs as I silently slipped away back into the forest; even more lonely then I'd ever been.

I had tried not to cry during my lonely walk after that, but those sneaky bitches kept running down my face every now and then. I kept wishing for someone to run into to keep my mind off my broken heart, but it was nearing dinner time and everyone was in their houses. I attempted to search for Ripley, but she could've been anywhere by now. I slid my hands into the pockets of my pants, as I stared at the sky. I want to wake up from this nightmare now. I prayed to the heavens, Please pinch me if I'm dreaming. I actually waited for a pinch and when none came I convinced myself I had lost my mind. I decided I would go search for my cousin again as I looked back to the streets. I saw a young girl walking in front of me a few paces away. I couldn't see her face but she had jet black hair that fell to her mid-back and a little boy held her hand. He had the same color hair but it was spiked up in the back.

"Excuse me!" I called to her. She turned around and shone her fierce red eyes at me.

"Yes?" She asked. I walked closer to her so we were about arms length.

"Hi I was just wondering if you've seen a girl with long, bronze colored hair?" I tried to explain. "Probably not knowing what she's doing?"

"There's a lot of girls with that description now a days." She joked with me. I recognized her laugh, yet couldn't put my finger on it. She smiled slightly, and I saw her eyes had a secret hatred in them.

"Oh, right, I'm sorry." I mumbled. I looked down at the little boy who was tugging on her shirt. "You're brother is very adorable." I told her. She laughed loudly, and picked the boy up in her arms.

"He's my son, actually." She said, "His name is Kazu."

"Oh, well he's still adorable." I answered with a laugh, "Hi Kazu." Kazu looked at me and mumbled 'Hi' back. "How old is he?"

"He'll be four this October." She told me, "How come you're so curious?" Suddenly, it all made sense to me and I knew exactly who she was.

"You know who he looks like?" I said, "Sasuke Uchiha. He even has the same red eyes with the black-" I was cut off when grabbed my arm tightly.

"How... how do you you know him?" She asked angrily.

"Momma." Kazu complained as she shushed him.

"He-He disappeared about five years ago around this time." I explained, "I knew there was a new Uchiha around, but I..." I couldn't finish as I stared at the woman in front of me whose eyes were glaring at me. "Hazuki..."

"Who the fuck are you?" She exclaimed as Kazu began to speak again in protest of his mother's language. She set him down, and Kazu clutched his mother's hand.

"I-It's me." I mumbled, "It's Taryn, well Hazel now." Hazuki let go of my arm and her lip quivered.

"Prove it," Hazuki demanded. I thought for a moment before I began to ramble.

"My brother Miro used to make your favorite pancakes; I dated Kiba Inuzuka; I'm the Queen of Symphonia and-" I stopped and lifted my sleeve to show my wrist which had my 'forever' bracelet still hanging onto it, "We made bracelets with Katsuye before I left." Hazuki's eyes suddenly filled with tears, she threw her free arm around my waist, and buried her face into my chest. I noticed she was shorter than me now as I embraced her tightly. After she pulled away and wiped the tears she smiled brightly like she used to.

"I stopped being a ninja once he was born." Hazuki explained as we sat on one of the benches near the park. "I grew angry with myself and the people around me. Some of the elders were ashamed of me and one went as far to tell me my parents would be disappointed in me."

I knew Hazuki's deceased parents were a touchy subject, and they had always avoided any conversation about it if possible. I had to change the subject, but I didn't know if she wanted to relive any of her memories of Sasuke.

"How'd it happen?" I asked gently not knowing how to respond.

"Tye had yet, another one of his parties on New Year's Eve." Hazuki explained. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breathe. When she began to speak her voice shook ever so slightly. "He... he had alcohol there and he gave me one. I had never had it before, and you can guess what happened from there."

"Whose last name does he have?" I questioned.

"Mine." Hazuki told me, "But as you said, they documented him as an Uchiha. They had to because it was such a big deal. But, I didn't want him growing up under that name so I taught him mine, and registered him with my name for school and such."

"Did Sasuke know?"

"No. He left a month or two after that. I looked everywhere for him, and sometimes I regret not telling him about Orochimaru's plan back when we were younger." Hazuki mumbled miserably.

"I thought about that too when I found out." I explained, "Maybe he wouldn't have left if he had known about Kazu." Hazuki thought for a few seconds before she shook her head.

"I'm glad he didn't know," She answered, "He wouldn't have wanted the clan to live on in reminder of his family. I know he wouldn't have helped me either so it doesn't matter." I tried to protest, but she shot me a look and shook her head. "He wouldn't have, Hazel, I know it. It's better this way." I had nothing to answer with so she moved on too, yet, another topic. "Did you see Kiba?" I shut my eyes tightly, and nodded my head.

"First I need to tell you why I'm back." I replied, "I'm getting married."

"Shut up!" Hazuki exclaimed, "To who?"

"This guy, Ren." I told her, "But its so awful, because I only met him once and apparently my parents choose my husband. I came back to find Kiba and-" I stopped as I recalled Ino's words in my head. My words caught in my throat, and I gulped heavily as I tried to find my voice.

"He has a girlfriend," She finished. I nodded my head, and she continued, "Carinha came here three years ago, and fell in love with him immediately. But he was still depressed about you. He would come to me almost everyday after you left to talk to me about you, and helped me when Kazu was born."

"I wish I could go back in time," I told her, "I would've come back sooner, and taken him with me."

"We all wish we could go back in time at one point," Hazuki replied and fixed Kazu's body on her lap, "If I had the choice, I wouldn't have taken the drink. But sometimes I'm glad I have Kazu to remind me of him." I didn't answer, and Hazuki then scooped up her child in her arms and stood up. "It's getting late and I need to get Kazu home. We'll hang tomorrow, okay? I'll leave Kazu at the day care."

"Okay, thank you Hazuki." I said as I stood too. We hugged one last time before Kazu mumbled something to his mother.

"Bye Hazel." He said quietly.

"Bye Kazu." I answered. The little boy smiled as Hazuki kissed his cheek, and carried him away.