She's awake before dawn, but still after everyone else. Her chest aches, a weight has settled inside her ribs to sit on her lungs and hold her down. She can't hear Kaguya's sickeningly sweet voice anymore, just birds in the trees and the gentle rustle of the wind.

She uncurls slowly, as she always does now. Her body is slow and stiff and hurting, her limbs are heavy as she rolls onto her knees. She hears someone crouch beside her, a careful hand pulling hair out of her face.

"Do you want help?"

It's Kakashi, and she nods after only a moment hesitation. He's careful, letting her lean on him as much as she needs to in order to get to her feet. She keeps hold of him, now she's walking around she keeps feeling like she's spinning endlessly. The vertigo always passes, but it's unpleasant and always makes her stomach roll. Kakashi doesn't move, just lets her hold onto him until she's ready.

"Can you get my stick?"

"Sure."

He's gone for only a moment, but the moment is along enough for her to feel helpless in the dark. She had forgotten how big the world was, without her eyes there to guide her through it. She didn't walk too far, always walking first thing in the morning when she was rested, but she almost trips every day. Kakashi returns, taking her hand to place the stick carefully in it.

He stays there, wondering if he should take her arm the way Gai did the night before.

"Can I take your arm?" She asks quietly, meekly.

"Sure."

Asuma watches him reach down and gently curl her arm into his, he's not used to seeing the softer side of Kakashi Hatake and it was taking a bit of getting used to. Gai was just smiling at them both.

"He didn't deserve a second chance," Asuma told him sternly "But he wanted one, and sometimes that's just as important."

Gai nodded "He's a better man than you think Asuma, a better man than he thinks he is too."

That was up for debate, but Asuma would let it lie for now. If Shoko was willing to give him that second chance, then Asuma wouldn't stand in the way. But if he messed up again, that was it. No third chances. Regardless of how much he wanted one.

Hiro doesn't say anything; he's too busy digesting the news from last night. They pack up the camp and start their journey, taking their time and letting Shoko set the pace. Letting her stretch her legs was one of the small freedoms she got right now, she was confined always to someone's arm.

"I'm glad you made it home Kakashi," Shoko told him, ignoring the tension around them "I was so worried when the sand hadn't found you or Kurenai."

He didn't feel like he deserved it, but he was pleased for her concern nonetheless.

"I'm sorry about my mission."

She nodded, Asuma had filled her in on the goings on inside the village, and she hoped Kurenai would be able to forgive Kakashi now she was home. They were both her friends after all, regardless. Shoko was many things, but was determined not to be a hypocrite.

"It's okay." She squeezed his hand in hers "It hurt, and it made me sad, but I've had some time alone with myself and I don't know if I'd be able to disobey and order from the Hokage."

She smiled sadly "If anything I'm glad it was someone I knew, rather than a stranger I didn't know."

They carried on in silence, and when her legs began to shake Kakashi scooped her back into his arms and carried on walking. Hiro was starting to get his anger back, but he didn't know how to direct it anymore. He didn't know if he should have been angry at Kakashi for overstepping his boundaries or Shoko for letting him. Part of him knew he was being small and petty, but Shoko was an important part of the clan (nothing had been made clearer after her supposed death) and she needed to be within the clan surrounded by her kin.

In years to come, Hiro would regret not following her lead, but for now, he would stay stoically bitter and loyal only to his clan.

He would report all of this to Lord Hyuuga when he got home; they would find a way to manage this better now. Shoko wouldn't be able to be reckless anymore; her friends would spend less and less time with her now she was helpless like this. Kakashi was being kind through guilt only, no doubt the Hokage would too but once the guilt had passed they would cast aside as useless once more and she could go home and live peacefully.

Neji would need her now, the boy had been distraught as had Hinata but her pain was a different kind. They both mourned for their aunt, only one mourned their father. Thankfully, this would be the last day's travel before they were home. Shoko bantered with Asuma and Gai, comfortable in Kakashi's arms.

Hiro hated him. Hated him. Shoko was too forgiving and naïve. That was all it was, childish naivety that would pass as she grew older.

He let the satisfaction of knowing she would grow out of Kakashi Hatake roll over him, finally finding the energy to smile.

In years to come, Hiro would always resent Kakashi, in a thousand different ways he would resent him. He wished he could change that too, but that was the glory of looking back.

Gai was supremely pleased, Asuma was talking to Kakashi (albeit not with the same ease he once had) and Kakashi had some light back in his eyes. Shoko was sleeping soundly in his arms now, worn out already by the journey.

"What happens when we get home?" Asuma asked softly, aware not only of Shoko but of Hiro trailing along just behind them.

"Shoko won't want to stop being a ninja." Kakashi said, "But this will set her back a long way."

Gai nodded "She'll be starting all over from scratch."

"Not all the way," Asuma argued "She still has all her skills; she just needs to figure out a new way to see that doesn't use her eyes."

The boys pondered on this for a while, until the gate of the village loomed into view. Kakashi softly woke Shoko up, she had asked to be awake when they finally got home, she wanted to be awake when she got back to the Hyuuga compound and when she was with her family again.

"We're home?" She asked blearily, rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah," Kakashi told her "We're home. Hiro is going to take you to the compound so you can see the Hyuuga doctors."

She scowled yet another thing she couldn't wait for the Hokage to abolish. Still, she was pleased she could slowly walk into the village even if it was difficult to do so. As soon as she was over the border Hiro scooped her up into his arms and turned to the boys, glaring daggers.

"You are no longer needed." He said stiffly.

"Uh, actually if you guys could tell Kurenai I'm home and send her over tomorrow I'd really appreciate it."

Hiro sighed, well, of all her friends Kurenai was the one he could at least tolerate. She respected the Hyuuga traditions, and she was sure Shoko could use a good 'girl-friend' or whatever. Still, the boys confirmed and said farewell and they were leaping through the village.

Shoko sighed, happy at last. She might have failed to save her brother, but she was still glad to be home and with her family and friends and just familiar people again. She had enjoyed meeting Gaara and had promised she would find a way to write to the little boy, but she longed for her nephew and niece.

Mostly, she just longed to be home.