Waiting patiently outside, Harata occupied a nearby bench, legs crossed, lost in thought as Kurenai exited with her squad.
Replaying the dream from earlier in her head, she tried to make sense of what it meant exactly.
But it seemed the more she sought an explanation, the more the answer slipped away.
"What was that all about? And why was Hatake San really there? I don't get it...maybe I can ask Dark Queen about it when I get back." the conflicted young woman sulked internally.
Sighing in frustration, she turned her gaze toward the sky, hoping for a mental reprieve.
Even though she couldn't see anything but crystal blue and white fusing together; just knowing her family and friends were up there was enough to soothe her troubled mind.
"Anybody...please just give me a sign. I can't keep going like this..." she prayed aloud, silently pleading her voice would reach her loved ones.
"Why don't you go inside with Kakashi and his squad? Seems kinda lonely out here by oneself. Don't you agree?" Kurenai said, standing beside her; Kiba, Hinata, and Shino walking ahead of their instructor.
"Oh. It's fine. I'll stay out here." Harata assured half heartedly, not feeling up to socializing right then.
"Know what. I think I'll just head back to the inn. Would you mind telling Hatake San when they all come out please?" she decided, standing up to stretch, then heading back in the direction of where she was originally staying.
"Oh- hey wait a minute!" Kurenai tried in vain, right as Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura came out of the ramen shop.
Noticing the look of dismay on the older kunoichi's face, Sakura immediately inquired as to what the problem was.
"Kurenai Sensei, what's wrong?" the young girl asked worriedly.
"She left." was all the raven haired woman said in response, confusing her colleague's student a bit.
"She?" Sakura mirrored back.
"Yeah, your female acquaintance." Kurenai explained, Sakura's face indicating she finally realized who was being referred to.
"She did? I wonder why?" Sakura questioned, not really directing it towards anyone.
"Can't say for sure, but do me a favor and let your sensei know she went back to that old inn. I gotta run. Good seeing you all ." Kurenai said, waving goodbye as she too walked off.
"oooo I'll do it!" Naruto volunteered excitedly, Sakura shooting him a sideways glance.
"Why are you so eager to tell Sensei Kakashi? Just so you can beg for more ramen?" she accused suspiciously.
"whaaaat? No no no, I just wanna do Kakashi sensei a solid is all!" Naruto countered, as he ran back into Ichiraku.
"I don't trust him. He's gonna do something stupid. Just wait." Sasuke warned.
"He'd better not!" Sakura shouted angrily as she stormed back inside also; Sasuke opting to remain outside.
"hey Kakashi sensei!" Naruto called out cheerfully.
"Yes Naruto?" Kakashi calmly replied, not lifting his head from his book.
"your girlfriend left!" Naruto reported, a smug expression slowly forming on his face.
"Is that so?" Kakashi retorted, remaining unfazed still.
"yeah! Kurenai sensei said she went to some love hote-- OWWWW!! HEY WHO THE HECK?!!-- oh, Sakura...heh heh...didn't see ya there..." the hyperactive genin started, but soon found himself nursing his head.
"That's NOT what she said Naruto!" Sakura scolded, turning to address Kakashi herself.
"Sensei Kurenai said she went back to an inn." she corrected, Kakashi shifting his gaze to his student now.
"I see. Did she say anything else?" he interrogated.
"No, just that. Why?" Sakura inquired.
"Alright. Thank you for the message. I'm dismissing you all for the day. I have something to take care of." he said abruptly, before standing up and disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
"huh? Kakashi sensei? Where ya goin?!" Naruto shouted after their teacher, Sakura standing there just as baffled as her teammate.
Catching the familiar sight of the old, yet beautifully furnished inn, Harata listlessly walked inside; bowing deeply to the elderly woman at the front desk as if on auto pilot.
Returning the kindness, the old clerk bowed her head as well, and gave a warm smile.
But upon seeing Harata's solemn expression, her wrinkled face changed to one of sympathy.
"Dear, won't you tell me what's plaguing such a sweet young girl like yourself?" the elderly clerk spoke up for the first time.
Startled by hearing the old woman talk to her, Harata stopped and forced a fake smile.
"I'm fine, I promise ma'am." she reassured in as believable a tone as she could muster.
"Nonsense, I've seen that look before. Though if you don't want to disclose the reason, I won't force you. Just know I'm here, should you ever need a listening ear dear." the kind old lady said, with a warm smile and trusting eyes.
Touched by the offer, she merely nodded her head in agreement and continued on to her room.
As soon as she was safely in the confines of a private space, she collapsed onto the bed facedown, feeling mentally exhausted.
"What are you still doing here Harata? You knew for a long time now, that none of them were ever in or around this village. But you still wanted to believe the possibility they could be..." she argued aloud, rolling over on her back.
"Like it's anyone's fault but my own...if I wasn't so damn impulsive this wouldn't have happened in the first place..." Harata finished, scolding herself fervently.
Beginning to feel the same sensation from before resurface, she reached over and grabbed the blade tilted up against the wall by her bed, and instinctively held it close.
Instantly, her worries seemed to fade, which came as a surprise. She hadn't anticipated it would comfort her so much.
"Weird. Guess it reminds me of home." she said dismissively, knowing deep down there was a completely different reason.
However the stubborn young woman simply refused to acknowledge that reason under any circumstances.
"So what do I do? Should I leave? But where would I even go? ...Nah that doesn't make any sense. It'd be easier for them to pinpoint my location if I stay in one place." Harata strategized.
"Ooookay, so just stay here and wait for help? Alright, if I don't go insane from not being able to train first." she said through a yawn.
"And why do I keep getting tired?! I don't even sleep at home!" she barked, frustrating herself all over again.
"Fuck it, I don't even care anymore!" she shouted, immediately regretting that choice. Looking around as if she were about to get in trouble at any moment.
"Oh yeah...that's right..." she chuckled nervously, feeling foolish.
Though the thought of seeing the bewildered look on her father's face from her randomly shouting, made her laugh mischievously.
"I can just picture him now, "Baby girl what in the hell is wrong wit you? Stop yellin, before ya wake ya mother up." Harata joked, doing the best impression of her father's southern accent as she could manage.
"He'd be so lost..." she continued, trying to stifle another laugh, but eventually going silent again.
"I was certain you'd be moping around in there." she suddenly heard from the direction of the sliding doors, making her bolt upright.
She could tell exactly who it was, just by the familiar silhouette casted on the sliding doors by the sun.
Getting up off the bed, she walked over to the doors and slid them open slowly, peeking outside only to see Kakashi giving a friendly smile.
"What're you doing here? I thought you would've gone home by now." she questioned, opening the doors the rest of the way.
"Oh I was going to just head home...until I heard you left without my knowledge." he said casually, making Harata's face go from confusion to one of guilt.
"Heh, yeah sorry bout that. I was just a bit too tired I guess." she lied, knowing he caught on, but just didn't say anything.
"Hmm...I see. Maybe you should get more rest then." he said sarcastically, Harata not seeing the smug look in his eye.
"I'll keep that in mind heh..." she squeaked out, slowly inching back toward the bed.
"Something wrong?" he inquired, obviously noticing what she was doing.
"Whaaat? No! No, of course not!" she replied in a shaky voice, feeling her butt bump the edge of the bed, and sitting back down, and pulling her knees up to her chest.
"Oh. Well I suppose I'll take my leave then. Just checking in on you." he said, giving up a bit too easily for Harata's liking.
"Did something happen? He seems a bit...down...which is strange..." she mulled over in her head, giving Kakashi a suspicious look of curiosity; and wanting to make sure he was alright.
"Um...Hatake San...?" she started, as he turned around and looked back over his shoulder.
"Yes?" he replied, wondering what she was going to ask.
"Um...well...are you okay? You kinda don't sound as...how to put this...you...you seem upset." she observed cautiously.
"Do I? Sorry, I'm probably just hungry." he countered strategically.
"Oh, then please don't let me keep you- oh that's right! I did get more groceries, so you can just use those!" Harata suggested cheerfully, though that happiness went away quickly after hearing his response.
"True. But I don't know what to make with any of the things you bought. I'm no chef. I just make practical food." he baited, the now completely guilt ridden Harata playing right into his trap.
"Oh you don't? I'll cook it all for you okay? Don't worry!" she offered eagerly, a twinkle of determination radiating from her unnaturally.
"What in the world is glowing behind her? Nevermind, this is the same one who calls a chicken her child...I honestly don't want to know anymore..." Kakashi contemplated, as he studied Harata carefully, then responded.
"It's alright. I couldn't possibly ask that of you." he pretended to refuse.
"No please! Allow me! I'll make you some of the best food you ever had!" she beamed passionately.
"Ah, well...if you insist. It wouldn't be polite to turn down a lady." he said smugly, dealing the final blow.
"In fact I'll just stay at your place and show you my culinary brilliance!" Harata shouted proudly, puffing out her chest.
Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Harata's innocent bravado, turning around so she wouldn't hear him.
He knew it was a bit mean to trick her into coming back by playing at her interests, but he couldn't help himself. She was an amusing person to be around. And her fiery spirit definitely livened things up for him.
"It's alright this time, right? Even if she won't be here forever, it's alright to enjoy her company for now." Kakashi's mind wandered, as Harata gathered up her things quickly, and came back over to him.
"Chef Harata reporting for duty Sir!" she stood at attention.
"My, that was fast. But you're sure you have no problem staying at my place? I don't know if my humble home can handle your culinary brilliance." he teased.
"Yeah right! Your place is built for warfare! So let's go! Off to battle! You lead the charge Hatake San!" Harata encouraged, grabbing his hand excitedly.
"Built for warfare? Your intentions are beginning to worry me." he retorted, half joking, as she pulled his hand again, urging him out of the room, and into the hallway leading to the lobby.
At the front desk, sat the elderly woman from earlier, who upon seeing Harata pulling Kakashi over to where she was seated, smiled warmly to herself.
"Checking out dear?" the old clerk said knowingly, Kakashi giving an apologetic smile and nodding in agreement.
"I had a feeling that was going to be the case sooner or later." she said, as she gathered the necessary paperwork, and Harata happily paid for the days she wasn't there.
"There we go dear. All finished. You two take care now. Oh and young lady." the old woman called out to Harata, making her fall behind Kakashi who had walked over toward the main entrance already.
"Yes ma'am?" Harata replied respectfully.
"Please do treat him well. He's such a sweet young man. I'll know if otherwise happens." the wry old clerk warned with a friendly wink, Harata tilting her head in confusion.
"Sorry ma'am, what do you- " Harata was cut off by the old woman interjecting.
"Hurry along now dear! Don't keep him waiting!" she scolded lovingly, as Harata nodded in compliance, and bowed deeply, thanking the woman for everything, and ran over to catch up with Kakashi.
As the two of them left the inn, an elderly man came out from the back, and stood beside the old woman.
"So he finally came to get her? Took the boy long enough!" the old man fussed jokingly.
"Oh hush you! I keep telling you they're not a couple. She's just his friend." the old woman corrected in a joking manner as well.
"Hmmm friends? Not for long in my opinion. As much as he came by to see that girl? Probably thinks he was slick sneaking in from the balcony, but I always saw him when I went round to feed the cats." the wise old man confessed, the old woman just snickering.
"Oh dear. Come now, let's eat lunch." the old woman prodded, as the old man helped her out of her chair, and they both hobbled off to the back together.