The sun was barely up, Temari stood at the entrance of the Konohakagure with her Genin, you. Adjusting your side pack, making sure it was secure and Onyx safely secure as well. Temari waits for you to finish.
"..."
Running footsteps caught both your attention, looking back to the village as the sun started to rise a hand was raised high flagging you down a huge smile on their face. Naruto and the others. They reach you, Naruto skids stopping just a few inches infront of you. Waving the dust out of your face, happy to see them all and surprised.
Akumaru comes over to you, nuzzling you."Hello."you greet the large dog, turning to the others Temari gives you some space with the others."This is quite a surprise, up this early."
"Well, Naruto here alerted us you had left already..."Shikamaru annoyingly tells you."So he woke us up, and gathered us all here."
You look to the blonde hair boy, who smiles."N-Not to mention these."Hinata stammers, she pulls out a lavender paper star.
The others pull out theirs as well."Yeah, these where left infront of our place."Tenten looks at you."Did you leave them?"
Still petting Akumaru, you nod yes."They are a token, to remember me. I know it is not much..."you look away slightly embarrassed and shameful."It is all I could do...but I promise I will find a way to repay you all."looking back to them with a smile.
"Boy, you have got to the only girl I know that smiles a great deal."Shikamaru states, rolling his eyes. With a smirk.
"It's fine."Sakura tells you."Your gift was very thoughtful."Everyone nods in agreement.
Kiba comes over to you."Yeah, I like it."You smile at him."Though wish you would have told us, what time you where leaving."
"Yes, we would like to see you off."Lee tells you."It would be rude if we did not. Friends say good-byes to eachother. So it is only right we see you off."
"Yeah, leaving like that..."Naruto huffs upset."I mean come on, and really you make it sound like we won't ever see you again. I mean our villages are neighbors after all. Who knows now, that your a full ninja we can team up with you on missions."He smiles at you.
Though you didn't really smile."May, what's wrong?"Hinata noticed the heavy look in your eyes. The others look at you, a look of uncertainty."What's with the long face, May?"Choji speaks up.
Before you could say anything Naruto notices something missing."Hey, where's your forehead protector? I don't see it."
Temari who was just a few feet away heard his question, she turns around looking waiting for you to say something. Trying hard not to bite you lip, but the others could see it, doubtful and discomfort."It is...I do not wish to wear it."you confess.
"Why?"Sakura questions."You passed, Lady Tsunade's training. You said that once you did, you get to become a shonibi."
"Is it to small?"Sai wondered.
You just shake your head."No, that is not accurate at all."
"Then what is it?"Kiba wondered.
"..."sighing to yourself from the heavily load you felt on you, opening your pack taking it out looking down at."I do not believe...I cannot wear something that..."Not fully sure how to explain this."I do not feel I have trained well enough...there where many things...Miss Tsunade has told me that I need much. And I cannot except this, if I have sharpen. I believe that is term those skills to her exception. So I shall not wear this until I know I have."Looking down the road that lead to Sunakagure."Mr. Gaara has been so kind to me, and it would be shameful to return back, with this feeling of unfulfillment. It would be dishonorable to him. Master Splinter, told me to never dishonor those who have shown you kindness...So, until what I lack has been brought up. Then I shall proudly wear, this gift from Mr. Gaara...But as of now I-"
Someone takes your forehead protector, looking it was Naruto. He looks at your forehead protector."You know, I think Gaara would be more dishonored if you didn't come back wearing it."
You look at him, he wasn't smile he for the first time. Gives you a serious yet understanding look. His grip on the forehead protector tightens."..."you processes what he just said.
"Gaara gave this to you, for a reason. He saw something in you."he looks at the forehead protector."He saw a prized shonibi from his village. He wouldn't have sent you here and gone all that way for nothing. So saying you don't deserve it..."he slightly becomes upset."Is just wrong!"his raised voice slightly scared. He gives you a ferocious look. But then switches to a kind and sympathetic one."I totally get it...you don't feel worthy...because your from other place...but that doesn't mean, anything. Granny Tsunade didn't have to train you, if you think about it. If your training is already over, think of it as this. You surpassed everything she had, and she knows your ready."
"Yeah, your skills are amazing May."Sakura compliments you. You look to her, she smiles at you."I've never seen someone like you be so skilled. Everything I threw at you, you just breezed by it with such ease. I have to admit, I was jealous."
"Y-You wo-worked hard."Hinata speaks up, you look to her. She smiles at you."All, the days you trained, I s-saw you get better. D-don't think your...own short stop you...you have a way of taking challanges on...with such heart. It's amazing really. Y-you should wear it proud."
Lee comes in after her."She is right, not many can spare with Guy Sensei like you. I must say, it was very impressive."
Touched by what the said, you still had a bit of doubt in you. Thinking of everything. When you felt something on forehead and tied well behind your head. It was your forehead protector, Naruto put on you. He gives it one last tight tug on the knot.
"There...much better."he steps back admiring what he did. Smiling at you."Now, you look like a full shonibi."
Touching it, feeling the cold metal on you. Gave you this warm feeling. Looking to him, thankfully."Thank you..."
He blushes and laughs. Scratching the back of his head."You're welcome..."
Reaching back you untie it though."Though I would prefer to place it elsewhere."Taking off the protector, they watch you levitate it towards the front of your outfit, using your own aura you manage to embroidered it onto the chest part of your outfit."There, much better."
"Why did you put it there?"Tenten was confused by your placement.
Tapping the protector you smile at her."Kindness comes from the heart, and Mr. Gaara was kind to me. So, it only seems right that I place it where all can see."
Naruto scratches the back of his head."That's a weird place to put it."he goes and was about to tap it, but Sakura hits him hard in the back of the head.
"Don't you think about it!"she growls at him. She looks at you with a smile."It's a perfect fit, oh I almost forgot. Here."she hands you a ribbon tied book. you take it from her."I thought you might want this, it's one of my favorite medical texts. It has some pretty useful information."
"Thank you, very much."you thank her.
Ino comes and pushes her way over to you."Here."she hands you three small sacks. She saw the look on your face, wondering what it was. She just smiles winking at you."Give this one to Gaara, and the other two you'll find out. Oh just incase, here is a small book on flowers."She hands you a rather small book.
"I must say, that I was not expecting these gifts."you smile at everyone."Thank you. Thank you very much."
"You're welcome."Naruto comes back up with a lump on his head."Just remember though, once you that forehead protector. It means your part of the village now, it's your new home in a way. Really can't wait to go on missions with you, and hey who knows when the Chunin exams come. I can't wait to see how strong you become."
"Yes!"Lee agrees, striking a pose.
"Then I shall do my best. Thank you."you give him a hug, surprising him. Before Naruto could react, you let him go and hug everyone else. Kiba though held onto you the longest, Neji slightly stiffen, Lee gave you a bone crushing one which prompted Tenten to knock him in the head to let you go. You embrace Hinata the longest out of everyone."I shall miss our time together."
She hugs you back just as tightly."Me too."both you of you break and look at eachother."Good luck."
Saying your goodbyes to everyone, you wave to them. Thanking them once again for everything. A few wave back, wishing you well and hoping to see you again. Temari waited patiently for you, smiling to herself. You reach her."I am ready."you tell her.
She looks at where you put the forehead protector, smiling at you proudly. Turning her back to the village."Good, let's go."she jumps off. You fly after her, though stop turning back around, they where still there waiting for you be out of sight. Your fears where soon washed away, by their presence. Raising your hand, you wave bye to them before heading on your way. Hearing Temari call for you, you hurry to her.
Back with the others, they wait for you to be out of sight. Once gone everyone started to disperse. A few claiming they would miss May. The only one left was Naruto. He couldn't stop thinking about the hug he received from the joyful girl. It was so sudden, yet for some reason he felt something when she touched him. He was not sure what it was. But it was different, and the presence seem to still linger. Hinata noticed along with Sakura he still stood there.
The two look at eachother wondering what it was that vexed the young boy. But only he knew.
In the Hokage's office Tsunade stood looking out her window, Shuzine stood by her looking out in the same direction towards the front of the village. Both women where fully aware May had just left. Tsunade knew a bit of her training was not done just yet. But right now, she had much more matters to attend to. Shizune gives Tsunade a weary look.
"...Are you sure..."she speaks up.
The dour look upon the Hokage's spoke the answer, closing her mouth she turns back to the direction she was looking.
Keeping up Temari was not hard at all, while she jumped you flew on her side. Though made sure Onxy was alright, he was snuggled well and tight. Looking back, the village was no longer in sight. It both sadden and filled you strength, something you didn't really fully understand. But whatever it was made you feel great. Turning back upfront.
Temari comes to a stop on large tree branch. Just a quick rest."We've covered some grounds."she looks back the way you both came."Going to miss that vacation though. So ready to start missions?"
Turning to her, pointing to yourself. An eager joyful smile appears."Yes, I cannot wait. I am pumped...I believe that is what it is called."Looking back towards the village a soft smile comes to your lips."There is so much, I must repay back."
"Looks like you have your drive."Temari casually says. Looking ahead towards the way to her village."Well, lets keep going."Nodding your head, she jumps off and you follow right after."If you want to know something, you've become much stronger and adjusted very well here. For someone, from New York City."she jokes lightly.
Which you got, you smile nodding in agreement."Master Splinter said, no matter the circumstances. One must be like water or wind and adjust."
"Wise words really."she agrees."I wonder how Gaara and Kankuro managed without your assistance."
She chuckles a bit, at her own thought. It made you think as well, surely they where doing just fine."As you said, they shall be fine. But it will be nice to return. To see them again, and Mr. Kai and Kaito. I have been sensing Kaito has been longing for my return. The letter when I received Onyx. Mentions it greatly."
"I beat."she comes to another stop quickly. You almost bumped right into her. There was something different.
Concerned, you call to her."Temari...are you alright."
The young woman turns to you with the most earnest look ever."May, trust me when I say this. Your my Genin, and I'm your jonin. How you feel reflects upon me, so understand this. I'm strong meaning what I teach you makes you just as strong. I wouldn't have brought it up to Gaara if I didn't see something in you. So, don't let me catch you saying those words you feel unfit. Because...that's far from the truth. Gaara gave you this-"she taps the forehead protector on you."For a reason, your part of this village now. No matter what. Got it."
Her words resonates to you with such strength and truth."...Yes..."you smile nodding your head.
"Good."She smirks at you, she then takes something out and places it on you. It was a dark gold colored scarf, not expecting this at all, you look to her. She turns back around to continue."I expect a great deal from you, remember that. Let's go."she jumps off, with her genin right next to her.
In Sunakagure, Kaito sat in class. Drowning out the teacher, his mind was on his pink haired friend, her written in his notes, not the notes themselves. Sighing, he didn't like this waiting it was just way to much for him. Looking to the teacher their back turned, he gets up from his seat and slips out of class. As quietly as he could, sometimes it paid to be quiet no one really paid you no mind. Looking back at the teacher, their back still turned he leaves the school grounds. It was high afternoon, his father was still at work. Not much to do, he drags his feet along the streets. This heavy longingly was great, there was only place he knew he could go to.
Knocking on the Kazekage's office, he didn't hear anyone telling to come in. So taking matters into his own hands he just opens the door. When he realized it was locked, surprised and frustrated he jiggles the knob of the door. It still did not open, doing his best to contain his grown frustrations. The door was to be open all the time, the Kazekage told him he would keep it open. And this was the first time it was locked, jiggling the door knob again. If he had the strength he would break it, but he didn't have it. Curse his weak physique. He had to go into this room, it was the only place that made him feel happy and content like before. The same feelings he longed for before it happen.
Trying not to cry was hard, heavy tears started to form in his eyes. Wiping them away quickly, he turns and leaves huffing an puffing down the stairs. Reaching the bottom, he hurries out the building. Not paying attention to where he was going. He stumbles and falls fast down the stairs, onto the sand hard. Some went into his eyes, making it wet and irritable and painful.
Stinging his eyes, he tries to wipe out the sand. But with each wipe, the small particles scratched his face and buried themselves into his skin. Stinging it, adding more angry tears. Dropping his head, low digging his nails into the sand. All he wanted was simple. But he couldn't. His tears wet the sand, keeping his cries quiet the best he could, trying to wipe his eyes only to jerk his hand away from the pain he felt by the sand.
"...M-Ma..."he mumbles her name. Closing his eyes tightly."C-come...back...please..."he whimpers.
So wrapped up in his own whirlpool of his emotions, not to noticed footsteps rushing over to him. It wasn't until he felt something warm and his pain going away. There was only one person who's touch gave such a feeling. His blue eyes look up at the smile that brighten his little heart, those eyes that shined with much joy and tenderness, and that hair blew like silk in the wind so soft. And that voice, when he heard his name made him know he was loved.
On one knee smiling down at Kaito."Hello, Kaito. I am back."you softly chuckle, before you could fully finish healing him. The young boy jumps up and bolts straight into your arms, burying himself into you. You felt his grip on you tighten, smiling warmly at the little boy. Feeling his body tremble and relax at the sametime. Wrapping your arms around him, hugging him back.
He was crying on you, and you didn't mind. Resting your chin on him."Y-You're back."he cries, though it sounded muffled. You heard every word."...R-Right?"
Gently you caress his hair."Yes, I am. I did not mean to keep you waiting."
His grip became tighter."I-it's alright."He breaks from you, looking up at you smiling. You smile down at him, placing a hand on his head and continue to heal him. He wipes his eyes this time without the sand.
"There."you finish with him."Much better."
He doesn't feel his pain nor his marks from the sand."Yeah, thank you." Hearing other footsteps he looks to find his father standing behind you. His good mood goes away, knowing he was trouble. But instead his father smiles and says nothing. He places a hand on your shoulder.
"It's good to have you back."he tells you."Welcome home."
You look up at Kai."Thank you."Standing up fully, turning to look at Temari she comes over to you.
"We should go."she tells you, nodding your head you agree. Following her into the Kazekage's office building. Turning back around you wave to Kai and Kaito.
Reaching inside Temari inquires about where Gaara is, they told her he would return he just had to attend to something. While she was talking you excuse yourself and make your way to his office. Finding it was locked, about to use your aura Temari calls you and you hurry to return to her side. Reminding yourself you would do it later.