Chapter 41: No Place Like Home
Still feeling weak I leaned against Lee, with Kakashi against Guy unhappily I should add, Gaara with Naruto and Kankuro seeing the sun was just coming up on the horizon. Looking up we could see the Sand village in the distance as distant cheers could be heard from the entrance.
"So many people." Lee exclaimed making me smile replying, "What do you expect for their Kazekage."
Watching them all run towards us his old sensei Baki came pushing through the crowd saying, "I'm so glad you're safe."
"It's thanks to everyone." Gaara said watching Baki turn to Naruto saying, "Naruto Uzumaki I am truly grateful."
Naruto laughed nervously replying, "No I really wasn't able to do anything..."
Baki nodded looking back at Gaara saying, "Lord Kazekage the villagers are waiting for you."
As he moved out of the way everyone split apart seeing the happy faces of the villagers on either side of us looking towards Gaara.
"Wait first..." Gaara began looking back at Chiyo's body which was wrapped in respects to her being held on a stretcher by some of the shinobi from the village.
Letting her go first Baki said loudly, "Let us pray that Chiyo's soul finds peace."
We all took a moment of silence again as they walked her along the path towards the village knowing she deserved all the respect that could be given. Once she was back in the village, we all walked behind Gaara into the village just as the sun showed brightly over the horizon.
"You guys are leaving already, you should stay longer." Kankuro said seeing Temari nod replying, "Yes you should have a day to relax."
"We'd love to, but we have to go." Naruto said as Sakura nodded replying, "We have something urgent I must report to my master."
Exhausted still I nodded, once Gaara was healed a bit more and we were fed Sakura informed us that news on a spy of Orochimaru would be seen in a few days. Despite the need to sleep and shower I knew that this was important for them since it could lead to their old teammate Sasuke. My wounds were dressed but the amount of chakra I lost from the shield took a lot out of me.
"With Akatsuki attacking villages now I fear we shouldn't stay away from the Leaf for too long." Kakashi said making me nod hearing Baki say, "Even in your condition?"
Kakashi nodded replying, "Yes, I have those I can rely on."
Guy winked and flashed a smile making me shake my head, it was going to be a long journey home.
"We've already informed the Leaf of your success and return home." Baki said as Gaara stood up saying, "If you wish to pay your final respects to Granny Chiyo before you leave follow me."
We all walked towards a large graveyard seeing her brother already by her gravestone frowning down at it.
"She said she didn't want a grave… but I wanted her to have one." her brother said placing his hand on it softly saying, "I felt that everyone needed a place to gather… everyone say your goodbyes."
Putting my head down I said a few words for her in my head then wished for good health to all my friends that had become my family. It was crazy to think that things weren't going to be the same anymore at least not until we stop Akatsuki. How many more Jinchuriki had to die before someone would come to their rescue, it pained me thinking about it. Opening my eyes, I looked at Chiyo's grave, us kids just had to make a difference in the world, and I think Naruto was a good leader in all of this to start change for the better.
I began to walk alongside the others as Naruto and Sakura stayed behind wanting to give them an extra minute. Lee yelled for them to get moving as we all began walking to the entrance of the village ready to make our departure.
"Well, it was good seeing you guys." Kankuro said as I nodded seeing Naruto look towards Gaara rubbing the back of his head whilst saying, "Normally I suppose people shake hands when they say goodbye but I'm not really good with that kind of stuff so I'll just leave it like this..."
Looking down Gaara had his hand out for Naruto seeing sand swirl around Naruto's hand coaxing him to do it. They began shaking hands as I smiled seeing them let go as he turned to me holding his hand out looking at him surprised.
"Until we see each other again my friend." I said smiling wide taking his hand while he nodded replying, "Of course friend."
While walking away we all waved until they were too far in the distance to see us staying in the middle of the group with Kakashi and Guy at the rear. Tilting my head towards them I tried not to giggle at the annoyed face they were both making. For Guy it was being slow but for Kakashi well he didn't like being helped.
"Sensei you're so slow!" Tenten yelled at him hearing the groaning behind me followed by Kakashi apologizing as I giggled replying, "So slow..."
"Hey!" I heard turning holding in a laugh to see that Kakashi was now being piggy backed by Guy who seemed quite proud of himself, Kakashi not so much.
Looking towards the disgusted faces of my teammates Lee jumped forward saying, "Of course it's a type of training!"
"Yes, now I'll be faster!" Guy yelled running past us seeing Kakashi holding on for dear life unable to hold my laugh in anymore.
"Neji..." I heard turning to see Lee in the position to give Neji a piggyback hearing him say angrily, "I refuse!"
Walking forward Lee looked at me as I said with a thumb up, "Count me in!"
I couldn't lie I was exhausted from all the chakra I lost and getting a ride home didn't seem like a bad idea to me. Lee nodded excited as I hopped on giving the others a peace sign zooming off into the desert ahead.
Holding on for dear life my feet flapped behind me as Lee continually sprinted the whole way back to the village. Seeing the gates up ahead I thanked my lucky stars that we were home feeling Lee come to a halting stop holding on for dear life.
"Sadly, second place!" Lee yelled as I slid off Lee's back unable to move while Kakashi also by the looks of it was dead.
Laying on the ground I could hear them talking but it was muffled as I said more to myself, "Kakashi-sensei… next time don't let me do something so foolish..."
Hearing a mutter back the last thing I heard was going to the hospital before I passed out from either lack of chakra or Lee's speed, I really couldn't tell.
