Welcome Namine

When Namine came to, she realized she was lying down. She saw that she was lying on a couch, with a wet towel on her forehead. She sat up to get a better look around, while taking the towel off her.

"Hey you're awake."

Namine looked to her side and squeaked, "Boruto."

"Hey," Boruto said, "How ya feeling?"

"Um…" Namine needed to tread lightly, "I'm okay, um… sorry about that."

"Don't worry," Boruto shrugged, "Kairi said you were crazy shy."

"She did?" Namine gulped, "What… else did she say about me?"

"That I had to be nice to you," Boruto said, "She even pinched my nose when she did."

"Oh," So Boruto didn't know. Namine released a sigh, "So, where is she?"

"She in Dad's office," Boruto pointed out of the room, "She and Riku are talking to him right now."

Namine got up, that's right. She had a job to do.

"Where's your dad's office?"

"This way, come on."

As they walked, Namine noticed Boruto kept glancing at her. It made her nervous.

He knows something's wrong with you.

"Is… there something on my face?" Namine asked nervously.

"I don't know why, but you look familiar."

HE KNOWS SOMETHINIG'S WRONG WITH YOU!

"Well, I don't know why you'd think that," Namine tried to hide her anxiety, "It's my first time on this world."

"Hm…" Boruto placed his hands behind his head. The gesture reminded Namine of Sora, "I guess you're right. I must be imagining things."

Namine sighed, Boruto was dropping it.

"By the way," The young ninja added, "Thanks."

Namine looked at him confused, "For what?"

"For making Kairi remember us," Boruto looked down embarrassed, "Thanks for that."

"Oh, well," Namine said, "No need to thank me. Kairi's a friend, and a friend in need and all that," Namine started to babble, "Well, it's only fair for Kairi to know about her past, so she can decide on her future and as a friend I had to give her that option… heh…"

Boruto looked at Namine. She was weird.

Soon they were both in front of the Hokage's office.

Don't pass out, don't pass out, don't pass out… again!

Namine raised her fist and knocked on the door. The muffled voices that could be heard on the other side stopped. After a minute the door opened to reveal Riku.

"Namine."

"Hey, I'm here too," Boruto said.

"Namine," Kairi quickly moved Riku aside, "Finally, we were just talking about you."

"You were?" Namine asked nervously.

"Yeah, come on," Namine was pulled into the office, before she knew it she was in front of the Hokage himself. Namine stiffened when he saw her and smiled.

"Namine, welcome," Naruto smiled.

Namine was stiff, she only reacted when Kairi elbowed her, "Yes!" Namine yelped, "Thank you for your welcome…" she bowed stiffly, "Sir… My name is Namine…"

"Uh…"

"He knows that Namine," Kairi whispered.

Namine squeaked in embarrassment, "R-right," Namine stood up straight, her face was red, "I-I… I need-need to… to-to-to…"

"You need to find your friend Sora, correct?" Naruto answered for her, "You believe there is a connection between this world and him correct?"

"Yes!" Namine squeaked, "Can I- Can I please use my power here? I promise no one will be hurt!"

"Of course," Naruto said with a smile.

Namine felt like she was going to melt with relief. Finally the hardest part was over.

Kairi then grinned behind Namine, "Say Dad," Naruto looked at his red haired daughter.

"What?"

"Since Namine needs to stay here for a bit, is it alright if she stays with us?" Kairi asked, "At our house specifically?"

"Huh?" Boruto said.

"What?" Namine squeaked, "No!" Everyone looked at Namine as she squeaked, "I mean- there's no need to trouble yourselves," Namine started to talk fast as she babbled, "I can sleep in the wilderness or in the gutter like a hobo, it's fine!"

"Come on Namine," Kairi grabbed her hand, "We're friends and I want to find Sora too," Kairi then turned back to Naruto, "Can she dad?"

"Well, I have no problem with it," Naruto said, "We owe Namine for restoring your memories, but you'll need to ask mom first."

"Awesome," Kairi started dragging Namine out the door, "Let's go ask mom right."

"But-but-but-…" The door slammed closed behind the two girls.

Riku grinned, knowing the whole story, This is bound to be entertaining.

Riku looked back to Naruto, "If it's alright, I want to take a look around. I want to see if I can find a way to Sora that Namine missed."

Naruto looked at Riku, "You can search the land of fire, but for other nations, that might be a little harder. We have rules here."

"I understand," Riku said, "Is there anyway for me to search the other lands?"

"I'll see what I can do," Naruto said. All the while Boruto was pouting.

Sora, Sora, Sora, it was always about Sora. What was so great about that guy anyway?

After finally getting a few blocks away from the Hokage's office, Namine had calmed down enough to be mad at Kairi.

"I hate you," Namine sulked as Kairi dragged her down the road.

"No you don't."

"Okay, I don't, but I'm still mad."

"Why?"

"Why? Because you and Riku are pushing me to meet the people I desperately want to avoid on this world!" Namine complained.

"I'm just offering you a place to stay while you're here," Kairi countered.

Namine just glared. Kairi sighed.

"Come on Namine. You saw how nice dad was. I'm sure if we explain to them-…"

"There's nothing to explain," Namine interrupted.

"Namine come on, what's the worse that can happen?"

"They call me a monster and try to kill me," Namine said.

"Namine they aren't like that," Kairi tried to explain, "Dad certainly wouldn't do that, when he was a kid, people treated him badly for something that wasn't his fault. He'd never do that to another person."

Namine looked down.

"At least think about it," Kairi gently pushed.

Kairi cared a great deal for Namine. She wanted her to be part of her family too, but she knew she could force the issue. She also knew, Namine deserved happiness after everything she went through. Kairi hoped that her family could give her that happiness, at the very least she wanted them to try.

Namine sighed, "I'll think about it, but I'm going to focus on finding a link to Sora."

"Okay," Kairi nodded, "That's fair."

Kairi led them to the Uzumaki house.

"And we're home," Kairi led them to the door. Namine couldn't help but gaze at the house. This was it, where her… where Kairi's family lived.

Namine felt like she was intruding, stepping in on what belonged to Kairi, again. But also, it felt familiar and warm.

Kairi opened the front door, "Mom, Hima? I'm home."

Namine swallowed, Don't pass out, don't pass out, don't pass out.

"Hey Kairi," Kairi looked behind through the front door to see Boruto coming through the gate.

"What does he want?" Kairi wondered as she walked past Namine who was as stiff as a statue.

She was in the Uzumaki's house, she was about to meet Himawari and mo- and Mrs. Uzumaki. She took in a breath.

No need to freak out, just be polite and sweet and introduce-, "Oof!" Namine was nearly knocked back when a small body slammed into her waist.

She looked down to see a tuft of black hair and a pair of arms around her waist. Himawari looked up with a smile, "Big sister, your home."

*THUD*

Kairi turned around when she heard the loud sound, "What the heck?"

Namine was once again passed out, laying across the threshold of the door with a confused Himawari standing in front of her. The blonde girl's face was redder than a tomato.

Kairi sighed, "This is going to be much harder than I thought."

Later when Namine woke up, Kairi explained everything to her mom. Namine sat on the couch, quietly trying to not have a mental panic.

"So, is it okay if she stays here?" Kairi asked hopefully.

Say no, say no, say no! Namine mentally begged.

"Hm…" Hinata said, "I'm not sure we have enough room."

"Oh," Namine said, "I understand perfectly. I'd hate to impose," Namine quickly stood up and tried to walk out of the room, "But I appreciate you considering it, but of course I…"

"Now, hold on," Kairi sat her back down, "She can stay in my room," Kairi said, "It wouldn't be an issue. Please mom."

Hinata looked over at Namine. Hinata understood Namine was Kairi's friend and the one who restored Kairi's memories. She owed Namine so much, the least she could do was offer her a place to stay.

"Well, if you think it won't be a problem, then she can stay."

Yes! Kairi mentally cheered.

No! Namine mentally wailed.

"Come on, Namine," Kairi grabbed the blond girl, "Lets get you set up."

A short while later, Namine was laying on the futon laid out for her, face down. How did this happen? How was she know staying with the Uzumaki's? She could barely talk to them without passing out. How could she live with them while she was looking for Sora?

"Hey, Namine," Kairi appeared at the door.

Namine just gave a groan in response.

"Dinner's ready."

Namine barely lifted her head to respond, "So?"

"So, come on, let's go eat."

She looked at Kairi, "Since when am I invited?"

Kairi huffed, she went in and pulled her up, "You're still a guest, and guests get invited to dinner," Kairi patted her down, "Now look presentable."

"Fine," Namine said, "I'll try not to pass out again."

Soon, they were sitting at the table, with Hinata, Himawari, and Boruto.

"So, dad's working late again?" Boruto said.

"Looks like it," Kairi said, "You're not going to complain again are you."

"Well, we have a guest with us, don't we?"

"I-I'm fine," Namine quickly said, "Um… this all looks good."

"Thank you," Hinata said.

As they ate, Hinata kept asking Namine questions, "Does the food taste good Namine?"

Namine just nodded, her face red.

"How about the drink, do you like it?"

Namine just nodded.

"If there's something you need, you can tell us."

Namine just nodded again.

"Well, what do you think of our world so far, do you like it?"

Namine nodded.

"Um… you're free to say anything. We won't get upset."

Namine just nodded.

"Weirdo," Boruto said under his breath.

Kairi smacked the back of his head.

After dinner, Namine tried to help with the dishes.

"Thank you, Namine, but we got it," Hinata carefully took the plate from the blonde girl. As she did, she noticed Namine had some food stuck to her face, "Namine hold on."

Hinata quickly put the plate down and picked up a rag, she carefully wiped her face. When she was done, Namine's face went red and she ran out the room embarrassed.

"Oh dear," Hinata said. She wasn't trying to embarrass her. Hinata didn't know why she did that. It just felt… right, taking care of Namine like that.

Namine went back to Kairi's room to calm down. She didn't want to admit it, but she liked what just happened. The dinner, Hinata wiping her face.

It would be wonderful if that kind woman really was my mother.

Namine shook her head. She didn't come here for that. She went there to find Sora, nothing was going to stop her from finding him. And when she did, she would leave and never come back.

It was better this way.

Life comes with many challenges and changes. Things you do not expect. Like Namine, sometimes you have to face the people you both want to be with and want to be as far away from as possible. Sometimes bad things happen... like the loss of dearly beloved cat... *sobbing* CALLIE!

(The reason I haven't been posting lately is because my cat died, and I am still mourning her)