I was able to get settled in within two weeks of moving in and finally started building routines. I reunited with Konohamaru and Moegi, and the four of us managed to find some time to hang out and catch up. The leaf shinobi were quite busy with missions, so I knew that I would probably end up not be able to collectively see them at the same time. I also took up Iruka's offer to teach writing to the Academy ninjas, which meant I had to become an official leaf village Chunin. Still, I was getting paid, and I had a flexible schedule. My schedule had me teach three classes a day in the morning hours since afternoons at the Academy were reserved for ninja training. I would often try to work on my writing with my free afternoons, and I had started sending out my book to different agents and was waiting to hear back.

On my Friday and Saturday afternoons, I would often make my way to Ridge Tower with a few writing pages and work on illustrations for them. I found the place to be quiet and peaceful, which suited me. After years of being on the road, I wasn't quite used to the city noises, so the tower offered me a place where I could concentrate without any distractions. On one particular Friday afternoon, I went to the Ridge Tower with my illustration tools. I began a drawing for a chapter I had completed. I was so engrossed with what I was working on that I didn't sense anyone behind me until they were close, but I could still pull out my kunai and point it at the person's thigh.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to startle you", Sasuke said

"Oh. Hello Sasuke. You are really hard to sense", I said as I tucked my kunai back into my pouch.

"Hello, Kazue. I was curious about what you were working on, and I should have announced myself before approaching"

"No problem. As long as you weren't here to kill me or anything. I'm just working on illustrations for a book I'm working on", I replied

"What kind of book?"

"Children's book. It's of the shinobi hero stories I collected while I was traveling. I suppose you're here to meet with Naruto-sensei? I feel like I'm imposing on your space. It's just really quiet up here so I can concentrate"

"Don't worry. You're not imposing. I understand the need for quiet. Where did you travel to?"

"All over the five great countries. This is my first time in about eight years that I've lived in a place for more than two weeks".

"Did you have family living here?"

"Nope. I'm the only one left in my family, unfortunately. Last of my clan too. I suppose that's what happens when you come from a clan of great shinobi and kunoichi".

"Sorry about your family. I can really relate to that. I was the last of my clan too".

"Sorry about your family too. Kind of a lonely existence, isn't it? Everyone has gone, and you're the only one left to tell their stories", I said, and my eyes get teary. I quickly wiped my eyes and changed the subject.

"Well, enough of that. You were curious about what I was working on? I normally don't let people see it. Still, I suppose for you, I'll make an exception", I continued and handed him my illustration book. He took the book and started flipping through the pages.

"These are really good. How long have you been drawing for?"

"Thank you. I started drawing after I moved away from here. I was having a tough time adjusting to the move, and my parents figured drawing might help. I've been drawing ever since".

"If your other book is anything like this, I hope you do get published", he said as he handed the book back to me.

"Thank you again. I'm still crossing my fingers on that", I said. Just then, Naruto appeared on the roof.

"I wish you good luck. And I apologize for bringing up a sour subject. If you ever need someone to talk to, next time I run into you, I'll be here to listen", Sasuke said as he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Well, I impose on your space here every Friday and Saturday, so I hope to talk to you again soon. Goodbye, Sasuke". I looked up and, for a moment, felt lost in his gaze. My heart was beating fast, and I subconsciously bit my bottom lip. I could feel myself getting a bit flustered by this.

"Goodbye, Kazue", he said as he walked away. I liked the way he said my name.

"Hi, Naruto-sensei!" He waved back, and they were gone in a flash.

Sasuke POV

I had a meeting with Naruto at the tower today, so I showed up early. It had been a month and a half since our last meeting. I didn't realize Kazue would be there. She was facing the horizon and looked like she was drawing once again. Again, she had her hair down with her curls slightly moving with the breeze. I slowly walked towards her hoping to catch a glimpse of what she was doing. She finally sensed my presence and pointed her kunai right at my thigh. She has fast reflexes because I never saw her pull the kunai out. I apologized for startling her and said I should have announced myself since I was curious about her work. She said she was working on illustrations for a children's book she was writing. So, she's a children's book author.

Turns out she spent the last 8 years traveling all over the five countries. She lived a wanderer life, just like mine. I asked her if she had any family in Konoha. She said she was the last member of her clan and was from a great shinobi and kunoichi family. That means she kept losing her family to the great ninja wars, and her parents must have died in the last one. She was the first person I have ever felt will understand me and know why I choose to live on the road. I guess I shouldn't have brought it up because I noticed she was crying. She talked about how it's a lonely existence since you're the only one left to tell the stories.

She quickly changed the subject, and I didn't know if I should have addressed it. She decided to show me her sketchbook, although she said she usually doesn't like showing it. She was a magnificent artist. I don't know much about children, but I imagine her work would be the kind of thing children would enjoy, with the bright colors and cartoon-like characters. I asked her how long she had been drawing for, and she said ever since she moved away from Konoha because she was having a tough time adjusting. I told her I hoped she would get published because her work does deserve to be published. Naruto finally showed up, and I had to end our conversation. I wished I would have kept talking to her longer. I then told her that if she ever needs to talk, I'll be there to listen, and she said she's usually there on Fridays and Saturdays. I had put my hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her, and she finally looked me in the eye since I started talking to her. Something about how she was looking at me made me feel my heart beating faster than it usually does. I was already looking forward to the next time I talk to her.

"I see you made a new friend", Naruto said with a smirk on his face

"I was just polite, and I was curious about what she was doing".

"What about the shoulder thing?"

"I accidentally upset her. I asked about her family".

"Ouch. I could sense that it was a sore spot the last time I asked about it".

"Yeah. Kazue was crying, and I didn't know what to do. Did you know she is the last one of her clan?"

"She also might be related to the second Hokage".

"That would explain the red eyes and the markings on her face. Tobirama had those markings too, didn't he?"

"She has a Senju Clan Kekkai Genkai as well. Wood release. Same as anyone related to the First Hokage. I might ask granny about it. That means they are a bit related. She might also be related to me, distantly".

"She's a pretty interesting person".

"Well, just make sure you don't spend more time with her than you do with Sakura and your daughter. You should go see them. I mentioned them to her, and she looked like she was hiding her disappointment. I guess she does like you. You should tread carefully on how you talk to her"

"I don't have any motives with talking to her. She's just a friendly person. We should go back to why we are here in the first place".

"Ok. Just be careful".

"Tch"