The next morning, as dawn made itself present in the sky, people began to wake up and stare in wonder at the thick layer of snow that has been laying itself on the ground over night.

Remembering what her son told her last evening, Fuzasane made her way shivering towards the Alpha's tent quietly.

'Hey Kaiya, Kouta said...' Fuzasane said softly as she pushed the tent's door made out of skin to the side, only to stop in her tracks at the sight.

It was an oddly new way she saw Kaiya- she was cradled in the arms of the boy in the green jumpsuit under a thick layer of furs, both of them still deeply asleep.

Fuzasane blinked a few times as she looked at the two for a few moments. Eventually, she sighed as she left the tent. Both of them looked so peaceful at the moment that she didn't have the heart to wake them up yet. It was still very early, she thought, they could enjoy another bit of time asleep.

They did, but much to Fuzasane's displeasure, Kaiya made a remark of not waking her up earlier. People were surprised by Kaiya's choice to return to Konoha and leave Kouta in charge, but not shocked. In a way or another, people knew that remaining inside the clan wasn't an option for Kaiya for a very long time now, no matter the position or surroundings. Whenever someone had the guts to ask Fuzasane why Kaiya would ever choose the village that caused the clan harm, Fuzasane would simply answer with the simple statements that her daughter shouldn't bother to explain to people the reasoning behind her happiness if they would only tear it down, and that even so, without Konoha's influences in the past, the Kobayashi wouldn't be the same as they are now.

The small group of four people packed everything they needed -along with some gifts from the Kobayashi, after many insistences- and left. Oddly, the way back to Konoha was quiet, and the thought of leaving her clan behind yet again wasn't necessarily easy for Kaiya. Her brother was taking the lead in her place. It was a fact that it fully kicked in for Kaiya just in those moments, as many thoughts appeared immediately, like a snake creeping up to catch its prey. Irresponsible. You always rely on others to deal with your problems. How immature are you?! Grow up! Go back there and take the lead like you should.

Kaiya hated it, but what she hated even more was the fact that they were right, to a degree, that is. Her brother should've not be put into all that if she wasn't staying away from her clan so cowardly. She chose her duty as a shinobi over the people who raised her.

A warm hand slid through Kaiya's almost clenched fist and took it in a comforting grip.

'It's going to be alright.' Lee said, with a small smile. 'Things have a habit of sorting themselves out, eventually.'

In a way or another, the boy's words reassured Kaiya, giving her a small boost of hope that things might as well be alright. She smiled back, in return. 'Hopefully, they do.'

The way back wasn't rushed in any way. Even if things were going to be alright, they had little to return to, after Pain's attack. Kaiya was long since brought up-to-date with everything that has happened in the first hours after she left, but many things could happen in a week. Only God could know what happened in the meantime, but none of the group members brought their hopes up too much. Many things could happen in a week, yes, but what was that many? It could be plenty of insignificant things that left everything in the same state of misery as it was before, or a few things that brought great change and improvement.

As they began to close the distance between them and the village, the heavy smell of dust filled Kaiya's nose.

'The damage's been pretty big, huh?' She asked, mostly rhetorically.

Kiba hummed approvingly. 'Those Pain dudes were a real pain in the ass.'

'How many were there?'

'Six.' Guy informed. 'They said something about the Six Paths of Pain, but I think that things are still very unclear. Maybe they found something while we were gone.'

'I hope they did.' Kaiya answered, 'if they didn't send there are no clues to help us, we're screwed.'

'I'm sure they have found at least something,' Kiba said boldly as the main gates came into view, 'Shikamaru's there. As lazy and annoying as he is, he's really smart, I'll give him that. With his help, things will go smoother and faster. I'm sure.'

The small group of four people landed on the ground as Konoha's gates stood a hundred meters before them. The gates were open and the view they gave of Konoha left Kaiya silent.

She entered quietly, and looked around. Boulders of ground laid everywhere, many rocks one over the other, creating mountains of all sizes that, in the grand scheme of the town, created a maze one could easily get lost in, along with the thousand holes in the ground of where all the rocks and boulders used to sit only so peacefully just a week ago.

'Wow.' Kaiya whispered in awe as she looked at the disaster around her. 'I knew it was bad, but...'

'The Akatsuki didn't fail to put its signature on us with that attack.' A calm male voice said as someone jumped from a roof, with a green book in their hands.

At his sight, Kaiya couldn't help but smile.

'Kakashi-san,' she greeted, 'How are you feeling?'

'Better, thank you.' Kakashi laughed lightly as he scratched the back of his head, returning the smile. 'What about you?'

'Same goes here. I paid a visit home, and I got the chance to recollect a little. I'm glad to see you better.'

For a moment, Kakashi paused as he noticed a long scar over Kaiya's left eye and a small yet deep scar sitting in the left corner of her mouth.

'What happened to your eye? And your mouth? Who scratched you like that?'

The group tensed a little as they waited for Kaiya's response. Surprisingly, she did nothing but to relax her shoulders and smile.

'I got into a bickering with one of my cousins. Something for the ranks?'

'Something for the ranks?' Kakashi frowned. 'Don't tell me...'

'Alpha's son, yes. I became the heir.'

Kakashi paused for a moment, analysing the situation.

'Don't bother too much with this, please. Everything's alright, so there's nothing you should create any concern for.'

Kakashi nodded lightly, understandingly. He wasn't part of the Kobaiyashi clan anymore- whatever business they had didn't concern him. Seeing how Fuzasane had forgiven him that one time, he should even consider himself forgotten to the Kobaiyashi. His business with them has ended long ago. For a moment, his eyes drifted from Kaiya to Guy and the rest of the group.

'What about you, Guy? How are you?'

'I've never been better!' Guy exclaimed with a shining smile.

The two men continued to chat for what seemed like ages- Kakashi keeping himself calm and collected, while Guy was the endless energy person he usually was. In a way, Kaiya felt relieved. Even with the Akatsuki attack, at least the people remained the same.

At some point, Kaiya excused herself under the pretext that she had some business to resolve. As soon as she left, she didn't hesitate to go back to her apartment. When she left, the apartment was a mess, so it probably needed a good cleaning. She should probably pay Lady Hokage a visit as well...

She entered her apartment, only to be greeted by a horrible smell coming from the kitchen. One look in and she already knew what produced the smell- a week old small tower of unwashed plates and cutlery. She didn't need any more signs- she took her shoes off and began washing the dishes without hesitation. She stormed out of the village, how rude! She truly owed Lady Hokage a visit and an apology, for her outburst in the ANBU and her unexpected disappearance. How horrible for-

'Hello, Kaiya. Welcome back.'

Kaiya turned around within the second, a butter knife in her hand as she tensed. Behind the kitchen counter stood a tall man with long white hair caught in a ponytail, a white t-shirt with red imprints at the end of the t-shirt's sleeve.

'Who are..' Kaiya began, but stopped midway. She knew who the man was very well. 'Sakumo-san.'

Sakumo smiled softly, as the girl lowered her knife slowly. 'Thank you for your kindness, Kaiya. I have no intention of hurting you. I must apologise, however, for startling you like that.'

'Oh, I...' Kaiya paused, trying to find her words. She was very startled by the sudden appearance. 'What are you doing here? You went through a lot in your life, you should rest in the afterlife.'

Sakumo sighed, softly.

'You see,' he began, 'I couldn't go in the afterlife up until recently. I couldn't do that in the real sense due to some of my circumstances before my death. I seemed worthy of forgiveness, and I was finally able to rest in peace.'

Kaiya smiled, feeling nothing but happiness at the man. 'I'm glad to hear that. But still, why did you come back into the world so soon?'

'I wanted to pay you a visit before I settle in the afterlife. I've been haunting this apartment for some years now, long before I could ever get deemed as worthy for the afterlife. It is possible I found myself here just a couple of days before you first moved in.'

Kaiya's eyes widened as her eyebrows arched up in surprise. 'So, that means that... You've been here all along? You're the spirit that haunted me for so long?'

Sakumo nodded, smiling. 'Indeed. I watched you grow and evolve more that I got to do so with my own son. Seeing you grow and listening to your every thought for so many years... I couldn't leave this world behind without finally confronting you. Not now, when I'm finally visible.'

'Thank you. That's very kind of you, but...' Kaiya gasped in realisation. 'It makes sense now! Why I felt your presence here, but I couldn't see you. It's because you still didn't accept your fate and remained in the limbo between the living and the dead. Isn't that right?'

Sakumo couldn't help but laugh. It was the first time he laughed in only so many years, and he couldn't remember when he last laughed this hard.

'I believe you're the expert on this matter, Kaiya. I'm nothing but a mere pawn in God's game of lives.'

Silence fell between them for a matter of seconds, allowing them both to recollect on their discussion so far. Kaiya smiled.

'Thank you for coming, Sakumo-san. I truly appreciate it.'

It was nice to hear that. Being forgiven by his son was probably the happiest and best thing he could've ever experienced, but being accepted by his family was bringing him just as much joy. It really brought him a reassurance that even with the mass of people that cursed his name, there still are people who are by his side. Maybe it was selfish to feel that way, yes, but it was reassuring.

The figure of the man began fading away through the air, allowing Kaiya to be able to see through him more and more up until there was nothing left of him, not even the feeling Kaiya was so used to of him being invisibly present. For the first time, the apartment felt empty.

A/N

Hello, everyone! What's up?

Happy (late) 2020, everyone! I hope you all have a great year.

Here's the first chapter this year- chapter 22! It honestly took long for me to finish this chapter, and it isn't as long as other chapter. I know, I know. Honestly, since Kaiya isn't part of the canon main characters, I've got a lot of time to play with during the Shippuden part while Naruto and Sakura are searching for Sasuke (the search for Sasuke is like, a personal problem between the main three lmaoo), and while Naruto is training with Killer Bee on that island. Things which, obviously, Kaiya isn't involved in.

Now here comes the tough part- the war arc. Since the transition between Naruto's training and the beginning of the war arc is very smooth, I'll have to be very careful about how I bring Kaiya there.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, tell me what your thoughts are and see you in the next chapter!

-Avery