Chapter 2
Smiling, Tsunade rose from her seat. The entire room fell silent. "Welcome home." Was all she said.
The three returned ninja had been at attention the moment she spoke. Gekkou Kaida simply grinned from ear to
ear and Shingo Akio looked slightly relieved at having been welcomed. 'Almost as if he was worried they
would be accused of something…' Tsunade thought to herself. Shakaku Miaka then bowed low at the waist
and spoke in a soft, lilting voice. "Domo arigatou gouzai masu…. Hokage-Sama." This action caught Tsunade
completely off guard and it took her a moment to respond. "Dou… Douitashimashite." The Godaime replied
softly. 'Polite little thing… Naruto could learn a thing or two from this one.' She thought to herself.
Taking her seat, Tsunade refocused on the business at hand. "Shingo Akio, Gekkou Kaida, Shakaku Miaka…
you have been missing in action and presumed dead for over two years. There has been no contact made by
you with Konoha or our allies during this time. I must say that I find this to be suspicious. However, I have
also learned that there was no attempt on the part of those here in Konoha to reestablish any form of contact
either. There for, I expect a full explanation of your disappearance in your report, which is to be turned in by
the closing of the mission room on Monday. That gives you a week to have it in. Normally I do not provide so
much time, however given the current circumstances, I shall make an exception."
Having got the business part done, Tsunade relaxed and smiled again. "Now, you all must be tired, but I
would like you to have a full medical examination before you return to your homes. I will send word to your
families of your return." At that, she could have sworn she saw the red headed kunoichi flinch slightly.
Ignoring it for now, Tsunade continued, "So, if there is nothing else, you're dismissed. Go on! Shoo!" She
finished by idly waving her hand at them in a dismissing manner. Kaida giggled and Akio actually smirked, but
all three remained where they stood. Turning to the young red head, the blonde spoke gently. "Go on Koichi.
We'll meet you there in a little."
Tsunade watched in shock as the kunoichi's head actually snapped up and she fixed her companion with a
stare that could have melted steel. "Miaka-Chaaaaaaan! I shall escort you if you wish!" Gai proclaimed with the
Nice Gai Pose. Tsunade was even more surprised as she watched the red head's eyes grow to the size of
saucers. The young woman then dove behind her brunette team mate and hid. The older kunoichi laughed,
turned slightly to pat the other girl on the head, the scolded Gai. "Gai-saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan! Now look
what you've done. You've gone and frightened my poor little Rabi-guru!"
At this Gai burst into tears and started ranting about… something. The brunette continued to laugh and the
blonde scowled fiercely. Sighing, Tsunade was about to say something when Kotetsu took pity on the small
hiding red head. "Mia-Chan, why don't you come with me?" He said gently, offering her his hand. The girl
poked her head around the brunette's back and stared at the offered hand. She then smiled softly, walked over
to Kotetsu's side. "Onegai… do not call me that." She said as she stood beside him. Laughing, Kotetsu
lowered to previously offered appendage. "Ah! That's right… I'm not Kakashi." He said with a wink. This
caused the girl to blush. "Come on Miaka-Chan. Let's get this over with so that you can go find him, ne?" He
said as he ushered the young woman out the door. Before she left, however, Tsunade did notice that she
turned an even deeper shade of pink.
After the younger Kunoichi left, things calmed down quickly. The brunette caught her breath, Gai calmed
down, and the blonde… continued to scowl. Then, before Tsunade had a chance to ask why they had
remained behind, both new comers turned to her, matching frowns on their faces. "Where is the Sandaime?"
Akio demanded. "And what happened to the village?" Kaida finished.
Miaka's POV
Miaka fell into step behind Kotetsu as they walked down the hallway leading from the Hokage's office. As they
walked, Miaka felt as though the uncomfortable silence surrounding them might just swoop down upon the
pair and suffocate them. She, however, had never been very good at starting conversations. 'Who are you
kidding, Shakaku! You can't even hold a conversation. How on earth would you be able to start one?' The
young woman mentally berated herself. She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost didn't notice that
Kotetsu had said something. "Sumi masen Hagane-Sempai. I'm afraid I did not hear what you said. Might you
repeat it onegai?" She asked softly.
Kotetsu smiled at the still timid girl, 'Thought she might have grown out of that' he though to himself. He then
repeated what he had said. "So… Miaka-Chan, are you happy to be home? What about Konoha did you miss
the most? Did you learn anything new while in grass country?" Miaka was surprised at the how open and
friendly he was being. Akio-Onii-San had warned her that the people of Konoha might not be very welcoming
to them and not to be surprised if most were cold. Yet, here was Hagane-Sempai treating her like she'd only
been gone for a few months at most. 'Maybe things won't be so bad. Maybe… maybe we can pick up were
we all left off. Maybe… now that I'm older – he might be a little interested in me. Maybe I actually have a
chance!'
It was then that reality kicked in. Hard. "Have a chance? With him of all people? Shakaku, you are dreaming.
Just look at you. You wouldn't stand a chance with any man. What in Kami-Sama's name makes you think for
even an instant that you could ever stand a chance with him? I mean… look at the last girlfriend he had before
you left. That Onibashi woman was beautiful. And let's not forget extremely powerful. No… you don't stand
a chance even in your dreams.'
Miaka had gone into a strange kind of thoughtful silence after he had asked his questions, and Kotetsu was
beginning to worry. Gently laying his hand on her shoulder, he called out to her. "Miaka-Chan? Miaka-chan?"
This seemed to snap the red head out of her semi trance as she blinked up at him, a slightly puzzled look
gracing her features. Then, shaking her head, she was completely back to reality and back to being herself.
"Gomen nasai Hagane-Semapi. I was… lost in my thoughts. I am, as you asked, very glad to be home. I
missed Konoha. Especially the Spring and Autumn festivals. And I missed... never mind. I also worked on a
few new jitsus during my stay in grass. I hope that they will come in handy" Miaka finished with a blush.
Shehoped her companion wouldn't put two and two together and figure out why she hadn't finished that one
sentence. "Ah… I see." Kotetsu didn't seem to take her subtle hint and went on. "Well, I've got news for you
little firebird." "Don't call me th…" "He missed you too." Kotetsu cut her off before she could finish.
Miaka was shocked. That couldn't be right. Hatake-Sempai had missed her? No, Hagane-Sempai was just
trying to be nice. Hatake-Sempai was a busy man with many admirers. He wouldn't have time to think of her.
She had meant almost nothing to him. She had potential and he hated to see potential go to waste. That was
why he had trained her. 'Hatake-Sempai made it more than clear how very little you meant to him the last time
you saw him.' "Miaka-Chan!" Kotetsu's voice brought her back from her musings. "We're here. Would you
like me to escort you inside? Seeing as how it's been a while since you've been here." Kotetsu asked.
Nodding, Miaka then followed him inside. "Ne Miaka-Chan, is there any medic nin in particular that you would
like to be seen by?" Miaka thought this over for a moment then nodded. "Hai, Shimara Nariko onegai
ishimasu."
Kotoetsu filled out all the necessary paperwork for her then walked with her as she was escorted to a private
exam room. Once they reached the exam room, Kotetsu announced that he had to leave. "Gomen ne Miaka-
Chan. Demo, I have work to attend to. That, and I don't think they'll let me stay with you anyways." "Damn
right!" A nurse commented as she pushed him out the door. Laughing, Kotetsu turned and waved to the
Kunoichi. "Ja ne Miaka-Chan!" With that, he was gone.
Authors Notes
Domo arigatou gouzai masu The Politest form of thanking someone
Douitashimashite You're Welcome
Koichi Little One
Rabi-Guru Rabbit Girl
Onegai Please
Sumi masen Excuse me
Sempai A term of respect. Used for someone who is your senior in a job or at school. Miaka uses it because the older ninja are her seniors.
Onii-San Big Brother
Kami-Sama God or Gods
Gomen nasai I'm sorry, Please forgive me – more formal
Gomen ne Sorry – less formal
Onegai ishimasu A more formal and polite way of say please
Demo But , However
Ja Ne See you, Bye – less formal