A/N: Hi! Thank you all for reading this story, it really means a lot to me. Please leave a review, I'd really appreciate it. I had a lot of fun with this, and I hope you all like it too. So, without further ado, here's the next chapter! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Sometimes, Sarada hated her father's way of communication, if it could even be considered communication at all. His answers were always short and oftentimes just a 'hn' or an 'aa.' It drove her mad. Even worse was that he wouldn't mention important details until the last minute, choosing to keep things under wraps until she asked him about it. So, when Sarada asked him for a list of things she could do in Konoha while they were there, she suspected there was more to their trip than he was telling her.

"You won't have much time for sightseeing or anything like that." Sarada looked at Sasuke curiously, trying to discern what exactly he meant. Was he planning on having her listen in when he briefed the Hokage on the details of his mission? Her eyebrows furrowed in thought at the idea. I mean, I wouldn't mind, but isn't that against the rules? Sighing, she decided that the only way to know was to ask the man himself.

"Why?"

"You'll be attending the Academy." This time, Sarada's immediate reaction was not to squeal and jump in excitement, but to simply stop in her tracks and stare at her father in shock.

"The Academy?" she parroted, not quite sure if she heard him right. Sasuke stopped and turned around so she could see the smirk on his face.

"Yes, and if you want to make it to Konoha in time, you better get moving." Smiling, Sarada ran towards him, hugging him once more before bolting ahead. They were staying in Konoha for longer than she thought! The idea thrilled her, but it also made the knot of unease in her stomach tighten. Shaking her head as if to clear the thoughts, she tried focusing on the most important thing. A kunoichi. I'm actually going to be a real Konoha kunoichi! Granted, she still had quite some time until she would actually graduate, but it was a start nonetheless. She smiled wider at the thought and resumed her running, ignoring her father's call for her to slow down.

The gates of Konoha towered over the pair as they approached. Sarada could hardly contain her awed gasp at the sight, eliciting a chuckle from her father.

"It's not that great," he said when she had stopped to gape at the gigantic doors. Sarada ignored him, choosing instead to examine the red characters on both the doors.

"Hermitage," she whispered to herself. Looking at the village ahead of her, with its cozy-looking houses and small streets, she found that it really did seem like a retreat, peaceful and safe from harm.

It was then, as her gaze traveled lower, that she noticed the white haired figure standing in front of them. The lower half of his face was covered by a black mask, and he was currently reading from a garishly bright orange book. Sarada narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out why he seemed familiar to her. Hadn't her father mentioned something about trying to see under his sensei's mask? Could this man be her father's old genin instructor? Before she could ponder it further, Sasuke stepped forward, and the mystery man slipped the book into his back pocket, turning his attention fully to them. Sarada noticed the jagged line running through his eye. A scar? I wonder how he got it.

"Sasuke, welcome back," he said, eyes crinkling up in what she could assume was his version of a smile.

"Kakashi," her father began, the slightest hint of surprise in his tone. "What are you doing here?"

"To welcome you back, of course." Suddenly, his attention turned to Sarada, who instinctively pressed herself closer to her father, drawing a surprised look from him. Kakashi smiled at her. "Sarada, it's nice to finally meet you," he said, stepping forward and ruffling her hair lightly. He looked at her as if expecting some sort of response and Sarada became acutely aware of the fact that, outside of her father and the members of Team Taka, she had absolutely no experience in social interactions. Even the people she did interact with weren't exactly 'normal.' Her father's social skills were virtually nonexistent, Suigetsu's version of socializing involved yelling out pick up lines at strangers and getting accosted by old ladies who disapproved of his flirting, Juugo preferred the company of birds, and Karin was far from the friendliest person on the planet. The only decent methods of socialization she knew were learned from books, and that knowledge had dissipated the moment she needed to put it to use. Her mind raced as she tried to formulate a response. Just say something! It can't be that hard!

"Hn." Sarada inwardly cringed at her response, realizing that she had, in her attempt to socialize, inadvertently used her father's favorite word. At least now she could understand his reasons for liking it so much.

"Of all the things to pick up from him…" Kakashi trailed off, finally looking back at his former student. Sarada released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Glancing at her father, she realized that his expression had darkened when Kakashi looked at him.

"I need to speak with Naruto," he said. Kakashi smiled, but something in his eyes told her that it was an act.

"Ah, of course. He's cooped up in his office." Then, turning back towards her, he continued. "I don't suppose Sarada'll be joining you?" he asked. Sasuke sighed, just realizing that she wouldn't be permitted to go with him, especially since they were discussing his mission. Before he could say anything, however, Sarada had formed a plan.

"It's fine, Papa, I can figure out my way by myself. I know our apartment number, so you can just give me the keys," she said, praying that her father would let her go alone. Not only would it give her time to marvel at the village, but it would also save her the trouble of figuring out exactly how to mingle. Tired from her journey, she concluded that she would work on that skill tomorrow.

Sasuke frowned at his daughter. There was no way he would let her go off into a foreign village alone for god knows how long. When he said just so, he was met with an accusing glare from Sarada.

"You think that I can't handle myself," she said, eyes narrowing.

"That's not it, and you know that. You're only eleven, Sarada. Kakashi can walk you to the apartment and watch you," he said in a tone that demanded obedience. Sarada deflated. Her plan was ruined and she would have to spend an extended period of time with the strange enigma that was her father's former sensei. The man in question rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. I'm quite busy this evening."

"Busy reading Icha-Icha Tactics?"

"Actually, I'm going on a date." Sasuke looked at Kakashi incredulously. Sarada took this as her moment to strike.

"See, Papa, Hatake-san's busy, so I'll just go by myself." Sasuke sighed, and Sarada could tell he was ready to admit defeat. Channaro! Unfortunately, Kakashi seemed to have another idea.

"She could head over to Naruto's. He has a son her age. It'll be nice for her to meet some of her peers," he suggested, shrugging her shoulders. "And Sarada, Kakashi is just fine," he added. Sarada sighed in defeat, but part of her wasn't too disappointed over the failure of her plan. She could meet the Nanadaime's son. If he was anything like his father, Sarada was sure he'd be somebody to learn from and admire.

She would soon find out that her assumption was far from the truth.

Standing in front of the Nanadaime's house, Sarada took a deep breath. The building looked like any other house and gave no indication of the fact that such an important figure lived there, save for the name Uzumaki written on a plaque beside the door. She mentally added humility to her ever growing list of the Hokage's admirable qualities. Dusting off her clothes for the tenth time, Sarada adjusted her glasses, looking around her. The yard was well-kept and a few potted flowers dotted the porch on which she stood. Kakashi had dropped her off at least five minutes ago, but she had made no move to ring the doorbell. Oh come on! Just do it already! Steeling herself, she pressed her finger to the button and heard a faint chime come from inside.

After a few moments, the door opened and Sarada found a woman with short, dark blue hair and pale lavender eyes. The woman blinked for a moment, looking her up and down. When her gaze drifted to Sarada's face, she let out a small gasp.

"Oh! You must be Sarada!" she exclaimed. Sarada wondered how she could tell almost immediately upon meeting her. Was her resemblance to her father that obvious?

"Oh, uh, yeah. Papa's speaking with the Hokage, so he said I should come here, I mean, if that's fine with you. I wouldn't want to be a bother or anything. Actually, it's fine I could just go back to the apartment and–"

"It wouldn't be a bother at all. We'd be delighted to have you for dinner," the Hokage's wife said, smiling softly. There was an odd sadness lingering in her eyes that wasn't there before and despite herself, Sarada asked her what was wrong. The woman blinked in surprise but smiled sadly.

"It's just that, your mother rambled a lot when she was nervous too." Shaking her head to clear away the sadness, she looked back at Sarada. "You can call me Aunt Hinata, if you'd like. That's what you used to call me back when you were younger," she said, beckoning Sarada to come inside. I knew her before? She studied Hinata's face for a moment again, trying to remember ever seeing it before, only to come up empty. I guess I was too young to remember. She wasn't quite sure how old she was when her mother died, though she assumed she was probably around the age of three. The only memory she had of that day was the image of blood staining her mother's porcelain face and her last words, spoken in a hushed whisper that never left Sarada's mind. "I love you"

"Sarada?" Hinata asked with concern, breaking her out of her thoughts. Quickly, Sarada slipped off her sandals and walked inside, the warmth of the house enveloping her. The door shut with a click behind her as Hinata made her way towards the kitchen. Sarada followed, drawn by the tantalizing smell of whatever she was cooking. "Sit down wherever you'd like. I'll call Boruto down in just a second," she said. Sarada remained standing, taking in the sight of the house. It was messy, with pillows and blankets strewn haphazardly over the living room floor, but that messiness only added to the lived-in feeling of the house.

"Boruto?" she asked. That's his name? It sounds awfully similar to Nanadaime-sama's.

"Oh, he's your age. You know, you two used to be really close before you left," Hinata said, turning off the stove and turning towards her with a slightly wistful look. She walked away from the kitchen and towards the stairs. "Boruto! Himawari! We have a guest!" she called. Suddenly, Sarada could hear loud footsteps racing down the stairs and she spun around, coming face to face with a pair of the bluest eyes she had ever seen.