It's been about two years since we were at the Leaf village. Personally, I didn't think we didn't look much different. Of course, if you see someone every day, you wouldn't notice if they started to look different. We walked past the gates and someone took notice.

"Mariah-san! I was supposed to tell you when you got back to go and see the Hokage right away"

"Alright, we'll head over there now"

I walked down the main road and curiously looked at the shops and such on each side, nothing seemed to have changed. I saw Ichiraku's and debated whether or not to go in. In the end, I figured I should head off to the Hokage's before I do anymore sightseeing. So I walked at a casual pace to the Hokage's office. I got within view of the place and someone was there upfront, Shizune.

"Mariah? I can't believe you're back, it's been a while"

"I'll talk to you later, I need to see Tsunade"

She nodded and I headed up the stairs. I knocked on the door, was let inside, seeing her sitting there behind a massive stack of papers.

"Tsunade, are you in there somewhere?"

She reached over the pile and had a surprised look on her face.

"You two are back? I couldn't have guessed you'd come on the same day that your brother got back"

"Got back? Where was he?"

"He took off with Jiraiya for a little while. I want you to take some time off and go talk to some of those people who've been asking about you so much"

"So you don't need us right away?"

"Oh I do, but I think you should go instead"

"Thanks for our day off then"

I hurried out of the room before she changed her mind. I walked down the stairs and nearly ran into a few of the ninja coming up with more stacks of paper.

"So where to first, the house or the Memorial?"

"Preferably the Memorial, I don't really feel like tackling that giant house after two years"

"So it's agreed"

At the Memorial, what do you know, we found Kakashi.

"Hey stranger, what have you been up to"

"Nothing much, I'm surprised to see you here, I thought you were gone for a while"

"That while is over now"

"Hey did you hear?"

"Hear what?" I inquired, I hadn't heard anything really since I got there.

"Well I shouldn't tell you if you haven't heard"

"Just spill already"

"Mariah don't get into this"

"Hey, Itachi I'm prepared to fight it out of him, it obviously has something to do with me"

"I'll just tell you because I don't feel like a fight right now. You're one of the candidates to become the other Hokage"

"Woah woah, when did this happen!?"

"The fact that you knew Tsunade and she knows you and your abilities. She thought you would be a good person to be alongside her. It was one of your ambitions if I remember correctly"

"Yes it was, but that was a while ago, I don't know that I would want that responsibility now"

"Either way, you're one of three candidates, so I wouldn't worry too much, it's only a 33% chance"

"You're right, I wouldn't get picked anyway"

"And also, we have a mission tomorrow so get ready"

"We'll meet you up front at nine then, until then"

Ok it wasn't that much longer, but I didn't break my promise ^-^. I have a party on friday and a church thing on saturday, so maybe a new chapter on sunday