"Konoha?" Xue repeated. The fire between her and Naruto illuminated her pale face and made her appear ethereal. "I've never heard of it..." She confessed, and Naruto's eyes slowly opened from their slits. He was surprised, Xue had confided of her history as a soldier during her younger days and how she'd often travel during different battles. "I know many cities and towns," She poked the kindle with a stick. "But Konoha..." She sighed. "Even the very word sounds...foreign to me." Awkward silence enveloped them until, eventually, she placed her empty plate down and stood up from her place on the ground. "It's late." She stretched. "And we have an early day tomorrow, we should sleep."

Naruto didn't protest as she reached over and ruffled his blond locks before retreating into her beddings. It had been a long day and tomorrow, Xue promised, would be just as long despite Full Moon Bay being only a few hours away. Because of the war, she explained, the world was in a state of paranoia and ports into Ba Sing Se were heavily guarded.

Naruto hadn't any idea there wasa war...He was very far from home indeed.

With a heavy heart, he gathered their used dishes, rinsed them off in the river they had set up camp by and returned to the fireside, willing to take the first watch to avoid any robber's greedy attempts.

The stars, he noted, were at least the same.

oOo

Naruto was shaken awake a few hours before sunrise. He yawned and stretched, working out the knots that had settled in from sleeping on the ground. He'd expected his share of chores this morning, but Xue simply shoved a pork bun in his hands and stuffed their blankets into her traveling bag.

Once done, it was still obvious that someone had camped there, but Xue didn't seem concerned about being followed. Then again, Xue wasn't a ninja who had to concern herself with being attacked. Satisfied with this, Naruto dashed after her once he realized she'd begun walking without him.

By the time the sun rose, they stood among the many refugees looking to make a better life. This wasn't the first time Naruto had seen a large group uprooted and forced to a new location, but it was just as moving. "Why don't they fight back?" He didn't know that Xue had heard him as she kept walking, her eyes scanning the many booth attendants and lines. He was about to repeat himself when she finally spoke. "Many have, but without hope and with so much death...It becomes easier to retreat." She sighed, the war obviously having touched her on a deep level. "Why'd you stop fighting? You still seem fit."

Xue patted his shoulder. "I had my reasons."

Finally, Xue found the line she was looking for. It was longer than the others, and it was the furthest one from the entrance but, Naruto hoped, it would be worth the time. He chose not to keep talking, thinking Xue's had her rights to secrecy, but he did intend to ask about it someday. As far as he could tell, she'd had no reason to quit fighting. She'd eloped and had a kid, but he knew many women that continued their careers after their children were old enough to be away from their side.

Then again, he'd been secretive about himself too. He'd told her he was a skilled fighter, and that he thought he'd been abducted, or possibly transported- Xue raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask- he didn't know which was the case.

"You can go rest." Xue offered after a while. Naruto looked to the people around, sitting against the walls and entertaining themselves with stories and music. "Nah, it's fine." Naruto grinned. "I'll be fine." Xue didn't speak for a while after that and Naruto filled the time by watching the musicians fill the air with their songs.

Before he realized, they were at the ticket booth. "Passports, please." Said a bored looking middle aged man with thinning black hair and deep set hazel eyes. Xue placed her paperwork down on the counter, along with a single circular piece of wood, a white lotus was delicately painted on it's varnished surface. "Two?" The question was clearly a formality, as he'd stamped the tickets and handed them, along with Xue's possessions, over before the old woman had a chance to answer. "Thank you." She said instead and moved along.

The ferry was a small affair, just as crowded as the port but a lot more relaxed. Xue patted Naruto's shoulder before excusing herself and sitting to the side, her eyes turned towards the sea.

"That's quiet an unusual hair color." Naruto turned to the new voice. It's owner, an old man. There was nothing impressive about him...Other than that pot belly he was carting around, but even then, Naruto knew not to let his guard down around strangers that seem weak. Wait! Why did everyone think he had weird hair? Naruto narrowed his eyes at the fat man.

"Now, calm down, young man." He put up his hands as if to show no opposition. "I was only making conversation."

Naruto opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted. "Are you giving my escort a time, old friend?" Xue was still seated but her voice, kind and joking, carried over to them easily. Fat man laughed, a sound that originated from somewhere in his gut and shook his body. "Hardly, my Lady Xue. Merely admiring his golden hair. Not too common, is it?"

Xue smiled at that.

"I've heard stories of a princess with silverhair." She stood and made her way over to the pair. "Gold shouldn't be too out of place."

Naruto, tired of being ignore, cleared his throat and interjected. "Who is this man?"

"Oh!" Xue's hands flew to her lips, as if surprised at her lack of manners. "Naruto, this man and I have known each other for almost my whole adult life-" "Mushi." The man helped along. "Blessed Xue's union to her husband and been in good correspondence ever since."

"Mushi." Xue continued on. "This is Naruto. He's making sure I stay safe until I reach Ba Sing Se."

Mushi glanced over Naruto, his sharp eyes easily analyzing the boy's qualifications. Naruto knew this because this wasn't the first time it has happened. "I can guard her, Naruto, if you'd like to explore the ferry. Adventure is good for a budding mind."

Naruto hesitated, only Xue's insistence eased him into walking around. "Maybe you'll meet my nephew!" Mushi called after him. "He's with some new friends."

He really didn't care to meet anyone else. He didn't need the added ties to this land that would make leaving that much harder.

As Naruto looked around, he noted the curious looks. They weren't hateful like they had been back home, but they were just as uncomfortable. Odd hair...Naruto thought to himself. Out of all the people here, he noted the lack of much variation. Most, if not all those here, had a range of browns to black, but none had anything lighter than that.

In his thoughts, he didn't notice the older teen he'd walked into. For all he knew, it might as well had been a wall that had flung him back onto his rear. "Ow..." Naruto rubbed his sore butt and began to apologize. The face that he was met with, however, was stuck somewhere between irritation and disinterest. "Sorry, I wasn't...watching where I was going..." He muttered, unsure how this would progress.

"Jet?" Another, younger, teen touched the first one's forearm. His (her?) voice breaking Jet out of his stupor. "It's fine." He chewed on the end of a bit of long grass. "We're all on the same side here, right?"

Naruto hoped so, at least, and he picked himself up. "I'm Naruto, by the way." He grinned and linked his fingers behind his head. "Jet." He introduced himself, although it was obvious by now, he then pointed at the second teen. "That's Smellerbee. Longshot-" The tallest of the group nodded a greeting at the blond. "-And Lee."

Lee was slightly apart from the group as if he didn't care much for them, or he'd just joined. His solemn expression and scowl were a stark contrast to the Lee Naruto knew back home, but even just that familiarity was refreshing. "Hi, Lee." Naruto beamed at the stoic looking guy. He barely looked up.

"If you'll excuse us, Naruto." Jet stole another glance at the said boy's hair before turning away. "We've things to do."

oOo

Naruto lay awake that night. The ferry hadn't much room, and most passengers chose to sleep on the deck, under the stars.

This was where he slept as well.

So, I've been gone for almost a year. Jegus! I'm so sorry, you guys…if any of you even care to read this, my laptop died shortly after posting the previous chapter and I just got a new-to-me one. Let's hope I can continue on with this story.

To all y'all who've been faving, alerting and reviewing, thank you! I love you! :) And I'm so sorry if this chapter is kinda lame. I'm rethinking the plot...Blah...