A/N Happy New Years to all my wonderful readers and even to those who walk around with a stake named after me…. Anywhooo may 2015 be more then what you expect and may all your dreams, wishes and goals come to frutation.

This chapter will be all about getting back to Konoha and then Naruto being homesick.

Here we go Chapter 8 First chappie of 2015!

-Here is the rewrite

-Nimheria

Once again, I do not own Naruto, but I do own a copy of Neil Gaiman's American Gods

Chapter 8 – Hebi-Hime coming Home

"Baka! Stop refusing the bijuu training. You will need it!" Jiraya was getting annoyed. It had been three months since the incident and Naruto refused to touch the fox's chakra. The boy was adamant that he will not train with Jiraya using the fox as Jiraya was his only family left.

Naruto was sitting in a tree and focusing on the natural energy flowing around him, meditating. It was a miracle in its own right for Naruto to have accomplished meditation. The toads were surprised at the fact that he could meditate for two days straight.

Jiraya though was fuming. He only other way he could think of getting Naruto to train with his bijuu was if he could get to the Land of Lightning but he highly doubted that Killer Bee would train him now with the flimsy peace treaty between them and Konoha. He'd need Tsunade to sort that out first. For now they'd just have to make do with the Sage training and Naruto's wind affinity.

To say that Jiraya was frustrated was an understatement. He knew with these cloaked shinobi's, the few that he has received information in, on the move, things were becoming dangerous. Especially for the Jinchuuriki.

He walked up to Naruto and sighed. He had to tell him. Maybe if he knew that he was in danger, then maybe he would train with the demon chakra. "Naruto, we need to talk." Jiraya watched as Naruto breathed in slowly and then proceeding to move his legs out of the meditation position. Naruto opened his cerulean eyes and nodded at his god father. "Sure Pervy Sage, what do you want to talk about?"

About twenty minutes later, a large chakra spike could be felt, one filled with anger and hate. Naruto knew. He knew now what was at stake. He hated the that he had to train with the Kyuubi's chakra but now, now that he realized the danger not to himself but to others like him, others like Gaara. He knew what he needed to do.

Hinata had just finished sealing her luggage and was standing at the entrance of her room at Amai's house. Her cheeks were tear stained as the memories of the time spent there caused her heart to ache, but she knew it was time to go home.

The time she had spent in this house will always be valued. Memories that she would cherish and she would ensure that she stayed in contact with Amai. The woman had filled her heart just as Kurenai had done.

Hiashi was pacing his office. He had received word from Tsunade that his daughter was returning this week, a whole month ahead of schedule. He knew he had to do something to make her feel welcomed but a lavish party was not Hinata's style, maybe a small gathering or a picnic with her classmates? He was rubbing his already greying hair at the back of his neck. He huffed in frustration and started to write the names down that she had mentioned through the years. A picnic it was then.

Hinata and Anko had just said a sad farewell to Amai and her house and they were heading to the gates of Yugakure. "Hime we need to travel fast. No breaks, no stops. The Akatsuki is on the move and we need to avoid all contact with them." Hinata merely nodded. As they reached the forest that separated Konoha and Yugakure they immediately took to the trees. Hinata wasn't bothered by Anko's speed anymore and she could now match it without any concerns. To the naked eye they would look like a brown and purple blur as they ran through the trees.

Hinata wasn't sure how to handle going home. She knew her team mates would be happy to see her but what about her clan, the elders, Neiji and Hanabi….. Her father? She wasn't sure what to expect from him, he had a sudden change after the fight at the chuunin exams between Neiji and Naruto and she wished she was there to see the change but she was terrified of what was awaiting her. This trip had opened her eyes to the realities of life and to that of clan life and she knew that things do not change overnight but how much can they change in just less than eleven months?

Anko was restless, she was not ready to part with the Hime, Sera and Amai had teased her relentlessly when she turned to them for advice. This trip back home was really draining on her as she watched Hinata chew her bottom lip with vengeance. Anko growled and shook the thoughts from her head. She needed to focus, be alert, in case a cloud cloak appeared and she needed to push Hinata into a different direction.

The sun was setting as they finally reached the border between Konoha and Suna, Hinata almost giggled at the memory of meeting Sera there so many months before. Hinata was covered in sweat but she was far from tired yet, Anko seemed in the same condition so they pressed on, if they continued at this speed and rested in the morning they should reach Konoha by the next night fall.

Jiraya watched as Naruto threw himself into the bijuu training. It also appeared that the meditation and the Sage training that Naruto was so head strong about turned out to be a good thing. Naruto appeared to be able to communicate better with the Kyuubi and he had a better handle on the malicious chakra.

Naruto knew that what he was doing, he was doing to protect those like him and for Naruto that was more important than to just be able to say that he can do something. He needed to know that he was protecting those precious to him and now that he knew there was others out there like him and Gaara, he had a reason to do this. People to protect.

Jiraya was contemplating taking Naruto to Killer Bee but would the risk of a shaky peace treaty be destroyed, was it worth the risk?

As he watched Naruto, he knew there was no other choice. They had to go.

Anko had signalled that they needed to camp and soon. They had just left the swamp like border behind them and had entered the shadow of Konoha's forest. Hinata dropped down from her branch and activated her Byakugan. "It's clear." Anko nodded then quietly started to set up camp. This was the last time they could be alone, Tsunade had offered them a week to rest and then reacclimatise to the village again then after that missions would be in high season.

Hinata had just finished heating up some of the food that Amai had packed for them. She handed a bowl to Anko then proceeded to eat the rice and fish stew. "Hime things will be different when we get back, your team will need you..." Hinata watched as Anko struggled with her words. "..And we will train but only when I am not on missions. Keep up the regime that Amai and I gave you. You..." Anko swallowed hard. "..You made me extremely proud to be your sensei Hebi-Hime."

Hinata blushed then leaned over and embraced her sensei. "Anko-sensei, thank you." She whispered. They both knew that entering Konoha would affect them and that would not see each other as much. They had to make peace with it. Anko had realised that she saw Hinata as a dear friend, not just a student but Hinata had come to see Anko as a mentor and an inspiration.

Hanabi was yelling out orders and Neiji was rubbing his temples in frustration at the young Hyuuga. Hinata was due any moment now and Hiashi was nowhere to be found so Hanabi took it upon herself to ensure the picnic was perfect. The branch staff members were terrified of the young Kunoichi and they scrambled to complete all of her requests even one that consisted of them obtaining an ice statue for Hinata that looked like a large sunflower.

Hiashi was terrified of going back to the compound; a branch member had found him and advised him of what was taking place at the compound. He merely nodded and sent him on his way, back to the compound. Hiashi just stayed at the gate where he and Kurenai and Hinata's team mates along with Tsunade and Shizune were acting as the welcoming committee.

As the sun was closing in on the hills, almost close to the time of the setting sun, they all noticed two figures approaching the gates at an alarming speed, though what surprised them the most was the two snakes chasing them and the sounds of laughter that echoed towards them. Hiashi was gaping, imitating a goldfish, Shizune was shaking her head and the others joined in casual laughter at the antics of the two kunoichi's.

Anko wanted to make the last part of the trip a challenge so she summoned Sera and another snake about the same size and turned into a race. The other snake was a dark blue colour with soft white eyes and his tongue was just as white. Once the challenge was issued Anko and Hinata ran as fast as they could but the snakes took it upon them to slither in between their legs or to try and coil around their legs or bodies to ensure that they couldn't run. Anko and Hinata laughed and enjoyed some of the last moments together as sensei and student.

As they finally reached the gates of Konoha the snakes returned to their cave and Anko leaned against Hinata, laughing and panting, they had failed to notice that the everlasting chunin known as Kotetsu was eyeing them warily and that the others waiting for them were amused.

They both breathed in and sighed. Hinata whispered softly to herself. "Home sweet home."