From Wells and Scrolls

Written for HalfBlackWolfDemon for the prompt "Special Summoning Technique"

Given the nature of the entire situation, Tsunade didn't mind that she didn't see the "summon" for a week after she awoke. In fact, she loved it. Though she knew it was part of her job, she hated the whole waiting part, and don't even get her started on the explaining part. While she would never admit her real age, even under pain of sobriety, she had played that part for far too many decades that there was no sincerity left.

"Can you state your name?"

"You're in Konohagakure. Can you tell me who the current Hokage is?"

"I'm sorry, but there was an accident."

"Write what you remember down, for your report. You do remember what those are, right?"

After fifty years, Tsunade had no bedside manner anymore. She knew it, Konoha citizens and ninja knew it, hell, and she would bet that all shinobi nations knew it. But this time, she also had two ulterior motives: one being more training for Naruto.

This distance of time between now and the excitement of the girl's arrival was good, it would provide perspective. Or so she tried to explain to him. And that he wouldn't always have that luxury: this was a special case. Because by nature, this was a harmless case. Not to mention, also one that was entirely their fault.

Tsunade cleared her throat and crossed her arms as she stared down the odd young woman. "So your name is Higurashi Kagome, correct?"

"Aa. Of Tokyo." The girl nodded, and she could hear Naruto scribbling down that piece of information.

"And you are aware that it may be a while before we find a way to send you back home, yes? If we even find that way, that is."

Again, another nod. "Yes. And as I've already explained to Saku—ah, Haruno Sakura-san, there isn't really anyone who will try to come here and find me." She paused, and for the first time broke eye contact with Tsunade. Suspicious. "There's… Hm, no one really knows I'm missing, I'm sure."

Without even looking, she knew Naruto's heart went out to the girl. He knew the sadness and loneliness that was in her voice. But it didn't faze her. To be a good leader, one had to hide away such feelings. It was Naruto's greatest failing. For now, she cleared her throat and she could hear Naruto return to his note-taking.

"And yet, Haruno-san has stated that you do have a family. One you said would miss you."

"And she's not lying." Kagome bit her bottom lip and worried the hem of her skirt. Tsunade knew secrets and lies when she saw them. She just didn't know which one was the case here.

"While I know you won't harm this village and its security, I need to know everything about her citizens in order to protect everyone. You understand that, yes?"

"I do! It's just…" She sighed and looked down. Then Tsunade was surprised when she met her eyes with a fierce determination. "Before I came here, to this world, I… I was already torn between two worlds. Tokyo, where my family was or is, I guess. And another, where my friends and dearest comrades were. We had a job, you see, to save their world. And we did. So I…returned home, leaving them behind. Because I could only make one more trip, and then I would be stuck."

Tsunade could see where this story was going. Even if she knew so much was being left out (all the good parts—saving the world had to have great battles and friendships and adventure and—hell, she was becoming like Jiraiya and his thirst for epic adventure), she was being told all she needed to know. And the struggle was something she was familiar with, it was one she grappled with for decades before she returned to Konoha, to home.

"So I stayed with my family for three years. I had actually just said goodbye, and...I was planning to make that jump. Well, not really, I had already. So, my family thinks I am with my friends, and my friends think I'm still with my family."

"Y'kno, I don't say this often, but… I really am sorry, Kagome-chan," Naruto said. But still Tsunade never took her eyes off Kagome, even as she looked over and gave Naruto a sad smile.

"It's OK. If it hadn't of happened, then I wouldn't be here. And neither would have I met all of you." Her mask of happiness was easy for her to see through, if only because she had so many years of reading them.

She cleared her throat again, breaking their moment and plans for ramen afterward. "All right. Then are you prepared to stay in Konoha for however long that may be with restrictions?"

"Of course."

"You can pursue any profession, except as a ninja. You are both too old for the academy, and lacking in chakra. Secondly, due to your unique nature, you can never leave the village. Even with Haruno-san or Uzumaki-san."

"I figured as much… Guess this just means I should get started on looking for a job soon."

For the first time since this meeting started, Tsunade smiled. She reached into one of her desk drawers and pulled out Kagome's citizenship card, two glasses, and her bottle of sake. This one time, Shizune couldn't get upset at her.

"Good. Welcome to Konoha, Kagome." Then her smile widened. "And now, a welcome drink!"

"But I'm not yet twenty…"

"You really need to stop drinking on the job, baa-chan!"

She waved off their protests. "This is part of the job. Every new Konoha citizen gets to enjoy a welcome drink when they're accepted."

"I don't remember jii-chan doing this…" Sometimes she wondered when Naruto became so suspicious of some of the things she did.

"You were probably too young to remember. Plus it's only regained popularity within the last five years." She poured Kagome and herself a drink, then pushed it over to her. "So, c'mon! It's a happy occasion!"

"But you've only been Hokage for the last five years."

But it was drowned out by Tsunade's and Kagome's, "Kan pai!" before they both downed their cup.

Ah, that was definitely her favorite part of welcoming new arrivals.