The next morning, Sango awoke feeling unusually tired. Maybe it was all the walking yesterday—or maybe it was just the emotional weight she was too polite to show. Still, she had slept well, wrapped in the warmth of a village that was beginning to feel like a dream she didn't want to wake up from.

As she stretched and walked into the kitchen, a light knock came at the door.

She opened it to find a messenger from the Hokage's office.

"Lady Tsunade asked that I deliver this personally," the shinobi said with a respectful bow, handing her a sealed scroll with the Hokage's insignia.

"Thank you," she replied, bowing slightly.

She shut the door and unrolled the scroll, her eyes scanning the words slowly at first, then more urgently.

Sango,

I hope you are settling in well. I would like to meet with you today regarding your training. It's time we begin working on your chakra control and combat preparedness. Please report to the hospital wing at noon.

Also, I received correspondence from your home village this morning. We will speak more about it in person.

—Lady Tsunade

Sango's heart dropped. Correspondence from home?

Her first instinct was to feel nervous. She knew that meant talk of her engagement—of her duty. But she shook the thought off. She didn't want to ruin the peaceful morning she was having.

After breakfast, she stepped out into the streets and found herself wandering again. Without even meaning to, her feet took her to the training fields.

And, of course, there he was—Naruto, in full loud-mouthed, sweaty form, practicing shadow clone jutsu like he had something to prove.

"Hey!" he shouted as he noticed her. "Didn't expect to see you here!"

"I could say the same," Sango said with a small smile.

"Came to train?"

"No, just walking."

"Well, stick around! Maybe you'll learn something."

"Like how to trip over your own clone?" she teased.

"Hey! That was one time!" Naruto shouted, pouting. "Anyway, if you're not doing anything, you could… watch, I guess. Unless you're too much of a princess for that?"

Sango smiled again, but this time it didn't hide anything. "I think I've been treated like a princess long enough."

She sat on the nearby grass and watched him train, not saying much, but feeling lighter than she had since she opened the letter. Somehow, around Naruto, the weight didn't feel so heavy.

And even though she didn't realize it yet, he noticed the shift in her mood.

"Hey... everything okay?" he asked, uncharacteristically quiet.

She looked at him for a moment, then nodded.

"For now."