It was closer to nightfall when I saw Konoha’s walls and gate. Our approach hadn’t been unnoticed. Hidden chakra bundles following our passage for the past quarter hour. With her cheat-like sensing ability, Karin sensed them way before I ever did. That was fine. At least they weren’t attacking. I had no markings identifying me as a Konoha shinobi, and Karin was unknown. We were two strangers approaching a place we shouldn’t.

A group of shinobi waited for us at the gate. The pleasant feeling of returning home took a dunk when I saw them: ANBU. A whole squad. Then, I relaxed somewhat. I knew the squad leader. It was Yamato's chakra. That same woody texture, with hints of earth. The one with the mask, it was Tenzo, right? I should think of him like that, even in my mind. No need to risk slipping and letting people know who he was behind the ANBU disguise.

I walked until I was a few meters away from the squad. Stopped.

Tenzo walked away from the group, stopped a few paces from me. We looked at each other. For a moment, I thought he would — god forbid — hug me or do something even more embarrassing.

Regretfully, he didn’t.

Tenzo gave me a curt nod. Spoke. The mask muffled his voice.

“Chunin 012612, Hinata.” He said.

I reciprocated with a curt nod. We stared some more.

“Welcome back.”

My posture softened, muscles relaxed. I smiled. Nodded again, a bit faster this time. Might have blinked away the sand grains that entered my eyes. Or maybe even cleared the rain from my face. I mean, it was raining, right? The sky was dark and cloudy and angry. Sunlight? What was that? No, it was rainy as shit here.

Tenzo gave me time to compose myself, but not that much time. His voice was gentle, but firm.

“The Hokage is waiting for you and your friend. We should go.”

I cast a glance at Karin. Her face was a mix of embarrassed and expectant, maybe a bit afraid. I gave her a smile, offered my hand. I was home, and Tsunade wouldn’t let me down. Redhead secured, I gave Tenzo a thumbs up, flicked my fingers with a message.

Understood.

Tenzo led and we followed.

We crossed the gates, took the shinobi highways. Escorted by an ANBU squad, I didn’t have time, or opportunity, to check my usual haunts. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do first. Visit Ino? Maybe Naruto? Was he still here, or had he already left to train with Jiraiya?

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Our path took us closer to the GGC’s headquarters. Kiyo-Obaachan was at the window gathering information on the locals, as usual. I waved at her startled face. Look at that, I managed to surprise the spy network leader!

We dropped in front of the tower, and with a fast beating heart I walked inside.

My disappointment was immeasurable when, behind the desk, wasn’t Secretary-chan, but a different shinobi. This one had the hallmark of an Uchiha. How did I know? Well, he wore the traditional Uchiha attire. I gave the boy a nod. He nodded back.

Where was Secretary-chan? Did something happen to her?

The sound of folders and papers falling broke my stare with the Uchiha guy sitting on Secretary-chan’s seat. I looked at the source of the noise.

At the foot of the stairs, a hand on her mouth, eyes already full of tears, wearing a black kimono, was the prettiest secretary of them all.

“Hinata-chan.” She whispered.

I don’t know who moved first. I didn’t even remember I was being escorted by a whole ANBU squad. Secretary-chan didn’t seem to care either. We hugged. We cried. Babbling words might have been exchanged.

“How? Where were you? No one told me anything. That blond boy told me you were…”

With my head against her shoulder, I nodded, shook my head, nodded again. I might have no idea what I was doing. Maybe I just wanted physical contact.

One of the other ANBU, a woman by the sounds of it, cleared her throat.

I scowled. I got on the tip of my toes and kissed Secretary-chan's cheeks.

“We’ll talk later, okay?” I husked out.

She gave me a startled look, her face still full of tears. Then she nodded. She kissed my forehead, let me go.

The only sour point was the new guy at the desk giving me a judgemental look. I think he was jelly. I flipped him the bird. There were gasps all around. I was past caring what people thought about me.

I returned to my escorts. Secretary-chan had released me from her hug but hadn’t released my hand. The ANBU looked uncomfortable at the PDA, but no one objected. With one more in our entourage, we ascended the tower.

The intelligence department floor was like usual, frantic ninjas doing ninja things. I took a quick peek inside. It was like someone had turned the dial up to eleven. With a glance, I couldn’t see Hayase anywhere. Was he okay? I wanted to break protocol here and ask Yamato — Tenzo about what happened after we got separated. We climbed to the Hokage’s office floor.

Tenzo led us to the office’s door, knocked.

An unseen signal passed, the door opened without any movement from the blaze of chakra on the other side.

I stepped inside, Karin followed behind. Tenzo and Secretary-chan didn’t. He gave me a last nod; I waved one last goodbye at my favorite secretary before the door closed, leaving us alone with the new Hokage.

It was the same office I remember visiting when younger. The hardwood desk, the tall chair, the Hokage hat on the table. The shelves and many scrolls and books.

My early disappointment with not being able to enjoy my full reunion with Secretary-chan was forgotten. The chair wasn’t turned toward us, but I knew Tsunade was on the other side. That blaze of chakra couldn’t be anyone other than her. It was absurd with how much it was. Was I feeling her seal? It was supposed to have years of chakra stored, right?

Anticipation built until the Hokage’s chair turned, and the person sitting there faced us.

Karin let out a strangled gasp.

I held on to a scowl.

Behind the table sat on the fancy chair, a dark-haired, red-eyed guy stared at us. No, I knew who it was. Red pupils like a four-pointed shuriken. Big, expressive eyes.

The new Hokage wasn’t Tsunade, but fucking Shunshin no Shisui.