Time to Grow, Time to Fly ~ Nature can Love to.

“A welcome party already?” I smirked to myself. They eventually stopped, leaving a few meters between us. When they were close enough I seen that they were both men. One was tall, and had silvery hair, though I didn’t think he was much older than 25.Most of his face was covered by am mask and one eye was covered by his ninja headband, but I had a feeling that he was very attractive. The other man had brown hair, and was shorter. He also had a scar trailing across his face, from one cheek the other.

I stood there, observing them. Finally the shorter one spoke.

“Hello, I’m Iruka Umino, and this is Kakashi Hatake.” He pointed to the masked man. “You’re Haley Kanaro, right?”

“Yes that’s right. I’m guessing Lady Tsunade sent you to escort me?” I looked at them both again. Every thing looked relaxed and happy. ‘This will be a much better place to live’. I thought to my self.

This time it was Kakashi that spoke.

“Yes, but since your moving here and taking up a job in our ANBU ranks we need to swap your grass headband for a leaf headband.” I untied my grass head band from my leg and placed it in his hand and he stowed it away in his jounin vest. When he withdrew his hand from inside his jacket he had a different head band. I took it from him slowly.

“Thank you Kakashi” I said to him. He nodded his head in reply. Looking at my future on the shining metal plate, I traced my finger around the engraved leaf symbol with my finger.

I heard one of them cough. I came out of my reverie and looked up.

“Oh right, Lady Tsunade” I tied the lead band around my left thigh and waited for them to show me the way.

Eventually we came to some huge wooden doors and Kakashi went forward and knocked. They opened and in the door way was a pretty pink hair kunoichi.

“Oooohhh. Is this Haley Kanaro?” she asked. I went to answer but Kakashi cut in.

“Yes it is Sakura, and she’s here to see lady TSUNADE at the moment.” She looked sheepish and then replied, “yes Kakashi – sensei. Please come in” She moved out of the door way and motioned for us to come in. I went first and stood in the center of the room. Sitting at the desk in front of me was a blonde haired woman who had her head resting on one of her hands.
“Hello Haley. We spoke before about a job transfer. First we have to wait for one more person to arrive before I give you details.

Walking slowly up to the Hokage’s office door he thought ‘I wonder who she is. Does Lady Tsunade want me to look after the new transfer?’ He put up his hand and knocked.

Lady Tsunade kept looking at me and it made me nervous. There was a knock on the door. Iruka jumped slightly at the sudden noise.
“Come in” said Tsunade. I turned around to see. A young man came in, but I couldn’t see his face. He had an extremely long coat and the collar came up around his face.

“Shino. Come up next to Haley please.” Said Tsunade.

‘Shino… hmm … what’s Tsunade doing?.’ I thought to myself.

‘Haley. So this is the girl that I have to show around’

As I was saying to Haley, about her job transfer, I approved, as she are one of the best from the Grass village, but could rival people in my own village, even, Kakashi and with more training, myself.

Everybody looked at me O_O except Shino. Who stood there looking at Tsunade like she had just said that the sky was blue.

“Ok settle down. Shino you probably already know, but I want you to make Haley comfortable and show her around. You have spare bedrooms don’t you?” He nodded, only slightly but Tsunade noticed “Good, now, every body out, I have work to do.”

Shino’s House was a fair distance from the Hokage’s office, nearing the out side of the city. He unlocked the front door and stepped in, leaving the door open for me. Inside smelled new, like fresh paint.

“I had to redo the walls and floors because the thousands of bugs that take refuge under the floorboards of my house had worn down the timber plating until it was just a network of cracks and crevasses.”

Amazed, I listened to him explain. It’s like he knew what I was thinking. He walked into a joining room and I followed. I looked around, there was a sink, fridge and stove among other things.

“Are you hungry?” Shino asked.

“Only a little” I replied.

“Ok. There is food in the fridge. I need to get ready for a mission.” He said the last bit as he was walking up the hallway. I opened the fridge and looked. Nothing really caught my eye so closed the door and walked back out into the main room and eyed a note on the coffee table.

Here is a spare key for the house. Your room is down the hall, the second door on the left. There is spare sheets in the cupboard and the bathroom is the first door on the right. I should be back in about 2 days.

Kakashi should be able to show you around the village while I’m away.

Shino

“Kakashi?…. Oh that tall silver hair ninja, that’s right. I picked up the little silver key and walked out the front door, locking it behind me. Taking a deep breath I walked slowly down the road, taking in the sights and sounds of the village. I was so far into my own world that I bumped into someone. He had spiky blonde hair and a full body black and orange jumpsuit.
“Gomen, I wasn’t watching where I was going” I said to the boy. He put his hand on the back of his head and wave my apology away.
“It’s ok I wasn’t watching either. I was going to get something for breakfast”. Breakfast.. I was feeling a little hungry now.

“Did ya wanna come with me?” He asked. I didn’t know what to say. He must have noticed.
“It’s ok if you don’t wanna.”
“No no. I’ll come. I don’t really know anyone so I’d like a friend”. He gave me a friendly laugh which made me feel more comfortable.

“Well come on” he said “ The ramen’s gonna get cold”. He started to run so I ran after him. We reached a ramen shop and I read the sign.

“Ichiraku Ramen” I took a seat and noticed the boy already had a bowl in front of him. O_o.
“This .. Is the …. Best .. ramen .. shop .. in .. Konoha” He said in between mouthfuls.

“I’ll take your word for it” I looked at the menu on the back wall and decide on the pork ramen. The boy finished his bowl and ordered another. As they were cooking he focused on me.
“So. Who are you anyway” He squinted at me a little.

“I’m Haley Kanaro. I’m transferring to Konoha from my home village, Kusa.” I looked at him. He was thinking for a minute and then asked,

“Kusa?” . I laughed at the boy.

“The village hidden in the grass. Kusagakure”
“Oh” he said “So Haley, you’re a ninja like me?” He gave a wide smile and pointed to his chest. “You’re sitting with the future Hokage. Naruto Uzamaki. BELIEVE IT!” This took me by surprise, and I laughed.
“The Future Hokage hmm.” He nodded but before he could say anything our ramen was placed on the bench.

“Enjoy” Said one of the staff members.

“Thanks Matsu” Said Naruto. He turned away and Naruto leaned towards me.
“These two are new. The old man and Ayame used to run the shop, but Ayame is away from the village.” He went back to eating his ramen. As we finished, and got up to leave (after I paid) I heard someone call my name. It was Kakashi.

“HI Kakashi – sensei” said Naruto, but Kakashi only nodded in acknowledgement.

“The Hokage wants to see you” Said the tall man

“Again!” I said “But I just seen her before!” ‘What does she want now?’ I thought.

“She said she a has a mission for you”

“A mission!” said Naruto. “Why don’t I get any missions?” he paused and looked around. ”Haley? … Kakashi – sensei?”

But he was too late to ask because we had already left.