The Jashinist's Son (Naruto Fanfic)

Chapter 6: It's Complicated

"I don't suppose you're too excited to see the Hokage?"

"That would be an understatement," Takeo scoffed. His eyes flickered from the building in front of them to his friends. "But it's not like we have a choice. This is what you do, right, Temari?"

"Some of it," she replied. Temari hadn't felt as much like an outsider to the Leaf as she had since walking through the gates with Takeo. She could feel the eyes that followed them through the Village, and even Shikamaru was visibly uncomfortable.

He kept scanning the streets and rooftops like their lives depended on it, always wanting to be one step ahead of trouble.  He didn't need a repeat of what happened last time. He vividly remembered the anbu attacking Takeo and taking him away.

Shikamaru guides them through the building and up flights of stairs, to knock on the Hokage's office door. They hear the Hokage call for them to enter but before they do, Temari grabs ahold of Takeo's wrist. "Don't do anything stupid. Regardless of what she say or does, you're one of us." She tapped at his Suna forehead protector. "I'm not gonna let her force you into anything."

All Takeo could do was nod as Shikamaru opened the door and stepped in. He heard Shikamaru greet the occupants of the room, and Takeo forced himself to follow Temari despite recognising the chakra signatures in the room.

This wasn't going to be fun.

"Shikamaru! Temari! Look who's here!" Sakura voice was loud and bright, exactly how Takeo remembered it. He knew this confrontation had to occur at some point, but he couldn't help but wish it were later.

The Suna ambassador sent back a worried glance to her comrade as he made his way to her side. His hood and half mask remained, but it appeared that the Hokage recognise him instantly. It was the eyes that gave him away.

"Would you please lower your mask?" The Hokage asked him. The boy sighed but complied, dropping the tan hood and pulling down the mask.

He ignores the gasps heard and the gaze of the people he used to trust, and fixed a stern gaze on the blond Hokage that sent him away. His expression while stern, his body language was alarmingly calm.

"...Takeo." She said in a breathy tone as she leaned against her desk. Tsunade had wondered what condition she would see Takeo in. He was taller, calmer and surely stronger than before. She studied him for a couple of seconds with a smile on her face. "Welcome home."

"We both know this isn't my home, Lord Hokage. There's no need to pretend or for you to tread so carefully," Takeo said. He felt eyes burning into his side and it took everything he had in him, not to react too harshly. He still doubted the real reason she allowed him permission to enter the village.

"I trust you've both been well?" He made eye contact with both Sakura and Naruto in question, but he knew their sensei wouldn't be too far behind.

"We've been good." Sakura replied, an emotion Takeo couldn't distinguish leaking into her tone as she stepped forward until she was directly in front of him. "Where have you been? We asked around and nobody seemed to know anything, except for Shikamaru." Takeo shot the Hokage a look as she crossed her arms. She hadn't told them anything.

"If you have spoken to Shikamaru, then you know where I've been." Takeo couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. He wasn't particularly close to team seven while he was in the village so he didn't believe they would miss him. Sakura probably missed having her team around. "Can't imagine it was kept a secret given how public my departure was."