Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Kishimoto-sama does. I do however own the Hachimitsu Clan and all it's OC Affiliates.

[Edited: Mar 18, 2015]

One: Homecoming

"Konoha is just 10 minutes away." Jun-jiji announced from outside the palanquin.

"Hear that Hachiko?" I didn't look at Mim who sat across from me. I just nodded and kept my honey-colored eyes on my hands as I fiddled with the charms on bracelet. I had two bells, one silver and one gold, a kanji charm for mute and my latest addition a pink-white glass bead that signified my training in Seishinjutsu.

So many emotions bubbled up inside me. I kept my face controlled and didn't let show how distressed I felt. I was excited to be returning to Konoha, anxious to see my friends and Duelo-Papa but deep down a part of me was weary. Something in the air, there was a shift. It all began a little after I turned eight, I felt it, the shift was finally settling but it bothered me greatly.

Ever since I began training in Seishinjutsu with Lady Suisei, I had further developed my sensitivity to chakra. I unlocked what Lady Suisei called the 'third eye', a rare seishinjutsu ability that allowed me to feel disturbances, to feel good and bad omens. If I closed my eyes, I could see it, the feelings and in severe cases the darkness in people and how it affected everything around them. Lady Suisei pointed out once that:

"Chaos follows the miko with the mystical eye throughout her life if there is a loss of balance."

I wasn't sure what she meant but after that, she often pointed out to me that one path wasn't the only path to reach a destination. She was cryptic most of the time we spoke outside of training but it did help me understand my burden, knowing the future. I was never able to tell her about it. Every time I attempted to, I backed out but I had a bleeding suspicion she knew, which is why she was so cryptic, I think. Lady Suisei was only ever direct when she was teaching me the actual seishinjutsu techniques. In many ways I missed the old woman. For the past five years she had been there at my side, teaching me, nurturing my skill and now I was on my own as she had taught me all she knew. It was now up to me to further develop my skills and pass them on to another student when the time came.

"Five more minutes. The gate's are just ahead." Jun-jiji's voice announced only setting off my nerves. I felt the small flares of the jonin guard escorting us to the village. Prior to departing from the Capital after visiting Himitsu-obasan, I learned of the recent massacre of several Hachimitsu Clan Branch Families. Jun-jiji in response upped our protection and hired the best escorts from Konoha to meet us in the capital and ensure our safe arrival in Konoha. It didn't help that I had to now make a grand entrance into Konoha, I crinkled my nose at that, formality and I just didn't fit and yet I could look and play the part of an heiress.

I knew without a doubt, that my new position would leak as it was juicy gossip. The kyuubi-attack-coma survivor from the hospital, the wild-mute-girl now turned heiress to the Hachimitsu Clan. I grimaced at my lame Cinderella story. It sounded like a fairy tale now that I thought about it but the true events behind it were worthy of being written by the Brothers Grimm but put into the Twilight Zone* due to it's bizarreness.

It was all simply weird to think that one day I fell asleep as an adult and woke up as a chakra sensitive mute five-year-old in the Naruto-verse. In ways the no-voice thing worked for me. I knew too much about the future and being mute was probably Kami's way of saying:

"You're a fluke and for the timeline's sake, I'm gonna make you mute."

I had long ago accepted my new role as Hachiko leaving behind my past life. I learned the Konoha Shinobi Sign Language [KSSL] and tired to move on with no intention of messing with the events I knew were to come. Of course there were moments when my childish-emotions nearly swayed my decision into messing with the timeline but each attempt only ended up with serious consequences.

There was the time I went out of my way and became Pinkie's friend, I ended up with a concussion and in the hospital not to mention I got expelled from school for 'attacking a student' and 'aggressing a teacher'. Then there was that time I decided to become Naruto's friend at all costs. Each attempt was foiled until I finally managed it and ended up hurting myself in the end. Then when I decided to become a ninja, that ended up in a disaster that forced me to accept my role as a civilian. Since then, life as Hachiko got complicated very fast and that led up to my departure from Konoha to the Land of Honey where Kisaki-mama, the named me her heiress. Had I not started training under Lady Suisei, I would have died. Two attempts were made, one not long after my eighth birthday by my own Great-Uncle and the second time by my envious cousin whose life I ended.

For every action I had taken an opposite reaction of equal proportions took place. Messing with the timeline or with main characters involved in the major events of the timeline had some very strange after effects that before only affected me but now it included those around me and that bothered me. Why was the Hachimitsu Clan feeling after effects? I knew it had nothing to do with me being named heiress and more with the strange shift in the air but I was unsure as to how I caused it.

Being heiress didn't justify the sudden mass killings in the clan. It had started with just the women of the clan being murdered by that psychopath of an uncle after I defended myself and killed his daughter. However after his small rampage things just slowly went to hell as entire branch families were being massacred. The once large Hachimitsu Clan was now down to 36 members. Sixteen in the Land of Iron, Fourteen in the Land of Honey, Two in the Capital, One rogue and Three in route to Konoha to meet up with the unofficial member, Duelo-Papa. Just thinking about the clan made my gut feel heavy. I somehow blamed myself for the clan's misfortune.

"Nervous?" Mim asked and I snapped out of my inner thoughts. I froze and she repeated the question.

"Hachiko, are you nervous?" She asked slowly and I nodded.

'I feel a little bit of everything.' I signed and Mim smiled softly.

"You'll be fine. Homecomings are always nerve wracking, it'll pass." I nodded and Mim began fussing over my silk hanbok making sure it wasn't wrinkled. I had a light yellow top with gold accents on edges and a pink chima skirt with gold lining. My hair was carefully braided and I had a rose clip and red ribbon braided into my hair.

Mim's hanbok consisted of dark colors in contrast to my bright colors. Her top was dark blue with gold lining and her chima skirt was a dark red. Her brown hair was braided and wrapped around in a low bun with a gold binyeo stick holding it together. Jun-jiji wore his black hanbok with gold leaf designs and even had his hair up in a high top knot. Today, we wore our best travel hanbok and looked sharp. It was really stressful to look right on point because upon arrival to the village, opinions about the clan would form. I crinkled my nose thinking about the grand entrance we'd make into the village. All show to flaunt the wealth and power of the dwindling Hachimitsu Clan.

"Come on, relax a little. I bet Kakashi will think you're adorable." Mim teased. I blushed at the thought of Kakashi. Despite that I was now 13, I still had a small crush on the man. Time passed rather quickly and as the mass of chakra in the distance grew as we got closer to the village. My hands began to sweat, I took calming breaths but that only seemed to make me more nervous. We came to a stop and I could feel the jonin guard jump land next to the palanquin with Jun-jiji. Strangely enough, I was able to detect a layer of chakra that was like a bubble over the mass throb of energy that was the village.

'Must be a barrier… Interesting.'

I could feel the curiosity of those who were talking with Jun-jiji and checking identification. I felt one chakra approach the entrance with Jun-jiji. It was water nature but heavy like syrup.

"Hachiko-hime, the chunnin guard here needs to see you and Mimori to confirm the identification on your pass." Jun-jiji said and I waved my left hand to jingle giving him the okay. The cloth was moved and I stared at the chunnin on guard.

'Izumo.' I mentally identified the guard who stared at me in awe and quickly confirmed mine and Mim's ID to let us pass into the village. Once we were let into the village, the jonin guard that followed us quickly disappeared, probably went off to report to Sandaime. I could sense the curiosity sparking from several of the chakra signatures we passed by. There were suppressed chakras on the roofs who also flared in patterns.

'Most likely Anbu on duty communicating with one another.' I noted

"We'll be residing in Clan Estate. I expect you to be in your best behavior Hachiko." Jun-jiji said from outside the palanquin. I signed to Mim as I didn't know we'd be staying there instead of the house behind the shop.

'Why there? Why not home?' I asked and Mim shook her head.

"You now represent the Hachimitsu Clan and as such, you are now entitled to reside at the estate. Plus it's more spacious for when we begin entertaining Clan Heads and other important figures." Mim explained. I nodded reluctantly. The Hachimitsu Clan Estate was only ever used during the Chunin Exams when Kisaki-mama visited or when Himitsu-obasan visited Konoha with the Daimyo. The idea of entertaining others never occurred to me, despite that I was trained to entertain guests and how to politically handle situations to my favor. Useful but it was too formal for my tastes.

After a while, we stopped again. I felt the palanquin be put down. I assumed we had arrived to the estate since I could feel a mass of people in two groups. One was a mass in the street, curiously trying to watch, that I could tell. Another group was before the entrance of the palanquin a few feet away. I could tell for the most part, this group consisted of adults, two civilians, one child, an adult ninja who stood with the two civilians, another hiding in the shadows and a very familiar ball of chakra, bright but ferocious, like the sun. I smiled knowing who that person was.

'Everyone's aged up, their signatures feel different… Or maybe they feel different because my sensory is much better now. Naruto's is the only one that stands out prominently.'

Mim was the first to step out. When my turn came next, I carefully made sure not to trip. Stepping out of a palanquin with a long chima skirt was still a struggle for me. As soon as I stepped out I heard a loud gasp. A mass of feelings attacked me, surprise, a happy kind of sadness, proud-like feelings. I lifted my head and looked at the three adults and two very familiar friends. Duelo-Papa, Nurse Nanase, Pinkie's mom, Pinkie and Naruto. Kakashi was missing but I knew he was hiding in the shadows, his static like chakra was what singled him out. I figured he was trying to keep his late-to-everything appearance intact.

"Hachi?" Pinkie had grown so much. She was clearly taller than me and her hair was long. She wore exactly what I figured she'd be wearing, the red sleeveless top/dress thingy and black shorts. Naruto simply blinked and stared at me. He was surprisingly my height. He wore his signature orange jumpsuit with blue on his shoulders and white collar. His goggles were prominently on his head and I didn't miss the way his eyes were gleaming. Not knowing how to react, I simply waved a little hello prompting a big hug from Naruto that took me by surprise… Hug's had been far few over the past five-six-ish years, I rejected them since most hugs I received from Mim were filled with pity and I hated the feeling. This hug however, from Naruto, it was soothing, calming and warm, so I welcomed it.

"Finally! Do you know how long I've been waiting for this day!" Naruto said but it felt more like a yell. I noticed the discomfort from Pinkie's mom. She gave weary glances at Naruto who expertly ignored her and smiled brightly as he hugged me. He let me go and Pinkie got her turn to hug me. Pinkie's hug was happy and nostalgic brimming with relief.

"I missed you so much!" Pinkie cried and I couldn't bring myself to tears, so instead I opt for petting her back. When she let go, I apologized to both of them.

'I'm so sorry I wasn't a very good friend.' I signed. Naruto crossed his arms and looked thoughtful and then he shook his head.

"Hey you gave me gifts. Not just any friend does that even if they don't write ya know. Ne Hachiko-chan, what are you wearing? It's different from formal kimono I see those stuffy Hyūga wear ya know." Naruto asked as he looked me up and down trying to figure out what I was wearing. I gave out a soundless laugh… The first one I had in a long time.

"Naruto, that's formal wear for the Hachimitsu Clan. It's hanbok." I looked at Duelo-Papa and carefully took his image in. He looked older, his hair was still long and he lacked the white lab coat as he now wore a black long sleeve and blue pants. Next to him I noticed Nurse Nanase. She wore a dark blue kimono. Her brown hair was up in a bun and she smiled at me happily.

"Hachiko-chan. How was your trip?" Nanase asked. I looked between Nanase and Duelo-Papa. There was a connection between them. I noticed that from her stomach, there was an extra small budding chakra signature.

'She must be pregnant.' I noted and kept my observation and look controlled just in case she was unaware of it.

'It was well. Thank you.' I replied. I noticed the way Duelo-Papa was looking at me. I also picked up on the meaningful small glances he and Jun-jiji were exchanging. I looked at pinkie and smiled as I took out my handkerchief and wiped her tears. Naruto also tried to get her to stop crying. Her tears weren't of sadness though, they were tears of joy, I could feel her genuine happiness at having me back in the village.

"Yo! What did I miss?" I froze as I heard that voice. It was playful and yet it felt nostalgic. I knew he was up above hiding in the shadows but I completely ignored him as I exchanged pleasantries with everyone else. I slowly turned and stared at my longtime crush, Hatake Kakashi. I knew I wasn't blushing but the way I froze probably gave away that I still had a crush on him.

"Hachiko-chan, you look like you've grown into a lovely young girl." Now I was blushing for sure.

'Damn you Hatake!'

"How about we move this reunion inside where we can all enjoy some tea and so that the children can catch up?" Mim said rescuing me from the attention.

"Ah, gomen. I can't join you. I have duties to attend to. I just dropped by to welcome Hachiko-chan back." Kakashi said and directed his attention to me. he pet my head and I felt my face get red.

"I'll see you around Hachiko-chan." I watched him disappear in a poof.

"I figured she'd grow out of her crush." I heared Duelo-Papa say to Mim and Jun-jiji.

"Well then lets get some tea." Mim said drawing the attention back to the reunion at hand. I nodded while taking up Pinkie and Naruto's hand. Jun-jiji led us all into a tearoom inside the large estate. The estate itself was grand and had a few people inside, civilians, most likely the servants Mim hired to help clean and maintain the place. The estate itself was four buildings interconnected by stone walkways in the middle there was a large garden with koi pond and plum tree. The estate was painted in white and dark brown for the pillars.

As we sat down in a sitting room with a perfect view of the garden. Some of the service staff that was already working brought over a boiling pot of tea. We all got servings of tea. I noticed how Naruto scrunched his nose as he tasted his tea. I smiled a bit at his antics until my attention was drawn.

"Hachiko-chan, what sorts of things did you get up to in the Land of Honey?" Pinkie's mom, Mebuki asked. I looked at her and signed simple answers.

'I focused mostly on training and my lessons.' I replied. She seemed content with that She got up and announced her departure, since she had to prepare for the council meeting later in the week. To my joy, she let Pinkie stay to which we both beamed, although, Naruto didn't beam. I wondered why he wasn't overjoyed like I was. After Mebuki was gone. The conversation in the room was dominated by Naruto who began a one-sided conversation about cup ramen and fresh ichiraku ramen. I noticed that as Naruto talked, Duelo-Papa got troubled and nervous. I wondered why as I remembered him to being a cool and collected man.

"I'm telling ya, nothing beats a fresh cooked meal. It just has more heart in it ya know." Naruto ended his one-sided conversation that to my surprise, Mim had listened to and nodded. She was agreeing with him. Then I felt it in the air. Change. Something big and something… Good.

"Ahem. I have an announcement to make." Duelo-Papa said and I noticed how Nurse Nanase held his hand, assuring him she stood by him.

"Nanase and I are going to get married in a month." I noticed everyone else got excited. Pinkie simply stared in awe between Nanase and Duelo-Papa. Naruto smiled and started to clap and yelled congratulations. I simply smiled. I was not expecting this to happen on my homecoming. Mim and Jun-jiji congratulated Duelo-Papa and Nanase. When my turn came I smiled at both of them warmly.

'Congratulations, Duelo-Papa, Nanase-kachan.' I signed and Nanase's eyes went wide and her eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, Hachiko-chan." She was definitely crying hormone induced tears of joy. I looked at Duelo-Papa and impishly grinned.

'You took my advice. You went out and got a girlfriend. So when am I going to be a big sister?' I signed and both Nanase and Duelo-Papa turned beet red.

"Hachiko-hime! It's rude to tease your father." Jun-jiji reprimanded and I let out a sigh and nodded. I bowed and apologized.

'Gomen. Duelo-Papa.' I could hear Naruto and Pinkie holding in their laughs. As Mim began talking about the wedding preparations and Jun-jiji offering to host the wedding in the estate with Nanase and Duelo-Papa, I turned to Pinkie and Naruto and signed.

'Want to ditch the adults? Their talk is going to be boring. We can sit by the tree.' I signed and I knew Jun-jiji had noticed my signing. Naruto and Pinkie nodded. I knew Jun-jiji let me do as I wished with Pinkie and Naruto simply because I wouldn't get much time to spend with them after this visit with hosting Clan heads and now with Duelo-Papa's wedding, I wouldn't get a chance like this one for a while. I dragged Pinkie and Naruto into the garden and sat under the plum tree.

"Your new house is fancy." Naruto said as he played with a few pieces of grass. I noticed how he sat beside me away from Pinkie. I wondered if something happened between them.

"It has to be Naruto, Hachi is now an heiress. She has lots of duties now. Ne Hachi?" Pinkie said and I nodded.

'It's true. I won't have much free time for the rest of the month as I have to meet all the clan heads in the village, and now there's wedding preparations.' I signed and Naruto stared at the grass, he looked thoughtful.

"You're like super important now… It's expected as my right hand woman but are you okay now?" I froze and looked at Naruto, he looked concerned.

'Did they tell him about the assassination attempts? Does he know?'

"Naruto's right. I had forgotten why you had left. You left to get better. Your spiritual training how did that go?" Pinkie added. I relaxed a little. I was not ready to let them in on the near deaths I had. They were still innocent and the last thing I wanted was for them to worry over me.

'I'm fine. Better than fine actually. My training went really well. I trained under Lady Suisei. Turns out I'm a natural at Seishinjutsu.'

"What's seishinjutsu?" Pinke asked.

'Jutsu for Miko. I can show you some.' I signed and Naruto bounced in his seat. I focused my right hand in a ram seal and focused my spiritual energy and around us causing it to turn visible as a pink bubble formed.

"Cool. What is it?" Naruto reached out to touch it and he beamed as he made contact. Pinkie followed his lead and she gasped.

"It feels cool to the touch, like glass." Pinkie described the feeling of it and Naruto nodded. I released it and smiled.

'It's a barrier. Protects those inside and calms them.'

"As expected from my right hand woman." Naruto added and I smiled and openly blushed. It felt right to be amongst them again, despite the feeling of change in the air again, I didn't care what came next, I would take it on boldly now that I had Pinkie and Naruto back in my life again.

A/N: New readers? Yes. Welcome! This is my first sequel, if you don't want to read Part I, then power to ya! You won't have trouble reading this story but I highly suggest you read Part I unless you don't like fluff and cute shit.

Old readers, Hello my lovely/handsome readers! Hachiko is back! I know it took long, but doesn't it feel realistic? Part I ended with her at age 8 and now she's 13. Anyways, I've been getting suggestions to pair up Hachiko with Kakashi despite the age difference. I have thought about it but she's too young and no parings will be made until after she ages up a bit, let the girl at least hit her angsty teen years. She's only thirteen now. She will develop more crushes but no parings for now.

[Edited Mar 18, 2015]: Ages. hachiko is technically older than the rookies by a few months, since she's a New Year Baby. So she's 13 while the Rookies are 12 going on 13... I had to fix that little detail that I screwed up and never bothered to fix; So my apologises by lovely readers.