Reborn

Chapter 3 : Sleep

"We're going home!" Kichiro shouted running in front of Hanako and Eiji.

Eiji shakes his head at his brother's childish manner while he carried a sleeping Hanako on his back. He felt a smile on his face as Hanako clings closer to him like a child and a teddy bear. Everything seems to be going to the way it was before.

"I kind of feel sad that we didn't say goodbye to everyone," Kichiro said with a pout before sitting on the ground.

Eiji gently place Hanako on the soft patch of grass before taking a seat against the tree with Hanako's head on his lap.

"I doubt they even remember us after Hanako's jutsu," Eiji said combing Hanako's hair away.

"I'm sure they'll remember someday," Kichiro said with his hands behind his head.

"They won't remember us, Kichiro. You know how powerful Hanako's Jutsu are. Plus there is no reason for us to ever meet them again, our mission is over." Eiji said staring at Hanako.

"I'm sure we will meet them again, they are an extraordinary bunch of genin," Kichiro said with a sigh.

Kichiro closes his eyes as Eiji continues to comb Hanako's hair. Kichiro sneaks a peek at his little brother who seem to be puppy love with Hanako again. He squints at Hanako who was sleeping peacefully.

"Don't you think it's a bit scary how Hanako is so powerful? Don't you ever wonder how she does it?" Kichiro said looking away from both of them.

"No, I don't wonder about it because that's who Hanako is. She is powerful but she is also gentle hearted and beautiful." Eiji whispers.

"All beautiful things are poisonous," Kichiro mumbles to himself.

"What did you say?" Eiji asked staring at his brother who stared at the clouds.

"Nothing," Kichiro said closing his eyes.

Eiji stared at his brother for a while waiting for a response but it seemed like Kichiro had fallen asleep. He didn't hear what Kichiro said but it didn't matter to him. Sometimes what Kichiro said was nonsense.

Eiji looks back down at Hanako, she's been sleeping for a while now. He was happy they were going back because since Sasuke left Hanako seemed very distant to both him and Kichiro. Every afternoon, she would disappear with an origami crane in her hands and come back without it.

Every day, she seemed to be getting depressed and none of them could make her happy or her eyes shine. It remained a constant dull blue.

Hanako began to stir in Eiji's hands. She sat up causing her hair to drape down. Eiji stare as she rubs her eyes before looking at him. Eiji's heart skips a beat when she looked at him with happiness but that happiness died in her eyes. She just realises that it wasn't the person she was looking for.

"Sleeping beauty has awakened from her deep slumber on my smelly brother's back." Kichiro joked as Hanako turned to look at him.

"We're very close to home so you can keep sleeping if you want to. We just have to cross the big river." Eiji said which Hanako nodded to.

Hanako turns to stared at Kichiro who started back at her. She walks to him and places her hand against his forehead before poking him on the cheek. Kichiro started at Hanako before she turned and walk to Eiji's backpack.

Hanako grabs her notebook and pen from Eiji's bag and starts writing on it. Then she shows the book to the 2 boys.

"They are on their way."