'Sorry to leave you like this, mom, but Lady Hokage called me to her office.' Kaiya said.

It was about two or three weeks after Orochimaru's attack, and the town was recovering nicely.

It was a rather early morning time to be summoned to the Hokage -especially for a genin-, around 8 am, but it seemed like the Fifth Hokage took an interest in Kaiya and was willing to talk to her. Kaiya wasn't very sure about why she was summoned like that, but she hoped it wasn't about her mother's sudden appearance.

'They already chose a new leader?' Fuzasane asked.

Kaiya shrugged. 'Well, you know it- Every town needs a leader, and none can survive much without one. She's already been making herself comfortable with it for the past few days, but the ceremony shall happen one of these days, I think.'

'Hmph. Fair point.' Fuzasane puffed. 'Well, you don't want to be late. Who knows- maybe she's just like your aunt Ichika.'

Ichika was Fuzasane's oldest sister, also the Alpha -or the leader, may you call it- of the Kobayashi clan. Well, the post as an Alpha had its effect on the 30-year-old woman, without a doubt- with time, she became more strict and didn't fear taking action. The members of the clan caught on quickly that she wasn't all games.

As for Fuzasane, although she had the bad luck to be born as the youngest of the 3 daughters, she still managed to become a Beta- the Alpha's assistant.

Kaiya forced a small smile as she took on her jacket.

'Let's hope not.' She said, before leaving. 'See ya later.'

The walk turned out to be shorter than Kaiya remembered. The town was still waking up slowly, so the only people you'd see were various genin teams, jonins and shop owners who were opening their shops and kiosks.

Kaiya entered the Main Building and, soon enough, she found herself in front of the Hokage's office. She took a moment to breathe in and put in order to calm herself down, before knocking at the door.

'Come in, already.' Said a feminine, upbeat yet bored voice loudly, before it turned into a mutter. 'Not like I've got anything better to do like to like to listen to your problems.'

Kaiya pushed the door open hesitatly. She closed the door behind her as she entered, and kneelt down before the Hokage's office. The Fifth Hokage turned out to be a woman in her 50-is with pale blonde, long hair, brown eyes and a green pullover over a white blouse. Next to the Hokage stood a woman somewhat younger, with short, black hair and dark garment, holding a small pig. The Hokage, also known as Tsunade, sighed as she looked at the girl.

There were some reports of the girl being slightly anorexic but honestly, she hardly even looked anorexic now.

'No need to kneel before me, child. Get up.' The blonde woman said in a nicer tone, as Kaiya obeied quietly. 'You must be Kaiya? Kaiya Hatake?'

Kaiya took a gulp as she stood up straight.

'Yes ma'am, but I don't use the name 'Hatake'. I go by 'Kobayashi'.'

The woman nodded, understandingly. She heard some stuff and, if they turned out to be true, it was very reasonable for her to say that. "I see. May I know why?'

Kaiya looked at the woman and told her everything just like she did with Lee, but in a more formal way, of course. The Fifth Hokage listened thoroughly calm and reserved and didn't intrerupt once- the girl was fairly clear in her story and she didn't want to break the story flow. After the girl was finished talking, Tsunade remained silent for a while. It was quite alot of informaton to take in at once, but it wasn't necessarily anything she wasn't used to.

'So, your mother never really told you how she and your father met?' Tsunade asked, and Kaiya nodded. 'Then I'll solve it for you- It can't be that hard. Shizune, please give me those folders.'

'Yes, ma-am!' The dark haired woman said as she put the small pig down, before rushing to a pile of folders.

She brought them back and layed them in front of Tsunade, who hummed a thank you as she began searching through them.

'If you're 14... then... ANBU...' She mumbled to herself as she searched through. 'Ok, I think I have the gist of it.'

'Really?' Kaiya frowned.

It didn't take more than a few minutes. How could she gather enough information about it in such a short time...?

'It isn't much, but it should do for one believable theory.' Tsunade said. 'So, you're what? Fourteen?'

'Yes, miss.' Kaiya nodded.

'Well.' Tsunade clapped her hands togheter. If my calculations are correct, then your father, Kakashi, should've been at about the same age when he had you. Meanwhile, these files say that when he was fourteen, he was the ANBU- I think you've heard of them. So, according to my theory, Kakashi was on an ANBU mission at some point when he, under various circumstances, came across your clan. Something happened there -it's still very unclear to me so I couldn't tell with exactly what- and he met your mother. They might've got close, perhaps too close, and your mother became pregnant. Taking that you didn't know anything about your father and how your mother never really said anything about him, I assume he must've got taken aback by the whole situation and he chose to stay away. What do you think?'

'That's actually a really good theory, Tsunade-sama!' The dark haired woman named Shizune exclaimed.

Kaiya blinked a few times, in thought. It was a quite good theory.

'I'll ask my mother about it when I'll get the chance.' Kaiya said, eventually.

Tsunade nodded. 'Alright. Your mother asked you about returning to your clan to sort things out, correct? Did you decide?'

'I did.' Kaiya said, after a quick pause. 'And my answer... I decided that I'll return. Not forever, but until manage to sort some things out. After that, I hope of returning to Konoha.'

'I don't know if it works like that...' Shizune sighed.

'I don't either.' Tsunade snapped. 'But from what I understand, you showed a good loyalty towards Konoha and your sensei doesn't have anything bad to say about you. You're not the first one in a situation like this, and since you proved to be a good shinobi, I want to grant you free trepassing through Konoha for as long as you live. You may stay as long as you please with your clan, as long as you promise to return to Konoha, still loyal.'

Kaiya opened her mouth and closed it before repeating the action, unsure how to react.

'Thank you, Hokage-sama.' She said, with a bow.

'When will you leave?' Tsunade asked, with a smile.

'Today, after my mother's insistations.' Kaiya answers. 'We'll leave in a few hours.'

'Well, I wish you a good journey and, hopefully, we'll meet again soon.' Tsunade said.

Kaiya smiled. 'Thank you. I'm sure it won't take long until my return.'

Kaiya bowed one more time before heading to the door. As she opened the door, she stopped and turned around.

'Lady Hokage, could I ask for a small favour?' She asked.

'Sure.' Tsunade shrugged. 'What do you need?'

'Could someone pass by my apartment every now and then and take care of it while I'm gone?'

'No problem. I'll look for someone.'

'Thank you, Lady Hokage.' Kaiya said, before bidding another goodbye and leaving.

'Her manners are a bit similar to Kakashi's, aren't they, Shizune?' Tsunade asked, turning to the dark-haired woman.

'I guess, but she doesn't look much like him.' Shizune answered with a shrug.

'I don't look much like a Senju, now do I? But I'm still one.' Tsunade pointed out, calmly. 'On the other hand, she has his eyes.'

'Hm? I didn't look at her eyes, to be honest.'

The two continued to talk about it for awhile, before eventually changing the subject.

She seems like a good person, Tsunade thought for one last time, hopefully, we'll see more of her.

Kaiya looked around the village as she walked towards the exit of the village, with her tachi on her back. Weirdly enough, she felt like, whilst staying there, she got a little attached to the village. Beside her, Fuzasane seemed a little more critical on the whole situation.

'There are so many people, I honestly don't know why you like it so much here.' She commented.

'Sometimes, it can be annoying, but it's mostly nice to see all the people.' Kaiya answered. 'Besides, there are plenty of people at home. What makes this any different?'

Fuzasane shrugged her shoulders. 'Here, they're all strangers.'

'Fair point.'

Just as Kaiya wanted to say something, some agitated voiced hurried from somewhere behind them.

'Kaiya- wait! Neji, keep up already!' One of the voices said.

Kaiya and Fuzasane stopped in their tracks and turned around, to see Guy and the rest of Kaiya's team rushing towards them. They eventually reached them and stopped, breathing heavily.

Fuzasane analysed the group and figured rather quickly who they were.

'Man, what a race...' Tenten sighed. 'Kaiya! We heard that you were leaving?'

'Mhm. That's correct. But not forever, though.' Kaiya answered.

'What do you mean?' Neji asked.

'I have some busniess to solve. After that, I might as well return to Konoha.'

'I see. The lady behind you is your mother, correct?' Guy asked, choosing his words carefully.

Lee had informed his team about what Kaiya said that morning, but he didn't go into detail. Anyhow, the story still took him aback, and it had a very similat effect upon the rest of the team. Knowing Kakashi, he knew for a fact that the woman might not have the best temperament.

'Y...Yes.' Kaiya spoke, with a sweat drop. 'She is my mother. Mother, please meet my team.'

Tenten, Lee and Neji looked at the woman, wide-eyed. They all were more or less surprised and curious about the woman, but they weren't fully sure of what to do or say, and Fuzasane's aura didn't help much.

'Lovely.' Fuzasane said, pursing her lips as she looked at the small group.

'Well, I suppose we should leave now.' Kaiya smiled.

'Wait for a second- you know Lady Hokage, right?' Lee asked, all hyped up.

'Yeah. I just went to her office this morning.' Kaiya said.

'Well, she's a really good doctor, it turns out! She did a check on me, and she said that she knows of an operation that could make me able to become a good shinobi again! Isn't that great?'

Kaiya's eyes widened in surprise.

'Really? That's great!' Kaiya said, a smile growing on her face. 'When will the operation be?'

'She said that everything will be ready in two weeks.'

'Well mother,' Kaiya turned to her mother, 'it appears that we'll have to postpone our departure for two weeks.'

'But-' Fuzasane tried to revolt, confused by her daughter's actions.

'Mother, I'm sure aunt Ichika won't mind much. I mean, dad's there.'

'Your dad?' Guy frowned. 'You mean Kakashi's there? I just saw him around this morning!'

Kaiya laughed lightly.

'No, not him! I have a step-dad as well.' She explained. 'My mother is married to him and she had my little brothers with him.'

Guy nodded along with a hm, understanding the situation better.

'So you'll remain a little longer?' Tenten asked, hopeful.

Kaiya shrugged her shoulders along with a small smile. 'It appears so.'

Tenten jumped and caught Kaiya into a hug. At first, Kaiya was shocked by the girl -not as shocked as Fuzasane, though-, but eventually relaxed her muscles and responded to the hug positively.

Kaiya sat on a hospital chair with her hand covering her mouth and one of her legs tapping the ground uncontrollably. Next, to her, her team sat in a slightly calmer yet still tense state.

'You need to relax, Kaiya.' Tenten said, next to her. 'He'll be fine.'

'I know. I don't know why I'm stressing so much.' Kaiya said, before glancing at a clock on the wall. 'He's been in there for three hours already.'

'It's a complex work.' Guy said. 'It's to be expected.'

'What's to be expected?' A familiar voice said next to them, all of a sudden.

They all turned around to see a familiar face with a bowl cut and a green suit, sitting in a wheelchair.

'Lee, you're fine!' Guy said, jumping out of his seat to hug the boy. 'I knew you're gonna make it!'

'Sensei, take it easy.' Neji said. 'He just got out of the operation room.'

'Right!' Guy obliged, letting go of Lee and backing away a bit.

'Listen to the boy, Guy!' A cocky, woman voice said from down the hall.

The Hokage walked up to them with the biggest grin she could give.

'I'm happy to announce,' she said as she finally reached them, 'that the operation was a full success!'

The small group began clapping, giving the woman the credit she deserved.

'So, how do you feel?' Kaiya asked, turning her attention to Lee.

'How do I feel?' He repeated. 'Youthful!'

Kaiya covered her eyes for a moment, massaging her nerves as she whispered a why?. How could she expect any different answer?

'Relax, now will ya?' Tsunade asked with a laugh, pushing his head forth a little, before turning to Guy. 'He'll have to sit again in a wheelchair and cruthces for a while, but he'll be fine.'

'It's fine! I'm sure that it won't stop him any less, right Lee?' Guy said.

'Yes, sir!' Lee answered, with a salute.

'

So I guess this really is goodbye.' Tenten said.

It was, at last, time for Kaiya and Fuzasane to leave. Kaiya's team came to bid a last goodbye at the gates. That day, the last leaves began falling as a cool air made itself present through Konoha, along with some clouds. That might've happened due to the fact that it was a mid to late november, but it didn't help much to the state around the group.

'I suppose so. But it isn't forever, you know that.' Kaiya said. 'We'll see of eachother again.'

'Well, I can't wait until then!' Lee said.

Fuzasane shot a look at Kaiya, who understood exactly what she wanted to say, and so did everyone.

'Well, take care, okay?' Kaiya said.

At this point, Guy began shaking and, soon enough, the shaking turned into sobs.

'Guy-sensei...' Neji said, looking at Guy with mixed feelings of understanding and dissapointing.

Kaiya sighed. 'Don't cry, sensei. I already told you- we'll meet again. See y' all!'

At this point, she greeted them with a wave, before turning around and walking away with her mother.

'You've gained some weight since three years ago.' Fuzasane said.

Kaiya laughed lightly. 'Yeah, I'll lose some weight-'

'There's no point in doing that.' Fuzasane cut her off. 'You look healthier. That's what's important.'

Kaiya looked at her mother surprised, before smiling a little. 'Thank you.'

Guy and his team remained there still, looking at Kaiya and Fuzasane until they dissapeared from sight.

'Come, it's time to go.' Guy said quietly when the two finally disappeared.

The group turned around and walked down the streets with their heads down. As they did that, something was clear- it was extremely quiet.

'Man, I can't wait for her to come back.' Tenten said. 'Is it weird that I already miss her?'

'Nah.' Neji said, surprising his teammates. 'But she'll come back, right?'

'Right!' Lee exclaimed.

Suddenly, Guy stopped for a second an looked over the house roofs around them.

'Is there something wrong, sensei?' Tenten asked.

Guy shook his head before continuing to walk.

'There's no point in staying undercover, Kakashi.' Guy said. 'She's gone.'

The three looked up and, much to their surprise, Kakashi was, indeed, on one of the roofs, looking down at them.

'He's really good at hiding!' Tenten exclaimed. 'But why did he do that?'

The guy shrugged his shoulders. 'Maybe he wanted to say goodbye to his daughter, but didn't know how.' He said.

Kakashi pursed his lips at the comment. The word daughter still sounded weird in his ears.

I guess I'll have to get accustomed to it., he thought.

For one thing, he knew it wasn't the last of Kaiya. It wasn't the last of his daughter.

A/N

Heyyoo, how it going, y' all?

Here it is, the final chapter of The Nomad! What did you guys think of it?

If you guys wonder about all the time skips in this chapter, I still had a bit of plot and scenes and I had to compress it all together and still have a comprehensive piece of work.

So, I'm actually really happy that I got so far and, soon enough, I'll post the first chapter of the second book, which I decided to name 'The Wolf Within'. Here's the cover I made a while ago:

What do y' all think?

So, aside from the sequel, I was seriously thinking and planning on making a spin-off from these books which focuses on Kaiya's childhood. Why? Because, I honestly feel like that way, you guys can get more accustomed to Kaiya and secondary yet important characters from Kaiya's clan (Fuzasane, Kouta and Jun (Kaiya's brothers), Taka (Kaiya's cousin. You'll see much of him in the second book, Kaiya's stepdad, etc), and you guys get an inside look at the Kobayashi clan and their traditions and all that.

-Avery