She had been traveling more than she'd been home. Seeking answers to a life she had long left behind. She had found her way back to what she had used to call home, only to find it decimated. Burned to ashes. There was nothing left. The once empire she had one day wished to claim had been destroyed. Her brothers scattered to the four winds...or so she hoped. Although she hadn't spoken to her family since she left, she still loved them. But the way things looked? She could only hope and pray that her brothers had made it out alive.

She returned to Tojo at last, a heavy heart to match the heavy rains that pelted the ground so early in the morning. The winds howled around her as she approached the bay, the sand beneath her paws soaked as the rain heavily sounded upon the kelp choked water. She paused, looking toward the trees. Would Hanzo be angry for having left without much word? Would he understand? Her thoughts flickered with the fireflies that floated through the trees. Their light flickering dimly as they settled on the bark. Her ear flicked with the movement of the little orchid mantis that had hitchhiked with her, taking shelter within her dense fur as the koi woman walked into the treeline to find a little relief from the storm. If Hanzo ended up angry, she would explain and take whatever consequence he deemed necessary. She hadn't meant to be gone for so long, but the moment she had heard word that trouble was afoot back home, she had left on the long journey there. But even then, she hadn't made it in time. Her efforts had been fruitless. Her heart broken. There was no home to go back to anymore.

This was it.

"Sakura Haruno"

Hattori knew why she had left, even if they hadn't discussed it beforehand. He was well aware that the journey was long and arduous, could very well turn into a story with an unhappy ending. But the Kaicho understood her desire to know for certain, that the questions had been gnawing away at her for too long- she should have asked to leave in the first place but asking for forgiveness would simply have to do at this point. That and a promise to do far better in the future; she was a part of Tojo, she ought to act like it.

Though the rain pelted down hard, creating a rather sombre backdrop for Sakura's return, he noticed her rather quickly. Or through the rain his eagle had seen her from on high and reported as much to their master.

Stepping out into the open, Hattori regarded her for a moment as she took shelter beneath the trees, bright splashes of colour amongst the dark black of her coat. He moved to join her, paws squelching against the churned mud, at least it would all be good for their rice paddies out here. The plants seemed to thrive in these conditions.

"Well?" He prompted, his voice stern and quiet, but not outwardly aggressive. The floor was open for her to speak.