"Um... I was released from Konoha's interrogation division two days ago, and Lord Hokage arranged a place for me to stay." Karin explained, nervously pushing up the red glasses on her nose. "Well, I came specifically to thank you, Naruto!"
After saying that, she snapped her hands flat against the fronts of her thighs and bowed straight down at a perfect ninety degrees, her long red hair falling forward.
"Naruto saved her?" Hinata felt utterly confused. When had that happened?
"Um... Grandpa Hokage had me do it for some reason, so don't worry about it." Naruto scratched his head and decisively dumped the matter on the Third Hokage. "So does that mean you're part of Konoha now?"
"Mm." Karin nodded, her cheeks faintly red.
"A newcomer to the village? What's your name?" Sasuke stepped forward, wondering what ability this woman possessed that had made the Third Hokage go out of his way to keep her.
"M-My name is Karin Uzumaki. Please take care of me!"
Smack. Another impeccably formal bow.
"Come on, you don't have to be so polite..." Naruto broke out in a cold sweat and waved his hands repeatedly.
"Huh? Your surname is Uzumaki too, just like Naruto's." Hinata looked at Karin, then at Naruto in surprise.
Uzumaki? Sasuke's heart stirred.
"Um... I took my mother's surname..." Karin straightened up and explained softly.
"Hello, my name is Hinata Hyuga. Please take care of me as well." Hinata introduced herself too.
"Sasuke Uchiha." Sasuke spoke flatly, both hands still in his pockets, looking as cool as ever.
"Naruto Uzumaki. We'll be companions from now on, so please take care of me." Naruto smiled faintly.
Looking at that smile, Karin nearly froze. It was that smile—the one that had appeared before her when she had been drowning in despair... such