Shiro followed tazuna through the village. It was early morning and the team wouldn't get to the hidden mist until later that afternoon, but she wanted to thoroughly surprise them. And show them that she was fine by herself. She was as capable as they were. And don't have to ditch a teammate to complete a mission.

"Here it is" tazuna spoke up, peopl waving to Shiro and the old man happily as they went about their day, Shiro looked up, it was a large house, but no better looking then any of the other houses, she assumed the interior of the house was much more richer in value then most.

Knocking on the door she took a breath in and smiled the brightest she could. Showing off her leaf nin headband.

An elderly man then answered the door. His frail body shaking as he opened the well chiseled wooden door.
"Hello?" He asked, his voice corse. Shiro smiled
"Ohayo sir. I'm one of the leaf ninja. Johiro hired" the old man smiled and turned back.
"Johiro-san!" The old man called weakly. It was then a man walked over.
"What is it father?" The man asked, he had a chiseled face, very good looking, and obviously was rich by his attire.

" there's a leaf ninja here with dear Himiko!" The old man exclaimed overjoyed. Shiro sweat dropped at the old man's joy but kept her hand behind her back.
"Actually. Himiko-san isn't here at the moment.." Shiro whispered. Johiro paused and looked a the girl
"Then why are you here then, you should of been helping escort my wife here!" Shiro took a breath in and smiled.
"I apologise for the inconvenience sir. You see; there is a reason I am here and the rest of the group is not" Johiro eyed Shiro before inviting her inside to explain, sitting across from him in the lounge Shiro smiled
"My team and I don't have the best relationship.. They've adopted the idea that I'm weak and unable to benefit them" Shiro explained. "A couple days ago, they left me in the camp in the early morning hours to go get Himiko and come here. They didn't have any intention of coming back for me"

"That's not really a team then. Why do they not like you"
"Because when I was younger I didn't know how to cast jutsu. Fight properly. Of course they had their reasons, they were justified. But now, I've shown many times that I've become a lot stronger, able to protect myself".

Johiro sat back, fingers linked and hands set on his lap.
"Your saying that the your team, have been escorting my future wife alone. How many of you are there"
"Three" Shiro answered
"And you chose to come here and in form me. Why"
"Because. At the time there was no way for me catch up to them without exerting myself and slowing us down considerably. Going back to the village would increase the dislike they feel toward me. Could make them ditch me more often" Shiro pauses. "I chose to come here because it was closest. I have connections here from months ago. That way I didn't use up all my rations, waste to much time, and arrive before the rest if the team did"

"Well you seem a lot more intelligent then your team" Johiro stated, Shiro gave him a thankful look before looking around the home.
"What made you want to marry Himiko? If you don't mind me asking"
"Oh not at all" Johiro smiled at the thought.

"It was supposed to an arranged marriage. We would be wed in order to benefit her family. After meeting her a couple times we began to become friends, best friends and so on, the feelings are mutual.. And I'd be glad to spend the rest of my life with that woman" Johiro explained. Shiro smiled at him.
"I'm sure you two will be happy"

--

Shiro and Johiro continued talking into the afternoon, the man's father occasionally coming in and joining them in conversation. Shiro had learnt quite a bit about what had happened to the village after what happened with gato. Shiro smiled at the thought of her being remembered as the one kind girl who helped the village out in its time of need, and Naruto. The one the bridge was named after. He and his team helped free the village from gato's greedy hands, and give a peaceful rest to Zabuza and Haku. Their graves still atop the hill that they were buried.

Hearing a knock at the door.

Shiro sighed softly at the thought of it being her teammate's, though they had probably told Himiko lies about her. Johiro got up and answered the door. Only to be jumped on by his beloved. Naruto and Sakura smile at the two. Johiro turned to the two and gave them his most grateful smile.
"Thank you for bringing my wife to me--"
"Not yet Johiro-kun, soon" Himiko whispered making Johiro chuckled.
"Not a problem sir, we're happy to see you two together" Sakura says with a sweet smile in her face, Shiro watched from the lounge, they hadn't noticed her.
"Well we should should get going, I can't wait to get home to my ramen!" Naruto cheered, Sakura smiled and nodded
"Have a happy life Himiko-san, Johiro-san" the couple smiled and waved to the two leaf ninja. The moment the door was closed Shiro sighed deeply. Himiko only now noticing the cat eared girl

"Who is that?!" She asked alarmed. Shiro smiled softly getting up and bowing.
"Gomen. I should K of introduced myself while my team was here" Johiro sighed, hand wrapped around his future wife.
"Shiro is was one of the leaf ninja that was going to escort you"
"But Sakura said it was only her and Naruto that would be escorting me"
"I asked for a team of three darling, they ditched her halfway to your village" Johiro explained. "You saw how smug and proud they looked once they reached the village didn't you? They were happy to know they got away with dining their teammate"

"They probably think I'm way behind them" Shiro whispered. A smile on her face. "I'm sorry I coudlnt help escort you. I would of loved to get to know you better miss Himiko" the older woman sighed but gave the who haired girl a smile.
"Likewise"

"I should be going, I want to meet up with my team on the way back" Shiro said, bowing and turning to leave, Johiro then paused
"Shiro wait" Johiro called. Grabbing out some paper and a note. The man the scribbled on it, then signed it. "Darling? Could you sign it?" Himiko nodded and sighed her name on the paper, Johiro rolled it up and handed it to Shiro with a smile
"A confirmation letter from us that you were ditched and came here early. And that Himiko and I were appalled to I so that your team went in ahead with out you, give it to the Hokage once your home" Johiro explain, making Shiro smile brightly.
"Arigatou. For this. And letting me stay. I'll be sure to come visit!" Shiro exclaimed leaving and waving to the couple. Shiro eyed the note and grinned happily.

She could get home now.