Two years later, the war had finally ended.

Of course, I'm still heartbroken over how I lost Obito and even Rin died. Both of their deaths were traumatizing for Kakashi and I.

What happened was, he had to kill her with his lightning blade since they wanted to use her as the Three-Tail's jinchuriki and I had to watch helplessly because one of the enemies had me apprehended and made sure I couldn't interfere.

Kakashi was more traumatized over Rin than I was though. He barely talks to me anymore and it's like he acts like we were never friends.

Right now, Minato and Lord Third were discussing a few things and I sat at the table with them since Minato told me to sit with them. Kushina would've been here, but she was out on a mission with Inoichi and Anko.

"So, what did you have to talk about?" Minato asked the Hokage.

"Two things," He replied. "Both are good news,"

I stared at him with anticipation.

"First," He started. "I'm going to approve your application about Hana becoming a jounin,"

If he wasn't here right now, I would've burst out with excitement. A huge grin fell on my face and I was now excited. Minato was smiling proudly at me.

"Really?" I ask.

He nodded and then continued. "And the second things I have to say, I'm going to let you take over my position as the Hokage, Minato,"

Minato's eyes widened with shock.

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah," The Hokage nodded. "Because of you, the Third Shinobi war had come to an end because of how well you and the others had handled it and you also endured a great amount of pain,"

I looked down, knowing he was talking about Obito and Rin.

God, I miss Obito. Why did that have to happen to me? Why did I have to lose him?

Minato looked over at me with sympathy and looked back at the Hokage.

"You are now the Fourth Hokage."

Minato was still shocked and I had to admit that I was kind of jealous since I wanted to be Hokage. They continued discussing about duties he would take care of and how the ceremony would work.

Then, the former Hokage left our house.

"This is a huge responsibility," Minato remarked. "I'm a leader of an entire village now,"

"It's impressive though," I replied. "I'm sure Aunt Kushina will be very happy for you,"

Minato nodded.

"And Kakashi can stop teasing me about being a chunin because I'm now on the same level as him," I smirk. "He better not call me a block-head again though,"

"I knew teaching you the rasengan was a good idea," Minato smiled. "I'm glad the Third could see your potential and how much your skills have improved. Did you know that Kakashi is going into the ANBU soon as well?"

He stood up to get a cup of tea and a sudden thought crossed my mind.

"So," I said. "What's of Team Seven now?"

"Well, I'm no longer your sensei. You and Kakashi don't need my teachings anymore,"

He sat back down at the table with me and we talked for a few more minutes. After that, I decided to go see Kakashi before he went into the ANBU and disappeared on me all the time.

Plus, I wanted to check on him anyway. I know he has PTSD from having to use his lightning blade on Rin and witnessing Obito die. He couldn't forgive himself for their deaths and now everyone thinks he has a cold heart because of Rin. I had to put a few people in their place for that.

As I looked for Kakashi, I couldn't help but wonder what Obito would have to say about me becoming a jounin and Minato becoming the Hokage.

Like Kakashi, I even suffered PTSD from losing him like that. Mine isn't as severe as his, but I would often break down in the middle of the night and cry because I would be dreaming about that day I lost him.

I glanced down at the bracelet he bought for me and felt my eyes starting to water. I still haven't taken it off and refused to, unless I was showering.

I decided to go find Kakashi, so I let Minato know that I was going to head out for the day.

"Okay! Be careful!" Minato said as I put my shoes on.

"I will!" I said and left the house.

As I looked around to find Kakashi, I couldn't get Obito off my mind. I missed him so much that it hurt and I still want to believe that maybe there's a chance that he survived. If he did, then he could come back to the village and comfort me.

Then, Rin crossed my mind.

Sure I didn't like her at first, but I eventually grew close to her and she became one of the people who I trusted the most. I miss her too.

I felt my eyes watering again and I wiped them.

I suddenly collided with someone and I fell on my butt.

"Still clumsy I see,"

I looked up at Kakashi.

"Shut it,"

He had a smile, but it looked fake. My mood slightly dropped when I realized that he was still holding everything in and just puts on a tough face.

"So, what's this I hear about you going into the ANBU?" I ask as he helped me back up on my feet.

"I'm supposed to go into the ANBU tomorrow. They think that I'm skilled enough to join," Kakashi shrugged.

"Um...are you doing okay? I noticed we're growing distant and I know you're still shaken up from the war, but it's worrying me," I said.

"Everything is okay. You don't need to worry-"

"Stop pushing me away!" I retort. "I'm torn up because of Obito and Rin too, but the last thing I need is losing someone else I care deeply for,"

Kakashi seemed a bit astonished and didn't say anything.

"You're getting riled up for nothing," Kakashi replied. "I'm fine. I actually have to go meet up with Lord Hokage, so I'll see you around, Hana."

I watched Kakashi walk away, feeling more pain growing in my chest. Why is he acting like this? He hardly ever talks to me and hardly ever wants to hang out with me. I get that he's going to be busy, but the least he can do is talk to me.

Great, now I'm losing the only person I have left of Team Seven.

I huffed in frustration and hurt, then turned around so I could go visit Obito's grave.

For a while, his goggles were left on his grave, but I took them because I didn't want someone stealing them.

I entered the cemetery and walked over to where he would be buried if they found his body.

For a while, his goggles were left on his grave, but I took them because I didn't want someone to steal them and I didn't want something happening to them.

I looked down, trying not to start crying my eyes out. The flashbacks of that day kept replaying in my head and that last smile he gave me will forever be etched into my memories.

"I miss you Obito..." I sniffled. "If only I had pulled you away in time, you'd still be here..."

I couldn't fight the tears anymore and they started pouring down my cheeks like waterfalls.

I heard a rustle in the trees above and I looked up, not seeing anything. I was probably just seeing things since I'm unstable right now. I turned back around and wiped my tears so I could go home and get ready for the Hokage's ceremony.

When I got to my house, I saw that Kushina was cooking something and Minato wasn't anywhere to be found. He was probably in the shower or something.

Kushina turned to see who walked in and then smiled when she saw me.

"How does it feel to be a jounin?" She asked.

I walked to the kitchen to talk with her and smirked. "It feels great. Now I can stop being teased for still being a chunin,"

She chuckled and whatever she was cooking smelled really good right now.

"I'm making some dinner before Minato goes to his ceremony. We can't have our Hokage being hungry, y'know?" She said while stirring something in a pot.

Mizuki came out of nowhere and jumped up on the counter, only to be shooed off by Kushina. She gets mad when Mizuki jumps on the counter tops.

"Can you feed Mizuki? I think she's trying to eat the soup I'm making," Kushina chuckled.

I nodded and went to the cabinet to grab the bag of cat food. Mizuki ran to her dish when she heard the bag and stared at me as if she was telling me to hurry up.

"I'm really proud of Minato," Kushina said.

I put the cat food back in the cabinet after pouring Mizuki's food and I nodded in agreement.

"I am too," I replied. "But I'm still kind of surprised that he became the Hokage,"

"When I was younger, I wanted to become Hokage," Kushina said. "But I decided to let Minato carry out my dream instead,"

There was a knock at the door and I went over to answer it. I was surprised when I saw Mariko. Her hair grew a bit longer, but she had it tied back in a ponytail with two of her bangs on each sides of her face. She wore a lavender shirt and black pants, and to my surprise, the ninja shoes.

She gave me a sheepish smile. "I hope I'm not intruding, but I actually have some interesting information to share with you,"

Kushina walked over and invited her inside.

She sat down at the dining table and I joined her.

"So what's the information you're talking about?" I ask.

I was glad to see that she was doing okay. She has that heart condition still, but she'll be able to get treatment when she's older.

"So, I decided to become a ninja," She said. "I want to be like you and be able to fight by your side one day,"

I rose my eyebrow. "Do you understand the danger you're putting yourself in? Are you sure you'll be okay with your 'condition'?"

She nodded. "I already got it cleared up with the nurses and my grandmother,"

"I see,"

Her grandmother that she's talking about isn't her biological one. This old lady in the village wanted to take her in when she saw that she had nowhere to go and Mariko thinks of her as a grandmother now.

I wasn't sure why she didn't return back to her home village, but I didn't ask.

"I also have another thing to ask you," Mariko said as Kushina set down four bowls at the table.

"What is it?"

"Your father's name is Akio Ishida, right?" She asked.

Kushina was now listening with interest and I nodded at her without a word.

"Well, I recently found out that he's from my side of the family," She started. "Remember? I'm from the Ishida?"

I stared at her, completely dumfounded. Was I really related to a royal clan? I thought it was just a coincidence that my Dad had the same last name.

"How do you know for sure?" I ask.

"Well," Mariko started. "I was at the Leaf Village's library reading about some of the royal clans from around here and I even brought the book with me. You should read it,"

She handed the book over to me and she flipped to the page that she wanted me to read. It was a brief summary about the Ishida's history and it mentioned a few familiar names, some cousins that were deceased, and my grandparents on my Dad's side.

I was shocked.

"Is that why they let you come with me?" I ask.

She nodded. "Probably. That old man more clever than I thought,"

"What old man?" I ask.

"My grandpa," Mariko said. "Giriko Ishida. He's the head of the clan,"

I put two and two together. Giriko Ishida is also my grandfather, so that makes Mariko and I cousins.

She smiled when she saw that I understood what she was getting at.

"Wait, so Akio was part of the noble clan?" Kushina cut in, serving us some soup.

Mariko nodded. "He's my uncle. My parents used to talk about him and I guess he broke a rule, so he never came around."

Kushina understood and looked curious. "I wonder what rule he broke,"

I couldn't help but wonder what rule Dad broke as well. That would explain why he used to get angry with my grandparents for trying to talk to me and get involved in my life.

Minato came out of the room and sat down at the table with us. He asked what Mariko was doing here and I told him everything she told me. He was surprised to hear that she's my cousin on my dad's side and asked a few questions.

After we ate, it was time for Uncle Minato to go to his ceremony. He went to his room to change into the Hokage robes and I fixed my hair and washed my face again.

Kushina put on some makeup and Mariko went to go find her adoptive grandmother here to spend time with her.

"Are you ready?" Kushina asked Minato, smiling.

He nodded and put the hat on.

Kushina and I followed behind him and I couldn't help but stare at Minato enviously because I wanted to be Hokage.