Apologies to Rui, for her nose was about to be in jeopardy.

The stench of swamp and toad was the first thing to leak through the gaps between leaves in the forest, and he was whistling a bit to himself as he hiked down the trail. Which, really, wasn't that hard because it was such a well-travelled road, but still. It was long, and it was booooooring!

"Man... What I'd give for ramen right now," Naruto muttered to himself, wilting a bit where he stood as he felt his stomach growl. Granted, he was so close to Konoha, and he knew he probably should've taken a bath or something first, but he just wanted to eat more than anything else! Especially the thought of Ichiraku's, man did he ever miss that.

Distracted by his hunger, Naruto was completely oblivious to the woman on the road ahead, instead just continuing his long march from wherever that seal had dropped him off (he'd have to check a map or something to pinpoint it again) back home. He knew he was close, but how close? He needed to get there now, but he didn't have the energy to run...