Smoke Rings in the Dark (Reader x Various)

The Answer

Standing at the river, Y/n watched the sun setting in the distance. The trees obscured the majority of the light, fitting. The wind whipped her hair around her face, but she remained unflinching. The reality of the events from two weeks ago was even rawer as she thought over the words they exchanged. Unable to watch as he walked from the village, Y/n was as far from there as she could be.

No one saw it coming. No one could prepare themselves for what happened after Asuma said the words—asked the question—begged for her to do as he wished. Y/n didn't see it coming either. She was blindsided. Tears welled as she recalled their final night together.

--

"Move home with me," Asuma sounded so hopeful as he held her gaze.

Y/n pushed away, "What? This is your home," she scoffed as she stood.

Sweat coated her palms as she grabbed a blanket to wrap around herself. Asuma moved to stand, reaching for her to face him again. Her eyes were heavy with sadness and worry. His hands held her arms, refusing to let her walk away.

"Konohagakure is my home," he corrected, "It's time I go back. I want you to come with me. The children can come. Even Omi, if we can convince her to." The desperate look in his eyes was gut-wrenching.

Y/n's stomach twisted. She couldn't go to the Leaf Village. She was a wanted Kunoichi. Now she was a Rogue too. "I can't go with you," her voice was hushed, unwanting to voice those words.

Asuma gripped her face tightly, "Why not?" His anger rose.

She screwed her eyes shut, "I won't be welcome-"

"They won't care that you're from Kiri-"

"I'm a rogue-"

"They won't know," he argued. Her eyes opened, dull and lifeless, "No one with know that you're rogue."

Stepping backward, Asuma's hands fell from her face. He watched as she moved to the pile of things she was packing away. After rummaging through, she pulled out a book. Walking back to Asuma, head hung, Y/n extended the book to him. His large hand took the book, eyes cutting down to see the title: Bingo Book.

Asuma knew. He knew the moment he opened the book what he would find. So he didn't open it to the page she had marked, "I don't care-"

"Open it," she snapped, "Open it and see who I truly am, Asuma. Then tell me that you don't care."

His other hand shook as he lifted to the marker. The page fell open, his dark eyes scanning the entry. SURIEN- meaning Water Lily. She was listed under Kiri, a hefty bounty on her head. Asuma checked the page, again and again. He hadn't seen a Bingo Book in years.

Name: SURIEN
Village: Kirigakure
Affinity: Water and Wind
DOB: December 28th
Gender: Female
Rank: S
Defining Features: Water Lily tattoo on the left thigh
AKA: The Bloody Lily; Lily of the Bloody Mist

There was more listed there, but none of it mattered. It only mattered that she was in the book at all. Her photo left no doubt that it was her. Her h/c hair was pulled back, a tight ponytail. There was an ANBU mask on her head. From what Asuma could see, her clothes were covered by a heavy cloak that he's seen her wear before.

There was nothing he could do to help her. Asking for sanctuary from a rival Village would only offer her life imprisonment. His hands were tied. Asuma closed the book, hurling it across the room. It slammed into a shelf full of jarred herbs that came crashing down.

"It's time for us to part ways, Anzen," that name. Asuma hated it. She only said it when she was afraid. The fear made her run. "I'll check in the children a few times a year, but it's time for me to leave this place."