Bonded and Broken

Chapter 27

Kakashi's POV

Several months had passed and the seasons changed again. It's the seventh of March and Sumire just turned eighteen today.

It's been more than two years since I last saw her at the Land of Sea and I still miss her everyday.

I couldn't bring myself to move out of my bed as I remember her.

I have been awake for a few hours now. It was dark when I opened my eyes earlier, it was quiet outside while the shadows still lingered on the walls of my room. Now, daylight had already made its way into all the corners of my studio apartment, making me squint at the bright and blinding light as I stared at the beige ceiling overhead while the buzz of the busy street outside my humble abode filled my ears.

I was lost in my own thoughts as I remembered her birthday today, and also reminisced about the very first one that I wasn't able to celebrate with her more than a decade ago. She disappeared so I never had the chance to spend her special day with her, not even once.

I took a trip down memory lane to remember our farewell on the day they were ambushed twelve years ago.

We were standing by the carriage in front of their clan grounds as we were saying our goodbyes for her supposedly short trip to the capital. I told her to come back to me soon. She replied that she would, and that I should wait for her. I hugged her tightly that time while I channeled my chakra towards her to give her a "power hug" before she left. I still remember her captivating smile as she peeked at the window and waved at me and my dad.

I am still waiting for her up to this day despite the sleepless nights, the tormenting days, and harrowing years that have gone by. I might have encountered her briefly at Umi no Kuni, but it felt like a dream and seemed unreal because I barely even had the chance to ask how she had been. All I could do was savor her presence as much as I could before she ran away, breaking my heart into pieces as I watched her leave again that night.

I would give everything up to have her back.

I would leave this forsaken place if that's what it would take to be with her again. I could sacrifice that much for her even though I have built my current standing in the village with tears, sweat, and blood.

I would not hesitate to leave this all behind for her.

But it would be even better if she voluntarily returns or if I could find her and bring her back home instead. I pray for it every time and I could wait another decade if it meant I get to be with her forever afterwards.

I sent pulses to the necklace to greet her good morning today, hoping she felt it and wishing she was alright. The flare of her chakra still lingers inside me. I am glad we got bonded before she disappeared, at least I know she is breathing and alive despite her absence because I still feel her very familiar and comforting essence within me.

I tilted my head to my bedside table and stared at the purple-eyed girl standing next to me in the picture. The tears on the corner of my eyes freely fell down as I glanced longingly at her.

The most recent I saw her was through a photograph that was captured on some random street about a year ago.

She looked kind of different back then, how much more could she have changed now and it left me wondering all this time.

Her wavy locks might have gotten longer or she may have changed its color again, she would undoubtedly be more beautiful no matter what kind of alterations she made in her appearance. Her voice probably sounded more enchanting, I could get lost in listening to her talk for hours. And I remember her laughter, giggles and smiles being so adorable, it probably still is until now.