Ruka Hiden : Tangled Paths, Love's Redemption

Fourteen

As the heated exchange between Ota and Ayumi escalated inside the house, Gaara took it upon himself to quietly clean up the remnants of their dinner, his movements deliberate and methodical. Sensing the tension permeating the air, Ruka slipped out of the house, her steps guided by an inexplicable pull towards the serene beauty of the night.

Outside, under the soft glow of the moon, she found Akira standing alone, her small frame illuminated by the ethereal light. The young girl's eyes were fixed on a cluster of flowers, their delicate petals unfurling in the stillness of the night. Ruka approached her quietly, a sense of tranquility enveloping her as she took in the sight before her.

"That flower is very special," Ruka remarked softly, her voice barely above a whisper, causing Akira to turn around, her eyes wide with wonder as Ruka drew near.

"They call it Night blooming flowers," Ruka continued, her tone gentle yet filled with reverence. "Flowers that only bloom during nighttime, under the watchful gaze of the moon."

With a delicate touch, Ruka plucked one of the flowers from its stem, holding it delicately between her fingers as she examined its intricate beauty. "There's a saying too," she began, her voice taking on a reflective quality as she met Akira's curious gaze. "That only a flower blooming in the darkness can live in the darkness after all."

Akira listened intently, her curiosity piqued by Ruka's words. She watched with rapt attention as Ruka continued to speak, her eyes shining with anticipation.

"But do you know what's interesting about those flowers?" Ruka asked, a mischievous twinkle dancing in her eyes as she leaned in closer to Akira.

Akira shook her head, her expression eager as she awaited Ruka's revelation.

"The ones that can live in the darkness are the beautiful ones," Ruka revealed, her voice soft yet filled with conviction. "They defy the odds, flourishing in the face of adversity, their beauty shining brightest when the world is at its darkest."

Akira's eyes widened with understanding, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she absorbed Ruka's words. She reached out to accept the flower offered to her, cradling it gently in her palm as she contemplated its significance.

"The ones that can live in the darkness are the beautiful ones," she repeated softly, her voice filled with a newfound sense of wonder.

With a gentle gesture, Akira placed the flower behind Ruka's ear, her touch feather-light as she secured it in place. "You're beautiful," she declared, her words echoing in the stillness of the night.

Ruka's breath caught in her throat, her heart skipping a beat at Akira's unexpected proclamation. She looked at the young girl, overcome with emotion at the purity of her words.

As the night air hung heavy with tension, the peace of the moment was shattered by the sharp snap of the front door being flung open. With a sense of foreboding, Ruka turned to see Ayumi storming out of her house, her expression twisted with anger and frustration.

"Akira! We're leaving," Ayumi barked, her voice sharp and commanding. She reached out to grab Akira's hand, her grip tight and unforgiving, causing the young girl to wince in pain.

Ruka's heart clenched at the sight, her protective instincts kicking into overdrive as she moved to intervene. But before she could reach them, Ayumi shot her a venomous glare, a silent warning to stay out of her way.

Helpless frustration bubbled up inside Ruka as she watched Ayumi drag Akira away, her heart aching at the sight of the young girl's pain. She exchanged a knowing look with Gaara,

Gaara's expression was a mix of concern and determination as he met Ruka's gaze, his eyes silently promising that they would find a way to help Akira, no matter the cost.

With a heavy sigh, Ruka turned away from the retreating figures of Ayumi and Ota, her mind already racing with thoughts of how to proceed.

-

Ruka found herself drawn to the tranquil serenity of the pond outside their house. With hesitant steps, she made her way to the water's edge, her gaze fixed upon her reflection as it shimmered in the moonlight.

Staring into the rippling surface of the pond, Ruka couldn't help but notice the scars that marred half of her face, a cruel reminder of the battles she had fought and the sacrifices she had made. She traced her fingers lightly over the raised tissue, her touch tentative as she traced the contours of the scars that Uchiha Madara had inflicted upon her during their fierce confrontation in the Fourth Shinobi War.

At first, Ruka had been unfazed by the scars, wearing them as a badge of honor, a testament to her strength and resilience in the face of adversity. But now, as Ayumi's words echoed in her mind, doubt began to creep in, gnawing at her confidence like a relentless tide.

Was it possible that the reason Kiba didn't want to marry her was because of her scars? Had he looked at her and seen nothing but the disfigured remnants of the girl he once knew?

The thought sent a pang of insecurity coursing through Ruka's heart, her chest tightening with the weight of her self-doubt. She had never considered herself to be defined by her appearance, but now, as she stared at her reflection, she couldn't help but wonder if her scars had become an insurmountable barrier to happiness.

A sense of loneliness washed over her, the weight of her insecurities pressing down upon her like a suffocating blanket. Just as she felt overwhelmed by her thoughts, she sensed someone's presence nearby.

Ruka tore her gaze away from the pond to find Gaara standing beside her, his expression awkward yet sincere. He offered her a gentle smile, his hand extended towards her. "Tea?" he asked, his voice a little hesitant, as if unsure of how to offer comfort.

"Thank you," Ruka whispered, her voice barely above a whisper as she accepted the cup of tea from him. She took a sip, allowing the warmth of the liquid to chase away the chill that had settled in her bones.

As she sipped her tea, Gaara's gaze remained fixed on her, his eyes filled with concern. "What's on your mind?" he asked softly, his tone gentle yet tinged with his characteristic awkwardness.

Ruka hesitated for a moment, her thoughts swirling like the currents of the pond before her. Finally, she found the courage to speak, her voice barely a whisper as she revealed her inner turmoil to Gaara.

"I broke up with Kiba," she admitted, her voice trembling with emotion. "He told me that marriage is not on his mind... and I couldn't help but wonder if the reason he didn't want to marry me is because..." Her voice trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.

Gaara's brow furrowed in concern "Because of your scars?" he finished, his voice soft yet filled with understanding, his awkwardness making his attempt at reassurance endearing.

Ruka nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know it sounds foolish, but... I can't help but wonder if he looked at me and saw nothing but my flaws," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper.

Gaara's expression softened as he traced the scars with his fingers, causing Ruka to close one of her eyes, his movements a little awkward but filled with genuine care. "You are beautiful." he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity, his awkwardness giving way to genuine warmth. "And anyone who can't see that doesn't deserve you."