Ruka Hiden : Tangled Paths, Love's Redemption

Twenty two

The moon hung low in the night sky, casting a silvery light over the Sarutobi Compound. Inside, Ruka sat by her window, gazing out at the serene landscape. The room was quiet, but her mind was anything but still. The events of the past few days had left her feeling conflicted, torn between the past she had shared with Kiba and the uncertain but promising future with Gaara.

Ruka sighed, running a hand through her hair. Despite her engagement to Gaara, she couldn't shake the lingering feelings she had for Kiba. Their breakup had been painful, and the unresolved emotions between them only made it harder for her to move on. She had thought that time away would help her heal, but instead, it only seemed to deepen the wound.

Her thoughts drifted back to the countless memories she had shared with Kiba. They had been through so much together—fights, laughter, shared dreams. He had always been there, a constant presence in her life, and now, that presence was gone. The emptiness it left behind was overwhelming.

She remembered the day they had broken up. It had been a fight over something trivial, but it quickly escalated into something much bigger. Kiba had told her he wasn't ready for marriage, that he wasn't sure about their future together. Ruka had been hurt, feeling as if everything they had built together had been a lie. In the heat of the moment, she had ended things, thinking it was for the best.

But now, she wasn't so sure.

There was a part of her that still loved Kiba, that still yearned for the life they had planned. The idea of moving on felt like betraying that love, like closing a chapter that wasn't meant to end. But at the same time, she knew she couldn't hold onto the past forever. Kiba had made his choice, and she had to respect that.

Her thoughts shifted to Gaara, the man she was now engaged to. Theirs had been an unlikely pairing, forged through missions and shared responsibilities. She had always admired Gaara's strength, his quiet determination, and the way he carried himself with a sense of calm that was both reassuring and inspiring.

She remembered the time they had spent together during their missions. Despite the chaos of their work, there had been moments of peace, moments where they had simply enjoyed each other's company. She had come to rely on Gaara, not just as a partner, but as a friend.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she recalled a particular incident. She had gone to Gaara's room to discuss their next steps, not thinking to knock. She had opened the door to find him half-naked, his upper body bare as he dried his hair. Ruka had frozen, her face flushing a deep shade of red as she stammered an apology.

Gaara, on the other hand, had been unfazed. He had simply smiled, a rare expression that softened his usually stoic features.

Ruka had quickly averted her eyes, embarrassed by her reaction. But even now, she couldn't help but remember how her heart had skipped a beat, how she had been struck by how handsome he was, how the sight of him had made her feel something she hadn't expected.

And then there was the time he had complimented her, a moment that had touched her deeply.  She had been self-conscious, as always, about the scars on the right side of her face, scars that told Madara Uchiha had caused. Gaara had noticed her discomfort and had reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek.

"You're beautiful," he had said, his voice sincere. "Scars and all."

Ruka had been taken aback, her heart swelling with emotion. It was a simple statement, but it had meant the world to her. In that moment, she had felt truly seen, truly accepted for who she was—flaws and all. Gaara had a way of making her feel safe, of making her feel valued in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.

As she sat there, lost in thought, Ruka realized that maybe, just maybe, she could find happiness with Gaara. The path that had been laid out for her wasn't the one she had originally envisioned, but that didn't mean it couldn't be a good one. Gaara was someone she could trust, someone who respected her, and someone who had come to care for her deeply.

Ruka took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. It was time to let go of the past, to accept the future that was unfolding before her. She wasn't sure what that future would hold, but she knew that with Gaara by her side, she wouldn't have to face it alone.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

-

-

The afternoon sun poured through the windows of the Yamanaka Flower Shop, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. Amidst the vibrant blossoms and sweet fragrances, Sakura and Ino stood in stunned silence, their eyes wide as they processed the news they had just heard.

"Ruka... getting married?" Sakura finally managed to say, her voice filled with disbelief. "And to Gaara, of all people?"

Ino, her hands on her hips, nodded vigorously, still trying to wrap her head around it. "Yeah! I mean, we knew she was spending a lot of time with him on missions, but this? I didn't see it coming at all."

Ruka, seated on a stool beside them, watched their reactions with a mix of amusement and nervousness. "I know it's a surprise, but... it feels like the right path for me."

Sakura turned to Ruka, her eyes searching for answers. "But are you sure? I mean, this is Gaara we're talking about. And you... you just got back from your mission. It's all happening so fast."

Before Ruka could respond, Ino jumped in, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Who cares how fast it's happening? Gaara's in love with her! And you know what? Ruka deserves someone who loves her more than she loves herself. The last thing she needs is to be with someone who can't even figure out what they want for their future."

Sakura opened her mouth, ready to argue, to say that Kiba did want to marry Ruka, but something stopped her. She could see the sincerity in Ruka's eyes, the way she seemed more at peace with herself than she had in a long time. And she knew Ino had a point—Ruka deserved someone who was sure of her, someone who would never hesitate.

Ino continued, her excitement bubbling over. "Gaara's strong, dependable, and let's not forget—he's head over heels for you, Ruka. I mean, when was the last time we saw someone look at you the way he does? He respects you, admires you, and more importantly, he's willing to take that step forward with you without hesitation."

Sakura, still processing everything, couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She knew how much Kiba had struggled with his own insecurities, how he had doubted his worth as Ruka's partner. But as she looked at Ruka, she could see that her friend was genuinely happy, or at least, ready to embrace this new chapter in her life.

Ino, meanwhile, was practically bouncing with excitement. "This is going to be amazing, Ruka! We've got to start planning the wedding, thinking about your dress, the flowers, the whole shebang! And can you imagine? You'll be the Kazekage's wife! I bet you never saw that coming!"

Ruka laughed, feeling some of the tension ease from her shoulders. Ino's energy was infectious, and it was comforting to know that her friends were by her side, supporting her decision. "I didn't, but life has a funny way of surprising you, doesn't it?"

Sakura finally smiled, a warm, genuine smile that reflected her true feelings. "As long as you're happy, Ruka. That's all that matters. We're here for you, no matter what."

Ruka's heart swelled with gratitude as she looked at her two best friends. "Thank you, both of you. I know this is sudden.

Ino grinned, giving Ruka a playful nudge. "No worries And hey, just think—now you get to be the one in charge in two different villages! Not even Kiba can say he's marrying the Kazekage!"

Sakura chuckled, shaking her head at Ino's antics. But deep down, she was glad to see Ruka smiling again, even if it wasn't the future any of them had expected.