A Senju's Family

Chapter 25 🌟

Author's note: Long time no see, please enjoy and let me know what you think as you read in the comments!

••The Other side••

In the mystical, moonlit world of the unliving, Runa has grown accustomed to the surreal nature of her surroundings.

The endless expanse of glistening water beneath a star-studded sky has weirdly enough become a haven for her, though it simultaneously remains a place of unease and reflection.

Though it felt like she'd only been here for a few hours, in reality, much more time had passed. Her grandmothers, Luna and Mikoto, had tried everything to lift her spirits, but no matter their efforts, the dull ache in her heart remained.

Her interactions with her grandmothers have offered some comfort, but still, she can't help but feel emotionally stuck, with a dull pain throbbing her skull permanently.

The moon's soft glow dances on the water, casting a silver sheen that illuminates the quiet, serene landscape. Runa walks along the shore, her steps hesitant, her eyes cast downward. The gentle lapping of the water and the occasional whisper of the breeze provide little solace to her troubled heart.

Her grandmother Luna, the elegant Senju princess with a presence as calming as the moonlit waters, appears beside her.

The bottom of her blue kimono trailed in the cold water, but she didn't seem to mind. Tonight, there was something different about Luna's presence, a quiet intensity that matched Runa's own inner turmoil.

Luna's serene expression softened as she looked at her granddaughter, concern evident in her gaze.

"Hi honey, still feeling a bit down?"  Luna asked gently, reaching out to tug Runa closer to her side. The touch was warm and familiar, but it did little to ease the storm inside Runa. As they walked, Runa allowed her head to rest on Luna's shoulder, seeking comfort in the closeness.

"I don't wanna leave," Runa murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her long dark hair fell forward, obscuring her features as she spoke, her tone heavy with sadness.

Luna frowned, her heart aching for the girl. She cast a fond glance at the young Uchiha, her eyes filled with a mixture of love and concern. "Don't say that," Luna said softly. "Your family would go insane if they didn't have you anymore. Your mother is already going insane," she added, her knowing tone telling Runa that her grandmother had been watching over Haru.

Runa clenched her fists, her heart pounding in her chest. "How could you be so sure?" she asked, her voice trembling with doubt.

"Runa—"

"How could you be so sure?!" Runa's voice rose in frustration, her eyes flaring with the crimson light of the Mangekyo Sharingan. "You don't even know them. Not like Katsuro does. And he's awfully sure that everybody hates me, that I'm nothing but a burden!"

The words hung in the air, sharp and cutting. Luna remained unfazed by the outburst, her expression calm and understanding. She allowed the silence to stretch between them, giving Runa the space to think about her words, guilt seeping into her like a slow poison.

"Grandma, I'm sorry—" Runa began, her voice faltering.

"Hush, Runa. I know," Luna interrupted, her tone as soft as ever. "I know you're in pain, but I can't keep you here forever. You have a long life ahead of you, and even if you don't believe it right now, you are loved. Your parents—"

Runa shook her head, the weight of her emotions threatening to crush her. "But Katsuro—he knows them better than anyone. And he said—"

"Dare I say," Luna interjected with a sad smile, "I know somebody here who knows your parents far more than little Katsuro."