My Shinobi

Chapter 33 - A Comfortable Feeling

Chapter 33 - A Comfortable Feeling

We finally arrived to the village/town place. It was big, like, really big. As in, many crowded places and with much more buildings. This place wasn't at all like the other villages we had been to. If I had to guess, I would say that this was like the capital or something.

"Is that a castle?" I asked as I noticed a palace much much bigger than the one we had stayed at.

"Yes. It is where the ruler resides." Natsume answered.

"No, really? I thought it was a place where one could find dancing unicorns and fire-breathing fish." I retorted sarcastically.

"Fire-breathing fish? That is impossible, their element is water. They would not be able to sustain the heat. Although, maybe--"

"Sarcasm! Okay? I was simply being sarcastic." I folded my arms together, "Gee, was it so hard to guess that I was only kidding? You make me want to stop using sarcastic retorts."

Natsume eyed me and gave me a smile with double meaning. I caught on quite quickly and sped up in front of him, "I hate you."

"We all know your true feelings." he remarked.

I flipped around, "Well, right now I don't like you!"

As soon as I turned back around, I heard Sumire whispering, "Worry not Natsume. You have simply made her flustered."

"I am not flustered!" I held up my hands to feel my warm face. What was the use in trying to hide it? I bit my tongue and continued with my sour mood.

We soon came to a halt at the commons of the town. Sumire had told us that that was where we were going to meet back up with Rin and Umi. They had actually been able to find what they were looking for, and were really glad to finally be able to reunite with the task complete. Who knows what in the world it could be to have such significance to them.

Well, they did mention that it would be to channel their strength. I just don't really understand how that will work out. What exactly do they need to channel their strength for? I didn't get to dwell much on the thought as I soon heard them approaching. Sumire, like always, was her loud, chirpy self once she spotted them. I don't think anyone would be able to beat her at that.

"Uwahh! I missed you all so much!" she flew over to give them a bone-crushing hug.

"Okay, we get it. You really missed us." Umi tried to pry her off so she could breath.

"Sumire, I believe you did your best and even better to keep Gabriella safe, right?" Rin asked after being released.

"Oh, that?" Sumire looked away for a split second, "Yeah, see! No harm done!" she answered reassuringly while pointing at me.

Rin studied me for a while before turning back to her, "I perceive a difference in aura. Are you sure nothing has happened?"

"Ye--well, no. Sorry. We were attacked on our way here, but maybe the difference you feel is her newfound gifts! She can teleport now, and who knows what else..." she trailed off as she realized she didn't know what else I could do.

"You do not say?" she looked back to me, "How do you feel?"

"Uh, good?" I said, not really sure how she wanted me to answer.

"Anything astray?"

"Not...really? I don't think so."

She sighed, "That is good then." she faced everyone else, "We should find somewhere we can stay that is not so...open. It is no problem for us, but Gabriella and Natsume are not capable of staying unnoticed by the human eye."

"Right! I already found the perfect place." Tsubasa voiced in.

Like always, Tsubasa somehow manages to find the kind of places one would least expect. I'm glad that it wasn't somewhere royal--I don't think I would be able to go through all that again. The pampering was something that I very much prefer to be without. It wasn't bad, but I didn't like the feeling that came along with having everything be done for you and not being able to do anything else about it.

This place was more of an inn set atop a hot spring. The atmosphere was nice and relaxing, to be quite honest. For some reason I had expected it to be more lively. Either way, I'm not complaining! I'm really looking forward to enjoying myself here.

"This place really looks amazing. I can literally already feel myself relax." I said.

We walked in and Tsubasa turned to us, "Before you find out, I must say, this was the best I could do on such short notice." he explains, leaving me confused as to what he meant.

Natsume was the first to reach and ask for rooms for the both of us. As I neared, I heard the woman say that they only had one available room left. I wasn't shocked, but I had really hoped to get my own room. I sighed in disappointment and Natsume continued in getting our room.

We hadn't even made it all the way in, when I decided to just crash and let myself be taken away by the tiredness. It felt so nice to finally be in a place that felt so homey, despite it being an inn. I was consumed by sleep and decided that I would do all those other things I was aching to do once I woke up.

.

.

.

I snuggled up closer to the warmth radiating next to me. It felt so comfortable and wondered what it could have been. I didn't really care though, I just wanted to stay right there. I was hugged tighter and felt an exhalation of breath run down my neck. I shuddered and groggily opened my eyes. I stared up into the sleeping face of Natsume, all the while keeping my calm. Was he really hugging me right now?

I looked down to his arms around my waist. He was most definitely hugging me right now. I decided to just leave it be and went back to snuggling even further into him. This was the best feeling I could have ever felt. If only it could last forever though.

The next time I woke up, he was gone. The place where he had been was already cold, which meant he had been gone for a while. I got up and finally went to go experience the relaxation wonders this place had to offer, and to which I desperately needed. The fairies ended up accompanying me along as well. Sumire, on the other hand, had hidden intentions.

"So... How do you feel?" she asked and wiggled her eyebrows.

As much as I would have preferred to answer that seriously, the image of such a tiny thing doing that kind of action had me smiling and on the verge of laughing. Sumire, of course, took it as a different kind of meaning.

"Ooh, look at that! I can already see it," she looked into the distance, "you and him, with the cutest ever little mini-you's!" she gushed and closed her eyes.

I began coughing, "No! Just, no. It is way too early for that." I made it clear. Then it hit me that that will most likely not be able to happen, even if I secretly wished it so. I shook my head, honestly, why am I even thinking so much about it? I shouldn't ponder on it until I am at least five years older.

"Is it?" she studied me, "It looks to me you are very well much in age to begin your own family." she nodded

"Yeah, no. Not where I come from."

"Well, why not? It would be best to start now." she kept going.

I closed my eyes in annoyance, "Can you just shut up?" it came out harsh and involuntarily. Recently, I have been having these kinds of thoughts, and expressing them even more. It's become uncontrollable and really hateful.

"Uh-- I-I... Sorry."

I soon gained back my senses and was about to apologize when Umi cut me off, "What was that for? Sumire did not mean any harm from it. If something is bothering you, you do not need to take it out on us." she snapped and left.

I looked down in shame. What is going on with me?

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Yes! I'm back again. Kind of rushed, but I wanted to write it down.

About my new story, I may start posting it as soon as I figure out one last thing about it. Could be soon, or not.

Until next time~