Hidden Feelings

One-shot

"I couldn't protect a thing... I couldn't change a thing... All that's left is a man with their blood on his hands... A sinner."

- The leader of the Oniwabanshuu slowly walked away from the scene. As he was struggling to walk along the empty path, he noticed a stray cat, licking its left paw. He then paused for a moment. He let out a breath and then continued to walk. The brown head finally reached his destination, a flower field. He then approached a big tree resting in the middle of the beautiful field. The moment he sat under the shady tree, he took out his JUMP magazine from his inner coat and started to read. He then let out a breath.

"Do you need anything, Sarutobi?"

- Startled, the lavender-haired ninja's eyes widened. She was hiding behind the tree where Zenzou was resting.

"How did you know it was me?"

"Just a guess..."

- Sacchan pouted. She looked down on her feet.

"Aren't you going to the funeral?"

"I don't have the right..."

"Is that so..."

"How about you, Sarutobi. Aren't you going?"

"If the leader of the Oniwabanshuu has no right to go to the funeral, then so am I."

"What are you talking about? I should be the only one to bear all the fault... I was the one who lead us to this... You don't need to ̶ "

"Stop saying that!"

- Sacchan clenched her fist as tears started to form in her eyes.

"Stop blaming yourself... It wasn't your fault..."

"Then whose fault is it? The heavens? The traitors? We were chosen as his retainers, but we still couldn't protect him till the end..."

- Silence -

- Sacchan then walked towards Zenzou and took the magazine from his hands.

"Oi, give me back my ̶ "

- Sacchan suddenly hugged him, much to the latter's astonishment. His eyes widened, his heart skipped a beat.

"W-what are you ̶ "

"Why? Why do you always try to hide how you truly feel? Why do you always act like you're fine even though you're not? Tell me, Zenzou..."