Our Reflection in Each Other's Eyes.

Chapter 14: The guilt of a child

Sasuke-Kun and I finally stopped our procrastination and got ready to commence with his plans. We both showered and got ready to leave the hideout. I rummaged through my closet and found a warm looking cape. I wore a long sleeved black shirt with matching colored skintight pants.

I exited the room at the same time Sasuke-Kun did only to realize we were a reflection of one another, wearing the exact same pieces of clothing. I eyed him up and down and he did the same with me. I laughed and to my surprise he did too.

He extended his hand for me and I took it before he led us outside of the hideout. We walked over the white sheets so lightly our footprints were barely visible.

"How far is the nearest village, Miss I know the lands better than you?"

"Probably." I said.

From my peripheral vision I could see him turn to face me in confusion. I turned my head to meet his gaze.

"It's Miss I probably know the lands better than you." I corrected.

He chuckled at my correction.

"It's approximately 6 minutes straight ahead."

"Would you come to this hideout often?" He asked.

"It's the first one I was introduced to."

He turned to me in question.

"About 20 minutes away from the nearest village is where Orochimaru-Sama found me."

He remained silent, but I knew he found it interesting.

We continued our walk until the gates of the small village were visible. We were both in disguise therefore we entered with ease. We walked hand in hand to every little shop seeking warmth. We entered a particular shop that had the items Sasuke-Kun told me to remind him of purchasing.

"Hey babe, didn't you ask me to remind you of buying all the condoms available in the nearest shop?" I said loud enough for the other people to hear. "There's plenty there." I said while pointing at them.

Sasuke-Kun gave my hand a squeeze pleading me to stop embarrassing him. The shop keeper was giggling and the man I assumed is her husband was trying to hold back his laughter. Sasuke-Kun dragged me to the counter and stood in front of me.

"As my girlfriend here said, I would like to purchase all the condoms you have available in that display." Sasuke-Kun said while reaching for his money.

The man put all the condom packets in a bag big enough for them while the woman estimated the total price.

"Thanks for your purchase!" The couple shouted as Sasuke-Kun dragged me out in a hurry.

Sasuke-Kun stuffed the bag, that fit perfectly in two hands, into his weapons pouch.

"We're set for a while." I commented.

"Yeah, but if you continue acting like this I'll have to punish you and they'll be gone sooner."

"Ooo I'm getting punished?" I asked happily.

"You aren't supposed to be eager to get punished."

"Yeah I know, but from what you said I think it's going to be a punishment I'll enjoy."

"I'll make it so that you don't enjoy it." He growled while pushing me up against a wall.

"If it involves this.." I said while reaching my hand down to his clothed man area,"..you bet I'll enjoy it."

He smirked at me liking the way I freely spoke my mind.

"Let's continue our search." He said before nudging me forward. I walked slightly in front of him when I felt his hand smack my ass.

I side glanced at him in feigned anger, "Can you not?"

"As if you wish I hadn't."

I smiled before fully turning to him and wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning in next to his ear.

"You're right.." I whispered "..I actually wish you did it more often."

I retracted from his embrace with a smirk decorating my face. I walked ahead, leaving him dazed in his location.

"Are you coming?" I asked turning slightly.

Without thinking twice his legs moved him forward, in my direction.

We are making our way out of the village considering we already purchased what we needed.

"Where to?" I asked him.

"Up there..are there still buildings?" He asked while pointing in the location I had previously spoke of.

"I haven't been up there since the day I was found. That day the village I had been living in was being destroyed. If we're lucky, a few buildings may still be standing."

"It's worth the time." He stated while stepping forward.

I trailed behind him, lost in my silent thoughts.

What has become of the village?
Was it able to reconstruct or did it meet it's utter downfall?

Sasuke noticed my silence and stopped walking, causing me to run into his back.

"What's keeping you quiet?"

"Guilt? I don't know."

He brought me over to his side and walked on, dragging me with him.

"Guilt? Why guilt?"

"The guilt of a 6 year old who wasn't able to stand her ground and fight for her village. The guilt of the child who chose to run away, like a coward, from what she couldn't face."

He placed a hand on top of my head "That's another thing we have in common. The blame we placed on our selves for the downfall of our people."

"If only I were stronger.. is that the mentality that pushed you forward?"

He nodded 'yes'. I released a deep breath before chuckling.

"That's the same mentality that keeps me going. I strive to become strong because being strong is the only thing that'll keep me alive."

"That's the sad truth of the world we live in." He stated.

To my surprise 20 minutes had passed as swiftly as the cold wind that blew through my hair.

We stood with a perfect view of the ruined village's entrance and the rock I watched it's downfall from. Sasuke noticed my lack of movement and turned to me, unaware of the memories brought to me. My hands sprung to hold onto the sides of my head as the screams of that day played over and over. I was unaware of the world outside those memories, but all I could feel was a pair of hands immediately find their way onto my shoulders and begin shaking me in an attempt to bring me back to reality. My mind is confused on the true reality, battling between the man who shook me in worry and the dark night filled with screams of agony.

The screams became louder and the headache increased. The shaking continued and the hands moved to hold my face. My breathing increased and became a hyperventilation as the gory images, witnessed by a 6 year old child for the first time, played in sync with the screams.  

"Kyoko!! Kyoko come back to me!!"