Our Reflection in Each Other's Eyes.

Chapter 15: Reliving memories

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

My glossy eyes flickered to meet with onyx, worry filled ones and the man immediately pulled me in for a hug. He kissed my forehead before holding me tighter.

"I was worried. I thought you would remain like that."

I looked at him in silence before turning my gaze downward.

"Is it okay if I wait here? Go on ahead and scout the place I prefer to stay here."

"If you don't feel comfortable entering, what's the point in checking the place out? We are going to live together after Orochimaru is gone and if you can't live here then neither can I ."

He turned to walk back where we came from before I gripped onto his arm to stop him.

"I know nothing was spared, but I think that I can..no I want to see it for myself." I said, changing my mind.

"Are you sure?"

I didn't answer him, but instead stepped forward. I stood over the rock I waited on, years back, and looked into the opened gates of the village. I squatted down and began to dig the ground in front of it. As I had remembered, there awaited a key. I lifted the key and cleaned the mud off of it. The silver key had three edges at the top, giving the appearance of a crown. It was long and slightly thick, enough for the word home to be seen engraved on it. The part that entered the keyhole consisted of two vertical bars with the words love and happiness engraved on them.

'The key to a home requires love and happiness.' My Sensei's words echoed in my mind.

My eyes flickered back in the direction of the worn out gates. I walked toward it without glancing at Sasuke-Kun. I heard his footsteps following mine. Together we walked past the gates and into the rubble. I looked around and noticed not a soul was around. I walked further in. All around me, half buildings cried out replaying the only memories they have.

I walked toward a particular building further into the village that had only windows missing. I stood in front of the door and took a deep breath. I reached for the doorknob and turned it. The door opened with a creak of old age and revealed a dusted home. I stepped in and ran my fingers across the small hall's wall, reminiscing.

The house remained as we had left it. Pictures of us decorating the walls, clothing in the hamper, the mop and broom in a corner and breakfast on the table. The rotten food mixed with the unused cleaning liquids emitted an awful smell. Even if the windows were gone, the stench still remained. The smell itself gave an image of the day the villagers perished.

"She was your Sensei?"

I nodded my head in answer.

"How old were you when she found you?"

"4. That's where the name she gave me came from."

"4" he said in disbelief "How old were you when your travels started?"

"I don't remember. In fact I don't remember anything previous to her finding me."

He didn't comment anything, instead he came to hug me. I buried my face into his chest and he held me tighter.

"I'm sorry you had to live a life like this."

"It's not like it's your fault."

He released me from his hug and I immediately turned away so he wouldn't see the tears streaming down my face. I made my way up the stairs without a second glance. I entered the room my Sensei used to sleep in and found it just like she had left it. I stepped on glass as I made my way to her perfectly done bed. I ran my fingertips along the beige sheets and looked up from the place I would always find her in when I'd enter her room in the mornings. She claimed the right side of the bed near the door that led to the balcony was her favorite, but I knew she only said that so I wouldn't feel bad about unaccommodating her when I would crawl in bed with her.

She always wore a big smile that would brighten any room. When things weren't going alright she would offer that smile that would ease any pain, to distract me from the dangers. My tears unconsciously fell at the memory of her bright blue eyes that smiled whenever she would. I clenched the sheets as I heard Sasuke-Kun's footsteps approaching the room. My feet gave out on me and I fell on my knees beside the bed. Still clutching onto the covers, my face buried in them in hopes to stifle my cries.

My body shook at the rhythm of my cries. I could feel Sasuke-Kun's presence in the doorway, but even my battle to remain strong in front of him was a loss. After a few minutes I stood up and headed past him and into the room parallel to the previous one. He followed silently, like a ghost.

The next room contained a small bed with lilac covers. I walked over to the picture frame that lay faced down on the floor, surrounded by glass. I crouched down and lifted it, turning it to view it's content. It was a picture of my Sensei and I laughing together, side by side.

The memory of that day washed over to me.

Our bright smiles were caused by our photographers sudden yelp of fear when a bird surprised him by perching itself on top of his camera. He leaned back in fear and accidentally took the picture. Sensei's laughter, as well as mine, increased when we saw the flash of the picture. We were satisfied at the outcome of the picture and settled with it.

I removed the picture from the frame and noticed there was writing in the back.

'Another happy birthday with Sensei'
-August 17th

Was written in a 5 year old's best writing. How had I forgotten that day was my birthday? How long has it been since I last celebrated it?

The floor creaked behind me and I stood to meet Sasuke-Kun's gaze. He walked closer to me and glanced at the picture in my hands. I handed it to him and walked over to the closet. It only contained 4 to 5 year old clothing.

"You looked so cute."

"I still do." I commented.

He walked closer and hugged me from behind while kissing the side of my neck.

"You're right."

He rested his chin on my shoulder and looked into the closet.

"That clothing can be for our baby."

"What are the chances these will still be around for another 10 years?"

He shook his head in defeat.

"Let's go, yeah?" I suggested.

He nodded his head in agreement. We both walked downstairs. I stood in the doorway and looked back at the house. I held the key and decided to place it on the coffee table to my right.

"The key to a home requires love and happiness, those words I will never forget. Thanks for being my home, Sensei. Until I see you again."

The door to that old home closed and behind it stood the spirit of the woman who wandered the lands of the living. Her beautiful blue eyes twinkled with her smile as she thanked the now grown woman she found years back. She faded away with the smile that eased every pain.

She finally received her closure.