Searching For Light (Naruto)

The Final Memory: Part Two

The world has so many cycles. Almost for just about anything. It goes over, and over, and over again; never stopping. It helps the earth survive.

I was pulled into the middle of a never-ending cycle. It was like being caught in the middle of a tornado. Just spinning, and spinning, and spinning; never having an end to it. It was slowly killing me on the inside.

Until I became apart of the cycle. Remembering that no matter what, I'll never break out of it. So why stop and rest, why rely on others, and try to reach for some unattainable light when you know good and well that you'll always end up on the first step of that cycle.

It all started with a broken promise. One that I didn't know 'til now that it was only made to reassure the one who made it in the first place. The first person who broke it, was the first who made it.

"Ruri..." My father walked into my room, a faltering smile on his face.

I furrowed my brows, sitting criss-crossed on the middle of the bed. He sat down in front of me. Then he took the book that was on my lap, placing the bookmark inside, closing and casting it to the side.

"D-Did I do something wrong?" I spoke up, even though I knew that wasn't the case.

"No, no.... You've done nothing wrong, I just need to talk to you about something important." He explained, leaning against the wall that the bed was pushed against to. He opened his arms, and I crawled over to him, wrapping my arms around him.

I sat on his lap, head reasting on his chest, listening to his unforgettable heartbeat. A kiss was placed at the top of my head before he rested his chin on it.

"I'm so sorry.... Ruri..."He whispered, holding me tightly."But.... I-I have to leave for a while."

My heart dropped deep into my stomach. It was almost as if there was a sudden shift in everything around me, even myself."What?..."

"Remember when I told you that it's my job to keep the people of this clan safe?" He didn't wait for a response from me to continue, for he knew there wouldn't be one."This war.... it has to come to an end... I have to be the one to end it..."

"You promised...." I mumbled under my breath, as I tried to move out his arms, but he wouldn't let go of me."You promised that everything was going to be okay. You promised that I didn't have to worry, you promised that as long as you were here nothing bad will happen. You promised!"

"Please, just understand...." He urged me, asking something so big from just a child. A child that didn't realized she could no longer be a child if she wanted to survive in this harsh world.

I gritted my teeth,"When are you coming back?" Silence; it is truly violent. And it was that silence that murdered my heart."oh..." He didn't know.

"I will come back, Ruri." He assured me, but he didn't even believed in himself."I have to promise you that, I won't let anything bad happen anymore, everything will be okay."

"I don't want you to leave..." I choked on the lump that was forming in my throat.

"I need you to be brave." He said, hugging me tightly as he got up, the kneeled down on the floor in front of me. Then he placed a charm bracelet in my hands."To keep you safe.....You have to be strong, you're what can keep your brother safe. I know it's more than too much for me to place this burden on you. But you have to be the one who stays strong, and can't break. You need to be the one who takes care of the ones you love."

"I love you, Ruri." He smiled, and I looked down. He tilted my head up to see my grey, glassy eyes.

"I love you too." I muttered softly, but I couldn't get myself to look him in the eyes without crying. I just stared at the door behind him.