The Willow Maiden [Naruto]

{5} Revealing The Gospel Truth

Play the song near the ending, please. Thank you!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Morning came and Ruka  wasn't exactly thrilled to leave the forest. But it was the best she could do if she wanted to see her mother. 

Ruka squats near the white flower, that always seems to catch her attention, and looks at it closely. 'Why am I so attached to this flower? It's the only plant that's lived in this very forest.' She thinks to herself. 

Ruka leans closer to the flower and reaches out to touch it, but she is interrupted by Sakura. "There you are, Ruka. We're all waiting for you." 

"Coming. . ." Ruka leans back and stands up. 

"You must be really excited to see your mother after all these years." Sakura smiles at her. 

"I guess. . ." Ruka frowns. Hearing about this only made her feel worse. The forest was the only place she knew and where she grew up. 

Sakura and Ruka arrived to where Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke were. "Hey, we're back!" Sakura lets them know. 

"Good work, Sakura. Ruka, are you ready to leave? We'll have to escort you to the Grass Village." Kakashi informs her. 

Ruka doesn't say a word, but only shrugs her shoulders. She honestly didn't care at this point because she has so many thoughts running through her head. But, it couldn't be helped. Ruka just wanted to see her mother again. 

As Ruka led them to the entrance of the forest, warriors from the Grass Village were already waiting for them, and Tatsuya was there as well. "Mister Tatsuya? I thought we were suppose to come to the village with the maiden." Kakashi recalls form their earlier encounter. 

"We didn't want to have to trouble you with all the traveling you've done. I mean, going from the forest to the village, and back to the forest again, it must be really tiring. So, I thought it would be best if we came and retrieved the Willow Maiden. I hope you don't mind." Tatsuya gives them his charming smile. 

"No, it's not a problem at all. We thank you." Kakashi responds back. "Well, here she is. Ruka, the Willow Maiden." Kakashi presents Ruka, allowing her to step forward. 

When Tatsuya sees the young maiden, his eyes widen and finds himself enchanted because of her beauty. Her long brown hair touching the touch. The red ruby eyes that read Death, and Beauty at the same time. And her perfect fair skin that shines within the sunlight. 

Tatsuya loved everything about her. 

"Come forth, young maiden. Your mother awaits you back at home where you belong." Tatsuya holds his hand out to the maiden a few feet away from him. 

Naruto and Sasuke looks at each other with the same look, knowing that something didn't seem right about this. The song they heard from Ruka last night was stuck in their heads, as if it were an important message. 

Ruka is a bit hesitant to take a step out the forest because she's never been outside before. But, she builds up the confident to walk a little bit forward to Tatsuya. 

Just when she's about to take his hand, stepping out of the forest, Naruto grabs her wrist and yanks her to his side. "Hold on a second." He says in a rough tone. 

"Naruto, what are you doing? Don't screw up this mission." Sakura begins to glare at him. 

"Naruto. . . What's gotten into you? . . ." Ruka turns her head to the blonde boy with a confused, but dull, look. 

"She can't leave this place. This is her home." 

"What are you talking about? She needs to be reunited with her mother. Let her go, Naruto." Kakashi commands while looking at his student with a suspicious look.