Konoha's New Prodigy: A New Path

23

"So? How did it go?" Shikadai asked as he saw Shinki arrive to where the remaining survivors are.

"I told her everything, but we can't get our hope's up." He replied in a stoick manner.

"Just as I expected." Kakashi said while reading his book. Shikadai and Shinki looked at him. "She's an orphan now, it's obvious that she won't be able to deal with this with much optimism."

"And what we're going to do now? There's nowhere else to go. The villages don't exist anymore." Shikadai said.

"It's all we ever knew about." Inojin said while lowering his head.

There was a huge silence between them.

"If I remember well in some old books I read, people used to live together before the whole shinobi world was created." Sumire commented in a thoughtful manner.

"You mean that we should go back and live in a feudal era?" Iwabe asked. "I'm not so sure about it. That way of living brought up the rivalry between all the clans."

"And what if we create a better version of it? Like when they release a new flavor of chips. Is the same product under the same brand, but better." Chocho said as she ate her last chip.

"Either way, we need a leader and like it or not, we need her by our side if we have to protect ourselves from the rebels." Kakashi said. "She's our only hope."

*****

What should I do?

Why am I thinking about it?

Why? I'm here where I am. I'm safe and under the protection of Konan and lady Shion.

'Oh who am I kidding! I really miss him.'

"Himawari-sama, Shion-sama requests your presence." Said one of her servants.

'Great. Now what?'

I entered her office room quietly. "You were looking for me?"

"Yes my dear. Have a sit here" she said from the balcony of her room. She was looking at the whole village and I sat beside her. There was an awkward silence at the moment, but after a while she spoke.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" She asked.

"I....yeah..." I replied. "The village looks peaceful."

"It wouldn't surprise you that it wasn't always like this. Even when I met your father it wasn't this peaceful."

"And after he saved you it became peaceful right?" I asked as Shion giggled

"I would be lying if I said no because he influenced things around here. But after he saved me I continued with my life and I promised me one thing." She said as she faced me. "To never give up Himawari. When I had Konan, it was a time our village was attacked by our enemies. My husband sacrificed himself not only for the city, but for Konan. He knew I was capable of ruling the Land of Demons on my own, but he wanted to make sure Konan had a safe home to live his life."

Shion wiped her tears away. "I would be lying to you if I didn't suffered because I did. A lot actually. I didn't want to keep going with my life, but my son is what cheered me up. My people, my home, the city. You have the power to change things and create a bright future. No matter how much you run, how much you hide yourself from the truth. It will always be there."

By this time I was crying in front of her. "B-but it hurts Shion....My family, my home....it's all gone..."

"Not all of it" she replied as she glanced to Shinki who was walking towards the castle. I looked at him and couldn't help but to feel how my heart ached. "The time has come. You are ready to depart and make your own life. Soon Konan will take over the throne and make his own."

"I don't want to cause any problems." I said while Shion hugged me tight.

"You won't. Now go and don't waste your time. He'll be staying here tonight."

I left the office exhausted. Shin's words were deep and carried a lot of emotions.

'She's right. I have to do this on my own.'

Hours passed by and I couldn't sleep. It was late night and I decided to have a walk around the palace.

'Oh who am I kidding! I just want to see him.'

'Or maybe not?'

'What am I doing?!?!'

Without noticing I was already in front of Shinki's room. I didn't need to use my Byakugan to locate him. I could sense his chakra from far away.

"Okay, there's no turning back now" I said before knocking the door but it suddenly opened. I gasped in surprise

"Hima..." he said with wide eyes.

"I...I was looking for you" I said while lowering my head.

He blushed. "I...Me too..."

"....May I come in?"

".....Sure..."

I made a few steps in and waited for him to close the door. We stared at each other for a while. Suddenly, I forgot everything I wanted to tell him.

But as soon as our eyes met it felt like we have already said everything. And before we knew it, we had given up on each other's arms.

I remembered the promise he made when he proposed to me. How we wanted to spend the rest of our days together before everything became a mess. And even though everything was a mess before we started dating, we're both sure of the love we have for each other.

Perhaps, this is the start of a new beginning. Or the reassurance that not everything is lost. But now, at this moment, we both know one thing

I am his,

And that he is mine.

And that's something I will treasure forever.