Red thread of fate - (Love story Naruto Uzumaki)

Chapter 4

- Ami! Ami! - Ayumi called, cupping her hands over her mouth as she walked through the forest. Ami, we have to go home! It's too late! You can play hide-and-seek tomorrow! Come out! We're all worried about you!

But no matter how much Ayumi screamed and called for the younger Sonozaki, the only response was her own echoes that echoed through the forest.

When she saw a large figure sitting on the edge of the lake not far from her, she moved toward it. Ayumi went down the slope and saw that it was a bear. He sat on the edge of the lake and stared at the water, over which the fog was spreading.

— What are you looking at? - Ayumi asked, looking from the lake to the bear. — Have you seen a little red-haired girl with pigtails and a purple dress? This is my little sister. She ran away somewhere and now we are looking for her.

The bear turned its head toward her without a word, and then looked back at the lake. Suddenly the moon came out from behind the clouds, illuminating the dark water. At the same moment, it changed, becoming a bright blue, reflecting the white Apple of the moon. The lake seemed to glow from within, as did the fog that covered it.

- "Wow! How beautiful! I didn't know that our lake was so special." - Ayumi sighed in admiration, her eyes wide.

Then a white bird flew in and dived into the lake.

"The bird... a dove? Why? What kind of lake is this?"

Filled with curiosity, Ayumi knelt and bent down. She stared at the water for a few seconds, then lowered her head into it, holding her breath. The hair and bangs that framed her face began to move, floating in the water.

Snow-covered mountains loomed before her eyes. Everything is white. From somewhere above, there is an endless snowfall. She stared down, transfixed, unable to tear her gaze away from this amazing sight.

She began to sink lower, first up to her chest and then her entire upper body, when suddenly her arm was grabbed and yanked violently out of the water.

Ayumi crouched down, coughing and shaking her head. Water was running from her hair and face.

- Careful! -  Akito exclaimed in fright, and it was he who was holding her by the shoulders. He was breathing hard, shivering, and looking at her with mad eyes. When he caught his breath, he pulled her to his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around her. — I don't want to lose you, too! I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner! This lake is the way to the ditch!

— What ditch is this? - when she finished spitting water, Ayumi asked, surprised by his sudden fright.

— This is one of those places where the soul goes after death. When the full moon rises over the lake, —  he looked up at the sky, where the moon had disappeared behind clouds. — The gate opens and souls in the form of birds are sent to the ditch across the lake. They will remain there until reincarnation. Just like we used to.

Suddenly it began to rain. The bear stood up on its hind legs, took one last sad look at the lake, and walked away.

— This bear recently lost its baby. - Akito explained to his sister, following him with a sympathetic look. — He was waiting for the soul of his cub to return to the lake.

— Poor thing. - Ayumi whispered sadly, also looking after him with sympathy. — Do you think we have a soul?

- Of course. - Akito nodded. — Every creature has a soul. But Ami, you and I have a special one.

- Great! We are special! - Ayumi smiled, flashing her teeth. Then her face became agitated. — We still haven't found Ami. She won't get sick if she gets caught in the rain, will she?