Redemption |complete| (SasuSaku)

Tsukigakure

Sunday, 5th of January. Week 14 of pregnancy.

Sasuke helped Sakura to get off the boat. About a week ago, when she started feeling better, he decided to bring her to one his favourite place in the world: the village of Tsukigakure also known as the Village Hidden under the Moon. It was a small island on the top of the map, just above the Lightning country. Sasuke had the chance of visiting this place about three years ago. He had heard a tale of it when he was younger and got curious so when he was on his journey, he travelled there. He had been pleasantly surprised with how beautiful it was. Now that Sakura could stand and walk more freely he wanted her to see it too.

She stopped by his side and watched the little fishermen village around them. The place was built at the bottom of a giant volcano and the houses were made with the black rock that used to be the lava in the past. The multitude of lanterns slightly reflected their light on the stones but for the most part, the village was very dark. It felt ancient. He let her take everything in for a minute.

"This is beautiful. Are you going to tell me where we are now?"

"In the Village Hidden under the Moon."

"I've never heard of it. Why is it called like this?"

"I'll show you. Come with me."

He walked her to the entrance of the village. He stopped in front of the gates that were made of the lave rock as well. He looked at it remembering the first time he came here. Back then he had been highly impressed by the fine work that went into the sculpting of the gates. They were high, probably three times higher than him, and decorated with beautiful fish and flowers. The mastery of the work was mesmerizing. Years ago, he had spent a good twenty minutes just looking at each of the carved decoration and wondered how could anyone be talented enough to do something like that. On their right stood a wooden plaque. He took Sakura's hand to shift her attention on it.

""In a time of war, a wanderer from afar did happen upon the Tsukigakure. Great were the trials he endured to drive off the destruction that placed the moon in such peril. He had a noble heart and a spirit bound by none. So was revealed our heroic saviour. His name rang with the pureness of his soul. Like unto a gentle breeze." Why is it written at the entrance of the village?" she read out loud.

"It's written a every entrance of every village on the island. It is a constant reminder that they need to welcome everyone into their land with an open heart because the foreigners might be the ones who will save them."

"That's amazing."

"Hn. Follow me, we need to travel to the next village."

He walked out of the village. The island was so up on the north that the weather was cold. There wasn't any snow yet but if they were lucky enough they will get to see the white blanket covering the darkness of the dry lava during their stay.

The roads were out in the open. Not a single tree in sight. They walked around the base of the volcano and Sasuke had to slow down to follow Sakura's pace. She was so captivated by what was around her that she was forgetting to walk. On their right stood the immense and ancient mountain and on their left was an open field so big that they could see the curve of the  horizon.

"This is so different than our home... it feels old."

"There is no record of when this village was built. It was discovered by the Land Of Lightning five hundred years ago. When they arrived here, at first, they didn't think that anyone lived here. There are only five villages. The one we just visited, the one we are going to now, one hidden in a small forest, one by the beach and a last one where the mountains are. These villages already existed when the island was discovered. They apparently haven't changed since then."