Saruto | The Bloodline Prophecy (Part 1)

Chapter 10: Answer to the Future

It had been months since we left the Hidden Leaf Village. Our journey had been long and rigorous. It was a question as to whether the device was still around. Facing many dead ends often pushed our group the limits. Tsuki often isolated herself at rest stops to meditate, she sought wisdom in solitude. She was quite like she had always been. Sometimes going weeks without saying a word, often times where Haru tested her silence. Haru grew impatient and yurned for a challenge. It seemed like she was consistently walking on walls. In the beginning, she seemed to never stop talking but nowadays she had mirrored her sister's actions and remained quiet and in her own thoughts. Choban was quite bearable to accompany, our talks I will forever cherish. He also posed as a bridge between our mission and word back home. He often got letters via hawk from his lover back at the hidden leaf. It was nice to hear news from home every so often. Inojou seemed to spend his days mostly trying to get closer to Haru, unfortunately, her obliviousness to that often degraded him. But he never stopped, still holding the carefree and energetic personality he had always had. He had gotten quite acquainted with his Jutsu over the mind, using the long hours to practice on animals and every so often Shikadami. Of course, the right slap always put him in his place. Shikadami was the glue that kept us from going insane from the long days and nights. My feelings for her never wavered and for her, I hope the same. We haven't confessed our true feelings for each other but the connection was there. Choban told me it was too obvious. I plan to tell her those words, I just felt so close to her and it seems this mission has tested that admirably.

Every night I found myself looking up at the stars. Charting them and identifying, it was invigorating. It gave me peace during the madness. That lingering fear that the village would be doomed without me there. I felt the burden that everyone's fates rested on me. I couldn't help but think I would let everyone close to me down. I couldn't let myself do that. It mattered too much.

"Hey." A soft voice came from behind the trees.

I immediately stood up with my feet hanging over the cliff. Soon the view of the stars disappeared and I was met with the twinkling emerald eyes.

"Shika-" I spoke out nervously as she walked over to and sat beside me.

I could feel her warmth as she sat so close. She seemed to be oblivious at my apparent anxiety. She was glancing at the stars as I stared at her. She seemed to be in wonder at the sight above us. All I could think about was how beautiful she was. I wanted to tell but I was too nervous.

"Hey, Saruto?" She wondered still not glancing away from the sky.

"Yes?" I answered, still looking at her eyes from where she stood.

"What do you see in the stars?" Shikadami pondered as she then glanced back at me.

Noticing that I was staring at her she hid her eyes in her bangs before blushing. Bringing her hand to her face, she tried to cover the color in her face. I thought it was cute. There was a long silence as I admired her, then understanding that she was uncomfortable, I blushed to myself. The heat filling my cheeks as I felt butterflies in my stomach. Turning away, I thought to myself what I was going to do next.

"Oh yeah! Umm..." I panicked before calming myself down to face her, both of our faces meeting at the same time, "I see memories."

Her eyes widened as she seemed to admire my honesty. Her eyes twinkling as she stared into mine. From her eyes, I saw my blue eyes in the reflection mixing in the emerald green. It reminded me of the sea. Each color shows itself in different forms. It was eccentric.

"What kind of memories?" She shyly asked.

Shikadami seemed hesitant to ask me this. Like she was too embarrassed to. But I didn't mind it all, I felt comfortable with her, talking to her. But how could I ever have the courage to tell her that?

Turning towards the sky and then falling slowly onto my back I looked up as she did the same. Each of our gazes to the night sky. I saw constellations and patterns that I had memorized. I knew them all.

"I see mostly happy memories," I smiled as I could feel her looking towards me, "some with my dad and with my mom. And some..."

I stopped myself as I pondered on whether I should confess to her. My eyes did not waver from the night sky. I was stuck looking at its beauty and at one single star seeing the happiest memory of them all. It had often been the one I looked at. My most admired one. The giggles of children echoed from it.

"Some from what?" She seemed intrigued as I finally turned towards her.

I pondered at her gaze in silence debating whether I should confess to her. The pit in my stomach sent butterflies and chills throughout my body. But they would have good feelings.

"Some of you."

As we gazed at each other, we tried to think of what the other was thinking. Our hands stood at our sides. My own fighting the urge to reach out to her face. But was it the right moment. It had to be perfect. I had always dreamt of what it was like. So many times I had been close but never right.

Suddenly we stood up, our feet hanging off the cliff as we needed to leave each other's gaze. I could feel the illuminating moon, the whiteness of it big and bright. It was the biggest as it had ever been. It was a clear night as it stood just above the mountain across the gorge to be seen in its full form. I could hear the trickling streams of water beneath us against the pebbles and stones. Each smoothed by the refined movement of the water.

I could feel our faces moving closer to one another, her eyes entrancing me. Soon we were close enough to where I felt her breath. She was nervous. And I was the same so I made a mov-

Next thing I knew it Shikadami had reached for my face to pull me closer as we engaged in a kiss. I closed my eyes but still, I could see the illuminating moon. I felt as though I created a silhouette of our figures through the eyes of the trees. I didn't want this feeling to end. It was a perfect moment. It had exceeded every expectation I had. Hopefully, she felt the same. I had my answer.

After all, it was my birthday.