Fragile Wings
Prologue.
The War was over, and the shinobi were now gathering what they could of themselves and the fallen from the battlefield.
None noticed the woman with long dark hair and alabaster skin, nor the dark man with blonde hair that walked behind her, both in white robes that billowed in the wind.
If any had seen her, they'd have panicked... after all, Kaguya had been defeated, sealed away... how was she here now?
"Milady, are you certain...?"
"Peace Ashura," she paused and looked at one group, carefully lifting the body of a boy nearing his late teens, a girl crying as she helped to carry him home, "Him. His wish was the one that brought us here today."
"A shame," the man said, "To die in this war and with such desperation to call you."
"It is the way of the world... many are desperate as they die, but few are as desperate as you were, or as he is. Fewer still have the well being of another in mind when that wish is cast," she smiled sadly, "I am glad that this trouble is over. I detested that thing. However, I fear more trouble will be coming, possibly from those she left behind."
"Cheap copies do have the desire to make more of themselves."
"Let that one take the credit, I always liked Meiro better..." she watched the procession, crossing her arms as a blond joined them to help, "Two people... now that is interesting. Shall we Ashura?"
He did not answer, only closed his eyes as she went to the place where the boy died.
"You have a bargain for me."
The boy materialized then, confused pupil-less eyes showing a moment of pain and fright as he looked around himself, then he stilled as he noted the woman.
"I do not know you, why would I have a bargain for you?"
"Nevertheless, you do and you will know me. You wish for happiness of another, their fighting to finally be done, for them both to achieve happiness."
"They will attain that on their own," he crossed his arms and glared, "There's no need to bargain."
She smiled, and let him meet her amethyst eyes, eyes that were far too old for her apparent young age, "Sadly, there will always be hardships. Even by bargaining with me, you will not keep that from them. However, what I offer is the chance to see their happiness before you go into the rivers of the dead to forget this life."
"After all," Ashura walked up then, "As guardians, we can't simply leave things as they are and quietly go into the darkness. Not when we know that they have light waiting, not when we have left things unfinished for them."
The boy faltered. He had accepted his death, was in the arms of two he had loved the most...
To leave them now...
He could see his father again.
But...
Curiosity was getting the better of them, and he frowned, wincing as he looked back into the woman's eyes.
"What exactly are you offering?"