Me: Some of the themes of this story I borrowed from the movie Princess Mononoke. (Great movie, if you're interested.) I'm finally putting a disclaimer in one of my stories - hallelujah!
Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, and TV Tokyo. Princess Mononoke belongs to Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki (world's best animated film director). This story belongs to me.
Plink.
Plink.
Plink.
The water dripped slowly into the shallow pool, creating small ripples that spread to the grassy banks, where they rebounded, eventually fading back into the smooth surface.
The forest was peaceful, the late afternoon sun filtering through the leaves above. A small flock of deer walked noiselessly between the trees, pausing occasionally to listen to the quiet sounds of the woods.
At the front of the line, a girl walked just as silently as the deer, her feet bare, her eyes serene.
Abruptly, she stopped, a thoughtful look crossing her face. The deer behind her stopped as well, their ears perking up as if listening to something. One of the deer, the white spots of childhood still visible on its back, nudged the girl's arm. She looked down at it, then smiled and stroked its nose. "I know," she said softly. She turned her eyes forward. "Something is coming."
. : { * } : .
"You are cursed. This poison will flow through your veins, spread throughout your body. There will be terrible pain...and then you will die."
"I understand." Silence. "I will stop the beast. I will find the source, and cure it."
"Our laws forbid us from watching you go, Sasuke." Another heavy pause. "No matter what happens, you are dead to us now."
Black eyes gazed into grey. A nod.
The older man's face softened. "Good luck."
A bow, and then the boy exited the temple.
The man's eyes closed. "Goodbye...Sasuke."
Me: Another SasuHina. Like it? Don't worry if it's confusing. All will be explained, my dears.
By the way, Heiwa no Mori means Forest of Peace.
Fact of Life #41: Reviews will make me update.
