A/N: Remember me? I've been away so long from writing I feel as if I betrayed you all. I apologize and I want this chapter to make it up to you. I've really been thinking on how to improve this story, and I want my readers to offer any feedback they deem relevant. I'm really happy with how this chapter came to fruition and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. This chapter may sound confusing, but remember that these children are fourteen and they're growing up. I've really redesigned a lot of the characters and their personalities to match their ages, but I'm most proud of Rise. Anyway, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Deviation
Night had fallen on the camp. Kaze was standing watch with Kakashi as Serah and Rise sat with Nana. Dinner had been a silent affair. No one had spoken, and all of them were more than a little tired. Rise and Serah had been talking for several hours before Kakashi called for the fire to be put out.
"We can expect pursuers at any time. We'll take turns on the nightly watch. Kaze, do you mind taking first shift?"
Kaze shook his head and he spoke.
"I don't mind. In how long shall I wake Rise?"
Kakashi looked up at the moon and he laid back.
"Six hours. We rise at first light and the sun set about an hour ago. Good night."
Rise laid her head down and she closed her soft Hyuga eyes and she fell into a deep sleep. Serah, on the other hand, sat by Kaze's side. She whispered in a soft voice.
"Are you alright? You look exhausted."
Kaze had been tired since the last battle and he desperately needed sleep, but he put on a forced smile.
"I'm fine, thank you Serah. I'm just a little tired from overexerting myself."
Serah took his hand and she held it in hers. Kaze looked away and he whispered.
"Serah, please."
Serah whispered to him again, setting his hand down.
"You still prefer her over me?"
Kaze stood up and he cast his eyes back on Rise's sleeping form. Deep in his heart he loved them both equally. Kaze had recently seen how strong Rise truly was, but he also saw that she was lazy and very vain. He disliked both of those traits immensely. Serah was very focused and professional, and she was the first person he had ever been fond of. He sighed softly and he sat back down.
"Honestly, I love you both more than I love myself. I'm just committed to her Serah. I don't want to hurt Rise, but I don't want to hu-"
Kaze's words were cut off by Serah, who had pressed her lips to his very briefly, leaving a soft pink mark on his lips. Kaze didn't push her away, but he instead drew her closer.
"Serah, we shouldn't do this."
He said breaking the kiss gently. Serah replied by looking into his eyes.
"Kaze, please. You say you love us both and I know that's true, but she's lazy and only cares about her looks. Look into your heart and tell me what you truly believe."
Kaze closed his emerald green eyes and he drew her into a hug.
"You've put me in a very rough situation. Serah, I don't deserve either of you, but you're right. I want someone like you."
Serah smiled and she put her hand to his cheek.
"I just want one night where you hold me instead of her. You don't even have to leave her, just let me have one night."
Kaze put his hand over hers and he whispered.
"Just one night."
Serah rested her head on his chest and she closed his eyes. Kaze wrapped his arm around her tenderly. He stood his watch silently once Serah had fallen asleep. He looked back at Rise, who had a smile on her lips as she slept. Nana had fallen asleep next to Rise. He felt his eyes drooping closed but he forced himself to stay awake.
The required six hours passed in silence. Kaze had seen and heard nothing in six hours save for a single wolf's howl. He laid Serah down on the ground next to Rise and he covered her with a blanket. He then roused Rise from her sleep. Rise opened her eyes sleepily and she looked up at him.
"My turn?"
Kaze nodded and he laid down on the blanket Rise had risen from. She looked at him and she kissed his cheek. Kaze had already fallen asleep and Rise smiled as she took her place. She didn't realize that Kaze had Serah's lipgloss on his lips. Kaze turned over in his sleep, muttering Serah and Rise's names over and over.
The sun rose quickly as Rise stood watch. Kakashi was the first to rise that morning. Kaze awakened shortly after, washing his face in the nearby stream. Serah awakened shortly after. Kakashi roused Nana from her sleep and they had a short breakfast of prepared meats and water that had been boiled and then chilled with ice. Kakashi then rose and spoke.
"Let's move out. Otogakure is just an hour from here."
Kakashi then started the cell into motion. The hour passed quickly and the village pier was visible from quite a distance to Rise's Byakugan. Kakashi led the group straight through village to the ship that would ferry them to Kumogakure. They boarded and the ship cast off almost immediately. Rise felt the sea breeze brush her face.
"It feels nice. This is my first time on a ship."
She said to Nana and Kaze. Kaze smiled softly, avoiding Rise's gaze. He still felt guilty about the previous night.
"Its my first time on a ship too. I've never even seen the ocean."
Rise took Kaze's hand and she laced their fingers together. Kaze closed his eyes and he kissed her cheek.
"I love you Rise."
Rise brushed her long raven hair from her face as a salty wind blew past her.
"I love you too Kaze."
She placed a soft kiss on his lips and he smiled, kissing her back. Kaze knew deep in his heart that, despite what had happened the night before with Serah, he truly loved Rise. His father had told him that love was not merely putting up with someone's faults, but rather it was accepting their faults and supporting them. He knew Serah was nearby, and that she was watching. He let Rise's hand go and he retired to his cabin in the ship's hold. Serah looked over at Rise and she smiled.
"He really loves you."
She said and Rise looked out over the ocean.
"I noticed last night. I woke up and I saw him holding you in a half hug. Serah, you're my best friend, and you always will be. I know he loves us both and we both love him. So he needs to make his own choices. For now, I'm sharing. If you want to go to him, you can."
Serah chuckled.
"I can't believe you'd say that. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend? Rise, you don't have to share your boyfriend just for my sake."
Rise looked out at the ocean and she closed her eyes.
"You remember our parents? They fought a lot, and Kakashi sensei often tells me of how they were at each others throats. Serah, you and Kaze are the two people I love most, and I want us to always be close. And if it means I have to share Kaze with my best friend, I'm willing to do that. Serah, I never told you my dream did I? I want to be like our mothers and Lady Tsunade: Strong, independent women who not only have strength, but grace and skill. I want to be much like them. Kakashi sensei has been training me to use Water Ninjutsu, and my father taught me the basics of Wind Ninjutsu. I don't want to drag our team down. I want to be as strong as you and Kaze, so that we're always going to be best friends and competitive rivals in terms of strength and virtue."
Serah listened to Rise's small speech and she took in the ocean's bountiful expanse.
"You've really changed Rise. I don't want to come between you and Kaze, but as you said, I'm your best friend and your rival. In terms of strength we're even and in virtue I think you're better than me. I tried to take him from you, and you respond like that? Rise, you're a better person than I am."
Rise hugged her best friend and she whispered.
"Serah, stop. You're going to make me blush. Let's just stop this conversation here and go eat. Its only noon and I'm hungry for fish. You're my best friend and it'd take death to change that."
Rise smiled brightly and she ran below deck to the dining hall. Serah followed and she sat next to the rest of her team. She smiled at Kaze and he smiled back. The next day was the day they'd meet with the Raikage and the day they'd be done with the mission.
TO BE CONTINUED...
