The crisp spring wind blew right past me. I felt the cool hair hit my skin which gave me temporary goosebumps. I love this type of feeling. Not too hot not too cold, just right.
I wanted to roam the streets of Konoha to reminisce the memories I had. It's been at least tfifteen-twenty years since I've walked down this road? Yet, it was as if nothing had changed.
'Of course, nothing's changed. I'm in the past.'
But still...
I as walked, the villagers looked in my direction, surprised at my sudden public appearance. Some even started. I couldn't blame them, It has been four years. I mean what would you do if the window of your deceased former leader suddenly roamed through your streets? I could hear them whispering to each other.
'Whoa, it's the Hokage's wife!'
'She's actually out that house?'
'Hasn't been four years since she stepped out of that house?'
'I wonder if she's still mourning..'
'I wonder what made Sakura-Sama come out today...'
I'll admit, I was a little embarrassed and insecure. Before coming out today, I thought up all these horrible scenarios that could happen but it's not so bad. Not nearly as bad.
'Maybe I can make it through this market run. What was I supposed to be getting again?' I pondered?
I reached down into my pocket and pulled out the crinkly paper. 'Let's see... Eggs, wheat bread, milk, apples, strawberries, peaches, rice, some meat, and vegan meat.' I looked over it one more time before putting it back into my back pocket and continued on.
"Alright then."
When I finally arrived at the market place, I was shocked to sew how many people were here and the number of shops set up.
'I don't remember the market place being this full back then. Gosh has it really been that long that my memories are not so much dependable?' I question myself. 'No matter, I'll just get what I need and go.'
As soon as I walked in, out of the corner of my eye, I spot a man hanging out baskets. I am getting a lot today so I might as well.
"Thanks for the bags Ito-san! Enjoy your day now!" an elderly woman said to the man.
"You too Mrs. Mei!, " he waved back and turned back to his bags. "Hello, ma'am, would you like a-oh! Mrs. Uzumaki-Sama! W-What a surprise!" Ito said looking a bit taken aback.
"Hello, Mr. Ito. I presume that is your name?"
"Ah yes! Ito Sakurai is my full name!" he proclaimed.
"Oh? Well, it's very nice to meet you, Mr. Ito." I held out my hand for him to shake but he looked around nervously. "Oh? What's wrong?"
'Does he not want to shake my hand?'
"Oh Mrs. Uzumaki-Sama, don't take my nervousness the wrong way! But it's just...im a bit flustered by your sudden appearance. It's just that it's been so long since the death of-oh wait! I'm sorry I brought up that painful memory! Please forgive me!" Mr. Ito bowed and begged.
"No no Mr. Ito, it's quite alright. I understand your nervousness by my appearance. It has been four years since I've been in public. Please lift yourself up." I tried to reassure.
"Y-Yes ma'am! ...Its really been four years since your last appearance hm? I wonder, and please forgive me for asking, but I wonder what made you come out to the public today? Food? Usually, I see your son and daughter getting groceries..." He asked me.
"Mmm to tell you the truth, I've been feeling...lighter that past few weeks. It's as if the pain, hurt, grief, all of it is just shifting off my shoulders at once. It's slowly going but... I can feel it that things are getting better. That I have better days ahead. Do you know what I mean?"
"I quite do actually. You see, when my wife died, it was as if I didn't want to eat, sleep, and at some point, I didn't have the will to live. But I was reminded of something more important in my life to live for. And that was my granddaughter. All she had in this world was me and I just couldn't bear to fail her. So I picked myself up and I did everything I could to help the pain. Eventually, I found my days getting better the more I spent time with my granddaughter. That was a long time ago though but guess we're kind of similar in a way, right?"
"Absolutely. In fact, we even have the same motivations. For me, it's my kids. I...had a dream-no more like a nightmare- about me being all alone all because I pushed everyone around me away. It was such an awful...awful dream. That's why I'm trying to make things better than that...that dream of mine."
"You know Mrs. Uzumaki-Sama, I think that's great that you want to fix everything before its too late. I'm glad you're feeling much better. But enough about this! I'm sorry talked you into telling and listening to the ranting of an old header like me. You're here for groceries right? How many bags do you need? He asked.
" No no, I thank you actually. I haven't been able to talk to anyone who related this much to my situation, who understood where I'm coming from? So I thank you. And I'll take two bags please."
Mr. Ito pulled out two long brown bags and handed them to her. "That'll be fifty cents."
I gave him the change and thanked.
"Thank you, Mr. Ito. For everything. I really value our talk."
"I did as well! Thank you for stopping by! Enjoy your day!"
I stroll further and further down the market place, passing my the clothing and yarn shops..As I walked by, I could feel the stares and hear the whispers of some of the villagers. At this point, I'm kind of feeling uneasy with all the eyes on me. Since id been gone so long, I thought the villagers wouldn't care as much but it would seem my unreliable memories had forgotten, I'm the deceased Hokage's wife. I'm also head, well used to be, head of Konoha's Medical program and head of the village's hospital.
"Of course they'd care"
My pace quickened as I passed more and more shops. I wanted to just get my intended items and go so badly. Why did they have to out the food shops in the back?
I kept at my fast pace and walked by them as if I didn't notice it. My heart started to beat so fast. My mind was too focused on the villagers that I wasn't really paying attention. I paid the priced for this once I bumped into someone who'd been carrying their groceries. Their bag dropped onto the dirt road. I quickly put back what little spilled out and tried to apologise.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying as much attention as I should've. I'm very sorry about that." I put what was left in the brown bag and got up to and it to the person.
"N-No it's alright. Thank you for helping me."
I was about to turn to face them but...that voice...
'Could it be?'
I turned around to them. Upon seeing them, I gasped.
Once they looked at me, they gasped as well.
"Sakura-san?"
"...Hinata-san... Hi."
