Mitsuki was reluctant to talk about it. Well, maybe not reluctant, that would imply that he did talk about it at least some. Mitsuki outright refused to talk about what had happened in the forest.
"It was an illusion, Boruto, and that is all that matters." Was all he had said before becoming selectively deaf. The silence was awkward and was maddening to Boruto. He had long ago given up making him talk about it and they all hurried towards the village in silence.
It had been just after midnight when the... "incident" occurred. At first, when it was over, Mitsuki just held him tight and refused to let go despite Boruto's repeated assurances that he was fine after he had finally caught his breath (Well, maybe a cracked rib but Mitsuki didn't need to know about that). Mitsuki had been trembling and pressed his face to Boruto's forehead so he couldn't look him in the eye. His hands had traveled over his chest repeatedly, searching for something but Boruto had no idea what he was looking for.
It seemed like the person who placed the genjutsu on Mitsuki had fled the moment it was released but Sarada had wanted to be sure. Since Mitsuki was in no shape to move yet and Boruto was trapped in his grip for the time-being, Sarada had done the search. It took a few minutes for her to return. Boruto was sure they wouldn't find the culprit now but Sarada had insisted on being safe and give them some "privacy", whatever that meant. Only her return and announcement that they were moving on to the village had finally broken the spell over Mitsuki. Still, he had released Boruto with great reluctance (Boruto liked to think that he had finally realized he couldn't carry him all the way to the village. Oh, who was he kidding? Yes, he could and would) and they started towards the village together by the light of the moon.
Mitsuki had always been protective of Botuto. He had grown used to that a long time ago. Now, however, he was nothing short of obsessed, scanning the trees they passed with wide golden eyes and refusing to let Boruto out of his sight for even a second. As used to it as he was, this was making him uneasy. It was as if his best friend expected him to be snatched away at any second. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Boruto only understood what had happened but he was left to wonder as they ran.
They reached the village at sometime between 1 and 1:30 int he morning, he was too tired to know exactly what time. The innkeeper was grumpy about being disturbed so late but wasn't surprised to see them (Did he usually get visitors so late?). The inn was an older, well cared for building built in the classic style, similar to the Hyuga compound. Being inside it heavily reminded Boruto of his grandfather and auntie's home. That put him on edge and at ease at the same time but he could admit it was nice to be in a familiar surrounding.
The innkeeper took them to a larger room off the courtyard and wished them a goodnight. They prepared for bed as usual when on missions but Mitsuki was still very quiet and withdrawn. Botuto did his best to make small talk. He just wanted things to feel relaxed between them again but Mitsuki was still distant. He listened dutifully to Boruto's ramblings and give him his old, forced smile but that was all. Boruto gave up and crawled into his futon. Mitsuki followed suit, getting into his own which was set up right next to his. At least that was still the same, Boruto thought as he fell asleep.
The next morning, they got up much too early for Boruto's tastes. He was slow to get ready. His adrenaline had completely drained leaving him very stiff and sore. The cracked rib on his left was particularly tender but he took great care to hide it form Mitsuki. He didn't need to be troubled by that. If Boruto looked worn, then Mitsuki looked awful. The fake smile couldn't distract from the dark circles marring his porcelain skin or the anxiety that still followed him. When he thought Boruto wasn't looking, he looked depressed. Boruto know that Mitsuki felt completely responsible for the incident last night and he didn't want him to feel worse just because Boruto got banged up a bit. He did his best to cover his physical discomfort with loud complaints about Sarada and he insistence on starting work so damn early after going to bed so late. Said Kunoichi had stopped waiting on his slow ass a while ago and said she would meet them in the lobby. Mitsuki said nothing but would gave his fake smile again in appeasement. Sarada was waiting for them in the main hall.
"What took you guys so long?" She asked impatiently. Everything from her posture to he tapping fingers spoke of irritation at having to wait.
"Ya, whatever. It doesn't matter because we're here now. Where do you want to start?"
They decided to begin with the main street and work their way back to the Inn and finish with the innkeeper. They would start with him but Sarads had already asked for him and was informed that he had already left and wouldn't be back until later that afternoon.
The day was tedious and wore on Boruto. Most of the villagers were suspicious of outsiders on a good day. With the recent incidences, no one was eager to talk to them. They didn't even find anyone who had been in the most recent caravan even though they were told that they were still in town. They were able to glean from what little they were told that the cases they knew about were not the only ones, they had simply been the biggest. They were also able to gather that no one from the village went near that particular part of the forest unless they absolutely had to.
Boruto was hot and more than a little achy by the time Sarada finally called it quits. They went back to the inn with their backs to a low sun. Well, Sarada and Mitsuki went. Boruto dragged himself back without looking like he was dragging himself. He had a headache and his side that he was refusing to favor was throbbing. He was ready to go back to the room and lay down, until Sarada announced that the innkeeper had returned.
He was a grey, balding old man wearing traditional clothing similar to what his grandfather always wore. He sat at a low table in the courtyard enjoying his tea in the sunny late afternoon.
"Yes, I've been expecting you three." He said in way of greeting. He nodded to Sarada, Boruto and Mitsuki in turn as they sat. Boruto was tired and wanted this to end quickly so he just watched them talk, satisfied to let Sarada do the speaking for them.
"You were expecting us?" Sarada asked.
"Of course. I was the one who reported the incidences to the Hidden Leaf." He said matter-of-factly. "I doubt you got much information from the villagers." It wasn't a question.
"Well, no, we didn't. We were able to find out that those were not the only cases and that no one goes near that part of the forest." Sarada supplied. The old man nodded and took a sip of tea, appearing to be mulling over what Sarada had told him.
"With how tight-lipped the people are around here, I'm surprised you found out that much." He said eventually, sounding impressed. "I don't suppose you got to speak to a witness from the caravans?"
"No, we didn't find any even though we were told they are all still in town."
"I'm not surprised. They've been reclusive since it happened but that's to be expected. Most people have that reaction after experiencing the Nightmare Forest." The old man paused to sip his tea, knowing he had everyone's undivided attention.
"The Nightmare Forest?" Boruto asked, his interest temporarily overcoming his exhaustion.
"Oh, yes. You saw it's power for yourself last night, I'm sure." Boruto shifted uncomfortably and he felt that Mitsuki did the same. "It is an ancient and evil place. Legend tells it is full of oni but it is worse than that. The forest is an oni that forces its victim to live out his very worst fear." Another pause, another sip of tea.
"Historically, the people of this village avoid the forest but we didn't have any actual victims until about ten years ago. Then travelers started to come out of the forest, white as sheets and refusing to speak about what happened to them. Most just claimed that they couldn't remember and, as far as we know, never spoke of it again. The few that did just described it as a nightmare" Another pause, another sip. Boruto was beginning to think he was enjoying this.
"Some of the more skeptical villagers didn't believe them. The forest had only been a story. Why would people start having experiences now? They just assumed they had had a run-in with pranksters or bandits or their minds had fallen victim to superstition, but I knew they were telling the truth. I knew because this is the only inn in the village and I could always here them screaming in their sleep, reliving their nightmare from the forest." Boruto glanced at Mitsuki. He looked deeply contemplative as he listened to the elder speak, his face almost his usual neutral but not quite. In fact, Boruto had never seen him look so tired. Did he sleep at all last night? The old man's tale was starting to explain a little of what had happened to him. What had he seen?
"Anyway, those cases were still fairly rare, It was only a month ago that things started to get more serious." Another pause, a longer sip this time. Yeah, he was enjoying this.
"Last month, a caravan transporting supplies for the village was late. We started to get concerned and sent people to look for it. Early one morning not long after it went missing, they came out of the forest just as you did. The carts and supplies were gone and they claimed they had no idea what had happened, but I knew." Another pause, another sip. Sarada re-filled his cup.
"A week ago, it happened again. All the same circumstances. We can't have this. I'm not sure if it is the forest or if someone is taking advantage of it to rob out caravans but it needs to stop." He finally finished.
So that's why you notified us?" Sarada asked. The old man shrugged.
"Had to do something."