Forgotten

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Naruto (Shippuden). This is a story inspired by the original made up for entertainment purposes only. - Krystal

Chapter 21: A Blank Space

She woke up that morning with a heavy heart. Her eyes were swollen from all the tears she had shed over the past few days. She did not attend his funeral. She couldn't bear to see his tombstone. She hasn't left her room in the last few days. She stayed in with all the curtains closed. She couldn't bear to see the sunlight. It reminded her of his warmth. She wasn't able to eat. Every single time she tried to eat, her throat would close up. She began to shed tears again. Her body always felt cold. She felt soulless. There were a few who knocked on her door, but she did not answer. She stayed curled up in her bed. This morning, she did not cry. She wasn't able to cry anymore. She was dehydrated from all the water in her body. She tried to get up from her bed, but she barely could stand up. She felt dizzy. Her eyes had gone blurry. She managed to make her way to the sink in the bathroom. She stumbled a little bit here and there, but she made it. She leaned closer towards the mirror. Her eyes were very red. Her eyes were filled with sadness. They were no longer crying, but they were sadder than ever.

Yuki washed her face. She tied her hair in a tight bun. She grabbed her ANBU mask and a hooded cloak. She put on her mask right away. She cloaked herself and slipped on her shoes. She then left her house after locking the door. She headed towards the village's cemetery. On her way, she picked a few white daisies. They had just grown after the rain that followed the Hokage's death. She finally made it to the cemetery. His tomb was now there among the tombs of the past Hokages. Yuki often came to the cemetery because it reminded her of her birth. It was her first time there to mourn someone's death. She walked towards his tombstone with heavy steps. As she got closer, she slowed down. The moment she would leave the flowers on his tombstone, he would really be dead in her mind. As she got closer, the tears she thought she no longer had began pouring down again. She stopped a few steps away from his stone. An unknown and unseen force stopped her from getting any closer. She could only stare and cry, just like back then. She knew she wasn't to be blamed, but she blamed herself. If only she was stronger, if only she knew better, maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't have died. That's what she thought. She knew it was silly of her, but she still thought in that manner.

She stood there for a good hour waiting for her tears to dry and for her heart to strengthen. Her mind felt somewhat ready, but her heart wasn't and, as though it controlled her eyes, she kept feeling the tears roll down her cheeks. Her hands were holding on tightly to the daisies as though they were him. Her hands began shaking. Her hands began feeling cold. Then, someone held onto them and warmed them and stopped them from trembling.

"I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to come." said a familiar voice.

His voice was reassuring, filled with warmth. She looked up so that her hood wouldn't cover his face. It was Neji. He was looking straight ahead at the Hokage's tomb. His hands were really warm. His presence made her feel a little bit more at ease. Her tears began to stop falling as well. Her heart stopped hurting a little bit. It was still heavy. Her throat still felt closed up. However, everything seemed to start clearing up a little.

"I'm sure he would prefer to see you without your mask as well." Neji said still looking straight ahead.

Yuki looked down to the ground. What Neji said was true. However, the mask protected her. She felt like she, then, didn't have to face his death. She did not feel ready, but the Third would, indeed, want to see her face. He would wish for her to be able to move on and smile. He wouldn't want her to cry endlessly. He would want her to be able to let go. She let go with one hand of the daisies and brought it up to her face. She then slowly took her mask off. She dropped it to the ground. She also pulled her hood off. She loosened her hair. She then tried to take a step forward. She felt dizzy again. Neji was still holding her hand and helped her steady herself. He then pulled her forward. With his help, she managed to walk forward and stand right in front of the Third's tomb.

"Everyone left a space there for you to place your flowers. Kakashi told us how much you meant to the Third."

The tomb stone was filled with white carnations. Right in the center, they left her a blank and empty spot to place her flowers. She placed the daisies delicately there.

"He always liked daisies. He said they were the happiest looking flowers." she said. It was the first time she had opened her mouth in days. She had almost forgotten her own voice.

Her voice was very weak. It was kind of shaky as well. Her throat felt dry with just those few words.

"The Third, I am sure, is smiling in heaven. He finally got to see you. He received the daisies you carefully picked for him." said Neji gently.

"Although I know that, it still hurts here." she said as she placed her hand on her chest.

"Just know that he left with a smile. He left knowing that he protected the village and can entrust it to people who can also protect it. You, me and all the other shinobis..."

Yuki nodded. She took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and sent her prayers to the Third wherever he might be. It was the lightest she had felt in the last few days. The hole that was in her heart the last few days was filled by Neji's words and warmth. She never thought that Neji would be the one to heal her wounds, but he did. He did it so easily too. He smiled as he sensed her soul coming back to her. She opened her eyes. She smiled weakly. She couldn't fully smile just yet. However, it was, nonetheless, a smile.

"I'll come visit you often." she murmured to where the Third's body was resting.

End of Chapter 21

Another filler chapter. There was a need for Yuki's relationship with the Third's to be tied without loose ends.

Thank you for reading.

xoxox

Krystal