Wow would you look at this, a chapter at long last!
I'm terribly sorry for the excessively long break, my inspiration to write had completely abandoned me for months, and I just could not find any motivation to write a single thing. However I've just recently got back into writing in another form; roleplaying. Having Setsuki as my muse, she has had much character development, and I also believe my writing has improved significantly! I would love you forever if you left a small feedback on my writing now, and let me know if you think I have also improved on it! :)
I'm going to try and bring out chapters a little more frequently now, but emphasis on try. I'm once again, terribly sorry about the wait, but I hope you can forgive me!

I've also sort of been hanging out to see the ending of the current war in the Nardo Manga, to see where everything goes, so I'm already planning ahead for when we get there with this fic, and also have already planned what will happen after the war; it's just a matter of what Kishimoto does now, that determines if it will conflict with my plans or not! Fingers crossed guys!

Chapter 84

There it was, home. That huge crater in the ground. Senshu and Ichie both gasped at the sight (they decided to follow us all the way home instead of departing at the end of the desert.), it was a horrifying sight for the both of them, who had never witnessed such a terrible destruction. A sad sigh emitted from Lee behind me; "To come home to such a mess, it was truly awful! However I do believe with the sheer determination and hard work of our comrades, this village will thrive and prosper once more!" Spirit lit up in his eyes, which put everyone at ease. As a proud mentor, Gai simply petted his pupil on the shoulder once, before leading on.
"Very well spoken, Lee! We, too, are also playing a very important role. To travel across the countries with our youth burning brighter than the sun, all for the sake of the village, in order to bring back miraculously healing items to further enhance our recovery!" A smile prominent on his lips, Gai marched forward ever so proudly.
"Miraculously healing items.. y' mean medicine, right?" Ichie seemed bothered by his habit to exaggerate on even the simplest things, but she had no choice but to deal with it.

"TRUER WORDS COULD NOT BE SPOKEN, GAI-SENSEI!" Lee bolted after his sensei with tears almost running down his face. How he had so much energy, still, left me confused, yet pleased.
Daisuke threw a tired arm around my shoulders, before, too, walking on. I had little choice but to walk alongside him as he was practically pulling me along. "Everythin' okay, Daisuke-kun?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I mean, why wouldn't it be?" A smile which I had not seen this entire mission, was now gleaming across the tired boy's face. It put me at ease.
"Well, that's great, neh! We can report in and finally get some well earned rest."
"Indeed." Though, his idea of a rest was more of a break from the exuberant pair in front of us.

A couple of weeks later and the village was already beginning to prosper; Many buildings now stood tall once again, the Yamanaka clan had managed to assist in the growth of foliage, which had noticeably turned the village green and colourful once more, many businesses -including Ichiraku's- had reopened and better than ever. Albeit all the positives, were also negatives; Tsunade had not awoken from her coma, and there was talk of war. War.
A single word which was so eerie, so daunting, it tormented me so much that it sent shivers to my bones. Horrific memories lay behind that very word. War - Massacre - Me. Yes. I hated that so much, and I very much dislike thinking of the past.

It had been so long since my time in this village; thirteen years almost, and yet, only three people know of my past; Lee-san, Daisuke-kun, and Tekuno-sensei. It's too horrifying to just bring up, after all. But even so, I have been managing to sneak out every Saturday morning -without fail- to purchase a bouquet of Pink Carnations, and take them to Kikyo Pass. I lay a single flower at each headstone; not just my family, but everyone. The bouquet is huge, so it takes skill not to lose any of them on the three-hour long travel. I would sooner return roughly around twelve or one in the afternoon, just in time for lunch.

However; Today I was not so successful at sneaking out. Five-thirty and the sun was barely even atop the distant peaks. It was cold, but I wore a thick jacket- it made do quite well. Just as I came near the village gates, my one-track thought of the journey ahead was abruptly disrupted as my name was called. My heart near skipped a beat, and I panicked. No body is supposed to know about my visits to Kikyo Pass. The bouquet was much too large to simply hide, I had no choice but to confront what faced me, and come up with some sort of alibi for them. Ah, but it was only Lee-san. Jogging with an even pace, and continuing to even do so once he stood beside me on the spot, his usual cheery demeanour was prominent as ever. A content smile sat on his face, a genuine happiness residing from within. Was it from simply seeing me? That thought alone placed a smile on my lips, also.
"Ah, good morning, Lee-san." I could continue walking, holding the flowers against my chest as my head faced forward once more.
"Setsuki-chan, you are up much earlier than usual!" The sight of the contrasting pink colour from the flowers from my dark blue jacket did not pass him by. "... Everything is okay, right?"
"Mhm, certainly, Lee-san." Any tension left my body, I felt comfortable around him. He was someone I could talk to about absolutely anything in the world, and still feel at ease. He was always there when things got tough, and would wipe away my tears. Every day was like a brand new challenge to him; he was intent on making each day much better than the last, for the both of us. What we have is such a wonderful relationship, and I couldn't be happier.
"May I ask where you are heading on this lovely morning?"
"Ah.. I'm going to Kikyo Pass.." Yes, I hadn't even told Lee-san about these little trips. Mostly, to avoid him worrying too much about me; after all, he does that a lot.
A gravely concerned expression replaced the previously smiling one, as he stared at me. "Kikyo Pass.."
"Mm! I go every Saturday morning now, to, y'know, replace the flowers and stuff." I smiled up at him reassuringly, but he was confused. Should he be happy for me, or feel sad? His eyebrows furrowed as the question circled his mind. He studied my face carefully, before coming to his conclusion. His round orbed eyes closed, and his lips parted once more.
"Then allow me to accompany you, Setsuki-chan! Surely the journey is lonely, and I am most certain that a youthful spirit such as myself would be a very good company!"
"Actually- no."
"N... No?"
"It would be the best company, Lee-san." A smile. His expression turned incredibly satisfied, and perhaps a little flustered. Taking my hand in his, Lee began to walk by my side. It was definitely a much better morning, now.