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Chapter 9: Hope
Sasuke's P.O.V.
"Ugh, this is all your fault, Karin-fox," Suigetsu groans to my right.
"No way, shark breath, this is all your dumbass fault," Karin fires back on my left.
"What?! How the hell is this my fault?"
"I don't know; it just is!"
"Oh, give me a break. If it wasn't for the fact that you just "
"Deep breaths, Sasuke. Block them out," I say to myself as I try my hardest to block my teammates arguing.
I adjust myself into a more comfortable position for me to try and meditate. Two months have passed since I killed Orochimaru and his lackey, Kabuto. Our current mission is to find the whereabouts of my brother, Itachi Uchiha, but with no luck. We have visited every village we passed since we left the hideout, but no one seemed to have any information on the Akatsuki. With a combination of not having any information on my brother or his affiliate's whereabouts and Karin and Suigetsu's constant arguing, I feel like I'm losing my sanity.
"You know what, Suigetsu? Why don't you just take one of your swords and shove it up your ass!"
"Oh yeah? I think it'll fit it up your ass better since that's where you liked being fucked anyway,"
Karin and Suigetsu comments, both breaking my concentration.
They continue to argue, disturbing my attempt to regain any of my sanity. Finally having enough of their insolence, I stand up between them with my sword in my right hand; silencing them both.
I place my sword and its sheath on my waist before covering myself with my cloak. The sun was shining bright in the sky, making me throw my hood over my head. I turn to walk away but stop when Karin calls out.
"Are we going somewhere, Sasuke-kun?"
"I'm going on a walk to try and catch some of my lost sanity, alone. No one follow me, and if you do… I will kill you on sight," and with that, I leave the campsite after Jūgo says,
"With the two of you around, who needs torture tactics,"
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I don't know how long I walked for but I knew that enough time passed and I needed to get back soon. But I can't go back, not until I find something, anything on my brother and/or the Akatsuki.
"I don't understand how I can visit over five different towns and not one knows anything about the Akatsuki! I mean everyone knows about them, right?"
I take a deep breath and try to clear my mind. I turn my head up and stare at the sun.
"It's so bright," I say as I cover my eyes with the back of my hand.
Staring at the sun like this makes me think of the days where Naruto and I would just lie on the grass and just watch the clouds go by. It was one of the most relaxing times of my life; a simpler time where even I wanted to give everything up to be with my idiot.
I close my eyes and suddenly an image of a young, carefree, happy Naruto appears in my sight. That smile; the same smile that could make even a frosted heart such as mine melt. I have never met anyone else who possess such a power. It's contagious. It's comforting. It's everything I never knew I needed. I would give anything to have it back in my life, but it can't happen. I can't have Naruto as long as Itachi and the Akatsuki is out there with a plan to harm him. Plus, even if I were to just go back to him after eliminating the entire Akatsuki, he would not want me back. I'm too tainted. Too much poison and toxin runs through my veins. He would never want someone like me around. I am a beast that no one could ever love. It's over. That chapter of my life has come to a close and can never be reopened again.
"Well, at least I was happy, and no one can take that away from me,"
I open my eyes and remove my hand. Thinking that it is time for me to get back the idiot duo and Jūgo, I get ready to turn around and walk back, but stop when I see a village in the near distance.
"When did that get there? I don't remember that from before,"
I look around to see if I was seeing things, but the village was still there and calling me to it. Before I know it, my feet carry me towards that village. I decide to just go with it. If the village is calling me to it, it must be a reason. But, I cannot help thinking about what power could be calling me to this village.
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It does not take me long to reach the village. I look around and the first thing I notice is that there is a sense of calmness in the air; as if everyone in this town does not seem effected by what is happening in the rest of the country. I pull my hood further over my head before continuing through the village.
From the corner of my eye, I can see everyone I pass wear a genuine smile on their face. They are actually… happy? It confuses me. I have never been in a village where everyone is smiling and no one is showing sorrow. It is almost unheard of; at least to me. I continue walking through the village. I only stop when I see two kids running towards me. I lean in slightly to get a better look. I see two dark haired kittens where there seems to be an age difference of a few years. The older one is chasing the younger kitten. If I had to guess, they might be brothers. I take a slight step back in surprise and wide eyes.
"They look like young Itachi and me,"
They come closer and closer. Out of reflex, I put my arms up in front of me.
"Can't catch me!" the young one giggles as he runs past me.
"Come back here!" the older one shouts as he does the same.
I turn around to see them getting further and further away from me. They continue to run until they catch up to a feline man and woman couple; their parents I assume. The younger one grabs onto the woman's legs to hide from the older one. The woman laughs as she picks up the young kitten. I cannot hear what they are saying but I can tell that the adult male cat is teasing the older kitten before bending over to place the older boy on his shoulders.
"Mom, Father, Itachi…"
Watching this family brings back warm memories of my childhood; warm memories before that faithful night where everything was taken from me. I blink my eyes to find that the family suddenly disappeared. I look around to see if I could see them anymore, but it was too late. Shaking my head free of those memories, I continue traveling through the village. About a few minutes later, I see the back of a tall blond man with an orange fox tail walking in the distance.
"Naruto?!"
Before I know what is going on, I take off running in the direction I see the man walking. I run as fast as I can, but no matter how fast I run it just seems that he gets further away from me.
"Naruto? Are you here? Why are you here?"
I pick up my pace when I see the man turn a corner. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. He is so close now. I turn the corner and stop. I try to catch my breath, but when I look up… there was no one there. I look around and there is no trace of anyone down the alley way but me. I punch the wall to my right with the side of my fist before leaning my forehead against it. I give a light glare in frustration.
"I'm losing my fucking mind," I think to myself as I feel both my ears and tail twitch in annoyance.
After taking a few more deep breaths, I turn to leave the alley. After exiting the alley, I come face to face with a small store with the title "The Feline's Foxy". I have never seen a store like that before and it is drawing me to it. I take a few steps until I am at the glass window. I place my hands around my face to get a better view into the store. There were fox and cat toys, plushies, and jewelry all around the store. But, what is drawing my attention the most are two glistening necklaces in the jewelry case in front of the window. One pendent was an orange fox on the left with its back curved and a small back heart on the hip. The second one was a black cat with its back curved to the right and an orange heart on its hip. Trying to get a closer look, I can see that they were hanging on silver chains and possibly connected with some kind of magnet. They were beautiful; I wanted them, but I knew that I should not get them. I was about to turn and leave until I felt someone watching me. I look back at the window and see an elderly fox woman standing there with the brightest, warmest smile on her face. I could not walk away. She waves her hand for me to come into the shop. I move towards the door and open it. Without fully realizing it, I am in the woman's store.
"Well hello there, young man. What can I do for you?"
"I… I don't know. I don't even know why I am in here," I stutter while scratching the back of my head.
"Well something must have brought you in here," she says warmly.
I look around and stare at all of the items in the store. Everything is either a fox or a cat of different styles and colors.
"What… is this store exactly?" I ask.
"Why this is a store where I sale nothing but foxes and cats of various styles and colors, of course," she giggles.
"I mean, I understand that, but that is really specific. What made you decide to create a store like this?"
"Actually, it was not my idea, it was my husband's,"
"Your husband's?" I ask, instantly regretting my question.
Her eyes slowly turn down, but her smile never fades. "My late husband, actually. He recently passed from this world, but I keep this store alive to keep him with me. Every day I come here, I can still feel him, as if he is protecting this place and me; just like I will be when we reunite after I pass from this world too,"
"I am sorry to hear that and I am sorry for asking," I say in almost a whisper.
"It is alright. Keeping this store alive and knowing that our daughter and her family will take over this place when my passing finally happens,"
I nod in understanding before looking around more at everything in the store.
"So, what made your late husband decide to open a store with nothing but cats and foxes?"
"He did it for me. He wanted to show the world how much he loved me by opening this store. Besides, he knew that most people like cats and foxes so why not turn it into our chance at income. Would you like to hear the story of how we met and how this store came to be?"
"I would love to,"
Her smile grows wider and I can swear I saw a twinkle in her rose colored eyes. Her white tail and ears perk up as she begins her tale.
"My late husband was like something not of this world. He was a gray and black cat with striking emerald green eyes and snow white hair. He was the most handsome man I have ever met. He was a drifter who was down on his luck and somehow wound up in our quiet, little village. As you can see, I am not the spring feline I used to be. But back in my day, I was a simple beauty with long black hair and fair skin. I was walking with a few pots of flowers in my hand on the day we met. The sun was shining as bright as it is today. That day was so warm and I could tell that something magical would happen that day. Well, I was on my way back home from the flower shop when I bumped into him. One of my pots had fallen and broken on the ground. He was extremely apologetic as he bent down to try and salvage the broken pieces of the flower pot. With a smile on my face, I bent down to tell him that it was alright. But, when he looked me in my eyes, I lost my words. His emerald green eyes were so bright and amazing that I could not look away. Apparently he felt the same because the first words out of his mouth were how beautiful my eyes were.
After that, he helped me carry my plants back to the flower shop where he used the last of his money to replace the pot that broke. We walked back to my house together. After we dropped the flower pots off to my parents, I offered to buy him food at the local restaurant. We talked and laughed for what seemed like hours and before I knew it, it was dark. We ran back to my house, holding hands the entire time. He wanted to make sure that I got home safely. We said our goodbyes, I gave him a kiss for being so sweet and went into my home. Every day after that, he would come by and help with my chores. My parents loved him and so did I. He was so kind and loving and helpful. There was not one day where we did not spend time together. Next thing I knew, three years passed and he proposed to me. He worked at the local fish market to save up and pay for my engagement/ wedding ring.
We both continued to work and save before buying our first house. It was not the most dazzling home in the village, but it was ours and we fixed it up. A year later, our daughter was born and our family started to blossom. A little after that, my husband surprised me with the store and we've been running it and living our dream ever since. Of course we've had our ups and downs, but that is life and marriage. The most important lesson to learn is knowing that it is not you vs. your significant other, but that it is the two of you vs. the problem," she suddenly stops and places her hand over her mouth. "Oh, I am so sorry to have bored you with my long story,"
"No, no, it's no trouble. I loved listening to it," I say with my hands up in the air.
She takes a few steps towards me before stopping. I am confused as she looks me over a few good times. After a little while, she steps back from me with a bigger smile.
"Is there something the matter?" I ask.
"Young man, do you know why I told you that story or why I ushered you into my store?" I shake my head no. "I can tell that you have a love one, a fox perhaps that you miss deeply?"
"How do you know that?"
"You have the same look on my face that I have when I think of my late husband. Who is she?"
I turn my head to hide the blush spreading on my cheeks. "It's not a she.." I whisper.
"Ah, so it is a male? That's nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone has their own personal preference. All that matters is that the love between the two of you is pure and true," I choose not to say anything, thinking about her words. "Is your fox deceased too? I should hope not, you seem too young to have lost someone like that, but you never know anymore,"
"No, he's alive and well… I think,"
"You think?" she asks curiously.
"I only saw him for the first time in three years just months ago,"
"Oh, I see. Separated by distance is the most difficult kind of love, but it can also make the heart grow fonder for that person, and when you finally reunite with that person permanently, it'll be all the more sweeter. If you don't mind me asking, why are you guys separated anyway?"
"… … It's complicated…" I finally say.
"Hmm, I understand; say no more. So, young man, do you see anything you like?"
Thinking about her story and her words, my eyes are automatically drawn to the necklaces from earlier.
"Say no more," she suddenly says as she moves towards the glass case.
I watch her take a key from around her neck and use it to unlock the case. She pulls out the two necklaces before locking up the case and walking towards me again.
"Here," she smiles as she offers the necklaces to me.
I take a step back and wave my hands in the air. "No, no thank you. I can't take them. Save them for someone who deserves them,"
"Young man, do you love this person? Do you love your fox?"
"… … … Yes. Yes I do… very much…"
"Do you miss him?"
"Every day, but I don't deserve him and he'll never want me back,"
"Do you know that for sure?"
I turn my head away from her, afraid to say what I was truly thinking. Suddenly, I feel her hand touch my cheek. She turns my head to face her again before removing my hood. I do not know what it was about her, but I could not look away from her piercing stare. I lower my head to a comfortable height for her. She places the necklaces around my neck. I held them in my hand, puzzled by her intention. I look back at her and can feel something warm coming from her and spreading through me.
"Young man, I do not know what is so complicated about your separation from your fox, but I know that it will work itself out eventually. As I have stated before, life is full of ups and downs and it is never meant for us to go through it alone. Once you find someone that you feel can help you through your life and you through theirs, then you hold on to them for as long as you can. I am giving you these necklaces as a promise that you will reunite with your fox and continue through your journeys together. Can you do this?"
I look back down at the necklaces one more time with a slight smile on my face before putting them under my jacket, next to the jewel Naruto gave me all those years ago. I face her with the contagious smile she is giving me. I nod in conformation of her promise. She steps aside and allows me to leave her store. With one last look, I turn towards her in time to see her mouth the words "good luck" before leaving both the store and village.
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I began my journey back to the campsite with my experience at that village staying with me. Every word, image, and emotion I felt while I was there resonates within my core, as if it was meant for me to be there. As if I it was a sign for me that something with Naruto is supposed to be happening in the near future. But that can't be right, can it?
It does not take me long until I return back to the campsite where Suigetsu, Jūgo, and Karin are waiting for me.
"Sasuke-kun, you're back!" Karin cheers.
"You enjoy your little nature walk?" Suigetsu chuckles.
"We were worried about you. You were gone a while and the sun is almost setting," Jūgo informs me.
Confused, I look down to see that the length of my shadow has stretched. I turn around and am surprised to see that the sun was actually setting. With a light chuckle, I turn back towards my team.
"So it is. Come, we need to find dinner,"
The group gets up to follow me. I do not say a word about the experiences that I had. It isn't until later when Jūgo and I are the only ones sitting around the fading campfire. Karin and Suigetsu are sleeping on the ground, peacefully.
"This is the most quiet I think they'll ever be," Jūgo chuckles next to me. I nod in agreement. "Sasuke, I know you said nothing happened while you were gone, but when you came back you were different; calm even. You sure nothing happened?"
I let a few minutes pass before finally answer. "I received both answers and hope for something I thought I might have lost,"
Jūgo accepts my answer with a quiet nod. He moves to lay down. We say our goodnights as I do the same. My eyes are focused on the twinkling stars above me. I start thinking of the images and emotions that are still resonating inside of me. My heart is beating at a normal speed, but it feels fuller than it usually does. I reach inside of my jacket to wrap my hand around the three necklaces that are clinging to my chest. Thoughts of Naruto run through my head and a slight bit of hope and sadness.
All I could think about is how sad I feel knowing that I potentially lied to that old woman. All this time, I've convinced myself that the chapter of Naruto and me has come to a permanent close. But, after talking to that woman today, I can feel a sudden burst of hope that maybe we will be able to be together again. I try to shake my head free of those hopeless thoughts, but they won't seem to leave me.
"The mind is a strong torture instrument,"
Realizing that getting rid of the feeling and thoughts is completely useless I roll onto my side and get comfortable. Having these feelings rocking me to sleep is comforting for once, and for once I am at peace and happy. Maybe I can hold onto this feeling just a little bit longer before it fades. Clenching the necklaces tighter in my hand, everything within me feels right.
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To Be Continued…