Chapter 10: Farewell

'Thoughts'


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A week has passed since the incident, five days since I was released from the hospital and told to remain in the manor.

Slumping on the ground I stared at the ceiling, eyes scanning the little bumps and ridges. I had finished the books Michiko-san had brought me as well as the books Yashamaru-san had dropped off not even a day ago. 'Maybe I should sneak out. No one will notice.' I thought slumping to my side watching as my bangs slowly covered my eyes. Strand by strand each of them passed by eyes 'Blond...blond…' I repeated internally watching the strands cross my vision. 'Red?' I thought seeing a singular red hair strand.

Grabbing the strand I rubbed it with my fingers but it still had the same red coloring. "Ow," I said as I plucked out the hair, looking at my hand I twirled the strand around admiring its bright color. 'Bloodred' was the color that came to mind.

'He knew…. How did he know my hair will turn red?' I thought throwing the hair away in the bin, thinking more I noticed the other odd things that have been happening to me recently. 'My hands and feet have become colder to the point where frost starts to appear. When I sleep at night I wake up a few hours later and I am no longer sleepy. Am I even sleeping?' Slumping down I sighed. 'What's wrong with me?' Something inside clicked 'I need to go home soon and ask Shakko-kun and the lady. They must know. But how will I get there…?'


Crouching in the hallway I closed my eyes focusing to see who was around me. Temari-as she told me to call her-was in the living room along with her brother, Kankuro-kun, who was bending over the coffee table scribbling on something probably doing their homework while Yashamaru-san was nowhere near my range.

I had to go to the library, find a map and a way back home. I need answers.

Opening my eyes I tipped toed quietly down the stairs, I turned around the corner with the door in my sight.

"Yukino-chan." Turning to the owner of the cheerful voice I saw Temari smiling brightly. "What were you doing?" She asked walking up to me, standing up straight I sighed internally 'So close.'

"Looking for you." I lied, tucking my hands into my pockets fiddling with the stones I've had since I arrived "I'm bored."

"Then help me with my homework, now that you can see." She said pulling me towards the living room.

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"10. In which land is Sunagakure located?" Temari said out loud reading the final question from her sheet. "Hmm... I don't remember…," she said leaning back taping her pencil to her head, I doubted what she said since I couldn't understand the previous questions so I chose to answer anyways.

"B. The land of wind," I stated pointing to the question. "You know that," I said leaning against the couch.

"Yeah, even I know that," Kankuro-kun said from across me leaning over the coffee table scribbling on his homework. Leaning forward I could see that he had the same question and was erasing a different answer.

"I just wanted to know if you knew." She said circling her answer. "And... done. Want to see how I train?"

Nodding eagerly I stood up. "Can you teach me?"

"Sure. Let me put away my stuff," she said gathering her items in her hands. "Wait by the door."

Standing up I brushed my dress saying bye to Kankuro-kun on my way out.


"So you aim to where your target is and… release!" Thk. She said as the kunai landed on the center of the target. "See. Now you try." Handing over one of her kunais. I grasped it in between my index and middle finger like she did.

Stretching out my arm toward the target I pulled my arm back and threw the kunai letting it slip from my fingers and towards the target. Thk. It landed on the target but not in the center like hers.

"Not bad. Most wouldn't even hit the target at all." She said ruffling my hair.

"Stop. I'll have to brush it again…" I whined but that didn't stop her.

"Then I'll brush it when we get back." Saying this she stopped and ran to the target plucking the kunais lodged there and carefully placed them back into her pouch.

"Race you home!" She yelled running past me.

"Hey!" I called out running after her pulling my dress up a bit.


Not far from the manor I saw Temari slow down in front of me, reaching her I could see around the corner both Yashamaru-san and Houki-dono talking to each other with grim faces and we glanced at each other. 'Last time they were together was at the hospital.'

"I'll brush your hair later." She whispered to me before stepping forward "Yashamaru oji-san!" Temari called out, waving to her uncle breaking the silence.

Following after her, I saw him wave at her before his eyes landed on me. "Yukino-chan. Houki-dono wishes to speak with you." He said gesturing to the beautiful woman next to him dressed in equally beautiful clothing.

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After ushering Kankuro-kun and Temari out of the living room Houki-dono sat down on the couch. Standing across her and the coffee table I glanced back and forth between Yashamaru-san, who was standing by my side and at her.

"I accepted to sign the scroll." She stated simply brushing a single black strand of her hair behind her ear. "On the condition that they accept my terms." She added pulling a brown scroll out of her sleeve and placing it on the table between us. "Deliver it." She stated before standing up and heading towards the exit. "Shame I won't see you return the scroll, you were interesting. Farewell." She said before leaving.

After a while of silence, I bent down to pick up the scroll and asked, "Do I leave now?"

"No. Rest for today, you can leave tomorrow." He said sighing and shaking his head. Nodding I placed the scroll in my pocket. "Can I go say goodbye."

Nodding he led me outside.


Library-entrance

"Hi, Michiko-san!" I said upon seeing her organizing the books on the second floor.

"Hello, Yukino-chan." she said beaming brightly while waving.

Climbing up the stairs I arrived at the shelf she was at "Michiko-san. I'm going back home."

"Really where?" She said stopping.

"Konoha."

"THAT far? And alone?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"But the heat," she said waving at the air, "do you have a cloak to protect you from the heat?" Shaking my head in response she quickly placed the books back. "We can't have that. Let's go buy you one," she said enthusiastically going down the stairs.


Market Place

"Hmm… maybe this one but it's too long…." She said holding up a white cloak with a blue line on its hood next to me.

"Mam, I assure you this cloak is great for traveling across our hot desert. Not only that but it looks great for normal use." Seeing as to how she still wasn't convinced he added more. "We can also adjust the size for the little one."

"Really that would be fantastic! Can you-" tapping her arm she turned towards me. "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

"It's fine how it is."

"Really?" Nodding in response she turned back to the clerk, "We'll take it but do you think you have shoes her size?"

"Of course. Right away." The clerk said going to the other side of the store.

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"There, a perfect fit." The clerk said. Looking down at the sandals on my feet it felt and looked weird, but they matched Michiko-san's and everyone's else's shoes so I think they looked normal to them.

"We'll take the cloak and sandals," Michiko-san said turning halfway to the clerk.

"Sure let me bag it up." He said taking the cloak with him to the counter.

Placing my hands back in my pockets I felt the rocks, pulling out the round and shiny one I showed it to Michiko-san "Do you know what it is?"

"Its a pearl." She stated looking back at the clerk before turning quickly to look at my hand "Wait where did you get it?" she silently whispered.

"When I came here. This guy said that it will be useful to me." I said taking out the other rock and showing her.

"So they are yours."

"Yes."

"Do you know what they are?" Shaking my head in response she sat down next to me taking the semi-transparent one and rubbed it against a metal chair creating a scratch before returning it to me. "This is a pearl it is worth a lot of money," she said pointing to the round stone "but not as much as this one," she said pointing to the semi-transparent stone. "This is a diamond in its natural form. If you sell them you can get money for it, which you can use to buy other stuff."

"Oh…" I said placing the stones back in my pocket.

Not long after the clerk came back with the items in a bag, "Mam here, this is the price." The clerk said showing her a piece of paper with some numbers on it and saw her eyes widen as she started fidgeting with her dress. Standing up I took the round stone out of my pocket and placed it discreetly in her hand, feeling my hand she looked back at me and nodded.

"Oh! Clumsy me I forgot my money at home but I hope this pearl will suffice." She said showing the pearl.

"Mam! That's too much for the shoes and cloak." The clerk fidgeted denying her offer.

"Then we'll… also, buy that satchel." She said pointing to a small bag matching the cloak. "As well as the canteen. Will that suffice?" at this the clerk nodded and gave her some money in return. Leaving the store with the sandals on, she put the sack of coins into the satchel and helped me carry the stuff back to the manor.

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After returning to my room and placing the items on the bed I left the manor and headed towards the park.

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Sitting down on the swing I pushed myself swinging back and forth with my eyes closed sensing for the boy. There were a couple of kids running around but none of them was the one that I was looking for.

Swinging to a stop with no luck I sighed opening my eyes. 'I wanted to say goodbye.' I thoughtlooking up at the changing sky, 'I need to go back.' Standing up I headed back to the manor not noticing the small figure watching from the edge of the park, on top of a building.


Once again, I woke up in the night. Laying on the ground I listened small sounds in the night, the drunks outside and the laughter of young people contrasting the absolute silence of this house. With the light from the moon illuminating the room, I sat up and opened the satchel, grabbing the pouch I placed it in an inside pocket. Standing up I went to the drawer and took out both scrolls and placed both scrolls together in the center, and placed the comb and the diamond in another pocket inside the bag, all that was left was the canteen.

Grabbing the canteen I opened the door silently leaving it open slightly before I slowly navigated my way down into the manor's kitchen.

Reaching the sink I climbed on a stool that I found near the doorway and opened the canteen, washing it as quietly as I could before filling it up.

Click.

Squinting at the sudden change in brightness my eyes burned and tears started to form, with one of my hands holding the canteen in the sink I used my other hand to rub my eyes. As I was trying to open my eyes to see who turned the lights on, all I could hear were small steps of the culprit running away.

Closing the canteen I turned off the water and placed it in the sink. Stumbling to the light switch I switched it off and tried adjusting to the dark room once again, blinking away the tears. Blinking a few times to get rid of the burning sensation I made my way back to the sink and grabbed the canteen, heading back to my room.


Sitting on the roof I watched the sky, waiting until the sun peaked out of the horizon, my signal to return to my room.

Sitting on the floor I put on the sandals, grabbing the satchel I grabbed the strap and put it over my head to my other shoulder so it could rest across my body diagonally. Grabbing the cloak I draped it over my shoulders and lifted the hood to cover my face.

'Ready.'

Opening the door I turned looking back at the room one last time before closing it behind me.

Step by step I went down, reaching the hallway I looked at the one across from me before turning towards the door. Hesitating in front of the door, I sighed taking off my cloak, placing it gently on the table in the hallway. 'Maybe I should wait till they wake up…' I thought taking off the satchel as well and placed it on top of the cloak.

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Standing once again in the now empty park I closed my eyes doing a clean sweep of the area before opening them, making my way back to the swings I sat down swinging myself softly back and forth on the swing.

Slowing down to a stop I looked down thinking. 'I hoped that at least that the seal will tell me where he is.' I thought urgently but nothing happened.

"I'm sorry." A voice from behind said. Sitting up abruptly I turned to look at the person behind me.

It was the boy I had waited for, he looked the same, still clutching his teddy bear and with messy hair this time, however, I could see it's sandy red color. 'It must be sort of common then.' I thought looking back at my wild theories.

"Its fine I just wanted to say goodbye," I spoke quietly looking up I noticed how the sun had risen considerably since I arrived.

Hearing the sand shift around us slightly my attention returned to him as he spoke up "Do you have to?" he asked as I could hear once again the sand around us shift slightly. 'Weird, I don't feel wind.'

"Yes." Looking at him I could see his gaze wouldn't meet mine.

"When…" he hesitated shifting his weight "will you come back?" He managed out finally making eye contact.

"I don't know," I said as his teal eyes started to glisten again and looked at the ground seeing that the sand had stopped moving.

"It's fine." He said forcing a smile looking back at me, crushing my heart a bit.

"Maybe soon, I'll have to ask," I added quickly, as the look disappeared.

"Really?!" He said enlighted, with teal eyes sparkling.

"Yes," I said.

Sticking out his pinky he held it towards me. "Do you promise?" Sticking out mine I nodded making the promise.

"But what's your name?" I asked holding onto his pinky.

I could see his hesitation as he looked away before muttering "Gaara." quietly and closing his eyes tightly.

'The name the villagers had thrown around…. So that's him.' making me realize why he had chosen hide it. "I didn't say my name. It's Yukino." I said making sure to leave out my last name. "I need to leave soon, but… wanna play for a while?" I asked pretending not to know, surprised he opened his eyes staring with disbelief before nodding slowly.


Kazekage Manor-Living room

"I always wanted to braid someone's hair," Temari said standing behind me separating my hair into three.

"Temari?"

"Yes," she replied while brushing the strands.

"You have two brothers right?" I asked remembering I only met one.

"You never saw Gaara did you?" She said

finishing the braid, taking a moment to realize what she said... "How could I forget." she started panicking. 'Gaara?'

"Does he have messy red hair and a teddy bear?" I asked.

"Yes…. wait did you meet him already?"

"I think." I said, "Does he have black rings around his eyes?" I asked tracing my fingers over my eyes even though she couldn't see from behind me.

"Yes, that's him!" She exclaimed as she quickly turned the chair around so I could face her. "What did you think of him?" She asked seriously, staring right at my eyes.

"Umm…. He was nice?"

'You are perfect' I heard her whisper to herself.

"Do you have a guy you like?"

"No?" I responded uncertainly.

"Good enough for me." She said standing up and calling for her uncle 'what?' I thought.

"What's wrong Temari-sama?" He said rushing to the doorway.

"Can she become my sister?" She said rushing up to me and hugging me in a tight grip.

"Temari-sama we can't..."

"Why not?"

"She has a home in Konohagakure."

"But-"

A familiar hand gripped the doorway drawing me away from the conversation "Michiko-san?" I interrupted seeing her peek out from the corner.

"Yukino-chan I came to drop off this." She said taking out a folded paper and unfolding it to show a map. "So you won't get lost on your way back."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Let me show you the best route to take." walking to the table she sat down setting the map flat. "See the desert is tricky the wind covers and uncovers things so everything may be different walking back." In the background I could hear Temari and Yashamaru-san talking so I shut them out focusing on the details Michiko-san was explaining and watched carefully as her index finger traced over certain parts of the map "-so it is easier to travel at night when it's cooler, for that you will need this." She said taking out another map. "Following the stars will tell you where you are," she explained proudly pushing up her glasses.


Sunagakure-Entrance

"Now at night what do you do?" Michiko-san questioned me to see if I remembered.

"Follow the stars."

"And at noon?"

"Find shade to avoid a heat stroke."

"You need to keep going the sooner you are out of the desert the better," Yashamaru-san added.

Fixing my cloak she said. "Good. Good. I think you are ready. Be careful out there." she said pushing me slightly towards the desert.

"I'll try bye," I said waving at them before turning around and walking towards the desert ahead. 'The dunes look different.' I thought not even taking five steps.

"Wait!" I heard a voice call out. Turning to see the owner of the voice I saw Temari gasping for air hands on her knees "Here." She gasped showing me a kunai with a green string attached to it. "To remember us," she said. Walking back I accepted the gift and placed it gently in my pocket.

"Thank you," I said.

"Be careful on your way back to your village, okay?" Michiko-san said, "and make sure to come to visit me if you come back." With a sorrowful look, she quickly hugged me before letting go. She waved goodbye at the small figure walking towards the setting sun.

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Sorry for taking so long. School work is hard. Just two more years of high school. Just two more years…. I maybe should've started this earlier like years before.

It's also taking longer finishing the drawing I made triple sorry.