"Then I will take responsibility for you. Would that be enough?"
Satoru descended after ensuring that his life would be spared.
_Would that be okay with your ancestors? Gojo and Uchiha clans were close anyway, I'm sure our elders will be glad if we…
_Stop talking right there - she could not listen to another word. This fucking arrogant bastard thought everything was just a joke.
_I'm not joking - as if he could read her mind. His voice became serious. She remained silent, and returned to the basement. She could not think about this nonsense right now, there were more important things to do. And he was not one of them.
He scratched his cheek, carefully not touching the marks she left on his face. He had to admit his behaviors had been bizarre recently, especially around her. He did not feel like himself anymore.
Returning to the basement, she groaned at the amount of documents and books, wondering how long it would take to get through all. When she was about to give up, a thin strain of energy guided her to the furthest section of the library. Hidden behind a stack of old, worn-out books, she found a package wrapped in a leather cover. The Uchiha symbol emerged after the layer of dust was blown away.
Her eyes were wide open at the content inside, "this is Madara's journal!"
Uchiha Madara wa the second strongest leader of the Uchiha clan, ranking only after Otsutsuki Indra - the Uchiha clan's founder. He was respected by all members of the clan, except for Danzou, a rebellious radical. He was Kira's most respected person outside of her family. She believed in his way of being a jujutsu sorcerer, which is to protect those we loved and innocent civilians without curse power. She also hated him the most because nobody was as hard on her as him. Day or night, summer or winter, hot or cold, he would never give her a break, even after her death.
_Oi…Kira - Satoru reached the basement - are you still alive?
He looked through all the book rows until reaching the furthest row where he found her still back.
_Hey! - he tapped her shoulder and was dumbfounded at her crying face - what happened? Did you get hurt?
He panicked, his chest tightened as if all air was squeezed out of him. He could not breathe. He hated crying people and he definitely did not know how to take care of one. He was baffled.
_Hey…hey… calm down. Shit, talk to me. Please? - he urged, concern coated his voice. Should he slap her? Satoru heard somewhere that the introduction of shock could stun people out of their current feelings.
Thanks Kami-sama she stopped crying before he could do anything.
_I'm good - she wiped tears from her face and cleared her voice - I found what I was looking for. We can go now.
Her voice was hoarse, sounding like she had been crying for a long time.
Satoru hesitated, he should say something to comfort her. He was never good at these types of situations and so he did what he thought would be best. He took her into his arms, embracing her tightly, with all his might.
_What are you…? - she protested, trying to push him away.
_Just stay still, I'm trying to comfort you, kiddo.
She struggled but lost to his strength.
"Maybe just this time" - she gave up and leaned in, buried her face in his broad shoulder, completely relaxed.
When was the last time someone hugged her? Father was a strong, tall, and well-built man, his hug was rough. Mother's hug was always soft and Itachi's hug was calming. Being hugged by Satoru was different. She felt the roughness of his strong body against her. She felt the softness of his arms around her like she was a delicate creature, a strong grip would shatter her into pieces. She felt calm and above all, she felt peaceful, like nothing mattered anymore. Her clan, her missions, her brother, everything was shunned out of her mind.
Satoru, on the other hand, tried to remain as calm as possible. He did not want her to know that he was nervous, that this was the first time he hugged someone besides his parents. She was smaller and softer than how she looked. Her hair was soft and it smelled so nice. She smelled like Fall - his favorite season.
_It's so nice to see Master Satoru's friend - Chiyou, an old lady who took care of the estate, exclaimed while preparing a Yukata for her. It was already 7 PM when Satoru came down to the basement, so they had to stay overnight for safety. Plus, Kira had not finished reading through Madara's journal yet. Looking at the journal on the table, she sighed.
_What is it that makes you look like that? - Satoru came in.
_Master Satoru! You cannot just barge into a lady's room without permission! - Chiyou yelled. Her eyebrows furrowed together, displeased with his behavior.
_It's okay Chiyou-baachan, I already promised to take responsibility for her - he smiled brightly - it should be fine.
_Really? Are you too that…that… - Chiyou looked at him playfully.
_Yep
_Nope
Both said at the same time, she glared at him.
_Okay, I want some alone time. Both of you, please step outside - She shooed them off and closed the bathhouse door.
After a nice long bath and an amazing dinner, she felt significantly better and joined Satoru at the front deck, below the eaves, for tea. The scenery was peaceful, reminding her of the time she had with her parents before the reincarnation.
_You know why I cried earlier? - she was emotional and wanted to talk out loud. His silence signaled her to keep going - I was angry at myself for forgetting my brother, Itachi.
_When I died, I went somewhere similar to this place. Father and Mother were there, but Itachi was not - she shook her head and chuckled, laughing at herself - I kept complaining about how people forgot about the Uchiha clan when I completely forgot about my brother, Itachi.
_Was it because of the reincarnation spell? - he asked.
_I don't know - she sighed, unsure how many times she sighed today already - but since I forgot my brother, I have to assume that I may have missed a lot more details, which is not good.
_At least you have me - Satoru gave a thumb up, pointing at him.
_Hahaha, whatever - she chuckled. Her face saddened, thinking about what was written in Madara's journey about Itachi's fate.
_You don't believe me? - he snored, then turned to cup her face, making their faces inches away from each other. At this distance, she could see how shiny his blue eyes were as if he carried the entire ocean in them - I told you, I will, no I am taking responsibility for you, not just because I looked under your shirt. But….but…
He did not know how to convey his feelings.
_Shit. I don't like it when you are sad or anxious. And I definitely don't enjoy it when you hang around with your class president or any male students, so don't do that. I still don't know what these feelings are. But until I know, I want to be around you.
Every single word from Satoru was like lightning striking down her head. She was entranced upon hearing his confession.
"Please Kami-sama, if you exist, please do not make him into another Itachi" - tears began to fall, but she kept looking at him. Her heart ached, nobody had ever shown this much affection for her besides her family, besides her brother - "Is it fate? Or do you just want to torture me by taking people from me, Kami-sama? You took my family, my clan, and Kikyo. Isn't that enough?"
He wiped her tears away with his thumbs, looking at her gently. He never looked at her this close and this long. He took in her appearance: her jet-black hair, her still, clear, bottomless black eyes, her rosy cheek, her pale lips, and her small nose. Each feature of her face was not stunning by any means, but when everything was put together, he was mesmerized, he could not look away.
"Ah. For someone from the Heian period, you look adorable, Kira." - Satoru thought to himself, trying to control the urge to touch her face.
Satoru did not have a type. When that woman Tsukumo Yuki asked for his type of woman, he ignored her. But now, if she asked again, he would describe his type as strong but fragile, just like her.
Sukuna's killing weapon or not, he wanted to stay by her side and share some of the burden she was carrying. That's the least he could do. He would soon become the strongest sorcerer of this time, then maybe, maybe he could find a way for her to live after killing Sukuna himself.
_Damn…I think I might have taken a liking to you.
_Have you read Madara's journal? - she cleared her voice, heat still radiating from her burning red face after hearing his confession.
_It's ancient Japanese, I cannot read it - he looked away, could not believe what he just said either.
_Okay… - she tried to calm her heartbeat - before you go any further with your feelings, I need to tell you about something.
He nodded and she recalled what was written in Madara's journal.
_To fully activate the Eyes of Death and Souls, an ultimate blood sacrifice was made - her voice was so soft that it was barely audible - that ultimate blood scarification was my brother.
_Tsch…Your Eyes and clan are brutal - he commented - mine did not ask for anything. Just me.
_Hn…There is always a price to become the strongest - she looked away from him, sighing yet again - Our clan, as the strongest, had the responsibility to sacrifice for the world.
They both did not say anything. Everything was so quiet.
_But your brother was your blood. I'm not your blood so will it work? - she was stunned at his words. Didn't he hear what she just said? She basically said that the more feeling he grew for her, the more likely he would become the price she had to pay - My promise to you remains, what you just told me would not change anything.
"Is he dumb?" - her eyebrows twitched.
_You don't understand...
_No, I hear you loud and clear. I am willing to do that - he tapped her forehead gently - I know it took you and your clan a great price to defeat Sukuna. I would do the same for you and this world. It's my way of being a jujutsu sorcerer. Plus, if we failed and Sukuna lived, we would die anyway.
Her eyes widened as he reminded her of Uchiha Madara, the leader she respected the most - "to possess power as a jujutsu sorcerer means to protect those without power and your loved one. Power comes with responsibilities, remember that, Kira."
She semi-gave up and left the matter until tomorrow. Today had been a hell of a day for her already.
_I'm going to bed, good night, Satoru - she said, standing up to leave.
_No goodbye kiss? Ouch…. - he spoke playfully, making her flushed again.
The corner of her mouth jerked with anger, what could she do to shut this fucking arrogant bastard up? Then it came to her and she did the one thing that Satoru never expected, not even in his dream.
She grabbed his collar, yanked him so hard toward her, and kissed him on the lips.
Satoru was stupified into a statue and he could not utter a single word to her that night or the next day.
Note: Thank you so much for making this far! If you enjoy the story, please feel free to leave a note or a review :). Have a wonderful weekend everyone!