CHAPTER 22
Celeste sat quietly, Sasuke's photo held delicately in her hands. Her fingers brushed over the image, tracing the sharp lines of his face as if seeking some connection, some reassurance. His gaze, frozen in time, bore into her, a haunting reminder of everything she had lost and everything she yearned to reclaim.
She had to find her way back, no matter the cost.
The soft ping of her laptop broke the stillness, drawing her attention. She placed the picture down gently, her heart quickening as she turned toward the screen, bracing herself for what might come next.
She opened the email quickly, her heart pounding when she saw the subject line: "Invitation to Lunar Cross Institute."
Her hands trembled as she read the message.
"Dear Miss Furukawa,
We have reviewed your request and find your experience intriguing. However, due to the sensitive nature of our research, we must insist on an in-person meeting to discuss the matter further.
Please understand that access to our facilities is strictly conditional, and full cooperation will be required.
Attached, you will find the necessary details for your visit. We look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Evelyn Ward
Lunar Cross Institute"
Her pulse raced. This was it! The breakthrough she had been waiting for. The Codex Dimensio, the answers she sought, everything was finally within reach. She reached for the photo again, her fingers trembling as she lifted it from the desk.
"Sasuke," she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet filled with a desperate plea. "Please… wait for me."
The following days were a blur of preparation. Celeste packed her essentials and made arrangements for her absence from work. Her mind was too preoccupied with anticipation and nerves to care about the details.
When she arrived at the Lunar Cross Institute, she was struck by how unassuming it appeared from the outside. The building was modern and clean, but nothing about it suggested the groundbreaking research supposedly conducted within its walls.
She stepped inside, her footsteps echoing in the pristine hallways. A receptionist greeted her, leading her to a small conference room where a tall woman with sharp features and piercing green eyes awaited her.
"Miss Furukawa," the woman said, standing to shake her hand. "I'm Dr. Evelyn Ward. Please, have a seat."
Celeste nodded and sat, her hands gripping the edges of her chair. "Thank you for seeing me."
Dr. Ward offered a thin smile. "Your story is unusual, to say the least. Most of our inquiries are far less… compelling. Tell me, how certain are you that your experience wasn't a hallucination or dream?"
"I'm completely certain," she said firmly. "It was real. I lived there for three years. I know the difference between a dream and reality."
Dr. Ward studied her for a moment before nodding. "We've encountered cases similar to yours, though they're rare. Many involve near-death experiences or comas, much like your own. While the mechanisms aren't fully understood, we believe it may be possible to access these alternate realities through induced states."
Her breath caught. "You're saying you can send me back?"
The doctor hesitated. "Perhaps. But you must understand, the process is experimental. We've developed a method to induce a coma under controlled conditions, designed to replicate the state in which these dimensional crossings occur. However, it's not without risks."
"What kind of risks?" she asked, her voice steady despite the tension in her chest.
Dr. Ward's expression turned grave. "The mind is a delicate thing. Inducing a coma artificially could lead to permanent damage. Memory loss, cognitive decline, or worse. There's also the possibility that you won't wake up at all."
The words hung heavy in the air.
Celeste's hands tightened into fists. "But it's possible to succeed?"
Dr. Ward nodded slowly. "It's possible, but not guaranteed. We've only conducted a handful of trials, and the results have been… mixed. The probability of success is, at best, around 15%."
15%? She took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. The odds were slim and the risks were terrifying, but the thought of never seeing Sasuke again was worse.
"I'll do it," she said firmly, her voice unwavering.
Dr. Ward studied her carefully. "This isn't a decision to make lightly. You'll need time to consider—"
"I don't need time," she interrupted. "I've already decided. If there's a chance I can get back to that world, I'll take it."
For a moment, the doctor said nothing, her sharp gaze assessing Celeste's resolve. Finally, she nodded. "Very well. We'll need to run some tests first, but if everything checks out, we can proceed."
Her heart raced. This was it... her chance to go back.
As Dr. Ward outlined the preparations for the procedure, Celeste's mind drifted to the picture of Sasuke on her desk. The risks didn't matter. She had already made her choice.
She would return to him, or she wouldn't return at all.
As she waited for the results, Celeste walked along the paved path, her thoughts heavy yet purposeful. The crisp air carried a faint scent of salt from the nearby cliffside, where the land dropped steeply into the sea below. Her mind raced as she strolled toward the fence marking the cliff's edge. It was a quiet spot, far from the bustling hospital entrance. She stopped by the railing, her fingers brushing the cold metal as she gazed out at the horizon.
The possibility of seeing Sasuke again filled her with equal parts hope and fear. Her heart ached at the thought of returning to his world, of hearing his voice, feeling his touch. But doubt crept in like a shadow. What if he had moved on? What if the Sasuke she loved no longer existed in that world?
She shook her head, forcing herself to breathe deeply.
It's worth it.
Even if he didn't remember her, even if her return changed nothing, the chance to see him one last time was better than living in this world; empty and without him. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned, her eyes narrowing as her younger sister approached, her heels clicking against the pavement.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice cold.
Mina crossed her arms, a smug smile playing on her lips. "I could ask you the same thing. Wandering around when you should be finalizing your preparations for that… ridiculous experiment."
Her jaw tightened. "What I do isn't any of your business."
"Oh, but it is," her sister replied, stepping closer. "I heard about the induced coma. You're risking your life for some fantasy world? Have you completely lost your mind?"
Celeste's hands clenched into fists. "You don't understand. You will never understand. This isn't about you or anyone else. This is my choice."
Mina laughed, a cruel sound that echoed in the silence. "Your choice? Do you think I'll let you throw everything away without considering the consequences? Have you even thought about your will?"
She stiffened. "What about it?"
"Don't play dumb," her sister snapped. "You left everything to charity and your employees. Nothing for me. Nothing for the family."
"Because you don't deserve it," she said evenly, her voice sharp. "All you've ever cared about is money and power. You've never cared about me."
Her sister's eyes narrowed, her smile twisting into a sneer. "Fine. You want to throw your life away? Do it. But you'll change your will first."
"No." Celeste's voice was firm.
Mina's face darkened, fury flashing in her eyes. "You selfish—"
She lunged forward, grabbing Celeste by the arm.
"Let go," Celeste said, her voice low with warning.
"Not until you change it!" Mina shouted, shaking her.
The struggle brought them closer to the edge, the fragile fence groaning under their combined weight. She tried to pull away, but her sister's grip was ironclad.
"Stop it!" she yelled, but Mina was relentless. With a sudden, sharp movement, her sister shoved her. The rusted fence gave way with a loud snap, and her world tilted.
Time seemed to slow as she fell backward. The sky stretched above her, endless and cold, while the jagged cliffside blurred past her peripheral vision. Her heart pounded wildly, fear clawing at her chest. The wind roared in her ears, and for a moment, all she could feel was the sensation of falling; weightless, helpless.
Her thoughts splintered into fragments, but one name rose above the chaos, clear and desperate.
Sasuke.
She hit the water with a force that knocked the air from her lungs, pain shooting through her body as the icy depths swallowed her whole. The cold was paralyzing, her limbs refusing to move as she sank deeper into the dark abyss. Her chest burned, the need for air growing unbearable. She opened her mouth, and water flooded in, choking her, suffocating her.
Her mind screamed for relief, for something, for someone.
Sasuke… please.
Her vision blurred, and the last thing she felt was the overwhelming pressure of the water around her before everything went black.
Celeste's eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, all she saw was endless darkness. A dull ache pulsed through her body, and her senses felt sluggish, as if she were drifting. Then, the sensation of soft grass beneath her skin registered, the scent of lavender thick in the air, gentle and familiar. The field stretched endlessly before her, soft purple blooms swaying in a breeze that was neither cold nor warm, just… perfect.
She inhaled slowly, and as the heaviness in her limbs faded, a strange clarity settled over her. This wasn't the cold abyss of the ocean. This wasn't the sterile walls of a hospital.
This was different.
She lay still, her body sinking into the soft grass beneath her. The air was quiet, serene, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she didn't feel the weight of her heartache.
"Maybe I should just stay here," she murmured, closing her eyes again, letting the peace wash over her.
But a voice broke through the stillness.
"You're here."
Her eyes snapped open, her heart racing as she sat up. She turned toward the voice, her breath catching in her throat. Standing a few feet away, amidst the sea of lavender, was a figure she recognized instantly. Hinata Hyuuga.
Hinata wore a serene smile, her pale lavender eyes soft and warm. There was an ethereal quality about her, as though she belonged to this place in a way she couldn't comprehend.
"H-Hinata…" she stammered, her voice trembling.
Hinata nodded gently. "Yes. I've been waiting for you."
She struggled to find her words, her mind reeling. "Where… where are we? What is this place?"
"This is where I found peace," Hinata said softly, her voice carrying an almost melodic calmness. "After everything… after the life I lived, I ended up here. And I am happy."
Her chest tightened. "You… you're happy?"
Hinata nodded again, stepping closer. "Yes. This place gave me the peace I always searched for. The weight of the clan, my fears, my regrets… all of it is gone now."
She swallowed hard, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Hinata. I didn't mean to—"
Hinata raised a hand, silencing her with a kind smile. "You don't need to apologize. You lived my life in ways I couldn't. You gave my family hope, strength. And for that, I am grateful."
"But—" she began, only to stop as a figure appeared in the distance, walking toward them.
It was a man, his dark hair framing his face, his presence commanding yet quiet. Celeste's breath caught as the man approached, his expression softening as his eyes met Hinata's.
"Hina," he said simply, his voice deep and calm.
Itachi Uchiha.
Hinata turned to him, her smile widening. She stepped closer, and Itachi draped his arm around her shoulders, their movements fluid and natural, as if they had been together forever.
Celeste's heart twisted as she watched them, the love and contentment between them palpable.
Hinata turned back to her, her expression still serene. "It's time for you to go."
She shook her head, her tears spilling over. "But I—"
"You have your own journey," Hinata said gently, her voice unwavering. "I've found my peace here, but your story isn't finished yet. You have a place where you belong. Don't lose sight of it."
The air around her shifted, a strange pull beginning to tug at her. Her vision blurred as if the world itself was unraveling.
"Hinata…" she whispered, reaching out.
Hinata smiled one last time, her lips moving silently as the pull grew stronger.
"Be happy."
The words echoed in her mind, wrapping around her like a whisper carried by the wind. The lavender field blurred, its colors bleeding into the encroaching darkness. The warmth of their presence faded, replaced by an eerie weightlessness, as if she were suspended in the void between dreams and reality.
Then... silence.
A breath.
She opened her eyes slowly, her vision blurry as the soft light of the room filtered through. The delicate scent of lavender lingered faintly, but it was quickly replaced by something else, something achingly familiar. The ceiling above her was a pale cream, decorated with wooden beams she recognized instantly. She blinked, her heart skipping as her surroundings came into focus.
Her room.
In the Hyuuga compound.
A shaky exhale escaped her lips. She pushed herself upright, expecting the dull ache of exhaustion, the weight of what she had endured. But there was nothing. No weakness, no pain. Her body felt impossibly light, strong, as if she had never left.
Her gaze dropped to her hands, slender and pale. Hinata Hyuuga's hands. She flexed her fingers, watching the graceful motion, the way they responded effortlessly.
This isn't a dream.
The thought sent her heart hammering. The fall, the endless darkness, the lavender field where she had last seen her... it all felt like another lifetime, slipping further away with each breath.
A faint sound broke the silence, and her head snapped toward the window.
And there, perched on the sill, half-shrouded in shadow, was him.
Sasuke.
Time seemed to collapse, the air between them charged with something electric, something unspoken. He had frozen mid-motion, one foot inside, his fingers gripping the wooden frame as though he had been climbing through the window when he saw her.
His dark eyes—wide, disbelieving—locked onto hers.
She couldn't breathe.
The years had changed him. His jaw was sharper, his features more defined, his presence heavier, more commanding. Yet beneath it all, he was still Sasuke, the man she had held in her heart even when torn apart by worlds.
The world outside ceased to exist.
And then—
He moved.
A single breath passed before he was in front of her, his presence overwhelming, his scent, storm and steel, crashing over her senses. His hands cupped her face, firm yet trembling, his thumbs ghosting over her cheeks as if she might disappear. His breath was ragged, his body taut with something raw, something barely contained.
Then his lips crashed against hers.
A sob tore from her throat, swallowed by the desperate press of his mouth. It wasn't just a kiss; it was a claiming, a demand, a plea. A battle of emotions too fierce for words.
She melted into him, her hands fisting his shirt, anchoring herself as the world blurred. The way he kissed her, fierce, frantic, made her chest tighten, made the ache of separation unravel into something devastatingly real.
"Is it you?" Sasuke's voice was hoarse, fractured, his breath shaking against her lips. "Tell me it's you."
Tears spilled down her cheeks as she nodded, her voice trembling. "Yes... It's me… I'm back."
A shudder ran through him, and then he was everywhere—his hands mapping her face, her arms, her hair, as if memorizing every inch of her all over again. His forehead pressed against hers, his breath uneven, his grip relentless. "Hinata…" He whispered her name like a prayer, like a vow.
Her fingers trembled as she reached for him, traced the angles of his face. The face she had once longed for, reached for in the dark. The warmth of his skin burned beneath her fingertips, searing into her soul.
"I thought I lost you," she choked out, her voice trembling, raw with every ounce of fear and longing she had carried. "I thought I'd never see you again." A sob wracked her as she clung to him, her fingers curling desperately into his clothes. The weight of everything, every moment of separation, every unanswered prayer, crashed over her all at once.
Sasuke exhaled sharply, his grip tightening around her, as if bracing against the very idea of losing her again. He pulled back just enough to look at her, his dark eyes searching, burning.
"You were never lost to me," he murmured, his voice low but steady, filled with something unshakable. "No matter how long... I would have waited for you."
Her breath hitched, her tears falling faster.
His hand lifted, brushing them away with a gentleness that shattered her. Then, with quiet finality, he whispered, "And now that you're here... I'm never letting you go."
His arms closed around her, fierce and unrelenting, as if holding on to the one thing he could never afford to lose. Suddenly, his eyes darkened, something unreadable flickering beneath their depths. His hands, still cradling her face, trembled ever so slightly. "Do you have any idea what you put me through?" His voice was low, rough, not with anger but with something far deeper, something that bordered on devastation.
She swallowed hard, guilt and longing tangling inside her. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I—"
But before she could say more, his lips crashed onto hers again, silencing every apology, every explanation. This kiss was different. Desperate, searching, as if he was trying to burn the memory of her into his soul, to make sure she wouldn't disappear again.
She felt it; the anguish, the longing, the unspoken words trapped between them. And she kissed him back with just as much intensity, pouring everything into him, letting him feel that she was real, that she was here.
When they finally broke apart, their breaths uneven, he pressed his forehead to hers. "Just... don't ever do that again," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "I don't think I could survive it a second time."
Tears welled in her eyes again, her chest tightening at the sheer weight of his words. "You won't have to."
Sasuke let out a breath, something between a scoff and a laugh, but his hands never left her. His thumb brushed against her cheek, wiping away a stray tear.
"You're back," he said, as if he still needed to convince himself.
Hinata nodded, her hands sliding up to rest against his chest, feeling the steady, reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat. "I'm back."
This time, when he pulled her into his arms, it wasn't frantic or desperate; it was steady, certain. And she melted into him, knowing that neither of them would ever let go.
The door slid open with a forceful snap, and Hanabi was the first to rush in, her breath hitched, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Onee-san?" she whispered, as if saying the word too loudly might shatter the fragile reality before her.
Her sister, who had been lost to them for what felt like forever, was awake. And she was in Sasuke Uchiha's arms.
Behind her, Neji and Hiashi entered, their normally composed faces a mix of shock and something raw, something unspoken. Hiashi's sharp gaze locked onto his daughter, his lips parting slightly, but no words came.
Hanabi took another step forward, her body trembling. "I—" Her voice failed her, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. And then, in an instant, she closed the distance, throwing herself into her arms. "You're back! Oh, gods, you're back!"
Her breath caught as she felt her sister's warmth, Hanabi's desperate grip, the way she clung to her like she was afraid she'd disappear again. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she buried her face in Hanabi's hair. "Hanabi," she whispered, her voice breaking, as she tightened her hold. "I'm back."
Neji exhaled sharply, something unreadable flashing in his pale eyes before he stepped closer. He didn't say anything at first, just looked at her, his intense stare taking her in, as if trying to confirm that she was real.
"It worked," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "The ritual worked."
She turned to him, the weight of those words settling deep in her chest. She reached for his hand hesitantly, as if seeking an anchor. When his fingers closed around hers, firm and steady, a fresh wave of emotion surged through her.
"Thank you," she said softly. "for not giving up on me."
Hiashi finally spoke, his voice quieter than usual. "Is it truly you?"
She turned to him, her lips trembling. "Yes… Tou-sama. It's me."
Hiashi inhaled sharply, his jaw tightening as he studied her face. Then, for the briefest moment, his expression cracked. Relief flickered in his pale eyes, though his hands clenched at his sides, holding back emotions too heavy to name.
"You were gone for so long," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We thought—"
"You thought I wouldn't come back," she finished gently. "But I did."
She pulled away from Hanabi just enough to face them all, taking in the family who had fought so hard to bring her back.
Sasuke, who had remained quiet, finally spoke. His voice was calm, but there was something resolute beneath it. "It wasn't just the ritual."
Everyone turned to him.
"It wasn't just us reaching for her." He said, his gaze unwavering as it rested on her face. "She was reaching back."
She met his eyes, something unspoken passing between them. Yes. She had fought. Through the unknown, through fear. She didn't know what had happened to the body she left behind, but she had fought to return to the people she loved.
Hanabi sniffled, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand. "You scared us, Onee-san."
She smiled shakily, cupping Hanabi's face in her hands. "I know," she murmured. "I didn't mean to… I never wanted to leave you."
Hiashi cleared his throat, his usually firm demeanor wavering. He took a slow breath, as if steadying himself. "You're home," he said, his voice softer than before. "That is what matters." He paused, his gaze lingering on her, as if still trying to believe she was truly standing before him. "There is much we don't understand… but that can wait." His expression softened, just slightly. "For now, you should rest. You've been through enough."
She nodded, though the warmth in her chest remained.
Neji stepped closer, his hand resting firmly on her shoulder. His grip was steady, grounding. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, all he said was—
"Welcome home."
Her breath hitched, her eyes stinging. Her gaze swept over the familiar faces and the walls of her room. The ache of longing that had consumed her for so long began to ease.
She was home.
END.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it! Did the ending feel rushed? I didn't want to stretch it out too much, but I'll just make it up with an epilogue. Promise!
If you feel like I left something out and it's bugging you so much that you can't sleep, drop it in the reviews! Who knows? I might be able to weave something for it, lol!
LB Cat, thank you for always reviewing and sticking with me until the end! Stay safe too!
Thanks again everyone, Ja!