Chapter 179: Parting Ways
Sasuko gently released her embrace, studying Naruko's now much calmer expression.
"Want to sit in the garden?" she suggested softly. "The weather's beautiful today."
Naruko nodded, following Sasuko to the courtyard.
They sat side by side on the veranda's edge, watching afternoon light slant across the garden.
Sasuko rose to fetch a freshly brewed pot of jasmine tea, its refreshing fragrance rising with the steam.
"Actually..." Naruko held the warm teacup, suddenly speaking up. "I'm planning to travel for a while."
Sasuko's pouring motion paused slightly as she looked at Naruko. "Where to?"
"Haven't decided yet." Naruko watched swaying tree shadows in the garden. "Maybe visit the hot springs in Hot Water Country first, or try new tea in Tea Country... that's what it's called, right? Anyway, just... clearing my head."
She turned to Sasuko with a faint smile. "Don't worry. I'm pretty strong, you know. And... it's time I learned to wander around on my own."
Sasuko remained silent briefly before pushing a filled teacup before her. "How long will you be gone?"
"Not too long." Naruko accepted the cup, fingertips sensing the warm porcelain. "I'll come back once I've sorted things out. After all... there are people here waiting for me."
"I'll come with you." Sasuko said softly.
Naruko shook her head. "No need."
Seeing Sasuko's gaze still carrying worry, Naruko couldn't help smiling. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not that fragile. I won't do anything foolish."
She gently returned the teacup to the tray, tone lightening. "I just want to see different scenery and... properly sort out my feelings."
Sunlight filtered through leaf gaps, casting dappled shadows on her face.
That smile, though faint, no longer carried yesterday's gloom.
"When are you leaving?"
"Day after tomorrow." Naruko watched sparrows playing in the garden. "While the weather's good."
"Tomorrow I'll go talk to Granny Tsunade first."
---
Both fell silent momentarily.
Naruko watched Sasuko's expression before recovering her usual playful manner.
She reached out to pinch Sasuko's soft cheek. "Hey, what's wrong? Can't bear to part with Lady Naruko?"
Unexpectedly, this time Sasuko didn't shyly bat her hand away as usual but gently nodded instead.
This response left Naruko momentarily stunned.
Seeing the vague loss in Sasuko's eyes, she hastily comforted softly, "Don't worry. I'll write often. And remember—I know Flying Thunder God too. Coming back is just an instant away."
Sasuko naturally understood. Naruko mastered Flying Thunder God technique just like her. Distance was never the issue.
But this time was different.
Naruko's eyes remained azure as clear skies, bright as always, yet something had quietly changed.
From start to finish, Naruko had been chasing an unreachable phantom, running alone on a destined fruitless path.
This so-called journey felt more like a silent farewell.
From past to present, Naruko had always been utterly alone.
Though Naruko seemed to open her heart to everyone, she actually only ever showed them that lively, cheerful facade. Few could truly enter her inner world.
She was like a little sun—you could feel her warmth when near, but when you tried drawing closer, she'd maintain distance, letting you only sense that warmth.
Except for the person hidden in her heart...
Sasuko couldn't help saying, "I'll come visit you occasionally."
Only then did Naruko remember Sasuko had already left a Flying Thunder God mark on her.
She shook her head slightly, tone gentle yet firm:
"Sasuko, this time... I really want to travel alone."
Sasuko gazed at Naruko's determined expression, understanding she'd truly decided to leave. An impulse to ask her to stay surged within yet she couldn't find appropriate reasoning.
Naruko smiled gently at Sasuko, saying honestly, "Don't worry. I'll definitely return. Just... seeing you right now, I can't help thinking of him... Give me time to adjust, okay?"
"Will you, Sasuko?"
For Naruko, continuing to stay where he was would only deepen the reluctance in her heart. She needed to try creating distance.
Ultimately, Sasuko couldn't change Naruko's mind.
At dusk, Naruko waved to Sasuko, declining accompaniment before walking home alone.
About to leave the alley, Naruko couldn't help looking back.
Still only Sasuko's figure remained. She finally couldn't hold back tears. Facing away from Sasuko, she waved once more. Golden light flashed as her figure vanished.
Not until Naruko's form completely disappeared from view did Sasuko reluctantly withdraw her gaze.
She said softly to the empty courtyard, "Yu, I know you've been here all along. Come out."
The air rippled slightly as Yu's figure gradually materialized.
He stood beside the veranda pillar, expression complex as he gazed toward where Naruko had vanished.
"Why didn't you appear earlier?" Sasuko asked softly. "Naruko was actually... always waiting for you."
Yu remained silent for a long while before finally saying quietly, "Precisely because I knew she was waiting—that's why I couldn't appear."
Sasuko: "Just to say goodbye—even that's not okay?"
Yu gazed at deepening twilight, voice distant. "Some goodbyes hurt more the more formal they are."
He reached out to pat Sasuko's head, expression gentle yet tinged with sorrow.
Infected by his emotion, Sasuko unconsciously leaned into his embrace, raising her face to ask softly, "Yu, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Yu responded softly.
Yet Sasuko keenly sensed something amiss. "But I feel... you seem somewhat strange. Is it just because Naruko's leaving? She said she'll return. You don't need to worry too much."
"Mm."
Yu nodded, smiling at Sasuko again. "When Naruko leaves, let's go see her off."
Sasuko obediently agreed, yet watching Yu's smile, unease began stirring in her heart.
Strange.
Why was this feeling appearing more and more frequently?
She instinctively held Yu tighter.
Yu gently embraced Sasuko, sensing the warmth from the person in his arms, yet his gaze involuntarily turned toward distant horizons, as though wanting to pierce through clouds toward that unknowable shore.
Sasuko lightly pressed her cheek against Yu's chest, his steady heartbeat reaching her ears.
Yet somehow, this familiar sound tonight made her inexplicably anxious.
"Yu," she called softly, "you'll always stay with me, right?"
Yu tightened his arms embracing her, placing a light kiss on her crown:
"Yes."
Night wind swept through the garden, scattering several early-falling petals while dispersing their overlapping shadows.
"The wind's picking up," he said softly. "Let's go inside."
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