Chapter 36: PART 3.
"Among them are my teacher's children and his classmates. They are all the same age. The oldest is not much younger than me."
"Oh, I understand. They're not as young as I thought."
"Oh, right! Je..."
Mirai and Sara had a calm conversation, out of danger for the time being. A few hours ago, Mirai had safely taken the young queen home.
They were greeted with tears and screams, and Mirai was pushed aside as a crowd approached. Sara was surrounded by hugs and tears, many of them coming from herself.
Mirai was surprised by the way of life of the inhabitants. They lived in a way that those of their time would call "clandestine".
The weight of the word did not fall on the meaning Mirai was trying to convey. I used to find the right words, but children like Shikadai, who didn't overlook ambiguous attitudes, used words for completely different meanings.
Unfortunately, that habit was starting to affect her, too.
The kingdom of Rouran occupied several areas of the Land of the Wind. Almost every month they moved to a different place, and they enjoyed doing it. On her way, Mirai had witnessed all the journeys Sara had undertaken with her people.
He thought it was beautiful. In a way, all those people were Sarah's family. Seeing how she hugged them and thanked them in tears for their concern, showed the importance of these people to her.
It wasn't long before Mirai was welcomed with open arms.
"Thank you so much for bringing Sara-sama back!"
"Thank you very much!"
"We owe him our lives... Seriously..."
Mirai couldn't help but acknowledge all the thanks. More than just a gesture of courtesy and humility, it was a profound recognition that she wanted the recipient to understand.
That's why, after making sure that Mezu's only victim was okay, Mirai closed her lips tightly and promised herself to punish herself if she let out any extra words.
These people had been affected by his fault, and they should not have been involved in the problem. For that reason, when Sara invited her into her wagon, Mirai remained alert for any sign of doubt.
"I'll tell you all about it later." He said to Sara.
And that moment would come soon, though Mirai wished it would never happen if it meant keeping Sara and her people out of the question of time.
They were sitting face to face, sharing a cup of tea that one of Sarah's subjects had offered them in a metal thermos. The wagon moved calmly, and the sandy landscape offered them a relaxing view in moments of rest.
Given the situation, Mirai couldn't hide from Sara that she was a ninja. Therefore, when Mirai suggested that they move forward to avoid Mezu and his group, Sara and her people nodded without objection. Mirai wanted to stay away from them as much as possible and protect Rouran if necessary.
They had been talking for a long time. Mirai took the opportunity to explain her situation to Sara.
Refraining from giving too many details, Mirai explained that her village, near the Land of Fire, had been razed to the ground, and that only she and a few other ninja had managed to survive.
She testified that Mezu was a hitman wanted by her village as an extremely dangerous individual. However, all of the adults had perished before they could stop him, and it was possible that other enemies in their village were still on the loose.
Sara listened intently, asking questions about details that seemed important to her, and Mirai explained them carefully. It was evident that no one would overlook the fact that she came from the future, but mentioning it would raise suspicions that could be harmful.
Things were going well, and Sara listened without showing any signs of suspicion, until they came to the topic that Mirai had been dreading since the conversation began:
"Can you tell me more about that person called "The Ebony Shadow"?" Sara asked. Now that she was sure, she spoke in a calm tone and was willing to help, but avoiding details that she considered dangerous. "I've never heard a name like that, and I don't know anyone with those characteristics. But the fact that that person mentioned that place to you... I find it more than curious, in my opinion."
Mirai bit her tongue. The Old Woman had advised him not to mention that, but should she be so explicit?
"If I'm honest, Sara-sama..."
" Call me Sara, please." The redhead interrupted her. "The least I can do for my savior is to allow her this familiarity."
Mirai felt a warmth in her chest.
"Sara... san," she began. "That person, "The Ebony Shadow," is nothing more than an old woman who lives underground."
"Huh?" Sara looked up from her tea. "Underground?"
Sara had interpreted those words as "Live a little further under the Land of the Wind" or "Live far away from these lands."
But Mirai shook her head, feeling a lump in her throat.
"I don't know how, but we managed to hide from our enemies thanks to the fact that she provided us with shelter in an underground hiding place. It has corridors like those of an anthill and several entrances."
Mirai explained, gesturing with her hands to help Sara visualize the situation. He refrained from revealing the exact location of the hiding place's exit door, though he felt he could trust Sarah.
"My friends stay there while I try to find a job I can do."
Sara remained calm, but her determination to help her savior remained intact, feeling indebted for saving her life.
"Look, Sara-san, I... My job as a ninja is no longer viable." Mirai quickly thought of a white lie. She was uncomfortable under Sara's sincere gaze. Neither of them had intentions to deceive the other, but humanity always prevailed. "We used to collaborate with other villages, but because of our problems, it's risky to ask them for help. That's why I'm forced to go on missions... Clandestine."
"That's very dangerous, Mirai-san!" The young queen's eyes widened. "Only murderers or thieves get involved in this type of work."
"Yes, I know, but I have no choice." Mirai added a little firmness to her serene tone. "It's what The Ebony Shadow has recommended to me. Besides, I'm sure I'll earn enough to survive..."
"It's unacceptable! I will never allow such a thing to happen on my watch!" Sara put her cup of tea aside and adopted an offended expression. "Mirai-san, I can't let you and your friends go through that while I'm here. Please let me help you and bring them along..."
"I appreciate your concern, Sara-san. But I can't accept that."
Surprise was reflected on the redhead's face at Mirai's serious tone. For a moment, he was speechless.
"But...!"
"Mezu could come back." Mirai interrupted, her gaze firm. "Or, in the worst case, more people like him could show up around here."
Sara was silent.
"Mirai-san..."
"Just as you cannot allow some things, I cannot allow others to get their hands dirty looking for the easiest way."
Mirai followed her own rules.
Both his mother and his teacher always taught him to help those who could not stand up for themselves and those who were willing to help others. Mirai regarded his encounter with Sarah as a divine blessing, and he had no doubt that it had been destined.
However, he couldn't involve Sara any more than necessary. I only needed it for one thing.
"But the Sunset..."
The young queen hesitated as she spoke.
"That place is full of extremely dangerous people. My situation is special for certain reasons..." Sara murmured, before rushing to continue when she saw Mirai's interest. "But I want you to keep something in mind, Mirai-san. If it's dangerous for customers, it's twice as dangerous for those who are hired."
Mirai looked away at her teacup. The almost finished drink shone in the last rays of the day's sun.
Not since the cataclysm had he enjoyed great pleasures like this. Beyond despair and desolation, he had only found solace in the Great Old Woman's food and coffee.
Mirai had been pondering this even before her encounter with Sara. I knew that if I over-analyzed the situation, I risked getting stuck. His master had left with that concern in mind.
"I am aware of the danger."
He meant 'because I was the one who stopped them.' But he decided to keep quiet about it.
"But I can't let myself be paralyzed by fear."
He also wanted to add 'because I've already lived through something much worse than that', but he swallowed it.
His plea was sincere and touched the heart of young Sarah, whose body responded to the call for help. Mirai watched her with eyes full of hope, showing her the pain she had experienced because of fear and loss.
Sara couldn't resist his request. Not when Mirai was in a similar situation to hers.
"Okay, Mirai-san. I will gladly help you. As I told you before I came, I can't turn back."
"Thank you very much!"
"But I must admit that I am worried." He added. "Even scared."
But Mirai, steadfast in her resolve and always concerned about others, did not back down. It was not necessary to express it in words, his decision was written in his eyes.
Sara accepted his reprimand and offered him a warm smile.
They spent time sharing information and enjoying the moment, sharing stories about their loved ones. Sara listened intently about Mirai's relationship with her teacher and how she had grown up without a father.
In a way, they had similar experiences. Sara had grown up without a father and had lost her mother when she was very young. Mirai had enjoyed time with her mother for a long time, but she had lost everything in front of her eyes.
They were similar in some ways.
The journey passed peacefully and Mirai immersed herself in the moment until Sara veered off to another path, leaving Mirai pondering the subject in her bubbling mind.
"The Bell Village is like a second home to me. It is small, but surrounded by mountains that reach the most imposing heights."
Mirai told Sara, whose eyes shone with admiration as she listened. The cart gently rocked them from side to side.
"It's hard to get there, but it won't be much work if I go with you. Tomorrow morning..."
Mirai stopped paying attention to the tea and bread, her eyes widened at Sara's words, and breadcrumbs adorned her lips.
"Sara-san...! ¿Said... 'tomorrow morning'?"
Sara's expression became confused.
"Yes, why?"
"Hih!"
Almost a screech escaped Mirai's throat. She quickly covered her face with her hands, ruffling her hair until her fingers burned.
Sara leaned back on the back of her seat, worried about Mirai's reaction, but she was only making muffled sounds.
When Sara approached, gently asking what was wrong, Mirai seemed to have forgotten an important detail.
Mirai raised her head, looking up at the ceiling. His hands were still clinging to his disheveled hair as he wailed loudly.
"I'm supposed to be back before tomorrow... Curse..."
"Huh? Do you have a time limit?" Sara asked doubtfully. Finding himself in his wagon, which also served as his room, he quickly consulted a watch. "But with this rhythm, the floats..."
"I have no choice." Mirai replied. When Sara saw her stand up, with an apologetic expression on her face, Mirai clasped her hands together in forgiveness. "I'm sorry, Sara-san. But I'll have to go back. I shall soon meet you on the journey to-morrow."
"What? Are you going to do that, Mirai-san?" Sara literally jumped out of her seat and grabbed Mirai's arm. "That's definitely not a good idea! Didn't you hear me? It's hard to get there if you don't know the way!"
"Ah!"
Mirai realized it too late. Once again, she felt disappointed in herself and covered her face with her hands again while muttering in a low voice.
"Mirai-san, please don't make such hasty decisions..."
"I know, I know, and I'm sorry!" Mirai apologized. "But I have a lot of things on my mind... Damn, hell..."
"..."
Sara raised both hands in response. I wasn't sure how to react.
Their savior was strange in many ways. She was tender but not childish, kind but not submissive. He had a unique way of thinking that he found impressive.
I had never met anyone like that. The children in her village came close to such behavior, but the young women tended to act more traditionally, ashamed to show their true nature.
Mirai was different.
"Huh?"
Mirai raised her head when Sara opened the door of the wagon and peered onto the wooden step. Sara seemed to be considering something, staring blankly past Mirai.
"Sara-sama!"
A subject of the young woman approached the side of the wagon. Mirai had seen him come in and stay next to them for quite some time, so she guessed he was taking a short break in the back.
"Otto-san." Sara called. "I'm going to go ahead with Mirai-san to the village. Can I leave you in charge of the rest?"
Hearing that perplexed Mirai.
"Will it come out right now?"
The man, apparently named "Otto," almost exclaimed, but he restrained himself. He hadn't even started speaking when Sara was pulling Mirai aside to pack some basic provisions into a sand-colored bag.
"It's very dangerous! Look what happened to him! What if something bad happens to him again? I'm sorry, but I absolutely refuse."
"Thank you so much for worrying, Otto-san. But it is not necessary."
"Huh?"
Before Mirai could refuse or say anything to assuage the man's worries, her arm was wrapped around Sara's. The queen of Rouran was a little shorter than Mirai, and she was even shorter because of the little space in the cart.
She was smiling energetically.
"You're seeing my savior." He said. "Mirai-san is a ninja and she rescued me! What could happen to me being with her?"
"This... I'm still worried about you." Oto said, putting his weight on the step of the cart to avoid walking beside him. "If those men come back..."
"Please, Otto." Sara stared at him, her blue eyes shining in the slowly setting sunlight. "I need to show my gratitude to Mirai-san. Don't you think it's a blessing that someone like her rescued me?"
Otto was perplexed. Mirai didn't know whether to look at the queen or the nervous man. Although she tried to refuse help, the grip on her arm was strengthened when Sara perceived signs of denial.
Sarutobi didn't know it, but her name, the one her father affectionately gave her through her mother, brought with it a subject that Sara and Oto hadn't addressed for a long time.
The future...
The future is sometimes not as bright as it seems, and it can even be darker than the past. But it was known that, by watching your steps and fighting hard, you could beautify the future; create it with your own hands.
Likewise, when the black-haired woman was present in front of the inhabitants of Rouran, Oto did not overlook her name.
A short name, but full of hope, like the tinkling of fresh childhood bells.
They all shared a future.
And I didn't know if I could also say that people shared the same fate.
Sara had always been a quiet and will-filled child. But he had never had that look in his eyes before, as he clenched his fists decisively in front of his face.
When he saw the young queen walking away through the dunes in the company of that young ninja, Oto couldn't help but think of just one thing.
"Only parents know why they call their children."
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