Capítulo 39: Bonding
Temari guided them with an almost ceremonial solemnity, her every step deliberate, her silence reflective of the weight of her responsibility. Ryomaru observed this with a quiet respect, acknowledging the semblance of the burden they both shared. They were both children of Kage, marked by birthright and duty, expected to carry the heavy mantle of their fathers.
As they neared their destination, a sprawling sandstone structure, Temari finally broke the silence. "This will be your accommodations during your stay, Raikage-sama, Ryomaru-san." She gestured towards the building, its sun-baked walls radiating warmth under the late afternoon sun.
A glanced over the building, his expression as inscrutable as ever. "Thank you, lass," he responded, his voice as firm and unyielding as his stance.
As they entered the building, Ryomaru's eyes roved around the spacious interior, taking in the earthen decor, the furnishings a blend of simplicity and comfort. It was unlike his home in the Cloud Village, but there was a unique charm to its rustic aesthetics.
"Your rooms are this way." Temari's voice echoed in the quiet, leading them through a maze of corridors, before stopping in front of two adjacent doors. "Raikage-sama, your room is on the left, and Ryomaru-san, yours is on the right."
Ryomaru turned to her, inclining his head slightly in gratitude. "Thank you, Temari-san."
A ripple of surprise passed over Temari's features, quickly replaced by a small, tight-lipped smile. "You're welcome, Ryomaru," she replied, her voice softer than before.
Ryomaru shifted his gaze from the ornate walls of the interior to his father's towering figure. A light breeze swept through the open doorway, rustling his dark hair and carrying with it the unique scent of Sunagakure - sand and wind, foreign yet fascinating.
"Raikage-sama," he began, his voice resolute but a hint of excitement sneaking into his tone. "Can I go and see the village?"
A held his son's gaze for a moment, his features unreadable. The shadows etched by the setting sun created a complex pattern on his stern face, a silent testimony to the seriousness of their mission. A drawn-out sigh escaped his lips, a barely audible rumble resonating through the almost silent hallway.
"Don't get lost," he eventually grumbled, his voice as firm as the rocky terrain of their homeland, Kumo. His ice-blue eyes echoed a father's concern, wrapped in the layers of his Raikage persona.
A broad smile stretched across Ryomaru's face, making his eyes crinkle at the corners, a clear reflection of his joy. He waited patiently for A to step into his assigned room before turning to leave.
As Ryomaru made to exit, a soft voice echoed through the corridor. Temari approached, her confident strides a stark contrast to her relatively small stature. "I can show you around if you want," she offered, her sea-green eyes meeting his with a reassuring steadiness.
His smile widened even further, his excitement barely contained. "Thanks a lot. That would be amazing, Temari-san," Ryomaru responded, gratitude and anticipation shining in his ice-blue eyes. His tone, mature for his age, held a natural charm, a testament to his lineage and upbringing.
The fleeting silence that followed was interrupted by the subtle sounds of the desert evening - a distant hoot of a desert owl, the faint rustling of sand against the sun-baked walls. Ryomaru turned back towards the entrance, his eyes drawn to the diminishing glow of the sun painting the vast desert in hues of orange and red. It was a sight to behold - foreign, magnificent, and somehow, incredibly soothing.
Together, the young heirs began their journey into the heart of the Sand Village. The pathways were empty, save for the occasional passing shinobi, their faces marked by the severity of their duties. The serene silence of the evening was punctuated only by their soft footsteps and the faint whispering of the wind.
The sun was setting, the twilight casting long shadows on the pathways of the Sand Village as Ryomaru and Temari walked through the winding streets. The desert air was cooling down, the stark heat of the day giving way to a pleasantly mild evening. The wind whispered through the narrow alleys, rustling the loose sand that coated the ground. The entire village seemed to be bathed in an orange-red glow, making the sandstone buildings seem almost aflame.
"I imagine Cloud Village is nothing like this," Temari began, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. She gestured towards the expanse of the village, her sea-green eyes gleaming in the fading sunlight.
"You're right," Ryomaru responded, glancing around at the distinctive structures surrounding them, his eyes reflecting the flickering glow of the torches that were beginning to light up the pathways. "Our buildings are mainly constructed of wood, stone, and sometimes clay. They're built into the sides of the mountain ranges. Here, it's... different."
"Different good or different bad?" Temari asked, turning to him with a teasing smile.
"Different interesting," Ryomaru said, returning her smile with one of his own, his ice-blue eyes crinkling at the corners. "I've never been anywhere like this before. It's... unique."
Her smile widened at his words, a sense of pride clearly visible in her eyes. "Sunagakure is harsh and demanding, but it's also incredibly beautiful. It has a unique charm, one that I've grown to love."
As they continued their walk, they passed a bustling market, the vendors packing up their wares for the day, their lively chatter filling the air. Temari pointed out different landmarks along the way, her knowledge of the village both vast and detailed. Ryomaru was an eager listener, his questions insightful, a testament to his maturity.
At one point, they stopped near a towering sandstone sculpture, intricately designed and lit up by a few strategically placed lamps. "This," Temari began, her voice soft with reverence, "is a memorial to our fallen heroes, shinobi who gave their lives protecting the village."
Ryomaru's eyes softened as he looked at the memorial, the names etched onto the sandstone surface whispering tales of bravery and sacrifice. The solemnity of the moment seemed to cement the weight of their roles, their inherited responsibility from their fathers, the leaders of their respective villages.
"Cloud Village has something similar," Ryomaru shared, his gaze still fixed on the memorial. "It's made of obsidian, and the names are engraved in silver. It's a stark reminder of what we're training to become, the sacrifices we may have to make."
For a moment, they stood there in silence, both lost in their thoughts, the reality of their future responsibilities heavy on their young shoulders. The desert wind brushed against their faces, whispering tales of valor and resilience, of hardship and triumph.
The solemnity of the moment was broken when Temari led him away from the memorial, her voice taking on a lighter tone. "Our tour isn't over, Ryomaru-san. There's much more to see."
"You can drop the formalities, Temari-san," Ryomaru said, turning to her with a soft smile that reached his eyes. "I don't like them when I don't have to."
Taken aback, Temari hesitated before responding, her sea-green eyes sparkling with amusement. "Only if you do the same," she said, a small smile playing on her lips.
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