Capítulo 77: Sullen Mood
Saying goodbye to Raikage, Ryomaru walked towards his home on the other side of the village, accompanied by Samui and Mabui. The deliberate separation of their living spaces was a testament to the complex dynamics of their family. The farther he could keep Raikage from his mother, Miori, the better. This arrangement was one of the small mercies granted to them by the village.
As he walked, the weight of the meeting they'd just had hung over Ryomaru like a dark cloud. His steps, usually light and confident, were subdued. While he respected Raikage's prowess and his leadership, this respect was isolated, solely professional—never crossing the emotional boundaries to resemble anything like the warmth between a father and son. Ryomaru felt it as a gravitational pull, the inherent paradox between his respect for the man's position and his disdain for how that position affected his mother.
Miori was his world. She was the one who'd taught him compassion and understanding, who had shown him what it was like to be loved unconditionally. Their bond was more than just filial; it was a sanctuary for both of them. And he felt the violation of that sanctuary keenly whenever Raikage's presence loomed, like a stain that couldn't be washed away.
Ryomaru's emotions swirled within him like a storm; they were a mixture of protectiveness and simmering anger. The protectiveness was instinctual, a primal need to shield his mother from the emotional bruising Raikage's mere existence inflicted upon her. Even though Miori tried to hide it, he could always see the way her face tightened, the way her ice-blue eyes lost some of their luminosity when Raikage was mentioned. Ryomaru felt it as a palpable thing, an unspoken ache that made him want to take his mother and run far away where none of the burdens of their current life could touch them.
His steps toward home were heavy, a stark contrast to his usual buoyant gait. Even Samui and Mabui, who walked a few steps behind him, seemed to sense his subdued mood. They were more than just guards to him; they were a part of the limited sanctuary that his mother and he had managed to carve out in the complexity of their lives. They were family in their own right, bound by the same silent oaths of loyalty and love that he and his mother shared.
Miori's circumstance was something he often pondered over, despite his young age. The delicate balance of their lives was a precarious thing, teetering on the edge of obligation and resentment. Miori had been forced into this life in the Cloud Village, her unique bloodline making her a valuable asset—reduced to a mere object for procreation, her free will disregarded. Ryomaru's existence, as a result, was like a testament to that violation. Yet, his mother had made him feel nothing less than wanted, cherished—loved.
He knew he was the reason she'd suffered, but also the reason she found strength. Her love for him was her sanctuary, just as his love for her was his. Ryomaru had stubbornly leveraged whatever sway he held to bring her to Konoha, prying her away from the suffocating atmosphere of the Cloud Village. Her liberation, although partial, had been his most significant achievement. But now that Raikage had returned, the air felt thick again, stifling.
His thoughts were broken as they finally reached home, a quaint house tucked away in a quieter section of the village. As he opened the door, he couldn't help but inhale deeply, as if trying to draw strength from the familiar scent that filled their home. Miori, sensing his presence, turned around from where she stood in the kitchen. Her ice-blue eyes met his, and in that moment, the storm that had been raging inside him seemed to quell, if only slightly.
"Mum," he whispered, the word carrying a universe of unspoken emotions. Miori's eyes softened as she moved to envelop him in a hug, her touch doing more to heal his turbulent soul than any words could. She didn't need to ask what was wrong; she already knew. And he knew that she knew. And in that complex tapestry of understanding and unconditional love, Ryomaru found his sanctuary, however fragile it might be.
But for now, he allowed himself the illusion of safety, locking away the complex emotions and the ever-present shadow of Raikage, if only for a moment. As he hugged his mother tightly, his thoughts shifted to the present, savoring the temporary reprieve in the sanctuary of Miori's arms. Even in a world so full of complications and painful obligations, this was the one place where he felt invincible. And that, for now, was enough.
Hugging her tightly, Ryomaru let her presence wash over his troubles, hoping that he could do the same for her. As Mabui and Samui were about to walk out to give them privacy after mumbling soft greetings, Ryomaru caught them with a sudden swiftness.
"No, stay," he said softly. He hugged them too, surprising them for a moment. Their gazes softened as they hugged him and Miori. There was no need for words; the exchange was a release, a sharing of burdens.
Ryomaru stepped back, his eyes meeting his mother's. "Mum, let's go for a hike. Behind Hokage Mountain. We could use some fresh air."
Miori looked puzzled but nodded. "That sounds wonderful, my love."
Gathering a few essentials into a bag, the foursome left the house and began their trek toward Hokage Mountain. The dense foliage on either side of the path gave way to more open scenery as they approached the foot of the mountain.
"Isn't it wonderful out here? The air feels so clean," Miori said, her eyes lighting up as she looked at the lush greenery around them.
"It's amazing, Mum. I thought you'd like it," Ryomaru replied, wearing a smile that spread to the corners of his eyes. "Konoha has always been close to nature; that's one of the things that make it special."
Samui and Mabui, who walked alongside them, could sense the palpable relief in both Miori and Ryomaru, as if a burden had been momentarily lifted.
As they walked deeper into the forest, Ryomaru spotted a little clearing near a river and gestured toward it. "How about we stop here?"
Miori nodded. "It looks delightful."
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