บท 34: WHEN THE FUTURE LIES IN NAMES.
The hot sand rose violently, enveloping Sara in a whirlwind of tiny particles that obscured the horizon.
As she was carried in her arms by her mysterious savior, the young queen watched as the world revolved around her, her vision clouded by the swirl of sand. Each step was a cautious and precise dance, dodging the shots of a hidden enemy.
Finally, the young woman deposited her on the ground and placed herself on her side in front of her. His profile was serene, but his eyes shone with unwavering determination. His soft voice hardened as he warned:
"Don't separate from me."
Sara nodded firmly, not taking her eyes off her brave savior. The sand began to dissipate, revealing the figure of a sinister man with a scar that crossed his right eye to his chin. It was Mezu, accompanied by his enigmatic hooded and masked subordinates. The tension in the air was palpable.
"I knew I couldn't trust that deal for long. You should have stood still and silent in your ruins, child." Mezu said, in a perverse and mocking tone.
Sara frowned, trying to hide the mixture of confusion and understanding that was reflected on her face.
What did his rescue have to do with a deal and ruins? The young leader tried to decipher Mezu's enigmatic words as she watched as the black-haired young woman hardened her countenance in response to the man's presence.
Tension grew as Mezu and the young woman exchanged oppressive and nostalgic words. Sara found herself in the midst of a mystery that transcended her comprehension, an enigma of the past that affected the present.
Although he didn't fully understand what was happening, he could feel that he was in the middle of something much bigger than he had imagined.
"Mezu... so do you..." muttered the young Ninja, allowing her words to fade in the wind.
The man smiled maliciously, as if he were aware of something Sara didn't know.
"Oh, yes, I remember your face too, little one." He replied, insinuating that there was a shared past between them.
The wind blew hard, taking away his words and leaving only uncertainty floating in the air. Sara felt like a bystander in a story in which only a small clue had been revealed.
The young leader of Rouran watched the encounter between Mezu and the mysterious young woman, not fully understanding what united them.
Despite the confusion and mystery surrounding her, she couldn't help but be grateful for the presence of the enigmatic black-haired woman. He had saved her and protected her as a leader, despite her young age.
As the sand settled in the air, a tense silence enveloped the encounter between the enigmatic young woman and Mezu. Their gazes met, laden with a shared past and dark secrets.
"What are you...?" The young woman whispered, her voice hesitant but full of disbelief.
"Mirai-chan." He replied with a subtle smile, as if he enjoyed every word. "It's been a long time since we last saw each other. It seems that you have grown and matured."
Sara immediately looked at the black-haired woman when she shuddered noticeably.
Mezu adjusted the brim of his hat, as if it were a routine gesture.
"Our meeting was recorded as a nostalgic poetry... Knowing your name wasn't difficult."
"What are you doing here?" Mirai asked, keeping her gaze fixed on him. "Why are you involved in all this?"
"Let us say that I have a personal interest in this matter." Mezu replied mysteriously. "I like to be aware of what's going on in the world, especially when it comes to such events... interesting ones like this."
Mirai frowned, dissatisfied with her answer. He knew that Mezu was hiding something, but he couldn't figure out what. She remembered her last meeting with him, when she was just a Genin.
Back then, their meeting was nothing more than a simple coincidence, in which Mirai would lose her life if not for the convenient appearance of her Master.
Meanwhile, Sara watched her intently at her side, trying to understand her expressions.
"What you're trying to provoke here is dangerous." Mirai warned firmly. "You must stop before it's too late."
Sara opened her eyes, constantly alternating between Mezu and Mirai, trying to assimilate all the information with increasing confusion.
Mezu smiled smugly.
"Always so protective and brave. But you're not a kid anymore, are you? You've grown and learned a lot since we last saw each other. I like that in you."
Mirai clenched her fists, feeling a mixture of anger and frustration. He couldn't fully comprehend Mezu's intentions, because of the years that had passed since their first meeting.
But I knew I couldn't trust him.
"Whatever you're up to, you won't get away with it." Mirai warned with determination.
Mezu shrugged nonchalantly.
"It doesn't matter what you think, Mirai. Things are already underway and nothing can stop them now." Mezu held out his hand, squeezing it as if holding the entire world in the palm of his hand. "Those restrictions, rebellions, oppressions... they no longer have a place here. From now on, a new world is created, where the ninjas who oppressed us no longer exist. But don't worry, I don't mean to hurt you. In fact, maybe we could work together on this little game of fate."
Mirai frowned at Mezu's ambiguous proposal. She couldn't trust him, but she knew she had to stay calm and play her cards carefully. Even if his blood boiled with pure rage up to his temples.
His mind was flooded with memories. He had met a large number of powerful ninjas throughout his life, a privilege that few had. His mother, retired but still impressive when she wielded an unused Kunai.
"I'm not interested in your games." Mirai replied coldly. "I just want to solve this problem and make sure no one else gets hurt."
Mezu nodded with a mocking smile.
"Very good, Mirai-chan. You take care of your affairs and I take care of mine. But don't forget that there are forces at play that even you can't control."
With those enigmatic words, Mezu turned and disappeared into the desert mist, leaving Mirai with more questions than answers.
He knew there was something more behind Mezu's mysterious façade, but for now, he must focus on his mission and protecting Sara and the others from the dangers ahead.
The sun slowly set on the horizon, tinting the desert sky with warm, golden hues, as the wind whispered through the sand dunes.
Sara watched with amazement and admiration the figure of Mirai, who stood guard against Mezu, the sinister cowboy with a scar that crossed his face in a threatening way.
Combat broke out with ferocity and rapidity. Mezu's hooded and masked subordinates emerged from the shadows and surrounded Mirai in an attempt to attack her from different angles. However, the young ninja demonstrated her skill and agility, dodging each of her attacks with precise and elegant movements.
Mirai's Chakra blades flashed like lightning in the sand, slicing through the air with a lethal dance as she engaged Mezu's subordinates. With each blow, her determination became more palpable, and her voice resonated firmly as she fended off the attacks that came at her.
Fascination took hold of Sara as she witnessed the intensity of the fight. It was as if he was watching a legendary warrior in action, a being from another world who defied the laws of reality. Mirai's power and bravery left her speechless, and her confidence in her savior was reaffirmed with every move.
However, Mezu was not an easy enemy to defeat. He took advantage of a moment of distraction to launch a surprise attack on Mirai, but she dodged him with uncanny agility. The two faced each other in a brief but intense exchange of blows and words, each determined to prevail in this battle of wills.
"You don't know what you're getting into by protecting that lady." Mezu said with a wicked smile, so close to Mirai's face as they both struggled. "I'll turn a blind eye if you leave, and there's a chance I'll help you in the future."
"I didn't come to remember the past, Mezu. I came to protect what is important to me." Mirai replied with an iron determination. Looking at the red-haired princess out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but reflect her to the young girls who perished in the cataclysm. He gritted his teeth. "I made a decision... I'm not going to run away!"
Sara didn't fully understand the background of his words, but she could feel the tension in the air. There was something beyond his comprehension in that encounter between Mirai and Mezu, something that dated from an unknown past.
In the midst of combat, Mirai staggered momentarily, doubting her next move as she continued to make the Genjutsu seals with her hands. Despite the pressure he faced, his courage did not waver and he continued to fight with unwavering determination.
Suddenly, a scream echoed through the sand dunes. Sara turned to see one of Mezu's subordinates fall to the ground, paralyzed by Mirai's Genjutsu. The young ninja had managed to disorient one of her opponents, giving him a chance to escape.
Wasting no time, Mirai grabbed Sara by the waist and lifted her up, throwing a toxic smoke bomb to cover her escape. The dense cloud of smoke enveloped Mezu's subordinates, and amidst the confusion, Mirai and Sara quickly walked away from the place.
Sara's heart was pounding as she clung to Mirai. She had witnessed the strength and courage of her savior in the midst of combat, and that experience had left her impressed and filled with gratitude.
As they walked away from the scene of the fight, Sara looked back one last time, with a mixture of admiration and amazement in her eyes.
(~~~)
Running with the redhead in her arms, Mirai was speeding through the sand dunes. Each footstep echoed through the vast desert, as his breath churned and sweat ran down his forehead. Despite the effort, the determination in his eyes remained intact.
Alert to any possible threat, Mirai looked around as she advanced. However, dizziness began to invade his mind, distorting the images around him like a whirlwind. Even so, he refused to stop and continued running, looking for a safe place.
Finally, he found shelter behind a pile of rocks. With a quick maneuver, he slid across the sand and left the red-haired girl sitting next to him. Despite the abruptness of the movement, the young woman remained silent and expectant, watching Mirai with curiosity and bewilderment.
Mirai put her hand to her chest, feeling her heart pounding. He knew he couldn't afford to pass out, not now that he had a responsibility to protect the unknown young woman. He remembered the words of the Great Old Woman, warning her not to abuse her Chakra.
"I must control myself. Mirai thought, taking a deep breath to calm herself. —
He concentrated on regulating his breathing and focusing his mind. Although she felt exhausted, she knew she couldn't let her guard down.
Mirai studied his state of health with a worried look. He didn't know what was causing the dizziness, but he suspected that it was due to overuse of his Chakra in the battle against Mezu and his subordinates. He was internally grateful that the enemies were not chasing them, at least for the time being.
Sara was sitting on her knees, next to Mirai, with an expectant and serene look, but full of curiosity. Despite the oppressive desert heat and past nerves, she didn't take her eyes off the jet-haired girl in front of her.
Her hair was somewhat disheveled by the wind and the adrenaline of the exhaust, but Sara didn't pay attention to that. Her eyes fell on Mirai's expressions, trying to decipher what she was thinking and feeling in those moments.
Although she didn't know the name of the young ninja who had rescued her, Sara felt a strange connection to her. From the moment Mirai took her in her arms to flee from Mezu and his subordinates, she felt that she could trust her.
As sweat slid down her forehead from the unrelenting heat of the desert, Sara remained alert and attentive to Mirai's every move. Ignoring his own discomfort, he kept watching the young ninja with interest and determination.
Mirai caught her breath and suddenly realized that she was not alone. Next to her, sitting on her knees, was the red-haired girl watching her curiously. A slight blush covered Mirai's face as she realized that she had momentarily forgotten the young woman's presence.
"I'm sorry!" Mirai apologized, straightening up and brushing a strand of sweaty hair from her forehead. "I didn't want to ignore you like that! I was so focused on escaping that I forgot that..."
The red-haired girl remained silent, looking at Mirai with a mixture of curiosity and expectation. Mirai took a breath, trying to calm herself as she introduced herself.
"I'm Mirai." He said in a soft and serene voice, although he hesitated at the end, he tried to convey confidence. "Just Mirai... And you, are you okay?"
Mirai took a brown thermos from her yellow cloak and offered it to the young woman.
"Here, you'd better drink some water. It's very hot out here." He suggested with a friendly smile.
Sara accepted the thermos gratefully and eagerly drank the fresh water. Mirai watched the girl carefully, worried about her well-being. Although the encounter with Mezu had been brief, he could see that Sara had fallen on hard times.
Once Sara finished drinking, Mirai decided it was time to get some information.
"Mezu had you captive, right?" He asked cautiously. "Do you know why I was holding you prisoner?"
Mirai waited attentively for Sara to respond, ready to listen to any details that might be relevant to her mission. Although she felt worried about the young woman's safety, she also knew that she needed to obtain information to understand the situation they were in.
His companion was reluctant to answer him. However, contrary to the regret that was reflected on her face, the girl with soft red hair told him what she had gone through, describing what she believed had been more than two hours.
Mirai listened carefully to the young woman's account. It should be noted that her voice was soft and kind, as if it were woven by a thread of luminescent fantasy sugar.
There was nothing in her manners to retouch, and even Mirai, who was brought up by a cultured woman, had to remember her short lessons in etiquette when the blue-eyed girl used expressions outside her usual dialect.
When the young woman left a couple of seconds of complete silence, with her eyes closed and her face remorseful, Mirai let out a barely audible sigh between the two of them. With his red eyes widened, he dared to discreetly point a finger at the redhead.
"So... Do you live in a clandestine community?" Mirai asked, keeping her voice low but full of curiosity.
"Huh?" The young woman with the blue eyes answered, finally looking up with a doubtful expression. "Well, in a way... We could say that we are inhabitants of the place, but most of the time we are outside our territory."
Mirai was speechless, overwhelmed by a cascade of thoughts. It was as if a whirlwind of memories, ideas, and responsibilities were mingling in his mind, creating a deafening buzz.
Sounds of confusion came out of his mouth as he tried to reorganize his thoughts, massaging his head with his fingers. Her sweaty hair was getting even more tousled during the process, and when she finally managed to clear her mind, she turned her white eyes towards the unknown redhead.
"By chance... that "territory" you speak of are the ruins of Rouran?" Mirai asked with a palpable impatience in her voice.
His new companion blinked a few times, and with a helpful tone in the air, he nodded gently.
"Yes, that's right." She said, putting one hand to her chest while holding the thermos of water with the other. "My name is Sarah, and I used to be the queen of Rouran. Even though now everything is just ruins, I feel a responsibility to watch over my people. They never leave me, and as you can see... They are surely very concerned about my well-being right now."
"What?" No way...!" The words got stuck in Mirai's mouth, emitting a sharp sound of disbelief. "It's impossible!"
And it was no wonder.
The Chunin incognito wore an expression of disbelief so extreme that she seemed to have been petrified. Although anyone could have theorized that it was due to being in front of a young queen of an extinct city, or perhaps because of the surprise of coincidence, the truth was much further from reality.
And only Mirai's eyes could attest to it.
In front of her, was a young queen from a past that almost coincided with her own birth. With the name Sara, her soft red hair and her blue eyes with contours reminiscent of Mirai's, she sat on her knee, as discreet as she had surely been taught.
Even the way she held the thermos of water on her lap seemed genuine to Mirai's eyes. He wasn't just stepping on the past; I was watching him and had just exchanged words with him.
"Just mention me." Mirai recalled, this time, nodding slightly with her incredulous gaze.
"She's the one I have to talk to."
A face that filled his heart with a strange and melancholy sensation flashed through his mind, causing a slight frown.
"But what a coincidence! That Mezu is here too... He warns me that I must prepare."
While thinking, Mirai scrutinized Sara's physical condition with her eyes.
"But he seems to be more adapted than I am... He even attacked Sara-chan! What did he want? Why did he do it?"
He swallowed sharply, feeling the fugitive sand in his mouth tickle his throat.
"The Cataclysm hasn't even happened a week ago, but even so, Mezu and the others..."
While Mirai was bewildered by the presence of a queen from the past, Sara watched the young ninja curiously. Her blue eyes shone with amazement as she followed Mirai's every move, as if she was witnessing a carefully choreographed dance.
"I can't believe it!" Sara exclaimed with a mixture of amazement and controlled emotion. "You're a real ninja, aren't you? It's like I'm watching a tale of the ancient ninja scrolls!"
Mirai felt a tingle of embarrassment on her cheeks at Sara's admiration.
"Yes, I am." He replied modestly. He didn't want to reveal too much about his village or his mission, so he decided to leave out specific details. "Although I'm a ninja, not all the secrets of my village need to be revealed."
Although Mirai had decided to change the subject with a lie, her curiosity about the reason behind Sara's kidnapping did not diminish.
"Sara-san, I'm sorry to be persistent, but I need to know why Mezu had captured you. The first time I questioned him, I didn't get a clear answer."
Sara looked down nervously, as if she remembered unpleasant moments she would rather forget.
"I'm sorry to say that this is the first time I've seen that man." Sara replied with sorrow. "Rouran is not what it used to be. We used to be a prosperous and respected city, but over time we have lost our influence. Now, we are a peaceful people who seek to live in harmony with nature and keep our traditions alive. I had never experienced anything like it before."
Although Sara's explanation was reasonable, Mirai couldn't help but feel that there was something else behind all of this.
"Sara-san, I understand what you're saying, but I feel like there's still something you're not telling me at all." Mirai acted as unanxious as possible. Although impatience overflowed, he did his best not to disturb Sarah. " Mezu... he is a very dangerous man. I would have killed you without having to leave your village. I have seen his perversity up close... And it is evident that he was looking for something from you."
Only Mirai knew the background of those words.
Mezu was a man wanted for multiple murders. But that was part of Mirai's time, which meant that right now, no one knew that man.
His face was not in the Bingo book, and he and many other criminals of his time had free rein to do their misdeeds in the past.
And Mirai hadn't thought about that until now.
Sara sank a little deeper into her thoughts, aware that she could not hide the truth any longer. In a trembling voice, he answered:
"You're right, Mirai-san." Sara apologized deeply. "I have an idea of what I might be looking for."
Mirai's eyes widened with surprise and interest at Sara's revelation.
"Seal?" The one with the red eyes asked in a whisper.
To make her story more informative, Sara half opened the top of her dress. Mirai watched carefully the movement of her opposite hand and how something noticeable was pulled out of the hiding place of her clothes.
Sara nodded seriously, her gaze reflecting a mixture of fear and determination.
"This blade was a gift from my mother." Sara revealed melancholy. His attachment to such a weapon surprised that of the red eyes. The shape of the weapon and the poor condition of the metal pattern left more unknowns in his head. "She said it was a gift from the prince who visited her in a dream, and since then, the seal contained in this blade protects the power that plunges into the ruins."
Mirai walked up to Sara and discreetly set her eyes on what was once a weapon.
"Power..."
"That's right." Sara nodded, placing the weapon in her lap. "It was a long time ago, but the adults told me that a beast attacked, and was sealed in the ruins. Of course, our entire town was devastated by the war afterwards."
"And Mezu... Was I looking for something specific about that?"
Sara looked at Mirai with gratitude and a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
He had not talked about this issue with anyone, and he thought that the only person who would hear that issue from his mouth would be in charge of carrying out his case.
She felt liberated, and with the waters of her surroundings, calmed.
Sara lowered her gaze, rummaging through her most distorted memories.
"It started a couple of months ago." He said. "The seal was rumbling, and he often went to check the state of the ruins. That was repeated a couple of times a week, but it wasn't until... one night. I was studying the seal that was used for the ruins, and I came up with the subject of the Ninjas."
The mention surprised Sarutobi.
"The Ninjas were responsible for sealing it, that's why this is there." Discreetly, so as not to hinder the black-haired woman's hearing, he showed the deteriorated trace that was on one side of the blade.
It was the seal of the Leaf.
Mirai stifled a gasp. I wouldn't say everything at once, but I couldn't let it go either. It was evident in his face when he looked at it more closely, and he knew that his new conversation partner had noticed his surprise at perceiving the origin of that drawing.
Sweat, mixed with heat, ran down his face.
"I investigated and investigated." Sara continued. "And while I was able to figure out a way to preserve the weakened seal, I wasn't able to fully carry it out."
The black-haired woman looked into her doubtful eyes.
"If I did my best to increase the security of that seal, I would be forced to release it entirely. It is then that... it occurred to me to do it the other way around."
"What do you say...?!" Sarutobi gasped.
Sara shuddered at the thought, but a determined look contrasted in her terrified eyes.
"I pretended everything was fine." He said with sadness in his eyes. "My people believed that there was nothing wrong with the stamp, while I spent weeks reinforcing the one I have in my hands."
In a short silence, Mirai let a question mark unfold, as she stared at the decayed blade from a distance.
"What you have in your hands is not the seal itself... Is it?"
"You're right." Said the Redhead. "This is the key that weakens it, and serves as a warning in case something happens. I believed that if the vitality of this seal increased, it would be almost impossible to seize the power of the ruins."
Sara's words came out in a thread of voice.
Mirai watched the story unfold in front of her. I was witnessing an event true to the past. However, there was something that was not right.
The tracing of the Leaf Village on the weapon, and the fact that it was a seal. In addition, Sara mentioned the abnormality that that deteriorated seal began to cause problems a couple of months ago.
Mirai wanted to know specifically how many. But he had two things against him: he was afraid of serving himself on a silver platter and the ignorance of when Shikamaru Master's plan began.
The coincidences seemed too many to him.
It was almost a fanciful event, which he never imagined he was about. A young girl spoke to him of her extreme concern for her people, with a seal involved, when she had a victim of one in front of her.
That factor left Sarutobi with a dry tongue. The words didn't come out of her mouth, and she was also afraid to let go of something and expose herself. However, it was the Great Elder who recommended that he see Sarah.
What was it about that maiden that could be of use to him?
He wasn't a ninja, but from what he had just heard, he seemed to know only the basics of sealing. However, Mirai was being deprived of details.
"Is it common... that there are people behind the seal?" She asked discreetly, anxious to hide her nerves.
In response, Sarah, hugging her treasure to her chest, watched her as she gently shook her head.
"This has not happened, so far. Moreover, it seems as if he already knows about the weakening of the seal."
"How...?" Chunin blurted out, dumbfounded.
Ignorant of the situation, Sara looked up to recapitulate her memories, in front of an expectant and anxious Mirai.
"Let's see... I reinforced this seal with effort. I'm not an expert on Chakra, so it took me days just to reinforce it to a percentage." Sara told him. "But I have to always carry it with me to fill it with energy. But..."
"But?"
Sara looked at Mirai with pleading eyes.
"I was afraid." He cried in an audible thread of voice. "I didn't know what would happen if something happened to the blade, so... Sent... to make a reply."
"Huh?!"
Mirai's eyes snapped open. He barely knew the young queen, and had obtained a revelation, response from Mezu's behavior towards Sarah.
Careful as she was being watched by Sara, the Sarutobi reflected to herself.
"Sara began to deal with the problem of her label months ago. Months... that is definitely long before the Cataclysm of our time." His gaze was drawn to the blade, the blade of Konoha emaciated in his side. "But the Great Elder said that our presence in the past caused waves; waves that will be returned to us... This... Will it be one of them?"
She kindly asked to hold the blade Sara was holding. She did not decline her request to see her more closely.
The mystery of the situation continued to haunt Mirai as her mind swirled in search of answers.
"He said it was a replica... And Mezu knew it. How...?! He couldn't have come back in time before the cataclysm! That's impossible!!" Mirai thought, feeling like she was in the middle of a puzzle whose pieces didn't fit.
Sarah's voice interrupted her thoughts, bringing her out of her reverie. The young queen straightened up and expressed her gratitude in a serene manner, but with a deep sense of gratitude.
"Thank you so much for rescuing me from there, Mirai-san. I'm owing you my life." He said with a short bow. "In gratitude for saving my life and the fate of my people, I will be there for you, Mirai-san."
Mirai was overwhelmed by Sara's thanks. Although the bow seemed unnecessary to her, she couldn't help but be touched by the young queen's words. Sara was young like her, but she was carrying the weight of an entire community, something Mirai understood very well, since she also had her responsibilities as a ninja incognito.
However, despite Sara's gratitude, Mirai knew she couldn't let go of her mission and the truth she sought to uncover. With a slightly hesitant, but determined tone, he made a request to the young woman.
"Please don't bow your head, Sara-sama. Instead, could you tell me how it would have been possible for Mezu to have known about the retort?"
Bewilderment was reflected in Sara's blue eyes as she tried to find an explanation.
"I'm not sure how I knew, Mirai-san. Rouran was a quiet and peaceful place, we had no known enemies who could have betrayed us. It's possible that someone from the inside leaked the information, or that Mezu had spies spying on us."
"That's impossible." Mirai thought, listening to the young queen's theories. His anxiety was bubbling. "Mezu couldn't have known in such a short time, the cataclysm happened a few days ago. Someone must have given him the information..."
Mirai listened intently to Sara's theories about how Mezu could have obtained information about the replica and the seal that protected the power of the ruins of Rouran.
However, as the young queen spoke, Mirai's mind was busy trying to divert Sara's attention from Mezu, a ninja from the future whose existence was a secret that Mirai wanted to keep safe.
He decided to change the focus of the conversation and asked about the current location of the people of Rouran.
"By the way, Sara-sama, where are the inhabitants of Rouran today? I would like to know more about your situation and how to bring it to them." She said with a gentle smile, trying to look genuinely interested in the well-being of the people.
Although if he was in his heart, his mind turned to another matter. And that fact alone gave him a bad taste in his mouth.
Sara nodded and replied nervously:
"We are currently on our way to the Bell Village. It is there that we decide to settle temporarily while we seek to rebuild the weaponry of our home and keep ourselves safe from any threat."
The mention of the Bell Village perplexed Mirai. He had never heard of that place while carrying out his occupation as a ninja of Konoha.
However, he decided to continue the conversation and asked curiously:
"The Bell Village? I hadn't heard of that place before. What kind of village is it?"
Sara seemed uncertain as she spoke of it, as if it were a well-kept secret.
"The Bell Village is a blacksmith village. We decided to visit some time ago in search of certain forging skills that we needed to maintain our legacy. They welcomed us kindly and offered us their help."
Mirai's curiosity increased upon hearing Sara's answer, and her eyes widened in surprise as she connected the dots.
"Wait a moment." She said, somewhat astonished. "Did you just say that they visited the Bell Village and helped you forge certain things?"
Sara seemed more nervous now, as if she were about to reveal a secret she had guarded very carefully.
"Yes, that's right. The truth is that I had the replica of the seal made in the Bell Village. It was a difficult decision, but he knew it was necessary to protect the power of the ruins of Rouran." He confessed with a mixture of fear and relief when he finally released that information. "My people... He doesn't know anything about that. They think we go out of routine. You know... let's see how our orders and allies go."
"I understand." Mirai calmed down. Her concern was palpable, but she must have been cautious with her letters. "And if you have the replica in your hands... where is the original stamp?"
For a moment, Sara hesitated to open her mouth to answer. It was enough for Mirai, and she didn't insist on that topic any further. To have rescued her was not a total pass to eternal trust, and Sara could not risk endangering her people by leaking valuable information.
There was no one but Mirai to understand her. Obviously, Sarutobi wouldn't tell him.
The sun was setting on the horizon, tinting the sky warm as Mirai and Sara were watched by the sand dunes. The young queen looked restless, still trying to assimilate the unexpected insistence of the black hair. His anxiety had not gone unnoticed by his eyes.
"If you'll allow me a request, Sara-sama..." Mirai began in a soft voice, searching for the right words. "Please believe me, I beg you."
Sara looked at her with curiosity and intrigue.
"What do you mean, Mirai-san?"
Mirai took a moment to think about how to express her words carefully. She didn't want to reveal too much, but she needed Sara to trust her. So, desperate for understanding and credibility, she knelt in the sand, bringing her hands to her in a gesture of pleading.
Sara hugged the blade that replicated the original, as if doing so would protect the true whereabouts of the metal seal.
"What I'm going to tell you may sound strange, but I need you to believe me." Mirai said, looking directly into Sara's blue eyes. "I come from a distant place, a very different place from yours. I'm here looking for something I can take home."
Sara frowned, not quite understanding what Mirai was implying.
"What are you looking for, Mirai-san?"
Mirai sighed, feeling the weight of his words.
"I can't tell you everything now, but I need to find a place called "The Hidden Sunset." It's crucial for me and my friends. They are barely children, and we don't have anyone else's help to fight back."
The pain of truth scraped his throat. Although he looked at the sand, the images of what happened still persisted.
"If you are really grateful to me for rescuing you, I ask you to trust me and help me find that place."
The Queen of Rouran was petrified by the disconnection. She was even more confused than Mirai, and she was unaware of her intentions. But on the other hand, he gave no indication of wanting to ignore the black hair.
By saying that she was also responsible for children, and knowing that Mirai was a ninja... left Sara with a completely different expectation than Mirai once thought. The black-haired one was not wearing a headband, which meant that her home lay destroyed, or there was some other obstacle that made it impossible for her to return.
Look... she sounded sincere. And seeing her beg him like that, hit Sara right on her heartstrings.
"How... Do you know that place?" The blue-eyed woman asked her.
Mirai replied without raising her head, determined to continue begging.
"The Ebony Shadow." Mirai said. "A person with that name told me that... you, the queen of Rouran, would be able to take me there. Or at least, someone from Rouran."
The Ninja said that, as she half-lifted her forehead from the sand. His inner pain was palpable, and dirt ran down his face. Each letter was a memory, and each word, an experience. Mirai let out a disguised honesty, reliving things she didn't wish on even the cruelest enemy in her village.
But even repeating the name to herself, Sarah was not able to find familiarity with it.
Sara was silent for a moment, processing Mirai's request. Despite her bewilderment, she could see the sincerity in the young ninja's eyes. He decided to trust his instinct and the inexplicable connection he felt with Mirai from the moment he saw her run down the dunes.
And, above all, for sharing a similar responsibility. Both were being awaited by people who thought of them. That's what Sara thought.
"Okay, Mirai-san. I'll help you in any way I can." Sara finally answered, with determination in her voice. "Don't get it wrong, I trust you. But... The trust of the inhabitants does not depend on me."
Mirai nodded, understanding Sara's position. The inhabitants of Rouran would accept anyone who invited their queen. However, people at the destination would likely have other plans.
In addition, Mirai and Sara barely knew each other.
"I understand."
Sara nodded, accepting Mirai's answer. Although she was still confused, she was willing to trust her and follow her intuition.
They both rose in silence, with the sun rising completely, leaving the desert enveloped in the warm attention of its light.
Sara's hand reached out to Mirai. Her gaze was friendly, and the show of equality was accepted by Mirai, who was hesitant to accept her help to get up.
"Modifying the past is very dangerous"; That's always what you think about when telling fantastic stories about time travel.
But that wasn't the case with Mirai. Maybe change it...
She felt an evident desperation in her heart that she had found a possible help that would guide her to her goal. He needed to find "The Hidden Sunset" in order to survive in this unknown world and return home. He couldn't afford to fail, and Sara's support was critical at the time.
"Thank you, Sara-sama." Mirai expressed gratefully, letting a smile light up her face, a gesture uncommon for her in previous days. "I promise you I won't disappoint you. I am willing to do whatever it takes to prevent you from getting involved in this. Your collaboration... It's giving me and my friends a chance."
Sara nodded, feeling a deeper connection to Mirai and her mission. Although she didn't fully understand what was happening, she was determined to support Mirai in her quest and protect her from any dangers she might encounter along the way.
"I'm with you, Mirai-san. I will do everything I can to help you." Sara said firmly, taking Mirai's hand in a gesture of solidarity. "You are very brave for enduring so much in the desert to protect those you love."
A nostalgic glint flashed through Sara's eyes, and in an instant, it disappeared.
"Count on me."
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