บท 18: Chapter 18
As Hiro led Pakura through the dense forest, the silence between them grew, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of leaves underfoot and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures.
The tension of their earlier encounter still hung heavily in the air, but a sense of fragile understanding had started to form between them.
Pakura glanced at Hiro from the corner of her eye, studying the young man who had intervened in her battle.
There was something about him—something more than just the power he wielded.
His calm demeanor, the way he seemed unbothered by the bloodshed, it was unnerving yet strangely reassuring. She wondered what kind of person he truly was.
"Why did you save me?" Pakura finally asked, her voice cutting through the stillness.
Hiro didn't answer immediately, his eyes fixed on the path ahead.
"You didn't deserve to die like that," he said after a moment, his tone matter-of-fact. "Besides, I have my own reasons for wanting to keep you alive."
Pakura frowned, not entirely satisfied with his vague response, but she didn't press the issue.
Instead, she shifted the conversation. "Who are you, really? You're Uchiha clan, right? And you have that legendary dojutsu—the Mangekyō Sharingan.
It doesn't make sense. The Uchiha clan was massacred two years ago, and you're not Itachi or Sasuke—the two surviving members."
Hiro paused, his expression thoughtful. "I'm not either of them," he replied, his voice steady but with an edge of something unspoken.
"I'm someone who doesn't belong to any village. Let's just say I have my own path to follow, one that doesn't align with any of the major factions."
Pakura absorbed his words, recognizing the hint of secrecy in his answer. She decided not to pry further, understanding that everyone had their own burdens to carry.
After what felt like hours of walking, they finally emerged from the forest and reached a small village, its lights flickering warmly in the distance.
Hiro navigated the quiet streets with practiced ease, ensuring they went unnoticed.
It wasn't difficult for him to guide Pakura to his home without catching anyone's eye in the village.
They moved like shadows, slipping through the night until they reached a modest house tucked away at the edge of the village.
"This is your home?" Pakura asked, her voice laced with surprise.
"For now," Hiro replied, leading her inside. The interior was simple, with minimal furnishings, but it was clean and organized. "You can rest here for as long as you need. No one will find you."
As they entered, the faint sound of movement came from one of the other rooms.
Hiro glanced toward the source of the noise and then turned to Pakura. "There's someone else here," he said quietly. "She's a friend. You'll be safe."
Before Pakura could respond, a figure stepped out from the shadows of the adjoining room. It was a woman with long black hair and a calm yet watchful demeanor.
Her eyes, dark and sharp, assessed Pakura quickly before shifting to Hiro.
She noticed the Sand Village protector on the woman and immediately became alert, her hand subtly moving towards a concealed weapon.
But seeing Hiro's calm stance and lack of aggression, she hesitated and then slowly relaxed, trusting his judgment.
"Hiro, who is this?" Mikoto asked, her voice steady but tinged with curiosity.
"I'll explain everything later, but can you first please treat her wounds?" Hiro replied.
Mikoto's eyes flicked back to Pakura, and the tension in her posture eased further. She nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. Bring her over to the table."
Hiro guided Pakura to a low table in the center of the room, where Mikoto had already begun gathering supplies. As Pakura sank down onto a cushion, Mikoto knelt beside her, examining the extent of her injuries with practiced hands.
"This might sting a little," Mikoto warned, her voice gentle as she began cleaning the cuts and abrasions on Pakura's arms and face.
Pakura winced slightly but didn't pull away, too exhausted to resist the care she was being offered.
As Mikoto worked, the room fell into a quiet rhythm, the only sounds being the soft rustle of cloth and the occasional hiss of breath as Pakura endured the treatment.
Hiro stood nearby, his gaze fixed on the two women, his expression unreadable.
When Mikoto finished dressing the last of Pakura's wounds, she leaned back, her eyes meeting Pakura's. "You're lucky Hiro found you when he did," she said softly. "Your injuries could have been much worse."
Pakura nodded, Thouhg she dosent usually thank but she still said. "Thank you."
Mikoto offered a small smile in return, a rare gesture that hinted at the warmth beneath her composed exterior. "You should rest now. We can talk more next day."
Pakura felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her, the events of the day finally catching up with her. She allowed herself to be led to a corner of the room where a simple bed had been prepared.
As she lay down, she felt a strange mix of relief and uncertainty. Despite the kindness she had been shown, there was still so much she didn't understand about this mysterious man and women.
But for now, sleep claimed her, and she drifted off into a deep, dreamless slumber.
As Mikoto quietly left the room, she found Hiro waiting just outside the door. She closed it softly behind her before turning to him, her expression serious. "Who is she, Hiro? And why is she here?"
Hiro took a deep breath, his eyes meeting Mikoto's. "She's Pakura, a kunoichi from the Sand Village. She was being targeted by her own people. I couldn't just leave her to die."
Mikoto frowned, her concern deepening. "The Sand Village… Why would they turn against one of their own?"
"It's complicated," Hiro replied, his tone heavy with unspoken details. "But I couldn't stand by and do nothing. She needs a place to recover, and I thought she'd be safest here."
Mikoto studied him for a long moment, then sighed, her shoulders relaxing. "I trust you, Hiro.
If you think this is the right thing to do, then I'll support you. But we need to be careful. If the Sand Village is after her, they might not stop until they find her."
"I know," Hiro said quietly. "We'll keep a low profile, just like we have been."
Mikoto nodded, her expression resolute. "Then we'll do what we must. But you owe me a full explanation tomorrow."
Hiro managed a small smile, appreciating her understanding. "..."
With that, Mikoto headed back to her room, leaving Hiro standing alone in the hallway. He took one last glance at the door where Pakura slept before turning away.
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