19 Chapter 18 (2/2)
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”You should say something,” she said. I nodded and walked forward to place a bouquet of lilies on the table. I cleared my throat and began my speech.
”When I am first brought into the village, I was brought to meet Sarutobi-sensei at once. Scared, alone in a world that I knew nothing about and nervous about entering a stranger's village, I knew that he knew that at first glance, everything, even my pains. I knew that because it was due to his eyes was always kind when he looked at me and sometimes, the look was of hope. He had hoped for me to be one of the protectors of the village. He allowed me to train to be a ninja as I am today and even took me in as his student. Me, a stranger, an outsider who has no right at all. Once, I asked him; why, why the sympathy, why the hopeful look on a stranger. He said to me, such are Konoha's ninjas, we all have the will of fire; all of the people in this village have this spirit, all of us are part of the same family. Will of fire, what an apt way to describe the way of the people here. Such will had also burned into me as I found a new family here and I wanted to deserve to be worthy of such compassion to me. Thus, I swore to protect his people who now are my people, my family. Sarutobi-sensei, though you and I had known each other not long enough, I felt the deepest gratitude towards you. Thanks for everything, I will cherish it forever. But for now, rest my old friend, leave the rest to us,” I bowed at his tombstone. Tears once again flowed down my cheeks and luckily for me, it was still raining. All of our memories together went through my head and I sobbed to keep it deep inside my heart. When I was done and turned around, I found that all of the people that were present had bowed too. My heart was pounding with grief but when they rose, Naruto and Sakura was the first one that hugged me.
”Huuuuu Hikari, y...you are not a stranger. I know you. You're my friend,” Naruto said while he cried. Suddenly, Sakura hit me in the head.
”Stop being so depressing, you are one of us, Baka!” she yelled angrily. I could only laugh heartily. One by one the people had dispersed and the rain had also stopped. All that was left there was my classmates, Neji's team. We talked together reminiscing our memories in the academy. Well, a short one for me though. They had a lot of memorable moments with the late Hokage.
”Hey, who is this girl that always next to you,” Ino suddenly asked about Hitori-san and the other girls also couldn't help to ask me the same. I could sense the murderous intent oozed out of my fiancé. So, I quickly introduced her.
”Guys, meet my fiancé, Hitori. We're living together,” I announced. As expected, all of them were exceptionally surprise. There were a lot of disappointments from the girls, Ino especially. There were compliments from the guys, Shikamaru, and Choji in particular. I was also introduced to Hinata's teammate; Shino and Kiba. Afterwards, those who were close with team 7 went for a bowl of ramen to celebrate my engagement. It's nice to see the girls are getting along. We, the boys were discussing the exams and the invasion. There was a lot of strong genin in the chuunin exam as it turned out. The Suna genin, Gaara was, particularly in the discussion. Naruto recounted how scary the boy was before the fight with Sasuke in the arena. He went on and on until the point where he defeated the Jinchuriki where he lamented his rough time growing up and how the late Sandaime was the closest thing to a family he got.
”You know, Naruto. As I said months ago outside the exam room. You are my siblings. I won't let you feel alone anymore,” I said as I watched him gulping down his third bowl of ramen. Though not everyone paid attention to us I knew they were making the same mental promises like me. God knows what he had endured growing up.
”Naruto, where do you put all that?” Hitori suddenly asked. She was interested in how someone who isn't that fat could hold that much food. Naruto just grinned and laughed before he answered it.
”If its good food, there is always room for more! Right, Chouji?!” Naruto yelled. Chouji, obviously the largest of us just nodded as he was finishing his fourth. Naruto didn't want to feel defeated, asked for extra. The whole night was filled with laughter despite the depressing morning we had. Perhaps that was how we best relief our stresses--hang out together. After we bid our goodbyes, we went home hurriedly as it was getting late. Hinata, Hitori-san and I were entering the compound when Hiashi was drinking his tea.
”Hitori-san, why don't you go on ahead inside? I want to join Hiashi-sama for a while,” I asked and she nodded before she made her way to my room. Hinata had already gone inside before us.
”Hikari-Ouji, welcome home. Still hungry for tea?” Hiashi greeted me and poured a cup for me. I walked towards him and sat next to him.
”You know, with my recent mission reward, I was thinking of buying a house, I presumed that's how it was done today,” I began.
”Eh, you want to move out already?” Hiashi said surprised. I chuckled before answering him.
”Not now, maybe sooner than I thought though. I wanted to learn from you about being the head of a family. You know, responsibilities and such. I am engaged too early. So I must learn and thus I want to learn from the best,” I said.
”Oh, Hikari-kun, you'll be fine as it is. After all, you are my most exceptional, mature and responsible son. I would help you out with anything, you need only ask,” Hiashi said. I, however, was overtaken by awe and joy by what he had said and naturally, tears fell yet again for the day.
”Thank you, I appreciate everything you had done to me. I hope I would never be of trouble to you,” I said. No words exchanged between us but we bid ourselves goodnight when we were done with our tea.