Chapter 134: All Night Long
Sasuko tossed and turned in the unfamiliar bed.
This was her first time spending the night away from home in years, and she couldn't quite adjust.
Her thoughts drifted inevitably toward home—wondering how Yu's day had gone.
They'd only been apart one day, yet she already missed him.
She still couldn't understand how Yu had severed that connection so decisively in a single night. Before, she'd always been able to gradually lower his defenses, bit by bit pushing past his boundaries.
But that evening, he'd clearly made up his mind.
Would becoming a jonin really earn his approval? The requirement to "find herself" remained frustratingly vague to Sasuko.
She wanted to be with Yu—not merely for her own sake.
In her view, Yu lived more closed off than anyone. Those days and nights sitting alone in the courtyard—how lonely must they be? No hobbies, no vices, hardly any friends. His days passed more monotonously than an elderly person's.
Between him and the world seemed to exist an invisible wall. Only a very select few were permitted to approach.
Thinking of this, Sasuko sighed softly.
Her fingers gently caressed the magatama pendant at her neck. This smooth jade stone had been Yu's gift on her sixth birthday and hadn't left her side since.
Her fingertips traced the familiar patterns as she lifted the pendant, examining it in the moonlight. The jade gleamed with a soft luster. Over the years, Sasuko had carefully preserved this pendant.
She recalled that night many years ago when Yu climbed through her window to fasten the pendant around her neck—his expression carrying a bit of youthful mischief, completely different from now. Back then, Yu would still show emotions beyond gentleness, unlike now when he'd gradually grown distant and unreachable.
This change left Sasuko vaguely uneasy. She wanted to pull him back, by whatever means necessary.
Sasuko pressed a gentle kiss to the pendant, then slowly closed her eyes.
"Good night, Yu."
She murmured softly, finally drifting into sleep with this connection.
---
Morning.
Sunlight filtered through the window, gently rousing Naruko. She lazily opened her azure eyes and slowly sat up.
As she stretched, her lovely figure was displayed fully in the morning light.
Her form-fitting sleepwear outlined graceful curves, a shoulder strap slipping inadvertently to reveal fair skin. Golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, adding several degrees of softness.
She hummed contentedly, her voice still carrying that drowsy indolence of just waking.
This kind of mission really suited her perfectly—no need to fight anyone, just leisurely deliver a letter while traveling with her close friend. The generous timeline made the entire trip feel more like a vacation.
Gazing at the gradually awakening street outside, Naruko's lips curved into an unconscious smile. Her mood lifted.
After straightening her clothes, Naruko opened her door to find Kaguya still seated upright in the living room chair. Yoya nestled against her side, covered by a thin blanket, sleeping soundly.
"Miss Kaguya didn't rest all night?" Naruko asked softly.
Kaguya raised her eyes, her pure white gaze especially clear in the morning light. "I've already slept far too long."
The moment Naruko's knuckles touched the door panel, it opened from inside.
Sasuko was already dressed, her black hair neatly bound behind her, expression clear and alert without a trace of drowsiness.
"Morning." She looked at Naruko, her gaze sweeping toward the living room. "Seems someone rose even earlier than us."
Naruko glanced back at the quietly seated Kaguya, lowering her voice. "Miss Kaguya apparently didn't sleep all night."
Sasuko felt somewhat surprised. After their previous interactions, she'd already noticed this teammate's unusual nature.
Just then, Hinata's door opened gently. The Hyuga eldest daughter emerged with lowered head, hands nervously clasped before her. "G-good morning, everyone."
Naruko flashed a brilliant smile. "Everyone's here! I'll go ask the innkeeper about breakfast."
Taking advantage of Naruko's departure, Hinata quietly lifted her eyes toward Sasuko, asking softly, "Did Sasuko-san rest well last night?"
"Well enough." Sasuko responded briefly, though her gaze settled on Yoya still nestled against Kaguya. The little girl rolled over against her mother, the blanket sliding halfway off as she slept peacefully.
Kaguya noticed Sasuko's attention and reached out to gently pull the blanket back over her daughter. This subtle gesture made Sasuko pause slightly—this seemingly cold mother was remarkably gentle with her daughter.
Naruko quickly returned with news. "The innkeeper says he can prepare boxed lunches for us to eat on the road."
"Boxed lunches?" Sasuko raised an eyebrow.
"From here to the next rest stop, we pass through forest with no restaurants along the way." Naruko explained. "Better to prepare food in advance."
After brief preparations, everyone gathered in the inn's lobby. The proprietor enthusiastically handed over prepared food boxes as Naruko cheerfully paid.
As they left the inn, Sasuko noticed several furtive figures near the entrance quickly dispersing. Her eyes turned cold, though she didn't raise an alarm.
Tanzaku Town gradually came alive in the morning light, shops along both sides of the street opening one after another, the air filling with food aromas.
Yoya had fully awakened by now, holding her mother's hand while surveying everything around her. Passing a dumpling shop, she couldn't help stopping to stare longingly at the colorful dango displayed in the window.
Kaguya followed her daughter's gaze, her expression remaining calm.
"Want some?" Naruko noticed the little girl's attention and crouched down to ask.
Yoya looked up at her mother, then gently shook her head. "It's not necessary..."
"Proprietor, five skewers of three-color dumplings." Sasuko had already approached the counter, producing a large bill.
When the warm dumplings were placed in Yoya's hands, the little girl's eyes lit up. She carefully took a bite, her face showing a satisfied smile.
"Thank you, Sister Sasuko." Yoya sweetly expressed her gratitude, cunning flashing briefly through her eyes.
Leaving Tanzaku Town, the group set out on the path toward Iwagakure. The road gradually narrowed as the forests on both sides grew increasingly dense.
"Stay alert." Naruko put away her usual playfulness, displaying the composure expected of a jonin instructor. "This area occasionally has rogue ninja activity."
Everyone shed their leisure attitudes.
At noon, the group stopped to rest in a forest clearing. Naruko opened the food boxes, distributing meals to everyone.
Sasuko accepted her rice ball, noticing Kaguya simply sat quietly without any intention of eating.
"Not to your taste?" Naruko asked with concern.
Kaguya shook her head gently. "I don't need it."
Yoya hastily explained, "Mother is accustomed to dining alone."
This detail left Sasuko contemplative. She recalled that last night at the inn, Kaguya also hadn't seemed to eat anything.
After lunch, everyone continued their journey. As the sun gradually declined westward, the forest light dimmed.
Hinata suddenly stopped, blood vessels around her Byakugan bulging slightly. "Situation ahead."
Everyone immediately entered alert status.
"What situation?" Naruko lowered her voice.
"Five chakra signatures, ambushed at the turn ahead." Hinata's voice carried tension. "Judging by chakra intensity, they're around chunin level."
Naruko's eyes sharpened. "Prepare for combat."
Sasuko had already quietly formed seals, ready to activate her Sharingan at any moment. She glanced at Kaguya, finding the woman still calm, simply moving Yoya gently behind her.
"Do you want them alive?" Kaguya suddenly spoke.
This statement stunned everyone momentarily.
Naruko quickly recovered. "Try to leave survivors for questioning."
Kaguya nodded slightly.
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