Extra Story: Aoi and Akatsuki

"Kuixing? I'm coming in!"

I stood at the entrance to the grand residence, gripping the brass handle as I knocked several times on the dark, heavy door. When no one answered, I gave it a gentle push. The door rumbled twice and swung open.

I peeked inside. It was a huge courtyard, just like the grounds of some ancient noble's estate. Rows of cherry trees stood in neat, staggered lines on either side. Looking closely, I could even see covered walkways looping around through doorways deep in the courtyard. The place was even bigger than my own home!

"Well, would you look at that. Why not just become the clan head?" I exclaimed in amazement.

"I heard Kuixing's mother came from another country. She came all the way to Konoha and married into the Uchiha Clan. Her family seems to have a lot of influence." I remembered Shisui mentioning that once. Back then, I'd only half believed him, but now I was convinced!

I made a full circuit of the courtyard but couldn't find Kuixing, so I climbed onto the roof and looked around. At last, I spotted her cleaning in the back courtyard!

"Kuixing, I'm over here!"

I waved to her from the high rooftop. She seemed to have only just noticed me and jumped in fright. She hurriedly dropped her broom and dashed off like a shot... straight into the house?

What was going on? Hadn't she invited me over to play today?

I climbed down from the eaves and landed on the second-floor walkway. I saw Kuixing rush into a room and slam the door shut. I went over and knocked, only to hear her shout from inside, "Wait a minute, Akatsuki!"

I had no choice but to sit down where I was. I opened the box of dumplings I'd brought for her, picked up a skewer, and started eating. With my legs dangling off the platform, I admired the view as I ate. Cherry blossoms drifted over now and then, landing beside me.

Before long, the door behind me opened.

I turned around. The girl in front of me wore a pale pink kimono, tied at the waist with a white sash that accentuated her slender figure. She was as lovely as a cherry tree.

Her cheeks were rosy, and her dark hair was pinned up at the back, leaving her face completely bare. She had a different air about her than usual.

For a moment, I thought I saw the grown-up Uchiha Kuixing. Graceful, lively, and gentle.

"Kuixing, you look beautiful." The compliment slipped out before I knew it. Her face turned even redder. Without a word, she came over and slowly sat beside me, then—

She started stealing my dango!

So much for appearances!

"Kuixing, are you going somewhere later? Is that why you're dressed like this?" I handed her a piping-hot soy-sauce dumpling. I couldn't think of any festival in Konoha today, so it seemed a little strange.

"You... You came to visit me today, didn't you?" Her hand clenched the hem of her skirt, and her voice sounded dry and nervous.

"I... Because my mother told me I should treat the people who are important to me well."

I paused, then slowly smiled.

Children this age could express their feelings so easily. They had a courage that far surpassed most adults.

You're important to me, too, Kuixing.

I couldn't say something like that out loud. All I could do was repeat it silently and keep Kuixing in the place that belonged only to her.

"Oh, right!"

She suddenly sprang to her feet and pattered into her room, then came back with a box for me.

"This is for you!"

I stood and took the box. "Can I open it now?"

"Of course!"

With her permission, I carefully lifted the ornate lid and unwrapped the beautiful paper, revealing—

A green, pasty-looking food.

"Th-this is..."

I stumbled over my words for a while before managing to swallow the question "What is this?" Instead, I asked, "Did you make this?"

"Yes, it's qingtuan. You're supposed to eat it in spring." Kuixing held it out to me, her face full of anticipation. "Go on, try it. I'll get you some hot tea!"

"Okay." I fought down the twitch in my mouth, carefully picked up a piece of the green stuff, and ate it with the grim determination of someone marching to their death!

I had to admit, it might have looked awful, but the taste...

Was even worse!!! QAQ

Time with a good friend always seemed slow and carefree.

Kuixing and I spent the whole morning laughing and playing around. At first, we sat properly and drank tea while admiring the flowers. But before long, we were running around the courtyard, chasing each other. Eventually, we ended up back inside, having a full-blown pillow fight. She chased me all over the place, and I even used Taijutsu, but in the end she still pinned me to the tatami so I couldn't move.

What could I do? I couldn't exactly fight her for real!

"Give up! I'm clearly the stronger one!" The fragrant wrist of the little girl had me in a headlock. With her other hand, she tickled my waist. I was extremely ticklish, and soon I couldn't help laughing. I strained my body and flipped Kuixing onto the floor, pinning her down so she couldn't move.

"I was going easy on you, you know?"

I grinned smugly, my knee pressing against her stomach and my hands holding down her shoulders. As I leaned closer to see her expression, I suddenly realized she'd gone quiet.

Her hair had come loose during our scuffle, spreading across the floor like raven feathers. Her cheeks were bright red, and she gazed up at me with shining eyes. I was the only one in them.

My heart suddenly started racing. I was just about to get up when someone behind me grabbed me and lifted me into the air!

"Hey—!"

I jumped in fright and turned around, coming face-to-face with a man.

He wore a green shinobi flak jacket and a Forehead Protector. His dark eyes fixed on me coldly. He looked a lot like Fugaku and carried an imposing air.

I was at a loss when Kuixing suddenly cried, "Dad!" My heart skipped a beat.

Was he... Kuixing's father?

I'd been friends with Kuixing for so long, but this was the first time I'd met her family.

Kuixing jumped to her feet excitedly and rushed over to the man. "Dad, you're back?"

His expression softened for an instant. Then he set me down and patted Kuixing on the head.

"An assignment brought me back to the village for a little while. I'll be leaving again soon." After speaking, the man looked back at me, his expression turning appraising once more.

"Is this your friend?"

"Father, I told you about him! He's Uchiha Akatsuki, my good friend!" Kuixing excitedly pushed me in front of her father and introduced me with great ceremony.

"He's my very best friend!"

I blinked and called out, "Hello, sir! I'm Uchiha Akatsuki. It's a pleasure to visit your home!"

The man didn't respond warmly. He gave me a long look, then turned and climbed the stairs, his steps heavy and slow.

"If he's your friend, make yourself at home."

How strange.

Once his figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs, I finally relaxed. I turned to Kuixing, but she looked reluctant. When she met my eyes, her expression turned apologetic.

"My father... Maybe he's just tired from his mission, so... He... isn't in the best mood..."

"It's okay. My father's like that, too." I cut her off, letting her know I didn't mind.

Kuixing managed a weak smile, then fell silent for a while. When she spoke again, her voice was uncharacteristically subdued. "Actually, Father used to be a very kind person, but after Mother passed away, he... changed."

"I see..." I fell silent, too.

Losing a loved one left a pain that could never be erased. I'd never experienced it in my previous life, but now, just imagining that the day might come when I lost my own mother made my heart ache.

I never wanted to go through something like that.

But in this world, many children had lost that bond forever from the moment they were born.

I gazed at Kuixing, then slowly took her hand in mine, offering her warmth.

Everyone was the same.

Behind every strong, optimistic face was someone facing loneliness and pain alone.

"But now that I have Akatsuki, I'm not afraid anymore." Kuixing suddenly smiled. She stared at our joined hands, lost in thought.

"Afraid? What are you afraid of?"

She didn't answer. Instead, she looked up at me and suddenly said, "Akatsuki, the Fisherman's Fire Festival is coming soon. Do you want to make a lantern?"

The Fisherman's Fire Festival was a traditional holiday in Konoha, usually held in spring. Everyone gathered by the river to send flower lanterns and river lanterns floating away, symbolizing the return of spring and the rebirth of all things.

"Sure, but I've never made one before." I was good at handling blades, but I had no talent whatsoever for crafts.

"That's okay. I can teach you."

She quietly led me upstairs into her room and brought out a bunch of supplies. Then she guided me through the process, step by step.

I wasn't really interested in making one, but Kuixing looked so excited. Besides, I thought the little one at home might like it, so I settled down and carefully cut the paper.

"My mother taught me how to do this."

As the sun began to set, a bright red lantern took shape in Kuixing's hands. It was an elaborate koi lantern, beautiful and ornate!

My eyes lit up. I was just about to praise her when the door suddenly slid open. I looked up to see Kuixing's father, dressed and ready to leave.

"Have you paid your respects to your mother?" he asked.

Kuixing froze, then quickly replied, "I have!"

The man nodded. Without even glancing at me, he left us with a single remark. "I'll be away for six months this time. While I'm gone, Xun will look after you."

Xun?

The name sounded familiar, as if I'd heard it somewhere before.

Before I could think about it, Kuixing stood up to see her father off, so I stood too. I watched as the man gave Kuixing one last pat on the head, then turned and left.

There wasn't much affection in the gesture, but it still conveyed boundless tenderness.

After he was gone, I asked, "Who's Xun? Is she a relative of yours?"

"Sister Xun was my mother's friend. After my mother passed away, she often came to look after me." Kuixing smiled, looking rather proud. "Sister Xun knows Medical Ninjutsu, too! She healed the injuries I got during my underground training!"

"So it was her!" I suddenly remembered the woman who'd examined me underground years ago. She'd looked after me afterward, even roasted dumplings for me and changed my clothes. In the end, she was the one who took me to Fugaku's home, too!

What a strange twist of fate!

"Sister Xun's amazing. There are hardly any medical ninja in the clan, but she can use Medical Ninjutsu. Isn't that incredible?"

"I see..." I remembered that most of the Uchiha Clan's chakra was Yin in nature, which couldn't heal the body. To develop Yang chakra, you had to train for it after birth, and that was incredibly difficult!

"Then Sister Xun really is something special..." I tried to remember what she looked like, but her face was blurry in my mind. After all, I hadn't seen her since I started school. So I asked, "Does she come to look after you often?"

"She came by once half a month ago and brought me some food and medicine." Kuixing thought for a moment. "Sister Xun has a very high standing in the clan, and she also holds a position in Konoha, so she's busy. Most of the time, she sends her subordinates to check on me."

Right, someone like that couldn't be an ordinary person. I pursed my lips and silently committed the name Uchiha Xun to memory.

"Akatsuki, where's your lantern? Let me see!"

Hearing that, I tensed up and hurriedly hid my shoddy creation behind my back, but Kuixing still managed to pull it out.

"What on earth is this? Hahahaha!"

As expected, she burst out laughing. I'd made a little lantern shaped like a person with a bowl cut and big eyes full of bewilderment at the world. Kuixing laughed so hard she teared up. Only then did I say, "I made you."

"Me?"

I nodded and recalled, "It's what you looked like when I first met you at school."

Kuixing said nothing, but kept wiping away the tears from laughing. She held the lantern in her arms and studied it for a long time before saying, "That doesn't look like me at all."

I compared it with her. Kuixing had grown into a girl with black hair and eyes, beautiful and bright. She had the unmistakable look of the Uchiha Clan, gentle yet sharp.

"You're right. You've changed." I nodded and glanced at the lantern again, smiling. "But for some reason, I still think of you as you were when you were little. You don't seem to have changed much."

Kuixing stopped arguing. Instead, she took my hand and led me out of the room, along the corridor and toward a room at the very edge.

Then she opened the door and led me inside. The moment it opened, an air of antiquity washed over us.

It was a dim but spacious room. A huge altar stood in the middle of it, with a memorial tablet on top and incense burning around it.

In this world, ceremonies of this scale were rare outside the homes of lords and nobles.

"Don't be scared. This is my mother's room." Kuixing held my hand and led me closer. I gradually began to feel a sense of warmth.

"Sometimes I can't sleep at night, so I come here. It always makes me feel at ease." As she spoke, she sat down on the cushion before the altar, clasped her hands, and closed her eyes, as though speaking to someone.

I looked up at the candlelight in front of us. Its faint glow was soothing, so I knelt down beside her and paid my respects, too.

"Akatsuki, give me a hand."

After we finished, Kuixing went behind the altar and took something out. I went over to see. It was two short, glossy red candles.

"Light these, then put them in the lanterns."

I looked at the red candles and asked, "Is it okay to use these?"

"It's fine." Kuixing shook her head with a smile. "Mother won't mind. She might even like it."

I smiled, too. I took out some kindling, lit the red candles, and carefully tucked them inside the lanterns.

"Look, Kuixing. You're glowing." I held out the bowl-cut lantern for her to see. She rewarded me with a sharp flick on the forehead, and I finally quieted down.

"Akatsuki, lift the curtain behind you for me. I want to open the window."

"Open the window?"

I went behind the altar, puzzled, and discovered that what I'd thought was a wall was actually covered by a huge white curtain! I carefully pulled it aside. With a push from Kuixing, two doors swung open with a rumble. As the white curtains billowed, a clear night sky and distant mountains slowly came into view!

It was beautiful. It was already night outside.

"Mother used to love looking at the view from here. She sat right here."

Kuixing climbed out through the window, stepped onto the walkway outside, crossed it, and jumped onto the tallest tree behind the house.

"You're the one who likes it here."

I shook my head and followed her out, carrying the two lanterns. With every step, they lit up a little more of the way. When Kuixing's face was finally illuminated, I sat down beside her.

"Did you know, Akatsuki? You can see the area beyond the village from here." I followed her gaze into the distance. Sure enough, layer upon layer of mountains stretched out before us, but without lights to decorate them, they looked especially desolate.

"Ever since Mother passed away, I've often sat here alone for a very long time. Long enough for the cold wind to chill me to the bone and make my hands and feet go numb, but I still wouldn't want to leave."

"No one likes this place, but I feel that as long as I sit here, Mother is still by my side."

My eyes grew a little sore, but I couldn't think of anything comforting to say. I could only offer her my shoulder. Kuixing began to tremble lightly, her eyes slowly turning red.

At a loss, I hesitated for a long while, then suddenly thought of a good idea.

"Kuixing, want to see a magic trick?"

I lifted the koi lantern in my hand and secretly formed hand seals with my right hand. Within a couple of breaths, the koi lantern began to rise slowly, like a fish swimming through the sky, heading toward the moon!

"H-how did you do that?" Kuixing was so surprised she stopped crying and broke into a smile. "I spent all afternoon making that lantern, and you just sent it flying!"

Heh, what was so hard about that? One Wind Release technique did the trick! I was feeling rather pleased with myself, but of course I didn't tell her. Instead, I kept showing off. "I'm not done yet. If I tell it to come back, it'll come back. Do you believe me?"

"I don't."

Just watch, little miss!

I gave a gentle tug with my fingers. The steel wire glimmered faintly in the sky as it brought the lantern back down. It floated back into my hand.

Kuixing gazed at the lantern, its warm red light reflected in her eyes. She looked as if she'd just found a priceless treasure, her eyes brighter than the stars.

"Here, I'll hang them up for you."

With Kuixing watching, I hung both lanterns from the branch overhead. One was bright red, the other was bright, and together they illuminated this little patch of the world.

"Let's leave them here. If you want to come see the view again, call me and we'll come together. Don't freeze out here alone anymore."

As I led Kuixing down from the tree branch and we returned to the room, a breeze sprang up. It lifted the white curtains and stirred the lanterns hanging from the branches. It wasn't cold like a night wind, but gentle and warm like a spring breeze, soothing the heart.