"Big sister, can we talk openly?"
After a long while, Hyuga Wuye finally calmed his emotions completely and slowly sat upright.
But Kaguya's arms remained hooked around his neck. "Carry me outside... I want to watch the sunset by the sea..."
"Alright."
Wuye's gaze flickered before he buried the emotion deep in his eyes.
Kaguya's body was very light, like a wisp of down. She felt weightless in his arms, so light he could barely feel her weight.
Uchiha Mikoto had been standing outside the door all along. When she saw Hyuga Wuye carrying Kaguya out, she did not say a word.
"Thank you."
Instead, Kaguya softly thanked her as she passed by.
Uchiha Mikoto lowered her head sadly. "It was all because of the Uchiha Clan that you became like this."
Kaguya gently shook her head, then rested her head against Wuye's shoulder, leaning against him contentedly.
"Some things were destined to turn out this way. No one can be blamed."
Her voice was so calm, like a clear spring that stirred only for Wuye, pure and flawless.
Kirigakure Village had been utterly crippled this time. Its upper ranks had been wiped out in one fell swoop, its trump card, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, had been reduced to a pitiful trio, and it had even lost a tailed beast.
So at this moment, the coastline was safer than ever.
Hyuga Wuye carried Kaguya as he slowly walked across the soft sand.
"Crash..."
The faintly salty sea breeze washed over them, accompanied by the sound of rolling waves, delivering the perfect accompaniment to the evening.
"The sunset... is so beautiful..."
Kaguya gazed at the setting sun at the edge of sea and sky, her face reflecting its crimson glow.
Wuye stopped beside a seaside reef.
He sat down on it,