After Uchiha Yū left.
Uchiha Sora sat in the courtyard of his home.
His eyes were half closed as he sensed natural energy, while a little bird perched on his head and preened its feathers.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, startling the bird into flight.
His gaze turned toward a black-haired girl in a fitted outfit standing at the gate.
The girl had a shapely figure, like a flower about to bloom.
"Sora!!" A startled cry escaped her lips.
Then she raced toward Uchiha Sora and threw herself into his arms.
Uchiha Sora gently stroked her black hair and smiled. "Izumi, it's been a long time. Have you been well?"
The girl was Uchiha Izumi. During the year Uchiha Sora had been missing, she had prayed for him every day.
Now, seeing Uchiha Sora and feeling his familiar presence, Izumi had tears in the corners of her eyes. Her voice choked as she said, "Sora, where have you been this past year? Why were you gone for so long? I thought you'd already..."
"I'm sorry I made you worry," Uchiha Sora said gently. "It won't happen again."
Only then did Uchiha Izumi raise her head. Her eyes were slightly red and swollen as she gazed at him adoringly. "Sora..."
Feeling how deeply attached Izumi was to him, Uchiha Sora was overcome with emotion.
"Lord Sora!" Just then, another clear, bright voice rang out.
A little child dressed in white came running toward him.
Only then did Izumi leave Uchiha Sora's embrace, her face faintly flushed.
Uchiha Sora looked at the white-clad child and smiled. "Oh, Haku. You've grown quite a bit in the year since I last saw you!"
"Yes! Lord Sora, I'm so glad you're all right!" Haku nodded vigorously, a happy smile spreading across his face.
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