Chapter 22 – Festival of the Five Peaks (Part 2: Morning Shadows)
The night had been merciless. Ashura thrashed in his futon, sweat soaking through his bandages as faint groans slipped from his lips. Behind his shut eyes, fire consumed the sky. The smell of smoke. The screams of his mother. The faint wailing of Shoto, still a baby back then.
Ashura: (in the dream, reaching out) "No… please! Don't leave me… it's my fault… it's all my fault…"
His body jerked violently, breath catching in his throat.
A voice cut through the haze.
Temari: "Oi. Wake up, idiot."
Ashura's eyes snapped open. He gasped for air, chest rising and falling like he had been drowning. He turned his head — Temari sat on the floor beside him, arms crossed, her gaze sharp but uneasy.
She had heard every word. Or rather… every thought.
In his head, his voice was still spiraling, broken. "It's my fault… if I hadn't wanted to go… she'd still be alive."
Temari bit her lip. She didn't interrupt. She just stared at him, her usual sarcasm trembling beneath something softer.
Temari: "You were groaning like a dying boar. Don't tell me you're scared of festivals or something."
Ashura blinked, forcing a smirk despite the tremor still in his hands.
Ashura: "Tch. Scared? As if. Just… bad dream, that's all."
But his thoughts betrayed him, echoing like screams in her head. "…I killed her… it's my fault…"
Temari's chest tightened. She looked away, hiding the storm behind her eyes.
Temari: "Whatever. Try not to drool all over the futon next time."
Ashura: (smirks faintly) "Thanks for the concern, nurse."
She stood and left without another word. He never noticed the worry carved across her face.
---
Morning.
The group sat around the low table for breakfast. Steam rose from bowls of rice and soup. Shoto stuffed his face eagerly, while Iroh and Fuyuko bickered like children.
Fuyuko: "Eat slower, you'll choke."
Iroh: "Ha! A warrior must train even his stomach."
Fuyuko: (rolling eyes, puffing smoke from her cigar) "You haven't been a warrior in thirty years. You're just greedy."
Shoto: (mouth full) "Master's gonna lose to Granny in eating!"
Everyone laughed — except Ashura, who poked absentmindedly at his food. His mind was elsewhere. Still, when Temari glanced at him, pretending not to care, she heard the same weight in his head. The guilt he refused to say aloud.
---
Afternoon. Festival Day.
The mountain town had transformed. Stalls lined the paths, selling sweets and trinkets. Children darted about with masks and candy, while music filled the streets.
Shoto: (eyes sparkling) "Brother, let's play that one!"
Ashura: "Huh? Ring toss? What are we, five?"
Shoto: (tugging his sleeve) "C'monnn, please!"
Ashura sighed, but followed. Moments later, he was begrudgingly tossing rings while Shoto cheered. When Ashura actually won, Shoto jumped with joy, hugging him.
For the first time in a long while, Ashura smiled genuinely — unaware Temari had been watching from nearby. She caught herself smiling too, then quickly hid it with a scoff.
Temari: (muttering) "Hmph. Looks like a dork when he laughs."
---
Evening. The Lanterns.
As the sun set, the crowd gathered to release paper lanterns into the sky. Each carried a written wish.
Shoto's wish was messy but pure: "I wanna be strong like my brother."
Iroh's was simple: "Protect the boy."
Fuyuko's remained unread — she smirked and kept it to herself.
Temari's was short but sharp: "Never let weakness control me."
Ashura stared at his blank slip for a long time. The ink brush trembled in his hand. Finally, he scribbled something vague: "To move forward." He didn't dare write the truth.
The lanterns floated upward, glowing like stars. For a moment, Ashura's heart felt lighter.
---
Nightfall.
The crowd gathered in the square. Excitement buzzed. Children pointed to the sky as men prepared the fireworks.
Shoto: (bouncing) "Brother, look! They're starting!"
The first rocket screamed into the air. BOOM. A burst of color lit the heavens. Cheers erupted.
Ashura froze.
His chest locked up. His eyes widened. The colors weren't colors anymore — they were flames. The cheers weren't cheers — they were screams. The night air filled with smoke.
Ashura: (whispering, trembling) "…It's happening again."
Temari's eyes darted to him. His fists clenched, his body shaking violently. In his head, the same mantra roared, louder than the fireworks.
"It's my fault… my fault… my fault…"
The world tilted. Ashura's knees buckled. He collapsed, tears spilling freely, clutching his head as the sky burned above.
Temari dropped beside him instantly, shielding him from the crowd's stares. Her sharp voice cut low, desperate.
Temari: "Ashura! Hey! Snap out of it!"
But
his mind was already far away, drowning in guilt.
---
To be continued....