Chapter 26 – Two Roads, One Destiny
The dawn after the festival was quiet. Smoke still rose from broken stalls, lantern fragments lay scattered across the streets, but the town was alive — people worked together, patching roofs, clearing rubble, picking each other up. Hope had slipped back into their eyes.
Inside the inn, Ashura stirred awake. His body was stiff, bruises wrapped tight in bandages, but the warmth of Temari's healing still lingered faintly. He sat up slowly, staring at the faint glow of the artifact mark on his hand. His chest tightened — flashes of last night, his tears, Temari's arms around him — all coming back like a storm.
Ashura: (thinking) Tch… embarrassing. But… for once… it didn't feel so heavy.
The door slid open with a clack. Temari entered carrying a tray with miso soup and rice. She set it down, her usual sternness masking the faintest pink dusting her cheeks.
Temari: "Eat. You're no good to anyone half-dead."
Ashura smirked, reaching for the bowl.
Ashura: "Heh. You'll make a good nurse someday."
Temari: (glares) "Say that again and I'll reopen your wounds."
Shoto peeked from behind her, snickering. "Oooh, brother, she cares about youuu~"
Ashura choked on his soup. Temari's face burned red as she smacked Shoto on the head.
Temari: "Shut it, brat!"
The awkward silence that followed was only broken by Ashura's quiet laugh. For the first time in a while, it felt… normal.
---
Outside, beneath the rising sun, Master Iroh stood with Fuyuko at the edge of the town. His eyes scanned the mountains, his expression unreadable.
Fuyuko: "You've already decided, haven't you?"
Iroh: "Hn. The boy has grown. But answers won't come to him here. And the enemy won't sit still. We need information."
Fuyuko puffed on her pipe, smoke curling into the air.
Fuyuko: "And you want me to tag along so you don't die of boredom, eh?"
Iroh smirked faintly. "Something like that."
Moments later, Ashura, Temari, and Shoto approached. Ashura's katana rested at his side, Temari carried her staff and medicine kit, and Shoto wore his little wooden training sword proudly.
Ashura: "So… this is it."
Iroh placed a hand on his shoulder, firm and steady.
Iroh: "You've survived hell once. You'll do it again. But don't forget — strength without balance leads only to ruin. Remember your training."
Ashura nodded, eyes sharp.
Temari bowed respectfully. "We'll keep each other alive. You don't have to worry."
Fuyuko grinned, eyeing her.
Fuyuko: "Bold words, girl. Just don't let him cry on your shoulder every night."
Temari flushed red, Ashura nearly stumbled, and Shoto burst into laughter.
Iroh hid his own smile behind a cough.
Iroh: "Go. Find answers. Find allies. We'll meet again when the time is right."
The two groups parted — Iroh and Fuyuko heading east, their silhouettes swallowed by mist, while Ashura, Temari, and Shoto walked west, the sun lighting their path.
---
As they reached the town's edge, Temari adjusted the strap of her bag. She glanced at Ashura, who walked a step ahead, his hand unconsciously brushing the mark on his palm.
Temari: "...Ashura."
He turned, curious.
Temari hesitated, then said softly: "Last night… when you broke down. Don't ever think that makes you weak. It just makes you human."
Ashura froze, her words cutting through him deeper than any blade. For a moment, his chest tightened, but then — he smirked faintly, scratching the back of his neck.
Ashura: "Heh… guess I'll just have to keep proving you right, huh?"
Temari rolled her eyes, but couldn't stop the small smile tugging her lips.
Shoto, oblivious as ever, raced ahead shouting: "Let's go, slowpokes! Adventure awaits!"
Ashura and Temari followed — side by side, not quite touching, but close enough that the air between them buzzed with something unspoken.
Their journey had truly begun.
To be continued