Premonition

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Returning to Konoha, Horyu spotted Hinata standing in front of his house. Her presence was a comforting sight after the intense events. He approached her silently, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. She tensed briefly, startled like a gazelle, then relaxed into his embrace, accepting his touch.

"I missed you," Horyu murmured, his voice soft yet firm.

Hinata leaned back into him, her heart racing. "I missed you too," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. They stood there for a moment, finding solace in each other's presence.

They entered the house, the familiar surroundings providing a sense of normalcy. Horyu led Hinata to the living room, where they sat down on a plush sofa. He could feel the weight of the recent battle still lingering, but Hinata's presence was a soothing balm.

"The war is finally over," Horyu said, breaking the silence. "Hirato and Black Zetsu are caught and sealed."

Hinata looked at him with wide eyes, a mixture of relief and concern. "Naruto and Himawari returned safely?"

Horyu nodded. "Yes, they did. Naruto was once a close friend of yours, but things changed over the years, didn't they? You've grown apart."

Hinata reached out, her fingers lightly brushing against his arm. "I'm glad they're safe. It's been a long journey for all of us."

Horyu's gaze softened as he looked at her. "It has. But now, we can finally focus on rebuilding and moving forward."

Hinata then bit her lip, her face reflecting a mix of worry and determination. "Horyu, I have a bad feeling about the ritual."

Horyu frowned. Hinata's summoning pact with the Lunar Hare Tribe made her incredibly attuned to mystical elements like luck, destiny, curses, and blessings. If she felt uneasy, he needed to take her seriously. "What do you feel?"

Hinata's eyes met his, filled with concern. "The Lunar Hares have always been sensitive to the flow of destiny and spiritual disruptions. They've warned me that the upcoming ritual could attract unwanted attention, potentially altering the course of events in ways we can't control."

Horyu's expression hardened. "We can't afford to ignore this," he said, more to himself than to her. He knew the weight of her words and the reliability of her instincts.

Hinata placed a gentle hand on his arm, her touch soothing. "Horyu, maybe we should consider another approach. There might be a way to achieve our goals without risking such a dangerous ritual."

Horyu turned to face her fully, his eyes reflecting his deep contemplation. "We've planned everything meticulously. This isn't a new plan, Hinata. Mito-sama has been working on it for decades. It's the only way to save humanity from the specters. Afterward, we'll seal the Twilight Realm, saving not just my Kurohana Tribe but also your Lunar Hare Tribe."

Hinata shook her head, worry etched across her face. "I don't know, Horyu. It feels like I will lose something precious."

Horyu fell into deep thought. 'Could it be emotions? Mito-sama said the seal would suppress extreme emotions to prevent specters from manipulating people into causing more wars and bloodshed. Could the Lunar Hare Tribe sense that the ritual might seal emotions, altering something fundamental?'

Horyu took a step closer, his voice softer now. "Hinata, I understand your fears. But this plan is our best shot at ensuring peace and safety. The specters feed off our conflicts and emotions. If we don't act now, the cycle of violence will never end."

Hinata's eyes searched his, filled with a mix of fear and hope. "But what if we lose ourselves in the process? What if this seal takes away what makes us human?"

Horyu gently cupped her face with his hand, his touch reassuring. "We won't lose ourselves, Hinata. We'll adapt. We're stronger together. This seal isn't about erasing who we are but protecting what we hold dear."

Hinata leaned into his touch, her eyes closing briefly. "I trust you, Horyu. I just want to make sure we're not making a mistake that we can't undo."

Horyu nodded, his resolve firm. "We'll be careful. I promise you, we'll find a way to make this work without losing ourselves."

They stood there for a moment, their closeness offering comfort and strength. Hinata finally broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "You've always been so strong, Horyu. But remember, you don't have to carry this burden alone."

Horyu's eyes softened as he looked at her. "I know. And having you by my side makes it easier to bear."

Their relationship had always been unspoken, a quiet understanding between them. They didn't need grand declarations or elaborate gestures. Their bond was forged through shared experiences and mutual respect.

Hinata reached out, her fingers intertwining with his. "Just promise me one thing," she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion.

Horyu squeezed her hand gently. "Anything."

"Promise me you won't lose yourself in this fight. Promise me you'll come back to me."

Horyu's gaze held hers, his expression unwavering. "I promise, Hinata. I'll always come back to you."

The moment was broken with the arrival of an ANBU who reported, "Horyu-sama, Mito-sama wants to see you." Nodding, Horyu got up and bid Hinata goodbye, and found Mito in the old Senju compound sitting alone.

"Mito-sama," he greeted as he entered. Mito looked a little older than in the morning. The toll of Hirato and Zetsu's arrest must have weighed heavily on her. Mito smiled warmly.

"Come, Horyu. Sit down with me. How is everything?" she asked, her voice gentle yet tinged with concern.

Horyu took a seat beside her, noticing the weariness in her eyes. "Everything is alright, Mito-sama. We are ready for the ritual."

Mito smiled gently, her eyes softening as she looked at him. "Forget about that for now," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Tell me, Horyu, when do you plan to marry Hinata-chan and Ino-chan?"

Horyu raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You always know how to shift the conversation, don't you, Mito-sama?"

Mito chuckled softly, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "It's a grandmother's privilege to worry about such things. Hinata and Ino are wonderful girls. You've grown close to them, haven't you?"

Horyu leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, they mean a lot to me. But with everything going on, it's hard to think about the future like that."

Mito nodded understandingly. "I know, dear. But life is about balance. You can't always be the warrior. Sometimes, you need to let yourself be human, too."

He sighed, feeling the weight of her words. "I understand."

Mito reached out, placing a hand on his. "Horyu, you've done so much already. You've earned the right to think about your happiness, too. Don't wait too long. Life has a way of passing by faster than we realize."

Horyu looked at her, seeing the wisdom in her eyes. "I'll try to keep that in mind, Mito-sama. Thank you."

Mito smiled warmly. "That's all I ask. Now, tell me more about how things went with Hinata and Ino. I want to hear everything."

Horyu couldn't help but chuckle. "You're relentless. Fine, where do I start? Hinata has always been supportive, even when I was at my lowest. She's kind and gentle, but she's also incredibly strong."

Mito nodded, her eyes shining with approval. "And Ino?"

"Ino is different," Horyu continued. "She's fierce and determined. She doesn't hesitate to speak her mind, and she's been a great ally in difficult times. Her loyalty and courage are admirable."

Mito's smile grew. "It sounds like you've found balance between them. Hinata's gentleness and Ino's strength. They complement each other, and you."

Horyu nodded slowly. "Yes, they do. I care for them deeply."

"Then don't let fear hold you back," Mito advised. "The world will always be chaotic, but finding love and happiness amidst the chaos is what makes life worth living."

Horyu considered her words, feeling a sense of clarity. "You're right, Mito-sama. I'll find a way to make it work."

Mito's smile was one of pure warmth and pride. "That's the spirit, Horyu. Now, promise me you'll take some time for yourself. You deserve it."

He nodded, a rare softness in his eyes. "I promise."

As they sat together, the room filled with a comfortable silence, Horyu felt a sense of peace he hadn't experienced in a long time. "Thank you, Mito-sama. I needed this."

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