Her green eyes stared up at him, cloudy with fatigue. "Don't think this means anything," she muttered.
Kai gave a small, amused huff. "Sure. You collapsing into my arms totally doesn't mean anything."
She glared, but it was weak—half-hearted. Her head leaned slightly against his shoulder as he carried her out of the clearing, back toward the village.
The path was quiet. Only the sound of Kai's boots brushing through the grass and the occasional bird call broke the silence.
When they reached the edge of the village, a few kunoichi looked up in surprise, seeing their future leader being carried like a bride. Kai just nodded at them casually, unfazed.
He found her home—simple, traditional, tucked neatly into the corner of the village walls. He pushed open the door gently with his foot and stepped inside.
Carefully, he laid her down on the futon, adjusting a pillow beneath her head. Her armor clinked softly as he eased her into place.
She didn't say anything. Her eyes stayed closed, breathing steady now.
Kai stood over her for a moment, watching her. Then, unable to help himself, he leaned down just slightly.
His lips brushed hers.
It was quick. Gentle. Barely a second.
Shizuka's eyes fluttered open just as he pulled away. For a moment, she looked stunned—then her face darkened with something unreadable.
Kai grinned and stepped back. "Rest up, princess. "
Then he turned and walked out, leaving the door slightly ajar, the sound of his footsteps fading into the evening breeze.
As Kai stepped out into the soft twilight, the fading sun bathed the village in warm hues of amber and gold. Pine shadows stretched across the ground, swaying gently with the evening breeze. For a moment, everything was quiet.
[System Notification]
Region Lock: [Nadeshiko Territory] — Lifted.Foreign access now possible. Prepare accordingly.
The message appeared in glowing red text across Kai's vision, stark against the calm dusk.
His smirk faded.
He stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing as the words sank in. The lock he had placed—meant to keep out any outsiders, enemies, or worse—was no longer active. Whether it had timed out or been breached, the result was the same.
They could come now.
Kai clenched his fist, cursed energy flaring slightly before he suppressed it. His thoughts raced. Had someone found a way through? Or was something bigger coming?
He looked back at Shizuka's home. She was finally resting. Vulnerable. And for once, unguarded.
He exhaled slowly. "So much for peace."
The village wasn't ready. He wasn't ready. But he couldn't afford to let his guard down anymore.
Not with what might be coming.
Kai turned and walked toward the cliffs at the edge of the village—where the wind was sharp and the view stretched far beyond the pine trees, into the lands that lay beyond Nadeshiko's protection.
Kai stood at the cliffs until the last of the sun dipped behind the horizon. The wind tugged at his coat, cool and restless. Beyond the mountains, the world waited—unfamiliar, unstable, and full of threats. But also… answers. Maybe even a few opportunities worth chasing.
He turned back, glancing once more toward the distant shape of Shizuka's home.
He owed her a proper goodbye.
—
The door creaked softly as he stepped inside. The room was dim, shadows stretching long across the tatami floor. Shizuka lay just as he left her, though her eyes flicked open the moment he entered.
"Tch. Took you long enough," she muttered, voice still scratchy with exhaustion.
Kai smiled faintly. "Didn't want to wake you."
"You didn't," she said, sitting up slowly. "I was waiting. I figured you'd come back to gloat or something."
He chuckled. "Tempting. But no."
Shizuka blinked, then narrowed her eyes. "Then what?"
Kai leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "I'm heading out. Gonna check out what's happening outside the barrier. See who or what slipped through."
Shizuka raised a brow. "Alone?"
"For now," he said. "Won't be gone long. Just need to get a feel for the situation."
She paused. Then gave a shrug and a sigh. "Good. Maybe some peace and quiet around here for once."
Kai smirked. "Don't get too excited. I'll be back before you even start missing me."
"I won't," she said flatly.
But her fingers tugged lightly at the blanket around her lap, and her eyes didn't quite meet his.
Kai pushed off the doorframe, walking a little closer. "Still… if something happens here before I'm back, fall back to the shrine. Activate the wards like I showed you."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm not helpless."
"I know," he said. "But I'm still saying it."
A beat passed. Then she nodded, almost reluctantly. "Fine. Just don't die out there, idiot."
"No promises," Kai said with a grin. Then, more gently, "Take care, princess."
She made a face. "Stop calling me that."
He just laughed and turned toward the door.
As he stepped out, her voice called faintly after him. "...Come back in one piece."
He didn't reply—just lifted a hand in a lazy wave as he walked into the night, the wind carrying him down the mountain path, toward the unknown.
Behind him, Shizuka stared at the empty doorway for a long while… then smiled.
Just a little.
Before pulling the blanket tighter around herself and letting her eyes close.