-3rd Person-

A chill runs down the spine of the younger Uzumaki as she and the Nara feel the air getting cooler and cooler, signaling they are just a few minutes away from their destination. Dipping her hand to feel the flow of the calm icy waters.

As Mizuki pulls her hand out of the water, the Ice Island docks come into view, growing closer with each passing moment. After a few more minutes, they finally reach the dock. Mizuki takes a deep breath, trying to ease her nerves and push back the memories she hopes to forget.

"They're probably waiting somewhere near the dock" Shikamaru pipes in while looking at the approaching Ice Island. 

Shikamaru is the first to disembark from the boat. He turns around and extends his hand towards Mizuki, who takes it gratefully. Using his support, she pulls herself onto the dock, their hands still intertwined. With a slight squeeze, Shikamaru conveys reassurance as they walk together towards the entrance of the docks.

The frigid air causes a shiver to run down Mizuki's spine, a combination of nerves and the cold. To steady herself, she takes deep breaths, observing as each exhalation forms a small, fleeting cloud of vapor.

Shikamaru is the first to disembark from the boat. He turns around and extends his hand towards Mizuki, who takes it gratefully. Using his support, she pulls herself onto the dock, their hands still intertwined. With a slight squeeze, Shikamaru conveys reassurance as they walk together towards the entrance of the docks.

Relinquishing her hand, Shikamaru reaches into his bag and retrieves a scarf. He wraps it snugly around Mizuki's shoulders, and she emits a contented hum, snuggling into the warmth it provides. Side by side, they proceed on their path toward the entrance, the scarf a comforting shield against the chill.

Numerous thoughts circle the mind of Mizuki as she takes a step closer to a certain seated figure looking oh so familiar. 

What if he betrays them again? Hurt her again? Maybe he requested this mission because he found out that she was back in Konoha... What if-- 

Her thoughts were interrupted when she feels Shikamaru's hand on top of her head, as if telling her that everything will alright and nothing bad is going to happen.

Not far from the two shinobi was the man they were here for.

Seating by the dock is a man with dark green hair. His blue eyes carry a weight of regret as he slowly stands up and advances to meet the two shinobi. His gaze locks onto Mizuki, and they stand facing each other, an unspoken tension hanging in the air.

-Mizuki-

"Hey..." The man in front of me starts with a nervous tone while trying to hold his gaze with me, seeing him struggle before starting to fidget in his place. 

"Kogaine, correct?" Shikamaru butts in with a kind smile, while reaching out his hand for a shake. I could feel the heavy tension surrounding us as Kogaine shakes his hand in greetings. 

"Yes, I believe you're Shikamaru and Mizuki" He replies with a small smile, avoiding the eye contact with me. I see him shakily pick up his bag with his free hand before.

"Yeah, so we're going to be waiting for the next boat to go back to Konoha, which is about ten to twenty minutes from now" Shikamaru says while checking the time on a clock from a lamp post.

"Y-yes... would you guys like to eat something warm? We can go to the nearby store" Kogaine suggested while pointing at the bakery just behind him.

I continue to stay silent as I follow him and Shikamaru from the back, the scent of freshly baked bread lingers as we continue to draw closer to the small building. Children happily run around with their friends and siblings with no care about anything and the world. I couldn't help but feel slightly nostalgic as I watch them, reminiscing the time when I was still my brother and the gang.

The memory of us running away from Kiba's mom because we accidentally poured paint on their new carpet pops up in my mind, hearing the screams for fear and giggles.

"I'm gonna head in and get us some stuffed bread," Shikamaru says, signaling me to stay here with Kogaine. After all, it is an escorting mission so one of us had to say with the client at some point. 

I gave a small nod in response as I watch him give me a small smile before entering the bakery, leaving me with Kogaine, who was still fidgeting out of anxiety. 

.

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"I'm very sorry about the past" He quietly starts, staring into the lively street of the Dock.

"I know that what I did was something no one would forgive and I know that it dealt a huge toll on you throughout the years... and I'm very sorry. You don't have to forgive me now or ever, but I just wanted to let you know that I sought professional help and found out that I had a personality disorder due to my past trauma...." He quietly explains, looking down at the ground.

A warm feeling engulfs my chest, having the urge to scream at him for what he did...but it's not his fault that the reason he has that was because of his trauma. I want to be angry...but I don't think I have the right to be.

"I'm better now, I've been improving," He says, looking at me with a sad smile. I can see the small marks from scratches, slight eye-bags, and his tired eyes. It looked so scared but genuine at the same time.

I think he's actually telling the truth 

I hear Ku-chan say at the back of my mind as I look up at the man. It's true, he is telling the truth... I can feel it, sense it and everything.

"I-I'm sorry to hear that... I can't forgive you for now but I'll work on forgiving you..." I trailed quietly as I saw his eyes light up a bit in delight that I responded.

"Thank you" He replies with a small closed eye smile.

-3rd Person-

Shikamaru couldn't help but smile from the entrance of the Bakery, holding a bag filled with stuffed bread. As much as he hated the fact that he left her with Kogaine, he's glad that they've made up. 

"Move it, Pineapple!" A kid screamed annoyingly behind him with breadcrumbs around his mouth. It was a brat. A spoiled one.

Shikamaru slowly looked behind him with a blank stare.

AND flipped him.

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"MOMMY, THIS GUY IS MEAN!"

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

YIPEEE another updateeee! 

I know I know, Author-chaan why is the book so sloww- PUHLEASE this is like the end of the arc hehe. I SWEAR. We're finally moving on to the next arc. 

I'm gonna have to do a re-read on the book to refresh the ideas-

But anywaysss

LEMME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS CHAPTER!

Bye Potatoessss!

Stay Fab!~