chapter 3 : Petals of Curiosity

The battle had ended.

Ashes of chakra and falling leaves drifted gently through the air. as the last of the traitorous Moon Clan shinobi fell defeated. The battlefield, once trembling with violent energy, now stood still-quiet, like the moment before a storm... or just after one.

Sara Tsukihana stood with her back straight, blood on her clothes but none in her eyes. Her Tsukigan remained dormant now, the silver glow hidden beneath the warm brown of her natural eyes. She hadn't needed it-not for them. Her moon-born strength had spoken enough.

At her side, Kakashi Hatake lowered his arm slowly, his Sharingan still exposed but his gaze fixed on her-not as a fellow shinobi. but as someone trying to understand the mystery that stood beside him.

The villagers began to gather from a distance, cautious yet mesmerized. Whispers echoed among them like falling petals in the night wind:

"Did you see those eyes?"

"She's the girl from the legends... the last Moon Clan survivor..."

"They say she doesn't speak unless the moon allows her to..."

"No, she's not human-she's a curse, a beauty wrapped in danger."

"She fought like the storm and still walked like silence."

But Sara paid no mind to any of it. She simply turned away, her gaze soft on the half-rebuilt village of Konoha glowing under the fading light. Children peeking from rooftops watched her with wide eyes, torn between awe and fear.

from the Hokage Tower, Tsunade stood watching the scene unfold.

Shizune appeared beside her.

"She's stronger than I remembered." Tsunade said, eyes not leaving Sara.

"You don't regret finding her, do you?" Shizune asked quietly.

Tsunade smiled-softly, but with certainty. "No. Not even for a second. The Moon has returned to us... and this time, it's not going to vanish."

Kakashi looked at Sara again, remembering the words said to him during battle: "She's the curse. The devil in a fairy's body."

But what he saw now was not a curse. It was the calm after the storm, the quiet glow of someone who had walked through fire and still chosen peace.

"Come on," he said gently, walking beside her. "Let's go. You deserve something warm to eat."

Sara didn't look at him directly but began to walk beside him, calm, powerful, and unreadable.

As they entered the main road, more whispers followed, but now mixed with admiration. Some villagers even bowed their heads subtly. for the first time, the Moon wasn't feared-it was respected.

And above, the moon itself shone full and proud, like it was watching its daughter reclaim her place beneath the leaves.

Even the coldest moon con warm beneath curious hearts"

Scene - Naruto, the Gossiper Tornado

The village was blooming again after choos. Peace returned, and with it, Naruto burst into the scane like a storm

As he zigzagged through the markat, he overheard

"She came from the Moon Cian Her eyes... they shine when she speaks." "Even Kakashi is guarding her." "But they say she's cursed..."

Naruto (mouth full of taiyakil "MOON GIRL? A cursed princess?

DATTEBAYO

He dashed to find Sakura, grabbing her wrist with excitament

Naruto Sakura-chan! Let's meet her! The Moon Girl

Moon

Princess! They say she's beautiful and dangerous and fairy-like! Sakura (blinking): i also haven't even seen her yet. But if she's

staying with Kakashi-sensei, she must be someone really important."

Naruto: "Let's buy flowers! Pretty girls love flowers!" Sakura (blushing, then laughing): "Fine, but you're paying this time."

Scene 2- The flower Shop & Recruiting the Crew

At Ino's flower shop, Shikamaru is reluctantly arranging stems.

Naruto: "Oil Shikamarul Come with us to meet the Moon Girll ..Shikamaru What a drag I'm too busy."

Naruto: "Come oooon! You're not gonna meet a mysterious princess every day, right?"

Ino: "Wait-her? The one with the white eyes and silver ours? I'm in!"

They all buy soft blue flowers delicate and glowing faintly in the light, Ino insists it matches Sara's "oura"

Scene 3- Meeting the Moon

Sara is under the plum blossom tree near the training field, her back to the sun her shadow long.

Kakashi leans beside her, reading, but not really reading. He watches her, listens

Kakashi (softly) "They're coming" Sara (without opening her eyes): "I know"

When the group arrives. Naruto waves the flowers like a flag.

Naruto: "Are you Sara Tsukihana?! Moon Princess?! fairy girl??"

Sara leyes opening slightly: "...I suppose so."

Sakura "Sorry about him." Ino (albowing Sakural "He's right, though. You really are like the moon.

Sara nods slowly, still distant Shikamaru "Looks quiet.... that's nice."

Kakashi introduces each one. Sara bows gently. Her words are few but she listens, Watches. And when she speaks, it's soft yet sharp

Sare "You're loud but... warm"

Naruto (grinning) "We're the best at being loud and warm!"

Kakashi keeps silent, watching Sara's posture so different from the glowing, laughing girl he once sow as a child.

Kakashi (in thought "You've changed. What did you lose in that

darkness?"

Scene 4- Laughter Over Lunch

They move to Ichiraku. Naruto acts like a beast. Ino and Sakura tease each other. Shikamaru complains about his nap being ruined.

Sara eats slowly, Quiet.

But she listens to everything.

Ino: "You know, you don't have to be quiet all the time." Sara "Habit. And silence... is easy to trust."

Sakura "Well, get used to noise. We're not going anywhere." Sara looks at them for a moment, She doesn't smile but she

doesn't frown either.

Sara (softly): "I don't hate this."

Kakashi, hearing from behind his book, hides a smile.

Scene 5-Girls at the Bathhouse

Steam rises as the girls sook

warm waters

Ino (grinning) "So, Sara... are all Moon Clan girls this elegant or

just you? Sara (deadpan) "No. Just me."

They lough. Even Sakura giggles.

Sakura "You're sharper than you look." Hinata "Your back... you have old scors." Sara nods silently

Ino: "Did you get those in battle?" Sara "from betrayal." A quiet pause

Sara (breaking the silence) "But I survived." Ino "Damn right, you did."

Sara leans back. She watches the others laugh -lst water sook

away the tension. for the first time... she looks at them not as strangers but as potential allies.

Sara (softly) "You're strange. But comforting." Sakura: "That's what, friends are."

Scene 6 Boys' Side Banter

Naruto floats with a towel on his head.

Naruto: "You think she'll join missions with us?"

Shikamaru: "She's too powerful. And spooky. Kakashi eyes half-closed "She's trying. That's more than enough"

Naruto: "You knew her as a kid, right?" Kakashi...I saw her once. She smiled like the moon. That's all i remember.

Scene - Rooftop Peace

Later, they gather on the roof again, Sars stares of the moon. She finally speaks,

Sara Tsukihana lived too long in silence. Maybe... you are all a noise worth hearing."

The group cheers. Even Shikamaru smiles

Sara (gazing upward) The moon.... doesn't need to be alone.

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