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-I might have to come back later and edit! So please don't mind any grammatical mistakes for now! ♡

I've never been a good listener.

I'll admit it. Long stories bore me! I always end up zoning out at the worst moments too! The only exception would be during class, I've always had enough academic discipline to stop my mind from drifting away during lectures, but damn am I a bad listener outside of school.

Haruki's always the one who's accused of being ditzy. But such claims do hold some truth.

She's always daydreaming, with a finger twirling around her locks of hair and pink bubblegum in her mouth as her starry eyed gaze twinkles against the sky. Her mind is like a petal during cherry blossom season, a pretty thing that's constantly drifting away to an unknown place.

With all factors considered, she's the ditzy-er twin. But that's not to say I haven't had my fair share of moments!

Normally I pride myself in my ability to focus on tasks at hand, my academics, my alert frame of mind-

But to be completely honest with myself, all of that is thrown out the window during moments like this.

Still on the dock, My classmates and I are all lined up in order under Shino sensei's command to formally be introduced to Kagura. On my right is Cho-Cho, and on my left is Shikadai. Haruki stands a few classmates away, between Mitsuki and Iwabe.

Whereas my close friends are intently listening to Shino sensei address the class, I find myself partaking in the habit I've chastised myself for ever since I was little. Not paying attention.

Blinking up at the sky, I watch carefully as a hawk gracefully soaring high above me. In all fairness, it's far more interesting than whatever monotone message Shino-sensei seems to be spreading.

The hawk seems to circle around a few times, as if it was waiting for the right moment to plunge down and catch its prey. Odd, we aren't prey! Hn, definitely more interesting than whatever Shino-sensei's going on and on about!

I didn't think something as simple as a bird would be enough to completely steal my focus away from my teacher, but to be fair, it's acting weird!

I squint however, when my keen eyes caught something wrapped around the hawk's leg.

Thanks to my grandfather's clan, my eyesight is better than most people's. According to my mother, we were all blessed with 'the eyes of ravens' meaning that we all have the innate ability to see farther and sharper images than the average person.

It's that same trait that helps me clock the letter wrapped around the hawk's leg.

Hm, what's going on? It's definitely a summoning animal, maybe it's a message for Shino-sensei?

"Thank you for coming to Kirigakure, I assure you all that you'll enjoy the stay." Kagura, the boy with pale hair and magenta eyes claims with a soft smile, somehow managing to snatch my gaze from the hawk gliding far above us.

A gust of wind flows through the pier, spurring stronger waves below us. I look around with widened eyes, silky hair flowing naturally with the sea breeze. Subtle chills dance across the exposed skin of my midriff, a consequence of my general outfit.

"The breeze is nice, we don't really get that back home" I airily comment, turning to Cho-Cho curiously as Kagura speaks to Shino-sensei and my brother.

The fact that Masahiko left my side to talk to Kagura a few minutes ago took me by surprise, and also probably induced my lack of attention for whatever was being said previously.

The two looked rather friendly, with Kagura lending Hiko an enthusiastic smile, and Hiko looking a little less tense than usual.

It's comical really, surely Masahiko still looks ready to kill, but when his shoulders ease up, then that's a tell-tale sign that he's comfortable!

I notice that Masahiko is very much aware of the hawk by the way his eyes curtly squint up at the sky, and I shouldn't have expected anything less.

For someone who's hyper-aware of his surroundings at all times, it'd be ridiculous if he didn't notice the large bird practically glaring right down at us.

"Huh he's pretty hot, but I wonder what he's like on the inside." Cho-Cho wonders out loud, the tip of her finger tapping on her chin in thought. Her words snap me out of my thoughts and I quickly find myself cocking my head to the side.

Kagura is handsome, in an almost regal sort of way. His posture is perfect, he holds his head high, his eyes are kind. Honestly, he reminds me of Haruki.

He looks like the type of boy Haruki fantasizes about all the time from her fairytale books, the royal prince ready to save the day and look perfect while doing it!

For a moment I allow myself to forget about the petty argument I had with Haruki earlier. Curiously, I lean forward and glance at her; nearly cracking a smile when I notice the way she's looking at him. I knew it!

Interestingly enough, I realize that I'm not the only one who's noticed the way Haruki's looking at Kagura.

Boruto, my blonde haired blue eyed childhood rival and friend, seems to have taken quite an interest in Haruki's behavior. His eyes are trained on her, even as Inojin and Shikadai hold a conversation that involves him, Boruto looks completely enwrapped in a different state of mind.

"Kagura Karatachi is a close aide to the Mizukage. He's not much older than you guys, you know. And he's worked with Masahiko in the past on joint missions" Anko-sensei smiles, her eyes skimming through our class as she speaks.

She seems to glance between Boruto, myself, and Haruki a handful of times in comparison to the rest of the students, and a part of me starts to wonder if her comment was directed at us to cut off the stubborn staring or to add fuel to the fire.

My dark brows raise when Kagura suddenly turns to our class once more, his gaze immediately landing on Haruki. He smiles kindly, and I don't fail to notice how his eyes subtly widen when he fully takes in her appearance.

He does it in a flustered sort of way, it's not a big enough reaction to fully break the regal and professional air surrounding him, but enough to make me and Masahiko share a look.

As a result, all eyes are on Haruki. Where they've always belonged.

I hear murmurs of jealousy from some of my classmates as he approaches her, whispers of

'Ah of course he's gonna go for Haruki-hime!'

or

'Haruki-hime always gets all the guys, doesn't she?'

Haruki-hime always gets the guys, huh?

For some reason Unbeknownst to me, my eyes vacantly drift to Boruto once more. He's watching the interaction between Haruki and Kagura carefully, ocean blue eyes darting between both of them with piqued interest.

We haven't spoken about what went down between us the other day up on the dock. In some ways, I'm glad. I don't think I'd be able to handle a conversation like that with Boruto of all people.

Hell, I'm still having trouble coming to terms with what happened back there!

If- Ahem...If either one of us had just moved forward at any moment-

We would've-

WE WOULD'VE KISSED! The thought makes me physically weak, so much so that Shikadai sends me an odd look when I place a hand on his shoulder and grip onto it for dear life.

"Don't question it." I murmur pleadingly, to which Shikadai rolls his green eyes and looks away, begrudgingly allowing me to use him as something to hold on to.

Still clutching the shoulder of my close childhood friend from the Nara clan, I glance up at Boruto once more. He's the subject of my thoughts, whether I like it or not.

And everytime I look at him, the memory of us sitting on that deck during the sunset just plagues the back of my head!

Still, his gaze is dead set on Haruki. I can't help but grow a bit antsy. I don't know why, but the fact that he hasn't even spared a look my way in favor of gawking at Haruki is starting to leave a bitter taste in my mouth.

Why the sudden change though? It's not like this is anything new. In fact, it's always been this way between the three of us! Hasn't it?

"My little Runa's so cute! Like a kitten!" My mom laughed, pressing a million kisses on my cheeks as I desperately whined and tried to find my way out of her embrace. I was only six at the time, old enough to feel embarrassed at all of the love she's decided to shower upon me in front of so many people.

We were at a small gathering taking place at my house, all of mom's friends came over which meant that all of my friends came over too!

And instead of letting me go out and play my mom just kept on hogging me up and carrying me around everywhere!

Cho-Cho, Shikadai, and Inojin were all by the deck which led out to my parent's lake. I watched with furrowed brows as they played with each other by the crystalline waters, feeling especially envious of Shikadai who was sipping on some of my favorite soda and cloud watching!

I wanna join!

"Mama let me go play with Shika, Inojin, and Cho-Cho!" I complained, pouting up at her when she simply laughed and placed another kiss on my button nose.

"Don't you think you've teased her enough Haru?" My uncle Shikamaru asked, clearly amused by the look on my face as my mom nuzzled her cheek against mine.

"Here Runa, do you want some barbecue? Maybe that'll cheer you up." Uncle Choji offered, raising the plate of steaming seasoned meat he grilled just a few minutes ago with our grill.

"Uncle, I think that plate is bigger than me!" I sweatdrop, pouting a bit more when uncle Shikamaru snorts on the sidelines instead of helping me.

"Alright alright I'll let you go but don't run around so much when Boruto gets here okay? Try not to fight today" She chuckles, lowering me back to the ground. My eyebrows raise, becoming an awful lot more curious about his whereabouts now that he's been mentioned.

Suddenly, cloud watching with Shikadai doesn't sound as fun.

"Wait mama when's he coming?" I pout, tugging at the chiffon fabric of her skirt to which she arches a pale brow.

"Hm? Any minute now, Hinata called me earlier and told me she'd be running a bit late."

"Any minute now is right, look who just arrived." Uncle Shikamaru nodded, gesturing with the cup in his hands towards the family composed of Uncle Naruto, Auntie Hinata, Boruto, and little Himawari.

Admittedly excited, I drop my hand from my mom's skirt and whirl around to seek out the blonde I've been familiar with my entire life.

However, instead of running over to him like I usually would, I pause at an unfamiliar sight.

Haruki's always loved our gardens. Whenever she'd be forced to come outside from her palace of a room for once, one could always find her at home amidst all of the flowers and greenery.

Sometimes she'd make my mom and brothers little bouquets tied with satin ribbons at the stems, and other times she'd make me flower crowns with the prettiest flowers she could find.

And ever since mom started training her more often, she's only grown to love the garden more. Tending to it on her own and even creating small patches of flowers with the wood style she was beginning to learn, Haruki loved it all!

Today was no different, Haruki was just about to stop watering some of her plants to go greet the Uzumaki family.

Before she could though, Boruto suddenly broke the tradition of running up to me and approached her first, lending her that big smile he seemed to always have on his face.

My dark eyes narrowed on them from afar, watching curiously as he knelt beside her and began talking to her about the flowers she was tending to. She wasn't responding at all, too flustered to even squeak out a response as he smiled her way.

Her cheeks were as pink as the peonies in her hands, and his eyes were as bright and sparkly as the shade of blue that coated our lake. Auntie Hinata watched them with an amused smile, leaning down herself toying with my sister's pearly locks.

Auntie Hinata and Haruki always had a special bond, my mother always attributed it to the small similarities in their personality.

I huff at them all, turning away and shrugging my little shoulders.

Whatever, cloud watching with Shikadai sounds way more fun!!

I ignore the subtle shift in the way my heart beats and I look away from Boruto, settling my attention into Kagura and my sister.

He was watching her with such insistence, and she was clearly dense to it all, as today she has her heart eyes set on this new guy, Kagura.

"Haruki Uchiha? Before we begin the tour, this message is for you." The magenta eyed boy speaks, to which enamoured sighs and swoons from some of my classmates could be heard from all around.

My head tilts. Message for Haruki? From who?-

The messenger hawk from before swoops down and swiftly lands on his extended arm. I watch carefully as her breath hitches, the pretty pink shade of her cheeks fading just a bit at the sight of the messenger hawk in front of her.

It's as if she recognizes the summoning animal, and I tilt my head curiously when she and Masahiko share a knowing glance with each other.

What? What's the deal here??

"Thank you Kagura-san," She quickly plastered that smile back on her face when she turned to him, her cheeks turning as rosy as ever and the sparkle in her eye shining brightly against the sun's golden glow.

My brows quirk upwards when Kagura clears his throat, his cheeks warming a bit as he averts his eyes to compose himself.

Oh, Haruki knows what she's doing-

"You could just call me Kagura," The taller boy smiles, to which an orchestra of sighs and squeals from some of the other girls could be heard in the background.

"Thank you then, Kagura." If the world could turn pink in her favor, it would. It's almost ridiculous how easily she manages to entrance him, wrap him around her finger.

Her charm is probably more dangerous than her fighting. With a smile so sweet and a face so pretty, she'd effortlessly leave any other girl who'd dare compete with her for someone's affection in the dust.

I watch as she gingerly takes the letter wrapped around the hawk's leg, holding the note closely to her chest after lending Kagura another thankful smile.

She then turns to Masahiko. My siblings share yet another look, it's as if they could speak through their eyes, sharing hundreds of words I wouldn't understand.

What the hell is in that letter? And who's it from?

I'm torn from my thoughts once again when I hear Boruto freaking out on the sidelines.

Kagura had apparently moved on from Haruki to greet Boruto, mentioning how he was honored to meet the son of Lord seventh, to which Boruto vehemently denied such a welcoming.

Instead, Boruto reached out his hand and smiled, "My dad's got nothing to do with this. I'm Boruto Uzumaki. You could just call me Boruto, okay?"

I sigh, blinking back up at the sky as the world around me begins to move around once more.

God Runa, don't you dare go back to zoning out!-

Kirigakure is truly a beautiful village from what I've gathered so far. I've always known that Kiri had become a modern and thriving city after the war; even more progressed than according to my mother.

And it's no secret that Kiri is a well-known tourist destination.

When Haruki and I were younger, our auntie Tsunade brought us on a short vacation without my mom. We've seen the pictures of this place, but it was still in the phase of modernizing itself the last time we were here, and the pictures barely did it any justice.

Now Kirigakure has amazing spots at every turn! Lively shops fill the sidelines of every road, sky scraping hotels create an amazing skyline, and the coastal shores make for an amazing tourist location!

"Wow, the Hidden Mist Village is really something!" I say out loud, eyes roaming over all of the different colored and sized swords lining the walls of a nearby shop.

It's a weapons store very similar to the one auntie Tenten runs back in Konoha, but this one seems far more specialized in Katana's.

Masahiko raises a brow at my intrigue, taking note of the sword I'm paying the most attention to. It's a medium sized katana with a sharp silver blade.

The hilt is what initially catches my attention, it's a beautiful shade of lilac with subtle periwinkle shimmers laced in the material; giving it a sort of color shifting effect.

The cover of the katana is equally as beautiful, with intricate purple and blue stitching creating the forms of butterflies and other tiny details.

There's a blank space meant for the embroidery of a clan symbol on the katana's hilt, and I can't help but imagine a little stitched Uchiha clan fan taking it's spot. The blade itself is a reflective silver that glints enticingly even under the protective shade of the shop's roof.

Wow!

I don't know how to fight with swords, I've never been taught and it isn't a part of the standard curriculum at school.

However, Masahiko promised to teach me eventually when he felt like I was ready. The thought just makes me grow more determined, wanting to get better as quickly as I could so I could expand my range of techniques.

My eyes grow wide at the idea of being able to wield such a weapon one day, hoping that I'll be good at it when I leap that training hurdle.

From ahead of the group, Kagura heard my praise from earlier. He smiled, pausing and turning to me thankfully.

"I'm glad you like our village, Runa-hime." He then averts his gaze, a shadow looming over his magenta eyes. "We're very proud of it."

If anyone notices his subtle shift in tone, they don't mention it. Not even Haruki, who merely lights up in a smile once more when he proceeds to turn his attention to her and continue walking by her side.

Speaking of my sister, my gaze drifts from the bustling shops and streets to my sister, sighing at the sight of the back of her head as she walks ahead of the group.

There was zero exaggeration in my thoughts earlier when I claimed that Haruki knew what she was doing. In fact, she knows damn well how to get exactly what she wants. She's done it with Inojin all of our lives, she's done it with Mitsuki a bazillion times, and now she's doing it to Kagura.

I swear, there must be some sort of enchanting toxin laced in the sparkly lipgloss she coats her lips with, because every time she smiles it's like the boys just fall deeper in love.

Kagura, although clearly prepared to show us around and guide us, has taken a very clear liking towards my sister. As shown by the way the two of them are walking alone and ahead of everyone else.

"Kagura! Do you think you could accompany me on the boardwalk later?" She'd smile, brushing her arm against his at just enough of a distance so that he could get a whiff of her sweetly scented perfume.