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Chapter Text

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The streamline bus service had never taken anyone all the way to Castle Dusk in all its history. Rumors and legends were more than effective in deterring any potential visitors, despite the castle’s legendary beauty. However, you were a special case as legends, good and bad alike, were precisely what you longed for―  especially when it tied back to you. It matters little to you that the drop off point is at least half a mile away from Castle Dusk, even with your camping gear.

“Be careful, Moon Child.”

You laugh heartily into your Bluetooth earbuds, heart warm with fondness at your dad’s favorite nickname. You shift the camping gear on your back into a more comfortable position.

“I’m always careful, Papa!” you titter into the microphone happily. “I’ve got everything that I could need for these next two weeks― well unless I feel like I need to extend my stay. You know just how much I adore learning about our family’s history. Oh, I’m so frigging pumped for this!” You take a deep breath, tired from saying so much in such a short span of time.

Your father laughs loudly, “Slow down, Moony. Take a breath!” He sighs softly as his laughter subsides into uncomfortable silence. “I really wish that you would have let me come with you. I wouldn’t have distracted you from writing, well, that much.”

“Yes, you would have!” You hop over a large puddle in your path, taking in the lush foliage surrounding you. “In fact, I don’t think that I would make any progress with you here! My book is too important for me to be distracted― even by you.”

“And you have neglected to tell me for the past two months exactly what it is that you’re writing about.”

“Historical fiction! One based on our family history of course― knights, blood feuds, and betrayal with a healthy dose of sex!” You giggle deviously, a sly smile stretching across your face.

“No, (Y/N)!”

You pouted at your father’s words, “I’m joking, you absolute walnut. Even though I’m an adult you’d never let me publicly publish erotica.” You gently pluck a yellow flower from a bush as you pass by a worn path. Though I could technically get away with it if I were to go under a pseudonym, you think to yourself.

“Is this really that important to you?” Your father inquires softly.

You smirk as you stand aloft on a giant rock, “Duh. You said it yourself anyway, ‘A person must always treat history with respect. People without knowledge of their past―”

“―have no roots and are destined to fall prey to the passing wind.’ I didn’t tell you that just so you could turn it against me, young lady.”

Triumphant, you sidle up to the castle. Perhaps in the height of its day, it would have been an impregnable fortress, but now it is no more than an impressive ruin. With a pleased yell, you shove the mighty doors open. “Father, I may be young, but I assure you I am no lady!” An ear-splitting bang resounds through the Great Hall as the doors hit the wall.

You stand transfixed for many moments before traversing forward. The clopping sound of your hiking boots on hard stone echoes just as loudly as the bang in the deafening silence. “By the gods, it’s gorgeous!” You shout, unmindful of your dad’s sensitive ears. Casting aside your camping pack, you break into a dance.

A displeased snort crackles through your earbuds. “I take it you made it there in one piece.”

“You betcha!” A laugh escapes your lips as you spin and twirl, careful not to trip over any debris. “Castle Dusk, your rightful queen has arrived!”

“Well I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” your father states dryly. “But please―”

“―be safe and call often. Drink lots of water and don’t take any candy from strangers (no matter how attractive they are) and always keep pepper spray on hand. I got it, Pa’!” And from there, apart from some quiet grumblings and snarky remarks, your father eventually leaves you to your own devices.

Dragging your fingertips along tattered tapestries, you surrender to the mystery of Castle Dusk.  It was surreal seeing the origin of your family’s history, the setting of so many of your favorite legends as a child.

You had been raised on the stories of old, of your family’s connections to an all but dissolved royal bloodline. It was nothing short of miraculous that you know of your connection to the royal court, of your ancestry. The (L/N) family were powerful rulers, trained in combat and bred in old chaos magic.

Your heart burned with love as you explored the castle, longing for times long since passed. Times that only existed in your dreams.

After extensive exploring, you soon found yourself taking refuge in the middle of the Great Hall where the moonlight seeped through the nonexistent ceiling. Romanticized thoughts of Castle Dusk poured through your mind that night as you slept, many of which revolved around knights plated in silver armor and ladies clothed in satin and lace.

You didn’t stir as the castle seemed to breath around you, wind stirring the fallen leaves. Castle Dusk groaned and shuddered, floor shifting. You do, however, stir and groan along with the castle as you feel the movement beneath you.

Rising from the confines of your sleeping bag, you stumble to your feet. The world seems to waver before you, the walls around you seem to become solid once more, decorated in all matters of finery, as vibrant as the day they were created.

“By the gods,” you gasp as you twist around in circles to take in the Great Hall around you. “This must be a dream!” There was no way that this was happening! Something like excitement made your heart skip in your chest and you smiled like a child. Even if this was a dream it was an intoxicating one.

With a heart as light as a feather, you find it fit to dance once more, clad in fuzzy socks and an oversized t-shirt. You pretend to waltz around the hall, feet tapping across the cold floor. All matters of color drip and spin along with you, melding the world into something akin to a rainbow. Drunk on life and imagination, you dance until your feet give out and you tumble to the cold floor on your back with a breathless laugh.

“Halt!”

Panting, you turn to the source of the booming voice, screaming in terror as you see an iron sword bury itself next to your ear. “Holy shi―!”

You screech in pain as you are pulled to your feet by your hair, strands straining under the harsh pull. Tears blot the corners of your eyes. This wasn’t a dream, was it? Flailing wildly, you attempted to do your best to fight against your assailant. You fail to do anything. Tears fall like rain as you are cast aside, thrown into the wall like a rag doll.

Dazed and confused, you scramble to your feet, and take off running. Every muscle and bruise protests against you as you fly through the halls of Castle Dusk.

Your socked feet end up being your undoing.

The lack of traction sends you sprawling and splat into a stone wall. Groaning, you hold your head and cradle your body with your unoccupied hand. Damp with sweat you slump to the floor, defeated.

“This is not a dream,” you hiss out through clenched teeth. “It feels like I got crushed by a sumo wrestler.”

“A what?” A feminine voice asks slowly, making your skin crawl with fear. You turn slowly as you scream internally in panic. You laugh awkwardly as you stare up at the girl in front of you adorned in fine red robes and various gold trinkets. It is a strange fashion when accompanied with a mask, smooth and completely white.

“Miss,” you gasp loudly. “Please, help me!”

The woman sinks to her knees elegantly, robes shifting. “Why? What is frightening you so, young one?” Her hands snake out to grasp your own, her pale flesh shocking you. You flinch lightly as she touches your cheek gently and her face twists into disgusted rage. “Oh my that is quite the bruise. Who did this to you?”

A loud clanking in the halls sends you clambering away from the enraged beauty and into a far corner. Metal on stone echoes through the hall you as a male voice shouts down the hall.

“Sakura!”

A silver knight comes crashing into view ever so suddenly just as you manage to cover yourself with drapery. You quiver silently as the steps come closer.

“Sakura there’s an intruder in the castle! We have to find them!” A boyish voice bellows. “I’m gonna be the one to find them, believe it!”

Sakura laughs nervously, “I’m sure you will, Naruto.” Your heart hammers like a war drum beneath your chest and your blood runs cold. You bite your lip roughly in an attempt calm your shuddering breaths. Please don’t give me up pleasedon’tgivemeup…, you scream in your mind, pleading to Sakura with your nonexistent telepathy.

Naruto agrees with Sakura animatedly, “Ne, why don’t you help me Sakura! It’ll be fun!” Your heart stutters in your chest as their steps grow closer to your hiding spot. By now you can see the boots of the knight mere inches from you.

Sakura hums absentmindedly, “I would love to help you look but…” You flinch as you watch Sakura’s feet come into view, bare and covered in thin gold bangles.

You can feel your body freeze as the drapes slowly shift, porcelain fingers slowly dragging the material back. “But alas, I’ve already bested you.” Gasping, you attempt to escape.

You barely get half a foot away before you’re being pulled back by the neck of your shirt. Trails of green light begin to weave around you in an intricate net, covering you from neck to ankle. It ripples once before becoming a solid, soft as silk but solid as rock. The second skin makes you squirm like a fly caught in a web.

“Haha alright!” Naruto snickers as Sakura comes to stand before you.

She smiles down softly, her voice gentle. “I’m sorry. I swear on my honor that no harm will come to you.” Her right hand snaps up and you find yourself weightless. The halls bleed together as you’re carried in the magic hammock. An unbearable amount of time passes before you can feel yourself being lowered to the ground, hushed voices sounding all around you. The green cloth around you subsides suddenly, before crawling up to your arms and becoming rope.

Smooth stones chill you to the bone as you stare up at more than a twenty people surrounding you. A woman, dressed much like Sakura, steps forth and makes the earth tremble in her wake. “Who dares trespass on the sacred grounds of Castle Black!” Your mouth drops in awe at as you shift along with the earth. “Answer, heathen!”

“(Y/N),” you say quietly twisting in your bonds.

“How dare you sully Castle Dusk with your presence!” A young knights snarls from within his helmet. He steps forth menacingly, tearing his helmet from his head, exposing a full head of ebony hair. “I should have split you in two when I first saw you!” The man pulls his sword from its worn scabbard.

Sakura bleeds out from the mob of people, placing herself between you and the knight. “That’s quite enough, Sasuke! You would do well to remember that you stand before a lady!” Her rage is just as tangible and frightening as the woman who made the earth tremble.

Sasuke sneers menacingly as he glare bores into your body, “I see no lady before me, only some common whore!” Sakura gasps and promptly backhands him, sending him reeling to the floor.

Hushed whispers circulate from within the mob and you are decidedly annoyed that no one has untied you yet. There was little you could do against fully armed men in suits of armor.

“Please,” you say as loudly as you dare. “I meant you no disrespect, I was simply taking refuge here from the cold night.” The words that spill from your mouth are a blend of fact and fiction. “I will leave this castle at once, if you so wish.” Your mouth fills with a bitter taste as all eyes fall upon you again.

A man steps forward, slouching ever so slightly in his armor with a notebook― your writing notebook ―held precariously in his hand. You wriggle in your bonds, feeling the urge to lunge for the book. He flips through some of the pages quietly.

Sputtering you stare at the relaxed man, “Hey, that’s mine!” He blinks slowly staring up at you with one eye, the other covered with an eyepatch.

“So it would seem,” the man says. You are impressed that the words that leave his mouth are so clear, even behind a cloth mask. He flips to another page. “I am curious as to how you received all this information regarding Castle Dusk… (Y/N).” Your eyebrows scrunch together as you recall writing your first name and number on the inside of the notebook’s front cover.

“I’ve been doing research,” you say tentatively. “This is a historical site.” The hall stirs and settles at your words.

The man runs a hand through his silver hair. “By the old gods, how long have we slumbered?”

You purse your lips together in thought, trying to recall the downfall of Castle Dusk. “It has been more than five centuries since the fall of Castle Dusk.” Some people in the crowd gasp and others cry out in rage.

Sasuke steps forth to stand next the unnamed man, “Blasphemy! Tell me you don’t believe this madwoman, Kakashi!”

“It must be true,” the woman dressed in robes says, voice cold as frost. “The walls of Castle Dusk cry out and bleed magic anew.” The woman kneels gently, her long blond hair brushing against the ground. “We have always existed outside the realm of man― of space and time, waiting on the call of our kings and queens.” Her fingertips brush against the stones beneath her. “We shall answer.”

Kakashi hums, “You are certain of this, High Priestess Tsunade?”

“Yes.”

Kakashi nods, bowing his head ever so sightly before approaching you slowly. He holds out a hand to you, much like one would a frightened animal. You consider his hand for a moment before placing your delicate hand in his much larger one. You hardly notice the green ropes around you dissipate.

“What family do you hail from, little one?” Kakashi asks tenderly, voice silvery and smooth. His handsome face and voice put you in a stupor, forgetting your own name.

“Ah… um, I hail from the (L/N) family,” you mumble quietly as you try your best not to stare at Kakashi. Whispers start anew and people begin to push forward to get a better look at you.

“Hold,” Sakura shouts, T-posing as Naruto and two knights begin to make their way towards you quickly. “I will not allow you lot to overwhelm Lady (L/N)!”

You blink in surprise, “Lady (L/N)?”

“For now,” Tsunade says as she saunters over to you. “Though I have a suspicion that you deserve a much higher title than that.” Her hand plucks your own from Kakashi’s, placing it in her own, palm up. “But I must confirm it in blood before I can allow you it.”

Kakashi’s eye widens in panic, “Tsunade don’t―!” You flinch at the calm knight’s bellow and open your mouth to ask precisely what was wrong as you feel a dull ache in your hand.

Blinking blearily, you stare at the knife buried in the middle of your palm. Green magic and red, red blood pours from the wound like a fountain. The wound seems to crawl up your arm, tearing you apart from invisible seams. Surprisingly, you don’t scream in pain, instead opting to stare transfixed.

Sakura all but shrieks as you stumble, falling into Kakashi's arms. You can’t help but feel guilty as your blood splashes and splatters on his pristine chest plate.

Fingers coax you into tilting you head back, forcing you to look into Tsunade's eyes, her irises a deep amber color. “You need not worry if you are who you say who you are, Lady (L/N). The blood of the gods of old runs through the veins of the (LN) family, they would not allow one of their descendants to die from their own magic.”

Your mind vaguely registers the pleads of Sakura and Kakashi for mercy on your behalf.

Tsunade’s breath brushes against your ear and neck as she pushes her face closer to your own. “Perish or rise, those have been the only options afforded to you.” Your vision swims and wavers before you like water. Red is your blood. 

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Chapter Text

Blood rushes through your veins as your body burns. You awake to screams and shouts. Your body does not feel like your own as your eyes roll back into your head and you writhe. Ice cold stone scrapes against your sweltering skin. A stab of fear fills your body as you shudder, curling into a fetal position. The screaming grows louder, the deafening cries piercing your ears. Cold tendrils of what seems to be sweat or blood drip down your body as you shake.

Just as quickly as you had awoke, the convulsions of your body ceased. Your eyes roll back to their rightful place, your eyelids peeled open.

Like the lens of a camera, your eyes seem to focus slowly, turning colored blobs into figures. A transparent red, spiderweb dome covers you entirely. “Impressive,” Tsunade’s voice muses from the distance. “It appears that the girl is a (L/N).” You pant quietly as you stare at the High Priestess and the rest of Castle Dusk contained behind a green dome, splattered in crimson.

You shudder from the cold again as you feel drops of liquid fall upon your skin. You turn your face skyward to look for the source of the liquid. The red dome comes apart at your stare, splashing down on your body with tremendous force. “But it appears that she lacks any control of her magick.” Tsunade steps forward, hips swaying.

Shivering as cold blood clings to your skin, you stare at Tsunade in quiet terror as the green dome parts for her. Her calm saunter is equal parts regal and abhorrent as she approaches you, her bare feet treading through the pool of blood.

“High Priestess Tsunade,” a familiar knight’s voice breaks through the quiet hush of the great hall. “Please, allow me to aid the lady.” Kakashi practically cuts off Tsunade’s path, blocking her from sight. You pay no mind to the response as you rub your arms, distressed by the viscous red substance that coats your hands like honey.

The clank of armor draws your eyes upward to the masked face of Kakashi, the moonlight glinting off of his silver hair. The mask is unable the hide the knit of his brows and hunched posture as he kneels and offers you a hand, ungloved and vulnerable. Your eyes flit across him, taking in the lack of a sword or even a scabbard, feeling some of your anxiety ebb away in practical apprehension.

“I am entirely disarmed and at your mercy,” the silver knight says calmly. You can’t control the slight flinch as he leans forward into your space. “I swear upon my clan name and the old gods that I mean you no harm. I shall not lay so much as a finger on you with ill intent.”

You consider Kakashi in silence, watching his eyes as he stares at you patiently. The attentiveness of his dark gaze is embarrassing, your eyes settling on the ground as your teeth worry your lip.

“Please trust me, my lady.”

If not for the bitter, cold blood clinging to you like a second skin you may have flushed at the almost tender voice of the knight in front of you. With a sigh you meet Kakashi’s eyes once again, placing your hand in his own waiting one.

His hand is pleasantly warm against your freezing skin as he gently pulls you from the floor. There’s a hushed conversation that your ears can barely hear from the crowd as you feel Kakashi guide you gently.

Only when smooth stone turns to wood do you take note of your new location somewhere within the body of Castle Dusk. An ornate wood door stands imposingly in front of you, likely someone’s chambers if the beautiful carvings are anything to go by.

“Lady (L/N),” Kakashi addresses you formally, bending at the waist in a deep bow. “On behalf of Castle Dusk I beg your forgiveness. We have arranged some ladies in waiting to draw a bath and a more suitable change of dress for you.” You barely catch the way his eyes glide across your exposed legs before returning to the ground once more. “Please enjoy your bath. I shall remain at my post outside these chambers to ensure your safety.”

Your mouth is dry as you clear your throat lightly, “Thank you kindly Sir… Kakashi.” The title weighs awkwardly in your mouth but you use it to ensure proper decorum is followed.

A light creak behind you forcibly drags your attention away. A petite girl stands in the doorway, dressed in a flattering periwinkle dress adorned with silver lace and jewelry. The girl startles at your gaze, curtseying quickly and bowing her head, her raven hair covering her pale eyes.

“Ah Lady (L/N)! I am Lady Hinata of clan Hyuuga, I shall be your lady in waiting throughout your stay at Castle Dusk.” Hinata speaks softly, her voice barely above a whisper, pleasant on your ears with her kind tone. “Please, I have prepared a bath for you and attendants to help you dress.” With grace, Hinata moves to the side, opening the chambers further before ushering you in. 

You hardly get a last glance at Kakashi before the heavy oak door shuts behind you with the same finality as a nail in a coffin.

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Bathing you come to realize is equal parts pleasant and annoying. The oils, fragrances, and rose petals of the warm bath are beyond relaxing, though quickly become sullied as your body descends into the depths of the stone tub.

The red blood that coats you practically bleeds anew as it mingles with the water, becoming a deep pink. It takes three tubs of water before the water remains clean and each time they take care to add the same embellishments as the first bath.

A shower would have been far quicker.

Your mind sighs as an attendant offers to groom you with a straight razor. You grimace at the tool and shake your head as you take the tool and take care to do the task yourself. 

As would a modern razor.

You bite back a swear as you lightly knick your skin with the razor, a drop of blood falling to the water below. With a handful of water, you go to wash the new wound clean, only to let the water flow between your fingers.

The wound on your leg almost appears to stitch itself back together by an invisible hand. You lean forward to continue to watch as your skin seamlessly meets once again before becoming smooth, as though the damage had never occurred.

“What in the world…”

“That’s one ability that chaos magick holds, my Lady.” You startle at the soft voice of Hinata from behind you. “Ah! My apologies I did not mean to frighten you!”

You tilt your head back to look at Hinata, glad that the milk that the attendants added to this bath keeps the bath from being clear. “It’s quite alright Lady Hinata, I was simply… stunned by what was happening.” She hums in understanding.

“It was much the same for me when my family gifts started to appear,” Hinata confides in you softly. “It was terrifying at first, especially since I was considered a very late bloomer in my family.” You watch as she grabs an embroidered towel.

“What type of gifts does your family have?” You ask as your curiosity peaks through. “In all my research I never came across a ‘Hyuuga clan’.

Hinata smiles knowingly at that. “That is because they are very private and only two of us have ever served in these halls. We are seers of a sort, able to see things from incredible distances, sometimes even things from the past.”

You lean closer, water sloshing against the rim of the tub, “Do you mean ghosts?”

“Ghosts? If you mean spirits of the deceased, yes!”

You lean forward even more in your excitement, uncaring of the cold stone against your chest. “Amazing!”

Hinata turns with a smile before her face flushes a brilliant red, eyes drawn to your chest. “M-my Lady! Please―!”

You blink at her embarrassment in confusion before looking downward. Your chest, while smushed against the tub, still covers the entirety of the more obscene bits, only showcasing your cleavage. You withdraw from the brim sheepishly.

“My apologies Lady Hinata, I did not mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Hinata covers her face with the towel in her hand, soft lavender eyes gazing at you, “It’s quite a-alright. I, um, did not mean to stare.” You bite back a laugh at her adorable behavior and admire the flush that has seemed to spread to the tips of her ears.

“It’s alright,” you say firmly once again as you stare into her eyes. “And please, call me (Y/N).”

“My Lady― I am not supposed to―”

You tilt your head, your damp hair falling to the side as you gaze up at Hinata with a smile. “Please, Hinata?” The quiet girl squeaks before nodding fervently.

You give her a moment to collect herself before moving to rise, slowly to give Hinata time to anticipate your movements. A cute squeak leaves her once again as she avoids looking at your body, offering the towel. 

“Thank you. I am decent now.” You say with a smile before moving to exit the tub.  Hinata nods, face still flushed pink as she offers you a hand, helping you exit the bathtub.

Candles line the walls of the chamber you enter, dancing off of the mirror, armoire, and gilded room divider. You immediately take note of the variety of dresses lining the open armoire, in a variety of colors and fabrics.

“You certainly took your time, Hinata.” A voice says sharply as the two of you enter the room.

“My apologies, Ino.” Hinata says softly.

You step forward and consider the dresses in the armoire, ignoring the conversation as you thumb through the more poofy ballgowns to the back. This was hardly the appropriate time to wear that. You consider one for a moment, admiring its soft fabric and beautiful embroidery.

“An excellent choice Lady (Y/N),” a voice comments brightly from next to you. You glance to the side, taking in a second lady, clearly of higher birth with a brilliant purple chiffon dress adorning her, brazenly exposing her midriff. She catches your gaze with a smile, blue eyes sparkling with mirth. “Please call me Ino, I cannot stand stuffy titles.”

“Ino it is then,” you say kindly with a smile. “Please call me by my first name as well.”

Ino smiles, twirling a strand of long blonde hair around her finger. “But of course! Shall we find you an evening dress then, (Y/N)?” You nod as you return to your search, taking some of Ino’s advice as you browse and returning your own thoughts in kind.

“I must say, your taste in fashion is quite a breath of fresh air,” Ino says lightly as her fingers deftly lace the back of your dress. “Most women in this castle are sooo very unwilling to consider new trends and be more daring! This piece is very becoming of you! Right, Hinata?”

Hinata startles at the sudden attention before smiling, “Yes! You look simply breathtaking my― ah (Y/N)!”

You give Hinata a wide smile. “Thank you both!” You fiddle with your hands self-consciously. You repress a shiver as Ino gently cards her fingers through your hair, pulling part of it back to allow it to frame your face gently. A hand gently reaches for your own, ceasing your fiddling. A single, delicate ring is placed upon your hand, the single polished red stone shining brilliantly in the middle.

“There is no need to be worried,” Ino states confidently. “Your lineage has been proven and there is no one within these hallowed grounds that could hope to hurt you any longer.” A thin silver chain is clasped around your other wrist gently. “We have been awaiting a true ruler to breathe life into us once more. That would not be possible without you, lovely.”

You exhale softly, allowing your shoulders to relax.

Hinata steps forward, face a cute rosy pink, “High Priestess Tsunade will likely request an audience with you.” She fiddles with her fingers, much like you. “I could accompany you if you wish?”

“Please,” you say softly with slight desperation.

“My work is done!” Ino exclaims brightly. She twirls you with a flourish, taking in your appearance. “Hinata was right you are simply breathtaking, lovely!” A solid knock cuts the moment short.

“Sincerest apologies, ladies,” Kakashi says loudly. “But I believe the High Priestess is growing restless. Sakura has been sent to accompany our lady.” All three of you share looks at the intrusion.

“I don’t suppose you’d be willing to hide me in the armoire?” You tease half-heartedly.

“Not a chance,” Ino says gently as she guides you to the door. “As much as I like you, I’m afraid that I am, well, far too afraid of our High Priestess to attempt such a feat.” You sigh as the door shuts with finality leaving Hinata, Kakashi, Sakura, and you alone in the hall.

Sakura smiles brilliantly at you, as she takes in your appearance, “The dress suits you Lady (L/N).” You nod and say your thanks quietly.   

Kakashi is disturbingly quiet during the walk back to the great hall, his hand perched atop the hilt of his sword. You glance at him in concern, catching his eyes on you. His dark eyes widen before quickly flitting away from you, your eyes catching a pink tinge to his ears.

Oh…

“You look well, my lady.” Kakashi compliments you awkwardly. “That dress is very pretty.”

Sakura laughs, “Kakashi you truly need to learn how to compliment a lady. You have been spending too much time with the sword, my friend.”

“Sakura!”

“Rebuking me for my honesty will not make my words any less true.”

You bite back a snort, feeling comforted by the banner. Humor and friendships had a way of humanizing even the most hardened knight you supposed. Perhaps your meeting with Tsunade wouldn’t be so bad?

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