Chapter 8 — Sparks Beneath the Surface
The mountain air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and smoke from the old nurse's pipe. Inside the quiet room, Ashura finally stood on his own two feet, his bandaged arm flexing as though testing its limits. His body had healed far faster than expected, though his pride still stung.
Temari leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes scanning him like a hawk.
Temari: "Careful, hero. Just because you can stand doesn't mean you should."
Ashura (smirking): "What, you scared I'll collapse again? Don't worry, I'm tougher than I look."
She raised a brow.
Temari: "No, you're exactly as reckless as you look. That's the problem."
Ashura chuckled, scratching his head. Shoto giggled in the corner, already enjoying how Temari always managed to cut his brother down.
Later that evening, the three of them sat outside beneath the stars. The mountains loomed like silent giants, and the night wind whispered through the pines. Temari sat close enough for her warmth to be felt, but not too close—always keeping her guard up.
Ashura: "You really respect Iroh, huh? Almost like a father."
Temari's expression softened, her usual sharpness fading.
Temari: "He gave me a path when I had none. If it weren't for him, I'd probably be another lost nobody in the city."
Ashura leaned back, folding his arms behind his head.
Ashura: "Tch. Sounds familiar. Iroh's got a thing for picking up strays, doesn't he?"
Temari shot him a look, half annoyed, half amused.
Temari: "You calling me a stray?"
Ashura (grinning): "I'm calling us both strays."
They laughed lightly, the tension between them shifting into something warmer. For the first time, Ashura noticed the way the moonlight reflected in her eyes, and Temari caught herself staring a little too long at the scars across his face—marks of someone who survived.
The night was quiet until Ashura suddenly spoke again, his tone uncharacteristically serious.
Ashura: "You ever wonder if… all this is just fate? Me, ending up with this artifact. You, stuck babysitting me."
Temari tilted her head, studying him carefully.
Temari: "Maybe it is fate. Or maybe it's just bad luck." (smirks)
Ashura laughed, then shook his head.
Ashura: "Either way… doesn't sound so bad."
A rare silence fell—comfortable, almost intimate. Temari turned her gaze back to the stars, hiding the small smile tugging at her lips.
Shoto, watching the two, whispered under his breath.
Shoto (smiling): "Big brother likes her…"
Ashura's ears turned red immediately.
Ashura: "Oi, brat! Go to sleep already!"
Temari laughed, genuinely this time, and for the first time since
waking up, Ashura felt something other than pain—he felt alive.