Training away...

Sora was out by the lake, training. Her summon, Hotaru was nearby, grazing, and half watching Sora.
Deciding to take a break, Sora walked over to Hotaru and scratched her behind the ears "Hey, girl."

The mare whickered happily "Sora-chan."

He hadn't seen her in a while and simply seeing her took his breath away. She was a gorgeous if not more gorgeous than he remembered her. Her hair was slightly longer than he remembered, but she'd grown.

He missed her dearly, but his sacrifice was worth it, he told that to himself all the time, hoping that'd he'd believe it. He still loved her, no matter how the time had passed.

'Beautiful as always

Kissing Hotaru on the nose, she swung around and got up onto her back, leading her out into the water. Hotaru playfully knocked Sora into the water, splashing at her until Sora stopped and looked back over her shoulder.
Was someone watching her?

Shrugging it off, Sora splashed Hotaru back, before getting out of the icy lake, and sitting down, something niggling at her.

"Hm."

He was glad that he could mask his chakra enough to continue to watch her. She looked happy, something that he was glad to see, but then again somewhat sad. She seemed fine without him.

He pondered whether or not to come forward.

Hotaru came forward and stared right back into the trees, whinnying slightly, Sora turned to look again, standing up "There's no one there, Hotaru. Chill."

She patted the golden mare on the neck "I need to keep training or I'll never find him."

His ears perked up hearing her speaking about a "him". He wondered if it was him indeed whom she was looking for. He decided to continue to hide in the shadows until she spilled more information.

Hotaru leant down and nuzzled her cheek "Don't worry, Sora-chan. I'm sure you'll find Itachi-sama."

"Hopefully...One day, if he remembers me." She got up again, and got back onto Hotaru's back, smiling half-heartedly "Maybe."

He knew that it was a sign, a sign that he should appear towards her. He admitted that he was nervous, simply because he wouldn't know what her reaction would be.

"Sora" he whispered trying not to frighten her.

SHe froze. She could tell that voice anywhere.
Sora looked around slowly, and her eyes widened, shimmering with tears, before biring down on her lip.

Her words were quiet and shaky "Is this genjutsu? Or is it really you?"

Her reaction broke his heart. He immediately hopped down and walked towards her, trying to hide his own emotions.

"Of course it's me. You're as beautiful as I remember"

She ran straight into his arms, sobbing into his shoulder "Oh, Kami, I missed you so much...I...THey...they told me you were dead..."

He closed his eyes tight, relishing the feeling of having her beside him. She fit perfectly in his arms and he kissed her forehead.

"I missed you Sora, I missed you too" he whispered.