Because I Met You

Chapter 66: Correspondence

"The Kyushi Clan? Yeah I've heard of them."

The travelling merchant answers me. Oh! Am I going to get lucky this time? It's almost the end of the day and I've asked almost everyone I came across if they knew anything about my clan, but nobody had any useful information.

"What have you heard, sir?"

"Well, I heard they dabble in some very shady things. Quite the dangerous group they are."

Wait, he's talking in the present.

"Are there still members that are alive?"

"Oh that's true, I heard about that massacre a while back. But no, I'm pretty sure there are still some members that are alive. If I were you though, I'd steer clear."

"I will steer clear, of course. Would you care to tell me of where though, so that I make sure never to travel there."

"Well, little lady, I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you, so I'll tell you. Have you heard of Curtain Village in the Land of Silence?"

Curtain Village...? I'll have to research about it.

"No, I never heard of it."

"Well, it's quite a distant land, so it's not surprising that you haven't heard of it. I've been travelling for most of my life now, so I've been a bit everywhere."

He then motions for me to come closer. I lend him my ear and he whispers the rest.

"It's a hotspot for criminal activities. The Land of Silence is actually under Samurai jurisdiction so no shinobi has any political power there. But the most important thing to know is that, in the capital, Curtain Village, a lot of criminals seek refuge and they turned it into a crime hotspot. They even have a black market there. Some Kyushi members are there, working behind the scenes."

I widen my eyes in bewilderment. I didn't want to believe that my clan had criminals, but... He has no reason to lie to me. I guess I'll need to find out where the Land of Silence is first so that I can get there. I don't think it will be easy, since it probably is excluded from the shinobi maps, just like how the Land of Iron, which is also led by the samurai, is excluded. But at least, I know where the Land of Iron is. Maybe there I'll be able to uncover the location of the Land of Silence. I'll stay here for a few days until I get Gaara's response. According to my calculations, I should get it within a week. If I don't... Then I'll have no choice but to keep going.

This rain is a little depressing though. I don't know how the people here can take it. I don't think I'd last a month without feeling depressed.

A few more days pass and I hear a knock on the glass of my room.

"Tobimaru!"

I open the window for him and light up the fire so that he dries off. I open the pouch attached to his leg and take out the letter. I lie down on my bed as I unfold it. I start reading the contents.

To My Beloved Kiu,

I wish I could hold you in my arms and kiss you all over. I never thought I'd miss anyone as much as I miss you right now. I hope your search will be fruitful. Yukari asked for you almost right after you left. I told her the truth and she vowed to not speak of it to anyone. She seemed a bit sad that you didn't say your goodbyes to her, but she understood the reason. There has been some conflict within the council. They have been debating on what to do with your disappearance. Some say to just let things go and move on, and others insist on sending people after you. I will await your next letter and update you on the situation.

Forever Yours,
Gaara

He actually used the 'To My Beloved' greeting... So cheesy... I can't help my smile though, my blushing cheeks, and the butterflies in my stomach. Even though it's cheesy, it's making me this happy to read it. I should definitely update him on where I am going. I'll have to tell him that we will need to hold off on future communications for a bit, since I will be entering Samurai territory. I don't think they would take kindly to letter exchanges from a shinobi. I might seem like a spy. Alright let's see here...

My Precious Gaara,

I am happy to hear back from you. My search has been quite fruitful. I will be on my way to the Land of Iron by the time you read this. There is a chance that some of my clan members are still alive. This will be a long journey and this will be the last letter for now. Since I will be venturing into Samurai land, I will have to be more careful. If I find a different way to contact you, I definitely will. According to the information I gathered, there is some major illegal activities going on in Curtain village, the capital of the Land of Silence, which is also controlled by Samurai. I will be going to the Land of Iron first in hopes of getting some information about it. Some of my clan have been partaking in the black market there. I need to find out if it's true. I miss you more and more everyday and I know that it will only get harder until I find a different way to contact you.

I love you so much.
Your one and only,
Kiu

I let out a sigh as I start folding the letter. I put it in Tobimaru's pouch and set him on his route. I didn't think it would be this soon that I'd lose contact with Gaara. It can't be helped, but I still feel lonely just thinking about it. I hope he doesn't worry too much or get upset about this.
I gather my things and pack up to leave right away. I don't want to delay any longer. I have to find my clan members. I don't even know how I feel yet about the fact that they might be involved in illegal activities. I can't come to any conclusions before verifying it myself.