Nathan remained seated on the bench beneath the trees, with Yukihime happily holding his arm against her chest.
For once, neither of them seemed in a hurry to move.
The village around them continued its work. Shinobi crossed the paths with messages tucked into their sleeves. Horses were led toward the outer trails. Smoke drifted above the rooftops, carrying the smell of cooked rice and wood through the evening air. Yet the noise felt distant to Yukihime.
Her world had grown smaller.
It was Nathan beside her, the warmth of his arm beneath her hands, and the quiet certainty that he was safe for this moment.
If it had been up to her, she would have stayed there forever.
She would have spent every morning, every afternoon, and every night by his side. She would have gladly forgotten battles, plans, enemies, and the weight of the world if it meant she could remain close to him like this.
Unfortunately, Nathan was not a man who could remain still for long.
