From a far, crowds of people awaiting at the Gates of Konoha seemed rather depressed towards the group of shinobi and sand soldiers heading their way. It had almost been a year since she last stepped foot into her home town, she was relieved she had survived the mission to bring back Keldran and Hitomi’s eyes… Yet at the same time she felt off. Anyone that knew her, understood she was not the same person she was 2 years ago. Ever since she came back to the village from the war in Sunagakure she had changed, Seika did not know if it was for the better or worse. The only thing she felt was emptiness, she did not know Keldran all that well but was known to be a love interest… She had never opened up before to anyone, so with the loss of Keldran… It broke her. Not to mention the fact she carried a heavy burden after not being able to save her students. Everyday people reminded her of what she had lost, her heart had turned to a sack of rocks. Full of remorse and regret… It took her awhile to be mentally capable of re-entering society, She turned from a gentle and loved flower to a anti-social and depressed being. Living through constant flashbacks of her body slowly burning to a pulp and her students being slaughtered before her eyes. Soon enough she was diagnosed with PTSD, She could no longer sleep or eat properly and the smallest noise or touch triggered a break down. That was not the only thing severely damaged, she her skin had been chard away by a massive heat wave she managed to barely escape with the help of many others. Miyako Hyuga repaired her nervous system on a whim, Seika was not suppose to heal enough to allow her back onto field work… However with some time and help. Physiotherapy helped her the most, sending her back on the field to work as soon as possible.
After being tormented by her own thoughts so long she had a moment of awakening, she would start fresh and turn the tides. However that suddenly changed when she was sent on an immediate mission to save one of her youngest sister from a kidnapping in her compound. It had not gone as well as she thought… She had almost escaped with her sister before she was ambushed. It was all so fast it triggered an after effect, it the worst moment for her body to freeze and lead her sister to jump in the middle of a katana slicing through her chest. Taking a hit that was never meant for her to bare, that moment would have scar’d her deep enough to send her down a slippery path once more. Loss was becoming an every day thing for her that soon enough it was not something she reacted to anymore.
Until the day she was brought to the Hokage, hearing of Keldran possibly still breathing in Amegakure. Seika was confused, did not know how to react. Obviously she had to save him… Not for herself but for the people who cared about him the most. Within a few days she was made captain and left with 3 people to lead. It took a lot longer than they had expected. Already three months into the mission one of her genin has died undercover, pushing back their plans a whole month. Days filled with reconnaissance and spying under enemy lines, everyday was a risk and the smallest mistake could have killed them all. But near the end of the year they got their shot, they had found Keldran and Hitomi’s eye. It was finally time to go home, but during a heated escape Zango the other member of the team sacrificed himself for everyone else to get back home.
Eventually they did. Seika was standing in the village once more among people who were feeling the same loss she felt not too long ago. She could see her family along the lines of the crowd, which made her happy but sad to be reminded someone was missing. Reunited she did not have time to talk and catch up, she sighed and walked fast beside Keldrans withering body to the hospital. Seeing Keldran again... made her even more confused, honestly she did not know what to feel. Seika knew that she still had long lasting feelings for him, but it was the factor she was not the fun and joyful person he had interest in before. She was a lot darker and for some reason believed she would never be the apple of his eye anytime soon. Especially after the amount of scars she gained after the war, maybe she was not the girl for him... she getting older and all she seemed like was broken.
Even with her feelings she waited until they treated him immediately, she cared less for the raging monster on the outside. She was tired, drenched in sweat and blood, with fresh scars lining her arms and legs. Refusing to be attended to until Keldran was stabilized…
Soon enough they pronounced him comatose. Getting up from the waiting room she limped tiredly into the room as one of the first to see him. She remembered her father told her sometimes comatose patients can hear everything around them but simply can not react. “Its been two years…” She began to speak in a unstable tone. “Maybe you have forgotten about me… Who knows” sitting down on a chair next to his bedside her hands would clench “You would have thought I moved on and become better than I once was, But that would be a lie.” Trying to keep calm she sighed, “I have not forgotten about you, and seeing you again only reminded me of my heart break… I waited for you at the gates, In a wheel chair completely burnt from head to toe. But I came to the realization I was not going to hear another one of your cheesy compliments. Your dragon came back with your students, and I sat there like an idiot. In denial, thinking you took a detour. Until the day I felt so alone and had to come to terms with the fact you were gone” Seika’s voice cracked with every word but slowly lightened up. “But after I was pushed into the dark, They had word you were alive… It was like a glimmer of hope found a spot inside me. I worked so hard with the others to find you, and I did… Here you are laying on a bed and I could not be more confused. You may not feel the same anymore, but if you do… I am not who I once was and I do not think I’m worthy of such a hero…”
Standing up from the hospital chair, her lungs struggled to work and her tears clenched her throat. “I hope you recover… Maybe we will cross paths in the village. If not I only wish you the best, I can only imagine what you suffered.” Without a goodbye she raised her hand wanting to caress his face, but stopped. “See you around” She stiffened her body and walked out barely breathing… Deciding to head back home to freshen up. Tomorrow would be another day, when she would have to explain everything to the Hokage and to Hitomi’s mother. But for now she wanted to shower and be alone.