ꜱʜᴀᴅᴏᴡꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪꜱᴛ | ᴛᴇɴᴛᴇɴ ꜰꜰ|

Chapter Eight.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm and golden glow over the quaint village of Waves. In the heart of one of its humble homes, Mizuki found himself orchestrating a symphony of culinary chaos, surrounded by a lively canvas of pots, pans, and an assortment of spices. His simple apron adorned him like a badge of culinary honor.

Tsunami, the kind-hearted mother of Inari, watched Mizuki's agile movements with wide-eyed wonder. "Mizuki, you're amazing in the kitchen! Where did you learn to cook like this?"

A fleeting shadow passed over Mizuki's vibrant blue eyes as he shared a piece of his past. "When I was young, my mom would constantly make me a bento after I was done with training. It always cheered me up. I would secretly watch my mom cook or steal her recipe book and practice the dishes myself."

Tsunami's eyes softened, a smile playing on her lips. "Your mother would be proud of you."

Mizuki grinned, pushing the melancholy aside. "Let's make a feast that will make Sakura-chan swoon over me."

As the two worked in tandem, chopping vegetables, simmering sauces, and infusing the air with mouth-watering aromas, the table soon transformed into a banquet, a testament to Mizuki's culinary prowess. Naruto's appetite was visibly aroused, Sakura's eyes widened in delight.

Sakura took a bite, her eyes widening with delight. "Mizuki, this is incredible!"

Tsunami couldn't help but join in the praise. "Mizuki, your future girlfriend would be lucky to have you!"

Mizuki chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, Tsunami-san, maybe you'll get the chance to find out. How about you wait until I'm an adult? Then you can be my future girlfriend."

Tsunami's cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink, caught off guard by Mizuki's playful flirtation. Sakura and Kakashi both sighed, deadpanning at the unexpected turn of events.

"You certainly know how to make a girl blush," Tsunami stammered, trying to regain her composure.

"Consider it a promise for the future," Mizuki replied with a wink, leaving Tsunami with a mix of embarrassment and a hint of anticipation.

As the group began to savor the delicious spread, Mizuki's attention shifted to Sasuke and Naruto, who were devouring their food with voracious appetites. "I want some more!" they both yelled in unison, holding up their bowls to Mizuki. Sasuke and Naruto glared at each other competitively before puking out what they had just eaten prompting Mizuki to grimace in disgust.

Sakura sighed as she glared at Sasuke and Naruto. "Don't eat so much if you're going to puke."

-

-

-

Mizuki sat on the rooftop, the soft glow of the moon casting shadows on his contemplative face. In his hands, a cook book lay forgotten, its pages untouched as Mizuki's azure eyes were fixed on the celestial orb above. The night air held a quiet serenity, broken only by the rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the village.

Unexpectedly, a familiar presence settled beside him. Kakashi, the enigmatic sensei, joined Mizuki in his silent contemplation, sharing the moonlit tableau. Kakashi's question hung in the air, prompting Mizuki to close the cook book with a sigh, as if the weight of memories had suddenly grown heavier.

"Zabuza Momochi," Kakashi spoke, acknowledging the complex connection Mizuki had with the notorious figure. "I heard from Lord Third about your past in the Hidden Mist, and I was just wondering, what's your history with him?"

Mizuki's gaze shifted from the moon to Kakashi, a fleeting acknowledgment of the inquiry. "Big brother Zabuza... well, he used to train me whenever my father was busy with clan matters. He saw potential in me, I guess."

Kakashi's visible eye narrowed, sensing the unspoken layers beneath Mizuki's words. "But something changed."

A gravity settled over Mizuki as he nodded, the moonlight accentuating the seriousness etched on his features. "When my mother died, I was left alone. Big brother Zabuza disappeared too, leaving me to fend for myself. It was a tough time."

Understanding the harsh realities of growing up in the Hidden Mist, Kakashi continued, "And your father?"

A bitter smile curved Mizuki's lips. "My father cared more about the clan than me. He wanted me to become strong, but his definition of strength was different."

Silence lingered, Kakashi offering Mizuki the space to share as much as he wished.

"I stayed cheerful," Mizuki finally spoke, a wistful note in his voice. "Because that's what my mother would have wanted. She used to say that no matter how tough life got, finding a reason to smile made it a bit more bearable."

Kakashi studied Mizuki, recognizing the resilience required to maintain such a demeanor despite the weight of hardships. "You've been through a lot. How do you manage to stay so... cheerful?"

Mizuki's gaze returned to the moon, and a soft smile graced his features. "Life can be tough, Kakashi-sensei, but I've learned that dwelling on the darkness won't make it any brighter. I carry my past, but I don't let it weigh me down. There's always a reason to smile, even in the toughest times. It's about finding those moments of light, no matter how small."

Kakashi nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the wisdom Mizuki had gained through his experiences. The rooftop held an atmosphere of shared understanding beneath the serene gaze of the moon.