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"Mom. I want to talk about the Peace Festival... and Naruto."
They sat across from each other at the breakfast table. Her mother was to leave for the Land of Waterfalls - one day late. Her father waited for her. Adohira would be alone for who knows how long. Whenever they went away on business, it could be for weeks at a time.
Today was the day to get answers.
Kakashi's ghostly hair brought back long-forgotten memories. It was identical to the Anbu who mysteriously delivered a letter to her mother about Naruto. Years passed, and she thought she might have dreamed up such a fantastical event, but seeing Kakashi yesterday...
No way. It was definitely real.
She was up all night trying to remember specifics. The night of the festival, an ANBU arrived on their balcony to deliver a coded message. One that burst into flames that same night when Adohira tried to read it. It wasn't a dream. It was real life.
She remembered Naruto's lesson - a strong mentality leads the way for the ninja! Here goes.
"Let's be clear. I know what I saw," Adohira put on a mask of confidence, trying to ease her racing heart. "The ANBU delivered a message that night. After reading it, you were angry about Naruto. Don't lie to me, Mom. Tell me what it said."
Her mother took her sweet time drinking the rest of her coffee. She dipped her head back with closed, relaxed eyes, relishing the caffeine.
"My... what bizarre fantasies live in your head. A friend of mine was concerned you were spending time with such a troublemaker. She told me about Naruto. There was no ANBU or letter."
Don't fall for her lies! She imagined Naruto cheering her on.
"Not true. I saw the ANBU and his message. It was in code."
"Believe what you will."
"I reconnected with Naruto, too," She blurted out, defiantly. The words came to her suddenly, like a compulsion she couldn't bite back any longer. "He's my best friend, and I'm standing by our bond."
Her mother was completely unfazed, looking down at her coffee. "I know."
"...I-It's good you know. I'm not a kid anymore. You can't scare me and push me into a corner. I-I have a voice."
"I know that also." She slowly lifted her cyan pupils. "You're growing into a strong young woman, right before me."
"Why, then? Why were you so hard on me..?" Her eyes watered. She remembered Naruto's words. Calm, cool, collected. Nevermind all that.
"We only meant to protect you, even if our methods were cruel." Her mother's attempt at caring words fell flat. Perhaps she wished she could mean them. "...I do reflect on those years. I do."
"Forget that," Adohira sniffed, furrowing her brows. "What did the ANBU's message say? I won't accept being in the dark any longer. Tell me."
Intrigued by her demands, her mother's solemn gaze lifted as she met her stare. Adohira was a genetic enigma. The signature cyan eyes of the Sato clan were strong, but her daughter's were as black as an abyss. Her eyes very well belonged to an outsider. But.
