Promises Remembered

Part 2 Chapter 15

A/N So, not to jinx it but I have the next two chapters finally done! There are three people to thank for this. First, a faithful reader, TheSilverbunny did a lovely piece of art inspired by this story. It made me so happy! It's beautiful! https://archiveofourown.org/works/54983479 It lit a fire under my butt to want to finish this right. The second is Goldfishlover73. They reposted their Orchestra AU on tumblr and I finally read it. I don't know why I waited, go read it. Its amazing. ANYWAY the musical piece for the second chapter was exactly the thing I needed to listen to to inspire the next chapter. It flowed and I am finally happy with it. Third, Enrique Iglesias. The fabulous song Hero. After the classical piece had done its job, I listened to this on repeat for hours and finished the next chapter and the one after that. Lets go!

Part 2 Chapter 15

Kazuki

Day four-thousand four-hundred twelve without her

Kazuki woke, bleary eyed and with a craving for sweet yogurt. Wiping the drool from his face, he sat up. Maybe his mother could make him breakfast too, like she had in his dream. Looking around, realization and sorrow—so strong and sudden he felt sick—overwhelmed him at once.

She was gone.

Dammit! He'd slept too long! Had he missed her? Today was her last mission. The mission. He couldn't let her go without saying goodbye.

"Mom..." Tears blurred his vision as he scrambled up from the futon, nearly tripping on the blankets in his haste. "Mom!" His voice rose, so frantic he nearly forgot he couldn't call her that. She didn't know...

Thundering down the hall, he heard her voice as she bid her parents goodbye—relief only quickened his pace. He had to say goodbye. It was his last chance. "Onee-chan! Wait! Don't leave yet!"

Racing across the room, he threw himself into her arms. She gasped at the sudden impact but returned his hug. Her smell, the tickle of her hair on his cheek, the strength in her warm embrace... Kazuki tried to memorize it all.

With a confused chuckle, she ruffled his hair. "I'll see you later, Kazuki-chan."

Squeezing her tighter, he tried to choke out a response. "Bye—" Mom. "Sakura-chan. I'll..." Feeling tears he wouldn't be able to explain burning his eyes, he turned his face into her shoulder. Sniffing hard and hoping she hadn't noticed, he mumbled out the rest. "I'll miss you." So much. Forever. It's not fair. I'm not strong like Dad. I don't want to lose you again.

Above him, she was huffing in confusion at his emotional display but tightened her arms around him anyways. Somehow, she knew what he needed even if she didn't understand. She always had. "What is everyone's deal today?" She laughed lightly. It hurt to know he'd never hear it again. "I'm only going to be gone for a few days. I'll be back before you know it... and, hey, we can get ramen and you can tell me all about your new Genin team. Okay, Kazuki-chan?"

Knowing she wouldn't leave if she saw him so upset, he scrunched his eyes tight, willing away the tears, and let her go. He didn't want her to leave. But if she didn't go, if she was late... he wouldn't get to be born. And as much as he knew it would hurt to lose her—his Onee-chan, his mother—he knew she had to go. She had loved him so much, she wanted him to exist even knowing she wouldn't get to raise him. He could let her go now so she could love Dad, and make that choice.

Time travel really made his head hurt.

Pasting a fake smile on his face, he waved her off. "Sounds like fun, Sakura-chan. Have a good mission. Be safe!"