The Way Through Stone Village (Naruto)

83: Pain's Lair And Other Developments

[OP: "Eurus"--The Oh Hellos]

After pausing to think about it, finally Momo resumed the conversation.

"I think...well, he stopped in Stone, and he did defend their integrity in a way, to us all..." Momo mused. "And he's been obedient, which is the biggest surprise, since he never was before, to anyone. You have to acknowledge how damaged his ability to care about people is because of what he's suffered and the evil choices he made and wounds he accumulated... Taking all that into account...I think, for him, that is being grateful. And do you think Shine just chose to see it that way? To see people and understand what they are trying to be? None of us are like her and Wally; we don't measure up to their standards of what's kind and helpful, but they take us all as we are and work with that. Isn't that all they ask us to do with each other?"

"Not many people could do that," Shoto said. "But then, I'm used to my father's perfectionism, so maybe I'm jaded."

"Perhaps I haven't helped," Momo sighed. "I can be judgmental and expect people to meet my standards, or I will look down on them... Just because I'm quiet about it doesn't mean I don't do it. And I think I pushed that on you also. I didn't take my own advice."

"But I think you should hold me to a standard," Shoto said. "I shouldn't just get to hurt your feelings or act in a way that makes you feel afraid and not be aware of it."

He was reminded of his father again and how little he noticed or cared about that.

"But there are times I don't need to make you feel worse," Momo said. "I wasn't always right about it before, you know...when we argued about Sasuke. I mean, going about it the right way. I should have said that before. I'm sorry."

"I don't even care," Shoto said. "I mean...now, anyway. I think we should just forget about it."

Momo smiled.

[It's sweet to see them maturing. That rough patch kind of sucked all around. Also I think they show a good balance in relationships. Yes, you should be able to be honest with your partner about issues you have, but you can't always expect them to be exactly like you and have the same idea of what's good behavior. Compromise is important, but some things cannot be compromised on, and the wisest people know the difference and have the best relationships.]

* * *

Day 66:

The morning before the party, Shine and Wally talked to the Sand Siblings again about their plans for it.

"There's something we haven't really discussed yet," Shine said. "But I thought it would be a good idea to make an address to the Village... I suppose we'll be leaving after this. I want to end on a high note."

"That's a good idea," Gaara said. "I'm sure Mirai will want to make one also if she can."

Shine nodded then added, "And I think it would be good to tell them all about our faith... The few people who've asked us why we came here seemed interested enough when we mentioned it, but we didn't have time to go into it in detail. Physical needs are not enough. Rain Village is spiritually empty, and there's the matter of that creepy house of Pain's... We've put that off this long, but we need to clear it out."

"I'll help you do that," Gaara said. "But I think you had better make an address if you're going to expand the faith again."

"Why?" Wally asked. "Isn't it better coming from you?"

"I don't trust myself to have the right words," Gaara said, looking somber. "Clearly, I have a lot to learn still about how to explain things to people. I might get us run out again."