Chasing After You || Itachi

Ch. 3 - This Has To Be A Joke

Small, glittery pieces of paper flew into the air as hand-held confetti poppers were set off. There was a small cake with two lit candles on the table. Surrounding the cake was an array of main and side dishes, mainly Hana and Tora's favorite foods, which smelled absolutely divine. It was a feast fit for the occasion.

"Congratulations!"

Tora and Hana stood next to each other in front of the table proudly. In a change of environment, they were standing in the Dakuo family home. Surrounding them were their mothers, Kiba, Ashi, and a couple other Inuzuka clan members with all of their respective ninken. It was the night of their graduation day and the two newest official genin shinobi dawned their hitai-ites, Tora's around her waist like a belt and Hana's in the standard place across her forehead. It was another feat that they graduated a year early from the Academy together.

The two girls looked at each other in silent agreement before blowing out the candles together while everyone clapped. No sooner had the flame disappeared, the crowd began to fill their plates and eat in high spirits and laughter.

"Good job, brats. Welcome to the real world." Tsume smirked as she drank a cup of sake. "How long til you know which team you'll be assigned to?"

"They said to report back at the academy tomorrow and they'll let us know." Hana smiled as she started on her favorite dish, tsukune. Honestly, she could've just sat and ate this alone but she knew her mother would rip her a new one if she didn't eat anything else.

Tora and her mother locked eyes and the latter female smiled warmly at her daughter. It was a silent acknowledgement of her daughter's skill and intelligence which meant more to Tora than her mother just outright saying it as this was their relationship. Ever since she could comprehend it, Tora knew her mother worked hard to raise her in a new environment all by herself. Her mother and Tsume had a very strong bond which bled down into their children, but even without the Inuzukas, she knew her mother still would've found a way to make sure she wouldn't want for anything.

The rest of the night was filled with fun and laughter as the food began to disappear. A little ways past midnight, the party called it quits and everyone began to leave as there was still work that needed to be done the next day. Tsume, Kiba, and Hana stayed to help clean up before they also retired for the night.

"Tora." Jaga spoke to her daughter as she was putting away the dishes. Tora stopped sweeping and looked up, watching her mother's back.

"Yes ma'am?"

"I'm proud of you and the young kunoichi that you're becoming." The older female started. "The Dakuo clan was nothing more than my father, mother, sister, and I, but we were pleased with that because it was quality over quantity. Those who came before you were excellent, yet humble shinobi who served their village well. Now, our numbers are reduced to just you and me, but I can tell that you carry our family values." She turned around to look at her daughter with a smile. "Ever since you were born, it's always been you and me against the world. My beautiful daughter... I will always love you."

Tora's eyes began to well up with tears. She propped the broom up against the kitchen table and immediately went to her mother, wrapping her arms around her mother's frame in a hug. "I love you too, Mama. Thank you for raising me."

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

The classroom was bustling with newly promoted genin as everyone chatted with another in excitement. Tora was sitting next to Hana, glancing around at all of the prospective partners and competition she could have. There were some students from her class who had graduated early, but the majority were from the class above them. She could tell some of the seniors weren't too pleased to see their juniors in the same room, but that didn't matter to her.