Legacy of A Flower: Naruto (remake)

Chapter Fifty Five: An Awkward Family Dinner

Travelling to the compound was more than unbearable, but I had my uncle and brother there to keep my temper at bay. Sure, I didn't yell or get angry loudly. I just tended to let loose a string of words that were less than what one would define as 'respectful'.

"So, you're still wearing that old thing," Reed observed quietly. I lifted my wrist, revealing the bracelet that he had given me a long time ago.

"Of course, you gave it to me," I replied. The black and white fabric always embellished my wrist. "It's like I have a piece of you wrapped around my wrist."

He allowed himself to smile for a few moments. That's what he told me to make our departure a little easier. It was one of the hardest things to get over when I came to the Leaf. Reed was basically a father to me and I was so attached to him. I had became his shadow, I followed and listened to him. I always wanted to make him proud. While my father detached himself from me, Reed fulfilled the role with earnest. He smelled like alcohol, he always did. I believed that habit started to intensify the moment my mother died and he had to give me up.

I noticed Caspian look over his shoulder at the bracelet himself. He recognized it, I could tell. Kakahi did say Reed would never take it off as a child. Our eyes met, I remained cold and still. He turned around, almost impressed by my refusal to back down.

"Don't let him get to you, kid," Reed comforted. "If you keep being that strong kid you are, you'll survive this. I have every bit of faith in you."

**********

Basil walked in front of me as we enetered the compound. Reed and Caspian had a few obligations to tend to.

People stared in both fear and respect. I was the one who received the glares of hate. It was making me uncomfortable. I didn't want to be here. I felt like my younger self, walking through these streets. The one that they broke when the made her kill Yoshida men. Basil looked over his shoulder seeing the malaise on my face. He looked back up ahead, holding his hand behind him.

"You'll be fine, Lily," Basil eased. I gently grabbed a hold of his hand, walking a little closer behind him. "Just be the Lily before they broke you. The one who stood up for me."

I remembered after standing up to my grandfather, I became so confident. So vibrant. It was Lily before everything had came to crush her world. I let out a breath and smiled. Of course many people gave us dirty looks for this, many were shocked. Basil had been so cold and robotic, now look at him. Leading his younger sister through the streets of the Yoshida Compound.

As we reached the center of the compound, there was a crowd of ninja. I could feel Basil tense as he let go of my hand. He walked up quickly, pushing people out of the way. I followed, "Basil, what is it?"
We reached the middle of the scene to see a little girl with black hair. She had a kunai in her hand, holding it shakily. Clematis Yoshida

A tall man stood in front of her, "fight back!" She didn't move. The man scoffed and stepped forwards. Basil and I moved simultaneously. I in front of Clem, Basil in front of me. My arm hid Clem's face and I could feed her drop the kunai to her side.

"What's the meaning of this?" Basil spat.

"Lord Basil I-," the man was afraid. I could hear it in his voice. He deepened his tone to hide it, but it was there all the same.

"He was following my orders," oh that voice. I hated it more than nails on a chalk board. Atleast, I thought I hated him until I saw Basil. Blood lust practically radiated off of him. "Is there something you'd like to say, Basil?"