A/N: Thank you to everyone who has been reviewing, reading, favoriting, and alerting! Much thanks to you all!

Okay, so I'm super sorry if you don't like this chapter. It's about the funeral and involves a ton of angst (which I'm still deciding whether or not I enjoy writing...). I'm hoping I got Kakashi's character right in this, but he may be OOC; I'm not sure. I think everything's okay, but I'm not sure because I don't have much experience with funerals. I hope it's okay!

I'm also sorry if Ayaka seems like she's being a bit back and forth - One moment she's fine and dandy, the next she's all depressed and moody. I'm not sure if I made her out like that, but in case I did, sorry about that!

I'll stop delaying you guys from reading the chapter now!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the places, characters, or else in this story. I merely own Ayaka, her family, Kanae, and any kekkai genkai and jutsu that I have conjured up from my mind.

"Ayaka, it's your turn to speak."

My heart skipped a beat as Tsunade informed me that it was my time to perform my speech to those who were present at my family's funeral. I stood, frozen where I stood. I couldn't do this. What was I thinking when I agreed to make a speech? This was a mistake; I shouldn't have-

Naruto squeezed my hand reassuringly, giving me a slight smile of encouragement. I managed to return it the best I could, and began to make my way in front of the small crowd of people gathered for my family's funeral. I could do this. I needed to do this.

Everyone gazed at me patiently, probably knowing this was hard for me. "I love my family more than anything. They've always been there for me, supporting me, teasing me, comforting me…" I paused, taking a deep breath. "Family is something I value more than my own life. I feel like without a family, you'll fall. That's how I've always felt, and it probably won't change even with them gone. I know that my parents and my siblings can't ever come back, but I… I still have faith that they're still doing all the things they used to, only now I can't hear the words they're saying or see their actions. Perhaps it's silly of me, but I would like to believe that they're still here with me in spirit."

I sighed, mustering all the courage I could. "My family…" My eyes searched the crowd for familiar faces, easily spotting Naruto, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura, along with a few others I had befriended. "Died protecting me. Well, my parents, at least. My siblings were victims. They," I clenched my fists, attempting to push the memories to the back of my mind. "They died because they couldn't defend themselves yet and because I wasn't quick enough to save them."

I hung my head before looking back up, blinking back tears that were threatening to show themselves. "My family members sacrificed themselves for me. They didn't have to; I desperately wished they hadn't sometimes. Even so, I can't change what's happened. The only thing I can do now is make them proud, and make sure I don't let their sacrifices go in vain."

I made eye contact with each of the older shinobi present, lingering on Tsunade and Kakashi. "I plan to live up to my family's name, no matter what the future holds for me now."

I then turned to the four closed coffins behind me, taking the flowers I had picked out specifically for each of my family members. I placed a daisy on Kazumi's casket and a freesia on Kazuya's, smiling slightly as I remembered all the trouble the two managed to get into. The daisy stood for innocence and the freesia stood for spirited; I felt that the flowers fit the two youngsters rather well. On my mother's coffin, I placed a geranium, which stood for comfort. She had always been my main source of comfort throughout my life, and I would miss all those talks we had.

Lastly, on my father's coffin I laid a gladiolus that stood for strength of character. In every way, shape, and form, my father was strong. He was never one to falter, even in the toughest of situations, and I wouldn't have been surprised if he was at ANBU rank. He was someone I looked up to, and I hope that someday I can be as strong as he is.

On everyone's coffin, I laid some white clover, symbolizing my promise to them. I won't let them have died in vain; I will grow stronger, become someone they can be proud of. Even if it kills me, I will make sure the ones responsible for their deaths are punished. No matter what… This is my promise.

I stood to the side as everyone else placed *Michaelmas daisies on my family members' coffins. Every person, even those I didn't know, came up to me, giving me their condolences. It was a little awkward for me because I wasn't really sure how to react. Should I give a smile in thanks? Should I keep a straight face? Should I let my emotions show? I had no idea what to do.

All of team seven did different things besides shaking my hand and muttering a sad sorry under their breath. Kakashi patted me on the head, giving me a sad smile. Naruto hugged me tightly while telling me that he would help me in any way he could to get me stronger. Sakura surprised me by hugging me with a strength I didn't know she possessed and promising that she would always be around if I wanted to talk. I really appreciated it, actually. Kanae barely had time to talk with me lately because she seemed to be occupied by missions most of the time. She wasn't even able to attend the funeral because of them.

Sasuke's reaction probably shocked me the most, though. His eyes held emotions I had never seen him show before; he gazed at me with onyx eyes filled to the brim with sympathy, sadness, and what surprised me most: understanding. It was like the Uchiha knew exactly what I was currently going through, as if he, too, had experienced such tragedy. It made me rethink his character. Honestly, I didn't know a whole lot about Sasuke. Sure, I knew him, but who was he really? What had he gone through that allowed him to understand my pain so thoroughly?

Soon the funeral was over, and I watched with melancholy eyes as the coffins were taken to be buried. I didn't follow the people carrying them away because I didn't want to see my family lowered into the ground and covered with soil. I don't know how I would handle it, and truthfully speaking, I don't know how I managed to go through the whole funeral without blubbering like a baby. It was hard enough seeing their pictures because they only made it harder to keep the memories suppressed during the funeral. As it was, they were starting to creep their way back into my mind, clouding my vision with images I only wished I could forget. I could feel my eyes filling up with hot tears that were begging to be released, and clenched my fists and jaw, not allowing myself to show weakness while people were still around. I could see Hinata from the corner of my eye gazing at me with concern, along with her sensei, Kurenai. I forced a smile on my face to reassure her that I was fine, silently apologizing at the same time for lying to her. She smiled back, nodding at me and soon leaving with her sensei.

Soon everyone had left the room that the funeral had taken place in. Now I was the only one left. Good. I slowly sunk to my knees, my hands coming up to cover my face as the sobs began. My body shook uncontrollably with the force of my weeping, and I did my best to remain quiet. I didn't want anyone to see me like this. It wasn't right to worry others, especially after I had made myself out to be so strong and determined to grow for my family.

I tried to stop crying after a few minutes, but I couldn't stop, no matter how hard I tried to force myself to. The tears just kept streaming down my cheeks, the cries bursting forth from my mouth until I was nearly choking on them. Why wouldn't the memories stop replaying themselves? Why couldn't they leave me be? I understand that it's all my fault, that I deserve punishment, but I would rather endure a thousand deaths than experience my family's slaying over and over again. Could life not pay me a little mercy?

Arms wrapping around my quivering form startled me, and I nearly attacked the person holding me. I tried to push away, my sight still blurred because of the still flowing tears, but the person held me tightly, shushing me. I recognized the voice immediately.

"K-Kakashi-sensei?" I inquired hoarsely into his jonin vest, slightly unsure of myself.

"Yes, it's me."

His confirmation only made me cry harder. I felt so relived that someone had come back to check on me, but at the same time I felt ashamed to let him see me this way. I pushed those feelings to the back of my mind, though, and just let everything I'd been feeling out. That's why Kakashi was here, right? To comfort me? Hopefully he wouldn't mind me pouring my heart out to him.

But before I opened my mouth to say anything, the thought of being a burden to him came to mind. I didn't want to trouble him with revealing how much their deaths still hurt me. Kakashi has other things to worry about, I'm sure. Who was I to put more on him?

"You know, Ayaka-chan, it's okay to feel sad. No one is going to judge you for it."

I muttered something that I was sure he couldn't make out.

"I knew your father somewhat. I met him a few times. He was a good man, and he was a tough teacher. I know that he probably taught you to never show your emotions to others because it only shows weakness, but in this case, it's okay. I think even he might have agreed."

I tried to say something else, but it only came out in a jumble of incoherent words.

I could tell the silver-haired man was smiling. "No, Ayaka-chan. No one thinks badly of you because of what happened to your family."

"But," I clutched his vest a little more tightly than before. "I left them. I abandoned them."

Kakashi pulled away, placing his hands on my shoulders and locking eyes with me. "Listen, Ayaka," I almost flinched at how serious his tone had become. "There's a large difference between abandoning and obeying wishes. Your parents wanted you to leave; you didn't choose to leave. I'm confident in the thought that, had you been given a choice, you would have stayed and fought with them. You aren't to blame and you have nothing to feel guilty about."

"He only sent people after us because of me! I don't even know why he wants me, but he does. If I hadn't been stupid and wandered into the village that day, he never would have known about me! It's all my fault!"

Kakashi's face told me he was shocked. By what, I'm not exactly sure. Maybe my outburst; I've never been this way towards him before. "They're only dead because of me. I have no right to complain about something that I've caused. I have no right to burden others with my problems." I looked down, unable to meet his eyes anymore. "I don't deserve to be fixed."

The next thing I knew I was being pulled up so that I was standing. Kakashi kept me close, making sure my eyes were covered before transporting us someplace. I couldn't see where because my face was buried in his vest, but soon I saw that we were in a clearing with a large black stone in the middle, numerous names carved into the sides. I recognized it almost immediately; all Konoha ninja that have been killed in action have their names carved into that stone. Why did Kakashi bring me here of all places?

Kakashi and I stood side by side as we both gazed sadly at the stone. There was a long silence before the jonin began to speak.

"A friend of mine has his name etched on this stone."

I looked up at the man who reminded me of my father in surprise.

"He died to save me. I would have been crushed by a boulder, but he pushed me out of the way and took the hit instead."

I remained silent, unsure if I should say anything in response. Kakashi looked down at me. "Our situations are similar; we both have loved ones that died to protect us. It wasn't our choice, but their's. You need to understand that you aren't to blame, Ayaka. You also need to know that even if you hadn't gone into that village, Orochimaru would have found you eventually, even with your father's skill at remaining hidden. Your parents wanted it to be this way, and now all that's left is for you to live up to their memory. Keep your promise and become stronger, live up to your family name."

He smiled at me, placing his hand on top of my head, a gesture he seemed to become fonder of each time he did it. "I know it's hard for you to accept all of this right now, Ayaka-chan, but you have friends who care about you and who understand what you're going through. Lean on them for support, let them help you. You'll be okay."

My eyes became watery again as I gazed up at his smiling face, taking his words to heart, but at the same time unable to accept them fully. I would try my best to do as he said, even though I still couldn't help blaming myself. I didn't just feel responsible for my parents' deaths, but my siblings' as well. I wasn't quick or strong enough to save them. That couldn't be counted as not my fault.

Hearing Kakashi's words, though, I felt a renewed eagerness to keep to my promise. I would get stronger, no matter what it took.

Even if I was shattered, I wouldn't give up.

*Michaelmas daises stand for farewell, which is why they were used.

Hehe, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to leave a review and tell me what you thought!

~~ 1000WTBS