I am Strong

Kairi closed her eyes and tried to focus. She thought of Boruto, her Mom and Dad. But no new road opened for the gummiship.

Kairi sighed.

"How many times are you going to do that?" Riku asked from his seat. Kairi shot him a glare.

"Do you have any better ideas?"

"Kairi, it's been years since you saw them, I don't think your connection is strong," Riku said. He didn't want to sound cruel, but he was being realistic.

"I got a hold of Boruto and he didn't even remember me," Kairi reminded.

"Well, trying to force it, won't work."

Kairi sighed again. Riku then started to steer the ship back to Twilight Town.

Kairi looked at her right hand. Looking at it, made Kairi think of her father's bandaged hand.

After Donald apologized for overreacting about Kairi's appearance. Namine helped Mickey remember Kairi's birth world. The Shinobi World.

Mickey definitely remembered it better than her. But he didn't stay long to make friends, due to star shard's power. Aqua might have had more info, but she was in the Realm of Darkness looking for Sora.

Kairi wasn't going to annoy anyone else with this. Especially if it meant it would make it harder to find Sora.

They landed back in Twilight Town, Kairi put her hood and sunglasses back on as she entered the world. Riku frowned as he watched Kairi walk in front of him. He wished she didn't hide her face.

Ever since she woke up with white eyes, Kairi had been very… afraid to show her face. Riku blamed that on himself. He thought she was blind when she woke up. He knew people on other worlds would sometimes look different. It could be something small, yet at the same time the most obvious. Kairi's eyes were a perfect example.

They had been looking for Kairi's home for months now. Riku still remembered when she asked him to help her.

Kairi and Riku sparred. Riku took a swing with his keyblade, but Kairi blocked him with hers. Then with a twist of her wrist. She sent both keyblades from their grasp.

Quick as lightning; Kairi struk out her palm towards Riku. Riku managed to deflect the palm strike, but his still felt numb. Riku didn't have a chakra network, but Kairi could still do some damage.

Riku ducked under her next strike. Jabbed his elbow into her knee. Causing her to fall to the ground. As Riku sidestepped behind her. He summoned his keyblade to finish it. Only for Kairi to raise her arm behind her, and summon her keyblade, perfectly at his neck.

"Bang," Kairi said without turning around, "You're dead."

Riku saw the veins bulging from the side of Kairi's face. She activated her new power.

They both dismissed their weapons as Riku helped her up. Then he rolled his shoulder, earlier in the fight Kairi got a good hit in. She was stronger now. Almost as good as him.

Kairi rubbed her sore leg, "Jeez, you'd give Neji a run for his money."

Riku looked at Kairi, "Are you sure that guy was your… family?" Kairi described how he was related to her. It was confusing.

Kairi nodded, "Yeah."

"And you're positive, you got in contact with your little brother?"

Kairi's eyes drooped sadly, "You think I'm nuts, don't you?"

"No, you did get in contact with Roxas once, so I'm inclined to believe you, but you're sure it was your brother."

"I'm sure," Kairi said, "Looking at him, was like looking at my Dad's face again," Kairi explained.

"He had ghos- er… white eyes too?"

"Mom has white eyes, Boruto takes after dad. He had blue eyes," Kairi corrected. She didn't miss the 'ghost eyes,' but she didn't have time to harp on him. Kairi looked up in the sky, "They're out there somewhere. For years, I forgot them… I have a little sister… I never met her…"

"Hey, that wasn't your fault," Riku tried to comfort.

"Yes it was, I listened to Luxu," Kairi said.

"You were little, he was a freak and took advantage of that," Riku countered, "Your parents will understand that."

Kairi took in a deep breath and looked at Riku, "Riku… I want to find them."

"Then go," Riku assured, "We'll find Sora. If he were here, he'd be telling you to go.

Kairi swallowed, "Can you… come with me…"

"You sure you need me?" Riku asked. He knew Kairi wanted to get stronger. He'd been afraid that she wouldn't want any help lately.

Kairi nodded, "You're my oldest friend and…"

"And?"

Kairi looked down, "Riku I'm scared."

"Hey," Riku assured, "You're strong and now you have eyes on the back of your head. Not to mention I still can't feel my shoulder from that match we had, so-…"

"That's not what I meant," Kairi interrupted, "I haven't seen them in years. My Mom and Dad," Kairi's lip trembled, "What if they don't want to see me?

"Kairi," Riku stepped forward. How could she think like that?

"I want to see them, to face them… but I'm scared… I need someone there."

That's when Riku finally understood. Kairi wanted emotional support.

"Alright," Riku nodded.

"Thank you."

"What do you need?"

"Right now, I need a friend… to hold my hand or to keep me from running away from my parents when we find them."

"Got it."

%%%%

Boruto watched as they looked at the White Zetzu. What started as a simple mission, turned into a huge deal. Somehow a White Zetzu survived the war, and was in the cave a small group of bandits hid in.

Boruto watched his Dad's clone talking to Konahamaru… He didn't even look at him.

Boruto grit his teeth. Maybe his Dad would talk to him if he took down that monster by himself.

Boruto tried, he tried to show he was strong, tried to finally shine. However, his attack failed and the White Zetzu almost killed him. If Big brother Konahamaru hadn't stepped in…

Boruto decided he was done watching "the adults talk," he stood up and started walking away.

"Boruto, where are you going?" Sarada asked annoyed.

"If there's nothing for us to do, I'm going for a walk," Boruto just answered.

"You can't just go wondering off," Sarada hissed.

"I won't be gone for long," Sarada has been an even bigger headache ever since they were placed on the same team. Boruto left that thought behind as he walked into town. The town was small. It was a far cry from the Hidden Leaf. Not to mention it was so far out of the way, he doubted many people went through there… Not many…

Maybe…

Boruto reached into his jacked and pulled out a folded up piece of paper. He unfolded it, to reveal a drawing of Kairi's face. Not the photo of her as a little girl. How she looked now.

When the exam was over. Boruto told everyone that Kairi appeared in his dream. That she was alive, just far away, and lost, and trying to find her way back home. Of course, they thought he was insane.

His parents didn't even want to consider listening to him. Neither did his Grandpa and Aunt. All the adults were basically telling him the same thing: Kairi is dead. Stop bringing it up, your parents can't take it.

His friends were trying to be supportive, but Boruto wasn't stupid. They didn't believe him either. Even if Inojin did draw him this picture. Boruto was sure if they were going to help him, it was to prove Kairi really was dead.

The only person who believed him was Himawari. Boruto's heart sank at the memory of his little sister.

Recently, Boruto had his birthday… And his Dad didn't show up. His Mom, little sister, teammates, and Godmother were there, but not his Dad… and not his big sister. Kairi he could forgive. She was lost, and trying to come home. His Dad however, didn't have an excuse to be there, except that he was the Hokage.

Despite what he told everyone, Boruto did wanted him to be there.

Before Boruto left for his mission, he found Himawari circling her birthday on the calendar. She was trying to make it obvious to Dad that she wanted him there.

"Who cares if that stupid old man doesn't show up?" Boruto wanted to be realistic. Their Dad was busy. He wanted her to know that she wouldn't be lonely on her birthday if he didn't show up. So she wouldn't be sad, "Mom and I will still be here to celebrate your birthday with you? And I can invite all my friends too."

Himawari forced a smile. She was glad her brother wanted her to be happy, "But still. I want Daddy to be here too."

Boruto knew he shouldn't had been surprised, but he was.

"Big brother, do you think Daddy's going to miss my birthday too? He won't be too busy to come home will he?" Himawari looked at him with those big blue eyes of hers. Boruto didn't ever want them to be sad.

He grabbed her shoulders, "No way," Boruto was going to make sure his Dad was home for Himawari's birthday. He did come home early when she got sick, maybe if he convinced him he'd come home for her birthday, "I promise, Dad will be here for your birthday. I'll make sure."

Himawari smiled, "Big brother, really?"

Boruto grinned, "You bet, don't worry."

"And…" Himawari looked hopeful, "And Kairi too?"

"Eh…" Boruto looked down. Not being able to answer.

Himawari realized he couldn't promise her that and her expression fell, "Oh…"

"I'm going to find Kairi," Boruto said, "I promise you, I will find her as fast as I can… I just… don't know when…"

"Can I see it?"

Boruto nodded, and pulled out the picture Inojin drew and handed it to the little girl. Himawari opened it to look at her sister's face.

Boruto had no answer about Kairi being there. He wanted to promise, Kairi would be there for her birthday; with all his soul. But he didn't want to give her false hope. Boruto tried to get in contact with Kairi in his dreams again, but he couldn't do it.

So, Boruto began looking for his sister. Everyone searched the big obvious places already. However, maybe if Boruto searched the small places, that were out of the way; like this town, he'd get a lead.

Boruto started asking around, using Kairi's picture as a reference. He'd ask if they'd seen this girl.

Unfortunately, no one had seen the girl in the drawing. So, Boruto wasted another day. He slumped against the wall.

He looked at the drawing of Kairi sadly, "Where are you?"

"Looking for something?"

Boruto looked up. A man with an eyepatch was walking up to him. He was wearing a black coat. Deciding to try his luck, Boruto held up the drawing, "Have you seen her?"

"Can't say I have," the man said, "So, are you with the ninja that came here?"

Boruto frowned, "Can't you tell," Boruto pointed at his headband.

"I mean, a real ninja, not a genin."

Boruto narrowed his eyes, "I am a real ninja. Genin is just a stupid rank."

"But if you're still at that rank, that means either, you're not very strong, or no one can tell you're really strong."

Boruto stood up from the wall, "I am strong!"

The man just chuckled and started walking away, "Sure you are kid, sure you are. Word of advice, you can't be noticed if you're weak, and you can't find anyone if you're weak either. If you don't get strong, you'll just get left behind."

Boruto scowled, what a jerk!

"Boruto, there you are!" Boruto turned to see Konahamaru landing near him, "Come on we got to go."

%%%%

Kairi try to drown her sorrows in ramen, but no matter how much she ate, she was still miserable.

Man, she missed Ichiraku's.

Riku sat in front of her, "Maybe we're going about this the wrong way."

"How so?" Kairi asked.

"Well, what are you focusing on?" Riku asked.

"My family," Kairi answered.

"What is it about them you're focusing on? How they looked?"

"Well…" Kairi didn't want to admit that he was right, "I haven't seen them in a long time Riku."

"Why don't you try to remember them more first?" Riku suggested, "Tell me about your Mom and Dad; what were they like when you were little?"

Kairi thought about. It was a long time ago. She wasn't sure if she could remember something that could help, but it was better than nothing.

"Alright," Kairi closed her eyes. She focused on a mental image of her parents, "Mom, had long black hair. Sometimes the light made it look blue. She had white eyes like me. Dad had blonde hair and blue eyes. He had whisker marks too. He was always wearing orange. Also…" Kairi held her right hand, "His right hand was always bandaged. Always. I asked if he was hurt, but he said he wasn't, but he couldn't take it off either."

"How did they make you feel?" She heard Riku ask.

"Well…" Kairi remembered sitting with them at dinner, "Safe. Warm. Mom was always there. She took care of me and Boruto all the time. She was warm, kind, loving. Dad, had to go on missions. His job. Sometimes he'd be gone for a really long time. When he was there, I was happy." Kairi remembered riding on his shoulders as he took her through the village, "He was funny. He played with me often. Took me on rides. One time, he took me to the mountain with the stone faces…"

Kairi sat on her father's shoulders as he led them to the great stone faces. Kairi looked up at the big faces, she knew they were always there.

"Those are the Hokage Kairi," Daddy said, "They're greatest ninja in our village."

Kairi leaned over his head to see his face, "I thought you were the greatest."

He laughed, "Besides me," he clarified, "I'm going to be Hokage one day after Kakashi-sensei finally steps down."

"When will that be?"

"I don't know yet Kairi, but soon. And when I do, my face will get carved up there, just like your Grandpa."

Kairi looked confused, "Grandpa's face isn't up there."

"Your other grandpa Kairi, you have two."

"How come we don't see him?" Kairi was confused. It would be fun having two grandpas.

"He's…" Daddy got quiet, "He's with your grandma, in Heaven."

"Oh…" He was dead. Poor Grandpa.

"Can you guess which one is him?" Daddy pointed to the faces.

Kairi looked up. The one on the right couldn't be grandpa, it was grandpa Kakashi. The one next to him was granny Tsunade. So, it had to be one of the remaining four. Kairi decided to just point at random at the third face, "Him?"

Daddy laughed, "Close," he pointed her to the one on the right, next to the third face, "That's Granpa."

Kairi looked at the fourth face. How many times did she look at that face? All this time it was her granpa.

"Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash."

"He was a flashlight?"

"No Kairi," Daddy chuckled, "They called him that because he was blonde and really fast, like a flash of light."

Kairi continued looking at the stone faces as he talked about her grandpa.

"So, being a powerhouse is the family business?" Riku asked.

"Apparently," Kairi forgot that her deceased grandpa was a Hokage and now her father was the Hokage. Kairi couldn't help but feel… insignificant.

Riku must have sensed her low mood.

"Hey, you saved all the worlds Kairi. How many Hokage's can say that?"

Kairi smiled but went back to her family.

"Boruto, was just a baby. Of course, when a baby comes a long, he gets most of my parents' attention. I tried not to be sad or angry, I was a big girl, but I still felt left out. I wasn't even sure I liked Boruto at the beginning. Then one day, I talked to him. I was told babies learned to talk if you talk to them. I guess Boruto liked me after that. When he was crying he would calm down if I came to him. He even climbed into my lap once and took a nap there," Kairi could hear Riku suppressing a laugh, but ignored it, "Then I decided. I did like him, but kept it a secret. He was my baby brother. I had to take care of him, protect him."

I am strong!

Kairi gasped; her eyes shot open.

"Kairi?"

Kairi… heard Boruto. But she also felt something…something wrong!

Kairi stood up, "Riku, we need to go!"

"Why?"

"I don't know, but… Please, we need to try again!"

Kairi didn't know why, but when she heard Boruto's voice. She felt darkness. It was small, but Kairi felt it.

The fledgling emotion of anger and desperation. Emotions that easily magnified darkness. But, that was normal. People were human, that wasn't what worried her. Kairi sensed something near that small darkness. A bigger darkness. Much bigger, much stronger, much more evil.

And Boruto was near it all!