"Mommy, can I visit Kazue-nee today?" Misora asked excitedly, short legs swinging freely under the table. She had woken up especially early they day and was practically bouncing with anticipation.

"You were just there yesterday, dear, we don't want to bother your sister too much."

"But she said I could visit whenever!"

"That doesn't mean every day, Misora. I'm sure she's busy, you know."

"Come on! Pleeease? Dad would let me go, right dad?" she dashed eagerly to her father who had just descended the stairs.

"Why not? It's no problem," Omasu ruffled her hair before turning to his wife, "I'll bring her, I'm on my way there anyways."

"Dear, she's been going over there a lot lately, isn't it impolite for us to be sending her over so often?" Kinuyo frowned worriedly; the last thing she wanted was for her older daughter to be annoyed at them, especially seeing as Misora can be a handful.

"You worry too much, I'm sure it's fine. Besides, Aro-, ah, Kazue did say we were welcome any time."

"Well... I suppose it's alright," the woman conceded hesitantly, "Just make sure she's ok with it first."

"Yay! Thanks mommy!" Misora cheered before pulling her father towards the door, "Come on, daddy, let's go, let's go!"

Her father laughed and followed the girl's orders, waving goodbye to his wife before the two disappeared out the door.

Kinuyo sigh was quickly replaced by an exasperated laugh as she began to clean up the half-finished breakfasts.

'Those two…'


"Kazue-nee!" Misora giggled in delight when she stepped into the familiar room and spotted her sister in the same spot she always was in. She dashed towards her and tackled her into a hug.

"Hey you, what are you so excited about?" Aroka laughed, squeezing the girl gently.

"Mom and dad think I'm bothering you because I visit a lot but it's not true, right?" she asked eagerly, tugging on Aroka's sleeve.

"Of course not, you're no bother at all!" she smiled before sending Omasu, who looked on from just outside the room, a reassuring nod.

"See daddy? I told you so!"

"Thank you for watching over her, Aroka, it means a lot."

"My pleasure."

"Have fun, Misora, and behave yourself."

"Bye daddy!" the girl waved after her father as he stepped out of view.

"So what do you want to do?" Aroka smiled down at, or rather in the general direction of, the younger girl.

"Can we go to the garden?"

"We've already been there, remember?"

"Not that one, the one that's a little farther. You know, the one with the really big wishing fountain in it."

"Huh? That's on the other side of the compound, how do you know about that?"

"Daddy told me about it! He said he's been there before."

"Ah, I see. We can go but we'll have to get Mila first."

"I'll do it!" Misora jumped to her feet and zipped out the door; she was familiar enough with the halls now that she could find Mila's room with no problem.

Aroka lifted herself out of her seat. Carefully, she shuffled towards the door and, once outside, kept a hand on the wall as she watched Misora's line weave it's way towards Mila's. She smiled to herself.

The days were getting longer, it seemed, and at the same time they were far shorter than ever. Misora's company was a good distraction from the writhing thoughts that pulled at her consciousness so often these days. The days were getting colder, too. Aroka remembered how much she loved winter, especially when she was younger. She loved the cold wind against her cheek when she ran in the courtyard, she loved the crunch of new snow beneath her shoes, but most of all she loved how the chill made her feel alive. She knew this winter would be different, however, as much as she wished otherwise.

"We're back!" Misora's voice rang loudly as a trail of footsteps padded swiftly closer.

"That was quick. Good morning, Mila," Aroka grinned.

The said woman smiled and returned the greeting before taking a hold of her friend's arm, falling into step beside her.

"Misora tells me we're going to the western garden?"

"Seems like it. I haven't been there in a few years."

"Neither have I."

"It may not be as nice this time of year as it would be in spring, I hope you won't be disappointed, Misora."

"It's ok! Besides, we can just go again when it's spring, right?"

"We'll have to see about that when the time comes, won't we?"

Misora giggled in reply and cheerfully swung their connected hands. If it were not for the fact that she didn't know her way to the garden, the girl would have long run ahead seeing as her companions were moving much too slowly for her liking. One thing she had quickly learned about her sister was that she was a slow walker. Nevertheless, the trio eventually arrived at the front entrance to the garden; the one with the best view.

The western garden was the largest in the compound, though it was nothing extravagant, really. From where they stood, they could see the four edges that bound the greenery, but despite its modest size and unfavorable weather the garden was lovely nonetheless. Bare trees raised their branches to form an impressive canopy just overhead, the smooth stone walkway beneath their feet led them past still-green bushes pruned into neat, rounded shapes. Small stone pagodas appeared every once in a while just off the path. In one corner of the garden was a clear green pond with tiny fish swimming about and a stepping stone path, near the water were a few small bonsai trees in dark ceramic pots, some still bearing their little leaves, and rows of flowers and shrubbery that did not fare as well.

"Wow!" Misora beamed when she spotted the fountain, running towards it with a sparkle in her eye. She rested both hands on the cold rim of the base and leaned over to look into its gleaming waters.

The two-tiered stone fountain sat at the center of the garden, its streams of falling water shone brightly under the sunlight. There were a few coins lying at the bottom, their images distorted by the gently rippling surface. Some members of the main family, as well as some of the compound's staff, liked to toss coins into the fountain for good luck, both Mila and Aroka among them once upon a time.

"It's nice, huh?" Aroka smiled as she and Mila had caught up to the girl. She copied Misora's position, leaning over the edge, and dipped her fingertips into the water.

Mila brushed her hand across the surface as well but quickly recoiled at the jarringly cold temperature, she quickly wiped her hand off on her coat and made a mental note not to do that again.

The three of them spent a pleasant few hours in the garden; Misora bounced from place to place admiring anything and everything while the older duo trailed behind her at their own pace. By the time Misora had tired out, the sun was already high overhead.

"I'm hungry," she pulled her eyes away from a foraging bird to look back at her sister, "Can we go back?"

"Of course," Aroka smiled as the younger girl ran towards her cheerily.

The three made their way out of the garden and started back the way they came. Misora headed the group, skipping happily and seemingly off in her own little world.

"How are you feeling?" Mila asked her friend too quietly for the young girl to hear.

"I'm alright, not worse than usual," Aroka answered in a similarly low tone.

"You've been out longer today than you have in a few weeks."

"And I'm doing pretty well, huh?"

"Just don't push yourself, let me know if it starts getting difficult. "

"You know I will, besides-" she wasn't able to finish her sentence before she suddenly found herself on the ground, hands braced against the wooden floorboards that should have been cold. She heard a gasp from beside her.

"Are you ok?!" Mila dropped down to her side and gripped her arm pressingly.

"Aroka!"

Mila looked up to see Toru rushing towards them, two older men flanking him with equal urgency. He keeled beside Aroka and gripped her shoulders, scanning for any injury.

"I'm fine. I just tripped, no need to panic," she reassured, pushing herself to her feet in a strained motion.

"Are you… sure? You're ok?" Toru frowned, skeptically.

"Kazue-nee!"

The three all turned just as Misora reached them. She glanced up at Toru warily before inching away from him, half hiding behind her sister to shield from his gaze.

"It's ok, everything's fine," Aroka smiled at her reassuringly before turning back to Toru, "I'm sure, just me being clumsy."

Toru shifted between her and Mila uncertainly but asked no more questions, taking a step back from the three.

"Okay then... be more careful, you could've hurt yourself."

"I will, don't worry."

He nodded hesitantly and glanced at his advisors.

"Well, I have to get going. If you ever need anything you know where to find me."


"She's getting worse every day, we cannot delay the procedure any longer."

"He's right, Toru, she's deteriorated too much."

The young leader remained silent, hands clasped in front of his face and a deep crease in his brow. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"What happens if it doesn't work?"

"If it doesn't work things will go on as they have, at best. At worst… well, we won't have any more use for her. We'll take care of that once we get there."

"I agree. The risk is low and the reward is high, this is our best option. I believe you already know that, Toru."

Another silence fell over the room. The crease in his brow deepened, if it was possible, and he finally nodded.

"Send word to the Uchiha, we will go ahead with their plan."