Note: More July 2018 things, here you go. This time from the POV of a pianist's Nobody.

Sparkle 16: Letter from No One

A small folded piece of paper, found folded in the back of a specific photo album soon after October Tenth. Warnings for crude language, mentions of death and suicide, and some possible S&S spoilers. For CYB's 5th anniversary.

Huh. I wasn't expecting to write this, but Tomoko-chan is asleep, so might as well take advantage of this. Just catch her tomorrow if she falls over or something, alright?

(The paper crinkles here, specifically near the edges of the top right corner, almost as if the hand writing the following words had creased it.)

Hey, Kei. Hisako here.

I know we've only talked a few times, but I hope you know me — well, both Tomoko-chan and I — to at least distinguish between my handwriting and hers. Of course, this is all in English so no other nosy ninja or some other douchebag can find this. Or read it. I hope.

Darn Japanese and using Engrish.

If you need to, then seal this up in a dark place, or even burn it, so that no one can take this away from you. I want only you to read this. You don't have to tell Tomoko-chan about this — this whole letter-ramble shit thing is really between you and me. It's up to you if you want to talk about me or not.

Anyways. Before I get all philosophical and dark on you.

You've done great, kid. 5 stars out of 5 for defying Kishimoto's bullshit that is Canon. You've come a long way from that lanky, sleepy girl who came into the cafe one afternoon. Even if I haven't seen you around as long as Tomoko-chan has. You've become a great ninja, you survived Kannabi, and you were able to keep Obito in Konoha. Sure, Isobu is going to be a hard shell to crack when it comes to knowing him, but I know you. You can do it. Tomoko-chan just left the first steps for you, with her music, I guess. He didn't seem to lash out, thankfully.

I trust you. Hell. I have a lot of faith in you, kid. Really. With all the heart a Nobody can have. And screw Xehanort and his lies about a Nobody being unable to have hearts. We can still feel. We can still act.

I'm not Roxas. I don't have a Keyblade, or magic, or anything really physically useful in my disposal beyond chakra. The Dreamer and Id are both gone now in exchange for Isobu, and I'm not going to pretend I understand or know what's going on.

But you're going to be okay.

Even when the Tenth passes. You've proven yourself over and over again, whether in training or in that one weird Chunin Exams match with Gai. What? You thought I wasn't going to jab at you? Hah. You underestimate the power of "trolling." :p

Still, whenever Tomoko-chan says, "Daisuki," she always means it, y'know? She and I both mean it. You have a front seat in our hearts, and that's not going away ever.

You're a Special Jounin now. Judai-ji — Dad actually beams about you sometimes, about how you've come so far, but he worries. Mom does too.

Being a ninja means risking your life. Risking death again and again. We all know that.

And, I guess I'm writing this so that, just in case, if I ever do disappear like my counterparts did for you, I can tell you from beyond whatever grave there is to keep your chin up.

Don't try to purposefully die. Or commit suicide, or just recklessly risk your hide for a village that might just be using you. Or I will seriously rise from said grave and yell at you at the top of my lungs for whatever vocal cords are worth. Kick your ass even, if I have to go that far. I have the Ultima Keyblade embedded in my memory for good reason.

You're not just a simple piece in a story, Kei. You're not just some little icky bit of trash. You're not just any other ninja.

You're Gekkō Keisuke, the ninja reincarnation who has family and friends that want you to stay.

Tomoko-chan wants you to stay. To live. Because, if you're gone, she might —

(There are some suspicious splotches here, almost as if water hit the paper for a mere moment. The indentations aren't deep, however, as if the writer wiped the water away before it could sink in.)

I don't want to think about what might come after I'm gone. Fuck, it's just painful to think about that. (There is a small hole here, as if the pencil tore through the paper while writing.) And I did not mean to do that. Whatever.

I just wish I could see everything, from you and Tomoko-chan becoming adults, you possibly making Jounin — hell, even having students of your own. I wish I could live with you both until the inevitable, natural end. But life doesn't always work that way. Your old counterparts might as well be proof of that.

So, here I am. Defying any kind of fateful "death" bullshit and writing this, so you can remember this.

You're going to be okay, kid. Even if the missions drag on, even when you're far away from home, even when you're on the other side of the goddamn world, pick up that Wayfinder you have strapped to your arm, alright?

Remember. You have Tomoko-chan, your family, your team. You're not alone. You'll never be alone, or so whatever God helps me. Never forget that.

And, if you need a reminder of the old world, ring Tomoko-chan up at the piano. She still misses you every now and then when you head out of the cafe. Piano is a wonderful distraction. Maybe you can pick up an ocarina, so that Lugia can fly again. That's an idea.

Heh. I guess I'm running out of space on this thing. Have to leave a few last words then.

Thank you, Kei. For doing what you have done. A ninja's work is ugly, but I know you've protected my charge more than I have in the physical world. And a Nobody just can't help but be grateful.

Don't forget your roots. Don't forget the little people.

Don't think you're wrestling Canon alone. You'll never, ever be fucking alone, you hear? I am completely willing to bitch-slap you from beyond whatever Afterlife there is if it means drilling that message into your head.

And hey. Just take care of Tomoko-chan for me when I'm gone, alright?

Kick Uchiha Madara's ass, or break any other Canon villain's legs for me.

You can do it. Just believe in yourself.

I believe in you.

Love,

Hisako