It's been a long time! As I've just finished my exams, I'll be able to update more often... By the way, I made a few changes in the first chapter so read it again to catch up! Hope you'll enjoy this new chapter!
Chapter 3 – Memories
Tsunade was rummaging through her bedroom's closet. Where the heck did she store that photo album? Well, « store » wasn't the proper word to use since her closet was a real mess. She really had to do something about it... later.
« Are you done yet? » she heard Aneko ask.
« I want to see the photos! » little Ayane's voice echoed.
« Coming! » Tsunade replied.
When she entered the living room with the awaited album which seemed at that very moment like the Holy Grail, the girls were waiting on the couch. Little Ayane's face beamed even though she had already seen the old photos before. She was just happy to see and be told about her parents whom she had no memories of. Aneko had had the chance to know them better but this would be the occasion for her to get Tsunade to tell anecdotes she didn't know of.
Tsunade was glad to be able to share her memories with the girls. It was like to pass on a legacy. But it could also prove a painful exercise especially as far as Dan, her brother or the girls' parents were concerned.
« How old were you on this photo? » Aneko asked.
« Well, I was 20, your mum was 15 and your grandmother was probably in her late fourties. She actually never told us her real age... » Tsunade mused.
« Wow! » Ayane exclaimed. « You all had really big boobs! Even Granny! »
« I know, it runs in the family » Tsunade sighed.
« How come I don't have huge breasts as well? I'm already 15! » Aneko asked in an envious tone.
« And what about me? » Ayane joined in.
« Okay. First, Ayane, you are only 5: you still have time for that. And Aneko, having a huge bosom isn't always a good thing, believe me... Don't worry, you'll find a boy who will like you just the way you are. Maybe you have already found that boy? » Tsunade asked, faking innocence while winking heavily.
« No, I haven't yet » Aneko replied, smiling at Tsunade's face.
« I have a boyfriend! » Ayane cut in. « He kissed me on the cheek once. His name is Kiba and he's beautiful! »
« We say handsome for boys, not beautiful » Aneko corrected.
« Whatever » Ayane went on. « One day, I'll be a great ninja, I'll marry the most beautiful man in Konoha - « handsome » Aneko rectified but Ayane did't notice or maybe didn't care – and I'll have big boobs! »
Upon that, Tsunade and Aneko started to laugh and Ayane joined in even though she didn't seem to know what they were laughing about.
Still lost in her daydream, Tsunade heard someone indicate her the operating room and she suddenly realized she was now in front of the door. She stayed there a moment to gain her composure back before opening the door.
Sakura heard someone enter the room and saw Tsunade putting on a mask before joining the team. She didn't know though that the mask wasn't merely a material one...
« Need some help, Sakura? »
She nodded and directed her attention back to her patient.
They had all done their best and the Rain girl was now out of danger.
« She'll remain here for the night. I want at least one medic nin staying here just in case » Tsunade said before letting out a sigh of relief.
She was now looking at the girl, stroking her cheek with one finger. Sakura could see that her mentor's eyes were getting watery.
« Is everything okay, shishou? » she asked.
« Just relieved to see that my niece is now allright. »
Sakura's eyes widened against her will. « Ayane's your niece? I didn't know that! »
« Well, Sakura, if you don't mind, I think I'll do with some sake right now. Maybe you could come with me and we'll have a little chat. »
Sakura was sitting in front of the Hokage's desk with a glass of sake in front of her. As for the Godaime, she was directly taking sips from the bottle between two sentences.
« You see, Sakura, Ayane's father was from the Rain village and my sister convinced him to come and live in Konoha. I guess one can say strong character is a trademark in the family, at least among women. »
Sakura would have rather used the word « authority » or even « bullying »...
« Unluckily, they were both killed by the nine-tailed fox while Ayane was barely one-year old. So I looked after her and her sister until I considered Aneko old enough to take care of Ayane on her own. That's why I really regard them as my daughters. »
Tsunade's eyes were glassy and her voice was getting shaky. Sakura could see she was struggling to contain herself but sake would soon unleash all the repressed emotions within her. The apprentice didn't mind to be the shoulder on which her master could cry. That was the least she could do after all the older woman had done for her. What bothered her was that she had spent nearly three years with that woman and she just realized she actually knew nothing about her.