Mitsuko sat in the corner of her room, her legs brought up under her as she wrapped her arms around them. She was weeping by the window and thought hard about Hidan.
He was different from all the other boys she had met. He talked to her and spent time with her. Hidan even kissed her! Her heart fell as the thoughts creeped into her mind that he was just toying with her as Ken did. The kiss was probably full of nothingness, just a fake to please her. But if what her father had said about Hidan was true, then why hadn't he killed her and her family yet? Maybe he wasn't as heartless as papa had said? Who was she kidding, he said he didn't know if he would miss not having her around. If he did care for her, he would have said he would indeed miss her.
Mitsuko struggled to stand up and lean against the wall, wiping her eyes. She had to go talk to someone.
"Nii-chan, I'm going to see Ino-san or Hinata-san. I'll be back soon," Mitsuko said loudly as she banged on his door.
"Alright!" Haru shouted.
Mitsuko avoided Hidan's gaze as she walked in front of his view of the television and stood at the door, waiting for him to comment on her leaving.
"I'm sorry that I'm stupid, Mitsuko," Hidan apologized, his arms behind his head on the back of the couch. "But you stupify me," he smirked, hoping he had flattered her enough to forgive him for whatever reason.
She sighed and slid the door back, "I'll comment on that when I get back," she said before heading out into the busy streets of Konoha.
It wasn't a long walk to the Yamanaka Flower Shop where Ino-san worked. The small bell rang as Mitsuko walked in and she got blown away by the variety of smells from the flowers.
"Welcome!" Ino's voice came from the back. She always tried to greet her customers.
Suddenly, a woman with long blonde hair in a ponytail and bright blue sapphires for eyes rushed out and stopped behind the counter. She leaned excitedly over it and smiled. "Ah, Mitsuko! What are you doing here?"
"I needed to talk to you, mama," Mitsuko said, coming up to the counter.
Ino had always played the role of a motherly figure towards Mitsuko. Mitsuko had always called her "mama" even when Shikamaru told her not too. But Ino told him it was okay, although she understood his situation. Mitsuko needed a woman in her life to set that motherly example. Ino smiled sweetly and invited Mitsuko behind the counter, taking her under her wing.