0o0o0o0o0o Two days later 0o0o0o0o0
I started going through things to take with me and get rid off, knowing I'd have to sell the house and start living someplace cheaper. I was moving to the next city over to go to a new school. My parents didn't leave me much money so I had to make it last. Most of it was saved for college.
I sighed sadly and mumbled, "And I can't even get a hold of Itachi to tell him my plan."
There was a knock on the door and I called, "Coming!"
I opened the door and saw a guy in a suit with a red tie. Looking higher I saw long spiky white hair and a face only a mother could love. Wart included. I blinked as I realized who it was and asked softly, "Uncle Jiraiya?"
He smiled softly and said, "Hey kid."
I stepped back and said, "Come on in. It's been a while. Five years right?"
He came in and I shut the door and said, "I'd offer you tea, but I suck at making it. So how about a soda?"
He nodded, watching me carefully, "Fine."
He followed me into the kitchen and I set the soda down at the table and he took a seat, after I cleared one off. Stuff was everywhere as I sorted through it. I sat down across from him and said softly, "You heard."
He nodded and said, "I'm sorry. I would have been here sooner."
I shook my head and smiled softly at him, "No, I'm just glad you came at all. So how's work?"
He looked at me with a weird expression, like this wasn't how I was supposed to be acting, "Fine. Busy."
I nodded, taking a sip of my drink and said, "I'm selling the house, and what I can. Taking as much as possible. And getting an apartment out of Tokyo, in Mito. And finishing high school. Then going to college there, they have a great one for business."
I faltered and clenched the can, "And um, I'm working for a business degree. I want to be able to work in a company as a secretary or something."
Jiraiya said softly, "I thought you wanted to work in the flower shop."
I stared at the can and said, "Not really, I was talking about becoming a karate teacher or something. Dad said I'd be great."
I trailed off, feeling my chest clench and I blinked in shock as a tear hit the hard surface of the table. I rubbed my cheek and Jiraiya came around the table. I said sternly to myself, "I said I would stop crying. It wouldn't do any good."
Jiraiya put a hand on my shoulder and said softly, "It can help you accept it."
I bit my lip and whimpered softly, "I. I miss them."
He knelt and said, "I know. I do to."
I looked at him; face sad and worried and I broke down. I threw myself into his chest and sobbed, "Why? Why did they have to go?"
He sat on the floor, rocking me and said, "It was their time. You shouldn't blame yourself or think that any of this wasn't meant to happen."
I sniffed, tears slowing and he said softly, "Everything in life has meaning. You just have to accept that there are things in life you can't control."
I thought about it and he was right. I couldn't control the visions, did that mean that it wasn't my fault I couldn't save my parents? I blinked and said softly, "Maybe your right."
He shifted and held a tissue to my nose, "Blow."
I obeyed and muttered, "I'm not a child."
He chuckled and I got off his lap and gave him a hand up. He tossed the tissue and said, "So, what are you going to do about the flower shop?"
I shrugged and said, "I can't keep it. So I'm selling it to someone called Yamanaka. It'll give me enough to live on for a while."
He looked at me in worry and said, "I could help pay."
I interrupted him stubbornly, "No. Thank you Uncle Jiraiya, but I want to try this in my own."
He smiled softly at me, "Like your father." He put his hands on his hips and said, "alright, but you have to let me help you get rid of everything, including the house. Then I'll leave and get out of your hair. But I want phone calls, at least once a month and I'll come for holidays."
I smiled softly, not sure how to thank him, "Alright that means a lot."
He grinned widely and we got to work. And I realized I wasn't as alone as I thought.
