Hi everyone! Just a reminder that I'm now doing double updates, so enjoy!

Also, I'm glad I'm doing double updates seeing how this chapter is actually small. It's there really to give everyone a break about all the drama and I'd actually understand if some people skip over it. Still, I do certainly hope you like it all since it actually made me smile :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto although there's not much Naruto reference in this chapter.

Although Daichi had tried to reassure the girl through various ways, including speaking ill of Shikamaru, Sora did not feel better. Even after a night of sleep, which had not been so good due to the storm that had reappeared that night, Sora still felt horrible and abandoned. She also felt unsure about her situation with her boyfriend. Last night, he had forcefully kissed her on the mouth even though he had promised to go slow. He even seemed upset when she hadn't returned her kiss.

But today, she wanted to avoid thinking about all her problems. Today, was the day her parents died six years ago and she was going to honour them through the ritual her mother had shown her when she was younger. It was one of the few family secrets that her mother had managed to pass on to her before she passed away. Sora first took a long shower, vigorously rubbing her skin with the soap bar, as if she could wash away everything that was bothering her. Once she was finished, she went to her room and took out a sky blue dress. This was one of the very rare occasions that she could be seen wearing a dress. It was so rare that when, at three o'clock, Shikamaru's dad arrived, he couldn't hide his surprise.

"I know what you are thinking," she greeted him with a small smile.

"The dress?" he asked.

"Yeah, my mother loved seeing me in a dress," she answered.

Nodding in understanding, he silently walked in. As he was about to take his shoes off, Sora stopped him.

"You don't need to; the ritual will be done outside. We're actually going to head there now."

After the girl had picked up a small bag filled with various things, they headed outside. From there, she guided him into the forest behind her house. It took almost 15 minutes before they arrived at a stone in the middle of a clearing.

Sora opened the bag and first took out a small broom and brushed away the leaves from the gravestone then from all around it. After she was satisfied with her job, she took out several colorful candles and placed them around the clearing, giving it a sense of sacredness when lighting them. All during the preparation, Shikaku stood there impressed by the details. When Sora finally finished placing different kind of flowers around the gravestone, she took out the last things in her bag: two white candles. Putting one in the man's hands and lighting it, she explained:

"Here, we honor two persons: my parents. Thus, we need two candles. We will stand in front of the grave in silence. We will send our thoughts to them. Our goal is to show them that we are at peace so they don't need to worry about us. Once we will be finished, I will chant for them so they can continue to rest peacefully. Is there something you would like me to explain?"

The man shook his head in silence. He didn't feel the need to talk here as it seems like anything and everything that he would do was understood by the young girl. She then smiled lightly.

"Again, try mostly sending positive thoughts. We don't want to worry them."

He nodded in silence again, holding carefully the candle and protecting the flame from the aggressive wind. Although a storm was hanging over their head, the clearing seemed protected. Surprisingly, the colored candles all around them hadn't extinguished. In fact, the fire very calmly burned in their spots.

Following Sora's lead, he stood in front of the gravestone, presenting his candle. Silently, they stood there, with their eyes closed, sending their thoughts. Calmly, Shikaku thought about the good times he spent with his friend.

Sora, on the other hand, was struggling a bit. In her mind, she imagined herself standing there alone and quietly. Although she was to send positive thoughts, her head would only travel back to all her current problems. Above all, the feelings of being abandoned and loneliness primed it all. Around her, a storm of emotions was swirling around her. She tried to create a spark of positiveness but it would be extinguished immediately by the other emotions.

Realizing that she couldn't do it, a tear spilled from her eye, both in her mind and in reality. This was one of the few times where she wished that Asuma was here. He would be able to help her clear her mind. Taking a deep breath, she tried again. Still in her mind, she began creating bigger positive sparks, each swept away immediately. The uncontrollable winds gradually grew to a giant storm with violent emotions which terrified her more and more.

As she was about to give up, the wind calmed down on its own. Looking for the source of the calming feeling that she suddenly felt, she saw a silhouette in front of her. She concentrated on it but without any light, she couldn't see who it was. She then had an idea. With her hands, she created more positive sparks. Putting every ounce of positive energy in it, she saw her sparks become beautiful colorful dragonflies. Like a mist, it flew around them. There, in front of her, Sora saw her mother. The woman walked forth and took her daughter in an embraced. Love washed through the girl's body. Silently, the mother whispered:

"Be brave. Everything will be okay."

With a loud gasp, Sora opened her eyes and looked at the gravestone in front of her. She could not explain it but she knew that the woman in her mind was really her mother. She really had come to help her. Noticing Shikamaru's dad looking at her in worry, she smiled the brightest smile she had done in a while. All her worries had been washed away.

Followed closely by Shikaku, she put down her candle in front of the grave. Once both candles were on the ground, Sora started humming a song. Softly, very softly, she continued, rocked by the wind. Around them, they could hear a buzzing sound. While the girl kept humming, the man looked around to locate the sound. Out of the blue, hundreds of dragonflies, of all kinds of colors, flew into the clearing. The sight was amazing.

Sora laughed lightly with happiness as the dragonflies tickled her. She knew, deep down, that her ancestors were smiling upon her. Here, in the middle of the clearing, she was separated from the world. As if there was music, the girl started dancing with her family's friends. This ritual was by far one of the most amazing thing Shikamaru's dad had ever experienced. Although there was no contract signed, these dragonflies shared a link with the Tonbo family. After this, there was no more doubt in his mind about it.

When they returned to her house, Shikoku softly thanked the girl:

"I greatly appreciated that you have shared such a moment. I had heard many tales about how great the ritual was but this have definitely exceeded any of my expectations."

Sora bowed. "And thank you for keeping me company today. Although it is a sad day, this ritual helps me get through it."

The girl turned around and opened her door. As she walked in, Shikamaru's dad called her out.

"Sora."

"Yes?" she answered while turning to look at the man.

"I wanted to apologize."

Sora gave the man a confusing look.

"I heard about what Shikamaru did and I am very not happy with it. I will talk to him when he gets back," he explained.

The girl's stare softened. "There's no need to. I... have been acting pretty silly recently and I may have finally pushed him overboard."

The man crossed his arms and started thinking.

"How are things going with this Daichi guy?" he asked.

Sora giggled as she never thought that the man would be the kind to ask these kinds of questions.

"I think it's going fine."

The man smiled. "You think?"

"Well, yes. I'm not very sure what to expect so I can't really say," she answered while scratching her head.

Now, it was the man's turn to laugh.

"Want a tip?" he offered.

"Um... sure?" she replied awkwardly.

The man tapped his chest while saying: "Go with your heart."

And with that the man left, leaving the girl to think on her own.

And here you go! Next update will be monday (tuesday if something extreme happens). Thanks for reading this far!

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