Chapter 6: Mother, the fearless kunoichi
Midori was the only one who opposed the strict requirements and dogma of the Nanusake clan. She felt a deep longing for the beloved in her heart and did not want to smother the fire of love she felt for this one at all costs. She was furious that she was not allowed to follow her happiness, but she obeyed orders and followed the Moth's path for the sake of her daughters.
She loved sneaking out of the house at night and escaping into the woods in the dunes to watch the starry sky and howl at the moon. Howl in despair for her beloved. During the day, she would come back, put on her armor, strapping both wakizashi on her back, and go with her head held high at the head of the squad to fight for the highest bidder. In the evenings she would return to the girls, throwing off her bloodied helmet, undoing the knots of her warlike clothes, soaked with sweat, mud and blood.
A radiant smile always returned to her lips as the girls ran happily to her legs. They would tell their mother about the new dances or songs they had learned that day. Akira and Izumi were always required to recite a list of tasks and demonstrate the jutsu they had learned that day. No matter how tired Midori was, she always put the development of the girls first. She knew Izumi's sacrifice as a jinchuuriki was imminent and the three of them would have to be ready for any, even the worst scenario. It was up to Akira and Midori to perfect the demon's control if Izumi was unable to control it, especially in childhood. Izumi, on the other hand, absorbed the teachings of old Hitomi, the jinchuuriki from whom she herself would take over the Seven-Tails when the time came. It will not be an easy process, so the girl had to practice discipline and control of chakra and emotions at all costs. She was made aware from the beginning that losing control of her behaviour is the greatest opportunity for the demon to reach out to her and take advantage of her anger, suffering and despair. Negative emotions were his sustenance.
Midori told the girls various ancestral stories and legends, but the stories they liked the most were love stories. Often romantic, sometimes unhappy, but sometimes stories with happy endings. Midori taught her daughters about love, passion, and depth, with the ability to survive all separations. She spoke of a love so inaccessible to the members of their family and so common to everyone else... with a bitter longing in her voice.
The symbol of this, she said, is her red ribbon, which she received as a gift from her beloved, Izumi's father. The younger sister loved to play with it, telling with a flushed face that one day she will also meet the love of her life and share her ribbon with him so that they could be together forever, could always come back to each other, despite the trials and tribulations of life. The girl was mature beyond her years and loved to dream, and Midori loved to cultivate creativity and fire in her heart. The stronger her Light was, the weaker her Darkness would become, and the less trouble the girl had with controlling Huranaishi and Chomei.
The mother deeply wished her daughters to break free from the shackles of their cult, escape into the world and experience elation and love full of freedom and freedom that she herself was never allowed to experience. But she knew how much it was against clan rules.