"Tora, are you sure you don't want these before I throw them out?"
"Just toss it, Ma. Whatever it is, I haven't missed it since I left before so I won't miss it now."
It was a sunny afternoon and, instead of enjoying the perfect weather to lean against a tree and take a nap, an annoyed ravenette was busy packing scrolls. She placed another box down on the ground and wiped the sweat off her brow with a small sigh.
"Tora, come look at this!"
Once again, her mother got sidetracked along memory lane. With a groan, Tora headed back inside the house. Walking into the common area, she leaned against the door frame and watched her mother go through the catch-all drawer. She was currently holding a photo in her hands and immediately turned to her daughter with a smile to hand it over.
In the picture were five people at what looked like the front of the Academy building. The main focus was on three of them - Hana, Izumi, and herself. In the background, she could make out Itachi sitting on the steps of the building and Koji leaning against the rails.
"I'd been looking at it for a while. You all look so small compared to now."
"Yeah."
Tora held the photo in her hand as she studied it for a moment. Everything was definitely different then. If someone had told her what the future would hold, based off this picture alone, she wouldn't have believed them.
It had been nearly a year since everything went down. Sasuke had succeeded in his quest of killing Itachi to her dismay, but everything had been inevitable from the beginning. She wasn't able to recover Itachi's body from the scene, however she was able to get his necklace.
"Everything is ready for the trip." Jaga taped up another box. "Are you going to let your friends see you off this time?"
Clutching the photo frame she was holding, Tora smiled before heading towards the door. "No. I'll be right back, then we can leave while the sun's still out."
Still to this day, everything that happened after she let Sasuke into the cave was very hazy. She could remember explosions in the distance as she made sure she wasn't in the way. She swore she saw some white snakes and a warrior shrouded in fire, but afterwards, everything was black. When she woke up, she was back in the forest in the pocket of a tree trunk. It didn't take her long to find out that Kisame had moved her body at Itachi's request.
When she made it to her destination, Tora let out a small sigh before sitting down in the grass. In front of her was the weary gravestone of Izumi Uchiha, however it was now joined by two smaller gravestones that represented Itachi and Shisui's memory. Pressing her palms together in prayer, Tora bowed her head in respect before relaxing.
"I'm sorry it's been a while since I came to see you, Izumi." Tora smiled apologetically. "You wouldn't believe the journey that I've gone through. Well… actually you might since it is me we're talking about."
Tora pulled her knees into her chest and divulged everything to her friend as if she were answering back. When she finished her story, she placed the photo frame against Izumi's gravestone with a grin before glancing at Itachi's.
"You better be treating Izumi and Shisui well, Itachi." She murmured. "Don't worry about anything here. I'll keep looking after Sasuke. And I found someone else to chase after, in case you were wondering."
"Oh really? Who?"
The ravenette nearly jumped out of her skin as an additional voice whispered into her ear. Hearing laughter behind her, she quickly turned her head to see Koji clutching his stomach.
"Rest assured, it's not you." Tora rolled her eyes as she stood up and brushed the dirt off her clothes.
"It wouldn't make sense anyways since I'm always chasing you down." He wiped a tear from his eye before it escaped. "Aren't you heading back to Kumogakure?"
Tora stared down at the three headstones in front of her. This was going to be it for a while until she came back. With a small smile, she turned around before walking out of the graveyard. "Haven't you been reassigned already, Koji?"
"If that's a nicer way of you saying 'demoted', then yeah." He fell in step next to her. "Doesn't mean I'm not able to keep tabs on you, troublemaker."
"You shouldn't have taken the fall for me. I told you I knew what I was getting myself into."
"And I acted accordingly of my own free will. It's been a year anyway, so just let it rest." He shrugged. "Honestly, it was probably best for me to leave the Anbu."
Tora stopped and glanced over at the male. "That really was the last time, huh?"
"Yeah, it was." Koji placed his hand on the top of her head. "Now can you please be a good girl from now on? I'm pretty sure you're on your ninth life and curiosity does kill cats."
•─────⋅ ⋅─────•
"Welcome back." A spoke as Tora and Jaga stepped through the threshold into Kumogakure. Tora looked around the open bridge that would lead them into the elevated village. The mountainous view surrounding them was more than enough to make her feel secure as she went into her second home.
As the trio walked towards the living quarters, Tora was ambushed by Yukai. The young male had grown at least 10 centimeters above her head and now she had to look up at him to speak.
"Tora, you're back! How was your trip?"
"You're really interested in it?" Tora raised an eyebrow as her parents left the two on their own and entered the building.
"More so interested in what you brought me, but same difference." He shrugged. He swiftly ducked out of the way to avoid a right hook coming in contact with his jaw. That didn't stop her from swiping his legs out from under him in retaliation.
The boy had a lot to learn before he could try to talk recklessly to her. The next time she saw Omoi, she was going to rip him a new one for not disciplining the teen.
"I didn't bring anything for you." She scoffed in petty.
"I'm telling Karui!"
"Tell her."
"What are y'all already arguing about?"
Tora and Yukai turned away from each other to see Nigai approaching them with a concerned look. Yukai immediately stood up and crossed his arms with a begrudging sigh; there was no point in trying to fight a losing battle now.
"I have training to go to. I'll see you around." He bowed respectfully to Nigai since he was his superior. Sneaking a glance at Tora, he stuck his tongue out childishly before running off. The remaining two were left in silence.
"…How have you been?" Tora started, never having been a fan of awkward silences.
"Alright. And you? Thought you'd have a few more scratches than that."
"I've been on restriction lately."
The two stood for a moment, returning to their silence. Truthfully, it had been so long since they'd spoken and everything was left on a cliffhanger. After Tora left Itachi and returned to Konoha, she'd been there for a year under questioning, training, and - simply put - house arrest. The last time they were together, he had mentioned marriage with no response from her.
"I feel like I may have come on too strong." Nigai started. "I could see it all over your face the moment I mentioned thinking about proposing to you."
The ravenette sighed and looked away from him before meeting his gaze. "You shouldn't propose to me, Nigai. You should save it for someone who treats you better than me."
She could see the confusion riddling his face. Whatever words he was trying to formulate, it took him a second to figure it out. She couldn't blame him though, especially since she just ripped the bandaid off.
"Is it because of someone here in Kumogakure? Or… do you have stronger feelings for Koji-san?"
"No, no, absolutely not!" Tora immediately shook her head. "Koji and I are brother and sister. Strictly family."
"Then someone here…" Nigai frowned.
Tora rubbed the back of her neck. "Since I was a kid, I've been chasing after someone for a while now. We would meet up from time to time after things got tough and, while I was here, I would go to see him or he would see me. We never did anything physical… besides a hug and holding hands… but we had an emotional connection."
"Were you seeing him when you were with me?"
"Yes."
"So you were cheating on me?"
"Yes."
Nigai frowned and took a step back, placing his hands on his hips. She was being so truthful and blunt, and as much as he appreciated it, he hated the context of their conversation. He was trying to soothe his anger because he wasn't the type to be impulsive, however any logical person would be upset over this.
"Are you still seeing him?" He finally asked.
Tora walked over to the stone railing and leaned against it, looking out into the mountains. She let out a small breath and closed her eyes. "No. I've been chasing after my own tail lately."
"Tora-"
"I'm twenty-two and I've spent the last seventeen years worried about anyone that wasn't me." She opened her eyes. "Yet I've been selfish and overbearing at the same time. Now I'm starting a new chapter in my life and I'm not sure where that's going to take me."
Nigai rested his hands on the railing and sighed as he listened to her. There were times when she was so mature that he'd forgotten how young she really was.
Tora faced him with a serious demeanor. "I'm sorry about everything, but I don't think I would've been able to accept your proposal."
"I'd already prepared myself for you to say that." He admitted. "It's going to be awkward since we've spent so much time together around everyone else, but hopefully we can remain cordial from here. I wish you the best."
Tora frowned as she watched Nigai's back fade into the distance. She knew he was hurt, but she didn't expect the amount of grief that she'd also feel from essentially breaking his heart. Wiping at her eyes was doing little to stop her overflowing tears and she ducked her head down as the walkway started to get crowded. Aside from the grief, however, she felt a sense of relief. The burden of his feelings had finally been lifted.
•─────⋅ ⋅─────•
Three months in Kumogakure, three months in Konohagakure - that was Tora's routine schedule. Both places required an insane amount of paperwork and meetings which took up most of her time. Tora didn't mind all of the work and travel because it allowed her to dissociate. What she did mind, however, was the abundance of security she had incurred due to her previous actions. One more slip-up and that was it for her.
Jaga ended up staying in Kumogakure permanently, much to A's happiness. Although Tora was happy that her parents were able to rekindle their relationship, she was now slightly annoyed because her father was now pushing for her to cancel her dual citizenship and stay in Kumogakure as well.
In her childhood home, Tora sat and brushed out her hair before pulling it up into a neat bun. She glanced at her rust colored jumpsuit in the mirror one more time before leaving.
"Ready for your big day?" The ravenette pushed aside a curtain and walked into a small room. Koji turned away from the mirror in the corner as he tugged on the sleeve of his kuromonpuku. His hair was now arranged into a buzzcut which made him look more mature and handsome, but the growing smirk on his face told Tora she was about to get irritated.
"Not big enough for you to put on a dress, huh?" Koji joked.
"Don't start with me or I'll ruin you." She rolled her eyes. "Finally someone has taken away my helicopter parent."
"You're going to miss me."
"Of course I will."
Koji watched as Tora crossed her arms and averted her eyes from him. What an adorable little sister he had. Stepping towards her, he placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze before pulling her in for a hug.
"It's because of you that I'm getting married today. Getting out of the Anbu was probably the best thing that happened to me because it let me take a step back and remember the things I truly wanted to do for myself." Koji pulled back first and smiled at her. "Izumi was also telling me I'd be a good teacher."
"You're getting oddly sentimental. It's weird." Tora grimaced playfully. "I'm gonna leave before the ceremony starts."
"You'll never see me like this again. I promise you that." He scoffed at her rejection. "Where is Hana?"
"Around here somewhere probably."
"Do you-"
"No more questions, Koji. Just relax and enjoy your day."
Tora left before Koji could say anything else and headed over to find a seat. Settling down after she found her reserved spot, Tora smiled and bowed respectfully towards Koji's parents before sitting back in her chair.
"Wow, you look pretty."
The ravenette turned her head to see Hana smiling as she claimed the seat next to her. She had a nice spring blue dress on with her hair curled into loose waves that framed her face. The Haimaru brothers each had their own black tie around their necks and sat in a row next to the center aisle.
"You clean up well yourself." Tora laughed. "Who are you trying to impress?"
"You, of course."
Before Tora could respond, the ceremony began. The entire experience was beautifully bittersweet as she and Hana playfully mourned the loss of their brother to another woman. Tossing rice in celebration, the ceremony ended and everyone moved to begin the reception.
"So, when are we heading out to see your parents? They should be next to tie the knot, right?" Hana asked as she sipped on her drink.
Tora sighed into her cup. "Who knows. They argue about the most miniscule stuff every time I see them. I'd probably get married before they elope."
Hana raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh? You've really given thought to settling down?"
"Maybe after I take care of some business." Tora shrugged. She still needed to keep tabs on Sasuke to keep her promise with Itachi. Honestly, between that and being an ambassador, she didn't feel like she had any time to dream about settling down, nor did she think that was something she wanted at this moment.
"Another secret mission?" Hana groaned. "What if I asked you to settle down? You probably wouldn't even listen to me. You never do-"
"I'd give it more thought."
"Really? That's surprising."
"I would because it's you." Tora smiled, feeling her cheeks getting warm due to the alcohol. Liquid courage was starting to take over now. "What do you think about traveling together?"
Hana blinked. "Traveling where?"
"I don't know. Taking a load off and enjoying ourselves as my treat." Tora shrugged. "You've done so much for me, Hana, and I really appreciate you. I want to take you on a trip and spoil you."
"Someone's being really forward today." Hana teased. Taking her best friend's hand, she laced their fingers together. "Spoil me then. I promise I'll be really expensive. I'll run around and make you buy me anything I want."
After placing her drink down, Tora pulled Hana closer to her. Her free arm snaked around the Inuzuka's waist and she pressed their foreheads together. If there was anyone staring at them, the two didn't seem to notice.
"I wouldn't mind chasing after you."