• Kunoichi Syndrome: Origins
    Chapter 7 Between Mother and Eldest Son

    Midnight, Nathan wakes me up because I am crying in my sleep. He hugs and I stop crying. Nathan stops hugging me. I fall back asleep. The next morning, I eat breakfast and head back home to check in. Then I go to Itachi’s house. I find Itachi in the backyard. At least he is not pissed with me. My body is still sore from the day before.
    “I can tell why you’re here Ashuri-san. I forgive you for what you did yesterday. I will not hold it against you anymore. I’m grateful that you came to apologize at all.” Itachi breathes.
    I see a familiar pain in Itachi’s eyes. My face turns somber. I can hear angry thoughts in Itachi’s mind. Angry thoughts ready to attack him. I realize I am reading Itachi’s mind. I clap my hands over my ears, dropping to my knees in distress. Itachi bends to my level.
    “Ashuri, Ogenki desu ka? (Ashley, are you all right?)” Itachi asks.
    “Itachi, why are you so angry with yourself?” I blurt immediately.
    “I’ve never been able to get along girls too well. It is all thanks to my ex-girlfriend Taisen. Ever since we broke up, my frustration built up. Eventually, I went off on Taisen for cheating on me in the first place. From there, no matter what I did, every girl I came across I end up hurting them. It has made me a monster. My mother barely looks me in the eye anymore. I am tired of hurting every girl I come across. Yet all I can do is beg forgiveness from every girl I have hurt so far. I do not blame for not forgiving me at all. I can tell you are in pain from yesterday. I’m not going to bother asking your forgiveness, it just wouldn’t be right for me to ask.” Itachi explains.

    “I forgive you. You are doing the right thing by asking forgiveness. A little piece of advice, go talk to your mother.” I say gently.

    The pain I am in causes me to completely collapse and pass out. Itachi quickly takes me inside his house. Mrs. Uchiha is in the living room doing laundry. Itachi gently places me on the couch.
    “Ohayoo gozaimasu Okaasan. (Good morning Mother.)” Itachi says politely. “I’ll help you with the laundry.”
    “Ohayoo gozaimasu Itachi. (Good morning Itachi). There is nothing left for you to help me with. It seems you have found forgiveness. When did you find it?” Mrs. Uchiha asks.
    “About a minute ago, Mother.” Itachi sighs.
    “It’s time I let go of the past, my eldest son.” Mrs. Uchiha says softly as she looks Itachi in the eye.
    “Doomo arigato gozaimasu Okaasan. (Thank you very much Mother.)” Itachi says gratefully. “I must tend to Ashuri-san (Ashley).
    Itachi watches over me as I lightly breathe. He feels that I am dead. Itachi goes to read my mind. <Itachi, please quit thinking I am dead. I am still here in this life. Let me rest, nya (meow).> My thoughts only give him more reason to watch over me. I wake to see purring cats in my face. I smile as the cats purr louder.
    “Aa, ni neko. (Oh, two cats.)” I laugh.
    “Did my cats wake you up rudely?” Itachi asks.
    “Iie. (No.) I’m used to furry faces when I wake up.” I answer.
    “Aa soo desu ka? (Oh is that so? or really?)” Itachi asks.
    “Hai soo desu. (Yes that is so or yes really).” I answer.