Right before Ino began at the Academy, she'd climbed with her mother to the top of the steps carved steep into the side of the hokage memorial. As they'd approached, her mother had pointed each hokage out and told their story. When she reached the last, she stammered a little over the end of his story. "And then he sealed--he. He saved the village." After a brooding moment, she buried her hand in Ino's hair and concluded, "He was a very great man."
When they reached the top, Ino's mother had unpacked the satchel she'd brought along and spread out a small blanket and lunch. "Look," she said, gesturing out at the village spread out below them. "Look at what is so important that we must sacrifice all. Remember this."
Ino had gazed out, all the buildings and people bustling the streets tiny at this distance, like porcelain figurines that could fit on her shelf at home. Her mother's hand dug into Ino's shoulder, but her arms were warm around Ino's body.
"Remember," her mother repeated. "Remember why you must be strong."
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Date: 2008-04-16 11:19 pm (UTC)When they reached the top, Ino's mother had unpacked the satchel she'd brought along and spread out a small blanket and lunch. "Look," she said, gesturing out at the village spread out below them. "Look at what is so important that we must sacrifice all. Remember this."
Ino had gazed out, all the buildings and people bustling the streets tiny at this distance, like porcelain figurines that could fit on her shelf at home. Her mother's hand dug into Ino's shoulder, but her arms were warm around Ino's body.
"Remember," her mother repeated. "Remember why you must be strong."
And so Ino did.