Interlude: Dreams of the Past

You had a dream.

In said dream you remembered a distant time. One where your mom was still with you and the idea of living in Konoha was an absurd one. Of life without your mother being something that couldn't even be considered.

It was a time where your mother was instilling great knowledge into your school. In order for you to live a better life. In order for you to serve your clan. In order for you to bring it back from the jaws of death.

And for you to learn this, your mother would inscribe powers onto your very soul.

By of course kicking you across a field.

"Oof."

You involuntarily made a noise as your small frame flipped through the air before landing on your back. You take in raspy breaths as your mother slowly walks over to your body. Getting back up after getting knocked down was one of your mom's teachings, unfortunately such strength didn't quite exist within you.

So instead you just looked up meeting your mom's gaze.

"Can you get up?"

It was a question. It wasn't a dig at your skills, nor a way to encourage you. It was simple statement. There was no extra meaning behind it.

You answered back as succinctly as possible.

"Mewa."

You made some sort of sound through your lips as a response. You recognized your response as not being even vaguely understandable, but you knew your mother would understand. She was your mom. If anyone would understand you it would be her.

She tilted her head to the side.

"What?"

You narrowed your eyes while unmoving on the ground. Another answer was on your lips, but it was hard to muster even the motivation to speak. Much less the actual act of doing so.

Your mom laughed a bit before standing up in front of you. Her entire form covering your view. She crossed her hands as she watched you do…nothing. There wasn't much you could do on the ground after all.

"You're doing really well. It's likely that you'll reach jonin rank in your late twenties."

You made a humming noise of understanding. If anyone knew your talent and ability it was you mom. She knew everything. You felt the aches and pains of training fade slightly with time. Allowing you to speak a bit.

"Hey mom?"

This time it was her who made the humming noise.

"The clan was destroyed right?"

She said nothing in response to your probing question. Which was fine, as that wasn't your actual question. Merely a lead in.

"What's stopping them from doing it again?"

This time she responded. A glint in her eye as she gazed down at you. You found yourself wondering what she was thinking about.

"I will stop them, and failing that, you will."

You frowned slightly. Maybe one day, but you didn't feel very strong currently. Your mother knelt besides you. Her knees resting on the grass making a notable indention.

"Do you remember?"

You blinked. Looking over to your mom with a vacant gaze lead to her rolling her eyes with a slight smirk.

"The jutsu."

Oooooh.

Yeah, you remembered. She nodded in response to your eyes lighting up in recognition.

"That's what will stop them. You may not be able to use it now as you are, but when we start training with chakra it will be a different story."

You gave a small nod. Her face twisted back into a worried frown.

"Remember Aoki. Only use it in emergencies where your life is in danger. Your life is much more important than anything else."

A light giggle found itself coming out of your mouth as your mom ran her fingers through your hair. You relaxed under her pleasant pampering. Your eyelids found themselves slowly closing on their own.

"Hey Aoki."

You hummed lightly. Pushing your head up into her hands to encourage her to pamper you more.

"Do you remember what i said last time about questioning the clan?"

…hmm?

You felt your self slowing being lifted up. Your mother's arms wrapping around you like a cradle. It was difficult to think when in such comfort.

"I said, the next time you did it…"

A creeping feeling of drea-

"I'D THROW YOUR DUMB ASS INTO A TREE!"

Oh god. You felt your body start to rapidly spin in a circle. The cause being of course your mother. Her face lightening up in devilish glee. As if your very fear brought her comfort.

"ORRRRAAAAAA!"

She flung you out of the clearing. Grazing near the top of the tree's you felt the urge to wag your arms as if to fly. The feeling was partly unreal. Perhaps the world would have faded into a illusion had it not been for the branches overhead tagging you and leaving scratches.

An act of pain that helped bring you back to reality mentally. Causing you to scream girlishly as you started to fall below the tree line and a tree appeared in your path…

You woke up in a sweat.

The sun pouring in through the window helping illuminate your room. You felt the sweat all around your body, including your eyes. Despite that fact, you felt…happy. Perhaps even more deter-

Why was Naruko standing awkwardly over you with her finger outstretched?

Was that a booger?

…Wait, was she trying to tag you with it while you were sleeping? IS THIS THE FIRST TIME SHE'S DONE THIS!?

The house quickly found itself becoming lively once more.