[Closed to Sephiroth] June 25th

[abileunaspada]

[ The Chuunin Exams are underway, and during all of the preparations Adela has kept herself busy. Even so, now that they're nearing their end, her mind can't help wandering. She hasn't been able to train as much, and no challenging missions...

Her thoughts, inevitably, go to him. In secrecy she sends a letter, knowing that the ANBU would likely read it before it got sent to him but otherwise comforted in knowing that she probably wouldn't be questioned. He's her cousin, after all...

When she sends the message, it's only a single sentence with its salutation. ]

Sephiroth,

I miss you.

- Adela

Comments

[silverterror]

Adela,

Look at what I've given you. You surely haven't lost the power of observation, have you?

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

[ Huh? She stares at the message, confused and blinking a little wide-eyed. What he's given her? What does that mean?

Wait. That's when something occurs to her. He hasn't taken her back to Kirigakure or even tried to. It's starting to get confusing, almost overwhelming, but there's something that's striking her as off. If he was really that mindlessly loyal to Kirigakure, or to the clan, wouldn't he have said or done something?

Had she had too little faith in him? ]

Sephiroth,

Tell me something and answer honestly. Why did you never just take me back to Kiri?

Adela

[silverterror]

[He studied the note for a long while, trying to decide how to, or if he even should, heed her request. In his opinion, he did. Even if it took over a day.]

Adela,

I didn't feel like it.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

[ It takes her over a month to send the next note. She has to decide to do many things, talk to the Hokage, take her time off, and have a few very important conversations. By the time the next note comes, it's August. ]

Sephiroth,

Sorry for not writing to you in so long. I've done a lot of thinking, and I want to let you know one thing; I belong in Konoha, and I want to thank you for not taking me back. You'll always be my cousin, and you'll always be my goal. I will catch up to you and be your equal, if not better. Maybe then, we'll be able to talk again - whether it's on the battlefield or in one of our villages.

I love you, cousin. I'll be the greatest ninja I can be, and I'll be strong enough to change things next time. That is a promise.

- Adela

[silverterror]

[He doesn't reply immediately any answer at all taking days, for him to find time or to simply words was anyone's guess.]

Adela,

So you've found motivation. Finally.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

Sephiroth,

Yes I have. It took me a long time, but I've found it. I'm going to make my own path, one that works for me - sort of the same way I think you did.

- Adela

[silverterror]

Adela,

And what way is that?

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

Sephiroth,

I'm going to become the best ninja Konoha has ever seen and serve it and its people the best I can. You can take care of yourself, but even so I want to be strong enough to protect you too someday. But what good am I if I can't even match you first?

I'll be strong, noble, never shedding blood for my own sake and protecting those around me whether they're important to me or perfect strangers. I'm not there yet, but that's who I want to be and that's who I will become.

Adela

[silverterror]

Adela,

I see Konoha has only made you softer than you were as a child. Kiri would have eaten you by now.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

Sephiroth,

You might see it as being soft, but I don't. It's a lot harder than you think it is to live this way, and it's the way I intend to do things. I'm not trying to seek your approval with it.

Adela

[silverterror]

Adela,

All the better considering your general obliviousness. We shall see how you do.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

[ She frowns at the letter with a sigh. Even if she said she didn't want approval... It didn't stop her from being hopeful. That response then crushed whatever hope she had for that. It... Doesn't make her as sad as she thought it would, though.

Maybe that's a sign that she's ready to move on. ]