Uzumaki Yumi was awakened by the bustle of the city. Her slender, toned body stretched in her surprisingly comfortable bed, clearing the stiffness of sleep and immobility.
Beside her, her daughter Karin was still sleeping with her thumb tucked into her mouth and a string of drool running down her cheek.
That made her smile.
Yumi got up, deciding to start the day's tasks and let her little girl sleep.
If she waited longer, Kimiko would get up and might get the idea to cook breakfast. Yumi didn't want to die so soon, so she quickened her pace.
Her bare feet slid over the fine wood of the house Takeshi rented before leaving. A spacious, pleasant, and not very cheap place.
The Uzumaki tied up her hair and was preparing to start her day, but some sobs caught her attention from the laundry room.
Curious, she walked in that direction and found the usually cold Kimiko on the floor, next to a laundry basket, clinging to a shirt already worn by Takeshi.
The black-haired woman rubbed her face with the fabric between sobs, her eyes tightly closed and her expression twisted in anguish.
Yumi blinked several times before choosing to quietly withdraw.
But Kimiko was a kunoichi and obviously felt her gaze.
Both women looked at each other, one awkwardly and the other with shame.
—Uh, ah, I... T-this, Kimiko-Sama, I-I apologize for interrupting! — Yumi made a quick bow before turning to leave, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
In a blink, Kimiko was beside her and the Uzumaki flinched.
But to her surprise, instead of a beating or the woman's fury, Yumi was strongly hugged.
Kimiko buried her face in her chest and squeezed against the redhead, a muffled sob staining her shirt with tears.
—WAAA! Yumi-San, when will Takeshi return!?— she exclaimed, her usual calm and coldness gone, as always, when the matter involved her son.
—Calm down, Kimiko-Sama. Takeshi should return this afternoon— Yumi awkwardly cooed to the emotional woman.
With each passing day, Kimiko had been breaking down more and more. At first, she was as serene as ever, barely speaking a word to the Uzumaki.
Four days ago, she started sleeping with Takeshi's clothes, even though they were a bit small for her. And now, she was already crying and... whatever she was doing with that garment that Yumi couldn't find when she did the laundry a few days ago.
That made her wonder what happened to the others she also didn't find. She decided not to delve into the matter.
—Kimiko-Sama, you really care about Takeshi, don't you?— Yumi asked, trying to steer the conversation in a more optimistic direction.
—I love him!— the woman exclaimed again.
Yumi smiled and nodded.
—And I'm sure he loves you too. And I'm also sure he wouldn't like to see you in this state.
—Sniff, sniff! Y-you're right. Takeshi says he loves my smile— she murmured, her eyes gaining a sparkle that Yumi couldn't, and didn't want to, understand.
—Then, stop crying and let's wait for his return together, Kimiko-Sama. I'm going to prepare breakfast, so wait with me in the kitchen.
Both women returned to the kitchen, Kimiko with a handkerchief drying her tears and blowing her nose, and Yumi wondering why this mother's love was so strange.
Kimiko observed the redhead's skilled movements in the kitchen and couldn't help but pout.
—Goodness, you really are a good mother, Yumi-San.
—Hehe, thank you, but I think Kimiko-Sama does very well. You've raised a charismatic boy— Yumi replied, her mind recalling Takeshi's good behavior during their trip to this city.
However, the sparkle in Kimiko's eyes dimmed and a bitter smile appeared on her lips. She shook her head slightly, her mind lost in old and bad memories.
—The truth is I'm not. Takeshi has always been mature, even before he learned to walk. He always had this intelligent look and a relaxed attitude. Despite it just being the two of us, despite me being the mother, I've always felt like he's the one who takes care of me.
Yumi didn't reply further. She had nothing to say about it. She focused on her tasks, leaving Kimiko lost in her thoughts.
Suddenly, Kimiko jumped up from her chair, and an excited smile appeared on her lips.
—TAKESHI!— the woman shrieked and leaped toward the sliding door, flinging it wide open. On the other side, a smiling Takeshi extended his arms, receiving his mother's tackle and, surprisingly, didn't move an inch.
—Hello, Mom. I'm back— the young man replied, indifferent to the rain of kisses the woman planted all over his face.
Yumi put on an uncomfortable smile, giving a simple and silent bow.
—I suppose motherhood comes in all shapes and forms...— she thought to herself.
*********************************
A girl was walking through a dark forest, her bare feet numb with cold, ignoring the endless pebbles and dry branches that left marks on her soles.
Her eyes were red from crying, a grimace of pain on her lips, and a constant gasp, the product of one of the worst nights of her life.
In her arms, she carried a bundle of blood-stained sheets and clothes. Rolled up in the fabrics like a worm in a cocoon was a child, a newborn.
The girl, only thirteen years old, swayed from side to side, her body aching and dry blood stains between her legs.
She looked at the silent baby, who hadn't made a sound since she woke up from unconsciousness an hour ago.
Her tangled black hair was ruffled by a freezing breeze and strands of it brushed against the infant's chubby cheeks, making him wrinkle his nose.
But the girl did not react. Her empty gaze watched the little one, indifferent, cold as the chakra that ran through her body and the forest she was in.
Yuki Kimiko turned to the tree trunk next to her, finding a hole in it where some animal probably lived.
It was empty. Perhaps the owner died.
Death was something so common in this world that it was the first thing the girl thought of.
She carefully left the baby in the hole, giving him one last look before turning and starting to walk.
She didn't look over her shoulder, there was no reaction, no regret or doubt. She simply walked, walked with the intention of getting away from everything.
—Waa!— came a noise that penetrated her ears, stopping her.
Her breathing stopped, as did her body. She felt the whole world stop at that instant. She shook off the feeling and took another step.
—Waa!
Again, another noise. Kimiko's heart pounded harder in her chest, tears wetting her dry eyes.
She clenched her teeth, wanting to flee. She wanted to run, get away as fast as possible and never return, but her body wouldn't obey.
Kimiko turned around, slowly.
In the sky, the clarity of dawn began to deepen, clearing the darkness of the night. She had been paralyzed longer than she perceived.
—Waa!— another sound, this time she detected the source.
She walked back over her steps, her lips trembling and tears already streaming down her cheeks once more.
Upon returning to the tree, she found the child, his eyes open and looking at her, not with fear, not with hatred or despair.
He just looked at her with curiosity and a glint of... Of what? Hope? Supplication?
Then he stretched out his small arms, pulling them with effort out of the cloth cocoon towards her.
—Waa!— he shrieked for the fourth time, and Kimiko's heart melted.
She fell to her knees, her breathing ragged, her eyes blinded by tears.
She held the child in her trembling arms once more, bringing him close to her.
The child looked at her serenely the entire time, despite how twisted and covered in sweat, tears, and snot her face must have been.
He extended his little hand and placed it on her cheek, his touch warm and gentle.
—I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!— Kimiko cried, completely breaking down.
—F-forgive me, Takeshi... Forgive me— she murmured through sobs, unsure if she was apologizing to the child or the father of the same name.