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[teachingpeace]

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[teachingpeace]

[The look that garnered wasn't convinced at all.]

Kushina, much as I might have wished not to be, I was. At the very least I thought I was, given how.... quickly I pounced on the idea of anything beyond my normal life.

I was one of the first ones out there scouting once people started getting rounded up. Without more than the barest glimmer of my real memories, the peaceful life I had was pushed to the side for the sake of a leader I've been. Ten years leading a destitute country seems to have far more influence than a seeming thirty five years of living peacefully.

Not everyone did the same.

[fervidity]

Like I said, you weren't boring. Being boring doesn't mean you have a simple life or that it's nothing like another person's life.

You weren't boring to me. And I can't think my life was boring either.

Do you think creating life was boring? It's a lot better than killing people!

[teachingpeace]

Of course not. I didn't mean it like that at all. I didn't mean the life was boring Kushina. I... I want the life so much.

[He pressed his hand over his heart and dipped his head, trying to find the words to explain this properly.]

But who I was there... I was bland. I had no drive, and even the passion for history that I had seemed to falter in the face of a sense of more. Not of danger. Just... being needed for something important.

My accomplishments in that world, those memories, were all family, and I treasure that... but they're not accomplishments I've ever actually done. I've never raised a child. I've never married. I never had a sibling. I had Konan, Yahiko, and Sensei, and I was a leader, but a leader has to keep themselves held a little away if they want to be objective, so while I was so proud of what my people did in Ame... I wasn't exactly included in it.

[He stalled out, looking to his lap.]

I don't... believe I'm explaining this properly, am I?

[fervidity]

No.

[A sigh.]

You were important and you weren't boring. It was a fake life but it was still you. Your responsibilities were just different. Did you feel boring before you knew about the truth?

Or were you happy?

[teachingpeace]

[That drew him up short, and he gave her a slightly wide eyed look, turning his head to do so.]

I... had my moments when I'd get frustrated knowing that I was boring the life out of various family or colleagues even, but... that does not mean I wasn't happy, no.

[fervidity]

[She remembers. Sort of. It's fake but the memory is there. Some of it is fading over time but those feelings don't.]

But that doesn't mean you're boring.

I don't see how anybody can be. We're all different people with likes and dislikes, different experiences. We're the same that way, I guess. And some of us might not get along or like the same things, but doesn't make you any less interesting. Doesn't make you any less unique.

Shouldn't make you less happy, either.

[teachingpeace]

[He stared at her for a moment, then finally, the look of wide eyed shock eased and he dipped his head.]

I don't know why we were made siblings for those memories... but... even if they're not real, you were a wonderful sister that I was lucky to have. I wish I'd met you before, at any point.

[fervidity]

[They're touching words and he reminds her why she came here in the first place.

Sometimes, bad things happen to people and they make mistakes. That's the sort of thing, she's seeing right now with Nagato.

Her hand settles gently on his shoulder. To show she feels the same.]

Well, we've met now. So we can make the most of it here.

[teachingpeace]

[That drew his gaze back to her, a smile coming to his lips as he took a deep breath, inclining his head gravely.]

You're right, of course. There is nothing to do but move forward. I hope that some day we can be truly close.

[fervidity]

[Like a brother and sister. She returns the smile a little, but not the sentiment since she's still not sure how to feel.

At least she can offer her ear and maybe he'll change her mind.]

I should get going. I've got a couple of boys to feed.

... Thanks for talking to me, Nagato.

[teachingpeace]

[The smile faltered a little, then he gave a sharp nod.]

Of course, Kushina. I shouldn't keep you...

But feel free to come back any time.

[fervidity]

[She stands from the couch and then moves to the door pull her shoes back on, pausing at pulling it open.]

I'll come back. I don't know when but I will. Okay?

But could you tell Konan I said hi?

[teachingpeace]

[He got to his feet, suddenly awkward as he watched her prepare to leave... so all he did was nod, giving her a lopsided smile.]

Of course. Then... I guess I'll see you.

[fervidity]

Thanks.

[Here, is one more genuine. But pretty lopsided, too.]

See you.

[And she's off!]