Late

All grown up. Sort of. You two still have your moments though, those moments that let me be a sensei again. Like old days, hm? Except we're missing something. But you knew that. You think you know it better than anyone, and you might, but I don't think either of you realize how much I cared for him, for all of you. And that's how it should be. It means I've done something right. For once. And I think I know something about you now that I didn't before, that you actually loved him. With all your heart. I thought you were just a thirteen year-old girl in that boy-crazy stage, but the way you took it, the way you're hurting on the inside without showing it, that's how people who love hurt. That's how shinobi hurt. Kunoichi. Sorry. And I'd say you're turning into Rin, that's how she hurt, but you're turning into Tsunade too, and so I'm wrong. In this. You're not turning into anyone. You're just you, growing. And you're doing it beautifully, despite the pain. I know it's harsh, but I'm glad for the pain. It's made you strong. Stay strong, comrade, stay strong for him. And us. The pain just made me older. I think I was too young to be a sensei. Still learning. I guess I learned the hard way. And I wish it wasn't like this. I should have realized, I could have stopped it, or at least tried. But I was late. When time mattered most. I was late. And I'm sorry.