Flowers and Berries [Social | Private]

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Empty bottles of peach blossom sake littered the grounds of the Hyuga compounds. It was not an uncommon sight especially if people knew Ami. Ever since she was allowed to drink, or had found the genuine goodness in the substance, she hadn't been able to stop. The girl was no alcoholic though, simply choosing to drown her frustrations and anger, and she was very particular about the kind of alcohol she drank. It was just her luck or misfortune depending on the viewpoint when she stumbled on peach blossom sake in Nikkousato. Ever since that first sip there was no turning back. And the night before was one of those nights, where she sat on a tree branch of a peach blossom tree and drank to her heart's content.

The green haired girl would open her eyes slowly, adjusting to the glaring sun's rays as she sat up on the tree branch. Her head felt heavy, but not to the point that she was hungover. She heaved a sigh as she looked down at the empty bottles knowing that she would one day spend her life savings on the sake if she didn't stop. The girl jumped down from the branch and landed on the ground softly, stiffing a yawn and sitting down, her back against the tree trunk. She closed her eyes once more, taking in the sun's warm rays once more. For once she was going to have a free day, with no training or missions. Ami was going to enjoy today, hopefully.

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"Sister?" called a familiar voice. Ami turned her attention to the girl, who was literally rolling at her side. She couldn't help but smile at her younger sister, who she knew very little about. The other thing which had been a constant whirl of discussion between the elders was Aura's lack of the Byakugan, which was fatal being born to the main branch of her clan. Ami could only imagine how hard it was for her sister to live her life, knowing full well that her father and the rest of her clan were unforgiving and relentless. She felt bad for her sister, often trying to do nice things with or for her to compensate. Although they were not from the same mother, Ami was close to the girl, perhaps as a way for her to feel less guilty towards her other sister, who had died five years ago. She was still struggling with that fact and had since been extra nice towards Aura.

"Hey!" she would pet the girl on the head. She knew she probably reeked with alcohol but she could care less. By now everyone in her household knew that she spent most of her nights drowning herself in the substance that they began to turn a blind eye towards it. She was a good shinobi after all and did her duties and jobs well during the day regardless of whether she was hungover or not. And that was all that mattered. The green haired girl would look at the girl beside her, and secretly wondered what it felt like to not be able to see. She remembered the few times her vision had been taken from her forcefully and how afraid she had felt as a result. She could only imagine how Aura lived every day of her life...and it made her heart ache.

"What brings you out here?"

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Ami did recall how chilling her younger sister's felt to the touch. She remembered when she had first touched the girl's arm when she was trying to help her get around as a child the sensation and her shock. It wasn't ice cold but it was chilling enough to make her surprised and worried. She didn't know much about Aura's birth mother or how she lived her life, for that matter. Her first recollection of seeing her sister was some years ago and they had passed by one another in the compounds. At that time Ami still had jet black hair and was somewhat of that obedient child that her father had hoped she would become. Since then a lot had changed for the green haired girl, even though the principles and teachings of her clan and village remained with her. Ami would pull Aura close to her, hugging her while she sat against the tree. Although she didn't like physical contact, she made an exception for her little sister, something that just came naturally.

Ami listened to what the girl had to say intently, reflecting on her own life and ideals. She couldn't even begin to imagine the turmoils the girl must have felt as a child and still feel. She was at a loss for words for a moment, unsure of what she could do or say to comfort the now obviously shaken girl. Ami had questioned all of the things that Aura now questioned in herself even though she didn't have physical limitations like her sister did. She would choose her words carefully, pulling the girl into a hug at the same time. Her voice carried as much earnest and warmth as she felt as she said them. "You can be a strong kunoichi, you can be independent without having to lean on people. I think if you wanted to, you can leave this compound now. I believe in you. But be prepared that it's not an easy journey, living on your own and proving yourself..." every word she uttered was honest and held back nothing. Her mind fluttered to their father and she shuddered a little. "If you think you are ready, I fully support any decision you make, Aura. I know you are capable of great things and you should too. Nobody can tell you how to live and what you can or can't do."

She would stroke the girl's hair a little, her face slightly weary. How she wished she had had someone to tell her these things when she was growing up or even now that she was all grown up. She had to make all the mistakes, had to burn herself multiple times, suffer, be hurt, to learn all about the world. And the last thing she wanted Aura to have to do was do the same. Ami wanted to protect her sister but not be overly protective. If she wanted to leave, she was very much prepared to leave with her, to protect her in the shadows so to speak, especially as it was unheard of for any Hyuuga to leave the compounds unless they got married. Now that the woman was able to stand against her father and probably most of the others in the compound, she at least felt she had some chance to help her sister if there was ever conflict.