It's been two months since Papa left.
At first, it felt weird waking up and not seeing him sitting at the table or waiting outside for training. But Mama kept me busy. Really busy. So now it just feels normal.
Sort of.
I stretched my arms and sat up in bed, yawning. My muscles ached a little, but not like they used to. I was getting used to it.
I got dressed, washed my face, and ran into the kitchen. Mama already had breakfast waiting. A bowl of rice, grilled fish, and miso soup. It smelled super good.
"Morning, Koi," she said with a small smile.
"Morning, Mama!" I said, grinning.
I ate fast but not too fast, or she'd make me redo the meal from scratch just to teach me manners.
After breakfast, we went outside to start the day.
"Thirty laps today," she said.
I didn't even groan this time.
The snow had started to melt a little, but it was still chilly. I tied my scarf tighter and started running around the village with Mama jogging beside me. Her breathing was calm, like she wasn't even trying.
I finished all thirty laps in good time, only slipping on the ice once. Mama just laughed and helped me up.
We stretched, and then she brought out the boulders.
Yes, boulders.
Big ones. Round and heavy and cold.
I lifted one onto my back and started walking from one side of the training yard to the other. Over and over. Then she made me do push-ups, squats, and planks—with the boulder still on my back.
My arms shook, my legs burned, and my back felt like jelly. But I didn't stop.
Papa would be proud.
After the boulders, we moved on to Taijutsu. The Interceptor Fist style.
Mama says I'm starting to read her movements better now. I still get smacked a lot, but sometimes I can duck or dodge before her hand gets close.
And sometimes… I even hit back.
It's just a tap here or a jab there, but it's something.
After sparring, I stood in front of the training log and did hand signs.
Tiger. Ram. Monkey. Boar. Horse. Tiger.
"Fire Style… Fireball Jutsu!"
A stream of fire shot out of my mouth. Not a big ball like before, though. I tried to squeeze it small, like a bullet.
It kinda worked. It came out fast, but only for a second before it poofed into smoke.
Then I tried to make it bigger—like really big and round—but it lost its shape and just looked like a short flamethrower.
Still… it was fun to mess with.
"Keep playing with it," Mama said from behind me. "Controlling fire means knowing it. Feeling it. Make it yours."
I nodded and grinned. "I'm gonna make a super big one someday."
She raised an eyebrow. "Not if it burns the house down."
It was time to meditate now.
I sat down cross-legged in the yard and took a deep breath. Mama said I needed to keep practicing chakra control, so I placed a leaf on my head and focused on keeping it still.
The wind was quiet. The cold didn't bother me as much anymore.
But then I heard something.
Crunch… crunch…
Footsteps. Slow, steady ones.
I opened my eyes and turned around.
Standing at the gate was Papa.
He wore his black hoodie and pants again, but the mask was off. On his shoulder was a bag, and his face was smiling like the sun came out.
"Papa!" I yelled, jumping up.
I ran full speed into him and hugged his waist. He laughed and hugged me back with one arm while Mama walked up and hugged him too.
"You're back!" I shouted, looking up. "You're really back!"
"Of course I am," he said, ruffling my hair. "Did you think I'd leave forever?"
"Kinda!" I laughed.
He dropped the bag on the ground and opened it up.
Inside was a ton of money. Stacks and stacks of bills.
My eyes sparkled. "WOAH!"
He grinned. "Made all this beating up bad guys."
Mama rolled her eyes. "Don't tell him that like it's a good thing."
"But it is," I said. "That's so cool!"
Papa and Mama laughed together. I missed hearing them laugh at the same time.
Mama crossed her arms. "Alright. No more training today. We're celebrating."
"YEAH!" I cheered.
We went inside, and Mama got to work in the kitchen. I sat at the table next to Papa while he leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head.
"So, what happened?" I asked. "Tell me everything!"
"Well," he said, scratching his chin, "I stopped a bandit group that was stealing from travelers. Fought off a missing-nin with a lightning sword. That guy was tough."
"Did you beat him?!"
"Of course I did," Papa said, grinning. "But not without a few cuts."
He pulled up his sleeve to show a scar on his arm.
"WHOA!"
"And," he continued, "I helped a merchant escape from a snow bear."
"A snow bear?!" I gasped.
He nodded. "Huge. White. Claws the size of your face."
I leaned closer. "Did you fight it?!"
"Nope," he said, poking my nose. "I ran away."
"Eh?!"
"Smart ninjas know when to fight and when not to," Mama said from the kitchen.
Papa laughed. "Exactly."
Dinner was warm, and the three of us sat together at the table. We ate grilled pork, veggies, and miso soup. I had seconds. Then thirds. Papa teased me for eating like a wild animal.
When we were done, the dishes were left in the sink.
"Come on," Papa said. "One more surprise."
He pulled us both into the bedroom, and we all laid on the bed together. One big blanket, warm and soft.
I snuggled between them, happy and full.
"Glad you're back," I said sleepily.
"Glad to be back," Papa said, resting his arm around both of us.
Mama kissed my forehead and turned off the lamp.
The wind outside blew soft against the windows.
And just like that… we were together again.
All three of us.