472 ❀

[ino]

[Dad]

[there's a bit of silence before she picks up a pencil and begins to write]

Dad,

I was just thinking today about how long it's been since I saw you last. So I guess I decided to write you a letter.

A lot of things have happened since I got here. A lot of crazy things. Hell, the last year itself has been crazy. I've made a ton of friends, and most of them have left. But that's just the way things are here, I guess. But you would know about that too, huh? I wonder how many friends you had in school that I never got to meet because they died before you had me.

It was tough to deal with for a long time, but I'm finally learning. And with the war waiting for me when I get home, I have to wonder if that's the kind of reality I'll face when I get home. But I can't be so negative. Even if things look tough, I can't give up, especially when the fight hasn't even begun yet. We're all so strong. There has to be a way we come out on top.

I have a lot of friends here that I wish you could meet. All of them are very dear to me, and I think you'd like them too. We don't have a pact, like we do with the Naras and the Akimichis, but they're important just the same. As weird as some of them can be sometimes, they've helped me so much in my time here. I hope I can help them just as much, in their time here.

And I have a boyfriend. We've been dating for four months today. His name's Gale, and he comes from a terrible place, where his family doesn't have enough to eat, and he has to work unbelievably hard to support the people that he loves. [a pause] I know, I know. You'd probably freak out and get all overprotective, and try to intimidate him and ask him stupid, embarrassing questions to make sure he's a good guy. But I think he would pass all of your tests, Dad. He really is great, and I'm so lucky to have him. Maybe it's kind of stupid of me -- I mean, what can I do about it? -- but I really don't want to give him up.

[a pause, and then she laughs, before writing again] But what am I doing talking to you about boys? You were always so awkward about that stuff.

Anyways. I love you, Dad. I miss you so much. Maybe I'll write to you again later. Even if you'll never come here to see it, it feels a little like you're here with me.

Love,
Ino

[/Dad]





[Guts]

[she dictates, this time]

I miss you, too.

[a long pause]

So hurry up and come back already! Idiot!

[/Guts]