One day when she was eleven she had to take the final exam once again at school. She was nervous and was hoping that this year she would ace it and graduate. Maybe then her father would be proud of her and stop hurting her.
A few hours later the exams were finished and the teacher stood up at the front to announce who would graduate this year. The individual scores would be posted later. It would not be a huge deal if you didn’t graduate this year, most kids graduate when they are 12.
He was going through the list in reverse alphabetical order! Chero could hardly contain herself!
“Aoyama, Chero.”
“What?!” she thought.
“Chero! He called your name! Get up here!” a boy who’s name was called right before her called to her.
Chero’s heart was racing. She stood up and hurried to the teacher. He grinned and handed her a grass village headband.
“Congratulations!”
A large grin grew on Chero’s face.
Today was going great! Don was coming home from a mission today and she graduated! After everyone’s name was announced the teacher told them that their teams would be announced tomorrow and that they would have to come back tomorrow at 4 to find out who they were teamed up with. Chero couldn’t wait to start up her training!
As soon as the teacher dismissed them Chero rushed out the door to get home to Don. She stopped in the bathroom to make sure her headband looked good across her forehead. She rushed through the streets, people congratulating her along the way News travels fast in the village so everyone knew about who graduated and who did not. If she was lucky, Don might have gotten her a cake.
She rushed into the door, quickly removing her shoes, running to find her brother. She searched the house looking for him, he wasn’t anywhere to be found. She then ventured into the living room, expecting him to be there.
“Don! Don! Did you hear? I graduated! Top of my class!” She exclaimed her eyes closed and a wide smile on her face. When Don didn’t respond she opened her eyes to see her father and two solemn looking ninjas. They were Don’s teammate, but where was Don? Where was her brother’s smiling face congratulating her.
She gathered up her courage and asked, “W-where’s Don?” she asked.
No one answered her.
“Where is my brother?!” she demanded.
The Konochi sighed and turned to face Chero. Her dark blue eyes were puffy and red, almost as red as her red hair.
“Chero......During our mission.....Don was killed.”
“What?! No!!! How?! How could this have happened?!”
“Our mission was to retrieve a scroll from the Sound Village. Their leader found out and ambushed us. Don fought him, and the fight lasted for a while, but ended with Don’s defeat.”
“Sasuke Uchiha.....” Todo muttered.
“We did everything we could to save him....”
“It can’t be! Nooo!!!” Chero cried falling to the ground crying.
“Before he died he wanted us to give you this and tell you to remember the “song”. I don’t know what he meant, do you?” the male shinobi said handing her a small box.
“Yeah....I do...”
She remembered it like it was yesterday. It was the day after her father had beat her the first time. Don had taken her out to the lake for a picnic.
Chero sighed, staring out at the lake.
“Don? Why does Daddy hate me?”
“Dad doesn’t hate you, he’s just confused. He lost the woman he loved and you look just like her, so of course he’d be upset. Don’t worry I’ll make sure he wont hurt you.”
“Thanks Don... I love you.”
She hugged her brother.
“Don?”
“Yes?”
“I’m the reason Mommy’s dead aren’t I?”
“What? No! Who told you that?”
“Daddy...”
“It’s not true. Our mother loved you very much and was sad that she couldn’t see you grow up. She made me promise that I’d always watch over you. She’s watching over us both now.”
“You promise?”
“I promise. When I was little mom always sang a song to me to remind me that she was always there. Want to hear it?”
“Yeah!”
Don cleared his throat ands started to sing,
“The sun was shining down on me when I was given you
I swore I'd always be there
to help you thick and through
You are my son
my always and forever
Though I might not always be here
to show you all my love
I promise I'll be watching and helping from above
I am your mother
your giver and protector.”
“I want you to sing that whenever you feel lonely. Ok?”
“It was a pretty song. I promise I’ll sing it on one condition.”
“What?”
“If I can change some of the words.”
“Deal.”
Don hugged his little sister and then started to tickle her.
“Stop it Don!” she cried out laughing.
He stopped.
“So...what’s your version to the song?” he asked.
Chero smiled and started to sing,
“The sun was shining down on me when I was given you
I swore I'd always be there
to help you thick and through
You are my sister
my best friend forever
Though I might not always be here
to show you all my love
I promise I'll be watching and helping from above
I am your brother
your friend and protector.”
“That way no matter where you are you’ll always be with me.”
She grinned at her brother.
“I like it!” Don said grinning.
That seemed like so long ago now. Chero opened the box and picked up the note first.
It said, “Hey Chero!
Congrats on graduating! I’m sooo proud of you!
-Love,
Don”
Inside the box was a silver locket. This made Chero cry even more.
“Don!!”
