On a rain-soaked night, two men stood beneath the downpour, the hoods of their raincoats dripping.
"I've arranged for assassins to discover that vehicle in a week," the first man said. "I'm sure you'll be able to handle them easily." he added with a smirk.
The other cloaked man gave a lopsided smile. "Faking my death, huh? Hardly what I'd call a challenge. That said, take care of things here."
The first man chuckled softly. "You just take care of your family."
Both men glanced toward the woman waiting nearby. She cradled her rounded stomach with gentle hands, smiling through the rain.
"Thank you, brother." the other cloaked man said, his voice thick. "For this. For everything."
"Please. We both know I only wanted the inheritance." The first man's grin softened. "Besides… what are brothers for?"
They pulled each other into a fierce, rain-drenched hug. When they parted, the woman lifted her hand in a small wave. The cloaked man climbed into their modest car and drove into the storm.
And then—
Nocturna opened his eyes.
A small girl with short black hair sat on the edge of the bed, her shoulders shaking with silent hiccups. Tears slid down her cheeks in quiet streams.
"Hey… hey," Nocturna murmured, his voice soft. He slid closer to her without startling her, his arms open. "Did you have another nightmare?"
She nodded slowly, her tiny fists clenched in the blanket.
He gathered her against his chest without hesitation. "It's okay. It's over. I've got you now."
One hand cradled the back of her head, and the other rubbed slow circles between her trembling shoulder blades.
"It's going to be okay, everything's going to be alright. I'm here for you, and I always will be."
She burrowed deeper into him, her small arms wrapping around his neck. Her breathing gradually steadied against his collarbone.
"Such a brave little crybaby." he whispered, his lips curving into a fond, sleepy smile. "My brave little crybaby."
He pressed a kiss to the crown of her head and let drowsiness pull the both of them under—two hearts beating close, safe in the dark.
Morning light filtered through the curtains.
A dream, huh... I've been having more of those ever since Noctura became a permant part of my life. Speaking of, how is...? Nocturna's hand swept across the sheets.
Empty.
He bolted upright instantly, his heart slamming against his ribs. "Noctura?!"
In that moment, panic clawed up his throat.
He vaulted out of bed—kunai already in hand, bare feet slapping stone as he burst from the room.
"Noctura!" he called out.
He skidded to a stop in the kitchen doorway.
A five-year-old girl stood on a chair in front of the stove, carefully flipping bacon with tongs far too big for her hands. She glanced over her shoulder, beaming with joy.
"Morning, uncle! I made breakfast."
The kunai slipped from his fingers and clattered to the floor.
Nocturna sank to his knees, relief crashing over him so hard it stole his breath. He pressed both palms to the cool tiles and simply breathed.
"Uncle?" Her voice wobbled. Small feet pattered closer. Warm hands cupped his cheeks. "Did you have a nightmare too?"
He laughed—a shaky, watery sound, and pulled her into his arms.
"No… In fact, it was more like a dream than a nightmare." He buried his face in her hair. "I'm okay now. Sorry for scaring you like that."
She patted his head like he was the child. "It's okay. I'm here for you."
He squeezed her tighter for one heartbeat, then loosened his hold. "You made breakfast, huh?"
"Yep! Daddy taught me how."
Nocturna's smile softened into something aching and proud. "Did he now?" He stole a strip of bacon, then froze when she swatted his hand.
"You need to wash your hands before you touch any food, and put some clothes on." she hissed. "Also, it's rude to eat without praying first."
"Right, right—my bad." He stood, sheepish, suddenly aware he was still in sleep shorts and a worn vest. "Bossy little thing."
"Hmph." She pouted, turning back to the kitchen table.
After washing up and saying a quick, quiet thanks over the food, they sat across from each other at the small table.
"So," Nocturna began, his voice gentle, "you excited to start training today?"
She went very still, staring at her plate.
He waited.
"It's okay to be scared." he said quietly. "I mean, you're still a kid after all."
"I know... but I hate being scared," she whispered. "I don't wanna be."
"No one likes it." He reached across and covered her small hand with his. "But being scared doesn't make you weak. It makes you human. And the same can be said for me."
Her eyes flicked up, wide. "You're never scared."
He gave a rueful chuckle. "Liar, liar. There are things even I'm scared of."
"Like what?"
He leaned closer, conspiratorial. "I'll tell you when you're older. Finish your bacon—we don't waste food in this house."
"That's not fair."
"Life rarely is." He ruffled her hair. "But I promise you this, whenever you're scared, you come find me. Okay? I'll be scared right alongside you."
She nodded solemnly. "Okay."
—A few years later—
"I'm home!" Nocturna called, kicking off his boots. "Sorry I'm late, I got held up with paperwork and meetings. You know, the usual torture."
Savory warmth drifted from the kitchen. Noctura appeared in the doorway a second later, grinning.
"Welcome home, uncle."
She turned from the stove, apron dusted with flour, smile bright enough to light the room.
He raised a brow. "Nice try, but I know what this is."
"You promised, remember?" she pouted, her hands resting on her hips.
He laughed—full, warm, and helpless. "Fine. We'll go at midnight. I need a rest for a bit first."
She launched herself at him. "Thank you!"
"Woah—easy there. You're getting stronger everyday." He hugged her back, marveling quietly at how tall she'd grown. "I'm assuming this is due to extra training during breaks?"
"Guilty!" she admitted in a cheery tone.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Keep this up and you'll leave me in the dust."
"I doubt it. You're the strongest assassin alive." she said, racing back to the kitchen.
He murmured something, too soft for her to hear. "I've never seen anyone in our bloodline reach what you have at the age of ten. I'm so proud of you."
—A few more years later—
The duo crouched together on a high tower roof, dark ninja garb blending them into the night sky.
"How was your mission?" Noctura asked.
"It was pretty normal." he answered. "Though, there was a bit of trouble in the capital city. Thankfully, nobody died from the incident, and it was handled very quickly."
"Really? What happened?"
"Don't worry about it." he shrugged, then asked, "How've you been holding up?"
"Pretty good. I'm going on my final mission next year." Pride edged her voice. "If I complete it, I'll finally be allowed to leave and explore the country. I'll use this opportunity to finish investigating the demon that burned my village."
He nodded slowly. "And friends? Anyone new?"
She looked away, her expression low.
"That bad, huh?"
"Ever since the rumors about my parents spread… people have kept their distance from me. And it doesn't help that I'm not only better than them, but the instructors as well. It's as if I'm not even someone who qualifies to be approached, let alone as a friend candidate."
He exhaled through his nose. "I'm sorry, Noct. I should've tried harder to shield you from that."
"It's not your fault, uncle. Neither of us could've predicted that Maria would use me to climb higher. I was just… blind to how much she resented me. I thought that she was actually my best friend"
He reached over and squeezed her shoulder. "One day you'll find people who see you, the real you, and—"
"I don't need them—friends. They'd only slow me down anyway." she said, brushing off his hand.
"Surely you don't believe that?" he voiced with a worried tone.
Tears shimmered in her eyes. "What else am I supposed to believe?! How else am I supposed to feel?! Everyone leaves me, betrays me, or dies! The only good thing in my life is you, uncle!"
He pulled her close. She resisted for half a second, then melted against him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered into her hair. "I know it hurts. And it's only going to keep hurting—that's the life we were born into, unfortunately. But listen to me..."
She sniffled against his chest.
"You are not alone, you have never been alone, and you will never be alone. I know it doesn't seem that way now, but I promise you that it will make sense someday. Every time the world tries to carve you hollow, remember this, I am here for you."
"It's not fair." she said, tears fully running down her cheeks.
"No, it's not. But that's just how it is. The only thing we can do about it is accept it, and try our best to not let it tear us down." he said, gently stroking her hair.
"How do you manage this life? How do you deal with everything?"
"It's because I have you." he confessed. "You are my reason. Every mission, every scar, and every sleepless night—I can deal with all of it because of you. Because seeing your smile, hearing your voice, and watching you grow into the strongest, kindest woman I know… it makes every wound worth it."
Her arms tightened around him.
"And I know it's the same for you," he continued softly. "I'm your anchor right now. But I won't be here forever. That's why I need you to keep looking—for people who'll stand beside you the way you stand beside me. People who'll choose you, over, again and again. Can you promise me that?"
She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, tears streaking her cheeks. "I promise. No matter where they are, or how long it takes, I'll keep searching for them." she declared, her expression full of resolve.
He smiled—gentle, proud, but aching. "Good, I'm proud of you..."
Those words immediately lifted the burden Noctura had been carrying since the three years her uncle has been away on a mission.
"My little crybaby." he added with a playful grin.
She groaned, shoving him lightly. "Way to go uncle, you ruined the moment."
"Wait, what? How?" he asked with a bewildered expression.
She sighed at his obliviousness.
He laughed—bright and unguarded. "Come on, the patrol's over. Let's go home. I'm starving."
She leaped from the roof first, free-falling with perfect grace.
"What's wrong with littlecrybaby?" he called after her, following behind. "You used to giggle when I called you that!"
Her voice drifted back on the wind, fond and exasperated. "Shut up, uncle!"
She smiled to herself, ignoring his playful yelling fading behind her.
Tonight's dinner will taste especially good. Thought the 15 year old girl who loves her uncle.