Setting The Wolf Free - Sequel to The Wolf Inside

Setting The Wolf Free - Ch 68

Song on the side is Undone by FFH  --->

Very pretty song :3

Thank you so much to AyameUchiha for her awesome fanart of Akatsuki Ashley! :D --->

Here is a link to her DeviantArt page, so please go and check it out! -- http://ayameuchiha18.deviantart.com/

Third Person's POV

“You train Itachi-kun too, don’t you?” the young Ashley suddenly asks her Father, to which he pauses. After a brief moment of silence, Shigeshi brushes the bangs back from the sides of his face and nods, placing a hand on his hip.

“Yes, I did train him in the past” the handsome Uchiha confirms, a strange gleam in his onyx eyes. “But your Uncle Fugaku doesn’t approve of me teaching his son, seeing as I’m apparently only used to training you….Never mind the fact that I’m an ANBU Captain or anything……”

“So, if I keep training with you….” Ashley continues, brows furrowing as she ignores the way her Father had mumbled that last part to himself, “I could be as strong as Itachi-kun?”

“Sweetheart” Shigeshi says softly, crouching down beside his five year old daughter and resting on one knee, “You’ll be stronger than Itachi. That Minami blood of yours is a powerful gift, and even the likes of Itachi won’t be able to compete with it. And besides Ashley, true strength isn’t in your blood or your muscles. True strength is when you’re faced with overwhelming adversity and you find the will to keep going, to never lose hope. In our weakest moments, we can also discover our greatest strengths.”

“………” Ashley tilts her head at this, giving her Father a thoroughly perplexed look. “I don’t understand what you mean Daddy. What are you saying?”

“You’ll understand one day kiddo” Shigeshi chuckles quietly, ruffling his daughter’s blonde hair, “Probably sooner than later……Just remember, bravery isn't having the strength to go on. Bravery is going on when you don't have the strength.”

Staring at her Father through large, questioning eyes for a moment, the young Minami suddenly laughs and throws her arms around Shigeshi’s neck, pressing her cheek against his chest.

“I don’t know what you mean Daddy” Ashley giggles, “But it sounds very……wise. I’m not as wise as you yet, but one day I’ll ask you what you meant, and I’ll understand! Okay?”

The girl’s Father stares down at her for a moment, before letting out a low breath and wrapping his arms around her, hugging Ashley tightly to his chest.

“You keep complimenting me today Ashley” he murmurs quietly, sounding uncharacteristically serious all of the sudden, “But let me tell you something important. I’m only strong because I’ve been weak, I’m only brave because I’ve been afraid, and I’m only wise because I’ve been foolish. Nobody is born with these good traits. We each have to earn them over time and by going through difficult situations……Do you understand?”

Ashley screws her face up in thought, as her Father places his hands on her shoulders and pulls the girl away from his chest to look at her. After a few moments of thinking, Ashley grins at Shigeshi and nods happily.

“Yes” she confirms. “I need to go through bad times to really be strong and be like you……Right?”