"And I believed that someday I'd make jounin and my parents would be there." It came out sadder, smaller than it should have been. Less bitter, and more broken thanks to the tears. "And then Daddy died on a mission and Mama collapsed at the market and went to the hospital. And that was that. Belief isn't—there are other things to rely on."

Effort. Help. Tangible things she could control or get from other people. She squeezed her eyes as a set of sobs tried to bubble up.