Holding Out
A/N: Okay so I've decided, what the heck, lets go for a NaoNat. Hope its interesting enough for ya'll.
Chapter 1: It's All The Same Shit
It's cold. It's really, really cold. While sitting here, shivering in the cold darkness, I feel like crying out. But what's the use? I'm sure there are millions of children out there like me. Starving, cold, and some even on the brink of death. I can't exactly call myself a child anymore, in fact I'm already 16. 16...16 years of surviving in the streets. Pickpocketing people, getting food from generous restaurant's garbage. Pity money from the old folks. But no one, and I mean no one can say that I have a decent life.
For the past 6 years I've worn the same clothing. The ten years before that was a much smaller outfit. It was a pain looking for something that I could use as a bra. Although I can't exactly brag about the size of my chest. One thing that I'll never get rid of, is this hat of mine. Something that had been with me since I escaped from that wretched orphanage. Seriously, those people think they're helping us; but it's all a lie. You have no idea how much pain I experienced at my young age. But that's all in the past. Something that would come up every once in a while, this pain in my left eye reminding me of it the most. There's a scar, but for some strange reason, after all these 11 years, its hurt. Burned so badly, that I wanted to kill them.
Now I hold no hatred towards the species of human. I mean, I am one of them. The thing is, I don't understand how selfish they could be. I see those huge mansions, I've seen a variety of poor homes. There's a big gap in the amount of money each person has. They probably did work hard for their money, but would it kill them to spare me five bucks to buy some food for dinner? A new outfit that was clean? A place to stay, even for one night? No, I received none of that.
I'm 16, someone who would be in highschool. You see, I can't afford to do that, but I have a decent education. Actually, if I were to attend a highschool I'd say my grades would be in the 80s and 90s. My education was built through life experiences, old and lost textbooks, and notes crumpled up in the wind. Now you may wonder why I even bothered with it. I wanted a future, I wanted a job. I hope that eventually I could build myself a resume and get a small job, then work my way up. But I needed a degree, or diploma. So probably working at a bar would be my only choice. Still, having an education wouldn't hurt. Not that I put a lot of effort into it. I'm either bored and cold; studying, foraging for food, pickpocketing, or receiving pity money and food.
I wouldn't exactly call myself pretty. I like my eyes though, and my hair used to be a much more vibrant red. It seems that it got darker as my thoughts on life were. But I won't go and kill myself. Just not yet. If I even thought about it, I would've done so a long time ago. I wanted to live, I wanted to see how I finished this life. Yet I just want to stay sitting here, and wait for this bitter coldness to engulf me for the rest of my life.
I'm walking back home. Well actually, not really. You see, I have no home, so I'm traveling to the nearest park to huddle myself onto a bench. The winter was cruel, but it didn't seem as cold as it did before. Back when I was all alone, wanting to go through life on my own. As a child I was ignorant. maybe even now people would call me ignorant. But I don't care.
Finally finding comfort atop a cold wooden bench, I lay my head on some perfectly cold snow and drifted to a more or less comfortable sleep.
Shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I don't remember being in a warm room. A warm room with a strange flare of messiness.
Shit.
Did some pimp pick me up to train me as one of his whores? I will admit that I thought about turning to that. But no way am I giving up my virginity to a dirty, desperate bastard. I always had this image of falling in love with someone you know. Someone who would see past the dirty rags and homelessness. Who would make me feel at home, who would make me feel comfortable around people for the first time in my life.
I can feel my hands trembling, my teeth chattering even when it wasn't cold. I hold the blanket that surrounded me closer, the door knob of the door that contained me turning.
I felt my breath taken away as I saw a beautiful woman walk in. No wait, I think that's just me fainting.
Its warmer. MUCH warmer than before.
"Hello? Kid are you awake?" a rough, yet soothing voice called out. My eyes opened slightly, I felt my body being held within warm arms. The first thing I saw were green eyes. Green eyes similar to mine.
"You're awake," she said, letting me go onto a bed, "I found you outside. I thought maybe you were lost, or in trouble or something."
I rolled my eyes. Great another pity fest?
"How could you tell?" I replied, my voice sounded annoyed, which reflected the way I felt.
"Your facial expression," she responded, her tone softer than before, "You just looked so cold. And your clothing." I wasn't sure but I think that I could feel some hint of concern coating her voice, but I ignored it.
"What? So they're ripped, your jeans look ripped as well," I retorted. It was only true. She wore black jeans with rips on them. Strangely it looked pretty good, I bet it's some sort of fad.
"It's a style," she replied simply, I knew it, "And you don't sound very grateful. Come on, tell me when was the last time you slept on a bed? No wait, you probably just ran away from your parents or something." She grumbled after, not sounding to pleased with that situation.
I shook my head, "Its nothing like that," I answered, casting my eyes down to the floor, "I have no parents...I haven't slept in a bed for about 11 years now." I looked back at the blue haired girl. Her eyes widened, then softened with another concerned look, I stared at her and took it in.
"How old are you?" she then asked. Who was this woman? What did she want with me?
"16," I responded without thinking. Aw good job Nao, you now proved that you're interested.
"What's your name?"
It wouldn't hurt to say it right?
"Nao."
She rose her eyebrow, "Just Nao?"
I nodded, I was never told of my last name. I never needed to know. I bet you my files won't even be found in the citizen files. For all I know I could be from a different country.
"Since you told me," she began, at least she was courteous, "My name is Kuga Natsuki and I'm 18 years old."
Ah, so she's 2 years old than me eh? She does look pretty young. Natsuki isn't a bad name either. Well I guess I've enjoyed my stay, she'll probably feed me then wish me luck with life like the past two pity parties I've received. A time in between I was almost raped.
"Thank you Kuga-san," I then said. I didn't want to be rude.
She smiled at me, it felt sort of good, like it was actually real. I could swear to God that there was a warmth emitting from it, so I couldn't help but smile back.
"Why don't you stay for breakfast? My maid Mai can cook some really good ramen. And don't think of me as some spoiled rich kid. It's really annoying getting those dirty looks. I help in anyway I can. When I was young I told my mom to let Mai live with us, recently she's offered to become the maid to help out."
I nodded, this woman has a pretty good heart. Though I wonder if this is an act.
Walking into the hallway, a smell so heavenly filled my senses. I could feel my mouth hang open, but it closed quickly when I saw a girl younger than me crawl on all fours around the pretty big house.
"Mikoto!" Natsuki yelled, her voice having a much rougher tone than it had earlier, "Mai, tell your sister to stop fooling around! She might break something for crying out loud!"
I couldn't help but snicker to myself. This Natsuki person sure was strange. Walking into the kitchen my eyes met with the lavender eyes of this Mai and on her back was the cat girl. Sitting down with Natsuki sitting across, this Mai person set four bowls. Looking around I noticed that they all were breaking these two sticks in half. Oh yeah, chopsticks. I remember those...And sticking them up several people's noses. Keh, suckers.
Staring at it made me even hungrier. I couldn't help but feel shy. Hearing a loud slurping noise I turned my head to the cat girl as she engulfed her bowl, Mai trying to get her to slow down. I glanced at Natsuki who nodded her head as if telling me that I should eat.
And I did.
And it was good.
A/N: I don't know if I could consider her to be a bit OOC, but I believe it works with the story so far. You'll be able to judge that better as I go on. Review please. :)