The Start
The Start
Chapter 1: A New Mission
By: Shinju Nozomi
Her name is Kokoro Hitomi. She is born on April 24th to two loyal shinobi parents during the war. Everything was expected out of her and everything she would give. She would live to
become a great shinobi just like her parents but her life holds some unusual twists...
Hitomi sat atop the high cut stump of a tree. She would sometimes sit there for ours meditating trying to find peace within herself. Her blue eyes scanned the horizon as she sat deep in
thought. It didn't matter to her what she thought about or what happened when she was out there just as long as she had peace. There were times she had to get away from her
parents and their expectations, demands, and the pressure they put on her. Hitomi jumped off the stump and ran a little ways through the trees before she had to bend over while
coughing and heaving up the contents of her stomach. When she was finished she stood up and continued to run again acting like it was nothing. To her, throwing up was a normal thing
as was the extreme amounts of stress that caused it. She sighed, thinking about how her parents would yell at her when she got home for being late. Though this was one of the rare
days they would be home since they fought in the war so much. Hitomi loved her parent's a lot and she knew they loved her, they just expected too much out of her from her point of
view. The time passed as she kept running and finally rounded the corner to her home. She could see already though that her father had set up training drills for after dinner. "I can never
do enough for them", she mumbled to herself.
Hitomi tried to eat slowly at dinner to let some her food digest but it didn't help. She ended up throwing up again during her training and went to bed with an empty stomach. She laid in
her bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering when her parents would be leaving again, she turned her head to the side looking around her room and saw her small stuffed bunny from
when she was little, hiding in the corner. She crawled out of her bed to get it and hugged it tightly. "You'll always love me even if I fail, right Bunny?" she said to it. She stared down at its
little brown eyes and pinkish-white fur as if waiting for a response before hugging it again and taking it back to bed with her. She laid there in silence before bursting into tears and crying
herself to sleep again just like the night before.
When morning came the house was silent and empty and Hitomi realized her parents had left again to go fight without saying goodbye. She assumed they thought it was better this
way so it wouldn't be as painful. She quickly ate some food, showered, and got dressed before heading out. Today she walked through the village doing the weekly shopping for her
parents to get food and other things they needed. Hitomi loved the village because people were always out and happy while the smell of the food from nearby restaurants filled the air
and children ran and played. It was a beautiful sunny day and Hitomi couldn't help but feel a little bit of optimism. Suddenly a flash a red flew by her in excitement. She turned around to
see a boy with bright red hair annoying people. She sighed and shook her head before walking over to her teammate Hajime. He quickly turned around and leaped onto Hitomi. "Hitomi"!
Where've you been?" he shouted. "I was just shopping a bit", Hitomi replied while trying to push Hajime off of her. "Oh", he said "Did your parents leave again"? "Yes and I would
appreciate it if you helped me carry some of this stuff", she said while finally managing to push him off of her. "Oki Doki", Hajime replied happily. Hitomi sighed wondering how he could
always be so cheerful, watching him as he skipped down the road as she walked beside him. She gave him a funny look but then shook her head and looked at the sky again smiling as
the sunshine hit her face, hoping today would continue to be a good day. "By the way, I almost forgot to mention it". Hajime said as he turned and looked at Hitomi. "We have a new
mission we have to start on immediately". Hitomi stared at him for a moment before saying, "Well then let's hurry up so we can meet the others". Hajime glanced at her, "You seemed
stressed". He said with concern. "This is probably our first big mission compared to all the other small things we've been doing". She said. "But don't worry about it, I'll be fine". She said
turning to Hajime with a smile.
"You both are late". Shouted their sensei, "It's my fault and I apologize, Miho sensei", said Hitomi as they walked out of the village. "What exactly are we doing"? Said Kayo, Hitomi's
other teammate. "We are going to a village in the earth country to watch over supplies that is being brought to Konoha", said Miho. "Oh! Supplies, what kind of supplies!?" said Hajime
with great anticipation. "That is not important at the moment", laughed Miho, as they walked along the path. "Do you think there could be enemy shinobi who will attack us"? Asked Kayo,
wide-eyed, Miho smiled and said "There might be". Hitomi let out a deep sigh, thinking of what might happen if they were to be attacked and what these 'supplies' really were. She sighed
again looking at the sky and mumbling to herself "Oh well I guess I'll see when we get there".