DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO
Yes, yes I know, what am I doing publishing a new story when I have so many pending. Well I just couldn't help it! It was bugging me all week and I hope you guys can forgive me for these bunnies in my head are killing me! But I promise, my other story updates will arrive very, very soon~ Anyway, here's the plot that's been bugging me for awhile now, just had to get it out of my system and see how it works.
Never once had oatmeal tasted so delicious.
A smile adorned her features, thinking back on how her sister had swallowed spoonfuls without stop. She shook her head, giggling as she scrubbed the cracked plates and bent silverware.
It had been two days since they had any kind of solid food; nothing but broth and murky water to drink. But they were lucky, because they had at least that. A majority of them out there hadn't a speck of food in their stomachs, jobless and at the brink of death.
This was life after war; this was the consequence even though the fight wasn't theirs to begin with.
Work, rice, work, rice; to be able to enjoy warmth from a simple cup of tea was a luxury, to be able to indulge in a proper meal would be one of god's greatest gifts.
Life was miserable, but she had hope.
Her biggest regret was that Hanabi wouldn't be able to enjoy a proper childhood; even she had to wake up in the early morning and walk along side her to work in the fields. She would return home with bruised dirty feet and nonstop exasperated sighs leaving her lips. But never once had she complained or rebelled, she accepted life as it was, amazingly mature and wise she was.
If only she could enjoy a fresh glass of milk every morning and be able to play and rest all she wants.
If only she could grow up healthy and beautiful with the proper clothes and books for study.
The important thing now was; they were happy together and that's all that mattered.
But despite their wishes, things were about to take a turn for both of their lives forever.
"Orientals," A sloppy tongue darted out, licking his lips as he grinned maliciously.
"Very nice," Another one stroked his scruffy chin, fingers eagerly rubbing against each other as though the money had already dropped into his sweaty palm.
"They're going to earn us a fortune."
"Capture them, tonight."
"It's cold." Hanabi chattered, snuggling closer to the woman, desperately seeking warmth, whimpering pitifully.
Without even a chimney for heat they had to depend on a thin sheet and their body heat for warmth. So was the life of war survivors, barely living yet still hanging on. The scrawny girl purred contentedly as slender fingers ran through her brittle, coarse hair, loving the maternal side of her elder sister.
"We used to love the snow." Hinata sighed, resting her chin on a mop of brown locks.
"Remember? You used to go outside all the time with your gloves and your furry muffs."
She giggled lightly, feeling reminiscent.
"Yeah, when I had something to keep me warm..." Hanabi mumbled, pouting.
"Hanabi-Chan I – "
"Oh well, I have you and you'll always be here to snuggle won't you?"
"Yes, of course." She planted a kiss on her dry, wide forehead, sweeping back the strands of hair that were all over the place.
They wrapped their arms around each other, finding comfort through the contact.
But their temporary daze of euphoria was short lived, a loud bang on the door bringing them back to the harsh reality of the world around them, or possibly, forcing them to face worse situations.
Hinata sprung up from the mat, eyes wide, heart pounding as the banging continued.
Bony fingers were wrapped around her hand, tugging relentlessly.
"Nee-san, w-what's – "The young girl gulped, her face paling to the point of resembling a white sheet of paper.
Hinata's heart was lodged in her throat, panic pulsing through her veins, cheeks burning.
The door was rusty and old, it wasn't made out of oak neither was it properly hinged like their old home. If the banging continued any longer –
Crash!
Hanabi jumped, hands clutching her sister's trembling arm as tightly as she could, eyes snapped shut, too scared of what she might see.
Rustling, banging, mumbling, they were searching. Searching for them, and soon, they'd find them.
Her eyes quickly shifted to the shivering thin girl hidden behind her, fear slowly draining out, quickly replaced with concern.
She pulled the girl up, dragging her to the edge of the room, hastily pushing the window up, praying that it wouldn't creak.
"N-Nee-san...!"
"Climb through the window," Her voice shook, almost as much as her hands were.
"B-But – "
"Go!" She pushed, looking back fearfully at their door swallowing audibly as she heard the door knob turn, followed by a hard pound on the wood.
Hanabi was halfway through the gap, turning back desperately.
"I'm not leaving without you, Nee-san!"
Bang. Bang. Bang. There was no time. No time.
"I'll be right behind you, I promise." She lied, knowing full well that she had no escape.
Her heartbeat calmed the moment Hanabi leaped through the opening, but immediately quickened once more as the door flew open, her head snapping back at the loud sound.
"Surprise, surprise," One of them smirked, eyeing her up and down in a rather dangerous way.
"Aw, trying to escape? How adorable,"
"I thought there were two of them?"
"Tch, then go look for her you idiot!"
Tears brimmed, teeth grit, a half gasp leaving her lips before a cloth was stuffed into her mouth, her hands roughly pulled to her back before she was pushed flat on to her front, her chin connecting with the hard floor as a heavy weight pressed on to her back.
"Oi, don't be so rough you asshole. We have to make sure she has no marks on her body."
"But she keeps struggling." He chuckled, amused by the entire scene; of her tears, of her feeble cries and struggles.
"Feisty one aren't you?" Hinata turned away from the hot breath on her ear, screaming with all her might.
Her movements came to a complete halt as stubby fingers hooked to the waist band of her pants, his rough skin brushing hers as they slid the garment down halfway.
She squealed, a painful sting erupting from the exposed skin as a needle broke through her delicate flesh.
"Oh, this one is a winner." She winced at the feel of his large hand on her bare stinging skin, tears streaming down her cheeks without fail, her heart clenched in pain.
"Sure we can't test her out just once?"
"Don't get any ideas you horny bastard."
"Hmph,"
She didn't feel his hand patting her reddened skin neither did she feel his lips move against her cold skin, her entire world turning hazy and blur.
"Night night sweetheart,"
Her sharp breaths slowed, her suddenly heavy lids falling steadily, drooping before completely shutting close, enveloping her in darkness. She hoped they would never open again.
But she should have known by now; fate wasn't as kind.
No, wait I can explain! It's not as dark as it seems! Well... at least I think so.