The tiny girl struggled to hold on.
To grasp the little life she had left in her. Her small body shivering at the frigid air.
She wanted mama and papa to come now. To swoop her up in their long and loving warm arms. The very arms that kept her safe and filled her with comfort whenever she was in doubt.
She wanted to get up and find them, cry to them. To whimper in front of them and her mom would always bend down to reach her height and pat her in the head saying 'it'll be alright, don't cry my little girl.'
Yet for some reason, her legs felt like they were glued to the room, feeling an icky substance surrounding her frame all over.
It felt like it was about to engulf her. About to swallow her whole, the unfamiliar liquid soaking into her clothes. She didn't at at like this feeling, remembering one time of how she spilled ice cream all over on her new dress and wailing to her parents.
But this feeling was different.
This liquid felt like it was grabbing onto her, partially holding her down and it being a lot more stickier than the ice cream. And the smell, oh the smell was awful.
The girl felt small tears peeping from the corner of her eyes.
She wanted to call out to her parents right now but her lips felt glued together and her throat heavily dry.
Her entire body felt like cement and she could hear something moving in the dark background.
The small girl blinked a few times to see what it was only to have her eyes quickly shut down. She squeezed them together to try re-opening them only to leak tears.
Her head was pounding. A headache is what she heard mama and papa call it.
She would come home from school sometimes, holding a assignment with a 100 on it eager to present it to her parents. Then stopping in her tracks by the kitchen door, heading her papa or mama complain loudly about a headache.
She remembered asking her mama one night as she was tucking her in bed what a headache was.
"It's a sharp sensation in different parts of your head." Her mother said with a smile then replacing it with a sly grin. "Sometimes it's here." Poking her little girl on the side of her head. "Or over here." Another poke in the middle of her head. "Sometimes even here!" Rubbing the temples of her head causing the girl to giggle then to bend down and kissing each one of her temples.
"Don't worry sweetie, you're too young to have them yet."
And she slept well that night, dreaming of cotton candy and rainbows while holding her mom to that promise.
The little girl mumbled, unable to get up without her body screaming in pain along with her head.
"Mama…you lied." She softly spoke, stirring in the goo that was underneath her and bumping into a firm figure.
The small girl tried very hard to peel her eyes open and successfully managed to keep them open with a few blinks. Her vision was hazy but regained her sight after blinking her eyes very hard a few times before widening her eyes in horror.
"M-m-mama?"
The girl noticed her mother's back faced to her, shoulders not moving and unresponsive to her daughter's plea.
The girl called out again to be answered with more silence before someone spoke.
"Shhhh, mommy's sleeping girlie."
She froze, trying hard to place such a voice. She couldn't, it sounded too much like the voices she heard in her nightmares. In the horror movies she forced herself to watch to prove to her Papa she wasn't afraid.
The girl was about to scream for him before a pair of sweaty hands smacked down on her mouth.
"Ah, ah, ah, we wouldn't want to wake mommy and daddy now would we?"
The very much afraid girl looked at the hands, trailing to to his hairy arms and the covered face in the shadows. She couldn't see him yet her vision still blurred yet saw a evil smirk gleam in the shadows directed towards her.
She found tears spilling down her eyes.
"Look, mommy is sleeping so well beside you. We wouldn't want to deprive mommy of her sleep now do we?"
The crying girl was caught in his smirk, the folds of his lips widening into smile. So afraid, she couldn't move, only fixated on the permanent smile on his face.
"Look, she's resting so peacefully." The covered man said, grabbing the girl's mother roughly by the shoulder and turning her around to reveal her mother's half lidded eyes and a pool of blood trickling down from her mouth and the red icky substance coming from her.
She was rolling around in her mother's blood.
The girl could no longer hold back her choked sobs and screams. She yelled into the man's hand, finding the small willpower in her body left to kick, punch, and get up from the hold she was caught in.
The man only held her down tighter causing the girl to choke on air.
"What a naughty thing you are. After I told and showed you that mommy was sleeping."
He waved a finger in the air, making a tsk sound, sounding disappointed then going back to his insane smile.
"Hmmm, naughty girls like you need to be punished."
No. No. No. NO. Mama, please wake up. The girl begged to herself. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears still slipping out yet in greater quantities.
Papa, save me, he's going to hurt me.
Please. Please. I'm scared, so scared…...
The man slapped the girl's lifeless mother away, rolling her to the side and made his hand over to the small girl's legs, pale like a doll's. He was trailing down slowly up and down her leg, as if she was a doll made out of glass and he didn't want to be too rough with her or break her.
Yet.
The girl struggled to escape his grubby hand, more tears spilling from her eyes. She had to help mama.
Mama was in pain and she had to help her.
"Let meugh goof." The girl tried muttering out, her mouth still under the man's hand.
She glared at the man with blurry eyes, unable to get a good look at him because of her tears.
The mysterious man who hurt her mother, she hated him. Absolutely hated him. Yet she couldn't do anything. The timid girl was unsure of what to hate more.
Herself for being so weak, not being able to protect her mama in this desperate time or the man who hurt her mama.
"Ah, ah, ah. Still gotta be quiet, your papa is sleeping too. He's somewhere around here. Wouldn't want to wake him up?"
The girl watched the man's hand lift her face toward the kitchen and to see her papa's back face down onto the counter, similar to her mama's expression and a few knives stuck to his back.
The girl's eyes widen again and the man let his hand go from her mouth to reveal a ear piercing scream coming from the small child.
The man laughed a hideous cackle to reveal yellow and brown teeth.
"Don't worry baby doll, I won't make you fall asleep like your mommy and daddy…." He said stroking the girl's cheek with his gloved hand while the girl continued to scream but it grew less and less as if she ran out of the energy to continue her tantrum.
"I'm going to keep you up all night. Let's have some fun, shall we?"
A few hours later. In the Haruno's house now labeled as an investigation scene.
"Dear god, I think I'm going to be sick. " A police officer said to the other officer beside him who was also in disgusted awe at the crime scene.
It was revealed last night that a murdered occurred in the Haruno household from a very disturbing phone call from one of their neighbors.
The neighbor kept screaming at the sight into the phone and unable to process words, too mortified of what happened. The police quickly got the message and headed down to see what the exaggeration was from the woman.
To then only call for more backup and some paramedics.
The sight was ungodly and quite disturbing. It was as if you were inside a real live horror movie.
The officers on the scene found themselves reassuring the shaken up neighbor who made the phone call and each other not knowing the crime scene was a monstrosity.
The door to the Haruno household was wide open and pools of blood were everywhere. Blood even splashed onto the walls of the living room and kitchen. Two lifeless bodies belonging to Mebuki and Kizashi Haruno who were brutally murdered.
The officers ask the woman who made the phone call a few questions in how she knew this happened and what made her come across the Haruno's house.
She revealed her identity saying she was the next door neighbor of the happy family. She sputtered out as much as she could, still trembling at the sight saying she heard screams at night and a lot of noise coming this way. But she ignored it because sometimes the noise evaporated in the air and she thought it was a figment of her imagination.
The officers continued to ask her one more question what made her make the phone call and she replied shakily. "It was in the middle of the night when I heard the screams at their loudest and I was so afraid…. after an hour I got out of my house to knock on the door to see if everything was alright. As I was approaching their door I noticed it was wide open and that was so unlike of the Harunos. I welcomed myself in to see what was going on only to see Mebuki laying in a pool of blood…she's d-d-dead... " The neighbor gasped out, finished unable to hold back any more of her sobs, wailing in an officer's arms.
The officers nodded and moved the crying woman aside and went to look at the scene to further investigate.
They first came across a woman's body severely bruised, Mebuki Haruno as the neighbor mentioned cut and beaten to death. She was indeed, dead. The neighbor was right.
Leaving the body for other officers and professionals to further examine, the officers continued to look around for more clues.
Then they came across the body of a man who had kitchen knives stuck, embedded deep down into his back, a few bones peaking out and his blood gushed out all over the floor and kitchen cabinets.
An officer fought the urge to throw up right then and there on the scene. He quickly swallowed it down to eye his partner gagging and throwing up on the nearby kitchen sink.
They looked closely at the man and looked to have been by a pulp as well. The officers gladly left the body to professionals and continued to search the remaining house.
The bathrooms were relatively clean and other rooms looking untouched but still made sure to inspect it closely, ushering more officers into dust or sweep for hidden clues.
The two noticed a trail of blood leading down the hallway. The officers looked at each other and nodding, pulling out their guns and slowly made their way down. The first officer walked down the hall first, looking to the left to reveal the assumingly man and woman's bedroom and went inside, holding his gun, pointing it in any direction awaiting for the killer to pop out.
The second officer took the right of the hallway to show a more pink and feminine bedroom, maybe the child's room or expecting child's room of the man and woman. The officer's eyes went wide, almost dropping his gun and calling for his partner.
The partner rushed by his side to gasp in horror. The bed shown a small girl naked and battered, her blood staining her bedsheets, her legs bruised and tummy purple. Her pink bangs falling to cover one side of her face. The first officer went over to scan the body up closely, coming to a halt as he saw the body twitch and roll around to reveal emotionless green orbs.
"Oh...o-oh my god…."
"What is it, Kyo?" The second officer asked hesitantly behind me, not really sure if he wanted to find out.
"The girl over there…...I think...she's still alive."
One week later. Konoha Hospital.
A tall man with spiky silver hair sat on a retractable brown chair in an empty room filled with many more retractable chairs and white tables.
The only noise you could faintly hear in the room was the coffee machine, brown substance slowly dripping into the clear kettle. The AC machine steadily regenerating in the room and the soft breeze blowing towards the tall man, spreading out to reach the rest of the room. He didn't move but merely picked up his styrofoam cup and brought it to his mouth to hungrily gulp down the remaining brown liquid left.
As he brought it back down on the table, he found himself gripping it rather tightly. The foam cup snapping a bit at his touch.
For someone who walked in the room and saw him, they probably thought he was an annoyed guest. The person who saw him would not really look much into it or care truthfully. The lounge was a place to pour yourself a somewhat warm cup of bland coffee or grab something from the vending machines. To sit down and stretch, cracking a few bones, check for unseen messages and rejuvenate some energy to get back out into the hospital.
To put a smile and reassure a relative visiting that everything would be okay, feeding them false lies so they could save their tears and leave.
But to only see them again a week later hearing the tragic news and falling into the doctor's or nurse's arms, letting out loud wails throughout the entire building making it echo.
But no one even know, could not even guess what this past man has been through in the last twenty four hours and you did not want to know.
It wasn't a relative of his, a long lost friend or his lover lying lifeless on a hospital bed.
But a girl, a small 10 year old girl who was assigned to him through his work, The Konoha Orphanage or secretly the Konoha Agency.
The man found himself exhaling a sigh filled with frustration, pity and sadness. His back slumping down into the chair, his head down. It's not that parenting was his problem or keeping up with the expenses for her but…..
"Kakashi! Your trusty steadfast friend is here!"
The doors to the lounge swung open loudly to reveal a man with a hideous one piece jumpsuit along with a ugly bowl cut and a 100 watt smile.
Kakashi turned around lazily to see his best friend, Might Guy come marching in enthusiastically over to where he was sitting.
"I heard the good news! I am so glad to have you work by my side in the Agency. And you will be a handler, the same as I! Are you thrilled to soon be surrounded by youthfulness and joy?" The happy green man asked and said to his childhood friend who tried keeping up with him.
Kakashi nodded, not really paying attention yet managing a small smile in his direction.
Might Guy was about to scowl and lecture his friend in why he isn't rejoicing at the wonderful news to realize the pain reflecting in his eyes, just now noticing the waves of discomfort coming off on him. He felt ashamed only realizing it and pulled up a chair to gently pat his friend on the shoulder.
Kakashi finally looked him in the eye properly to see concern written all over his face. He let go of another sigh filled with so many mixed emotions before slowly asking.
"Does it have to be a kid?"
Earlier in one of the secured Konoha Hospital's rooms.
"I'm assuming the Agency allocated her to you. " Kakashi watched as a man in a lab coat said, flipping through some papers.
He steadily watched the man dash from desk to desk, gathering more papers and scanning the monitor beeping quietly frequently in front of them.
"That's an interesting change. I've never seen them discharge a girl before."
Kakashi raised an interested brow to the doctor who looked at him in surprise.
"Oh, this is the first time they've accepted a girl into the organization. For the past years, they've only handled young boys. It was rather intriguing to see the Agency put her down under their care. She doesn't seem like the type to handle the training. I've heard it was strenuous." The doctor said in a dry laugh, continuing to flip more papers and walk over to his computer, pushing some buttons.
"But you know what they say, looks can be deceiving." He looked at Kakashi through a pair of round glasses and thin smile.
Kakashi waited, letting what the doctor just said sink into this thoughts. What did he mean by that?
He hasn't had the opportunity to firsthand see the training the Agency did as he was only recently given the job of a handler. But he did find it confusing why out of all people he would be selected to take care of the first ever girl enrolled in the program.
As if the doctor was reading his mind, he spoke.
"Oh, not to mention giving her to a newbie like you! This is all so interesting and such a sudden change. "The doctor turned to look Kakashi in the eye smiling to see his eyes glaring at him with suspicion. He gulped and quickly dropped his smile. "You are the new handler, right?"
Kakashi nodded and watched as the doctor handed him a folder and flipped it open.
"Well this is her. Sakura Haruno. Age 10, birth date, March twenty eighth and other uninteresting facts. If you continue reading there's more background knowledge of her, her enrollment papers into Leaf Academy and then her application into Konoha middle next year. "
He muted out the doctor's endless rambling to be strangely fixated on her profile pic.
She had such beautiful eyes. A heart shaped face and long pink hair that curled at the end of her shoulders. Wide green eyes filled with happiness and curiosity, flashing a wide smile into the camera, her nose as small and cute as a button.
She was absolutely adorable.
Kakashi found himself asking out loud. "Where is she?"
The doctor stopped mid sentence to look up at the young man and Kakashi to look down, ignoring what he said to busy himself examining her documents.
He didn't mean to say that out loud yet found his mouth speaking for himself. Kakashi never spoken out of character like that. It was unusual him to say such outbursts like that, especially in the presence of a stranger.
He wasn't known for such things, to waste time. He was a man of efficiency yet laidback, accepting orders and following them.
"Just for personal reasons, doctor." He tried smoothing out the conversation still looking at the documents to stumble across body pictures.
The doctor pushed down on a red button to talk through a microphone attached on the door, ignoring the shuddering Kakashi behind him.
"Oh yes, of course, Hatake-san. Shizune pull up the blinds." Before releasing his finger on the button, the doctor added. "Report the status on the girl, send me her new vital signs through the computer. "
The intercom buzzed, a feminine voice replying. "Yes, sir. She's still unconscious but her primary vitals have calmed down for the most part. The doctor's are still wrapping her up and examining her wounds. Her injuries are extensive. There's broken ribs, dislocations and serious bruising, along with internal bleeding. Obvious signs of torture. But the medical team has successfully been taking care of it all and will soon be done."
Kakashi heard the words pass right through him like a sword as he trembled, pulling out a body picture of the girl.
The girl's private parts were covered with bandages yet the picture was paper clipped with a strip of paper of 'During the scene.' The time stamped picture was so grotesque. Blood surrounding the girl especially in between her thighs and swelling all over her white tainted body.
It disturbed Kakashi very much to see this girl was the same girl smiling in the picture earlier.
He looked up to see a loud rumbling sound to see the metal blinds in front of them slowly unfolding to a clear glass window.
The doctor looked back at Kakashi and eyeing the picture in his hand.
"Ah I see you've found yourself to her most recent documents. That was her on the day of the crime scene."
He gestured the stiff silver haired man towards the glass window.
"This is her, feast your eyes on Sakura Haruno." The doctor said rather excitedly and Kakashi felt his anger rising.
He looked up through the glass to see various men and woman working around here, holding medical instruments of all kind. He watched as nurses blocked his view then walked away to reveal the mysterious girl who was placed under her care.
Her pink hair was scattered all around her, her eyelids closed and a oxygen mask on top of her mouth. Her breathing was barely noticeable, her chest very faintly rose.
Each breath looked like her last and Kakashi found his fists clenched by his side.
He watched as a male nurses wrapped a bandage around her legs and other various body parts. She looked like a ghost, barely even there.
"Ah quite a sight, right? My helpers are stitching up wounds that were inflicted on her quite forcefully from the killer that slaughtered her family. She's been asleep for the past few days from the intense amount of morphine we've been giving her but she should be awake later tonight if you wish to say a few words to her." The doctor glanced at the masked man. "I'm sure you're thrilled to meet her."
Kakashi felt his lips thinning and shot the man a dangerous glare. He was treading on dangerous waters as was the rest of the Agency.
This was completely outrageous. Why was the Agency not focusing on the killer of this heinous crime? He could still be rampant, making his next move and ruining another happy family.
They should be tracking him down, not fixing all their attention and time on the girl. Fixing her to then use to her to their disposal to clean up the government's dirty work.
They should be devoting their time to finding this monster and making him pay.
No one should be allowed to get away this. Not even the Pope.
He knew there was a glass separating them but even in her sleep, she didn't even look like she wanted to live.
"Is the killer caught and behind bars?"
"It's...in the progress. Right now the government is trying to clean the mess he made and calming the public. In due time, he will be. He couldn't have gone far, he left such sloppy mistakes on the scene. Such an amateur."
Kakashi found the doctor's words repulsive but aimed not to worsen the situation. He could feel blood drawing from how rough he's dug his fingernails into the palm of his hand.
He wanted to punch that glass window and shatter everything.
The intercom buzzed. "The medical team is finishing up. Soon, she'll be ready to see guests once she awakes."
The doctor smiled toward the masked man before replying to speaker. "Wonderful news Shizune. Do keep up the good work."
"Yes, sir. I'm sending the new papers to you."
Kakashi heard the computer make a few digital sounds and before the doctor headed its way, he ushered him out the door.
"We'll call for you once she's awake. Please welcome yourself to our longe. We've got a brand new coffee machine and it's getting late. " The doctor pointed to the clock on the wall, already far past midnight. "I suggest you try some if you intend on meeting your new subordinate."
As Kakashi was already heading towards the door exit. He stopped in his steps yet didn't turn his back to face the doctor and spoke out.
"She's not my subordinate. She's my girl, my responsibility now and I, her official caretaker. And you're just someone who's supervising her. So watch your false words, doctor or I'll report you to the Agency."
He didn't look back, keeping the folder filled with her documents under one of his arms, slouching and making his way to the lounge.
His fists still curled tightly and his mind never once forgetting the image of the bruised up girl who was now his to watch.
.
.
Darkness.
That's what first came across her field of vision and she quickly grew afraid and small.
The black crowding her thoughts. It was cold and dark, pitch black. An all too familiar feeling.
She remembered everything.
The man. The man and his wandering hands. His hands trailing everywhere, all over her body and how dirty it made her feel..
Him revealing her mama and papa. They never moved. They never came to see her…...or save her…they were gone.
Dead.
She was never going to see them again and she felt herself breaking.
It didn't matter anymore. Nothing did. Her world was gone. Her parents that gave her nothing but the best and everything to her. They were her world. And she felt as if everything came to a sudden halt.
Her world was gone. Taken from her. By that man.
He stole everything from her.
She fell to her knees, tears pouring from her sore swollen eyes already drained from crying.
She continued crying, hiccups finding her way into her mouth.
She could feel the darkness reaching up to her, closing in on her and she didn't mind.
She didn't move. If the darkness brought her to her Mama and Papa, she would gladly be taken by it.
If that's what it took. She would let the blackness grab a hold of her and take her down.
She just wanted to see them. One last time.
Then the black stilled.
"Sakura!"
She froze.
That voice. That beautiful comforting voice that read her fables and sung her lullabies at night and whenever she was frightened.
"M-mama?"
She looked up only to still see darkness. She got up slowly, turning her head side to side to still be greeted by a room filled with darkness.
Tears came pouring harder and dropping from her face.
It was just a dream. They were long gone. And they left her, without even saying goodbye.
She brought her hands up to her face. Stupid. She was so stupid. They were never going to come and get her.
"Sakura! What are you doing over there? We can't see you! Come this way, sweetie."
Looking up once again with shock and disbelief , she saw something bright shone.
She closed her eyes at the brightness.
It shined brightly in the dark room and she could see colors.
Bright colours of yellow, orange and soft pink. More colors came into her sight to reveal all the colours of the rainbow.
She began to slowly walk, following the colors that was providing her a path.
"Come on Sakura! You're such a slowpoke." She remembered the familiar faint voice of her papa and excitement bubbled in the depths of her stomach.
Her walking turned to running to clearly hear her mama's voice this time.
The colors dispersed all over the room, banishing the darkness to show butterflies and flowers everywhere. It was a sight of a magical garden.
She stopped to admire the pretty view. She brushed her hands all over the flowers, noticing a butterfly and chased after it.
It was just an inch from her reach but then to fly up in the bright blue sky and puffy clouds. She found herself stopping and gazing in awe of the view.
As if left her sight, she saw the outlines of her parents and smiling as they stood on top of a hill under a cherry blossom tree.
She looked to see her mother waving happily and waving her over. Her father yelling "Come on Sakura! The view is way better up here."
She smiled and ran towards them, feeling as if she was floating and found her selves in their strong arms.
She felt their love and acceptance. It was so warm and she looked up to see them smiling happily down at her.
That made her smile wider and pushing herself harder into their hug, nuzzling into her parents warm touch.
"We're so proud of you, Sakura." She heard her father spoke, pulling her out of the tight hug to look at her with soft blue eyes.
"Continue being a smart and strong girl, okay? " She nodded at her mother leaning into her touch as she patted her head.
"Me and your father are going to sleep soon. We probably won't see you again but know we love you so much."
She watched them, her happy expression quickly vanishing and began shaking her head vigorously. She pulled on her mom's hands, begging her to stay.
"It's okay, sweetie. You will forever be in our dreams and thoughts. Your father and I love you so much. So very much than you can ever imagine."
Her papa nodded. "Because of you, we will dream sweetly. So stay strong my brave girl. Whenever you're ready, you can join us in our sleep."
"But is not your time yet, sweetie. So continue to live."
How could she live without them? She would die. She's dying right now. Don't go.
She found her grip slipping as her mama pulled away and her father standing up.
No, please don't leave again. She wanted to scream out but found her voice inaudible and mute.
She watched as her mama and papa begin slowly turning around and walking away from her. The cherry blossom tree heavily leaned their way, blocking her view from the random gust of wind. She tried putting her arm up as a shield to block the powerful winds and see her parents. She saw their backs facing her. It's pink petals whirling around their frame.
She watched as they slowly vanished.
She widened her eyes and ran towards them, slapping the numerous petals away only to see, they were gone. Again.
Just like that, the magical garden surrounding her began rotting away, the flowers wilting away and the sky growing dark, the clouds becoming a dark shade of gray.
The hues of beautiful colors slowly fading away to put back the black that surrounded her earlier. She dropped down to the ground, tears returning filling her eyes.
As she was about to fully embrace the darkness, she saw a warm flame flicker and appear in front of her.
It was small and faint and barely there. It looked as if someone doused it with water.
But somehow it still found the will the live. The urge to keep burning.
She reached out to it, wondering how this small flame had the strength to survive. She envied it.
She touched it ever so lightly, afraid of putting it out. She whispered towards the flame 'live.'
She watched as it roared.
She shrank in fear of getting burned and watched.
Watched as it grew twice its previous size at her light breeze of a touch and emitted hot burning heat. It spread like a wildfire all around her.
If towered over her and she watched as the fire spread itself to consume her. She held herself and felt the fires ray spread all over her body, feelings it's warmth and passion. The same feeling that reminded her of her parent's touch.
It was as if it was lending her strength. And she felt it, her pain slowly being erased and the orange taking over her and caressing her cheek.
As if the fire was thanking her for touching it and to go.
To live. As she told the fire as well.
She recalled her parents words that echoed in her mind. They also told her to live and nodded, receiving the message. She embraced the fire and thanked it. She felt its heat wrap around her, holding her tightly.
It let her go and saw the orange flame trail interlacing around her hand, giving her reassurance.
She felt something awaken inside of her. The will to fight. The will to not succumb to the darkness. To not let that man win.
To live as the flame and parents told her.
She was going to fight back and be strong.
Strong for her parents and the flame that gave her the strength to do. She was also going to be strong for herself.
She would find the man who broke her and live up to her parents words.
.
.
The girl awaken only to be blinded by a more unpleasant light and voices around her.
She blinked a few times and heard the voices grow shock and urgent.
The girl nodded to herself.
She had a mission to fulfill.
She would not allow anyone else to break her again.
.
.
.
A revised version of my prologue for Guns n Roses. I'm much happier with this version and hope this explains more.
I will continue to do the other chapters because now I have a better idea of the characters and what I want haha, I hope you like the change!
Review!