The Bound and Forgotten
"Memory is a child walking along the seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things." –Pierce Harris, Atlanta Journal
A young girl, walking through a snowy forest. Snow falling gently to the ground, some of which had stuck onto the young girls long, gorgeous, curly pink locks of hair. The young girl, who seemed to be around the age of 5, had been wearing little to nothing. A thin and battered brown jacket thrown over her shoulders, hiding the ripped white spaghetti strapped shirt underneath. The girl wore a pair of black pants, which may not be considered pants anymore due to the large rips in the pants. The girl seemed confused, unknowing. She knew where she was, but not where she was going. She just kept running, no matter how hard she breathed or how blue she became, she continued to run, her legs having a hard time keeping up. She tripped multiple times, getting her clothing soaked, which would cause her to be severely sick if she was to ever stop running, and settle down in a cottage or town. Yet there was one overriding issue to it all, she had no idea where a nearby town or small cottage was. She had never left her home before, and she was positive that she may just die outside, in the snow, due to either frost bite, hypothermia, or so many other possibilities.
So she ran. Hoping to find someone, someplace, something. She had nothing left. Everyone was dead. Everyone she cared for, everyone she ever knew. All dead. And she watched it happen. Every time she tripped, fell, she'd get a flash of one of her family members or friends faces, bloody, lifeless, forcing her up to continue to run. She didn't want to end up like that, she wanted to live, she knew she couldn't be allowed in the killers hands. That would shame her family, bloody it even more. Her mother wanted her to run, and so she did. If her powers were left in the wrong persons hands, the best case scenario would be an apocalypse. Worst case would most likely be the universe itself, no not just the planet, not just the solar system, no, the universe would collapse in itself.
-7 years later-
I just couldn't believe it. Today would be the day I would become a ninja. Looking into my closet filled with clothes, I picked out the most comfortable ninja attire I could find. A pair of brown boots, a fishnet shirt, of course my bindings for my "private" areas, a pair of short black legging with a brown skirt above, and a brown vest to go over my fishnet shirt. Purrrr-fect.
I looked into the mirror to check out how I looked. Seemed good to me. I personally didn't feel comfortable looking at myself in the mirror for long periods of time, it just felt bitter-sweet. I don't know why but it just did.
Walking out of my room, grabbing my small bag filled with first aid and anything I may ever need if an emergency happens, I walk down my stairs grabbing a bagel my mother made before I walked out of the house, waving into the kitchen with a grunt which they knew meant "see you later".
I'm not on the best terms with my parents, but it's livable. They don't talk to me much and I don't talk to them much. It feels as if I'm just living in there house. We treat each other with respect and we keep to ourselves. It's just always been this way it seems, ever since well… Well since I could remember. This may be an issue because I have a bit of a memory issue before about 6 to 7 years ago. I don't remember most of my childhood. Though it doesn't bother me much.
Walking down the street I notice my childhood "rival" leaving her family owned flower shop, taking a fast pace to the ninja academy. I don't know if she's going fast because she's excited to become a ninja or because her "crush" is going to be there. I assume the latter because she seems to be dressed quite un-practically for a ninja, and her hair seems to have way too much work put into it. One of the many things I despised about her, she took up to 2 hours to get ready in the morning. It's extremely un-practical and if a ninja decided to invade the town, she wouldn't have 2 hours to get ready. I just hope for the best and hope she will maybe one day learn the ninja ways.
Reaching the academy 15 minutes after my blonde haired rival, I could hear squealing from her and her "group" from down the hall. I sighed before reaching the door and entering, shaking my head in exasperation. When will they learn? They would be killed in an instant at this rate. I do hope the whole group doesn't get ninja headbands because they would be crappy ninjas. In no way would they be able to protect the village if necessary.
As I take my seat, my pink locks decide to situate themselves on my desk. That's what I forgot to do this morning! I take a hair tie out of my small knapsack and tie my hair into a high ponytail, my bangs too short to go up lie on my forehead, sweeping to the right side of my face. My mom had one rule in my house, and that was let her decide what my haircut would be. I never really had an issue with the fact because she never gave me an un-practical cut, such as the bangs sitting in front of my eyes.
Iruka-sensei, the teacher who has thought us how to be a respectable person and shinobi through our childhood years, walked into the room, silencing the class. "Please take your seats as I announce who shall be accepted as a genin ninja and into a genin team and who will be leaving this class without a headband in their hands"
Relaxing in my chair I closed my eyes as I waited to hear for my name, whether it be in the failed list or passed list. Soon after Iruka started, he had finished list of people who failed, which to my pleasure eradicated most of the spoiled and whinny group of girls. I opened my eyes as he started naming teams and their sensei's. Now who shall I be paired with?
"-Okay good… Next, is Team 7, you will be going to room 217, your sensei is Kakashi Hatake… The group is… Naruto Uzamaki-" "YATTAAAAAAAA!" The young knucklehead ninja yelled as soon as he heard he was placed, of course he was excited, just a day ago Iruka was saying that Naruto may as well not show up today due to his extreme lack in skill as a ninja. "as I was saying… Team 7 will consist of Naruto Uzamaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno…" Oh dear lord, kill me now. The few fan girls left in the room were screaming in protest, obviously mad that I was placed on the team with the girls' heartthrob, Sasuke Uchiha.
"SAAKURAAAA! YAAAAA! ISN'T IT GREAT! YEAH! WE ARE ON A TEAM TOGETHER! YATTA! YATTA! YATTA! BELIEVE IT! I'M A NINJA NOW!" Naruto decided to scream as he pounced me, pushing me out of my chair and onto the ground. Watching the scene seemed to make the Uchiha amused because I caught a glimpse of a smirk before he exited the room. "WAIT TEMEEE! WE ARE A TEAM! WAIT FOR MEEEEEE!" Screamed Naruto, forgetting I was on the ground and ran out of the room. I shook my head as I got up exiting the room, ignoring the glares and groans directed towards me. Oh what a wonderful day…
As our little group sat in the classroom, waiting to meet our new sensei who was supposed to be in the room before we arrived, I examined my teammates. Sasuke didn't seem to be too incapable, his hair was messy signaling that he didn't care about how he looked, which to Sakura meant he was more of a get stuff done type of guy, Naruto seemed a bit too… Well… Laid back I guess, but capable nonetheless. He seems to be more willing to change and train than Sasuke. Sasuke seems to be more of a, serve it on a silver platter, type of guy. My final conclusion? I believe I will get along better with Naruto than Sasuke. As I made that conclusion I looked up to see Naruto placing a chalky eraser above the door way, making me giggle. Well I guess it isn't bad to play a prank every once in a while. "Dobe… That's probably not a good idea"
Well I never knew that Sasuke could speak, that's a first. But I wasn't going to pay attention to him, and I knew Naruto wasn't either. "TEMEEE! Shut upppp! What if he hears you!" "I think he'll hear you first, silly." "BUT SAKURA-CHAAAANNN!" "Shut up Dobe." And with that, the door opened, allowing the eraser to plop onto the man who opened the doors head. "Well isn't this a wonderful greeting…" The man before us had grey spikey hair, a mask covering his mouth and the Konoha headband covering his right eye. He didn't seem very pleased with the incident, but I know Naruto was. I don't know if the loud bark of a laugh gave it away or him rolling on the floor holding his stomach did. I just smirked at the silly display before stating, "Sorry Sensei, but you were late." This made him draw his attention towards me before sighing in defeat.
Meet me on the balcony; first one there will have me paying for their lunch today. With his poof, Naruto bolted out of the room, Sasuke following close behind. Of course instead of going up the stairs I decided to walk up the side of the building. Taking my seat as I arrived on the balcony, I waited for the rest to reach the area. Kakashi of course was already there, just staring at me, trying to think of what to say. "I'm sorry, did you want us all to run?"
"Oh! Um, no. I just, um, didn't quite understand how you did that. How are you so advanced in your skills?" Kakashi asked, clearly confused. "I train a large amount, training my chakra, stamina, and genjutsus. I also train in other areas but recently that's what I've been working on." What a look I got from Kakashi, it almost made me giggle, but of course Naruto and Sasuke entered the balcony right about then.
"WHATTTT! SAKURA-CHAAANNNNN! HOW'D YOU GET HER SO QUICK! I-" "Hn… Shut up Dobe." That was very kind of Sasuke, slapping him… I already dislike the team. Sasuke with a temper, unable to deal with Naruto, Naruto being way too loud for his own good. Going to be fun learning to deal with these flaws. "Please Naruto, could you not be so loud for once? It's still so early in the morning, and if you really want you can have my free lunch, since I'm not too hungry." "REEEAA, OH oops. Sorry Sakura-chan! Thanks Sakura-chan! You're so nice!" Earning me yet another tackle from the knucklehead. "Well then, let's start now that everybody is here!"
"What would we be starting exactly, sensei?" I asked, interested. "Well, Sakura, how about you start since you are so excited. We will be introducing ourselves. Stating our likes, dislikes, hobbies, hopes/dreams, and our names of course!" God damn it.
"Ugh, fine… My name is Sakura Haruno, I am 12 years of age, I like protecting people I care for and I dislike arrogant and lazy people. My hobbies include training and sitting in parks reading. My hope for the future is that nobody is forgotten and we can live in a world where conflict is minimum and children can play in the streets without being scared of passer-by's." I concluded, knowing I didn't give much about my actual self, just enough information to make me seem like a decent person.
"Well wasn't that interesting! Well who wants to go next? Naruto maybe? Sasuke?" Kakashi chuckled. "How about you sensei?" I asked, little to no emotion playing on my face. I was clearly bored by this exercise. "Oh my, I guess so… My name is Kakashi Hatake, my age is none of your business, my likes are of no concern of yours, you don't need to know my dislikes, my hobby is reading my favorite book, and my hopes are of no concern to you. OKAY! Naruto?" Well wasn't that informative…
"THAT'S NO FAIR! Grrr… Fine… My name is Naruto Uzamaki! I like ramen and I dislike teme! I enjoy playing pranks and making Iruka-sensei mad! My dream is to become the Hokage! BELIEVE IT!" Naruto ended by jumping up in a super hero type of pose, causing Kakashi to sweat drop before pushing him back down.
"Hn… My name is Sasuke Uchiha, I like tomatoes and I dislike almost everything, including sweets. My hobby is training and my dream, or more like ambition, is to kill a certain… someone…" So boring… "OH NO! You don't want to kill me right? That's not me you're talking about right? RIGHT? TEME!" "It will be if you don't shut up you idiot." What a scene. At least it's entertaining. Well at least I know something new about Sasuke, he's boring.
The day was finally over, I had showered and was now laying down on my bed. What an enjoyable day. I met my team, which to my dislike, was having trouble getting along. One of my teammates decided that he was going to kiss me today, blegh. Just when I thought I was going to warm up to Naruto. My sensei is a pervert, even better. And to top it off, my other teammate is a complete and utter ass. How are these guys even allowed to be ninja? So foolish and immature. Well I can't wait to get to know them better.
"NOOOOO! PLEASEEEE! DON'T DO THI—" Slice. Slice. Slice. Blood, it was everywhere. "… run… get out of here -cough-, before they find you, please… my dear…"
I don't understand. Why do I always have this, this… This what? It's not a memory, it couldn't be. So what is it I am seeing? This women, she felt dear to me, but who was she? Did something happen to her? I just don't understand it, I can't comprehend. I just wish I understood, what was happening to me?