This is my tribute to all the victims and heroes of the earthquake in Sichuan, China.
Upon reading an article about the earthquake, its victims and its heroes, I couldn't help but cry with what I read. I based this fiction with that article though I altered the figures and the gender of some characters from the actual person.
I changed the age of some Naruto characters here to make it look appropriate for the story.
Please visit this fic again for my notes that includes the real names and facts of the people who I call and regard as 'modern day heroes'.
Also, let us pray for the lost souls and for the victims of the earthquake and for the fast healing of China. Thank you so much.
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Life and Death: A tribute to the heroes and victims of Sichuan Earthquake
By theyalwaysdestroymysoul
2:28 pm, an earthquake unexpectedly hit Konoha with a magnitude of 8.0.
No one ever thought that such a calamity would occur. And from then on, Konoha would never ever be the same.
Millions of houses were broken and thousands of buildings collapsed. It was a complete devastation. It's as if the devil took over the land and raged his thousand years' fury.
A total destruction of land, lives, spirituality and morality. However, a test of unity.
Konoha hospital
"Hello, this is Dr. Tsunade of Konoha General Hospital. May I please ask for your assistance at the earthquake site? More blood donations are needed and we're lacking time." Tsunade panicked. She was once known as a totally collected doctor, showing grace and elegance yet imposing knowledge over the worse of situations yet today, she was incredibly different. We're talking about lives here, not just life. When she got a favorable response from the blood bank in Sunagakure, she extended her gratefulness and hung up.
She alarmed the whole hospital. Being the head doctor, it was her responsibility to lead the other nurses and doctors. "Bring all the equipments and medicines we might need." She announced over the microphone, which motivated all of her staff to move. "This is the day where we will understand the true value and meaning of the profession and path we chose."
Uchiha Construction Company
"We are going to send 60 construction machineries to the site and I already collected 100 volunteers who will help." President Fugaku said to his board of trustees. The latter doesn't seem to be much pleased with his announcement.
A man in his sixties named Madara (a relative of Fugaku's) objected. "But we have to finish that building in Sunagakure! It'll bring us a very hefty profit. Sending almost all of our machineries would mean suicide." The others nodded in agreement.
However, Fugaku stood from his seat looking outraged. "Aren't you ashamed of yourselves, gentlemen?" He pointed out. "This is your country that needs help! The very people who died or is injured because of the earthquake could be your own family members and relatives!" The president couldn't help roaring his words. "If this company falls then so be it. But my country would be my first priority. I do not doubt that Sunagakure would understand." He breathed out and tried to calm down. All of his members looked astounded. "Now who's with me?"
Madara, who opposed him at first, stood up. "Send the machines immediately. Add 20 more volunteers."
Near the site
Sarutobi immediately rushed at the site two hours after the earthquake and the aftershock. He was filled with sadness and uncertainty.
He was elected as the hokage, a position that requires him to protect his people yet who couldn't do anything to stop the earthquake.
"Do not be foolish Sarutobi, you do not have the power to control earthquakes. This is a natural occurrence and you are just a human." The village's elder woman told him when she noticed his uneasiness.
Yet Sarutobi couldn't help feeling regret over the wasted lives that is still counting. That's why he made a vow. I'll do everything in my power to help these people. My people.
People gathered around him as soon as he stepped out of the chopperr, hugging and crying. He sensed that he served as a beacon o hope for these weeping souls and he would not fail them. He hugged the elderly and kissed the children, all soiled and bleeding. "Don't worry now, everything will be all right." He said. "Okay team let's get moving!" He motioned to his staff of volunteers and immediately became the chief of the rescue operations. He worked frontline and barely rested.
Hang on to what I've said, my people. I won't let you down.
Konoha's Streets
Jiraiya was always called as 'The man who's as poor as a toad'. People tease him and they even said that he eats flies as a substitute for rice. Jiraiya slept in the streets, sorts garbage for anything that can be sold and with the super small income, he buys whatever it can. Sometimes, he couldn't blame the people for thinking that he really did eat flies.
Wails and chit-chats awoke him that morning. What are with these people? When he returned to his senses, he joined the others and watched the news. He was shocked and immediately returned to his place (a package box he uses as a bed and a very dirty bag, which he kept). He got five yen and dropped it at a box that is for the victims of the earthquake. The man guarding the box raised an eye. Is this beggar even serious?
"Wait, I will return." Jiraiya told him, which shocked the man even more.
Jiraiya fetched all the coins and pennies he could in his bag. He even rushed collecting garbage this time. He worked today as twice as he does every day. Then he went to the bank and asked the lady to change all the pennies into a single bill. People were all staring at him but he didn't mind them. All the pennies turned out to be 100 yen. He thanked her and returned to the donation box.
The man guarding the box couldn't resist asking. "Why are you doing this? 100 yen? Are you serious? You don't even have anything to eat!"
"They were worse than me. Their lives were threatened. I have enough strength to earn that 100 yen again. But them? They can't for at least a few months or maybe even years." Then he walked away leaving the jaw-dropped man.
At the site
A boy named Uzumaki Naruto, aged five, was rescued under the rubble. He impressed everybody because he showed no signs of fear and sadness even though he lost a leg. He smiled but inside, he was tearing apart.
Flashback:
"Naruto! Stay down! Don't remove your hand under your head!" Minato, his father roared at him. They were evacuating the building until Kushina saw falling debris. Then everything happened so fast. Both Minato and Kushina held each other's hands, face to face and made an arch that acted as a shield for Naruto.
Naruto could feel the rocks falling on his parents back but when he opened his eyes, he saw them smiling. Naruto was puzzled and he was crying when his parents spoke up.
"Don't… urgh! Don't... cry, son." Minato said, gathering all his strength.
"We're doing this for… ARGHH! You… We want you to… live and be… h-happy." Kushina added and everything went black. Naruto was knocked out.
Somewhere not very far from the site
Hinata Hyuuga, aged 11, could've collapsed any moment. Her father told her to run away while he would come back to the apartment to rescue her mom. Hinata carried her sister Hanabi, aged 3, on her back and she walked 12 hours straight just to flee the disaster spot.
It was a traumatic experience, seeing the apartment collapsed while they escape the scene. She couldn't do anything to save her father or at least die with her parents. She's been crying for 12 hours straight too.
When she met Sarutobi's team, she smiled at the hokage and gave him Hanabi. Not knowing the story, the hokage was quite puzzled. Hinata gave him a smile again and collapsed due to exhaustion.
At the public televisions in Konoha
Newscaster:
Good afternoon Konoha. I am Mitarashi Anko and this is Konoha Flash Report.
Bodies have been excavated in the Konoha National High school. 80 students were found dead while 20 were injured. Their name will be posted after this flash report.
However, most of the deceased numbers belong to the professors of the said school. The most outstanding among them was named Hatake Kakashi, a respected language professor.
An injured teenage student appeared on the TV screen, currently being interviewed. "When the building started shaking, he immediately carried stunned students from the third floor down to the ground floor including me." The teenager cried and remorse was present in her tone. "I told Professor Kakashi not to come back but then he told me 'I do not want to be the normal teacher. I want to be the teacher that saves lives not by just educating students but by actually saving them.' That was the last time I saw him."
At a place near the site where a rescue operation currently takes place
"All right now push!" The head of Rescue Operations Team no. 7 shouted to his staff. They were moving a boulder for about half an hour. There is a living trapped boy underneath the boulder.
When finally the boulder was removed, they found a bleeding boy was found without legs and both of his arms broken. The staff couldn't help but cry as they carried the body towards the van. The boy named Lee, however asked the staff to stop crying.
"Be brave," he said as he smiled without a trace of sadness.
At an evacuation center
When Sarutobi visited the evacuation center, he saw a soldier carrying a baby boy. As he inspects the child, he noticed that he was unscathed and possessed no injuries.
"Is this child a victim of the earthquake?" Sarutobi asked the soldier.
"I'm afraid yes, Mr. Hokage. His father is Hyuuga Hizashi of the Hyuuga clan. Mr. Hizashi was found with his back arched while he carried the boy. Unfortunately, he didn't survive as he used his body to shield this child from the falling ceiling and rocks."
Saru couldn't help feeling sorry for the child. Suddenly, he saw something in the child's pocket. A cell phone. When he opened the device, it bears a message which reads:
Dear Neji,
If ever you survive, remember Dad loves you forever.
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End