Afraid

The bell had just rung and all the small shinobi of Konaha grade school ran out of the academy laughing and cheering that their day of school was over. Two small children walked out last talking to each other with smiles on their faces. The boy had dark brown curly hair and the girl had short blue hair with pale eyes.

"I'm happy I passed that kunai throwing exam, it took me forever to learn that, if it wasn't for Ten Ten, then I don't think I would have ever learned to throw straight." The small boy said. "Yeah, I'm glad she was nice enough to help you, I'm so happy the day is finally over." The small girl said. "You can say that again Hinata, I'm so ready to get to sleep."

"You always want to sleep under that stupid old tree of yours Don." Hinata said pouty. "I can't help it; I just get a comfortable feeling from it." Don replied. The two of them eventually stopped when they reached a street that stretched from their left to their right.

"Well, I guess this is where we part Hinata." Don said. "Until tomorrow, see ya later Don." Hinata said going to the right as Don went to the left. They waved back to each other and then went their separate ways home. Don finally reached his tree and threw his bag off to the side. He leaned back against the trunk of the tree and dozed off into space.

When the evening came, Don got up and headed home. When he entered his house, he found it empty, as it had been these past two months. "I wonder when dad is going to be home from his mission. I miss him a lot." He sighed. Just then a knock came from his door. Don looked at his front door with a small felling of hope it was his dad. He ran to the door. "Dad, is that you?" he said.

He opened the door. It was the third Hokage. "Oh, I'm sorry Lord Hokage; I thought you were my father. What brings you to my home on such a nice evening?" Don asked, trying to be as kind and respectful as possible to the leader of his village.

"May I come in young Don?" the Hokage asked calmly. "Of course sir, make yourself at home, there's plenty of room on the couch. Would you like anything to drink?" Don asked. The Hokage just shook his head. "Don, my boy, please do sit down with me, I would like to talk to you about something."

Don came to him and sat next to him on the couch. "What is it you would like to talk to me about sir?" Don asked innocently. Sarutobi frowned. "Don, it hurts me dreadfully to tell you this, but today I received word that your father was found dead in the area he was stationed in for his mission. We soon after found out that one of our runaways by the name of Kabuto killed him. I'm sorry Don about your loss."

Don couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had no one left, his mother had died a short time after he was born, and he had no other family. Don began to cry and Sarutobi embraced him in his arms. "There, there Don. Time heals all wounds. We'll will do everything in our power to seek justice for your father's death."

Don said nothing. He was too overwhelmed by his father's death. When Don had finally calmed down, Sarutobi got up. "Do you have anyone else who I may entrust your care with?" he asked calmly. Don sniffled, still uneasy from his crying and emotional shock. "Th-The Hyuga's residence sir." Don replied in a broken tone. "Very well." He said. He and Don walked to the Hyuga residence. Sarutobi knocked on the door and was answered by Hinata's father. "Good evening Lord Hokage." He said humbly. "Good evening. I need to talk to you about a most dire matter concerning this young one here." He said turning attention to Don. Hinata's father could sense something bad; he nodded and welcomed the two into his home. "You may go see Hinata, she is in her room." Don bowed his head to Hinata's father, "thank you sir." And he ran off to Hinata's room.

Hinata was going through her pressed flower collection, when she heard a knock come from her door. She got up and answered it. "Don, what are you doing here." She asked. Don sniffled some "May I come in?" he asked sadly. "Yes, please do." She said. Don and Hinata sat on her bed and he told her the whole story of what had just happened a while ago. He began to tear again.

"Don, I'm so sorry." Hinata said, hugging him. "Thanks Hinata, you're like a second family to me, I really appreciate it." Don said smiling at her though his tears. Just then Sarutobi and Hinata's father entered her room. "Don, Hinata's father has agreed to keep an eye on you until you are old enough to take care of yourself." Sarutobi said. Hinata's father bowed to Don slightly, "I am truly sorry to hear of your misfortune Don, if there is anything my family can do for you please do not hesitate to ask me or Hinata."

"Thank you sir. Thank you very much. Tonight though, I would like it if I could sleep at home tonight." Don said. The two older men smiled and complied with Don's request. "I will personally get you an apartment near my office so you will be close by." Sarutobi said. "Thank you sir." Don happily replied. Don left the residence with the Hyuga family and the Hokage watching him.

"That boy is special Lord Sarutobi, this is quite a blow to a boy with such potential and at such a young age, do you think he will recover?" Hinata's father asked. "I believe he will; how he will recover and how long it will take is entirely up to him." Sarutobi replied.

Don entered his house alone and locked all doors. Now that his father was dead, it seemed much quieter and lonelier than usual. He entered his father's room. He looked around and felt more pain from his heart. He went to his kitchen and cooked himself what would seem to be his final meal here. Don had the occasional outbreak of tears but he eventually wiped them away.

He sat alone at his open counter top and ate his food. He cleaned the dishes and put them up. He then went to the bathroom to soak in a nice hot tub of water. He sat there and tried to let the water soak away his misery. Then he heard an almost pleasant sound: a sound of thunder. He shortly after heard the trickling sound of raindrops on his roof.

Don changed into his black robe with a small brown cub on it and headed to his back porch to watch the rain. He sat there for a while and just stared out into space. Eventually he headed to his room. He laid there in bed alone, afraid. He felt so alone, so empty inside. He wasn't sure of anything anymore. All he knew was that his father was dead; he already was lonely as it was. Even though he and Hinata were close like family, he rarely had the opportunity to see her unless it was at school.

Don eventually fell asleep.

Don sat alone in the darkness sitting in a ball scared to death. "Hello, who's there? Dad, where are you? I need you, I'm so afraid." Don called out. Instead of a reply, all he heard was laughter. "Poor, poor Don, all alone and afraid because I killed off daddy. I'll be coming for you next kid." A voice called out. "Who are you?" Don said afraid. Then a young man appeared from the darkness. "I'm Kabuto of course." He said pulling out a scalpel. "Now stay still and I'll be done with you quickly." He said darkly.

Don froze and all he could do was watch as Kabuto got closer and closer. Don winced as he waited for Kabuto to kill him, but then he sensed another presence. He opened his eyes and turned forward to see a blonde girl with a rather large fan standing infront of him.

"Touch him and you die." The girl said. "What's a little girl with a fan going to do to me, I doubt you can even swing that heavy metal fan of yours." Kabuto said pompously. "Wana bet?" she said. Kabuto just laughed. "It's hard to take a weak child such as you seriously, now get out of my way or die."

Kabuto stepped forward and the girl turned her body and made a full swing of her fan sending Kabuto flying. She turned to Don and smiled at him giving him a thumbs up. "He's gone now." She said extending her hand to him helping him up. Don smiled. Don looked down at the neck and saw a headband with something that looked like an hour glass on it.

"Who are you?" Don asked looking at the girl in some delight. The girl just smiled back. "Ask me that when we actually meet you lazy ass." She said winking at him and she disappeared into a cloud of smoke. Don blushed a bit.

Don woke up to the sound of someone knocking at his front door. "Don, are you ready for school? I'm here to walk with you to school." It was Hinata; Don jumped out of bed, grabbed his gear and joined Hinata. The two of them then headed to the academy.