Sorry, it took so long. I got hung up with hw and this chapter is long. Over 4,000 words. Anyhow, here it is enjoy.
My heart stopped. He was there, standing with his back to me. He stood facing the water below, his feet teetering on the edge. My heart pounded away in my chest. I willed myself forward. I move slowly and quietly. I didn't want to startle him. I continued forward, my feet crunched on the ground. I froze a feet away, praying he didn't hear. Natsu turned around, all the while not moving away from the edge.
"Emi," he spoke my name calmly.
"Nastu," I replied. We just stood there facing each other. I stared into his eyes. The wind below against us, whipping our hair. I shivered from the chill, but he seem unaffected. His expression remained unreadable. I searched his eyes, hoping to find answer. But nothing. I found nothing.
"What are you doing here?' I asked, my voice was barely a whisper. No response. I was afraid my words never reached him, snatched up by the wind. I don't know if I could speak anymore, my voice is too close to breaking. I didn't know what to say anyhow. So I stood there staring at him, as he stared at me. A moment passed between us and then he spoke.
"I thought this what you wanted," he answered, stick his arms out motioning to where we were. My heart sank with guilt.
"No. God no. Please, I didn't mean it. . ." was my weak whisper.
"Well, here we are." He's too calm about this. So distant and detached.
"Natsu, don't." I pleaded, hoping he would change his mind. I took a step forward. Natsu started leaning back, parts of the ledge crumbled and gave away, crashing to the ocean below. I stopped abruptly. "You don't have to do this," I reasoned.
"But I do. This is what you wanted. Goodbye, Emi."
"Nastu please!" I cried. He lifted his arms up to the sides, closed his eyes, and leaned back.
"NATSUMORI!" I screamed his name as I sprang forward, my hand out stretched towards him. I was too late. All I could do was watch, helplessly as he disappeared over the edge. "No," I screamed, but it came out so strangled and broken, I doubt anyone would have been able to understand it. I scrambled to the edge and looked over. Sobs racked my body. The waves crashed against the cliff and then receded. There his body was. Laying in a mangled mess on the rocks below. His limbs were bent out into unnatural positions. Blood was dying the water around, into a crimson puddle.
*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'
I woke startled, shooting up forward in my bed. I sat there panting. It was just a dream. Just a dream. I calmed myself down. Slowly my breathing returned to normal. It's so weird. I've never dream about my past. I suppressed everything after I ran away from my village. I'll admit I had flashbacks every once and while, but never full memories. I sighed and turned my head to look at the clock. It read 5:13. Great, I don't need to be up for like another hour, but now I'm too awake to fall back asleep. I let out an agitated sigh and turned my head away from the clock. I laid there, letting my mind wonder. I found myself drifting to back when I arrived in Konoha.
(Flash Back)
The sun beat down my back as I slowly shuffled forward. I've lost count of how many days I've been walking. My feet ached and my throat was dry. I hope I get there soon. I'm exhausted, but I won't stop to rest. I've been travelling non-stop, since I left my village. That was almost two years ago. I looked up and smiled, for the village came into view. Konoha, the Village of the Hidden Leaves. And hopefully my new home. I picked up the space and before I knew it, I was standing in front of gates. Two jonin were guarding the gates.
"What is your name?" one of them addressed me. He had a bandage wrapped around his face. I stuck one finger up, signalling them to give me a minute. I slung off my backpack off my shoulders and knelt to the ground. I opened up a side pocket and with drew a notepad, with a pen clipped to it. I closed my backpack and swung it back over my shoulder. The two jonin gave me curious looks, but said nothing. I flipped open the book and scribbled my name down. I then turned it and held it up for the two the jonins to see.
"Emi? Your name is Emi?" he asked. I simply nodded.
"What about your last name?" asked the other jonin. This guy had half of his faced covered by hair. I looked back down at my notepad and scribbled an answer. I held it up again. "What do you mean you don't have one?" he asked. I quickly scribbled No family. And held it up for them to see. It wasn't exactly true, I did have a family once. But not anymore. Not after I made them forget. Their expressions changed to one's of sympathy.
"Sorry to hear that," said the bandage guy. I lowered the note pad. "What is your business here, in Konoha?" he continued. I wrote down my answer, then after a hesitating I added a question mark. I held my note pad up to them. It read To find a home?.
"Ah," the bandaged guy answered,"Well, you're going to have to talk to the Hokage about citizenship. Just follow the signs through the village. They'll lead you to the Hokage building. Once you're there someone will lead you to the office." I nodded my head in understanding. I turned and passed through the village gates. I stopped, when I heard my name called behind me. I turned around. It was the bandage guy. "I hope you find what you're looking for," he called. With that I smiled, not that they could see. My face was covered with a bandana. Only my eyes peaked out from the top. I gave a small bow in thanks and continued my way through the village, following the signs as told.
"So," the Hokage drawled. I was currently standing before him, in his office. He wasn't what I expected. I couldn't place my finger on what was off. "What is your name, young one?" he asked curiosity evident in his eyes. I sighed and pulled out my notepad again, from my jacket pocket. Good thing I didn't bother putting away in my back-pack. I flipped it open to a new page and wrote the answer. I held it up for him to read. "Hm. No last name, I presume?" he asked. I shook my head no, at least he gets it. "Age?" he continued. I held up my free hand and flashed all five fingers twice. He gave me an amused look. "Ten, eh. Where do you come from?" I turned back to my notepad, writing quickly, then holding it. This really starting to feel redundant. His lighted in surprise as he read my answer. "Arashigakure. The Village of Hidden Storms. You're from the Land of Water."
"Arashigakure?" one of the jonins interrupted, stepping forward. "We haven't had contact with them for a long time. How is the village doing?" I turned to him, wrote my reply: Doing fine, no thanks to you. The ninja read my answer, then stepped back into place, his head dropped down in shame. I turned my attention back to the Hokage. I expected to get a scolding on how "I was visitor and had no right to be disrespectful", but Instead I was met with a soft chuckle.
"Tell me, what is your business here?" the Hokage asked, with a more serious tone. His eyes were now calculating. I flipped to a new page and wrote: Well, I don't have a home. and Konoha seems like a great village to make a home in, that is if you will grant me citizenship. "I see. First, I need to know, do you have ninja capabilities?" I nodded once. "Would you be willing to become a Leaf Shinobi?" I nodded again. "Well, then it's settle. Welcome to Konoha. One of my secretary's will help you with the necessary paperwork." His face soften into smile. I folded my hands in front of me and gave a respectful bow.
"Hello," a voice called from the side of me. I turned to see a woman standing in a doorway, that I didn't even realized existed. "I'm Sonoe. I'll help with everything required for citizenship. Follow me, please." I started to follow her when the Hokage called out to me.
"Are you capable of speaking?" he asked curiously. I nodded. "Is there a reason for your silence?" I simply nodded again. "And do you want to share this reason?" I shook my head no. One of the jonins stepped forward.
"Why you little," he started, but was cut off by the wave of the Third's hand.
"It's fine. Enjoy your time here, Emi. I look forward to having you here." With that I gave a polite nod and followed Sonoe.
I stretched myself out on the bed. I glanced at the clock a again. 5:28. It's only been fifteen minutes, gah. You know, I mused, the Hokage was not at all what I was expecting. And I don't mean his age threw me off, more his attitude. Since he was so old, I expected him to be all up tight and strict. But the time I've spent living here, as proved me wrong. Nothing was further from the truth. I wanted to smile at this thought, but couldn't. I turned my gaze about my room, slowly scanning, my eyes landed on my head band. I remembered the day I joined the academy.
(Flash Back)
I stood in the front of the classroom. It was bigger than I had imagined. It had wooden floors, and the seats sat on layered tiers. One side was completely lined with windows. Behind me was a green chalkboard. To the side of me was a desk and Iruka Sensei.
"Class, we have new student who will being joining us," he stated. I stared out at the room of faces. Half of them were filled with curiosity, others looked bored, the girls stared at me fiercely, like I was competition of some sort, and a blonde boy wasn't paying attention. He sat staring out the window. Irukia followed my gaze over to the kid. "NARUTO!" he shouted. The kid snapped out of his daze and threw his hands up in front of him instinctively.
"Ga..uh.." Naruto stuttered. His face flushed from embarrassment.
"If you paid more attention in class, maybe you wouldn't be the lowest ranked student, " Iruka reprimanded.
'WHAT!?" Naruto screamed while jumping on top of the desk. Oh, man. He's a got a loud mouth. "There's no way my score is lower than the Uchiha!" he screamed jabbing his finger in the direction of a raven haired boy, "Believe it!" he finished. Uchiha, eh? Then I presume it's no other than Sasuke Uchiha.
"Well, it is. So sit down and pay attention," commanded Iruka. "Now, where was I? Oh, right. Her name is Emi. Everyone say hi."
"Hi Emi," the class grumbled collectively.
"Great!" Irukia beamed. Either he was ignorant to the lack of enthusiasm or choose to ignore it. Iruka turned to me. "Why don't you introduce yourself," he stated. I gave a noncommittal shrug. "Oh. Don't know what to say? Just tells us the basics, like your age, interests, dislikes, stuff like that." I turned from him to the chalkboard. I picked up a piece of chalk and answered his questions. I wrote big enough for everyone to read.
AGE: 10
INTERESTS: Training & Music
DISLIKES: Annoying people
I sat the chalk down and faced the class again. Everyone just stared suspiciously.
"Not much of a talker, are you?" Irukia asked. I didn't bother answering. Irukia took my silence as a yes. "Right. . .Well you can go have a seat now. Sit where you wish, there is no seating chart." I walked towards the seats. Which one will try to talk to me the least, I wonder? Definitely not choosing the seat next to the hyperactive blondie. Hmm, maybe one of the girls? Nah, girls always pester people about talking. Besides the only girls with open seats next to them was a blond chick and a pink haired chick and they both seemed annoying. My eyes landed on Sasuke. He hasn't spoken a word or showed emotion this whole time. He's my best bet. It looks like emo kid it is. I slid into the spot next to him, ignoring the hushed whispers. Well, I mostly ignored them, until I heard some girl protesting my choice. I whipped my head around and found myself faced with pink haired chick. I gave her a fierce glare. Instantly she shut upped and dropped her head. I turned my eyes back to the chalkboard as Iruka started his lecture.
I turned over on my side, entangling myself further in my sheets. I spared a glance at the clock. Only 5:36. Sun light was starting to peer in through the curtains. I yawned and rubbed my eyes. Damit! I could be sleeping right now, but no. I laid there, debating whether or not to get out of bed. I should, but I don't feel like it. I looked back at my head band. This time I thought about when I graduated.
(Flash Back)
We all sat about lazily, some of us were stretched out and others had their feet kicked up on the desk. Nobody cares, it was graduation day. Iruka Sensei listed off the teams. I honestly wasn't paying attention. I was zoned out. It wasn't until I heard my name, did I pay attention.
"Emi!" Iruka shouted. Huh? I cocked my head to the side. Iruka sighed before answering. "You should pay more attention. Again, team 9 will be Emi, Goruo Wantanabe, and Ken Fukazawa."
I turned and faced my new teammates, I was met with disappointment. I turned away and tried to ignored the hushed whispers behind me.
"Oh my god, you're stuck with her?. . ." I hated the way they said her. I never was Emi, just her.
"I'm sorry. That really sucks." Oh yeah, I'm just thrilled to have these two ass clowns for team mates.
"She's so creepy." And your annoying.
"Yeah, no one's ever heard her say a word and she's been here two years." For a good reason.
"That's weird and she has no friends." Because that would involve talking, which I don't do.
"Well, I wouldn't trust her. I mean, I don't. Do you?" I gritted my teeth after hearing that.
"No, you guys better watch your backs, Ken, Goruo." Really? I never done anything against them, let alone Konoha. It's my home now. I'm getting upset. Emi, just calm down. Ignore them.
"She's belongs on another squad, not with you guys."
"Yeah, a loser squad, with like Naruto!" In one motion, I slammed my fist on the desk and stood up. Everyone stopped talking and looked at me. I glared at the kid who had made the comment, before storming out.
"Are you just gonna lay in bed all day?" a voice asked snapping me out of my thoughts. I jumped up and looked for the source of the voice. I saw Naruto leaning from my doorway, smirking. "Well?" he asked. I gave him annoyed look as I laid back down on my bed. "Really? You do realize it's after seven. And there's a mandatory ninja meeting at eight?" He asked. I shot out of bed and threw both of my arms up, in 'what' gesture. Naruto chuckled, "Yeah, theres that meeting about diplomatic missions with our allies, you know to strengthen our bonds with other countries." I rolled my eyes at the last bit. He caught it, "What?" I grabbed my notepad off of the nightstand. I scribbled You and bonds. Thats all you talk about. Naruto read it and sighed, "Oh, whatever. Just hurry up and get dressed already. Your hair looks like a birds nest." I threw my notepad at him and glared. He just laughed. I spun around, scooped up my clothes, and stalked off into the bathroom. I untied the bandana from around my neck. I don't always sleep with it on. I looked at the mirror and grimaced.
My lips were stitched shut. Parts of the stitching were covered in dry blood and so was the skin around my lips. I picked up a pair of surgical scissors and cut loose the stitching. I quickly unweaved it. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and cleaned the area around lips. Don't want it getting infected. I grabbed a spool of the stitching. I cut out a long enough piece, thread it through a needle, and started re-stitching my lips. I started from the upper inside corner of mouth, weaving it in and out. At one time this used to hurt, but no it longer did. I'm too used to it, I suppose. I do it almost everyday. I have too. I need to make sure, no one will have get hurt again. Once that was done, I re-tied my bandana. I changed my clothes and threw my hair into a messy bun. I gave myself another look in the mirror. I'm taller than most girls. I'm not what you would call small or skinny, but slender with muscular build. I have long, layered, black hair,the shorter layers spiked out of the bun. I had on the classic ninja shoe, in black. I had on a pair of short, black shorts, adorned with a dark brown utility belt, which carried all of my ninja tools and majority of my legs were covered in white bandage wraps, from my ankles to a little above my my knees. For my top, I wear a thin, black, hooded, zip-up vest. But the zipper was off-setted to the left side. My arms were covered by black elbow protectors that extended from my mid upper arm to the mid of my fore arm. At my hip, hung my short sword. My face was covered by a plain black bandana, which bore my the plate from my ninja headband. I had sewed it together myself. Only my dark eyes and forehead peeked out over my bandana. They were all that people ever saw of my face. I walked out of the bathroom.
"About time!" Naruto exclaimed. I looked at the clock. I had only been in there for fifteen minutes. I rolled my eyes at him and picked up my notebook and pen from where it laid on the ground. I slid it into my pocket. "Well, we got ten minutes before we have to leave. What now?" he asked. I shrugged, leading him to the kitchen. "Real helpful," I heard his sarcastic reply behind me. I pulled out a chair from the kitchen table and sat down. Naruto followed suit. I mined eating. "No, I'm not hungry," he replied, " But have you eaten?" I shook my head no. " You can't go around on an empty stomach. We rely on you and you need energy," Naruto lectured me. Halfway through I got up and pulled an iv drip from the fridge. I hooked it up to the rack and then hooked it to my arm. Naruto blow out a sigh. "That's not what I meant and you know it." I flashed him a smile with eyes. "When are you gonna stop doing that? You just can't keep living of vitamin injections and iv drips." I arched one eyebrow in a "watch me" response. Naruto let out an ugh. The iv drip finished. I pulled out the needle and bandaged my hand. I slipped my note pad out of my pocket and wrote Ready to go? "Ready as I will ever be. . . for a boring ass meeting," replied. I let out small chuckle, it's the most I can managed when my lips are sealed this way.
We headed out the door and made our way to the Hokage 's a nice morning. The sun was shining and it was warm out, with a cool breeze. people were about, bustling their way through the day. I slipped out my notepad and wrote What do you think the meeting is about?
"I already told-" he started, but I cut him off with one hand.
I meant more specifically.
"Oh. I dunno know. Diplomacy?" he replied.
Real helpful. I rolled my eyes dramatically. Naruto gave me a playful shove and I gave him one back.
NARUTO'S POV
I looked at Emi. I could see the smile glinting in her eyes. It would be nice to see it for real though. I continued to stare at her, from her feet to her head. Her face covered by that bandana. I felt myself frowning in thought. She noticed. She cocked her head to the side and held up her notepad. What? It read.
"Nothing. I was just thinking," I replied. Not happy with my vague answer, she shook the notepad once, asking the same question. "About when we became friends." I smiled as I said this."Do you remember that day?" I asked. She nodded. I could see the smile in her eyes.
(Flash Back)
I hate them! Why me? Why do they always treat me differently. What did I do to them? Yeah, sure I played pranks, but I just want to be acknowledged. I ran through the forest, away from those awful villagers. Those stares they give me. I hate it! I kept blindly running. I would stumble every so often, but I kept moving forward. I wanted to get far away as possible. I cried, rubbing my eyes, not paying attention to where I was going. Just heading further and further in the dark forest. Someday they'll acknowledge. I'll make them! Stupid Vil- I was distracted from my thoughts by a sound. I stopped and stood still. I strained my ears to hear it. It was soft and faint. It echoed through the trees. I turned my head in different directions trying to pin-point the source of the sound. It was coming from ahead of me, slightly to the right. I followed it. The closer I got, the more distinct it became. It smooth and melodic. I realized it was singing. A girl singing. But who? The voice didn't sound familiar. As I drew closer, I could catch more of the lead me to an hidden opening amongst the trees. She sat there upon the rocks singing, while threading a needle. Well, it looked like needle and thread, but I couldn't be sure. I stood at the tree line and listened to her voice.
Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
'Neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence.
"Fools," said I, "You do not know -
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you.
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming.
And the sign said,The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sound of silence.
She finished the song and I stepped forward, from the trees. "I knew you could talk," I stated. She jumped from her place on the rock, with surprise. Her eyes locked onto mine. They were filled with alarm. "You have a beautiful voice, Emi." I saw her eyes widen.
"You-You heard me?" she asked. Her voice was soft, too faint. I nodded in response. I looked closer at was laid out on the rock and what was in her hand.
"Oi, Emi. Why do you always cover your face? Whats those marks near your lips? And what's with the stitching thread? Are you stitching something? Oi, wait a minute. Are you gonna stitch your lips?" I asked confused. "You stitch your lips closed, don't you?" Her eyes widen even more. And her hand began to shake. Then something changed. Her face harden and that surprised look disappeared from her face.
"Just forget," she replied, a commanding tone. "Forget everything you saw and heard." Her eyes scanned over my face, searching for something. Weird.
"Why, should I forget it? Why do you want me to forget so bad? And why do you stitch your lips?" I asked. I was still perplexed by all of this. She furrowed her brows at my questions. Now, she seemed just as confused as I was.
"You haven't forgotten?" she asked.
"Um, no...It was only a few seconds ago. Should I have forgotten?" I asked in returned. She tilted her head and parted her lips, as if she was about to say something. She stood there, staring at me. I shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. She closed her mouth and a straightened her head.
"It didn't work?" she questioned.
"What didn't work?" I asked. Man, I'm more confused than before.
"It didn't work," she stated, a slow smile spreading on her lips."I didn't work!" she repeated with growing excitement. "Oh my god, Naruto! It didn't work!" She yelled. She ran forward and threw her arms around me in a hug. I was stunned by her actions.
"Um, does this mean we're..f-friends?" I asked unsure.
"Yeah, sure!" she exclaimed, still hugging me. I felt a smile on my lips. But suddenly, she stepped back from, with a hard look on her face. She grabbed the front of my t-shirt and yanked me forward, so we were face to face. And then in a low menacingly voice she threatened me.
"If you ever tell anyone about what you saw here today, or mentioned stitching my lips or the fact I can speak, I will kill you. And then you will never become Hokage, Got it?" she finished. I gulped and nodded my head in response. Her dark mood left as quickly as it came. She let go of my shirt and smiled brightly. "Great! What do you wanna do first!?" she exclaimed.
"Um, play soccer," I replied.
"Okay. Let's go!" she answered, grabbing my hand dragging me to the field.
Man, some friendship this is gonna be.
Sorry, if it was boring. This chapter is about giving Emi's back story and setting the stage. Anyhow, Gaara is in the next chapter. Till then, Auf Wiedersehen!