Taylor
There are a lot of things I haven't done in life. I haven't graduated high school. I've never had a job. I've never owned a cat. And up until five minutes ago, I've never had a twelve year old boy come at me with a kunai.
The little boy I'd taken from the bandits-Eikichi's his name, I'm pretty sure-was an angry little thing. He was really sour about his gang abandoning him; he blamed me, of course, but I'd calmly explained to him that if they gave him away that easily, then they weren't really his friends. That sarcastic comment had led Eikichi to pull a kunai out and run at me like a friggin' madman. Caught of guard (and more than a little pissed), I did the first thing that came to mind.
Without even removing my arms from their intertwined spot in my sleeves (kimonos are crazy warm, by the way), I lifted my leg and buried my foot in Eikichi's face.
Eikichi fell on his rear, the kunai forgotten by his side. Hebi stood in stunned silence when the blonde began to cry. I seem to be doing a lot of things that shock them, all of a sudden. I crouched down in front of Eikichi. I didn't feel bad for him; as a matter of fact, I know he's overreacting. I know I'd held back on that kick, so it can't be physical pain he's crying over.
"W-why did you t-take me?" Eikichi sobbed
I sighed. Kids always worry about why. "I don't want you to get killed."
"You don't even know me!"
"This is very true. I may not know, or even like you, but the thought of a dead kid makes my stomach turn. I want you to become a shinobi at a proper Academy so you don't die before your time."
"Why do you care?"
That part's easy. I grinned lazily at Eikichi. "I have a little brother back home. If it weren't for someone like me interfering in his life, he'd end up doing a lot of stupid things."
Because of my little brother, I have a soft spot for little brats. They still irk my soul-make no mistake-but I'd be quicker to help a kid then I would someone my age. My words must have rung true, because Eikichi offered me a nod.
"You'll stay with me while I go to the Academy...?"
My chest panged sharply. I can't stay! If the circumstances were different, I'd definitely stay and raise him. I pat Eikichi's shoulder, putting on a confident face.
"I'll stay with you for as longs as I can, but after I take you to Konoha, I'll have to go help Sasuke out." I murmured
Sasuke stared down at me. His dark eyes held some waning emotion that I couldn't name. What's up with him? I tore my gaze away from his, back to Eikichi's sunset eyes. The little boy stuck out his quivering lip defiantly.
"We'll be there in less than a week. That's not fair." he argued
"Sorry, but-"
"I won't do it! I won't be alone!"
I grimaced at the stubborn boy. So that's how he wants to play it, huh? I can just up and leave him there, and then he'll be trapped. It's not right, but he can't stay with me. There's no guarantee that I won't be killed, let alone some kid. I don't want his blood on my hands.
I stood up, refusing to meet Eikichi's accusatory glare. Hebi stepped out of my way when I stormed ahead. I covered my mouth lest I say something stupid. Shit. I really can't deal with this right now. I went straight for the inn up ahead. I need time to think, dammit. I'm really impulsive, and if I'm not careful, I might just end up doing something I'll ultimately regret.
The innkeeper didn't even look up when I dropped money on her desk. She just held out a room key that I snatched and stormed up the stairs with. I fumbled with the lock a bit before finally getting in and slamming the door behind me. I collapsed on the floor, leaning up against the bed. Why is this even bothering me so much? Eikichi's not my little brother; the thought of leaving him alone in Konoha shouldn't bother me so much.
But that's the thing; I know what being alone does to kids. Naruto strived to be better, which is what I want Eikichi to do. At the same time though, Sasuke spiraled down into a really dark place. Even I don't know if he'll ever come out of it. I don't want Eikichi to push people away because he feels alone, like Sasuke did. It's not healthy, and it only ends in broken hearts and broken people.
"You barely even know him."
I jumped; when did that freak get in? How did he get in? Sasuke stood right in front of me, glaring at me like I was the dumbest person he'd ever met. I probably am. I let little things get under my skin all the time. I'm bad at making decisions; that's Charis's job. I'm the fighter. I fight tooth and nail, no matter what the situation. When faced with problems, I resist. I don't protect; it's too hard and it always ends up with someone getting the short end of the stick.
I smiled at the ground, not even bothering to meet Sasuke's eyes. "I know what being alone did to you. I'm scared the same will happen to him if I leave him in Konoha."
"His brother didn't kill his entire family."
If only he knew why Itachi did that, I thought morosely. He has an amazing brother and he doesn't even know it. Itachi's okay with being hated, so long as Sasuke strives to better than him. Can I do that? Can I make Eikichi hate me? He can be mad at me and no one else. I don't know how he'll react to negative reinforcement, though.
"I see so much of my little brother in him it's crazy." I murmured, chest tight. "I would never leave my brother, not if he didn't want me to. Even if keeping him safe meant doing something terrible, something that would ruin our relationship...that would ruin me..."
Even if my little brother teases me and does really dumb shit, I'll always be there for him. He's one of the few people I would fight for, one of the few people I've gotten hurt for. Somehow I'd unconsciously let Eikichi into my tight-knit group; that stupid blonde weasel actually managed to make me care for him! He's one lucky bastard. I've known Charis since the eighth grade and even she didn't make it into my small circle of people I'd protect until just recently. Eikichi managed to get to me in three days.
Sasuke leaned up against the far wall, arms crossed. Those endless eyes just stared at me. He doesn't understand; how could he? The younger sibling never understands all the shit the older sibling goes through for them. That's just how life works, I guess.
"He'll die if he stays with us." he deadpanned
"I know that." I murmured miserably
"No you don't. You're trying to figure out some way to protect him. You're putting your own life on the line."
That's another thing I've never done in life: up until just now, I'd never been lectured by a fictional character that has enough angst for ten normal people. I glared at Sasuke, finally fed up. He doesn't even exist in my world. I will not be admonished by him. I balled up my fists.
"What if he ends up like you, huh? You pushed away all of the people that care about you. You could've become something amazing, but you chose to let hate and loneliness spiral your life out of control! Newsflash, Uchiha: you were never alone!" I yelled
Sasuke surged forward, pinning me to the side of the bed by my neck. I glared defiantly at him. He lashes out whenever he knows he's wrong, and I'm tired of it. My already clenched fist met Sasuke's pale cheek. The Uchiha whirled on me, sharingan blazing furiously. Judging by his face, he hadn't expected that to happen, either. I squeezed my eyes shut. Holy God I just punched Sasuke Uchiha. Why the fuck would I do that dumb shit?
"You don't know me." Sasuke hissed. "You may know my past, but don't think for a second that you understand anything. Don't you dare tell me what I could've done, on'na."
So we're back to the on'na name-calling? How childish. "Don't forget who can see the future, asshole. Killing Itachi is going to fuck you up big time."
Sasuke's fingers gave a jerky twitch on my throat. "You don't know me." he repeated
"I wish I didn't " I said truthfully. I know exactly how this is all going to go down. He'll learn in time that killing Itachi was a huge mistake, but it's his mistake to make. I can't stop him; no one can. I can only hope that Naruto will be strong enough to stop him when he comes to destroy Konoha.
Sasuke threw me to the side. I sucked in greedy gulps of air. I barely heard him when he spoke up. I almost wish I hadn't.
"Bring Eikichi with you if you want. If he dies, it'll be your own fault." Sasuke said coldly
