the beginning
[ his theme - asriel's lament ]
1:05 ───⊙─────── 3:35
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
↠ⁿᵉˣᵗ ˢᵒⁿᵍ ↺ ʳᵉᵖᵉᵃᵗ ⊜ ᵖᵃᵘˢᵉ
3:46PM
KONOHAGAKURE
HIDDEN LEAF VILLAGE
"Hey! Get back here!" The flustered brunet didn't dare pause & face his fate, no, he ran faster undermining the Chunins discreet warnings. To think they'd make such a hassle over a bag of stolen goods. It wasn't even that much, a couple tomatoes, a loaf of bread. Maybe some clothes were thrown into the mix. It wasn't much, so why put up the hassle of the chase?
Why go through all this trouble just for a bag that wasn't even considered much in the eyes of others. Yet they seemed so adamant on stopping the young brunette who's simply trying to get by? He was only 6, with a stolen bag of goods, trying to make it back to his shelter in one piece.
He couldn't afford to stop now, he had too much on the line.
She was on the line,
her health,
their sanctuary.
All he knew was that he had to lose them, & fast. The adrenaline pumping through his veins seemed to be all that fueled the determination in him as he jerked & swerved around every nook & cranny of the crowded streets of Konohagakure. Passer Byers paying no mind to him, except for the occasional few he'd bump into.
"Hey!"
"Watch where you're going!"
"Watch it kid!"
Though their words seemed to go through one ear & out the other. For the boy only had one thing on his mind.
Getting home to her.
. /.
It took more time then the young brunet would've liked to lose the chunins who were persistent on catching the lad. The chase didn't even satisfy the lads' fill of mischief, it was just tedious.
Annoying.
He was at least glad he had made it into the forest as his adrenaline seemed to be wearing off. His arms laid limp at his sides as he tightly held the bag in his grip, afraid that it's contents would spill on the lush greenery of the forest floor.
For a forest known as the 'Forest of Death' it was quite a beautiful display of life in a new setting.
The shelter wasn't far from here,
He wasn't too far from her.
He just had to last till then. A sigh left his chapped lips as the lad took a long needed breath of fresh air. He could smell the wetness in the air, a sign it was most likely going to rain soon. In an hour or two? The brunet couldn't be too sure, his usually keen senses were slightly ajar after the marathon he had just ran.
No matter, he'd be able to rest soon.
He'd see her soon.
"Hey! I can see his footprints! He went this way!"
Or, maybe not.
. /.
To think the lad would have to force himself to start running again. He had finally burned out his adrenaline high only to wish he hadn't.
The brunet really should've made sure no one saw him enter the woods before he went. It was quite the hassle to run, seeing as his fatigue finally caught up to him. He didn't stop though.
He couldn't stop.
After all, to him, this was just a game of cat & mouse. One would soon outwit the other & he wasn't planning on losing anytime soon. It wouldn't be any fun if he didn't put up a fight, after all, he was playing the part of the clever mouse. & the Chunin were simply hungry alley tabby cats looking to get a fix.
The lad smirked at the thought of prey outsmarting the predator. Truly, a fun challenge indeed. But sadly, he underestimated the predator in the situation. He had dealt with measly Genin before but this is his first round with Chunin. Just that fact proved that it'd be more difficult to pull this run when they actually committed to the chase.
With that thought the brunette picked up the pace, his lungs burning from the lack of oxygen as his legs ached. Pleading for rest, for the lab to stop & let his trembling form relax. But he couldn't, he had to hold out just a little while longer.
He was almost there.
He just had to last a little longer.
He was almost-
CRASH!
. /.
.. Ba-dump..
'No.. Not now.. I'm almost there..' The brunette thought as he lifted his hazy gaze from the greenery beneath him The lad never expected his body to give out on him so soon.
He was almost there.
He just needed to get back up.
He was almost-
.. Ba-dump..!
The boy could hear the Chunin nearing his location, they sounded only a few yards away.
He needed to get up.
The lad planted his shaking limbs firmly on the earth as he pushed himself up. His body was screaming at him to stop, but he couldn't. Not when he was so close.
He had to get home.
.. Ba-dump..!
He had to see her.
.. Ba-dump..!
He had to.
.. BA-DUMP..!
. /.
Never did the lad expect to end up in circumstances such as this.
The Chunin were smarter then the brunet had expected, then again, his outlook on ninja seemed to always be of low expectation. In his eyes, ninja were a nuisance. Selfish beings hellbent on becoming stronger, gaining control & power, to him they were like fleas & the land was a dog they had decided to lay upon. He truly disliked the bunch, to him, a ninja should be loyal & courageous. Not self-employed like the many ninja he came across during his childhood.
A scowl decorated the boy's features as he glared down at the Chunin who had cornered him. He knew he could make a run for the shelter from here but he'd be risking all he had worked up to protect.
He'd be risking her safety.
His scowl deepened at the thought of those filthy Chunin laying their hands on her. The thought truly disgusted him, but what other choices did the boy have at the moment, everything was on the line at this point.
For once in his life, the brunet felt cornered.
He felt caged, a snake in a lion's den.
Trying to get out in one piece.
His heartbeat spiked as anxiety crept into his exhausted form. His jaw clenched as he gazed up at the Chunin surrounding him, subconsciously tightening his grip on the bag.
"Hey kid? Just give us the bag and no one here has to get hurt okay?" One Chunin spoke, she had unruly brown hair that wiped wildly in the wind as she dismounted her furry companion. Red paint drawn into triangles decorated her cheeks, 'Inuzuka'
The other two seemed to be the ones that had guarded the gates. Kotetsu & Izumo was it? For all the boy knew, the two always seemed to be sleeping at the gate when they're supposed to be on guard. Usually that circumstance made his runs easier since no one could really stop him from making his grand escape.
The lad never really got a good look at them until now, the one known as Kotetsu had unruly spiky black hair that seemed to be kept up right by his forehead protector. Oxen eyes, ones that reminded the lad of the uchihas, completely derived from emotion. He had a bandage wrapped around his face that laid across his nose, along with a small goatee. Izumo on the other hand had straight dark chocolate brown hair that was kept under his hat which also held the purpose of being his forehead protector. He also had oxen eyes, void of emotion much like Kotetsu's. The two are usually very laid back but right now, they seem like two different people. The last Chunin the brunette recognized, he had seen the man mostly hanging around the academy. Not that he bothered enough to stick around long enough to get to know him. But the lad did hear a couple of children calling the Chunin, Iruka-sensei was it? He had light caramel brown hair wrapped up into a high ponytail, his forehead protector wrapped securely around his forehead. His eyes a deep brown, a scar laid across his nose.
The lad questioned how he even got it, it seemed cool in his opinion but he'd never admit that.
Not to the enemy.
The crunch of the leaves seemed to bring the boy back to reality as a feral growl ripped through his throat, narrowing his eyes at the Chunin who dared step close. That Chunin just so happened to be the male known as Iruka-sensei.
The lad's gaze seemed to cut through the man's figure like a knife. The Chunin, Iruka was it? took notice to this & put his hands up. Signifying that he wasn't a threat, the brunette's figure seemed to tense up at this gesture.
Like he'd trust the enemy,
like he'd trust ninja.
Iruka was quick to pick up on the boy's hostility & took a step back, his hands still above his head as he gestured for his colleagues to do the same. Reluctantly, the other Chunin complied which seemed to catch the young lad off guard.
Of all the weird shit the boy had seen, this had taken the cake.
What were they trying to do?
Intimidate him?
Mock him?
Maybe, they were trying to lure the boy into a false sense of security before they kill him. The lad tensed at the thought, were they really going to try to kill him? He had only stolen food & cloths, nothing too drastic, so why would they have a need to kill the young lad?
But then again, these were Chunin.
Elite. Ninja.
The thing the boy despised the most in this life. A snarl subconsciously ripped through his throat as his glaring hardened. He wouldn't fall for their sad attempt to trap the boy.
He wouldn't allow them to trick him.
He wouldn't dare.
So, the brunet quickly assessed the situation & took the opening the man had made for him. The brunette dashed towards Iruka which seemed to have caught the male off guard, the Chunin mentally prepared himself to deflect an attack, only to find the boy simply rushed forward to distract the male & had made a mad dash into the green behind them.
Yes, the Chunin were told to apprehend the suspect, but it was clear that there was some hesitation from Iruka. He was put in charge of leading to steak out on account of the thief being described as a child. Yet, a simple child was causing all this fuss, for what?
Satisfaction?
Mischief?
Something just didn't sit right with Iruka about this kid. Since Iruka dealt with kids on a daily basis, the Hokage saw it fit that he led the charge.
But why was he hesitant?
The man had dealt with Naruto's mischief more than a thousand times, maybe it had something to do with his teacher's intuition. Now the Chunin was starting to sound like a father. Though he never had kids of his own he saw his students as his own children. He was proud to get the chance to watch kids grow into brilliant young ninja, maybe that's why he was hesitant.
He had to admit, he was caught off guard by the boy's hostility towards them.
The clear hatred was evident in his chocolate brown eyes.
Iruka seemed more concerned about the boy's behavior than the stolen goods the latter had acquired. Seeming to snap out of his thoughts, the Chunin masked his chakra signature before swiftly following after the boy along with his comrades. It didn't take long for them to catch up with the boy since the lad was suffering from fatigue. They soon came across a clearing that none of them had known was here. A rushing waterfall that was connected to a crystal blue pond surrounded by lush green. The Chunin all his, seemingly observing as they noticed Iruka's curiosity towards the child's behavior.
Meanwhile, with the latter, the young lad nearly collapsed out of relief once he had seen the clearing.
He was here.
He was home.
He finally got back to her.
The lad took a long needed breath as he focused his chakra into his feet & walked on the water towards the waterfall. The Chunin seemed a little surprised to see a child so young master a technique without using hand signs. The brunet continued to walk till he made it In front of the waterfall, with a flick of his hand the water looked out of his way as he walked into the cave behind it. The Chunin now understood why the Hokage had sent ninja of such high caliber on a mission such as this.
This was clearly no ordinary child.
The Chunin squad snapped back into reality when they heard voices. One being their targets but another voice sounded one of a little girl. As if they had for told the future the waterfall moved out of the way of the cave entrance as a young girl stepped out, the lad not far behind her. The girl had caramel brown skin with black matted unruly hair that reached to her shoulders. Her hazelnut eyes beamed with life as she held the obviously too big white haori she was wearing in her clutches. She seemed around the same age as the boy, the Chunin quickly took note of that. Meanwhile, The brunet smiled gently at the girl, this was what the lad had wanted.
Her smile,
her laughter,
Everything about her.
The lad would do anything to keep that smile upon her face. To keep her safe & happy, away from the shinobi world where it can just be the two of them.
Just the two.
Her & Him.
They say love at a young age doesn't last, that kids are too young to understand. But the lad knew that his feelings were true, he knew he never wanted to be apart from her. & he knew she felt the same. He promised to protect & provide for her & he intended to keep that promise.
No matter the cost.
The lad snapped out of his hellish state, when he heard a twig snap not too far from them. A growl ripped through his throat as he realised he had gotten careless. He swiftly pushed the young girl behind him as his nails grew sharper as well as his canines.
Seeing as the jig was up, the Chunin came. out of their hiding spots, Iruka being in the front. Quickly reading the situation the Chunin quickly acted.
"Hey, hey.. It's okay, we're not here to hurt you or her.." Iruka spoke, his voice velvety & soft. He made sure to come off as non threatening as to avoid potential conflict with the strange children. The young ravenette seemed caught off guard by his gentle tone, her form seeming to relax a little, it didn't go unnoticed by the young lad or Iruka. The Chunin teacher seemed glad that the girl had calmed down, even if it wasn't much, but the boy wasn't having it.
"Stay away from us! You ninja scum!" The brunet's voice was laced with malice, his eyes held pure hatred & another emotion iruka couldn't decipher. The Chunin knew this was going to be difficult, children like this usually are extremely distrustful & hard to get through to. Luckily, the man had had some practice. Taking a step back the Chunin put his hands above his head, "Hey. Hey, it's okay. We're not here to hurt you. We're not here to take the items back either." He spoke once again in a soft tone, no malicious or ill intent radiated of this man. It confused the brunet, for all he knew ninja were good for nothing, sacks of sin that thrived on others' pain to get Their own selfish desire. So why,
What was this ninja different!?
Why did he make no attempt to use force like the others!?
Why was he trying to make them feel like he meant no harm, ninja were all the same. So why.
Why.
The lad didn't even notice the tears of frustration flowing down his cheeks as he still continued to glare at the water. The young girl grew worried as she noticed the boy's trembling figure.
"Kacchan.."
The young raveonettes voice came out raspier then she would've hoped it would. She still managed to catch everyone's attention despite her low tone. Her eyes held concern as she gently looked at the lads clawed hands on her own.
"It's alright. Please don't cry Kacchan."
The word "cry" caught Iruka's attention. He hadn't even noticed the lads trembling form until now.
Why was he crying though?
Was he upset?
Did he do something wrong?
"Why."
Iruka was brought out of his thoughts by a raspy male voice he didn't seem to recognize, he scanned the area till his eyes landed on the brunet once more.
"Why. Why. WhywhywhywhyWHYWHYWHY..!"
Iruka flinched back in surprise at the dark aura the young male had started emitting. The brunet snapped his head up & steadied his glare on the Chunin in question.
"WHY!? What is your endgame!? What do you hope to gain from making us- making ME feel less threatened by you!?"
Iruka mouth laid agape at the sight of the frustrated brunet, tears rapidly streaming down the lads face as he continued to yell.
"NINJA ARE GOOD FOR NOTHING SELFISHBAGS OF FLESH WHO FIND PLEASURES IN THEIR OWN SINS! WHY.. WHAT MAKES YOU SO DIFFERENT!?"
Iruka held back a flinch at the young males tone. The Chunin truly didn't know what to say, the boy had obviously been through something to have such a negative outlook on ninja.
But somehow he was different?
How so?
What made him different?
The young lad trembled as he took labored breaths, he was frustrated.
How can the man hold no malice? No ill intent that the other ninja always happened to harbor.
What made this one so special?
Even now, after the boy had yelled at him, Iruka's aura didn't show anything with ill intention. It only held concern. It confused so much that it overwhelmed him, his senses became haywire as the lad became lost in his thoughts, he didn't even take notice of the brown-haired Chunin walking towards him. He only snapped out of it when he felt him being enveloped in a warm embrace.
Why.
Why.
Whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhy-
The lads trembling fists connected with Iruka's dark green vest as he screamed- no, demanded for him to let him go. The tears refusing to stop no matter how the young male pleaded for them to.
He felt weak.
In this state,
He was weak.
The tears continued to rush down his face as his fist weakly punched Iruka's vest once more before he collapsed. Giving into the Chunins warm embrace.
He hated it.
He hated how he felt safe, how he felt like he could trust the Chunin- how he could trust a ninja. The lad & the raveonette were alone since birth, for as long as the boy could remember it's only been those two. He took on the role as her protector as she did the same for him. He built up walls around his heart that kept the raveonette & himself safe. He refused to let anyone in that wasn't her.
She alone saw his demons.
His pain.
His hurt.
& now this Chunin pops up out of nowhere & managed to make them crumble in a matter of hours.
He hated it.
He hated him.
"It's alright, you can cry. It's okay."
I hate you.
"You guys must have been alone for so long huh? Is that why you were stealing food? To provide for her?"
I HATE you.
"Don't worry, once we get back to the village we can talk to Lord Hokage about getting you guys a place. Maybe he'd let you guys stay with me if we're lucky!"
I HATE YOU.
".. Why."
Iruka had let the boy out of his embrace but still had his hands firmly gripping the lads shoulders. The latter was still trembling as the tears finally seemed to cease.
"Why.. do you care."
Iruka's eyes visibly widened at the question. But before he could answer, the lad continued.
"You're a ninja. You're supposed to be selfish. Why are you so nice to me? I stole from your village, I probably caused a big fuss. You're not supposed to be nice to me, you're supposed to turn me in! You're supposed to kill anything that poses a threat to your home. Your suppose to kil-"
Iruka had stopped the boy from continuing from his grip on the lads shoulders tightening. The lad lifted his gaze only to flinch back once it met Iruka's stern expression.
".. I was just like you."
A gasp left the young lads chapped lips as Iruka continued on.
"I was alone, no parents, only the clothes on my back. I did many things I regret that haunt me till this day. I did what I could to survive, I stole, I fell behind in class. & I paid the price. That is why, I promised to better myself. I became a ninja to protect my home & all those I hold dear. I'm a teacher, I pave the path so my students become honorable ninja. I see my students as if they were my own."
Tears pricked the young brunet's eyes as she stared wide eyed at the Chunin in front of him. His chest emitting a warm feeling, one the lad wasn't familiar with.
What was this feeling?
A whimper escaped the lads' chapped lips as Iruka simply looked at the boy, a sincere sat atop his lips.
"It's alright kid, let it out."
As if those words were like a trigger that unleashed all the emotions he held under lock & key for all those years. Choked sobs lefts the lads chapped lips as he continued to tremble as the warmness in his chest became overwhelming
He felt at home with her, now, he didn't know how to feel.
He felt loved, cared for, he felt at home.
He felt all their emotions with someone other than her. The warmness in his chest grew as he sobbed. He felt the arms of his partner embrace him as he sobbed into her shoulder. The Chunin simply stared at the scene unfolding In front of him. A young male who's being comforted by his partner as he cried.
Truly strange children indeed.
Iruka let a sigh escape his lips as he stood up from his crouching position. Officially catching the attention of the two children in front of him as his smile from before still remained. The young brunet continued to sniffle as he aggressively wiped his tears away with the sleeve of his white haori. As the girl simply gazed up at the Chunin with a puzzled look.
"Sir?"
Iruka only hummed in response as his gaze landed onto the young ravenettes smaller form.
"What's your name?"
Iruka paused for a moment before letting a bashful smile play at his lips as he rubbed the back of his neck with slightly clammy hands.
"Sorry for not introducing myself sooner, My name is Umino Iruka. Chunin of Konohagakure & teacher at the Grand Ninja Academy. If I may ask, what are your names?"
A smile simply grazed the young ravenette plump chapped lips.
"My name is Yin Chante, the boy beside me is Yang Aramys. It's nice to meet you Uminosan."
A chuckle escaped the Chunins chapped lips as he smiled down upon the two children.
"You too Yin-chan, Yang-kun."
. /.
As the group trio entered the Hokages office the Hokage took notice of the two unfamiliar faces.
"Iruka, you've returned."
Iruka bowed his head, seeing as the male had done this the children seemed to follow suit, much the Hiruzens amusement.
"Mission report, I assume it was a success."
Hiruzen gazed at the two children with a tired smile as he blew into his pipe, Iruka simply chuckled before nodding. Giving a full mission report without missing a single beat, this seemed to surprise the two children a little.
Iruka truly was a Chunin.
Seeing the children's astonished expressions, the Hokage let out a chuckle. Iruka seemed to notice as well, the Chunin in question let a smile graze his lips. But as quick as it came it went, a serious expression the once playful one that decorate Irukas features.
"Lord Third, if I may ask, would you allow me to take these two children in?"
The children's eyes noticeably widened at the Chunins statement. Irukas voice was firm & unwavering, no trace of hesitance or mockery was evident in his aura. Just as his expression was still, the lad though couldn't believe his ears. There was no trace that the Chunin was lying, Iruka had truly meant what he said.
He wanted to take them in.
A ninja.
The lad couldn't help but feel the warmth in his chest return once more, causing his trembling hand to subconsciously grip his tattered shirt- above his heart.
The lad still couldn't believe what was happening, the situation, everything seemed to slow as the sound of his erratic heartbeat was the only thing that seemed to fill the empty silence.
.. Ba-dump..
Was this man being serious? No! It can't be, he's a mongrel, an assassin trained to lure & deceive their unsuspecting victims.
( A fox spying on a lone hare in the middle of a deserted field. )
A ninja.
.. Ba-Dump..
Was this all a set up?
A trap to lure us here?
To catch us while our guard is low.
The lad felt his jaw tighten at the thought of the ambush that could possibly be heading their way. Millions of thoughts roamed the lads mind, questioning every scenario that could possibly occur.
A million outcomes of how this could go down.
Almost all of them ended with blood staining the polished oak floor.
( The fox snuck closer to the unsuspecting hare, staying downwind to remain undetected & lose its meal. )
.. Ba-Dump..
How could the brunet have been so foolish, so careless!? Letting himself let alone her come here so willingly.
How could the lad have been tricked by such empty words.
Such meaningless lies.
What less could the lad expect from such scum. The mongrels had no problem lying through their teeth to get their way, all the better for them to savor the kill.
To watch their prey slowly break & crumble giving them the sadistic satisfaction they urn for.
It disgusted the brunet to no end.
The thought of these heathens simply marveling at her skin brought rage to his heart. He couldn't not wouldn't ever allow that to happen.
( The fox moved swiftly in the grass staying downwind to not scare its prey away, licking its canines in anticipation. )
He had to do something.
( The fox readied itself to pounce on its unsuspecting prey & devour its meal. )
He had to protect her.
( The fox lunged towards the hare. )
He Had To-
"Kaachan?"
The lad was swiftly snapped out of his thoughts as his gaze was met with the ravenettes worried filled orbs. Only then did he realise that the room had gone surprisingly quiet, the lad felt others lingering eyes on him but he simply ignored them only focusing on her.
".. Yes Nezuko?"
"Are you alright? You've been out of it for awhile now."
The lad seemed to tense at the realization of being spaced out for that long, the ravenette seemed to take notice of this & intertwine her fingers with his gently rubbing circles on the back of his hand. This seemed to calm the lads' tense form as his narrowed eyes seemly softened at her small gesture. A small smile made its way onto the young girl's form before she nodded towards Iruka signaling to him that everything was alright.
Said Chunin sighed in relief before gesturing for the two children to follow him. The young lad seemed hesitant but the look in her eyes seemed to subdue him causing him to comply subconsciously to her demands.
Oh such interesting children indeed.
. /.
The village seemed bigger now that the lad took the time to actually observe his surroundings. The buildings seemed to mostly be shops or apartment complexes. As they walked, the brunet started to wonder:
where exactly were they going?
Don't get the lad wrong, Konohakagure seemed like a beautiful populated village. Simply being able to wander in the streets without being chased seemed to relieve the brunet, after all the lad nor the ravenette had stayed in a village such as this before. The duo had always stuck with themselves, staying in the forest far away from civilization only coming in contact with the citizens when they remotely needed something such as food & other necessities.
Never had they stayed in one place for more than a couple of months.
Days at least.
"Alright, we're here."
Seeming to snap the lad out of his thoughts once more, his gaze fixated itself on the small flat in front of them. Iruka fiddled with his key as he unlocked the door allowing the cool breeze of the apartment AC to sweep over the two minor forms. The Chunin stepped inside & gestured to the minor duo to follow which they hesitantly obliged. Iruka couldn't help but shift awkwardly as the two children seemed to glance around his apartment. Almost silently judging him.
"I know it's not much, but it's what I got. I hope you don't mind."
The lad & lady only seemed to stare at him before nodding,
"It is fine Unimosan, it doesn't matter about the size. The heart is what makes a home."
The Chunin let out a breath of relief he didn't realize he was holding in before gently smiling at the young ravenette before nodding & walking towards the small living room. Iruka plopped himself on the auburn couch as the young ones followed suit.
"My room is down the hall to the right, your room is right across from mine, a bathroom is attached to your room but there is also one down the hall. the kitchen is over there if you're hungry & of course here's the living room."
Iruka pointed to where each room should be located as he explained the layout to the children in front of him. The minor duo seemed to nod in understanding as Iruka allowed a smile to grace his lips as he sheepishly scratched the back of his neck.
"I know it's not much but I hope you can learn to live here."
The ravenette only smiled & nodded as the lad seemed to follow suit- though the boy kept a straight face. Iruka chuckled as he shook his head playfully at the duo.
"Well then, welcome to your new home."
. /.