It's been a while, huh? Enjoy! Although, sadly, this story shall soon be coming to a close... I told you it wouldn't be long.

Memories of Nobody

Chapter 5: Memories

Natsu was now trying to accept the harsh reality that was death. Her best friends were gone. The only people that had accepted her as a human being (apart from Anoke-sensei) were Kutai and Sha. Now they were gone and she would never see them again.

'This is all… a dream,' she told herself. 'It's all just a bad dream-dayo. You'll wake up, in your apartment, Sha looking at you saying, "Is it time to get up, Su-chan?" and Kutai lazily waking up on the couch.' She bit her lip, repeating this lie that she hoped would cloud her brain of the truth, 'THIS IS A DREAM! A DREAM-DAYO!' Natsu continued to sob in Kutai's dead chest. 'They can't be dead! They just can't be! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW-DAYO?!' Natsu pulled herself off of Kutai and sniffled, 'What do I do now?'

Natsu eyed the two small katanas that lay on the floor. She reached for one of them, held it to her stomach and took a deep breath and closed her eyes, 'I'm going with you, minna-yo.' She swallowed, the katana looming near her stomach, 'I don't want to be alone… and be a nobody!'

"Are you really sure that you want to do that, da ne?"

Natsu's eyes snapped open and she turned to the general direction of where the voice had come from.

A man with long black hair and the palest skin that Natsu had ever seen stepped forward. It appeared that he was wearing a flowing pale-yellow robe and sandals. He had piercing golden-yellow eyes and what looked like dark purple triangular markings. He spoke to her again, his voice sounded different, Natsu couldn't identify the sound. Was it nasally? Soft? Cunning? Whatever the case was, he spoke in a very formal female style, "Put the katana down, doozo de kudasai."

Natsu, hesitantly obeying, asked him, "Who are you-dayo?"

The man laughed, "Hm! Watashi wa Orochimaru wa." He walked over to her and crouched, cupping her face, "Gomen nasai for your loss."

Natsu bit her lip, "D-daijobu-yo."

Orochimaru sighed, "We have to do something about those wounds. Would you care to come with me…?" He paused, not knowing the shinobi's name.

"Kisetsu, Kisetsu Natsu da-yo," Natsu responded.

Orochimaru smiled, "Ee, Kisetsu Natsu-chan."

Natsu then got up. She looked back to her friends lying on the floor, a tear streaming down her cheek, 'I promise to avenge you one day, Kutai-kun, Sha-chan. But for now… I must go with Orochimaru-sama-dayo. Hopefully, one day, we shall meet again.' And with that, she turned away on Kirigakure and the home that she had once had.

'Sayonara, Anoke-sensei. I hope, sadly, that I won't see you again. I don't want to say to your face about… your student's deaths. Sayonara, Kirigakure. I will miss your sweet misty smell and all the memories I've had. Sayonara, Obaasan to Ojiisan. I will not be able to visit your house, nor your graves. Soshite… sayonara Okaasan to Otoosan, even though I don't remember you. Ja ne-dayo.'

She smiled sadly, 'Fate just doesn't seem to like me, da ne?'

When Natsu opened her eyes, she was not in Takigakure anymore. In fact, she was somewhere else. She looked to the side to find a young servant boy pouring tea. He seemed alarmed that Natsu had just woken up, and nearly dropped the tea kettle and glass.

"N-nan desho-yo?" Natsu asked him.

The boy stumbled, "Y-you a-are in O-Oto no Kuni or if y-you w-want, O-Otogakure."

Natsu was confused, saying the word, "Otogakure?" She winced, as if she had tasted something bitter – the word seemed foreign on her tongue.

"That will be enough, kudasai," Came the ringing voice from Orochimaru.

The boy bowed, "H-hai, O-Orochimaru-s-sama." He quickly exited the room.

Orochimaru chuckled, "Such a foolish boy, that one." He set his eyes on Natsu, "And how are you feeling, my precious Natsu-chan?"

Natsu shrugged, "Daijobu."

Orochimaru sat at the foot of the bed, "So ka." He stared at her, taking her in. Natsu gulped, feeling his gaze on her.

"You were from Kirigakure, where you not?"

Natsu nodded, "Ee, Orochimaru-sama. I was-dayo." She bit her lip, "D-demo… not anymore."

Orochimaru looked at her, slightly surprised, "Ho? You mean you don't want to go back? I can return you to your home village if you wish."

Natsu shook her head, "What would I say? How would I be able to say that two powerful shinobi died at the hand of a simple ninja – no she's not a ninja, she's a monster – named Jun."

"Jun?" Orochimaru repeated. "Why who is this person, Natsu-chan?"

Natsu bit her lip, "Sh-she's… a sword master who shape-shifts. She's very cunning and…"

Orochimaru urged her gently on, "And…?"

Natsu shut her eyes, "She's a good fighter. She really is. Demo… I can't believe that she killed my comrades. And for that, I will kill her as soon as I get the chance-dayo."

Orochimaru smiled, "You want revenge, da ne? And you want power, da ne?"

Natsu shrugged, "I guess." She looked up at Orochimaru, "But, I don't think that I could be able to defeat her; she's so powerful."

Orochimaru shook his head, "Oh, I wouldn't say that."

Natsu was confused, "Naze-yo?"

"When I look into your eyes… I see power. I see the burning desire to fight and the eternal flame of hate. You have the power; you just don't know how to use it."

"U-use it?" Natsu blinked in confusion.

Orochimaru nodded, "And I can show you how."

Natsu looked at him, curious, "Why would you want to help me? I'm a kunoichi from another village and you… you're just some man that happened to find me dying after one of my missions. Why do you want to make me strong?"

Orochimaru smiled, "You… remind me of myself."

Natsu looked up, curious, "Nani-yo?"

"Your eyes… they remind me of mine when I was a younger child and still a shinobi under Sarutobi's wing in Konohagakure. With the right molding, you can become great, powerful."

Natsu smiled, "Arigato-yo, Orochimaru-sama. I am in your debt."

Orochimaru laughed, walking out of the room, "By the end of our training you will be in a lot of debt."

Natsu swallowed.

Natsu sighed pleasantly, it had been almost two months since Orochimaru had made her his apprentice. It had seemed that only yesterday that the two had met for the first time, under the strangest circumstances. Natsu huffed, she was in good spirits, but she still missed Kirigakure – her home, her true home. How she longed to go back again.

She then went up and expressed her complaints to her master, "O-Orochimaru-sama?" She swallowed, trying to contain her uneasiness.

He turned, "What is it, Natsu-chan?"

"Can we go to Kirigakure… just one time-dayo?"

He frowned, "You do know that it would be dangerous that one, such as yourself, were to go. You are, in fact, presumed dead, you know. Wouldn't they find it queer that a presumed dead person were to waltz into their village and walk around, as if that day had never happened?"

Natsu winced, "I-iie." She bowed her head, "G-gomen nasai-yo, I will not ask again."

Orochimaru's expression then softened, "Well…we can – once. Do you can get in and out of Kirigakure without causing alarm?"

She nodded.

He smiled, "It is settled then."

Natsu sighed, inhaling the fresh air that she had missed so much. She looked down at her past home and smiled a sad smile, 'Nothing's changed. It's like a day hasn't gone by since…' She bit her lip, 'I thought I was over that already.' She shook herself out of her thoughts of depression and jumped down.

It was almost night time and barely anyone was around. She would probably get in and out unseen – hopefully. She smiled when she came to the apartment building that she, Sha, and Kutai would walk into and walk up the many flights of stairs to get to their small place. Natsu bit her lip, as soon as she turned the door knob, a flood of memories came streaming into her head. Memories that she wanted to forget.

(Flashbacks)

Sha sighed, shaking her head, "You really should do something else with your hair, Su-chan! Don't you get bored of it in braids with the red ribbons in your hair every single day?"

Natsu shook her head, "I'm not like you, trying different hairstyles and then finally deciding on the one that you always end up wearing every single day is the best-dayo."

Sha clutched her fist tight, looking as if she would explode, "KISAMA!"

Kutai walked into the bathroom. He blinked, "Am I… interrupting something?"

"Iie!" "EE!"

Natsu and Sha looked at each other and sighed.

Kutai laughed, "Are you two arguing again?"

Sha rolled her eyes, "We don't argue! We're just having… a friendly debate!"

The three friends laughed.

"Are you sure about this?" Natsu asked, her voice drenched with nervousness.

Sha snickered, "This is hilarious! We can't stop now!"

The two girls were putting women's makeup on Kutai. Sha was almost done doing the red lipstick and Natsu was putting on the magenta eye shadow.

Natsu bit her lip, "Demo-yo…" She sighed, Sha wouldn't listen to her anyways. She finished her job and ran into Sha's and her room and waited for Kutai to wake up.

The next thing they heard was a scream.

The two girls looked at each other, and then burst out laughing.

Kutai opened the door, his eyes piercing like daggers, "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

Natsu and Sha were laughing so hard that they couldn't speak. Finally, Natsu attempted to say something, "We – put makeup on you."

Kutai rolled his eyes, "I know that much. DOSHITE?!"

Sha shrugged, "Because we just did." She smirked, "I think you make a pretty girl. You have the perfect hair – it's so long and silky!"

Natsu and Sha burst out laughing yet again, this time ending up on the floor.

Kutai rolled his eyes, trudging off to the bathroom, "Very funny."

Sha called out after him, "But you make such a nice girl, Kutai-kun!"

Natsu, Kutai, and Sha were eating green tea ice cream, watching the TV. There was a knock at the door. Natsu got up and opened it to find –

"Anoke-sensei!" Natsu hugged her friend and smiled.

Sha got up, shouting with glee, "Anoke-sensei! Glad you could make it!"

Anoke laughed, "What is this, family movie night? Do I get some ice cream, too?"

Kutai nodded, "Sure."

The four of them then sat on the couch and watched the movie.

Natsu yawned, waking up. She looked to her side to find that Sha wasn't there. Natsu shrugged, 'Maybe Sha-chan got up early for a change.' She got up and opened the door to find –

"SURPRISE!" Sha jumped out at Natsu and gave her a hug, "Happy Birthday, Su-chan!"

Natsu was shocked, "You all remembered?"

Kutai nodded, "Of course, it's not everyday that Natsu-san turns 14 now, is it?"

Natsu smiled, "Arigato-yo, minna-yo!" She sat down to breakfast to find that there was green tea mochi waiting for her. She looked up in delight, "My favorite!" She smiled.

Sha grinned, "But that's not all! You have presents!" Sha presented three nicely-wrapped articles in front of Natsu.

Natsu set the mochi down and unwrapped the one in purple and green wrapping paper. Natsu exclaimed, "It's so cute!" She knew that the purple stuffed bear was from Sha. She turned to hug her friend, "Arigato-yo!"

Sha smirked, "I have another thing for you." She then pointed to a small box that was lying at Natsu's feet. Natsu put it on her lap, opened it and gasped, "Clothes?" She smiled, they were actually tasteful clothes. There was a blood-red tube top with a slanted fringe, a blood-red skirt with a ragged fringe, and ragged sleeves that would go up to her shoulders. Underneath it were light purple boots with red buckles. Natsu smiled and Sha and hugged her tight, "Thank you so much-dayo!"

Sha nodded, "Any time, Su-chan."

She then looked at the green and black wrapped gift – obviously from Kutai. She opened it up to find a gleaming red kunai. Natsu stared at it in awe – it was beautiful. She then turned to Kutai and gave him a hug, "Thank you!"

Kutai smiled, "Your welcome." He blushed lightly from receiving a hug from someone he liked.

Then, there was the last present that had to be from Anoke. Natsu opened it up and found a quaint card. It read:

'Natsu,

I know this isn't as extravagant as the gifts your tomodachi may have given you, but this probably has more feeling.

Ever since I met you, you have impressed me with your abilities and strengths. Don't ever stop. You are a gifted shinobi and should be proud of your talents. Your mother and father would be proud if they could see you today.

You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are not a monster like those stupid academy students thought you were.

Don't stop chasing your dreams,

Anoke-sensei.'

A large smile came to Natsu's face as she pressed the card to her lips and mouthed, 'Arigato-yo, Anoke-sensei.' A tear streamed down her cheek.

(End Flashbacks)

Natsu walked around – nothing had changed. She then walked into the room that she and Sha shared and went under the bed. She smiled when she found a large dark blue box labeled: 'IMPORTANT.' She opened the lid and found all of her 14th birthday gifts: the clothes and boots, the bear, the red kunai, and the note.

Natsu smirked. She took off the clothes that she happened to be wearing and put on Sha's. She inhaled and exhaled, feeling as if she were a whole different person. She put the red kunai in one of the long sleeves and put the note in another. She was about to pick up the bear when –

"Natsu?"

Natsu swore, no one was supposed to see her, especially Anoke, who was looking at her, shocked.

Natsu opened the window and jumped out, landing on the roof of the building adjacent to the apartments. She then dashed off and was gone.

She stared back at Anoke and sighed, looking at him pick up the bear, a look on his face that said, 'Was-she-really-here-or-was-that-an-illusion?' She bit her lip, a small tear going down her cheek, 'Gomen nasai-yo, Anoke-sensei. This is the path I have chosen now. Sayonara…forever.'