CHAPTER 2

Recap

Scars..
Memories of the past, memories of those moments when you show weakness. Every day I would sit in front of the mirror and stare at them and just wish that I could go back in time change those stupid mistakes I made, to listen to my parents. Then maybe, just maybe my team mates would still be alive.

It's been around 6 years since my team mates died, I am 19 now and a full fledged jounin. At first, after the incident with my team I just couldn't think of having another team or killing people. I just couldn't stand having to judge between who should live and who should die. I know it sounds absolutely stupid considering I am a ninja. It's not that I won't hurt them I just can't kill them and sometimes, being alive can be more painful than being dead.

Even then I've accommodated nicely, although I am a jounin I do not do many missions I mostly just run errands or do jobs for the hokage that way there will be a less chance of me having to kill someone. But today is my day off, today is the anniversary of the death of my team mates. Every year I visit the KIA stone to pay my respects and this year isn't any different except for the fact that I was late. I quickly put on my jounin vest and packed my weapons pouch, now all that was left was the flowers. I headed out the door making sure to lock it.

I didn't exactly live in a reputable area it was just small and cheap. After all, my parents didn't exactly leave much when they died and you don't really get payed a lot as a ninja unless you do missions so…

I walked down the street at a fast pace towards the flower shop. I looked around admiring the view, the village was bustling with people, it made one feel alive and energetic.

'Who would think that 12 years ago this village was nearly destroyed.' I thought as I looked up at the hokage faces. Suddenly I froze my eyes widening, 'what the hell…?'

"pfft ahahahhaa" I couldn't believe it, the hokage faces were all covered in paint. It was a brilliant piece of art but who had the guts to do it?

"NARUTO!"

Well I think that might be the answer. Man I really want to see this kid, I've always heard about him but I've never actually met him. He makes the hokage go crazy and that's something considering he is one of the most patient and calm people I've met.

I finally reached the flower shop, "hey Aya." I said with a slight wave to the girl behind the counter,

"Oh Suzume, is it that time of year already?" I gave a nod as I looked around at the flowers. Just in case you were wondering my name is Suzume Hayata.

"Here." She said as she handed me a small bunch of white roses, I was about to pay her when she stopped me. "it's on us, just make sure to pay my respects as well." She smiled

"You say that every year." I said frowning

"Well you only come here once a year. Maybe you can come and buy some flowers for another purpose and give me a big tip." She said winking,

"Thank you" I smiled softly,

'Note to self, find someone nice for her.'

I looked down at the time, "oh no I'm going to be seriously late!"

I sprinted of in the direction of the KIA stone, in my six years I have never been late and I wasn't going to start now. There isn't really a set time for someone to go paying respects to the dead, but I had one.

Why? Because it was at this time when I had met him, the person who brought me out from the dark and helped make me, who I am today. I still remember it so clearly.

FLASHBACK

It was a dark and dreary day as I sat there in front of the KIA stone, the rain pouring heavily from the sky. I had been sitting there for hours replaying the mission over and over again in my head, I felt like it was all my fault knowing that I could have done so many things differently. I wasn't even sure anymore if the water pouring down my face were raindrops or my tears.

"Why did you guys leave me? If you had just forgot about me you guys would have still been alive. they can't even place me in another team because I just can't take it. What am I doing alive?

"Why did you have to save me?" I whispered harshly to myself,

"Why? WHY! WHY DID YOU GIVE UP YOUR LIVES FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME!" I shouted as I stared at the ground ashamed to even look at their names.

"Probably because you were important to them." I immediately snapped my head in the direction of the voice. There stood a tall, lean figure in a ninja's uniform. I couldn't tell who he was because the umbrella he was holding was covering his face in shadows.

"But ….but I'm not supposed to…. Ninjas aren't supposed to create attachments…that was the…the rule and they broke it" my voice was breaking as my body shook in both anger and sadness.

"In the ninja world those who break the rules are scum but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum." His voice, it was so overpowering and his words were laced with so much emotion.

"But they….lost their lives for me!"

"It's not about you! A life without someone to protect is no life and we as ninjas would gladly give it up. That's what it means to be a ninja. To willingly give up your life for that someone.

I was speechless I had nothing to say.

"This KIA stone has many names of ninja who are all honoured as heroes in our village. The people you were crying over, they risked their lives for you but what do you have to show for that sacrifice?" he said in an aggravated tone.

I once again turned around and looked at him, 'he was right. What did I have to show for that sacrifice? Tears and a mud soaked uniform? I had nothing!'

I turned to the KIA stone, I placed my hands on the names of my team mates and then and there I promised to no longer cry, to make a living and make my team mates sacrifice worth while.

I was about to face the guy and say thank you but he was no longer there.

END OF FLASHBACK

And to this day I am still waiting for that guy so I can say thank you, that's why I come here at this time every year hoping to bump into him. I mean I have no idea what he looks like but I'm hoping I'll just know when I see him.

Though his voice I think I can recognise. It was so deep and calming and when he spoke it was like he had written it before and memorised it, it felt like his words came out of a book. Actually….. now that I think about it his voice held a lot of anger and frustration, I wonder why?

Maybe because he saw me sitting there and wasting my tears for no reason. Oh I just remembered when I find him, along with the thankyou I am also going to say "thanks for rubbing salt on my open wounds." I felt after all the awesome things he said I would have to say something that sounded cool…. Or should I say something like "thank you for adding insult to my injury"…. Hmmm….

I quickly payed my respects and placed the flowers at the foot of the stone, 'I guess another year where he didn't show up.' I thought as I started to walk away.

A/N: slow start. Well tell me what you think please :)
hope your finding it interesting. My normal style of writing isn't very serious so….. yea

Have fun

JINX XD