Disclaimer: Uh. It's really early in the morning. And I'm writing this. I don't freaking own Naruto. x.x I realize the last 3 chapters haven't been my best effort, so here is something I'm trying super hard on. So you better like it. x
Hoshi was sitting in her room, which had cobwebs on the walls and in the corners of the doorway. She went in here for days at a time, leaving only when it was time for ninja school, if she felt like going. She had a very comfortable spot directly in the middle of her bed, and was there right now, writing a letter to Sasuke. She never brainstormed or planned out her letters, she just wrote them. Right now, she was almost finished. She hoped he would write back, because she had asked him something very important.
To Hoshi, life was something you had to get by. It was like a test, to make sure you had something to do while God waited to see if you were good enough for Heaven. It was stupid, but not to her. She was sure life was only meant to be an obstacle that you couldn't avoid. But yet, the thought tugged on her mind constantly that there was something outside of this reasoning.
It started the day she met Sasuke. He was the very first person to be kind to her. She remembered his face, the way he smiled at her, pretending like nothing was wrong. It was funny, how brave he was. Sachi had heard his story, and immediately felt stupid. Here she was, upset because her mother died, and it was her fault. This boy had lost everything, because of his own flesh and blood. And the worst part- he thought it was his fault.
Hoshi hadn't told him about her problems in person. She was afraid, she guessed. Maybe he wouldn't want to talk to someone who had committed such a crime as too kill their own mother, just with their presence, and then continue to live. She was afraid he would judge her, like she was sure every one secretly did. People at ninja school often made fun of her for being such a horrible ninja, but deep inside she was sure they made fun of her for so much more- her looks, her past. Sometimes she even wondered if they knew how pathetic she was- not just physically, but emotionally.
How she couldn't stand being punished for the things she did, and how she shrunk back from human touch. The only person, or, animal, rather, Hoshi could trust was a ferret. Yes, it was sort of silly- ferrets aren't the best pets. Hoshi had received the ferret as a birthday present- her only birthday present- from her cousin from the leaf village, Ayame, before she died (That's what her father had told her- a horrible murder). It was sad, because Hoshi had always looked up to Ayame. That one day in the park, so long ago, she had named the swing after her, because she though that was just what Ayame would do, if she had a little brother- watch over him. Ayame had seen the ferret in a store, and "simply had to buy it" Her father had, surprisingly, let her keep the ferret. It "gave her something to do, to keep her out of his way" But Hoshi had to buy all the ferret's things- his cage (though he was rarely in it when Hoshi was home), his food, and she even had to provide water (it was sold by the gallon at the convenience store a few blocks away)
The ferret was the runt of it's family, and pure white. It had small pink eyes, and was extremely sensitive to sunlight. Hoshi named her Yori, because she could really confide her in all of her secrets. Sometimes Hoshi would hide Yori in her jacket pocket and take her to work. Usually, this worked out just fine, but other times, Yori got bored and tried to climb out. There had been several occasions of this.
Hoshi worked as a cashier for "Rai's Knickknacks", and was a waitress at The "Veg Spot", that was filled with vegetarian foods and meat substitutes. She had used to wait tables at a small café as well, but when Yori got into a customer's herbal tea, it was game over. Hoshi's favorite job was at the knickknacks store. Sometimes she got to take home something, if it was a factory reject or something. She once got a snowglobe that had a small crack in it, which hadn't ever leaked, but they "had to be sure" The poor old thing had a family in it- A mother, a father, and two kids- a boy and a girl. It was the perfect family, and they were all smiling as the snow came down on their small little world. Another time Hoshi had gotten a small radio that had a broken knob. It was stuck on a station with classical piano music playing around the clock. Hoshi had taken it home, and sometimes took it to work and played it on the counter when she cashiered. It reminded her of her mom- the music. It was soothing and gentle, like an embrace. When she had nightmares, or trouble sleeping at night, she switched the radio on- instant, sweet, sleep.
Hoshi wasn't a vegetarian- it was hard to be when you cooked for your father, who was almost carnivorous. She had tried to make some vegetarian dishes she learned from the chefs in her hour off at the Veg Spot for her dad, once, - it hadn't gone well. Apparently fake meat is sissy food, and something that should never be served under the Iwasaki's roof as long as he was alive. But she didn't let it get her down. The Veg Spot was sort of a home-away-from-home. When she worked there, it made her feel welcome.
So her jobs weren't too hard. They made her happy, and they got her cash- a win-win. She had too hide the majority of her money, however, or it would end up in her dad's hands. She had kept it in the open once, but when her dad discovered it- he had gone berserk. She had been hiding all this money, and keeping it to herself, when her family was in a time of need? It was completely selfish of her. And 10 seconds after she had been punished accordingly- the money was gone. So she began to hide her money. She felt horrible, but her family seemed to be living fine off of the inheritance from Hoshi's grandparents.
You see, shortly after Hoshi was born, and Kichi died, all of her money, seeing as her father couldn't be found and her mother was dead, went to her husband- Masaki Iwasaki. He had bought a new car, improved the house- all except Hoshi's room- and then brought home a new woman. Hoshi could not even remember her name- maybe her subconscious had blocked it out in hope to rid herself completely of this lady. She had a daughter, who Hoshi did remember the name of- Miyoko. She was a spoiled brat, and Masaki always treated her like an angel. She hung on him, played with him, and they even went on walks together. Whenever the lady and Miyoko were around, Hoshi was completely ignored. She wasn't at the house much anymore, so she tried to ignore them as well, but it was getting harder. Miyoko was constantly following her around and imitating her. She was only a year older then her, but it got annoying. She was sick of her family- and the feeling of resentment grew every day. She no longer could accept her father's "punishments"- they weren't right.
Sasuke had been telling her this for so long, but it never quite clicked. She didn't deserve to be treated this way, it wasn't right. His words swirled around in her head as she walked to the mailbox to mail her letter. It was a short walk- 3 blocks, and Hoshi had no problem going to walk alone. However, Yori had insisted on going, clinging to Hoshi's shirt on the way out- so she obliged, and Yori rode in her pocket. It was sundown, so Yori didn't have to be as protected from sun, but if the sun hit her eyes, they would get very irritated, and she would retreat back to her haven- Hoshi's pocket. Yori peered out, looking around, making sure they were no dogs or rays of sun around, and began to paw at Hoshi. Almost reading the ferret's mind, Hoshi lifted Yori onto her shoulder, and Yori nestled into her long, chestnut hair, trying to comfort Hoshi. Yori could tell when Hoshi was troubled, and now was no exception. But it was all okay. When this letter was sent, a load would be lifted off her shoulders.
Arriving home, Hoshi immediately went to her room. They were going out to eat tonight, so Hoshi didn't have to fix dinner. She pulled the radio out of her dresser, hidden among clothes (She was afraid her dad might take that too) set it on her pillow, turned it on, and lied beside it. She began to drift off, listening to the sonatas and various pieces.
And she woke up, Hoshi Iwasaki, Age 11.
Thanks for reading you guys. I had a lot of fun writing this, and I hope you enjoyed writing it. It was difficult to stay focused though, because my family's been going through some stuff. We got a door replaced, but it was the wrong one, and there have been some car accidents and now we're suing someone and, well, you get it.
Hope I get to write more soon!