The world started to come to life, I felt something near me and energy hummed gently around the area I was laying in. I could feel some of the energy interacted with mine, but it wasn't painful. My senses returned slowly, I could feel the cool air first against my warm skin. That was the next thing I felt, warmth and a horrible sticky kind; a feeling of burning from the inside out. Struggling at this feeling I managed to move my body, trying to push away whatever was making me so warm and allow more cool air to cross over me; but something pushed back against me. Fighting against it I continued to flail with my arms, hating the sweltering heat that gripped me and willing it to vanish.

"She's waking," the voice came from the nothingness, sparking something in me and causing me to still in my efforts. Blearily I blinked away sleep, trying to see through the bangs of hair stuck to my face. As my eyes focused I saw white, white everywhere and -for a moment- worried that I'd died and moved on.

"Where…is this the afterlife? I don't want to die!"

I began to panic, tears sprang to my eyes and I forgot my discomfort, struggling against something holding me to the bed. Before I could further move soft hands had raised me up and cradled me close to a body, it was padded and soft…comforting and familiar.

Hands that make me feel like I belong, one day I'll find them.

The thought flitted across my mind, it had been the first logical thought I'd managed in this life and always stuck with me.

"They feel just like them…welcoming and safe,"

A feeling of safety bubbled over within the energy holding me, encompassing me and soothing me. That was when I managed to raise my head and see my holder, a beautiful lady with long crimson hair and a smile that reminded me of the one I'd seen on mother's faces. My heart swelled, eyes widening and tears flowing over.

"Is this…"

The feeling was overwhelming, it was confusing and strange but so brilliant in its nature. This lady, the one who had followed behind the bright man, had the same hands…the same touch as the one who had first held me in life. Hands that promised absolute safety and belonging, a feeling I hadn't felt since those first fleeting moments of my life in this world.

"Kushina, I got the water. How is she do…" the words stopped midway, a voice I could connect vaguely to the bright energy that had entered the room. "She's awake?" A question, the tone gave away little but the bright energy flickered and I knew it was one. The chest beneath me expanded and began to rumble with words.

"Just now, she was panicking and I couldn't think of what else to do…her lines and mask are still attached so it should be okay right?" The voice was gentle as I watched her soft lips move, turning my head I looked at the approaching man and smiled gently.

"It's them, they didn't abandon me!"

As my brain finally began to reassemble itself I finally noticed the clear plastic mask on my face, the tubes leading to my right arm, the beeping of a monitor accompanied by wires stuck all over me and the dull ache of something tight around my head as well as left ankle.

"Hmm, I can't see why it wouldn't be; but we should probably call a medic to check her over. She still looks feverish and we don't know if moving her caused any further problems. Might be best if you laid her back on the bed," his voice was soft but the words caused me to lean closer and grip tighter to the lady, I wanted to stay with her she made me feel like my first moments…this was what I had been searching for and I'd be damned if anyone ripped it away from me again. Seeing my movements, the man sighed and ran a hand through his spiky hair.

"Doesn't look like she agrees Minato," laughter rumbled through the chest I leaned on and shocked me, causing me to lean backwards quickly and out of the lady's arms. I felt myself begin to fall backwards, arms raised and reaching out for someone.

"Kushina!" The tone was harsh and worrisome, at the same moment another pair of arms snapped out to catch me, removing my legs from the arms of the woman; before gently setting me back on -what I now assumed- was the bed. I heard a large sigh from two places and the relaxing of the energies, relaxing my body into the pillows I pouted at being moved back to the bed. "Sorry about that," he seemed sincere in his apology, blue eyes sparkling with concern. However, before I could nod in acceptance a lady clad in a strange white uniform burst into the room through a nearby door, startling me as I hadn't focused enough to sense her chaotic energy. She rushed towards me and immediately placed her hands on my forehead and chest, I tried to back away; uncomfortable under her touch. I quickly ceased my squirming when a hand connected with my own, comforting me and allowing me to relax under the physical touch of the strange chaotic woman.

"Well it looks like your fever has broken, you're going to need to stay for a few more days so we can make sure it doesn't return…we also need to run some blood tests and get you eating and drinking, is there anything in particular you would like?" Her question was so obviously directed at me but I was overwhelmed by her already and was struggling to process her speech, I gaped for a moment beneath the plastic mask before she removed it and hung it up on the wall behind me. "Well that's okay, I'll see what I can get them to make for you but you better eat it!" Without further notice she dropped a chart at the end of my bed and disappeared as quickly as she had appeared, leaving me confused and none the wiser as to what had happened in my mental absence. Looking toward the two people stood beside the bed I raised an eyebrow in query, however they looked as gob smacked as I did at the nurses' actions.

"Well, that's good? I suppose you want to know what happened after you were put out?" The question came from the blonde man, his eyes scrutinizing me ad assessing me. The way he looked made me wonder if he knew, knew that I was much older mentally unlike the others who babbled and cried all the time.

"Minato! She's just a child, she won't understand," the lady probably didn't have the same suspicions but that didn't make me think any less of her; in fact, it made me happy to know she wasn't biased in thinking I was 'special'.

"Why don't we let her answer?" He spoke directly to me moving around the bed and taking a seat in a chair located there before motioning for the lady to do the same, complying she let go of my hand and sat beside him. Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and chin in his hands he stared at me, eyes boring into mine; searching for something. At this I nodded.

"He's right, I do want to know…I'm so confused right now."

"Well then…" He began to talk about what had happened and the general summary was that I'd had to be knocked out as they couldn't pry me away from him; I blushed at this ashamed at my childish nature when he'd been carrying and helping me. After that they had dealt with my head injury as best they could, however they couldn't use too much of their healing stuff as it would interfere with my growth; but just when they had done what they could with my injury I had come down with a fever. They assumed infection and began to dose me on antibiotics and monitor me for -now this is the craziest part- six days and nights.

"I was unconscious for nearly a week!"

My eyes bugged out and immediately all I could think of was how I would explain this to the Matron, she was going to be pissed.

"The orphanage was notified, they are aware and have been told you will return when you are released from the hospital," the words hit hard, harder than they should have. Turning my head away from his startling blue gaze and the accompanying violet eyes I tilted my head back, sunk into the pillow and stared wistfully up at the white-tiled ceiling.

"I'm such an idiot, why did I think things would change at all? Stupid childish notions, I'll never belong anywhere."

Sighing silently, I turned my back to them and curled into a fetal position, closing my eyes and letting silent tears track across my cheeks. If I'd turned to face them then I would have hated myself, I knew their faces would be shock and hurt but it didn't matter I'd never be seeing them again once I was back at the orphanage so it didn't matter. They didn't matter, I didn't matter and this world could disappear as far as I cared. Life was never going to get better, childish dreams shattered in that moment and I cried myself to sleep as the duo silently left the room.

Staring up at the blue, cloudless sky I glanced down at the sheet of paper detailing instructions on how to get back to the orphanage. Apparently it was called 'Rosutoramu Minashigo-in' which I think roughly meant Lost Lamb Orphanage.

"Lost lamb alright, lamb lost to the slaughter more likely."

Sighing silently, I moved forward, ankle healed and hair floating gently behind me. Nobody would know that nearly two weeks ago I had a head injury, an ankle injury and life-threatening fever; seriously I needed to be careful. However, for a first injury it seemed pretty impressive compared to the other children, mostly just sprains and grazes. Shifting my tearing backpack straps and I began, barefooted, back through the bustling town following the directions on the paper. Wondering aimlessly, I came to a small alley that overlooked a bustling stall market.

"Doesn't look so scary now that I've been here before."

Looking longingly at all the wonderful food and other items on the market tables I turned my back and began down the alley, entering the poorer part of town and retracing my old steps back towards the rotting orphanage. Looking up and then back down at the paper I shoved it hastily in my pocket, noticing the hospital address on the top and knowing it may be useful in future. Stepping onto my tiptoes I pulled at the handle and opened the door, moving in and silently closing it behind me I let out a puff of air.

"Mission accomplished, enter without being heard or seen!"

Silently cheering myself on I turned and blanched. Tapping against the floorboards, eyes filled with annoyance and arms crossed over her chest was the Matron. My eyes widened as she grabbed my arm and pulled me up the stairs, continuing to drag me upwards till we reached the door to my room. Yanking it open she shoved me in and closed the door, calling through the wood.

"Don't even think you will be getting dinner tonight, you must have eaten well at the hospital and even sponged off of someone else. Your food for the next few days can go to the others, you are to stay in your room and not come out; you are grounded until I say otherwise!" Her footsteps faded away and my eyes widened even further, I couldn't believe it. I was the one injured by the older kids and now I was being punished! My heart dropped to my stomach and I stood straighter, letting my eyes relax and taking a deep breath I walked silently towards the windowsill; letting my energy muffle my steps like that one book I'd found showed me. Clambering up onto the sill I stared out the grubby window, rubbing it with my hand to give me a clearer view of the rooftops and the backyard area of the orphanage. Below the rest of the children were playing or sitting in the shade of trees, chatting and happily accepting the life they had been given.

"Is it so wrong to want more?"

My experiences with the man and lady had made me wonder if the treatment here wasn't really normal, had I been deceived into thinking that this was the only way others treated you. My backpack sagged onto the sill behind me, and I leaned backwards; arcing over it to lean on the wall. I opened my mouth to sing a silent song, wishing so much I could truly hear it.

"I don't belong here
Not in this atmosphere
Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye
I don't belong here
Not in this atmosphere
Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye

Started with a kick and a punch
A claw to the face
And I was in the race
I was in the race
Yeah, yeah
You know it's hard sometimes
Being humankind
Keeping up with the pace
Keeping up with the pace
Yeah, yeah
I'm sick of running
Sick of running
Sick of running
The Human Race
The Human Race

If it's an eye for an eye
Then we all go blind
Is it hard to see?
Is it hard to see?
Yeah, yeah
So far behind
No finish line
It can happen to you
It can happen to me
Yeah

I don't belong here
Not in this atmosphere
Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye
I don't belong here
Not in this atmosphere
Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye

Started with a kick and a punch
A claw to the face
And I was in the race
I was in the race
Yeah
The Human Race
I'm sick of running
Sick of running
Sick of running
The Human Race
The Human Race

I don't belong here
Not in this atmosphere
Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye

I don't belong here
Not in this atmosphere
I don't belong here
Not in this atmosphere
Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye"

The song was one of the only things that had followed me through into this life, I didn't fully understand all of the lyrics as they were in some other language; I could translate some of it but not all. It felt so good to sing, even when no sound was produced.

"Hah! Look at Akuma trying to sing, you'll never sing because you're an Akuma who wasn't allowed to be heard!" An older child had snuck up into the room, I turned and watched him grab a satchel and disappear out the door; but not before sneering at me. My eyes drooped and I felt anger rise, it was the only thing that got to me and they knew it!

"Just because I can't make sound from my mouth doesn't mean I can't be heard!"

It was one of the things that contributed to my 'weirdness', I was mute. Not just vocally but completely. I couldn't make a single noise not even a sigh or grunt of pain, I was completely mute. It meant I didn't really have a voice, making me an easy target as I couldn't speak up, argue or even defend myself. I knew if I had my own sound I'd be shouting from the rooftops about how unfair this life is, about my dreams and the wishes I had. I'd pray on every star that shot, on every ninja who jumped across the rooftops and the people who fought for us, I wasn't naïve but I wasn't strong either.

"I doubt I'll ever be able to change, but maybe just maybe one day I can be a ninja too! Then I can be heard in a way that doesn't require sound…then I can protect those like me, those who don't have the chance to be heard."

I knew it was farfetched, almost unreachable or even impossible -some would say- but I didn't care. Pulling a book from my backpack I settled in for a day of reading, a long forgotten book of gutsy ninja and tales of bravery for the sake of others.

"One day…"

Song is Human Race by Three Days Grace.

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Wolven x