16. Cling to it, and know you still breath
"Why did you help me?" It was a rather sudden and odd question to ask seeing as he was currently in the middle of cleaning tables, but for once Naruto couldn't help himself. School had been weird lately, in fact, he'd actually admit to not minding it as much. And it was all thanks to her.
Naruto wasn't really sure if that was good or bad.
"Hmm? What are you babbling on about over there?" The old cook exhaled a cloud of tobacco smoke, and Naruto was vaguely reminded of Sarutobi.
"Why did you help me?" He repeated. "Not many people would've bothered with a bleeding kid who they couldn't even understand. It's not what you'd call the safest choice."
Naruto dropped the rag he was using to clean the now spotless table with and turned to face the evidently bored Hayate. Who's behind was comfortably resting on what he'd dubbed as the best seat in the house while its owner steadily drank from a sake cup.
"Well, I'm not your average old man so I wasn't too worried." Hayate brought the drink up to his mouth and took another sip, letting out a pleased sigh shortly after as the ale warmed his core. "Ahhh, the perks of early retirement and cheap child-labor."
Naruto felt the corners of his lips twitch. "That doesn't really answer my question."
The old man shrugged in response, and then promptly took another swing of his sake. For a split second Naruto contemplated strangling his boss/guardian-of-sorts but ultimately decided against it. A scowl set itself firmly over his pale features and Naruto opted to glare at the flushed bastard until he decided to talk.
"Ah, come on kid. You know that stare of yours really creeps me out..." Hayate swore he saw a spark of lightning in those dark blue eyes. Letting out another sigh, the oldest of the two stroked his bear for a second before finally choosing to speak. "A year ago, you told me that I should've let you die... You told me that it was what you wanted."
Naruto's lips set into a thin line at his words.
It was, it still is... But he wouldn't be the one doing the killing.
"You know, I don't think you really wanted to die. I don't think anyone really wants to die at all, no matter how bad things get in life. It's almost a basic human instinct to forge on." Hayate looked at him, not with kind eyes, but with eyes of a veteran, and not one of war, but of the daily task of living. "Although to be honest, I was just feeling particularly guilty that night and felt like that was my chance to atone for all of my crimes."
Naruto didn't outwardly respond.
How could he? He knew that feeling all too well.
"Just one look at you." Hayate continued, "and I saw my son." His voice grew noticeably softer at that bit. "I saw my son, and I saw everything I took away from him. His childhood, his freedom, his happiness...I took it all. Me, his own father." The old man felt the familiar ache in his chest and adamantly fought against it. "You don't want to die Naruto-boy, I know you don't. You're just tired of living is all." His eyes softened. "I never pried into yer past, never wanted to. I just wanted to help myself pass on and make sure you found a good reason to keep going on."
Hayate took another swig of his drink, and then he smiled at him. It wasn't the most beautiful smile, not by a long-shot. It was even a little bit sad, but, it felt right, and for whatever reason that faulty smile answered his questions.
"You want to know why I saved you on that night? Well, it was because I was desperate to right my wrongs, and when you broke into my place I figured... why the hell not? That's the best part about it you know, you take a chance because you're hoping for something to happen, and there ain't nothing wrong with that boy." He grinned, "It's just part of being human. Of course I didn't expect you to end up being a super ninja with a super truckload of issues to boot. But, you grew on me either way! Hahaha!"
Naruto watched him carefully for a moment before letting out a small breath. The old bastard dodged most of it, but he was satisfied with what he got nonetheless.
Taking a chance, huh?
...If only it were actually that easy.
"Uzumaki...Naruto?" Kyoko repeated the name, a name she knew far too well, as if it were the first time she were hearing it.
The man smiled down at her, and nodded. "Yeah, and by the looks of your faces. I've hit the...what's it called, jackpot?" He hummed aloud to himself for a moment before shrugging. "Either way it looks like you folks get to live, so long as you cooperate. Not that there's much to live for out there anyways, but it's a good thing I don't have to kill you."
Shido gulped, his heart thumping in his chest as his narrowed orbs desperately tried to find any type of outing. Unfortunately between the random, unexpected earthquake earlier, the increase in corpses and now this, things were not looking any better.
Damn it! Damnitdamnitdamnit! What the hell is with this?! Nervous sweat trickled down his forehead and matted his black locks against his pale skin. This entire situation was absurd! Things weren't supposed to be like this!
Next to him Yamada was barley keeping his shaking to a minimum, Kawamato couldn't even speak out of sheer terror, and his only remaining asset was still dead to the world. The only other person severing as some use right now was Kyoko, and that was only as a mouth-piece. Although she would serve a worthy distraction. If this man wanted her, he could have her.
Of course it was a shame.
Before the mildly distracted Shido knew, the cloaked man was kneeling in front of him. A smile as pleasant and oddly comforting as one given by a long-time friend stretched against sickly ashen skin.
"I wouldn't recommenced spacing out here. I'm kind of an impatient guy so if you take too long, you'll die. After all, I never said I'd spare all of you now did I?" The smile stretched even wider. And at that moment Shido felt as if he were nothing but prey to a very hungry predator.
Kyoko took notice of the gleam in that lone eye, and spared her fellow teacher an unfortunate fate.
"W-What do you want to know?" She stated suddenly.
"Everything." He spoke as if he'd expected it, never once taking his eye off of the profusely sweating Shido. "Everything every single one of you knows, even the guy on the ground. Where you've seen him, your connections to him, what he's been doing. I need to know it all." The playful tone was suddenly lost.
And when he rose, it was as if a shadow had risen up behind him. An ominous creature with wide eyes and a mouthful of jagged, sharp teeth. None could tell if what they'd seen was real or not, but the gut wrenching fear it provoked was.
Kawamato dry heaved and fell to the ground clutching her chest. Her eyes wide and breath ragged, the glasses she'd once worn now lying discarded a few feet away. With a quiet crunch, the masked stranger crushed them under his foot.
"Talk."
"H...H-H...He...he's a s-s—" The struggling girl couldn't even speak, in spite of how hard she was trying to.
The edges of the coat he wore dragged over the floor of the apartment and cast a shadow over her, and as he took a knee, he spoke. His words so outright cold they couldn't be ignored. "If you can't even form a sentence, you're already useless to me." The mans hand reared back, in a manner that was oddly familiar, and with practiced ease it swiftly came down to deliver a gruesome end to the now balling her eyes out girl.
"He's a student a Fujimi Academy!" The redhead all but screamed. And instantly, his hand stopped an inch away from the crying girls face.
A single, icy blue eye turned to greet her widened ones. "Please, do tell." He gestured for her to continue, tone dripping with hints of mirth. Not once did he move his hand away though. That smile however, it was back on his face. She could see it peaking out from underneath the shadows of the fur-lined hood that effectively obscured the rest of his features.
Kyoko was now shivering, her attention locked solely on the near hyperventilating Kawamoto. The girl was shaking, her entire form rigid and tense. Kyoko's gaze landed on the exposed hand that would've horribly enough, smashed the teens face in, and lingered there for a brief second. And in that short second the woman realized that if she didn't start talking soon, Kawamoto would die.
"H-He was a student at our school. Myself and Shido-san were t-teachers there, and these three also attended. I don't know much about him but he was generally know to be a problem student and he was highly disliked by the student population and some of the staff."
She paused for a breath, and took a moment to consider if it was worth telling this man where Naruto went. If she told, he'd no doubt attack the others, and she'd be at fault for putting them, and possibly even dozens of other people in danger. And that was something she would not risk... In spite of her own apparent danger, she absolutely would not!
"And... that's all I know! I swear! Please, please don't kill any of the students! They're just kids!"
A silence lingered across the room, and with bated breaths, the captives in the situation awaited his response. And it came, slowly.
It started off as a tiny cackle.
Or more like a chuckle, and then it was a full blown fit of laughter.
"A school!" He cried between breaths. "He was in a school! A high school, this entire time!" It took a moment for the obviously mad man to settle down, and when he finally did, he moved his hand away from Kawamoto's face. Hopefully ending the threat of him outright bludgeoning the innocent girl. "Sorry, I-I'm sorry! It's just...Uzumaki Naruto, the biggest traitor in recent history, the slayer of root, was in a high school this whole time! That's funny, that's too funny! I honestly never would've even considered it!"
Kyoko registered his words, but couldn't make any sense of them.
The biggest traitor in recent history?
She wasn't the only one who'd heard the strangers apparent ramble, though none could make head or tails of it.
"Oh, man. Unbelievable." He breathed out, and then smiled at her. And an unconscious shiver ran down her spine. "Go on and tell me more, sensei."
That smile...
It was so fake she almost barfed at the sight of it.
"H-Hey! Slow down!" Rei stumbled as Naruto pulled her along, turning corner after corner in a way that made it feel as if he'd walked these halls dozens of times before. Of course he ignored her, and when she finally regained her bearings the brunette pulled her hand back and abruptly stopped. Her feet firmly planted over the ground. A thin frown over her features.
The blond followed her lead, his head tilting back to look at her as he spoke.
"You're wasting time. If we don't hurry up and—"
"What the hell do you mean save my grandpa? What's going on?" The girl asked, her eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed. What she'd come here to do before was now entirely forgotten at the mention of her family.
Naruto snorted. "You're kidding right? What's going on is that there are flesh-eating monsters out there and your grandfather is a frail old man. Are you coming with me or not?"
The brunette felt her hand twitch. "I know that, asshole. I mean what kind of trouble could my grandpa, of all people, be in? Wouldn't the agency have come to get him by now?"
She caught the brief flash of a frown that curved his lips down. "You really think they're going to waste the resources on a retired old man who is of absolutely no use to them? I think they've got bigger problems to deal with at the moment. Now, I'm not going to ask again...are you coming with me or not?"
Naruto knew...
Of course he knew, he mentioned it before. Her own voice taunted her within her thoughts. Hayate trusted him enough to talk about his old life. Of his connection to a world that most people didn't even know of.
Rei bit her lip.
This was it, she could decide for herself here and now. He couldn't force her to go... she could stay, find somebody else, like Saya's father for instance, and leave with them instead. There were none of Them around, and it wasn't like she didn't have any other choice but go along with him. This time it was her choice to make, and hers alone.
But...what's up with him? Naruto's eyes flickered away from her own every now and again, something she knew he'd never do in most situations. Even in a life or death scenario, the Uzumaki would always seem to look at you, and only at you at all times if you spoke to him. As if he were giving you his undivided attention.
Now, he looked more anxious than anything.
So something was definitely up. The question was, did she really want to find out what that something was?
...
Damn it! This kind of indecision wasn't like her! If anything, it suited Takashi a lot more.
It seemed Naruto had had enough of waiting and made the decision for her. Without a word he broke eye contact for the final time and retreated, his back all the way to her as the blond promptly cut a sharp left and vanished from her line of sight. Rei almost tripped over herself following after him.
"Wait!" She cried as she too turned the corner.
Against his better judgement, Naruto did just that. Souichiro's words echoing in the back of his head all the while.
...she was his family, first and foremost, not him.
"Can't you at least just explain to me what's going on?!"
Naruto frowned and shook his head. "The longer we wait the less time he has. I can explain everything on the way there, but it has to be on the way there. I don't really want to sit here and discuss things with you right now. In fact, whatever the reason you sought me out, I won't even consider helping you...not until that old bastard is better off." The last part was mumbled more to himself, but Rei picked up on it.
Hell, she was feeling the exact same way right now.
No...is he? It made perfect sense now. The fidgeting, the uncharacteristic impatience. It was almost too far off a concept that she didn't even consider it a possibility.
And yet, here it was. Right before her, just like that night. Uzumaki Naruto was worried. He was genuinely worried for the sake of her old, dirty, drunken grandfather.
But, why?
Why was he so worried? What kind of history did her grandfather and Naruto share that would invoke this kind of response from someone well-known for his indifference?
For a moment, she didn't respond, until a slow nod signaled him.
Naruto's lips fell into a thin line, and with nod of his own, the blond spoke. "I'm going to carry you again, it'll be faster this way. You should already know that much."
Rei nodded again, although hesitantly this time. She couldn't deny him that, especially not after seeing everything he was capable. A voice whispered in the back of her mind... what if there was more? Of course, she promptly ignored it.
Without word the blond silently made his way to her and in a manner similar to before, he scooped the brunette up. Her slender arms wrapping around his neck and unconsciously squeezing a bit in preparation for the oncoming ride.
"Where are we going?" She couldn't help but ask. Her chin coming to rest over his shoulder as it had done once before.
Naruto didn't outright answer her at first, and from her position, Rei quietly took note of the far away look in his eyes. "The only thing he wouldn't abandon, no matter what." Was his cryptic response after a moment had passed.
She would have questioned him more — should've— had she not deemed it pointless. And would it even mean anything at this point? Besides, if anyone could help save Hayate, it was Naruto.
Her fingers gripped the edges of his shirt, a shirt that was still stained with old blood, unlike her brand new clean one, and quietly, she strengthened her resolve. No, it didn't... Right now, saving her grandfather was what meant more to her than anything else. After this it would be one down, and two to go.
Within the blink of an eye the two practically vanished from sight. The royal, purple tinted curtains that hung across the walls a few feet away bellowing at the sudden winds as the now open window near them flapped about.
The door to his office was abruptly opened, and Souichiro immediately knew who it was. There were only two people who openly barged into his private room without announcing their presence first, one did it by cover of shadow and wasn't anywhere nearby right now, and the other was his wife.
Yuriko flashed her husband a smile as she stepped into the grand room. "Hey hun."
Souichiro allowed a rare smile to turn his normally stoic expression warm. "Yuriko." He spoke with a nod. "Thank you for sending him my way. I was right to think he'd prefer talking to you over me after having just arrived."
The woman brushed him off as she made her way over to his side. "How do you think it went?" She asked, while pulling one of the nearby seats closer so she could sit.
The don let out a breath and allowed his head to droop slightly. Entirely comfortable in showing a bit of weariness in front of the woman he loved. "As well as it could've gone I suppose, he didn't kill me or kill anyone else—"
"He's not a killer, So. He was scared back then, even you could tell that much." Yuriko interrupted him, a scowl on her face. "He hasn't killed anyone else in cold blood."
The man eyed his wife for a moment, before shaking his head. "A killer is not defined by who he kills or his motives, my love. A killer is defined by how he kills. Naruto shows no hesitation or a shred of remorse when he takes a life, and therefor, he is a killer by definition."
Yuriko let out a sigh. "I hate when you do that, can't you ever let me win once." She spoke.
Souichiro smirked. "My dear, you won the biggest battle of them all twenty-one years ago. I think that's more than enough."
She smiled, and for a moment the two sat in a comfortable quiet. Enjoying the company of the other as only true lovers ever could.
"How's everything holding up?" Yuriko asked after the quiet had passed, her eyes shifting to observe the people down below. "Did you get some sleep?"
A tired sigh escaped the man at her question's. He hadn't slept a wink in the past twenty-four hours while making sure to save as many lives as he could, and when he finally settles down for some well-deserved rest, Uzumaki Naruto returns and sleep is suddenly the last thing on his mind.
"Good, for now at least." He began, leaving out the sleep deprivation. "If we plan to make this place livable for such a huge group of people though, we'll need more supplies, more resources. The gates work well in keeping the corpses away for now but they won't keep other people away, or a huge horde out. I need to barricade them, and I need materials and more people willing to work for that to happen. Not to mention the workers at the plant have already started to complain and asking to see their families. Basically, either those people down there realize that this will only work out if we all work together, or Naruto does a complete one-eighty and offers us his help." He paused. "And I doubt either of those things is going to happen anytime soon."
Yuriko kept silent for a moment as she listened to her husband vent. Normally this man would've been prepared for anything, but the end of the world wasn't something you could truly ever be prepared for.
"I plan on taking Tadeshi, along with a small crew of my men up there soon. Perhaps I can work out a deal to keep the workers there, or maybe get them to teach my men how to work the plant in their absence. We'll stand a better chance in the long run this way. There isn't a doubt in my mind that the power will be going out in most minor parts of the city soon, within the next couple of months even. We have to think ahead of us, years ahead of us, if our people are going to survive this."
The woman took note of her husbands strife and reached over, placing a hand over his much larger one in an effort to soothe that strife.
"It'll be okay, we can do this." She offered a smile, and he smiled back.
"Yeah...for her. We'll do it for her." The don said.
It was always for her, even if she didn't think it was. Even if she ended up hating him for it, it was all for his beloved daughter. Yuriko knew this, and that's why she would never have the heart to tell the man she loved, how much he's hurt her. Yuriko could do many things, good and bad, but she could never do that.
Instead, she merely nodded.
"We always do, don't we."
Yuki watched her as one would watch a lover from a distance. She wore an oriental kimono of a black coal color, one that hugged her curves in all the right places, and was leisurely admiring the small pond were a cluster of koi fish swam, their world undisturbed by the horrors of their own.
Busujima Saeko...
Yuki watched her, with agonizing eyes. Her lips trembling in a mixture of anger and hurt. It was always hard enough seeing her around the school and keeping up an act...but here, in this messed up situation, things were much different.
Would she approach her?
Could she even?
"But in all honesty, you are simply just too weak."
Saeko's words cut just as deeply now as they did back then every time she thought about it.
But, she was different now. Stronger. Much stronger! Her skin was steel, and her heart was metal. Nothing could touch her anymore, hurt her. Not even her.
So then...why won't my body move?
Indeed, Saeko was there, and this new stronger her was here. A distance away. Within a few steps, that distance could be crossed and dealt with as easily as one could. Yet, it wasn't. And despite her mind telling her body to act it refused, and a voice in the back of her head taunted her as it had done so many times before all the while. Saeko never once avoided her after the one-sided 'break up' of sorts happened. She still smiled the same way, she still waved and acknowledged her, and even went as far as to walk with her to class as if nothing had changed. And to the world, nothing had changed. At least, not on Saeko's part.
But everything had changed for her...
You're alone again.
Alone.
Alone again.
You are alone.
Yuki gripped the edges of her brand new dress, gracefully provided to her by the Takagi family, with an odd fury. Her fingers squeezing the fabric tightly until they were a milky white and the edges were no doubt stretched out. She hated that more than anything! Her world crumbled with a few spoken words by someone she thought she could trust, and that same person whom she loved so much, never seemed to care in the first place. And it pissed her off!
So she rebelled, part in an effort to stay away from the school, and the other to strengthen herself. A bond was a weak, fickle thing. That was what Busujima Saeko had truly taught her. A lesson she'd now die abiding by.
The redhead had been so caught up in her own thoughts, that by the time she'd realized Saeko was already patting the open seat next to her and beckoning for Yuki to come sit. It was already too little too late.
"Yu-chan, come here." The sound of her voice was warm, like honey. It soothed her.
And Yuki did come, the numbness in her bones all but gone as she made her way to her. Being extra careful to not show any hint of weakness or any kind of hesitation whatsoever, or else risk Saeko noticing it, and she would notice.
In a matter of seconds, Yuki was next to her.
"So, would you mind telling me why you've been stalking me?" Saeko questioned.
The old her, the weaker Yuki. Her breath would have hitched and she would've been at a loss for words at being caught.
"I haven't been stalking you as much as I've been watching you." She responded, a friendly smile of her own plastered over her features. "I've been waiting, I suppose, for my chance to approach you... I guess with everything that's happened I was hoping you and I could talk about some things. You know, before either one of us...well, bites the dust."
That was the weak Yuki and she wasn't that person anymore.
Saeko tilted her head, and after a moment of consideration, nodded. Her smile never once faltering or failing to entrance her. "You're right, we should talk."
Yuki was mildly surprised that it was going this easy for her.
"So, tell me, what is it you'd like to talk about? "
And at that, the redhead felt her heart freeze over. She looked so curious, so damn innocent, as if she'd really just forgotten everything that had happened between them.
"I..." And for a second, Yuki hesitated. Her eyes searching those familiar bright blue for any sign of recognition, but she found none.
And it left her speechless.
Saeko was playing her... she had to be playing her, somehow someway. There's just no way she could've just forgotten! Shrugged those memories off like they were nothing!
"Yu-chan, are you okay?"
Yuki felt as if she'd disappeared for a moment, like her mind had been warped to some far off world. And it wasn't until Saeko had gently placed a hand over her cheek, that she'd found home again.
"What...?"
"You spaced out there for a moment." Saeko searched her, genuine concern in her gaze. "Are you feeling okay? Did you make sure to see Marikawa-san before you started wandering about?"
This is all so familiar.
"Yeah..." She stated. "I'm fine. I just kind of expected you to brush me off, so, it took me by surprise is all."
The older of the two made a face. "What exactly do you mean? I'd never outright brush you off, Yu-chan."
Yuki couldn't help the snort that escaped her. "Oh, really? You mean like you did before?" She spat, her arms now crossed over her chest.
Saeko's lips fell from the smile she wore and settled themselves into a thin line. "I see...so, you're still upset are you?"
Upset...
She was more than just upset! She was downright betrayed and absolutely furious! I trusted you...I thought you were the one person in this world that wasn't outright disgusting to look at, and you dropped me... You just dropped me, like it all meant nothing. Meaning that to you, it never did mean anything at all.
These were the things Yuki wanted to say, but found she never would. She wasn't that strong, not yet at least. Her entire plan was thrown out of the window in a mere few words by the violet haired heiress. All of it was shattered by the disbelief that she'd somehow forgotten, but, she never did. Saeko was playing her. Like a master would play a flute.
Yu-chan, she called me Yu-chan from the start to throw off my guard.
"I am sorry you know..." Saeko continued, her eyes staring into her now shocked own, "there was so much potential in you." She breathed out, "Things could have turned out so differently between you and I, maybe you might have been able to prove me wrong in the end, but...the way I see it, nothing has changed. It's just like I said at the time, and even now, an entire year later. You're still weak."
It felt as if the very ground itself had opened and swallowed her whole. Those words bounced throughout her skull, back and forth nonstop for what felt like an eternity. And every time they'd hit the roof of her head, pain erupted.
"You're still hiding behind a facade, you've just changed the appearance of the mask is all. That fear, that longing, it makes you weak." Saeko rose from her spot, and looked down upon the rooted redhead she'd once called 'friend'. "Really, you should thank him. In a way you can't ever understand...he is your savior."
With a polite bow and another smile, Saeko bid farewell to her and graceful made her exit. Long, flowing hair following behind her.
She looks like a princess... Yuki's heart thumped. I hate you. I hate you I hate you, I hate you so much! She repeated the words within her thoughts, eyes still staring blankly at the spot she'd once sat. I hate you so damn much, that I think it's hurting me more than it'll ever hurt you...
It was here that she would prove her true strength, where she would rise higher instead of fall. If only to herself. Perhaps the Saeko she'd come to know really was a lie, a fake, and this one and the one she'd seen on that day were the real ones all along. And if that was the case then she would not be going unpunished. Yuki would take what Saeko wanted most, what she'd left her for. She would take him, and flaunt him, and then toss him like unwanted garbage. All while watching Saeko's world crumble.
"There you go! Good as new." Shizuka carefully placed the last bandage over the wound on Alice's left knee, and then happily clapped. "Thank you for being so brave Alice!"
The child swung her leg back and forth a few times, as if testing it, before a wide smile settled over her features. "Mhm, I'm brave! I told you I was."
The nurse chuckled, and delivered a warm smile as she patted the smaller girls head. "I never once doubted you." She spoke.
Alice let her feet touch solid ground, and winced when a sharp pain ran up the same leg. "It still hurts..." She mumbled, but before Shizuka could inform her that her wounds hadn't healed yet, Alice continued. "But, I don't mind. I'm happy I've made it this far."
A pang of sorrow swept through the blond, her eyes locked on the still smiling face of the child. Even she knew the chances of her surviving were abysmal at best. A lone child, in a city full of monsters. Human or otherwise... Alice really wouldn't have made it far. Not without help.
And help came, in the form of one enigmatic teen.
How exactly did Uzumaki Naruto go about saving this child?
"Your leg got injured in the crash, but it should start to feel better in three to four days. A week at the latest." Shizuka reached into her black bag and searched for something, "You'll be limping if you try and walk for the rest of the day though, so I suggest plenty of bed rest young lady! And as a reward for being so brave..." When she'd found what she was looking for, the woman grinned impishly.
When her hand exited the bag, Alice's bright eyes were locked on the sugary chocolate bar in her hands.
"Here, I think you deserve this."
"Yum! Chocolate!" Alice happily thanked Shizuka and then quickly unwrapped her prize. She admired the sweet for a second, her yes twinkling in delight, before taking a hearty bite. A bit of drool escaping the corners of her lips as she happily chewed the candy. It was a rare treat, and one she would most certainly enjoy.
Shizuka watched her, a tiny, wry smile spread across her face. I envy the way children seem to take so much pleasure from the smallest of things.
"Say, Alice, would you mind answering a question for me?"
The child looked up at her, and then nodded.
Shizuka took notice of a tiny stain of chocolate over Alice's cheek, and reached over to gingerly wipe it off. "Okay, thank you." She took a moment to admire her eagerness to please, before speaking. "Alice...would you mind telling me exactly how it was that Uzumaki-san and Miyamoto-san found you?"
At that, the smile on Alice's face instantly lost all traces of joy. "How...they found me?" She repeated softly. Her gaze suddenly falling to meet the ground. "I...I was..." Images of her father, wounded and dying. Of all the monsters coming at her, snarling and screeching all the while. Of those peoples faces, the ones who killed her dad when all he needed was a little help...
They plagued her.
Shizuka quickly realized she might have brought up unwanted thoughts for the youth. Of course! How could I be so stupid! A lone kid, with no parents around...damn! She placed a comforting hand over the shell-shocked girl. "Alice, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"My papa...he was dead." Alice said. "He was d-dead in my arms, a-and I was going to die soon too. They were coming for me...and I shut my eyes and waited...but...nothing happened." Shizuka listened to every word with baited breath. "When I opened my eyes again, Naruto...he killed all of those scary people, and then he told me to follow him. My papa, he always said not to trust any strangers I meet, but, I went with big bro and big sis because I felt like...like I could trust them."
Alice looked up at her, and Shizuka felt her heart ache at the tears forming in those innocent eyes.
"Why..." she whispered, "Why do people die, Shizuka-san?"
The nurse almost froze at the question. This was a ten-year old girl, asking something she was much too young to even ponder. Still, she couldn't run away from this. Better now then before she makes some kind of huge mistake.
"People..." she began, "people die because...because..." Yet, even as she tried to search for them, the blond found herself at a loss for words. This was a question she'd asked herself many times before, a question everyone has asked themselves at one point in time.
A question with no known answer, and no known solution.
"They die, because someone out there desperately needs that person a lot more than any of us needed them down here." Shizuka gave the girls shoulder a tiny squeeze. "And I know that's hard to believe, because who could need your papa more than you, right? Well, truthfully you just have to believe that whoever needed them, needed them. And that they're helping make that person happier now...just like they did for you."
Alice remained quiet for a moment, until a slow nod signaled her gradual acceptance. Though the awkward atmosphere still lingered.
"I sincerely hope that helped dear, it's what I believe in." Shizuka offered another smile. Alice returned it, albeit a bit weaker. "You're free to go Alice, I'm sure the other children are waiting on you. I've still got one more person to check up on, and then I'll come get you okay?"
"Okay."
Shizuka watched her go and inwardly prayed that what she'd told this easily moldable mind was right. When Alice had finally left the room, the nurse let out a breath she wasn't even aware she'd been holding and sunk deep into her chair. Taking a moment to admire the small medical wing that was, impressively enough, set up by the Takagi family within the span of a few hours. It was here that she would serve the same purpose she served at the school. Namely attending to the sick and wounded for as long as she could.
The medication I brought plus what's already here now is enough to last the rest of the month, maybe two if we don't suffer too many casualties. It wouldn't last forever though.
Reaching over to the clipboard a few inches away from her, the busty nurse crossed of the second to last name on her list, until only one remained.
Uzumaki Naruto.
He'd practically disappeared after their arrival, and was making it increasingly difficult to find hide or hair of him. But she wouldn't be giving up anytime soon. More than anyone here that kid needed a medical checkup. He'd done the most, and unfortunately enough spilled the most blood. No one came out of that healthy, in body or mind.
"The question is...where to start?"
The wind swept past her hair like she were riding in a roofless car, and just like before, Rei held on as tightly as she could whilst aboard what she'd affectionately dubbed the Uzumaki express. Her eyes squinting until they were but thin strips in an effort to see. Naruto didn't even look winded as he sprinted through the sunlit streets, kicking up water all the while as he ran through puddle and concrete.
The city...it looks terrible.
Abandoned cars and discarded bodies covered the messy streets of Tokonosu. Groups of Them wandered about in a pack, mindlessly feasting on the uninfected bodies that didn't turn or bumping into one another. The streets she'd once walked, and had come to know so well, were now unfamiliar and bloody sights that seemed straight out of a nightmare. Rei couldn't stand to look any longer.
"Where are we going?" She asked again, fixating her gaze on him instead.
Naruto didn't speak.
"Tch, figures..." The brunette mumbled at the blatant ignoring being done. "I'm trying to not be a total bitch here. I just want to know where we're going."
As expected, he didn't even blink and the ride remained as silent as it did when they'd first jumped the walls. Really though, it wasn't like she could just get off and be free of this. She was still injured and no doubt Naruto was moving at speeds that could match a regular vehicle. Besides, she didn't want too. Her grandfather was top priority and she'd endure anything to get to him.
Still... He smelled of iron, sweat, and a hint of some faintly familiar shampoo. Why is he here? What is he so worried about? If it managed to instill unease in Naruto of all people, than it was likely something serious. Something she most likely would not like.
Rei wrestled with the idea within her head for a moment.
Even if he won't talk. I'm still going to try. With her mind made up, Rei spoke up. "Hey, what's your history with my grandpa anyways? He mentioned you worked for him and all, but not much else."
Naruto did as he'd done for the past thirty minutes, and remained silent. Rei was about ready to give up all hope, when he finally opened that sealed trap of his to speak.
"He took care of me." Was the blonds rather simple, and as always, cryptic response. "He didn't have too..but he did it anyways."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" The brunette grumbled.
"It means he's a good man, and I owe him a lot."
And as always, more and more question rose up in the back of her head with every word that left his lips.
"That still doesn't tell me much." She said. "Look..." a sigh escaped her, "I know I haven't been very friendly with you, but I'd like to make up for that at some point. So why not make it right now? It's the end of the world isn't it? Help me out here, let's just...start over, hmm?" She tried to play it off as sarcastically as all possible, but as they said, in every playful joke there was always a bit of the truth.
In all honesty, she did feel bad. Terrible actually. She'd not only misjudged him, but made everything even worse for him too. A chance to at least make things right would've been greatly appreciated.
"Come on, please, I'm begging you. Tell me where we're going?"
"We're here."
His feet touched the soaked earth, and only the droplets of water managed any sound. And when her eyes landed on the modest shack-house standing proudly before them, she instantly knew where they were. It was indeed the one place in this world he'd never abandon, no matter what, and the only good her grandfather had felt he'd ever done in this life.
The Wind & Sails, his pride and joy.
"Wait here, keep your eyes peeled." The blond ordered.
Rei felt as if she didn't even have the strength to speak. Her ruby orbs outright staring at the crudely painted sign with something akin to astonishment.
I haven't been here in years. She stood still, entirely rooted to her spot even as he brushed past her and into the restaurant. A thin frown over his pale features.
...I haven't been here in years...
The thought sent a cold chill up her spine.
"Rei, come over here and give me a hand will ya?"
The fifteen year old stopped what she was doing and turned to face Hayate, quickly noting that her grandfather was visibly struggling with what appeared to be a rather heavy package. "Oh crap! Come on gramps!" She rushed to his aid, and with a mighty heave, hefted the box up with his help.
Hayate let out a breath and groaned. "Ooooh, my aching back. I swear, time never does anyone any justice." He grumbled while rubbing the sore spot.
"You shouldn't be lifting heavy packages by yourself in the first place gramps." The girl scolded with a firm frown. "What if I would've had my headphones in or something?"
"Well then, I'd probably be dead wouldn't I?" He grinned brightly and barked out a laugh, "Good thing you were here then, eh girly!"
He clapped a hand rather harshly over her back, and Rei winced in response. "Ow! Watch it! Or else next time I might not be paying any attention..." A wicked grin threatened to split her face "...accidentally of course. Kukuku."
Hayate crossed his arms and began to stroke his scruffy beard. "Hmm, yes yes you're right. That would be a terrible accident, but, so would a certain somebody's secret curry spice supply mysteriously vanishing..."
Rei's eyes widened at the veiled threat. "No! Please don't!" She turned to him, tear ridden and lip quivering in the classic puppy-dog pout.
"Argh! Alright, you win! Just...enough with that look will ya!"
The girl looked like she expected the victory, and cleverly hid a smirk as her grandfather avoided her line of sight while nonchalantly leaning on the big box that would've broken his back had she not been here to help. "Say gramps, what's up with all of this stuff anyways?" She gestured to all the boxes littered about the restaurant. "Are you finally giving this dump a proper make over?"
Hayate managed a half-hearted glare. "No you ungrateful brat. I'm actually having someone move in with me for a little bit, until we can get him situated somewhere else."
Rei lit up with curiosity. "Really? Who the hell would be desperate enough to live with you gramps?"
Hayate gave her an odd smile and then promptly changed the subject.
"Nobody important kid. I heard you've got your last exam tomorrow before the break? You feeling like you're ready for it?"
Rei almost looked insulted at the question. "Of course I'm ready! I'm a Miyamoto gramps, and we're ready for anything! You know that!" She pointed an accusing finger his way, and the old man let out another laugh at the action.
"That we are child...that we are."
His body was slumped at the very end of the supply closet, unceremoniously sprawled out atop a few knocked over boxes. The faded brown shirt and stained apron he'd always worn were now covered in dated blood. His blood. Hayate's blood.
And that wasn't even the worst of it.
At the sight of him, Naruto felt his heart ache. Almost unconsciously his hands formed into tightly wound fists at his sides. This hearty old bastard, who'd taken him in and practically scraped together a life for him out of nothing when he shouldn't have even bothered, who above all others, even Misuzu, stuck by his side in spite of his vehement protest. The one person in this new life that was there for him from the start, in his own way...
And he was dead.
Just like everyone else.
"Naruto?"
The chimes echoed throughout the ransacked restaurant, and gingerly, a distraught Rei stepped inside. Her eyes taking in the now heartbreaking sight of what used to be a place she'd be almost everyday after school.
Rei approached from behind, cautiously stepping closer to his still form while almost hesitantly calling out his name.
"N-Naruto?" She repeated once more, almost uncertainly.
She was a mere inches away from seeing what he was seeing, and it was here that Naruto stretched out an arm and blocked her path.
"Don't..." Was all he said.
Rei's heart instantly sunk. "Wh-What do you mean don't?" It was almost a whisper, and slowly, she pushed herself against his outstretched arm. "What...what do you mean, don't?" Rei's eyes widened and her struggling quickly grew frantic, as did her cries.
Naruto expected this of course and in one clean swoop he wrapped the girl in his arms and did his best to settle her down.
"What the hell do you mean don't!?" She cried, trying her best to escape.
"Settle down." He ordered quietly. Not budging an inch despite her best efforts.
It was made extremely apparent to Rei that she wouldn't be escaping him anytime soon, and with that thought in mind, she gradually ceased her flailing and visibly deflated in his arms. Her wide eyes now teary as they desperately searched the shadows lurking behind the door.
The silence permeated throughout the vandalized restaurant, but it couldn't overcome the raw stench of death.
"Let me go..." Rei began after a pause. "Just...just let me go Naruto, please." The last bit was almost a whisper.
Naruto couldn't see her face, but the blond could feel the fresh drops dripping down his arm. "If you try and run in there, I'll stop you again. If you're going to go in there at all, you should make sure you're ready first." He warned.
Rei nodded once, and Naruto let go immediately after.
She was ready, of course she was ready...
She was Miyamoto Rei, and a Miyamoto was always ready for anything, even something like this. The brunette stumbled a bit while attempting to stand, but she rose eventually. Her ruby red eyes never left the half-closed closet door, and the only preparation she made was a deep breath and a slow exhale.
Naruto watched her intently as she pushed against the bloodstained door. A low creak echoing in his ears as she did so.
Are we born... He watched tears fall like twin waterfalls when her eyes landed on what he'd seen. He watched her breath hitch and her entire body freeze as if she were suddenly cast naked into a blizzard. He watched her hands grow limp at her sides, and her lip begin to quiver. He watched her realize that someone she loved, was now dead, and she'd never see or hear from them ever again. ...to suffer?
Rei fell to her knees and cried, until her back was arched and her forehead pressed against the hard ground. Even then the tears did not stop.
The fires cackled, and side by side, they both stood.
This place, which meant so much to a single person, now burnt before their very eyes, that same person resting inside. He was a man of many mistakes, and filled with enough regret to last a lifetime, but he was a man who tried nonetheless. For the people around him... he tried. And he lived his life as beautifully as he could, until his dying breath.
Rei sniffled while watching through half-lidded eyes as the remnants of her childhood were slowly reduced to ashes. Her heart ached, and she'd felt more tired than ever before.
"Does...does this ever get any easier?"
Naruto didn't turn to face her, even as he spoke. "No. It never does."
"Then, what's the point?" She whispered, feeling numb. "If it never gets any easier...what's the point of trying?"
...
"Truthfully, I don't know. I never quite figured it out myself."