*Sorry, It seems once again screwed up my pasting. So I am trying it a different way. You would think a popular site such as this the site creators would want to fix the bugs in it, but i guess not.*
1
My life? I would not wish my life on anyone. No, it's not like my life is awful. As it is not exactly like I am ordinary. But I am not extraordinary either. More mundane than most. What do I do? I work at a bar. No, I am not a bartender, I am not even a waitress. I do not work in the kitchen, and I do not bus the tables.
So, what do I do? My brother is the owner of the small establishment. You could call me a manager for when I am on shift, and he is not, but really all I do. Is sing. Yes, you heard me. Some bars have karaoke, other bars have DJs. This one has me. I strum my guitar or run instrumental music in the background, and I sing. Why? It is actually my passion. Music touches the soul. Different songs take us to different memories of our lives. I honestly believe that music is a necessity for everyone.
So why am I thinking about my life? About how people dance to songs I have listed, and the listeners get to choose which one to hear? Why am I reliving every moment I have spent on that one-step stage? Simple, I was stupid. I was walking to work, and I passed a house that was on fire. At first, it looked like everyone made it out, and they were already on the phone with the authorities. But the woman would not stop screaming. She was crying her eyes out and wailing at the top of her lungs. The woman has some serious pipes on her.
When I realized what was happening, I threw my guitar onto the cement and bolted. I did not think. I did not do anything. Before I knew it, I ran into that smoke-infested building. I can really tell you. The fire department, yeah, those guys that gear up in suits with tanks and masks. They do it for a reason. I could not breathe, my eyes were burning, it was hot as hell and the fire hurt even worse. It is the worst thing to do.
Then again, I only realized this when I had the kid in my arms and the front door was in sight. Before I could make it out the house was collapsing. All I could do was throw the kid at the open door and hope I did not hurt him too much, just before the structure gave in completely. I have to say, dying. Did not hurt anywhere near as bad as running through that house. I think it was because I was already oxygen deprived enough that my head was trying to leave me anyway. I know what happened to me and you know what. I am all right with it.
Perfectly fine because I saved someone. A kid that could not have been any older than eight years old. He is alive, maybe a bit busted up, but he is alive. I lived a decent life. My brother made sure I always had enough for rent even if my tips did not cover it. I managed to eat daily, maybe not three meals a day but there was something in my stomach. I got to sing and reach the hearts of the patrons in the bar. I even wrote a few of my own songs in my spare time.
Now, the only phone I had. Was given to me by my brother so he could get a hold of me when he needed to. I did not have internet since I moved out of my brother's house so I could not watch anime or stream YouTube. Not even able to turn on Pandora anymore. I also could barely keep the electricity turned on, but I always had water. How old was I? I was twenty-three. A good age if you ask me. No, I did not have a boyfriend. I did have some wonderful friends though. I may not have had my moment to shine in the spotlight, never made it to even the top one hundred. I was never famous and heard throughout the world. But I was fine with it.
The only two things I could ever possibly regret, is my family. My parents died when I was young, so it fell on my brother to raise me because of our age difference. I was never really nice to him either. Also, I never got to travel the country or the world. My life was always in one town, I never needed to go anywhere really. My friends grew up and left for college, they would look me up whenever they were in town but that was becoming fewer and far between. They had their own lives and thanks to the phone, my brother got me we could get a hold of each other any time. Pretty sad when I do not even regret never having a boyfriend. I always thought they would get in the way, and I could always get my emotional responses from my friend's stories they would tell me.
What surprised me, was when I opened my eyes again. I had stubby little fingers that would not be able to grab much of anything let alone string cords together. My tongue was stupid and unpracticed as well. It took me a few days to understand even fully what had happened to me. Even now I do not really want to believe it but in a way. It is nice. I am left alone for the most part, I can hear other infants screaming periodically when they need to be fed or changed. But I could feel the music in my heart still.
It was like a vibration radiating through me and I felt driven to move. I wanted to grasp the notes swirling inside of me that felt like a raging rapid of energy. So, I began doing one thing I absolutely would not do in my past life. I began exercising of my own volition. First, it was the neck, then the arms, my core, and my legs. I have been working every single day so that I would not be stuck in this box for too long. I would continue until my muscles burned and I would end up falling asleep because of my exhaustion, only to wake up and start all over again. I do not know much about exercising or aerobics. All I knew is what I picked up at school in my previous life during P.E. Sit-ups, push-ups, squats, pull-ups. Basically, everything for the state testing. Reverse crunches, however, I picked up from one of my friends who was a volleyball player.
The day came, finally, when I could leave the crib and venture out. Needless to say, things did not go quite as planned. I knew I must have been in an orphanage for some reason from how many kids I could hear in the halls or the other infants. No, that I worked out on my own so that is not what surprised me. It was the sudden explosions that vibrated the building causing dust to fall on my head. The sounds of screams and fighting. Not one gunshot though. Not even the sounds of sirens.
Nothing like what I would expect. Our caretakers came running into the room along with some of the older kids. Each grabbing a crib and rolling it out of the room. Nowhere near enough of them to grab all of the babies. The ceiling got worse with another explosion. Parts of it even began to fall. So, I did the only thing I could think of. I climbed out. On my first excursion away from the crib, I could run and explore.
To find the music burning inside of me even now. In fact, I could feel it coursing through me as if enforcing my movements. I ran to the last crib on my short little legs and grabbed the bottom rack beneath it. I tried to push it. I tried with all of my might, but it was not moving. My heart was racing, pounding in my ears threatening to drown out the baby screaming in fear above me. Music do not let me down! If you are giving me strength, then give me more! My bare feet pushing against the floor stopped hopelessly sliding as I somehow found traction.
Pushing with everything I have I could not help but grunt and groan as the wheels started to move. A second life, a second chance at living. What am I doing? I am doing the only thing that feels right at this moment. Gritting my gummy mouth closed as if I had teeth. I glare at the room in front of me and force my burning, aching, tired body to run. Maneuvering this crib was a whole other obstacle but I quickly figured out that the locks on the wheels helped me turn it. It may have slowed me down a bit trying to coordinate myself enough to push and pull the locks. Which should have been locked to begin with for proper safety precautions. All the while still pushing the baby above me.
Further in the orphanage, I could hear the sounds of metal against metal clanking around in the area. The lights had long since gone out in the building that was somehow still standing. Probably with a hope and a prayer. I could still hear explosions outside and yelling. Someone was obviously fighting. That much I could figure out from the sounds. I am really tired though, and I do not know my way around this building. I could be going in the completely wrong direction for the door.
"Did everyone make it out?!" Someone shouts and I found my eyes widening momentarily before I grunt and focus on what I am doing. Trying to guide the crib towards the voice. "There are still two infants in there!" A woman calls just before I could hear the sounds of running feet barely discernible over the next shuddering sound of an explosion. As soon as I see legs in my view, I push down on both of the breaks. Panting I fight to catch my breath. Safe! The baby is safe!
"Huh?" A voice questions as the feet move around the crib and up the side. Looking up I squint from the sweat soaking my body and face stinging my eyes. A man wearing a black outfit and grey corset looks down at me. His Silver hair sticking up from his head and a white and red cat-like mask. His eyes are hidden from my view as he squats down next to me. "Did you do this?" His gentle voice flows around me, and I found myself half smiling in my exhausted state.
When he made no move to help even though the sound of fighting reaches my ears again. I turn back to the crib and unlock the wheels. Moving my music through me again as I grunt and push. My feet manage to stick to the floor again and the wheels begin to turn as I move the crib. "I see, you did. Your chakra is enforcing your movements." He points out from behind me before I feel his hands under my arms lifting me up off of the floor. "You will make a fine shinobi one day." He utters out before holding me against his hard grey corset thing and moving back to the side of the crib.
Picking the infant up more gently than he did me. He cradles the child in his free arm and runs from the building. Just as another explosion goes off too close to the building causing it to quake. As we reach the outside, however, I found myself looking around. The ground had craters. It was littered with dead bodies. My eyes widen at the sight around us.
"Oh, thank you!" A woman calls out from in front of the man as he hands off the other infant to her. But when she goes to reach for me the man simply shakes his head. "I will be taking this one with me, ma'am." He informs her causing my brows to furrow as I push away from his chest just enough to look up at him in confusion. "How old is she?" The man questions rather quietly not even sparing me a glance.
"Oh, well. She's the same age as the rest of the infants. She's only a month and a half." The woman frowns looking at the one who has ahold of me. "Hn." He utters out a sound of thought before his mask bends down to face me completely. "That young and she already had the other child's crib almost to the door of the building." He more thinks aloud to himself rather than to the woman or me.
"The enemy forces have retreated. Two squads are in pursuit." A man drawls out from behind the one holding me causing him to turn around. "I see. You can take things from here. I have another obligation to take care of now." Huh? The man makes a sound of question before his eyes fall on me. "A baby?"
The one holding me nods before curling his other arm around me protectively. The wind suddenly picks up unnaturally. Moving my face to his hard chest piece, I close my eyes to protect them. I know nothing about this man, yet I find myself trusting him.
I probably fell asleep at one point from how tired I am. But when I notice the wind stopped, we were somewhere completely different. A large wooden door was in front of the man, and he raised his hand to knock. With a soft rapt on the door, a voice came through the wooden barrier. "Come in." With the sound of the old age-ridden voice, the man opens the door and steps inside. Just like that, I found myself inside of a wooden office with a dark wood desk. The far wall is lined with large windows giving the room a more spacious feeling.
Turning in his arms as much as I felt comfortable. I peer ahead of us finding a man wearing white and red flowing robes. Complete with a white and red hat. He had wrinkles covering his face with a white well-groomed pointy goatee. "Well, Kakashi I send you out to aid in a battle against Rogue Ninja threatening a village not too far from here and you return with an infant." The old man all but chuckles as he sets back in his chair.
"Lord Hokage, the enemies have been pushed back. Two squads were assigned to make chase in order to engage the enemy. Towards the end of the battle, I noticed an orphanage had been caught in the crossfire. Two infants were left inside. So, I entered to retrieve them before the building could collapse. However, I had only just entered the building when I found this one pushing the other infant's crib towards the exit. She was not only maneuvering the large piece of furniture with the use of the brakes. But I witnessed her using chakra to reinforce her grip and strength as well as give herself traction on the floor. I felt it wise to bring this child here. To further pique your interest, she is only a month and a half old." The man reports to the old man across the room in front of us his own thoughts and reasons as to why he brought me here.
The old man looks at me curiously, his previous smile faded as he watches me. "A child so young but still able to understand what is going on. To the point of saving another less equipped. Showing a level of understanding and a caring heart. As she already has use of her chakra. She would make a fine Shinobi. If that is what she would so choose when she comes of age to join the academy. Kakashi, I see why you brought her here. Let us see if we can find her a home. Somewhere she can grow and feel loved. However, it is late, I am unsure if I will be able to find a suitable home before morning." The old man stands and walks around his desk toward the two of us.
Yet as he reaches out to take me. I manage to grab a hold of the man's chest piece to keep myself in place. I do not know this old man. I know even less than I know the one holding me. But I do know that the one who currently still has his arms around me saved me from the building and clutched me close before the wind started just to keep me safe. That is all I need to know to trust him. "It seems Kakashi, she will not go to anyone but you. Do you think you can take her home with you just for the evening?"
"Is that an order, sir?" The man holding me questions hesitantly as his hand finds my back holding me to him. "No, you could take her to the hospital and the nurses there can watch over her. Or you can take her home and care for her until I have found a suitable family. It is your decision." The man looks down at me with the old man's words. As I push back against his chest a bit, I look up at him. Crossing my arms, I give him a small tilt of my head causing him to sigh. "You think I should be the one to watch you." He more states rather than asks.
I blink up at him a moment before turning my head from him and deciding to show him a small nod. "How much does she understand?" Kakashi questions as he looks back at the old man. "If you take her home you would be able to give me a detailed account to answer that." The old man chuckles causing Kakashi to sigh. "Lord Hokage, with all due respect. I'm fourteen." Kakashi more mutters than speaks as he moves his free hand from my back to rub the back of his head.
This bit of information had my eyes widening. "Just give her some formula and make sure she is changed. Most infants her age generally sleep more than they are awake." These words from the chuckling old man had Kakashi stiffening and me sighing. Nope. I change my mind. Turning carefully in his arm I hold my hands out for the old man. "Seems she understands a great deal more than she should." The Hokage smiles down at me.
"I... I'll take her... for tonight." Kakashi hesitantly says as he sighs. I turn back towards him and look up at him again, wondering if he really is certain about this decision. He slips his arm back around me before going leaving the office. "Wait, Kakashi." The old man speaks up stopping the boy. He holds out an envelope to him. "Your earnings for this mission and enough for whatever this little one may need." He smirks almost triumphantly as Kakashi takes the envelope. "Yes sir."
That night Kakashi took me into his house and set me down so he could get me a bottle made. "Don't touch anything." He said rather quietly before he moved away from me. So, I walked around a bit looking at everything I could find. The couch is what caught my attention mostly. So, after my brief time exploring, I managed to find some books at my level, so I stacked them up. Using them like steps up onto the couch before laying back. the soft cushion felt wonderful after today. My eyes were nearly completely closed by the time he came up to me with a sigh looking at the makeshift steps.
"I said don't touch anything." He reiterated as he held out the bottle for me. Taking it, I found myself frowning at the warmth of the bottle in my hands. "Not hungry?" He asked watching me. Well... I am no genius, but I had a lady one time give me a bottle nowhere near as hot as this. He sighs again and walks away from me. Leaving me to wait for the bottle to cool down.
By morning, however, I woke up to actual miniature steps next to the couch rather than the books. This bit had me tilting my head. I didn't even notice he had left the house. I climbed off of the couch using them and went through the house looking for him. The kitchen was empty and there was only one open door I could go through. Again, this had me confused. There were steps in the bathroom just like the set that I found near the couch. This had me tapping my chin in thought. I wanted to plan for my next adventure to find the music already, but the old man said I was only going to be here until this morning. With knowing this I could not very well make future plans hinging on this house or Kakashi. So, what if I make plans that can work no matter where I am? Nodding to myself I begin to plot out my next steps to take.
Kakashi was gone for a really long time. So, I had to maneuver the steps around just to try and get something to eat. They however were not tall enough for me to reach the counter, so it gave me another problem to solve. I searched for the books I had used last night only to find that Kakashi had moved all of the bound writings out of my immediate reach. But by using the steps he had put next to the couch I was able to pull down what I needed. With extra books. Rubbing my hands together I run through my plan mentally again before setting to work. I stacked four sets of two books on the floor and managed to maneuver the steps onto them, before stacking more books up so I could easily climb the steps.
I finally made it to the top of the counter. I grab the bottle out of the dish drainer and set it in front of me. Before carefully crawling along the bar to grab the can of formula that he had made my bottle out of last night. Personally, I would prefer milk over this stuff. But it is what everyone has been giving me. Guessing at the measurement I carefully try to hit the hole in the top of the bottle. At first, I spilled some, but I managed to get most of the scoop in before putting the formula back where I had found it. With my bottle in my grasp, I set in the sink basin opposite of the faucet and fight to work the knobs.
I had just found a good temperature and was working on my bottle when the door opened. Jumping a bit, I pull my bottle out of the water and look over towards the door. There stood Kakashi with his white and red mask in his right hand. His right onyx eye is open with his left held closed staring at me. "Hungry?" He more questions than states and I look down at my bottle before nodding. With the tap of his mask being set on the island top. He comes around to me at the sink before taking my bottle from me and looking at it.
His eye widens a moment and looks over to the canister and then the little bit I had spilled. "Are you sure it's warm enough?" He questions again just as he reaches to the drainer and grabs the top of the bottle then caps it for me. He shakes it to mix it before handing it back. I smile taking the bottle and bringing the nipple to my mouth. Sucking down the warm contents. I enjoy the feeling on my tummy ever before Kakashi picks me up and moves me to the couch so he can undo my work with the steps.
"Lord Hokage says he hasn't found a family for you yet. So, I guess we are stuck with each other for now." He speaks up from the kitchen as I lean back on the couch not wanting to pull my meal from my mouth. Honestly, I am okay with that development. He actually reminds me of my big brother in my life before this. Smiling around my bottle with that thought I close my eyes feeling the weight of my recent activity today. I make sure to set my bottle next to me so it does not chance in spilling. I then let myself fall into a peaceful sleep. Dreaming about the music inside of me.