Chapter 23: Hero

In a troubled land where war ravaged countless villages and towns, civilians were forced to fight every day for survival. It became impossible to cultivate crops, farmlands poisoned by the rages of war. Farmers could no longer make a living or feed themselves and were forced to abandon their homes in the country for the more industrious cities in search for a new life. The farmers were among the last to leave the once vibrant land, clinging to the last hope they had that the farm would flourish once again.

Villagers were among the first to leave for the city. Some left as soon as the dangers of war came too close to their home. Fleeing to the city seemed like their best option since the battles took place far from the most densely populated areas. Others held out for a while until the struggle for food and water became too great. Eventually, only a select few remained in their homes, peering out their dusty windows at the empty houses of what was rapidly becoming a ghost town. In some villages, only two homes remained occupied out of the many dozen that were once filled with laughter and conversation. The crushing loneliness and barren grocery store shelves eventually drove the remaining people from their homes and to the city; if the battle didn't reach them first. Many homes were destroyed in the ensuing combat even before they were thought to be abandoned. Fear alone was enough to drive many people away before famine became too severe.

The pursuit for a new life carried with it optimism and uncertainty. Fleeing civilians came to the city in droves, looking to get whatever work they could. As more people came to the city, the less there was available and many had to be turned away. The newcomers incited resentment in the city dwellers despite their best efforts to the contrary. The locals began to push them out of the city when food and work became scarce. Those who stayed were subject to ridicule and eventually persecution. Some were dragged from their homes and thrown into the street. Once there, it was easy for them to be beaten or chased away simply because they were in the way.

Life was difficult and overwhelming. Several fleeing civilians starved on the streets they were forced into by locals. People were either turned away from factories or framed for something in order to get them fired so the city folk could have what they believed was rightfully theirs. It became impossible to tell which was more horrendous, staying in their poisoned land or trying to make a life in the city.

It got to the point where they were forced to flee again. But to where? The city was the only place they could go and now they were forced to abandon it, too. What place was left?

A man thought he had an idea. He, too, was originally from the country and migrated to the city. He was knowledgeable and well-liked among the people. He had helped many civilians find jobs when they first came to the city. When times got hard and people were dragged from their houses, he welcomed them into his home to avoid being driven out of the city or beaten in the street. The people trusted him and looked to him for guidance, so when he said he had an idea, they listened.

"There's a place the people spoke of that's far away from here and very remote," he said to the crowd gathered on the pier. They had been driven there by the city dwellers, claiming there was no room for them anywhere else. "This place is untouched by war. We won't have to worry about any of the hardships we've had to endure so far."

The place the man was referring to was an island far from the mainland. None of the fighting had reached that far and likely wouldn't. The people on the mainland knew little about the area which meant it was dangerous in their eyes. Not even the battling soldiers would bring the war that far, preferring to ravage their own land than one they knew nothing of.

It was thought to be uninhabited but explorers traveled there in recent years to search for resources to help with the war effort and discovered that there were locals living on the island. The population was small and, though they claimed they had never been off the island before, knew the language of the mainlanders.

For whatever reason, none of the resources they found on the island were brought back to the mainland for the war effort. Rumor had it that the materials were too primitive for use or too dangerous to be wielded. The man believed this was nothing to be concerned about, saying that if the islanders managed to survive just fine, then they could, too.

"If we go to this island, we'll be free from the hardships we've had to endure so far. With land, we can build farms and life will return to something more familiar. It might not be the same as the life we had before, but there's a chance of a better life for us. We won't have to worry about overpopulation either, unlike in the packed city. What do you say?"

The people didn't have a lot of options and this sounded much better than what they've had to deal with so far, so they jumped at the opportunity. They appointed the man their leader for the expedition, but he preferred to be called by his name instead of a fancy title: Naruto.

A fully stocked ship was provided for them by the city since it meant ridding them of the problem they no longer wished to tolerate. The only condition was for Naruto to take as many of migrated country people as he could onto his ship and not return. Though Naruto could tell this wasn't generosity, he treated it as if it were and agreed to the terms.

Word spread quickly to the people and many seeking refuge came to the docks on the day they were to set sail. Some were families with children while others consisted of individuals carrying what they could in their bags. Once again leaving it all behind, the people climbed aboard the ship and sailed away from the mainland to the island to start anew all over again.

The journey was arduous, facing massive storms that threatened to capsize the ship, blistering heat from the scorching sun and illness that dwindled their numbers. A ship that once held a couple hundred now carried less than fifty. Food and water were running out quickly and they had yet to find land. Again, people questioned whether or not they were right to leave, wondering which was the worse alternative.

Finally, the island was in sight and the ship steered towards it heedlessly. Not a moment too soon. Those below deck expressed what they had been keeping secret for the past week; that the hull had spouted leaks and they weren't sure how long they could keep the vessel afloat. They had done their best to patch the leaks but more and more water was found around their ankles with every passing day. To not start a panic, Naruto told them to keep the information to themselves until they made land.

The ship was in rough shape and the people were no better, but the island lifted their spirits and they walked from the shore to the forest with heads held high in hope.

The trees drooped heavy with fruit and animals called from their vantagepoints, boldly telling the newcomers that there was food and life on this new land. They could survive here. It looked sustainable and, as Naruto described it, paradise.

"I thought this island was supposed to be inhabited," said one of the surviving children who went by the name Sarada. "I haven't seen any people."

Naruto was troubled by this as well. They had been wandering for hours and had yet to see a single human. "It's a big island," he said to reassure her. "They're probably further ahead, deeper in the forest."

Time passed and someone in the group called out to Naruto, pointing. "Natives."

Huts constructed from branches and leaves stood like tents among the trees. Bowls made from wood sat on grass mats, a clear sign that humans lived here.

It wasn't long before those humans made themselves known, stepping out to greet the strangers. Though, 'greet' might not have been the appropriate word. The natives seemed more fearful than welcoming, huddling together and speaking to them in a language they did not know.

"I thought they spoke the same language," said Sarada, observing.

Naruto stepped forward cautiously. "Hello. We traveled here from the mainland to make a new home," he said slowly, hoping they could understand him if he didn't speak too quickly. "Is there anyone here who speaks our language?"

A child stepped forward at the question. "I can," she said.

"Oh, good," said Naruto, bending down. "Can you tell your people that we mean no harm and are trying to make our home here?"

The child looked unsure and without turning around to look at the people behind her said, "They don't want you here. There's not enough food and water for everyone. You will have to go elsewhere on the island."

"Oh, I see." Naruto looked at the natives and back at the girl. "Can you tell us what's good to eat in the forest? We'll find another place but we don't know much about the island."

One of the natives started speaking to the girl. She looked back, said something in their native language and, when the native said something else, the girl faced Naruto and said, "They want me to go with you as an escort."

"Really? That's great. Tell them 'thank you' for me."

Sarada wasn't so sure this was great news. The natives seemed upset and the girl looked sad. Sarada wondered if the other natives were rejecting the girl from the group for speaking to them.

The natives couldn't be rid of Naruto's group fast enough. They did not stay long and left with the natives watching their every step, ensuring they were really leaving. They were given no food and no explanation as to why they were behaving this way, but they did give them the girl to help guide them through the island.

The girl pointed out which plants were ok to eat and small game running across their path. Naruto instructed the people to gather as much food as they could to carry. One of the group members grabbed a fruit that had an insect crawling on it which stung him before flying off. It looked similar to the bugs he was used to seeing back home so he thought nothing of it.

"This looks like a good place to camp for the night," said Naruto, looking at a clearing in the trees."

The girl stopped him from going any further. "Not good to step on that land," she said. "Is trap for prey."

A small animal scurried to the open area Naruto thought would make a good campsite and after a moment was gobbled up by a larger animal that sprang out of the ground like a breaching whale and burrowed its way back into the soil.

"Huh," Naruto said, impressed. "Good job." He patted the girl on the head.

The girl took them to a safe place to rest for the night and showed them how to eat the foods they gathered. She told them to stay away from clearings with soil because predator animals liked to build their traps there and wait for prey to come by. She warned them to stay away from the moss growing on trees because it was a sign the fruit it bore wasn't edible.

Naruto smiled at the girl and said, "Good thing we have her around. This girl's gonna save us a lot of trouble."

The next day, they continued on to find a place to build their home. The girl warned against building anything in the immediate area because of the animals that would prey on them. She urged everyone to travel deeper into the forest to where there were fewer of them.

"Does that make sense?" asked a member of the group. "We can just eat the animals that come by. Why go where there aren't any of them?"

"Not all animals are good for eating," said the girl. "Many large animals here are predators that are not good for eating. Flesh and organs toxic."

As she said this, the group member who got stung by the insect suddenly collapsed on the path and didn't move. The others rushed to see what the problem was.

"Don't touch him," said the girl. "He was stung by an insect-a-beetle."

"A what?"

"That's what we call them here. Their sting is venomous and can kill a person in a matter of hours. If he was stung, he needed to cut off the infected part to keep toxins from spreading. There is nothing we can do now."

As more time passed, the group learned of the many dangers that lurked on the island. The girl taught them ways to protect themselves and to avoid trouble. There were some animals they could not get near and had no way to fight against. Monstrous beasts that ate flesh and weren't picky about where it came from. Beasts capable of consuming toxic flesh that made their own bodies toxic to those who tried to eat them. Animals that mimicked human and animal voices to lure in prey and creatures that hunted for sport. The only thing they could do if they came across one was to hide and pray it didn't find them.

Days went by and Sarada began to bond with the girl as did other members of the group. Sarada had no siblings and always wanted one. The girl was an orphan who wanted a family. It was easy for the two to bond. Orphaned children from the boat also found it easy to bond with the girl and were happy to have a playmate. Day by day, the girl trusted the group more and more and began to think of them as family.

That was when she revealed what the natives had said the day she joined their group, splitting from her tribe.

"This island is dangerous. For a long time, my people managed to survive here, but the wild and dangerous animals started to encroach on our land. Then illness came and pushed us from our village. The elders believed it was the toxic animals that were the cause. We had to flee our village to be safe. What you saw was all that was left."

"Those natives are the only survivors of your village?" Sarada asked, horrified.

"Soon, there will be even fewer. There is little food. Having more mouths means even less."

"Is that why they sent you to go with us?" Sarada asked. "So they wouldn't have to feed you?"

"Yes," she answered. "And because of the illness."

"What illness? Are you sick?"

The girl frowned. "No. But they…"

A member of their group interrupted the conversation, telling them they had to keep moving.

Weeks on the island brought them knowledge as well as exhaustion. Having to constantly look over their shoulder and keep moving was taking its toll on the people. Wild beasts picked off those who strayed too far from the group in addition to those who did not heed the girl's warnings. Their less than fifty in number was now reduced to forty-one.

A family believed they had made a mistake coming all this way and insisted on returning to shore and sail to a new area. "Not a different island, but just circle this one. Maybe there's less danger on the other side."

Naruto told them that the ship would not survive another voyage, even if it was only circling the island they were already on. The family decided to return to the ship and try their luck anyway. If they could not get the ship to sail, they would dismantle it for parts and build a house on the beach and spend their days eating fish. Anything was better than this. Especially now that the girl was taking them to areas infested with dangerous beasts that fed on anything that came by.

Against Naruto's advice, the family turned around and marched back the way they came, apologizing to the group as they did. No one went with them and no one believed they would ever see them again.

Some wondered if the family had the right idea when they ran out of water and couldn't find more. For two days, the group went without water and were forced to spread out to look for some. A fraction reported finding a water source in the area that looked fresh and clean. They gathered what they could and brought it back to boil it just in case. The ones who found it were allowed to take the first drink after it was boiled and they told the group it tasted fine. Some drank the water and some didn't.

A different group found water in a stream and boiled that to bring back to the group. Again, some drank the water and others didn't.

Days later, Sarada awoke to the sound of the girl frantically gathering canteens and throwing them down a ravine. "What are you doing?" Sarada asked her. Before she could get an answer, a shriek sounded from camp and everyone came running.

The two members who had discovered the water in the forest and drank it were lying in their sleeping bags covered in fungus. Their fingers had taken root in the soil and their flesh had hardened.

No one had seen anything like this before and it was hard to look at. "Their bodies are compost. They've turned into mushrooms," people were saying as they stumbled away from the two.

"But we boiled the water. It should have been safe."

"We drank some of that water. Are we going to turn into fungus, too?"

"They had more than we did. It should be fine."

"We don't know if they drank any before it was boiled. Let's not panic."

"Is illness that drove us from our village," said the girl. "Water contaminated. People end up like this after drinking. Even boiling did not stop it."

"Did you know about this and not say anything?" asked a member of the group.

"Is impossible to know what water is safe and is not," the girl explained. "Water fine for many years. No one know why is toxic now. Eldered believed it was because of beasts. Not know how."

"What do we do? If we don't know what water is safe to drink, we're done for."

"There must be a way to tell," said Naruto. He looked to the girl. "The water the animals drink from is probably safe, right? Or the water in a stream? No one got sick from that."

The girl looked unsure. "Animals can consume toxic flesh so water is no different. Might not affect them. Stream might be good for drinking. Moving water is good."

The stream water seemed to be their best option and so far, no one had gotten sick from it. However, the girl urged them to keep moving to avoid the toxic water. It was unclear whether or not it would contaminate the plant life and toxify their food.

At the girl's advice, Naruto told the group that they were going to head underground in the caverns. There were less dangerous animals living below ground and plenty of flowing water. Thinking they had no choice, the group went along with the idea and they went underground through a cave and into a labyrinth of rock and soil. It was cool underground and there were a lot less dangerous animals. For days, they wandered without event and the people began to relax, thinking they had found a safe place to travel. Perhaps even live.

As far as living arrangement went, this place wasn't too bad. They would build a society underground using the tunnels as streets and the different caves as homes, even markets. The people's imagination lifted their spirits and their optimism was rekindled.

They set to work constructing a home from the land they were given. Deep below ground, the people were safe from the many beasts that preyed on them. The water was clean but trickled thinly along the cavern walls. There was no soil or sun the grow crops but what they could scavenge was fruitful. Small game which would have been seen as vermin were gathered as treasured eats and roasted over a pit or boiled into stew with the vegetation they foraged. Leaves and branches were gathered from above and brought down as extra bedding and mats to sit on. It seemed they could sustain themselves on this island.

Weeks went by and the food supply ran scarce. The small game that scurried about had been hunted to extinction in the caverns, driving the people above ground to search for more, putting themselves in danger. Some did not return from their hunt, having been hunted themselves. The thin trickle of water was not enough to quench their thirst and the people began to seek the advice of Naruto, wondering what they should do.

"The girl said that there's a safe area deeper in these caverns with sustainable resources, but it will take weeks to get there and the path is littered with animals that may pose a threat to us. But that's a good thing. It means whatever's keeping those animals alive will help us survive."

Sarada looked from the girl standing under Naruto's affectionate arm up to Naruto himself. "Are you sure we can make the journey?"

"We can't stay here," said Naruto. Then he smiled. "This girl has been a big help so far. I trust her. She said her people spoke of the place and called it paradise. It was just difficult to get to which is why so few have bothered to make the trip. But she can read the land and knows what creatures to stay away from. This kid's a lifesaver."

Another journey began and the dwindling group set out on another exploration. Sarada did not know how they would survive weeks in the caverns with what little they had. Before setting out, they ate as much as they could to make the load manageable and packed the rest for the long journey, leaving behind what they couldn't carry like the beds and old tools that would weigh them down.

Unable to tell day from night in the caverns, the group rested when they could and continued on, never staying in one place for long. Sarada and the other children played with the girl and shared stories, their bond growing stronger by the day. The longer it took them to travel, the fewer children remained to keep the girl company. Two became ill and could not travel, forcing the group to leave them behind.

"I know it's hard," Naruto had said when he saw the children crying as they left their friends along the cavern wall. "But we cannot take the sick with us. And we cannot stay and wait for them to recover. We'll run out of food and supplies before we get halfway there. We have to keep moving and not waste time."

Adults who slowed them down were left behind as well, told to go at their own pace because they could not wait. Some grew ill as well and could no longer move. They, too, were left behind. It seemed cruel, but this was what had to be done for the group's survival. There were no exceptions.

"Was the same for my village," said the girl one night, her head by Sarada's. "We had to leave once people grew sick. Nothing could be done, so we left. Is safer for others. Otherwise, all will be wiped out."

Sarada knew the girl and Naruto were right, but it still broke her heart.

They came to a chasm in the center of their path with a narrow bridge of stone stretching across it. The cawing of wild birds echoed overhead and the girl warned them that the birds they heard were carnivores and would swoop upon them in the open area.

But there was no choice. They had to go across the bridge or they would never get any further. Staying here and turning back at this point weren't an option. Naruto told everyone to stay close together when crossing the bridge so they wouldn't get picked off as easily. Single file, they crossed slowly, keeping their bodies hunched. They could not see the birds in the dark cavern, but they could hear them. Some began to slow down, unsure of their footing on the narrow bridge, which created a gap in the line. A bird larger than anything they had seen thus far swooped upon them and snatched a person off the bridge in its talons, carrying them off as they screamed.

The people began to panic, trying to push themselves to the front of the line to run. Some unfortunate people were shoved off the bridge by the panicking people and fell into the dark chasm below. Several birds dove after them to catch a meal. The beating of their wings created a gust that blew the travelers off their feet, almost falling off the edge of the bridge.

Naruto urged them on with his encouraging voice and there were no more fatalities. Everyone made it across the bridge safely.

Sarada cried when the group was allowed to rest. One of the people who fell off the bridge was a child she had become friends with. Another was a woman she had known from her old village who was always kind to her. She curled into a ball with the girl holding her from behind, comforting her by stroking her back and speaking quietly behind her head.

"Is ok. Numbers go down in place like this. Is why people send some away. Sometimes is to protect them and sometimes is to protect themselves. Travel is hard. That's why we don't do it unless we have to. Is why people who come to these deep spots of island do not always return or do and not go back. Is too hard."

This child had been through a lot. Sarada didn't feel right to complain about her life compared to the life this child had to endure. She was younger than Sarada, after all, and had to go through so much. This girl was knowledgeable because she had to be. It was how she managed to survive for this long.

Sarada was glad she had her. Not because of her usefulness, but because she was happy to have a friend who understood her pain and fear. The girl tried to lift Sarada's spirits and Sarada did the same for the girl.

This island was a nightmare, but so was the world they had traveled from. Even if they wanted to, they could not go back. Sarada overheard Naruto speaking to a couple of adults who asked if there was a chance of returning to the mainland if the ship could be patched. Naruto said that even if the ship was salvageable, the mainland would not allow them to return. That was why they had been so generous with the supplies and the huge ship. They did not intend for the people to return and told Naruto flat-out not to. What Naruto had not mentioned was that the mainland said if they did, they would be killed on sight before they made port.

They didn't have enough supplies or a strong enough ship to sail to another land, if one existed. They were stuck.

Sarada felt so hopeless but imagined Naruto felt just the same. Even more so since he was responsible for all these people who looked to him as their leader.

More bad news followed when they realized some of the people who had fallen off the bridge had many of their rations. They had less mouths to feed now but they also had less food to go around.

They ate as little as they could, hoping to stretch what they had for a long as possible. When an animal came their way, some tried to kill it for meat and ended up eaten themselves, just as the girl warned they would. Hunger drove them to ignore the girl's advice and paid for it with their lives.

"Is more than halfway there now," said the girl to Sarada when they rested. "Be there soon with lots to eat and plenty of water."

Sarada couldn't wait.

The deeper they went, the colder it got. The path downward became an incline and the group found themselves going up the mountain rather than to its depths. It was a secret path even the animals did not use. There were few predators and even fewer prey. This had been the safest path they've taken so far, but it also meant less food for them.

Within time, they found snow. Snow inside the mountain. What a wonderous sight. It sparkled so prettily and the people gasped in awe as they walked past the ice crystals framing their path. Their gasps of wonder soon turned to gasps of shock as the cold chilled them to the bone. The path was freezing, which made it clear why no animals traveled this route.

Sarada looked at her fingers which had turned bright red and tucked them in her sleeves to keep warm. The young girl didn't seem bothered by the cold, able to step through the snow-covered path without a shiver or cry. She explained that she was used to the cold and that it was a sign they were getting close to where they needed to be.

Days passed and this time, after being allowed to rest, few got back up, too weak from hunger to move. Others grew sick from eating what little food they had left which had apparently gone bad. Sarada was one of the few who could still walk along with Naruto and two others.

Naruto knew they would not make it, even if they left the people behind and continued on, so he said that they would stay until the people recovered. He kept the girl company while Sarada and the other two went off to find food and water. Only water could be found.

It wasn't enough. Sarada collapsed while carrying the water back, succumbing to hunger. When she awoke, she was behind the girl who stroked her hand and told her she wasn't going to leave her side. Sarada faded in and out of consciousness and had no way of knowing if it had been hours or days. Sometimes, she awoke to someone placing a cloth on her head or helping her drink. When she opened her eyes this time, she saw that another of their group had fallen, leaving just Naruto and the girl to care for them all.

The hunger was excruciating. Sarada tried to force herself to pass out so she could escape the pain but she felt it even unconscious. She hated this cavern. She wanted to leave this island and return home. She fantasized about the life she had before with her family back in the country where everything was peaceful. Where she had the strength to run and play all she wanted with the neighborhood children and attend school where they provided lunch for all the students and staff. Those meals seemed so delicious now. She missed the premade meals the school handed out to everyone accompanied by an apple and carton of milk. The food her mother cooked was never the best but now, thinking back, it was gourmet. She remembered the taste of toasted bread and the hot stew she made using fresh vegetables. Even the soup she made when Sarada was feeling sick. She missed it so much.

What she wouldn't give to taste it again. To taste any food ever again. She was going to starve to death. The only comfort she had were her memories and the girl beside her who continually spoke in her ear and stroked her hand.

She dreamed of food often, almost tasting it and always disappointed when she woke up.

This time, she could taste it. Soup. She tasted warm soup.

Sarada opened her eyes and saw the blurry outline of Naruto hunched over her with a spoon in his hand. The warm liquid dripped onto her lips and she lapped it up weakly but eagerly. This life-giving soup was the best thing she had ever tasted. She was so grateful to Naruto for giving it to her. She was going to live.

When Sarada next opened her eyes, she found herself being carried through the snow which appeared thinner somehow. She realized this area was warmer than the frigid tundra they had camped on and lifted her head to look around.

"Awake?" Naruto asked, setting her down to walk on her own.

Sarada took in the sight of the crisp soil covered in frost and the tiny blades of grass poking out of the melting snowbanks. Straight ahead on their path were cavern trees that looked like lavender willows shimmering in the sparkle of the snow.

Sarada felt herself being pushed aside as the people hurried towards the sight, seeing beyond the trees to what they truly desired. Wild fruits and vegetables growing in abundance across the land and not an animal in sight. Fresh clean water cascading down a break in the cavern ceiling to a crystal pool flowing gently past the wild-growing food. It looked like paradise.

"We made it," Sarada said in awe. After all their trials and tribulations, they finally made it. Sustainable food and water sources and safe from monstrous animals. Their party was smaller now, but they could rebuild. They had the means to do it. There was more than enough food and water for them.

Sarada turned to speak to the young girl but she wasn't by her side as usual. Counting heads, Sarada saw that they still had the same number of people from their last campsite which meant they didn't lose anyone to illness or cold. Or starvation.

Sarada turned to Naruto and asked him where she was.

Naruto kept his gaze fixed straight ahead at their new home.

She asked again.

The girl was with Naruto when everyone had fallen ill or collapsed from hunger. Sarada remembered clearly the two taking care of her. The girl spoke with her and brought her water to drink. Naruto fed her soup to save her from starvation.

Sarada hadn't seen or heard from the girl since being fed the soup.

A chill ran down Sarada's spine and she looked at Naruto in horror. She brought a hand to her mouth, suddenly feeling sick. "The soup…"

Naruto smiled, his gaze still fixed straight ahead. "I told you, didn't I? That the girl would save us?"

Sarada fell to her knees, her whole body shaking.

"We made it here because of her," said Naruto. "And she truly was tasty."