"Run!"
"No, I can't leave you!"
"They are over here! Get them!"
"They can not catch us both! You run, I'll catch up!"
"But Jo-!"
"GO!"
Tears in her eyes, the girl ran, turning her back to her best friend as the men pounced on him. She wished she could have saved him, been strong enough to help but she was not. All she could do was obey her friend's last wish for her to make it out and survive. She will honor that wish because she knew that is what he wanted, why he risked everything, to save her and she hated him for it.
...
The girl woke up with a start, screaming, jarring Atsuko and Yuuta from their own light slumber. Quickly, Atsuko grabbed her husband's hand and hid from the girl, not wanting to overwhelm or scare her. They hid in the closet, the door cracked open enough for them to observe the girl as she took deep, raspy breaths, appearing to be calming herself down.
The girl looked left and right confused before last night's events flash through her mind. The two boys. Where were they? They said that they were taking her to their parents. Was this their home? Looking at herself, she found she was cleaned and was wearing a new night gown. She also had bandages on her feet. The kind action of her feet getting treated soothed her slightly but she was still on edge, nervous.
Seeing the girl, much more calm, Atsuko decided it was time to come out of hiding. She whispered to her husband to stay back for a moment while she speaks to the girl. Slowly, Atsuko came out of the closet and the girl immediately turned her head when she heard her approaching. Her eyes widened and her shoulders tensed but she did not speak.
"Hello, child, my name is Hamato Atsuko," She introduced her softly, with a small smile, trying to assure this girl that she was a friend and not an enemy. " I'm Yoshi and Saki's mother, you met them last night. Do you remember?"
The girl nodded.
"Good." Atsuko sat on her stool, beside the girl and looked her over. "How are you feeling?"
"F-Fine," The girl stuttered though she tried to sound clear. "Good. It looks like your fever has gone down. Are you hungry?"
"No," Atsuko frowned at the girl's answer. "You must be. You look as though you haven't eaten anything in months. You have to eat something."
The girl did not respond, only looked down, refusing to make eye contact and Atsuko sighed. "I guess we can worry about that later. What is your name?"
"..."
Atsuko frowned. "Do you not have a name?"
"...The orphanage I was in didn't bother to give the babies names even as they got older,"
"Orphanage? So, you don't have parents or any other family?"
"No..."
Atsuko nodded. "I see..." Seeing the girl's nervousness, Atsuko tried to be more friendly. "It's a shame you don't have a name. You're a beautiful little girl, you deserve a name that would suit it."
"...I guess?"
Atsuko chuckled. The girl's shoulders began to relax until there was a slight knock in the closet, making her tense all over again. "Don't worry, that's just my husband. He is not scary...at least he is not a scary person but appearance wise...well...that is to be debatable."
"Very funny, Atsuko" Yuuta said dryly as he came out with his hands behind his back and came to stand next to his wife. The girl looked between the two, unsure of what to do or say. "Um...Thank you, for helping me," She decided, and Atsuko snorted. "Aren't you polite."
"No need to thank us, child. It is our honor to help anyone in need and besides, my sons are the ones who saved you," Yuuta said.
"Where are they?"
"Sleeping but I am sure they'll be happy to see you soon," Atsuko answered. Yuuta then cleared his throat. "Now that you seem calm...do you mind telling us what happened to you?"
The girl hesitated.
"You do not have to right now if you don't want to. We just want to know who took you and why, so we can find them," Atsuko said gently, putting a soft hand on the girl's shoulder.
The girl was silent for a moment then took a deep breath, "Where do I start?"
"Start with wherever you are comfortable with."
The girl nodded then began to tell her story, "I grew up in an orphanage with my best friend, Jotaro. We hated it there. So, we ran away but...before we knew it, we were kidnapped by these strange men and they locked us up, saying that they were going to sell us."
"How did you escape?" Yuuta asked.
"One of them accidentally left the door open, so we took our chance and ran. They came after us and Jotaro stood behind to help me escape and...I don't know what happened to him afterwards...I ran, and ran and that's when I saw your sons. I tried to call out to them but one of the men found me and grabbed me. Thinking fast, I kicked a dumpster to make a sound so they would notice me."
Yuuta was impressed. "Very resourceful."
"Do you have any idea who these men are? What they look like?" Atsuko then asked but the girl shook her head. "No."
"That is alright, my sons will show me where they found you and we will go from there. Hopefully, we will find something."
"D-Do you think you can find Jotaro?" The girl asked. "We can try but I am afraid I can not make any promises," Yuuta said truthfully, and the girl nodded in understanding as Atsuko stood up. "I will make you something to eat. You clearly have not eaten in a while, so we'll start slowly. Will soup be alright?"
"Y-Yes."
...
Later,
"This is where we found them, Father," Saki said as he and Yoshi led their father and his soldiers to the alley where they found the girl. "And that's where I fought the creep!" Yoshi said, proudly while pointing and Yuuta hummed while observing the alley. There was nothing but slight blood that either came from the girl or the man who had her and broken glass. He sighed. "He is gone now and there is nothing here that can help tell us where he went."
"So, what? We're just going to give up?" Yoshi said while crossing his arms and scrunching his nose. "No. We will work with what we have but...right now...I do not believe we will be able to find them."
The two boys frowned but a question was on both their minds. "What are you going to do with her?" Saki asked. "Yeah, are you going to take her back to an orphanage?" Yuuta shook his head. "No. Right now, she is being targeted by someone and until we know for sure that they will no longer be after her, she is to stay with us." He then looked at them sternly. "I expect you boys to help your mother take care of her."
"Hai Sensei," Yoshi and Saki bowed.
...
Back at the dojo,
The girl was walking down the halls, a bit slowly, her body weak from the lack of food but she forced herself to continue on because she wanted to know every inch of the place, just in case she needed to escape. She slowly walked down the stairs but when she reached the bottom, she felt lightheaded and quickly sat down.
"Are you ok?" A voice asked and the girl blinked as she looked to her right, to see a younger boy. "W-Who are you?"
"My name is Hamato Tetsumi."
"Oh, then you must be Yoshi and Saki's younger brother?" She guessed and Tetsumi nodded. "And you must be the girl they brought home last night."
"I am," The girl replied, resting her head on the wall when she started to feel weaker, making Tetsumi frown. "You look sick. Do you need me to get my mama?"
"N-No, I am fine. Just a little dizzy."
"Maybe food will help?" Tetsumi suggested. "I already ate."
"When?" Tetsumi asked.
She thought about it. When Atsuko fed her, she had fallen asleep soon afterwards and judging by the sun that she saw outside, it was near noon. "Few hours ago."
"That was breakfast. Did you have lunch?" Tetsumi asked, frowning and she shook her head. Tetsumi hummed. "I think there are some leftovers. Do you need help getting up?"
"I-I got it." The girl tried to get up but stumbled forward, thinking quickly Tetsumi went to help her before she fell and on instinct, she grabbed his shoulder to help her balance but tried not to put too much of her weight on him, not wanting him to fall too. "You ok?"
"Y-Yes, sorry."
"That is ok. Just hang on to my shoulder and I will help you to the kitchen."
The girl nodded, allowing him to aid her and when they finally reached the kitchen, she let go of him and sat down on the nearest chair while Tetsumi looked through the fridge. "I know you can't eat too much, so here's an apple and some water."
The girl began to slowly eat the apple, by the third bite she already felt full but forced herself to eat the whole thing anyway. "Tetsumi, what are you doing?!" A voice scolded, making her jump and she looked to see another strange man come in. "You can not feed her! If you overfeed her while she is like this, it could hurt her!"
"She said she felt dizzy, so I gave her food to help her. I only gave her an apple," Tetsumi explained then looked at her. "This is my uncle Mashimi." Mashimi looked at her then as well and bowed his head, "Hello, child."
The girl swallowed then replied, "Hello."
"Is it true what my nephew says? You are feeling dizzy?"
"A little," She admitted. "Well, do not worry, our best healer will look you over in a bit. For now, just stay off your feet."
Just then- "MA, WE'RE BACK!" Yoshi screamed as soon as he, his brother and Yuuta came in through the door, only for them to stop when they saw the girl. "Oh, hey, you're awake!" Yoshi exclaimed, as he and Saki came forward. The girl, knowing she needed to thank them, stood from her seat and bowed her head to them, "Thank you for saving me."
"Girl, sit back down!" Mashimi said, alarmed as he went to the girl, noticing her body trembling and guided her back on the seat. "If you are dizzy then you should not stand or bow your head."
"Dizzy?" Yuuta questioned.
"She came downstairs and said she felt dizzy, so I gave her an apple and water to help her feel better," Tetsumi shortly explained. Yoshi smirked. "An apple? She looks like she needs a whole fest!!
"YOSHI!" Yuuta reprimanded.
"What?!"
"Are you still hungry?" Mashimi asked the girl, ignoring his brother and nephew "No." She then looked at Yuuta. "Did you find anything?"
"No, child, we did not but we will continue searching," Yuuta promised, and the girl looked disappointed but nodded. "How long will I stay here?"
"You will stay here until you are better, and we are sure no one is still after you then afterwards...he will figure something out for you." The girl frowned, knowing that she was likely to be back in the orphanage, but she did not care. The orphanage was better than the place she ran from. The only reason they left was because she and her friend did not want to be separated when grownups came to adopt them but...they ended up getting separated anyway.
She wonders though, what her next few weeks will look like, living with ninjas.
...
Months later,
After getting checked by Kuzunoha, the strange woman put the girl on a strict diet as well as easy exercises to do to help build back up her strength. Atsuko helped the girl with her meal plan and daily exercises while Yuuta continued to look for the girl's captures.
She was still nervous around the Hamato family, but she began to trust them little by little as the months went by. She got along great with Tetsumi, fine with Yoshi but Saki...was not very interested in getting to know her. Mashimi was a very kind but lazy man, he would sneak her cookies as they sat and watched TV together sometimes. Eventually, she even met Hamato Yumi, who was very, very kind and even bought her a bunch of fresh clothes.
The girl liked them, but she enjoyed talking to Yuuta, who was very interesting and impressive. She likes watching him teach and practice ninjutsu. Yuuta seemed to notice her interest quickly and began to show her a few moves.
Before they knew it, at her final checkup, Kuzunoha said that she was as healthy as could be and since the clan has yet to find anything and there had been no trouble of anyone looking for her, the Hamato family thought it was now safe to have her out of their care and into someone else's.
However...
Yuuta was walking down the halls, when he noticed his wife, staring in the young girl's room as she slept. Her eyes staring directly at the peaceful sleeping form. "Atsuko?" He called but she did not take her eyes off the girl. "Yuuta...I...I know we said no more children but...do you think we could maybe...adopt her?"
Yuuta blinked in surprise. "You want to keep her?"
"I do," Atsuko said, turning to face him now. "You know how orphanages are, Yuuta. Who is to say that she will be put in a good family and besides...I have kind of grown used to having her around."
Yuuta looked at the sleeping girl from the corner of his eye. "You know, she does have qualities to make a fine kunoichi. She is a strong and devoted girl. Well-mannered and bright."
"So?"
"...If you want to adopt her then I have no problem."
Atsuko smiled as the two looked back at the sleeping girl. "We will have to think of a name for her though. Calling her "Child" or "Girl" is getting old."
Yuuta hummed in thought. "What was that name we thought of when you were pregnant with Yoshi, if he came to be a girl?" Atsuko smiled warmly. "Akemi. Means, "bright and beauty."
"I think that name suits her well."
"So do I," Atsuko agreed and the two continued to watch silently as she slept. Then his wife sighed, "What do you think the boys will say?"
...
"WHAT!" Saki bellowed. "You want to adopt her?!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down!" Atsuko hissed, not wanting her to hear. "Yes, your father and I wish to adopt her."
"You can't!" Saki yelled and Yuuta looked at him sternly. "And why not? I do not believe it is your decision, Saki."
"But she's not a ninja! She's just some girl from an orphanage!" Atsuko glared at her son. "And I was a girl from a poor village but look where I am now."
Saki flinched, realizing that he had insulted his mother and calmed himself down. "I meant no disrespect towards you, Mother but I just think taking her in is a mistake."
"Your father and I think otherwise. That girl needs a good home, Saki and I believe we can give her one," Atsuko said firmly. "But-!"
"Your mother and I have made our decision, Saki, now it is up to her. If she agrees to stay then we will adopt her but if not then we will find her another home."
"I like her," Tetsumi chirped. "Shut up, Tetsumi!"
"Saki!" Atsuko scolded.
Saki only glared at his parents before running out the door, ignoring them when they called out. Atsuko sighed then turned to look at her eldest who has yet to say anything. "Yoshi, what do you think?"
Yoshi said nothing because he did not know what to think. He wanted to help the girl and was glad his parents wanted to give her a home but...at the same time...what would happen? His father and mother both just adore her. She has already proven to be a golden child. Dealing with Saki he was used to but to now have two? However, Yoshi refused to say such things to his parents and instead stood up. "I'm going for a walk," he said before rushing out.
"Yoshi, wait! At least tell us how you-!"
SLAME!*
Atsuko frowned sadly. She knew her two oldest sons would not take the news well. "They will learn to accept it eventually," Yuuta said calmly and Atsuko just nodded.
...
After talking with their sons, it was time to talk to the young girl. They had her seated at the table, her back straight and her eyes looking straight at them. She had a feeling she knew what this conversation was about. "Are you two going to take me back to the orphanage?"
Atsuko and Yuuta glanced at each other before Yuuta cleared his throat. "Well, that is what we wanted to discuss with you."
"Child, I know you said that you are an orphan but by chance, are there any living relatives that you know of?"
"No. It is only me," She answered then becomes very shy all the sudden and starts stuttering, "B-But could - could I...?
"Could you what?"
She averts her eyes, suddenly looking down at her lap. "Never mind..."
Atsuko glanced at Yuuta again who nodded then smiled at the girl, "Child...Yuuta and I were talking, and we would like to adopt you."
The girl's head snapped up with her eyes shining with hope. "R-Really? You want to adopt me?" Atsuko chuckled. "Yes, we've grown very attached to you during your stay here."
"And if you wish, I believe you also have qualities to become an excellent kunoichi," Yuuta added. "Kunoichi?"
"A female ninja," Yuuta simplified. "You will be trained just as I train my sons and the rest of my students."
"You don't have to become part of our family or be a kunoichi. We just want you to be happy and have a good home. I believe we can give you that but if you want to look for that elsewhere, we'll understand," Atsuko said.
"The choice is yours," Yuuta nodded.
The girl never got such an opportunity in her life. She has been adopted before but never had a say in it and was always brought back because couples would not find her very child-like. She will admit she was too serious and boring for her age, but the Hamatos did not seem to care. They also gave her a chance to be a kunoichi, which is something she has never thought of but an opportunity she did not want to pass up. She wanted to help others like her, people who could not take care of themselves and she wanted to find her friend someday...or at least, find out what happened to him. She wanted...to be like the Hamatos.
"Both. I choose both. I want to be in your family and train to be a kunoichi."
Atsuko and Yuuta smiled, relieved and happy by her answer. Atsuko hugged her while Yuuta patted her head, "Welcome home...Akemi."
...
A week later, the papers to adopt Akemi were done and the Hamatos brought her home to celebrate. They had thrown her a party, fully welcoming her as part of the family and a member of the clan. Yuuta's students all introduced themselves to her, saying that they could not wait to train and get to know her. Yumi baked her a cake and Mashimi got her countless gifts. Tetsumi made her a handmade card while Saki only glared at her and Yoshi...was nowhere to be found.
Akemi was talking with some of her soon to be peers when Yumi pulled her aside, "Now that you are part of the family, Akemi, there is something I wish to teach you."
"What, Mrs. Hamato?" Yumi chuckled. "You can call me Yumi or grandmother if you wish."
"Ok, um, Yumi, what would you like to teach me?" Yumi smiled. "Just these few simple words. Anata wa hitori janai." Akemi raised a brow. "Anata wa...hitori janai?" Yumi nodded. "You are a part of this family and clan now, Akemi. Therefore, you will never be alone, you will always have us by your side."
"It is true," Atsuko came, smiling. "Okaasan said the same thing to me when I first came to the clan."
"How did you become part of the clan?" Akemi asked, curiously and Yumi frowned as Atsuko tensed slightly but quickly suppressed it. "That's a story for another time, my dear. For now, just enjoy your party. Make a friend or two." She said while gently pushing the girl back towards her party. Akemi glanced at Atsuko but did not say anything.
She wondered what her new parent's stories were. How they became who they are today but she suppose, she should not dig into their personal past. If they want to tell her then that is their decision, for now, she will only focus on her own future.
...
Later that night,
The party was a nice gesture from her new family but honestly, Akemi could have done without it. The party exhausted her greatly and she wished to turn in when a knock came from the door. Akemi frowned, then slowly opened the door, surprised to see Yoshi. "Yoshi?"
"H-Hey," Yoshi said, averting eye contact and scowling. "Atsuko was looking for you. You should probably let her know you are ok," Akemi said, plainly as Yoshi continued to scowl. They stood in tense silence until Yoshi snapped forward and forced something in her hand. "Sorry, I missed your party," He grumbled before quickly looking away from her again and crossing his arms.
Akemi looked in her hand to see a tiny black box, she opened it to see a purple bracelet. "I didn't know what you liked," Yoshi said, ducking his head to hide his red face and growling in frustration at himself, completely uncomfortable. "You can put charms on it or whatever."
"Um...Thank you, Yoshi," Akemi said, surprised that Yoshi got her a gift even though she heard from Tetsumi he did not react well when Atsuko and Yuuta told them that they wanted to adopt her. Yoshi's features softened slightly then he huffed, "Guess this means we're siblings now."
"I guess it does?"
The two were in awkward silence again until Yoshi growled, getting sick of the awkwardness. "I'm going to bed. Try not to snore too loud tonight."
"I don't snore!" Akemi argued as he walked away, only to stop to grin at her, "Your nose is a blow horn, sister." Akemi scowled, her cheeks turning red and Yoshi grinned widened, loving that there was someone else besides him who got easily embarrassed. 'Maybe this sister thing won't be so bad, after all...'
Akemi continued to scowl Yoshi's way as he went to his room and once he was gone, Akemi shut her door and looked down at the bracelet he had gotten her.
...
The next morning was Akemi's first day of ninja training, Yoshi and Saki were already waiting for her, as well as the other students when Akemi finally came in. She was wearing a white kunoichi outfit, her short hair tied back into a ponytail and the bracelet Yoshi had gotten her wrapped around her wrist. When Yoshi noticed the bracelet, he was surprised, not expecting her to actually wear it but she was.
Akemi took a seat next to Saki, ignoring her new brother's stare and only paying attention solely on Yuuta. "Akemi, I know you are new but I expect you to be on time for class."
"Sorry Sensei," Akemi said, bowing her head. Yuuta nodded, pleased with her already, despite her lateness and began class.