The little girl's frame shook as she wearily eyed the shadows that danced on the wall just outside her room. She knows what it entails, but she cannot do anything but squeeze herself to a tight corner.
The girl whimpered in fear as the shadows materialized in front of her and the glint in her mother's eyes is enough to make her tight herself into a tight ball.
"Mama..." the girl's small voice carried a hint of fear.
"Don't call me, Mama!" her mother shouted at her.
The room fell silent for a moment, broken only by the girl's soft sniffles. The oppressive tension hung thick in the air as the mother glared at her daughter with an intensity that sent shivers down the little girl's spine.
"You!" she pointed her finger at the girl's direction. "You are the root of all of our misfortunes!"
'What did I do?' Sakura thought to herself.
The little girl, cowering in the corner, felt the weight of her mother's accusation like a physical blow. The shadows seemed to close in, wrapping around her like tendrils of darkness. Trembling, she tried to make herself smaller, almost disappearing into the tight ball she had become.
"I-I didn't mean to, Mama. I promise," the girl pleaded, her voice barely audible. 'I don't know why you're mad, Mama!' she cried inwardly.
Her mother's expression remained hardened, unyielding. "Promises won't change what you've done. You bring nothing but trouble into this house. Every time I look at you, I see a curse."
The woman stomped towards the little girl and grabbed her arm roughly. "You're the cause of our misfortunes."
The little girl winced as her mother's grip tightened on her arm, the pain mirroring the emotional turmoil within her. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she dared not let them fall. The room, now filled with a palpable darkness, seemed to bear witness to the strained relationship between mother and daughter.
"You think I wanted this life, with a burden like you?" her mother spat out, her face contorted with frustration. "You ruin everything you touch."
'I didn't mean to! It hurts, Ma!'
The girl bit her trembling lip, desperately trying to hold back sobs. The shadows on the wall continued their ominous dance, casting a surreal backdrop to the unfolding scene.
"Maybe if you weren't here, things would be different. Maybe we could have been happy," her mother muttered, the bitterness in her voice cutting through the air. "You're a mistake! A grave mistake. You should have just died!"
"Mama..." Sakura's voice trembled more as she heard her mother's voice. "Mama, please," Sakura begged, her voice breaking. "I don't want to be a mistake. I'll be better, I promise."
But her mother's anger seemed unrelenting. "Promises won't change what you are. You're a stain on this family."
Sakura's shoulders shook with silent sobs as her mother's harsh words echoed in the room. The shadows on the wall took on monstrous shapes, dancing grotesquely, amplifying the nightmare that had become her reality.
"You're not leaving this room, brat!" Her mother told her, gripping her arm tightly. "And you're not eating!"
Sakura's heart sank further at her mother's cruel decree. The room felt like a prison, the shadows now taking on an even darker hue as despair enveloped her. She could feel the hunger gnawing at her stomach, but the pain of rejection and isolation weighed even heavier on her young soul.
"Mama, please," Sakura pleaded again, her voice desperate. "I'll do anything. I'll be good, I promise."
But her mother, blinded by anger and resentment, remained unyielding. "Your promises mean nothing. You'll learn your lesson by staying here alone in the darkness."
As her mother left the room, slamming the door shut, Sakura found herself abandoned to the shadows. The cold silence was broken only by her muffled sobs, and the oppressive darkness seemed to press against her from all sides.
"Mama?" Sakura peeked through the doorway the next morning, her stomach growling. "I'm going to school. Can I eat something?"
The silence in the room lingered for a moment before Sakura's mother's voice came from another part of the house, "Do what you want. But you're not touching any of the food in this house."
Tears started to pool in her eyes. "But Mama, I don't have any money."
"I don't care!" Her mother suddenly appeared in front of her. "You can starve for all I care. Now, get out of my house."
Sakura's heart sank further as her mother's harsh words hung in the air. She hesitated for a moment, the weight of hunger and rejection heavy on her shoulders, but with a deep breath, she turned away from her mother and stepped outside into the morning light.
The world outside seemed different from the suffocating darkness of her room. The sun cast its warm rays, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the trees. However, Sakura's stomach growled loudly, a reminder of the physical pain she endured. With determination, she wiped away her tears and began walking towards the school, a place that, at least for a few hours, offered an escape from her troubled home.
During lunch time, Sakura can't help but looked at the colorful bento boxes of her classmates. She looked down on her lap as she can feel the burning behind her eyes.
"Why are you not eating?" a small boyish voice asked her.
Sakura wiped the tears that threatened to escape her eyes before turning to look at her seatmate. Hatake Kakashi, the golden boy of their class and her... friend? She doesn't know what to call their relationship as he mostly ignores her until he doesn't.
'Why are talking to me?' she asked to herself.
Kakashi is the golden boy. The one with the highest marks and near perfect practical knowledge of the theorical concepts that are being taught to them. Everyone knows that he will be a great shinobi once he graduates.
'Will I be able to graduate?' Sakura asked herself.
"Why are you not eating?" he asked again.
Sakura hesitated for a moment, her eyes avoiding Kakashi's concerned gaze. "I... I don't have any lunch today," she admitted, her voice barely audible.
'I never had any lunch.' She added in her mind.
Kakashi's expression softened, and he reached into his bag, pulling out a neatly packed bento box. "Here," he said, offering it to Sakura. "You can share mine."
Sakura's eyes widened in surprise, and a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment washed over her. "I can't take your lunch, Kakashi. It's yours."
He shrugged nonchalantly. "It's fine. I always bring extra in case someone forgets or doesn't have lunch. My dad thinks I'm popular here."
Sakura couldn't help but smile at Kakashi's nonchalant explanation. She accepted the bento box with a grateful nod. As they shared the meal, Kakashi maintained a casual conversation, lightening the heavy atmosphere that lingered from her troubled home.
"Thank you so much." Sakura thanked the boy. Her stomach growled loudly as the aroma of the food ticked her nose. "It smells so good." she commented. "Thank you. I haven't had any food for three days now." she unintentionally said. When she realized what she said, her green eyes widened in fear. "I... I mean... I'm always studying... and I forget..." she stammered, trying to cover up her mistake.
Kakashi studied her for a moment, his grey eyes thoughtful. "You don't have to lie, Sakura."
"I'm not." Sakura whispered, lowering her head in shame. She pushed the bento box away. "I'm not hungry anymore. But thank you for the thought." But her words were quickly belied by the loud growl that her stomach made.
Kakashi chuckled softly, a light in his eyes. "I think your stomach disagrees, Sakura."
Sakura blushed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude for Kakashi's understanding. "I... I just don't want to be a burden. I don't want to take your food."
"As I've said, Dad always makes extra. Especially if he just came home from a mission. He makes the boxes extra special." Kakashi remarked. "So, you're not taking anything from me."
Sakura's eyes softened, touched by Kakashi's kindness. She nodded gratefully, allowing herself to enjoy the meal. The flavors were indeed special, and for a brief moment, she forgot the troubles that awaited her at home.
"Kakashi..." Sakura started. "does your dad loves you?"
Kakashi looked at Sakura with a hint of surprise, as if her question had caught him off guard. After a brief pause, he responded, "Well, he has an odd way of showing it, but yeah, I guess he does. He's just... not good at expressing it."
"You're lucky." she mumbled under her breath and Kakashi wasn't able to catch it.
Kakashi continued eating, but he noticed Sakura's somber expression. "What was that?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Nothing." she shook her head. She already let it slip that her mother is starving her. If she mistakenly let on what happens in their home, she will be in big trouble.
Kakashi, perceptive as he was, could sense that Sakura didn't want to delve into the topic further. He respected her silence, understanding that some things are just better left unsaid.