A/N: Kek! I cannot believe I haven't updated this fic since July! I am not dead, everyone. I am not dead!
Just suffering.
I have been in eternal drafting hell for months on end. I lost count of how many times I went back and thought, "Wow, I need to change this," and did exactly that.
Drafting so much that my eyes crossed.
So much for a hiatus, honestly.
Also, I got COVID, so more suffering.
Happy Reading! ⊂（ ⌂ ）⊃
To Change Fate
Chapter 10: Family Found With Curry Buns
Humiya stopped counting how long she had been living in Sanshō's Curry Restaurant by day two, trapped again in a perpetual state of being bedridden. The only difference was that she ate curry every single day.
She ate the spicy dish so much that she wanted to barf, but the opposite happened. In fact, Humiya felt better with every passing day.
"It's the curry!" Sanshō would say. "Good nutrition can heal all ailments, Love. Everyone knows that,"
Humiya doubted that. How can a simple bowl of curry heal birth defects? Reality found a way, not that she was complaining. She no longer had pain grip her heart nor did her fingers randomly turn a scary shade of blue.
Her ankle also healed in no time and the cuts on her body left no scars.
Best to not think too deeply about it. Especially in this world.
By the time she was free from the bedroom, she developed this burst of energy. She could run and she was running. Through the halls, around the building. Everywhere. Humiya must have made Sanshō's head whirl because the elderly woman placed her outside, exasperated. She directed her to tell people who come close that it is closed until she called her inside for breakfast.
A pretty useless job, in Humiya's mind.
So there she was, sitting in front of the restaurant, swinging a stick and yelling "Closed!" to every passerby who walked down the dirt road. Eventually, the road cleared and with that emptiness came her thoughts. And sometimes, it was best not to think.
"I'm screwed," Humiya whispered as she drew swirls in the dirt.
She knew that she had to get back to Konoha as soon as possible, but she was at a loss on how to do it. She couldn't just waltz back in this three year old body of hers nor could she ask Sanshō to take her back. The elderly woman did so much for her already. She just couldn't bring herself to bring it up.
A tap on her shoulder drew her out of her thoughts.
"Wha?!" she shouted, jumping from her spot.
Humiya whipped her head back to see a sweaty Karashi, clutching the hand that he used to tap her and mumbling something.
Humiya shuffled her body toward the eight year old boy, leaning slightly forward to hear a semblance of what he was trying to say, not that it helped much.
Karashi reminded Humiya of a kettle, his face turning red as if heating up and on the verge of boiling over.
"I didn't, I didn't mean to-to scare you!" he exploded, trembling and balling his fists.
"Okay," Humiya said with a nod.
Karashi opened one eye, looking like he was waiting for something to happen.
Humiya just blinked, already used to his antics.
His shoulders relaxed after a few moments of silence and opened his other eye. Humiya guessed whatever he was worried never happened.
He inched closer.
"Um, Grandma told me to-to check up on you after I was…done with my chores,"
"Okay," Humiya said again, in the same nonchalant manner.
This was the most that Karashi had ever talked to her. He would usually be running for the hills by now, so this was progress.
She looked at the ground and continued with her drawings. Swirls littered the ground, but the drawings became more intricate the more she drew. Now, she was drawing a willow tree with flowy branches and leaves.
Humiya glanced at Karashi who was in the same place, rummaging through his pocket before taking out a wooden figure.
"This is for you," he said, presenting it to her. "I hope, I hope you like it,"
Humiya looked down at the figure before gently taking it out of Karashi's hands. She marveled at the craftsmanship, its lack of detail not deterring from the skill she saw with her artistic eye. She smiled and ran her hand over the smooth wood.
"Pretty crow," she said with a smile.
Karashi beamed and inched close to her face, his purple eyes sparkling.
"D-d-do you really think so?!" he beamed.
"Yeah," Humiya said, backing away a little.
Karashi seemed to have noticed this, so he backed away before kneeling down next to her.
"I like, I like what you drew as well," he said, pointing to her drawing.
Humiya hummed in reply, drawing another leaf into the ground.
Caw!
Humiya and Karashi both looked up toward the sound. A crow the size of her fluttered in front of them from a tree, a white mark shaped as a lotus in its breast, the same mark that was on her ankle.
She backed away from the beast when she saw the mark. Karashi backed away as well, trembling at the sight of it.
"Come!" the crow cawed, "Hurry!"
Humiya froze, wondering why of all people it needed help from her. She wasn't over her last encounter with those creatures. She could still see the murder surounding that woman's body, the stench of rotting flesh.
She covered her mouth, bile rising in her throat.
Luckily, like a knight in shining armor, Sanshō ran out of the restaurant with a broom.
"Get, you pesky thing! Get!" the elderly woman shouted, swatting the bird with her broom.
The crow hissed before flying away.
"Are you alright alright?" she cried, assessing them.
Karashi teared up and ran into Sanshō's arms.
Humiya watched the bird fly away, shoulders still tense. She knew it would be back.
"Thank goodness it is gone. Come along, children. Breakfast is ready. We have a long day ahead of us,"
Humiya looked up at Sanshō who was patting the head of the still crying Karashi.
"What's happening?" she asked.
Sanshō smiled.
"We are going to the market, Love. Now, clean yourself up before you eat. You two are covered in dirt."
Humiya did as she was told and went to the bathroom to prepare herself for the day. She wore Karashi's clothes that he outgrew. His tan shirt fit her more like a loose dress and she had rolled up his baggy pant legs.
Her small hands did not maneuver her long hair well and it took her a while to braid. Especially when it touched her lower held one of her dark brown fishtail pigtails, caressing the familiar pattern. Memories of how her mom in her past life taught her how to do these; the hours she was taught how to braid using dolls and finally doing her own hair. It made her sigh.
She tied the ends of it with string.
After she was done, Humiya walked down the stairs to see a plate of buns on the table. She took one and took a bite out of it, tasting the savory filling inside.
Of course it's curry.
She took another bun, looking around the empty dining room and kitchen. It wasn't until she heard the bray of a mule that she thought to check outside. There she found Sanshō and Karashi setting up a wagon.
Humiya decided to sit on the front steps and watch as she finished her breakfast.
"Come on, Cumin! You stubborn mule!" Karashi shouted, pulling on the lasso of the animal.
The mule lifted its lips at Karashi and stuck his tongue out in defiance, towering over the boy. Humiya couldn't help but smile a little.
"Karashi, how many times have I told you to be patient with Cumin," Sanshō scowled, taking the lasso and leading Cumin to the front of the wagon. "You have to look forward and lead him confidently. Don't look back,"
"B-but I did do that," Karashi mumbled as he climbed onto the wagon, his eyes still red from earlier.
Sanshō's eyes met with Humiya's and smiled.
"Come along and make yourself comfortable on the wagon, Humiya. It is time to go," Sanshō called, motioning her after she finished tying Cumin to the wagon.
Humiya complied and walked over only to find the wagon too tall for her to get in on her own. She went on to her tippy toes and grabbed onto the ledge to attempt to pull herself up.
Screw this small body.
"Here, le-let me help," Karashi said with his hand out.
Humiya grabbed it and he pulled her up.
"Thanks," she said.
Karashi nodded in reply as he closed the back of the wagon and tied it.
"Are you ready?" Sanshō asked as she climbed into the front.
"Ready, Grandma!" Karashi called.
"And we're off," Sanshō cried before flicking her reins.
The mule let out a loud whinny, stomping his hoof on the ground.
"Oh, calm yourself, Cumin. It is only a short trip," Sanshō said, flicking the reins again.
Cumin started to move forward down the dirt road at a granny like pace, slow but consistent. The mule seemed to drag its feet as it clopped. The wagon shook a little each time they rolled over one of the rocks that littered the road.
Humiya grabbed onto the sides of the wagon, fearing that she might fall from a big bump.
"Your h-hair," Karashi said, sitting comfortably across from her. "I-it looks nice. I've never se-seen it done that way,"
"Oh, Mom showed me," Humiya replied solemnly, tilting her head and twiddling the end of her braid; it felt like straw between her fingers.
"Mom? Do you m-mean Ma?" he asked leaning in closer, "Where you from?"
Humiya frowned. She did not understand why Karashi was so excited over her pronunciations. Sure, Karashi and Sancho's have an accent, but she couldn't be far from Konoha.
I was only river bound for a night at most.
"If-if you want," he retracted timidly.
"Konoha," she finally said.
"Konoha?" Karashi repeated, confused. "Never heard of it,"
Humiya's eyes widened at his reply, alarms blaring in her head. He turned to Sanshō who was mumbling rigmaroles to Cumin.
"Grandma, e-ever heard of Konoha?" he asked.
"Konoha? Why, of course I know of it. Konoha is that hidden ninja village over in Fire Country," Sanshō said.
"Y-you mean the giant country right a-above us? One filled with, with ninja?" Karashi asked.
"Yes, you have made quite the journey, I imagine," Sanshō said to Humiya.
"No Fire Country?!" Humiya shouted.
Karashi shook his head.
"N-no, this is River Country,"
Humiya leaned back onto the wagon.
A whole other country?! How long had I been drifting down that river?
She felt her chances of even getting back there begin to dwindle.
"How far?" she asked pitifully.
"Oh, not too far. About a week's journey by wagon," Sanshō told her. "Most merchants pass by the village on their journey to trade in Konoha, but the cost to pass the Fire Country border is quite expensive,"
Humiya hung her head.
With the looks of things, I won't be returning through them. And of course, there is going to be a cost. Just perfect.
"How?" she whimpered.
"You mean how much, Love?" Sanshō asked, scratching her chin.
Humiya nodded.
"The exact price has left me, but I do remember almost fainting when I saw it," the old woman said.
Humiya hung her head, her eyes watery.
"Aw, do not fret, Humiya. I know that you miss your home, but you are safe with Karashi and I," Sanshō said, reaching over and patting her head. "I know how it feels to lose a loved one. That sinking feeling in your heart will lessen in time,"
Humiya didn't reply, looking out at the forest.
I can't be trapped here. I don't care if it takes me years, I am going to get back to Konoha! Mikoto and Fugaku must be worried sick about me or worse, think I'm dead.
Sanshō gave Humiya a comforting smile before turning back to the road.
Suddenly, a loud craw came from above. Humiya looked up. It was back.
The crow was in mid flight, its wings covering the sun before it glided onto the wagon. It grabbed her with its sharp talons, pulling her up into the air.
"Hurry! Come! Hurry!" the crow cried.
Karashi let out a high pitched scream before hiding in one of the barrels while Sancho whacked at it while grabbing Humiya by her leg. Cumin made a loud bray before galloping forward, making the wagon shake.
None of the chaos affected the bird one bit. It only let out a low craw, it almost sounded like a chuckle.
Humiya glared at the crow, hissing as its claws sank into her skin. "Ack!" Humiya cried,
"Away! Away!" she cried, waving her hands at it.
She wanted nothing to do with this crow nor any crows for that matter.
"Hang in there, Humiya!" Sanshō screamed, one hand on the rein and the on her ankle.
Humiya couldn't take the tugging and bit the crow in the leg, making it let go with a squawk of pain. She felt her pigtails slap her face as she was pulled down and landed on Sancho's lap.
"Got you," She said as she whipped the reins forward. "Yah, Cumin!"
The mule brayed and began to gallop.
Humiya looked back and watched the crow turn into a black speck in the distance.
They finally made it to the village. The Katabami Gold Mine Village, Sanshō called it. For a mining village, Humiya imagined the place to be more desolate.
The place might have been dusty with rundown buildings, but it was booming. Along the dirt roads of the town square, people of diverse backgrounds crowded the streets. The open stands stationed in front of many buildings were not as elaborate nor colorful as the market in Konoha, but it still had bounds of people calling for those curious to buy whatever they were selling.
But Humiya didn't pay much attention to the sights, her mind filled with wonder on what that crow wanted from her. She looked up at the sky for the large demonic creature, but she only saw a blue sky with the occasional cloud.
"Is-is that crow gone?" Karashi asked her, peeking from outside of the barrel.
"Yes, Karashi," Sanshō said, slowing Cumin down as they rode down the crowded streets. "That crow gave us quite a scare. Thanks goodness it's gone,"
She grabbed onto the rails as they went to a shaky halt. They stopped at a booth where an elderly man sold baskets of colorful spices.
Sanshō smiled down at the man that ran the shop.
"It has been too long, Rakkyo," she cheered, waving him over.
Humiya could tell that Rakkyo came from Suna. The old man reminded her of Gaara. He was a tall old man with eyes, a pale jade, with a long white beard. He wore a white turban and long reddish brown robes with black pants, a white cloth wrapped around his waist and over his shoulder.
"Oh, how I missed my most valued customer!" Rakkyo laughed, walking over to them with his cane before holding his hand up to help Sanshō off.
"Stop it, you say that to every customer," Sanshō giggled, grabbing his hand to get off.
"Caught me," Rakkyo chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "The usual assortment?"
"Oh course!" Sanshō said.
Karashi quickly climbed out the barrel and opened the latch to get off. Humiya followed in his wake.
Rakkyo watched them get off with a hearty laugh.
"My, what were you doing in that barrel, Karashi? Something gave you a scare" he asked, walking up to them.
"A-a huge crow came down and almost took Humiya!" Karashi cried, waving his arms to emphasize its size.
Rakkyo ruffled Karashi's head.
"Now that's an adventure!" he cheered before looking at Humiya. "Glad you came out unharmed,"
Their eyes met and his smile grew brighter.
"I never knew you picked up a granddaughter," he said.
"She always had a weak disposition, so this is her first time out," Sanshō said offhandedly, holding the Cumin's reins to keep him still.
Rakkyo nodded, stroking his beard.
"Ah, I see," he replied.
"How—"
"How have you been?" Sanshō interjected. "It has been a while since I have seen you,"
Rakkyo blinked.
"Oh… Honestly, business has taken a hit. Konoha has closed its gates," he said.
Sanshō gasped and replied, "That's horrible! What happened?"
Rakkyo sat down on the bench behind his stand and sighed.
"Remember the earthquake a time ago?" he asked.
"Oh course. Shook the ground so hard that I almost fell, quite a few of my dishes broke too," Sanchō replied.
"Well, a fellow merchant heard from another that it was caused by an ancient beast. They heard its mighty roars from miles away. The earthquakes were so big that they made the rivers change direction!" Rakkyo cried. "Look at the river yourself if you don't believe me,"
Humiya trembled at the description, the Nine Tails attack felt like it only happened yesterday.
"Also seen some Konoha Nin scouring the area as well. Scary people, ninja," he continued.
"And the most wretched," Sanshō added, shaking her head with her hand on her cheek.
Humiya perked up at that.
"Konoha Nin?! Where? Where?" she cried, gripping the man's robes.
"Quiet, you are scaring the kids," Sanshō said, prying Humiya off Rakkyo and hugging her.
"She looks more enthralled than scared, Darling," he replied.
"No scared. Wanna know," Humiya insisted, her voice muffled by being squished by Sancho's embrace.
The elder woman shushed her and said, "You don't need to hide your fear,"
"It's alright, Sanshō . The ninja passed by here a few days ago. Gave me quite a scare when they asked me questions, but I thankfully had nothing that they wanted," the old man told her before standing up to greet a customer.
Sanshō sighed and dug into her apron pocket.
She took out a small pouch tied with a long string and handed it to Karashi.
"Enough eavesdropping kids. Get yourselves a bite to eat while us adults talk," she said, handing the bag to Karashi.
Karashi smiled and opened the pouch to count what was inside. He then tied the string around his neck and tucked the pouch under his shirt.
"Now run along and come right back. We have to go cloth shopping as well," she told them, pushing Humiya towards Karashi, wagging her finger.
"But—," Humiya mumbled.
"W-we will, Grandma," Karashi said, taking Humiya by the hand and dragging her away.
Humiya pouted as Karashi dragged her through the crowds, upset about the missed opportunity to leave this place. Karashi, on the other hand, was beaming.
"What would, would you like to eat?" Karashi asked, looking hungrily at the stalls selling different foods from buns to meats.
Humiya was still full from breakfast.
"No curry," she replied, knowing that she had enough curry for a lifetime.
Karashi eyeing a stall, chuckling, "I can't dis-disagree with that,"
He led Humiya toward the stall.
"Al-alright. Th-those kabobs look good, " he said, pointing at the assortment of kabobs that the stall owner piled in front of them.
He ordered four beef kabobs before handing Humiya one of them.
She looked at the meat and veggies on a stick and slowly took a bite. The savory meat mixed with the sweet vegetables was good. She ended up finishing it in a few bites.
Karashi led her away, eating two kabobs in one bite.
"We h-have Ryo to spare," he said cheerfully, "I need a new carving knife,"
"Oh! Karashi!"
Karashi's body flinched at the sound of that.
"O-oh no," he said, pulling Humiya forward to run.
But before he could gain momentum, Karashi was grabbed by the collar by a much older boy, looking about twelve or thirteen.
Humiya frowned at the boy. She knew a bully when she saw one.
"That's no way to treat a friend, you stuttering fool," the scruffy looking boy laughed, wrapping his arm around Karashi's shoulders, snatching the remaining kabob in his hand before eating it in one bite.
Karashi's shoulders tensed, watching his "friend" chew with his mouth open.
"He-Hey, Gōrudo," he said, trembling.
Gōrudo tightened his grip around Karashi, making him choke.
"I am Golden Boy Gōrudo! Not just Gōrudo. How many times do I have to tell you?" Gōrudo asked, lifting a brow as he leaned over at him.
Karashi opened his mouth to speak, but only a gargle came out.
"What? Cat's still got your tongue? " Gōrudo asked with a sneer. "I might forgive you if you give me all your Ryo,"
Humiya looked between the boys, and felt the tensions rise. She knew that if she did nothing, they were going to get hurt. She wondered if he was the danger the crow warned her about.
"Hey," Humiya shouted, glaring at the boy.
The boy only scoffed at her.
"You never told me you had a little sister," Gōrudo said,
"D-don't touch her," Karashi said, struggling under the guy's arm.
Gōrudo tightened his arms around Karashi's neck.
"I didn't say you can talk, you freak," he growled, reaching out to her with his other hand.
In a rush, she did the only thing she could think of, kicking him in his groin. Gōrudo doubled over in pain, loosening his grip on Karashi before falling to his knees.
Humiya took this chance to grab Karashi's hand and run.
"Come on!" she shouted, weaving through the crowd.
Humiya rushed for as fast as her little legs could carry her, dragging Karashi behind her. That didn't last though since the boy was much more athletic and ended up dragging her.
She heard a familiar caw and looked up to see the crow from earlier circling above them.
"Crow!" she cried.
Karashi looked up and shrieked before turning a corner into an alleyway, its overhanging roofs obscuring the sky. He stopped behind a trash can.
"I-I think… we lost… him," he panted, looking back
Humiya huffed, putting her hands on her knees. She didn't remember the last time she ran so hard, adrenaline pumping through her.
Humiya looked behind and saw Gōrudo in the distance, his blond hair rushing behind him and his yellow eyes enraged.
"No! No!" she screamed.
Karashi ran forward, but Humiya tripped over a pebble and fell on her face.
"Damnit!" She shouted in English.
It was too late. Gōrudo caught up to them and kicked her in the stomach, hard. Humiya gasped for air, the air too knocked out of her for her to scream.
"That's for kicking me in the balls, brat," he spat before spitting in her face.
Humiya could only watch as Karashi backed against the way, staring at Gōrudo in horror as the bully drew near. Trembling, he balled his hands into fists.
"Go away!" he screamed, lunging toward Gōrudo, only for the bully to grab him by the collar and slam him against the wall.
"You think you could get away, pipsqueak?" he growled, tightening his grip. "I am Golden Boy Gōrudo! And you never cross me!"
Humiya could hardly breathe as she tried to get up. She reached out to Karashi, his face turning red and drooling as he dangled. She could feel the life slowing fade. Desperate, she felt energy come into her eyes. Everything went into slow motion.
"Stop!" she screamed.
"What did you say to me?" Gōrudo snarled, turning to her.
Their eyes met, and she felt herself connect with him. He froze as if under a trance.
"Go," she ordered.
Gōrudo shook as if trying to fight whatever force she had until she overpowered him.
"You'll pay for this," he sputtered before running away.
Humiya breathed in relief, rubbing her now sore throat. She gathered her strength before going to Karashi. He was coughing on his hands and knees.
She put her hand on his back.
"T-thanks," he said, shaking as he got up, rubbing his neck as he looked at her.
He gasped, "Your eyes,"
Humiya put her hands over one.
"Sharingan," she replied, willing the energy to leave her eyes.
Karashi nodded, dazed.
"Grandma is-is gonna freak if she sees it," he said.
Caw!
They looked up and saw that it was the crow perched on a trash can. Humiya never knew a bird could look so smug.
Karashi huddled close to her as she glared at the crow.
"Come?" it asked, tilting its head.
Humiya clutched her stomach and stood up, wanting so badly to say no. But, she knew that it wasn' t leaving and she had no energy to flee at that point.
"Fine," she gritted through her teeth.
The crow squawked with glee as it fluttered off the trash can, beckoning them to follow.
Humiya and Karashi looked at each other before back at the crow.
"Go," she told Karashi.
Karashi groaned as he got up. They leaned on each other as they walked out of the alleyway.
They walked into a less crowded street, the crow walking in front. The buildings around them were smaller with tin roofs, some more rusty than others. Many people sat around in rags, some eyed them.
"I've never b-been in this part of town before," he fretted. "Grandma was clear about me not coming to this, this part of town.
Humiya hummed in reply, being too painful to talk. She limped forward.
Craw!
The crow then stopped to look back at them.
"What?" Humiya asked.
She watched the bird flap its wings and fly over and land on a wooden sign in front of large wooden gates. The gates led to a large building that had a rusted tin roof and wooden walls. A few of its windows were broken. In the courtyard looked to be a small wooden playground with a swing tied to a large tree.
It looked to Humiya to be an orphanage.
"Hurry! Come!" it crowed.
Humiya glanced at Karashi, wondering if he had the same ominous feeling as she did.
"I-I guess it wants us to go inside," he said.
Humiya frowned, not completely trusting the bird. But it was either this or wander around the dangerous streets.
She moved forward as Karashi held her shoulders, making her feel like a meat shield.
They climbed the stairs to its chipped double doors and Humiya fiddled with the lock. The door was unlocked.
The interior looked as rundown and the exterior, wallpaper peeling off the walls and holes in the floor. At least they could hear other children in the halls, some laughing while others chatted.
At the end of the hall, they found a middle aged woman with deep bags under her eyes. She looked down at them and deepened her frown, the lines protruding from her face.
"Of all times to have more orphans," she grumbled, turning to them.
The aura that came from the woman made Humiya shutter.
"Uh. Uh hello," Karashi mumbled.
"What are you doing here? Did your parents also abandon you with the promise that they were going to find work in Konoha?" she asked.
Humiya furrowed her brow at the overly specific claim, face reddening with annoyance.
"N-no. We are lost," he said, "Um, do you k-know where the market is?"
Humiya wanted to cheer Karashi on for his quick thinking, but realized that she didn't know where that blasted crow took them. They might as well be lost the more she thought about it.
The Matron let out a visible breath of relief.
"Why didn't you say so? The market is not actually far from here. What you have to do—"
Before the woman could finish, the sounds of a screeching baby were heard.
The matron's mood immediately turned sour again.
"Damn baby. Why can't it stay quiet like the others," she hissed as she stomped toward the sound.
Humiya and Karashi followed.
Inside the room they entered, there were rows of babies in cribs, some of them whining while hugging themselves as if trying to comfort themselves.
This made Humiya's heart ache.
"I am here, so quiet you," the Matron said as she lifted the crying baby roughly, coughing in her arms.
Humiya looked closer and was shocked to see who it was.
"Sasuke!" she cried.