My ears popped and my lungs finally allowed me to breathe. The feeling was absolutely relieving. My eyes were closed shut, but my hands were gripping what felt like sharp grass that was stabbing into my bare legs. I was heavily breathing, relishing in what felt like my first gulps of air since forever.714Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ5ADIebQg
Finally, I opened my eyes. 714Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IsYyyBFXF
It was dark. Surrounding me were slabs of stones arranged in order, trees were everywhere, and in front of me was the...
The Hokage Monument. 714Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG0tOkWMgc
My eyes widened. Looking around once more, I realized that I was at the memorial. The place where fallen shinobis lay peacefully after death. Panicking, I stood up and frantically looked around. Where was I supposed to go?
I ran towards what seemed like an exit, but the further I went inside of the village and away from the memorial, I found it more familiar the further I went through. The whole place was familiar, a sight that I've seen hundreds of times over and over on a screen, but never have I once imagined that I would be going through these alleyways and streets.
The red roofs... the wooden houses... the dirt roads... the wires... the seals... it was all there.
I kept running and running, wondering where was I supposed to go... I could always just head for the Hokage's office, as that's the only place where I understood was safer, but at a time like this? How was I suppo-714Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwFtufxOR6
"Demon!" what...
"You cold-blooded monster!" why...
"Village destroyer!" no...
Before I knew it, I found myself walking towards that noise... feeling my blood draining from my face and my heart beating faster inside of my chest. I knew those words... I knew who they were talking about. I feared knowing that I was right.
As I got closer to an alleyway, I saw a group of men and women walking away, one of the older women sobbing, "That demon murdered my son!" at that moment I bit my tongue and sent her a silent glare, one that wasn't noticed.
After they had gone, I crept closer to the alleyway, my steps silent and steady. I braced myself before I allowed myself to look... and there he was. 714Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXlLNW6kFS
A tuff of blonde hair... one that I've grown to love... was seen behind the dumpster. As I went closer the rest of his figure was shown... he was curled up and sobbing all alone. Stones were scattered around him... he had been stoned.
I grit my teeth feeling the anger starting to course through my veins. I took a shaky breath and knelt in front of the boy, making sure that I was at least a meter or two away.
"Hello..." I said softly with a sad smile on my face.
The blonde boy's sobbing hitched, and quickly, he looked up, his blue eyes so vivid in the night... and filled with fear mixed tears.
"Come here." I whispered, opening up my arms for him, "It's alright."
The arms that he used to cover his face went away, and finally I was able to see those six whiskers among those chubby cheeks. He looked unsure and afraid. Clearly he didn't really trust me.
"I won't hurt you... come, I'll help." I tried to make my voice sound as gentle as possible, but I too, was starting to waver. My voice was cracking with every syllable I made. "I will never hurt you. I-I.. please..." I took one more look at him, noticing the bruises and bleedin that was covered his soft skin.
That broke me.714Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89vMyfJzUW
The whiskered boy's eyes widened at the sight of my tears. "M-miss?" his hand reached out towards me weakly.
"I will never, never ever h-hurt you..." I said in a whisper. If I had said it any louder it would've turned into a sob. "Please, come here." 714Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLuFipD4Bx
The boy quickly edged towards me and wrapped his little arms around me, "There, there... Everything will be alright dattebayo."
He was young... he was naive... even after people have hurt him and scorned him he would still go ahead and help those in need. He was so trusting.
I tried to even out my breaths and returned his embrace, burying my face in his little shoulders. Inside, I laughed at myself. This was a little vice versa.
I picked him up, not surprised that he was as light as a feather. He wasn't eating well and I knew that. I made sure not to touch any of his injuries while I was carrying him. 714Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikBONTuPfA
"Hey, I'm going to take you home... where do you live?" normally, if anybody was asking you these questions you would definitely have to run away and call someone, but I really meant well, and it felt as if he knew that.
"That way." he pointed.
When I had arrived, I was relieved to find that there were the basic things you would need in cleaning a wound. Naturally, there was nothing inside of his fridge other than spoiled milk and water. His cupboard was filled was cheap cup ramen, but his bed was made at least.
After cleaning him up, I put him to bed. I was wondering...
"Is it alright if you let me stay here?"
The answer was immediate, "Yes! Stay forever!" his eyes were sparkling, as if what happened just a while ago was nothing. "Ne ne, I got my birthday wish dattebayo!" he said excitedly.
It was his birthday... that explained a lot.
"What was your birthday wish?"
"To have a friend dattebayo!"
Although I already decided on it the moment I saw that tuff of yellow hair, but now it's even more sure than before.
I gave him another hug and sighed in happiness, "I'm going to take care of you, is that alright, Naruto?"
He grinned and nodded, "Mm!"
I will never hurt you.
There are too many manga and anime for me to name to actually pick a favorite from, because if I actually try to take an ABSOLUTE favorite I would break down crying and my head would explode...
BUT! One that comes as a close first Is NARUTO (I know, super cliche and a noob choice) but that's only because It's been with me for literally the same age as I am, and it has the most impact upon my life than any other anime that I have watched, and it's also the one that I have studied deeply.
I have a lot of experience taking care of children what with all the baby cousins and younger siblings.
I love it so much I could cry.
but there are most others that I love equally.
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