Negai ga kanau - 3
'Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.'
- Maria Robinson
Chapter III.
I woke up extra early the next morning. My ribs were mostly healed but extremely tender and they weren't letting me sleep. I got up and dressed right away.
I always tried to get out of the house without being seen or heard, but had only succeeded in doing this a handful of times. I peeked around the wall of my bedroom and silently made my way through the living room. I got to the kitchen without any problems and grabbed the door handle. I turned it quickly and shot outside.
I guessed Jiro had gone out, or maybe he was still sleeping. I didn't really care either way, I just wanted to go to the park to see my best friend before I had to go to school.
"Kohana..." I whispered once I got there, knowing she would hear me. I heard a slight shuffle and looked up towards the top of a nearby tree. I was in time to see a streak of orange-red fur quickly running my way down the tree trunk.
"Hey, Sora!" Kohana greeted. She was happy to see me, but she must have been able to tell that something was wrong because she looked at me with worry in her eyes. "Are you all right?"
"Not really... Father got really mad yesterday because of something I did..."
I tried to touch my ribs, hoping they had miraculously healed during the short walk to the park, only to wince as I discovered that they still hurt. Kohana made to speak then, but I knew what she would say and there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn't leave my father - after all, who would want to give home to a demon?
"Don't start, Kohana. I know. You don't have to give me another speech about telling someone..." At that point, she cut me off.
"Look, we have been through this together for five years. This is not going to get any better and you know it! I hate seeing you hurt like this! I would have told the whole world by now if I could," she hissed. These were the times I was glad I was the only one who could understand her.
"I know, I know, but there's nothing we can do," I said sadly, placing one of my hands on her head gently.
"It hurts, to see you like this and not being able to do anything about it," she said, her green eyes misting over with unshed salty tears.
I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into my lap, holding back my own tears for her sake.
"Things have to be bad before they can get better," I told her while snuggling her to my chest, "and we are definitely in the market for some better things." Around Kohana I felt Normal, even if it was just pretend.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," she sighed sadly.
I placed her down and checked the time. I definitely had to leave for the Academy.
"Why was Jiro so mad yesterday?" Kohana asked before I could say goodbye.
"I ran into the Fourth yesterday." My eyes dulled as I thought back to what had happened when I had come home.
"Really?! The Fourth?" she asked excitedly.
"Yea, but Jiro told me that if I ever spoke to him again, he'd make yesterday seem like child's play," I said unhappily.
"Asshole. But what is the Fourth like? Is he nice? And why can't you talk to him?" the little red fox wanted to know.
I smiled slightly. "Yep, he really is nice. But Jiro says demons are not allowed to be in his presence let alone talk to him," I said and, just as if a switch had been flipped, Kohana went from happy to angry.
"What a PRICK! If anyone is a demon it's that man," Kohana huffed slightly. She looked at me harshly, as if reading my mind. "You are not a demon," the fox said fiercely. Each time she told me this, I started to think it was a little more true.
"I know," I said, "agreeing" with her. She scoffed at my obvious lie and I figured it was time to go. "I have to go to school now. I'll see you later?"
"I'm coming with you!" she surprised me by saying, before jumping into my bag and making herself comfortable next to my scrolls.
"What are you doing?" I panicked. "I can't take you with me!"
"Why not?" she shot back, defiant. I was about to reply when I realized how concerned she was. Besides, it would be nice to have a friend around for a change. I'd had an awful day and an awful night; the company would be welcome.
"Well, I guess you can come, but you have to make sure no one sees you!" No sooner had the words left my mouth, she was nodding happily and burrowing further into the bag.
I bent down to grab my bag and hissed when a shot of pain ran through me. I carefully adjusted the straps so the weight would fall on my left and started on my way. I was really glad Kohana only weighed seven pounds or this would have created a problem.
"Today is gonna be a good day!" I heard Kohana's muffled voice. I smiled at her optimism, but could not shake the feeling that things were going to take a turn for the worse.
We made our way to the school grounds, but as the entrance to the Academy became visible, I noticed a familiar head of yellow hair standing in the doorway, seemingly waiting for someone.
"Holy shit," I whispered.
Behind me, Kohana shifted until her head was peeking out from under my arm, unnoticed. "Oh my god, is that the Fourth? He looks like he's waiting for someone."
I began to walk closer to the crowd just in case he was looking our way.
"You think he's waiting for us?" I asked the fox.
"I doubt it... and he would be waiting for you, not us. But just to be on the safe side, go through the back. I don't want to know what would happen to you tonight if Jiro thinks yesterday was child's play," she said with a shiver.
I agreed, so I made my way to the back of the Academy. I slipped in through the unlocked doors and made it to Iruka-sensei's empty classroom without a problem.
As I took my seat at the back, Kohana climbed out of the bag and curled up on the floor under my desk. A few minutes later, kids started showing up, so I pulled out my notebook and began to doodle. Eventually, Iruka showed up and quieted the class down.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, Sensei," everyone responded but me. It wasn't like he was ordering me to greet him so I stayed silent. Kohana climbed up my leg and took a seat on my lap. Once I was sure no one was looking, I stroked her back until she fell asleep.
"We have a special visitor coming in today," Iruka announced. The class erupted in whispers. "SHUT IT!" Everyone went silent again. "Please give a warm welcome to Minato Namikaze, otherwise known as the Fourth Hokage!"
The entire class erupted in applause as the door opened to reveal said man. He was wearing his official Kage robes. They were long and white with red flames licking the bottom, and in the middle of the back the kanji for "Fourth Hokage" could be read. He was wearing a normal jounin outfit underneath. In all, he looked bad ass. I wondered why I had not noticed it the day before...
"Hello, class!" he greeted with a smile. The children were in awe, but I continued to stroke Kohana who had woken up with the noise and was listening to the proceedings with keen interest, peeking over the table so she could see without being seen.
The Fourth's eyes went from each student to the next until they finally settled on me. I froze, his eyes seemed to hold suspicion. I wanted to look away but I was stuck. After what seemed like an eternity but in reality only lasted a few seconds, he began talking about Konoha and all its accomplishments.
"Woah... His eyes are the same as yours," Kohana whispered.
"What?" I gasped.
"The same colour, I mean. His hair is blond, but he sort of looks like he could be a future you," she finished, shocked at her own conclusion. I was scared, scared that this might mean something. "Jiro has black hair and brown eyes. You look nothing like him," the little fox continued.
I could have looked like my mother, right? I shook my head in disbelief at what Kohana was considering.
"Stop it, Kohana." She looked up at me confused. "Even if it meant something it wouldn't change anything." She opened her mouth to protest, but I wouldn't hear it. "Enough."
She closed her mouth again and jumped to the floor to lay down. I sighed, feeling the loss of her warmth, but I knew she would not be mad for long. She never was.
"Alright, does anyone have any questions?" the Fourth asked and half the hands in class shot up automatically. He let out a chuckle and patiently answered every question. Most were about how strong he was, what his favourite things were, and so forth. Until, that is, someone asked something stupid.
"Do you have any kids?" The reaction he displayed was definitely of surprise, to say the least.
"Yes, I do," he said with a smile, though a little strained, planted on his face, "but at the moment he is lost."
The class was quiet after that, waiting for someone else to ask what everyone wanted to know. "Are you gonna find him?" one boy asked.
"I hope so, I hope so..." the Fourth said softly.
The lunch bell rang then and the class dispersed. Kohana climbed into my bag and I carefully slung it over my shoulder and began to walk towards the door of the empty classroom. I entered the semi-crowded hallways and headed for the front exit, making sure I did not bump into anyone. I had made it to the front door, had pushed it open and began walking towards the entrance gate of the school, when out of nowhere a hand shot into my vision and grabbed my shoulder.
"Why, hello again," I looked up to see a familiar blond staring down at me happily. What Jiro had said flashed through my mind then, and I yanked my shoulder away without saying a word. I tried to walk quickly through the gate, but, before I could do that, he once again grabbed my shoulder.
"Hey, what's the rush? I just wanted to talk," he said, surprised at my reaction. I felt really bad about trying to get away from him like this, but I did not want to get beaten to death later that night. I tried to pull my shoulder from his hand again but he was too strong.
"I have to go," I mumbled. His grip on me loosened but not enough so I could lose him. Tch. Smart bastard.
"Well, I just wanted to apologize to you."
I looked up from the ground to stare at him questioningly. He didn't say anything for a few moments and I concluded he was waiting for me to answer somehow.
"Apologize for what, sir?" I asked, feeling Kohana twitch a little inside the bag, as if she was ready to help me escape if need be.
"For making you fall yesterday!" I looked at him for a while before what he said registered in my head.
"That was my fault! If anyone should apologize it should be me!" I said exasperated.
He just smiled down warmly at me and shook his head saying, "Well, I don't agree with you there, but if you want to make me feel better you could accompany me to lunch."
Wow. Didn't think that would happen. When was the last time I had eaten? Two, three days...? Jiro barely fed me anything edible, let alone good, so who was I to pass up a free meal. Although this definitely meant tonight would not be a pleasant one.
"I-If it would make you feel better..." I said, defeated.
He grinned widely before steering me to a small stand right outside the school grounds. We sat down at two empty stools and I placed my bag on my lap. An elderly man came out to greet us then.
"Welcome to Ichiraku's! What can I get for you today?"
I looked at the menu in front of me. I had never been out to eat before, so I wasn't exactly sure what to do. Scanning the menu I noticed that everything was ramen. I had never had it before so I decided to pick shrimp so Kohana could have some too. She loved fish-type food.
"I'll have the usual," the Fourth said with a smile. The old man nodded happily then turned his attention towards me.
"I-I would like the sh-shrimp ramen, please," I stuttered out. I didn't feel comfortable telling someone to do something.
"Alright, your orders will be up soon!" With one last smile, he turned to make our food.
"So, kid, do you have a name?" the Fourth asked me. "I can't keep calling you kid all the time!"
"Sora, sir," I said, my eyes facing the counter top.
"Well, my name is Minato." I looked at him, startled. "You calling me 'sir' makes me feel old, so just call me Minato," he said kindly.
"Okay then, Minato-sama." He sighed slightly at the suffix added to his name. I giggled slightly at that, the man was really just too cool.
"Well, anyway, Sora, who are your parents? I think I'd remember someone with whiskers like yours," he asked conversationally.
"Jiro Herupu," I said with a spit of venom I had not realised I possessed until then.
"And your mother?" He seemingly did not pick up on the hatred in my voice.
"Never met her. Jir- I mean, Father said she left once she caught sight of me." I mumbled towards the end.
He didn't say anything for a while and the silence was killing me. I looked up to see what Minato-sama was doing and instantly wished I hadn't. His eyes were full of the hatred I was used to seeing in Jiro's gaze when he looked at me. I flinched and looked towards the table once again, expecting the usual scolding about how demons should behave to follow. Maybe coming hadn't been such a good idea.
"That's ridiculous." I looked towards him uncomprehendingly. "Why would anyone say something like that?" he spat out.
"What's ridiculous, sir?" I asked timidly.
"That a mother would do such a thing." He sighed before turning incredibly serious. "Sora, can I ask you to do me a big favour?"
I nodded slightly.
"Would you mind coming to my office to discuss a few things?"
"What about the Academy? Father doesn't let me go anywhere else..." I responded.
"I will write you a pass and you will be fine. What kind of Hokage would I be if I couldn't get a kid out of class?" I laughed at that.
Our food came soon after in a pair of steaming bowls. I was a bit unsure as to how it looked; it had nothing to do with the food Jiro usually gave me. I broke my chopsticks, then placed the shrimp to the side before taking a small bite.
The only response I could come up with to the heavenly taste that filled my mouth was, "Wow!! This stuff is great!" I happily dug in.
The Hokage was smiling at me as he ate his own ramen a bit more slowly. After we had finished, Minato-sama paid the bill while I waited outside and smuggled the shrimp to Kohana.
"Oh my god, these are sooooo good!" she moaned, licking my hands thoroughly to make sure she got all the broth off.
"We definitely have to find a way to get here more often!" I agreed.
Just then, Minato-sama came out of the stand. "Did you say something?" I shrugged and he smiled slightly. "Well, come on, let's go."
Just like that, Kohana, Minato-sama and I went to the Hokage's office with our stomachs full and, for the time being, I could not care less about what Jiro had to say about demons and humans.
Chapter IV...
- Maria Robinson
Chapter III.
I woke up extra early the next morning. My ribs were mostly healed but extremely tender and they weren't letting me sleep. I got up and dressed right away.
I always tried to get out of the house without being seen or heard, but had only succeeded in doing this a handful of times. I peeked around the wall of my bedroom and silently made my way through the living room. I got to the kitchen without any problems and grabbed the door handle. I turned it quickly and shot outside.
I guessed Jiro had gone out, or maybe he was still sleeping. I didn't really care either way, I just wanted to go to the park to see my best friend before I had to go to school.
"Kohana..." I whispered once I got there, knowing she would hear me. I heard a slight shuffle and looked up towards the top of a nearby tree. I was in time to see a streak of orange-red fur quickly running my way down the tree trunk.
"Hey, Sora!" Kohana greeted. She was happy to see me, but she must have been able to tell that something was wrong because she looked at me with worry in her eyes. "Are you all right?"
"Not really... Father got really mad yesterday because of something I did..."
I tried to touch my ribs, hoping they had miraculously healed during the short walk to the park, only to wince as I discovered that they still hurt. Kohana made to speak then, but I knew what she would say and there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn't leave my father - after all, who would want to give home to a demon?
"Don't start, Kohana. I know. You don't have to give me another speech about telling someone..." At that point, she cut me off.
"Look, we have been through this together for five years. This is not going to get any better and you know it! I hate seeing you hurt like this! I would have told the whole world by now if I could," she hissed. These were the times I was glad I was the only one who could understand her.
"I know, I know, but there's nothing we can do," I said sadly, placing one of my hands on her head gently.
"It hurts, to see you like this and not being able to do anything about it," she said, her green eyes misting over with unshed salty tears.
I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into my lap, holding back my own tears for her sake.
"Things have to be bad before they can get better," I told her while snuggling her to my chest, "and we are definitely in the market for some better things." Around Kohana I felt Normal, even if it was just pretend.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," she sighed sadly.
I placed her down and checked the time. I definitely had to leave for the Academy.
"Why was Jiro so mad yesterday?" Kohana asked before I could say goodbye.
"I ran into the Fourth yesterday." My eyes dulled as I thought back to what had happened when I had come home.
"Really?! The Fourth?" she asked excitedly.
"Yea, but Jiro told me that if I ever spoke to him again, he'd make yesterday seem like child's play," I said unhappily.
"Asshole. But what is the Fourth like? Is he nice? And why can't you talk to him?" the little red fox wanted to know.
I smiled slightly. "Yep, he really is nice. But Jiro says demons are not allowed to be in his presence let alone talk to him," I said and, just as if a switch had been flipped, Kohana went from happy to angry.
"What a PRICK! If anyone is a demon it's that man," Kohana huffed slightly. She looked at me harshly, as if reading my mind. "You are not a demon," the fox said fiercely. Each time she told me this, I started to think it was a little more true.
"I know," I said, "agreeing" with her. She scoffed at my obvious lie and I figured it was time to go. "I have to go to school now. I'll see you later?"
"I'm coming with you!" she surprised me by saying, before jumping into my bag and making herself comfortable next to my scrolls.
"What are you doing?" I panicked. "I can't take you with me!"
"Why not?" she shot back, defiant. I was about to reply when I realized how concerned she was. Besides, it would be nice to have a friend around for a change. I'd had an awful day and an awful night; the company would be welcome.
"Well, I guess you can come, but you have to make sure no one sees you!" No sooner had the words left my mouth, she was nodding happily and burrowing further into the bag.
I bent down to grab my bag and hissed when a shot of pain ran through me. I carefully adjusted the straps so the weight would fall on my left and started on my way. I was really glad Kohana only weighed seven pounds or this would have created a problem.
"Today is gonna be a good day!" I heard Kohana's muffled voice. I smiled at her optimism, but could not shake the feeling that things were going to take a turn for the worse.
We made our way to the school grounds, but as the entrance to the Academy became visible, I noticed a familiar head of yellow hair standing in the doorway, seemingly waiting for someone.
"Holy shit," I whispered.
Behind me, Kohana shifted until her head was peeking out from under my arm, unnoticed. "Oh my god, is that the Fourth? He looks like he's waiting for someone."
I began to walk closer to the crowd just in case he was looking our way.
"You think he's waiting for us?" I asked the fox.
"I doubt it... and he would be waiting for you, not us. But just to be on the safe side, go through the back. I don't want to know what would happen to you tonight if Jiro thinks yesterday was child's play," she said with a shiver.
I agreed, so I made my way to the back of the Academy. I slipped in through the unlocked doors and made it to Iruka-sensei's empty classroom without a problem.
As I took my seat at the back, Kohana climbed out of the bag and curled up on the floor under my desk. A few minutes later, kids started showing up, so I pulled out my notebook and began to doodle. Eventually, Iruka showed up and quieted the class down.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, Sensei," everyone responded but me. It wasn't like he was ordering me to greet him so I stayed silent. Kohana climbed up my leg and took a seat on my lap. Once I was sure no one was looking, I stroked her back until she fell asleep.
"We have a special visitor coming in today," Iruka announced. The class erupted in whispers. "SHUT IT!" Everyone went silent again. "Please give a warm welcome to Minato Namikaze, otherwise known as the Fourth Hokage!"
The entire class erupted in applause as the door opened to reveal said man. He was wearing his official Kage robes. They were long and white with red flames licking the bottom, and in the middle of the back the kanji for "Fourth Hokage" could be read. He was wearing a normal jounin outfit underneath. In all, he looked bad ass. I wondered why I had not noticed it the day before...
"Hello, class!" he greeted with a smile. The children were in awe, but I continued to stroke Kohana who had woken up with the noise and was listening to the proceedings with keen interest, peeking over the table so she could see without being seen.
The Fourth's eyes went from each student to the next until they finally settled on me. I froze, his eyes seemed to hold suspicion. I wanted to look away but I was stuck. After what seemed like an eternity but in reality only lasted a few seconds, he began talking about Konoha and all its accomplishments.
"Woah... His eyes are the same as yours," Kohana whispered.
"What?" I gasped.
"The same colour, I mean. His hair is blond, but he sort of looks like he could be a future you," she finished, shocked at her own conclusion. I was scared, scared that this might mean something. "Jiro has black hair and brown eyes. You look nothing like him," the little fox continued.
I could have looked like my mother, right? I shook my head in disbelief at what Kohana was considering.
"Stop it, Kohana." She looked up at me confused. "Even if it meant something it wouldn't change anything." She opened her mouth to protest, but I wouldn't hear it. "Enough."
She closed her mouth again and jumped to the floor to lay down. I sighed, feeling the loss of her warmth, but I knew she would not be mad for long. She never was.
"Alright, does anyone have any questions?" the Fourth asked and half the hands in class shot up automatically. He let out a chuckle and patiently answered every question. Most were about how strong he was, what his favourite things were, and so forth. Until, that is, someone asked something stupid.
"Do you have any kids?" The reaction he displayed was definitely of surprise, to say the least.
"Yes, I do," he said with a smile, though a little strained, planted on his face, "but at the moment he is lost."
The class was quiet after that, waiting for someone else to ask what everyone wanted to know. "Are you gonna find him?" one boy asked.
"I hope so, I hope so..." the Fourth said softly.
The lunch bell rang then and the class dispersed. Kohana climbed into my bag and I carefully slung it over my shoulder and began to walk towards the door of the empty classroom. I entered the semi-crowded hallways and headed for the front exit, making sure I did not bump into anyone. I had made it to the front door, had pushed it open and began walking towards the entrance gate of the school, when out of nowhere a hand shot into my vision and grabbed my shoulder.
"Why, hello again," I looked up to see a familiar blond staring down at me happily. What Jiro had said flashed through my mind then, and I yanked my shoulder away without saying a word. I tried to walk quickly through the gate, but, before I could do that, he once again grabbed my shoulder.
"Hey, what's the rush? I just wanted to talk," he said, surprised at my reaction. I felt really bad about trying to get away from him like this, but I did not want to get beaten to death later that night. I tried to pull my shoulder from his hand again but he was too strong.
"I have to go," I mumbled. His grip on me loosened but not enough so I could lose him. Tch. Smart bastard.
"Well, I just wanted to apologize to you."
I looked up from the ground to stare at him questioningly. He didn't say anything for a few moments and I concluded he was waiting for me to answer somehow.
"Apologize for what, sir?" I asked, feeling Kohana twitch a little inside the bag, as if she was ready to help me escape if need be.
"For making you fall yesterday!" I looked at him for a while before what he said registered in my head.
"That was my fault! If anyone should apologize it should be me!" I said exasperated.
He just smiled down warmly at me and shook his head saying, "Well, I don't agree with you there, but if you want to make me feel better you could accompany me to lunch."
Wow. Didn't think that would happen. When was the last time I had eaten? Two, three days...? Jiro barely fed me anything edible, let alone good, so who was I to pass up a free meal. Although this definitely meant tonight would not be a pleasant one.
"I-If it would make you feel better..." I said, defeated.
He grinned widely before steering me to a small stand right outside the school grounds. We sat down at two empty stools and I placed my bag on my lap. An elderly man came out to greet us then.
"Welcome to Ichiraku's! What can I get for you today?"
I looked at the menu in front of me. I had never been out to eat before, so I wasn't exactly sure what to do. Scanning the menu I noticed that everything was ramen. I had never had it before so I decided to pick shrimp so Kohana could have some too. She loved fish-type food.
"I'll have the usual," the Fourth said with a smile. The old man nodded happily then turned his attention towards me.
"I-I would like the sh-shrimp ramen, please," I stuttered out. I didn't feel comfortable telling someone to do something.
"Alright, your orders will be up soon!" With one last smile, he turned to make our food.
"So, kid, do you have a name?" the Fourth asked me. "I can't keep calling you kid all the time!"
"Sora, sir," I said, my eyes facing the counter top.
"Well, my name is Minato." I looked at him, startled. "You calling me 'sir' makes me feel old, so just call me Minato," he said kindly.
"Okay then, Minato-sama." He sighed slightly at the suffix added to his name. I giggled slightly at that, the man was really just too cool.
"Well, anyway, Sora, who are your parents? I think I'd remember someone with whiskers like yours," he asked conversationally.
"Jiro Herupu," I said with a spit of venom I had not realised I possessed until then.
"And your mother?" He seemingly did not pick up on the hatred in my voice.
"Never met her. Jir- I mean, Father said she left once she caught sight of me." I mumbled towards the end.
He didn't say anything for a while and the silence was killing me. I looked up to see what Minato-sama was doing and instantly wished I hadn't. His eyes were full of the hatred I was used to seeing in Jiro's gaze when he looked at me. I flinched and looked towards the table once again, expecting the usual scolding about how demons should behave to follow. Maybe coming hadn't been such a good idea.
"That's ridiculous." I looked towards him uncomprehendingly. "Why would anyone say something like that?" he spat out.
"What's ridiculous, sir?" I asked timidly.
"That a mother would do such a thing." He sighed before turning incredibly serious. "Sora, can I ask you to do me a big favour?"
I nodded slightly.
"Would you mind coming to my office to discuss a few things?"
"What about the Academy? Father doesn't let me go anywhere else..." I responded.
"I will write you a pass and you will be fine. What kind of Hokage would I be if I couldn't get a kid out of class?" I laughed at that.
Our food came soon after in a pair of steaming bowls. I was a bit unsure as to how it looked; it had nothing to do with the food Jiro usually gave me. I broke my chopsticks, then placed the shrimp to the side before taking a small bite.
The only response I could come up with to the heavenly taste that filled my mouth was, "Wow!! This stuff is great!" I happily dug in.
The Hokage was smiling at me as he ate his own ramen a bit more slowly. After we had finished, Minato-sama paid the bill while I waited outside and smuggled the shrimp to Kohana.
"Oh my god, these are sooooo good!" she moaned, licking my hands thoroughly to make sure she got all the broth off.
"We definitely have to find a way to get here more often!" I agreed.
Just then, Minato-sama came out of the stand. "Did you say something?" I shrugged and he smiled slightly. "Well, come on, let's go."
Just like that, Kohana, Minato-sama and I went to the Hokage's office with our stomachs full and, for the time being, I could not care less about what Jiro had to say about demons and humans.
Chapter IV...