A/N: Hey guys! So, I've decided to finally, officially join the SI OC's bandwagon!
Do enjoy reading loves.
No matter how many people were around her. No matter who they were. She was always, always alone.
Always alone. Always. Always. Always.
Nobody understands. Nobody listens. Nobody cared.
Except for her.
...
"Sarah? What are you doing there?"
Wiping away the tears on her cheeks, putting up a smile to her lips, "Just waking up, Nan."
"Do hurry yourself. Breakfast is ready."
She stands up and opens the door, "Of course."
"Are you alright, child?"
"Yes, Nan."
...
Of course not. Because she still remembers. She will always remember.
...
A little girl sits on the floor, ropes on her hands and feet. Broken. Beaten. Bloody. Alone. All alone.
"What're we gon' do to the brat? Parents ain't gon' come. It's been days!"
"Patience. The kid's special. Rich. Parents are loaded. 'sides, we just called 'em a few days ago. Seemed kin'a worried."
"Boss! News on tv says the kid's daughter of that fancy shmansy company in the city. Parent's lookin' fer 'er. Offers loads'a money, y'know."
The girl jolted from the loud slam that came outside, followed by a grunt. She kept quiet though. They didn't like it when she made a sound. She learned that the hard way.
"Don't be stupid! A few grands ain't gon'a be enough! Them rich people use bills like that everyday. We need 'em to pay the whole ransom!"
...
"The kid's still 'ere?"
"Yeah. Parent's ain't makin' no move to call us still. Must not care for 'er a lot."
Loud mocking laughter.
"Ya 'ear that girl! You're parents don't care fer ya after all!"
"Poor li'l bitch."
She didn't know that. She never knew that. Was it true? It must be.
...
Days bled to weeks and the little girl found that really. Nobody cared after all, she thought. Not even the ones who took her.
...
"Yer sure, boss? We just leavin' 'er 'ere?"
"Yeah. Kid's parents never really called again. Tv's never reported them rich people tryin'a call us. Bastards really musn't 'ave cared fer the brat."
There was no mocking laughter this time. Only silence. It was only silence.
"Why? Ya wan'a take 'er with us? Are ya stupid? The kid ain't gon' be no help to us! Won't even survive bein' on the run."
"Well, she did survive bein' in the worst with us 'ere. Bu' still. Brat's used to tha' fancy livin' with 'er bastards fer parents."
"So we just gon' leave 'er 'ere then."
"She's gon' die, boss."
Death? Now why didn't that seem so scary for the girl anymore?
"Tch. We gon' check on 'er last then phone the cops 'ere then. Ya guys happy?"
"Sure boss."
...
A hand pushed her chin up. Her eyes were blank, unfocused. She was shivering.
"Seems kin'a out of it, boss." the man called out to the couple behind him.
Then she spoke, her voice raspy from the time of it being unused, "Nobody... cares... right? Nobody ever does."
The men froze.
"Tha's right kid. Nobody cared. Tha's why yer parents never came. Them bastards never cared." the man's voice was surprisingly low. One might even say it was soft.
"Boss..." were the other men's quiet murmurs.
"Nanny- Nanny gave me to you... Nanny... She... never cared too..."
"We leavin' kid. We ain't gon' stay 'ere an' wait no more. Them cops're gon' find this place soon, we got'a leave 'fore they do."
She looked at them, "Goodbye then. Take care."
What was even more surprising is that she smiled at them.
The boss barked out a laugh, "No one cares kid. Even you don' care." as he tossed a couple of wrapped food beside her.
She blinked, "I... don't care?" before shaking her head, "I do care. I have to care. No one cares but someone has to care. So I have to care."
"Do as ya like, kid."
...
Police sirens. The loud ringing echoing around the place she was in. The door was still open and the policemen were greeted by the sight of a little girl sitting by the pole at the corner of the room. Her foot tied to the pole but her hands were not.
"Hello."
One of them rushed beside her, "Sarah? Sarah Malton?"
"Hello." she repeated smiling.
"Are you alright, child?"
"Yes."
...
"Your child is fine, Mrs. Malton."
A loud sob, "Sarah, oh Sarah! My baby's alright. She's back."
She was back. But this time she knew that no one cared. Nobody did. No one but her.
...
"Do you have any nightmares?"
She shook her head. No.
"Flashbacks?"
"None, miss." she had smiled.
...
"Your child is fine, Mr. Malton."
She was fine. The psychiatrist had said. They'd paid her. She'd done her job. She found nothing wrong with the child. If they wanted a deeper examination on their kids mind, they had to pay her more.
...
"Your clear to go to school this Monday, Sarah." the unspoken command reached the child's ears.
"Yes, Mother."
"Your father is very disappointed in you for not remembering the faces of the men who held you." the lady fixed her with a glare, "Do you really not remember?"
"I do not, Mother. It was very dark."
She would not tell. After all she cared for those men too.
...
Years passed and she was still alone. All alone caring for the world and all the other worlds in it.
...
"Naruto?" the foreign word was hard to say.
"Yeah! It's about this one boy who's sad and all but still does his best to protect people despite them hating him!"
Naruto, huh.
...
Breakfast of all the food her parents liked. Ones that she never really favored, but they never really cared that she didn't like them.
"Finish the food on your plate, Sarah."
"Yes, Father."
...
The school bell rang. A loud, long resonating sound across the whole school before an announcement.
"'ello, kids. Yer now under our rule. Exits're closed, no one goes out."
The voice familiar to her.
"Alright class, stay calm, don't panic. Those with cell phones, call for the police." the teacher ordered, sweating despite being in an air-conditioned classroom.
The door opened, nobody thought to lock it, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. No can do prof. Brats, turn in all communication devices ye got on yer person." a rougue-ish grin on his face.
Sarah stood up first, phone in hand, heading towards one of the men holding her whole school captive.
"Tha's a good girl."
She froze, before a smile overtook her, "Nobody cares right?"
Everyone was silent, her classmates and teacher confused, but the man slowly smiled. Recognition sparked in his eyes.
"Kid. Come with me."
...
They entered the mic room.
"Boss. Lookie who I found."
"Who?"
With a smile still in her face she said, "Hello. Did you take care?"
Ah. It was the brat from a couple of years before, he had realized.
"I's you, brat. Still care?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Of course."
...
They never noticed. She still had her phone. She called the police because she had to. Because she cared.
...
"The police will be here soon." she had said.
Like before, the men stilled, pointing weapons at her. But Boss, as before, had laughed aloud.
"Ya still do care, don't ya, brat." it was no question, it was a statement.
She repeated her words, "Of course." bowing her head a little.
"'kay then. Men, were leavin'."
"Goodbye then. Take care." repeating her words from years before. She still remembers. She will always remember.
...
She had followed their retreat through the back of the school. The police hot on their heels.
"Ya still followin' us kid? Ya go an' hide now!"
She had laughed, the police were getting closer. "I can't. Keep running, please."
"Tch. Ya gon' get yerself suspected now then, brat."
Still smiling, she shook her head.
The police had caught up. Shots were fired. Almost all the men were gone, Boss had taken to the rear. Her body moved to shield because she cared.
...
She was the only one who cared in this world. Nobody cared about nobody. That's why she had to care. That made her alone.
All alone to care.
...
She had floated. For how long, she didn't know. Could have been eternity, a couple of minutes? Until she got encased in something small and melded with it.
She grew and she grew in that tight, warm space. And then, it was time to get out.
...
"She's here! Your baby girl is almost out. Push, ojou, push."
"Hanako. That's her name, Hanako."
"Kiku, focus on giving birth." a raspy voice scolded.
"Of course, forgive me, Chichi-ue." the lady giggled.
Grunts filled the room once more.
The child was out, her eyes closed, and alive. Seemingly sleeping as she was given to the mother. However, the mother must rest and the child was then handed to the other person in the room.
"Hanako, hm."
At the sound of his voice the child opened her eyes and laughed.
...
She had looked up to see the eyes of a man she had once known.
She knee this man cared for no one after all. He had cared for a place, an intitution, but not the people. She had laughed at the irony of it. Once again she would be forced to care all by herself. Until such a time when a certain boy will be born.
"Danzo-sama, the Hokage calls for you."
As though irritated at the interruption, the man slowly turned his head and spoke, "I see. Very well."
...
Time passes and her infant body grows, she is happy here. She shares her joy to everyone. Smiling and giggling at all those who surround her.
"Hanako-chan! Smile for Okaa-sama!" she does, in this place she shall not only care but spread joy as well.
She is passed to more muscular arms, older arms and she retains her smile.
"Ji! Ji! Ji!" she forces the words through her lips, hoping that this man who would turn bitter and be obsessed with protection smile for her.
She succeeds.
He does not only smile, he laughs as his daughter complains, "Chichi-ue! Her first words should have been Haha! or Kaa, even! You stole her first words. You owe me dango for that."
"That's right, Hanako. Jiji." he says.
Giggling, she chants, "Ji! Ji! Ji!"
...
Kiku starts to cough. Her body is fragile; giving birth had weakened her even more. Before long she is confined to bed.
Senju-hime could be the only one who can save her.
Hanako stays by her mother's side. Her Grandfather finds her there.
"Hanako, you shouldn't be here. You will catch your Okaa-sama's illness." he carries her from the floor.
"Hai, Oji-sama."
...
She cries when her Mother's body finally gives up. She cries because she cared. Her Grandfather does not cry. Yet she knows, as she sees his hands clench and unclench, that he cared too. Despite how he had somehow become in the story she knew once upon a time. Right now he still cares.
...
Danzo has no choice but to take her with him, anywhere he goes. She is silent and behaves all the time, knowing if she can interrupt or if she should not.
"What are they doing, Oji-sama?" her curiosity is always entertained.
"They are to be soldiers who protect and fight for Konoha. To be able to do that, they must train, Hanako."
She frowned, "Would I be required to train too?" biting her lower lip as if the very thought frightened her.
The man froze, not certain of the words to say, "You, Hanako, must train. But you will not fight."
"If I will not fight, who will fight for me then, Oji-sama?"
"The soldiers, the village shinobi would be the ones to fight. You shall only train, to defend yourself if necessary."
...
"Do they not smile?"
"They are shinobi, emotions should not be present as it would hinder their capacity to work."
"But are they not also human?"
He does not answer this time.
...
She finds herself alone in the house more often. She cannot leave and she has no one to talk to. The only ones around were ones who had masks on their faces, she could not hope for them to talk to her.
As soon as her Grandfather returns, she has a request.
"Would I be allowed to have someone to talk and play with?"
And so he goes to an orphanage.
...
"A child, Danzo-sama?" Yakushi Nonou, the one in charge of the place had asked.
"I believe I made myself clear, Nonou. I require a child in exchange for funding for this orphanage." he had repeated before adding, "Hanako has been getting lonely. You understand that as the war is at its peak, I am required more in the council."
The frown on the nun's face disappeared, "Hanako-ojou?"
All the while unaware of the boy listening in to the conversation they were having.
...
Her Grandfather returns with a surprise. He takes the boy to her before leaving the two kids alone. He seems happy at the brighter smile she gives him as he left.
"Hello."
Her voice seems to echo around the room. She is afraid that he will not answer. Just like the shinobi that her Grandfather trains. Just like the people in masks who are always around.
But he answers.
"Hello, Hanako-ojou. I am Yakushi Kabuto." but he does not smile.
"Will you smile for me?"
Perhaps he does not know how, she thinks. She gives him one of her own and was pleasantly surprised when he returns it.
It was nice to see someone other than herself smile.
...
A snake comes to visit her Grandfather. She is terrified but smiles at the pale man.
"This is Hanako-ojou is it?" he hisses, a chilling smile in his lips.
She bows, not too low, "Hello."
He seems interested in her. Eyes following her every move. As she serves tea to both him and her Grandfather, and his eyes seem to look through her whenever she speaks. She is terrified.
"Does Hanako-ojou go to the Academy already?" he asks.
Danzo's voice is cold, colder than usual, but she is used to it, "She does not. I intend for Hanako to train by me."
The spark in the snake sannin's eyes seem to die, "Ah. I see." and their conversation bleeds back to their topic before.
...
Kabuto was not always with her. Her Grandfather says that he must first train. Train and go to faraway places, but she should not be lonely for Oji-sama will stay with her whenever he is away.
She is happy when the older boy returns.
"Kabuto, you're back! Oji-sama gave me a new scroll to study when you were gone, would you help me with it?"
He does not answer, he does not face her.
"Kabuto?" she tries again.
"Yukie. Am I not Yukie?"
He seems genuinely confused but she just smiles.
"You are Kabuto. Yakushi Kabuto. Do not forget that." she reminds him.
She reminds him because she cares. Because she does not want him to end up as a humanoid white snake, obsessed about his master. She does not want him to forget.
Relief floods his face and he lets out a shaky laugh, "Kabuto. I am Kabuto, of course Hanako-ojou."
Even though she knows he will end up fine when this whole thing ends, she wants to spare him the heartaches he would have had to face. Because she cares. She always cares.
"Now, would you help me with my new scroll please?"
...
"If you find yourself lost, find me."
"Of course, Ojou."
...
He is wet when he finds her. Rain, tears and blood soaking his person.
"Kabuto. Are you lost?" the words slips from between her lips as soon as he shows himself.
The boy is shivering; he wraps his arms around himself and slides to the floor of her room, "I- Nonou-kaa- She- I... I ran..."
He seems so small. So lost that it seems to physically pain her to see him that way.
"You were lost and did not know what to do. I should be to blame for whatever it was you an from." he does not reply as shivers still wrecked his form, "I told you to find me. I- apologize, Kabuto."
Hanako wraps her own arms around the older boy, hoping to bring him back. She waits for long before his tremors finally subsides. She repeats his name over and over until he finally speaks.
"You are not to blame, Hanako-ojou." he smiles.
She pinches his cheeks, "You are Kabuto. Ka-bu-to. You are my Kabuto alright? I told you not to forget that."
He laughs and she finds herself happy. She will make sure he will not forget. She must care for them all for now. It was a shame she couldn't go to Ame or Madara's cave, she shall settle for caring for those she can reach for now.
...
"Hokage-sama." she is not surprised as her Grandfather does not bow, but she does.
"Danzo-sama, this is?"
Hanako finds herself captivated at the blond man's smile. Her smiles... were not as genuine, she realizes.
"Hokage-sama, this is my Granddaughter."
She regains herself and bows once more, "Shimura Hanako, Yondaime Hokage-sama."
His smile grows wider, "Hanako-ojou, of course."
"In the next genin exams, I wish for her to be allowed to participate, Hokage-sama." at Minato's confused expression, he added, "Hanako was not admitted to the Academy. She was trained at home."
"Ah. I shall see to it then."
...
A couple of days to go. Just a few and Naruto... Naruto would he here.
But then she started coughing.
...
If one would ask where Councilman Danzo was at the time of the Kyubi attack, no one would be able to answer. They did not know.
Her coughing had worsened as each day passed. Like her Mother, she'd been confined to bed. Her Grandfather had always said that her body had been like her Mother's. Weak. Fragile. Dying.
Once again she would die. She would die before she even met Naruto. She would die. It was as simple as that.
October 10th. That was supposed to be the day of her second time dying. As the Kyubi rampaged around Konoha, she was in bed fighting for her life. The Biju's volatile chakra worsening her already difficult condition. Wheezing, coughing, choking, trying so hard just to breathe. Her Grandfather never leaves her side, his posture stiff, eyes worried as her body struggles to get some oxygen into her lungs.
Then Kabuto shows up.
His body tired and aching, bruised and battered as he appears. Danzo does not even spare the boy a glance.
"Ojou," he whispers when he sees the dying form of the girl, then bows as he turns to the old man, "Danzo-sama, the Kyubi is attacking the village. What are your orders, sir?"
Voice wearier and raspier than normal he speaks, "Leave it."
If he had been a lesser shinobi not trained by ROOT he would have stumbled backwards, "Danzo-sama?"
"I said leave it. The village has two kage ready to fight, I am not needed there." I am needed here. The unspoken message heard without the words.
"Hanako-ojou is...?"
"Almost."
The boy feels so lost, so small, so useless as he looks once more to the dying girl. He does not know what to do. He does not know what he can do. At that trail of thought he stops, and rushes towards Hanako. He knows what he can do.
His hands glow green.
Danzo stands up, "Do not give me false hope, boy! Tsunade-hime is the only one who can do something about her condition." pure outrage on his face. He does not want to hope for he knows he can only wish.
"Ojou..." Kabuto stops, "No." he runs out of the room but after some time returns with supplies.
His eyes determined, he bows, "Danzo-sama, please allow me to try to save Hanako-ojou."
...
She would care for them all. Do her best until that boy is born. It would certainly be a small price to pay to the ones who had been by her side before.
Even if it does mean that she will be all alone to care once more.
A/N: Sooo... next chapter may take a while, will take a while since school's almost starting. I apologize in advice for any and all grammatical and typographical errors. I actually don't have a beta so, sorry! (Insert me looking for a beta here.)
If you can help please do.