Spring in My Heart
Rescue
The cold, bleak world. Where the sun died away and the waterfalls froze. Where beautiful frost killed everything green and alive.
Where hawks swooped down in the blood red skies. Where evil reigned in the greed of hearts.
So why was I so determined to live? Me, a little match girl.
Because...the sun would rise again...the waterfalls would thaw. Plants sprouted again. Where forgiveness lived.
Because, and ultimately, winter would end and spring would come.
--
I was down to my last few matches when I met him. It was the dead of winter, the last day of the year. New Years' Eve. People were celebrating.
Two years ago I would have joined in celebration. Two years ago, there were turkeys on fabulous silver plates. There were vegetables, fruits, and as much food as the eye could see.
And I was not shunned for my weakness.
Oddly I dreamed not of the last few hours, when my father had kicked me out of Konoha. I was too weak. Everyone would easily presume me dead.
No. I didn't think of that. What I thought about was the only person who'd shown me kindness.
We were both young, sixteen, freshly made Chuunin. We both had kind souds...his was bright and large, and anyone could see it, understand, smile.
Mine was hidden. Mine was in my heart.
...The heart that yearned to be loved back...by him.
Naruto Uzumaki.
--
I shivered uncontrollably. Tears became ice. My last match was really out. I was to freeze to death.
And as fast as a blade of a knife his voice sliced through the frigid air. "Don't move."
I didn't. I couldn't.
A pair of arms hoisted me up, up, up. I couldn't feel the tips of my fingers.
In the darkness he carried me, soundlessly, swiftly, through the trees. Through the dead of the night, he carried me.
He didn't speak. Nether did I.
--
I woke to the sound of voices and the smell of herbs. I opened my eyes. Immediately a female voice crowed, "You're awake!"
I blinked; I knew her...from a long time ago... "T-temora?"
Her blond ponytails bounced as she grinned. "Temari. Close but not quite."
"Where am I?"
"The Sand Village."
All of a sudden it all came back to me. I sat up. In my haste I knocked over a vase of flowers.
CRASH!
"G-gomenasai!"
"That's all right." She scooped the pieces up and dumped them in the trash. "You're Hinata Hyuuga, right?"
I nodded. My mouth tasted like something the cat dragged in. In my hand I know I still held the remains of one burned out match.
"You've been here for five days."
Five days?!
"You had a slight case of hypothermia. But the healers treated to it already." She looked at me, her eyes intelligent. "The Sand Village has contacted The Leaf Village that you're here - "
"NO!" I cried. I sat up and grabbed her arm pleadingly. "I won't go back! P-please dont take me back!"
Sharply she returned, "What's with you? It's like they kicked you out or something."
My eye filled with tears. Limply I let go and slumped down again. "I won't go back," I whispered, my voice filled with hatred. "I won't."
"Five days ago..." she said casually, but in a circumspect way, "...we sent a report to Konoha...We should be getting a reply back today."
I jumped up. I didn't care of I needed rest or whatever. "Then why don't you just kill me? That's what my father said! Dead! I was apparently killed by rogue ninja - I don't want to go back!"
Suddenly I remembered - fleetingly - the cold, distinct told of hands.
"W-who brought me here? T-to the Sand Village," I added. I shivered recalling that night.
She gave me a funny look. "The Kazekage himself." A smile was tucked in the corner of her mouth.
"The K-kazekage?!"
"Yup!" She smiled. "It's none other than G - "
"Madam!" called a Sand Village ninja. He stepped in, looking around. He spotted me, and placed a letter in my hands. "This letter is for you," he explained. "It was declared important and delivered at the fastest speed!"
Temari shifted. "Thank you." Taking that as a dismissal, he saluted and walked out.
I clutched the letter with shaking hands.
I opened it.
We have received notice that Hinata Hyuuga is still alive. This is highly unlikely; as her father, Hiashi Hyuuga has proclaimed of a witness in her death.
However, if she is indeed alive, she may choose to live wherever. The Leaf Village is indifferent in this matter.
- Tsunade
It was brief and succinct. I reread the last few sentences - she may choose to live wherever. My heart thumped, with joy, with excitement.
I wouldn't go back to Konoha...
Temari's eyes narrowed as she read it. After a few seconds she asked, "Why were you alone? Did your father kick you out?"
I felt a sharp pang in my heart. "Of course. Who wouldn't? Everyone w-would. I'm alone."
Unexpectedly she smiled again. "You're not the only one. I know someone who is very close to me...and feels the same way."
She left, leaving me alone to collect my thoughts. I slipped open the window and threw the match into the vast sands. I would not need that again.
I know it's mysterious! And the beginning was blah...
Hinata's story in the beginning was based on the story "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Anderson. In his story the girl died. In my story Hinata is saved...not physically but also mentally. You'll see :)
Please review!!