THE WILL OF FIRE: 2. The Phoenix (A Naruto Fanfic)

The Phoenix, Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

I was a total mess. The only person I allowed near me was Anko, who’d been so nice she offered to take care of me. I didn’t want Naruto to be burdened with me when he had his match coming up so I completely shut him out. And I probably hadn’t spoken a word in a week. Finally, Anko had enough.

“That’s enough. You can’t keep living in the past!”

“What part of “I failed!” don’t you understand?” I said quietly, staring at the TV that wasn’t even turned on.

“We all fail sometimes. You of all people should know that something like this shouldn’t hold you back.”

“I failed two of my friends. I failed the Village. Everyone trusted me and I failed them all. It’s not something I can easily forget. How will anyone ever be able to trust me again?”

“Well I trust you.”

I looked at her with a blank expression. She had her arms crossed over her chest and her foot was thumping on the floor restlessly. “I trust you,” she repeated. “I trust you with my life. I trust you with the life of the people in this Village. I trust you to get out of that kimono, back into you action clothes and start training.”

“That’s highly unusual, you trusting me.”

“This time it’s different. I know what you’re capable of, but you’ve proven that you’re heart is in the right place.”

“Is it really? You and Lord Hokage are the only two people who know exactly who I am and where I come from, yet you two trust me with such ease, it’s starting to annoy me.”

“I didn’t trust you at first. But Lord Hokage made me see, that everything you ever did was for a good cause.”

“Was it really? Then I guess you don’t know as much as you think you do.” I turned back to the TV.

I heard a loud crash and a vase hit the wall to my right. I didn’t even wince. “Don’t you get it!” she said and threw something else at the wall. That didn’t crash, but just landed next to me. I just turned to face her way. “Ever since you came here, I started resenting you, even hated you because I knew where you came from and I knew the danger you posed. I knew about all the awful things you did, but eventually I had to remind myself that that was all in the past. Because the next time I saw you, I realized you were a totally different person. And that’s when I realized I had to protect you.” My eyes widened but she didn’t let me speak. “I remembered all the horrible things you were exposed to as a child and all I wanted to do was be there for you. I felt a certain responsibility…to guide you away from that. I felt… I felt like you were my little sister and I really had to protect you! So this is why I care so much!”

“Anko…”

“You don’t have to say anything. Just put that on, get dressed and make that famous black braid a yours and meet me outside. We’re going to see Lord Hokage.”

She left and I just stared after her. When I turned to see what the object was, I realized it was the Konoha headband. I couldn’t help but smile as I got ready. I fastened the headband tightly on my forehead and went to meet her outside.

“Now that’s more like you,” she said and smiled.

“Anko?”

“What?”

“Thanks. Thanks for everything.”

“No problem, kid. Any time.”

We headed towards the main building. As we walked down the streets, I realized there were more angry faces than usual. I paid them no mind, but I couldn’t help but ask, “Did someone tell them?”