The Memory Keeper (Naruto Fanfic)

Chapter Sixteen- Birthday Girl (The Surprise of the Century)

Hey, Hi, Hello.

Welcome to chapter sixteen(: This chapter is pretty awesome, I think. Please enjoy it! The author's note is pretty short (eh, kind of. not really), this time around. I couldn't pick between the two titles, so they're both in there. The song for this chapter is 'Stranger Inside' by Shinedown. I chose it because I felt like it describe how Kimi often feels. This chapter is also the longest to date, over four thousand words. Oh, and for those who don't know, 'tou-san' is an informal word one uses when speaking to their own father.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto does.
WARNING: Drama. Blood. Lightning. Cussing, too. Please enjoy!


Anything in bold is important or with emphasis.
This is what memories look like. It can be actual memories or when Kimi recalls someone or even the summary of a certain memory/memories.
 Kimi's thoughts look like this.
'Song lyrics look like so.'


 Start chapter~

--

'This day could be the worst one yet.
I just won't relax, I can't catch my breath.
'Cause I'm sick and tired of 'You'll be fine'
Well how do you know? Can you read minds?' 

--

   I had three older brothers.

   Two of them were Kazuo and Masao, but there was one who was even older than them. His name was Daichi. He was sent to Sunagakure when I was only five. I never saw him much because he became ANBU when I was two and was never there. What I do remember about him was that he was similar to Kazuo when it came to my treatment; he was always nice. My favorite memory of him was just before he moved away. He had turned eighteen only a month before, and it was the two weeks before my fifth birthday.

   "Well, my little imouto, what do you want for your birthday? I mean, you are turning five," He asks. He was crouched before me, holding both of my chubby hands in his.

   "Um," I wonder, tilting my head to the side, wondering what I wanted. "I want a hug!"

   He chuckles. "A hug? From who?"

   "From you, Aniki! And Masao-nii-san and Kazuo-nii-san!" I giggle. 

   "Well I'll make sure you get your birthday hugs, imouto,"  he tells me, a smile on his. "But may I have a hug now?"

   "Of course, aniki!" I laugh, leaning in to hug him. I loop my arms around his neck and squeeze lightly, burying my face in the crook of his neck. "I love you."

   He hugs me back. "I love you too, Kimi-chan," he replies, pulling away to look at me. I observe him, a grin on my face. His black hair was silky and shiny, the same color as Tou-san's. It was long, flowing past his shoulders and tied back at the bottom (AN: Like Neji's or Kin's hair). His bright blue eyes were filled with love and something I couldn't quite place. Looking back, I recognize it to be guilt. He pulls me in for a hug again. He holds me close to him, and I feel happy.

   Two weeks later, I woke up unusually joyful. It was my fifth birthday today, and I was very much looking forward to it. I bounce out of bed and to the bathroom across the hall. I brush my teeth by myself, only spilling a little bit of water. After rinsing my mouth out and cleaning my toothbrush and the counter, I walk downstairs. It was almost 8:30 in the morning. I was ready to start my special day with my family.

   I reach the top of the staircase and stop immediately. There were two suitcases and a box sitting at the foot of the staircase. And, if I placed them correctly, they were Dai-nii-san's things. A frown takes place on my face at seeing this. Was he...leaving? I hear arguing noises from the kitchen. I walk slowly down the stairs, listening to the words. Whoever was arguing wasn't paying any attention, because they didn't notice my presence.