Nature's Friend

Back on Track

''You look really poor, Shizen-kun. You should live in an appartment, believe it!'' Naruto exclaimed loudly, his mouth stuffed with fruits as he pointed obnoxiously to my bare feet and tattered clothes. I waited patiently for the boy to calm down, a reassuring smile dancing on my pink lips. ''That is because I am poor, Naruto-san. I do not have the money to buy new clothes nor to afford an appartment, and I am not from a specific village so a -kage could not help me. I live on what nature provides me with, and in turn I protect it with my life.'' I explained in a soft tone, only to be interrupted by a snort from the ravenette. I picked up an apple and held it out to the Uchiha, giving a closed eyed smile. ''You disagree, Sasuke-san?'' For a moment, the boy did not speak.

Then he quickly snatched the apple from my hand, glaring at me. ''Hn.'' Came his intelligent response. I merely shook my head at his lack of communication, before the pinkette gained my attention as she was latched onto my arm and kept hugging it. ''You are so cool, Shizen-kun~'' she coo'd at me, her face flushed red. I still wasn't sure what this behaviour meant and glanced at her in confusion, but according to the secret chuckles Kakashi made, it was rather funny behaviour. ''Why is it you have never joined a village, Shizen? Everyone seems to be eager to accept you in theirs, if the bingo book is anything to go on.'' Kakashi finally spoke after all of his students had their turns, his onyx eye staring me down curiously. 

''Because no one wants me for me, Kakashi-san.'' I answered simply, gesturing to the fire. Once everyone's gazes were there, I started controlling the fire with the movements of my fingers and wrists. Soon, a story unfolded; The fire forming the figure of me as a younger child. It showed how each village lured me to their gates only to capture me and try to force me to become their weapon due to my massive amount of power. It displayed how the little boy grew to be the twelve year old I am today, and how it kept happening to him every time he entered a village. With the fire-child's head hung low, he made his way to another village whilst playing the ukulele. 

By the end of my show, Naruto was openly crying. Sakura had a few tears rolling down her cheeks and even the Uchiha had a painful throb in his chest and heart. Kakashi was quiet, as if trying to think of a solution like most shinobi would. ''Eventually, I made many new friends on my travels and came to accept my life the way it is. Living so freely also allows me to be closer to Mother Nature, rather than to be confined to an appartment and its rules. I am on my way to Konoha, but I got a bit lost. You see, I tend to walk to wherever the wind blows. And that isn't always to where I intended to be.'' It was obvious that it was late, because by the time I had finished explaining, all three of the little genin had fallen asleep. Sakura's head was on my shoulder, and both Sasuke and Naruto each had their head on one of my legs as they all snored lightly.

I smiled shyly at their adorable positions, and with a furious blush I ran my fingers through each of the boy's hairs almost motherly. Kakashi stood up quickly and quietly, and for a moment I thought he seemed envious of his students as they slept on me. ''I will take watch for tonight, Shizen. We will bring you to Konoha tomorrow, as we had to go back to report regardless.'' I didn't have the time to respond as the Jounin fled up into a tree, scouting the area around us to keep us safe. I shook my head with furrowed brows. The life of a ninja must be awful, and at times it made me glad that despite all my skills, I had never been an official ninja. With that thought, my head lulled to the side and against Sakura's as I drifted off in a peaceful sleep.

''Look how adorable he is when he sleeps! Kyaa.~'' I heard a girly voice coo close to my ear. ''You like him huh Sakura-chan!? Well I am much cooler, believe it!'' A hyper voice exclaimed annoyed. ''You're such a loser, shut up, dobe.'' A broody male voice interjected. ''You shut up, teme!'' I decided now was a good time to wake up, before the three voices started a war with one another. ''Goodmorning my new friends.'' I mumbled sleepily as I sat up, rubbing my hands through my eyes. As I did this, I heard Sakura swoon but also, somewhere behind me, I heard a male sigh in delight. Was that Kakashi?

''We will be bringing Shizen with us to Konoha, grab your gear and move out.'' Kakashi ordered lazily. I smiled as the genin all got their stuff and packed up, my hands reaching down to pick up my ukulele and hang it on my back. I stretched my arms up above my head and closed my eyes to enjoy the sun and the warm breeze. ''Goodmorning to you too, Mother Nature'' I sighed out in content, before my eyes fluttered open once more. I offered each member of the team a shy but warm smile before we all started our trek to the Village Hidden in the Leaves.