Rain To Wash The Blood Away (Nagato x reader)

9. Rations

Many years ago

You awoke to find Konan and Yahiko still asleep, both of them tucked into the orange-haired boy's bed. They were unaware but every night when they slept, they would huddle close to each other and sleep in the comfort of each others arms. You couldn't help but smile every time you saw them like this, they were lucky to have each other. And you knew that when they were older, they'd realize that even more.

Leaving the room and walking out onto the balcony, you took in a deep breath. So far, the three of you had stayed in Yahiko's family's house for two weeks. Neither his mother or father had returned so you knew that soon it would be time to move on and find a more secure place to stay. Yahiko badly wanted to stay in his house but it wasn't safe being in the center of town, you knew for a fact that the houses in the area would be looted by shinobi not only of Amegakure, but of other villages as well. If anyone was seen as a threat, it would take only a second for them to die.

You also knew that if anything like that was close to happening, that you would act to protect Yahiko and Konan, eliminating all threats. If someone broke in, your first instinct would be to kill them as would theirs be to end you.

Even though you were supposed to be safe in the village that was Amegakure, that wasn't something you could rely on or knew to be true. You had seen shinobi running around the village, fighting and killing each other. The streets were drenched with blood during the night, having only the rain to clean it up in the morning. The location of the village meant that the larger nations on its boarders would use the village as a place of battle. Their ninjutsu destroying entire areas where innocent people lived, taking their lives and not caring about what they had done. It pained you to think about it, this is why you hadn't left the two children alone since this had all started.

Right now, you needed to find a new place to live. A place that was secure enough so that when you left, which you would have to do in order to scavenge for food, you knew that Konan and Yahiko would be okay.

Overlooking the city, you watched as a few rain drops fell, one hitting your forehead and running down your face. It was cold but also refreshing, making you long to properly wash yourself. In the area you were in, water was scarce and so you did you best to collect rain, using it for everything. Allowing both Konan and Yahiko to wash, leaving only what was left for yourself.

Having had enough of the village view and having the rain dripping onto you, you went back inside and returned to Yahiko's room. Both him and Konan were asleep, drool leaking from the corner of the sleeping boy's mouth. Night time was lonely and cold. As you lay down on the floor, having only the blankets and pillows from Yahiko's mothers room, you closed your eyes and fell asleep. Promising anyone that would listen, that you would keep Yahiko and Konan safe.

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Night passed and before you knew it, the new day had arrived. Yahiko and Konan were already awake, sitting on their bed and talking. You had told them not to leave the room without waking you up and to stay away from the windows, living in this place came with a lot of restrictions. Getting up, you were greeted by a hug from both Yahiko and Konan, the two of them excited to see you awake.

"Yay! Let's go have breakfast!" Yahiko cheered, rushing out of the room. Still feeling tired, you followed him at a slower pace, Konan staying by your side.

Once you had left the small bedroom and were in the kitchen, you noticed the saddened look on Yahiko's face. All that was left were two apples, one sitting in each of Yahiko's hands.

"There's only two," he said, seeming upset by this. Gesturing for the two of them to sit at the table, you took one of the apples and handed it to Konan, taking a seat in one of the empty seats.

"Huh? But sis, what are you going to eat?" Konan asked, looking between Yahiko and you. She offered the apple to you but you were quick to push it back to her.

"Eat, I'll be fine." But Yahiko was a lot more persistent than his friend, forcing the apple into your mouth.

"Eat some or you'll starve, I won't let you die," he announced, glaring at you. It was surprising seeing behavior like that from someone who was only eight. Not wanting to start a fight, you obliged and took a bite from the apple. Yahiko seemed pleased that you had done as he wanted you to, proud in himself for being able to take care of you. Because even though it was ultimately you who was in charge, Yahiko was always there to look after you when you were being overly selfless. It was a problem, you were too selfless for your own good. This caused only problems for yourself but you could see how Yahiko noticed everything that was going on. He was a very observant and intelligent child.

And so when he began spouting about how he was going to change the world and bring everyone peace, you couldn't help but believe he could do it.

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That morning after eating, the three of you set off in hopes of finding a new place to settle and live for the time being. You were very lucky, finding a place which was not only secure but comfortable and homely. From there, your lives as scavengers began.

Yahiko refused to leave all of the work to you, one time, sneaking out to steal food. It had caused you to panic due to your overprotective nature but after he showed his ability, you grew to trust in him. Konan was good at this as well, the two of them able to bring in food while you did what you had to for more money.

There were things you had to consider, things you never wanted to do, but in the end you settled for something that actually worked. Bounty hunting.

Like Yahiko, you wanted to live in a word without violence and war but in this moment in time, Konan and Yahiko were your priority. When it came to money, you were able to make large amounts and support yourselves just by taking out someone in the bingo book and bringing their corpse to a collection office. You survived off of blood money, continuing to kill while Konan and Yahiko had no knowledge of it. They thought that you went out and worked, doing something that a civilian would do since there was no longer in shinobi work other than what was happening within the war.

Your secret remained safe, only one person ever finding out about it.

One day while you were hunting down a target, you found the shell of a boy. His body was skinny and frail, eyes fighting to stay open as he fought to stay conscious. Scooping him up off of the ground, you carried him back to the others.

The reason you had rescued the boy was because he was around the same age as Yahiko and Konan, he was only a child. As were you, only being 11 years old at the time. It was a big burden to put on someone so young but there was nothing that could be done to change it. You would save Yahiko and Konan as well as this red-haired boy. It didn't matter if you died in the process, just as long as the others continued to stand in the end.

Finally bringing Nagato in. The next chapters will show your relationship growing over time, leading up till when the story is ultimately set. Hope you're enjoying it so far. Thanks for reading