The Path of a Shinobi (Reader x various)

Konoha

I staggered my way down the dirt path that would lead me to the Leaf Village and from afar, I could see the main gate come into view. The corner of my lips curved upward and a wave a relief washed over me.

My breathing was ragged and I desperately clutched the rod in my stomach. Blood seeped into my clothes and covered my hands. I used the trees that were nearby to support myself from collapsing after the slow journey. I tried to take another step forward, but I coughed up droplets of blood and slid my body down against the tree. My legs couldn't go any further. I was physically and emotionally exhausted.

My eyelids were getting heavy, but I smacked myself on the cheek to stop myself from drifting off. "No, I'm almost there.... I can keep going."

I slowly pushed myself back up against the tree. I turned my head to the right and I saw two men who I recognized, Izumo and Kotetsu.

"Hey! There's a kid!"

I could see them both running over, guard raised, nonetheless, concern etched on their faces. As the clouds in the night sky drifted away and revealed the moon, they gasped once they saw the state I was in underneath the moonlight.

"Quick! Inform Lord Third!"

A pair of arms scooped me up and he rushed me over to the hospital. My vision was blurred and with my head resting against the person's chest, I ended up closing my eyes and let the fatigue wash over me as I knocked out. 'I made it.'

~Hours Later~

A bright light was shining on my face and I scrunched my face. I cracked open one eye, but soon regretted it. I lifted my arm and used to it block the sunlight pouring into the room and that's when a nurse came in.

"Oh, you're awake," she quietly stated. "You were out for quite awhile." She walked over to the window and closed the curtains to block out the light and that's when I placed my hand back down.

Now that I can properly see, I noticed the room and realized I was in a hospital bed. I tried sitting up, but I felt a stabbing pain on my stomach and I placed a hand over it. I slightly lifted up my shirt only to see blood staining the white bandages wrapped around my abdomen.

"I'll have to change that." The nurse proceeded to unwrap the bandages and wrap a new pair around my fresh wound. After that, she did a small check up and wrote it down on a clipboard before stepping out of the room and closed the door shut.

Minutes had gone by as I silently stared at the wall, my (e/c) eyes were dull and puffy. The spark in my eyes was nonexistent as the events of last night ran rampant in mind. It tormented me. I clenched my hands into a fist and gritted my teeth as a flame of hatred ignited inside me.

A knock was heard and I turned my head to the right and saw the Third Hokage step in. I timidly bowed my head despite being seated on the bed and he waved both his hands.

"No need to child."

I nodded my head and watched as he slowly walked over and stood near the bed with his hands clasped behind his back.

"(Y/n), right?"

"Yes."

"I was informed of your condition by the guards. If it's not too much, I'd like to know what happened to you and why you came at such a time."

"They're dead," was the first thing that came out of my mouth and a pitiful expression appeared on his wrinkly face. I went on to explain the events that unfolded last night and he attentively sat there until the end.

"Well, you're more than welcomed to stay here child. If you agree, I'll have to make some preparations to get you settled into a home and eventually discuss living expenses. The enrollment to the academy will also be beginning in a few days, so I think it would be good for you to join the others."

"I don't have anywhere else to go, so I'll stay," I firmly said before I took my eyes off the white sheet that covered my body and looked up at him. "And...thank you."

"Of course. Once you're dismissed, I'll have someone escort you to your new home. Now then, this old man needs to go back to work."

~Timeskip~

I was discharged from the hospital after two hours. A male shinobi was waiting for me outside the hospital and led me to an apartment.

We walked past the first door and he stopped at the second door that was a mere feet apart from the first one.

"This is your place." He rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a pair of keys and placed it in my hands.

"Thank you."

The male nodded his head and left me there as I stared at the door. Rather than going inside to situate myself into my new home, I turned around and ran off.

I ran through the streets and headed towards the Uchiha Compound. Members of the Uchiha clan warily glanced at me, a child with tears waiting to burst, run past them.

I arrived at the Uchiha residence and I banged on the door. After a few seconds had passed, the door opened. The one standing on the other side of it was Itachi who was alarmed to see me with glossy eyes.

"(Y/n), what are-" but I cut him off as I ran into him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"T-they're....they're all gone!" I painfully cried out into his shirt as my tears spilt forth and ran down cheeks.

"What?" He grabbed ahold of my shoulders and lightly pushed me off of him as he lowered himself down to my level and asked, "What happened?"

"They're dead! Everyone is dead! People came and killed them!" I wailed as I could vividly remember their blood stained bodies.

Itachi brought me in close and wrapped his arms around me as I did the same and continued to sniff and sob into his chest. He rubbed his hands against my back as a way to soothe me.

"What is going on here?" Rushed out Mikoto with Sasuke following right behind her although slightly frightened as he heard my distressed cries. They saw me clutching onto Itachi and Mikoto scrambled towards me and tried to console me despite not knowing why I was distraught.

I stayed there that night and drained my eyes out until I couldn't anymore as I mourned and grieved the loss my parents