Iris [Naruto Fanfiction]

Awake

I could breath. Finally.

My body didn't feel so cold anymore. My skin felt like I just had a bad sun tan or something. I've probably been laying here for a while.

I was still weak after what happened. I slowly opened my eyes, but my vision was still blurry. The blurriness made me think of those final moments in the water. Those hands pressing down on my shoulders, keeping me under water. I remember finally releasing my final breath after not being able to hold it any longer. That burning sensation that I felt in my chest when the water reached my lungs. It felt like someone set my insides on fire. And that someone was cruel.

The last thing I remember seeing were my hands becoming lifeless in front of me, and the blue pool water surrounding me.

Those hands felt strangely familiar, but I can't remember who it was, or who they could be. And it might remain a mystery to me.

Now my eyes were getting even more blurry, but this time it's tears. I died. This must be the afterlife. I can't even tell if it's heaven or hell.

Wait. Does the afterlife have trees?

I slowly rise up from my spot on the ground. I was still wearing the yellow summer dress I had on when I walked out to my backyard for the last time. It looks like it dried.

I stretch my arms out in front of me to start my self- examination. My skin was still mocha brown. I touched my hair to feel if my small curls were still there. I felt my face, and it still felt the same. My small features were still there.

As soon as I stood up, I fell right back down.

"Come on legs," I whisper to myself. "Don't fail me now."

I successfully stood up this time. My legs were still wobbly, but I think I could manage. I start dragging my legs behind one another as I look around what seems to be a forest. I'm either searching for Jesus or Satan.

"Hello. Anyone out there? I think I need some help."

I quickly get tired and lean my arm against the closest tree. I try to lean off of it, but I just end up sliding down the tree trunk, with the tree's bark scraping my arm in the process.

"Ow!" I exclaimed. I looked at my arm and see about four bloody scrapes on the side of my arm. "I really do need help now."

Usually, my mother would be here right away, already patching up my arm. Or my dad would. Or one of my older siblings. But they're not here.

That's when it hit me. They're gone. I'll never see them again. I'm all alone. No one is here with me. I'm all alone.

My face starts getting hot, and the tears from my eyes start running again. This is the second time I've cried in the span of five minutes. I really can't survive here by myself.

After crying for 2 or 3 minutes, I hear a loud male voice in the forest.

"Hey, little girl!" the male voice yelled. "Are you okay?"

I wipe my eyes so I could clearly see this mystery person. He has brown hair covering one eye. He has a bandana or something on his head that has a metal plate on it. The metal part has a symbol on it. His large eyes are dark, and he's in an outfit that seems more like a military uniform to me.

Before I spend too much time staring at him, I answer his question but shaking my head no.

He walks over to me and cradles me in his arms like a mother would to her newborn baby. And we're... flying? Or... jumping really high into trees?

"I'm Izumo," the man says. "Don't worry. You'll be alright here."

Those were the last words I heard before my eyes closed and my body fell asleep.