The Strongest Ant in the Colony
“HANA WAKE UP WE’RE GOING TO BE LATE! HELLO?! WAKE UP.” Shikamaru said while bursting into my room and throwing a pillow at me.
Dang it, I forgot to lock the door again.
“Huh, what do you mean we’re late school doesn’t start til—WE’RE LATE.” I frantically scramble to my feet, tripping over the clutter that is surrounding my room. “Shit. Shit. Shit.”
I hastily put my underwear on, while hoping over on one leg to close the door. I throw on my new shirt that has long black fishnet sleeves. I flop onto my bed struggling to pull on my matching pair of fishnet shorts that hit just above my knees. Finally, I put my dark aqua qipao dress, it has white trim and lands below my knees. I throw my bedroom door open and speed walk to the bathroom so I can finish getting ready. I was able to catch a glimpse of Choji trying to push my mom in her wheelchair and Shikamaru desperately trying to figure out how to cook breakfast on the stove. I giggle to myself while brushing my teeth, I really don’t know what I would do without them. Even though they don’t have to help me with my mom, they always end up doing something. Sometimes they’re small gestures like talking to my mom as if she were still here, or big things like feeding her. They even would take care of her while I was out running errands, especially Shikamaru.
“HANA COME ON MAN, WE’VE GOT LESS THAN 5 MINUTES.” Shikamaru calls out from the kitchen while shoving food into my mom’s mouth.
“Ya, ya I just need to do my hair.” I lazily make two small sections on top of my head, allowing half my hair to lay flat almost in a half up half down style. I then take each individual section and twist them until they form two small buns. Finally, I pinned down any fly aways and give my curls a last scrunch with some product before leaving the bathroom. “Okay I’m done we can go now.”
“Already? It usually takes you ages to get ready.” Choji mumbles with a piece of toast hanging out of his mouth. He had just finished moving mom into her comfy recliner stationed in front of the TV, one of her regular spots.
“Well, I’m not the only person who I’m getting ready,” I say while looking at my mom who’s still in her pjs and the same blank stare displayed on her face. I walk over to my mom and bend down to kiss her on her forehead. “I’m going to go to school now to be just like dad. I’m going to continue the legacy.” I whisper in her ear before giving her one last forehead kiss goodbye. I can’t help but feel a sense of guilt in the back of my head. I’ll be leaving her by herself for much longer than I usually do. When I go out on errands or to hangout with friends, I try not to take too long in case she gets lonely.
“My mom’s going to come by around lunch to feed and check on her, just leave the bottom lock undone. You don’t need to worry Hana, she’ll be okay, I promise.” Shikamaru says while rubbing the back of his neck. A sense of relief makes me forget the guilt plaguing my thoughts, moms in good hands. “Anyways we need to run if we want to make it on time, come on.”
As the three of us arrived at the academy, I can’t help but realize the bubbling feeling of anxiety and excitement… or maybe it’s the fact I ran all the way here full speed without stopping. Both me and Choji fall to our knees in exhaustion. Shikamaru is just barely able to stand as he places his hands on his knees to pant.
“I think…I’m going…to die.” Choji says in between breathes, eventually passing out.
“We made it with just 15 minutes to spare.” Shikamaru breathlessly pushes out while lazily throwing a fist in the air.
As I try to catch my breath and stop the world from spinning, I notice a small ant hill a couple feet away from my face. It was the only thing my eyes could focus on, a small ant carrying a leaf, something twice its size up the hill. I remember reading bug books with my dad before bed, learning that ants were incredibly strong despite their size. I want to be an ant. Not in the literal sense of course, but someone who’s strong even if they don’t look like it. My thoughts soon interrupted by an all too familiar voice.
“Why are you guys on the ground?” Ino asks while lightly moving a passed out Choji with her foot. Sakura was right next to her looking down at Choji with a disgusted yet concerned look on her face.
“We ran from Hana’s house since she wasn’t at our meeting spot this morning. We thought we were going to be—” Shikamaru stopped talking once he realized Ino, along with almost every girl, were looking at Sauske Uchiha.
I never really understood what the big deal was with Sauske. He wasn’t hard on the eyes; however, he never really spoke. He also didn’t seem to really have a personality, which I guess is what happens when you come home to your whole clan dead. I thought my life was hard having both parents dead, but my whole clan. Even before his clan died though, he always had this mysterious ‘I’m better than everyone’ feel to him. The elders say he’s the prodigy of our grade judging by his entrance exams scores, which doesn’t help his already big ego in my opinion. I think deep down he’s trying to live up to who his brother was before the incident.
“Why does every girl look at Sauske like Choji looks at BBQ? I don’t understand the big deal.” Shikamaru says while sitting down on the floor.
“I don’t think he’s all that, and I’m a girl dumbass.” I say while flicking him in the back of the head.
“Ya, but you’re different Hana. You’ve always been more on the tom boy side compared to all the other girls. You were never afraid of getting your hands dirty or playing with bugs.”
“Can you really call Hana a girl I mean—” before Choji can finish his sentence I punch him straight on top of his head causing him to knock out once more.
“Idiots! Just because I hang out with you nincompoops doesn’t make me any more or less than a woman!” I angrily shout at them both. “God, I worry about the women you two end up with. I pray they knock some sense into you before I knock both your heads together.”
Choji and Shikamaru both stare at me in horror as the two listened to me scream and punch them for making it seem I wasn’t a girl. I would have continue ripping them a new one, however the bell rang commencing the start of class. The three of us got up and walked to our classroom to begin this new chapter in our lives. Sauntering through the door I couldn’t help feeling that same sense of anxiety and excitement creep up on me. I was going to start my ninja path, something I know dad would have wanted in some way. I dreamed he would be there when dropping me off and to pick me up along with mom standing beside him with her camera to take photos. Even though he’s not actually here, I feel like he is. That he’s walking with the three of us down the halls. Choji, Shikamaru, and I enter the classroom picking the table in the front middle. I take the middle seat, while Choji and Shikamaru take the outer seats. We always tend to sit or stand in this exact formation without even trying. The classroom steadily fills up until eventually all the seats, but one is taken. Finally, the teacher walks in just as the bell rings.
“Hello class my name is Iruka Umino, however you will address me as Iruka sensei. I will be your teacher for the duration of your time here at the academy, along with when you graduate. I expect each and every one of you to give it your all. During the four years you will be at the academy, you will be learning how to be physically, mentally, and emotionally a shinobi ninja of the leaf. Many of you will have self-doubts about whether this is what you want to do with your life, however you’re putting your life on the line to protect the past, present, and future of this village. I expect you to all be on your best behavior in and out of the classroom, you are representing the future of shinobi. There will be homework and outside practice expected for you all to do when home. Now let’s begin with taking aten—” Before Iruka sensei can finish his sentence the doors to the classroom crash open.
“Naruto Uzumaki is here and I’m going to be the next Hokage. Believe It!” Naruto shouts while strolling into the class. Everyone had their eyes on him. The once silent classroom was full of whispers of judgment and laughs. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him, being late and making a complete fool of himself on the first day.
“You’re actually late Naruto,” Iruka sensei says peeving with every word, “go ahead and take the last seat by Sauske and Sakura.” I could sense behind me that Sakura was fuming at this point. “Now to continue what I was saying, I will be taking attendance. Please say you’re here along with your goals through these next 4 years. It doesn’t have to be a goal you stick to, just one you hope to accomplish in some way.” Iruka sensei begins to take roll.
“Psst— Hana. What goal are you thinking of right now.” Shikamaru whispers while waiting for his name to be called.
“I don’t know yet since he just told us to think Shik,” I whisper back in a sarcastic matter.
“I’m hoping to beat my dad at Shogi for once.”
“Mine’s going to be eat at The Yakiniku Q at least once a week,” Choji states while licking his lips and patting his stomach.
“I’m glad you guys have an idea of what you want to do, I have no clue—” I could feel the piercing look I was receiving in front of me. I slowly turned my head around to be greeted by Iruka Sensei. He was towering over me, as close as possible to the desk.
“Is there a reason you’re engaging in a side conversation. Since you’re so eager to talk, go ahead and introduce yourself to the class.”
My eyes widen, I wasn’t prepared for this. Hell, I didn’t even know what goal I wanted to have. I slowly stand up; my hands were shaking a bit as I clung to my qipao. “My Name is Hana Sarutobi and I—I want to be the strongest ant in the col—village.” I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. A silence fell over the room for a minute, eventually erupting in laughter. Well Naruto, I think I’ve taken your place as the fool in the class. I sat down as quick as I could and put my head down on the table, putting my arms around it as a fortress of protection. My face was bright red, how could I say something so stupid.
“Imagine wanting to be a small ant, pathetic.” A student whispered.
“Her mom never made it passed genin, what makes her think she’s so strong?”
“I heard her mom is nonfunctioning after her dad died, maybe she should just stay home with her mommy.”
“She’ll never amount to anything. I mean just look at her, she’s so small.”
I know Iruka sensei continued talking but I stopped hearing him. I could only hear the snickering of the other students. Maybe they were right, I’m not fit to be a shinobi. I am a lot smaller than everyone else, making me have an even bigger disadvantage in fights.
“Don’t listen to them Hana they’re just jealous of you. You’re Hara Sarutobi’s daughter, you’ve got the blood of a shinobi running through your veins. You’re going to be even better than your dad, I can feel it.” Shikamaru whispers in my ear while placing a comforting hand on my back. He always knows how to pull me out of my own head.
“You really think so Shik.” I ask peaking an eye out from the small fortress I made from my arms.
“Of course, I do. You have a powerhouse of a dad running through your veins along with your moms’ clans Kekkei Genkai.”
A light blush comes across my face with his words of encouragement. I eventually work up the courage to come back to the world, just intime for Iruka sensei to start the lesson. My mom’s clan’s Kekkei Genkai has been passed through the women for years. My mom never really helped train me to use it, since she herself was never taught. I know there’s someone or something out there to teach me how to use it to its fullest potential.
After a long day of class, and me waking Shikamaru up every time he fell asleep, I was exhausted. As the three of us exited the academy I noticed everyone’s parents were waiting to pick them up, except for mine. My heart had a small ache to it as I saw both by best friends run to their parents happily. Everyone had smiles plastered on their faces as proud parents listened to their children’s first day. I turned around to walk back to the classroom to wait until everyone leaves when Shikaku calls my name.
“Hana, why don’t we walk you home. Maybe get some ramen on the way there, my treat.” Shikamaru must have told his dad to offer me some company since he knew this was stinging.
“No thank you, I have to ask Iruka sensei for some help on something. Maybe another time.” I felt a lump in my throat form. I just lied to my best friend and his father. What kind of a friend am I.
“Okay, no worries I’ll see you tomorrow at the meeting spot. Don’t forget to set your alarm and lock your door.” Shikamaru yells while walking away with his dad.
I turned around and walked to the back of the academy to the training grounds. What was I thinking, lying to one of the biggest people in my life. I know Shikamaru would never judge me or disregard my feelings, but why do I feel like I can’t talk to him right now. He’s been there through every breakdown, every time I talked to him about that night, hell he knows so much more about me than Choji. Sometimes I feel like he knows more than I know about myself. My thoughts are soon interrupted as I notice Naruto swinging on a swing. He didn’t have a parent to pick him up either, he’s just as lonely as I am.
“Hey Naruto,” I shout from a distance. I guess I must have startled him or something since he fell right off the swing set. I rushed over as fast as I could, I didn’t mean to kill they guy I just wanted to say hi. “Oh my god! I didn’t mean to scare you. Shit I’m so sorry.” I soon realize he was in fact laughing while lying on the floor.
“Man, you got me good curly fry. I wasn’t expecting someone to creep up on me, I guess I should start being more alert if I want to be Hokage.” Naruto declares while getting back up onto his feet, “Why are you still here, everyone else left with their parents?” Naruto asks.
“My names not curly fry, its Hana! To be honest with you… well, I guess I just don’t want to go home yet.” I say struggling to choke down the lump that’s stuck in my throat.
“Hey, what do you mean you don’t want to go home and be with your family? I would kill to be in your situation. To have a loving mom to cook ramen for me and a dad to practice jutsu with.”
“He’s dead, Naruto. My dad died all because of me, and my stupid mom died with him leaving only the shell of a woman. All she does is sit and do nothing in that hell hole of a house while I struggle to keep her alive. I never was able to grieve my dad’s death or even my mom’s all because the world just kept crashing down on me. I’m so alone in that fucking house. Every time I walk in it’s like I’m being suffocated by old memories of how lively the house once was.” I whimper out as the tears fight their way past my eyelids, “You know what the worst part is, I wish that my mom died with my dad along with me, so I didn’t have to deal with taking care of her or listening to everyone around me judge me.” That last part broke me down, all the tears and pent-up sadness finally unraveled. Poor Naruto barely even knows me and has now seen me in my most venerable state.
“You know Hana, I understand what you mean by being alone in places and the want to die.” Naruto says in a low voice causing me to look up at him wide eyed. “My mom and dad died the day I was born; the happiest day of my life is nothing more than a reminder of their death. They died due to the nine tails that’s currently sealed inside me, so I guess you could say I killed my parents as well.” He chuckles while still having a sadden expression on his face. “Everyone in this village despises me all because of something I didn’t do. I was nothing more than a casualty in the fight you know. But that all doesn’t matter because my goal is to become Hokage!” The once somber look on his face soon changed into enthusiasm.
“Why do you want to be Hokage so much?”
“So, everyone will acknowledge my existence. Believe it curly fry, and I’ll make sure no one will ever have to go through what were going through now.” A strange feeling of hope filled my heart. Even though Naruto is just starting out I can’t help but feel comfort in his words.
“I believe in you Naruto; I will be the first person to believe you can be hokage.” I say with a smile on my face.
“Well— uh you know we should maybe go home; I’ll walk you home and we can talk some more.” He states with a light blush across his face.
We talked some more about his way to becoming Hokage, something that he was extremely passionate about. Although the whole village hates him, he doesn’t have any form of bitterness against them. I feel envious of how he’s so easily able to forgive those who have done him wrong. We eventually part ways when walking home. The streetlamps were on, and it was a lot colder tonight. When I got home, I opened the door and locked it upon entering.
“I’m home mom, I had a great day at school. We didn’t learn much bu—”
Silence. A miserable feeling of quite was all throughout the house, something that runs through it quite often. I walk to my mom’s room noticing she’s asleep. I sigh in disappointment hoping I would be greeted even if it was a blank stare. I walked to my room and flop on my bed, stomach growling and a head full of isolation. Soon being knocked out by the welcoming arms of sleep.