#and tou might have made somebody's day a little better too

[courierrsix]

A little tip how to improve mental health/mood in general just a little bit for sure: compliment a stranger for any reason once a day

[mizutoyama]

HPHM OTP Playlist

(Inspired by @drinkyoursoupbitch​ & @carewyncromwell​ )

Alice Beaumont x Charlie Weasley

It’s a long one... Sorry 😅(Been writing down songs that reminded me of Charlie and Alice’s relationship and its evolution for some time now...)

The order, while not perfect, is important. We start with Charlie realizing his feelings for Alice, followed by Alice’s own (very) slow realization, them dating through highs and lows, them breaking up, after the break up, until they finally find their ways toward each other again.

You came into my life

And I thought hey

You know this could be something

Two Is Better Than One (Boys Like Girls, Taylor Swift)

Oh I feel overjoyed

When you listen to my words

I see them sinking in

Overjoyed (Bastille)

Hey Juliet

I think you're fine.

You really blow my mind

Maybe some day you and me can run away.

I just want you to know.

I wanna be your Romeo.

Juliet (LMNT)

I remember the day we first met

The shy smiles and the spilling sunlight

I knew, just by looking into your eyes

Neverending story (Stray Kids)

She watches the sunset slip out of sight

She points to the lilacs in bloom

Her eyes filled with wonder

And my eyes they do the same

Just looking at her face

Looking at Her Face (Tyrone Wells)

What could a guy like me

Ever really offer?

She's perfect as she can be

Why should I even bother? 

She’s so High (Tal Bachman)

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go

I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

Enchanted (Owl City)

I think you're pretty

Without any makeup on

I think you're funny

When you tell the punchline wrong

Teenage Dream (The Rescues)

New and a bit alarming

Who'd have ever thought that this could be

True, that he's no Prince Charming

But there's something in him that I simply didn't see

Something There (Beauty and the Beast)

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall

But watching you stand alone

All of my doubt, suddenly goes away somehow

A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)

You might need time to think it over

But I'm just fine moving forward

I'll ease your mind if you give me the chance

I will never make you cry, c'mon let's try

Beautiful Soul (Jesse McCartney)

So this is the miracle

That I've been dreaming of

Mmm, mmm

So this is love

So This Is Love (Cinderella)

'Cause lovers dance when they're feelin' in love

Spotlight's shinin' it's all about us

It's all about us

And every heart in the room will melt

This is a feeling I've never felt but

It's all about us

All About Us (He Is We)

Remember those walls I built

Well, baby, they're tumbling down

And they didn't even put up a fight

They didn't even make a sound

Halo (Beyonce)

You've got me seeing stars brighter than ever

Shining just like diamonds do

I know that in time it could be all ours, brighter than ever

Your love is such a dream come true

Seeing Stars (Børns)

You’re already in my radius

My eyes are already a pair of binoculars

Other guys are outside my vision

Only you are growing bigger

Adrenaline (Girls’ Generation -TaeTiSeo)

As I looked up into those eyes, his vision borrows mine

And I know he's no stranger

For I feel I've held him for all of time

Ordinary Day (Vanessa Carlton)

It's a new world it's a new start

It's alive with the beating of young hearts

It's a new day it's a new plan

I've been waiting for you

Here I am

Here I Am (Bryan Adams)

I've got somewhere I belong

I got somebody to love

This is what dreams are made of

What Dreams Are Made Of (Hilary Duff)

You're the fire and the flood

And I'll always feel you in my blood

Everything is fine

When your hand is resting next to mine

Fire and the Flood (Vance Joy)

Do you feel the lightning inside of you

Will you follow through if I fall for you?

Don't look down

Up this high, we'll never hit the ground

Don’t Look Down (Martin Garrix)

And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way

To let you know your more to me than what I know how to say

You're OK with the way this is going to be

Must Have Done Something Right (Reliant K)

I can show you the world

Shining, shimmering, splendid

Tell me, princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?

A Whole New World (Aladdin)

When you're near, I hide my blushing face

And trip on my shoelaces

Grace just isn't my forté

I Do Adore (Mindy Gledhill)

She calls me sweetheart

I love it when she wakes me when it's still dark

And she watches the sun

But she's the only one I have my eyes on

I Must Be Dreaming (The Maine)

And Edison would spin in his grave

To ever see the light that you gave

Don't wanna take it nice and slow here

Don't wanna waste a minute more dear

Warmer Climate (Snow Patrol)

There's something about you I can't describe

If only you could see yourself through my eyes

There is nothing I won't do to show you why

You cannot hide, you're simply one of a kind

Something About You (Lucius)

Never knew I could feel like this

Like I've never seen the sky before

Want to vanish inside your kiss

Everyday I love you more and more

Come What May (Moulin Rouge)

My wildest dreamings

Could not foresee

Lying beside you

With you wanting me

As Long As You’re Mine (Wicked)

Make your fingers soft and light Let your body be the velvet of the night Touch my soul, you know how Andante, andante Go slowly with me now

Andante, Andante (Mamma Mia 2)

You be the Beast and I'll be the Beauty, beauty

Who needs true love as long as you love me truly.

I want it all, but I want you more

Wonderlands (Natalia Kills)

If I lay here

If I just lay here

Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol)

You're the reason that I feel so strong

The reason that I'm hanging on

Mess is Mine (Vance Joy)

There comes a time you need to let me know

We'll fight your demons

When they start to show

Circles (As Tall As Lions)

And when you're needing your space

To do some navigating

I'll be here patiently waiting

To see what you find

I Won't Give Up (Jason Mraz)

So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light

'Cause oh that gave me such a fright

But I will hold as long as you like

Just promise me we'll be alright

Ghosts That We Knew (Mumford & Sons)

I don't want to talk right now

I just want your arms wrapped around

Me and this moment before it runs out

Eavesdrop (The Civil Wars)

You're a wreck and you know

You've got me wrapped around your finger

Like a boy tangled in vines

But I've figured you out

Daisy (The Maine)

You tell me all the things you do

Tell me that it's up to you

Crying in the peaceful night

Telling all the things you hide

But out there in the future

Maybe you're the rainbow

A Song About Love (Jake Bugg)

All I want is to keep you safe from the cold

To give you all that your heart needs the most

May I (Trading Yesterday)

Tell me that you'll stay

Even when I'm far away

My voice will carry through

Until the end it's me & you

We can make it if we try

Silhouette (Active Child)

Pain or tears, let's change them into stars.

Light a light that will shine on our tomorrow.

Though we may waver now and then, let's do this together;

We'll find that forever, glittering brightly with stardust.

Let it out (Miho Fukuhara)

And when you cry a piece of my heart dies

Knowing that I may have been the cause

If you were to leave and fulfill someone else's dreams

I think I might totally be lost

The Girl (City and Colour)

I don't know where you're going

And I don't know why,

But listen to your heart

Before you tell him goodbye

Listen to Your Heart (DHT)

Can I embrace you one last time?

Can I bid farewell for the last time?

Just please don't forget those loving, happy memories

Driving Me Crazy (Master’s Sun)

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn't I, my dear?

Little Lion Man (Mumford & Sons)

If I was a burden to you

If I was a baggage

I should’ve left you earlier, I’m sorry

Happy (2NE1)

It's been seven hours and fifteen days

Since you took your love away

I go out every night and sleep all day

Since you took your love away

Nothing Compares to You (Stereophonics)

Sometimes I find myself sittin' back and reminiscing

Especially when I have to watch other people kissin'

And I remember when you started callin' me your miss's

All the play fightin', all the flirtatious disses

Littlest Things (Lily Allen)

You said this was all for me

Like a lie, you coldly turned around

Why? Why? You’re gone away

Come Back Home (Unplugged Ver.) (2NE1)

The time when anything made us happy

Looking at each other

You were my strength

When you trusted me

LUV (Apink)

I will miss you the more I erase you

I will shed more tears than today

Like fate, I won’t ever have anyone like you

Good bye my love (Ailee)

I'm sorry that I hurt you

It's something I must live with everyday

And all the pain I put you through

I wish that I could take it all away

And be the one who catches all your tears

The Reason (Hoobastank)

Well, you only need the light when it's burning low

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

Only know you love her when you let her go

Let Her Go (Passenger)

I tossed and turned in the end

With no one to talk to

I searched again and again

But I never found you

Up All Night (Owl City)

You didn’t say anything, and it was over

I didn’t say anything too, that was our end

The past was still clear

MILK (f(x))

But now the sun shines cold

And all the sky is grey

The stars are dimmed by clouds and tears

And all I wish

Is gone away

To Wish Impossible Things (The Cure)

Et au sud de mes peines j'ai volé loin de toi

Pour couvrir mon cœur d'une cire plus noire

Que tous les regards lancés à mon égard

J'ai tenté de voler loin de toi

C'était salement romantique (Coeur de pirate) (Decided not to put the translation ‘cause the one I found was bad.)

Don’t look back and leave

Don’t find me again and just live on

Because I have no regrets from loving you,

so only take the good memories

Haru Haru (Big Bang)

Even if you easily turn away,

easily get farther apart

I know I won’t easily forget you

If you see me, still the same, still like this

You will call me a fool

And One (Taeyeon)

The one person who appears even when I close my eyes

The person who is next to me even in my dreams

Do you even remember me?

Do you even think of me?

I miss you, please

The One Person, You (Jessica)

It's always times like these

When I think of you

And wonder if you ever think of me

Cause everything's so wrong and I don't belong

Living in your precious memory

A Thousand Miles (Vanessa Carlton)

Come up to meet you

Tell you I'm sorry

You don't know how lovely you are

I had to find you

Tell you I need you

The Scientist (Coldplay)

I just wanna love you again

Please come back to me girl

We just broke up but we need each other

Come back to me, you feel the same way

Wanna Love You Again (2PM)

Tired of being tangled in this mess and I

I'm ready to wish you the best tonight

Let me let you go

Let Me Let You Go (Namie Amuro)

Whoever I'll be gazing at, whoever I'll be spending time with,

a day when I can forget you won't come

I'll keep loving you in my heart,

but we can't be together anymore

Cause life's no love story

Love Story (Namie Amuro)

Think of all the things

We've shared and seen

Don't think about the way

Things might have been

Think of Me (Phantom of the Opera)

Now she's here shining in the starlight

Now she's here suddenly I know

If she's here it's crystal clear

I'm where I'm meant to go

I See the Light (Tangled)

Why are you looking down all the wrong roads

When mine is the heart and the soul of the song

There may be lovers who hold out their hands but

He'll never love you like I can

Like I Can (Sam Smith)

And I will swallow my pride

You're the one that I love

And I'm saying goodbye

Say Something (A Great Big World)

If I would have known that you wanted me

The way I wanted you

Then maybe we wouldn't be two worlds apart

But right here in each others arms

Almost Is Never Enough (Ariana Grande)

Why kiss another frog

You're the only one I want

It's obvious, Why can't you see?

Wontcha Take me to the place we used to meet

A Place Called You (Emma Stevens)

Can we start it all over again, this morning?

I lost all my defenses, this morning

Won't you show me the way it used to be?

Morning (Beck)

I will love you unconditionally

There is no fear now

Let go and just be free

I will love you unconditionally

Unconditionally (Katy Perry)

If you’ve gotten this far, congrats! And thank you! While this playlist has many songs, it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

[blueyesandleatherjacket]

Regenerate Nine Month: This is Halloween

Volume: 1.

Number of parts: 22/?.

Pairings: Ninth Doctor/Rose Tyler.

Synopsis: "Rose knew how much the big bad Time Lord hated feeling ridiculous. He was always so serious about everything. Even his outfits were serious. Black jeans and black leather jacket with dark jumpers and boots. She loved that outfit on him, but she sometimes wished he wasn't so serious about everything."

A/N: Ninth month of the year means month of the Ninth Doctor and so I've decided to repost all the one-shots I've written about the him, whether they are DW verse or not to celebrate this fantastic Doctor.

“A hero is somebody who is selfless, who is generous in spirit, who just tries to give back as much as possible and help people. A hero to me is someone who saves people and who really cares.” - Debi Mazar.

THIS IS HALLOWEEN:

“This is ridiculous!”

  The Doctor’s voice showed how annoyed he felt about the whole situation. It made Rose smile. She was sitting on their bed and waiting for the Doctor to come out of the bathroom where he had locked himself. He had insisted on her staying outside and not coming in until he was done. But he was very clear on the fact he wasn’t happy at all about that.

  “Remember who you’re doing it for, Doctor.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that I feel ridiculous.”

  Rose knew how much the big bad Time Lord hated feeling ridiculous. He was always so serious about everything. Even his outfits were serious. Black jeans and black leather jacket with dark jumpers and boots. She loved that outfit on him, but she sometimes wished he wasn’t so serious about everything. He had gone all cliché when they had started dating not long enough after she saved his life on Satellite 5 and became the Bad Wolf, a Goddess of Time, a true legend now. An event that had turned Rose into an immortal and powerful person without disturbing the flux of Time like the change of Jack Harkness. He had even gone to Jackie to ask her to give her consent for him to marry Rose.

The Doctor had changed a lot over the years he had spent with Rose. But there were still things he refused to do. Domestics, he could handle now. The visits to Jackie too. But that? It was absolutely stupid and useless.

  “I don’t understand why your mother insisted on celebrating Halloween. I’ve seen enough monsters in my life to find totally stupid to have a day dedicated to them. Do I have a day for me when I save those humans from the monsters?”

  The question was a rhetorical one. If the Doctor did have a day for himself, he wouldn’t even want to be a part of it. He didn’t care about thanks and all of that. He was doing all the saving to amend himself from the terrible things he had done in his life. He didn’t need any reward for that. The monsters shouldn’t have that day for themselves, that was his opinion.

  “I’ve always loved celebrating Halloween with my mom. It was one of the rare moments when we could have some fun with homemade costumes. She was working so hard for me to be happy after my dad died.”

“I know.”

“It’s sort of a tradition. We were still doing it with Mickey before…”

“Before I came into your lives, yeah, yeah. I know the song.”

“And now she wants our son to be a part of that tradition. Isn’t that a bad thing? She feels left out since we’ve become the perfect intergalactic couple.”

  The Doctor mumbled something about him not being perfect at all and Rose smiled even more. He didn’t need to be perfect for her. He didn’t need to be the Prince Charming of all the Disney movies. Just him was enough for her and for their son. Elliot was thinking of him as a superhero. It was enough for every father. But not for the Doctor. Because he wasn’t any hero. Not in his own eyes.

  “What is he gonna dress up like anyway?”

“I don’t know. Mom said she was gonna take care of it.”

“Forgive me if I don’t think that’s a good idea to let our son with your mother.”

  Rose pouted. It never had been big love between her husband and her mother, and they were still arguing over the small things. But she was a good grandmother; and not even the Doctor could say otherwise. Elliot loved his grandma, and the Doctor was making efforts at least.

  “Instead of mumbling, what about you coming out of there so I can see if your costume fits you well?”

“No.”

“Doctor…”

“I don’t understand why my costume of the emperor Malekith of Asgard wasn’t good enough for you.”

“It was too scary.”

“Isn’t that the principle of Halloween?”

“Maybe. But it’s our son’s first Halloween. I want him to have all the fun he can have. Wouldn’t be fun to be afraid of daddy, right?”

“Yeah. But still, a cursed Lord turning into the greatest evil after he lost everything to the hands of a monster was perfect for this day.”

  The Doctor stopped for a while. It could have been him. He could have been Malekith the Accursed. He had lost everything to the rage of the Daleks, lost everything to his own hands. But Rose had saved him from a terrible fate. Her brightness and love brought him back on the right path, fixed him and gave him a new everything: a wife and a son he loved and cherished more than anything. He owed her everything he had today.

  “Doctor?”

  He sighed and finally decided to come out of the bathroom with the new costume Rose had especially picked for him. She had even made some arrangements for it to be sort of linked to his Time Lords origins. Despite him telling her that there was no such a thing on Gallifrey.

  “You don’t laugh, promise?”

“Promise.”

  The Doctor came out of the bathroom slowly, uncertain of how he looked. Rose had decided to play it soft and had chosen the uniform of a fireman. So he was wearing large fireproof and sort of yellow and red pants with a white polo shirt. The logo of some fire squad was in the middle of the shirt and Rose had replaced the name of the town with Gallifrey to fit him better. He had pulled on the red suspenders but the pants were still loose and it bothered him. It was very far from what he was used to wear, and he didn’t feel very comfortable in that outfit.

  “Are you sure about this, Rose?”

  When she saw him, Rose couldn’t help but burst out. He was trying to keep the pants in place by gripping the back of them and he had half spread his other arm to let her see the result of her choice. The Doctor frowned, really tempted to go back inside the bathroom and lock himself back in.

  “You promised not to laugh!” he exclaimed, offended.

“Sorry,” apologised Rose, a big smile still on her face, “but you look so uncomfortable.”

“I feel ridiculous.”

“I think you look fantastic.”

  Hearing her pronounce his catchphrase almost made him stop sulking, but when she got up and adjusted his costume, making sure her hands wandered on the very sensitive parts of his body, he couldn’t keep a straight face. Rose tiptoed to reach his ear and lightly nibbled his lobe.

  “If you behave, I might let you extinguish a very particular fire,” she murmured.

“Oh, is that the fire you’ve just lighted in me?”

  Rose just smiled at him and gave him her tongue-poking out smile. Her signature, but also the smile he loved the most about her. His lips caught hers in a soft kiss and his hands were already trying to get under her shirt; but she gently pushed him away.

  “Not yet, Doctor. First, you keep that costume on for the evening. Then, you get naughty.”

  The Doctor protested but knew it would be worth it in the end. Rose changed herself in the bathroom. She had chosen a police officer costume to match their beloved blue box, a costume that was fitting her so well the fire he was supposed to extinguish later was now burning in his veins. It would be hard to hold it back, but he had to.

  Jackie was the second one to laugh at him when she found out about his costume. To which he had retorted that she had very well chosen hers since she was such a witch. It could have gone into an argument if Elliot hadn’t run to them in his very own costume. Both Rose and the Doctor were surprised. They really hadn’t expected it. The little boy was wearing jeans and boots along with a dark jumper and a small leather jacket. He even had a sonic screwdriver replica in hand.

  “He happens to have his daddy as his favourite superhero. Would have been too bad not to make his parents proud.”

  Indeed, the Doctor couldn’t be prouder of his son right now. He looked fantastic in his everyday outfit. He had to admit that Jackie had done a good job on that one, and that’s why he didn’t argue on anything she might say to him later. Actually, he did have as much fun as his son to honour the Tyler’s tradition of going to the neighbours and knocking on the doors to have treats or play tricks -which the Doctor was very good at to be honest.

Later that night, when Elliot was deeply asleep in bed after he got more candies than he could eat, the Doctor and Rose met in their room, and the Time Lord finally got the treat he had been running after all evening: extinguish the fire burning in him and Rose until it went out. He might get used to celebrate Halloween in the Tyler’s way in the end…

Chronicles of a better man © | 2016 - 2018 | Tous droits réservés.

×××

In the next shot:

His hearts stopped when he realised what was going on in his home. The day had been a long and terribly draining one. Both for him and Rose. Him from facing his worst enemy and having to watch that Dalek threaten his Rose. And Rose from having to be threatened by the deadly alien and facing the Doctor’s darkest side. He felt guilty for that. For her seeing the beast in him. For her seeing him so consumed by his rage and hate and destroying need to kill the thing responsible for his pain and loss, for his solitude. He had lost his control and almost gave in to the violence of another murder. If Rose hadn’t stopped him, what would he have done after that? How would he have handled another murder, even if it was the murder of an enemy? The tight hug he had given Rose after that had let her seen how vulnerable he was. But no word had been spoken.

×××

Buy me a coffee?

[nozocentric]

Nozomi: Chapter 1

1.

One week later

The sun dipped down and the reddish pink sky faded into navy blue.  Within moments, it was filled with millions of tiny, twinkling lights, and the moon came out, signaling the end of another day.  Its pale light illuminated everything below and all was quiet, aside from the chirp of crickets and other night time creatures.  

A crunch sounded nearby, and all sounds of nature ceased as a young girl stumbled through the forest.  A hooded, black cloak concealed her, and enabled her to blend into the shadows.  Her gold eyes darted back and forth as she dropped her hood, shaking her medium length brown hair free and exposing her fuzzy, black cat ears.  Making her way to one of the many trees in the area, she lowered herself onto the ground, leaning against its trunk as she closed her eyes.  

“What do you think you’re doing, stopping here?” A low voice growled in her mind.

The brunette’s eyes fluttered open slowly, and she clicked her tongue in annoyance.  “Kumoraku, I just need a minute.”

“I don’t care if you’re on your DEATHBED, Kubota.  We can’t stay here.  Even with all these trees surrounding us, we’re still out in the open!”

“But I don’t think I can walk anymore...and how many times do I have to tell you?  My name is Nozomi!”

“You know very well it makes no difference to me what you’re called.  You’re just a thorn in my side.” A throaty growl erupted from Kumoraku before she sighed deeply.  “There’s a village up ahead.  Rest there until you feel well enough to continue.”

Nozomi exhaled heavily in defeat.  She’d been on the run for...probably a week now, and the journey had been rough.  Nobody cared for a stranger like her, especially once they got a good look at her and saw how strange she really was.  More often than not, once people saw her ears, they assumed she was some sort of demon and ran her out of the village.  

‘Not that I can really blame them.  After what I did, I might as well be considered one.’  Nozomi bit her lip as images of her clan’s final moments surfaced and did a double take, trying to clear her head.  She was tired of crying over things that she couldn’t change.

All she wanted right now was a safe place to rest, and maybe some food.  It had been so long since she last ate, and she knew she looked as bad as she felt, if not worse.  Maybe someone would take pity on her and give her something to eat.  With this in mind, the brunette slowly got back up, her legs trembling with protest.  She could see the village gates, just ahead, and she pulled the hood back up, concealing her ears once more.  

‘I can do this.’ She chanted the phrase as a mantra silently as she began to walk again.  Gradually the village gates came closer, and the hope of getting a meal began to feel like a possibility.  

Suddenly, Nozomi began to feel lightheaded, and she stumbled, pitching forward onto the ground.  She lifted her head to spit out a mouthful of dirt, grimacing as pain shot through the faded bruises on her face.  

The entire world was spinning, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to go much farther, but she still forced herself back up.  She’d rest soon; the village was just a couple feet away now.  She’d only taken two steps, however when her knees buckled, and she threw her hands out in front of her as she fell again.  

Try as she might, Nozomi couldn’t muster up enough energy to get back up.  Her vision began to blur, and she closed her eyes, willing away the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm her, but it was no use.  She knew she wouldn’t be able to get up again.  

She cried out in frustration as she realized how close she’d been.  Just a few more steps and she’d have been inside the village, if not for her stupid body deciding to up and quit on her.

"I’m afraid there’s no helping it, Kumoraku.  I’m gonna have to stay here."

The demon growled, berating Nozomi and calling her weak until the girl slipped into unconsciousness.

…….

“See you later, old man!” Naruto waved to Teuchi as he stepped outside of Ichiraku, looking around.  ‘I hope Sakura-chan found her way home okay.  It’s pretty dark tonight.’  Just moments ago, the kunoichi had left, and though he’d offered to walk her home, she’d declined, saying that she wanted to be alone.  It was obvious she was worried about Sasuke.

Sasuke.

His blue eyes dimmed slightly as his thoughts shifted to his other teammate.  He had assured Sakura that the raven haired ninja would never give in to Orochimaru’s curse mark, because he was already strong enough.  

Only, he privately wondered just how true that was.  The Uchiha, whose skills outclassed him, (though Naruto would never believe such lies) seemed to be growing paranoid, especially where Naruto’s progress as a ninja was concerned.  

Earlier that day, Sasuke had challenged him to battle, and Naruto had agreed, expecting a competition between two rivals.  Only, for some reason, the Uchiha had come at him with a killer’s intent!    It had all happened so fast, and no matter how the blond tried to rationalize his friend’s sudden change in behavior, it just didn’t make sense.  If Kakashi hadn’t intervened...He didn’t even want to think about what could have happened.

It had been hours since, but the incident was still fresh in his mind.  Naruto doubted he’d be able to sleep, so he decided to take a walk to try to clear his mind.   He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he wandered about, noting how empty the streets were.  It was as if everyone had vanished, and he was the only one left in Konoha.  

The thought made him feel a little lonely, although he was used to such things, having nobody to wait for him to come home.  Aside from Iruka, few people cared about him, as long as he wasn’t getting into trouble.  

A few moments later, the blond stopped, realizing how far he’d gone.  Somehow, while he’d been lost in thought, he’d ended up at the entrance to the village.  Ahead loomed the massive gates, and beyond them lie the outskirts of the village.  

Naruto stood there, thinking back to all of the missions he’d departed for with Team 7 out these very gates.  The corners of his mouth twitched.  Things hadn’t always gone according to plan, but together he and Sasuke had grown strong, and he liked to believe that he’d proven himself worthy of being the Uchiha’s rival.

A thud nearby broke him out of his thoughts, and Naruto approached the village’s entrance, looking around.  

“Who’s there?” He demanded, trying to sound intimidating.  “Show yourself, you coward!”

When he heard a muffled noise near the gates, the boy hesitated. The idea of capturing an intruder all by himself unnerved him a little, but… Naruto clenched his fists tightly, bracing himself.  He was a ninja, and it was his responsibility to keep the village safe.

With a deep breath, Naruto steeled himself and stepped out of the village, but he couldn’t sense anything unusual.  Still, he knew he’d heard something.  He looked to his left and his right, and when he still saw nothing he decided to do a perimeter check.

Just as Naruto turned to run, his foot connected with something solid and he lurched forward.  His hands shot out and he fell into an awkward hand stand before somehow managing to land unsteadily on his feet.  

‘Phew, that was close!’  The boy sighed as he regained his footing and turned to see what had tripped him up.  At first glance he didn’t see anything, but as he looked again, he could just make out the outline of somebody sprawled out on the ground.

‘What’s going on here?’  Quickly Naruto knelt beside the person, relieved to see that whoever they were, they were still breathing.  

“Hello..?”  The only answer he got was a soft groan, but he was able to determine that the person was a girl at least.  Naruto decided to try again.

“Hello, can you hear me?”  This time he was met with nothing but silence from the girl, and he clicked his tongue.   “C’mon, say something!”  He urged, shaking her shoulder.  

The girl moaned, slowly shifting so she was on her back and Naruto retracted his hand.  In the process, her hood slipped off, and Naruto leaned in to get a better look at her.

“Hello?” He carefully brushed away the hair that had fallen in her face.  His hand froze as he touched something soft, and he traced it with his index finger, gawking.    

“These are...cat ears?!”

……..

Nozomi’s parents had escaped the assassins and together, the three of them were running for their lives.  Nozomi’s legs felt like they were on fire, but she pushed onward, motivated by the angry shouts in the distance as the Kubotas pursued them.  

Her mother turned to her and mouthed “I love you”, and before Nozomi knew what had happened she was standing alone in a forest of dead trees.

“Kaa-san?  Tou-san?  Where are you?!”  She called as she ran, searching for her parents.  

Suddenly a blur of black and blond tackled her onto her back, and she stared up from the ground, wide eyed.   “S-Suoh-kun..!”  

As Suoh held her down he gave her a curious grin, asking why she was running and the brunette quickly explained the situation. “I have to find my parents so we can get away!”

Suddenly Suoh’s face morphed into a smirk, and he laughed menacingly. “It’s too late for that.”  

He motioned over to their left, and Nozomi’s eyes filled with horror as they landed on the mutilated bodies of her parents.  “NO!”  Their blank eyes stared accusingly at her, and Nozomi shut her eyes, trying to block out the voices in her head that screamed it was her fault.  

“And now,” Suoh smirked, producing a kunai, “it’s your turn.”

Nozomi barely had time to scream before he plunged the blade into her heart and everything went black.

…

Nozomi’s eyes flew open and she glanced around wildly.  It had all been a dream, she realized.  Slowly her heartbeat returned to its normal speed, and she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, relieved.  It had all felt so real...

“Finally, you’re awake!”

Nozomi’s body tensed, and she cursed herself for not realizing sooner that she wasn’t alone as she slowly looked up.  Gold collided with blue and she gasped, using her elbows to prop herself up as she tried to get to her feet.  

“S-Suoh...k-kun..?”  To her dismay, she still felt too weak to move, and the brunette reluctantly sank back, trembling.  “I...I thought you were dead.”  Maybe it hadn’t all been a dream.  

“Man, you really must have hit your head hard!” The boy extended a hand toward her.  “Need a hand?”  

Memories of her last encounter with Suoh flashed through her mind, and Nozomi scrambled to her feet, narrowing her eyes at him.  “G-get back..!”  She stood as tall as she could, trying in vain to appear intimidating, but the world began to spin again, and she began to fall backwards.  

Her downward descent was stopped as the boy grabbed her hand, and she stared up as tears filled her eyes.  “Please, let me go!”

The blond tilted his head, shrugging his shoulders as he released the brunette’s hand, and she fell back, quickly pulling herself into a sitting position,   “Are you sure you're okay?  You’re acting really weird..”

In her panic, Nozomi heard none of his questions as she lowered her head to hide her tears.  “Haven’t you hurt me enough yet?  I already know you hate me.  Just leave!”

“How can I hate you if I don’t even know you?  Are you sick or something?”  

The spiky haired boy crouched beside her and leaned in, and Nozomi squinted her eyes shut, bracing herself.  He pressed his palm to her forehead and frowned.  “You are a little warm, but I don’t think you’re actually sick..”

Nozomi opened her eyes, looking at him with uncertainty.  When she finally got to see him close up, she realized he was not who she’d thought he was.  At a distance he looked similar to Suoh, but there were many differences.  

This boy had light blond hair, and bright blue eyes.  She could also see three whisker like marks on each side of his face.  What had really convinced her that this wasn’t Suoh, however was the strange power she felt emanating from this stranger.  It was similar to her own demonic power, except much stronger, and she shivered slightly before turning a curious look to the boy.  

Seeing that she was calm now, the blond sat back and smiled.  “Are you okay, now?”

With a soft sigh, Nozomi nodded her head.  “Yeah, sorry. I..thought you were someone else.” She replied, unable to hide the relief in her voice.  

The blond’s lips twitched into a smirk.  “Obviously.” He snickered, and Nozomi mentally smacked herself for mistaking this kid for that guy.  He was the exact opposite.  While Suoh had come off as cool and unapproachable, there was a warmth about this boy that just made her feel comfortable even though she had no clue who he was.  

She groaned inwardly, feeling her face heat up as she realized what a fool she’d made of herself in front of him and she facepalmed.  “Well, just forget all that stuff I said, okay?”  Not giving the boy a chance to respond she glanced around, blinking rapidly to clear the remaining tears that blurred her vision.  “Um, can you please tell me where I am?”

The blond seemed hesitant to drop the subject, but his eyes lit up at her question and he gave a wide grin.  “Oh yeah!  Where are my manners?  You’re right outside of Konoha, the greatest village in the Land of Fire!”  Then without missing a beat, he pointed to himself.  “My name is Uzumaki Naruto, ninja of the Leaf -ttebayo!”  

He proudly motioned to the headband on his forehead, and Nozomi raised an eyebrow, grinning at his over the top introduction. ‘He doesn’t seem like the ninja type...he’s too cheery.  Aren’t ninja supposed to be quiet and withdrawn?’  The brunette broke out of her thoughts as she noticed the intense look he was giving her, and she gulped.  “Wh-what?”

Naruto grinned widely, leaning forward.  “I just asked what your name was!”

“Ah..” Nozomi smiled sheepishly and looked away.  Naruto seemed like a nice person, but...

“Hello..?”  A hand waved in her face and Nozomi sighed, casting her eyes to her lap.  

“...Kubota Nozomi.”  Just hearing her family name made her guilt rise and she grimaced, tensing her shoulders.

“Nice to meet you, Nozomi-chan!” Naruto beamed.  When the brunette didn’t answer he changed the subject.  “So, uh...what are you doing out here, anyway?  Isn’t it kinda late to be out alone?”

Nozomi sweat dropped, looking down at the dirt.  “Well...I’m traveling, and because of how I...um..look, it’s easier for me to cover ground at night.  I'm less likely to run into anybody that way.”

“How you look?” Naruto’s gaze shifted to her ears, and she flattened them self consciously, nodding wordlessly.  “Oh...What about your family?  Won’t they be worried about you?”

A dull pain echoed in the brunette’s chest at his words and she hung her head, shadows casting over her eyes.  “What family?” She finally murmured after a long pause.

Understanding bloomed in Naruto’s eyes and he gave her a sympathetic look.  “I get it...I’m alone too.”

When Nozomi saw no traces of dishonesty on his face, she gave him a sad smile.  “That’s too bad.”  

With a sigh she forced herself to her feet, turning her back on him.  “I should probably go now.  It’s only a matter of time before I’m captured for intruding or something, right?”  She paused, narrowing her eyes at him briefly.  “Or maybe that’s what you’re here for right now.”

Before Naruto could say anything, the brunette began to walk away, and he scrambled to his feet, reaching out and grabbing her shoulder. “Wait!”

Nozomi jerked out of his reach, wincing and he stared at her, forgetting what he’d been about to say.  Now that she’d stepped out of the shadows, he could see her face clearly.  His eyes widened as he noticed the faded bruises that lined her jaw, and he gingerly touched one, frowning when she flinched away.  “Nozomi-chan, who did that to you?”

The brunette began to answer, but at that moment a sharp pain coursed through her, and she dropped to her knees, hiding her face in her hands.

Concerned, Naruto knelt in front of her, asking her what had happened.

Nozomi’s body trembled as she lowered her hand and looked at him, wincing.  Now not only was everything starting to spin again, but she felt a headache coming on.  What was going on with her?  ‘Is this because I’m so run down?’

As he realized she wasn’t going to answer him, Naruto decided to take matters into his own hands.  “Get on my back.  I’m taking you to the hospital.”

Somehow, in the midst of the pain the girl managed to shake her head, and she raised her eyes to meet his, speaking through clenched teeth.  “No, I’m fine. Just leave me here.”

‘This feels bad, but it’s what I deserve, after all..’

Unable to believe what he was hearing, Naruto fixed her with an incredulous look.  “You are not fine!  You need to see a doctor now!”

“No really.  I just need to rest and I’ll be fine.”  Nozomi insisted, even though she knew he didn’t believe her words.  Heck, she didn’t even believe her.

“Why are you being so stubborn?!” The blond threw his hands in the air frustratedly and she decided to change the subject.  

“Really, if there’s anything I need, it’s food.  Do you know anywhere I could get a bite to eat?”

Naruto pouted at the obvious subject change, but he perked up slightly at her question, nodding.  “Do I!  I know the best place in the whole village!” He paused, watching as the girl’s mouth watered and grinned mischievously.  “I’ll take you, but only if you’re absolutely sure you’re okay.”

“I already told you I’m fine!” The brunette mumbled as she got to her feet, trying to ignore the dizziness that hit her in the process. The look Naruto gave her said that he wasn’t buying her act, and she scoffed, turning toward the village.  “Alright, let’s go then, if you really don’t mind.”

Naruto crossed his arms and opened his mouth to say something, but his words were suddenly drowned out by a loud rumble, and he looked over at the girl, bewildered.  “Nozomi-chan, was that..?”

Nozomi blushed in embarrassment as her stomach let out another rumble, confirming his suspicions.  

Naruto’s eyebrows rose, and he gave her a teasing grin.  “Geez, when’s the last time you ate?”

Abruptly her gaze dropped to the ground, and she coughed uncomfortably.  “I, uh..can’t really remember.  It’s been a while.”  

‘She can’t remember?’ Naruto’s eyes bulged, and he stared at her in shock.

An awkward silence settled between them, and Nozomi bit her lip, frowning as she glanced at the boy.  He was regarding her with something akin to horror, and she laughed sheepishly.  “Um..hello?  Was it something I said?”

Naruto snapped out of his stunned stupor and did a double take before grabbing her wrist, and she stumbled forward as he took off running into the village.  “Whoa--!  Slow down!”  

……..

‘There’s no way I can afford any of this.’  Nozomi sighed inwardly as she scanned the Ichiraku menu.  Naruto had insisted this was the best place to eat in the entire village, and while she was eager to try it, she knew deep down that the only way she’d be able to was if the old man would let her wash dishes or something in return for her meal.

Naruto grinned as he finished explaining the reason for his second visit in an hour to Teuchi and turned to the brunette.  He could tell even without her saying anything that she was worried, and he had a feeling he knew what about.

“Hey, go ahead and order whatever you like.  It’s on me.” He held up his toad shaped wallet, Gama-chan, and Nozomi stared at him in stunned silence.

“Why would you go that far for a perfect stranger, Naruto-kun?” she finally asked after a moment, pinning her ears back as she looked down at the counter top.  

Naruto just grinned in response.  “Do I really need a reason to do something nice for somebody?”

The brunette glanced at him from the corner of her eye.  “I guess not...but you don’t even know me...”

“So what?” The blond continued to smile as he answered.  “That doesn’t matter to me!  A ninja is supposed to help people out no matter what, dattebayo!”

The small smile that had crept onto Nozomi’s face faded and she shrugged.  “Well...people normally wouldn’t want to help someone like me.” She mumbled, turning her attention back to the menu.

“What do you mean by that?” Naruto’s brows knit together in confusion and he frowned at her.  “You seem like a nice enough person to me.  Maybe a little tense, but not enough to keep me from liking and wanting to help you.”

Nozomi turned and gave him a weak smile, turning away again before she could blurt out the answer he wanted.  ‘He says he likes me now, but if he knew what happened he’d probably hate me too.'

The silence was broken finally when Teuchi came and asked for their order, and Naruto nudged her gently.  “Do you know what you want yet?”

Nozomi quickly turned her attention to the old man and gave her order, and he walked away to go prepare it.  It was then that she realized Naruto hadn’t ordered anything, and she frowned at him.  “You’re not getting anything?”

“Of course I am!” The spiky haired boy gave her a toothy grin.  “I’m their most frequent customer, so they already know what I want.”

“..Oh, okay.”  The brunette looked away, and the awkward silence fell over them again.  

This time, Naruto wasn’t going to let it stay, as he cleared his throat to get her attention.  “So, listen...about earlier.” He paused, checking to make sure nobody else was listening before leaning closer and speaking in a hushed tone.  “What happened to you?” When the girl looked at him strangely he motioned to the bruises on her face and she bit her lip, turning away.

“Ah..that.” Nozomi closed her eyes as she relived the memories of that day and breathed out softly.  “Somebody I really cared about betrayed and hurt me.”

Whatever kind of answer he’d been expecting, this was clearly not one of them as Naruto sat back on his stool, looking shocked.  “That’s terrible.  I’m really sorry..”

“Don’t be.” Gold eyes locked with his and Naruto flinched as he saw the coldness behind them.  “It just showed me what a fool I was for trusting him to begin with.”  She broke off, averting her eyes.  “I doubt I’ll ever trust anybody again.”

Naruto’s heart clenched at her words, and he regarded her with sad eyes for a moment.  “You’re a jinchuuriki, aren’t you.”

It was a statement, not a question, but the brunette still answered him.  “So what if I am?” she huffed, folding her arms defensively.

The blond winced at her change in behavior and tried again.  “Well..I’m the jinchuuriki of the Nine tailed fox.” He paused, watching her reaction.  She didn’t seem too surprised, which told him that she must’ve sensed his demon just as he’d sensed hers.  “I just...wanted you to know.  I understand your pain.”

‘Does he really think I’m gonna want to tell him my life story just because he’s a jinchuuriki?’ Nozomi opened her mouth to make a retort but at that moment Teuchi returned and placed their bowls before them.  

“Oh yeah!”

The old man laughed as Naruto broke his chopsticks with gusto and shook his head.  “You act like you weren’t here just an hour ago!”

The blond flashed him a toothy grin, insisting that he was never not hungry for ramen and Nozomi giggled softly as she broke her own chopsticks.  

Almost immediately Naruto turned to look at her in astonishment and she sweat dropped, feeling unnerved.  “What?”

“You actually laughed.” He commented.  Slowly the surprise on his face faded, and he beamed at her.  “You look pretty when you laugh...you should do it more often.”  

Taken aback by the compliment, Nozomi could only stare as he turned his attention back to his ramen, and she huffed softly, turning her attention to her food.  “Yeah, whatever you say.”

Despite her reservations about letting him pay for her, she had to admit she was bursting with excitement.  It looked and smelled amazing.  

“Itadakimasu!” She chimed, plunging the chopsticks into the bowl and slurping more noodles than she could take in at once.  Her eyes closed contentedly as the various flavors invaded her mouth, and she was filled with bliss.  She wouldn’t have been surprised if she actually purred, she was so happy!  

As she sat there, eating like she hadn’t in days, Nozomi became acutely aware that she was being watched.  Swallowing her mouthful of noodles, she glanced to her right and gave a sheepish grin.  Naruto had already finished his food, and now sat watching her, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.  Didn’t he realize that she didn’t like being watched like that?

“I, uh...it’s good.” She mumbled, and his smirk only grew, unnerving her more.  “What?”

The blond turned away, stretching his arms behind his head contently.  “Nothing.  I was just thinking I should probably order another.  One’s probably not gonna be enough.”

“Um...if you say so.  I’m grateful for just the one bowl.” The brunette turned back to her ramen and resumed eating while Naruto ordered another bowl for her.  

‘Naruto-kun’s a pretty nice guy.’  She thought as she slurped her noodles.  ‘Maybe I can trust him.’

“That’s what you thought about that pretty boy, but things didn’t go the way you were expecting, did they?”

Nozomi choked on her food as Kumoraku’s voice filled her head, and she put the chopsticks down, gasping.  

“What did you say?” She demanded, and the cat flashed her a toothy smirk.

“You heard me, Kubota.  Don’t let your guard down just because this one says he’s a jinchuuriki.  You know he’d NEVER accept you after all you’ve done!”

“I’m not, Kumoraku.  I just think he might be somebody I could eventually talk to about what happened.’

A growl emitted from the demon, and she bared her fangs angrily.  “What does that mean?  Are you telling me that you’re actually considering staying here?!”

Nozomi chewed her lip uncertainly, clearly hesitant to answer and Kumoraku roared angrily.

“Fine!  If you want to stay and be subjected to the same thing as before, be my guest.  Just don’t expect me to make it any easier!”

Nozomi’s eyes widened as a pounding pain pulsated through her body, and she inhaled sharply.  “What did you just do?!”

Kumoraku gave a devilish smirk, snickering darkly.  “I’ve relinquished my healing powers for now.  We’ll see just how well you fare recovering like an average human.”  When the brunette didn’t respond, she gave a harsh laugh. “You didn’t really think you were almost fully healed, did you?  I’ve been holding back the worst of the pain up until now, you fool!”

Nozomi cried out as another stab of pain shot through her body, and her hands flew to her head as her surroundings began to spin uncontrollably.

A startled Naruto turned to face her, worry etched into his features.  “Hey, are you okay?!” He waved a hand in her face, but she was too consumed in her pain to notice.  After several seconds that felt to her like hours of agony, she passed out, falling face first into her bowl of ramen.

To say the blond was surprised would be putting it mildly.  Naruto waited, watching her with wide eyes.  When a minute went by and she didn’t budge, he lifted her head, moving the bowl away.  

After trying and failing to wake the brunette, he paid for the food and with some difficulty, he lifted her onto his back.  He hurried out of Ichiraku and took off running, his brows furrowed in frustration.

‘I told her she needed to see a doctor!’

……..

Kumoraku scowled as she watched the orange clad ninja barge into the hospital with Nozomi in tow.  She’d have to break this up, before he instilled new hope into the young Kubota and convinced her to stop hating herself.  

The feline scowled at the girl who lay in a heap at her feet and thrummed her claws against the ground agitatedly.  This Naruto had the potential to undo everything she’d been working for since the Kubota clan’s massacre, and that was something she could not allow.