Embers

- I'm Naruto.

They looked at me confused and asked me to let go of his friend. I did not do it. He didn't deserve it. I was the guardian of this forest, I made the rules.

And those who disrespected them had to bear the consequences.

The fingers of my right hand clenched into a fist. In less than an instant ... That man no longer had a hand.

Screams.

Horror faces.

He had already paid for what he had done, he had nothing else to do with it. I released it.

No one dared to move.

An almost inaudible whisper crossed the place.

- Who you are?

I put my intense gaze on that little voice, ethereal eyes surprised me.

- I'm Naruto.

"You've already said that," this time one of the older ones spoke, his long dark hair was tied up in a low ponytail. Two marks crossed his cheeks, just below his eyes. - You are a child ... And your parents?

- Parents?

I looked at him without understanding, what was that?

Again in his eyes horror settled but this time it was different, this time it was accompanied by grief.

- I don't know what that is but I don't need it.

- How can you say that?! Sakura spoke with flushed cheeks and tears in her eyes. - Parents are the ones who take care of you and protect you, feed you, take you to school and ...

She stopped speaking when she saw that she was not paying attention, scarlet eyes had mesmerized me in the distance.

She has found them.

- You have to go.

Again, the same kind-faced older man spoke to me.

- We can't leave you here, we have to go back to ...

- It was not a question. - My answer left him stopped. She tried to speak again but a creature appeared behind me ...

Late.

The children looked at him with fear, the adults had various expressions but each one of them was the result of the threat.

- What the hell is that ... - whispered the same adult who in the blink of an eye was under the bark of the nearest tree. Rising up and grunting at the terrible blow he looked ready to respond to.

- Stand still.

I turned to face that imposing blood-red nine-tailed fox whose eyes inhabited the forest.

- W-what is ...? - This time the pink haired girl spoke, Sakura.

Stupid mistake.

Before Kurama attacked, I closed my eyes, creating a barrier of blue fire around the children.

My voice echoed in their heads, I told them to run away, run.

They didn't think twice this time.

They obeyed me like a soul carried by the Devil.

I faced the fox again, getting under its snout, which sniffed me carefully.

He let out a purr and allowed me to get close to one of his legs, hiding behind them.

He didn't move, he just waited for me to soak up the scent of him.

Once I made sure they were safe I put a seal on the edge of the forest. No one could trespass without my permission.

I sighed and walked away from that beast who followed me like a faithful guardian to our home.