My Reaction to September 11, 2001 by Kayoshi
Source: Gundam Wing | Rating: T | Posted: 9-12-2001
A Reaction to the events of Tuesday, September 11, 2001
I suppose you've all heard by now, and I wish that I really didn't need to write this but I felt a need to. The Twin towers were slammed and destroyed by a pair of kamikaze, hijacked planes. The Pentagon was slammed by a third kamikaze, hijacked plane, and a fourth plane crash landed in Pennsylvania. This story was my day. I decided to write my diary unencoded for one day. It's still partially coded. All names have been changed as well as my class schedule, but its my feelings that count here. Not the names and such.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, the Idea of Pacifica and Justice is another ffn writer's, but Melena and Kimberly are mine.
Pacifica and Justice are Heero and Relena's children. Kimberly is Maxwell's oldest daughter, and Melena is Zechs and Lucrezia (Noin's) Marquis's eldest daughter.
CAPS = NARRATOR/eve
WE'D ALWAYS BEEN TOLD HOW OUR PARENTS FOUGHT IN THE ONE YEAR WAR, AND HOW A YEAR LATER THEY WENT AND FOUGHT MARIMAEA. TRUE ALSO, IS THE FACT THAT WE HEARD HORROR STORIES FROM THE PREVENTORS THAT HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE IN SCHOOL, BUT WE NEVER QUITE UNDERSTOOD. UNTIL NOW…
Pacifica, her twin brother, Justice, Kimberly, and myself all arrived at school at about the same time. It was 6:45 am. I had an early morning Algebra II class, and the others had band, except for Justice. Who just sort of wandered around lost.
This morning my class was cancelled though, so Justice and I hung out on the Study Lawn. Justice slept there as I finished the days assignment for Algebra, I had decided to wait until this morning to do it. Things were much easier to do when he was asleep. Justice and I share a first hour class, but since the Juniors' standardized tests were today, we had been moved from the Social Sciences wing to the Language Arts wing.
As the first period of the day went on our World History teacher was just as boring as usual, no reason to suspect anything was wrong. Justice, of course, slept through class. To keep myself awake I counted how many times he said "umm… ," it was 31 today.
9:00 AM CST- FIRST TRADE CENTER TOWER IS SLAMMED BY AN AIRPLANE, CONSIDERED ACCIDENTAL. A COUPLE OF HIJACKINGS HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
After World History, I got my first hint of what was going on. As I walked down the Science corridor, I heard a couple of teachers behind me. I heard things like "Hijacked airplanes? How many?" and "Sears Tower." When I turned to see who was talking, it was a couple of the teachers Mr. A and Miss Batchar. I asked what was wrong, but they told me nothing was wrong. I continued on my way to class.
9:17 AM CST - SECOND TRADE CENTER TOWER IS HIT BY AN AIRPLANE, NOW IT'S TERRORISTS. EVACUATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS ARE PUT INTO AFFECT.
During Biology, we heard nothing, and saw nothing of the outside world. We were wrapped up in our projects. Often today, I felt that I should have stayed in Biology and not let my world come crashing down. But leave I did, and Pacifica instantly ran up to me. "have you heard?" she asked me excitedly.
"Heard what?" I responded confused.
"Four hijacked planes. One crashed into the Pentagon, and two others into the Twin Towers," she said as we approached the lockers. I stared at her long enough to miss my combination numbers. I had to try again.
When I finally had my shock covered I asked, "And the fourth plane?"
As we walked down to choir she answered, "It's still unaccounted for." The choir students couldn't settle down, so the choir director addressed us, "I know you're upset by the events today, but we do need to work. I myself have a son in the Air Force, so of course I'm worried." After that we sang our patriotic and religious songs.
As Pacifica and I entered Spanish class we saw the television on, showing what truly happened. By this time, both Twin Towers had crashed to the ground, the Pentagon had been hit, and the Pittsburgh crash had occurred. We watched in horror, the now common scenes of, the Trade Center collapse. People jumping or falling from the buildings. By lunch our group was too emotional to speak.
When I went to study hall I finished a bit of Biology homework, and sat contemplating all of those who I knew and where they were, and what would happen if we went to war. Remember, both my parents are Preventors. I'm the daughter of Zechs and Noin. I also began writing this.
In English, we changed classrooms and spent another fifty minutes watching the East Coast. I filled up over a page writing this. Kids laughed at the people crying and falling and running. I didn't.
I can't believe my last class, Individuals and Families. They completely ignored it! We watched a movie about cheating. Then school was over, and the real shocks set in. Our world was changing whether we wanted it to or not. As I walked home, alone. I was thinking about the possibilities to come. Would we come through this only scarred partially, or would we have to completely start over, would World War Three break out, and if so, how long would the human populations last against the nuclear and biological weapons that would be used?
When I got to my house, I didn't want to look at the door. I knew what I would find. The note and the key to the door, say they'd been called to action. I sat on the steps awhile thinking about who I should move in with. I knew they had left me that choice, but all my friends had relatives in the Preventors. I turned up the stairs at last, and saw the dreaded note. Will we make it through this without more damage than they give us?
I know, it's sort of odd. I'd like your thoughts on the days events though. So please, write them in the review. Maybe I'll add to this if something else happens, but I let this stand as a tribute for all those who died on September 11, 2001, to those who are in the military, and those whose entire family is in the military.
Thank you.
Pretty Flowers For The Fox by jadestarboo
Source: Naruto | Rating: K | Posted: 5-11-2005
JSB: I feel SSSOOO EXCITED! My first Naruto is going to take progress! Let's see… the very minute I'm typing my VERY FIRST Naruto fic is… Tuesday May 10, 2005, at 10:19 PM! EEEEEKKKKKKK! And I only knew this manga for four days! And I'm love'n it! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SASUNARU! I'm SUCH A TERRIBLE WRITER! YYYYEEEEAAAAHHHHHH!
Darth Vader: Hmph! You have absolutely no evil dark side in you.
JSB: O.O H-HOW DARE YOU! I HAVE AN INSANE EVIL NINE-TAILED SQUIRREL IN ME! BWHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Darth Vader: sweatdrops whatever!
Sasuke: Here is the Disclaimer: This lame girls own nothing of Naruto… it does not belong to her…
Naruto: HEY SASUKEEEEEEEE! SPELL I CUP! AND SAY PRETTY COLORS!
Sasuke:…
JSB:…
Darth Vader: Bring the clone troopers in. And make some fries and a cheeseburger with that! Oh! No! I change my mind! I. WANT. A… HAPPY MEAL!
Pretty Flowers for the Fox
By: JadeStarBoo
The rain pounded and tapped gently against the window. A dark shadowy figure stood in front of the window with his head drooping with a sleepy nod. "Sasuke! Don't fall asleep while standing again!" A voice hissed over a vacuum cleaner. Sasuke grunted and slowly raised his head and scoffed at the maid, "Ahh… ahem… well… you. No, yeah no, you. You, can go home now…" Sasuke waved a hand. The maid turned the vacuum off and walked over to him shaking her head. Sasuke sighed and turned to face her frowning. "Master… er… Sasuke, are you going to visit him?" She whispered. Sasuke gave her a confused look, "Fosis, what did you say?" Fosis cleared her throat, "Sir, are you going to see him? I-It is September 11." Sasuke's heart pounded against his chest. How could he forget! Stupid Sasuke! Stupid, stupid, stupidstupidstupid! Fosis smiled gently, "I'll get your coat sir." Sasuke nodded and quickly ran to the door shoving his foot in his sneakers. The young maid ran to him helping him out on the raincoat and shoved him out the door, "GOODBYE SIR!" Sasuke nodded and ran off to his Mercedes. Fosis sighed as she watched the car drove off. She couldn't believe him for forgeting such an important date! Such a man!
"Don't worry Sasu!" A blonde boy placed the bishop forward and captured Sasuke's king. Sasuke chuckled and looked up at the young boy, "Naruto… I… just… yeah… well, you know, forgot. But can you believe it? I FORGOT! AHHH! I'm SUCH A Baka! Bakabakabakabaka!" Naruto laughed. "Noooo! I am!" The two laughed and chatted until Naruto fell asleep against the pillows. Sasuke smiled and tucked Naruto in. He was in the hospital… for one whole year… Naruto must have suffered… because of
THAT DAY. Naruto snuggled with the covers and sighed happily. The dark-haired teen stared at the sleeping boy admiring every move that he made. Because of that day… September 11, 2001… Sasuke looked at the calendar, the dark pages blended in with the dark room. Today is September 11, 2002. He heaved in a sigh. The day that changed his life. The day that change New York.
AN: Hmmm… that is terrible! BLEAH! I might discontinue this one… but… only depends… I guess… well, R&R
How I Saved Your Life and Made it Mine by Kureru Elric
Source: Naruto | Rating: M | Posted: 11-5-2010
DISCLAIMER- I don't own Naruto. If I did, I dare say, I could rule the world!1
WARNING- contains scenes of graphical violence, blood, intense action scenes. Rated M for all these things plus possible yaoi.
Dedicated to all those who died and those who suffered losses on September 11 th , 2001.
Naruto sighed. It was just another boring day at his cubicle on the 20th floor of the World Trade Center, North building. He had gone over the location so many times in his head since he started there two weeks ago. He leaned back in his chair, ignoring the pile of files on his desk he had to go through. 'Only a few more hours and I'll see Sasuke again.' he thought with a smile. 'It's finally our one-month anniversary!'
Truth be told, Naruto had already gotten Sasuke's gift two weeks in advance. He had seen his boyfriend looking at it in a story window and thought that would be the perfect thing. The only thing standing in between him and a great night: the stack of paperwork staring him in the face.
"Might as well get started." he said. Naruto scooted closer to his desk and began to work, not noticing the two airplanes circling the two buildings from a distance.
Sasuke wandered down the road about three blocks away from Naruto's workplace. He was debating, still, whether he should get his dobe a gift card to his favorite restaurant or the photo frame with the foxes on it. It wasn't like him to put things off until the last minute, but his mind had been preoccupied with his own job as a police man. He had convinced his boss Shikamaru to give him a few days off of work to celebrate, but that doesn't mean that Shikamaru went easy on him with paperwork. He had to bring his work home with him for the first time in a year.
Sasuke's head snapped up when he heard the sound of an airplane flying over his head. He looked up, surprised. There were two of them. They weren't big planes, 727's maybe. But what surprised Sasuke and made him look harder was the fact that they were so low to the ground, just barely over the height of the buildings where Naruto worked. There wasn't an airport in the immediate area, so Sasuke just guessed that they were waiting for clearance to land. He kept walking.
The roar of the planes echoed in his ears. Something was up. 'I just can't put my finger on it,' he thought.
It was a few seconds later when Sasuke looked back, realizing that it wasn't just his imagination that the planes where getting louder. They flew over his head and towards the World Trade Center. Sasuke watched in pure terror as they crashed into the buildings.
Naruto sat back in his leather swivel chair and sighed. He was halfway done with a few hours left. "I need a break," he said aloud. "Maybe I'll go down to the 15th floor and try out that new café! Now there's an idea!" He got up and left his desk, passing by some large windows on his way to the stairs.
"That's funny." he said. Two airplanes were flying around by the towers, and they were both dangerously close to the ground. "The airport isn't near here, is it? So why are there planes here?" He winced as the roar of the engines reached his ears. "Geez, why are there airplanes here?"
"Something wrong, Naruto-kun?" a female voice asked.
Naruto turned to see TenTen, one of his best friends in the workplace. "Oh, hi TenTen! Nothing, really, I was just wondering why these planes are so low to the ground."
TenTen's eyes filled with confusion, but that cleared as she saw the two planes fly past again. "That's weird," she said. "I've never seen anything like this before."
"Me neither." Naruto changed the subject. "I was just going down to the café on the 15th floor. Wanna come?"
"Sure!" she smiled.
The two of them walked down the stairs, conversing about the usual things. It wasn't until they passed a window on the 16th floor stairway. Naruto and TenTen stared out the window at the airplanes.
"Is it just me," TenTen said, "or are the planes getting closer to the towers?"
"I think they are." Naruto responded. He meant to say it in his usual voice, but it came out more as a whisper. They stared out the window for a while longer. Naruto closed his eyes for a few seconds, his stomach feeling queasy. 'Why do I feel like something bad is going to happen?' he thought.
"Naruto?" TenTen said slowly. "I think we need to get out of here."
Naruto's eyes opened again. The airplane was so much closer. "They're gonna hit the towers!" he said. "No time to run! Hide somewhere!"
He grabbed TenTen's wrist, pulled her into the main work area of the 16th floor and shoved her under a desk. He had just gotten under it himself when the planes hit the towers.
Naruto POV
The noise in my ears was so loud I thought my ear drums were going to burst. There was a strange combination of a roar, a crash, and an explosion. I was vaguely aware of TenTen screaming beside me. I clutched her hand with one of mine and used the other to cover my neck. She did the same.
I dared to open my eyes for a second. There were papers and office supplies scattered on the floor. I looked closer and saw that they were scattered among bits of broken desks, chairs, and cubicle walls. I couldn't believe it. I didn't think that something could ever happen here. Not this!
I squeezed TenTen's hand harder in an effort to comfort her. She scooted closer to me and I wrapped my arm around her. I noticed that there were a few cuts on her arm that were bleeding somewhat badly. There were some on both of mine too. Funny, I didn't notice.
"TenTen." I said loudly. "We need to get out of here! It's not safe!"
"I agree!" She yelled back.
The two of us stood up slowly in case there was something else there. We surveyed the area. It was so weird to see this. Debris on the ground, small fires with thick black smoke rising from them, and the bodies of a few people I didn't know who were covered in blood. I didn't need to walk over to them to know that they were dead. Wow, we were lucky to be alive!
The two of us stumbled around the wreckage to the stairway. I forced the door open. The light had gone out but the stairs were still intact. I walked carefully to the handrail and peered upwards. I gasped. The entire stairwell above us was completely destroyed. Walls were caved in and there were large fires among the debris.
I turned back to TenTen. I just noticed now that her hair had come out of the two buns that were usually on the sides of her head. She looked cute with her hair down, but this wasn't the time to be thinking about that! We could've just died!
"Let's just go!" she yelled. She grabbed at my wrist and pulled me down the stairs to the main floor. There was a rumbling above us that kept getting louder. I knew what was going to happen before it did, and I pushed TenTen out of the way. The ceiling collapsed a bit near me. I yelled out at the feeling of the heavy sheetrock hitting my body. It was so heavy I was forced to the ground, lying on my stomach.
"Naruto!"
"TenTen just go! G-get help!" I coughed and felt a wet substance enter my mouth. I spit the blood out onto the rubble. Shit. I know I'm screwed now. I can't move either of my legs and my arms were sore to no end. "S-Sasuke…" I mumbled before laying my head down on the ground.
Sasuke POV
Shit! No no no no no no no! That did NOT just happen! The airplanes had crashed into the buildings where my dobe worked. "Naruto!" I screamed, running towards the towers.
I arrived in seconds. The sight in front of me was just pure chaos. The tops of the towers were completely gone, only to be replaced with large fires and thick black smoke. There was rubble and other debris all over the ground. There were people stumbling out of the buildings and fire trucks and ambulances pulling up.
I didn't know where to begin. There were search-and-rescue teams running into the World Trade Center buildings and other groups walking out with survivors. I waited for a few minutes but there was no sign of Naruto anywhere. I was oblivious to everything around me until I heard someone call my name.
"Sasuke!"
I looked up. TenTen was running out of the entrance to Naruto's building. I knew that she was a good friend of Naruto's and they worked together on a lot of projects. Her hair was completely down and there were cuts on her arms and left leg, but she was in one piece.
"TenTen are you alright?" I said as she ran up to me and grabbed my sleeve.
"I'll be fine." She panted. "But Naruto's still in there!"
"Where?" I demanded.
"The ceiling… it collapsed. Naruto pushed me out of the way and he's under the rubble now!"
I left her in the care of some doctors from the ambulances and rushed towards the burning and exploding buildings. Lucky for me I always carried my police badge with me, 'cause I was almost stopped. I flashed the gold badge at the man and continued towards the building
The inside was just as bad, if not worse, as the outside. Broken pieces of the ceiling were all over the floor and there were bodies that were buried under stuff. I searched around and finally found my dobe under some large slabs of sheetrock and metal beams. His bright blonde hair had lost some of its light and he was covered in blood. There was also blood on the sheetrock by his head.
"Naruto!" I yelled. I ran towards him and he twitched a bit when I knelt down beside him. I carefully turned his head so I could see his face and he moaned. His face was covered in cuts and bruises. "Naruto," I said quieter. "Can you hear me?"
His eyes opened a little bit and then closed again. He mumbled something I didn't quite catch, and then was still.
Naruto POV
God this was the most pain I had ever been in, in my entire life. I had already lost all feeling in my body from my waist down, and I was starting to lose feeling in my arms as well. They were tingling and it hurt a lot. I could hear explosions above me somewhere, but my mind was slowly going blank.
I struggled to breathe, but it hurt. I definitely broke a couple of ribs. I couldn't move at all. Was this really how I was going to die? Half-buried under piles of sheetrock from a building that was slowly crumbling around me. And what was worse, the thing that was so bad that it made my heart clench in fear, I wouldn't get the chance to see Sasuke again.
I vaguely heard someone calling my name. But I could feel myself passing out and I couldn't hear very well. I felt the presence of someone as they knelt down beside me. They placed their hand lightly on my head and I moaned as they twisted my hand to face them. The hands were cool but at the same time comforting. "Naruto," I heard a man's voice say. "Can you hear me?"
I used what little energy I had left to open my eyes a slit. My vision was blurry, but I could still make out the raven black hair and the shocked and concerned expression on a pale face.
"Sa. Su. Ke." I tried, but it came out as a whisper, or maybe even a mumble. Whatever it was, Sasuke was there. I smiled a bit and closed my eyes, blacking out from this world.
Sasuke POV
Oh God no! Not Naruto! God can't be cruel enough to take him from me right now! "Dobe stay awake! Don't fall asleep!" I yelled, but I doubt he heard me.
I struggled desperately to move the heavy sheetrock of his body. I cut up my own arm in the process, but I managed to shove enough of the ceiling off his body to drag him out. I carefully patted his body, looking for more injuries. He had defiantly broken a rib or two, and there was something wrong with both of his legs. Careful not to disturb him, I picked him up bridal style and carried him out of the destroyed building.
TenTen ran up to us the moment I got out there. I could tell she was just as worried as me. "The last ambulance just left," she said sadly. "They won't send anymore for a while because the hospitals are getting full."
"We need to get him treated now!" I insisted.
She paced back and forth for a second. "I know!" she said at last. "There's a small clinic that a friend of mine runs that'll treat major injuries if you pay them high enough. We can go there!"
"Lead the way."
~Time skip *skips around*~
We arrived at the clinic. The sign on the front said Hokage, and the woman at the counter inside was Shizune, who was running the place while the real doctor Tsunade was out drinking. She immediately agreed to help Naruto and brought us into a back room with a lot of medical equipment.
"Set him down there!" she said urgently, gesturing to a bed. I layed Naruto's bloody body down onto it. Shizune stuck a few tubes into his body that began to pump blood and other medicines into him. "You need to leave," she said.
"We're not going anywhere!" TenTen said.
"Then at least leave the room. You don't need to see this."
She ushered us from the room and left us to sit on some chairs. We waited for a few minutes, not hearing anything. I finally gave in and asked, "Why can't we hear anything?"
"The walls and door," TenTen responded. "They're sound-proof. Tsunade and Shizune built this place with the families in mind. They didn't want them to get worried if they heard the patient screaming or something."
We were silent for another minute.
"Were you in the area when the planes hit?" she asked me.
I hesitated, remembering the sight he had witnessed. "Yeah, I was about 4 blocks away. I saw the planes crash."
"Are you sure they crashed? It seemed fishy to me."
"Yeah, if you ask me, the two planed deliberately ran into the buildings. They were circling the World Trade Center for sometime before actually ramming into them."
"Terrorists, do you think?"
"It's possible."
TenTen shivered at the thought of the planes being hijacked. "If they were hijacked, wouldn't that mean that there were people on them too? What happened to them?"
"They're dead," I said simply and bluntly. "If the planes were hijacked, then the terrorists either killed everyone onboard the moment they took control, or they kept them alive and killed them when they crashed. The planes exploded upon impact."
TenTen gasped. "So it was a suicide mission then! There would've been no way the terrorist people survived."
"Perhaps."
We waited. My thoughts lingered back to Naruto. He had always complained to me that luck was never on his side. I'm sure somewhere at his house there's a bracelet or something that says "Karma's a bitch" on it. It just had to be today that he had to work and I didn't. He would've been let off for the rest of that day and the next two days after if the day had carried on like normal.
But now I was sitting in the waiting room for a small clinic while my dobe was inside the room most likely being operated on. And I was sitting here doing nothing. I felt so useless. 'Oh, Naruto, forgive me.' I thought.
The minutes passed by into hours. TenTen had run home in that time and changed into something cleaner. She also had taken the bandages off her arms. There were scars, but they were healing well. Her hair was back up in its usual style.
"How's it going in there?" she asked me. I just shook my head. I didn't know. Shizune hadn't come out yet.
The door opened and Shizune walked out. I spoke too soon.
"Naruto will live." she reported. "But he'll be in a wheelchair for a while. Both of his tibias were crushed in the impact. He also had a few broken ribs, muscle tears in his stomach, and a broken arm. He's also cut up really bad on his arms, face, and neck. He's asleep, but you can go in and see him now."
TenTen and I rushed into the room. Nothing could've prepared me for the sight in front of us. Even TenTen gasped at the sight of her co-worker. Naruto's face, neck, and left arm were covered in bandages and wrappings. I could guess that there were more on his abdomen, but that was covered by a blanket. His right arm was in a cast as well as both of his legs. I couldn't see them, but the large lumps under the blanket gave it away. There was a breathing device covering his mouth, and multiple other cords sticking out of his body.
TenTen brushed her hand over the cast on his arm. Her head bent over and her bangs covered her eyes, but I could tell she was crying. "I-it's all my f-fault!" she sobbed. "He was pushing me out of the way! That should be me there!" She sobbed even harder.
Instinct took over and I rubbed my hand up and down her back, pulling her close to me. Hey, I may be attracted to Naruto but I've loved TenTen like a sister from the moment Naruto introduced her to me. "There there," I whispered. "Crying won't do any good now. Naruto did what he did to save you, and I'm sure he doesn't regret it."
She cried for another minute until I felt her breathing become steady. She had fallen asleep in my arms. Laughing to myself, I set her down on a bed next to Naruto and covered her. I myself then pulled up a chair besides Naruto's bed.
I took his hand in mine and squeezed it gently. "Wake up soon dobe. I love you." I rested my head down next to his hand and fell asleep.
Naruto POV
Was I dead? I really didn't know. It sure hurt enough to be dead, or at least dying. Yet something told me that death hadn't claimed me yet. I was lying down on something. Something warm. My entire body was warm. Huh… guess that must mean I lived.
I didn't want to open my eyes, but the slight pressure on my left had seemed familiar in a way. I slowly opened one eye at a time and was hit with a dim light in a small room. Well, that makes it official; I have no clue where the hell I am.
I turned my head to my left and I saw a head of familiar black hair. Sasuke, but how? He had my hand gripped in his, and I could tell that he was asleep. Which reminded me, what time was it?
"… suke." Oh God! Even speaking hurt! What happened to me? "… suke, wake… up…"
Sasuke moaned a bit and raised his head. His eyes found mine and he immediately snapped them completely open. "Oh Naruto!" he exclaimed. Rather loudly, I might add. Well, it was loud enough that my head began to throb. Seeing my pain, Sasuke reached out and rubbed my hair. "Sorry," he said, quieter. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"S'okay…" I slurred. "… you… here… when and… how?"
I listened quietly as Sasuke told me about what had happened. It seemed different coming from him. Not like the pure terror I had felt when I was running away.
"You've been asleep for at least 9 hours. TenTen fell asleep about 8 hours ago."
By this time I had gotten a bit of my strength back, or at least enough to exclaim "TenTen! Where is she? Is she okay?"
"Shh." Sasuke ran his fingers through my hair. "She's on the bed right next to you, but she's still asleep."
I winced as I tried to move my right arm. "That hurts! What happened to me?"
Sasuke POV
I couldn't help but hesitate. It was kind of a vague question. "Well, to put it in simple terms, you were crushed under a few hundred pounds of sheetrock and metal I-beams from a collapsing building. In terms of actual injuries, you have a few broken ribs, multiple scars and cuts all over your body, torn muscles in your abdomen, a broken arm, and both of your legs were crushed."
"And the World Trade Center? What happened to it?"
"I don't know right now. It was pretty bad when TenTen and I left with you. It's probably all over the news though." I reached for the remote and flipped to the local news channel.
"Reports are still flooding in on the tragedy of the World Trade Center." The woman on the screen said. "The death toll is still rising after nine hours, but it is estimated that 2,000 have died already. Bodies are still turning up, and it is no question that the number will rise by another 500 within the hour. It has been determined, however, that it was a terrorist attack. Two 727's were hijacked by a group known as al-Qaeda, and an estimated 19 people were involved. It is also estimated that all 19 are dead."
"Looks like my suspicions were right."
We tore our eyes away from the screen to see TenTen sitting up from her bed. "TenTen!" Naruto said. "Your alright!"
"Naruto!" She bolted off the bed and threw her arms around him. I could see him wince under her touch. "Sorry, I forgot your ribs are broken."
"It's alright." he said. "How about you?"
"Oh!" TenTen brushed her bangs back and rubbed her scared arms. "Just a few scratches. I'll be okay."
Naruto looked close to tears. "You got hurt because of me." he whimpered.
"NO!" TenTen and I said at the same time, making Naruto flinch. "None of this is your fault!" I said.
"You did what you had to do to protect me. I wanted to say thanks!" she insisted.
I wrapped my arm around him. "You're a hero Naruto. You saved her life."
He didn't say anything at first. But soon he nodded.
TenTen examined her watch. "I'd better get home. Neji will be home and wondering what's happened to me." Neji had been her boyfriend for the past 5 months, and despite being a bit overprotective, he was a great guy who really loved TenTen. He worked part-time in autopsy at the city morgue, and was associated with my line of work so we knew each other pretty well.
"Tell him I say hi," Naruto said.
TenTen gave him one final hug before leaving, leaving me alone with him. It wasn't until she had left the building that Naruto broke down and cried.
Naruto POV
I broke down. I just couldn't hold it anymore! Seeing myself in the hospital bed, hooked up to all the machines, Sasuke's worried face, the stuff on the news, and TenTen's scarred arms was just too much for me to handle. Tears streamed down my face and soaked into the bandages, but I didn't try to stop them.
Sasuke gently rubbed my head like he usually did to calm me down. "There there…" he said softly. "Cry all you want, it's nothing to be ashamed of."
"I was so scared!" I said. "I didn't know what to do! Hell, I watched the airplanes fly closer and closer to the building!"
"Shhh," he said. "There was nothing you could've done to stop it. You did the right thing, protecting TenTen like that. You are a true hero, Naruto. And what matters now is your recovery." His hand left my hair and went to my cheek, caressing the small patch of visible skin there before kissing me softly. "Good night, Naruto. I love you."
"G'night Sasuke…" I whispered, and I let sleep overcome me. I knew now what Sasuke meant when he said I was a hero. Part of me wished I could've saved more lives, but I was satisfied with what I did, and it was that thought, combined with my thoughts of Sasuke and his words of "I love you", that let me fall asleep with a smile on my face.
Rushed ending, but I like how it turned out. R&R please!
Memorandum Est by Kayoshi
Source: Naruto | Rating: T | Posted: 9-12-2012
I do not own Naruto or any of its associated names, brands, etc. I also do not own any of the poetry referenced in this work.
This is in commemoration of the events of September 11th 2001, 11 years to the day from when this was posted.
In Memorandum
September 11th 2001
Lieutenant Colonel Naruto Namikaze watched in shock as he saw the plane crash into the North Tower.
"ALRIGHT PEOPLE, I WANT ALL TEAMS READY TO DEPLOY, WE'RE NOT WAITING FOR ORDERS ANYMORE. I WANT CHOPPERS THERE HELPING FIVE MINUTES AGO," he yelled out to the PJs waiting for the order. He knew several of them were crying as they watched, but he couldn't stop himself from feeling proud as not a single one questioned his commands. They all knew that the possibility of action without receiving orders, particularly for a group as highly trained as they were, would land them in Military Court for disorderly conduct was very real. But this was what they were meant to do; it was why every single one of them had signed up. The American people needed them. They were calling out for help and just like the oath they all took, they'd heed the call. That others may live.
Naruto nodded to his 2IC, Master Sargeant Timothy 'Timmy' Clark. The Sargeant put on his gear and climbed onto the side of their Blackhawk helicopter. The chopper ride was one of the most difficult things Naruto had had to bear in his whole life, and as they were reaching the northern coast of New Jersey, they all got to see the explosion of the second tower.
"FALL INTO FORMATION, WE START FROM THE TOP DOWN. LET THE CIVVIES TAKE CARE OF THE LOWER FLOORS. NOW I CAN'T PROMISE ANY OF YOU A RIDE BACK, BUT TODAY YOUR COUNTRY HAS ASKED YOU TO FULFILL THE OATH WE ALL TOOK WHEN WE SIGNED UP FOR THIS. REMEMBER THE OATH BOYS, IT IS MY DUTY AS A PARARESCUEMAN TO SAVE LIVES AND AID THE INJURED. I WILL BE PREPARED AT ALL TIMES TO PERFORM MY ASSIGNED DUTIES QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY, PLACING THESE DUTIES BEFORE PERSONAL DESIRES AND COMFORTS. THESE THINGS I DO, SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE."
He smiled as all 62 PJs with him repeated, "SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE."
When they were able to see the streets near the World Trade Center most of them broke out in tears, not just because of the situation, but because out on the streets… people were cheering for them. Several Fire Engines honked their horns as they passed by, their sirens turning on. The sixteen helicopters proceeded in a neat line until they were able to surround the building where they started to use any foothold they could get to jump onto the floors above where the planes had it.
Naruto took out his radio and clicked it, "All police personnel this is Lieutenant Colonel Naruto Namikaze, my command and I are here to help. We'll be going through the upper floors as best we can. Inform us if you know of anyone that is stuck in a high risk area so that we can get out people we know are there and lessen the amount of time we might have to spend searching. Also, if you can make contact with anyone inside please instruct them to head to the south west corner
CNN News:
" Twelve minutes after the second plane hit, everyone in New York was greeted by a sight for sore eyes as sixteen Air Force Pararescue Jumper Teams, or PJs, appeared on the horizon. The sixteen teams, temporarily based out of McGuire, are led by Lieutenant Colonel Namikaze who took out several of his team's parachutes and using a grapple was able to get them into the hands of civilians stuck on the higher floors. Colonel Namikaze and his teams have gone in several dozen times to those floors which Firemen cannot access or have deemed too unstable for rescue. I would like to ask the American public, to please say a small prayer to these brave men and women, whom today have responded above and beyond the call of duty. They along with the firefighters, the police, and the normal citizens who have joined together to help in this difficult time deserve a moment of thanks. So if you see a firefighter who needs a glass of water, or a policeman that needs a towelcloth to dry off, We ask that you give it to them, these brave men and women are laying down their lives to save as many people as they can.
COLONEL! WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THIS FLOOR, IT'S NOT GOING TO HOLD!" yelled Mendez, and Naruto nodded.
"You head out, I'm going to make a final sweep through and then I'll go and join you," responded Naruto, and Mendez looked conflicted before he turned around and grabbed Naruto, pushing him out the window… just as the floor collapsed on top of him. Naruto cursed as he pulled his parachute pin, falling to the ground softly.
"Sir!" yelled out a policewoman and he turned to face her, "We're still trying to get survivors out, but the press wants to know if you'd give the public a basic statement and maybe few encouraging words. I know that it's not supposed to be done sir, but to be honest… this whole situation's fucked up, and a lot of these people could use someone to look up to. When we saw those choppers in the air… hell the only reason the fighters and us didn't break out cheering with the civvies is that we had work to do,"
"I'm not normally one for statements uhm…" he paused as he looked for her tag.
"Sergeant Richards sir, I was off duty when they called to ask that we all report here. I'm sorry sir, but most of these guys; well they don't know what they're doing but they're just trying to help. They need someone to tell them that we can get through this, that we've got people fighting for us too," said the young policewoman with a great deal of conviction.
Naruto looked at her for a moment before giving a small sigh and nodding, "Alright, take me to where I need to meet the press."
She led him to a small press van and Naruto saw the CNN representative rushing up to him.
CNN News:
" Colonel Namikaze, many people are looking to your men and yourself to lead them. Is there something you would like to say to the American Public?"
Naruto nodded and said, "More than five hundred people have come here from all around the metropolitan area to help, and above all else; these are the heroes that you should be congratulating. My men and I, we're trained for this, we see this; and to us it's our duty, our job. But these people, the brave men and women that are here to help, not because it's they're duty, but because they sincerely want to help… those are the heroes today. The firefighters, the police, Search and Rescue, and all the volunteers here helping out are the ones you should be thanking. As for everything else, well today has changed America… I don't think there's anyone on this planet that could deny that, but we'll get through this just like we always have. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, this country unified like never before and created the greatest economic and military superpower on Earth, so even though all our hearts go to those that have lost someone today… I can promise you that everyone here is doing their utmost to help those we can."
"Thank you Colonel,"
The news lady smiled at Naruto, tears softly coming down her face, but he paid them no heed as he nodded and rushed back towards the Twin Towers. He continued going into the buildings until the lower floors started to collapse and while receiving a bottle of water from a teen who was handing them out, he felt the final collapse. Grabbing the teen and putting her between the fire engine where the bottles were and protecting her from the release of any debris that might go towards them. After a few seconds he realized that it was over and collapsed to the ground utterly spent. Moving over to a police car, he sat down in it and asked for a status update from his teams. He received notice that twenty six of them had died.
A Month Later:
"Lieutenant Colonel Naruto Namikaze, please step forward," said President Bush. Naruto stood up and walked over to the president and saluted him, "For your exemplary actions on September 11, and for your dedication to your country, going far above and beyond the call of duty. After receiving a recommendation from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I hereby authorize your immediate promotion to Brigadier General. I am also proud to present you with the Air Force Cross, for acts of valor and courage far above those expected of your duties."
Naruto waited as they unpinned his eagle and pinned the single star on his uniform before saying, "Thank you Mr. President."
"We would also like it if you would give a speech to commemorate the events of one month ago," said the President, and Naruto nodded solemnly. He'd already been expecting that to be asked, but it was still difficult to hear it. Walking up to the podium he coughed softly and prepared to speak.
"On September 11th, exactly one month ago, my teams and hundreds of other civilian personnel bore witness to the most heinous attack ever made against our country. Like many others who saw the first plane hit the World Trade Center's North Tower, I immediately mobilized what help I could to the Trade Center. You've all heard me say it more than once, but the real heroes of that day, were those that helped not because of their job, or because they had to, but because they wanted to. This event will forever be marked in our memories, every person in this country, from newborns to seniors will remember this day for the rest of their lives. But some good can come out of this terrible event. For the first time in years, we stand not as a people divided: Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Man, Woman, Child, Adult, Black, White, Asian, Latino, or Caucasian… but rather, as a single people. Americans. Yes, we paid this price with blood, and that can never be forgotten, but if nothing else… don't let the deaths of those today be meaningless. On that day, we were shown that even in a time of crisis, we are one people. No one that day cared who was Black, White, Asian, Caucasian, or Latino. That day we were only one thing… Human. I'd like to say just one final thing, a small poem by William Ernest Henley: 'Out of the night that covers me. Black as the pit from pole to pole. I thank whatever gods may be, for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloody but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears, looms but the horror of the shade. And yet the menace of the years, finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul'. We can never bow our heads, we stand proud. As John Dickinson once wrote, 'Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!'."
Butterfly Fly Away by castielsweetness
Source: Hetalia | Rating: T | Posted: 9-11-2013
Author's note at the top because I'd like you to know something BEFORE you read:
First things first, I'd like to say that I mean no disrespect in case this comes out that way. It was just a little thing I thought of… So don't take offense to anything. I think this day was tragic and I'd like to acknowledge it with a fanfiction.
RIP Everyone who was silenced that day.
Butterfly Fly Away
It's okay… It's not that high up. You're not scared. You've planned this! September 11 th , 2001. An exact year after your brother… Don't you want to see him again?
Alfred peered over the side of the building-the tallest in America, or was it the world? He couldn't remember. The people on the ground looked like ants shrinking by the second until they were mere smudges in his vision. He wondered if he was one in theirs.
The wind rustled around him throwing his hair over his face in hindrance. His glasses slid down his nose a bit before it was jammed back into place by his middle finger. The breeze got stronger and pushed him backwards, though it always was strong this high up.
And in the last moments, he pushed forward with a sudden moment of determination afraid if he didn't jump now, he'd talk himself out of it. But it was significant he did it today. He had to do it today.
And so he felt as if he was flying-like dark chocolate and strawberry cream. Bittersweet and topped with something light and fluffy. He felt his stomach sink like a rock and the air sliced at his arms and legs like knives. His bomber jacket he'd always worn almost slipped off his shoulders and got lost into the clouds, but he held onto it. After all a huge splatter of red and muck on the street wouldn't be recognizable. Maybe they'd know the identity of the suicide jumper by his signature jacket.
Pain skyrocketed through his body and sent electricity through his fingertips, though it was a lot sooner than he'd anticipated-and he felt his lungs and heart beating.
What the…
He felt the wind rushing through him east now and he nearly tumbled sideways. He found himself on the top of… some type of-
CRASH
He hardly acknowledged he had landed on the top of a plane before he crashed through a glass window and found himself in a heap of scrap metal. Screams filled the humid air and fires occupied the empty space. Alfred couldn't move, nor did he want to. This is how he was to die, he just didn't understand what was happening.
Where was he? Did he reach the street on the ground already? Why were people screaming? Why could he hear them? Why could he still breathe?
People were shrieking hysterically and running amuck the room and sparks turned to flames to smoke and coughs. There were things thrown and doors were slammed. Windows were smashed and more screams surfaced.
All this from a petty suicide attempt?
There was another enormous crash and bang followed by an explosion not too far away, upping the hysteria by the millionth ton. Crying and tears were all too familiar to many in the room, but Alfred's limp body lay bruised and bloodied, filled with shards of broken glass and tainted with blood and ash. He didn't bother moving.
The hot, quickened breathing had lessened as more crashes of glass and a resounding scream that vanished had become reoccurring and Alfred assumed people had started to jump as well. He just couldn't understand… What was happening ? For months he'd planned on today to commit suicide, and now he's (barely) alive on top of some… was it a plane? Metal? While people jumped instead.
As if they were mocking him
" I can jump, you can't," they laughed.
Doors were blown and fire consumed wood and heated metal. New people entered the room now, yelling out and asking if anyone was in the room. Alfred hadn't the strength to respond, and honestly, even if he did, he didn't know if he would have.
Matthew had been killed in a car accident exactly a year ago, and Alfred felt I was only fair he joined him. They were two of the same. They were halves and without the other, where was he? He was lost.
He felt his body moving, but not to his accord. Lifted . Two fingers were pressed to his neck and wrist and more shouts were yelled, and he found himself in the arms of a stranger, bouncing up and down as the man ran down flights of stairs.
Honestly, what the heck was going on?
"He's coming to."
"His eyes are opening."
"Alfred?"
Glossy blue eyes opened lazily and focused slowly. The room was odd. White curtains, white tiles, and other people in white. White. White. There was so much white. It was the typical heaven. Where was Mattie?
"Am I finally dead?" came the dreamy question.
An airy laugh.
"No, you're in the Emergency Room."
"Everything's so white," Alfred's voice was quiet; innocent.
"You're eyes are still adjusting, sweety," a female's voice spoke softly, "give it a minute."
And she was right. As the minute hand reached over with desperate fingers, his vision started to clear up slightly. They weren't wearing white anymore, but instead a sky-blue, and the floor was a dingy beige color. The figures were still only but a shadow, however.
"My glasses," he said simply, and the others in the room understood.
With a nod of the head, the nurse rushed out of the room. Glancing around, Alfred noticed there were many other people in the room. Most being patients, and it was obvious they moved extra cots in there to fit more people. The entire hospital was crawling with more doctors and nurses than usual.
"Yours broke during the accident, so here's a new pair," the nurse returned.
Alfred reached out blindly and swatted his hand in the direction of the offering, placing the lenses messily over the bridge of his nose.
"Accident? What accident?" Confusion bubbled through Alfred's body.
"There… Was a terrorist attack. You don't remember?"
Terrorist attack?
And he asked for clarification.
Their gazes fell to the cracks in the tiles. "Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center, and another into the Pentagon. One more crashed somewhere in Pennsylvania, and a lot of people think that it was headed for the White House. You're lucky to have survived."
Lucky? Just before that he'd tried to kill himself ! There were better people-more innocent people who deserved his life.
And yet, something ran in his head… Maybe he wasn't supposed to?
Would Mattie want him to kill himself?
… He wouldn't.
The TVs in the room were flashing images of the event on replay. He watched aghast at just what he'd been in the middle of.
"You don't need to watch that," coaxed a nearby nurse. "You should just rest."
The stiff pillow was all too inviting now and he felt sleep overpowering his consciousness. Butterflies flew down his eyelashes and kissed his eyes shut, welcoming in the new dreams of a mid-day nap.
And though two towers had fallen on that day, he found the first brick of his own tower placed in drying cement in his heart.
"I'll try to be strong for you, Mattie, I know you wouldn't want me to do something like this."