There was nothing quite like it. The way that the sun rose over the horizon, teasing at dawn. It was hesitant – light didn't quite fill the sky in the way it did at high noon, but hues of red slowly mingled with the dark night sky until it was impossible to tell where one day ended and the other began. Shadows slowly began to form and stretched until they were intermingled.
It was peaceful.
He'd been staring out into the trees for the last few hours and the only thing that caught his attention was the occasional forest creature rustling the leaves. Nothing to be concerned about – especially in a time of peace… but there he was. Staring. With the rising of the sun came the promise of his relief, so he shifted impatiently and trained his eyes ahead. Now he understood why his colleagues had laughed when they saw his name next to Gate Watch. Sure, it was easy. And peaceful. And definitely safe. But what good was being a ninja if you weren't using your skills?
A loud sound erupted to his right, startling him out of his chair with a kunai in hand. He dropped it quickly. "Kami, you could wake up the village with that snore!" Silence. He narrowed his eyes. "Hey, we're not taking shifts here. Get up and do your job."
"His partner opened one eye and let it settle into a glare. "Would you relax? It's not like anything's going to happen. This is the easiest job there is."
"But it's still a job."
"You're a real buzzkill, y'know? It's been years since the last invasion – the only thing passing through here is that damn squirrel." He motioned his arm in the general direction and let his eye fall shut again, ignoring the sigh of irritation.
But he couldn't ignore the shrill scream that pierced the air.
Both men tensed, throwing their chairs back and immediately jumping to the front of the gates. Their kunais were at the ready, and the first man took a couple of steps forward to determine exactly what that was and where it came from, while the other quickly made a clone to alert all nearby officers. Just in case.
There was another shout, this time distinctly male, although he wasn't yelling anything in particular. It was then that the group came into view: A man, a woman...
And a child.
The two guards immediately ran towards them. They called out for identification as they approached, but before they could get there the man fell to the ground and the child tumbled off his back and landed hard on the grass. "Who are you? What's your business with Konoha? Why –" The man quickly stopped his questioning when his eyes fell on the woman who kneeled down next to her husband. She felt his pulse with her fingers and her eyes began to well up with tears, turning to the two guards with a pleading look on her face. Her feet were bare, bloody, and marred with scars as though she had been walking through the forest for days. Her clothes were hanging on by a thread and her hair was matted in such a way it was certain she'd have to cut it. But the ninja had seen refugees before. That wasn't what made him stop short and gasp.
It was the scars on her head, the ones that replaced her ears and kept her from hearing him. The same scars that her husband had. Raised, but not bloody. Light, but not invisible. As though the years, try as they might, couldn't erase them. The two men looked at each other as more soldiers came from the village, each stopping short upon seeing the scene. The sun had risen enough for day to break, but the ninja had long forgotten his relief from what was supposed to be a boring job. He was the first to come to his senses.
"Well – what are you all waiting for? Get them inside!"