Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.
So the rhyme goes.
But silent glares and shouts of hate do hurt. Maybe even more than the beatings and abuse.
The young boy sat alone, studying a scroll. A trusted person told him to do this.
A man frantically searches for the boy. Thoughts of betrayal harden his heart.
The seeker finds the boy. His gaze is frozen in 'that look'.
The boy is confused to see his precious person looking at him like the others always do. Like he's a monster.
A new voice breaks the silence. A mix of lies and truths spill from greasy lips.
The boy looks to his precious person in silent pleading. 'Please tell me it's not true!'
But his hope is ripped up like a weed. "It's true."
Streams of wetness run down the boy's face. "Sensei!" "Don't call me that… monster."
His heart breaks. His mind shatters.
A wicked energy begins to consume the red-eyed boy.
The damp sewer doesn't bother the boy. Neither does the massive nine-tailed fox behind a cage.
A trembling hand reaches for a slip of paper. 'Seal'
A man, his energy within the seal, weeps silently for the boy.
He can't bring himself to stop his broken son.
The paper rips as a deep voice laughs with delight. Laughs to cover its own heart breaking.
The roar that shook the village once before, echoes out into the silent night.
Rage incarnate goes hunting. The world burns in its wake.
Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.
But prophesy's… can be broken.