Through an ANBU's Eyes
A retired ANBU watches Konoha's children live, laugh, and love,
and of course, cry, lie, and die. Poetry-fic.
Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
The Rock Flinger
It was the time of peace, just after the war
A boy strode the streets, scratched with mental scars
He was small, blond and his cheeks had whiskers
He passed by the people, ignoring their whispers
.
Once in a while, he'd wipe away his tears
He didn't know why, but he was their greatest fear
Their hidden insults, he didn't like it
He flung a rock at one of them, he saw it fit
.
During the time, I was just a strolling ANBU
A tinge of pity I felt – the boy didn't have a clue!
Murderers like me aren't supposed to have emotions
But my heart of stone, I had to question
.
So the rain fell upon us, everyone running back home
But the boy just stood there, stiff as a stone
After a while, he curled sourly into a roofed corner
I approached the boy, while shinobi rules I tried to remember
.
Shrugging the ways of a killing tool, I turned back to being human
The boy looked up at me, as I extended by hand
Skeptically, he stared at my face and didn't move
So I rummaged in my pocket, and gave him some food
.
He finished the ramen-flavored crackers in a blink of an eye
The boy was really hungry, and then I heaved a sigh
I stiffened up when my hand he held suddenly
I looked at his whiskered face, he was smiling slightly
.
Completely knowing that this boy's great parents were dead
"Why are you out here?" I softly demanded
"I don't want to go back there!" he strongly said
I crouched at his level, then my grip on his hand tightened
.
"Uzumaki-kun, it's safer back at the orphanage," I said
He stuck his tongue at me, then to the rain he fled
Chasing after him, I sighed at my own actions
I inwardly considered this as just another mission
.
I saw him stop in front of the Ninja Academy
Parents hugged their children, he stared with envy
He didn't move as I put my hand over his shoulder
Then he broke down silently, he wanted it to be 'all over'
.
I asked what he was talking about and then he uttered
"I want my life to end already! No one ever treats me like a brother!"
He yelled his yearnings at me, crying for parents, toys, and friends
The list of things he wanted, it seemed like it wouldn't end
.
His words faded slowly, then fell asleep on my chest
It was a long day after all, he needed his rest
I brought him to the orphanage, still fast asleep
Before I handed him, I gave him something to keep
.
Inside his shirt, I slid in a rock-flinger
Then I left him to the orphanage keeper
She asked about the object I left him with
"Just give it to him," I said, "to consider it as a gift."
.
The years sped by like his father's flash, now he's in a genin team
It amazes and flatters me, that he still kept my gift on his shoulder with him
Probably he won't recognize me, because finished are my ANBU days
But I know deep in my heart, he'll be a great Hokage someday
© crystalline'maia, 2011
