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