Heroes

by not-that-deep

They were believed in, piled high with the hopes and expectations of others and themselves, but the were flesh and blood like any other. [Drabble/vignette format. Chapter and theme per character. The dramatic angst may or may not cause nausea.]

1. Tsunade

Expectation

-X-

She is curled in on herself, arms held in the space between chest and legs. Sorrow builds in her throat but she cannot cry. Her legs are numb. Her lungs itch. She doesn't smile anymore, not genuinely, but they don't worry because she is their Strength.

The air is stagnant, heavy with something they can't identify.

She likes to think it is the weight of their expectation.

Strength was never one of her more pervasive attributes and she doubts that it even makes the list. In the least, it is far below her old companions Fear and Selfishness. She cannot be strong. She can't save them. Not when standing up means falling and taking chances means risking pain.

The world knows she will succeed, but the world is known for its false assurances.

Strength is for heroes. She is not a hero.

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A/N:

I originally wrote this for Sakura but thought it fit Good Ole Godaime much, much better.

Anyways, themes are at the beginning of every chapter and the character who the theme belongs to is the chapter title. This'll be multi-chapter and in a similar style as above, average word count of each is in the 350 range. Thoughts?