Listen to Plasticene by Placebo while reading if you please.

Burn

***

One day, I wanted a cigarette.

I had never smoked before, but the craving hit me like I had a ten-year addiction.

So I decided, fuck it.

Yeah, smoking's bad for you, I've heard it since I was 10. But, hey, I'm a medic nin. I can heal my goddamn lungs if I need to.

So I went and bought a pack of cigs. Chosen at random. Ish. No not that brand, those smell disgusting. Ugh, those have a boring box. My ex used to smoke those. Ooh, that box is fancy. I picked up a lighter and headed out.

I love sitting on top of the Hokage Monument and looking out over Konoha. There's some sort of beauty or peace or something in it. I don't know. It just feels right.

It felt even more right with a cigarette in my hand.

–

One evening, Shikamaru came up behind me. He asked if he could bum one, and when I pulled out the pack, he started laughing, and then his laughing turned into crying.

I felt awkward as hell, so I just kept looking at the city. The sun was setting. Glow, baby, glow, you great ball of fire.

He took one last drag, and thanked me. Pause for a moment. In an offhand way, he informed me that it was Asuma's brand. You know, the cig I gave him. I shrugged. Cool story, bro.

–

One night, I wondered what would happen if I jumped off the edge.

I stood up and walked to the edge. It was a long way down.

How ironic, the same day Sasuke comes back, I leave. For good. No getting me back, no sir.

I almost did. But then I lit another cigarette.

–

One morning, it was the day after my birthday. Ino had taken me out, and we had gotten trashed. I still hadn't gone home.

I didn't know where my shoes were. Shame, too, they were fuckin sexy.

Somehow, I hadn't lost my smokes, my camera, my money. Kind of hilarious, since I lost something that was strapped onto me, but I kept track of the important stuff.

I looked at the sunrise. A sunset in reverse. Or is it the other way around?

–

One afternoon, I wanted to see this city on fire.

I don't hate Konoha. Or it's people.

But sometimes, we need a disaster. And then we can build from the bottom up.

Sometimes humanity needs a reset button. We get all caught up in this shit, revenge, honor, pride, greed, whatever, and maybe that's not what it's all about.

Will I be the one to start this revolution?

Nah, I think I'm just going to wax philosophical and smoke this last cigarette.