A/N: Not really inspired by anything. I just felt like writing a poem for Itachi, though this turned out to be more of a Itachi-and-Sasuke brother bonding thing.
As usual: free verse. But this time I quoted directly from a fanfic... Can you tell what it is?
(P.S. I love symbolism. They are epic like that.)
Paper Boat
Your small hand fits mine,
Your smile full of delight.
There is a happy gleam in your eye.
Anticipation, for what I will show you.
In my palm lay a paper boat,
You stare at it in awe
As I set the ship gently on the still lake,
And watch—
Watch as the wind carry it
Far, far away.
For once, our identity—
"Two Uchihas"—
Is cast long behind,
Lost in your carefree laughs of a child.
We aren't the two heirs of the prominent clan,
We pretend it doesn't exist,
That I was not your greatest foe
Deep, down inside.
Still, as I watch you chase after
The still floating paper boat
(With your trousers getting wet—
Okaa-san won't be pleased),
There is a queer sensation inside my gut,
Like twisting corkscrew.
It is the feeling of impending doom,
Of back against the corner, forcing to choose,
Of enemies surrounding,
Death in a few seconds unless
The right choice is made.
I didn't bring my weapons that day,
I promised you to let go of work, and play.
Perhaps it is simply a false alarm,
But something tells me
It is the last time I will hear
Your laugh
In a very long while.
Dear brother, for I am a traitor,
To the village, to our clan.
'Those who are different are often targeted because of their skill.'
Do you understand?
The paper boat sinks
From the surface of the lake.
You reach beneath the water
To save the broken ship you loved.
Now ripping and wet, it was a pitiful sight
But you hope I can save it.
I lie the tattered paper
Between my fingers
And knew at once its hope was gone,
Doomed, the moment it sunk
Under the gentle, lapping waves.
When you pout, I shrug it off,
Tousle your hair, and
Take your hand once more for us to leave.
And although you sulk and plead,
I can only shake my head.
Staying there, by the lake, is something I hope for
But something I never can have...
It is the harsh reality of the world
That force children to grow up
Too early... too soon.
But that is the way of the ninjas,
Isn't it?
I smile, an apology,
Because I am good at that.
I poke your forehead once more.
You scowl, but not angrily.
I turn away for fear you'll see
The strange expression on my face
And ask what it wrong.
So instead,
I say,
"Forgive me, Sasuke... Again, next time."