The moon stood high in the black sky, illuminating his form as he ran through the streets. The stench of blood rises to the sky, clinging to his body. The horrified, terrifying screams that would haunt him for the rest of his life still ring in his ears.
No matter how hard he wants to stop, he knows he can't. No matter how hard they plead and beg, he knows that no one can be spared. As much as it pains him, he knows it is what he must do. For the sake of the village. At least, that's what the Hokage had said. He tries to come up with some excuses to try to justify this so he doesn't feel so guilty.
It's not working.
Quickly, silently, he steals into a small house. Just as quietly, he does his job. They were asleep so there was no resistance or sound. He turns to head outside and continue on when he hears a sound that makes him stop.
A voice. Quiet and bell-like, soothing to the heart. Barely a whisper, but it is enough to stop him in his tracks.
"Ichi?"
He looks over his shoulder, seeing a dark haired little girl toddling into the room. She yawns and rubs her eyes sleepily. His heart leaps into his throat as he turns to face the little girl.
As soon as she recognizes him, her eyes grow wide. He half expects her to start screaming or to burst into tears. A high-pitched laugh escapes her throat as she runs towards him, a wide smile stretching across her face. He realizes she has no idea what has happened. In front of her, she doesn't see a traitor or murderer, but her beloved cousin Ichi. Back when she was learning to talk, she could not figure out how to pronounce his full name. Instead, she just called him "Ichi".
She runs towards him with the energy and innocence only a child can possess. He swiftly steps back and avoids her embrace. She drops her arms, tears welling in her big black eyes and looks up at him, confused. "..Ichi?"
He looks away, unable to meet her large, deer-like eyes. He grips his sword tighter in his hand, knowing that he has to do this, knowing that he won't be able to. He lifts his sword, his arms shaking. Suddenly, he feels something up against his leg. Looking down, he sees her, arms encircling one of his legs, her eyes and mouth smiling up at him.
"Ichi need hug," she says, rubbing her face into his leg.
He reaches down and gently strokes her silky black hair with his fingertips. She lets go of him and skips around him in a circle, singing some nonsensical song she had been taught at school. He covers his ears with his hands, unable to listen anymore. He knows he has spent too much time in that one house. He must wrap things up here quickly in order to finish the job.
Suddenly, she stops singing, rubbing her eyes with her tiny fist and yawning widely. Her energy now depleted, her sleepiness now takes over. He looks into her eyes, Sharingan flashing and she slumps to the ground.
He scoops her up in his arms. She shifts against him. "I love Ichi," she whispers, nuzzling into his chest.
Choking back any emotion, he carries her still body into the bedroom, situating her between her dead parents. She whimpers softly as he lets go of her.
Why her? Why did she have to wake up then? Why did she have to recognize him?
He holds his sword over her body.
Why him? Why did the Hokage give him this mission? Why not someone else? Why give it at all?
Silently, he lifts up a prayer, asking for her forgiveness.
Damn Hokage. Damn mission. Damn village.
He looks at her sleeping face, a tear escaping his eye.
Why?
He drops the sword.
The scent of fresh blood fills the air again. He closes his eyes, wipes away the tears along with any other emotion he had been feeling. Then he turns and runs into the street, off to find his next victims
