Names
Naruto
Na-ru-to
Three syllables, but, oh, so much more.
At first, I hated his name. It was loud, with a stacato rhythm. His name was warm summer sun, the feel of sea salt drying on your skin, laterns filled with glowing captured lightning bugs. Kid stuff. His name was everything that I had never had and I hated him for it.
Nah-a gasp, alomost a laugh-roo-an impatient sound, fumbling to get out-toh-a sharp surprising end.
Sa-su-ke
Three syllables like his, but, oh, so different.
My name is midnight blue silk on alabaster flesh, the whisper of steel being drawn from the wound, a lone candle in a breeze. My name is bitter, cold and lonely. My name is my life. I hate my name.
I hated him because he was everything that I had never had, always wanted. I love him because he is everything I never had, always wanted. And, as I roll onto my side and look at him as he sleeps, summer sunlight filtering in through the window, I remember how he said my name last night.
Sah-a gasp of shock-soo-a sigh of impatience-kay-a laugh, happiness.
I don't hate my name as much when he is the one who says it.