A drabble for the LJ community IYfic Challenge. The theme was "Childhood."

Title: Struggle
Rating: K+
Genre: memory/general
Pairing: n/a
Word Count: 150
Summary: Some look upon childhood fondly, while others...

From the moment he burst forth from the egg sac, there was struggle. Struggle to kick free and swim, with legs not fully formed, through the viscous fluid and up to the air his lungs already screamed for. Struggle to fight his way past the masses of his siblings who hadn't made it, who hung suspended and still between him and life. Even as he broke the surface there was the struggle of the weaker ones against the strong, who crowded their nest-fellows away from food and shelter, leaving them exposed to forage and fend for themselves against predators and the elements.

And yet, he'd survived.

"Well, Jaken-sama?"

"Eh, Rin?"

Her eyes were wide and curious as she repeated her question. "What was it like when you were little, Jaken-sama?"

He scoffed as he shouldered his staff, masking an involuntary shudder, and waved a dismissive hand. "It's hardly worth mentioning."