An Echo, A Stain

by Makivx

"Taken, branded and sealed at an age too young, too innocent. We were cultivated by other pawns to mirror the higher authorities' ideologies. I wonder...does such a thing as freedom exist for defects? Does freedom exist for us - the forgotten leftovers?" Surprisingly, she doesn't hesitate to answer. No stutter. No panic. She simply responds with a soft yet certain, "Yes". AU.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto(because if I did, I wouldn't be publishing this story on FanFiction). Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. Title is stolen off of a Bjork song with the same name.

An Echo, A Stain.

by

Amélie

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Chapter One: Counting Rights and Reasons.

Two eyes stare aimlessly into space baring a similar - but not exact, likeness to the white, vacant walls surrounding a dazed, little girl. Said eyes glower at the girl's left shoulder. The hallmark that stains her collarbone sticks out garishly against pallid skin, making her grimace. It has been three days. It has been a total of four thousand, three hundred and twenty minutes and the girl still hasn't cried. No, she is far too disgusted with herself to cry.

'I have no right to cry.'

She thinks as she chews at her swollen lips.

'I have no valid reason to cry'.

A total of two hundred, fifty-nine thousand six hundred and twenty-six minutes have been wasted as she wallows in self-pity. 'Stop it'.

'Stop it'.

'Stop'.

Correction: two hundred, fifty-nine thousand six hundred and twenty-nine minutes.

'It.'

Whilst closing orbs of subtle lavender, she inhales a generous amount of air before dropping on one of the scarce objects in the plain room: the bed. It's surprisingly comfortable. A sigh of fatigue escapes her as she curls onto the sheets, appearing to mimic a ball tinted with blacks, blues, and whites. Listening to the ticking clock, she counts down the seconds until the familiar sound of clicking high-heels fills the hallway.

"Three." She breathes.

"Two." She smiles.

And as the door knob twists and cries in protest, she merely opens her eyes, mouthing a silent "One."

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A/N: This is more of a sneak peek than anything. Its short, simple and isn't much of anything. However, this idea has been bugging me for far too long and I needed to start somewhere. I knew if I didn't post these 236 words today, I wouldn't have posted anything at all. So I'm starting with this. Don't worry, I will be expanding/editing this chapter soon (once I get some sleep). If everything go's according to plan, I should be able to update every month, though I make no promises. Wish me luck, eh?

- Amélie