Genta trails his hand over the warm metal of his mothers ring. The boss comes into the room and smirks. "I have a job for you, boy." He informs him.
Genta turns his face to the man, but doesn't move his hand from the ring. He hates the man in front of him, and the lifeless piece of metal is his only comfort.
"Your mission is to infiltrate Konoha and assassinate the Hokage. Then you are to kill as many of the Uchiha clan members as you can. Do you understand?" Orders the boss unsympathetically.
What should it matter that Genta is only eight years old, and has to go up against a kage? The boss doesn't care. Genta knows this. He knows he's a pawn. He nods. "I understand." He whispers.
"Get yourself in and out quickly. If you do this I might just tell you what I know about your pathetic excuse for a family." Purrs the man in Genta's ear. That's what keeps Genta moving forward. The boss offers to give him the information on his family in return for his obedience.
Genta looks down at the ring, clenched tightly in his hand. "Alright." He whispers. He will do it. For his family, he would do anything.
The boss smirks as he turns and walks away from the boy. He was so surprised when he found out his precious captive was pregnant, but now everything is working even better than he had planned. With the boy doing all the dirty work for any information about his family, there's no way anything can be traced back to himself if the kid fails.
Genta walks through the gates and into Konoha, surprised by the sheer size of the gates alone. There are shinobi everywhere! So cool! Is this what a true ninja village looks like? Do the others look the same? Do shinobi have to wear the headband? He doesn't have one, so is he not a shinobi? He's been training so hard too...
A man with silver hair and a single visible eye stops in front of Genta, pulling him away from his many questions. "Hi there, is there something I can help you with? I couldn't help but to notice that you look a bit lost." Asks the man pleasantly, hands thrust into his pockets and posture lax.
Genta blinks. "I'm looking for the Hokage's office." He tells the man. He's wearing a headband too, so he might know where it is! He squirms slightly fighting off the urge to ask the man about being a ninja. But there's so many things he wants to know!
The man's eye crinkles up. Genta assumes it means the man is smiling, but can't really tell for sure. "Sure thing, I'll take you there." Offers the man.
Genta nods his head to show his acceptance. "Thank you, I appreciate it." He tells the man politely, stumbling slightly over the word appreciate. He frowns. The word is foreign on his tongue and awkward in his mouth.
The man silently leads Genta through the crowded streets. Genta looks around with wide eyes that betray his excitement and awe. "So what's a kid like you doing looking for the Hokage?" Asks the man with amusement.
Genta shrugs his shoulders, feigning non-chalance. "My village needs help, so I have to go see the Hokage." He lies quickly. To kill her. He adds silently. His task scares him, but he carefully keeps the fear out of his facial features.
"I see. How old are you? You must have traveled a long way. Not many people around here have red hair like yours." Comments the silver-haired man good naturedly.
Genta blushes slightly. The man is right, hes never seen anyone else with his hair color before. "I'm eight. I don't know where I'm from, 'cause nobody ever told me." He tells the man sadly. He doesn't even know who they are. His family that is. Boss said that if Genta does what he says, he'll tell him about who and where they are. The promise keeps him going, and makes him even more determined to finish out his very first mission. He doesn't notice the way the silver-haired man frowns at his comment.
"Ah, here we are." Says the man after a few minutes of silence. "I'll head up with you. I have to give Hokage-sama in my report, ok?" He asks.
Genta nods. The extra man will make his job harder, but he supposes he can still get it done. The silver-haired guy doesn't look too strong anyway.
The man leads Genta up several staircases and walks into a room without bothering to knock on the door. Four sets of eyes land on the man. "Kakashi-Sensei, you're late." Says a pink-haired woman.
"Maa, maa. The kid here needed an escort, so I kindly offered my services." Says the man. The people in the room all turn their gazes to Genta, as if shocked.
"Kakashi-sensei, you actually have a reason for being late rather than some made up excuse." Says the pink-haired woman, obviously surprised.
"Hn." Grunts one of the two figures cloaked in the shadows the room provides.
Genta feels tears form in his eyes so he closes them. They seem so familiar with one another. It's not fair. He doesn't want to try to kill any of the people in the room, but if he doesn't he'll never be free. His resolve strengthens. He needs to find his family. To see them and talk to them. He reaches into his sleeves and grips the poisoned senbon that he has hidden there, and holds the weapons tightly.
Then, without opening his eyes, he throws them.
The harsh sound of metal on metal echoes through the room. He opens his eyes quickly as the unexpected noise startles him.
The silver-haired man is kneeling lazily on the Hokage's desk with a bright orange book in his hand. He brings it down just low enough for Genta to see his one eye above the cover. "I can assure you it will much harder to kill our Hokage than that." He tells the boy, still sounding pleasant.
Genta glares at the man and pulls out more of his needles, blinking through the tears that still blurr his sight. He throws the weapons with excellent accuracy for a boy only eight years old. The needles hit their mark and Genta smirks in sad victory. Then the silver-haired man disappears and a log takes his place.
Genta's smirk disappears as he stares wide eyed at the needle-strewn log. A kunai placed just under his chin stops him from grabbing more of his senbon. "Now." Says Kakashi. "It's time for you to talk."
Genta swallows, but doesn't speak. He hears Kakashi sigh. "Why are you here?" He asks.
Genta's eyes mist over again. He's failed. The Hokage raises one eyebrow at him. "I'm here because boss sent me." Admits Genta.
"Hm, so you were sent here on a mission to kill the Hokage." Says an intimidating male with dark hair and eyes, but pale skin as he walks quietly out of the shadow that had hidden his face. Genta lowers his head to stare at the floor, ashamed and distraught. He'll never meet them now.
"Yes." Admits Genta softly. It's no use. He's already failed. There's no reason to keep what he knows to himself.
"What else is there to your story?" Asks another male with similar traits to the first as he too walks out of the shadow. His feet whisper quietly across the floor as he walks.
"What do you mean Sai? What else would there be?" Asks the pink-haired woman.
"The kid hesitated when he said he had to kill Hokage-sama, so he isn't telling us everything yet." Says the one known as Sai.
The kunai at Genta's throat tightens slightly. The tears start to spill over. He's scared. Will these people kill him? Will he die without ever knowing his family?
"Please." He gasps as he tries to force the ninja tool away. "You can't kill me. I have to find them. Boss said he would tell me about them. He said if I killed the Hokage and the Uchiha clan they would tell me who my family is. I just wanted to meet them." Tears run freely down his cheeks. "Please. I have to see them. Even just once." He begs.
The kunai disappears. Warm arms encircle Genta. It takes him a moment to realize that he is on the other side of the room, and in a strangers arms. He looks up at the man holding him. The man looks down. He looks similar to two of the other men, one being Sai, but his hair is longer and pulled back into a low pony-tail. Two marks on his face seem like trails left by old tear drops adorn his otherwise flawless cheeks.
Genta sobs, suddenly overwhelmed by all the unfamiliar faces. Without thinking, he buries his face in the man's chest and cries freely.
"What the hell are you thinking, scaring a kid like that?" He feels the man ask. The vibrations in his chest soothe the boy somewhat, and the deep tones of his voice comfort his turbulent emotions.
"Itachi, he was sent to kill Hokage-sama. He was sent to kill us." He hears the intimidating one answer.
Us. He said us. This man must be an Uchiha then. He pulls away slightly, feeling guilty.
"I don't care if he was sent to kill the damn Fire Lord. He. Is. A. Child." Says Itachi angrily.
Genta freezes. Why is the Uchiha standing up for him. Just because he is a kid? Why is he being so kind?
"I see." Says the Hokage. "In that case you can take care of him until we figure out how to deal with this situation. I'll talk to Shikamaru and see what he can come up with. You are all dismissed until I send for you." She tells them.
A strange tingling feeling runs through Genta's body. When it stops he opens his eyes and pulls his head away from the man's chest. They are now standing in a medium sized kitchen. Genta blinks. Was that a ninja technique? Cool!
The intimidating one appears next to Itachi and Genta. "Itachi, I know he's a kid. Kakashi wouldn't have hurt him and you know it. You have to think for a moment. He was sent here to kill us. All of us. That means Sousuke and Akira too. We can't always watch him. What if he hurts them? What am I supposed to tell Sano and Kiyone?" He asks.
Genta buries his head back into Itachi's chest with every word Sasuke says, wishing he could just disappear.
Silence dominates the conversatin until Sasuke sighs. "You are just as stubborn as her." He says finally, sounding sad.
Genta hears a sigh, followed by the sound of a door opening and closing as the other one leaves. Itachi sets Genta on his feet. The eight year old fidgets. "Why are you letting me stay?" He asks, but refuses to look into Itachi's eyes.
"I'm letting you stay because as long as you behave, I will help you find your family." Says Itachi.
Genta looks up quickly, unable to conceal his shock and hope. "Why?" He asks before he can stop himself.
Itachi smiles sadly. "I know what it's like to have your family taken away from you. Even if it is too late for me, I will still help you get your precious people back."
"You can't help me. Only boss knows who they are." Says Genta sadly.
Itachi opens his mouth to reply, but is cut off when two kids, only about a year older than he is, walk into the room.
"Hi Dad, we're home!" Says the blonde.
"Well duh, who else would it be?" Asks a the one with dark hair, matching Itachi's.
Itachi rolls his eyes slightly. "These two are Akira and Sousuke, my children." He introduces them.
Genta bows politely, not knowing what else to do. "My name is Genta." He tells them.
The blonde, Akira, squeals loudly and hugs him tightly. "Dad, can we keep him? He is so kawaii!"
Genta nearly chokes. This girl thinks he's cute? Why can't he be strong, or even tough? Shinobi are not cute! Not even Shinobi in training!
Sousuke scoffs. "You can't even keep a cactus alive, what makes you think keeping a person would be any better?" He taunts.
Genta pales and looks up at Itachi pleadingly. Oh please don't let him say yes. He doesn't want to die.
"He will be staying with us for a while" Says Itachi ", under my care. At least until we find his family."
"Yeay!" Yells Akira happily.
Genta drops his head. He is so doomed.
Itachi quickly ushers the children out of the kitchen. Genta stands there awkwardly as Itachi turns and begins to get ingredients out of the refrigerator for dinner. He watches silently as the man works, wondering what he should do.
The man finally turns around, and seems surprised to find him still standing where he was. "You're allowed to sit down." He offers, gesturing to a chair settled in the corner.
Genta nods and takes a seat. Itachi leans back on the countertop and crosses his arms. "So what do you think of Aki and Sou?" He asks.
Genta shrugs. "They do seem nice." He admits.
Itachi smiles slightly, if not a bit sadly. "Aki and Sou are my children, and as such you would have had to kill them to find your own family."
Genta winces, and tears pool in his eyes. "I didn't know." He whispers guiltily. "I just wanted to find my them. Boss said if I completed my mission he might tell me who and where they are." He sobs as loneliness presses on his heart and mind.
Itachi watches helplessly as Genta curls up on himself, into a small ball. He quickly walks over to him and picks him up. Then he sits on the chair and places the boy on his lap. Then he rocks them both gently back and fourth. "Shh." He soothes. "We can be your family if you'll let us." When Genta shakes his head, Itachi tries another tactic. "I don't wish to replace them, but I will be here if you ever need me." He promises.
"Why?" Asks Genta. Why be so nice? Why offer him what he wants most, when he could have hurt his family? Why does he care so much?
Itachi smiles slightly. "Protecting the one's I care about is my nindou, my ninja way."
Genta is speechless. So many adults he's met are like Boss. Mean, and uncaring. This man, this stranger, is willing to help him find what he's always wanted. A slow feeling swells in hs chest. One he has no name for. It's warm and light, chasing the loneliness surrounding him into the darkest recesses of his young mind.
Itachi stands, and places the boy back on the chair before he turns back to the stove and finishes whatever he has cooking there. He pulls four plates out of the cupboard, and transfers the food onto them. "Will you help me carry these to the table?" He asks Genta.
Genta nods, and carefully takes two of them off the counter. Itachi takes the other two, and leads him through a doorway, and to the table. "Sousuke, Akira. Dinner's ready." He calls.
Itachi sits at the end of the table, and gestures for Genta to sit to his right. The sound of feet pounding down the stairs is ignored by the both of them. Seconds later, Akira appears in the doorway, followed quickly by Sousuke. Genta sits rigidly in place. Is it really ok for him to actually eat with them?
He lowers his head, so that his bangs hid his eyes. He's only dimly aware of the pain that comes with the way his nails are biting into his skin. Warm hands encircle his, and gently uncurl them. Genta lets out a shuddering breath, and looks up. Itachi is talking with his children, and still gently holding his hand. When he notices that Genta has raised his head, he squeezes it gently and the lets go.
Sousuke is sitting across from Genta, and next to Akira who is the furthest from Itachi. Akira dominates most of the conversation. Sousuke joins in every now and then, and Itachi even less than that. Is this what it's like to eat with one's family? Talking, eating, laughing together. Is that what a family does?
When they finish eating, Akira gathers the dishes and takes them into the kitchen to be washed. Itachi stands. "I'll show you where you can stay while you're here." He offers. Genta nods. Itachi leads him back through the kitchen and up a set of stairs. Genta counts them. Twenty one.
Then Itachi leads him down the hallway to a closed door. He opens it and walks inside. A dresser, bed, and rocking chair are the only pieces of furniture. A single carpet surrounds the bed on the hardwood floor, and two windows allow plenty of light to filter in. The walls are a light blue, and are matched by darker blue blankets and pillow cases on the bed. Lastly, the carpet is a seemingly random orange.
"While you're here, you can have this room. You can decorate it any way you wish. We'll have to head out tomorrow to get you some clothes. If there is anything else you need or want, please feel free to let me know." Says Itachi. Then he leaves. Genta jumps up on the bed and just sits there, feeling the soft material of the blanket between his fingers. It's the first blanket he's been given that doesn't have holes in it.
He feels suddenly tired as he thinks back on all the things that have happened to him in a single day. Most of it already seems so long ago, even though it was just a few hours. He lifts the covers, and slides between them, enjoying the warmth the bed provides him.
He was prepared to kill such good people for a family he's never known. Shame gnaws at him. A single tear falls onto his pillow as he thinks about how he would have felt if he were them. He wouldn't have let himself into this house. He wouldn't trust himself not to try again. But he doesn't want to try again.
His hand clutches his pillow and doesn't release it even after he's fallen asleep.
=) =0 =( =/ =\ ={ =D
Sorry about the horrid wait. I have 48 more school days left in my senior year, and the stress is killing me. Writing and posting has just been the very furthest thing from my mind, and for that I apologize.
Thank you for your patience!
~Kat