𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐤𝐢 | ɴᴀʀᴜᴛᴏ ꨄ︎ ꜱʜɪᴘᴘᴜᴅᴇɴ

Taka

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"ADMIRE... DESPAIR... SHOUT... BECAUSE MY ART IS A BANG!!"

A white flash completely engulfed my vision like a camera had just shuttered right in front of my naked eye. The last thing I could register was a warm hand pinning me down and the entire ring of my eardrums blowing out like a fuse.

✧˖*°࿐

The wiggling long body of a worm lookalike with numerous of legs had flopped itself on its back. Squatted by a step in the little to no flower garden, I watched the millipede throw a tantrum.

This spot is familiar. One I recall from my childhood. It's the corner of the compound front where I'd go to hide from servants and patiently wait for Uncle's return.

The night would bleed into day, and I'm still waiting. That day very quickly fades to night. I don't move from the step, which is unrealistic.

Surely I'd be hungry by now. Tired, even. I'm nothing but restless.

The angry millipede is trying to grab my attention, rolling around fitfully. I finally stand up when it begins to rush away, and I can't help but follow the bug. It takes me out of the compound gates, through the desolated streets of Konoha, all the way to a river of running water.

By the riverbank is another millipede, but it's motionless.

This wiggling bug grows aggressive, its mannerisms seeking vengeance.

I feel my blood run cold as I'm hit back to my senses. This wasn't where I've been waiting. As I turn to look back, there is no backwards direction to that compound.

I can only move forward.

"That's what makes us so alike, you and I."

The ring of Orochimaru's voice surrounds my head. It gravitates my gaze back to the spot of those two millipedes, however they're gone. It's just my standing and the similar motionless figure of Uncle.

I'm the one that's fitfully wiggling. I'm the aggression seeking vengeance.

I am so angry.

This body of his is a regular haunt, I've grown used to my mind forcing me to witness my past mistakes over and over. Yet, each time I morph my grief into this bottomless rage, there is always something to border my steps.

This time it's this riverbank. Since across it where I cannot swim without getting caught in the rapids, is the silhouette of a praying mantis with claws drenched in blood.