Dire Straits

[Tommy 18]

“STOP! STOP THAT BOY AT ONCE!”

A pompous screech strained above the hustle and bustle of the busy market street. 

Pots, stands and tables crashed to the cobblestone as a small child barrelled through them, clutching a regal-looking purse tight to his chest. All manner of produce clattered to the floor, spoiling the pavement and filling the cracks.

The boy was quick. 

He darted underneath the legs of the patrons, ducking and diving his way through the crowd as they gawked on in confusion. At this point, the man he robbed was nowhere to be seen; a hurried glance over his shoulder confirmed that much. He bolted towards the open gates which led to his grassy freedom ahead. A mischievous smirk tugged at the corners of the boy’s lips as he hurled past them…

“Agh!” 

Something heavy struck his legs and he bowled over, tumbling violently into the dirt road.

“Tchh-.. ow…”

Bloodied and bruised by his sudden collapse, Enshi laid rolled onto his back with the support of his elbows. A familiar Jōnin stared at him with indifference, and so the boy stared back. 

“Give it back, Enshi.” His tone lagged with boredom, as if this was the hundredth time he had caught the boy. 

“Fine.” Enshi snapped, tossing the precious purse into the Jōnin's chest with some force. He caught it with ease, when out from behind him pranced a proud man bearing kingly posture and a look of sour lemons.

“You’re supposed to guard this town! You nearly let this dirty little thief escape…” The rich man spat at his saviour, voice laced with venom. He snatched his purse from the Jōnin before continuing his tirade.

“I expect better from our shinobi. I always knew you were a rag-tag diddle of fools!”

With that final revilement, he swivelled upon his imperious heels and marched back down the upturned marketplace. The Jōnin paid no mind to the man’s spite as he sauntered off, instead turning to the boy…

…who, by now, had scampered well out of sight. 

“Curses… it's EMPTY! GUAAAARDDSS!” The plump, pompous man cried, spittle flying as he stomped his feet and sulked at his limp purse.

That loathsome howling was the last thing Enshi heard as he flung himself through the dense brush, coin clinking colourfully in his pockets. Adrenaline riddled the youth and he giggled with glee, practically skipping the whole way home.

“Knock knock…?” He called in a sing-song tone.

Enshi eventually came upon a decrepit shack of a home. He rapped his knuckles against the aged oak door and, without a welcome, entered into a dimly lit room. His father lay dormant in bed, illuminated by a smattering of wax-dripping candles. Ragged fur sheets struggled to cover his frail and sickly frame as Enshi’s mother nursed him with a cool cloth about his temples.

“Mother, here… I have enough for the medicine!”

Enshi scrambled through his pockets for the money and offered it to his mother with great enthusiasm. It was a fair sum, more than enough to pay off the extensive medical costs they faced.

“Enshi. Where did you find this?”

His mother sounded unimpressed, disappointed with his prize, yet unaware or unaffected by the suffering that surrounded them… as if this had become normality. Enshi began to quiver, recognising his own guilt but also the necessity of his actions..

“We are an honest family, Enshi. Please, go to the Leaf. I will take care of your father.”

Enshi rejected the chance to become a shinobi for years, feeling responsible for the care of his parents. He was physically gifted and more than capable - but his conscience never allowed him to abandon them.

“If you become a strong and honest shinobi, you can help provide for us.” His mother spoke firmly, denying his outstretched palms and turning back to her husband. She wiped his forehead again. He stirred uncomfortably in his slumber.

Grinding his teeth as tears brimmed in his pale, plum coloured eyes, it dawned on Enshi that he would be unable to fight his fate. 

He dumped the coin back into his pocket and took a solemn glance around the dank room before whispering a shaky farewell.

The door groaned shut behind Enshi. The sun shimmered above, momentarily blinding him. Wind gently whistled and billowed with the trees - it felt as though even the leaves warned him not to stay.

He set off with no spring in his step.

"Shinobi..."

Edited April 8, 2022 by Tommy