o27 :: No Such Person Exists
(verbatim from: Naruto - Manga, Volume 20, Chapter 177, Pages 3-8)
[RADIO MEMORY::] [Songbirds chirp. Leaves rustle in a light breeze. It is outside or at least semi-outdoors. There is the twang of a thick thread tightening, and then a breath as someone exhales irritably and rubber-soled shoes step onto a solid wooden surface. Aside from possibly the sound of clothing shifting and some angry breathing, there is little audibly to indicate movement in the scene. (Kakashi uses chakra string to tie Sasuke to a tree, then lectures him)]
ANGRY BOY :
[a young boy in his early teens. Some might recognize it as a slightly younger Kirin or Drake. Or "Red" from Seven's dream. His voice is somewhat surprised, demanding, pissed at being caught off guard, maybe, or that’s just how it always is.]
"What's the meaning of this...?"
BELL :
[In contrast, Bell seems calm, logical, in control. It’s a lecture and his tone reflects that.]
"If I didn't do this, you'd run away..."
You aren't the type to listen quietly while I preach."
ANGRY BOY :
[makes a disgusted sound under his breath]
BELL :
"[static] quit seeking revenge... "
[Silence. The Angry Boy is probably, well, angry.]
BELL :
"In this line of work, I've seen just how bad guys like you can get..."
"In the end those who tasted revenge...were not satisfied... It ended in tragedy."
"You'll only hurt and suffer more..."
"Even if you are successful in your revenge, all you'll be left with is emptiness."
[Not what Angry Boy wanted to hear, apparently]
ANGRY BOY :
[refusing to sit and listen, the boy’s voice breaks in, shouting at Bell]
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW?"
"DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE YOU UNDERSTAND!"
BELL :
"Hey... calm down..."
ANGRY BOY :
[He’s almost threatening, but in the way a child does, looking for the right buttons to hit to hurt someone deeply.]
"What if I were to... kill the one you love the most?!"
"How far would you stray from what you just said? I can make you feel true pain!"
BELL :
[is silent a moment. When he speaks, it carries the sound of a false-smile.]
"That would work, however... Unfortunately, for me, no such person exists."
ANGRY BOY :
[he’s silence, probably pissed at his taunt being so easily deflected or spoiled for him]
BELL :
"Those people have already... been killed."
[Silence. There’s probably a sigh or a breath in here as Bell prepares again to speak.]
BELL :
"I've also lived in a long, hard era."
"I understand how terrible true pain and loss are."
[The silence seems almost painful for a moment, before Bell speaks again.]
BELL :
"Well! We aren't the lucky ones... that's for sure."
"But we aren't the worst off."
[Pause. Bell’s voice has a hint of a smile again, more genuine this time.]
"Both you and I have found precious companions."
[He gives Angry Boy some time to think over what he’s said. There’s the sound of something moving, the string or thick thread, perhaps, loosening. (Kakashi is untying Sasuke from the tree)]
BELL :
[The lecture is winding down]
"You should know from your loss... [static] is a power given to you because you found things important to you."
"That power is not something to be used against your friends or for revenge."
"You yourself should know what that power should be used for."
"Think hard on whether you can or can't hold true to what I've said."
[There’s a hint of a 'woosh' sound, like a small whirlwind of leaves. It is the sound left in the wake of a ninja 'teleporting' and might strike our ninja as familiar.]
[[ooc: And finally Bell has a memory.]]