[WoD Drabble] I haven't done one of these in so long
Experimenting w/ writing style again. Well...sorta. Been reading too much magic realism lately.
pedant \PED-nt\, noun:
a person who makes a show of detailed knowledge, esp. relying on books; also, a narrow-minded teacher or scholar
There are precisely 472 ways to sever the 31 pairs of spinal nerves in the human body; 293 methods using senbon, 73 with kunai, 50 sharingan, 43 by hand, and the last remaining 12...to be used with surroundings in mind.
Such is the trainingly of an ANBU elite. Itachi knows all of these methods intimately, without exception. He is the perfect student, a perfect soldier, perfect son and prodigy.
Look up, Itachi. Hold your head high. Uchiha stand proud and strong. Such is our legacy.
The door slides open with a soft hiss ---quiet, benign, and routine. Outside, the leaves rustle and fly... fall. The first stride is the last inch before foliage is marred by dirt.
There is no mask. Of that Fugaku can be proud.
Wipe yourself clean, my son. Tears are not becoming of men.
Moonlight floods the room with an ethereal polish of lacquer. Porcelain is the surface upon which light cradles the face. Smooth and cold. The first thump of foot-fall creaks wood, sets their final rhythme. ba-dump. ba-dump.
Last ballad.
ba-dump. ba-dump.
"Itachi? What do you think you're doing?!"
Itachi, for the good of the family you must do this.
Eyes widen. Faster. Pupils dilate. ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump.
"Itachi!"
Save the clan. Show no emotion. Save the village. Reveal no weakness. .
Final curtain call. Leaf wades to ground-- rustles-- curtains draw open, blade...blade...
"My son..."
...proud of you...
.....blade?
.....
"Think of the future! Your future!"
.....
Aniki!
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The door slides closed.
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There are precisely 178 ways to cut the heart, but only one to truly break it.
Itachi knows all of these methods intimately, without exception.
He is the perfect student, a perfect soldier, perfect tool and...
The leaves fly...and...
"Brother!"
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Fin.