Quality Time

Mon Dec 20, 2021 9:43 pm

Gonk’s bare feet padded through the sand of Kirigakure beach, the full moon lighting up the waters to create a beautiful scene. Gonk had been walking this stretch of beach since before he could remember, at first with his parents, but now in solitude. He let the waves lap against his feet, the temperature of the water not bothering him. It was probably around two in the morning and the island was eerily calm, in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the village that could be heard during the daytime. Gonk had only ever encountered someone else on his night walks a couple of times, so he was surprised when he heard the sounds of footsteps coming from behind him. Gonk casually turned around to find none other than Wakame walking towards him at a calm and steady pace.

“W-wakame?” Gonk asked, surprised. “What on earth are you doing here so late?”
Wakame shrugged.

“It’s been ages since I’ve seen you, and it is the holiday season after all. I couldn’t bear to not see my only nephew for this joyous time of year.”

While it wouldn’t be obvious to a random observer, the entire sentence was laced with irony.

For starters, the reason they hadn’t been able to see each other was the looming threat of assanation that hung over Gonk’s head due to his grandfather. While it wasn’t exactly a secret that Gonk was in the village, he had been avoiding his home like the flu to avoid confrontation. The time just wasn’t right yet.

The second, more lighthearted, thing about Wakame’s statement was that Gonk hated Christmas with a burning passion. A real life grinch. Although his hatred had been somewhat lessened the previous year by both events within and just out of reach of Gonk’s memory, he still didn’t go out of his way to celebrate in any way shape or form. He simply couldn’t bear to experience what had once brought him so much joy with his parents.

“So,” Gonk said, continuing to walk, “is there anything in particular you wanted, or were you just looking to spend some quality time together?”

Gonk glanced over at Wakame with a slight grin as he waited for an answer.

[WC=374]

Tue Dec 21, 2021 11:47 pm

“Well, perhaps a bit of both,” Wakame answered as he matched Gonk’s pace.

“Oh?” Gonk said, glancing over at his uncle.
Wakame looked up at the starry sky, looking like he was searching for the right words to tell Gonk something.

“I know it’s been tough,” he started, “living in hiding from your grandfather, not knowing when or if someone might try to kill you.”

“Oh thanks for reminding me, I had forgotten,” Gonk muttered sarcastically.

“And you’ve been doing a good job surviving like this,” Wakame continued, ignoring Gonk’s remark. “But you can’t live like this forever. I know you want to wait until the time is right to do something, but that time won't come along until you make it come along. Your grandfather is perfectly happy with how things are right now you know.”

Gonk’s eyebrows furrowed.

“What do you mean?” He asked, confused.

“Currently you aren’t a threat to him. You’re spending all your time in the shadows, hiding from him, so why should he fear you. He would rather keep you in a state of inaction than upright kill you. So right now you’re doing exactly what he wants.”

“Well what do you want me to do?” Gonk asked, frowning. “It’s not like I can just walk up to him and kill him. That would be completely illegal.”

“True, but you can goad out a response from him,” Wakame told Gonk. “If you prove you’re enough of a threat, he’ll eventually have to do something. That’s what you’re waiting for, isn’t it? An assassin to swoop in so you have justification to go after him? That’s not going to happen as is. You have to make him realize it’s necessary for him to do so.”

Gonk nodded slowly.

“You’re right, but this would be risky. There’s no guarantee that the assassin wouldn’t be successful.”

“All goals worth achieving have risks attached,” Wakame said. “This is the same, there just happens to be a very important thing at stake.”

Gonk pondered this as the duo continued to walk down the star lit beach, wondering if what Wakame said was really true.
[WC=355]
[TWC=729]

Fri May 06, 2022 6:59 pm

The two continued to walk and made small talk, but eventually it was time for them to part ways, and each returned to their own homes.
[Exit]
[TWC=755]

claims:

Fri May 06, 2022 7:11 pm

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Quality Time

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