Reflecting on the mistakes we make. [Event thread]

Sun Oct 16, 2022 11:13 am

"What's the worst that can happen?"

So much worse than you can ever imagine.

Ben sat in the cot, in a literal cave. There was water dripping on his abdomen. He could easily stand up, move the cot, and be free the drip. There would still be the sound of the drip, but the sensation would be gone.

But he did not. He stared at the ceiling, unable to act. Unwilling, perhaps, is a better term.

He should have known.

He should have known.

His home had been destroyed almost capriciously. Death and destruction out of... why? For what purpose? His home had been destroyed, not because there was some incredible secret to unveil. Not because of some blood debt, as far as he knew.

It really seemed, to him, that his home, his village, had been destroyed out of boredom, and little else.

Maybe he was wrong. Maybe he was completely off base.

Maybe something, or someone, had been slighted, and they choose to make an "example" out of his home, a warning to others to never repeat such a slight.

He had never heard anything that might have meant that is what happened to Iwagakure.

But he heard it plenty about Nikko.

And he knew what was done.

And he knew the "who" that did it.

And it was him.

And he was so sorry.

But... but there was nothing to do. Pleads and apologies would make him feel better, maybe, but if would do nothing for the people of Nikko.

WC 253