Serving the poor

[くすり]

name; serving the poor
rank; d
description; Though Kumogakure no Sato is starting to thrive under Aburame Shouta’s leadership. Some of our inhabitants are still without food and water. The basic and daily essentials to survive, they’re lacking. So the Raikage has set up a program. This program is simple, each and every day during certain hours the Kumogakure no Sato shinobi serve the unlucky individuals of Kumogakure no Sato food. This simple and welcoming program is further helping our starving villagers. Hopefully they’ll get back upon their feet soon enough. So go Kumogakure no Sato shinobi, help the ones who are in dire need of help.
reward; 25 experience, 500 ryo
minimum shinobi; one
mission status; interminable

I could hear the hustling of the less fortunate who belonged to Kumogakure-they were the poor. They shuffled in the soup kitchen, with tattered clothes, dirtied bodies, and weary faces. The moment I set my sapphire eyes upon them a felt a tinge of guilt, it was as if I had turned a deaf ear upon the real troubles. Here I was content with my life, money in my pocket and a roof over my head while these individuals had nothing.

The thought twisted at my heart and I had to hide my water eyes for a moment with my arm. 'this is so terrible, they look so hungry and theres nothing more I can do for them except serve them this food.... I wish I could do more...' Wiping the tears that attempted to flood my eyes I pushed back to compelling action of crying. I'd do this mission, and further Kumogakures economoy so that no more stories like this would ever happen.

The other kitchen help lined up, dressed in their smocks and gloves, began bring the food out, setting it up. "Hey Saori, can you put the chairs out please?"

"Of course!"

I responded nearly jumping, my face lit up as I scurried off to grab the folding chairs and tables as well. It took a moment for me to properly set up the tables, mostly because they were a lot bigger than me. I fumbled around, blind as it blocked my vision, but I would peak my head out like I was playing peek-a-boo. Once I finished the more arduous task I hurried and placed all the chairs at the respective tables.

Wiping the sweat from my brow, I retreated to the bathroom for a moment telling the other helps I'd be back. The running water was cool to the touch as it embraced my face. Looking into the mirror I stared at myself intently.

"FIGHTO! I gotta do my best!"

Saying that I walked out the bathroom an put on my gloves. I was prepared to serve these people!

[くすり]

There wasn't many people to help out, in fact there was only around five, enough to count on your hands. It was sad cause I figured even if one wouldn't get paid for this I'd myself would have done it anyway. It was just part of my nature. We were all lined up behind the table of food, and the person heading this event spoke loud an clearly telling the poor they could now line up and prepare to eat. The became lively as cheers flooded the place, it was enough to make my face glow.

I felt happy.

So happy to be apart of this.

The line of rugged looking people gathered and I filled each all their plates up with soup in the bowls they presented me. I did it all with a smile saying "Here ya go!" Some responded with toothless smiles, others with smirks. Than there were a few who simply nodded or paid me no mind, but I never let it get to me.

Once we finished serving the first wave, they sat down an ate, an they were quick about it too. I found myself having to go back into the back room and fill the pot of soup back up. I wondered if we'd have enough to fill their seemingly empty, bottomless stomachs. It was a challenge I wasn't going to fail.

Going back out with my genuine smile, I apologized for the delay and continued serving them as did the others who with the same smile I wore filled up their plates. We were kept busy as more and more people would come wandering in looking for a hot meal, and we whole-heatedly welcome'd them to eat.

"Keep it up Saori, your doing great!"

"Thank you!"

I said back, it felt good to be praised but for this kind of work, I didn't require it. I only needed the satisfaction of their content faces.

[くすり]

The day was coming to an end, and as a an added bonus we were allowed a plate of food an break for our efforts. "Thanks for the food!" I yelled happily as I dug in, cleaning my plate. I sat near the homeless, and poor, at first they were wary of me, but after some chatting we all got to know each other and became quite use to the others company.

"I gotta go back, so I can feed anybody who walks in."

They smiled and waved, an I did the same as I returned to my post, grabbing a large spoon full of soup for another who'd walked in during midday. The sun was setting and it was almost time to close down shop. I wanted to stay longer, and continue helping. One day. I promised myself that I'd make it so no one was reduced to such a fate.

We were all becoming tired, but we held up strong until the very end. When all was said an done everyone there was full, content, and wore a smile or a face that expressed being elated. We began cleaning up, putting the chairs up, and tables. We gave the rest of the food in packs of doggy bags for them to eat later on.

I felt bad that this was all I had to offer, but it was the best I could do at the moment. Waving them goodbye I almost cried again, but I held them back. With this mission complete I'd head back to the compound soon, but I wouldn't forget the life lesson and promise I made myself.

I'd hold true to them.

[DAVID BOWE]

+24