Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Copyright infringement is not intended.


I stare at the stone and it stares back.

Calm.

Impassive.

Constant.

It sits as a reminder of what has gotten me to where I am, and why I keep going.

Minato

Even now when I look at it, knowing the full meaning of its presence, I still want my name on that stone. Oh, I won't be reckless and do it on purpose. Protecting Konaha is my life, so will it be my death.

Obito

I don't remember how long ago it was that I took up my daily observance.

Well, no. I suppose I do.

I just don't want to remember.

Rin

It was the first time that one of the names was written in my own hand. It is the duty of the closest living loved one of the fallen to carve the name of the Honored into the Stone. How many names have been carved by my kunai? I don't care to know. I could count, but I desire no new reminder of the pain.

Asuma

Before, how long has it been? I would stand vigil, and when he wasn't on his own missions, sensei would stand with me. We never said a word to each other when we were there. The ghosts and the silence said enough. They whispered, screamed of the wounds of the soul that could never possibly heal: Of the horrors, the inevitable pain. The life of a ninja.

Why did you let me die?

You could have done more!

Jiraiya

We would drink together some nights, and he told me of his friends, long gone. I matched him tale for tale. There were many that he already knew, but there were also those wrung a laugh. And if we told the same story from one night to the next, then that was okay. Who else was there to tell? The silence that only has recriminations in return?

Sakura

It felt like I was digging my blade into myself when I carved his name into the Stone.

Sasuke

So now I stand alone.

Every morning.

The soft rustle of the leaves pull me back from memory. I check my watch (a gag-gift from sensei, with that quirky not-smile) and notice I'm already an hour late. As I stroll to the training grounds, I consider what excuse to tell my new genin. Excuses are an art. But just this once, why not take a page out of sensei's book?

Kakashi

My team stands by the familiar posts of the training ground that Team 7 had once claimed.

"Naruto-sensei, you're late!" came a shout reminiscent of the old days. I chuckle and feign embarrassment with an easy smile.

"Maa, I was lost on the road of life."