To My Dearest Friend...
How long has it been, my friend? How long has it been since you left us? Days? Weeks? Months? Perhaps it was years. Who can tell, for the memory of your death still burns at my heart. I would do anything to go back and change that day. If I could have another chance, I would seize it. When I lost you, I lost more of my shattered soul. You were my beloved teammate, my closest friend, the best thing I had to a brother. And in one moment, one instant, you were gone.
I have so many memories of you. I remember you once saying that those who abandoned their companions are worse than trash. You were right. You were always right. I visit the stone with your name on it everyday. I wish and I pray that it was all a dream. I wish I could see your stupid, crybaby face just one more time. But no matter how much I wish, nothing changes.
Your name is still on that stone.
Rin still cries at night.
I am still part of a two man team that was once three.
Some tell me that I shouldn't be upset, that it wasn't my fault. But they're wrong. They're always wrong. It was my fault and the least I could do is show that I cared about you by letting the tears of my heart fall. I see many names on that stone. Sensei. My father. You. I see so many lives that should not have been taken. But they were. And there was nothing I could do. I was helpless. I could only sit back and watch the hammer fall.
What can I do? I watch everyone I love disappear and life just goes on as if they had never existed. So what do I do? I could sit back and watch the candle of my life flicker and fade. Is that what I do?
No.
I will not just lay back and take what comes. I will not be the good boy who listens to the rules. I will not be the selfish person I once was. You did not die for that! You did not die so I could be helpless. You I did not die so I could be a quitter. I will not back down. If not for myself, then I'll do it for you. You. The friend that I lost because of the self-centered brat I was. I will not be that anymore. I will be the warrior you were.
I wish I could be like you, my friend. You may not have been the most skilled shinobi, but you were never one to give up and you never lost sight of what was important. I admire you for that. My friend. The rocks that crushed your body crushed my heart. We may have only been friends for a short period of time, but you became the world to me. You're gone now. And you would still be here if it weren't for my foolish mistake. I should have listened to you. I should have always listened.
Forgive me, my friend. Forgive me, Obito! You should not have died. It should be my body crushed beneath those rocks. It should've been my eye that was carved out. Instead it was you. It was always you. I could not keep you alive. I could not keep you from harm.
But I will keep your spirit alive, my friend. I will never cease to pass on your story. You are a hero! You, Uchiha Obito! And the world needs to know that. But once your name is known, what does it do? It doesn't change anything.
You're still not alive...
I still train alone...
The tears still fall...
Forgive me, Obito...
Forgive me... my friend.
Hatake
Kakashi