We were all too young for this.

We should be out playing, enjoying the sunlight and prosperity before we became too old and tainted to do so. We should be sneaking out at night to watch the stairs, leaving our rooms dirtied, and our childish immaturity shining bright and clear.

We should be yelling at our mums for ice cream, complaining to our teachers about homework as we gossiped with our friends about who was dating who. But we should not be doing this. Anything but this.

^&^&^

"OBITO! NO!" I cried, slamming my fists down on the broken ground. This shouldn't be happening. It was supposed to be perfect; I was supposed to be perfect. No one should have gotten hurt.

"Dammit Obito! Don't you dare die!" I growled as Rin hurriedly tried to save him. We were just getting closer. He can't die now.

Obito grinned, his voice fading and raspy "Shut up Kashi." My eyes watered with unshed tears as I frowned at him "Obito." I whispered brokenly, reaching out to cup his face. "This shouldn't have happened."

Obito merely grinned "What are you talking about now, teme? Everything happens for a reason. Stop worrying, everything will turn out alright." I growled as Rin began to heal him "STOP IT!" I screamed, wincing at the sound of my voice. I was broken. Shinobi shouldn't be broken. "Stop acting like everything's going to be okay. It's not. It never was."

Obit frowned and his gaze flickered over to Rin "Rin." He whispered throatily. "Give Kakashi my eye." He looked over at me "I never gave you a present for making jounin, ne?" He smiled "I forgot, of course."

I shook my head and his eyes drooped slightly "Take it, teme. Don't be ungrateful. I wanna see what happens in the future. Be my eye, bastard. I trust you."

I bit my lip as I nodded my agreement towards Rin. She frowned and began to prepare. I shifted closer, guiding Obito's head into my lap, allowing myself the selfish indulgence.

Obito's eyes widened as he flashed his usual reckless, annoying beautiful grin. "You're going soft, ne bastard? Good, I left a mark on you."

He opened his mouth to say more but Rin interrupted us to do the surgery.

^&^

I looked back at his body, the cold hard reminder laying there, forever motionless. I growled and turned away from him. This wasn't supposed to happen. We were all too young.

^&^&^

I woke up, my body covered in sweat. I pulled the covers towards my body, hoping to gain some comfort for my aching body. I couldn't stand these plaguing memories.

Iruka groaned at my shaking body and he sat up straight away, cradling my body close to me.

Tears pooled in my eyes and buried my face in my hands.

"We were too young." I sobbed, burying my face in his offered shoulder. "We weren't supposed to know the meaning of war, let alone be veterans of the cause. We fought for their greed. He died for their greed. It wasn't right. I lost him. I loved him."

Iruka cradled me closer and I realized dimly that I should feel guiltier for burdening him with my pain.

But I couldn't.

Every time something happened, all I saw was short soft strands of ink, glowing obsidian eyes, and that mischievous grin.

I saw the crimson of his blood and the weightlessness of his soul leaving his body.

I couldn't help it.

He was everything that I needed and I lost him to the sea of war.

Yeah you've gotta swim
Through wars without cause

Swim for the lost politicians
Who don't see their greed as a flaw

The currents will pull us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn

Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking me open now

I swim for brighter days
Despite the absence of sun
Choking on salt water

I'm not giving in
Well I'm not giving in

I swim