Holding Me
It was the first time that I saw you, the real you, a stranger to me. You weren't wearing those red clouds: just darkness like your eyes that weren't red clouds anymore. You looked pale against the dark on a thin body that I didn't know was thin. A body I didn't know was yours. And your nails were lighter than your skin for once. I almost didn't know it was you sitting by the pond with your toes submerged, looking up because you didn't want to see your reflection. And I realized that this was who you'd been: the prodigy of the Uchiha clan, the son, the brother. You gave it all up to be the downfall of the Uchiha clan. Weren't you happy? And then, wasn't I happy? Weren't we all? So why did we do it? Why are we here? Why… And I sit, in my heavy, clumsy way, next to you, casting a shadow that makes all of you dark. Why did you do it? And then you stand up, and I feel bad for stealing your spot, but you raise a hand over my shoulder, signaling for me to stay. You look down at your slender, wet feet, with your hair covering those famous eyes, though I can still see the defined lines that make you look old. But you're not. Not nearly old enough, but for this moment I feel younger. And you say, in the voice I know,
"Don't underestimate yourself, Kisame-san. You know more than you give yourself credit for." The hand finds my shoulder in a touch I don't know, and have never felt before. And I'm alone, watching you leave. So why are you still holding me?