Sasuke Uchiha, age 8

Sasuke watched as, once more, the ball they were using sailed over his small body and into the vast ocean. It was the sixth ball that had been replaced and he glared over at the culprit. Ruffled brown locks and chocolate eyes stared back rather mischievously, a devious grin on their small lips. They wore a baggy black tank top shirt and tan khaki shorts, their brown feet bare.

"Sorry, I'll replace it this time," but Sasuke knew the brunette wasn't completely honest. He sighed, finally realizing that the day had come to an end.

"Well, we have to go back anyways," Sasuke responded, taking one last look into the ocean, the white ball only a glimmer.

"Hey, we should come back here tomorrow and play!" his companion began to run ahead of him, near the edge of the beach, his bare feet kicking up sand and water.

Sasuke nodded, deciding to keep his distance from the brunette, and then quickly added, "But this time we'll switch places. We can't keep replacing the ball and I know I won't kick it hard enough to go sailing."

"Alright, al-hey! Look out!"

But it was too late. Sasuke fell forward and would have fallen face first had he not been quick to catch himself, "What?!"

"Sasuke are you okay?!" Sasuke only nodded, rubbing at his head. That had felt like –

"The ball!" Sasuke turned to the brunette that had run back towards him and cradled in his arms was the ball they had dubbed gone just minutes ago.

"How?" Sasuke asked, but the brunette was already running towards the water, leaving the ball behind, his lower half quickly submerged.

"Kiba!"

"Is anyone out there?!" Kiba yelled out but his only answer was the quiet sound of the waves coming and going. He didn't go farther and for that Sasuke was thankful, but the brunette did look around every rock that was close by. Sasuke walked closer to the water, but only enough for it to touch his toes. Kiba came back a minute later.

"That's strange," the brunette mumbled, "there's nobody around…"

But Sasuke was no longer paying attention to his friend. He had seen something in the water…

"Let's go back and tell your brother! I'm sure he'll know what happened," the brunette exclaimed as he dragged Sasuke away.

As he looked back, Sasuke was sure he saw a pair of blue eyes watching them; a mop of messy hair caressed their face and then disappeared into the water. The ball was forgotten on the sandy beach.