Best Friends
A best friend is someone who won't leave you…
"Run," Kotetsu whispered.
Izumo drew four kunai, and did not take his eyes from their opponent. "I'm not leaving you."
"Run, damnit!" Kotetsu shouted. "You can't-"
someone you can predict in some things, but not in others…
The battle was over, score Konoha-nin 4, opposition 0.
"I told you I could," Izumo grinned.
"Yeah," Kotetsu smiled weakly.
someone who won't give up…
"Hey, keep talking to me, Kotetsu."
The words were a sharp reminder of the waking world. Kotetsu tried to force himself to focus more on that than the ever growing pain and darkness.
someone you'd do anything for, and they would do anything for you…
The ground was moving oddly, Kotetsu thought, he hadn't been carried pick-a-back since before his Academy days. He closed his eyes and tried not to think about it.
someone who won't tell you what you can't hear…
"Am I going to die?"
"Hell no. Just stay awake for me, please."
someone you won't let down, no matter how hard…
"All right. Remember…"
someone you can share your hopes and dreams with, and your disappointments and heartaches…
Izumo laughed as best he could while not slowing down. "I remember that."
Kotetsu knew he was smiling. It was a sound in his voice, despite everything. It made him want to smile too, despite the pain.
"Kotetsu, do you remember that A-rank mission? When I was the one being carried? This is my way of returning the favour. So you have to live."
and with this someone, there is a link that can't be broken…
"Silence equals assent, Kotetsu."
"I know."
this someone who will hold hope for two at need…
"Medic! This is an emergency!"
"Calm down, we'll do all we can. If you'll just wait over here."
"Kotetsu, you promised me!"
someone no less a brother for accident of birth…
"I'm family."
"Izumo-san…"
"He's adopted."
"Kotetsu-san will recover with time."
someone who is in for the long haul…
"What time is it?"
"Time you were up. Past time. How do you feel?"
"Like I ate too much steel."
"Fair enough. Up to standing?"
"Are you out of your mind?"
"Hey, the sooner you're in rehab, the sooner you go home." Izumo ruffled Kotetsu's hair. "That's what you get for worrying me. If you were stronger, I think I'd hit you."
"Hey, be fair, I didn't hit you," Kotetsu protested, smiling.
"Well that was different," Izumo insisted, laughing.
My friend, you are all of these and so much more!
This is a thank-you tribute to my friend.
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