When sun break came the two boys were unrecognisable, stripped bare and beaten beyond a mere squabble. No one knew who the culprit was but everyone knew who did it.

Andrew lost what he never had, his position in school became isolated and even Aozora was taken away by others. Only one remained watching from a distance. That curious green haired girl. She perplexed Andrew and made his brain run in circles. He didn't even know her name and yet she had this much of an effect on him.

When he returned late at night no one questioned him but Granny Izuka's eyes seemed shallow with despair, sadness, regret or sympathy. Andrew couldn't tell and didn't want to. Emi was as oblivious as ever and the long nights continued where he went to stay out late and come back early in the morning.

It all started when Karasu was found out to be dead. Andrew refused to believe it and Granny Izuka was putting on a brave face. And witness to all this was Emi.

Not long after, a funeral for all the Uchiha who were killed in the war was held. None of the men came as they were still fighting. Even the head of the clan was a no show. But a speech and ceremony was held regardless to help the grieving.

The words went through one ear and out the other but some words stuck.

"One death is a tragedy but many is just a number…"

"Death will come to us all…"

"They left us behind…"

Andrew wasn't listening and he didn't catch the whole context but these words followed him.

The day was bright and sunny as if the heavens were mocking them. Their lives were insignificant and aren't worth crying over. Tears fell from mother's, sisters and widows. Everywhere was filled with despair yet Andrew felt nothing. He had given up on grieving and crying.

And thus the day passed and night came. He hadn't changed out of his black garments and sat upon a rock in a forest just watching. The bright stars were all alone and separated from each other. No matter how bright they shone and how loudly they called out they were destined to live and die alone. Andrew felt nothing.

"Are you okay?" A familiar voice rang out.

"Aozora." Andrew used his name. He gave a sidelong glance and then looked away back at the bleak stars.
Without another word Aozora sat next to Andrew by the rock, the two were silent looking up at the stars with two different perspectives.
"Aren't they beautiful?" Aozora asked, looking at Andrew's blank face. No response came and the uncomfortable silence continued.
"I'm sorry." This caught the sidelong glance of Andrew but still he didn't say anything.

Was it empty sympathy or something he was apologising for.
"We haven't gotten to talk lately." The stars shined bright and the sparks coming from them reached out to one another. They were alone but they still reached out for the warmth of other stars.

"Is that all?" Andrew didn't look at Aozora, ignoring him with a harsh voice. He wanted to be alone as he was since the beginning but Aozora still reached out to him. Why?
"Aren't the stars beautiful?" He asked again.
"No." Andrew was blunt with a sharp answer. "They're painful."

Aozora was confused but continued gazing at the bright stars.
Andrew continued gazing at the lonesome stars.

Two opposing perspectives, one with the crowded night sky where no one was alone and everyone was together, the other that no matter how close others are they are still out of reach, their warmth ever so distant and fading.

"How have you been lately?" Aozora asked and before getting a response he continued. "I've been well, been training in the place you showed me. I've had to sneak out of the Hyuga household. They treat me like rubbish, ignoring me only when they need an errand run. Everyone looks so downcast back at the house. Even my usual cheerful and playfulness doesn't seem to brighten them up like before. They've resigned themselves to the lives of slaves. I think I've gotten stronger. I'd like to see but I have no one to train against." As Aozora rambled on a fist approached his face. He rolled back and stood up looking at Andrew.

"You have the same face as they do." He looked intently etching every detail of Andrew's face into his mind. Before he could continue speaking Andrew moved. A right hook aimed at his face followed by a left jab. Aozora moved back and back until he felt the rough bark against his back. A right kick aimed at his stomach. He smiled. His usual bright smile that captivated others and brought them to him. Andrew hesitated for a mere moment allowing Aozora the opportunity to block and advance. Andrew fell back creating a gap between the two of them.

"This is the first time we've fought." Aozora chuckled and continued smiling. That damn fake smile. Andrew hated it. But he could relate to it. That same smile he gave to everyone including him. Was Andrew just another friend to him? Did his presence ever mean anything? Andrew's face crinkled and crumbled together. His thoughts ran at a mile a second. He couldn't stick to one thought process. So he showed his words with his fists.

Andrew charged and Aozora moved to the left only to get hit by another fist. It was a faint. Aozora clutched his side but stood upright, holding his smile. They charged at one another exchanging blows, while Andrew's stamina slowed down, Aozora kept his momentum. He finally got a punch in on Andrews stomach but so did he landing a blow against his chest.
The two pushed the other back and they watched. Waiting for the other to make the first move.

Andrew spat on the ground and charged yelling out in pain, distress, anger, everything he felt was held in this one attack. He was a wounded cub.

Aozora kept his smile but it slowly morphed into something different, he watched Andrew charge him and didn't move. He took a fighting posture and waited. The cub's friend, willing to take on his pain.

Andrew pulled back his right fist close to his chest and as he got closer to Aozora he launched it landing him in the gut. But Aozora didn't budge, warm arms wrapped around him pulling him closer than he already was.

The beat of a heart echoed in his ears.
Aozora was experiencing his own pain and Andrew, who had been avoiding his gaze, looked up. Aozora was smiling.

Andrew hated that fake smile, but this wasn't fake. Aozora shined his white teeth at Andrew and in this moment Andrew stopped. He lost all strength in his knees and his arms went limp. It hit him all at once. Everything running through his head stopped at one thought.

'He really is dead.'

Andrew's eyes went blurry and he forced his hand to his face. What was happening? He looked at his shaking hand to find it was wet. Was he crying? Andrew was crying. He tried to stop. He couldn't show weakness. He had to be strong now that Karasu was gone. But the tears still flowed, his cheeks were flooded and his breathing was uncontrolled, hiccup's followed and Andrew let go. He couldn't stop now that he started.

All the while Aozora held him close, going down on his knees to hold Andrew. His one and only true friend.