The roaring heat of a forge graced his skin, sparks soaring from the beating of metal on metal, a molten blade in the process of creation.

A young blond boy- staring forth at the action with amazement in his eyes.
    Then he realized- there was no sound. He spoke- his voice was not heard.

Not even by himself.

Distant- a male stood by a tree in the shade, watching this unfold. . His coat fluttering aflame and burns riddling his being.
    He could see the words that were being mouthed- but he heard something far different.

'I don't want to disappear.'

Every nightmare. Every dream. Every cold lonely night he stared at the ceiling regretting every choice he made.
    Every time he never wanted to wake up- every time he wanted to end it all in a burning cloud of ash and dust, just so he could be happy.

Just so he could see her again.

Another flicker of a flashback- a blinding white light, showing a sixteen year old, grouchy blacksmith that stood at the arenas of Iwagakure.
    A redhead pulling on his arm, trying to lead him elsewhere with a smile on her face. Her words made no sound- but when the blacksmith spoke.

'You loved me when I couldn't love myself.'

There was a theory among dead men that spoke, "When your life is coming to an end, the entirety of it flashes before your eyes in an instant."

But all he saw was an Uzumaki- crying in a field of grass all alone
    Crying that he was gone- crying that he left. Crying that he wasn't going to return.
The burnt figure rushed toward her- but with each step, it felt like a treadmill. He only made more distance.

It was as if he was running backwards. As if he was running away from what his heart wanted.

But a spark of hope came, and it made him get out of his bed each morning. It made him continue on. Because he made a promise.
    'I'll never leave you again.' - and then another, 'We're going to have a family together.' - and then another-- 'We're going to die .. when we're ready. Together.'

A squelch of muscle and flesh being pierced- as blood ran from his form.
    A broken heart- pierced by a blade. . Truly his end on this day.
But as he clutched his kunai with a grip stronger than his resolve--

One statement ran through his head.

'..I'm sorry..Marin... I love you..'

One last breath- and his body went limp. The end of the merchant.
(Avhain)