Eternally Fallen

A Naruto Fanfiction

By Teki Star

Randomness: ... I want a muffin. Oh, and these characters aren't mine. I only own the plushies, sadly.

A yellow ball of fluff bobbed up and down merrily, making its way through the crowded street of Konoha-Gakure. Mind you, it wasn't a giant cotton ball of any sort, but instead a great mane of unkempt hair. Naruto's unkempt hair, to be precise.

As per usual, not a soul paid the dear boy even a glance as he raced down the pebbled path, except for the few whom yelled out for him to be more careful. Of course, Naruto returned the favor, ignoring those who walked past him like they were never there, or returning a sharp insult. Little did he know that a certain pair of ash eyes were indeed not ignoring him in the least, and instead intently watching.

Panting and trying to re-capture his lost breath, the sun-darkened boy entered the shaded area the green foliage of the forest provided. His speedy pace quickly morphed into a mere walk-jog. Although it was not his nature to take things slowly, it was only right to walk this path slowly. As rude and dense as the boy was, he still knew that it was disrespectful to the dead to come trampling in like a tangerine-coloured whirlwind.

Sasuke's eyes never left his loved one as he made his way through the viridian sheets, careful not to alarm his target. Naruto went on this path once every fortnight, always on the last day of the week. Who knows where he learned this ritual, but at least the constantness let the coal-haired one keep tabs on his location with much more ease.

Sky-toned eyes soon met their destination. A gray stone was mounted on the earth, with some slight moss beginning to form on its top. Sweet Leaf Village grass crowded its base, as if each blade secretly hoped to border it. It sat alone, with no others to keep it company. Naruto could only sadly smile at this. He wouldn't have liked anyone else around, anyway.

He crouched down, eyeing the slag with deep sorrow swirling in his eyes. He gently placed some cup ramen at the base, not noticing Sasuke's nearing presence as he stood again.

"Now I know you don't like ramen, but this new flavor just came out and I thought you'd like to try it," Naruto began, rubbing the back of his head and glancing to the side.

"Don't worry, it's not sweet or anything; I know how much you hate sweets and all. You shouldn't complain, even if it is sweet. I'm sacrificing my beloved ramen for you, after all!" A hollow laugh followed.

The false face was soon dropped, however, as small streams sprouted from the cyan orbs. Sasuke winced as the salty water hit the earth, leaving no sound but Naruto's quiet sobs and the gentle breeze of the forest. Gulping back his fear, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the small blonde.

"It was all my fault," the demon-holder sobbed, too lost in his own sorrow and guilt to notice the other's presence. "All my fault! If only I could have been stronger, I could have stopped you! If I would have stopped you, you'd be here beside me!"

Sasuke tried to calm the boy, quietly making shh-ing sounds and repeating, "It wasn't your fault." But his efforts were wasted, since his companion was not calmed to the least.

"I... I... I never had a chance to tell you everything. I'm so alone now, without you. It's been one year now. One year! I feel like I'm the only one who still remembers you and cherishes the memory. I miss you so much... So much..."

Mushy speeches weren't Naruto's specialty, but the words hit Sasuke hard. No matter how hard he tried to calm his friend, nothing worked. And, Sasuke realized, nothing ever will. Night-chilled eyes slowly looked down, his arms still holding the howling and whimpering boy. He slowly read the engraved text on the stone.

Uchiha Sasuke

Destroyed by his own ambitions.

May his soul find peace beyond.