Chapter 1: Wait for me…

'Italic' - Thoughts

"…" – Talking

'Bold Italic' – Kurama talking

Naruto POV

'It has been two weeks already…'

'Two weeks since the end of the 4th Great Ninja War, although for me… it felt like the end was only yesterday.'

As I look up my eyes identify the two new KIA memorial stones that sit either side of the original. There were so many ninjas that didn't make it home… so many that the council decided to add two smaller memorial stones specially dedicated to those that didn't return from the war.

Seeing so many new names I begin to question if this war was even worth it.

'Did so many have to die because of me?'

'Am I really worth that much?'

'No… I'm not. People shouldn't have had to die for me. Maybe it would have been best for everyone if the Akatsuki had gotten to me first and extracted Kurama. At least this way so many from not only Konoha, but all the shinobi villages wouldn't have had to sacrifice themselves. I never wanted anyone to die for me. Why was this world so cruel? I couldn't save any of them. Not even Neji, my own friend!'

'It should have been me that died. Not them.'

'All these names that are in front of me, how many of them could I even put a face too? Did I work alongside any of these ninjas? Pass any of them in the street? See them at all?'

It's with these thoughts running through my mind that I remember it gets worse than this.

'What about all the other Ninja from the other elemental nations that lost their lives. I wouldn't have known any of them… how many families lost loved ones because of a cause with me at its epicentre? How many families did I destroy?'

"Dobe I know what you're thinking, you need to stop right now before it destroys you"

Sasuke POV

'It's been two weeks already.'

'Two weeks since the end of the war.'

'Two weeks since I returned to this village.'

'I promised myself I would have left by now. But today's the day. No more holding back.'

'There's just one more person I want to say goodbye to before I leave.'

It was with these thoughts that I went on my self-appointed mission to find Naruto, but it would seem that no matter where I looked I couldn't find the dobe. The Hokage tower, the academy, the Hokage monument, his apartment, the bridge where we used to meet as team 7… he was nowhere. As much as it annoyed me I even ask all our old classmates and Team Gai if any of them had seen him, but it would seem there was absolutely no sign of the dobe at all.

'Maybe I should just give up on finding him… if he doesn't want to be found then there's no chance that anyone will be able to find him. Hn… why do I even bother'

In one last vain attempt, I just let my feet carry me to whatever my destination may be. And there he was. Just standing there like a statue staring at the memorial stones… just like how Kakashi would. I walked right up to him so we were shoulder to shoulder and joined him in his studying of the stones. 'Does he not know I'm here or something? He hasn't said a word or made even the smallest of gestures to acknowledge me… what's going on?'

One look into his sky blue eyes told me everything I needed to know. He was in pain, excruciating pain.

'He's blaming himself for the deaths of all those who now have their names forever carved on the new memorial stones. He's wishing he died instead, isn't he? Why are you doing this to yourself Naruto?'

"Dobe I know what you're thinking, you need to stop right now before it destroys you"

Right after those words left my mouth he shot his head up to look at me. Confusion flashed across his face immediately before he figured out it was me and that confusion was replaced with a look of hate.

"WHAT WOULD YOU KNOW TEME!"

"I had thoughts similar to yours right now after my brother annihilated my clan, just look at where those thoughts led me. It's not worth it Naruto"

With a look of defeat, he dropped his head.

"The two situations are hardly alike, you can't compare them" Although this was said in hardly a whisper, I heard it loud and clear, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't ignore the hate I detected in his voice.

"Perhaps they are alike, perhaps they're not. It all depends on the individual's viewpoint. But I do know this Naruto, don't blame yourself for everyone's deaths. They didn't die fighting just for you. They died for everyone in the hopes that they wouldn't have to live the rest of their lives in a dream. They wanted to die knowing that they saved humanity from a fate worse than hell. They didn't die in vain either Naruto. You made their dreams into reality after you defeated Madara and Kaguya and saved everyone from the Infinite Tsukuyomi. If it were my name carved on one of those stones, I would be thankful to you for making my dying wish come true and saving all those I cared about. I'm sure everyone who lost their lives feels the same way as I do Naruto"

"You're right… I'm sorry I snapped at you before, what are you doing here anyway teme?"

'That smile… it's not genuine. Why do you always fake your feelings dobe?'

"I came to say goodbye to you Naruto…" with just one quick glance I could see the pain return to his beautiful face. 'Finally you're beginning to drop that mask of yours' "…I'm leaving the village for awhile, but don't worry I will return home and stay for good next time"

"Why… why are you leaving again, you only just came back! If you are going to stay for good when you return why are you even leaving in the first place? IT MAKES NO SENSE!"

His eyes, they look so dead, they have no life left in them… 'What have they done to you Naruto? What are you doing to yourself?'

'Is it really right for me to leave? No, I have to do this…'

"There are still so many things I want to do, places and people to see, things to learn. But most importantly I want to make sure that I am at my best both mentally and emotionally so that upon my return I can confess to the one I love and make them happy. I want to make sure I'm at my best for them"

"Hmm sounds like one lucky girl teme"

"You have no idea dobe"

"I wish you the best of luck then teme and I hope you'll both be happy. Who is she anyway?"

'God if only you knew dobe, how I wish I could tell you'

"The identity of the one I love is a secret for now, but don't worry you will know who they are once I come back. I just hope they return my feelings and except me"

As I look at him and smile, he returns it, this time with a genuine one… 'Thank you dobe, for letting me see your real smile before I leave'

"Well with your stoic Uchiha attitude here's hoping"

"Hn you just watch, anyways it's time for me to leave… see you round dobe" and with one final wave to him, I turn around and leave.

'Please… wait for me… Naruto'

Naruto POV

"Goodbye… Sasuke…" I whispered to his retreating back knowing he wouldn't even hear me.

As I placed my closed fist over my heart I couldn't help but notice how much his departure from the village hurt.

'Why do you have to leave me again teme… wasn't once enough? Why does it have to hurt so much when it comes to you? I wish I could show you who I truly was… I wish you knew how I truly felt… I know you're in love with another and I really am happy for you… I just wish it could have been me that you fell in love with…I feel so jealous of her… why couldn't it have been me? Are these feelings wrong of me?... I'm allowed to dream though aren't I?'

As I finally lose sight of his disappearing form I let a single tear fall from my now closed eyes…

'I just wish you would wait for me… Sasuke'