"Naruto . . . sweetheart . . ." Kushina murmured wearily.
"M-mom, p-please just rest. You'll feel so much better if you do! J-just please-"
"You are so strong an so, so kind and I am so sorry, for everything. It must have been so hard for you. "Tears began to stream down the side of her face, marking the pillow beneath her.
"N-no, mom please just no more talking. Y-you, are going to be ok!" He declared, unable to keep the alarm from his voice. "We're going to get you better and have l-lots of ramen a-and you can keep teaching me all those super cool m-moves! It's, it's going to be okay and we're going to so much fun!"
A smile grew on her face as her son went on. "Naru. my sweet sweet Naru. Nothing would make me happier." Turning her head slightly she took in his form with the last of her fading sight. "You've grown into a fine young man. I love you and I am SO proud of you."
A pit grew in his stomach. "Wait, wait, wait j-just, please don't go! "He begged helplessly. "Stay here, stay with me! I-I' can do more, I can take care of us both, I'll find a way to make you better I-I, I promise! So please just don't do it! D-don't leave me!"
Kushina's eyes closed as tears began to stream faster. "I'm so sorry." she rasped. "I can't go on, I'm at my limit Naruto."
"M-mom!" He choked as sobs began to wrack his body.
"It's ok." She breathed soothingly. "Go to Konoha, Jiraiya will take care of you. So promise, promise me that you'll live for yourself."
"I . . . I can't-"
"Please. Promise me you won't deny yourself the chance to be h-happy."
"Mom . . . "
"Please. Please promise me."
"I . . . I'll try. I promise I'll try."
A beautiful smile grows on her face. "Thank you."
She feels his hand grasp her own. "I love you, mom. I love you so much." A moment later she could feel his head rest on her arm as well as the tears he shed trickling down her skin.
"I love you too Naru. More than you will ever know."
