Always Be

Disclaimer: Don't own anything yet, although there are some diabolical plots in mind.

Author's Note:

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A friend is a brother who was once a bother. ~Author Unknown

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There was an accident on the I95 today….

Naruto muted the TV, not wanting to hear more of it. He'd already heard it all. Drunken driver hitting the motorcycle, motorcycle skidding into the muddy ditch; it was old news as of an hour ago. An hour since they found him there.

A knock at his door drew his attention. Naruto cleared his throat. "Come in."

Shikamaru stuck his head around the door before entering. "Hey."

"Hey, Shika."

"What's wrong?"

"You haven't watched the news today?"

"No. I only watch the weather portion enough so I know whether to get an umbrella. Why?"

Shikamaru followed the cerulean gaze. A picture was on a shared bookshelf. Two teenage boys, one a tanned blonde with a ready-for-trouble grin and an arm around the other pale and dark-haired boy's shoulder; It was the day they both bought the Jeep that they'd been saving up for; they were nineteen.

"My brother died." Naruto told him, eyes dull. "A drunk driver hit him."

Shikamaru put an arm around Naruto. "That's him?" Shikamaru didn't really know Sasuke. He'd only moved into town with Naruto, who'd traveled there every summer, a few months ago.

"You said he was your brother."

"He was." Is. Would always be.

"You guys were always arguing though."

"It's what brothers do." Naruto told him.

Shikamaru looked at him carefully. "Are you going to be okay if I leave you alone? I was gonna ask you if you wanted to come to a barbeque at Chouji's, but I have a feeling you don't want to."

Naruto nodded. "I'll be fine. Thanks for wondering though."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

Shikamaru hesitated at the door. "…Okay."

"Thanks, Shika."

Shikamaru nodded and closed the door quietly.

Naruto looked at the picture. "You stupid teme." He said fondly, "Now I hafta clean this whole place by myself. Don't worry, I'm not gonna do anything amazingly stupid. Just…wait for me up there, alright? God knows you're not the most patient guy, but you always waited for me. Just one more time, teme."

* * * *

Sasuke looked at the bridge to a rather bright light. He quirked an eyebrow, but sat down on the railing. "Not just yet." He told the light. "I'm waiting for some stupid dobe down there."