Naruto felt something as heavy as lead on his chest, he left his lungs contract and his heart speed up. In the same second he felt his lungs close, his chest get lighter and his heart slow down. The feeling was pure torture. He wanted to open his eyes so badly, wanted to open his mouth and yell something, because even he, dead last, wasn't stupid enough to think that Sasuke would stay and make sure he was ok.

"God…"

A voice murmured, it was raspy and sounded far away. Naruto felt something close to his forehead, felt the presence of someone above him. he tried to move, tried to get closer to the only warmth he felt. The figure, he thought it was Sasuke, seemed to get closer.

"God…"

Now he knew it was Sasuke, he felt him put his forehead protect push against his own. Naruto tried to open his eyes, tried to do something, he wanted to hold Sasuke down, and keep him down until he could make him see that he was wanted, needed here. But his body wouldn't respond, all he could do was lie still.

"Naruto, please…"

Naruto felt Sasuke get lower and lower until lips covered his own. They stayed there for a few seconds, as if trying to memorize something he would never see again. Naruto wanted to scream at him, tell him he didn't need to do that, if only he stayed. If only he stayed he could kiss him everyday, hug him everyday… if he only stayed.

"Please, forgive me, Naruto, please…"

Those lips left and he felt Sasuke sort of collapse on him, he felt the boy convulse. Sasuke was crying… Sasuke was crying… for him. Sasuke was crying because of what he did and what he was going to do. Naruto was in wonder, someone was crying… for him, not because of him, not because of what he had done, but because they had done something to him.

"I-I'm…"

But it seemed the solemn boy couldn't even say it when he though Naruto wasn't conscious, as if saying that aloud would make him stay, would make it plausible to stay. Because not saying it made him invincible, in a sense; Sasuke slowly stood up, his hitai (1) falling on the ground, making a soft plop sound.

"Teme…"

Sasuke turned around and saw the blonde's eyes were open slightly, and he stopped.

"Please stay…"

Sasuke gave a dry laugh, it was soft but Naruto heard it and frowned.

"Can't, dobe, avenger and all."

Naruto shakily got to his knees, his whole body protesting at the movement but he didn't want to look weak.

"Screw being an avenger, stay with us, with ME! Please…"

Sasuke looked at Naruto, he was standing completely straight, his jacket was ripped in so many places, his face was scratched up and in his eyes there was a desperation… it was so compelling, making Sasuke want to stay home. But he couldn't, not with Itachi out there, not with the god damn seal on his neck. So all he was turn his back on Naruto, walking into the forest.

Naruto fell backwards to his previous position. He felt so defeated, so worthless… he let out a ear-shattering scream, his tears accompanying the broken yell.

I'm sorry echoed through the forest as his vision went black and the last thing he saw was Sasuke's head band with a slash through the middle. Traitor.


Just something I came up with in my spare time, I've had a lot of it actually. So for those of you following Basilisk Child, I'm… a fourth or a third done with it. Yes, small maybe, but it's something. So Ha.

As for the (1), I don't really know how to spell it, someone care to tell me.

Warmest regards,

TheSlytherinMuggle