Chasing

Summary: Uchiha Sasuke remembers the day Naruto stopped chasing. "Sasuke, I won't chase you anymore. This is the last time." That had been five years ago. And true to his word, Uzumaki Naruto never came after him again.

---

Uchiha Sasuke remembers the day Naruto stopped chasing.

They had been playing their little game of cat and mouse for over a decade. Both reaching their mid-twenties by now. Sasuke's birthday was in a week, the blonde's was in two.

Before, this had been the climax of their year.

Every year, one week before Sasuke's birthday and two week before Naruto's, a great battle would be fought. One that would carve its existence into the very earth.

Mountains had been leveled, craters had been dug out, and canyons had been created. In that decade, the two of them managed to create a whole new landscape for the ninja villages.

The wind and thunder gods, people whispered as thunder clouds brew above their heads.

They became legends.

One became the sun and gentle breeze of Konoha. One became the moon and burning flame of the desolate.

"I'm getting married," the blonde had said gently.

They lay in the peaceful rain as the wind had blown itself out and the thunder crackled in the distance. Blue eyes looked guilty but resolute. Dark eyes looked for an answer but found none.

"She's pregnant," the blonde answered without needing the question. "And Kakashi's decided he doesn't want to keep the Hokage spot anymore."

I can't keep chasing you anymore.

The missing nin sat up, joints creaking and muscles protesting. It had been a good fight.

"Come home Sasuke," Naruto asked, eyes not meeting the other's dark ones.

"You know I can't," came Sasuke's usual answer. Readjusting his sword and putting on his cloak, the brunette prepared to leave with a swift leap. But the desperate tones in the other's voice stopped him, never before had he heard Naruto's voice like that:

"Sasuke, I won't chase you anymore. This is the last time."

That had been five years ago. And true to his word, Uzumaki Naruto never came after him again.

Sitting on the window sill of his hotel room, Uchiha Sasuke watched the rain fall. The wind blew droplets into his face and his ears picked up the incoming rumble of the thunder.

Lighting illuminated the dark room, revealing an opened letter:

…did you get my last letter? I hope the Village of Hidden Rain hasn't brought the cranky side…

…my little girl has been asking when Uncle will come to visit her. She loves stories about you…

…thanks for keeping us updated. You don't know how much I appreciate…

…be safe on your travels and come home soon…

Naruto

---

"It's okay if you can't come back now. But promise me that you will, Sasuke."

Just because I can't chase you doesn't mean I don't want you back.

"Hn."

I know, I promise.

And both of them knew he would keep it.

Wait for me, Naruto. I will come back.

---

A/N: Ah, too much SasuNaru/NaruSasu in my head right now. The whole concept revolved around the idea that Naruto would probably reach a time when he can't continue pursuing and settles for knowing that Sasuke would one day come back.

I've always seen Sasuke as the Jiraiya character. Not the whole 'I-will-find-peace-for-the-world' and stuff, but the whole hermit kind of life style. I can totally see after the series ending, Sasuke not really returning to Konoha but leaving on travels leaving Sakura behind. (just like Jiraiya and Tsunade 3)

Ooh, maybe that's my next story idea!

Thanks for reading and reviewing!

-sodesne