I was amazed I could still remember those days, even in this moment. Those carefree times seemed like a dream, as cliche as that sounds. When all that mattered was beating Sasuke and becoming Hokage, but I didn't really have to think about attaining that powerful position; I just knew one day I'd achieve it. I had to.

That didn't matter anymore. That unrealistic dream had been achieved, but something had been missing. That one piece that was ripped away all those years ago when Sasuke left. After a while my comrades forced me to give up, and then I simply attempted to keep my mind off it by becoming intertwined with my work. I became the leader of anbu, and then Hokage. It happened dizzyingly fast.

But it didn't bring Sasuke back. The villages acknowledgment didn't fill that hole in my heart.

I set out to find him again. The village tried to stop me, but what could that do? I was the Hokage. They couldn't stop me. I gave Shikamaru the position temporarily until I returned. But I guess its permanent, now..

I turned my head. The texture and coolness of the grass was soothing on my cheek. Sasuke had turned to look at me as well. I wondered if he could remember those days.

Blood stained his alabaster skin and his hair was a tangled mess, but he was still my Sasuke, I had found him. Us fighting was inevitable, and us dying together like this felt right. I was relieved It'd be with him. The thought comforted me against the pain of abandoning Konoha. They'd be fine, though...Ino would take care of Sakura for me...Neji would take care of Hinata..

My wounds still stung, but it was all blending into a numbness. I inched my hand across the grass to grasp Sasukes limply. It made him smile and he closed his eyes, managing to squeeze my fingers gently.

Ahh...those days...who would've thought...

I closed my eyes, too. I was slightly surprised when a wetness slid down my cheek (the tears they flow but why am I crying, after all I'm not afraid of dying. FUCK YEA) I didn't waste my time wondering who would be waiting for me on the other side; wither it'd be God or some other deity, because I had Sasuke with me, and I knew we'd face whatever it was together.