Heaven forbid this happens in the real Naruto. Even if I did own the series, I wouldn't do this to these two.
Can't quite call it angst, but it's not exactly a happy piece either. I seem to be doing a few gloomier pieces here from my perspective, but usually I'm a far more upbeat person than this.
I'm sorry I wasn't there to cover your back.
I thought that he would be enough to protect you. He was, after all, one the finest ninja in his graduating class and barely four years our senior.
I should've insisted on going with you, should've done everything I could to be the one covering your back on that mission. Instead I stayed behind like a good little ninja and let you die.
You wanted to be here with your wife, with the mother of your unborn child, but duty called you away on a mission only you could do. You asked me, instead, to keep an eye on her until you returned. This was a risky pregnancy, after all, since they said it would be dangerous for her to carry a child and might even kill her. Ironic, isn't it: you said that the child would be loved all the more for only having one parent and it is you who will never see your own offspring.
She went into labour early, while you were fighting for your life. She had twins, a boy and a girl. Your son looks just like you, and your daughter looks just like your wife.
Gai-sensei was bawling his eyes out from tears of pure joy when he held your son, and I know my eyes leaked a tear or two as I held your daughter. I thought of how your face lit up when you thought of having your own child to replace the family you lost. No amount of close kin can replace parents, which you and I both lost so early.
She asked me, once Gai-sensei had left and the twins were asleep, if I thought you would be happy when you found out about your new children. I said you would be thrilled, never realising that as we spoke you lay dying on foreign soil.
She was devastated when she found out, you know, almost suicidal I suspect. She loves you more than she lets on, you know. Loves you more than her own life.
When we buried you she clung to me for support, her hands trembling as they had not since she was a fresh genin.
I heard that Naruto once called Sasuke his brother, and he still stands by that title for the gothic Uchiha. I think I understand what he means. They are brothers in all but blood, as are you and I.
So, my brother, I will do as you asked me and keep an eye on your wife and children for as long as I live. They will not just have a mother; they will have an uncle and a doting green-clad grandfather to speak of the father they won't meet in life.
So, until we meet again my brother, I will keep my word as I always have. When we meet again, I will be able to look you in the eye and say that I kept my word to the very end.
For the record, this could go either way as Neji to Lee or Lee to Neji. I left the girl deliberately vague so you can make it your favourite pairing with either guy, but it's definitely not a yaoi piece by any stretch of the imagination.
Reviews liked, but not required.