Eight years seems like a long time, but those years can be gone in an instant, wasted away in the blink of an eye. Regrets pile up just like dirt being thrown shovel-full at a time onto your grave as you bury yourself alive. What was the point of it all if you had nothing to show for it? What was the point...when all you had left to offer was the satisfaction of your own death?
Rated M for language, violence, self-harm, yaoi (boy x boy), sexual themes/possible lemon...
*If you have an issue with yaoi or other LGBT, then do not read the story...simple as that. I will not tolerate incompetence and stupidity on the issue. I really do not care about your close-minded opinions nor does anyone else that is here to enjoy this story and others stories on the site of the same nature.
Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, do not own 'Naruto' as it is owned by the one and only Masashi Kishimoto...
I would like to add that this is a "revised" story, if you may call it that. After going on hiatus with this story for two years, I came back to it and had a few new ideas in store for it, so most of the chapters are a completely different story than I had originally planned (to be honest, I didn't know where the original was heading in the first place.) I hope the story does not disappoint. For the few fans of the previous one, I hope you accept my apologies for bailing on this fic, but I'm back in action! The reasons of my absence was because I moved to California for awhile to go through school for culinary arts and I didn't have internet up there, so it was near impossible to post anything (excuses! :'( ) So for those who believe I may abandon this fic again and never finish it...just know I am not going back to California again, at least in the foreseeable future lol. And considering the city is sitting in the middle of a lake now due to all the flooding, I think that is safe to say...
The first chapter is more like a prologue and pretty much follows the show in the episode where Sasuke and Naruto confront one another for the first time after the time skip. This is the only chapter like this as I wanted to give more insight on Sasuke's thoughts that were going through his head at the time. So if it all sounds eerily familiar...it's because it is :P
Chapter One
It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness of the long corridor as I stepped out of the bright sunlight. The only light that was emitted in the hallways was given off by two candles that aligned either side of the walls every twenty feet or so. Even though it was enough light to see everything in the room, it was still too dark for my liking. Combined with the dankness and chill permeating the underground lair only made the endless hallways of Orochimaru's hideout even more depressing and disorienting, especially while walking them alone. Sometimes it felt as if the walls were closing in on me and the feeling was hard to shake, but these discomforts weren't going to stop me from completing my mission. Not this time...
After running and losing count of how many hallways and dead ends I had come across, I came to one door in particular that spiked my attention the most. My breath caught in my throat as I slowly approached the door and cautiously opened it to reveal a small room that was only lit by one candle. The room was quite barren aside from a small table in one corner that held a small heap of clothes on it and a bed sitting on the opposite side of the room where someone was lying. I couldn't see their face because they had their back to me, but I didn't have to see it to know who it was - the person that had brought me here in the first place. Slowly walking up to them, I carefully snatched away the barrier of blankets to unveil the blond who had haunted my dreams every night, the very reason that had brought me here today.
My veins iced over and a prickling chill made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I stared down at him. The soft candlelight cast dancing shadows on his form as I stood there, mesmerized at the sight...why was this Naruto? Why was the shadow of my past lying here before me...and why was he the one in this position instead of myself?
My heart jumped into my throat as he began to stir and I couldn't do anything but watch as he slowly sat up, his back still towards me. For a long while, we both remained frozen in place, not daring to move. The room was so silent you could almost hear the echo of the soft flickering of the candle's flame.
"So...you found me." He turned his head just enough to look at me from the corner of his eye and the simple look shot icicles down my spine as I stared at the cold, hateful glint in his eye.
I felt suspended in time and all speech evaded me considering I didn't quite understand what was going on, but after a moment words flowed out of my mouth as if they had been rehearsed dozens of times before. "I shouldn't have had to find you," I found myself saying, feeling as if it wasn't really me who was speaking. I watched as Naruto slowly stood up and turned towards me to finally reveal his face which didn't seem to have aged a day since the last time I saw him three years prior.
The candlelight only lit up half his features, the other half shrouded in the blackest of shadows. A small smirk lit up his features which continued to play on his lips even as he spoke, "the same could have been said about you, Sasuke."
I swallowed the lump in my throat as I slowly approached him, stopping just inside the threshold of the door. "You should come back with me. Everyone wants you to come home. I want you to come home...I need you. Not only as a friend, but as a brother."
He laughed with no humor and stared me dead in the eye, a dangerous glint hidden within the depths of his cerulean blue orbs. "I am home." I had never been lost at sea, but I could imagine this was how a ship's crew felt during a massive storm while being helplessly thrashed about within the deadly and merciless grip of the waves. I could practically feel myself drowning the longer I stared into Naruto's cold gaze and I could do nothing to tear my eyes away.
Suddenly, the world unleashed a stream of bright, blue light in my vision, momentarily blinding me from the intensity of the dancing blue streaks. My eyes widened as I felt the searing pain cut through my abdomen and I stayed glued to the spot as my vision begun to return. When I looked down, I saw the blue tendrils of light flickering between Naruto's fingertips just before he shoved his hand deeper into my stomach-
Then I woke up.
I slowly opened my eyes and stared at the decaying ceiling of my quarters, feeling more calm about the nightmare than I should have. This had become such a common occurrence that it hardly had an effect on me anymore. Shadows cast from the candlelight danced on the uneven walls in sporadic patterns as a chilling breeze swept through the room from the door that was slightly ajar, but the eeriness of it had long ago lost its power against me as well. Ever since I left Konoha, these dreams had haunted me in my sleep and in the waking day, but I had to do my best to block them out. Even when I was younger, after my brother had killed everyone in my clan, I was plagued by nightmares but none of them even compared to some of the dreams I had today. They truly bothered me in the beginning, even frightened me to the point where I didn't want to leave my quarters at times, but I eventually found a way to block them out to the best of my capabilities. Despite being able to control the effects, though, it didn't mean I was able to block out the unsettling memories and nostalgia that they brought with them. That was the one thing I learned long ago that I had no hopes of blocking out, so I had no choice to replay a life that I no longer had.
I closed my eyes once more and turned on my side, laying there in silence for a while, waiting for the darkness to take me into its shadows once more. All I seemed to have now were the shadows to accompany me, both in reality and unconsciousness. Despite which world I was in, I always had the memories dancing around in the back of my mind, making sure they kept themselves close, but I didn't mind having them, to be honest. At least they provided me with the realization that I was happy once upon a time and that I wasn't always a cold-hearted, backstabbing bastard. My past was the only thing that kept me going day to day and it gave me a reason to hope that maybe one day I could return to that state of content I used to have. It probably wouldn't ever be more than daydreaming, though.
As I felt the grasp of sleep beginning to consume me, the door slowly creaked open a bit more and sent a blast of cold air into the room, almost making the candle blow out by its intensity. Without looking I knew someone had entered the room, but waited a moment more before turning around to see who it was. I knew it wasn't Orochimaru because he was too confident in himself to hide his chakra signature and Kabuto wouldn't have hesitated to announce his prescence. I activated my Sharingan and waited to see what the intruder did next.
"Alright, who's there?" I asked calmly as something that felt like snakes slithered onto my back and side. I was beginning to think it was one of Orochimaru's lackeys that used snakes as well, but I didn't recognize the hum of chakra.
"So...you do know I'm here," a voice said that I, too, didn't recognize. "Well regardless, I still have the advantage."
"What do you want?"
The door creaked open the rest of the way with the soft footfalls of the intruder right behind it. "Well, if you mean Lord Danzou, his objective is to get rid of you. But me, I have come here to take you back to the Leaf." He paused a moment before continuing. "When I first started out, my only intentions were to locate you and take you down. You share something with him...a bond of friendship that Naruto is desperately holding onto...and I'm here to protect it!"
Another silence ensued as I let that sink in. This stranger had come in here to tell me this? A person I didn't know and could care less about was telling me about the bond I used to share with Naruto. 'Who the hell does this guy think he is?' I kept my opinions to myself. "...a bond? Is that really your excuse for waking me up?"
As I was about to attack, he seemed to calculate my intentions as the snakes wrapped around me in a vice grip, but it was no use. Such weak jutsu had no effect on me as I released a burst of chakra, creating a huge explosion that destroyed a large portion of the hideout, creating a huge crater in the ground. I did not know who this guy was other than he was apparently on a mission with Naruto to capture me but the only question on my mind was: where was Naruto, who should have been saying all of this to me? This guy may have been my replacement on the team, but he must have been playing the entire squad if he was truly working for Danzo. Were they aware that he was part of Root, which was notoriously known for the disposal of high-value targets and targets under suspicion?
'Does this mean they willingly set out on a mission to kill me?' This thought was a little more than unnerving as I felt I had been suckerpunched with the knocked out of me, but I remained stoic as I stared at the unharmed Root member who seemed to be staring right through me with eyes as devoid of emotion as my own. I tried telling myself I didn't care about their decision, but it was hard to shake the thought they may have very well come out here to kill me. If it came down to a death match between Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi-sensei...could I really bring myself to kill them? Would revenge really be worth it if there was nothing left to return to?
I jumped to the top of the canyon I had created and looked down into the crater, continuing to stare at the guy while trying to figure him out. He claimed to be here to 'protect' a bond instead of destroying it, but I didn't trust for one second anything a member of Root had to say. 'This guy isn't worth my time or energy. Where is Naruto?'
It had been over two years since I had last saw him and I honestly didn't know what to expect. We used to get stronger together before I left, so would he be weaker then I was? Has he grown as I have? Could he possibly be stronger? Or was he still the same weakling as when I had left? So many questions that begged to be answered and to be honest I was a little frightened to find out. After all, a lot can change in three years...I was a prime example of that fact.
The Root member didn't attempt attacking or continue with our previous conversation much to my relief. That meant he was waiting for backup and I was for one eager for it to arrive. After a minute had passed, my suspicions were proven correct as Sakura came running out of one of the hallways and grabbed Sai's shirt collar tightly, beginning to yell at him angrily. Not the response I had expected but it wasn't surprising, either. Even two years later, it appeared Sakura hadn't changed at all which I didn't know was a good thing or not.
"Sakura..." I said in a casual voice, a little impatient for her to notice me. Like I expected, she tensed and quickly looked up at me, shock plastered on her features. Naruto came barreling out of another hallway before she had a chance to speak and wasted no time looking right at me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end at the intensity of his stare.
When our eyes met, old memories began to flood my thoughts once more of all the things that had ever happened between us...the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, the most intense of moments and the laid back ones where Naruto always annoyed me to no end, but I secretly longed to steal a moment like that with him again; with both of them. There was no denying Naruto and I shared one of the closest bonds...but I couldn't say for sure if it was still intact. The longer I stared down at him, the more I realized he wasn't the little boy I used to know and the differences caught me by surprise. He looked more mature and had a serious expression permanently etched into his features now. Physically, he had also grown quite a bit as he was almost as tall as me now and had definitely packed on more muscle than I had. The longer I stared at him and took in the changes, I realized that we were no longer the little boys playing war games in our backyard anymore. We both had a cause we were fighting for that brought us here today.
"Well, Naruto..." I said, breaking the tense silence. "You came too. I assume Kakashi is here?"
"Unfortunately Kakashi couldn't make it, so I'm here in his place," another guy said who slowly walked out of the hallway Naruto had come out of and walked over to the others. "Team Kakashi has come to escort you back to the Leaf village."
"Team Kakashi..." I slowly looked over all their faces and studied each one carefully. It didn't matter at this point if I wanted to go back or not, I knew I couldn't. I hated to sound so selfish, but my first priority was to kill Itachi and I couldn't possibly do that if I showed any old connections with them. Even if I was strong enough to take on Itachi now, I would never be able to find him because I would always be stuck in the village, awaiting missions that seldom come. If I wasn't thrown into prison, that is. The only way to track down Itachi was to use the connections I had with Orochimaru and his lackey's; at least he had been a member of Akatsuki, once upon a time, and his number one was a genius when it came to collecting information on individuals; the village wouldn't even have half the connections that I had here.
I watched in moot fascination as the Root member took out his tanto and pointed it towards me, not taking his eye from my own.
"I knew it!" Sakura yelled, now all eyes on Sai. "Sai, don't!" I barely comprehended her words as I stared at the threat before me. This one, I didn't mind killing...I actually might have enjoyed it.
"So... this is my replacement?" I asked, keeping a close eye on everyone, especially the captain. I didn't know what type of power he possessed, so I couldn't rule him out as a threat even from this distance. "I thought the team already had a weakling. He keeps saying something about protecting the bond between Naruto and me."
Sakura looked at Sai. "Sai, I thought your mission was to try assas-"
"It's true," Sai cut her off, not even sparing her a glance. "I was on a classified mission to find and eliminate Sasuke, but I'm through following orders. For now on, I think for myself." He then turned to Naruto, staring at him, deadpan. "Naruto...I think you can help me remember. Bring back those old memories that I thought were lost - things that were once important to me." So this Sai seemed to be getting quite acquainted with Naruto, I see. He then turned to stare at me once more with an intensity I had yet to see on Sai's face. He seemed so...lifeless on the outside, almost like me. "I don't know much about you, Sasuke, but I know Sakura and Naruto would be willing to sacrifice just about everything for you. They don't want to lose their connection with you. They would give anything to protect those bonds! I still may not be able to understand it that clearly, but you Sasuke, you must be able to understand it!"
I closed my eyes for a long time, trying to control my rising anger. I really didn't like this guy, speaking as if he knew what he was talking about. "You are right. I did understand...and that's why I severed them!" When I opened my eyes, I saw the shocked expressions of everyone staring at me, but the words had to be said. To show any old affection towards them would just fuel their obsession to bring me back and I couldn't afford that right now. The only way I knew how to make this work was to make it clear that I severed every thread that bound us together. It couldn't be helped and even though I hated myself for having to say that in order for me to achieve my goal, then so be it.
Another silence ensued, which lasted for a long time. My words had stung them as much as it did to myself, but they didn't understand how much pain this put on me as well. There was no way I could leave and go back to the village, not when I have already come this far. Even if I had chosen to go back, there wasn't a sure fate for any of us if we had to fight Orochimaru and Kabuto. And if we happened to get pass them, what future could I say I would have upon my arrival in the village? Comfortable accommodations in a prison cell as I awaited my appointment with the executioner?
I quickly jumped down from my perch and embraced Naruto with one arm, my other hand on my hip. I stood frozen, thinking of my next words carefully.
"While you crave for the brotherhood you think we still share, I crave something more that you cannot possibly understand. Why do you keep dreaming of something you cannot have?"
"Because I remember what we used to share. You're the first person who I could call a friend and I can't let that friendship waste away." His voice was soft, but confident. He didn't even attempt moving out of my embrace. There was so much faith he was putting in me right now, it made my chest hurt. 'This has to be done...'
"Can you not see our friendship was severed when I walked away? I've moved on, so you should too." I unsheathed my sword and held it out before bringing it down, trying to stab Naruto with it, but it was quickly stopped by Sai; I knew my attack would have been stopped by someone. Even if no one had stopped it, I knew the Nine-Tailed Fox would help heal Naruto's wound as it had countless times before. Even though I had no intentions of truly killing Naruto, I had to lead everyone to believe my intent was to maim and kill. After Sai stopped the attack, I jumped back a few yards before anyone could bring up a counterattack and I took in Naruto's expression that was glazed over with shock, hurt, and betrayal. He should have known; this game had been played many times before. And if he continued trying to win, it was only going to have the same ending aside from the growing pain of his failure.
Naruto closed his eyes and looked at the ground, smiling sadly. "No matter how hard I try, it can never be enough, can it?" he asked softly and looked up at me, still smiling. "I may not have the hatred to destroy the things that have destroyed me, but how could I when that person is you, Sasuke?" Those words stung more than they would ever know, but I kept a stoic expression as he continued. "I used to think every day that just maybe I would convince you to finally come home...but I guess it's just another promise I cannot keep. The funny thing is, I don't know what disappoints me more...the fact that I can't save you, or the fact that I can't save myself."
I would have questioned what exactly he meant by that, but I didn't want to show that I even cared in the slightest. This was probably as big a burden to carry on my shoulders as it was to Naruto's breaking heart and withered spirit. Naruto Uzumaki should never wear a frown on his face, but there was one right now and I had a feeling he had worn one a lot over the years because of me.
"You can't save everyone, Naruto," I found myself saying before I could stop myself. I clenched my teeth together to prevent from saying more.
Naruto gave me the most devastating smile I had ever seen as he slowly backed away. "I know."
At this point I didn't know what to say. To continue speaking might give something away that I didn't want to give, but I also wanted the conversation to keep going just so I could spend a few more minutes with him. Naruto was the only person I ever considered a true friend and he was one of the best you could ever find. He went through so much pain and sacrifice for me and this is the payment I gave him in return. 'I hope one day you can forgive me, Naruto...Sakura.'
"I will make one more promise to you, Sasuke," he said softly, the smile now disappearing. He fell silent for a moment as if rethinking his choice of words. "I promise I will allow our bond to fade away. I guarantee I will pursue you no further in your journey and leave you be to live your own life for now on. That...you can believe."
My heart skipped a beat at that, not having expected that at all. I barely kept my expression blank although my heart was shattering into pieces. I slowly sheathed my sword just to have something to do as I was sure my hands were trembling. Luckily, they were too distracted to notice.
"Goodbye...Naruto." With those last words, there was little doubt in my mind that would be the last time I saw Naruto Uzumaki, and with that...I disappeared.
Naruto
As we made our way back towards the village, I hardly spoke to anyone aside from muttering two words that were directed towards Sakura, "I'm sorry." No further explanation was needed because she knew exactly what I had meant. The more time that passed, the more guilty I became because the fog was lifting and the last words I had said to Sasuke were finally beginning to set in. I felt selfish for making the decision on my own, especially since Sakura had wanted him back as much as I did and sacrificed just as much...but I couldn't keep doing this to myself...to all of us. There was a time in everyone's lives where they had to accept the reality that was beyond their control to change so they can move on and after chasing a ghost for three years seemed as good a time as any to finally wake up to the truth: he wasn't coming back. And there was nothing I could do to change that fact.
Sakura hadn't said much about my decision but I could tell she was angry with me for not consulting her first. During the entire trip back, I did not speak but two words that were directed towards Sakura, "I'm sorry." She didn't need an explanation to understand what I meant, but she kept trying to reassure me that we would get Sasuke back, but I knew it was an empty promise as mine had been for the last three years. After being silent for four hours, she started to lose faith in her words as well and came to the realization that I was serious about what I had said. I had already broken one promise to Sasuke and Sakura and I was definitely going to make sure this one stayed intact. She may hate me for taking that decision away from her, but it was for the better well-being of all of us.
After we got back home from the mission, we went straight to Lady Tsunade's office to give our mission reports. I didn't even realize we were already in Tsunade's office until a question was directed at me, which shocked me out of my stupor. "I'm sorry...what?" I looked over at Tsunade, slightly startled.
She stared at me for a moment, sympathy clouding her eyes but I knew deep down she was probably seething with annoyance. "Before your next mission, you will go on advanced navigation training with Kakashi-sensei before going back to look for him."
"I'm not going back," I said quickly, staring her intently in the eye so she knew I was serious.
"What did you just say?" she asked, surprise written all over her face.
"I am not going to pursue Sasuke Uchiha any longer. I made a promise and this time I'm going to keep it. It's time to move on and quit wasting everyone's time."
"You made a promise to stay away from Uchiha?" she asked, now getting angry. "Do you know how many strings I had to pull in order for you to go search for him yourself and now you made a promise to not pursue him any further?" A short pause. "You're telling me you're just going to quit after one snag in the plan? What did you expect to happen?" She stood up and slammed her hands onto her desk, glaring down at us. "He left on his own free will; did you really expect him to come back willingly, especially on the first encounter?"
"That's the reason why I can't do it, anymore. Do you believe he would really stay here even if we forced him back to the village?" Her anger was wearing off on me and I couldn't help the surge of anger of my own. "If he doesn't want to be here, then he won't be here. Even the most secure prison cell couldn't stop him from leaving again...and anything that I have to say won't convince him otherwise." I stared at her for a moment before sighing softly and looking at the floor. Just now did I realize how exhausted I really was and wanted nothing more than to leave this room. "Maybe it's time we consider it a mission failure."
Tsunade stared at me with shock, her anger dissipating a little. The atmosphere of the room was so tense, a kunai probably couldn't slice the air. After what seemed like a lifetime, Tsunade finally sat back down and turned her chair to look out the window. "Everyone except Captain Yamato are dismissed. I want to speak with you in private."
Everyone gave a quick bow before filing out of the room, leaving the Hokage Tower behind. The only thing I wanted right now was to get away from all the interrogation and sidelong glances and just go home. Now that business had been conducted and we were left to do as we pleased, I could feel myself crashing more with each passing minute. Sakura was leading the group out of the tower and once we were at the end of the street, she stopped suddenly, making Sai stop suddenly; I was barely able to catch myself from face-planting in Sai's back. We all stood in eerie silence for awhile before I finally looked up at them, noticing they were both staring at me as if I would snap at any minute. My ears started burning off, feeling uncomfortable under their stares.
"I'm going home," I finally said, trying to walk around Sakura. As I went to pass her, she grabbed hold of my jacket sleeve, stopping me in my tracks.
"Naruto, I think you should get checked out at the infirmary first," Sakura said softly.
"I'm fine, Sakura," I said, trying to walk past her again only to have the same result as last time. I wanted to sigh but refrained from doing so. She was just worried about me but her worry was ill-placed as far as my physical health was concerned.
"I insist. You still seem a little weak from the Nine Tails..."
"Sakura...I am more fine than you could ever know." I gave her a hard stare before finally pushing past her, making my way towards home. The short temper couldn't be helped and I was sure I'd feel guilty about it late; right now that was at the very back of my mind.
When I was out of their line of sight, I made a dash for home, not stopping once. Despite how much my lungs burned from running so hard, I didn't let up until I was locked away inside the comfort of my apartment. After entering, I immediately locked the door and put my back to it before closing my eyes tightly, waiting to catch my breath. Now that I was alone and could finally let go, all of the events that had happened within the last few days rushed at me all at once like a swarm of hornets. Only now did I truly comprehend what I had done and I sank to my knees in defeat. My mind was whirling and was starting to make me sick to my stomach. For the rest of my life, I was going to have to wait until Sasuke finally decided to come back on his own. I knew I shouldn't hold my breath, but it was hard not to hold onto the small sliver of hope that remained.
"Sasuke..." I collapsed to my hands and stared at the floor, a few tears falling onto the tiles. I tried calming my breathing, but the constriction I felt in my chest made it that much more difficult. "If you have ever done anything right in your life...please come back."
I slowly opened my eyes and looked around my home in a daze,noting how incredibly lonely it felt and how much darker it seemed. A sigh escaped my lips as I slowly stood and trudged into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. As I slowly drank, I tried cheering myself up by thinking of everyone else, all of the friends and acquaintences I've met on my journeys. They had always been there for me when I needed them and I could trust every one of them with my life. Kiba, Shikamaru and his team, the Hyuga's, Sakura, hell, even Sai was beginning to grow on me although he pissed me off to no end at times. Oops...and I almost forgot the Aburame; despite how incredibly creepy he was, he was still a comrade I could put my faith in. So what if I didn't have Sasuke by my side? I still had all my other friends who were still here and they weren't going anywhere.
"But it's still not the same without you..."
I slammed the glass down on the counter a little harder than I intended before making my way towards the bathroom to take a shower. After stripping and hopping in, I stood with my forehead pressed against the cold tile. While the coolness on my forehead soothed my headache, the hot water begun to work the tension out of my muscles from the long and weary mission. After soaking for a few minutes, I begun to scrub the remaining grime from my body, scrubbing so vigorously my skin was almost rubbed raw. I didn't take too long to finish and as I stepped out, I put on nothing more than a pair of pajama pants, not even bothering to dry off first. My mind was practically on overdrive, my feet having a mind of their own as they dragged myself to the bedroom and I ungracefully fell onto the bed.
As I lay there, waiting for darkness to take over, I looked over to my night stand and stared at the picture of Sakura, Kakashi, Sasuke and myself that we had taken one day after our first day of navigation training. We had spent more time arguing which way to go rather than actually accomplishing anything; we hadn't even gotten to our first checkpoint before darkness fell and we had lost our way back to the village. We wandered aimlessly in the dark for hours, hoping Kakashi-sensei would come find us, but he thought it would be funny to leave us to find our own way back. We eventually called it quits and camped in the forest that night. The next morning, Kakashi found us huddled together to keep warm (it was too dark to gather firewood). Tired and cold, we stumbled after Kakashi back to Konoha. Once we got there and were about to part ways, I couldn't help but start laughing at the misfortune of the day. When asked what was so funny, I told them and everyone but Sasuke laughed since he, of course, had keep that teme-worthy attitude. I couldn't remember what he had said to tick me off so, but we got into a small argument as a cameraman passed by at that moment and offered to take a picture of us and Kakashi thought it was a good idea. We all received a copy of the pictures before saying our farewells and went to our homes for a well deserved night of rest.
A soft smile grazed my lips at the memory, recalling it as if it had happened yesterday. I slowly reached over and ran my hand across the picture absentmindedly before closing my eyes, waiting for sleep to take me in its embrace.