This is after the Shippuuden version. Minor spoilers and friendship-focused… if you squint.
It's unbeta-ed so read at your own risk.
Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine and forever belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
'It wasn't supposed to be like this' he thought as he lied there, panting weakly with his face to the ground. The dirt around him turned a darker shade of brown as red seeped into the soil. He clenched his eyes shut as he heard the distant rumble of thunder, signaling the oncoming rain.
"You idiot…" he whispered to himself, tasting the blood on his tongue. He wasn't supposed to be lying on the ground like this. He wasn't supposed to be bleeding like this either. His body wasn't healing as it should. And why should it? The fox was once again behind the cage in which he was first confined, never being able to come out again using it's chakra. Sasuke made sure of that.
Thinking of the other boy, he slowly opened his eyes and lifted his head with effort to where the other lied. He absently noticed how big of a crater they had created on what was once a beautiful terrain, flowers and all. He saw that Sasuke was also in the same position, blood staining his white haori. Sasuke wasn't supposed to be like that. Naruto was supposed to beat Sasuke into a bloody pulp and take the bastard back to Konoha, where everybody would be waiting and welcoming back with open arms. Then after being reunited, things were supposed to be like they were in the old days and he would become the Hokage.
Naruto, suddenly filled with determination, started to drag him self with his arms to Sasuke. Blood came gushing out from his open hole in his stomach. Naruto clenched his teeth as the movements made blood seep into his mouth and spill to the ground. Finally, he collapsed as he reached the other boy, face to face.
"Dead-last," the familiar nickname reached Naruto's ear as dark-black eyes opened and stared into unfocused sky-blue ones, "Don't do such a useless thing."
"Bastard," there was no glare as his voice answered just as softly, "I never do anything that's useless."
"Chasing after me was useless," Sasuke retorted.
"No it wasn't," Naruto just as quickly jabbed back. His reply was added with a soft fist to Sasuke's head and the hand dropped to the ground, as there was no strength to pick it up again.
"That's why you are a dead-last idiot," Sasuke said closing his eyes again.
Naruto smirked half-heartedly and clasped Sasuke's hand in his.
"Well, I caught you, didn't I? I promised that I'd take you back, we're definitely gonna be sent back to Konoha this way," Naruto joked.
"…Hnn…" Sasuke responded in a scoffing matter, but returned Naruto's grip. A small subtle smile was sent his way and Naruto grinned softly in return.
Their breathing started to even out as the thunder loomed closer and the first drop of rain began to fall. It drained away the darker red in their clothing.
The surrounding dark soil was now like the rest. Just like it was supposed to be.
Just wanted to get this off my head. First story ever posted. Any kind of comment welcomed.
Sya86chu