The pain was excruciating. Not from the beating, though that was bad enough. His body felt like he had just gone under the trampling feet of a raging mob. Nor was it from the lack of oxygen; his opponent and (apparently former) friend's grip on his front collar was interfering terribly with the consumption of air. No, it was that chakra- that disgusting life force that was wafting off him in swirling patterns.

Almost sentient…

That, and the twisted look in his enemy's eyes. And the horrible smile on his face. Like there was something wonderful in this moment. Something to prove.

Something to gain.

He was elevated by the throat, feet no longer able to touch the water he had been standing on (and drowning in) just a few moments before. There seemed to be no end to his opponent's ability. His blows had seemed ineffective from the very beginning. His attacks had been meritless. Even his most potent jutsu had only been countered by an apparently equal one. And then his opponent had really let loose, leaving him in this precarious position.

I don't know what's happening. We were friends once weren't we?

The right hand held him aloft like a prize held high to the world- the victor sporting his trophy. The left was charged with incredible power, chakra becoming a physical weapon- a tool of assassination.

What have I been doing? How are we friends now?!

The victim would have cried then from grief if the terror wasn't overwhelming him.

I don't want to die

The fist full of hate and fury arched back. The animal like grin expanded. The stone statues of two former friends stared blankly at each other across the gulf of a waterfall.

If this is it, this whole time-

Deep within, through the pain and despair, he felt the release of a far darker power, one that had been caged, but was breaking free now in a time of dire emergency. It was spreading over his body, consuming him. It wasn't going to be enough.

Naruto, I've been such a fool.

The fist arched in, aiming to shatter his rib cage, puncture his heart.

"YOU'RE TOO LATE SASUKE!!"