IT'S HERE!! YOU REQUESTED, I DELIVERED!!
I must admit though, I was quite amazed by the number of responses I received. Some people bothered to send me a review to show their desires of making this sequel, while others simply put it on Story Alert.
I am really flattered by all of this, so I decided to go ahead and post this. But before anything, please be aware that this is my fanfiction so the pairings will be according to what I like. If you've read my profile, you'd know what I mean. In case you didn't, I'll give you a heads up now so that there'll still be time to back out.
To my readers viewing this fic for the first time, please also read my oneshot Simple Encounter that is the prequel to this fic.
Summary: It's been a year since Sasuke and Naruto's encounter on the train, and both their lives have suddenly taken a turn for the worse. In the midst of this, the two meet again, but this time, Sasuke will NOT allow Naruto to walk away from him. Or will he? But what about their children, more importantly, Sakura?
Pairings: main—SasuNaru , side—NejiHina, ShikaIno, KakaIru (others yet to be decided), mentions of—SasuSaku, NaruOC, and probably KibaNaru, I haven't quite decided yet.
Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, OOC, some probable Sakura-bashing (I may like her canon, but it has to be done for the sake of the story)
Disclaimer: I am not gaining profit from this. Don't sue.
REUNION OF HEARTS
PROLOGUE: AGAINST THE RAIN
The rain poured heavily on his shoulders, mercilessly becoming heavier with each drop. The coldness and dampness seeped in through his clothes, but he didn't care. Mournful faces stood beside him, but none of them had given him any comfort.
"Do you regret it?"
Naruto stood there, eyes dazed and staring into oblivion—in utter silence. The pitter-patter of raindrops on umbrella tops echoed in his ears.
"If given the chance to start over, would you?"
A small smile crept on to his lips. "Come to think of it," he softly whispered against the wind—his voiced tainted with sorrow. "It was also raining when we met. At that time, I didn't imagine a life with you, but, somehow, we made it work." He choked on his words, his knees trembling and beginning to fail him.
"So why? Why did it have to end this way?" He grimaced as he felt something wet sting his eyes.
The rain? No, it was warm. And whatever it was, it began rolling down his cheeks. Were they... tears?
He's crying...?
No! He shouldn't cry! He swore he'd never cry again! He didn't cry when he was called 'worthless' by his fellow peers during his school days. He didn't cry when he found himself homeless, jobless and his life literally at rock bottom. He didn't cry when he discovered his former lover having an affair with someone he once thought as his friend.
So why? Why cry now? How can he be so weak?
"Everyone is weak, Naruto."
A voice in his memories answered. It was a cold voice, yet somehow also warm. It was belittling, yet it was also encouraging him.
"If everyone was born strong, then there wouldn't be any struggles."
A piercing gaze. A warm and tender smile. Soft and slender hands that had once touched and caressed his cheek, soothing every ache, every hurt in his body. His mind being filled with memories of the past; his heart breaking and shattering.
"Don't say words you don't mean! What do you know about me?!"
Will this flow of memories ever stop?
"I'm sure the time will come wherein you'll both come to your senses and discover what is truly important."
Stop.
"Before anything can be fixed, it has to be broken first."
Stop remembering!
"Someday, Naruto, someday... I will give you that chance..."
"Why, you ask? Because I love you."
"I didn't know the real meaning of love, 'till I met you."
Naruto grit his teeth, no longer able to hold back the immense sorrow washing over him. He crumpled down on his knees, not caring that his pants were being soiled with mud.
"I love you."
He ran his fingers through his hair, gripping the strands and pulling them tightly.
"And someday... You will find it in yourself to say those words to him again."
Naruto raised his head and let out an anguished cry that rivaled the rumbling of the heavens. Tears madly strolled down his cheeks like waterfalls—his mind and body completely broken.
"Ashes to ashes... Dust to dust..." the priest concluded, snapping his black book shut. The attendants watched on as the paulbearers lowered the casket into the earth.
Later on, the rain will pour harder. That's what the forecast said. Then, little by little, people will begin to leave, and he would be the only one remaining. His beautiful golden locks drizzled with rainwater. His clothes all drenched and sticking to his skin like glue. His blue eyes that were once filled with vibrant energy would be all red and puffy from crying.
Afterwards, there'll be nothing left of his beloved wife except for a marker with an epitaph reading:
'Here lies UZUMAKI KYOKO, beloved wife and mother.
The person who served as my candle in the dark.
My comfort, my refuge – my strength.'
Yes, he would stay there until the rain finally decides to stop.
And that is the prologue. What'd you think?
After careful consideration, I have decided to make Naruto's wife an OC so that I would have more liberty in writing in whatever whim I have. Ha ha!
Just to let you know, this piece takes place nine months after Simple Encounter. The next chapter (which is chapter one) will be a time skip set three months after the prologue, making it a year after Simple Encounter.
I hope you didn't find this all too confusing. Well, it is only the prologue after all.
See y'all at the next chapter!!
Don't be shy. Click that small button at the lower left-hand corner. Drop a review and tell me what you seriously think.
P.S. No flames about the pairings. If any of it dissatisfy you, there's still time to back out.
