A/N: Okay, there's already a lot I'm working on, but I just can't get this thing out of my head, no matter how hard I try. It's been there for months, actually, and now I finally gave in to the temptation. (grins sheepishly)

So, here's the deal. I can already tell this is very different from my usual pieces of work. If you want this to continue, I think this'll include altogether three or four chapters after this introduction. So no worries, this is a short one – not much of a hindrance to my other works. (grins) This takes place in several time/place zones, with our favorite couple trying to find each other. There may be FEMSasuke if you like – I haven't decided yet.

WARNING: YAOI, general weirdness, time traveling in a way through different worlds/realities… Eh, such… fun stuff… (grins sheepishly)

DISCLAIMER: Me, OWN Naruto?! (laughs hysterically) That's gotta be the best joke EVER!

Anyways, because my head is so tangled right now that I can't produce a good explanation for this one… (sweatdrops) Here's the intro, taking place in the Naruto universe we all know and love. (This is one possible ending to the manga, btw.) 'Hope you'll have a pleasant ride!

Prelude – Wake Up

Naruto's legs were impossibly weak while he forced his body forward, each and every step making tears of pain escape.

Or maybe the wetness on his cheeks was nothing but rain. In all honesty, he just couldn't tell anymore.

Gosh, he was so tired… He would've wanted to sleep, more than ever in his entire life, but he couldn't allow himself such pleasure, not when he still had his most important mission ever to take care of.

He wasn't about to give up until he'd finally made it back to Konoha.

Just as that thought was finished his knees buckled and he fell to the muddy ground, giving a cry of pain. His ankle twisted into an unnatural position, and the surge of agony that followed announced that he wouldn't be going anywhere anymore. Despite all pain, however, he didn't let go of the precious cargo in his arms.

He snarled loudly and cried out again when trying to get up unsuccessfully, squeezing his eyes tightly shut. With blood loss and pain, it took his all to remain conscious. " Damn it…"

" Dobe…" It was barely a whisper, almost got lost into wind. It was much harder than he'd ever expected to force his eyes to open and meet already hazy onyx pools. Sasuke coughed hard, and he whimpered quietly when seeing the blood that appeared. " Stop… You can't… even…" Hard as the Uchiha seemed to try – through scowls of pain and a lot more coughs – nothing more came out.

He understood much too well, though. He shook his head furiously, ignoring how much it hurt and how dizzy the gesture made him feel. He was too focused on Sasuke's blood to notice his own. " No." His voice was weak and raspy, far from the power he would've wanted to force into it. He pulled Sasuke closer to his badly aching chest, although it hurt them both tremendously. He had to gather his strength for a long time. " I… just need… a moment, okay?" He swallowed thickly, already used to the taste of copper in his mouth. " Then… we go."

Sasuke emitted a snort that sounded suspiciously wet, and was immediately punished for the effort with hacking coughs. " Idiot…" Don't you see?, the raven's eyes spoke, saying what the Uchiha couldn't. Neither of us… is going home.

He shook his head, but it came out so weakly that he didn't manage to convince even himself. He opened his mouth, but in the end coughed instead of speaking.

Silence lingered while they listened to the rain that'd started to pour at some point, both drifting deep in thoughts.

It… was over… It was finally over. The Akatsuki was destroyed… Danzou was dead… Half of Konoha had been wiped out, along with several precious comrades…

But… It was over, and Sasuke was finally coming home.

So… Why couldn't Naruto keep himself from crying?

Sasuke startled him with speaking, albeit the voice was frail. " We… We really messed up this time, huh?" Was the raven grinning or scowling?

Whatever the case, he found himself chuckling weakly. " Yeah…"

Sasuke was very solemn all of a sudden when looking at him. " Naruto…" The boy blinked sluggishly, as though staying awake had been the hardest task in the entire world. " 'Sorry…" Neither of them knew what exactly the apology was for. So much had happened…

His heart jumped when the raven's eyes slipped closed all of a sudden, and the boy's head lulled against him. It hurt like hell, but he shook the other with all the little strength he had left. " H – Hey, wake up…" Tears could be heard from his voice. " Wake up…"

Nothing happened.

His tears fell freely by then, but he didn't care, didn't even notice. " P – Please, Sasuke…"

He closed his utterly exhausted eyes while holding on with all his determination, blissfully oblivious to the fact that Sasuke was already completely limp and lifeless, cold.

His lips, which were already gaining a slight blue tinge under blood, barely moved. " Please…", he repeated, as though it'd been a mantra of some sort. He wished from the bottom of his heart he'd had the strength stroking Sasuke's hair would've required. " H – Hold on…"

He winced and coughed sharply, groaning when a taste of blood filled his mouth once more and a stabbing pain shot through his whole being.

" I… I kept my promise, see? So…"

He felt as though he'd been drifting away. It was so very hard to stay awake…

" H – Hang on, S'ke…"

It was fortunate that he didn't notice how his hold broke, and Sasuke's body slumped against his without a will, head falling against his steadily failing heart.

His tears kept slipping – as though a part of him had known – and fell to the raven's cheek along with rain, making it look like the Uchiha had been crying as well.

" See?" His lips moved, but no sound came. " You're almost home."

Suddenly, he didn't feel cold and hopeless anymore. Instead this strangest sensation of warmth and reassurance filled him, drying his tears.

See, Sasuke?

It was nothing more than an echo, coming from somewhere distant.

I took you home, after all.

Rain kept falling, as though the world around them had been crying over all the promises that couldn't have been kept.

Deep inside Naruto, a horrifying power stirred to life as the boy's broken heart came to a stop. Flames started to flicker.

Very slowly, time itself started to bend under a greater will.

For some stories are far too great to be finished in one lifetime.

Some bonds cannot be broken by death.

" You'll find me in the next life, if not in this one."

(Nadia to Sayid on "Lost")

- The Journey Begins, or…? -

A/N: And so the traveling begins – if you want it to, of course.

So… (bites lip nervously) What do you say? Do you want to read those few chapter I have in mind, or should I just leave this here? It's all up to you! Feel free to make requests when it comes to anything whatsoever.

Thank you so much for reading, and PLEASE review to let me know if you find this worth the try or not!

Take care, everyone, and in case this story ends here, happy holidays! (grins)