Gently the wind blew across the still pale form, skin unaware of that slightly chill wind's tender touch. The wind was not detoured. It caressed along the edge of fingers curved, up the line of a milk-colored and muscular arm, across an expanse of smooth chest. Finally it touched lightly upon coal-black hair before flitting away. How could he not look down at that still form? How could he not want to reach down with trembling and hesitant fingers to feel... if warmth still lingered there? Finally he could not bear it any longer, with tears trembling along the edge of his eyes he knelt at the side of the man who had once been his companion, his friend, and always his rival.

He almost lost his breath when he felt the gentle rise of breath beneath his hand; the tale-tell motion of a heart beating against his palm. He closed his eyes for just a moment and a single tear escaped his eye.

"Sasuke..." The name was a mere whisper of relief, that the wind quickly stole away.

26 Hours Earlier

Angry, almost maniacal onyx eyes burned, flashing red in the darkness which surrounded them. Three fangs of darkness hovered in that crimson glow. Such anger, such intense loathing burned inside those red eyes that his opponent couldn't quite suppress the slight shudder that ran through his body. His sharingan made the tiny motion almost painfully obvious to him. He grinned, his lips stretching out across his face, teeth flashing wide and white.

"Have you finally realized the truth Nar-u-to?" His voice drew out the other's name, deep and mocking. Anger and sadness flickered across Naruto's face and vibrant blue eyes; it filled him with a sort of satisfaction. "Have you finally come to KILL me?"

"I will do what I have to do for Konoha." Naruto's chin had fallen, but when he looked up again his eyes were golden, the pupal elongated horizontally like that of a goat's. A red marking had appeared around his eyes, and the sight of that made Sasuke's blood rush.

"Then come on! Kill me if you can Naruto." There was a wild light in those crimson eyes as he concentrated; creating lightning made of chakra in the palm of his hand. It sounded like a thousand angry birds trapped by his fingers. "Chidori!" He spoke harshly and mostly to himself.

Then he was rushing across the surface of the river water, the very river that so long ago they had done battle across when they had been barely more than boys. Now his attack lit the night with bright white light, and his motions far more smooth and sure than that long past day when he had first considered killing his best friend.

Naruto's eyes were a little wide, his breath quickening as he formed the rasengan in his hand. For just a moment as they moved toward one another Sasuke had a moment of clarity. A moment where time slowed for him.

All those years ago he had been lying to Naruto, and to himself. Thinking that he wanted to kill Naruto, thinking that he COULD kill Naruto. It had been so hard seeing that boy grow up, growing from a kid who could barely tie his shoes into a young man equal to the challenge of being his rival. Realizing that he could by-pass him, when he had yet to even reach his brother. A brother growing ever further away from him in power. Imagine the indignity of it if Naruto had faced Itachi... And he would have. He would have done it thinking every moment he was doing him; Sasuke a favor. Using that Naruto charisma he would have tried to 'save' Itachi. While all he craved was revenge...

Rasengan met forcefully with Chidori, and the resulting explosion of power and light ripped through the air around them. He could feel Naruto's sadness in his blow, his ridged determination, and... The light blinded Naruto for just a second and Sasuke kicked out, sending Naruto into the wall of the waterfall.

The blonde-haired ninja caught himself on the rock wall which buckled only slightly under the pressure. His body blocked the flow of water, and granted him a perfect view of what Sasuke had been doing while he sailed through the air. Sasuke wasn't one to waste time, and he wanted this battle over. Needed it to be done with. His eyes resolved again, blackness spreading out into several long ovular forms. Behind him a massive form like a shadow began to take form; a rib cage forming protectively around him, then arms and a skull.

His head ached with the rush of power, his vision wavering ever so slightly, but he ignored it stubbornly. It felt as though his body was trying to tear itself apart, but he didn't care. "Naruto!" His voice was horse with pain and rage. He was perversely grateful.

Naruto was looking at the skeleton with shock. What could he do against that... that thing? He shook his head. He would do what he had to do. Chakra formed in his hand, not the rasengan, but the wind form of it; something far stronger. First he would see if this could crack that thing... if not..

Again the two collided, and again...

-MLE

I will actually note that though this is far from the first thing I have written, it is actually, perhaps surprisingly my first Fanfic; so I very much appreciate any notes on it. Eventually this Fic will have pairings, and if you aren't comfortable with all pairing types I wouldn't suggest getting to far into this. Also don't be surprised if there are some (even a lot) of fight scenes. Though I'm not entirely sure where this WILL end up in the end just yet.

Anyways, reviews please and thank you. Also as my final note since this is my first thing up on this site it hasn't been Beta'ed, but I did edit it for spelling and such so it should be readable =)