Desperation

Fingers shook, trembled, snow chilling tanned fingers to the bone as wispy breaths disintergrated into the bitter air, biting into his flesh. The cloak around him ceased to quell the cold that formed around his heart as it palpitated rapidly inside his chest, and a fist punched through the cold as tears welled in his oceanic eyes, a desperate cry leaving his lips. The acknowledgement of his demand was ignored as figures walked away, and only two remained by Naruto's side, worried, anxious. Naruto's body trembled madly as a hand touched his back, urging him to stand. He managed to stand shakily, fists clenched, teeth gritted.

He was gone.

He did not care for him anymore.

And yet he still trudged on. Shaking a hand of reassurance off his shoulder, Naruto broke off at a run, ignoring their cries as his feet pushed through the snow, and he pumped his arms faster and faster by his sides, throat aching in pain, eyes wide and breath coming quickly, too quickly. A hand outstretched was the only indication of desperation as the figure in front of him continued to walk at an easy pace, but no matter how much Naruto tried to run, he could not catch up to Sasuke – the first person he had a true bond with, the brother-figure that had always been there for him, and the friend who was slipping away from him into the darkness, hatred swallowing him whole. One foot after the other, he went on, breathing shallow and legs weak and trembling until he could go on no more and he fell, head-first into the snow, arms numb, heart empty. It hurt more than the first time he fell.

The first time, he thought he had a chance. A chance to bring his best friend back.

It was different this time. Sobbing into the cushion of white around him, his tears trickled down his chest as he gripped onto his zipper tightly, his heart throbbing, clenching in pain. He was empty. He had nothing to hope, to live for, without his best friend. He heard their footsteps as he closed his eyes, exhausted, breathing one name which would echo in his mind for all eternity.

"Sasuke..."