In the "Afterlife"

Rating: T for now.

Warnings: Spoilers up to chapter 500 in the manga. (Somewhere around there.) And something like episode 100 ish in Shippudden. Slight violence, kind of character death, but not really.

Summary: Naruto takes on the responsibility of finishing off Sasuke, knowing that he will die in the process. When he actually goes to do the deed, they do both die, but some other power will not let them leave until they complete a task. A task that generations of ninja before them failed countless of times. And they must complete it together.

Pairing: tentatively SasuNaru, but it will remain gen if the reviewers tell me to

Prologue

Everyone was being put against each other. Everyone was wanting to take all of the burden on themselves, when the truth of the matter is that there is only one person who is suited for the job. Pain is not always felt directly from a source, is what I learned from observing and sharing the pain of my best friend. And also, I share the pain that he caused countless of other people, and societies. It is no one's fault that Sasuke ended up like this because he chose this path. Well, perhaps it is the fault of those who encouraged his anger and exploited his hate for their own gain. It started with that snake bastard, and it ended with the masked man. Or at least, it will end there. Kakashi-sensei told me later that Sasuke is a perfect example of the result of the times that we are in. I completely disagree.

You can't just chalk him up to one thing. I know firsthand, that despite my and others' efforts to understand him, it will always be worth nothing because he does not understand himself. And I know who that person is, beyond the burdens, beyond the hate and pain, and beyond the power. Sakura sincerely wanted to understand, and to be able to make things okay, but she didn't realize back then that you cannot do that. To be honest, I had no idea either. But now, I know the answer. I even think I knew it before that last time that I looked him in the eyes, and exchanged the attacks that intermingled the deepest feelings in our hearts. When he said, "I have no plans to die," I think he was really saying, "I am afraid of death."

In that sense, I knew that I had long since left the universe in which he is encompassed, and reached a new level of understanding in the world. And that one moment, I knew I could conquer whatever challenges were to happen in the future because I am not afraid of death, and my will cannot waver. Packing my bags to head to my death is one of the hardest things I have ever done.

My first visitor was, surprisingly, Sai. A gentle knock interrupted my folding of the sheets on my bed. The last time I will ever tell myself to do the chore of making the bed. As a ninja, I do not dare call out and grant permission for the mystery person's entry. Honestly, I cannot sense peoples' chakra when I am not in sage mode, so I have to go to the door, put on my sandals, look out the peephole, and then open it when I recognize the visitor.

"Naruto-kun," he says, immediately upon seeing my face. I give a grin, partly genuine and partly keeping up appearances for my own sake. People know that I have been having a rough time. The "rough time" is the reason why I am ending my life early.

"Sai? Is something wrong?" I ask, casually puzzled.

"Isn't this as friends say, 'coming over to hang out'?" Sai examines my face.

"Well, if that is what you are doing," I answer, opening the door wider to let him in. He enters and removes his sandals delicately.

"Ahh, so this is your apartment, Naruto-kun," he hums, observing the copious amounts of trash on the floor, which I was going to clean up after making my bed.

"Yeah," I frown, "I was just cleaning stuff."

"I see…" Sai intones, looking a bit ill at the smell coming off of the garbage, but mostly the milk carton. Without hesitating, I make about ten clones and give them cleaning tasks. They answer to their 'boss' and make my living space my welcome. Sai helps himself to the kitchen chair. I flop onto the table. Dammit, things are always so awkward with Sai, yet he just sits there, smiling. He sees the nervous expression on my face, and ceases the smile.

"Actually," he says, "there was something I came to discuss with you."

"Oh, really?" I ask. This is kind of rare. "It doesn't really sound like good news…"

"It's not." Ever blunt, Sai. "I just came to say, that I will be dealing with Uchiha Sasuke, and I will be setting out tomorrow."

I could tear my hair out, but I settle on a long sigh. "Sai…No. I already told everyone what I have to do. I'm not saying anything about your strength as a ninja, but I'm the only one who can do it."

"I knew you would say that, Naruto-kun," Sai grins, perhaps a bit sadly, but you can never really tell with him. "But as I was the replacement for his spot on Team 7, I believe it is up to me to give support and do what you three have been avoiding all this time."

"…Did Kakashi-sensei set you up to do this?" I ask, slowly. My hands are clenched into fists.

"No," Sai replies, nonchalant, "It was something I deemed necessary of my own accord. Without Danzo-sama, I no longer have someone to answer to. I am acting out of my own discretion, I guarantee you."

"I believe you," I say, nodding, which makes Sai smile. "However, it is more important that you do not take on that task. Look, Sai, I get that you have good intentions, but you just don't understand."

"I don't?" He frowns, "I studied so hard this week. I read every book about friendship in the library. Sakura-san answered my questions when I got stuck. I even…tried to think about it on my own. This was the best solution I could come up with."

"In an ideal world, Sai, it would be," I reply, feeling bad for the guy. "But friendship is also about trust, you know? Believing in the strength of your friends and their decisions. And this is one of those times where you have to believe that I am making the right decisions on my own."

"You're right, Naruto-kun," Sai says after a minute of staring at the table. "I did read about trust, and it seems like you are right. I just…wanted to help you."

"You already helped enough," I assure, grinning wide.

"Really? How?"

"By being my friend."

The next visitor, not surprisingly, was Kakashi-sensei. Not one for commonalities, he pops up literally right in front of my face as I am about to take a slurp of noodles from my cup ramen.

"Ahhhghhh," I yelp, splashing the soup on my nose.

"Yo," he grins, waving hand my his head.

"What the hell? Can't you see I'm eating ramen?" I shout, indicating wildly to him and the steaming cup.

"Yeah," he grunts, slipping off the table and standing over my chair. I ignore him when he doesn't say anything, and go for the noodles with my chopsticks once more.

"Aren't we going to exchange pleasantries?" He asks, shrugging his hands in the air.

"Since you can't use a door, no." I slurp loudly.

"Fine, fine, have it your way. But I have something to discuss with you."

This piques my interest, and I stop slurping and gulp down the food. "What is it? Is Sakura-chan okay?" I leap out of my seat, knocking my chopsticks to the ground. I swear, and rescue them, but it is too late. I guess I will be eating my ramen with my hands.

"Why would you assume that something is wrong with Sakura?" he asks, unaffected by my overzealousness.

"Well, let's face it, Kakashi-sensei, you never have something to say to me unless it urgent." Kakashi frowns. At least I think he does, behind his mask.

"Have a seat, Naruto," he orders, not giving me a choice because he grabs my shoulders and forces me back into my kitchen chair.

"Don't stand behind me like that. It's creepy." I pout.

"Fine, fine," He sighs, circling around to stand in front of the table. He lingers, for a moment, before slamming both hands on the poor plastic surface. "I'm going after him."

"Whaaaaaaa?" I'm freaking out, mostly because the table slamming scared the shit out of me.

"I will finish him," Kakashi says, eye staring wildly at the table. "He is my student, and my responsibility."

Once I come to grips with what he is saying, I frown. "Hell, no, not you, too."

"Me too?" the masked man asks, tilting his head like a dog.

"Sai," I explain. "He came over yesterday, demanding that he kill off the one he replaced. Why can't people understand that I've got it covered?"

"But, Naruto—"

"No, I don't want to hear it. I'm not listening," I cover my ears and shake my head. "Besides, sensei, Sasuke knows your fighting style. He probably knows every little trick you have because of Madara. Also, I could never live with myself if I sat back and watched other people complete what I promised to myself I would do."

"I want to protect your precious dream, Naruto." Kakashi folds his arms, closing his eye in thought.

"I've told you before sensei," I say, sheepishly, "I cannot even think of becoming Hokage if I cannot even rescue my best friend."

Kakashi nods, perhaps even grinning through the mask. "I understand. But you had better come back alive, or Konoha will forever scorn you."

"So much pressure, sensei," I laugh, rubbing the back of my head as he nods. Yet, I cannot do what he is asking. The next generation has far surpassed us old guys, Sharingan Kakashi thinks as he departs the dinky apartment through the window. Sensei, would you make the same choice?

Granny Tsunade is the most persistent out of all. She requests my presence at her office, to which I am greeted with the sight of all of my comrades. Even Shizune-neechan is there. All eyes immediately center on my person upon entering.

"Naruto!" Tsunade shouts, spit flying. "We have all assembled to assist you in the assassination of the rogue ninja, Uchiha Sasuke. You cannot refuse this offer, as it is a demand from the Hokage."

I nervously glance around, cowering under the harshness of the demands. I'm about to open my mouth to speak, when she interjects.

"Everyone is armed and prepared to depart for tomorrow, so you had better go get ready. That is all, you are all dismissed."

Everyone is looking around, unsure, but hastily making their way towards the door. The Hokage sure is convincing. Wait, no.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, NO!" I gasp out, finally, arms forming in a X shape. "This is not going to happen, Granny Tsunade."

I swear I hear her say "damn" under her breath. Perhaps she was hoping I would have to roll with it if I could not speak to object. My suspicions are confirmed when Shizune snorts a beat later.

"This is no time to be stubborn," Tsunade sinks into her chair, eyes closed and forehead burrowing inward. "If only I had dealt with him earlier. Even if you were sad earlier, we wouldn't have the situation that we are in now."

"Granny Tsunade…" I say, slowly, "I failed my mission to rescue Sasuke so many times. It is only my fault. And now, I know that I can end this once and for all! So let me try it my way, one last time."

My peers hover in the door, hanging on to every word being exchanged. They, of course, want to eliminate Sasuke, but still respect my opinion. The granny, of course, thinks that since she is an adult and the Hokage that she needs to protect me. Well, I think that I have displayed enough strength and maturity to handle this one last kid. I voice this to the female medic-nin. She is silent for a few minutes, steepling her hands and staring at the desk. I can only think that she must be imagining those whom she had bonds with that died to protect Konoha as well. I know the pain now. The pain of losing someone irreplaceable. Someone like a brother and someone like parents. Like family. But, I also came so close to losing my village. And to think that people were relying on my strength to survive…is not something I can take so lightly. All the bonds I have made, I am so grateful for. However, it is the pawns job to protect the king. And Granny Tsunade knows that.

"Fine," she grunts, "but allow us to help you with anything that we can do beforehand."

"Yes, ma'm!"

Konoha is vibrant on the morning I leave. The energy surrounding the still half-built village is one of hope, and unity. I breathe in the air, gazing at the faces carved in stone that lay on the mantelpiece of the people below. Even when approaching footsteps to my left stop, I do not turn to look.

"I guess this is goodbye," Sakura says loudly from behind.

"Yeah…"

"Kakashi sensei always did say that you were the world's number one most unpredictable ninja."

"He did, didn't he?" I laugh, full and bright, "I sure will live up to that title, won't I?"

There is a silence on Sakura's part. I know what she is thinking, even without looking. I know that she is holding back tears. I want to hug her, remind her that I will always love her. But, of course, I'm not in the same place in her heart. And because of what I'm setting off to do, she will never be acknowledged by her important person. But she understands. The three of us will meet in the afterlife. Free, and without burden.

I look one last time, and then jump to the ground. The gates are the only ones watching my back as I leave the one place I had in the world.

A/N: Hello! This kind of started as me, venting my thoughts about the anime. But, then I was formulating a plot, and ideas just wouldn't let me go. Anyway, next chapter will get to the good stuff. I halted time when Naruto learns how to control the Kyuubi chakra and then he is magically back in Konoha. I hope this doesn't bother anyone too much because I get the feeling Naruto would try to go back if everyone wasn't duking it out in the war. So, hypothetically, the war hasn't started yet in this story. It will after Naruto leaves…well, you will see. Review? I can only hope someone does.