Random tragedy fic written on a whim late one night.
Disclaimer: Yes, I own Naruto, that's why I spend my time writing useless fanfics. No, I really don't but I sure wish I did.
"I need a friend," she said warmly as she extended her small hand in his direction, a look of fear crossed her eyes.
"I can do that," he replied with a smile as he reached his hand to meet hers and gave it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
x
"I need a hug," she said in a soft whisper with tears streaming down her face.
"I can do that," he replied tenderly as he pulled her small frame into a strong embrace. She let her tears flow freely onto his chest as he held her tight to his body.
x
"I need you to stay with me," she said sitting against the cold wall of her bedroom, her knees pulled up to her chest.
"I can do that," he replied joining her on the floor, letting her head fall against his shoulder as he played with a lock of her hair.
x
"I need you to love me," she said to him when they were sitting close in the calm forests surrounding Konoha.
"I can do that, " he replied as he brought her body close to his and pressed her lips tenderly against his. A delicate blush rose in her cheeks as she wraped her arms around his neck.
x
"I need you to be with me forever," she said to him on their wedding day as she stood near him at the altar, her face smiling and cheerful.
"I can do that," he replied with a grin as he slipped a wedding ring on her fragile hand. He watched as her eyes lit up with unshed tears of joy. He leaned in and kissed her sweetly, sealing their marriage.
x
"I need you to trust me," she said, with her courage running high, as she signed herself up for a difficult S-ranked mission in the Land of Wind.
"I can do that," he said supportively as he took her home to help her pack and train for the rough mission ahead. He felt himself wonder if she could handle such a difficult mission on her own, but quickly dismissed the thought.
x
"I need you to come here," she said in her message she sent back to Konoha. The note stated of her bad condition after a brutal fight with a few rogue nin, and the chance she might not make it through the night.
"I can do that," he replied to himself as he hastily packed a bag and hurried off to the hospital in the Land of Wind where she was staying. He mentally cursed himself for letting her run off to such a dangerous mission without his constant protection.
x
"I need you to hold me, one last time," she said with a somber smile as a bit of blood leaked from her mouth. He looked at her body, she was covered in wounds and bandages from head to toe, her breathing was shallow and irregular, and her skin was as pale as a sheet where it was visible.
"I can do that," he replied with his voice trembling as he sat down on her hospital bed and gingerly pulled her into an embrace. With silent tears streaming down his face, he kissed her forehead softly. Drawing her last dying breath, she spoke to him in a whipser, "I'll always need you, Naruto-kun." He felt her body grow limp in his grasp, but he still hugged her tightly as he broke into violent sobs.