So, random, unrelated Team 7 oneshots in a bunch equals?

title: collapse

fandom: Naruto

genre: angst

pairing: none

word count: 652

prompt: and they all fall down (for El)

disclaimer: don't own it but want to.

c.o.l.l.a.p.s.e

It isn't fair, Sakura thinks.

It isn't fair that Team 7 is like a bunch of dominoes: topple one and the rest will follow. A twist of cruel fate.

Naruto thinks, no, he believes that everything will be alright, that they'll bring back the teme and that Madara will be killed and that they'll be dysfunctional Team 7 again, laughs and smiles and rainbows and happily ever afters.

Sakura knows better.

Kakashi, although he is wiser and more realistic, still believes that his favorite student will come home, and that things will go back to the way they used to be, broken and closely knit Team 7. Former glory. Used-to-be heroes. Faded sunshines. Once-upon-a-time family.

Sakura knows better.

Team 7 really are like dominoes, she thinks.

Sasuke is the first domino to fall. With his tumble, he brings down Naruto, who leaves to become stronger to bring back his best friend, he brings down Kakashi, who drowns himself in missions and he brings down Sakura, the normal pink-haired one who everyone left behind.

Ring around the rosies.

Kakashi is the second domino to fall. When he learns the truth, when he comes face to face with his former student, now deranged and angry and blinded by hate, he trips and brings down Sasuke, who further burrows into insanity, he brings down Naruto, who is given the grim realization that his best friend, his brother is no longer who he was, and that it is up to him to save him and he brings down Sakura, who, still the normal pink-haired one, is, as usual, left behind.

A pocket full of posies.

Naruto is the third domino to fall. As he stumbles into the battle being fought to protect him, he brings down Sasuke, who faces his once brother, once friend, he brings down Kakashi, who is dismayed that all that they were fighting for is now within the enemy's reach, and he brings down Sakura, always the normal-pink haired one, now in the medical tents, is left behind.

Ashes! Ashes!

Sakura is the final domino to fall.

As she defends her boys from Madara's rage, she is hit instead of them and her blood paints the hard, dusty ground as she plummets downwards. She brings down Kakashi, whose eyes are ever so wide, who is standing in shock, arms limply dangling at his sides, mouth a quiet 'o', she brings down Naruto, who is holding one hand and begging and screaming and crying for her to please, please, live! because she's his everything and he can't live without her and she brings down Sasuke, who is at her other side and is also crying and pleading and roaring for her to stay alive, dammit, because he needs her to be annoying and he needs her to smile at him and he just needs her, for Kami-sama's sake!

And her eyes fill with tears and she smiles a bloody smile and reaches up to cup their cheeks and closes her eyes as she feels the strength fade from her body and whispers, "I love you."

and

then

she

is

gone.

And we all fall down.

Sleep deprivation strikes again.

I need a muffin.

Review and I'll share some with you :D