notes: behold, the aftermath of chapter 627. sasuke's never been one of my favorite characters in the series, but let me tell you, he's definitely one of my favorites to write. tally-ho!
finally by the loser lord
The remnants of the enemy's mess lie on the cracked earth in a pile of rubble – an eerie hush washes over the entire battalion. After what seems like an eternity underneath an ominous, dark, dingy raincloud, everyone can spot the first rays of sunlight breaking through the cloud cover. The sky, bright with blues and pinks, oranges and yellows, white and even that little sliver of silver can be clearly seen.
Naruto really can't believe that it's over.
On his right, his best friend stands firmly, his dark, unfathomable gaze penetrating the azure depths of Naruto's. The jinchuuriki finds himself exhaling a sigh of utter relief when he fails to find any malcontent in Sasuke's eyes. He grins, foolishly.
"Took you long enough, you jerk," he quips happily.
Sasuke's responding grunt is all that Naruto needs to hear for reassurance. The only cycle, from here on out, that is to ever be perpetuated is the Will. That hot-blooded passion that burns deep and bright in Konoha's shinobi; this is what Sasuke's ultimate answer is.
A battered and bruised Kakashi approaches from nearby, his sole exposed eye trained fondly on two of his students. The outline of a smile curves delicately on Kakashi's shrouded features.
"Were you lost on the road of life, Sasuke?" he asked. Team 7's missing piece snorts amusedly before returning the gesture, answering with a confident, "A hero always shows up in the nick of time."
"Damn straight," Naruto proudly interjected, carelessly throwing his arm around Sasuke's shoulder.
Deafening roars of jovial celebration erupt from the last Great War's survivors and many people run to the arms of their loved ones; their comrades; their siblings, friends, parents, children, and lovers.
From the corner of Kakashi's eye, he spots shocks of vibrant pink hair frantically moving through the entire company. Sakura sprinted to join the rest of her team, her torn flak jacket rustling in the gentle breeze behind her. She's tired. She's exhausted and worried and, above all else, she's happy.
Warm moisture wells up in her viridian eyes and a blinding smile lights up her face.
"I wasn't expecting this," Sakura observes lightly, motioning to Sasuke and Naruto, who appeared very much alive and best friends.
Naruto's boisterous laughter is abruptly cut off when the sole kunoichi of the group throws her arms around both of her boys. Blubbering sobs wrack her petite frames and the boys, not used to this sort of open affection, awkwardly rub Sakura's back, patting soothing circles on the uzumaki.
When she releases them, Naruto and Kakashi are surprised when their sweet Sakura, still hopelessly in love with that idiot Sasuke, reaches over and smacks him upside his head. No one sees her move again, because he's quickly in her arms again and she's crying again.
"Don't you ever do that again," Sakura cries into the Uchiha's shoulder. Sasuke shifts awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable, but still dumbly nods his head nonetheless. He murmurs his gratitude and apologies into Sakura's ears repeatedly, before allowing his nuisance – that is, Sakura – to invite Naruto and Kakashi in a long-due group hug.
Over the chaos of celebration, the sound of Naruto's laughter, Sasuke's exasperated sighs, and Sakura's borderline delirious tears of happiness, Kakashi was overwhelmed with the conclusion that his team actually could have their happy ending.
This was only just the beginning.
