Team 7 without Sasuke.
This made me really sad…
'It wasn't meaningless. You became my best friend. That's why killing you will be so worth it.'
- - -
'They all risked their lives for you! Choji, Neji, Kiba, Shikamaru, bushy brows!'
'…Good for them.'
- - -
'You're telling me it all meant absolutely nothing to you!'
- - -
'You have to come home, Sasuke! Konoha is your home!'
'I'm done playing ninja with you fools. I'm going to Orochimaru!'
- - -
I… I always knew you were alone, Sasuke. I wanted so badly to be your friend! But you didn't let anyone in… I was so ready to be your friend! You were everything I aspired to be…
It wasn't meaningless. Our friendship was undeniable. And now I'm going to kill you for it.
- - -
'CHIDORI!' 'RASENGAN!'
- - -
His headband fell to the ground next to Naruto. ! Damn! My arm! He fell to his knees, spitting up blood. His eyes opened… and he was staring right at Naruto's face.
…He couldn't do it.
- - -
Naruto sat straight up in bed, drenched in sweat and gasping like he had been holding his breath for hours. His sheets were wet with sweat, but he was shivering like crazy.
He put his head between his knees, tightly gripping his hair, eyes squeezed shut. His throat was tight…
He let out a quick, dry sob, and groped for the headband on his bedside table. Eyes still shut, he ran his finger over the scratch for the millionth time. He breathed heavily and willed himself not to cry.
In her own home, Sakura was sitting on her bedroom floor, huddled in a corner. She replayed that night in her head, tears flowing down her cheeks.
'Why is it always silence with you? Why won't you ever tell me anything?'
'Why should I tell you anything?'
- - -
'I love you so much, Sasuke, I can't stand it! Please… if you would only here with me… you won't regret it!'
- - -
'DON'T LEAVE ME! If you go, I'll scream, and --!'
'Thank you. For everything.'
A sharp hit to the back of her neck… she whispered his name before she collapsed. He caught her before she hit the ground, and placed her gently on a nearby bench and took one long, last look at her face.
She held the picture between her hands, the steady drip, drip of her tears hitting the glass. She still awoke sometimes, thinking Team 7 would have a new mission that morning, or wondering how to get Sasuke to notice how much effort she put into how she looked that day.
Then she remembered.
Sometimes, when Lady Tsunade let her out early, she would walk the streets absently and always found herself at the spot where she and Sasuke had almost shared their first kiss… and said their goodbyes. She would stumble over to the bench where she had awoken, frantic, and sit down on it, tears pouring down her face.
She would become half aware of Naruto sitting down next to her, always with that scratched headband in his hand. She could never touch that headband, but when Naruto lay his hand on hers and tried not to cry, it was comforting to know she wasn't alone.
Kakashi Sensei would sometimes join them, walking toward them silently and with his nose buried in Icha Icha Paradise. He would sit down next to Naruto, and with his free hand, he patted them each on the head once. It seemed sort of dog-like, but it was sweet all the same. Sometimes, he would rest his hand on their heads, and Naruto closed his eyes and Sakura would let out a tiny sob.
He would leave after that, but he would say, without taking his eyes off of Icha Icha, he'd say, "Train hard. We're going to take him back home one day."
Naruto eventually fell back asleep, one hand holding Sasuke's headband and the other holding his Team 7 picture.
Sakura climbed back into her bed, wiped her eyes, and fell asleep clutching her Team 7 picture.
Somewhere far away, Sasuke was the only member of Team 7 who still lay awake.