A/N: Um right, so I'm putting this up again because I edited it some more. Remember everyone, this was orignally just a one-shot from first person, aka Naruto's pov. Everything after this will be done in third person. I'm too lazy to change this to third... sue me lol. Oh and there are definitely typos, errors, etcetera in here. I really need a beta so if you are interested PM me please.

Enjoy, happy reading!

Losing a Life

It is often at these moments in your life that you reflect upon all the things leading up to this exact moment. This is where you look back and think 'Damn, I really did that?' or 'Sheesh. Did that really happen?' These final seconds of life you realize just how much you love someone. The sharp intake of breath echoing about won't deter me from my memories; I want to see this – us when we were still friends, right Sasuke?

I wish it hadn't come to this, I really wish things hadn't turned out like this but there is no sense in bitching now – at the end of it all. I remember when we first met; I was sitting on the dock and caught your eye when you walked past. Of course in the end you came and joined me, I was overjoyed.

Birds are chirping now do you hear them, Sasuke?

It's getting hard to breathe at the moment but I don't care, I'm finding my peace easier than my breath. I wonder if anyone will care that I am gone, I'm sure Iruka and Granny Tsunade will be crushed. Is this what giving up feels like? The cold numbness is crawling over my limbs and working its way inside, I suppose it is. I'm tired; I tried my hardest and fought for so long so why can't I just rest for a while – just this once.

There is something warm covering my chest and something dripping on my neck. I try to make a sound but I cannot, too tired. The effort to even keep my unfocused eyes open is more strenuous then any training session I've ever had.

"Naruto..." Someone is calling my name; the voice far off and distorted like it was coming through a radio with bad signal. I couldn't tell whether it was male or female but just as I begin to ponder on such matters a scent enters my nostrils. Mint and Grass, I've always like those scents they made me picture onyx eyes, jet black hair and a permanent scowl. A scowl that seemed to be etched into marble itself, although when flipped it could be turned into the most heart stopping smile.

I've always told you to smile more Sasuke – when in private – but you never seemed to pay me any mind. Or maybe it was because your mind was always on something sad, I know how hard it is to smile when thinking of something painful.

We have an understanding you and I – the way we know things about the other without ever saying a word. With just a single look a plan can be formed and carried out flawlessly. That's how close we…were, right Sasuke?

Pain. That feeling I knew all too good, it coursed through your body like electricity. They used to tell us pain was good because if you could feel it you weren't dead yet.

A choked sob resonated around me, who was crying? Why were they crying? I failed again didn't I? It has to be Sakura, I failed her and the promise made so long ago. I force my eyes open, the sky grey and dreary. Heavy lids fall shut all too quickly and I can't find the will to open my eyes again to at least look my comrade in the eye and comfort her.

Wait, how did it even come to this? What had happened? Where had Sasuke gone? Did he leave again after our fight? There is a shift, crunching of gravel and I'm lifted up slightly. The hoarse cry of pain torn from me is enough to send whoever into another fit of tears. My chest is burning, the blood sliding up my throat chokes me and spills from my lips; staining them crimson.

"-ruto, Naruto..." There's that voice again pulling me away from my gloomy thoughts. This time I am more aware that it wasn't a female voice, the distinctly male voice washes over me. My lips form a smile and a wet garbled cough that was supposed to be a sigh escapes me.

Something hit my face and I know it must be a tear drop, feeling it slid down the side of my cheek.

"Naruto…" That was Sasuke's voice, why did he sound so…choked up? Like he was crying…why? "Naruto…I'm – I'm so sorry." He whispered his warm breath ghosting over my ear and again I was shrouded in his sweet scent.

My eyes open, blinking rapidly to clear my vision I wanted to see him because I wouldn't know when I'd see him again. "Sasuke…why?" Why are you crying? I wanted to ask but words seemed to fail me. His face was stained in blood as well as the tattered remains that can be called his shirt. It was then that I came to feel the weight on my chest.

"Sasuke…wh – what have you done?" This voice was new, deeper and low with disbelief and sadness. It was familiar and something in the back of my mind recognized it to be Kakashi.

I can imagine Sasuke turning to Kakashi, curse mark long sense receded – face shadowed by his bangs and a grim look set in his perfect features. He didn't even say anything, couldn't say anything I supposed.

It was then that the sky chose to split open, tears from the Gods is what he thought rain represented. How fitting and utterly nostalgic for it to rain at this time, just as it had those three sum old years ago. I'd been so convinced I'd bring you back, hadn't I Sasuke?

Fingers caress my forehead and I can barely feel them, why must this end this way? I don't want to die but I'm not upset with the fact that I'll be doing just that in only minutes. 'Hey Kyuu, you still there you dumb fox?'

'I'm always here kid, and like usual I'm busy trying to patch you up so shut up will you!' The Fox Demon, owner of the fabled nine legendary tails snarled. "Things aren't looking good, Kit.' His words ghosted through my mind with a sorrow and concern that alerted Naruto to his fate.

'So… this is the end then?' I thought with an air of resignation, 'I suppose you can't run from death a second time.'

'Aye.' Kyuubi murmured with a sad sigh. 'To think I have to go down with an idiot blond like you…'

"Good.. for nothing.. fur ball." Heavy eye lids lifting to reveal cobalt blue eyes, blinking and staring at the sky. "Smells… like rain.." I murmured, a small smile graced blood stained lips. It was then the clouds broke open, raindrops falling over the ninja – what a mournful scene Sakura arrived to.

"What.. is going on?" The pinked haired kunoichi asked, sensing the heavy atmosphere. "Kakashi-sensei, why are you..." She looked past her Sensei, past her childhood crush to her blonde teammate stretched out on the ground.

"Naruto!" Sakura ran toward the two teens, absolutely focused on her fallen teammate. Her hands were already glowing pale green, raising them to him heal but there was so much blood – so much damage done she didn't know where to begin.

A bloodied hand gripped the kunoichi's wrist, blue eyes met green ones. "Don't worry.. Sakura-chan." I tried to comfort her despite the life fading from me with every breath.

Tears streamed down the girl's face, a sob escaping her. "Naruto.." She knew that no matter what she did he would die. It was all her fault and nothing anyone would say could make her believe any different. Even though she knew in her heart that her friend was dying Sakura stayed optimistic to the end. "Hang in there Naruto, you're going be just fine.." Her voice cracked, body sagging over him.

Sasuke sat beside Naruto, eyes boring into his former teammate's face. What had he done? What the hell had he been thinking? The raven haired male looked at his blood soaked hand gripping his Naruto's left hand.

"Naruto, please stay with me.. don't close your eyes." Sakura cried, her hands cupping my face – gently tapping my cheek to keep me from fully closing my eyes.

"S-sorry Sakura-chan, so tired.." The sight of her tear stained face from my vision as my my eyes fell shut for the final time. I could barely make out Sakura's voice anymore, or the feeling of the rain hitting my skin, or the warmth from Sasuke's hand.

'I never even got to say a proper goodbye to him, Sasuke..' Just like always you are the first and last thing that comes to mind, Sasuke. Why did this have to end this way? I just wish I had more time, my whole life feels like just a moment in time – a blur. Well even if I have to go a bit early I still lead a relatively good life, I wish you all well.

"NARUTO!" Sakura's cry was swallowed by the roll of thunder and lightning that tore across the sky. It's just like Jiji always told me. When it rains, it pours.