Blood.
There was blood everywhere.
The metallic smell was filling his nostrils.
He couldn't continue any longer.
Why fight if it would only end up in bloodshed?
Their blood was consuming him.
Their blood was dragging him down into hell.
He didn't want to go.
He wanted to live in peace.
Their bloody hands coming up from the pool of red to drag him down.
Consume him whole.
Drag him down.
Take him away.
Cover him with the blood he caused—
Naruto's eyes shot open as he sat up. Nothing escaped his lips as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. He was covered in sweat as he finally let out a shaky breath.
It was just a nightmare.
That was all the young Uzumaki could tell himself.
Nothing but a nightmare that rarely came.
A nightmare.
The bedroom door opened, letting in a small ray of light fill the darkened room.
The angelic beauty walked in, and as always, took his breath away as he stared.
In her hands was a small bowl as she walked up to him. He watched her as she placed the bowl on the nightstand and picked up a wet rag. She twisted the rag and water fell from the rag and onto the bowl.
She never met his eyes as she folded the rag into a small square and began to dab it onto his forehead.
"We're married, remember?" He eyes met his, and she smiled. "We are going to change this world together and bring peace. Those who have died made it possible for us to do so. They're still in our hearts and alive."
Naruto pressed his wet forehead against hers. It was little things like this that made Naruto love Hinata even more.
He never had to say what was wrong for her to already know and say all the right things to make his fear disappear.
She changed him, and he was going to change the world.
"You're perfect, you know that?" he whispered as his eyes came to a close.
He felt her shake her head. "I have many flaws that I am trying to fix. I'm nowhere near perfect."
It was his turn to shake his head. "You're perfect to me. There is nothing I would want to change about you. I love everything about you. From your smile to your words." Naruto opened his eyes to meet her white ones.
She laughed. "Then you're perfect as well."
Naruto leaned back in amusement. "I am, am I?"
She nodded with a smile clearly shown for him to fall for all over again. "You're encouraging. You're funny and bright. And, most of all, your smile is warm, safe, and welcoming."
"Then the same goes for me, too," said Naruto. Hinata laughed. "And your laugh," he began, cupping her cheek in his palm, "Your laugh is my favorite part about you. Promise to always laugh?"
"I promise if you promise to always smile. Your smile is my favorite part about you."
Naruto smiled. "I promise."
This one is fairly short. I'm sorry.
Also, this fan fiction is close to an end. Can you believe it?
Two more chapters to go.
Till next time~