Voices of a Distant Star

Sasuke had been staring out into the dark emptiness again. As was the usual protocol since the attack, the corridors leading up to the wide windows were dark. It had been years since then, but the technicians had yet to find a properly stable source of electricity while they were adrift. It was only fortunate that they had enough supplies to last them for that long. It was still dwindling, though. A morbid thought entered the raven's mind.

How long would it take for the supplies to finish? How long would it take for them to starve? Almost four years had passed. Sasuke had barely touched twenty-two. His pale brow crinkled in thought. He knew that like all the personnels on the ship, he was affected by the unexplainable phenomena of the light year syndrome. That meant Naruto was probably older than Sasuke – from what Sasuke understood, the phenomena caused light year travelers to age slower than the norm; and that in itself confused Sasuke, for it just couldn't be possible – and he wondered if Naruto would still remember him even then.

He sighed and turned to the window again. His longish ebony bangs fell thickly across his eyes, but he ignored them. He had grown out his hair as a visible proof that he was indeed growing – though with his growth spurt, it hadn't really been necessary; he now stood almost as tall as Kakashi – but it felt pointless now. He didn't know if he wanted to grow anymore. The prospect of growing old within the cold confines of the ship and amongst not really familiar strangers felt rather lonely.

Excited voices of the crew caused him to start. It was close to the docking area which, for a drifting ship with no contact with any other, had long been abandoned. Only the technicians entered the place every now and then to keep it within the minimal safety standards in the hope of coming rescue. And now—

"They're here! They're finally here!"

Sasuke found his feet flying towards the observation deck. His eyes widened at the sight of the larger ship docked beside their smaller drifter. He could feel his eyes growing wet. Neji would be here. So would- So would—

The small, secluded bus stop was still their haven of shelter as the rain petered off. The two teens currently making use of it had finally grown bored of drawing aliens that weren't even sure existed. Another game now took its place. The slighter raven was laughing at the pouting blond.

"If I were a shinobi, I would not be a dobe, Sasuke-teme!"

Sasuke was running again. He had to find them. He had to find him.

"Hm...if I were a girl..." the raven's lips twitched into a smirk when the blond's eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"C'mon, dobe, if I were a girl, what would you do?"

"Commander!" the gray-haired man caught the younger as he ran full tilt into him. He smiled fondly at the eager dark eyes. "Do you know where—"

"Still a crybaby after all these years, Sasuke?"

The familiar voice sparked a sudden sense of nostalgia in the raven. A large grin lit up his features even as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. "Neji!"

The blond grinned cheekily and leaned close, as though preparing to divulge some major conspiracy. The raven smiled in amusement but complied to the other teen's small game.

"If you were a girl, Sasuke..."

Sasuke grabbed the slightly taller young man in a hug as he walked over to them. Neji chuckled but returned the embrace warmly. "I missed you too, you big crybaby. But at the moment, I think you might have someone else you would like to meet."

"Still remember me, Sasuke?"

It was deeper and calmer in tone than what Sasuke was used to hearing all those years ago – sitting in a bus stop shelter; laughing at the silliest things; eating a cheap Popsicle outside that truly convenient store – but the voice was achingly familiar. His dark head whipped around dizzyingly past his gently smiling friend. Blue eyes, ever twinkling with life, bored its gaze into him. Sasuke let out a breathless gasp as the tall blond strode forward.

"If you were a girl, Sasuke, it wouldn't really matter..."

Sasuke was already moving. His sight, blurred with his tears, could only make out a blond smudge and those ever present blue eyes. His feet hastened his pace to a run.

"Because I might still fall in love with you."

Strong, tanned arms caught him easily and wrapped themselves around his trembling form. Sasuke returned the other's hold desperately and buried himself into the familiar scent as more joyful tears fell from his eyes. Naruto's voice was warm and much welcomed against the shell of his ear. "I missed you so much."

Sasuke smiled.

"Hn, dobe."

And so, here ends the story.

Thank you to all of you that read and commented. May you be blessed with good luck.

I love all of you.

- Asukann