The next chapter is the last one! Then this story will be officially complete! After so long! I get a little emotional thinking about it xD, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you all so much for sticking with me this far! I'll be sure to get the next chapter up asap! Oh and by the way, I am reading through it again and fixing some minor things so the chapters with titles are the ones I've re-read and fixed (just wanted to clear that up in case anyone was wondering why some chapters don't have titles yet xD)

Chapter 25: Time Stops For Nobody

Dual piercing golden eyes stare at him from the dark abyss. Eyes that remind him of a venomous snake, deadly to everything around it. A bone chilling malicious laugh echoes around him causing his pulse to speed up. He can't see anything around him, everything is pitch black. Where is he? Where is Orochimaru? He's right here, he knows he's right here. That laugh, those eyes. He feels a breath tickle the hairs on the back of his neck, chills shooting down his spine. He wants to turn around, wants to rip the vampire to shreds for everything he's done, but he can't move. It's like he's frozen to the bone, stiff like a marble statue.

Orochimaru's arms wrap around him and squeeze him tightly as he whispers in his ear, "I have something for you, Naruto." One of his hands release him and comes up in front of him holding something red, something that fits in the palm of his hand. Naruto's breath catches in his throat when he sees the pulsing organ, throbbing in his hand. "It's from that friend of yours. The Inuzuka boy. I figured you would want it as a souvenir. How thoughtful of me, right?"

The next thing he notices is the heart somehow got transferred to his own hand, the organ still pulsing, but soon it's beats cease. Naruto shakes his head. "No... this ... this isn't my fault. I-I-"

The whisper is back, but this time it echoes around him like he's in an empty hallway. "Oh, but are you sure of that, Naruto?" Naruto shakes his head about to refuse, but the voice is back, "Because if it weren't for you, if you weren't such an idiotic boy, he would still be alive."

"Please stop..."

"All those close to you will die if you don't wise up. Come to me, and nobody else will have to get hurt."

"I can't trust you. What do you want from me?!"

"Come to me, or else I'll take someone else precious to you."

"Stop this! Leave them out of this! Please stop!"

"Your time is running out, Naruto."

The blond startles awake jolting into a sitting position, sweat coating his body, his breathing heavy and rigid. He looks to his hands to see them trembling. It was only a dream. His eyes move to the side of the bed where Sasuke is usually sleeping, but he's not there. He takes a series of deep breaths to calm himself down and he rubs his face. The next thing he notices is the door opening.

"Naruto."

"I'm fine, Sasuke."

The blond looks up and smiles as the raven makes his way over to the bed but doesn't sit down. His dark eyes running over him. "You don't look fine, dobe."

"I'm fine." Naruto persists swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. "Just a bad dream." He rubs the back of his neck and rolls his head. "I'm going to go take a shower." Sasuke watches him leave the room not saying anything as he grabs his things to get ready for the day. It's only three in the morning, but Naruto can't sleep any longer. He's been off and on ever since he fell asleep last night. The nightmares won't let up and he's exhausted, but he won't let it stop him.

After he's finished with his shower, which took a lot longer than he intended, he goes down the grand staircase in the main foyer. He smells the air and scrunches his brows. Does he smell french toast? Following the smell to the kitchen he freezes. His eyes are playing tricks on him right? He's just tired. Why are Sakura and Sai standing in the kitchen making breakfast at five in the morning?

Sakura glances back and gives a warm smile. "Naruto, you're out of the shower I see."

He goes to say something but stops and looks back over his shoulder to see if there is anyone else there. But when there is no one there he looks back and furrows his brows. He then walks over to them both and pokes both their shoulders. "You're actually here?"

Sakura purses her lips and puts a hand on her hip. "Of course we are. Sasuke brought us over. I actually asked him if he could and he actually did it." She turns back to the stove. "I wanted to have breakfast with you both."

Naruto does his best to stifle his yawn but it comes through anyway. "Why were you up so early?"

"Do you really need an answer for that? I'm sure you have the same reason."

Naruto frowns seeing the pain in her eyes as she flips a piece of french toast. "Sorry."

She shakes her head. "Don't be. We're all going through it."

Naruto glances around the kitchen and into the dining room through the archway. "Say, do you know where everyone is?"

"Sasuke said they met with some others late last night and haven't been back since." Sai provides as he gets out three plates, forks, and cups. "Sasuke is still here somewhere though."

The front door opens and Naruto perks up hearing some voices. It sounds like Itachi and the others. Naruto's attention breaks from them once he hears Sakura's voice.

"French toast is ready." She serves the breakfast and Sai gets them all water. As they're all getting their food ready someone enter the kitchen.

"I thought I smelt something." Itachi's voice hums walking closer. "Morning everyone." The three greet him back with a good morning and they grab their plates.

Sakura smiles at him. "Would you like to join us for breakfast?" Her eyes widen for a second realizing that vampires don't exactly eat human food. "Oh, but you don't have to if you're tired or anything. I know you've been out all night."

Itachi gives her a warm smile. "I think I will, but if you don't mind I think I'll have something to drink. That is if it won't bother you too much."

Sakura waves a hand in front of her to dismiss it. "Of course you can, it's your house after all. Plus we all know what vampires eat." She gives a light chuckle. "We'll be in the dining room."

"Alright." Itachi nods and the three go into the dining room claiming their seats, Itachi soon entering the room with a coffee mug filled with blood. Soon the room is filled with light chatter, mainly caused by Sakura and Itachi, and after a few minutes Sasuke and Shisui enter the dining room both taking a seat. Shisui easily joins the conversation, but Sasuke opts to simply sit next to the blond and listen to them talk. It would be an amazing morning, but Naruto can't help but feel a pain in his chest wishing Kiba and Shikamaru were here with them.

Though he's sure everyone else thinks this too.

When breakfast is over and it's about time to go to school Sasuke comes up to the blond putting a hand on his shoulder. Naruto turns his head back to him. "Naruto, why don't you take today off."

Naruto furrows his brows looking towards the front door where Sakura and Sai are talking to Itachi and Shisui. He shakes his head looking back to his eyes. "I don't need to. I'm okay."

"Naruto-"

"Sasuke, please just let me go. If I-" He sighs scrunching his brows together. "If I just sit around here doing nothing I'll go crazy. School will distract me."

Sasuke sighs and drops his hand. "Alright, but tell me if you want to leave and I'll come get you."

Naruto gives him a smile as they both walk over to the door. "Will do."

When they finally get to school and inside the building they hear low murmurs coming from the students – even some staff and faculty members are talking under their breath. Naruto can't exactly hear what they're saying, which is a good thing, he'd rather not be reminded of what happened yesterday. He came to school to get his mind off it, but thinking back maybe that wasn't one of the best decisions. Students will be talking about it all day and probably the rest of the week. Perhaps he should call Sasuke and tell him to pick him up.

He shakes his head at himself. No. He can do this.

When they get to homeroom Naruto's eyes fall on Kiba's seat. It takes him a moment before he can rip his eyes from the desk to the ground. Taking a deep breath he clenches and unclenches his fists before taking his seat. Part of him feels numb, the other half doesn't feel real. It was just yesterday that everyone was alive and well, how did he let it come to this?

Naruto blocks out the buzzing of the student's whispers. Do they have nothing better to talk about? Naruto was just going to ignore them, Sakura on the other hand has different plans.

She snaps her glare back to the class slamming a hand down on the table so all the whispers halt and their attention is on her. Her eyes narrow challengingly at them all. "Will you all just shut the hell up." She growls and sits back down next to the blond.

Naruto turns his attention to her and thins his lips. "You okay?"

She frowns turning her eyes to him. "I should be the one asking you that, you big dummy." She reaches over and puts a gentle hand on Naruto's arm. "I meant to ask you this morning, but I couldn't." She sighs. "But I'm okay, doing better." Her eyes run over him, brow creasing slightly. "Did you get any sleep last night? You look exhausted."

Naruto gives her a smile to ease her concern. "I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me, really."

She only purses her lips at him. There's no way she isn't going to worry about him. He was there to see everything first hand. He was there to see Orochimaru plunge his hand through their best friend's chest. There's no doubt in her mind that Naruto isn't beating himself up over everything. How he wasn't able to save not only one, but two friends. Yes, everyone is going through a hard time right now, but Naruto has it the worst and she is going to be strong for him and everyone else.

The day drags on and Naruto is getting increasingly irritated with everyone and how insensitive they are. He hears every word they're saying about him and his friends, about Kiba and Shikamaru, about how he was lucky he was the only one who didn't get hurt. He hears them asking each other why he is the one to not be hospitalized or why Kiba had to be the one to die. He's sick of it. They have to know that he can hear them! They're not quiet in the least, it's unbelievable. His gut has been in knots all day.

Right now he's walking to lunch with Sai. They're heading out to the bleachers, not wanting to deal with anyone talking to them, Sakura is already out there waiting for them. That is, they were going to the bleachers until someone hops into their path.

"Yo, Uzumaki."

Naruto raises surprised brows at him. "Yes?"

"I've been hearing all these rumors buzzing around today that you were with the Inuzuka boy when he was killed and when Nara was put in a coma. That means you know the real way he died, so tell us the true story. Everyone keeps making things up."

Sai frowns at the boy and goes to say something, but stops when a tan fist slams right into the guy's jaw sending him flying backwards into some lockers.

Naruto shakes his fist, no expression on his face. "You have some nerve to come up to me and ask me something like that." Sai shoots wide eyes to the blond to see a terrifying expression hidden behind his eyes.

The other boy that's with the one Naruto hit glares at the blond. "You shithead! He just asked a fucking question!" He goes to punch him but Naruto grabs his arm, his other hand gripping the back of his head slamming his face into the tile floor. The one who he just face planted into the ground turns his body over and kicks Naruto's feet out from under him. "He's probably relieved that he doesn't have to see your face again if you act like this! That Nara kid probably doesn't want to wake up either!" He gets up and straddles Naruto, but Naruto throws him off, switching their positions so his legs are on either side of his hips. He wastes no time to start wailing on his face, not able to stop even if he wanted to, his mind going blank.

Sai runs over and tries to pull his friend off of the boy, but Naruto is too strong and isn't moving. Sai looks up and runs down the hall, coming back with Iruka and Kakashi.

Iruka gasps at the sight before them and runs to stop them. "Naruto!" Kakashi beats Iruka to him and rips Naruto from the boy, but as he does this Naruto kicks the boy in the jaw making his head crack against the floor, successfully knocking him unconscious. Iruka glares at the blond grabbing his shoulder and turning him down the hall. "Principal's office! Now!" Naruto rips himself away from both his teacher's grasps and plods down the hall. He doesn't regret anything he did to that asshole. He had no right to say any of that, and Naruto would have done worse if Iruka and Kakashi wouldn't have gotten involved.

When they get into the principal's office, Naruto is told to sit outside while Tsunade talks with Iruka and Kakashi. After a little while she allows Naruto in, Iruka is the first to talk, unable to contain his rage. "What the hell were you thinking Naruto?!"

Naruto slams his hand on her desk glaring at the brunette. "That asshole deserved everything I gave to him! I don't care what you think Iruka-sensei. I would do it all over again too."

"Naruto," Tsunade starts but gets cut off as Jiraiya bursts through the door looking disheveled. Naruto glances behind the white haired man to see Sasuke.

Naruto rolls his eyes throwing his hands in the air. "Great, is Itachi here too?"

Sasuke narrows his eyes seeing how odd he's acting. "Yes."

"Fantastic! Call everyone else too and we can have a party."

"What has gotten into you?" Sasuke asks trying to not get angry at how childish he's acting.

"That's quite enough." Tsunade finally chimes back in. "Everyone just take a seat." They follow orders, Sasuke closing the door behind him. "Okay, now, Naruto." She meets his cerulean eyes. "Tell me what happened."

And he does. He tells her everything those boys said and how hearing everyone whispering about it all day. How he tried not to let it bother him and he tried his damndest to ignore them, but when they came up to him and asked him flat out in such a crude way, he simply lost it.

Tsunade sighs pinching the bride of her nose. "Naruto," She looks up to him. "I know this is difficult for you, for everyone, but I can't let this slide. I'm giving you two days OSS for your own sake. You need time to cope. You and Kiba were close, you shouldn't be here right now."

Naruto growls at this. He doesn't want to be suspended for two days. One is enough for him. "What about Sakura and Sai?! They were close to him too. Why only suspend me?"

"Sakura and Sai also aren't punching people in the face." Tsunade frowns laying her hands flat on her desk. "I also know you were right there when everything happened so this whole incident is much more traumatic for you. Please try and understand I'm only doing what's best for you. Those boys will be getting into trouble as well."

Naruto scoffs shaking his head as he stands up. "Then I guess I'll go home." He turns around and walks to the door. Tsunade calls his name but he slams the door behind him before he could listen. Yes he knows he's being irrational in taking out his anger on everyone else, but he doesn't care right now. As he leaves the office Jiraiya and Sasuke both abruptly stand.

"Naruto, what is going on?" Jiraiya asks as the two follow the blond to the front of the school. The blond completely ignoring them. They walk through the entrance of the school to the outdoors. "Naruto, why are you ignoring me? I need to know what is-"

"No!" Naruto spins around glaring at him. "No you don't need to know what's going on in my life! Just leave me alone. You were so good at it a year ago!" Jiraiya's eyes widen at the sudden out lash. Naruto knows that was a low blow, but he just wants to be alone right now and Jiraiya up his butt hammering him with questions is not what he wants to be dealing with right now. He can apologize later when he's calmed down a bit. Not sparing him a second glance he turns back around and walks down the sidewalk.

Itachi, who has been sitting in his car the whole time, arches a brow and watches the blond leave with his hands shoved deep in his pockets. Itachi sighs running a hand through his hair starting up the car and following after him. A second later he pulls up beside Naruto driving to Naruto's walking speed, his elbow resting out his window as he looks at him. Naruto frowns not able to look the elder Uchiha in the eyes.

Itachi gives him a sad smile nodding to the other side of the car knowing Naruto can see him from his peripheral vision. "Let's talk."

Naruto doesn't protest and gets in the passenger side, letting Itachi take him wherever it is he's taking him. When he parks the car and gets out Naruto follows suite and looks around. A playground? His eyes trail over to the brunette seeing him walking into he playground, so he follows, both of them soon sitting on the swings.

"This playground was Sasuke's favorite as a kid. I could always get him to smile here." He glance to the blond out of the corner of his eye. "But something tells me that won't work for you. Not right now anyway."

Naruto keeps his eyes on his hands as he acts like his nails are the most fascinating thing in the world.

Itachi looks away from him continuing to talk. "I know how you're feeling right now. You may think I don't and you may feel like you're the only one who is so hurt, but I really do understand. Everyone of your friends understands too, but I'm sure you know all that already." He pauses for a second to look at their surroundings. "I was in a situation much like this one you're in right now. I kept my grieving to a minimum and took my anger out on those around me. I thought nobody else was sad or they just didn't understand. That's when Madara kicked my ass." Itachi chuckles at the memory making the blond look at him.

Itachi glances to him. "Now I'm not going to beat your ass like Madara did to me – I prefer the more civil route – but his words stick with me even to this day, even though they aren't the most inspirational. He told me, 'You damn brat. You think you're the only one who feels sorrow about his death? Hurry up and get over yourself before I beat your ass again.'" Itachi does his best to mimic Madara's stern voice and looks to Naruto. "As we was leaving he turned to me and said one more thing. 'I don't know why you think you can't let yourself grieve over someone more than once. Pain has no limit. People grieve until they feel better, you and I are no different, but don't go around being an asshole just because you're upset. And let people care for you dammit.'" Itachi smiles at him when he finally meets blue eyes. "I just want you to know that you don't have to keep yourself balled up. From the time I knew Kiba I was actually starting to really like him, same goes for Shikamaru, but he still has a chance. And I'm sure Kiba wouldn't want to see you acting this way. All of us are here for you if you want to talk. Even if you don't want to talk, we're here to support you. Just like you're here to support every one of us."

Naruto drops his head back so his eyes are focusing on his hands, a small smile tugs at his lips as he looks back to the Uchiha. "Thank you, Itachi." He thins his lips looking away, ashamed of what he was acting like. "And ... I'm sorry for causing all this trouble. I just ... I wasn't thinking like myself."

Itachi gives him a warm smile putting a hand on his shoulder as he stands up. "We should head back so you can make up with everyone else." Naruto nods standing up and the both of them go to Itachi's car, Itachi taking Naruto home and walks him up to his house when they get there. Naruto opens the door revealing a confused Kurama.

"You're back already? But it's only lunch." He glances up seeing someone else standing behind him and a smile erupts on his face. "Itachi!" He pulls the Uchiha into a hug catching him and Naruto both off guard. Kurama's eyes widen when he realizes what he did out of instinct and backs up. "O-oh, I'm sorry I just ..."

Itachi simply chuckles it off. "Nice to see you too, Kurama." Kurama 's smile doesn't fade as he rubs the back of his neck, their eyes locked.

Naruto's face scrunches up glancing between the two, but his eyes widen when he sees Itachi smirk. Naruto furrows his brows deeper. "What am I missing?"

Itachi breaks the stare turning to the blond. "If you keep your face like that you'll get wrinkles."

"That didn't answer my question." Naruto pouts.

"It's nothing important."

Naruto simply glares between them, but chooses to stare into Kurama's eyes, the werewolf doing anything to avoid eye contact. "It doesn't seem unimportant to me."

Itachi puts a hand on the blond's shoulder making Naruto jump a little. "I should probably get going. I just wanted to know you made it home safe. Jiraiya should be home soon." He glances to Kurama once more. "Nice seeing you again Kurama." Kurama simply nods as Itachi retreats to his car. Naruto waits until Itachi's door is closed to close the front door and stare at his werewolf.

"I demand answers." Kurama merely smiles and Naruto's eyes widen. "Don't you turn-" He transforms into his dog form wagging his tail as he runs away from the blond. Naruto temporarily forgets about everything that happened today and decides to chase his dog around the house demanding answers. "This isn't going to turn into a common thing with you Kurama! You'll turn back eventually! You can't hide from me forever!"

That night after Naruto apologized to Jiraiya, Sasuke came and got Naruto taking him to the hill he took him to a long time ago. The hill that overlooks the city where he said he wanted to take him to see the sunset, and that's exactly what he's doing now. He wants to take his mind off everything that's happened and just relax for a little bit.

Naruto rests his head on Sasuke's shoulder watching the sky bathe in oranges and pinks as the sun slowly dips behind the mountains. It really is beautiful, Sasuke was right. He appreciates how pretty it is and he appreciates that Sasuke is doing this to try and help him relax, but relaxing is easier said than done. After his talk with Itachi he stopped the attitude he had and is back to his normal self, at least for the most part.

After today and everything that's happened though it's got him thinking. Sasuke has probably been through this more times than he can count, he's probably disconnected himself from things like this in the past so he wouldn't get hurt, or distanced himself from liking someone too much so he could save his feelings. Naruto can't blame him for it. It hurts like all hell to lose someone you love, but it has him thinking what will happen in the future. Naruto is human and will eventually die from one way or another. Naruto can feel his heart begin to break again. He doesn't want to hurt Sasuke like that, he doesn't want to leave him and let him go through the pain of losing someone else.

Naruto purses his lips looking over to the ebony haired man. Sasuke must notice his stare because he glances to him from the corner of his eye and arches a brow. Naruto bites his bottom lip and looks away. "I've been thinking." He spares him a glance before looking away again. "I'll die eventually, but you'll stay like this forever, watching everyone you love fade away."

Sasuke's head snaps over to Naruto in shock. When he sees the pained expression in his eyes he puts his hand on his. "Don't think about that Naruto, it's fine."

Naruto pushes away from him staring at him in disbelief. "No it's not Sasuke! Stop pretending everything is going to be fine when it's clearly not! I don't want to leave you alone for the rest of eternity. When I die you'll go back to being lonely all over again. I know you have your family, but I also know that every time someone you love dies you lose part of yourself. I don't want to take part of you with me when I die. I understand the pain of watching your friends and family die right before your eyes over and over again. It hurts. It hurts so bad." Naruto puts a hand to his heart grabbing angrily at his shirt. "I can't let that happen to you again. Not because of me."

Sasuke frowns not knowing what they can do about it. Talking about Naruto's death will get them nowhere.

Naruto rubs his wrist a little nervous. "I have an idea, but I'm not sure you'll like it." Sasuke arches a brow at him not 100 percent sure where he's going with this, but he's 95 percent sure he is. "You're a pureblood vampire."

His expression hardens. He knew this is what Naruto was leading to. "No. I'm not turning you into a vampire, Naruto."

"Why not? If you do then I can stay with you!"

"Because, Naruto! You have no idea what it's like to be a vampire. You don't want to be one, trust me. You see the world around you slowly decay and you begins to wonder when it'll eventually give out and you'll wonder if it'll take you with it, or you'll be cursed to walk it alone. Everyone you love dies only there's nothing you can do to stop it. You may think it's a good idea right now that we could be together forever, but did you even think about yourself? You will have to see all your other friends die as well."

"Of course I thought about it, Sasuke! That has been all I've been thinking about! I understand what it means to become a vampire. I want this Sasuke, please."

"Naruto," Sasuke growls. "I wouldn't wish this life on someone I hate, let alone someone I love. This isn't a life you want, why won't you trust me on this?"

"I do want that life. I don't want to fear losing you."

"And you won't have to. You'll be with me until your time comes."

"Then what?!" Naruto shouts getting upset that Sasuke won't listen to him. "You'll be alone again dammit! I can't do that to you. I won't put you through the pain of watching me die and you being alone again. I don't fear dying for my sake, I'm afraid of dying because I don't want you to be alone!"

Sasuke sighs rubbing his face. "Naruto, my time in this world is way past its due date. I never go the choice of being a vampire or not, I was born one. I am forever stuck on this godforsaken planet until the day I get killed." His eyes narrow on his blue ones. "Does that sound fun to you? Living, knowing the only way to die is a painful one? Because to me it sucks. I don't want to be impaled through the heart just so I can die. And believe me Naruto, I thought about it many times." Naruto furrows his brows at him. "I did, I wanted to die Naruto. The only thing I want is to be next to the one I love, both of us growing old together, happy with all we've done. That is the only thing I want more than anything, but I can't have it. It sucks knowing that the only thing you want is something you can never have."

Naruto's lips fall into a frown and he drops his head to the ground. "I know how you feel, because the only thing I want is to be with you for the rest of your life so you never have to go through anything alone again, but I can't have that either." Naruto doesn't look to the raven as he stands up dusting himself off. "I should get home. Kurama and Jiraiya are waiting."

Sasuke glares standing up opening his mouth, but snapping it closed again. A growl escapes his lips and he throws his helmet on. He doesn't want to say something he'll regret. Naruto isn't thinking like himself right now. He can't be. He won't turn him into a vampire, Naruto has no idea what he's talking about. Sasuke straddles the bike and when Naruto gets on he takes off down the road to Naruto's house.

7