SasuNaru, yaoi, m-preg, OOC, OCs and unbeta-read
standard disclaimer applies
Sorry for the wait.
Chapter 37: Total solar eclipse
There was one holiday more meaningful than that of Kyuubi's defeat- that of the founding of Konoha. It had become a tradition for few ninjas to send the villagers' hopes prayers and wishes written in origami paper and folded into paper boats to send them floating along the river at the Valley of the End. And the elders who took the celebration as their responsibility had chosen rookie nine and Gai's team to be those ninjas. While the men carried bags containing the paper boats and Naruto carrying the strung thousand paper cranes which believed to grant wishes, the women took the bouquets of expensive flowers arranged by Yamanaka women as well as the little baskets of petals.
"Don't forget that you have a speech delivery three hours from now, "one of the elders said.
"I'll be back before that," the Rokudaime promised with a smile.
-SasuNaru is love-
It had been years since the Sasuke-retrieval team had traveled together on the path where they had bravely fought against enemies who were way above their level.
Chouji felt the same strength and confidence that flowed through him when his best friend told him he believed in him before they left him to continue their chase. As his gaze fell on the trunk on where his friends carved short messages and arrows, he felt the same joy when he realized that his comrades and friends hadn't abandoned him.
Neji smirked as images of the battle flashed before him. He had been desperate at that time. Not because he wanted to save the foolish Uchiha but because he wanted to help Naruto and at the same time proved to everyone who believed in his capabilities that he was truly a genius.
Kiba and Akamaru shared a look as they speed past the place where Kiba had returned to save his pal despite the explosive tags that surrounded the place.
Shikamaru snorted as he remembered the troublesome risk he took and the relief of being save although he wasn't so please to learn that his savior was a very bossy and dangerous woman. They passed by the now calcium-rich soil, thanks to Kimimaro's bones and Lee's belief that his and Gaara's overwhelming flare of youthful ferocity was the deciding factor of their victory still remained firm. He smiled as they danced around the bones that were still decomposing.
Unknown to anyone, Sasuke felt slivers of shame because he knew what his male friends were thinking.
As they reached the Valley of End which had witness the furious battle between friends, their pain and tears. Sasuke's nerves tingled at the memory of the raw and barely controlled power Naruto had shown. Naruto, on the other hand felt the phantom pain on his chest where the chidori had pierced him and the throbbing of his heart of being abandoned by a dear friend.
Hinata and Tenten effortlessly climbed the mountain and poured the basket of multi-colored petals letting it cascade below together with water. The rest were now standing on the river surface. They placed the string of cranes first, followed by the paper boats and finally the bouquets. When it was done, Sasuke made hand seals before he breathed a pillar of fire which surged upward. Reaching its peak, the flame burst into slivers of light which went to different direction, lighting up the still dim five o'clock morning sky - signaling the villagers who cheered at the sight, that they could now start the planned morning activities.
"You better snap your blonde from wherever he is," Kiba commented as they reached Sasuke. The brunette looked down and saw his wife spacing out.
"We couldn't reach him," Lee commented sadly. Sasuke nodded and leaped down.
"Usuratonkachi!" Sasuke called out in a firm voice that cut through the haze that enveloped his wife. Still partly imprisoned by heart-breaking memory, Naruto looked over his shoulder and stared at his opponent, his friend, his rival and his love. He half-expected to hear from Sasuke angry accusations about the village holding him down and his quest for power. But all the brunette did was offer his hand to him while saying affectionately, "c'mm dobe, let's go home. They're waiting for us."
His words were like the sweetest honey he ever tasted and Naruto emerged from that painful past and stumbled into reality- Sasuke waiting for him to take his hand. Instead of doing that, Naruto strode towards his spouse and kissed him soundlessly.
From above their friends look at them with relief. "Such a troublesome pair," commented Shikamaru.
-SasuNaru is love-
With "friendly commerce and trade" as the theme of the expensive celebration, standard-issued stalls had lined up along the streets and even though the night had already fallen, the place had become livelier as people, now dressed in yukata, strolled around. Under the star-sprinkled and clear evening sky, the soft voices and chuckles of couples and lovers alike were drown out into buzzes as the voices of excited children grew louder.
Miki watched as the flickering fire lanterns hanging from the stalls and different establishments cast dancing shadows on the walls and grounds as she waited almost impatiently to join her friends.
"You can do anything you like," her otousan said in an authoritative voice, "but we expect you to join us in watching the firework display by the riverside so we'll see you at around 8, okay?"
She and her two brothers nodded and they were more than happy when their father dismissed them silently.
"It's just the three of us now, Kisho" he heard his wife said to their youngest child who nodded in agreement. "Then let's have fun!"
He rolled his eyes at his childish display but nevertheless he followed them as they weaved their way through the crowd.
-SasuNaru is love-
Owlishly, Kisho looked at his parents who had been in the shooting booth for almost fifteen minutes now, trying to outdo each other. Somehow, their bickering seemed to amuse the boy but what was funnier was the man behind the booth who was too scared to ask them to leave and all he could do was wistfully eyed their prizes which were now lining up the small table.
Naruto smirked at his husband as he hit all the targets for five consecutive times. "It seemed your charms are no use to my awesome concentration!" he commented as Sasuke failed to distract him once more.
"That's just beginner's luck," he replied, "Watch the genius in action." But before he could pull a trigger, a hand shot blocking his view. Assuming, it was another attempt of making him lose his focus, he was about to bark at him. But his colorful words disappeared into thin air as his gaze met emerald ones burning with irritation.
"Will you two stop being so childish?" their friend asked, no, demanded. "You're cleaning out the poor man with his prizes."
"Don't be too hard on them," Lee said gently. "Competition is a beautiful expression of youthful passion." "Not now," Sakura almost snapped causing her husband to stand attentively and gave a salute, "Yes, Ma'am" before he went on to pay all his attention to Kisho.
"Kisho, which do you like the most?" she asked and when the boy pointed the Arashi plushie, she gave it to him. "Mister, you can take back the rest," she said.
The man looked at the hokage for his agreement which came only after the pink-haired kunoichi glared at him.
"Sure, you can have them back," he said sheepishly. "Sorry about earlier."
The man shook head profusely, "It was an honor to have Naruto-sama in my booth."
The blonde was about to reply when a blur zoomed past them and latched on the unsuspecting little boy. Ino squealed, completely on her fangirl mode. "You have gotten more sinfully charming each day!"
"Loosen your hold will you, Ino?" Chouji said between munching. "The kid is suffocating." The bleach-blond woman gave the youngest Uchiha one tight hug before she let him go. "Uzumaki and Uchiha blood make drool-worthy children, ne Chouji?"
Before he could respond she had already turned her attention on the Uchiha couple. The two instinctively took a step back as they saw the crazed determination gleaming on her eyes. "I think it's time to talk about marriage between our children."
"Dream on, Ino-pig!" Sakura snorted. Within a second, their faces were almost pressed as they heatedly argue as to whose child was more compatible with the young Uchihas. Their husbands shared a long suffering look but never made an attempt to interrupt their wives, knowing all too well the consequence of such action.
"And Sakura called us childish," Sasuke muttered.
Getting bored, Kisho's obsidian eyes landed on someone that made him smile. He met her halfway and with his small hands clasped behind his back, he said melodiously, "good evening, Temari-bachan."
Temari pat his head gently, "good evening too." Casting a meaningful glance to the bickering kunoichi, she continued, "They're at it again, eh?"
"Oi! Temari, where's Shika?"
"He's already at the riverside together with Shino and his wife saving a place for us. Neji and his wife are helping his cousin in preparing our dinner."
"Although she volunteered, it must be hard to prepare for more than thirty persons," Chouji commented.
"But we offered our help but she had declined," Lee added.
"Ne, can we buy something to eat?" Kisho asked while pulling Naruto's right hand.
"Why don't we try that okonomiyaki stand that's two blocks away from here? It's very popular," Chouji suggested. His friends decided to follow his recommendation and started walking, leaving the other two kunoichi.
"Be careful, it's hot," Sasuke warned as he handed to Kisho his okonomiyaki. His son nodded and took a small bite. A second later, he was fanning his mouth with both hands while jumping up and down. By doing so, his favorite rubber ball fell and rolled somewhere. "I'll be back," he said as he thrust his food to his otousan's hands to go after his toy. Unfortunately, the ball stopped between the front paws of a sleeping stray dog.
The animal let out an irritated snort then opened his eyes when he felt a presence. He snarled. He had enough dealings with children who always made fun of him and the child in front of him was no different. But his opinion changed when he felt the almost malevolent power from him. He whimpered and with his tail between its hind legs, he ran away.
Kisho looked at the retreating animal. "What happened to you, mister dog?" As he picked the ball, his gaze landed on a retreating cat. "Here, kitty kitty." But the cat had also sensed what the dog had and without a doubt jump over the fence. Kisho looked behind him but there was nothing or no one behind him. For few seconds he wondered what was wrong but when he couldn't find an explanation, he childishly dismissed it and returned to his companions.
When they reached the riverside, almost everybody was there.
"Are you ready for your speech, Naruto?" Shino asked without looking away from the shougi board.
"I already did give my speech this morning."
Everybody looked at him in surprise. "Didn't Konohamaru tell you about tonight's speech delivery?" The blonde returned their stare with his own. After a while, his left hand rubbed his nape, "he did mention about some speech but I thought-"
There was a collective sigh. "With my years as hokage, an impromptu speech is a cinch."
-SasuNaru is love-
In his impromptu speech, unlike the one he delivered that morning, he talked about hardships before talking about friendship and teamwork. But there were only few who listened to his words because the others were too entranced with the way how his golden hair glowed brighter than the yellow lights that flooded him; with how he articulate his words with smooth hand movements and how his lips curled in a sheepish grin and briefest smile. Standing together with their children, Sasuke felt a sliver of irritation as he observed his dobe's natural charm working twice its magic on the masses.
However, Naruto was oblivious to it all because half of mind was on the awesome firework display that would soon follow and on the moment their family portrait would be taken.
Somehow, his heartfelt speech showed that he was the epitome of peace, strength and courage and that so far he was Konoha's strongest pillar. As he was about to end his very short message, he choked and became immobile. The villagers stared at him, expecting his next words or actions to be surprising. And it was because suddenly and with his robe flapping around him quietly, he fell backward as if in slow motion. As if planned. When he reached the ground with a 'thud', a stifling silence settled over them. It was as if a slight movement or a small sound was a taboo.
Like a water drop that caused ripples on still waters, the blood-curling scream of one of the elders destroyed their stupor and mayhem ensued. People who saw their hokage convulsing either prayed or murmured their opinions causing others to strain their necks and pressed forward.
Chuunins restrained the masses while jounins guarded the village elders. They needed not to ask to know somebody had hit the rokudaime. It was an assassination attempt and from the look of things it was a success.
Without any orders, all ANBU guards left to search the gutsy assassin. They had let their guard down and because of that they would become the laughing stock of the other villages. Konoha's ANBU members were the best among all the ninjas and yet they failed to protect the leader they had sworn to protect. It was a joke and it was on them.
Sai took out his paper and pen and drew three huge hawks. The three then surged towards the sky with while giving a long piercing cry then they disappeared in blood-red smoke-a signal of emergency four zero. Chuunin gate guards were replaced by the best jounins and nobody was allowed to leave the village without any written approval of the hokage or the head of the Root. Experienced chuunin would start making rounds in their assigned area with the power to arrest anyone suspicious.
Within a few second, all of them except the Uchiha's received Sai's orders- get to the assassin first before the Uchihas or if the Uchihas caught him first, restrain them from killing the criminal at all means.
The leader of the Root as well general of the ANBU knew only few would try to heed his command and in fact, he wasn't one of them. But for formalities' sake he gave the orders.
-SasuNaru is love-
Miki wanted to join the medics that surrounded his father. She was about to kneel beside him when she got a glimpse of his state. Froth was trickling from his half-opened mouth, his eyes were red and bulging as if unseen strong hands pried them open and worse, his veins were swelling to visibility and they were red-violet.
"No," she choked out, her hands reaching out. But before she could touch her father, she was pulled back. She looked up and saw Shino's wife holding a bawling and scared Kisho. She grasped the woman's hand that was still holding her arm. "Junko-bachan, tell me," she pleaded because her medical knowledge told her otherwise. "Tell me he's not gonna die!"
Junko looked at the girl tearfully asking for words of assurance but she couldn't give one because she didn't want to give her false hope. "Let's us hope for the best," she said before she enveloped the Uchiha siblings in a warm hug. Comfort, that was the only thing she could give at that moment.
-SasuNaru is love-
Shizune gently pulled the poisonous needle which was as thin as thread. She thought it was only half inch but when she pulled it, she found out it was three inches. She dropped the object in a transparent plastic held by Tsunade.
"Take this to the hospital laboratory," she told Temari. "And inform all medical staff of emergency red-one." The younger blonde kunoichi nodded and left.
"He's now having muscle cramps," exclaimed Sakura.
"Labored breathing too," Hinata added. Tsunade looked at Naruto.
"What's taking them so long?" Shizune muttered referring to the two medic-nin Tsunade had asked a while ago to get generic antidote before they'd move Naruto to the hospice.
Tsunade kept quiet because she knew that in critical situations like this a second could mean an eternity. No longer wanting to wait without doing anything, Tsunade decided to take a gamble. "Let's hope Kyuubi can help."
It was only Hinata who understood her words. "Should I completely shut down his chakra system?" she asked.
"No, keep his chakra to a trickle. I'm sure Kyuubi will come out by then."
The Hyuuga heiress nodded and did as told. They waited but saw no traces of Kyuubi.
"It seemed the poison is affecting Kyuubi as well," the blond medic-nin said in defeat.
"Naruto?" Kyuubi called out, her voice echoing in the distant. She was suffocating. There was something in the air that was heavy and stifling. She could sense a strange darkness creeping towards her. She tried to reach out the beam of light that was above her but the shadows suddenly moved fast and engulfed her.
-SasuNaru is love-
After two hours of searching, the ANBU members came empty-handed and Sai gathered all squad captains for a meeting. While his uncles had their killing aura restrained or concealed, Yuuzuki's was flowing from him like angry waves. Sasuke, on the other hand was the epitome of calmness. His face was schooled to his usual arrogant expression and there was not even a trickle of murderous aura detected from him. But everybody knew that such calmness precedes a storm. A raging deadly storm.
"The gate guards didn't see or feel anyone going out," Neji informed stiffly.
"So it could be anybody in the village," Shino stated matter-of-factly.
"I received word from the hospital that they would turn over the murder weapon to us after their own investigation," Sai said. "I already had assigned a squad for the crime investigation."
"Did you receive word about Naruto's condition?" Kiba asked.
Their general shook his head. "They're being silent about it." The atmosphere became more tensed. "Anyway, we need to have an organized investigation. I divided the village into sections," he continued.
Yuuzuki looked at the map. "I'll take section D," he said. It was the area where Akemi was waiting for him. The two had promised to each other that they'd search for the asshole together. Without giving a chance for anyone to protest, he disappeared in a poof and everybody their overlooked his rudeness.
Sai assigned each section to each squad except Sasuke's.
"You seemed to forget about my squad," Sasuke said in a voiced lace with irritation. "/I assigned your subordinates to riot suppression squad because you're going to the hospital," a smiling Sai replied coolly.
"No." The Uchiha didn't want to go to the hospice because he knew once he step inside, he'd be falling into oblivion head first and he wasn't ready for that. He couldn't find the courage to hear and accept any bad news. He wanted even if it was for just few hours to delay his madness. "No," he repeated with finality.
"Naruto expects you to be there so leave the search to us," Shikamaru said before another trouble would erupt between two men. The others voiced out their agreement making Sasuke realized that they wanted to go to where his blonde was and know his condition but medical protocol demanded that only a patient's immediate family, if existing, should be notified. Having no choice, he nodded and watched everybody leave the room. Alone, he laid his forehead against the table, trying to steel himself for the things that would come; for the things he knew he should accept.
When he stepped out, Lee was waiting for him. "Sakura wants to talk with you. She's waiting at Tsunade-sama's office." Sasuke nodded. "Junko-san asked me to inform you she's taking Miki and Kisho to her house."
-SasuNaru is love-
Tsunade looked at the elders rebelliously. "I'm too old to be reinstated as hokage. Why can't you assign a ruling committee like what you did when Naruto was hospitalized because of Kyuubi?
"Because this is a different case. This is worse especially when villagers saw their leader assassinated. It has caused unrest and uprisings won't be far," the oldest elder explained.
"There's no time for an amateur hokage. Besides none of us has predicted this. We expected him to rule longer so we haven't entertained the idea of picking candidates for the next hokage," another elder commented sadly. Tsunade sighed and grabbed the hokage hat.
-SasuNaru is love-
Sasuke took a seat in front of his former teammate. He tried to search her neutral and professional expression that might give him any indication but found none.
"The weapon is a three-inch needle coated with a strong and fast-reacting poison found in perennial plants growing in mountainous areas," Sakura explained, her emerald eyes boring into the man's. "The best antidote is found in few oasis. We already sent a letter to Gaara ahead of the team we sent."
Sasuke nodded but it was obvious to him Sakura was putting off that moment when she had to discuss about Naruto and he didn't know whether to be irritated or to be grateful. "What about my dobe?" he finally asked almost in a whisper.
The kunoichi's expression faltered and she looked away. "The poison had entered his bloodstream. We only managed to filter ten percent of it. The large dosage of generic antidote we injected in him every twenty minutes only slow downs the effect," her voice was now breaking. "There's a big possibility that he's going to die even though we are doing our best!" This time she couldn't stop the tears cascading her cheeks. She was crying for the desperation that gripped her, for the helplessness that bubbled within her and for the unfairness of the situation. She buried her face in her hands. It was so unfair! Why did it have to be like this?
Sasuke leaned his head against the chair and closed his eyes, willing for things he couldn't accept at that moment to go away. He opened his eyes when he heard a tray being placed in front of him.
"We had to take off his necklace and his wedding ring," Sakura explained. Without letting the medic-nin say anything further, the brunette took the objects and placed them on his pocket above his chest.
Few minutes later, Sakura led him to the ICU where Naruto was confined. Sasuke entered the room alone. His knees buckled as his gaze landed on his dearest person. His hair had lost its luster, the skin beneath his eyes were reddish, his lips was dry and purple, and his skin was deathly pale, a contrast against the visible web of his red-violet veins. He looked so thin, so small against the machines that surrounded him. Sasuke took a seat and held one limp hand between his. For a long time, he just looked at his blond, hoping he won't slip away from his hold.
-SasuNaru is love-
Zan stifled his sleepy yawn as he handed another document to his lord. It was late yet he knew he must work overtime for the next day's three conference meetings. Noticing the elegant eagle that landed on one of the window ledge, he took the bird inside and untied the scroll from one of his legs.
"Gaara-sama, a scroll from Konoha," he said as he placed the letter on the table.
Gaara opened it and scanned the contents. Zan shivered at the sudden burst of anger coming from the redhead.
"Cancel tomorrow's meetings," he ordered.
"You can't..." he trailed off as he was glared at. "What should I tell them?"
The slamming of the door was Gaara's answer and he sighed. He definitely needed some aspirin before he should start coming up with excuses.
Kankuro pasted himself against the wall as his brother stormed past him, grains of sand floating around the redhead.
"Kankuro, we're leaving for Konoha."
"Did that lazy genius drop Temari?" he asked half-jokingly as he followed his brother. He always thought those two weren't compatible so he expected that sooner or later they'd file for divorce. It seemed they did and now they were heading for Konoha to demand the blood of that lazy man.
"Naruto was assassinated-"
Kankuro almost stumbled as he heard it. "Who's the asshole who did that?"
-SasuNaru is love-
The result of the ANBU investigation was out. The murderer was a former ninja who was called a phantom. He had been one of the best in his generation but he had resigned at the age of twenty-six when his wife by arranged marriage eloped with the man she loved. Since that time, everything went downhill as he found comfort in alcoholic drinks. Nobody knew the motive of the attack but an ANBU squad had been sent to his house where he had been spotted last.
Neji's squad became the darkness as they reached their criminal's residence. The Hyuuga genius activated his byakugan to check for any trap as well as confirmed his presence. He only saw little chakra systems he associated with house pests. But still he signaled his men to storm inside and search for anything that would them a clue of his motivation.
Neji opened what he supposed to be bedroom and the sight that greeted him made him almost cringed. Their criminal had hung himself and his now purple tongue was sticking out.
"Captain," his vice-captain uttered almost hesitantly. The brunette looked at her. "Every documents and books had been burned. We couldn't find anything but this."
The brunette unfold what she thought was a suicide note. As he read the message, his whole muscles tensed in anger. The man wasn't motivated by some ill-feelings toward the Rokudaime, which was a relief. All he wanted was to plunge the whole village to what he had been feeling- despair by taking down its pillar. At the end of the letter he expressed his hope that his death would be enough to pay for the life he took.
The arrogance of the asshole, Neji thought. He had been famous for his control of his emotions especially anger and hatred but such restraint was gone and he punched the nearest wall, leaving a gaping hole.
-SasuNaru is love-
Sakura smiled as the antidote began to take its effect on her friend. She gently brushed few locks from his forehead, "It will be fine from here on, Naruto."
Gaara looked at the pink-haired kunoichi as she stepped outside. "He's looking pretty good," she informed the redhead who nodded. "Thanks, Gaara."
The kazekage noticed the tears of relief at the edges of her eyes and wished he could feel the same relief but his senses as someone who killed to prove his existence told him the blonde wasn't off the hook yet. He could smell death and he smell its heavy presence within his blond friend's room. "Don't let your guard down. I'm with Tsunade-sama so if anything happens…" With that said, he left for the meeting.
-SasuNaru is love-
Like everyone else, Akemi and Yuuzuki wasn't pleased to hear the death of the criminal or to hear the motivation behind the assassination attempt. But at least the search was over and they were now heading to the hospital together with their two siblings to visit their chichiue.
Yuuzuki, who was carrying Kisho turned to the last corner then stopped as he saw medic-nins filing out from his chichiue's room. He broke into a run, his heart leaping with cold fear, just in time to see Shizune turning off all the machines.
"Shizuneechan...?" Yuuzuki trailed off, afraid to ask what he feared the most.
"I'm sorry,Yuuzuki-kun," the brunette medic-nin said as she shook her head.
The boy just nodded blankly. Kisho wriggled from his brother's arms and approached his father's bed. Mistaking the reason of disconnecting the colorful cords from his chichiue, he said "Niichan, chichiue would wake up soon, ne?" He seated himself beside Naruto so he could greet the latter the moment he'd wake up. The little blonde's hand accidentally brushed against his father's skin and noticed it was getting a little bit cold. Immediately, he righted the blankets just like what his blond father did every night. "You'll be warm now, chichiue," he muttered.
With a sob, Shizune fled from the heart-breaking scene and almost collided with Miki who was about to enter the room.
"Niisan?" Miki asked Yuuzuki who was silently crying.
"He's dead," he replied between sobs.
The news brokenly delivered was so heavy for her. She found her view getting blurry before everything turned brilliantly white and she was floating like a feather.
Akemi caught the unconscious Miki and together they sunk to the floor. His hot tears gently fell on his sister's sad face. "No way" he said as sobs rocked his lithe frame, "this can't be happening."
"What's wrong?" a confused Kisho inquired as he gently settled his head on his father's chest. He waited to hear his chichiue's heartbeat then bolted in a seating position when he heard none. "Niichan," he called out quietly. Beads of cold sweat broke out from his suddenly pale skin. Yuuzuki gripped his shoulders and gazed into his eyes.
"He's gone but otousan, Miki, Akemi and I are still with you…" Whatever comforting and reassuring words that came out from his lips, there were drowned out by Kisho's ear-piercing wail. In his state of denial, the youngest Uchiha unconsciously let out a wave of strong chakra causing the electricity within the building fluctuate. Yuuzuki's arms wrapped around his small body to calm him down and somehow the pain being shared made things a bit bearable.
-SasuNaru is love-
Carrying a bouquet of white roses – one of Naruto's favorite, Sasuke walked along the hallway that would lead him to his dobe. Following his heart's request, he tuned out the whispers and murmurs from everyone there and ignored the looks being thrown at him. He was blocking everything that suggested something bad had happened to Naruto.
He opened the door and saw his children. Miki and Kisho were sleeping on the couch of the connecting room, Akemi was sitting on the window ledge his blue eyes focusing on somewhere distant and Yuuzuki was fixing his empty gaze on the pristine white wall. They were like shards of a glass that was once elegant and beautiful but now broken beyond repair. They were no longer crying but he could still see the traces of the tears on their faces and the unsaid news crashed against him like tsunami. His muscles loosened and the bouquet slipped from his hold and fell to the floor with some of its petals plucked out from the impact.
"Sasuke-kun?" he heard a voice said from behind him. He closed the door of the room and leaned on it.
"I'm sorry," Hinata said then continued when Sasuke remained silent. "The antidote had been few seconds late but we did our best…"
She trailed off when she noticed that the ANBU captain looked anything but sad or devastated. He was just standing there, looking at her as if everything was alright, as if he hadn't lost someone special. "Hinata, please look after my children. I'll be going somewhere," he said and left.
-SasuNaru is love-
Standing in the hospital rooftop and enveloped by darkness, Sasuke thought of nothing and everything as images of Naruto came to his mind like some favorite old movie. Memories of his sun were the only thing he had now and it wasn't enough. It could never be enough. He stared at one of the faces carved on the mountain and cupped it between his hands.
"You left me," he whispered then corrected himself bitterly, "you were taken away from me."
"Everyone is worried about you," somebody said and Sasuke didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
"I'm fine," he replied automatically.
"Cut the crap, Uchiha," Gaara growled, "you just lost Naruto. If you want to cry then do so."
The brunette threw his head back and gave a hollow laughter. He let his sharingan eyes land on the redhead and noticed the latter's red eyes – one of the telltale signs that he was crying. The raccoon had cried and Sasuke found it amusing in a bitter and painful way.
"I wanted to," he whispered, "but I couldn't." Tears weren't enough to express what he was feeling right now. In addition, when he realized his loss, everything even his tears were sucked out from him. Everything about him was dry and empty.
Noticing the hollowness of that voice, Gaara realized that the man in front of him was nothing but a zombie of sadness and emptiness. What the other felt was worse that what everybody was feeling at that moment. Sasuke had lost what made him not only complete but what made him, him. Knowing he'd just be disturbing rather than being of help, he decided to leave. But before he did so, he said, "Get out from the rain, Uchiha."
Sasuke shook his head. The sky was crying in his stead and he wanted to soak himself with nature's tears for it was the only thing he could do.
Naruto, come and save me.
TBC
Phew... Quite long and the topic was so delicate, I had trouble handling it. In fact, I don't think my way of handling it was enough.
I know Naruto called Shizune as Shizune-neechan but Yuuzuki found a way to shorten it. -grins-
Next chapter summary: Goodbye, Naruto.