[A/N:] I tried to make this as short as I possibly could, so that I could get onto the next chapter. I shouldn't be apologizing as this is my fanfic, but I am to all the people who found something wrong with this fic. This is my first Naruto fanfic, let alone where there is any romance.
On a lighter note, I'm happy because I got my Japanese version of Yami no Matsuei in the mail today. I was hoping the Naruto one would've come too but…;
Chapter Five: ~
He was getting decidedly dizzy. You'd be too, if you were floating around in total darkness. A very vast expanse of endless nothing.
But that didn't last long, as something started creeping along, seemingly from some outside source. Floating upside down, Sasuke felt it tug at him, almost as though exploring what he was about.
It seemed to be getting more powerful, forceful, by the second. After a few moments it Sasuke expected it would burn him alive. Suspended in air, and having this strange chakra-like energy surrounded him, was nothing like the trip to heaven or hell as he had expected.
And this Chakra-type energy…it wasn't burning him as expected. Rather…it was a peculiar feeling. Like being…tickled? It almost made him laugh…but then the feeling dissipated, but still left a soft tingling in its place…
~_________~
Naruto trotted forward with killer intent and as the kunai came toward him he easily deflected them with chakra. He made sure to keep a close eye on every move Haku made, and dodged the next attack made. He watched as Haku made for the nearest mirror, and he reared forward and latched onto his arm. He held it into a splintering grip, and could see Haku was in pain. Naruto brung back his fist, and swung as hard as he could. As the blow landed, he could feel bone against bone and the pain in his knuckles.
Haku's body twisted around harshly from the blow and he went straight through one of his own chipped mirrors, and slid across the ground quite painfully.
Then, as one, every mirror there cracked and fell down to the ground into broken shards. Naruto breathed in and kept his wild glare hooked onto Haku as his mask slowly cracked. As half began to fall, Naruto ran forward again and prepared to finish him off. The rage was definitely still in him…he would finished the boy off, if the rest of the boy's mask hadn't fell off, revealing the porcelain face of the one he had met that day…when he had stayed overnight to practice tree climbing.
Hand still poised to strike, Naruto spoke.
"You're from… that time!" Naruto had a mental picture of Haku smiling, wearing that kimono…
"Why'd you stop? I killed your precious friend…yet you can't kill me?" Haku was looking a bit lost. Naruto kept his head lowered for a moment, thinking.
Sasuke…And as he looked up and over at pitiful looking Sasuke, his reaction was instant. He swung and caught Haku square across the face, but felt no pleasure as he landed on the ground and spit up blood.
"What happened to that intensity? You can't beat me with that…"
Naruto shook.
~*~
"Do you have an important person?"
"I want to protect my important person…to help his dreams come true."
"That is my dream…"
~*~
To protect a precious person…and fail…what did it feel like?
[A/N: I'm skipping all the explanations, a little bit.]
"Most painful thing?" Naruto asked, so curious..
"That in this world…I am a person who is unwanted."
All of his anger seemed to drain from his body, and that powerful chakra seemed to be retreating…
Naruto stared.
It's the same…as me. He thought. It was true…they were the same in that aspect. He'd had no one who wanted him…and it was still the same, wasn't it? He still lived alone…why hadn't Iruka invited him to live with him at least? He wouldn't have taken up much room…just give him the couch to sleep on and a bit of ramen to eat, and he'd be okay…and he'd feel wanted. Being acknowledged and feeling wanted were two different things.
"You said to me you wanted to become,"
"The best ninja in your village, and to have everyone acknowledge you." Of course…
"Now if someone acknowledged you from the bottom of your heart…if they appeared, wouldn't that become the most important person to you?"
A picture of Iruka flashed in his mind and Naruto tried to understand Haku's feelings.
…
Just when Naruto was beginning to understand him, Haku asked him to kill him. Naruto was definitely surprised.
"Why are you hesitating?"
Why wouldn't I hesitate?? To kill someone…like him…who know what's it like…to feel unwanted.
Naruto couldn't understand him. Was being strong the only reason for Haku to live?
"You could have been acknowledged…for something else.."
"When I met you in the forest that time…I thought you were like me. You should understand…how I feel." Naruto didn't know how to feel…Haku seemed to believe that he had no reason to live anymore…
Naruto wondered if he would ever be in this situation. But now…he knew he had something something to live for. Iruka…Sasuke, Sakura, even pervert Kakashi. But no matter what…it wouldn't be the same…
"Is this…the only way?" Naruto gritted out.
"Yes."
"Please…fulfill your own dreams"
Dreams…is this what dreams did to people?
Naruto turned to look at Sasuke with quivering lips.
"He…Sasuke also had a dream…"
Even though he doesn't believe in them. It seemed easier not too…
"If we'd met under different circumstances…we might have become friends." Naruto mused. Actually…they'd already become somewhat friends. It was a companionable friendship. And it showed by the way they worked together, without even needing to say it out loud. They understood one another, in some weird way. He could've been friends with Haku too…they would have understood each other better that way. But things never seemed to go right…
"Thank you." Haku said as Naruto once again came forward. He'd become strong, if he could kill when he set his mind to it.
Just as Naruto was about to reach him, Haku heard Zabuza somewhere in the mist shrouded bridge, and he immediately took action. As Naruto came close, he grabbed onto his wrist.
Naruto was started when Haku grabbed onto his wrist and prepared to form some Jutsu. And he disappeared.
"Huh?" Naruto started. Haku…was gone. He'd asked him to kill him. And then…he'd left. Naruto squinted his eyes in confusion.
~~{Sasuke is…dreaming I guess you could say ;}
Meanwhile, Sasuke was seeing the most disturbing imaginary. He was…at a picnic. He was seeing it in his mind's eye. Him, Sakura…Naruto. Even the teachers, kids from the other teams, and Hokage himself were there, sitting around the area chatting away, while he himself sat alone, watching from his perch on the tree. But he seemed content to just watch everyone else.
Kakashi and Iruka were chatting about something, which seemed to be making Iruka blush. Teams 8 and 9 were talking together. More like Ino and Shikamaru argued, Hinata tried in vain to help out, while Kiba talked to Akimaru. Shino was staring off into another direction. Sasuke followed his line of sight and landed on Sakura who seemed to be staring at Naruto who was also sitting alone on a bridge.
Naruto looked surprised as she sat down next to him and began to talk. Sasuke watched silently, wondering what Sakura was saying…not that it mattered. He was peaceful…just watching for now.
Whatever it was, it seemed to be taking Naruto by surprise. Which led to Sakura tugging on his arm and him following obediently. Sasuke looked away, to the sky, and his lips parted slightly as a bird flew through the sun. What did that big ball of yellow sunshine remind him of?
"Ohayo Sasuke-kun~!" He twitched, and turned to see Sakura with a reluctant Naruto being held in her grip. He sent him a questioning glance but Naruto just twitched. Heh. Sakura began to climb up the tree and Naruto followed after a moment later. They each sat on either side of him, and sat in companionable silence for a few moments. Then Sakura smiled to herself and stood up on the branch, carefully.
"I think I hear Ino-pig talking about me. " Was all Sasuke heard her say before she hopped down and ran up to start arguing with Ino. That had obviously been a lie…
"So…what where you doing up here all alone?" Naruto asked, breaking the silence.
"I could ask you the same thing. Dobe." He was surprised when he didn't get a response. Naruto had his head down, so he couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"Sasuke…may I ask you something?" He blinked. Naruto wanted to…ask him something?
"I…guess so." He said emotionlessly. Had to keep up his image ;
Naruto took a deep breath.
"Do you…have a precious person?" Sasuke let his mask slip. His eyes widened in surprise and he blinked a few times before he decided he was confused.
"Because….I heard that to be truly strong, you needed someone to protect. But that shouldn't be hard for you right? You have so many people…to acknowledge you." He stared at Naruto with a strange emotion stirring in his chest. What…?
"I…I don't know." He answered honestly. A…precious person? Did he have one? Despite appearances…he cared for his team. They were training partners. He wouldn't be able to train without them there. But someone…who was truly special enough to want to protect? He'd never had anyone. He'd always believed he didn't need one.
Naruto still had his head down. Staring at the fluff of yellow hair, it reminded Sasuke of something. He looked up at the sun. Yes…those two balls of sunshine were definitely related. No matter how much you tried to ignore them, they always persisted.
"Forget about it…I was just kidding." Naruto mumbled and began to climb down. Sasuke grabbed onto his arm, however, and stared him in the eyes. And for once they didn't hold the usual annoyance.
"I might." And he smiled. Naruto went slackjawed and stared. Sasuke…smiling. Naruto smiled wildly back at him.
"Might? Interesting." He smirked at Naruto and ruffled his hair, causing Naruto to do the same. Then they hopped down and began chasing each other around, and pretty soon everyone was chasing one another, their laughs surrounded him until he felt dizzy.
*_~_*~_*_~
Sometime later
Naruto watched as Haku was laid down on the ground. He'd died…in such a way. He could feel the sadness, but he was angrier…
"Naruto! You're all right!" He stopped, startled, and slowly looked around. Oh no…she was asking about Sasuke. His lips shook with the need to cry. He'd failed…Sasuke. He'd gotten too hurt to fight…and Sasuke jumped in the way to save him. What would Sakura think…?
He looked away, and Kakashi seemed to guess something was wrong. Sakura…wouldn't stop shaking. It hurt Naruto to say her like that…and knowing it was his fault.
Sasuke…I'm…so sorry.
Naruto himself shook as Tazuna took Sakura by her hand to find Sasuke. He wanted to spare them the site…but he couldn't.
For a few moments there was silence. Then he heard Sakura crying…more like wailing in despair. She must have really liked him…
"No matter what, a shinobi must always keep emotions on the inside. The mission must be your top priority, and you must possess a heart that never shows tears." When Naruto heard this, his heart clenched. Yeah…he'd sure let his emotions go rampant.
Sakura cried harder and Naruto almost joined her. He clutched at his stomach and kept his eyes closed.
The battle between Zabuza and Kakashi continued on.
Haku…really loved you…why? Images of Haku telling him about his 'precious person' came to mind, spurring him one. Haku had put aside his own dreams, all to fulfill someone else's. If that was what it meant to be strong…
I want to fulfill his dreams…that is my dream if I must have one.
~!!~
Sakura, oblivious to the world around her, leaned against Sasuke and clung to him.
"Sasuke…kun." She cried into his chest.
~~
Did I die?
Is that Sakura? Am I…am I…?!
And what about that dream? It's fading away…
Sasuke slowly opened his eyes. Sakura was leaning her bony elbows against him, crying into her arms. Ugh…he wasn't feeling too well.
"Sakura…you're heavy…" He mumbled. She looked up, startled, and tears were running all down her face. She shook and just stared at him. He looked to the side, at her, and she cried harder. Then she began to cry out his name happily, still crying, and she hugged him hard, despite his injuries.
"Sakura…that hurts." She eased up a bit and smiled at him.
What's going on now? And where is…Naruto?
His eyes darkened and he sat up, head held low.
"Where's Naruto? And the masked kid." He asked wearily. He wondered what happened…had it been a long time since he passed out? A lot could have happened. Had Naruto made it then?
"Naruto's fine! And that kid is dead…" Sasuke was startled. Dead? Then had Naruto defeated him? How could he have? Even he couldn't…how had Naruto?
"N-no. I'm not too sure, be he protected Zabuza." Sakura stumbled. He listened quietly as Sakura praised him, acting like he was so cool.
"No…"
From the beginning…he knew. And he planned on dying for Zabuza. He knew…
Naruto started as he heard Sakura yell out his name. And when she said Sasuke…was alive. He jerked his head sideways and stared. Sasuke was standing up…
All the emotion he'd tried to keep in broke loose, and the dam of tears flooded through. He'd never cried so much…and about someone.
____~
Two Weeks Later
They really loved each other…Haku and Zabuza. To die as a tool was bad enough…but dying without knowing someone loved you was harsh. Too harsh…
Sasuke hid a smile as Naruto tried to steal a cookie from the offering plate, only to be caught by Sakura. He admitted to himself, sometimes it could be funny to watch them two argue. It felt familiar…and without it, he wasn't really sure where he would be.
He listened closely as Naruto inquired about being a true ninja.
Not supposed to pursue…your own goals. Become the country's tool?
"Well I don't like it." He turned to Naruto, who had a pout on his lips. He agreed wholeheartedly. Watching Naruto look at the two respected ninja's graves, Sasuke decided that Naruto truly was a mystery. One that really needed solved, but no one to take up the challenge.
"I'm going to be a ninja in my own way!" Once again, Naruto surprised them all. Sasuke wondered if he should take that path. But..he was already on a path wasn't he? One that was inescapable. There was no turning back from it. But until then…he could surely stray just a bit.
~The End?~
That was…so much longer than I said it was going to be. I planned to have about 700 words. It ended up 2000 ;
I guess I just wanted to get it over with.
But I did enjoy doing the picnic part, and I wish it could have been longer. If this were a different fic, it might have been. This was finished around 8p.m central, August 22.
Review Responses for Chapter four.
Ayako – I'm so sorry…I was in a weird mood when I wrote that ;
Poor Sasuke…what would he do to me if he read this fanfic? *sniff*
Oh my….you have given me the scariest mental image @.@ *glomps Itachi anyway*
Ooooo… Wouldn't that make a funny ficcy? AyaShika KeitShino *wild grin* *hugs bug boy*
RadicalL (chapter one reviewed) – lol, I'm sorry you feel that way.
I think this was my favorite review. Next to Ayako's of course
Yeah….Naruto was pretty determined to get Sakura. But I think Sakura's stuck on Sasuke. Especially after Sasuke almost died. Don't kill me SasuSaku haters, but I had the cutest idea for a fanfic when I was reading through the manga
Oh yeah ^^, just incase you don't know what makes up a fanfic, it's what the fan imagines. You may right fanfics about NaruHinata, well I write mine about other couples. We're all the same in the world of fanfics. Most of the time we're twisting the plot to fit our needs. J
Cynique – Really? Hm. For my first fanfic this was fun to write, simply because it was a review of things throughout the manga. The only difference was I added thoughts, what they might be thinking as they went through everything. But I'm glad you reviewed, I figured someone would soon point this out to me. ^-^
:D – Lol, don't ask why I stuck him in there. Okay…well, I really don't know much about him. But, I decided to check him out. And well…he looked kind of cute in a bad ass way so I had to add him in there…I thought it was sad what happened to Sasuke's clan, and I'm really curious what drove Itachi to kill his clan. So he's there ;
I'm glad you stuck with me ^-^
Well everyone, I know I told you this one would be in Sasuke's POV, then I'd have my own totally made up chapter, but…I think I accidentally slipped all the ideas I had for it into this chapter. I may continue…but if I do it will be on my own time. Domo arigotou gozaimashita minna-san. Mata ashita ka?