Chapter 23: The Last Familiar Stranger

The light was a man. Sasuke blinked and saw hair that was not blonde but gold and eyes that were blue and shining. There was a mixture oflight-heartedness and regret on the stranger's handsome face. Yet the sadness was the kind that lent strength to an onlooker and Sasuke could not help the rush of inexplicable admiration.

"You…" Orochimaru snarled, "What are you doing here?"

"What does it matter to you? I have business to attend. Please leave," the man said politely, smiling, and the moment he said it, Orochimaru's presence faded away, like a piff of smoke blown away by the wind. Turning to the boy before him, he asked, "Are you okay?" and with a wink, added, "If I remember correctly, Orochimaru-san was always a bit overbearing, neh?"

Sasuke privately, wordlessly agreed.

Then seriously, the newcomer said,"It is dangerous for you to be here. Your soul is just the kind that this river loves to torment. There is a darkness in you that appeals to evil, which these waters are filled with. It is no wonder that Orochimaru found you so easily, though he will not be the last if you stay."

Sasuke didn't bother to rub his aching throat, red as it was. Instead, he immediately prepared himself to fight against this strange, golden man. His strength was perplexing and undoubtedly immense. He had clearly been responsible for banishing Orochimaru. This in mind, Sasuke braced himself for another all-or-nothing clash.

"You said you had business? Is it with me?" he demanded, tense, trying not to put too much weight on his injured leg.

"Yes," the man's grin looked so familiar it hurt, "Do you want her? She's here, you know. Come closer and I'll show you."

The words didn't register at first. Caught off guard, Sasuke could only stare. Then, when the man made no dangerous move, he hobbled forward. It was proof of how tired he was for he took two steps before stopping in fear of deception and getting too close. Choking, he asked, "Where?"

"Here."

He couldn't see anything at first. And then, cupped carefully in the man's hands, shimmering pieces of glass. There were two of them.

"You found them."

"More like they found me," the man returned ruefully, "They were dropped, I suspect, from the skirmish you were just having. I think perhaps… I reminded her of someone… Here, take them."

"Aa," Sasuke could only watch as the stranger placed the shards into his hands. His weariness lifted almost immediately as his fingers wrapped around these precious treasures. He gazed up at the stranger, dazed by the generosity.

"Take them," the man said simply.

Each fragment was alive, its surface shimmering with images of life. A rainy day, a meadow of sunshine. He could feel the vibrancy of emotion that was trapped within and it was such beauty that it made his fingers tingle.

"What do you want in return?" he asked, preparing himself to give up anything. Life and death both had their high demands but he had learned by now that he could dread the worst and give up the best, if only for a foolish girl that loved too easily.

"There's no price. You've paid enough."

The voice was soft, more understanding than it should have been.

Sasuke's mouth dropped before he could stop himself and he found himself staring not just into a face, but at wisdom itself and honor and strength and sacrifice…

Then, without another word, the noble stranger turned and began to walk away.

Sasuke closed his eyes, almost looking angry but knowing that anger was the farthest emotion from his heart right now. This was the most kindness that he had received since entering the Land of the Dead. Because of this man, he could reach his goal now. Everything that he had faced, had left, had given up… With these glass pieces in his hand, none of it had gone to waste.

He helped me. I can really bring her back now. Back to Konoha, back to everyone, back to… I can bring her back…

He could not commit the crime of hiding his gratitude. Not this time. Mustering up his courage, he called after the man's retreating back with feeling his voice, "Hey--"

"Tell her I said thank you." Without turning back, the figure in white had stopped.

Sasuke faltered as his own "thank you" became lost in confusion.

"For letting me see my son again."

And then before Sasuke could decipher what that meant, the golden head was swallowed up by the blackness and he was left alone, with two glass pieces clutched so tightly in his hand that drops of blood fell unnoticed.