Warnings: religious implications. Swearing. Shounen ai.
Disclaimer: I own no Naruto.

Note to XiaoBai-dearest: it's not as done as I thought it was.

Reach.
a simple tale
of
rising
lower, deeper
and
falling
higher yet.

Chapter Ten, Sasori…by Taes.

My time is short...I must fly quickly.

In moments, I reach the school for young adults—a 'community college,' Deidara has called it. I find them. Hand in hand, the pair walks on, oblivious to late autumn's chill winds and frosty air.

They smile sweetly, for an instant, before one of them laughs. It's Naruto, my ears tell me, and quickly I hear Sasuke's indignant, measured voice reprimand the blond in a condescending manner.

Naruto curses, and chuckles softly. The son of Sammael waves in my direction—I smile wider for him—and he jerks a thumb towards Sasuke. The blond makes a face, only to be elbowed—roughly—by his partner.

"—brat, don't do that—" I hear Sasuke murmur.

However, the female demon, Sakura, cuts him off. "Naruto-baby!" she squeals. Her voice is sharp and filled with enjoyment. "'ve you corrupted 'im yet, huh?" she covers her pink mouth with two small hands.

It seems that Hell's regulations on who goes Walking have fallen lax once more. A pity. It appears that I'll have to tolerate the demons' presence more often...

I smile blankly, ignoring the implication.

Amusingly, it's Naruto who blushes, not Sasuke.

I smile, and call towards the young boy. I bring a heavenly glow about myself, to admonish a heavenly reminder...

"Sasori," Sasuke inclines his head, and black hair masks dark eyes.

For a moment, I'm left staring at the boy, but instincts save me from humiliation. I pull Beelzebub's spear from my robes, and block the attack from my once-brother. It is simple for me to corner the clone, and frighteningly difficult to tell the true once-angel from the doppelganger.

The real Sasuke laughs, and the fake dissipates.

Behind us, Naruto snorts with indignation. "Hey, hey, don't go an' steal my moves, asswipe—"

I smile. "Brother," I murmur affectionately. "You've improved." I run my eyes down his form, and note with pride that his training hasn't fallen.

He smirks widely and inclines his head in silent agreement. A new light shines in his eyes.

I am pleased for him.

Beside the boy, Sakura pouts. "Hey, Ino! Make Sasuke quit—" she stamps a combat-boot clad foot impatiently, and waves furiously. "Get your face off that fat-ass right now, witch!" she smirks a challenge at the blonde girl before turning towards her own boyfriend. "Ne, Kiba?"

I chuckle. It seems these young demons have more right to wander the world, now…I glimpse the others—Kiba, Neji and Shikamaru—under a well-crafted shield.

The boy Ino had been kissing, I see, is indeed overweight. This round, full body suits his soft nature, I see, and could be brought to our side...

"Akimichi Chouji, gifted with the Sight." I bow, amused, as I tilt my head to one side.

Sasuke nods in my direction. "This is Sasori, archangel in the Akatsuki Wing, and the angel of war."

I chuckle, and pull lightly at my lips. "Why the frown, Chouji?" I inquire.

Round eyes close in an instant.

Ino leans over her boyfriend with an amused smile. Her eyes, I see, have fully opened. "He's, um, not quite as used to the other worlds, yet," she grins. "Sir."

Shikamaru rolls his eyes. "Women." He sighs.

Naruto sniggers.

"You're no better, asshole…" bored Shikamaru grumbles. He turns to Chouji with an exasperated expression. "Why'd a smart, good guy like you go and desert us happy bachelor types, huh?"

Kiba snickers, ever the hellhound-bound demon of dubious virtues. "I wonder." He yips, but he doesn't sound curious at all.

I frown at the company Sasuke keeps.

Sasuke levels the group with a sound, cocky glare. "It's not your actions, children, but your intent—your beliefs—that will save you. It is possible to—"

To the side, Neji snorts. "Save the speech, Uchiha." The quiet youth frowns as the others laugh.

I smile, and offer a hand to my brother.

"Come fly with me." I urge, eager to be gone from such unfit mortals.

He shakes his head, disrespectful as ever. "No," Sasuke declines, "We're going to paint a wall in the subway station…a picture of the worlds." His eyes light.

Perhaps this boy will yet become a messenger of Heaven...a saint...

I would not be surprised.

"Sasuke," I call again.

He turns, his eyes clouded with mischief—and perhaps, true love.

I smile, nod, and watch him go as I take to the air. In the growing distance between us, a warm line of light stretches.

I can see their smiles, still, and I can hope for the best… Behind the two boys, I see the glimmer of wings, soft and full.

I can but watch them grow…and marvel at the process…

Slowly, the two boys—light and dark—draw closer together. The air about them is warm, though my wings tinge with frigid chills.

The wind blows gently under my wings, and I reach for the sun, the moon. So bright...

Slowly, the snow begins to fall.

tbc...