Summary: The war had been raging for so long that both sides had forgotten why it began. The cruelty of war had left few families unscathed. It had to stop. I knew this, but even I, the now only remaining heir to the throne, knew not how. NaruXSasu
Disclaimers (I'll only do this once, so pay attention):
I don't own Naruto.
I do not own this plot, it is from one of my favorite books, and altered to better fit my own characters. (I'm not saying the book so I won't ruin the story)
Now we can begin:
Chapter 1: Bloodshed
As I cross the field, the familiar scent overwhelms me. The smell of blood shed.
It lies on the ground, adding it eternal red stain to the earth. It is not the first stain to fall and it seems that it will not be the last.
I should not be out here at all. My mother would be displeased to know that I had, yet again, gone onto the fields after the battle was over. She didn't like that I did this. She claimed it was too dangerous for me, the next heir to go out, but I think differently.
If I, Sasuke Uchiha, am the one to take the throne, and not my younger brother, I need to understand the suffering of my people. I can not turn my head from there pain, so I walk the fields after the battles, the guards my mother insists on having follow me close by.
Today though, it is not just for observance, it is also in search. My brother had ended up getting mixed up in the fray, and I was looking for him, desperately, although you could never tell that by my expression. My face held it's usual stony composure as usual. It was expected. My kind was not one to mix with emotions. Emotions were to be kept to yourself, not expressed. On the surface, everything must be calm, cool, and collected. None should ever see underneath.
Therefore, even when I found my brother dead on the ground, not even a tear fell. He wouldn't have wanted me to cry for him. I close his open, lifeless black eyes, and sit down next to him on the ground, grieving silently.
I heard a cry in the distance. A familiar cry, a cry of pain. I stand slowly from my brother's body and walk towards where I heard the sound. I see the body on the ground and began to head towards it when I am stopped by Neji's hand.
"We cannot save him."
"Why not?" I answer back coldly.
"That's Imai Uzamaki."
Instantly I understood why not. The enemies one of two remaining princes. It couldn't be possible that he was fouled in the same battle that took my brother.
I hank my hand away from Neji's grasp and continue forward.
"He's dying." Neji said simply from behind me.
"I know. Wouldn't you want someone next to you when you die? Even if it was someone you did not know?"
When I reached the boys side. I took in his features. The blonde hair and clouded blue eyes clearly pointed to his lineage. He silenced when I came up. He looked up at me with eyes filled with pain. He managed two words. "Kill me."
I nodded slowly. Drawing the small dagger I had with me. He must have realized as I had, that the stomach wound he had would kill him, no matter what medical treatment he received. I was about to draw the blade across his throat when again, Neji's hand stopped me.
I shot a glare, and he simply shook his head. I stood and walked few feet away from the boy.
"Uzamaki's believe in mercy killing!" I argued quietly.
Neji nodded. "Yes, but not when the only heir to the throne of their enemy does it."
"It could take hours for him to die like that."
"Then you must let the hours pass."
I walked away from my guard, understanding the finality of his tone. I sat down next to the boy, my hand brushing lightly across his forehead. "I'm sorry." He nodded slowly in understanding.
"It's not…your fault." The boy managed softly.
"I'll stay with you." I said taking his hand in my own.
"Thank you." He whispered softly, tears in his eyes.
I do not know how long I sat there. I sat there holding is hand, talking to him, keeping him company as his life slowly left him. As the last bit of light left his eyes, a few tears fell from eyes. I could not cry for my brother, but I could cry for my enemy.
He was young. Too young to die, and I knew the war had taken many more just like him. A war that had lost meaning through the many years of its length. A war that was fought because it was the only thing known to those on both sides on the rift. A war that destroyed everything.
I pulled back from his body slowly. Supposedly, my side had won this battle. We'd had fewer casualties, but as I pulled back from this boy, and went to pick up my brother's lifeless corpse, leaving the prince to be found by his own people, I knew there was no truth to that sentiment.
In this war, there were no winners or losers, only pain and death for both sides.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Sort of prologue-ish, but it sets the stage.
