Renewed hope

Today really is such. A. blast! Naruto thinks as he skips through some poster samples. It's the weekend of the card convention and Naruto has been walking around for some hours now. There are all kinds of cards from gathering cards to game cards. Rare cards, most common cards. There is the dealer room where one can buy cards or other stuff, like movies based on the card games or the other way around, 3D figures, costumes, posters, mugs and all kinds of other stuff. In another room card games can be played or exchanged. There are food corners, with the most rare food types from all over the world. There are cards for some army game, for nature, for tv shows, for famous paintings and art, for cars, for animals and so on and on. Naruto's favorite category is fantasy though, and even in that there are more sub categories. Like dragons, elves, some famous fantasy movies, mythological creatures, legendary creatures, werewolves, vampires, witches and so on. What intrigues Naruto most in this category are the demons or devils and the angels. He loves their wings and the entire game of good and evil and how those roles could be mixed up.

It really is too bad though that Kiba couldn't come. Naruto thinks as he stops at a poster on which a chained blond haired male angel gets help from a black haired and winged also male angel, even though both are wounded. A pang goes through Naruto's chest as it strongly reminds him of Sasuke and himself. I wonder how that teme is doing… Naruto thinks as he searches the number between the other buyable posters. He seemed tired and more irritated… At school I never see him with Kankuro and Shino anymore… Naruto pays for his new poster and turns away to leave the stand and the mass amount of people that are still searching for their perfect poster. Did they have a fight or something? I really wish I could talk to him… He doesn't have any more time for me and I didn't know loneliness could hurt so, so much more than getting bullied. Sasuke…How I wish you were he-

"Ah!" Naruto yelps as he stumbles over someone's feet, not having looked where he was going. His bag with his new poster and his own art book fall to the ground.

"Ah, sorry about that. Didn't see you there." A white haired guy says as he kneels down to help Naruto pick up his stuff.

"No it was my fault anyway. I didn't really look where I was going. Gheheh." Naruto replies, scratching the back of his head.

"Mah, it doesn't really matter right?" Is the nonchalant reply. "Hnnn, so you're an artist then?"

"Huh?" Naruto replies smartly but he then sees how the taller guy looks at his sketchbook. "Ah. Y-yeah kinda…"

"So am I. Show me for a bit." He takes Naruto's sketchbook from his hand without waiting for a reply and walks over to stand behind a stand where all sorts of cards and sketches lie. Naruto looks around curiously. "Hnnn… Not bad. You surely got some talent there."

"R-really?" Naruto replies unsurely and flattered.

"yeah sure. Intend to make a living out of it?" The stranger asks. "I think our company can use someone with your skill. We're having a shortage on our department and the amount of work and stress is really a pain in ass. It is fun and all, but the tension every now and then, especially this colleague of mine, damn nobody better get near him then! It's like a huge dark aura is continuously surrounding him." The white haired guy moves his hands in a ghostly and scary way, insinuating the dark mood, causing both of them to laugh for a bit.

"I-I don't know really…" Naruto says unsurely. Is this some kind of joke? A trick? Is he genuine? If he is it really could be a great deal for my future. "What exactly is this company?"

"Ahhah, I guess we totally forgot the introductions. My name is Suigetsu, and I work at the advertisement department for the event management company Sharingan. This event is also put together by Sharingan according to our client's wishes. "

Sharingan...? Sha… ringan…. Sharingan! Wasn't that where Sasuke works?! Yes, I'm almost certain! Naruto thinks as realization settles in. The thought of working together with Sasuke makes his heart beat faster and faster.

"So?" Suigetsu asks impatiently. "Ya can try it for a couple of daysat least. The choice is yours kid."

"The name is Naruto. And I'd love to come work for Sharingan." Naruto replies confidently, having made up his mind. Wait for me Sasuke. Soon you won't be able to ignore me any longer!

It is silent. Not a single sound is to be heard. No birds fly through the sky, no dogs running through the streets, no sound is heard as there isn't a single living soul. There are only dead souls. And a death silence. Walking goes difficultly. Water has floated the streets. Buildings are destroyed and there are dead bodies, human and animal, lying everywhere.

I know this place… I have been here numerous times before. I know that in a few steps there will be a school visible and that there are many dead children lying on the playground. I know that building over there used to be a pet shop and that when I will turn the corner I will find a dead drowned dog. I also know that I will step over it, to continue on my way. I know where to go, where I'm going and what I'm gonna find when I get there. Yet I cannot help myself going that way. Like my body moves on its own. As if I have to relive all this over and over again. To remind myself. To punish myself. So I will never forget…

I have passed the dead dog by now… It's just a few more steps. I can feel my heart beat faster with every step that I take. I feel the dread rising within me and everything inside my mind screams at me not to go there. Not to see it. Not to relive it. But my body won't listen…

I look at my left, at a crumbled building. I see the box with art supplies and recognize the red and white symbol. My heart beats as fast as if I had run for miles, and my mind wishes it had, that I had run away from this. As I see the blouse that I know so well it feels as if my lounges fail me. And as I see their bodies, crippled and twisted, wounded and broken, tears sting in my eyes and I feel like I'm suffocating!

But something isn't right! This isn't the same as before! Why.. Why is he here?! That blond hair, that tanned skin, he shouldn't be here! Not like this!

I stagger towards him until my knees give out and I let myself fall to the watery and muddy street. My trembling hands reach out to him, his beautiful face covered with mud and blood. I try to pull him closer as I feel my shoulders shock, the tears spill and my voice trembles as I try to whisper his name. But as I pull him closer an awful tearing sound destroys the silence as somehow his upper body gets torn from his lower one. I want to look away… I want my racing heart to just stop..! So I won't see this… So it won't stay with me… So this moment won't become a part of me… Of us…

"No, no… No please… Naruto…! Naruto!" His body feels so cold in my arms, his beautiful blue eyes staring not seeing pass me. "Why?! Why?! Naruto… Please! Noooo!"

All I can do is hold him tight as I cry and shout at the injustice of it all. Why did he have to be here? Why did I have to lose him?! I want to hear his voice! I want to see him smile! I want those sparkling blue eyes to see me, to recognize me! I want his body to be warm and whole again! I want him to hold me back as tight as he can! To feel him embrace me, to feel his heartbeat beating so fast against mine! I'd give anything, anything to have him in my arms like how he used to be!

My body rocks his silently as words, prayers, leave my lips, even though I don't even know what I'm saying. I want this nightmare to end already..! It's so cold… So god damn cold in the city of the dead…

With a shout Sasuke sits up as he has finally escaped his horrifying nightmare. His heart beats still as fast, he's out of breath, his skin is damp from sweat and his eyes are wide open from shock.

"Shhh… Sasuke, it's alright. It was just a dream." Itachi softly says sitting at Sasuke's bedside. As the younger brother calms down a bit he notices the light being on and that his brother is still in his sleeping wear. "Here drink some water."

"Uhn…" Sasuke gratefully takes the glass that Itachi handed him, his hands bringing it shakenly to his mouth. He finishes it in one go. "Thanks…" He says hoarsely as he hands the glass back.

"Your welcome. You were shouting for a good while… It has been quite some time since you had a nightmare this bad." Itachi says, putting the glass on the nightstand. "Will you tell me about it?"

"No…" Sasuke replies while shaking his head and he notices that his throat slightly hurts. He tries to clear it before thanking Itachi, but his voice is nothing more than a croaking whisper.

"I see." Itachi replies as he lays a hand on Sasuke's cheek for a bit and the two brothers look at one another for a while. Itachi can see the pain and fear from his nightmare still in his younger brother's eyes. "I shall make you something to drink that might ease your throat for a bit. You should take a shower and perhaps clean your bed. It was about time for that anyway right?"

Itachi smiles as he stands up and Sasuke smiles gratefully back to him before nodding and getting out of bed. It is best to spare his voice as much as possible for he has school tomorrow and Sasuke certainly doesn't feel like croaking around at school all day.

While taking his shower, the images of his nightmare haunt him again, especially the part about Naruto. Sasuke closes his eyes stiff as he clenches his fists. Why did Naruto have to become a part of that goddamned old nightmare?! Isn't it bad enough that I already lost him to someone else?! Damn it! Why do I still bother? This torment… Just when I think that things go right… Just when I think I have gained something… Something that truly matters to me… I lose it… Just when I think I finally got rid of this torment, it comes back to haunt me…

His mood is as down as it hasn't been in a long time as he opens the door to his bedroom, being all clean again. A wound so old, has been reopened again, has been rediscovered and relived. Even though we want to forget that we once got hurt so badly, even though we avoid looking at that old scar in order to move on, our dreams, our subconscious won't let us. They let us relive it. They make us remember it. So that we will never forget that no matter how painful that memory is, it is a part of us.

Sasuke sighs depressed as he closes the door and as he looks up to his bed he sees that his brother has already cleaned the sheets for him and a medical beverage stands on his nightstand. Sasuke smiles a small smile as he walks towards his bed and sits down on it. A note lies also on the nightstand.

Sasuke, drink this in one go. It will help you sleep soundly and it's good for your throat.

I know you don't want to talk about your nightmare, I respect that and I won't push you.

But, please little brother, don't get depressed because of it.

For then I will push you to tell me or talk to a therapist again.

I do not know what triggered this, I would like to ask you to think about this.

I really only want what is best for you, my precious little brother.

It pains me to see you in pain and I wish I could do more for you.

Get a good night sleep now and if your throat isn't any better tomorrow I will arrange something so we can spend some time together.

Sleep well, Sasuke.

Sasuke smiles at the kind note and follows his brothers instructions as he swallows the nasty medical beverage. He then turns of the light and drops himself in his now clean bed.

Nii-san is right. I shouldn't get depressed so easily… Sasuke thinks as he closes his eyes and waits for a, hopefully, calm sleep to take him over. But I guess I really know for sure now… I love him. And while I had him I had taken him for granted. Now that I have lost him I realize how much more he meant to me than just someone to try things out with… Naru… I really should have talked more with you… I should have spent more time with you… Sasuke rolls on his side to find a better sleeping position, sensing how the medicine starts to work. It might be too late… But I know now for sure that the idea of having to live without you hurts me too much. I want to talk to you. I want to see you smile. If that means I can only be your friend, then so be it. But I don't want to live without you being a part of my life. I will surely try from now on to get you back!

To be continued…

I know, I know, it's been a while and this is a very short chapter to make up for it...

Suddenly this period at school seems to be more hectic than the ones before. That and a little lack of inspiration atm make it hard to write further. I do know some things that I do wish to happen, but I'm kinda missing what's in between there and now... But I'll keep trying. Just give me some time people! You'll see I won't dissapoint you (eventually).

Also, I have been thinking about something I might want to add to this story, but I don't know wheter I should or not. But, lucky me!, I've got you guys! For those who read 'One night stand accident', you all remember Rura right? Shall I, sorta, kinda, add him to this story? As a funny factor? As for those who do not know who Rura is, go read my other fanfic 'One night stand accident!' :3

Next part: (not written yet so I can't say)