Ride or Die

Shoutout to Kaz the King, who, like Sasuke to Naruto, has been my ride or die throughout this story. He's made comments on most chapters, all of which are funny. May not sound like a big deal, but I started this story in 2016. That's a true ride or die of fanfiction. This chapter has been inspired by him. *Best kisses, Kaz!*

Sometimes the memory of Pein made him sad. Older brothers could get you like nothing else. Pein- fiercely loyal and overprotective, like Naruto ever needed that.

The blond rolled over in his bed and sat up wit a loud grunt.

Without seeing, he reached for his staff. He never once thought it would become a cane for him. Then again, he never once thought he'd be blind.

It was funny how the world worked. Tsunade guaranteed that Naruto could be jounin once the village accepted him. When it happened, he'd grown blind. There was no way he could be a jounin now.

He thought of Pein's words. To my little brother, who will soon realize that slow can go.

He had to stop thinking of Pein now. The wish for him to be here filled the blond with such rage and bitterness that he thinks he'll explode. One day, Naruto would grieve for him, but first he would have to accept that Pein was really gone.

And though the blond dug Pein's grave himself, there's part of him that holds the memory back. There's part of him that will never believe Pein won't come bouncing around some corner to laugh at his otouto for falling for this elaborate joke.

Naruto stood, knowing that Gaara had come in earlier, kissed his head, and left for school. With his hands out, he let himself reach the door.

It creaked as it opened. The blond walked steadily along the railing. He yelped however as his foot hit the rail, yelping as his staff fell.

Reaching down, the blond rapidly and savagely searched for the only thing that kept him standing. Leaning forward caused him to hit his head on the railing.

He smacked the floor, giving up his search and feeling helpless. "Fuck...Fuck….Fuck."

The sigh behind him made him freeze. He stopped thrashing violently, but did not turn around. A skid across the floor and he knew the person had pushed his staff within safe range.

Naruto smiled sadly, feeling helpless and he stood. "Sasuke." He murmured to the teen behind him. "My true ride or die."

He knew Sasuke smiled with him.

"Get up, idiot." he murmured, not so used to his friend looking helpless.

Naruto sighed in restriction. "I am up."

"That's not what I mean."

The blond laughed harshly. "Trust me, princess, if I could see in your eyes, I'd know what you mean."

Both of them were losing their patience at the moment. It happened all the time. One of them would complain and a whole argument would ensue. One of the reasons the village felt so weary of Sasuke choosing to be his friend's caretaker. When one lost temper, would their beloved hero be gone?

Sasuke growled. "I mean get up and do something. Stop walking around like a reanimation. Shisui's blind and he's just fine. But you ke-"

Naruto growled in the dead of the hallway. He knew Sasuke flinched back by the sound. "Shisui doesn't have a war on his head, Sasuke! He doesn't have to wake up knowing that because he's blind during war, the world will not be okay."

"We'll find a way."

"Find a way." Naruto repeated, half mellowed then. "They don't understand what really blinded me. They don't know how to fix it. Maybe we won't find a way."

Sasuke sighed. "You'll be seventeen in two days. It's only been a year since Pein... Let's celebrate that you'll still be living."

"Yes. I'll celebrate then. I'll celebrate that I only have nine years to live."

Another sigh filled with the extremities of adulthood and lost hope. "That's never bothered you before."

"I wasn't blind before." Naruto stated softly, slumping a bit as Sasuke walked forward and leaned his face against his shoulder. "I've been out of work for a year. I don't know if I can even fight anymore. It's crazy how I would have once been a chunin. It's crazy how I would have once been a jounin now too. I've lost my touch."

Sasuke moved back. "Let's test it."

"What?"

"You can still sense chakra, yeah? Let's spar for a while."

"Hm. Sounds like a plan. If you're only doing this to kick my ass, I'll kick yours."

Sasuke laughed as he walked away. "Hn. Maybe."

Naruto growled as Sasuke pushed him back another time.

It wasn't fair. All he could do was sense chakra, but not for such a long duration of time. There were too many things going on in the world- in his head too- that stopped him from concentration.

Sasuke knew as well when he punched Naruto. "It must be hard, huh? Having to listen to Haruto, the tailed beasts, and the world, while trying to concentrate?"

Naruto wouldn't let the tears fall as he looked down. "It is. But, I'm getting there."

"War is coming, Naruto."

"I know. I can't do anything about this, Sas." Naruto looked up, embarrassed that he could possibly looking past the Uchiha's beautiful face. "Temari told me that these things are popping up everywhere. Monsters- claws, fangs, savage- and humans. They look how we all look."

The blond stood. "Hikari's monster is killing people quietly and recreating them."

"Hey boys!"

The blond felt Sakura's energy move toward them. She'd been doing this a lot. Coming and giving Naruto gifts from the villagers.

It was uncomfortable. Sakura found it hard to speak with Naruto when he was so helpless. Having been used to the confident and mighty blond, she left the job to Sasuke because the Uchiha didn't. Sasuke treated Naruto without pity, like he always did.

"Got some more things from the villagers."

"Can you tell me what they are, Sakura-chan?" He questioned, eyes focused in the direction of Sasuke.

He could feel her smile. "Sure thing." She mumbled.

Rumbling and shuffling. Ripping and dumping. "This is from an elderly woman. Oh. She gave you a nice little painting."

Naruto smiled as Sasuke grabbed it for him. His pale fingers grabbed Naruto's large hand and traced it over the painting.

"You can feel the bumps." Sasuke whispered. "But you can also feel the colors, dobe."

His blind eyes closed cautiously and he gave Sasuke his hand's freedom. The bumps curved upward, ceasing in inconsistencies. Some large, others small.

"It's the ocean." Naruto smiled. He felt like a kid, just learning new and exciting things. "It's the waves of the ocean."

Sasuke laughed in his ear and the blond's hueless eyes turned in the direction of him. "When you'd get so smart?"

Naruto smiled. "Hey, teme. I've always been intelligent."

Sakura frowned slightly and then moved on. "Ooh. This is from a young boy. He gave you a small stuffed frog."

Naruto clutched the stuffed animal to his chest. "Gama. I know just who to give this to."

"The rest are from fan girls and some weapons from men." Sakura mumbled. She giggled slightly and pushed something soft toward Naruto.

He felt around it for some time, not sure what it was. It had two holes and that was all he knew. Suddenly, as if it caught fire, the cloth crumbled from his hands.

He looked in his best friend's direction. "Did you just burn one of my gifts?"

He could almost feel Sasuke's shrug. "It's not a gift. They were female underwear. Used too."

"Aww, teme. I could have sniffed them."

This set Sakura into a fit of giggles and Sasuke scowled. "Perv."

Naruto smiled at his friend. Eventually, he was pushed back and a hiss came next. "Stop staring at me."

Sakura shook her head, noticing that even while blind, Naruto kept his utmost attention on Sasuke. They were inevitable. It was amazing how she hadn't seen it now.

She blushed deeply, embarrassed and humiliated at once. Here now, after Naruto had done everything he could, nearly spent, out of work, and done, she saw.

She always thought Sasuke would see something in her. After becoming her acquaintance, getting to know her...she thought he'd choose her. But it was too late. Not now when he blushed as Naruto stared at him.

Naruto was blind, for Chi's sake, and Sasuke still blushed.

Not now when Naruto smiled at the Uchiha. He'd lost everything and there was no way they could fix him in time for whatever war came. But, he smiled in Sasuke's direction as if he were everything in the world.

Not now with the way they interacted with one another.

She felt like an idiot. All the growth she'd done just for Sasuke to see her. And he'd been turned toward Naruto this whole time.

She felt denial. Maybe it was all just a joke and Naruto would see that he couldn't rebuild his clan with a man. But Itachi had been pregnant, nonetheless by a missing nin, and it happened. It happened and knowing that it could happen with Sasuke and Naruto really hurt.

She felt humiliated. Naruto knew she loved Sasuke with all she had, but here he was; teasing Sasuke, playing with him, attempting to see his face in the darkness. He'd won. And maybe without even trying. Had it happened all those years ago when Sasuke hit Naruto in the face with that rock? Or was it a building process and now open blossom?

Defeated was what she was. Sporting a counterfeit smile, she hoped that the awkwardness that bathed in her for the moment would be transient. Sakura swallowed, breathing heavily then, unable to digest defeat in the hands of an unfledged amateur.

Standing, she wiped her hands upon her skirt. "I should probably go. Karin asked if I wanted to go shopping with her."

Naruto turned from Sasuke, who remained shaking his head, eyes closed, but happy. "See ya, Sakura-chan."

He turned to Sasuke and pushed him a little. The Uchiha sighed. "Bye, Sakura." he mumbled.

She smiled. Although it hurt, she felt happy for them. Sasuke stuck with Naruto through everything and Naruto protected him with everything he had.

When Kakashi and Sasuke had a short fallout with the blond, Sasuke still asked about him.

When Naruto defected, Sasuke still hoped for his return.

When Orochimaru was seen in the forest, Naruto made sure to hurt anyone that touched Sasuke.

They were good for one another. A toxic bliss, they were.

She waved again. "Itachi-san should be here soon."

Naruto sat upon the couch as Itachi went to the Namikaze kitchen to eat something. Nekoda wouldn't stop grabbing at him.

He sat her upon his lap and bounced her up and down. "You're a funny little one, aren't you?"

The happy baby giggled and he wanted to see it so bad.

"Yes you are. Yes you are."

"Babbabab. Baba. Ba...ba."

He couldn't fathom what she said, but an odd conversation was better than none. "I know I'm your favorite uncle. You tell me all the time."

He planted kisses all over her little face and she giggled more. "You like me more than you like uncle Gaara and Uncle Sasuke, don't you?"

"Baba."

He let out a hearty laugh, making Nekoda laugh as well.

Naruto didn't want to place anything on his emotions or false hope, but he believed Nekoda was some sort of reincarnation of Pein.

Was it the reason she liked him so much? Always grabbed for him at first sight? Even Itachi had noticed, which brought him to making sure Nekoda saw Naruto everyday.

He stated that when Nekoda saw pictures of Naruto in their Uchiha home, she would start screaming in delight.

Naruto kissed her face again. "Uncle Naruto bets you're so pwetty. With your rinne sharingan."

"Bbaba. Baaaaa…."

"What nickname do you like, better? My little clan heir?"

He waited for her communication.

"How about my little Neko?"

Nekoda was sent into a fit of giggles and she squirmed on the older Namikaze's lap.

"Neko it is then."

Itachi walked in with Sasuke. "I don't know why she likes you so much."

"Tell him, Neko. Say 'daddy, my favorite uncle is holding me and this is how it's going to be.'"

"Bab. aaaaa. Babaa."

They grew quiet until Naruto shrugged. "Fair enough." He bounced her again. "Who's the prettiest thing in all of Konoha? You are. Yes you are. Yes you are."

"You sound like an idiot." Sasuke mumbled as he flopped on the couch beside Naruto.

The blond covered Nekoda's ear.

"Shame, Sasuke. This is your niece. I hope you'll refrain from this language when you have children of your own."

Itachi giggled at Sasuke's deadpanned look and the little baby began to laugh.

Naruto, reaching into his pocket, pulled out the frog he'd gotten from a villager. "Look what I got as a gift today." He told the girl. "I always got these things when I was younger. My mother used to come back with all sorts of animals when I was younger."

She squealed in delight at the creature her daddy called slimy. Naruto nodded. "Yes. One of my favorite too."

"Hey!"

Naruto smiled. "I also have some pretty cool ones inside me. They are with me everyday. They're my friends"

Without pause, Nekoda lifted her blond uncle's shirt and pat the first seal he'd ever gotten. A comprehension and signal that she knew what the blond meant.

Sasuke mumbled something. "You really need to shave. A triangle of blond hair should not be coming out of your pants and onto your stomach.."

Naruto blushed deeply and pulled down his shirt. Itachi laughed loudly, popping another dango stick in his mouth. Nekoda looked over by the door and Itachi waved, making the little girl giggle. She must have thought Itachi was laughing at her actions.

Naruto looked at Sasuke. "It looks cool. And that's part of what makes me a man, you meanie. I'm an animal and I'm exotic. I bet you shave your legs, you girl."

"Hn."

Naruto snorted. He was right. "Neko, call your uncle Sasuke a meanie."

This time Sasuke snorted and leaned over. "You won't. You love me too, Nekoda-hime."

The baby giggled and pat Sasuke's cheek. "Ababab."

Naruto smiled. "If my pubic hair is so gross, why are you close to it?"

This time Sasuke blushed and Itachi shook his head. "I'll get my baby before the fight ensues. You two need to be more careful anyway."

He strapped the child within a carrier and placed it on his back. "I should go. The villagers love Nekoda and I know she loves the attention. She's so different from Pein and I."

Naruto nodded. "True. You and Pein were always the silent. Neko is loud. Aren't you?"

The baby squealed behind Itachi and the older Uchiha laughed.

"I'm glad the villagers love her...even if she is Pein's daughter. He wanted her to have better lives than ours."

Itachi walked over and poked both their foreheads. "I'll see you guys later, alright?"

Naruto nodded. "Bye guys. Be careful around."

"We will."

He and Sasuke were left and in silence. Comfortable, yet uncertain.

"Sasuke?"

"Yeah."

"Last year before..you told me we'd never be able to….come together."

He knew Sasuke was raising a brow and the blond wondered how someone so intelligent could be someone so oblivious to love.

"No."

Doubt suddenly shot through Naruto like a piercing arrow destroying resistance. Doubt at his existence. Doubt at his journey; if it was worth it. Worry grew like a corrupted, malicious, and perfidy tree. Its branches twisted. But, seeds of hope wormed into the ground and no matter how large and terrifying the darkness was, it endured like a small pebble to last infinitely and yet grow and grow allowing him to get up in the morning. Hope is what kept the Namikaze wondering. Yet, another voice spoke to him.

Haruto knew how to get to him.

Flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood. You will soon realize that hope is just an illusion which we accomplish. It's unreachable and impossible, bringing a dark ending. Is it to fool the mind and defy logic which will come at a dark penance? Such is doubt. But, what is hope?

Great Great Grandson. I was like you once. I hoped that humanity would be better. And still they are not. Where's your hope now?

Naruto laughed easily. Sasuke bought it. "Cool, man."

Laugh well today, but tomorrow may not be as funny.

Sasuke put his head back and the blond had been so focused on the Uchiha, he hadn't known that Gaara walked in.

"You had me thinking all day, dobe. Why'd you have to go and say what you said this morning?"

"Say what?"

"I know you're dying Naruto. I know you won't live by after 26, but telling me over and over doesn't help me. You're...important to me-"

A soft voice croaked in a strange murmur. Filled with despair and Naruto felt it with him.

The pain had an unpleasant warmth to it, eating at his tan stomach. There was nausea too, just enough to make him hold onto his pants for support and breath slow. He'd often prized himself in ignoring pain and just rocking on regardless, but that just wasn't possible right then. It owned him, dominated every thought, controlled every action.

"Aniki, you're dying?"

With this, Sasuke softly stood to leave the brothers alone.

The pain wasn't sharp like a needle point or a knife. It burned around his innards better than boiling water. Everything felt scolded and, move or not, Naruto was in more pain than he could have ever imagined was possible.

Being in that tent at the age of nine, being tortured would be mercy right now.

Being touched by those men would have been mercy.

Dying would have too.

"Gaara." He called softly. "It's true, but I know Sasuke and I can beat-"

He was cut off by a sharp cry and the blond was engulfed by a warm and fierce hug. "But I don't want you to die."

The blond sighed. He didn't need to explain further. It would only hurt the boy even more.

He wrapped his arms around the sobbing redhead and squeezed tighter. "I won't, Gaara. I promise."

Even when they fell asleep, Naruto did not once let loose of his brother.

Naruto Namikaze knew what blind was. It was darkness and not the good one.

In his blinded state, he would wake in the night and wish for the sun. The darkness worried him, his imagination supplied many beasts with fantastical jaws to lurk beyond the range of his vision.

He used to embrace darkness. It was beautiful. After all, it created Chi. Darkness provided cover from the flesh and blood monsters of the day, the ones with their chakra and jutsu, the ones who can be judge, jury and executioner in the name of freedom.

Even on the most moonlit of nights, Naruto blended into the city shadows, staying clear of those pools of yellow light that flow from the street-lamps. The neon and white lights that used to flood from the bars and restaurants are extinguished.

But, blind darkness lurked in his soul and stole his pride. squeezing life and consuming his memories, turning them into forgotten lost dreams.

Naruto knew what blind was.

Seeing Nekoda's sweet smile when he awoke wasn't it.

"What?" He asked astonished.

Was it a memory? And if it were, was Neko always so big at infancy?

As if to confirm his inquiries, Neko stared wide-eyed too. She leaned forward and touched his face, letting her tiny hands move to his eyes.

She saw color in them. The black sclera and four pointed gold star and the normal blue.

Naruto smiled and so did she.

He blinked a few times, ignoring that Neko copied him, and grabbed her.

Throwing her into the air, the blond yelled. "Neko. I can see you! I can see you!"

Sasuke walked in with a grumble, Itachi and Gaara following behind. "What's all the fuss?"

The teen was smirking, however, and Naruto shook his head.

"Sasuke." He called softly. "What did you do?"

The Uchiha shrugged. "It was nothing. It's an Uchiha ritual that allows us to have one single request from Kami. Having your sight back was mine."

Naruto's eyes softened. He knew that Sasuke could wish for anything in the world. But, he chose Naruto and that made the Namikaze feel like maybe in the near future, he and Sasuke could be something.

"Teme." blinking his own tears away, Naruto looked to Nekoda. "Maybe uncle Sasuke isn't a meanie after all."

The child giggled.

"Wow. Now I can really see what those fangirl's gave me."

"There's also an Uchiha ritual where we can kill someone easily."

The two laughed and Naruto reached forward, squeezing the Uchiha's nose softly. "Sasuke...Sasuke. My true ride or die."

Gaara snorted, but before the older Namikaze could grab him, he ran out with a giggle.

Nekoda was handed to Itachi, and the girl instantly rested her head against his chest.

"Now that I'm a new teen, do you guys want to go sight-seeing? It's still noon."

Sasuke smirked. "Why don't you shave down there, first? Blindness has you feeling a bit out of it, you'd say? Maybe more animal like."

Naruto rolled his eyes."Oh, no teme. It's been there for some time. Started growing when I was twelve along with other things."

"Why is it that you two begin to speak on such inappropriate things when Nekoda is here?" Itachi stated, looking over his younger 'brothers' with a scrutinized gaze.

Sometimes, Itachi wished they'd just kiss and makeup. Then, there would be no sexual or love filled tension. Itachi wouldn't say that, however. It's only confuse Sasuke as he already was and incite Naruto.

Before Naruto opened his mouth, Sakura rushed in with a large frown of distress. "Naruto!"

Said teen smiled. "Sakura. I can see again. And have you lost weight?"

The girl smiled brightly. "Thank yo- Naruto!"

"Hai"

Sakura inhaled. "The hokage request you immediately. It's important."

"What's going on?"

The girl continued. "All the other kages are here too, with their armies. Their with the hokage."

Naruto moved forward, serious now. "Sakura! What's. Going. On?"

The girl shook her head in distress. "Hikari's monster. He's marching with an army of white Zetsu and darklings to Konoha as we speak."

Naruto tensed.

"The Fourth Shinobi War is beginning."

Sasuke looked to Naruto. "Go, dobe."

The blond nodded and went to the bed to retrieve his staff. "Make sure Itachi stays with Nekoda."

The blond smiled at Gaara as he sank into the floor. "I'll be back. I promise."

Naruto watched everyone's widened eyes as he appeared from the floor. His eyes snapped to Tsunade.

"What's going on?"

"I trust Sakura told you what's coming."

"And that's it?"

Tsunade sighed. "I've summoned all the other kage and armies here because I know we'll all need help. This war won't be like the last. It's a fight for the world."

Naruto nodded as he looked to the occupants of the room. "What are you doing now?"

A spoke up. "We're strategizing on who remains in charge and of what station."

Shizune pulled out a seat for Naruto and he thanked her. He didn't even have time to think. Here he was, a genin in the middle of kages.

Tsunade opened her sheet. "They'll be here in a few hours. Here are the plans."

She pointed to Mifune, the leader of Iron village. "Mifune-san will be fifth division commander."

Then to Temari. "The Kazekage will lead the fourth division, but she'll also be the regimental leader of the Shinobi Allied Forces."

"That's what we're calling ourselves?" Naruto questioned.

Tsunade nodded and let A take over. "Kitsuchi of Iwa will be Second Division commander."

Kakashi spoke up. "While I do consider myself to be a great leader, I'd like to declare Hinata Hyuga and Sasuke Uchiha as the joint commanders of Third Division."

Naruto raised a brow, unsure of why Kakashi would choose someone else's student and not his own.

Kakashi smiled at him. "Sakura will see her growth soon. I think she's getting out of her fangirl stage. Right now, Hinata and Sasuke are the best choice we have as leaders. Although the Uchiha is a genin, he's on such a level like Naruto."

Naruto smiled as A nodded. "I've heard about that. The dangerous duo."

"Darui of Kumo will be first division commander."

Naruto spoke up. "I think Shikamaru Nara will be good as fourth division proxy commander. It'll be good if Temari wants to do more."

His vote was passed without opposition and the blond hid his surprise well. Since when did they listen to a genin in the times of war?

Tsunade smiled at him. "Shizune will be logistical support and medical division captain. Shikaku Nara will be Chief strategist."

"I'm assuming Inoichi will be the Intelligence division captain?" Naruto mused and Tsunade nodded.

Mei, the Mizukage,spoke up. "I'll be in charge of protecting the Daimyos. My subordinate Ao will lead the sensor division."

Tsunade wrote it down. "And finally, Kankuro will remain the surprise attack division captain."

Naruto nodded and stood. "What do you need me to do? Just fight Haruto and stay out of the way?"

Kakashi shook his head with a smile.

A shook his head too. "This is the boy training to save the world?"

Kakashi smiled, remembering his small joke with Sakura. "Yup. What do you think?"

A stared at the sheepish blond, who rubbed his neck. "We're doomed."

Kakashi smiled. "I thought so too."

"What do you guys need me to do? Protect the villages?"

"That's your call, Naruto."

Naruto sighed, losing patience. A war was brewing and here his sensei was, playing with him. "What do you mean, Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi smiled with pride.

"Naruto. We already chose you as the supreme leader of the Allied Shinobi Forces."

Naruto said nothing. Just stared as the others nodded.

"What's you first call, Naruto?" Tsunade questioned after giving the teen a moment to adjust.

The blond nodded and created several blood clones.

"These clones will first travel to every village and place a barrier around it."

Tsunade smiled. "A good call. And then?"

Naruto smiled. "Now we need to split these divisions and see what type of fighters will fight in each. Close, mid, or long range. As well as unique operations."

Naruto turned around, watching the sun.

"We'll take them down within two days. That's a promise."

He couldn't believe it. Supreme Leader of the Allied Shinobi Forces.

Well. I liked that chapter. I had to add something humorous in here. And I had to show why Sasuke is a ride or die. I think he and Naruto's teasing is cute. I also wanted Sakura to realize what the two boys unconsciously shared for one another so that she could finally move on to Karin. :) Next chapter, I have to tell you guys, something ensues. It's not about war either. It's a romance. With Naruto in it. Hint Hint. Anyway, I know you guys may have some questions about these darklings that Haruto created, but you'll have to wait and see more.

Don't hesitate to review and give feedback.