Hehe what better way to say I'm back then posting up a new chapter to my best fanfic!

Sorry it took so long!!

So Far Away

Chapter Five: Sai

Sai could not have felt any worse even if he tried. It hurt so much to know that the second he entered the gates he was staring at right now he would have to tell them all. Uzumaki Naruto – their future Hokage, their close friend – was dead. Though the blond baka had died on a mission, it was not the sort of mission he would have wanted to die in. After all, the outcome may not truly protect Konoha. Only three of the four had been killed. The larger man – Juugo – had escaped. Therefore, to Sai they'd failed on more than one count. Not only was Naruto killed but also the mission was left uncompleted. There was no way Sai could run after Juugo alone. He had to get back.

Swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat Sai finished the walk to the gates of his home village. Upon his entrance Genma – who was on guard – instantly noticed that the stoic boys companion was missing. "Sai, where's the gaki?" Genma questioned anxiously. Sai glanced at Genma before turning away and walking for the Hokage Tower. He contemplated saying nothing before pausing and turning to face Genma. For once, there was emotion shown on his face. Only it wasn't his usual positive emotion – the ones he'd learnt from Naruto – it was one of pain, loss and sorrow. Three more he'd learnt from the blond just over a year ago. "Naruto's dead." He muttered before turning and carrying on the way he'd been heading leaving a speechless Genma to rush and tell the other jounin.

Sai stopped only when he reached the Hokage Tower. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath trying to gather himself back together. He had never felt this way before. He knew plenty of ninja died on missions out. In fact, he'd seen a lot of death in his life. Yet thinking back he knew he wouldn't be the only one hurt by Naruto's death. Iruka… Kakashi-Sensei… Hokage-Sama… Sakura… Neji and the others…. Naruto had influenced so many people's lives. It would be hard to ever forget him. But what about Suke…? What would he do now? He had nothing.

Shaking his head to empty his over-crowded mind Sai pushed open the door and walked up the stairs to the office he'd entered many times before. Knocking on the large mahogany door Sai waited for the blond Hokage to reply. "Come in!" called Tsunade's reply after a few short seconds after piling up her paperwork. Sai pushed open the door before walking solemnly into the office and closing the door. Tsunade scowled slightly at Sai's solemn movements. "Where's Naruto, Sai?"

When Sai said nothing Tsunade stood from her seat and glared over to the younger. "Sai, don't make me ask again!" She growled through gritted teeth really starting to panic now. Naruto wouldn't not come if they were back, heck he was the only one with cheek enough to go against her word. He'd come let her know he was alright wouldn't he? But before Sai could even say another word a jounin and chunnin by the names of Kakashi Hatake and Iruka Umino – the latter carrying an infant on his hip – burst into the room. Iruka's chocolate brown eyes instantly fixed on Sai. "Is it true?" He asked. "What Genma said, did he… is he…" the brunette said. Seeing Sai's slow nod he burst into tears making the infant jump alert and look up in confusion.

Tsunade blinked in surprise before looking fixedly at Iruka. As the other burst into tears, the female Hokage lowered herself into her chair her head in her hands. She didn't even have to ask now. Not with Iruka in hysterics like that. Kakashi wrapped his arms tightly around the hysterical brunette as he tried to calm him not wanting to scare Suke into crying to as he watched the infant grip onto Iruka's shirt it's tiny face scrunched up as though he to was going to cry. "Hush 'Ruka-Chan. You're going to make Suke cry." He tried to sooth his lover.

Iruka hiccupped as he moved his free hand to dry his streaming eyes as he forced himself to stop crying before trying to calm the young Uzumaki-Uchiha. Kakashi sighed lightly as he soothingly rubbed Iruka's hips his one visible eye fixing onto Tsunade. "Hokage-Sama…?" He muttered softly. Tsunade looked up and dried her eyes with the back of her hand. Sai had been right. Naruto had touched many hearts. "Kakashi, Iruka. You two are Suke's legal guardians on Naruto's request and Sai, if you would please go and fetch Sakura and the rest of Naruto's friends so I can tell them what's going on." She murmured.

The three males nodded slowly to Tsunade before slowly starting out the office. Sai left first dashing off to round up the rest of the Konoha shinobi that had meant a lot to the blond as soon as Tsunade finished speaking. Kakashi and Iruka had waited a second in case Tsunade required anything of them before they to turned and departed in silence.

0000000000&&0000000000

The next few weeks passed as a blur. Suke's birthday was celebrated in aid of making the young boy assume that everything was all right. Nevertheless, no one was truly happy. Even weeks from that day, some of Naruto's closest friends were mourning the death of the blond. It took Tsunade a whole three weeks before she approached Kakashi and requested that he take the blonds' place as Rokudaime in training. After all, she needed someone skilled to replace her. Kakashi was one of the best shinobi in the village.

Kakashi was reluctant to accept the post feeling as if he was replacing Naruto completely - both with becoming one of Suke's fathers, and, with taking the position of Future-Hokage that the blond boy wanted so much. Soon, however, Kakashi accepted the position after being persuaded to by his lover. He knew Iruka trusted him and so caved in knowing Tsunade was right. He and Naruto had been the only candidates the blonde Hokage had considered.

However, not only Kakashi had felt the turmoil after the loss of Naruto. Sakura, Kiba, Hinata, Neji and Sai had taken it worst from all of the friends there in Konoha. Neji and Kiba had even, sadly, been the ones that told Gaara and his siblings about the death of Gaara's closest friend. The pain of loss of Gaara's face was so overwhelming even Neji struggled not to react to it. It was amazing the skills of the blond. Making so many feel so much, even when he was dead. With Naruto, dead Sakura became more dependant of Sai and Lee and Hinata more dependant of Kiba and Neji. Neither girl felt anything positive from this.

Neji's son Hotaru was often found latched onto Suke or at least somewhere near the younger boy. It was clear to him that something was not right and so he became very protective over his younger friend. Neji and Iruka easily noticed the bond between their 'sons'. As Suke was learning to walk Hotaru only ever left his side if either Neji or TenTen took him home, of course, he did not like it. He was rarely happy when that happened. When Hotaru had to leave Suke often started crying for up to an hour because of it.

Of course Sai himself was often around and so he to noticed the bond between the pair. They're like brothers… or lovers… he mused to himself one day. He couldn't help but think that Suke was a lot more like Naruto than anyone else thought him to be. To Sai he could definitely see the blond baka in Suke every time he saw the young boy. Only he didn't know if Suke was also like Sasuke. After all, he himself had never met Sasuke

0000000000&&0000000000

Though Sai knew that everyone else was hurting he was inexperienced to this feeling of loss. It hurt to know that he should – no could – have helped the blond. Why didn't he act faster? He should have kept Juugo in his sight. Then maybe… maybe… no definitely! If Sai had only kept, a close eye on Juugo Naruto would still be here. How could he call himself a true shinobi after that? It was his fault everyone was hurting so much. Or so he thought.

He couldn't even begin to describe how he felt. If Naruto had been here, it would have been easier. Naruto had always been able to get something out of him. He wondered if the blond had had the same effect on Sasuke. He guessed he did. After all every one of Naruto and Sasuke's old, friends knew who Suke was. Everyone had known the two had been close. However, they all assumed it was like brothers. Not lovers.

A soft sigh past through Sai's lips at the thought. If only he'd known sooner about the duo. Maybe he could've helped. Maybe. Then, even if he couldn't help, there was always the chance of drawing them together. Alternatively, maybe stealing off with the hot blond who was now dead along with said blond's lover. Sai couldn't help but think that deep down Naruto wanted to be reunited with his dead lover.

Alone Sai climbed up the wall that surrounded Konoha and sat on the arch that towered over the village. He had often wondered why the gate had to be this big anyway. It was about the same height as the Hokage Tower. But why? Nothing ever went near the top of the gate, as it was too damn high! Correction ninja had climbed/jumped up to here on numerous occasions but only twice during war. Sai remembered an argument he'd had with Naruto about the height of it while they were both sat where he was now.

Naruto had been adamant in saying that the gate was too big and that there was no reason for it. While Sai himself had insisted that with a gate this huge, it'd be harder to break in. A small smile appeared on the ravens face at the memory. It was hard to think that that had only been two years ago. A lot had happened in two years and none of it could be erased. If it could Sai would do anything to fix his mistake.

Because of course, it had to be his mistake. It was his fault after all. Entirely his fault. Burying himself deep in his memories, Sai barely registered the tear that slid down his left cheek leaving behind a trail for the many tears he cried after to follow.

Name: Sai

D.O.B: Unknown

D.O.D: N/A

Age: 21

Family: None)

Rank: Anbu Root Anbu

Village: Konohagakure No Sato