Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Naruto.

A/N: One more chapter after this, and then it's over. This chapter really touched me, and I hope it has the same effect on all of you.

Kyuubi followed them as Sasuke and Kakashi followed after Tsunade and Itachi. The demon was forced to take tiny steps, however, because though they were moving so fast, to him they were moving slow. "Hurry up if you want to save your kit, kid," the Kyuubi snarled once at Sasuke. Then, the demon bounded off ahead.

"Is he on our side then?" Kakashi asked.

"I don't know," Sasuke said truthfully. "He told me he wasn't on anybody's side."

"Hm," Kakashi said thoughtfully. "Seems he was lying."

Suddenly, Kyuubi stopped. He looked directly back at Kakashi and Sasuke. "Follow me," the demon said once they caught up to him. Then he turned abruptly west. "I know where they are!" Kyuubi growled. So, Sasuke and Kakashi followed.

The two knew when they were almost caught up with Itachi and Tsunade, because Kyuubi started barking wildly. Then, they came upon the two of them, locked in battle. Itachi had a kunai in one hand, a baby in the other. He and Tsunade clashed again and again, each trying to gain the advantage and neither of them getting anywhere. Itachi actually seemed to have to strain now, but there was more sweat on Tsunade's forehead than there was on his. It was obvious that she was wearing down. Sasuke started toward them, but Kakashi grabbed him. "Don't do it," the silver haired man said.

"Why not?" he demanded.

"Think about it Sasuke. Tsunade has to concentrate very hard right now, just to keep herself alive. Even as a 'legendary' ninja.... If you just go jumping in, she might accidentally kill you, and if that doesn't happen I'm sure Itachi wouldn't hesitate to do it for her. Not to mention the fact that you don't want any harm to come to that baby."

So, Sasuke was forced to watch the battle from the sidelines. Since Sasuke still couldn't use his sharingan yet, to him it just looked as if Tsunade and Itachi were little blurs of color, meeting head on time and time again. Kakashi, however, had pulled his mask down by now and was watching intensely. Then...

"Stalemate!" the man exclaimed quietly, and at that moment, Tsunade and Itachi both just stopped. The two were standing weapon against weapon, pushing kunai against kunai, arms shaking as they strained to hold on. Tsunade's arms were quivering much more than Itachi's were. Did she stand a chance against him?

Sasuke thought about stepping in again, but again Kakashi stopped him. "Don't intervene," the man said. "They are still in battle. Whatever happens now...." He didn't finish his sentence.

Suddenly Tsunade's eyes shut tight, and she groaned, pushing harder. Itachi's arm moved back an inch or so. The woman kept pushing, but she was hardly getting anywhere with it. It was then that Sasuke noticed her other hand was at Itachi's throat, but his brother didn't move. Itachi was trying to act as if he were not being strangled.... It was unbelievable, and exactly the kind of thing that he would do.

Then, Tsunade leaned in closer to him, snarling in his face. Itachi's arm moved back another inch or so. Perhaps the woman stood a chance after all.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, Tsunade reared back and head butted Itachi. Sasuke's brother stumbled back a few feet, and his weapon fell. He had out another kunai before the first even hit the ground. Now he and Tsunade were simply staring at one another, breathing hard. "The next move will decide this match," Kakashi said, and he sounded sure of himself.

For a long time, longer than seemed bearable, Tsunade and Itachi simply shot dirty looks at each other, but then, finally, Tsunade made the first move. Sasuke did not clearly see what happened - the two became just little blurs again - but the next he saw Tsunade, she was holding his baby girl. Without hesitation Sasuke and Kakashi dove in and slammed Itachi into a tree, holding him. Kyuubi growled threateningly, and stepped forward. "Let me snap up this little treat," the demon threatened.

Before he even had the words out of his mouth, Kakashi and Sasuke both hit Itachi in the stomach with chidori in the same moment. Sasuke had absolutely no idea how he managed to summon that vast amount of chakra - perhaps it was seeing his brother's face up close for the first time in a while, perhaps it was the fact that he wanted revenge so badly against the man who had caused him so much pain.... In any case, Sasuke was completely drained the instant his chidori hit, and he fainted.

When Sasuke woke, he had a headache as if he had been hit over the head, or as if he'd been drinking heavily the night before. He looked around and found himself all alone, in a different place than he remembered being. It was a different part of the woods, but he recognized it as still part of the forest outside of Konoha. Sasuke's entire body ached. He truly was completely drained now. He felt as if he couldn't even stand on his own. He hoped that the move with the chidori had killed off Itachi for good, because there was no way that he'd be able to pull a last minute move like that again. He and Kakashi had used the technique at the same time. It had been a direct hit, and so Sasuke just couldn't find a way to convince himself that Itachi could still be alive. Somehow though, it just felt far too simple.

Suddenly Tsunade was there, standing over him. "So you're awake," she commented. There was deep sadness in her eyes.

Sasuke grunted as he sat up - it felt as if his bones weighed a ton, or as if he was moving through water. His body was exhausted. "Is Itachi dead?" he demanded quietly.

She would not meet his eyes. "We think so. We fed his body to the Kyuubi, along with Dai Akamatsu's. It seemed like the best thing to do.... I'm surprised that your brother would go down so easily, though."

"I was thinking exactly the same thing," he replied.

She nodded. "Yes well, the most we can do is hope for the best."

"Where are the others?" Sasuke asked her. "What are they all doing now?"

"You've only been passed out for about half an hour or so. After you fainted, and Kyuubi snapped up Dai and Itachi's bodies, everyone moved to... to go see Naruto." Her eyes saddened. "We were going to bury him, but we thought it best to wait until you were awake. Sasuke," -her voice broke a little- "I'm so sorry. It wasn't supposed to be like this." Sasuke had never seen Tsunade cry before. Somehow she just didn't seem like the crying type, so it was weird to see her eyes so full. As for himself, he didn't think he had any tears left to cry.

"Don't apologize," he said, as he stood. Even then he had to lean tiredly against a tree. She walked slowly over to him and pulled one of his arms around her shoulder to help him walk. He gave her a look of thanks, and she nodded, leading the way. The destruction that the Kyuubi had caused when coming out of Naruto's body was wide spread, so it took a while to get to the center place, where Naruto's body lay. They had to keep stopping because Sasuke needed rest. For a moment or two he thought he was going to faint again, and knew that he would never feel better until he got some proper sleep. Pushing his body forward, Sasuke pressed on - with help from the Hokage, of course.

When he and Tsuande finally did reach Naruto, it seemed that all of Konoha was gathered about. "I thought you said you evacuated the women and children," Sasuke commented in surprise.

"I did," she agreed. "The ones that would go, anyway. When they heard that something might be happening with Naruto, most of them chose to come with us, even if they had no fighting experience."

"I'm grateful to them," Sasuke said sadly. "But they came a bit too late."

When they approached the crowd - Kyuubi was standing nearby - the group parted to allow a clear path to Naruto's body. Sasuke seperated himself from Tsunade; he wanted to walk alone from here, even if it was slow going. Sasuke was about half way through the crowd to Naruto when Hinata and Ino stepped in his path. Each girl held one of his children in their arms. Sasuke smiled sadly, and felt tears building up in his eyes again. He'd been wrong about not having any left to cry. "Are they both okay?" he asked quietly. His voice came out barely audible, but they understood him.

Ino and Hinata shared a look. "They're both just fine now Sasuke," Hinata replied, touching him lightly on the arm. After a minute, Ino said, "This probably isn't the best time to ask but... what are you planning to name them?"

He shook his head. "I don't know yet. I'm just glad that they're both alive." As he continued on his way toward his lover's body, Sasuke kissed both of his children's little heads, and the one with the large blue eyes cracked a smile at him. Somehow he found the strength to smile back, but it tugged painfully at his heart.

When Sasuke reached Naruto, he fell to his knees, and touched his lover's face. "Naruto," he in that quiet voice. "Why did you have to die?" He laid his head on Naruto's motionless chest and suddenly began to sob. It should have been embarrassing with the whole village watching, but it wasn't. Sasuke no longer cared about things like that. If he could only have Naruto back, he'd kiss him and cuddle with him and hold his hand in public as much as he possibly could and wouldn't complain once.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been crying like that, but suddenly there was a touch on his shoulder. It was Tsunade. "Sasuke," she said quietly, crouching down next to him. "I think it's time for all of us to go home, to the village."

He paused, and then nodded, face still wet with tears. The Kyuubi made a strange noise then. Sasuke looked up at him. "And what are we to do with you?" Tsunade asked the fox demon. The Kyuubi wasn't hurting anybody, it was just sitting there, looking down at all of them. It didn't even seem threatening anymore. Then Sasuke realized that Kyuubi already knew all these people through Naruto. As long as Sasuke had known Naruto, the Kyuubi had always been a part of him. But now... now things were different.

Sasuke took Naruto's cold hand in his. "Is there any way to save him, Kyuubi?" he asked.

The fox demon hesitated a long moment before answering. "There... may be a way," he replied. "But I do not think you will be willing to pay the price."

"I will be willing to pay any price," Sasuke breathed honestly.

Kyuubi growled quietly. "That boy has become a part of me, as I have him. He's a good kid. Perhaps if you seal me back into his body.... Well, it wasn't so bad, living like that. He's strong, and he's a fighter. He doesn't deserve to die like this."

"So that's all I have to do?" Sasuke asked hopefully. "Seal you back up in Naruto's body?"

"...Yes," Kyuubi replied. "But do you understand what it means to seal me up? It will cost you your life, and that boy will not want to be alive without you."

Sasuke thought for a moment. "I'll do it," he said, determined.

"I do not know if it will work," Kyuubi continued. "It's only a theory. Not to mention, you don't even know how to seal me up."

"I don't care," Sasuke said. "I'll figure it out. I'll definitely bring him back."

There was a touch on Sasuke's shoulder again. He jumped slightly; he'd almost forgotten that there was anyone else around. When he turned, he saw the whole village staring at him. Hinata and Sakura and Ino looked worried. The one who had touched Sasuke's shoulder, surprisingly enough, was Hiashi Hyuga. The man looked Sasuke in the eyes. "I know how to perform the jutsu," he said. "I'll do it."

"Father!" Hinata cried. "What are you saying?"

Hiashi turned to his daughter. "I am sorry, Hinata. I've never been a very good father to you. But I have met and talked with and protected Naruto Uzumaki... I respect him. And given the choice, this is exactly what I would choose to do if it were either you or Hanabi lying there in the dust."

"But father..." Hinata's eyes were filled with shock.

"Father!" Hanabi appeared out of the crowd. "Father you can't!"

Hinata and Hanabi stood, side by side, looking up at their father. He glanced from one to the other, and abruptly pulled them into a tight embrace. "I am so proud of you. Of both of you."

"Father..." Hanabi cried, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Then, looking determined and prepared, the man turned to Sasuke. "You don't have to do this..." Sasuke whispered, shocked that someone had even suggested it.

"I want to, Sasuke Uchiha. You and I have never had the chance to get to know each other... but... somehow I feel that this is something I need to do."

"Are you sure you want to do this Hiashi?" Tsunade asked seriously. "Please, think of what you are doing."

"I am," Hiashi replied, nodding. "I've thought it through enough already. This is the right thing for me to do." He looked over at Naruto's body. "I have lived my life, and I haven't done a very good job of it. But these two are still young, and they are just starting a family. I have seen how happy they are together. Naruto deserves life more than I do at this point."

"But Hiashi..." Tsunade continued, looking down. "What if it doesn't even work?" she asked.

"It's worth the try. I would rather we try it, and it not work, than to not try, and never know."

Reluctantly, she nodded. "You are right I suppose."

The man turned toward the Kyuubi. "Fox demon," he announced. "Are you ready?"

Kyuubi tilted his head to one side, and one of it's nine tails flickered in slight annoyance. "Are you?" he asked.

Hiashi nodded, but Sasuke grabbed one of the man's sleeves. Hiashi turned to him. "Thank you," Sasuke said sincerely. "I could never thank you enough for this. Thank you so much."

Hiashi nodded, and turned back to the fox demon. "Let's get this over with," Kyuubi said, sounding bored.

The sun was rising by the time Hiashi stepped up to Naruto's body. He lifted the boy's shirt. The old seal that had been on Naruto's stomach was no longer there anymore. That wasn't a surprise.

However, Sasuke was surprised when Hiashi didn't perform any hand signs; instead, he simply placed one of his palms on Naruto's stomach, closed his eyes, and placed his other hand sideways in front of his face. Nothing happened at first, and Sasuke began to wonder if Hiashi truly did know how to do it. The entire village was silent, waiting.

Finally, a light glow began to flicker around Hiashi's hands. Slowly, it became more distinct, and then began to spread up his arms until his whole body was aglow. "What is it?" Sasuke whispered without realizing he was speaking outloud.

"It's pure chakra," Tsunade answered quietly. "Sort of like... his life force. He's giving it up to Kyuubi and Naruto, putting it into the seal. See how it's that bluish color? That means it's fit for the jutsu."

Sasuke nodded as if he understood, but he didn't.

Suddenly, there was an explosion of light and color, not a lot unlike the one that had happened when Kyuubi had been set free. For a moment, Sasuke was blinded by it. Everybody was. When the light was gone and faded, he could hardly see. There was too much dust in the air, and he kept envisioning that bright light flash before his eyes. At first, everyone was coughing and blinking, trying to see. But then finally when the dust settled, Sasuke saw with surprise that Kyuubi was gone, and Hiashi was lying in the dirt. Had it worked?

Hanabi rushed toward Hiashi's form. "Father?" she said, shaking him. She turned him over so that she could see his face, but his eyes were closed. "Father," she said again, and she continued to shake him. Her voice broke with tears. "Father, father, father...." She bent over him and cried. Hinata joined her, and for the first time Sasuke could ever remember seeing, she embraced and comforted her little sister. Neji joined them as well. As he passed Sasuke, he looked at him and said, "You might want to check on Naruto now. My uncle gave his life for him. Don't leave him lying in the dust only for him to lose his life again after he's just gotten it back."

Sasuke nodded and approached Naruto's body, though he was a little relunctant to leave the suddenly grieving family. What this right, he wondered? Was it really okay to leave a family so distraught, to take the life of a man just so that Naruto and Sasuke could have their happiness? Somehow, Sasuke couldn't decide, and it was too late to think of it now anyway. Still, he felt bad, turning away from the little group of Hyugas.

At first, there seemed to be no improvement, and his hopes sank. The only thing different was that the seal was back on the boy's stomach where it belonged. "I don't think it worked," Sasuke said sadly to Tsunade.

Many voices in the crowd made discouraged sounds, but Tsunade shook her head. "It had to have worked," the woman said. "The Kyuubi simply cannot stay sealed in a body that is dead. Check him more thoroughly, Sasuke." She approached to help.

Together Sasuke and Tsunade checked Naruto for any signs of life. At first, it seemed that there were none to find, but if what Tsunade had said was true, then Naruto almost had to be alive. "He was cold and dead for a long time," Sasuke commented.

"Stop giving up so easily," Tsunade said briskly. She pursed her lips and took Naruto's wrist in her hand again. She closed her eyes for a moment. "There," she said. "A pulse. Very weak, but it's there."

Sasuke reached out and followed her example. After a minute he was startled to realize that it was true. There was a pulse. "Naruto?" Sasuke asked. He shook the boy lightly. "Naruto?" He still didn't budge. "Naruto. Naruto, open your eyes."

All was silent for a moment again, other than Hanabi's quiet crying. Finally, Tsunade shook her head and said, "I doubt he can hear you Sasuke. He is still so close to death. We have to get him back to the village." But as she spoke, Naruto's eyes slowly drifted open.

"Naruto?" Sasuke demanded quietly. "Are you okay?" he ran his fingers through the other boys hair.

"Sasuke," Naruto said weakly. Suddenly his pulse quickened to it's usual pace. "Stupid teme." Sasuke had never been happier to hear Naruto call him a bastard before.

Sasuke pulled him into his arms and just cried. "Jeez Sasuke," Naruto mumbled. "What happened to you?"

A/N: I had to choose between Hiashi and Jiraiya being the ones to sacrifice themselves for Naruto. In the end I ended up choosing Hiashi, although Jiraiya probably would have been the better choice. Well, I couldn't have everyone jumping about offering themselves to save Naruto, now could I? Truth is most of the people in the village probably would have done it, given the chance. Well, what did you think of it?