LET THE FLAMES BEGIN
Some say the war will end when the fire dies out, the cherry blossoms stop falling and the hurricane ceases to exist.
A four shot collection focusing on the primary deaths of three characters and a finale of life after the war.
Primary Death File: Uzumaki Naruto.
Chapter 3: Slipped Away
'I've had my wake up,
Won't you wake up?
I keep asking why.
And I can't take it,
It wasn't fake – It happened you passed by.
Now you're gone, now you're gone,
There you go, there you go,
Somewhere I can't bring you back.'
Sakura woke up on the day of the funeral, but she couldn't make herself move. Because if she did, it would just take her one step closer to that final goodbye.
Sasuke hadn't stirred on the floor, where he'd spent the night. Maybe he'd come to the same conclusion as her, that if they just stayed in bed, no time would pass and they wouldn't have to let him go but no matter how long they stayed like that, Sakura could see the sun rise higher and higher through the curtains.
"Sasuke-kun?" she whispered, knowing that he would have been awake before the sun was up.
"Aa?" he answered after a moment. Sakura slid down the bed, pulling the covers with her as she landed in a heap on the floor in front of him. And all she could do was stare at him. He sat up, rubbing a hand down his face.
"We…we should…" she began thickly, her throat tight as she pushed herself to her feet but Sasuke reached out and grabbed her wrist, his face turned downward. "There's still time. Let's just…sit like this."
Sakura gave in all at once, sitting down next to him so only their shoulders touched. Sasuke's hands were still on his lap, his eyes on them but not his mind. Sakura reached out, tentatively, and took his hand in hers, squeezing it tightly in her grasp and after a moment, in which she thought he would pull away, he squeezed back. His hand, she noticed, was so much larger, yet fit just right around her. The scars on his hand, gave her heart a painful beat at the reminder of the war and she looked away, and by some cruel fate, her eyes were drawn to the Team 7 photo. A shuddering breath left her, her eyes glazing over with tears.
"Come on," Sasuke said, getting up, and pulling her with him. "You have the shower first."
Sakura gave a slow nod, pulling her hand from his and feeling so lost that she almost grabbed it again. His eyes met hers as she passed him and held for only a moment before she entered the bathroom and shut the door behind her.
Sakura kept the shower short, she always did her best thinking in there, but right now, she couldn't handle that. She shut the water off when she was done, dried off and stepped into her room. Sasuke was sitting on her bed, facing the window, curtains still drawn.
"All yours," she murmured and Sasuke closed his eyes. Sakura watched him exhale and stand. She stepped away from the doorway just as he passed her, brushing her bare shoulder before shutting the door behind him. Sakura stood like that, staring at the spot where he was sitting, the Team 7 photo on the desk in front of the window. The shower cut on and Sakura forced herself to move. She pulled her black shinobi funeral wear from the closer and just looked at it. The last time she'd taken it off, she'd wished that she would never have to wear it again. After a shaky breath, she got dressed.
When Sasuke stepped out of the bathroom, Sakura had left the room already and for a moment he felt a sliver of panic. He'd promised not to let her out of his sight and after a moment he relaxed. Her chakra was in the apartment, beating like a steady pulse. Sasuke let it reassure him as he got dressed.
She looked up as he entered the main room. Her eyes boring into his silently and after a moment, he approached the front door, pausing with his hand on the knob, before he opened it and stepped into the light. Sakura took another shaky breath, forcing a command to her legs to move, she followed Sasuke out.
Like the Sandaime's funeral, the entire village was expected to participate, and they did willingly, but unlike that day, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was a bright blue as Sasuke and Sakura took the stairs to the top of the Kage-face Mountain. All the shinobi would be gathered there, waiting for them. Sakura took the steps heavily, she didn't want to do this. Saying any kind of goodbye was never a part of the plan. Her eyes focussed on Sasuke's feet, just a few steps ahead of her and she stopped. Unable to take the next step.
"Sakura,"
Sakura looked up, at the top of the stairs Kakashi was waiting, Sai and Konohamaru behind him.
"You need to do this for him."
He was right. She did. Sakura took the next step and the one after that, counting them until she reached the top.
Shinobi in black stood in formation all around. There was a statue so big it had to have been done by a rock jutsu. A statue of Naruto. His arms spread wide, stone scrolls hanging down from his hands, names carved into them, of each person who had lost their lives during the Fourth Great Shinobi War. As they carried him during the war, he now carries them. His name was engraved on a large golden plate, the exact colour of the Kyuubi's chakra.
Uzumaki Naruto
Konoha's Great Hurricane.
Sakura's eyes were drawn down, towards the casket. A large photo of Naruto on the top. Smiling, his blue eyes shining brightly. Sakura wanted so desperately to look away, her heart aching so much that she wondered how she stayed upright. Kakashi walked past her, Sasuke on his heels. Konohamaru mentioned for Sakura to go, and after a deep breath she did. It was too quiet around them, even the birds in the trees didn't utter a sound. Sakura passed Hinata, the girl's shoulders shaking. Her face downward. Everyone had known about her feelings for Naruto, since their Academy days. Everyone of course, but him. Until Hinata had done something that made Sakura's view of her change completely. Hinata, knowing her own strength had tried to save Naruto during Akatsuki's attack on Konoha. She'd confessed her love for him right there, in front of the enemy and every Konoha shinobi alive to see it. And nearly died trying. On an impulse, Sakura slipped her hand into Hinata's and dragged her along to the front row. Hinata tried to protest softly but Sakura simply shook her head, taking her place next to Sasuke. Hinata stood next to her and Konohamaru after that. The front row was reserved for family, Tsunade had informed them. Iruka stood first, his eyes not on the statue, but on the photo of Naruto.
"We are gathered here today not only to say farewell to Uzumaki Naruto," Tsunade began, "but to celebrate him."
/
"Look, Sakura-chan, if I don't do this – we fail."
Sakura shook her head fiercely. "No, there has to be another way. A way that we can all go home. Together."
Naruto's eyes were shining when he smiled at her. "You won't be going alone, Sakura-chan. Sasuke will be there. Ne, Sasuke?" Naruto turned to the Uchiha.
"Aa."
"Sasuke-kun! Don't let him do this! Please," Sakura begged. "Do something."
Sasuke eyed Madara's barrier, and then his Susano'o, within which he was busy complete the seals to the Eye of the Moon Plan. They had about five minutes before the Jutsu reached full power. Trapping them in the Genjutsu.
"You've realized, haven't you?" Naruto asked and Sasuke closed his eyes. "The barrier is impenetrable. No amount of brute strength that any number of shinobi possess will be able to break through."
"Naruto-"
"Come on, Sakura-chan. Have a little faith. There's a chance I might survive. No way I would die without one last bowl of Ichiraku!" Naruto grinned widely and turned to face Sasuke fully. Some sort of silent communication takes place because Sasuke gave a stiff nod. Naruto sprang to his feet, sprinting towards the barrier. His Bijuu cloak appearing around him and then after a moment, the Nine Tails forms too. The last thing Sakura saw was Naruto forming some hand seals – a determined look on his face. "LET'S DO THIS, KURAMA!", before everything exploded.
"NARUTO!" the scream left her before she was aware of it, and then she was flying back. Her back hit something before she slid to a stop on top of Sasuke. He didn't hesitate, Sasuke pushed her off, getting to his feet a bit unsteadily before he took off running towards where the barrier had been. Sakura forced herself to her feet, ignoring the burns on her legs and forcing herself through the smoke. Sakura coughed, the black smoke heavy in her lungs, she attempted fanning it away and when she looked up, she could no longer see Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun?" she called out, erupting in another fit of coughs. "Sasuke-kun?" she came slowly to run, keeping an arm over her face, something formed in the distance, a figure. "Sasuke-kun, is that yo-" Sakura tripped, just catching herself with her arms before her face hit the ground.
"What…?" Sakura lifted her head to look behind her. A flash of orange stuck out from beneath the smoke and she stumbled forward. "Naruto?!" she half-screamed, falling to her knees next to him. His eyes were closed, a soft smile on his face.
"Is it over?" he asked, not opening his lids.
"I-"
"He's dead." Sasuke confirmed, his eyes bleeding red. Sakura noticed the blood on his katana as he put it away but she said nothing.
"We did it." Naruto murmured softly.
"You did it." Sakura told him, smiling through her tears.
"I…let Kurama go."
Sakura sat back in shock. "What?"
"Didn't want him to…die, with me." Naruto explained, still smiling.
Sakura let out a panicked sound. She ripped his shirt open before her hands fell away. The hole in his chest was large, larger than anything she'd ever seen. Only Tsunade had the ability to heal something like this, and only on herself by shortening her life-span, but she lifted her hands anyway, a green glow enveloping them. Naruto seemed fine, so she had time. She could do this, but Naruto grabbed her hands before she could reach him. Her eyes shot up to his face. His blue eyes were open, but there was no light in them.
"What….what about that ramen?" she whispered.
"You two will have to have it for me." His eyes turn to Sasuke. "In the end…you found your own way back. You," Naruto paused to take a breath, "will make a great Hokage someday." Slowly, Sasuke came closer, crouching next to Naruto.
"Will you…say goodbye for me?" Naruto asked Sakura and she gave a nod, her tears running down her face. "Of course." she reached out, brushing his hair from his forehead.
"Don't cry, Saku-" the words cut off as Naruto stilled beneath her touch, the smile still on his face.
/
Sakura kept her head down as Tsunade continued to talk about Naruto, his achievements and how much he meant to Konoha, but somehow, Sakura knew this wasn't what Naruto would have wanted. This…sad affair.
"And during Orochimaru's attack on the village, Naruto defeated the Kazekage while he was still a Jinchuuriki, he fought to Bijuu and won."
It was then that the shinobi let out a roar or appreciation. Shocked, she turned her head to look at Sasuke. The corners of his mouth were turned up slightly in an almost smile.
The more Tsunade continued telling Naruto's story, the more excited the crowd became. Next to Sakura, Hinata had stopped crying, she now held a wonder in her eyes, and the next time the crowd cried out, she cried out with them. Then came the story of Akatsuki's attack, and Tsunade mentioned Naruto's epic arrival the crowd roared loudly, and a scream of, "Dattebayo!" left Sakura's mouth.
Hinata gave Sakura a smile through her tears, and the next time both them and Konohamaru was crying out Naruto's signature. Soon everyone had caught on, Sakura had even heard it from Sasuke's mouth once or twice, as she was laughing and crying at the same time.
Once Tsunade had finished, Teuchi came forward, a steaming bowl of ramen in his hands and he set it down on the casket. As he turned, Sakura saw the tears on his cheeks.
"Carry on Naruto's Will of Fire. Konoha's Hurricane." Tsunade said, and that was it. It was over. Iruka moved to the casket first, he bent his head, untying his forehead protector and setting it down next to Naruto's photo. Kakashi came next, he set a kunai there, the one that the Yondaime had given him and Sakura realized that she was one person away from the casket. Sasuke went up, he set the Team 7 photo down before saying something softly, and then it was Sakura's turn. She fished the necklace out of her pocket. It was the necklace that Tsunade had given to Naruto before she'd become Hokage.
"I found it," she said to Naruto. "Before I went after Sasuke-kun. I knew what this meant to you. It's only a piece and I was meaning to get it fixed…" her voice broke and she closed her eyes. "You were always there for me and I always kept you at arm's length. But I always cared about you. I always will. You told me not to cry, so I'll try." Sakura set the piece of the blue crystal down and then she turned away. Sasuke and Kakashi were both waiting for her at the stairs.
"We were thinking of getting some ramen at Ichiraku." Kakashi said, his mask crinkling as he smiled but his eyes looked worn and sad.
"I'd love some." Sakura said, attempting a smile as she followed them down the steps.
All of them ordered Naruto's favourite. They ate in silence and Sakura could almost see Naruto sitting with them. "Seconds!" he would call to the old man, who would serve him with a smile. Sakura gasped softly, shutting her eyes to the image. A lonely feeling setting itself deep into her heart.
"Well, it's getting dark." Kakashi said, ruffling both their heads before skipping out on the bill, as per tradition.
Sasuke and Sakura sat in silence for a while, before she pulled out her wallet but Sasuke had already thrown a large bill onto the counter. Sakura called her thanks and followed Sasuke from the stand. It was at that moment that the rain began to pour down on them.
"My place is closer." Sasuke told her gruffly and Sakura gave him a startled look before she ran after him and to the Uchiha Compound that Naruto had requested Tsunade rebuild after the attack. Sasuke led Sakura through the narrow streets before they reached the main house. Sasuke fumbled with the keys before unlocking the door and letting Sakura step inside before him. The moment Sakura was inside the reality hit her. It was over and Naruto was now finally, truthfully gone. Before she could stop it, a sob escaped her lips and her face crumbled. Sakura's knees gave out beneath her and she fell, but Sasuke caught her, swinging an arm beneath her knees, he carried her through the house as Sakura cried uncontrollably into his chest. He set her down in his bedroom, "Sakura, your clothes are wet." Sasuke told her, feeling her shake, whether it was from the cold or her cries he wasn't sure. He gave a sigh before hooking his fingers around the hem of her shirt before pulling it up. His knuckles brushed the bare skin of her stomach and Sakura gave a little gasp, her eyes, unbearably sad as she stared up at him. Sasuke swallowed, pulling the shirt up before he reached her arms. "Up." He commanded and Sakura obeyed, still watching him, her tears falling silently.
Sasuke pulls the shirt from her and tossed it away before pulling her to him, his hands going around her shoulders, pulling her closer and pressing his lips to hers. Sakura gave a little sob as she pulled him to her, going on her tip toes to kiss him back.
"I don't want to lose anyone I care about ever again." He said against her lips roughly, wiping at her tears before Sakura fused their lips against his again.
Somewhere during the night, Sakura woke up in Sasuke's bed. He was shitting up, bent over, face in his hands. From the slight shake of his shoulders, Sakura realized he was crying. She sat up hesitantly, reaching out to him and Sasuke stiffened, trying to pull away but she wouldn't have it. Eventually they lied down together and Sasuke buried his face in her hair. He didn't cry again that night but Sakura held him close, finding comfort in the man she'd never thought would return home.
Just wanted to thank everyone who reviewed so far :D
I've wondered how Kishimoto was planning to end it, and this is just me playing around.
fans were speculating around this: "In the end there will be one hokage, one blind and one dead character." Personally, I don't like that ending very much lol, because no matter how you spin it, someone dies. A TEAM 7 MEMBER! I know that someone will have to die, but the choice is tearing me apart since I love Team 7 so, so much. Luckily, it's Kishi's choice, and I don't think I'll end up hating him. (unless the Narusasu fans get what they want, then I'll be utterly heartbroken lol)
The end of Naruto is really weighing on me -.- going to be so depressed XD
Anyway, reviews are adored as I get back into my fanfiction habit XD
Zana-Lee
xoxo
