Brace yourselves for the climax! XD


4

Like the Hokage

Something's wrong.

This was what Sasuke concluded about what happened a while ago. He was lying on his bed: it was his bedtime. He looked at the ceiling and held out his hand, the same one he used to wipe Naruto's tears. Dry tears. The moment a drop reached his finger, it immediately disappeared.

Naruto's look was like he'd seen a ghost. His blue eyes were terrified. And he repeated his promise over and over, saying he would protect Sasuke. What did Naruto saw in Sasuke?

"I swear, Kyuubi, Sasuke was… dying."

The nine-tailed fox rested on Naruto's lap. The blonde was leaning at the rough trunk of the tree. The sky was rather different this time. Despite millions of stars up there, two of them were the brightest of them all. It looks like that they are a little further away from all the others.

"Sasuke…"

"What's your dream?"

A pause came as Naruto's black haired friend asked him. He never thought about his dream. He had his wish granted; he had Sasuke. What was it to dream for?

I promise. I'll protect you.

Protect…

And then it struck him.

"My dream… my dream is to protect those who are precious to me! You and Kyuubi!"

Protect…

"Like the Hokage?"

"Hokage?"

"Yes. The Hokage is the one who protects us. He defends the whole village and those precious to him from harm."

Protecting others, like the Hokage…

"Y… Yeah… just like the Hokage."

They were wrapped up in a nice atmosphere. It was a moment of pure bliss. Even Kyuubi was happy as he rested beside Naruto. They didn't mind their doubts about each other. They're just glad they met each other.

"Let's hide them here."

A man's voice said behind the bushes. Footsteps came close as twigs were snapped by feet.

"Are you sure those ninja's won't find us here?"

It was another man's voice. It seemed younger than the former.

"Quick, Sasuke! Let's hide up in the tree!" Naruto beckoned him. Sasuke was quite a good climber so he didn't need Naruto's help. Kyuubi was ahead of them. The little fox was afraid of big men.

By the time the men arrived at the base of the tree, the two children were already behind the leaves of the oak. Sasuke watched the bigger man opening the sack he carried: it was full of gold. They have stolen it from the village merchant.

"No one will find them here," he said.

But the younger one halted him. "Wait, I sense someone… a child."

Someone? Sasuke thought. But there are two of us here. He suddenly let out a faint groan and held his right arm. It was bleeding. Then it was followed by another cut in the leg. The younger robber rapidly threw shuriken at Sasuke. He found them or was it only Sasuke? The black haired Uchiha painfully screamed.

"Sasuke!" Naruto cried. This was his vision.

Sasuke's bleeding…

Sasuke's dying…

Little Sasuke can't take his position. He slowly titled and fell.

"Naruto…" He can hardly speak. His mind was blocked due to loss of blood.

"Sasuke!" Naruto desperately held out his hand to save his friend. "I promised!"

Yes, you promised… you'll save me…Sasuke held out his hand, too. You'll protect me won't you? He gave a sad smile with his tear-stained face.

Their petite hands were widely opened, hoping to meet. But as the blonde's hand got close, it passed throughthe black haired's flesh.

Naruto saw Sasuke's shocked eyes as he slowly fell. His own clear blue eyes became blurry with tears.

"Sasuke!"


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