Author's Notes: What would happen if Sasuke were actually killed? I don't think Naruto could take it. Just the thought of Sasuke being ordered killed dropped him to the ground with a panic attack after all. He'd snap.

Summary: Sai just wanted to protect Naruto from Sasuke, even if he ended up hating him. But he never thought that would be the least of their worries…

These Mortals Be

Naruto looked sadly at Sasuke, but he didn't move. If this was really the way it had to be…Naruto's heart broke for Sasuke as he noticed tears in the Uchiha's eyes. Were they really always meant for this?

Sasuke moved in for the kill and Naruto knew it would be quick and painless. Because Sasuke still loved him. This was just the unfortunate place their destinies had led.

Sasuke jerked and slumped to the ground and for a while, Naruto didn't move, didn't breathe.

His eyes gone wide, Naruto finally turned the blue orbs to Sasuke, lying so still. Sai stood facing Naruto, panting and still clutching his blade.

"Naruto?"

The blonde didn't hear him. Sasuke…why wasn't he moving? Why wasn't he attacking? Why was he still alive? Worried tones came from the boy in front of him, but it was only a distant din to him. Slowly, on legs gone numb, Naruto stumbled toward Sasuke's fallen form, brushing past what might have been Sai.

Collapsing next to the Uchiha on his knees, Naruto just watched him for a moment. He saw the tears that had filled Sasuke's eye drip down his cheek. Naruto reached out and placed his hand on Sasuke's arm, shaking him weakly.

"Get up." Another voice had joined the one already behind him. This one was higher pitched, but he paid it no mind. "Wake up. Come on, Sasuke. Wake up…"

Naruto continued shaking Sasuke gently.

"Naruto?"

Help. She could help. She would know what was wrong. Naruto drug his eyes up to look at Sakura, sorrow etched on her face.

"He won't wake up." He told her. "Why won't he wake up?"

Tears finally coursed down Sakura's cheeks and she hung her head.

"Naruto…Naruto…"

Deciding she was no help, the blonde turned back to Sasuke. Not shaking him anymore, but just looking at him, waiting for him to move.

Not a sound was uttered for several minutes. The two behind him only exchanging worried looks and, for one, silent tears. Eventually, the din returned, a bit clearer.

"What do we do?"

"We take him and leave. He's in no shape to fight."

"He won't go."

"Then we make him."

Naruto pushed a strand of black hair out of Sasuke's face. Naruto grinned at Sasuke in a way that stretched his mouth in an unnatural way, twisted his lips so that his fangs showed. He spoke to Sasuke in a way that was not unlike two friends sharing a private, knowing joke.

"Make me leave…You hear that, Sasuke?" Naruto chuckled lowly and the world burned in his eyes.

'Let them try.'