Being in a world that seems to be not his, Naruto walks through the hospital and does what is told. He goes to the seventh floor and knocks on the door of Room 723. He opens the door and it reveals one of the greatest things he has ever seen. The raven boy is sitting at the bed like how he has first seen the burning boy. His face as tame as the winds that blew softly outside the building and his eyes as innocent as his somewhat angelic face. But his face has been adorned by bandages and plasters. He gazes at the bandages at hand and says, "Uhm, I'll be… I'm—"

"Just proceed." The innocence has been broken by the sudden sting of his voice to the blond's heart. His innocent eyes has turned to the guy and died upon eye contact. The shattered image yet remains and the nurse gulps in nervousness. He fears the being… but he somewhat feels otherwise. He redresses the wounds and winces at the view of each deep wound as if they have pierced through him instead.

"Uhm, my name is Naruto. What's yours?" Naruto chuckles out a nervous question and the boy didn't answer. He then silently sighs in depression and disappointment… until his spiky voice mellows down in a whisper, "Sasuke. You're the first one to ask…" The blond smiles contentedly and writes his name at the clipboard. He then stares at him happily and asks to earn the boy's interest, "When is the last time… someone visited you?"

The boy remains silent again and then he flings at the nurse and says in a rather mad voice, "No one has ever visited me. Why do you care?" Naruto twitches and then he hangs his head in sadness. He then holds Sasuke's hand and continues as Sasuke answers with a squeeze, "Do you feel lonely? You don't really have to feel lonely. Sometimes, there are things that you need to go through alone. But at the end of the line… the people you love will be waiting for you."

"Everyone thinks I'm scary and I should be dead by now."

"You're not scary and don't give up. I won't let them hurt you… okay?"

"…promise me."

Dreamcatcher Nights

Rei Haruno —Sakura no Imooto

Final Night: Waking Up from the Nightmare

"Naruto!" Kushina yells yet again as they reach the line where the police is holding off the crowd. Kushina goes past the line but Minato has to pull her back before the police do. He tries to calm her down despite his very own agitation and ultimate desire to go as well. She yells, "My baby! Where's my baby! Naruto!" Minato looks around and can't see anyone from Naruto's group from the crowd.

Then the crowd sees a rescuer soaks himself in water and goes inside the burning building and the people start crying for the names of their children, family or relatives that are still stuck inside. Sakura's mother and Kiba's old lady run to Kushina and Minato and ask if they have seen their children. Minato looks at the hospital and tries to see any sign of SOS from anyone inside, "I want to believe that Naruto will not break his promise."

The rescuer goes in and runs through all accessible passages for civilians to go through. He hears pleas and screams from the next floor and then he goes to the trapped people. One of them is caught under the broken bed and everyone wants him to help the guy. They are screaming a lot and two nurses are traumatized at the side. The rescuer suddenly gets overwhelmed until one of them points at the horizon, "The child… the child is floating."

Everyone stops and they all look at the blind girl in Madara's arms. Madara twitches a little and looks around… the Ghost realm hasn't breached that place just yet. He smirks and brings down the girl at the floor and tells her, "Tell them to just head straight to the door. And then run straight ahead." The girl nods and the people seem to wonder if she's talking to somebody. She repeats Madara's directions and runs off ahead. They follow her and the flames seem to be halted by something. The blockages are also blown away as she goes, the collapsing ceilings stop as if held by an invisible tunnel.

They have reached the front door and it bursts open as the girl reaches it. The remaining innocent people have gone out and the entrance exit has finally collapsed. The reunions growl in the crowd and then the firefighters just backed off from the fire-eaten building… having the fire completely out of their control. Sakura's mother and Ino's auntie faints upon realizing that her daughter and her niece would not be saved anymore. Minato catches her and then Kushina yells out, "Naruto!"

—DREAMCATCHER NIGHTS—

The rumblings outside are heard even within the archives. Naruto coughs out blood as Sasuke has struck another sword at his waist. Hinata, Sai, Sakura, and Karin are all being devoured by his dark flames but they are all trying to struggle. Hinata cries as she tries to reach her hand out to Naruto, but her throat seems to have run dry. She stretches some more and remembers how she reached out for him back then… desperately stretching out for help.

Sakura gets reminded by the pain of Sasuke's hatred… but much worse this time. It's not just mere pain and hatred… the fire is blaming her for all the loss and for all the suffering that he had gone through. Karin is lying silently at the ground, her red orbs locked at Naruto and Sasuke. The pain has paralyzed her and once again, she is watching someone important to her die. Naruto is now her friend… and she can't just watch this.

Sai is again in a state of helplessness. There's nothing he can do for Naruto again… and for Sasuke as well. He has been the most unfortunate boy Sai has ever known and even beyond death, he has carried everything within his shattered heart. Sai tries to make a sound… but the screaming of the dark flames overpowers his mere squeak. Sasuke stares deeply at Naruto who is like begging Sasuke to listen to him.

The blond reaches out a hand to touch Sasuke's cheek and calls out his name, "Sasuke…" The raven the twitches and grasps at the hilt of that sword he has struck the last, "Now… I do remember you. You were the guy that promised me that I wouldn't be hurt again." He moves the sword side to side as if making the blade hit Naruto's wound more and more, "But where were you when the fire is eating me? Where were you when Madara has tried to take everything! Where were you… when I wanted to be safe!"

"Argh!" Naruto groans in pain when the burning boy touches his cheek and the dark flame starts kissing him, "I was happy when I heard you say that. But where did you go? You walked away from me just like the other nurses that passed by my room!" Naruto moves his weakened hand and holds Sasuke's even if the hostile fire is biting his very skin degree by degree, "I'm so sorry, Sasuke. I tried to save you… but I failed. But now… I really wanted to. Let me save you, Sasuke. Let me end your pain!"

"There's no way you can do so." Sasuke's mad orbs start to dull again and his voice goes into its monotonous swing, "I stopped believing you can save me…" Naruto then grasps at Sasuke's face when the raven drops his hand, "Sasuke. Just one chance…" Naruto vomits some blood, some more flows from his mouth, "Just one more chance… let me help you. I know you still believe in me…"

Sasuke glares at him and he grabs Naruto's neck but the blond continues despite the groaning and suffering, "You still believe in me. Because if you don't… you wouldn't sacrifice yourself and let your Dark soul run wild. Ever since you took Madara's hand, you have placed yourself in grave pain. But do you even remember why you risked everything else? Why you let him take you away from me?"

"Do you want to live longer, my dear?"

'As long as… I can… I want to. Please save me!'

"No one can control Dark Sai… and no one can stop him. But someone can stop you… as long as I can keep him alive!"

"I wanted… to live." Dark Sasuke whispers as he backs away from the blond. The flame engulfing the other ghosts start vanish and then they begin struggling to sit up. D. Sasuke gazes at his shaking hands as the dark flames extinguishes itself, still leaving the place on fire, "I wanted to live despite the pain… I wanted to live no matter how hard it'll get for me. I wanted to live to see a face…"

"Tell me, Sasuke." Naruto smiles despite the critical state and drags himself to Sasuke only to hold the shaking hands, "Whose face do you want to see?" The dull dark orbs now stares at the smiling azure ones, trying to hold back the tears and everything else. His chest yet feels this pain again… but unlike the other 'pain', it feels good. Dark Sasuke stops burning with his flames and he embraces the blond, "Naruto… did Madara… let you go here? How?"

"Madara let us go." Naruto shortly answers and he pulls back to run his hand at the raven's face, "Stop burning in your own hatred, Sasuke. Let go of the things that pulls you back. Stop blaming yourself for our deaths. I know you just wanted to save me back then… and then Hinata, Sai, Karin, and Sakura. Sasuke, I don't hate you for failing… we don't hate you for failing. Stop it…" Sasuke walks back three steps as his arms disengages with Naruto's body. The blond tries to catch up with him, "Sasuke, come back!"

"Even if I recall my flames from burning the building… everything will collapse in a matter of seconds." Sasuke suddenly smiles as he slowly vanishes from their view, "I'm transferring you back to your room, Naruto. Use the remaining time to get out of here." He completely disintegrates and then white light engulfs everyone. Naruto tries to run towards Sasuke but he can't, "Sasuke!"

—DREAMCATCHER NIGHTS—

"Naruto!" A sudden hit meets with Naruto's face and it has left Naruto's cheek red. The blond growls as he wakes up and finds everyone at his room. Sakura grabs his collar and pulls him up, "Come on! Everything's collapsing! We have to get out!" Naruto then gets to his feet and they somewhat drag themselves through the weakened floors. The flames are subsiding but the cinders are still destroying the establishment. Naruto then twitches and budges out of Sakura's hold, "You guys go on ahead! I have to get Sasuke!" They yell for his name and then Hinata just yells, "Let's go! They'll be following us later!" They all run away… not knowing if Hinata would be right.

They run along the collapsing hallways and they can't help but to feel helpless yet strong enough to run. They then see Madara standing at a corner but they pass him by. He then yells, "Hinata!" The brunette looks at him as she stops, despite the whispers of doing the opposite. Madara jerks his thumb in the hallway to his right and says, "This way leads to the first floor exit when you jump down from here. You also forgot your stupid friends."

Sakura then runs through the hallway he's pointing at and then she sees Kiba and Ino at the side, unconscious and oblivious of what's happening. She then tries to wake up Ino with yelling at her but then Sai grabs her and carries the other guy, "They won't be waking up. Let's go." Sakura then gets Ino and they run away from Madara. Hinata looks back at him and then she smiles, "Thank you!" He waves goodbye and then the group goes on.

—DREAMCATCHER NIGHTS—

Naruto looks around and goes up the stairs as long as it can stretch out. He gets to the seventh floor and budges in the room where they first met. Sasuke is there at the bed, watching things outside the hospital just like how he did before. Naruto walks to the burnt angel and sits down his bed, "Sasuke. We have to go."

"Naruto?" Sasuke looks at him and then the blond embraces him, "I won't go out of this place without you. I left you once and I won't leave you again." The raven can't help but to bear a smile and hangs his head, "Even till the end… you didn't keep your promise." Naruto twitches and pulls back a little to see Sasuke's depressed, helpless smiling face, "It hurts me whenever I think that you're getting hurt because of me. Now, you won't be able to be with your parents because you stay here with me. Even if we try to get out… it's just too late."

"It may be too late to get out now… but it's not too late to hold on." Sasuke looks at him and the blond runs his fingers at his dearest's face, "I'll stay with you till the end. Even if we get to get buried under the rubbles, I still wanted to believe that we can get through this." The raven stares at his beloved's azure orbs as they try to give him some more courage and faith that he's running out of. The building's starting to give out some more rumbling and the sturdiest parts give in to the destruction. Sasuke grabs Naruto's face and whispers, "I love you, Naruto. When I open my eyes after this… I wish to see your face… smiling, breathing…"

"I love you, too, Sasuke. Don't worry, I'll even hold you in my arms… just don't die on me after that." Their lips meet with one another and they silently make out in the middle of the grumblings. The last and final shake makes the building fall to the ground… leaving the lovers' lives in jeopardy.

—DREAMCATCHER NIGHTS—

'Hey, Naruto… can you hear me?'

"Izuna? Is that you?"

'Yeah… so how's getting buried under the twelve-storey building?'

"Whaaaa? We got buried!"

'Yeah.'

"What…? So are we already in heaven?"

'Will you seriously find me there?'

"Don't laugh… wait, where's Sasuke?"

'If you're in heaven… there he's down there.'

"That can't be… I thought, I…"

'Naruto…' "Naruto…"

"I've failed him…"

"Naruto? Are you awake?"

"Awake?"

'Heheh… come on, open your eyes! Hell isn't the only place below Heaven.'

"Naruto?" His eyes begin to move and then he sees lilac eyes looming at his view. The picture is still in a blur and all he can see are colors. Violet and cream… wait, a dress? Naruto squints to see the image before his eyes… much more like a child in a dress is leaning towards him, head turned to somewhere else. Her hands move as if calling people and then Naruto tries to sit up… only to get held back by tubes.

It is the time when the sounds are coming back to his senses. The beating of that green line gives out a rhythm of life. Figures. He's still in a hospital and that fact makes him growl that very instant. The child then flings to him and looms her face over his again, "Naruto! You're awake!" Her unfamiliar high-pitched voice booms at his ears… but somehow he recognizes her.

"Hinata?" He whispers under the breather and then he looks around to watch Sakura, Ino, Kiba and Kushina go inside the room. His mother then run to him and embraces him, "Naruto! Oh my God!" Naruto takes off the breather and the stupid tubes to embrace his mother, "Mom!" Kushina squeezes him some more, "I never thought I would be holding you in my arms again!" Naruto then twitches and then he smiles at his mother, "Mom… when the whole hospital collapsed… I really accepted to myself that I would never see you again."

"Naruto." Kushina cries some more and then she wipes her tears, "Come on, Naruto. Give your Sleeping Beauty the kiss of awakening." Naruto twitches and flings around as he notices Sakura and Ino getting done with detaching the tubes. Naruto gets off the bed and Kiba gives him a friendly hug and a friendship high-five. The grinning blond then walks out the room and goes to the room where Minato, Sai and Karin are patiently waiting. Minato then rush to him for a hug, "Naruto!" The younger blond chuckles as he returns the sudden squeeze and then Karin smiles a little, "Naruto."

"We've been waiting for you, Naruto." Sai says with his normal creepy smile and then Minato let goes of his son, only to cry silently at a corner. Kushina joins his side and watches Naruto as he makes his way to the bed. He climbs it and holds the guy covered in bandages all over. He tears at the view and he run his fingers at the heavily bandaged face, "Sasuke… wake up." He lays a kiss at his forehead and places his above it, "We're safe now…"

Naruto gently holds the wrapped fingers… until a sudden squeeze responds. Naruto pulls back a little and the only visible eye starts to open. The sole onyx orb meets with the azure ones and it squints to clear the view. Naruto smiles and then Karin goes near as the other friends walk in the room. They contentedly smile as the two seem to coo at the raven boy…

"Sasuke!" The child which is really Hinata lunges at the bed and yells, "Karin, Sai and Sakura are healing from their wounds! Don't worry, you'll be fine, too!" Sasuke then flings his hand to hit Hinata and makes her hit the floor. Naruto chuckles and then Karin snorts with an undeniable smile, "Get lost, kid." Hinata twitches and then Naruto says, "Come on, Hinata. They're just kidding…"

Everyone has been laughing even until Sasuke cups his free hand at Naruto face. The blond smiles and then kisses Sasuke at where his lips would be as everyone starts chattering loudly in happiness. The blond whispers at him, "I told you I would be holding you in my arms when you wake up. I have kept my promise… and I will be keeping every promise that I make." Sasuke scoots and hugs Naruto and whispers despite the bandages at his mouth, "Thank you…"

"…you better rest and let your skin heal." Naruto then wipes his tears and yells for everyone to hear, "And after everyone's healed… let's go to the beach this coming summer!" Everyone cheers and then Naruto embraces Sasuke in the strength that his healing body won't get hurt. He then lays another kiss at his lips and embraces him come more, listening to everyone's plans about the summer escapade.

—DREAMCATCHER NIGHTS—

"Tch. East Konoha Medical Center just went down to rubbles…" Madara kicks a small debris and then Izuna walks to him as if happily prancing, "How long have you been managing this place? And ever since then… it never had a major renovation." Madara sits miserably at a block and whispers grumpily, "This hospital is the embodiment of my promise to Dr. Hashi… and it's been a while since I last mope like a child."

"Naruto managed to save Sasuke even before my world completely vanished under his dark flames." Izuna looks up at the sky that he hasn't seen for a while, "And it's been three days since the rescuers have dug Naruto and Sasuke under these rocks. And it's good to know they're alive and well." Madara looks at him and says, "You're visiting them?" Izuna sits at the rock opposite his brother's seat, "I can still get to connect to them… because the curse hasn't ended just yet."

"Are you crazy? We will all vanish if I end the curse by then. Keeping the curse active is the only thing to make it up for everything that happened." Izuna freezes at his brother's words, eyes gazing at the spiky raven as if in denial of what he has heard. Madara then glares at his brother and then Izuna suddenly jumps around, "My brother's back to normal! My brother's free! Wheeee! Thank you, Naruto! You're the greatest guy ever!"

"Shut up, Izuna!" Madara yells angrily with a blush at his face… and then he flings around at the screech of wheels. Despite his brother's noisy celebration, he calmly flings to the group that has arrived at the site. One of them takes off his sunglasses and examines the place. His long dark hair is swaying with the wind and Madara continues to stare at him. Izuna stops jumping around and sees the guy, "Brother… he looks like Dr. Hashi."

"…" Madara continues to stare and then they hear him say to the guy who approaches the new one, "I heard there are vengeful spirits that infested the hospital." The other one smirks and then says with a shrug, "Come on, man. Those ghosts must have been gone away with all these junk. Besides, Uzumaki-sama wants a location. You think this will fit? This will be big enough to host the project."

"I don't think so." The guy that looks like Madara's therapist then gazes at the two at the distance… only to make a casual salute at them. Madara then jerks and pulls Izuna away, "That bastard can see us!" Izuna then yelps at the pull and looks back at the man. The other guy yells, "Who are you waving at? Are those the fucking ghosts!"

"Don't worry… they don't seem to be bad."

[End of Dreamcatcher Nights]

Rei: At last! Everything has been said and done! Thank you for everyone who helped me accomplished this fic! Especially Hyperwiwi! Awiwi-chan, where are you? Anyway, thank you for everyone who has read and reviewed! Thank you! Thank you very much!

Naruto: Yay! No more stupid ghost thingy!

Rei: What the! Naruto! Who told you? To be honest, I have two non-ghost plots for SasuNaru… but I better focus more on MinaKushi and HashiMada, okay?

Sakura: How about me and Gaara? Are you taking a break on that, too?

Rei: I guess… but don't worry, I'm writing drafts for your stories… (See, that's my draft notebook!)

Naruto: That's so long! A whole chapter on a draft? (You are Lady Rewrite…)

Sakura: (And Procrastination, it's been days when you finished writing that! Go on and encode it!)

Sasuke: I can't believe we have to go through this again.

Rei: Thank you once again! See you at my other stories!