A/N: Oh boy… (winces) I know it took time – I've been swamped and my head's been a mess. BUT, now the final chapter is finally here! (beams) Hooray? (I still can't believe this is over, though.) (sobs once and pouts)

Before getting to the main-business, tough… Lots and lots of thank yous for all those reviews! (HUGS) You guys can't even imagine how happy and flattered your support makes me feel. So thank you! (hugs once more)

Awkay, because I can just feel your anxiety to get to the actual story… Let's ROCK! (gulps) I really hope this final piece turns out worth the wait!

SONG RECOMMENDATION: I think 'Stay' from Hurts fits this chapter AND story perfectly! The lyrics can be found from underneath the chapter. Do check them out!

BITE SIX: Into the Sands of Time

Dark, rain-filled days of late autumn blurred together. Naruto was fairly sure a week or so had passed from when he'd last seen Sasuke. And although there was practically a state of war he couldn't stop thinking about the human.

Every time his own planned on an attack, every time he heard there'd been human casualties, Naruto felt the entire world turn cold. He knew Neji would do whatever was in his power to protect Sasuke, but even the Hyuuga could do only so much against vampires. It only made things harder that he actually had to kill humans, because in the eyes of every single one of them seemed to hide a glimmer of Sasuke.

He was relieved Orochimaru didn't ask a thing when he eventually resigned himself from active duty. He had a feeling the older vampire knew, perhaps even understood.

He didn't have a clue what he'd been doing, really, until Kiba's voice pulled him sharply to present. "Look, I know you're trying to… help, or something. But seriously, I've got a feeling you're doing a lot more harm than good."

He blinked twice and looked down to discover that he was poking one of Kiba's rapidly scarring wounds – left by silver – so hard it was a surprise his best friend wasn't screaming in pain.

He took a breath, then gave the brunet a sheepish look. "Eh… Sorry."

Kiba responded with a somewhat harsh look that told Naruto he wouldn't be getting off that easily. "Listen up. I know you don't want to talk about Sasuke, but I don't think you've got much of a choice right now. Because…" The other vampire gestured towards him. "Look at yourself, man! You're like a zombie, or something. I haven't heard you say more than short sentences since he left. You haven't smiled, either, which is starting to freak me out. It's like… there's no you anymore. Does that makes any sense?"

Naruto wasn't sure how worrying it was that it did make sense. His face tightened slightly. "Then what do you suggest I should do?"

Kiba shrugged. "Pull your head out of your arse and take a look at yourself – hell, think about Sasuke." The brunet's eyes hardened. "I'm not a huge fan of that guy, but even I get enough to know you two need each other. I don't know what the heck it's called – being mates or whatever. But this… pushing him away to protect him –thing seriously isn't working."

Naruto blinked slowly. "So…?"

Kiba smacked his head quite hard, appearing extremely irritated. "Get going to him already! Because you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't. And since we're immortals, that's a damn long time."

It took some digging and threatening, but eventually Naruto managed to find Neji's place. He'd never seen the kind of a expression that appeared to the Hyuuga's face when the teen opened the door to find him. "What are you doing here?"

Naruto's eyes hardened, he could tell they almost turned red. "I'm trying to fix the biggest mistake I've ever made, that's what. I'm trying to do one fucking thing right ." His voice was pushed through tightly grit teeth. "Does that answer your question?"

Apparently it did. Because although Neji appeared anything but happy about it the teen moved, allowing him to enter. The teen was careful to make sure no one saw them before closing the hut's door. "Sasuke's finally resting properly, so don't disturb him. Understood?"

He responded with a sour look. "Just take me to him, will you?"

He was led to a nearby door. Without saying a word Neji opened it soundlessly, standing only a step from the door as though to guard.

Paying no attention to the Hyuuga Naruto entered the dimly lit space, and paused.

Sasuke… looked worse than the last time they'd met. A lot worse. The Uchiha's skin was almost transparent, and there was a look of pain on the teen's face. Every single audibly painful, loud breath made the human frown. Naruto was almost sure Sasuke had fever, because the Uchiha was muttering something incoherent with pearls of sweat on his forehead.

Naruto fought off the shudder of pain with a firm breath, then braced himself and walked on to sit on Sasuke's bedside. Free of his will his hand brushed the teen's hair, which was just as soft as he'd remembered. "I really screwed up this time, didn't I?" he whispered in a somewhat choked tone. And then, a split second before he could escape, Sasuke's eyes were open and fixed on him. They were by no means focused, but he could tell the Uchiha saw him all too clearly. And his mouth ran completely dry.

He expected an explosion, or at least the teen to hiss venomous orders for him to leave. But Sasuke wasn't exactly one to go for the expected option. He didn't this time, either. "You're… real, this time. Right?" The voice was hoarse and barely audible, which hurt Naruto a lot more than he would've liked to admit.

It was amusing that he was still so uncomfortable with this 'feeling' department. Or perhaps it was tragic. Who could draw the line, really?

Naruto breathed, trying his hardest to keep at least some of the storm inside from showing on his face. "It depends." He paused. "Do you want me to be?"

He couldn't read Sasuke's eyes or expression as the teen shifted, still looking at him. "Hn."

Time slipped by, second by second, and it almost got too much for Naruto until Sasuke spoke in a voice he barely recognized. "What… are you doing here?" Those dark eyes were hard, almost unforgiving. "If… you don't care… Why?"

Naruto felt utterly cold, and for the almost first time in his life he didn't have the slightest clue what to say. In the end he chose to let actions speak.

Sasuke gave a somewhat startled sound of surprise into his throat when he crushed his lips against the Uchiha's, in that one kiss finally giving away everything, every single one of those secrets inside him. He was no longer afraid of feeling, of being weak, of being sorry, lost and terrified. None of that mattered. And he wanted Sasuke to know it.

At first Sasuke was too shocked to react in any way, but soon he felt the Uchiha respond, accepting his offering. And for just a moment everything was right in the world.

Less than an hour later Naruto sat by the bed, watching how Sasuke slept once more.

For some reason he almost lost control over himself until there was a knock and Neji entered the room. The teen's expression warned him long before the words. "Danzo, one of the hunters' leaders, has been able to trace us. It's only a matter of time before he's here."

Naruto frowned, his stomach knotting uncomfortably. "What do you want me to do?"

"Danzo knows Sasuke has a connection to you – he has his… sources. He wouldn't hesitate to use that information." Neji grit his teeth. "I… can't keep him safe, anymore. So if you know a place, any place… Take him there. Make sure he isn't pulled into the war."

Naruto mused for a moment, trying to absorb things. In a few moments something crossed his mind. "There's… a place. It isn't very comfortable, but I think it'll do for a few days."

Neji frowned, clearly wondering what he had in mind. In the end, though, the brunet seemed to decide that there was no time for further questions. "Make sure he's ready to go. I'll take care of the rest."

The following half an hour passed by in a blur for Naruto while he functioned on auto-pilot. And then, before he could really prepare himself for it, he realized that he was stood before the opening of a huge cave with Sasuke's sleeping form in his arms.

He'd found the cave accidentally when he was five and still human, running away from his orphanage. No one had found him for almost a full day, before he went back willingly out of hunger, and since then the place had been his sanctuary. He hoped it'd serve as one for Sasuke, too, for a while.

Once entering he was mildly surprised that although so many years – decades – had passed the place was almost exactly as he'd left it. There were some drawings he'd created, with what he couldn't remember, on the wall and a pile of rocks that sorrounded a by then inexistent fireplace. It was dark, but not uncomfortably so.

Carefully, not wanting to disturb Sasuke, he lay the human gently to the floor, then put down the bag-full of stuff he'd been carrying and headed out. When he came back five minutes later he almost dropped the firewood and branches he'd been carrying when discovering that Sasuke was at least somewhat awake. The boy was looking around, frowning. "What… is this place?"

Naruto swallowed, and it took a while before he managed to function. He put down the firewood, then walked to a corner and used the branches he'd picked up to create a relatively comfortable bed. "This… is a safe place, for now." He was mildly alarmed by how little resistance Sasuke showed when he gathered the Uchiha into his arms and carried the teen to the newly made bed. His throat felt painfully tight, and his tone sounded off as he struggled to talk. "I… I'll come back to get you, I promise. As soon as I can I'll come back for you, so wait for me. Okay? Wait for me."

Sasuke nodded, appearing somewhat confused and half-asleep. Naruto was almost sure that in any other condition the Uchiha would've demanded to know what the hell was going on.

Naruto gathered himself before forcing himself to talk once more. "Neji… gave me some food and water, to leave here for you. So try to eat." Mostly to make himself busy he lit some of the dry wood he'd gathered together. "And… try to stay quiet. No one can find out you're here."

"Naruto." Sasuke's voice was frail, but still claimed all his attention. The human's dark eyes were hazy but firm. "Everything… Everything's going to work out."

Naruto blinked twice, feeling strangely cold. "Yeah, I know." He didn't sound even close to convincing. "Why did you say that?"

Did Sasuke try to smile? "Because… you're shaking."

As much as Naruto hated it he soon came to notice Sasuke was right. He grit his teeth, unsure what to say. Once more he looked at the Uchiha, as though trying to imprint every little detail, then turned to leave. His motions were slow and stiff, reluctant. "Wait for me. I'll come back for you." He wished he'd sounded a little less desperate.

Sasuke's half-whisper barely reached his ears. "I know."

Then, faster than he could've imagined, Naruto was out of the cave. Away from Sasuke. And cold wrapped around him, along with something else he couldn't name.

He ran – as though afraid he'd turn back if he'd slow down – for about five minutes until he froze. Because stood less than two steps ahead of him with a much too readable expression was none other than Danzo.

They'd met once before, when that man had slayed Tsunade, Konoha's principal and the only mother-figure Naruto had ever known. And Naruto knew exactly what that man had ordered to done to Kiba. That's why his insides lit into fire as he hissed. "You."

Danzo's eyes turned dangerous. "You managed to run away from me once. I won't repeat that mistake."

It was a second too late Naruto realized that there was movement somewhere behind him. He heard faint rustle, then a strange tiny sound before something sharp hit his neck.

…silver…, hís rapidly clouding mind realized.

His eyes first widened, then clouded before closing. He slumped to the ground, the image of Sasuke's face flashing through his head. It was fortunate, really, that he didn't know about the single tear that escaped.

In all honesty Naruto expected to never wake up. That's why he was nearly stunned as he opened his eyes in a tiny, dungeon-like room. He groaned as his head cleared enough to signal the pain that radiated from his tightly cuffed wrists and ankles. He tried to readjust his arms, which had been tied above his head, but could barely move. He swallowed, desperately trying to clear his head.

What were those assholes going to do to him? Had they found Sasuke?

"We didn't want to give you the lethal dosage, because it appears you're still valuable to us." Danzo's voice came from behind him, and he wasn't sure if it was a good thing or bad that he couldn't turn to look at the man. "We need your information, you see."

Naruto grit his teeth, his blood boiling. "And if I don't give it to you…?"

"Oh, that's hardly a problem." Something sharp brushed his neck, making him wince as it hit the former wound. "We have our ways."

That was how Naruto's nightmare began. He was almost sure at least two days passed with the humans – mostly Danzo – torturing him in every possible way. Light, silver… His body gained more scars than he could count, and at times he passed out of pain and exhaustion.

But he didn't break. And Danzo wouldn't say a word about Sasuke when he asked.

Then, so early in the third morning that it was still dark, Danzo apparently grew fed up with him. Naruto's body turned into ice as he was made harmless with a dizzying, nauseating amount of silver, then uncuffed and dragged to what he knew to be a execution stand. Danzo was there waiting for him with a far too pleased expression. The man didn't speak until they were left alone. "You're clearly of no use. And that's why I finally get to do what I've been itching from the beginning." The man pulled out a blade that was clearly made of silver, making Naruto feel even colder than before. "Don't worry, this will all be over quickly. And if the blade doesn't do it, I'm sure sun will finish the job."

Naruto's eyes first widened, then steeled as he prepared himself for the inevitable. The blade rose, approaching him – and then stopped.

He blinked twice when watching how Danzo's eyes first widened, then glazed over before the man fell to the ground with a loud thud.

In a moment Naruto managed to lift his gaze and felt a wave of shock when seeing Neji. There was a bloodied blade in the teen's perfectly even hand. "What…? What the hell did you do?" Naruto managed. Neji… He'd just killed one of his own. He'd…

"Go." The brunet's expression was unreadable while the teen put away his weapon. "Sasuke… You know where he is. He needs you. So go. I'll make sure there's no further threat."

Speechless, Naruto nodded and dashed to motion without managing to think much. He ran, with the power of sheer despair. His eyes stung and his bare feet turned battered and bloody in the forest, but he didn't even notice. Absolutely all he could focus on was the soul, all-consuming prayer that he wasn't too late.

It seemed to take forever before he reached the cave to which he'd left Sasuke. He looked around, carefully making sure no one was there to see him, then called out. "Sasuke?"

There was no response.

Slowly, as though afraid, Naruto entered the cave that was even darker than he'd left it. What he found would forever haunt his nightmares.

Sasuke looked as though he'd been sleeping as the Uchiha lay on the branch-made makeshift bed, appearing unnaturally pale in the dark. But Naruto could immediately tell that the teen was lifeless, no breath came through those already bluish lips.

For the longest time, perhaps even half an hour, Naruto couldn't move, couldn't even think. But then, moving slowly and unsteadily, he approached the teen. "Sasuke?" he half-whispered, as though he'd been afraid of disturbing the Uchiha's sleep. Of course there was no response, but he couldn't keep himself from wishing for one.

Naruto never made it to Sasuke. Instead he froze by a huge rock Sasuke had apparently used as a table, and noticed that there was a note for him lay on it.

After hesitating for a long moment Naruto took the piece of paper cautiously, fearing that the words he'd read would make the situation even more real, too real. Sasuke's handwriting appeared exhausted, the letters were stretched and so light they were barely visible. But Naruto saw, much too clearly.

''True love doesn't have a happy ending, because true love never ends. Letting go is one way of saying I love you.' (Unknown)

I'm sorry.

Sasuke

ps: Whatever you feel you left unsaid… Don't worry. I had a lot of time to think and I know, now.'

Naruto stared at the paper in his hands, his eyes wide and his hand trembling violently. His eyes blurred and it took a moment before he realized it was because of tears, which soon slid down his cheeks. He, a vampire, was crying.

Naruto's system shut down completely at that moment. He didn't remember crashing to the floor as his weakened knees finally gave way. Nor did he remember the nearly animalistic scream that was ripped from his throat.

Following some instinct he couldn't name Neji sped through the woods, his heart pounding furiously with despair he couldn't quite understand.

And then he froze, absolutely everything inside him stilling.

For there, only steps away, Naruto was approaching him with a grim look on his pale face that seemed to have tear stains. The vampire was holding Sasuke in his arms as gently as any harder touch could've broken the Uchiha into pieces. It took Neji a moment that stretched endlessly to realize that Sasuke was dead.

To the two of them at least a part of the world ended that early morning.

When he first heard rumors of Naruto being somewhere close by Kiba ignored all the physical discomfort it brought and pushed himself into motion. Following whatever gut feeling he had he made his way into a opening in the woods he and Naruto had found years – or was it decades? – ago. The sight there smacked him with a blow.

He'd never seen Naruto's eyes as hollow as they were when observing how Neji dug a hole to the ground. Neither said a word. In Naruto's arms was a human-shaped form, covered with a white blanket. And in a flash Kiba knew.

Hesitating at first, unsure if it was his place to intrude the clearly delicate moment, Kiba stepped to the opening and stood beside Naruto. Neji gave him a sharp look and stopped his work for a second before continuing the digging, as though not even caring that a member of the enemy was only steps away. Naruto barely noticed him. All that existed to the blond vampire was the deceased human in his arms. Silence had never been as heavy as it was then.

That night the four of them disappeared from the world, three of them heading towards a unknown destination with the fourth guarding them. Only their legend remained, destined to become buried into the sands of time.

Forty Years Later

Another cool night progressed rapidly with Neji and Kiba playing cards in a tiny, isolated hut that'd been built in the middle of nowhere. They were so focused on the game that they jolted with surprise when the door of Naruto's room opened. There was a look they couldn't read on the vampire's face as he headed towards the door.

Kiba frowned. "Where are you going?"

A long time ago, when they turned their backs on the war – which had destroyed most of the vampires and a chilling amount of humans – the three of them made a deal to be extremely careful when going outside. That's why Naruto's recklessness gave the two of them a bunch of grey hair.

Naruto didn't answer, most likely didn't even hear him. The blond nearly slammed the door as he went.

"Isn't it clear where he's going? To see Sasuke." For just a fleeting moment pain was visible in Neji's eyes before they turned steely. "Now are you going to make your move or not?"

'Like I already said, a long time ago someone told me there's no such thing called forever. That everything in this world is ephemeral. Now I know she was lying. For I'll always love him.And I swear that one day I'll get to him, even if eternity is against us.'

Naruto's eyes were almost black as he stood on the highest spot of a ten-story-high building, looking at the world spreading below him. Life was streaming there, not stopping for even a second, although night had fallen a long time ago. For some reason the sight felt wrong.

Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes, then spread his arms and took a single step forward. In an instant he was falling into emptiness, but didn't feel a hint of terror.

He'd done this enough times to know, with disheartening certainty, that he wouldn't get a scratch. But as he fell, for those few moments that weren't even close to as long as he would've wanted, he could've sworn Sasuke was there with him. That for a tiny while they belonged to the same world once more.

And he smiled.

'But until then… I won't let his story, our story, be forgotten. I owe him that much, at least. I just hope he won't forget, either.'

Owari

Hurts - "Stay"

My whole life waiting for the right time
To tell you how I feel.
Know I try to tell you that I need you.
Here I am without you.
I feel so lost but what can I do?
'Cause I know this love seems real
But I don't know how to feel.

We say goodbye in the pouring rain
And I break down as you walk away.
Stay, stay.
'Cause all my life I felt this way
But I could never find the words to say
Stay, stay.

Alright, everything is alright
Since you came along
And before you
I had nowhere to run to
Nothing to hold on to
I came so close to giving it up.
And I wonder if you know
How it feels to let you go?

You say goodbye in the pouring rain
And I break down as you walk away.
Stay, stay.
'Cause all my life I felt this way
But I could never find the words to say
Stay, stay.

So you change your mind
And say you're mine.
Don't leave tonight
Stay.

Say goodbye in the pouring rain
And I break down as you walk away.
Stay, stay.
'Cause all my life I felt this way
But I could never find the words to say
Stay, stay.

Stay with me, stay with me,
Stay with me, stay with me,
Stay, stay, stay, stay with me.

A/N: Uh-huh… Now that was pretty sad. (blinks furiously)

Sooo… (gulps slightly nervously) Was that any good, at all? PLEASE, let me hear your thoughts on this final chapter and the story! It'd seriously mean a lot to me. (gives puppy's eyes)

And you guys, thank you – from the bottom of my heart – for all those fantastic reviews, listings and actually bothering to read this story! (GLOMPS) You've kept this story alive and helped resurrect my spark for Naruto. So thank you! This has been a amazing ride.

So long for now, folks! Maybe I'll be seeing ya guys later…?

All the very best!