In a Lifetime: Part Two
A/N: This should have been posted a long time ago but I have had little to no access to a computer recently. Sorry for the delay but finally it's here…Part Two!
…
"So are you going to tell me what that was all about?" Naruto inquired with narrowed eyes over the breakfast table.
Sasuke didn't reply as he turned off the stove and turned around to face the blond. After what had happened in the bedroom, they took a shower- where they had another bout of sex- and now they were eating a delayed breakfast that Sasuke prepared.
Naruto only sighed at Sasuke's unresponsiveness, already used to it after being together for years. "Alright…" he mumbled off to the side, stabbing his fork into his food. "Oh, and I'm sorry that I ruined our anniversary breakfast. I know it was my turn to make it this year but as always it turns out you are the one to make it."
Sasuke made an acknowledging sound and sat down across the table. It was their seventh anniversary. Seven years of being together, living together, and loving each other. He looked across the table and viewed his lover. It was hard to believe that today, a day that he has already lived once before, was the day that Naruto was going to die.
Naruto, who was already busy with gorging himself, noticed Sasuke's stare and he gave an awkward smile. "You really are starting to weird me out this morning, Sasuke. You haven't stared at me this much since that time at Kiba and Hinata's wedding."
Sasuke couldn't help the automatic smile that came with that memory. He remembered that day clearly. It was the day where he fell in love with Naruto all over again. The blond in a formal black suit, his bright smile and cordial personality which attracted everyone in the entire place, enough to make Sasuke jealous and drag the blond to a supply closet where they had sex without a care if someone heard them or not. Let's just say Kiba wasn't too happy about that.
"I was just wondering what you have planned for tonight." Sasuke said evenly, grabbing at an utensil and taking a bite. It was the same exact question Sasuke asked the first time around.
"It's a secret." Naruto said with a joyful smile. It was the same exact answer Naruto answered with the first time around also. Everything felt like a bizarre sense of deja vu. Or like seeing a movie that you've already seen hundreds of times and knowing what the next move was before it even happened.
Sasuke knew that at this point he was supposed to say: " You better not take me to take damp, darkened bar like you did last time."
He already knew Naruto's reply, which was: "Hey, I already apologized for that! I thought that place would be great. It was recommended to me by Shino." Naruto huffed. "I'm never taking that bug-freak's advise again."
Sasuke found himself smiling once more. Being with Naruto again, hearing him talk, his presence which seemed to encompass the room and engulf Sasuke warmly, were so surreal and unbelievable that Sasuke feared that if he were to advert his eyes Naruto will disappear….and Sasuke would be alone once again.
Pain gripped his heart and all he wanted to do was…he wanted to do so goddamn much. But Sasuke restrained himself. He knew that Naruto would just grow more suspicious and Sasuke didn't want the day to be spent with Naruto casting worried glances in his direction. Sasuke would try to act normal. He had to ignore the way his throat burned and the way his heart stopped every time Naruto gazed at him and smiled.
Sasuke cleared his throat and recited lines that he had so long ago memorized. He had memorized everything about this day. On nights that Sasuke would cruelly torture himself he would mentally relive the last day he spent with Naruto and wish he had done more.
The talk over the breakfast table went just how it did the first time around. The only thing that was different was that Sasuke couldn't remain still. The raven let his long legs guide under the table in order to caress Naruto's inner thighs. Watching the way the blond bit his lip and grunted as he tried to continue the conversation was quite a sight. Sasuke had forgotten this simple thrill that he had took for granted all those years.
"Sasuke," Naruto warned and the raven was shaken when his reenactment was spoiled by new dialogue. "Stop or I will fuck you over the table."
Sasuke loved when Naruto spoke so directly and openly, especially in that gruff voice of his. "What's stopping you?" Sasuke said with a spark in his dark eyes and a challenging smirk playing on his lips.
And just like that: the day was once again changed. Naruto pushed the dishes off to the side and roughly dragged Sasuke on top. Already the Uchiha's chest was heaving and he kissed with all his might. Heated skin collided and low groans resounded along with the clatter of the table legs hitting the smooth, wooden floor.
Somewhere in the back of Sasuke's mind Kakashi's warning was blaring. Sasuke wasn't supposed to change the course and events of the day. But Sasuke mentally shrugged it off. What they were doing wouldn't make any change in the timeline. All Sasuke had to be careful of is the time, to be aware of the soft ticking hand of the large grandfather clock on the other side of the room.
Sasuke needed to touch and feel. He needed Naruto's warmth and that hot breath blowing into his ear. He wanted to forgot about the clock all together. To ignore the soft ticking sound and damn the entire concept of time to hell.
As Sasuke lolled his head back, his beautiful long neck spread out with Naruto devouring the flesh, he opened his eyes, which were blackened with passion, and was bemused to find Kakashi across the room.
That silver-haired immortal was leaning against the door frame. His arms crossed and his chin raised. And then in the next second…he was gone. Kakashi disappeared with no sound but he had made a great impact on Sasuke's mind.
Kakashi's warnings were once again blaring in his mind. But with Naruto holding him, those large hands and fingers digging into his skin, Naruto was making a bigger imprint and he forgot all about the silver-head immortal. He didn't want to pay any mind to those warnings and to those rules and restrictions. He just wanted Naruto and he was going to take as much as he can before the day ended and Sasuke was thrust back into the future where Naruto was nowhere to be found.
He kissed and gripped his blond lover. Cherishing every second and ignoring the pain that he knew would flood after everything was over.
…
"Naruto," Sasuke spoke as he walked up to the blond who was busy looking for something within the unorganized closet. "I think you should call Jiraiya."
The blonds' hands stilled and he slowly turned his blue-eyes to view Sasuke. "What?" He asked dumbly. "What did you say?"
"Jiraiya," Sasuke didn't back down, "you should call him."
Naruto stared at Sasuke uncertain. Jiraiya was the blonds' godfather. The man practically raised Naruto all by himself. About a year ago they had a huge fight and had fallen out badly. Naruto huffed and turned away from Sasuke with annoyance. "I have nothing to say to that old man."
"You should call him." Sasuke repeated.
Naruto turned back toward Sasuke with raising anger . "Why are you suddenly bringing this up, Sasuke? You never cared about any of this before!"
Sasuke didn't say anything. Yes, Naruto and Jiraiya had a fight, and Sasuke had no right to get in between them. But after Naruto died…it was Jiraiya who was as grief stricken as Sasuke was himself. Jiraiya deeply regretted not calling up Naruto to reconcile. Jiraiya was an old man of seventy-one, even though he was strong with the energy of a teenager. It was after Naruto's death when the man's age started to show and his health depleted from grief. Jiraiya had no family, no wife or son of his own, only Naruto.
"Call him, Naruto." Sasuke said firmly with a hint of warning in his voice. Naruto turned back to the raven in mild surprise. He instantly understood that look in those dark eyes which were telling him that he wouldn't back down until he did what he wanted.
The blond sighed and ran a hand through his shaggy hair in a sign of frustration. "He probably won't even answer, Sasuke. You know that old pervert is so damn stubborn." Naruto sighed again. "He'll probably talk to you though, you're his favorite after all."
Sasuke ignored Naruto's attempt to dismiss it and stared hard. "Just try to get back on speaking terms. This is ridiculous."
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Don't say 'ridiculous' when you yourself are hardly on speaking terms with family." Naruto was talking about Itachi. Sasuke's brother whom he hasn't talk to in over three years. The raven wasn't taking the bait again and Naruto sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'll call him."
"Now."
"Huh?"
"Call him right now, Naruto."
Naruto was confused. "I'll call him tomorrow. There's no rush. Plus, today is our anniversary, let's not ruin it."
"Please, Naruto. Just call him."
Again the blond was surprised. There was something almost sad in Sasuke's tone of voice. "Okay, Sasuke." Naruto agreed, walking out the bedroom door and to the living room where a telephone laid on the glass table top.
Sasuke released a breath he didn't know he was holding and felt a knot that was so tightly wound in his belly gently subside in relief. What Sasuke was doing wasn't part of the original timeline. It would undoubtedly change a few things in the future but Sasuke was willing to risk it. He had to risk it. He watched as Naruto sat down stiffly on the couch, the receiver in his hand, and his head titled down as he spoke words that needed to be said.
…
Morning turned into afternoon and Sasuke glanced at the clock hanging on the wall with barely concealed misery.
"Sasuke, that is like the twentieth time you have glanced at the clock." Naruto said with a lift of his brow. The hand that was on Sasuke's chest slid down and gripped his hip. "I'm starting to feel ignored."
Sasuke brought his gaze back and viewed bright blue-eyes. The sheets of the bed were soft and they curled around their legs tangling them together. Sasuke released a sigh as their bare skin brushed lightly together. As they did the first time around, before Sasuke relived the day, most of their time was spent in the bedroom. The only thing that was different this time around was that their lovemaking was much more passionate. Their hands were united, their fingers intertwined in such a lovers grip which they haven't used since their teenage years.
When Sasuke didn't reply, Naruto didn't mind. He knew something was off but if Sasuke didn't want to talk about it right now, he'll wait and get it out of him later. "Good thing our anniversary landed on a Saturday." Naruto began, gently letting his hand roam on Sasuke's skin. "We couldn't have gotten two substitutes. The school is very picky when we use our days off."
Sasuke nodded in agreement. They both taught at the same elementary school. Naruto teaching a grade lower than Sasuke. Since it was Saturday they had the whole day to themselves. All day to be wrapped up in each other without interruptions from the outside world. Their friends, or more specifically- Naruto's friends- knew not to bother them.
Sasuke was content just laying in bed. Laying with Naruto's arms around him once again after so long. The raven glanced at the clock, the hands of time passing more quickly than he wished. Only a few hours left until he and Naruto left the house in order to go to dinner. Only a few hours left until a tragedy will strike and Naruto will leave him once again. Naruto was going to die.
Unconsciously Sasuke moved in closer. The heat from Naruto's body warming his suddenly cold skin. Naruto looked down at him with a question in his eyes and Sasuke ignored the look. "How was the talk with Jiraiya?" Sasuke asked quietly, his dark eyes still glued on the clock on the opposite wall.
He felt Naruto breath in and out. "That old man is fine." Was all Naruto said. "I thought he'll put up more of a fight but he only invited us for lunch next week."
Sasuke only nodded. His heart beating just a tad faster at the thought that they'll never make it to lunch next week. He felt Naruto plant a kiss on his temple and Sasuke breathed out, tension leaving his body and his heartbeat going back to normal. Naruto always did know how to calm him whether it was a conscious act of not.
…
Sasuke fists were clenched, his fingernails digging into his palm, while his dark eyes were locked onto Naruto's tall figure which was on the other side of the room. His lover was pulling on a light-blue dress shirt. He watched as the blond smoothed out the front, adjust his black slacks, and then reach for some styling gel to put into his hair. Naruto was getting ready to go to dinner.
Sasuke had yet to get dressed. He was reluctant to follow through with the course of the day and was very tempted to tell Naruto to forget all about dinner and for them to just stay at home.
It was at dinner, or more specifically- after dinner, where tragedy was to strike. Sasuke didn't want to go. He didn't want to have to watch Naruto die all over again. He didn't want that helpless feeling to come from watching your lover die right before your eyes.
The Uchiha breathed in, the feeling of his heart twisting in his chest was harsh and unforgiving. But Sasuke knew that it had to be done. He had agreed to this when he signed those papers. He agreed to relive the day and have Naruto die at the same place and time. Sasuke couldn't derail because the timeline would change and there would be consequences.
It didn't help in the least that in the small mirror, that was hanging in the hallway, showed the reflection of Kakashi. The silver-haired immortal was behind him. His multi-colored eyes locking with Sasuke's in warning through the mirror. Sasuke didn't bother to look behind him and he ignored Kakashi's gaze as he focused on keeping the slow flow of panic at bay.
"Sasuke, aren't you going to get ready." Naruto questioned over his shoulder, his hands in his hair as he leisurely styled it.
Sasuke couldn't afford to open his mouth. If he did he feared that he would blurt everything out. Afraid that he would reduced himself into a blathering idiot. Sasuke gave a terse nod and made his way to the small closet.
Once he felt Naruto's gaze drift away Sasuke lifted a hand, slow and uncertain, and reached for the same shirt he wore the first time around. He looked at the dark green shirt, that was still hanging on the hanger, and he was startled to see it littered with dark red stains. The stain of blood. Sasuke blinked and then the stains were gone.
Sasuke's heart thumped and his breath caught in his throat. His hand was shaking and the green shirt seemed to stare at him. Naruto noticed that something was horribly wrong and he stepped up behind him.
"What's wrong, Sasuke?" the blond said with demanding eyes. "And don't tell me 'it's nothing', 'cause I know you better than that."
Sasuke cleared his throat and turned away. "What are you talking about?" he replied harshly. The green shirt was ripped off the hanger and Sasuke hurriedly put it on. "Come on or we'll be late for our reservations." Sasuke pushed past Naruto and went straight for the kitchen.
Naruto stood dumbfounded and a little angry that Sasuke wouldn't confine in him. The blond went to his nightstand and picked up the tie that was laying there and fastened it on. Naruto will try asking what was wrong again during dinner.
In the kitchen, Sasuke was clutching the sides of the sink. His dark eyes staring down the drain and all his willpower focused on not letting the bile, the panic, and the agony- that he could feel brewing deep down in his stomach, erupt.
It was hard, harder than he thought it would be, more than he ever imagined, to prepare himself. To know that Naruto was going to die and that he could do nothing to stop it. His grip tightened and his head felt heavy. The hairs on his arms stood on end and sweat was forming on his hairline. He felt like he was dieing. And in a way, he was. His other half, Naruto, was going to die and Sasuke would feel half-alive once again.
With his eyes firmly closed Sasuke concentrated on breathing. He calmed the ire and the sadness that was raging deep in his soul and found a calming center. Slowly he unclenched his fists, releasing the sink, and slumped back forcing his shoulders and body to relax.
Behind him footsteps were approaching and the raven lifted a hand and opened a cupboard in order to grab a glass and he filled it up with water. The water was horribly warm, since he didn't let the stream run, but he drank it anyway as Naruto came into view.
"You ready?" Naruto asked distractedly, pulling on a coat.
Sasuke set the half-empty glass on the counter. The small clank resounded off the kitchen walls. "I'm ready," he said, a true feat that his voice came out steady.
…
Naruto's large grin was infectious to all those around him. The large mass of people seemed to part just for him as he led the way to bar that was positioned on the other side of the room. Sasuke followed close behind and he ignored the crowd around him. His mind was focused on Naruto alone.
The place they were at was called, The Rose. A five-star restaurant in which you had to book a reservation months in advance. The place was classy. It wasn't exactly romantic, it was much more lively and upbeat. Even though they had a reservation they were still ordered to wait by the bar- which was packed with many tipsy people who didn't understand the meaning of personal space.
At the counter Naruto ordered two drinks and he faced Sasuke with a smile. "This place is great, isn't it!" He exclaimed as he placed half his weight on a bar counter.
Sasuke tried to keep as much emotion from showing on his face as possible. This place was horrible. He hated The Rose with every fiber of his being. It was The Rose's fault why Naruto was going to die. Sasuke wanted to leave, to get far away from this place,… but he couldn't. The contract with Kakashi was signed with his very own blood.
Sasuke turned away from Naruto in frustration. Behind him Sasuke felt Naruto wrap a hand around his. "Sasuke…" Naruto said quietly, "do you not like your anniversary present?"
The raven sighed. Since both he and Naruto were schoolteachers their salary wasn't as generous as other professions. They had bills, cars, not to mention Naruto's big appetite to afford- so they didn't go out often. If they did it was only to a small diner that was down the street or to the same old nightclub that they had went to back in high school.
Naruto knew that Sasuke came from a wealthy family. Sasuke was use to slick cars and fancy dinners. Naruto knew that Sasuke gave it all up… so this was Naruto's present for Sasuke. Sasuke forced a smile on his face. "It's great, Naruto," he said.
Naruto didn't seem convinced but their drinks had arrived and Sasuke quickly took a gulp hoping that the alcohol would calm his nerves. From the left a group of girls were walking in their direction and Sasuke took another long swig.
Sasuke remembered this part. He knew that the group of girls were going to try and chat with them. He knew that Naruto, the blond being the friendly person that he is, would talk back delightedly. The raven frowned when he remembered that when the girls realized that Sasuke wouldn't talk to them they would focus all their attention on Naruto. One of the girls even had the audacity to stroke Naruto's bicep.
Sasuke quickly emptied his glass, slammed it on the counter, and took Naruto by the arm and away from the bar. "What,…What are you doing, Sasuke?" The blond asked bewildered.
Sasuke didn't answer as he led them to the back of the restaurant where the restrooms were located. He pushed the men's door open and ducked down to make sure that the stalls were empty. When he was sure that they were he locked the door and leaned back against it.
"Sasuke?" Naruto asked again.
"Shut up and kiss me."
The blond was ready to go into a rant but one look in Sasuke's eyes and Naruto knew that he should do whatever Sasuke wanted. Slowly, Naruto leaned forward and captured his lips. The light in the restroom was bright and it bounced off the white walls and floors. A sink was dripping and the overhead air-condition was loud. But for a few moments everything seemed quiet. It was as if time stopped.
Naruto's lips moved against his and he sighed when Naruto pulled him closer. A simple embrace, the close contact, and those damn blue-eyes that stared straight at him…this was perfect. A kiss, a simple kiss, that made the earth halt on it's axis. A kiss that turned all the ugliness in the world beautiful.
"Please tell me what's wrong, baby." Naruto whispered against his lips. Sasuke shook his head with a shaky intake of breath. He couldn't tell Naruto. He couldn't do anything! The blond watched distressed as Sasuke looked like he was falling apart. Sasuke was shaking so badly. "It's okay, Sasuke." Naruto repeatedly whispered. "Don't cry," he pleaded as he wiped away a trail of tears.
Sasuke couldn't stop. He couldn't stop the horrible ache in his chest. His throat burned and his vision was blurred. He didn't want to let go. He had thought he could handle it, thought that he could handle reliving this day again. But he couldn't. How could anyone handle losing their soul mate twice in a lifetime?
Naruto continued to embrace him and he didn't let go until the trembling subsided. For a moment he thought Sasuke had fallen asleep but the raven straightened himself out and quietly spoke. "I'm okay now, Naruto." Naruto was going to reply but Sasuke cut him off. "We should go back out there before they give our table away."
"We don't have to. Let's just go home." Naruto said searching Sasuke's face for any kind of sign.
Sasuke wished they could just go home but they couldn't. "I'm okay now. There's no need."
"But-"
"It was hard to get a reservation, right? Let's not waste it."
Naruto frowned and he opened his mouth to object but he knew it would be hopeless. "You're not going to tell me what's wrong, are you?" He asked instead.
Sasuke reached for the door and undid the lock. No reply was given as he walked out the door and Naruto had no choice but to follow.
…
Once they had stepped out of the restroom they were seated at a table. The table location and the waiter were the same as the first time around and Sasuke sat stiffly at his chair knowing that Naruto was staring at him. He ignored Naruto's questioning eyes and opened up the menu. Across the small, square table the raven heard Naruto sigh as he also reached for a menu and opened it.
The waiter came, severing them wine and asking for their orders. Sasuke ordered the exact same meal as last time and he laid the menu off to the side and waited for Naruto to order. But something was wrong. Naruto didn't order the same food as last time.
"What are you doing?" Sasuke blurted out confused. Naruto looked up at him and the waiter, that was in the middle of writing the order down, halted. "That's not what you ordered."
"What?" Naruto questioned.
Sasuke glared. "That's not what you ordered before. This isn't how it went. What are you doing!" Sasuke realized that he was raising his voice and his hands were flat on the table. He probably looked crazy and he silently cussed at himself and sat back down. "Never mind…"
Naruto eyes were narrowed in concern and the waiter finished writing down the order and he left the two lovers alone. "Sasuke," Naruto growled, his frustration having reached its limit. "What do you mean by that? We've never been to this restaurant before."
"Noth-"
"-And don't say it's 'nothing'! Goddamn it, Sasuke, talk to me!"
Sasuke's eyes were fixed on the table cloth. When Naruto got like this, Sasuke knew he couldn't escape. Naruto was persistent, very persistent. Hell, that was how they had gotten together in the first place. Sasuke had to offer some kind of explanation. "I can't tell you." Was the best he could come up with.
Naruto's frown deepened.
"I…It's complicated." Sasuke continued to say. Naruto's lips were set in a tight line and Sasuke knew that Naruto was holding himself back. "Naruto,…"
"Fine, Sasuke." Naruto said with a spark of anger in his voice. "I can understand if you don't want to talk about it here, so how about we talk about it when we get home?"
Sasuke felt his chest constrict at the knowledge that they will never make it home. Not trusting his voice Sasuke only nodded.
Naruto nodded back.
The rest of dinner went smoothly. The tension that was surrounding the table slowly dispersed. They ate and talked about unimportant things. There were a few new topics which they didn't cover the first time around and Sasuke was becoming uneasy.
Naruto had ordered different food and now they were talking about different things? These weren't in the original timeline and Sasuke hoped that it didn't have any ill meaning behind it.
Dessert was next and Sasuke did something that he was avoiding to do but couldn't anymore- He looked at the clock. The large, golden colored clock hanged on the upper wall by the bar and Sasuke felt dread descended on him when he realized that there was less than an hour left.
The cold dessert in front of him was left untouched. Instead he simply stared at the blond as he devoured his sundae like a ten year old boy. "You're not going to eat your dessert?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke shook his head.
"You barely ate, too. Do you not like the food here?"
"The food was fine." The food had actually tasted bland and flavorless. His tongue not registering any taste. He could hardly make himself eat half the platter for fear of getting sick and throwing up.
Naruto didn't say anything and continued to eat as Sasuke continued to stare.
…
Naruto's laughter rang loud and long. Heads turned in their direction and some even hushed them but neither Naruto or Sasuke cared. They made their way toward the exit, drunk on happiness as they recalled old times.
"I will never forget the look on Kiba's face when he opened up that supply closet and saw us there!" Naruto exclaimed.
Sasuke chuckled as they reached the door, he swung it open and they walked out of the restaurant. "How about the time at the teacher's conference?"
Naruto burst out laughing again. Cool wind hit their faces, the sound of traffic filled the air, and the city lights brightened the night sky. "Iruka was blushing for days!"
Sasuke smiled as they made their way down the street and Naruto wrapped an arm around his waist. "Happy anniversary, Sasuke." The blond whispered into his ear.
Sasuke's smile widened and he quickly pushed Naruto into a passing alleyway. "Happy anniversary, Naruto." the raven replied as he pushed the blond against the wall and then proceeded to plant a hard kiss.
Naruto playfully moaned and he kissed back ten-fold. After a moment he pulled back and mumbled. "The car is only parked a block away, you know. Can't wait?" The blond teased. Sasuke could feel the smile against his lips and he pushed Naruto up against the wall with a little more force. "Hey! Who knows how dirty this wall is?"
"I don't think we've done it in a dark alleyway before." Sasuke commented, moving his kisses to the blonds neck.
Naruto grunted, "Unless you call that space between the high school and the gym an alleyway."
Sasuke smirked, "good times."
Naruto laughed but his laughter was cut short when three silhouettes entered the mouth of the alley.
"We found ourselves a couple of fags." The taller of the three said.
Sasuke glared as he stepped away from Naruto. Naruto adjusted his ruffled clothes and also glared.
"Looks like they didn't like to be disturbed" Said another one.
"Maybe we should come back later?" Said the third mockingly.
"What do you guys want?" Sasuke demanded.
The taller of the three stepped forward and in doing so he stepped into a stream of moonlight which made it possible for Sasuke and Naruto to see his face. The man was downright common. 'Ordinary' was the only word to describe him. What was this kind of guy doing in an alleyway? "Empty your pockets." He said, his voice low.
Sasuke scoffed. Is this seriously happing, he thought amused.
"Give us your keys." Said the second guys whose face was still hidden in a blanket of darkness.
"And all of your jewelry." Said the third person whose earrings and eyebrow pierces stood out.
"You guys should leave before I beat the shit out of you." Sasuke warned.
Naruto stood beside him and commented, "I would listen to him if I were you."
The leader of the trio chuckled, "I see…You want to make this difficult…" He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small gun. The metal covering shining in the dim moonlight, alerting them and tensing their bodies. "I didn't want to have to use this…but seeing as you two fags are being so…" The man paused as he tired to find an appropriate word, "uncooperative" was the word he settled on, "it seems I will have to resort to this."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes and Naruto placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder and stepped forward. The blond spoke, his voice light and calm. "Now…guys…I don't think there's any need for that."
"Empty your pockets!" The second thug demanded, stepping forward and within arms length of Naruto.
Sasuke stepped forward in retaliation and the third and final thug pulled out a knife in warning toward the Uchiha. Quickly and without thought, the sight of Sasuke being threatened enough to spur Naruto into action, the blond lifted a hand and slapped the knife away and onto the ground.
The thugs reacted instantly. The violence that exploded was too much for such a small space the alleyway provided. Punches were thrown and careless, forceful wrestling broke out. The glint of the blade was painfully known when it struck Sasuke on the arm, the raven hissing in pain and stepping back.
Naruto, with all his recklessness, rammed forward and pushed all three thugs. One slammed into the wall. The other two fell onto the floor. And then….a shoot was fired. The sound was so booming and deafening and then…all was silent.
For a few seconds nobody breathed and Sasuke watched in horror as Naruto fell onto his knees.
"Naruto…" Sasuke whispered.
The three thugs staggered and stumbled out the alleyway. "All we wanted was your wallets!" One of them screamed. The fear all too real in his voice and wide eyes. "Let's get out of here!"
Sasuke barely heard their retreat… All of his senses focused on the immobile Naruto.
"Naruto…" he whispered again as he moved toward him.
The blond suddenly sagged and Sasuke caught him before he hit the floor. In the mouth of the alleyway a crowd had begun to form and the sound of sirens were distant but clear.
"Naruto…"
The blond tried to reply but blood was already bubbling up his throat and he coughed and choked.
The Uchiha suddenly went numb as he felt the warm stream of blood. The dark pool started on Naruto's chest, where his heart lay, and it dripped between Sasuke's fingers as he rested the blonds' head onto his lap. "Y-You're going to be okay, Naruto…" Sasuke said, the panic that he was feeling reigned in tightly. "You're g-going to be alright…"
Naruto spluttered and blood trickled down his chin. "Damn…" Naruto said, his blue eyes lidded and full of pain. "F-Fucker…that fucker shot m-me…"
"You're going to be fine…"
Naruto shook his head, the energy to do that simple motion was hard to gather. "Sasuke…"
"Stop…You're going to be fine…" Sasuke repeated, his hands that were now covered in blood were shaking and he tried to conceal his fear as he looked into Naruto's eyes.
Naruto coughed and he gripped the front of Sasuke's shirt. "Not t-this time, Sasuke." He said, his voice rough and his grip tight. "…I'm not gonna walk out of t-this one…."
"D-Don't…don't fucking say that!" There was so much blood. Sasuke could feel Naruto trembling and that he was struggling to stay conscious. Every breath that the blond took seemed painful.
"Who knew t-that it would end like t-this…"
"Fuck! Naruto…it's not the end, you f-fucking idiot!"
Naruto chuckled, the sound coming out hoarse and horrible. "Y-You still call me an idiot w-while I'm dying?"
"You're not-"
"Yes, I am." Naruto interrupted. His voice surprisingly strong. "I can feel it, Sasuke."
"No…"
"W-We…" Naruto closed his eyes, his grip on Sasuke's shirt loosening. "We have to…say goodbye…"
Sasuke shook his head quickly. He pulled Naruto closer and silently cursed as the back of his eyes burned and warm trails of tears flowed. "No…"
"Sasuke…"
"No! I'm not going to say goodbye to you, Naruto!" Sasuke paused as he took in a shaky breath. "You're g-going to be fine!"
Naruto coughed as another bubble of blood came up his throat.
"I can't say goodbye…"
Naruto's body started to shake more violently. His blue eyes closed and his grip on Sasuke's shirt was now gone.
"I can't…I won't…"
..And then Naruto was gone.
…
Sasuke placed a hand over Naruto's heart, where the wound was bleeding, and he looked deeply into the pain flooded blue-eyes. "Naruto…"
The blond looked up at him. "W-We…" Naruto started but then closed his eyes, his grip on Sasuke's shirt loosening. "We have to…say goodbye…"
Sasuke took a shaky breath and he cradled Naruto's head close to his chest. "I couldn't say goodbye, Naruto…" He whispered. "I couldn't say it… b-but I think I can say it now…" Naruto's body started to tremble then he subsided into a stillness. Sasuke sobbed. "G…Goodbye,… Naruto."
…
The ambulance arrived and Naruto was announced dead on arrival. The three thugs were arrested some blocks away. They were on foot and easily identified by some witnesses. Sasuke sat lifeless in a chair at the police station and he declined all offers of water and beverages as he stared off into space.
The chair next to him was suddenly occupied and Sasuke turned his blank stare toward Kakashi. The immortal was sitting with his legs crossed and his gaze firm. "Are you ready to go, Sasuke?" He asked in a soft voice.
Sasuke let out a slow, exhausted breath. "I…I finally said it…" Kakashi didn't speak as he watched the many emotions that flooded Sasuke's eyes. "Finally…"
-End-