Chapter 21: The Truth
Disclaimer: Truth is? I did not create Naruto – but there is one who did
Previously on Road to Redemption (since it's been a hot minute): They are on the second day of the second part of the Chūnin exams. They fought Orochimaru, and got saved by a mysterious person! And then while Naruto was still passed out, they ran into Taki genin! After defeating the Taki team once again, Sasuke proposes a deal! But more importantly, is Naruto from Sasuke's timeline? Is he not? Will we ever know… The Truth?
Hint: Read and find out.
"Let's propose a deal."
Sasuke frowned at the memory, adjusting Naruto on his back. Why did I do that? Why ask these random genin for help? At the time, it seemed like the best option. Orochimaru was still out there – he didn't lose interest that easily – and the exams were unpredictable.
But those genin are probably too weak to be useful, Sasuke frowned. I probably could have just stolen their scrolls… again. Less competition. Less to worry about.
Sasuke thought he heard Naruto groan, and for the umpteenth time that day Sasuke wanted to wake the dobe up and demand answers. Is he reallyfrom my time? Or am I overthinking it? Can—
"Sasuke-kun." Sakura said, interrupting his thoughts.
"What?" Sasuke asked, casting a glance at her.
She wasn't quite looking at him, and had a carefully guarded expression.
"How…" Sakura trailed off, and remained silent for another minute or two. Finally, she said, "I am about to ask you a question, and I would appreciate it if you didn't dismiss me. Or lie to me."
Sasuke didn't respond, but he did look at her again. If she asks me why I proposed a deal with those genin… What do I even say? Even I know it was a stupid idea.
"How did you know that man? That… creepy man who tried to kill us." Sakura asked.
Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed in surprise before he could stop it, and he just barely had enough self-control to prevent the utter shock he felt from showing.
"Why do you want to know?" Sasuke asked instead.
"Because I saw the way you looked at him, Sasuke-kun. He wasn't some random, scary, opponent. You knew him. And the way you fought him was too… It was like watching you fight Naruto. Or Kakashi-sensei. You countered his attacks too perfectly."
After three years, Sasuke hoped he could predict Orochimaru's attacks. Although the old snake usually used his several hundred pawns to train Sasuke, the Sannin would occasionally fight against Sasuke directly. Even without his arms, the man was deadly.
I just didn't think that it would be noticed by someone. And of course, it would be her to notice. It's always Sakura.
Sakura continued, "You're good, but you're not that good. Not against someone like that. Not unless you knew his fighting style already."
How does this woman always see these things? How do I even refute her claim unless I… Except I can't. I can't just… tell her the truth.
Can I?
Sasuke almost laughed at the notion, but instead kept his face impassive. Even she couldn't see what he was thinking if he shut down every facial expression before it appeared.
"He… Is… one of the three Sannin. I read about him in a book my mother gave me." Sasuke lied.
"Seriously?" Sakura asked, disbelief coloring her tone.
"Does it matter?" Sasuke shot back.
Sakura jumped ahead of Sasuke and turned around to face him. Sasuke stopped on the branch he landed on and adjusted Naruto on his shoulder. Sakura, meanwhile, gripped her arms and gave Sasuke a near desperate, concerned look.
"Yes, it does matter. That man said he needed you, Sasuke-kun. He doesn't just want you, but needs you. And, and if you know him then…" Sakura bit her lip.
"Sasuke-kun, are you okay? Did he… did he do something to you before? Is he finishing something he started years before? Does Hokage-sama know about this?"
"Did someth—No! Sakura, no." Sasuke shook his head at last – what is she even thinking? "No. I don't know him. Not really. Just his fighting style."
"Okay." Sakura said, but he could tell she didn't believe him. "But I do have to ask: if he's after you, why are you still here? I was expecting to wake up with you gone, Sasuke-kun. Why didn't he just take you?"
Sasuke looked away; he had been avoiding asking the very same question ever since he woke up. Because if Orochimaru didn't mark him, then that could only mean one of two things.
Either someone stopped Orochimaru – and there were few who had the power to stop a Sannin. And of those few, even fewer would go out of their way to do so. And of those? Only one that Sasuke could think of being able to get away without leaving a trace.
But that's impossible. He doesn't even know I know the truth, so obviously he wouldn't be here. So, option number two would be…
Orochimaru no longer needed him. And if that were true… who would he choose? And what would that mean?
"Because he likes to play games." Sasuke told her at last, suppressing a shudder.
Sakura raised an eyebrow and snorted.
"Read that in your mom's book?" Sakura asked dryly.
Sasuke gave her an unamused look, and sighed. "Look, he wants to… He told me he would give me a gift, and that I would seek him."
Unless he really did give up on me for some reason.
Sakura furrowed her eyebrows, and then shook her head.
"Did he tell you that before or after you tried to give yourself up to him?" Sakura asked, hands on her hips.
So, she still hasn't let that go, has she? Sasuke opened his mouth to speak.
"Teme did what now?" A tired voice asked at the same exact moment.
Sakura blinked at Sasuke in surprise. Then she looked at Naruto and saw him glaring up at Sasuke even as he hung on Sasuke's shoulder.
Sasuke promptly dropped Naruto on the branch he stood on.
"About time you woke up, dobe." Sasuke said, hoping they would both forget about the topic.
"Oh, no." Naruto said, rising to his feet, finger raised. "Don't you 'dobe' me, teme! What did Sakura-chan just say? You were about to give yourself up to that freak?"
A strangled sigh escaped Sasuke's throat.
"We don't have time for this." Sasuke said, and he started to leap forward. Now that he's awake, we can all get to safety and then I can get the—
Suddenly something yanked Sasuke back, and he nearly fell off the branch. Sasuke glared at Naruto, who had grabbed his arm.
"Make time." Naruto growled. "Are you stupid? Why would you just give up? Did you actually give up?"
"Why do you think?" Sasuke growled back. To protect Sakura and your sorry butt.
Wasn't it obvious?
Naruto's eyes narrowed, and he shoved Sasuke away – who, once again, only stayed on the branch because chakra gripped the bark beneath him. Betrayal and anger washed through Naruto's eyes.
"You did it for power, didn't you?" Naruto accused, jumping away from Sasuke to an adjacent branch.
Sasuke's nostrils immediately flared, and he clenched his fists.
"And what if I did?" Sasuke snarled, crossing his arms. "What if I did, huh?"
Naruto's eyes widened, and his lip curled in disgust.
"That is so like you!" Naruto exclaimed.
"You would know, right? You just know everything don't you?" Sasuke said, lowering his voice.
Naruto flinched, and Sasuke felt a grim sort of satisfaction.
"Stop it!" Sakura yelled. "Both of you! What is with you guys?"
Naruto glanced back at Sakura, who looked both bewildered and irritated. Sasuke looked away from them, and stared off into the forest.
Sasuke heard Naruto trying to protest – and although he wasn't looking at them, Sasuke knew Sakura was undoubtedly glaring at Naruto.
Evidently, she won, because Naruto huffed loudly in annoyance.
"Okay, fine. So, what happened while I was out?" Naruto asked, his tone still not very happy.
"Honestly, too much." Sakura said. "Look, we can talk later. Now that you're awake, we need to pick up the pace so we can let someone know about that man. This… Sannin."
Sasuke could feel Naruto looking at him, but he kept his gaze fixed on a tree – if he looked at Naruto right then, he wasn't sure he could maintain his composure.
"Alright then." Naruto said. "Let's go."
Yes, Sasuke thought as he started to leap from tree to tree. Let's go so I can finally get the truth of why I'm stuck in this time-loop.
"You saw what, now?" Iruka asked, his face becoming several shades paler.
"I just told you. A tall, pale, creepy man that uses snake summoning, could pull a sword out of his mouth, and is apparently one of the three Sannin." Sakura responded, and shot an apologetic look at Sasuke. "He's after Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke frowned at the unnecessary bit of information, but Iruka only stared harder at the three genin. Please let this go quickly. Please let this go quickly.
"And you three fought him. Alone. Without help." Iruka said, swaying a little on his feet.
Sasuke almost sighed. Nope. Not quickly. Why does Sakura have to question everything? Why?
"Erm, yeah." Naruto said, shrugging.
Just hurry up with this so I can get the truth from Naruto¸ Sasuke thought with his arms crossed.
Iruka leaned against the wall behind him, and raised his eyes in reverent prayer.
"Iruka-sensei… Who… is he?" Sakura asked. "Who are the Sannin?"
Let it go already, Sasuke silently pleaded. Unfortunately, her words snapped Iruka back into attention, and he forced a smile on his face.
"No one you need to be concerned about." Iruka told her in a reassuring voice as he stepped forward. "I'm sure you… you saw wrong. That's all. Yeah, that's…"
Sasuke almost scoffed at the man's lack of certainty.
"But sir, he seemed pretty intent on getting to Sasuke-kun." Sakura pressed. "And he didn't seem the type to—"
"Chūnin are at the rank of military captains," Iruka interrupted. "You have the responsibility of guiding a team. You need to have knowledge, stamina, and inner wisdom to successfully complete your duties."
"How is that relevant?" Sakura asked, her forwardness surprising Sasuke somewhat.
Iruka set his face, the anxiousness replaced by a seriousness Sasuke wasn't used to seeing on the teacher.
"Part of being a leader and having that inner wisdom is knowing when to press and when to back off. When to search, and when to stop searching. Leave this intruder to us. Don't look into him. And don't tell anyone else – I will personally see to it that the right people know."
Sounds great.
"But…" Sakura protested.
"I promise you that we will handle this. This intruder is no one you three need to worry about." Iruka said, his voice firm. "You have three days before the second exam officially ends, so rest. All of you."
Sasuke could see Sakura about to protest again, so he stepped forward.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei." Sasuke said, giving a slightly polite bow.
Sakura gave Sasuke an incredulous look, but he ignored it. Iruka also looked surprised, but a warm smile slowly replaced the surprise.
"I think you three are going to go far – farther than me! But this third and final test… Don't push yourselves too hard." Iruka said, his eyes straying over to where Naruto stood.
And he's still talking. Why is he still talking?
"Hey, hey!" Naruto protested, causing a spike of irritation inside Sasuke. "There's no need to worry! We aren't academy students anymore – we're ninja, you know!"
Yes, but for how long have you been a ninja, I wonder. Sasuke suppressed the sigh, and clenched his fist.
Iruka chuckled. "You're right, Naruto. I'm sorry. Well in any case, you three passed! Go ahead and relax for the next few days: you've earned it!"
Naruto jumped at Iruka, and Sasuke started towards the door. He didn't need to witness Naruto's obnoxious display of affection towards their former sensei.
Sakura followed Sasuke out the door – which led them to a large opening with a pair of hands greeting them. The room where the preliminaries were to take place.
I actually made it this far. For the first time since my original timeline, I've finally made it. And it made Sasuke feel…
Empty.
"Allow me to escort you to your room!" Iruka exclaimed from behind. "It's the least that I can do."
"Aw, Iruka-sensei, you don't have to." Naruto said, but Sasuke could hear the smile.
Sasuke suppressed the groan. Endure. You've been through worse hell than this. Patience is the virtue of a ninja. Patience is the virtue of a ninja.
And so, Iruka led them through the sparring room, and down a long corridor, chatting mostly with Naruto. Sakura remained strangely quiet during the trip. Finally, they reached a room towards the end, and Iruka beamed at them.
"This one is the best one! Totally sound-proof, so it's a great place for you guys to recuperate and talk strategy without fear of being overheard. Why don't you guys go on in?"
Finally.
The trio made for the door, but Iruka stopped Naruto. Naruto looked up at Iruka with a confused look, but the man only smiled.
"Naruto, just wait out here with me for a moment."
Sasuke could have strangled Iruka right then and there, but instead chose to go inside with Sakura closely following behind.
Inside, the room had three beds and a connected bathroom, as well as extensive medical supplies on the shelves set in the stone walls.
It reminds me of Orochimaru's lairs, Sasuke couldn't help but think as the door shut behind him.
"Sasuke-kun, who was the Sannin? You didn't tell me his name."
She wastes no time, does she?
"Why?" Sasuke asked instead, turning away from Sakura and towards the door, waiting for Naruto to appear.
"Uh, maybe because I'm going to go look into him? Look, maybe I can do research and find out—"
"You can't." Sasuke interrupted, keeping his gaze fixed on the door.
Dang it Iruka, what is taking you so long? I need to know the truth, and I can't get it if you're keeping the idiot out there with you.
"Hey, don't interrupt me." Sakura snapped. Then, she grumbled something that Sasuke believed might have been, "I cannot believe I used to think you were perfect."
Sasuke sighed, and turned to look at his annoying teammate. Her hands were, predictably, on her hips, and her mouth set in a determined frown.
"Sakura, whatever you think you can do, just don't," he said, looking directly in her eyes. "That guy cannot be figured out. That guy cannot be won against – not by a genin at any rate. Drop it."
You will get yourself killed, Sasuke didn't say out loud. Sakura, however, didn't seem to catch the hidden message because she stepped closer, and lowered her voice.
"But he is coming back for you, right?" Sakura insisted. "Sasuke-kun, why are you not more worried about this? Do you want to be kidnapped? Is that it?"
"Why do you have to be so concerned?" Sasuke hissed back without thinking.
Sakura immediately backed up, hurt.
Crap.
"Wait, no." Sasuke said with a sigh. "I didn't mean it like that."
Sakura raised an eyebrow, and crossed her arms. "What aren't you telling me?"
That I have potentially bigger issues than Orochimaru. That Naruto may be hiding something from me. That he might actually know the truth of why I am stuck in the past. That I'm stuck in the past. The truth is just a little bit more pressing than Orochimaru right now.
Besides, If Orochimaru comes back to take me, it'll be fine because I know he won't want to kill me yet – he's not due for a new body and he likes them a little bit older, anyway. And… Honestly?
I can always reset the timeline with a kunai, anyway.
Sakura stared at him expectantly.
Of course, I can't actually tell her any of this. But she isn't going to let this go, either.
"I'll be fine." Sasuke said at last. "Quit worrying."
"About what?"
Naruto stalked through the door and shut it behind him. He slouched next to Sakura, and Sasuke unconsciously took a step back.
"The Sannin." Sakura replied. "This guy has to still be after Sasuke-kun."
"Yeah, that slimy bas—"
"Wait Naruto, when did you get shoes?" Sakura interrupted. "How did I miss that too?"
Naruto grinned, and held up a foot which did indeed have a new-looking ninja sandal.
"Iruka-sensei just gave them to me! He lectured me on keeping my feet protected or something, disappeared, and then reappeared a moment later with these!"
Typical, Sasuke couldn't help but think. But he shoved away what might have been jealousy, and turned to face Naruto directly.
"Naruto. I need a word."
Naruto's jaw set, but he nodded.
Finally, Sasuke thought, about to take a step forward.
"About what?" Sakura asked, stepping in between them.
A growl escaped from deep within Sasuke's throat, and his hand clenched. Oh no, not even you can get in my way this time.
"Sakura, don't—" Sasuke began in a warning tone, raising his hand to ward her off.
"No!" Sakura interrupted, shoving his hand aside. "Do you two know something I don't? How is this creepy man after Sasuke-kun not a priority?"
"It is." Naruto agreed slowly. "But we gotta talk about other things, too."
Sakura whipped her head back towards Naruto, and pointed an accusatory finger at him.
"Then you two do know something; I knew it." Sakura said with a humorless snort. "What am I missing?"
Don't say nothing, don't say nothing, don't say nothing, Sasuke silently told Naruto.
"Nothing!" Naruto exclaimed brightly.
And there goes any chance of this conversation being over.
"Quit lying to me!" Sakura yelled, throwing her hands out.
But rather than angry, she looked hurt. She backed away a few steps, not looking at either of them, and closed her eyes. Sakura rubbed her forehead, and sighed. When her eyes opened again, the hurt had been hidden away.
"Look. This whole time you two have acted like you know something I don't." She put a hand to the base of her neck. "I ignored it, against my better judgment, but back in the forest… I wondered… And just now, you guys confirmed it."
Sakura's eyes shined, and she gripped her arms tightly.
"What aren't you guys telling me?" She asked.
"Nothinggggg? Uhhh, um I mean, what do you want to know?" Naruto asked, trying in vain to pacify Sakura's glare.
"The truth, Naruto." Sakura said, sounding exasperated. "First, it was how you two acted like seasoned veterans. Then, you guys walked around the village in Waves as though you had been there before and fought Zabuza's kid like you knew him."
Sasuke nearly flinched – he hadn't even thought about covering up the fact that he knew his way around the dingy little town. Hadn't thought about how knowing all of Haku's tricks would impact the way he fought him. And she noticed?
"And then earlier, Sasuke-kun not only didn't react to your red chakra, it seemed he expected it – he was more surprised you befriended the ky- Kurama, than you hosting him." Sakura continued, her eyes darting back and forth between her teammates.
"Wait, how awake were you during that conversation?" Naruto asked.
"And you, Naruto, didn't even seem surprised that the creepy Sannin showed up or that he was after Sasuke-kun." Sakura continued as though Naruto hadn't spoken. "You even accused Sasuke-kun of wanting power from him – How the heckwould that thought naturally come to your mind?"
She paused to give Naruto a hard look, and he blanched under her glare.
"And now neither of you appear to be concerned that Sasuke-kun, our teammate, our brother, has a psychotic creep after him, and want to go talk amongst yourselves like a couple of academy girls!" Sakura said, throwing her hands up in the air.
Sakura paused to regain her breath.
"Tell me, please. What. Am. I. Missing?"
Silence filled the room, even as thoughts filled Sasuke's head. Potential lies rose and fell like waves – Sakura's too smart. She won't fall for these. She already doesn't believe my lie about Orochimaru, but if I dismiss her completely it'll be the Land of the Waves all over again.
Sasuke remembered her cold words and demeanor. He could see her cold eyes, filled with contempt in a way he had never seen it back in his original timeline.
I… I can't… I can't deal with that again.
"Sakura-chan, it really is nothing." Naruto said softly.
Sakura opened her mouth, and then shut it again. A bitter smile, which didn't suit her, flitted onto her face.
"Oh, so I'm just being too emotional about the situation again, is that it?" She asked, hugging her arms tightly around her.
Pain with a hint of mocking laced her tone.
Being too emotional about the situation… again? What is she talking about? But Naruto seemed to understand, because his eyes widened in guilt.
Naruto opened his mouth, and shut it again. His mouth twisted and twitched, and he clenched his fists. Naruto looked down, and Sasuke wondered if the great hero would be able to get himself out of this one.
Content with watching Naruto squirm, Sasuke remained silent.
Then Sasuke's eyes found Sakura's face, and his mouth started moving on its own.
"Sakura."
She flicked her eyes back at him, a hesitant hope in her eyes. A hope that, if deferred, would make her heart sick. The kind of sickness that would chase away the light in her eyes, and her trust in her team.
And that would destroy her.
"When the time comes, I will explain." Sasuke found himself saying. "Until then, I am asking you to drop this. I need a word with Naruto. Alone."
Sakura narrowed her eyes – but the hope did not fade. "Do you promise?"
Itachi flashed through Sasuke's mind – remembering every empty promise he made. But he nodded, and Sasuke thought he might get sick.
Sakura stared at him with her brow slightly furrowed. Then, she nodded.
"I trust you," she said.
The pit in Sasuke's stomach immediately widened and churned, and he wondered if Itachi had ever felt like this.
Sakura turned to the door. "I'm… I'm going for a walk. I'll be back in two hours."
They stared at her as she slowly opened the door, and waited for her to exit and close the door. The moment it shut, Naruto whirled to face Sasuke.
"Why did you give in to that creep?" Naruto demanded.
"This again?" Sasuke scoffed. "For power, obviously."
Naruto flinched at the venom in Sasuke's voice. The storm that had been brewing in his blue eyes seemed to still, replaced with confusion.
"Now, explain." Sasuke said.
"So, it wasn't for power." Naruto said, disregarding Sasuke's demand.
"Dammit Naruto, would you focus?"
"Then why did you surrender?" Naruto asked.
"Explain first." Sasuke said, clenching his fist.
"Explain what exactly?" Naruto asked, looking confused.
"The truth." Sasuke said, his voice low. "Tell me the truth."
"About what?" Naruto asked, his voice raising, and he looked away. "First Sakura, and now—"
Sasuke's fist crashed into Naruto's jaw, and Naruto slammed into the door, just barely missing the handle.
"Do not insult me." Sasuke growled, and ran forward to take another shot at Naruto.
Naruto ducked, and swept his leg out from underneath him. Sasuke, however, jumped up and threw kunai at him.
Naruto disappeared, and pain erupted in Sasuke's back. Sasuke landed hard on his hands, and flipped back up onto one of the beds. Sasuke faced Naruto, who stood below. Sasuke raised another kunai threateningly.
Your choice, Sasuke told him silently.
"Okay! I get it!" Naruto exclaimed.
Sasuke's breath caught in his lungs – Wait. He's actually admitting it?
Naruto rubbed his hair, and then sat down cross-legged on the hard floor. Naruto's lips began moving, but with no apparent sound, so Sasuke crouched down on the bed to hear better.
"Speak up." Sasuke commanded.
Then, quietly – still almost too quietly for Sasuke to hear – Naruto finally whispered, "We went back in time. Happy?"
So, he does know.
Sasuke's legs gave out from underneath him, and he collapsed onto the bed. Naruto tried to hide his snort; Sasuke shot him a glare as he slid off the bed and stood in front of Naruto. He scowled further down at Naruto, refusing to even get on the same level as the dobe.
Naruto does know I killed her.
"How?" Sasuke demanded, his heart beating wildly.
This whole time.
"I… Uh…" Naruto started, and looked around. "Oh, whatever, it's fine. Fine! Okay, Ero-Sannin left me a lot of things when he…"
Naruto trailed off, and looked down.
"Get to the point." Sasuke pressed mercilessly, crossing his arms.
"Time travel jutsu scroll."
So, this whole time he knew, and he said nothing. How could he have just…
Wait.
And a time travel jutsu scroll?
An actual time travel jutsu scroll. Those things actually exist? And, Naruto of all people got to use it? Naruto has access to it? Naruto is the reason I keep going back in time? Not my death? To go back and erase time and—
Go back in time.
On purpose.
To a specific time?
"How does it work?" Sasuke asked nonchalantly, sitting down across from Naruto.
Can we go back farther in time? Can we go back in time whenever we please? Can we go back now?
Naruto shifted uncomfortably. "Well, we – me and Kurama – combine our chakra, and I, uh… Summon? The past?"
"How?" Sasuke urged.
My family. Could we save my family?
"I uh, well, I don't really understand how it works. I kinda just follow the directions and—"
"Can you choose where you go back in time to?" Sasuke interrupted. "Can you pick any moment in history?"
"Uh, no. No, I can't."
Sasuke pressed his mouth together.
Then, at the risk of sounding desperate, he asked, "Have you tried?"
"Kind of?" Naruto said. "After the first time, I tried to… Um, go to another point in time. But when I woke up, the day had started over again."
"To Team Assignments Day." Sasuke said, his heart growing cold.
Naruto nodded.
Of course. Well… dying hopes are nothing new for me. I… didn't think it was possible, anyway. But his heart ached in a way that he didn't think was possible anymore.
"Why did I get dragged with you?" Sasuke asked.
"That is, uh, you know, because, um… Bonds between brothers?" Naruto finished lamely.
Sasuke stared at Naruto, and Naruto stared back.
"You have no idea."
"I have no idea." Naruto confirmed.
Sasuke frowned, and clenched his fists. "That's it? That's all the information you have? There's no reason for me to go back? Just to screw with me?"
Naruto quickly shook his head.
"Hey! Hey, no, not to screw with you! The whole reason I even did this in the first place was to save you, y'know."
Sasuke felt his face twitch.
"Save me? Save me?" Sasuke asked, an unpleasant laugh erupting out of him. Standing up and stepping away from Naruto, he said, "Idiot Naruto. Foolish Naruto. You cannot be serious."
"Um, Sasuke…?" Naruto said, sounding uncertain as he rose to his feet.
"I killed Sakura. Remember that?" Sasuke hissed, and Naruto flinched. "Save her."
Naruto crossed his arms, and shook his head.
"You really don't get it, do you." Naruto said flatly.
"Get what?" Sasuke demanded, spreading his hands out.
"She loves you. She has always loved you. She will always love you."
Although he hadn't meant it as a weapon, each word pierced Sasuke's soul.
"Look; you know her. If I went back a few minutes, or even a few hours, she would just go and—" Naruto let out a wistful laugh. "She would do the exact same, stupid thing."
"Exactly. I killed Sakura. I murdered Sakura. Do you not understand that?" Sasuke asked, grabbing the front of Naruto's t-shirt, and dragged him forward.
"I took my sword," Sasuke said, and shoved two fingers into Naruto's chest. "And ran it through her heart. I took my sword, and ended her life. Hate me. Kill me. Don't try and save me!"
Sasuke pushed Naruto away in disgust. Ridiculous. Ridiculous. Save Sasuke? No, there are others far worthier saving than he. As if such a notion could be entertained. As if Sasuke could be saved. He shouldn't – no, couldn't be saved.
There were others that Naruto can go and save, and redeem, and help, but why is that dobe looking at me like that?
A sorrow deeper than words filled Naruto's eyes. Brother, he seemed to say.
"If I was gonna hate you, don't you think I would have said something by now?" Naruto chuckled a little, stepping towards him.
Sasuke shook his head, stepped away from Naruto, and crossed his arms.
"You're a fool." Sasuke scoffed.
"Sure am!" Naruto agreed, taking another step forward. "But, we are family, and family doesn't just abandon each other, y'know."
"Tell that to—" Sasuke bit his tongue and looked away.
Taking a second to recompose himself, Sasuke took a breath.
"I killed you, too. Remember?" Naruto asked, his voice soft.
The words drew Sasuke's eyes back to Naruto. Guilt filled his blue eyes, but he strode over to Sasuke, and tapped his fist to Sasuke's chest.
"Took my rasengan," Naruto said, his voice hoarse. "And I tore apart your heart. There was hardly a body left of you by the time I finished." His voice shook as he pulled his fist away.
"And it was then that I understood why you did it."
"Did what?" Sasuke spat and took another step back, and the back of his leg hit the bed frame. "Killed Sakura?"
"No." Naruto shook his head, his eyes shiny with unshed tears. "Why you let me kill you."
Sasuke remembered that day. His sword still wet with her blood. Sakura's blood. Her body, cast aside in the grass. Kakashi had frozen, his eyes as dead as Sakura's although breath still flowed in him.
And then came Naruto. Naruto his teammate. Naruto his best friend. Naruto his brother. Naruto his enemy. Naruto.
The one he knew who could end it all.
"What are you talking about?" Sasuke muttered and crossed his arms.
"Sasuke, I've fought you before. I know when you want to win." Naruto said, and he took another step forward so that he was an armlength away. "You didn't want victory."
Naruto paused.
"You wanted death."
Sasuke scoffed, but Naruto knew all about Sasuke's scoffs – what they said. And didn't say.
"You know it's true." Naruto said, spreading his hands out.
"So you went back in time, to alleviate your guilty conscience." Sasuke mocked.
"No." Naruto rolled his eyes. "Weren't you listening? It was to save you. And people think I'm the idiot."
Sasuke scowled.
"So, you just, what. Forgive me?"
"Yep." Naruto said with a nod.
"What if I kill her again, would you forgive me then, too?" Sasuke snarled.
"Don't be stupid." Naruto said, waving Sasuke off. "You would protect her from a moth flying at her. You aren't about to kill her."
Sasuke frowned; he would not try to protect her from a harmless moth. He would kill a poisonous moth, sure – but only if she couldn't do it herself for whatever reason.
"Okay fine." Sasuke sneered. "But you forgiving me doesn't change what I did to her."
"So what?" Naruto snorted. "I'm not saying it was okay. I'm not okay with what you did. I mean, I literally killed you when I saw… But I also know that she would want you to live. She wouldn't want you walking around with this cloud over your head."
"I do not—"
"You have a cloud. A dark, depressing, creepy cloud. Everyone sees it." Naruto said, waving his hand dismissively. "Look, here's the truth: I forgave you."
Naruto paused, and then a wicked grin stretched across his mouth. Lowering his voice to imitate Kakashi, Naruto said, "What you did has been undone."
Sasuke rolled his eyes – that was something Kakashi would say.
"Here's the deal. Sakura still lives. Sakura still breathes. Sometimes with fire, but y'know. Alive."
Sasuke stared at Naruto. He's not… wrong. But…
That's it?
Just like that.
Forgiven.
Seriously?
Sasuke shook his head. "No. I don't buy it. It doesn't make any sense."
Naruto groaned in frustration, and grabbed Sasuke's shoulders.
"Sasuke, how many times do I gotta tell you? It don't matter if you buy it, or whatever." Naruto tapped his knuckles on Sasuke's forehead, and then gently shoved Sasuke's face back. "I already made up my mind, so just go with it already."
Sasuke frowned slightly and rubbed his forehead – feeling strangely nostalgic. Naruto grinned back at Sasuke, and held out his fist.
Sasuke knew what Naruto wanted – he wanted a fist bump. Rolling his eyes – really, how childish – Sasuke shoved Naruto's fist away. Which Naruto seemed to find acceptable, and continued grinning like an idiot.
Can I really just… accept this?
I… I don't…
Yet, as Naruto gazed at him with the eyes of someone who knew everything Sasuke had done, he wondered if maybe… Just maybe… If someone like Naruto, who knew everything, could forgive him…
Maybe…
Just maybe.
It was possible.