Sasuke observed the sleeping mage on the bed, his naked chest rose and fell softly. The emotions of what had transpired last night were still raw, he felt everything and nothing at once, there was a sense of neverending happiness but also dread of this ever coming to an end due to the fragility of mortal life.

Naruto had uttered the words of i love you but he had not responded, he didn't have to because the blonde already knew but añso because what he felt in his very core was probably much bigger than what human words could express.

The mage stirred, he grimaced a little when he moved his leg; the eternal reminder of how he would give his life for his god companion. There was a knock on the door getting Sasuke out of his train of thought, the door connected to his old home had a particular light to it letting them know there was a visitor on the other side, he knelt down by the bedside and with a soft kiss he woke the mortal man.

"time to work" - he whispered, Naruto smiled, he stood and got himself ready for another day at the village. After taking some time to heal his injury Naruto had returned to his duties, he would receive visitors seeking his expertise in the arts of magic, other times, sick villagers would arrive seeking his healing touch or potions, their faith in his abilities a beacon of light in the neighboring towns as well.

As Naruto ventured into the town after attending some people in search, his ears caught snippets of conversation among the bustling crowds. Amidst the chatter of merchants and the noise of the market, a hushed murmuring caught his attention.

A man spoke of a sand demon that had descended on a nearby village, leaving destruction in its wake. Determined to aid the people in need, Naruto approached the merchant, seeking more information about the reported attacks, the merchant confirmed the rumors, detailing the devastation brought by the demon and the desperate pleas for help. "You must help them young Naruto, it has to be you" - the woman cried in horror. "There's no stronger mage than our boy here" - the man praised. Naruto shook his head with a shy smile.

Naruto returned to the temple, his thoughts consumed by the demond. With a heavy heart, he sought comfort in the arms of Sasuke. He told the god everything he had heard and his desire to help. "I wish you could stay... your leg..." - Naruto's eyes turned sad.

"I might not be able to move as fast as i used to but I'll be ok"

"Always so optimistic" - Sasuke made fun.

"I need to do something, accompany me" - he reached out for the pale hand. Ascending to a place high above the forest, Naruto found himself bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. As Naruto stood atop a cliff, the moon and stars casting their silvery glow upon him, he closed his eyes and began to recite a spell.

"My spirit, transcend through the realms of reality and divine. Guide my soul through the cosmos and let me see what is hidden to my mortal eyes" Naruto felt his consciousness leave his body, his spirit soared, not bound anymore by the constraints of time nor space, until he arrived at the place where the sand demon of sand was.

There, amidst swirling sands and broken walls, Naruto beheld the vessel of the demon—a man, not much younger than himself, red eyes and hair and pale skin. "Gaara" the spirits whispered in his ear. As the man's tear-streaked face turned towards him he felt all his suffering, desperation and anguish wash over him. The spirits mocked the red head, they showed him memories of his mother being killed and mutilated right in front of him, he saw the child being kicked, burn, and tortured, forced to take the sand demon to protect the people he had now killed. The memories were so painful and he felt them so vividly as if he was that child.

Naruto screamed, placing a hand over his aching heart, as he was hit with all those emotions, they hurt so much. With a pained scream his soul came back to his body. Naruto's eyes rolled back and he fell on his knees, Sasuke rushed to his side before he completely passed out.

He was still at the cliff when he woke up, his head was resting on Sasuke's lap and the pale hands were gently stroking his golden locks. He noticed the dry trail his tears had left over his cheeks.

"he's hurting so much" - Naruto whispered, hiding his face by cuddling onto the raven's legs. "I can't leave him alone, I need to help him"

"I'm sure it will all go well" - They remained like that for a while, Naruto cried until all the vessel's emotions had left his body. After he was more calm, Sasuke helped him up, and they made their way back home in silence.

Sasuke and Naruto embraced each other that night, the unspoken sadness of the departure fell heavy over them. Sasuke knew the powerful mage would be fine but he still harbored that fear of losing him in his heart.