I Will Always Love You

It was nearing the end of August. The drought that had parched Konoha all Summer was finally ending. The rain had been falling for three days, and while at first it had been a blessing, it was beginning to turn into a nightmare. Floods, sinkholes, and landslides plagued the city. The sun had set an hour ago and the rain still showed no signs of letting up anytime soon. The abandoned parking lot Sasuke was standing in was retaining enough water to reach his calves. He had come to the unused library to be alone. This was always where he went to be alone. He slumped down to his knees, no longer able to hold himself upright. He was soaked anyway, more water wouldn’t hurt him. He looked down and his hands, the bruising was evident even in the dim light of a single distant street lamp, and knew the rest of him must look just as bad. 

He hung his head in defeat. Rain dripped down his face, but he knew that wasn’t the only liquid that was wetting his face. Warm blood and tears mixed with the cold unrelenting force of nature sent to drown him in his pain and sorrow. 

There was nothing left. His family, his future, his friends, his home, everything was gone. His parents had been killed... his brother charged with their murder. With Itachi gone, his family’s company had been handed over to Danzo, and he would take everything. Sasuke still couldn’t wrap his head around it. He felt like he was wading through a foggy dream, a nightmare with no escape. He was lost and he was completely alone. 

Foot steps approached him, though he barely heard them. Everything sounded so far away. His opponent had come to finish him off. Maybe if he was lucky the punch would knock him out and he would drown in this puddle. He already felt like he was drowning, it wouldn’t take much.

“Are you done?” An irritated voice said somewhere above him. He didn’t answer.

“Sasuke...?” Again he didn’t answer. There was soft thud and a splash as Naruto got to his knees beside him. “Hey!” He shouted at Sasuke, reaching forward he grabbed the other boy by the shoulders and shook him roughly, “snap out of it, Sasuke!” Sasuke still didn’t respond. He wished Naruto would just go away. Leave him to his fate. Yes, he was done. He had no energy left to fight. Nothing left to fight for, not even his own life. He wanted to die here, in this puddle, in the pouring rain, surrounded by darkness and cold. This was were he belonged.

Naruto had come to see him after hearing the news of his family. He knew he would find Sasuke here, he always did. Naruto had come here periodically throughout the past two years to try and convince Sasuke that they were still friends, and that he didn’t need to push him out of his life. But Naruto was wrong. In order to become a prominent member of the Uchiha family and a successful business partners, he must let go of his weaknesses. Naruto was a weakness. Itachi had told him so. But Itachi was gone now.  No. He, Sasuke, was the weakness. He was alone now and should be forgotten. 

“Sasuke...” He was pulled to the side against Naruto’s chest. Strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him closer. When had he started sobbing so hard? Why couldn’t he stop? Turning his head to bury his face against Naruto’s shoulder, he clung to the younger boy, and cried harder. Naruto said nothing. He just held him. His body seemed to block out the cold. 

He wasn’t sure how long they sat there in cold water, but at least he’d managed to stop crying. He felt empty now. Empty and pathetic. He didn’t have a grip on anything, not his future, not his present, definitely not his emotions... anything except Naruto. He realized he was still clutching the boy and released him immediately, sitting up. 

“Hn.” Naruto responded. Sasuke couldn’t feel his legs, and doubted Naruto could either, but the blond struggled to his own feet anyway, and then did something else Sasuke did not expect . He stepped over to Sasuke and, looking down at him, held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s get going.” His voice was soft and reassuring, to Sasuke’s surprise. Not angry, not condescending. He wasn’t making fun of Sasuke for his behavior, or for his emotions. No, Naruto had never done anything of the sort. He’d only ever just been there for Sasuke, and no matter what he had done to him in return, Naruto was still there. Sasuke looked up at him. He had called Naruto so many terrible things, had pushed him away, and punched him every time he’d come back... even tonight, punching the other boy had been Sasuke’s first reaction when he’d shown up tonight to offer comfort and friendship when Sasuke needed it most... and he was still here. Naruto should hate him for everything he’d done... but he didn’t. He just stood there staring at him with kindness in his eyes, hand outstretched, offering to pull him out of the cold and darkness. Sasuke reached up and took his hand.