Dreams

"Don't mind me. Just doin' my d'ing. D'ee you in da D'eater." Deaf Guy- Family Guy


Sorry. Just had to add that. This is the last chapter... Hope your not too watery-eyed to read it. It's a long one...


Chapter Five: Closures and Beginings

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They found Sasuke later that day in his livingroom. Rather, not Sasuke himself, but his body. It seems he died of chakra expulsion. Laying on his side as if he were sleeping on the floor, hand clutched around a crumpled picture. His face, was not at ease. It did not look as if he were sleeping, or resting his tired eyes. He did not look peaceful and happy. No. He did not look it at all. His eyes were half open. Dry, clouded eyes peered at nothing, the whites were pink and veined. His face was flushed with death, lips cold and blue with Shinigami's kiss. His body was frozen in mortem. Upon further inspection, one could see that a once permanent tattoo was gone, the curse had been removed.

Sakura felt tears brimming in her eyes. She knew this would happen, they all knew. That was why they allowed Sasuke to live in this sort of bliss. Shikamaru, usually a stoic and irratable ninja, stood with shaking sholders of defeat. He had broken Naruto's last dying words to keep Sasuke happy, his own promise still hung in his mind. It was like Naruto knew what would take place when his spirit left this world.

Nobody could be brought to care about his death. That is, nobody who didn't fight along with him in their younger years. Nobody who sat with him at some point, ate with him, and was raised with him inside the academy walls. Fewer were present at his funeral than the Hokage's, but that was expected. Here, ontop of a green hill behind the Uchiha complex, the last redeemable Uchiha was laid to rest. Within, the markers and simple stones that were layed by a 6 year old Sasuke, sat a simple black stone within the sea of white marble. Chrysanthamums layed at the base of the black onyx stone. The name Uchiha Sasuke was written down the marker.

In the front, a weeping Sakura still held her flower, her fiancee holding her. Neji, a proud and dignified Hokage held his peace. Having, long ago, accepted Sasuke's apology and regret, cried for his friend. A small group of people massed around his grave, while others, more distantly related to the Uchiha, affiliates, friends and teammates with the dead family, scattered around the grave site.

"Sasuke..." that warning tone was back in his voice as if the brunette was sitting infront of him, smiling an adopted fox grin. There was nothing else to say, nothing more or less than the simple name of a very complicated ninja. Neji just about gave up when a figure appeared infront of the small crowd. His tall dark figure stood against the sun, black hair flowed down his back that had been released from his pony tail. This time, he wasn't wearing his black cloak.

"Sasuke was..." the similar ninja began, "...in love with Naruto-kun dearly."

Sakura gasped when the dark voice spoke with something more than hollowness. A few of the ninja's present froze in disbelief and in readiness. Uchiha Itachi stood his ground, not caring for the others behind him. Their scrutinizing gaze held him in place. He did not wish for a fight, only to bid farewell to his younger brother. He remembered the times they had, however little and few they were.

"Why are you..." Sakura was interrupted by Neji's hand of silence and halt.

Itachi gazed upon the black stone with, something that could not be described. An impossible amount of emotion shone through those eyes and features. It was a little after the first and ever tear of Uchiha Itachi that Sakura and the others realized, that he was mouring.

"Ever since he was little, Sasuke always came home to tell me about his infatuation of Naruto-kun." the scattered people joined the small crowd to hear a story none knew about. "During his academy years, Sasuke always asked me to teach him something new so he could show Naruto-kun his skills. Sigh. I taught Sasuke as best I could, he was a quick learner and I knew he would make a good ninja and lover. But father wasn't having any of it. He forbade the relationship, and told me not to teach him anymore. Needless to say, I was angry. Sasuke deserved happiness, not the arranged marriage with a girl he would not love. His heart was with someone else.

"Father had forced me to become an Anbu so I would not be able to be tempted to teach Sasuke something Father couldn't. I had taken more and more missions, through my rage with my father, I had killed my closest friend and cousin. That was how I received the Mangakyou. And when I found out the secrets that my family held, I killed them all. What they were doing with the young was horrible. I will not say that my actions were justified, Hyuuga-sama. Only, that they had lead a path to Sasuke and Naruto's immortality. And apparently, the Nara's as well."

Sakura looked to Shikamaru. His head bowed and eyes empty she finally understood. Silence reigned, everyone waited for more of the story to continue.

"Seven years ago, Naruto-kun approached me, and instead of fighting with me, had asked me to assist him in a jutsu he had invented. He told me that he had invented it and only trusted me to help him improve it. We worked on the jutsu for several weeks before we had perfected it. Although it was an immortality jutsu that he created, it was not the type that needed a sacrifice. Their souls will come back in the form of another, they will grow, and search for the other when they are seperated. They will continue to live on, dreaming of this place, of this life they once knew, remembering the people that they met, living the love, that was ignored in this lifetime. And that, Shikamaru-kun, was why he trusted you with 'it', I only hope for your sakes he did not destroy it. Because you have a chance at that love." Itachi stopped and looked at his surroundings.

He had not been prepared to reveal the reason why their Hokage had been missing for several weeks. Nor did he intend to tell them the truth behind his madness. What he did intend on doing, was bidding his brother farewell and welcoming the new soul that would come. The offer had been made, Naruto had made sure everything was in order before and after his death. The older ninja did not feel the need to reaveal anything dark about Naruto and his project, so with a kiss on the stone and a respected bow, Itachi disappeared.

-----------

Sakura, Ino, Lee and Chouji, shuffled through the main house in the Uchiha complex, cleaning all the dust and dirt. The small knick-knacks and family heirlooms were dusted of their years and wraped and concealed, probably never to see the light of day again. Sheets were placed over the hanging pictures and furniture creating blanketed ghosts that haunted the ancient house. Doors were closed, futons put away, blankets folded.

The cupboards were bare, the beds folded, never to be used again, training scrolls, jutsu's, genjutsu's, ninjutsu's, and even the family history scrolls were all locked away in the Hokage tower where other deceased clans and family histories lay, unused, unstudied and forgotten.

"Sigh. This place is finally clean." Ino said. They stood at the gate of the complex, admiring their work. Naruto would have been proud of them for using Kage Bunshin to clean the whole place in three days' time. Even Lee was able to create two bunshins.

"Now all that's left is..." Lee started.

"The apartment." Sakura said hollowly.

----

They stepped in, almost cautiously. Looking around the empty place. It was bare before and it was bare now. Numerous scrolls laid about, a few opened and others were simply scattered.

"Well, let's get started." Chouji spoke.

There was little to do in this house, pick up the scrolls and pack them away to be brought to the Hokage's library to be later studied and decifered then stored with the rest of the Uchiha property. Hours after they had begun, Sakura discovered an open scroll with the seal of the Hokage broken laying underneath the couch. Sasuke's body had been found infront of the furniture.

"Guys take a look at this." she opened the scroll further to reveal seals and pictures. "It's--"

"The immortality jutsu!" Ino exclaimed.

True enough, the scroll revealed how to turn one's soul to be forever linked to this world through the Kyuubi, and explained the reason why Naruto had to die. Beneath all the pictures and seals, a letter was written. Four pairs of eyes gazed at the first part of the letter addressed to Sasuke. Then, the following instructions for the remaining Rookie Nine. Not a single eye was dry after the letter had been read. They had felt slightly betrayed that Shikamaru had kept this secret to himself, but was it really his fault, had he known about the jutsu all along?

Later that night, a daughnting realization occured to the four nin's, Naruto's soul had indeed came back to make sure the scroll was delivered.

Sasuke wasn't insane afterall.


++++++++++++++++++++

Naruto had finished writing his scroll and placed the Hokage seal on the black object when Shikamaru entered the large tent.

"Hokage-sama! Takamaru returned, Sasuke has agreed to your request."

Shikamaru looked at the tired, streatched face of his Hokage, his friend. Upon looking around the tent reserved to the Hokage, everything was neat and put away. Maps and battle plans sat rolled up and organized on Naruto's desk. Shikamaru looked at Naruto's attair. He wore a black sleeveless shirt with baggy, low riding cargo pants, black sandals that reached low on his ankle, white bandages were wrapped around his calf, Naruto was dressed for a funeral.

Naruto stood and picked up the scroll he had just finished. A pained hallow look was set in his eyes, his face was calm and accepting. He walked to Shikamaru and held out the hand that had the scroll in it. The shadow user looked at the small message and shook his head.

"No. NO! No, I don't accept. Naruto, you can beat him. He's--"

"He's going to win. It's my last resort to get him back." Naruto's voice began to crack. Shikamaru was turning to leave, Naruto grabbed him and held him from behind. "Please 'Maru, do this for me. I still have a promise to fullfill from Sakura, Sasuke will come back today. I know I should have been with you in the begining, but I cannot resist my heart now, this needs to be done."

Naruto's lips pressed against the heated skin on Shikamaru's neck. He tried to resist, tried to fight it. But Naruto's tounge had other plans. Naruto began licking a trail from the joint of neck and shoulder and traveled up to Shikamaru's ear lobe. The shorter man moaned out his approval. Hands roamed his taut body as it shuddered underneath the minstrations.

"Don't do this to me if your not planning to give me what I really want." Shikamaru's head fell back on Naruto's shoulder. The hands stopped. Both men knew what Shikamaru wanted, but both men also knew what Naruto couldn't give. Naruto pulled back, arms dropping to his side. In Shikamaru's hands, he held the small scroll.

"Give that to Sasuke when I'm gone. It's for the you seven as well. But I want Sasuke to have it. I hope you can learn to love him. I want you both. Come back to me." With that the blonde Hokage left the tent. Shikamaru never watched the battle.

--------------

Rain poured down relentlessly, as if the heavens themselves were weaping the loss of the fighters over the week. Two people stood on eather side of the river before it dropped to the exposed rocks below. Two statues, the Shodaime and Nidaime stand facing eachother with the sign for chakra meeting at their hearts. A historical place for historical times. The leader of Fire country and the leader of Sound country stand facing eachother. Arms dropped at their sides, a non-threatening stance. No weapons drawn, infact Naruto didn't appear to have any on him. Not strange concidering Naruto was pro-efficient with hand to hand combat. The only strange thing was, Sasuke didn't have any either. A person who has done nothing but train with the metal tools. Both armies stand against eachother. Each certain his leader would conquer, and the opposing land and enemies will be under their control.

Blue eyes search for the long gone black irises.Those eyes, as deep and dark as the wearers soul, appeared sunflower yellow with the whites substituted for black. A permenant transformation not even the Fourth could seal. Sasuke's hair sat high on his head, spiking and drooping to the middle of his back. Naruto with his hair in a mullet fashion, which seemed to fit him, was tied low on his back. Sasuke stood only a few inches taller, while Naruto had the muscle to cover his average height.

"Naruto-kun." Sasuke drawled out in his master's style. "What took you so long to wish for this fight? I thought I knew you better than that."

Sasuke growled out, hoping to get a rise out of the obviously stoic Kage. The traitor's eyebrows fuddled together. Only for a moment. Then, a sickening grin:

"Why, I thought you would have shown up alone. Like the way you always were. Infact, I'm suprised they let a demon like you take the Hokage's seat."

Still, nothing out of the young adult.

A stray wind picked up as the voices of crickets and birds stopped. For fear of causing a spark to the high friction being created off of the two's chakra signitures. The byakuugan users were cautioned to keep their genki kekkei de-activated while the two engaged each other. Problem was, there was no physical fighting. Only staring each other down and throwing their presence towards the other person. Naruto's calm face against Sasuke's contorted grin. One moment they were standing right infront of their right hand man and secretary, the next, a huge splash caused by nothing. But the two were gone.

Lightning could be heard in the distance, heavier clouds rolled in uncharacteristically. Both parties knew that who ever lost, would no longer be in physical existance. Their bodies would be decimated, destroyed, pulverized into nothing. The victor will rightfully be able to brag and be cocky, because it's the Champion, against The Prodigy.

The battle of the century, Had begun.

The water errupted with a roar. Sakura took a step back to avoid the larger spray of water. She knew that Naruto was strong, but not this strong. As the water came crashing down on the two forms, everyone could see that their dominant fist was caught midair. Both had tried to punch eachother, and both had caught the other.

"You said you thought you knew me better than 'that'. Well Sasuke your wrong." their fists were released and they each took a leap back to face eachother again. This time, in their preferred stance. Naruto took a long sigh before leaping toward his opponent. "YOU NEVER KNEW ME AT ALL!!"

A loud cry was thrust unwillingly out of his throat. His opponent had kept dodging in that sickly manner, with an air of pride, thinking, knowing that he cannot be touched. After haughtiness, comes the fall.

Naruto leaped back and begun focusing all his chakra within himself. Sasuke paused and waited for the show. All breath was held on the Light side, two breaths in particular was pained, they knew what kind of chakra their old teammate and Hokage was molding. Suddenly, the air was heavy, the Dark looked on with eager eyes, Sasuke held his stance, and begun the sequence for his lightning tool.

A wide mouth opened to reveal a small black ball, Naruto inhaled and prepared for the release.

The heavy chakra ball had glided, very menicingly, down the river toward Sasuke. Sakura and Sai stood on the banks just left of Naruto. They had not believed he was capable of creating such an attack without turning into the Kyuubi. Sasuke cursed and bit his two thumbs, with an Uchiha speed, quickly dispursed the jutsu and two great gates with demons acting as the door frames arose out of the ground. Naruto's attack was thwarted again. The explosion was chaotic, the damage was done, sprays of water and hails of rock littered the sky and held before gravity had started it's job.

The gates fell and no sooner had the earth swallowed them up, a blue rasengan appeared through the debris. Sasuke cursed and attempted to jump out of the way, but wasn't fast enough for the enraged Naruto. All had seen Sasuke's body spin out of control and fly away form Naruto's deadly attack. Dozens of meters away from the Hokage, Sasuke had hit against the water and skidded across the rough surface as he neared the falls' edge. Golden eyes met Saphire as he fell helplessly over the edge.

"NO!" Naruto ran toward the fallen shinobi. Blinding emotions kept Naruto from realizing the black flames that covered the face of his enemy before he dissapeared from view. This mistake caused Naruto to jump off the waters edge and collide with a flying Sasuke. Blue eyes turned red upon seeing the ashen skin and cobalt blue hair. Red chakra swarmed around the Hokage before throwing a fist at the damned cross on the cursed's face. Sasuke leaned back and rolled in the air and caused Naruto to fall to the rocks.

"HOKAGE-SAMA!" rung through the air as hundreds looked on morbidly to their leaders supposed death. But of course, you can't kill a demon that easily. The kyuubi container compleated a sommersault and landed smoothly between some rocks, the water rippled away from his form as he double his power. Naruto sat there, crouched between the two stones that suspended him just inches off the water.

"I can't believe you fell for that. You're just as weak as you were when we were young, and just as pathetic." Sasuke then launched himself toward the fallen blond. He prepared for chidori once again and thrust his fist before him.

Naruto's head snapped up and held his hand at his lips, he inhaled for Sasuke's famous Katon jutsu. He exhaled a more grand fire ball than Sasuke had ever created. The flying beast froze in mid-air and released his chidori to protect his face. Fire enveloped around him as he breathed in hot air and flame through his surprise. Naruto held the jutsu until Sasuke's singed and battered body fell from the mass of flames and into the water. The blond hokage followed shortly.

Underneath the water, Sasuke's body rolled in the rapids. Naruto swam to the winged ninja and grabbed him around his waist. He kicked his feet and swam almost helplessly against the current trying to pull him down. Quickly, he released Sasuke's limp form to produce hand seals and, once again, aimed from his mouth. Only this time, instead of fire, a powerful stream of water shot from Naruto's pinched fingers. He quickly grabbed Sasuke with his free arm as he drove to the surface.

Two bodies came shooting out of the water and landed roughly on the rocky banks. Several Konoha shinobi and others from the allying nations gathered around a huffing Naruto and an unconcious beast that was Sasuke. The Kage of Sand held Naruto's head as he coughed out water slightly tinged with blood.

"I'm alright. Check on Sasuke." Sai walked over to the blue creature and checked his pulse. It was feint but it was still steady.

"He's fine. Just passed out." Sai looked up and smiled at Naruto. "You did it Naruto, you brought him back just like you said."

Naruto let out a relieved chuckle and tried to sit up. He stopped before he could sit up all the way and looked at Sasuke's still form. //If he's passed out, how come he didn't release his form?// Sai stood up and took one step toward his friends, his smile still on his face.

"NO SAI!!" It was only a fraction of a second before Sai's stomach had a hole over seven inches in diameter in it.

Black and white jag's of lightning suspended before Sai's body. The chirping mass dissapated and left a pale hand and arm that struck through the body. Black iris' glared at the mass of enemies around him.

"You see Naruto, you can't save everyone." the ragged voice spoke to the blond. Black eyes searched for the red of kyuubi or the sky blue of Naruto. Neither were found. The body before Sasuke coughed and spilled more blood from his mouth than his stomach. He chuckled.

"Of course I can." came the weak reply. There, in Sai's place, was Naruto. Sai layed on the ground where Naruto had been. It was impossible to think that Naruto had had the time to switch bodies and perform a henge. Sasuke was shocked. No speech came from his mouth, no harsh glares or frowned face. Shock and disbelief was the main character in this group.

"Naruto!" Sakura half yelled, half sobbed. None made a move to assist the Hokage, not even Sasuke removed his hand from Naruto's stomach, they were too shocked. All time had stopped. "Why?"

"Because," a grim smile was placed on Naruto's face. "I made a promise, and I keep my promises.I protected the ones I love, I had gotten stronger, I became Hokage, I brought Sasuke home." the smile grew wider. "I even got my name on the stone, hehe."

A loud roar of victory erupted from the opposite bank. The men and women that had called themselves enemies of Konohagakure yelled their victory to the shocked ninja's. Naruto's knees buckled and both Sasuke and Naruto fell to the ground. The clouds above their heads gave a loud roar as well. Tears from the sky fell onto the bodies below. It was just like before. Rain, blood, Naruto defeated, Sasuke in cold disbelief. Naruto leaned back against Sasuke's body, resting against his firm chest. Sasuke's eyes never tore themselves away from Sai laying on the ground.

"I promised all these things and kept them Sasuke. Just for you. And I'll make one more promise," he caughed and spit up some more blood.

"Shut up dobe." came a distant reply. "You're going to die because of me." his voice was not resentful or caring, it was not filled with hatred or contempt. It was just distant, he tried to remember the times they had shared together. The kiss, saving Naruto from Haku's senbon, training with him in the forest, running toward their enemies with an unspoken plan. Now, all those things fadded with every ounce of blood that spilled from the blond.

"My name's not dobe, teme." His smile grew. "Now shut up and let me talk. Neji, I want you to be Hokage, you're more than perfect for the job. Sakura, don't let Lee drink anymore Sake inside town. 'Maru," a pause, "Tell him, that I'm sorry, and not to forget his mission. Sasuke," Naruto's eye lids drooped even more, threatening to close forever. "I love you, I always have, and I always will. I promise I'll come back, I'll look for you. Just... don't ever... forget... me."

His voice fading and life fading even more, Naruto had stopped talking. Sasuke still never tore his gaze from Sai. He couldn't bring himself to look into the dying sapphire eyes of his... lover?

Finally, Naruto's eyes were closed, his breathing had stopped and his body slumped against Sasuke even more. Sakura began sobbing, her tears were followed by Neji, Gaara and Sai's own. The few others who were on the banks shore, were joined by the rest of the army. All kneeling to the strongest man anyone has known. Even some of the others on the other bank knelt to this great ninja. Never in their lives had they seen anyone so selfless, so willing to die for another just to save an un-waivering soul.

The Uchiha's body suddered, then suddenly, as if waking from a dream, jumped abruptly.

"Dobe?" Sasuke looked down at his bloodied hand, then to the calm face of his blond. "Naruto. Naruto wake up. Just wake up, please, don't leave me alone. I 'll be better I promise, I don't want to be alone anymore. Come back. C'mon, dammit, you've done it before, now do it again. Take the Kyuubi's chakra and heal yourself... please..."

Sasuke had never stopped talking to the blond until he passed out from fatigue and drained chakra.

****

[How does life go on?]

"Have a good day ma'am." Ino waved to her customer and smiles. Folding her hands she turns to her husband, Shikamaru, holding her new nephew. The mother, Sakura, is on a mission. Not even the new mothers are able to escape the grueling missions perscribed to a shinobi.

"And how's little Naruto huh?" the child opens his eyes and smiles brightly at the beutiful woman and coo's.

[When a great person dies. One who's changed everybodies life.]

In a prestigious dojo, a purple headed woman instructs a young boy. A calm face, a small smile and a full heart watches her son as he trains with his older cousins and reletives.

[How do we say goodbye, when something so powerful frightens us all. Two significant people leave us to pick up the pieces to a puzzle, and we've yet to finish the first one. They leave riddles, clues, and hope to a better future.]

A pink haired woman stops her leaping in a dense forrest to look back towards the direction of her home. The white feline mask covers her features, but her green eyes peer through the two small holes in it. Tears forming in her emerald pools.

[In the end, Sasuke wasn't insane. He was greiving, and Naruto's spirit helped him. When the old dies, a new one is born. The circle of life keeps going.]

Neji puts down the brush and closes his ink well. Leaning back in his chair, his white iris' look through the window as if searching for an answer hidden in the city.

A rushed young woman barrels into the Hokage chambers frantically.

"Hokage-sama. She's in labor!" she rolls out.

In a falsh, Neji is out the door and sprinting to the near-by hospital.

In the recovery room, a flushed Tenten holds her newborn son. She looks up and smiles at her husband.

"Don't worry," she looks back down at her son with a proud smile. "he was a quick birth."

Neji walks up to her, his eyes glued to a patch of jet black hair until the small boys face is in view. A large smile breaks his worried look. Joy and pride fill his heart. At that moment, the leader of a villiage makes a silent promise to an old friend. 'I'll protect him no matter what.'

As Neji is about to reach his hand to the infants' head, his eyes open. And for a brief moment, he sees red pools before they've changed to a mirrored grey. Neji and Tenten gasp. Though, he doesn't take a step back. Instead, he reaches out and picks up his son. Holding him close to his chest, he breaths a heavy sigh. Knowing, the troubles about to lie ahead. Hoping, he can veer the upcoming darkness into a light of hope. He inhales, holding his breath, searching for the right words. One word escapes his lips. A whisper of an ancestrial curse.

"Sharingan."

[Old bloodlines are disruppted, and new ones are created.]