Light 1

“Dobe.”(1) The cold voice of Sasuke mocked him.

Naruto looked up. The blood stained his shirt. The shirt itself was ripped in several places and his orange cargo pants had both grass and blood stains. The rips in his cloths shown his flesh; beaten, bruised and bloodied.

The raven standing above him had an annoying smirk, though he was also pretty beaten up, as well. But he was definitely in better shape than the blonde. His smirk grew wider and raised his katana to where it was inches, no, centimeters from Naruto’s face.

“Sasuke…”

Sasuke ignored the plea and said, “I’ve waited for this moment for years, usuratonkichi. (2)”

Naruto glared at the raven at shot back, “Don’t call me that, teme!(3)”

The katana flashed quickly and Naruto’s blood pumped in his veins. As the blade fell, a voice called out to Naruto, “No!”

Naruto floated in a familiar puddle in a dark room with its unending ceiling. But it wasn’t water he floated in this time. The liquid was red and thick. Blood.

He wasn’t able to move. Not even a finger. Naruto stared at the endless blackness that was the Kyuubi’s dungeon. As he felt himself slipping away, he saw a bright light. It was so beautiful and clear… He reached for it.

“No, kit!” a voice boomed. “I’m not gonna let you kill us!”

Naruto felt his conscience being pulled back forcibly. The next voice he heard wasn’t his, nor Kyuubi’s.

“Naruto! No, Naruto, don’t you die on me!” the choked sobs of a girl could be heard. Sakura…?

“Naruto?” A second voice. “His pulse is slowing!” Kakashi…?

‘C’mon, kit. It’s your friends. Get your ass in gear!’ He heard Kyuubi chide.  

Naruto’s eyes didn’t open, but he spoke. “Sakura-chan?” He asked. “Kakashi-sensei?”

Sakura gasped. “Naruto?!” Naruto cringed. It was Sakura. Loud.

“Too loud…” Naruto complained.

“Sorry.” She apologized.

Naruto smiled. “’Sall right.” He slurred. He flinched and coughed up blood.

Kakashi furrowed his brow in concern. “Are you all right, Naruto?”

“No.” Naruto answered, frowning. “Does it matter? Gonna die anyway.”

“Don’t say that, Naruto!” Sakura exclaimed. Naruto attempted to shrug.

“I’m tired…” He kept his eyes closed. ‘I want to see the light again…’

Sakura resumed her sobbing. “No…”

“Sakura...” Kakashi began, but he knew he couldn’t help the situation.

As Naruto slowly left consciousness, left life, he could hear the fox, quietly sobbing.


(1) One of Sasuke’s nicknames for Naruto, meaning ‘loser’
(2) The other nickname for Naruto, meaning ‘total moron’
(3) teme- Naruto’s nickname for Sasuke in the anime and manga, meaning ‘bastard’