-sasuke-

Four days have passed.

And, in the dreamy haze of this cold winter morning...

Up ahead, barely visible against the white tendrils drifting lazily from a grey, frowning sky...

I see him.

"Uchiha Itachi..."

The words fall cooly from my lips.

My voice hangs awkwardly in the air for just a moment, strange and empty to my ears.

He must know I'm near.

Of all the things I trust in, I believe in his strength the most.

I cannot underestimate him.

Never again.

Never will I repeat those mistakes.

Never...

Your eyes flash through my mind.

Brilliantly blue, widened in panic.

I can feel his hands around my neck.

The hard cement against my back.

His breath in my ear.

"you lack..."

I couldn't protect you.

I had...

"hatred..."

I had...

The frost bites against my skin.

White, strange and translucent beneath this faltering morning light...

I watch their figures as they move steadily away.

Three?

One would be Kisame, the other of course would be Itachi...

I shrug it off.

It won't matter.

It's a nuisance, yes, but I can deal with it.

I can.

My fists clench and relax at my sides.

The adrenaline pulses through me.

And I know this is it.


------


-naruto-


My breath catches.

We stare.

And you...

Your gaze, which had first been set on Itachi, is now locked with mine.

Shock, confusion.

Your eyes scream your emotions.

For the first time I have ever seen; you are readable.

"Naruto...?"

Itachi squeezes my hand gently, slowly untangling our fingers.

I can't look away.

My lips part, words falling silent in my throat.

"Little brother. Do not bother fighting me. It is pointless"

You look so angry.

"What are you doing with him?!"

Itachi stares calmly back at you.

"Why is he with you?!"

"Sasuke..."

"Shut up!"

You glare.

The rage in your eyes scares me.

"Don't you dare say that to me, Uchiha!"

The words escape me before I can stop it.

I don't care.

I don't.

"You fucking bastard!"

I feel myself trembling.

I'm so angry.

And so afraid.

Afraid of what I'm saying.

Of what you're saying.

Of this terrible pain in my heart.

"What do you care about my situation! About my life! You chose to not be a part of it, why take interest now?!"

"Naruto-kun"

I pause, panting.

Why is it that I'm breathing so heavily?

"Calm down"

His voice is soothing, steady and soft.

You just stare at us.

Glaring at our hands that had been linked only moments ago.

Glaring through my eyes.

Glaring,

but not seeing anything at all.


-TO BE CONTINUED-