Н‘¾Ð‘¯Ð‘¬Ð‘Μ Ð‘»Ð‘¯Ð‘¬ Н‘¾Ð‘°Ð‘Μ𝑫 Н‘©Ð‘³Ð‘¶Ð‘¾Ð‘º €¢Ð’Ƒ𝒙Н’Ƒ• The burning

AN: I apologize for not posting yesterday, had a bit of trouble with school and such. 

Kakashi’s grip on Naruto tightened as he heard the redhead’s unrestrained screams of grief. There was so much pain stuffed inside his body, the man wondered how he managed to fit it all in. His voice continuously broke, some sounds came out choked, but he continued… he continued until he could scream no longer.

Then, when he stopped, and he went on for a long time, he shakily climbed up to them. With puffy eyes, runny nose, and bloody lips. His cheeks were wet, but the boy didn’t bother wiping them off, he just stopped in front of him and looked at the sleeping boy on his back.

“Are you crying?” Kakashi found himself asking the most obvious question in the world, but to his surprise, Akashi shook his head and turned away to hide his face.

“It’s only the rain”. He heard him mumble and the man internally winced at how his voice sounded. He had probably injured his vocal cords, but Kakashi wasn’t even surprised at the information. The boy did scream his throat bloody.

Kakashi raised his hand up, feeling for the drops which had stopped a while ago. “The rain already stopped”. He turned to Akashi, but he wasn’t even looking towards him anymore, he was looking towards the opposite direction. “He’s there, isn’t he?” He asked, even though he already knew.

Akashi glanced back at him, but didn’t confirm nor deny his question. Seeing as though he wouldn’t be getting much out of the boy, Kakashi shifted Naruto in a more comfortable position. “I think it’s about time we go, what do you think?” He peered at the redhead next to him, and received a small nod in return.

And so… they began their journey back to Konoha.

_

Naruto was admitted into the hospital, and Akashi didn’t move from his side at all. He just sat… next to his bed and waited for him to wake up. He grit his teeth to stop the tears from falling and his fingers clenched around the fabric of his pants. But… it was no use. Just remembering what happened and how things turned out, made him unable to hold back.

The tears silently slid down his pale cheeks, down his jaw and onto his clenched hands. His teeth clashed painfully as his sobs erupted… like a volcano burst into life. He shook, body trembling with each sob… with each tear that escaped his creased eyes. What was he supposed to do? He wanted an answer… he needed an answer.

“Why are you crying?” He heard the sudden question and looked in front of himself. Disappointment filled him when he saw that Naruto was still asleep. Which meant… He shifted around on the chair and glanced back. There stood the all familiar form of Shikamaru.

Reaching a hand up, he wiped his cheeks, before turning back to Naruto. “Isn’t it obvious?” He asked, ignoring the exasperated sigh that came from behind him.

“You’re still the same as when you were in the academy… just more… angry at everything”. Akashi scoffed at his words, feeling his previous grief be replaced by annoyance. He extended his hand and grabbed Naruto’s, gently holding it in his own. “And still as unsociable”. The dark haired boy added.

“Did you come here to annoy me? If so, please go and leave me be…”, he said, running his fingers over Naruto’s skin, “I want to be left alone”. Without another word, Shikamaru leaned on the wall behind Akashi.

“Well, lucky you, I’m actually here for Naruto”. The other boy said, gesturing towards the sleeping boy. Akashi huffed, but made no further motion to say or do anything.

_

And so a few minutes were spent in dead silence before anything happened.

The unconscious boy in front of Akashi had woken up, slowly raising from his laying position. The redhead was too caught up in his emotions to say anything. “You’ve finally woken up”. Shikamaru spoke first, pushing off the wall and taking a seat on the bed. “Your brother here”, he pointed at Akashi, “was deathly worried about you”. Naruto glanced at Akashi, an unknown emotion flashing through his eyes.

The said boy was worried at how his younger twin would react… after all, they had a fight the last time they saw each other. Naruto peered at their hands, before looking back at Akashi, a small smile gracing his features. “Nii-chan…”. He spoke up and relief flooded through Akashi’s body.

He surged forward, wrapping his arms around Naruto’s bandaged frame. “I’m sorry about what I said… before”. He whispered, arms tightening further around him. “It was insensitive of me”. The blond shook his head, his own arms finding their way around the other boy. “I’m sorry…”. Akashi reluctantly pulled back, sniffing.

“It’s okay, I forgive you”. Akashi sat back into his chair, feeling as if the air around him is a little bit more breathable than before.

“You’re too forgiving”. Naruto grinned, but Akashi noticed that the smile didn’t reach his eyes. No wonder it didn’t… after today’s events, nobody could carelessly smile… not even Naruto.

Naruto’s attention was brought to the other person in the room. “Shikamaru!” He greeted, the smile getting a bit brighter.

Shikamaru explained to him what had happened after they separated.

_

“I see. Everyone’s okay… I’m glad”. He said after Shikamaru finished. The smile was nowhere on his face now, replaced by a deep kind of disappointment. And Akashi noticed it was the same disappointment he had. They both were disappointed in themselves.

Shikamaru peered at him. “Then, Sasuke…”. He trailed off, finding those words enough to carry on the question he wanted to ask. Akashi looked away, hiding his grit teeth away from them.

Naruto stayed silent for a few moments, before he answered. “Yeah… he went…”. Akashi had already sensed Sakura’s approach, so it came as no surprise when he felt her Chakra spike behind the door. She had certainly heard his words, judging by how her Chakra shifted.

A few moments after that, another Chakra signal came closer. Akashi furrowed his brows and tried to figure out who it is, it seemed familiar, but he wasn’t familiar with the person enough to guess it.

The door opened and in walked Tsunade, followed by Sakura.

“Naruto…”. Sakura said, but Naruto grit his teeth and looked away, not being able to meet her eyes.

“I was told you had quite a severe wound and but despite that, you look pretty good”. Tsunade placed a hand on her hip, looking at Naruto.

“I’m sorry, Sakura”. Naruto finally spoke up, but he still couldn’t look at her. Akashi wondered what he was sorry about. Did he promise her something? Did he do something to hurt her?

Sakura’s eyes widened, before she smiled at him, the smile also didn’t reach her eyes. “Why are you apologizing?” She asked, but Naruto stayed quiet. She stepped closer and went by the window. “It’s you, so you probably went overboard again. Sheesh, you look like a mummy”. She finished.

“I’m sorry… I…”. Naruto’s words were interrupted when Sakura spoke up again.

“Come on. The weather is nice today, so let’s open the curtains…”. She swiped them to the sides and the light blared through the, now, uncovered windows. She leaned on them and looked outside.

Akashi and Shikamaru watched in silence.

“Sakura! I’ll keep my promise for sure!” He yelled out to her, before continuing in a lighter tone. “I said it was a promise of a lifetime”. He sounded worried about something.

“It’s okay now, Naruto”. The girl said. Shikamaru turned her way.

“Sakura, he…”. But he too, was interrupted.

“I’ve always said that… I will keep going straight ahead, never taking back or bending my word”, he sent her a full blown smile and Akashi’s heard felt a bit lighter upon noticing it was a genuine one, “because that’s my way of the ninja!” He finished.

He then started snickering and the mood in the room brightened up immediately.

_

After that, everyone was asked to leave so Naruto could continue to rest.

Akashi was the last one to leave.

But… just as he closed the room door, a giant bang from outside was heard, but once Jiraiya’s Chakra had invaded his senses, he calmed down.

He heard Naruto open the window of his room, before Akashi sensed Jiraiya come closer.

“I came today to tell you something important”. Akashi heard Jiraiya speak. “I’m going to officially make you my apprentice, and in three years, I’ll train you to become a full-fledged ninja”. With his eyes widened, Akashi stepped back from the door. Three years? Apprentice? Naruto? There’s no way Naruto would accept that… is there?

“Three years?” Naruto asked, confusion slipping into his tone.

“I received reliable information about Akatsuki from a certain source”. Jiraiya said. Akatsuki? Akashi wondered. The same Akatsuki in which Itachi and Kisame are? “It seems like the next time they’ll come after you won’t be for another three or four years”. A wave of relief went through Akashi. He won’t have to worry about them coming to the village like last time.

What surprised him, was Naruto’s answer. “I don’t give a crap about that!” Naruto exclaimed. “That’s three to four years later. I don’t have the time to waste training until then!” He declared.

“What do you mean?” Jiraiya’s surprised voice rang out.

“I have to chase down Sasuke as soon as possible!”. There it was. Akashi wasn’t surprised at that piece of information which left Naruto. He was even wondering when he was going to bring it up again. “He might get killed by Orochimaru!” He said.

Immediate flashes of the snake-man’s face went through Akashi’s mind.

“Looks like you’ve figured out the true reason why Orochimaru wants Sasuke”. Did Akashi miss something there? The reason? Didn’t Sasuke go to Orochimaru because he wanted power? What does Sasuke have to offer Orochimaru?

“You mean, you too…?” Naruto trailed off.

“I was investigating Orochimaru’s immortal technique”. And the part that came after that sent a chill down Akashi’s spine. “His technique needs at least three years of space before he can transfer to the next body”. Immortal? Transfer? Next body? Did that mean what Akashi thought it meant?

Did Orochimaru want Sasuke, so he could steal his body? That’s… disgusting. Steal someone’s body for your own profit? That’s immoral! Inhumane!

“Orochimaru couldn’t wait for Sasuke and has transferred recently… Sasuke will be safe for the next three years, we have time”. That only brought a hint of relief to Akashi. He was still in the snake’s lair, within reach of the man’s slimy fingers.

“You’re not lying, are you?! You’re not lying, right?!” Naruto’s hopeful voice rang from inside, making Akashi’s heart throb inside his chest.

“No”. Was what Jiraiya’s answered.

An audible sigh of relief escapes Naruto’s lips.

“Just…”, Jiraiya began and Akashi already dreaded what he was going to say, “forget about Sasuke”. Akashi could practically feel Naruto’s confusion radiating through the door. “Sasuke went to Orochimaru on his own. No matter what you try, he won’t change”. That was the truth. The ugly, ugly truth. “I know because I’ve seen many ninjas in the past…”, yet again, he stopped for a moment and then continued.

“Sasuke is the same type as Orochimaru”. He declared and Akashi felt like he was punched in the face. “If you’re thinking of bringing him back, don’t. Only conceited fools would try!” He said and Naruto immediately retaliated.

“He may be nothing to you, but to me, he’s a friend!” He yelled out.

“Would a friend injure a comrade?! Just look at the state you’re in now!” Jiraiya’s angry voice echoed from the inside, and as hard as it was to admit, maybe he was right. If Sasuke saw Naruto as a friend… why would he injure him? … … … If he cared about Akashi at all… why would he injure his most important person?

“This is…”. Naruto’s dejected words resounded through the door.

“If you’re going to chase Sasuke, then I won’t train you”. Jiraiya said. “I will have ANBU watch you, and depending on the issue, forbid you from leaving Konoha”. He continued. “You’re no ordinary kid… both you and Akashi have the Nine-Tails, which Akatsuki targets, that’s just how things are”. Akashi could agree with that part… it was dangerous since the Akatsuki were after them. “If you don’t listen to me and act on your own, that’s how it’ll be”. He finished.

After a few moments, he started speaking again. “One day you’ll have to take on opponents even more troublesome than Orochimaru”. That made sense to Akashi… there will always be people who are worse than Orochimaru. “Give up on Sasuke”. That was something Akashi knew Naruto could never do… it was something that was firmly implanted inside Naruto’s mind. Bring Sasuke back.

“It was fated to turn out this way sooner or later”. Fate… destiny, Akashi had always hated that word. It was a wyrm that ruined lives and murdered innocence. It was a deceiver and bringer of woe. It had no place here. “Don’t suffer anymore”. He knew that suffering will forever be present in this world, no matter the cause, everyone suffers. “Forget him and ditch the bond you had”. Their bond is too strong to just ‘ditch’ it… it is a bond of a lifetime.

“They aren’t just techniques or power. Ninja must hone the ability to make the proper judgments and choices”. Choices were something that mattered in life, one wrong choice and poof, there goes your life. “If you’re going to live as a ninja, become wiser”. Become… wiser? For what reason does he need to become wiser? Nothing will change…

“If you remain an idiot, it will be tough to live in this world. That’s the harsh truth”. Just as Akashi had enough of Jiraiya’s words, just as he was about to slam the door open, Naruto’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

“All right…”. Akashi was taken aback. Was Naruto just going to accept all of that? Accept the fact that Sasuke can’t be rescued? Can’t be brought back to Konoha? No way…! “If that’s what it means to be wise, I’ll be an idiot all my life!” Akashi couldn’t say he was surprised when he heard that. He even kind of expected it, to be honest.

“I’ll think of an even greater technique by myself and save Sasuke for sure!” He yelled out, determination etched clean onto the way he spoke. “And then… And then… I’ll beat Akatsuki up!” He finished.

There was a moment of silence, as neither party said anything.

” If someone like you tries to do it all alone…”. Jiraiya started and Akashi decided to make his entrance at that moment. He slammed the door open, surprising both of the people inside the room.

“He won’t be alone… he’ll have me… till the end”. He spoke up, looking at Naruto and then narrowing his eyes at Jiraiya. The older man shook his head at their antics, before standing up and jumping on the frog in front of the hospital window.

“Two idiots don’t make a smart man… but if you two are going to be a big enough idiot, I suppose something might happen”. He had his back turned to them, but then continued with his words. “Naruto… When you’re cleared to leave the hospital, you better get ready… you big idiot”. He added.

“See ya”. With that, he left, leaving Akashi with Naruto.

Naruto sighed, falling back onto the bed. Akashi raised his brows, before he plopped beside him. “Move, you’re taking up all the space, you fat ass”. Naruto grumbled something about being injured, but moved nonetheless. They laid there, one next to the other, in comfortable silence. Well… it was until Akashi broke it.

“So… you’re really leaving?” He asked, even though he already knew Naruto’s answer. He was only causing more pain to himself with asking that question. But… he needed him to say it out loud. He needed to hear his answer out loud. If he doesn’t, maybe he’ll continue hoping Naruto won’t go.

“I am”. There it was… the answer he dreaded. The answer he needed to hear, but didn’t want to. A sharp exhale of breath escaped his lips as the reality of it hit him. He won’t see him for three years. Three, full, long, years. The almost thirteen-year-old Naruto will be sixteen when he sees him next time. Sixteen. He won’t be so little anymore. He won’t be needing his protection anymore… not that he needs it now, but still. His baby brother won’t be a little baby anymore.

“That’s… a long time”. He found the will inside himself to speak. He wasn’t wrong. “Three years… Naruto, that’s…”. His voice almost broke at the end. Now that he was saying that out loud, it felt even more unreal. “The longest we’ve ever been apart are these two days”. He sat up, looking at Naruto. Seeing the look in the blond’s eyes only told Akashi one thing.

His brother had already decided and he wasn’t going to change his mind.

“Otouto? Say something…”. At Naruto’s silence, he grabbed him by the shoulders. “Please… anything…”. His tone reached a desperate level, almost begging, but the other boy stayed silent. Akashi’s fingers relaxed, releasing the hold they had over Naruto.

“Nii-chan… I have to do this…”. His brother finally spoke, but those weren’t the words he wanted to hear. No… those were the opposite. Akashi hoped… oh how he hoped… that Naruto would realize that this is where he belonged. With Akashi, right here in Konoha. Two brothers. Twins. Together.

But, Akashi guessed it wasn’t meant to be.

He thought things were going to go well after all they went through. He thought there was no way things could get worse. They deserved some kind of happiness now, right? Some sort of reward for making it through all of that?

…Right?

It was then, that the realization struck him hard and without mercy. His brother is leaving… leaving him alone.

He’s going to be left alone. As Naruto noticed the look in his brother’s face, he reached a hand towards him, but found it harshly slapped away. Akashi flinched as soon as it happened, whipping his own hand back, as if burnt.

His heart felt like it was on fire. Not the good kind of fire. But the one which burned and burned and burned, until it consumed everything around.

Leaving nothing but ash and smoke in its wake.

That’s how Akashi felt now.

He felt like discarded ash, left for the wind to blow away.