Drip drop…
The blood slid down…
Tick tock…
The time went out…
Time stood still and so did they.
Everything turned silent…
So…
So silent…
Not a breath could be heard… No wind blew…
It was only them there…
With their minds in shambles.
“What…?” A question was asked and a cough followed soon after. Crimson stained the ground beneath his feet and he could not move. He glanced down and his eyes widened at the sight.
“Akashi…?” The boy questioned, not believing what he was seeing.
It was then, that he felt it… The sensation of his body being ripped in half… But, no… He was still whole… It was his soul being ripped in half…
There was no answer in return.
“What are you doing…?” Another cough ripped out of him and the blood dripped through his fingers, “What is the meaning of this…?” He questioned through the metallic taste of blood in his mouth.
“Must there be a meaning?” The other boy answered, arms sliding around his waist, as if nothing was even bothering him.
“Aka… Akashi…?” The girl’s frightened voice resounded behind the redhead and he turned to face her. Her green eyes were wide with horror as she stared at them.
He wondered what the scene looked like from her point of view.
Him, embracing his brother from behind as the chains peek through the blond’s chest… Blood constantly dripping down them…
“Don’t worry about him…” he reached a hand to his brother’s chin, before he grabbed it and made the boy face him, “… he won’t die until I let him… Isn’t that right, otouto?” He watched as a bead of blood slid down his tanned chin and onto his own pale skin.
How different they were.
Violet met blue and he wasted no time in opening his lips and sliding his tongue over the crimson drop, all the way up to the blond’s chin.
How truly different they were.
“Akashi… Stop this…” The blond bit out, his whole body shuddering as the chains slithered inside him.
“There’s nothing to stop… Not anymore, at least…” he reached his arm around the blond’s waist and brought him closer, “… The end is already here.” The all familiar sound of a lightning sizzling made him turn around.
There he stood, in all his glory.
One crimson eye and the other a purple one.
“Akashi… Stop this.” He put on a brave face, but Akashi could see.
He was anything but brave at that moment. The light lit up his features. The hand was shaking in fear… His eyes were unfocused, looking at everything except him.
They weren’t looking at him.
“Why won’t you look at me?” Akashi tightened his arms around Naruto, holding him in place.
“Akashi! Stop this, now!” Ah… Of course he wouldn’t keep quiet…
Even when he was younger… The man was always there… Watching…
It’s funny now… When he was younger, he did nothing to stop the bad things from happening…
What a hypocrite.
“Ah… Kakashi…” his eyes slid over to the man, “There’s no stopping this.” The boy in his arms trembled and Akashi closed his eyes, leaning into him, “Tell me, Naruto… When was the last time we really hugged? Not today, but before?” A sharp exhale of breath left the blond.
“I don’t… I don’t remember…”
How typical of him.
“Don’t worry, I remember.” Akashi took a deep breath, but the only thing he could smell…
Was death.
“It was when you cried in my arms when Jiraiya died… That night, I really thought things were going to get better.” He admitted, feeling Naruto tremble once more.
“Akashi! You’re killing him!” Sakura’s shrill voice rang out and Akashi almost hissed at the sound of it.
“He won’t die… As long as the chains are in him, he won’t die.” That was the truth. Kurama’s chakra was running through them and as long as his chakra was in Naruto’s system, he wouldn’t die.
“Why are you doing this?! Why the sudden change?! You were perfectly fine!”
Questions… Questions… Questions… Questions… Questions…
And yet, no one tried to think of an answer.
“I was never fine…” he pulled away from Naruto and turned him around, face to face, “… but none of you seemed to notice that.” The blond’s blue eyes shone with a light…
A light filled with hope…
“At least you…” he glanced at the raven-haired boy across from him, “… I hoped you would notice, but you never did.” He felt Naruto shift in his arms and a tanned hand was raised. Akashi was prepared for a hit, he even closed his eyes, but it never came.
Instead, when he opened them, he felt it settled on his cheek.
“We can end this war together… We can see tomorrow… together… The sunrise… Together.” A barely put together grin rose to his face, one which was truly genuine, but it was not enough.
Nothing was enough.
Akashi raised a hand of his own and saw the little flame of hope be lit aflame deep within those blue irises, before he trailed a finger down his whiskered cheeks.
“Dear brother, tomorrow is a hope… never a promise… This world won’t get to see another sunrise.” Cerulean eyes widened at his words and another cough ripped through the blond’s body, staining the front of Akashi’s clothes a deep, dark crimson.
“Please stop this… Please, I beg you… Stop.” Teeth clenched together as the plea left his lips.
Akashi’s own lips pulled back into a grin.
“I won’t… I will never stop, nor can I be stopped…” He whispered, staring right into his brother’s eyes.
“Why? Can you at least tell me why? Why are you doing this?” Blue eyes clenched shut as a transparent tear slipped down his cheekbones, and joined the blood on his chin.
“Why? You wish to know why?” Akashi gripped at the blond’s shoulders, violet eyes narrowed in his direction. “Hagoromo… told me the truth.”
“What… truth? What did he… tell you?” Naruto questioned, clenching the fabric of Akashi’s shirt in his hands.
His grip was weak, Akashi noted.
“Sasuke and you ended up being reincarnations of his sons and yet, I… I…” The grip he had on Naruto’s shoulders increased, causing a hiss of pain to leave the blond’s bloodstained lips.
“You…?” Naruto mumbled out, wanting to hear the whole thing.
“… I was never supposed to be born.”
Multiple gasps of disbelief resounded around him.
“What…?” Surprisingly, Kakashi was the one who spoke up first. “What do you mean by that?” The man took a step closer, but stopped in his tracks when he noticed the look in the redhead’s eyes.
Pain.
That was all Kakashi could see.
Endless amounts of pain.
“I meant exactly what I said…” a chuckle echoed through the small space they were in, “Funny, isn’t it? The one who wasn’t even supposed to be here, was the one who went through the most pain,” Akashi turned back to Naruto, “You hear that, otouto? You were supposed to be alone, all alone… But I was born and yet, it still wasn’t enough for you, was it?” The blond had clenched his teeth as even more tears slid down his tanned cheeks. “You got a brother and yet, you chose to leave him.” A sobbed racked Naruto’s body and he shook his head.
“Stop… Please stop…” the boy begged, leaning his forehead onto the redhead’s chest, “I don’t want to hear more…”
“But you will! I have a lot of things to say!” Naruto was pushed away and he stumbled backwards, onto his backside, “And I’ll keep you alive just so you could hear it all!”
“Please… Akashi… Stop this…” Sakura’s meek voice was heard from in front of him and he looked at her.
She was also crying.
Was that the only thing she could do? Cry?
How nice…
“This world shall be destroyed, by my hand…” he declared, looking at everyone who was there, “I wasn’t supposed to be born… I wasn’t supposed to be here… I was put here… by fate,” the word got sneered out, “Hagoromo spoke about my destiny, the destiny in which the world would either be destroyed by my hand or saved by it,” he lowered his head, lips pulled back in a humourless smile, “But why? Why should I save it? After everything that I went through, after all the pain it caused me, why should I save it?”
“And what?! Are you going to make the world suffer because of that?!” Yet again, it was Kakashi.
The man didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! Isn’t that a great idea?!” Akashi spread his arms wide, violet eyes wide as he looked at the silver-haired man. “The world saw me drowning and it did nothing!” Kakashi flinched back at his words.
“You…” He didn’t know what to say, which was typical of him.
“I am the key for this world’s undoing.” His lips curled up into a frenzied grin.
“Who’s next?! Just how many people are going to suffer by your hand?!” Kakashi took a step towards him, an enraged expression on his features.
Such emotions… Such strong emotions…
“Suffer? They won’t suffer. They’re in their own dream world, one filled with happiness,” he grinned at the man, “Who am I to rip their happiness away?”
Little one… I see you’ve made up your mind. Kurama spoke up after a while of keeping silent.
I have and nothing can change it. Nothing could and nothing will.
I know… I know… I’m with you, little one… Until the end. At least someone in this forsaken world understood him.
I know… I thank you for that.
“I’m sorry.” Ah… He thought he got over those words… He thought he could finally hear them without… without…
Without thinking ‘liar’.
He turned to the blond on the ground, the tears still uncontrollably slipping down his cheeks.
Had he finally understood? Had he finally seen what it was like?
No… No… No… No… No…
He still didn’t understand…
“Sorry can’t save me now.” His eyes clenched shut as he took a deep breath.
He was finally going to achieve the goal he thought he had abandoned.
“Akashi…” he heard footsteps behind him and didn’t need to turn around to see who it was, “This isn’t you…” arms reached forward and wrapped around the redhead’s waist, “… You are more than what you have become.”
Was he…?
More than what he became?
Was he…?
More than what he became?
He could feel the raven-haired boy’s heart thunder against his spine.
He could feel what he was feeling at that moment.
Hope… Pain… Grief… Sorrow…
Regret…?
“You are right…” he felt him breath out, perhaps in relief, “… I am more than what I became…” he reached his arms behind himself and gripped the boy’s clothes, before he flipped him over, slamming him into the ground beneath him, “… I am so much more!” He looked ahead of himself and met eyes with Naruto.
“You were the best nii-san there ever was.” Ah… Maybe he had finally understood? Not that it mattered…
… From the expression he wore, it seemed he had already made peace with reality…
From the corner of his eyes, Akashi saw Sasuke’s own widen as he whipped his head in Naruto’s direction.
“No!” A scream ripped out of his throat as Akashi grabbed the chains and ripped them out.
Naruto’s lips opened up in a silent gasp as his hands gripped over the wounds. It was no use. There was too much blood.
He wouldn’t survive either way… He no longer had Kurama inside of him, after all.
“What have you done?!” Akashi didn’t move out of the way as Kakashi slammed into him, “What have you done?!” His back harshly slammed into the Susano’o which surrounded them and he could do nothing but laugh.
Laugh at the beauty of destruction.
“A child who was not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth,” the look in Kakashi’s eyes was nothing akin to how the man looked at him all those years ago, “I will burn the world down to feel the heat of the flame.”
The only thing Kakashi felt for him was pure and unadulterated hatred.
Steel glinted in front of his eyes and Akashi released his chains, knocking the man away from him.
“I will be taking my leave now.” He straightened up and reached a finger to his lips, biting into it.
He slammed his hand onto the ground and just before he activated the seal, he raised his head to look at Sasuke.
For the last time, their eyes met.
“Summoning Jutsu!”
Their eye contact was broken when smoke filled the space and the Susano’o was knocked aside by the force of the summoned creature.
Bright light filled Akashi’s vision and he watched as it covered everyone else.
This was it.
This was the end of everything.
This was the end for everyone.
_
Once again, bright light filled his vision and he blinked his eyes to get used to it.
What was going on?
Where was he?
The room he was in was unfamiliar. He had never been here before.
Did he…
Did he fail?
Was he taken somewhere?
He sat up and looked around himself.
Nothing was familiar.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up.
The light was blaring through the window and he walked up to it. He was… He was in Konoha. But, there were people everywhere and the village looked as if it was never attacked by Pain.
He was sure that when he was last there, there were still constructions going on, so why… Why were there none now? Was he unconscious for days? What was going on?
Then, the door clicked open and Akashi whipped around, alarmed.
It was… It was… It was… It was… It was…
“Sasuke?” It was indeed Sasuke, but something was very wrong.
Both of his eyes were dark… No Rinnegan in sight…
“You’re awake? You usually sleep for longer,” What? Usually? Sasuke walked up to him and leaned forward, their lips pressing together, “Morning.” The boy leaned back, a small smile on his face.
Something was wrong.
“Get dressed, the others are waiting for us.” Sasuke turned around and went into another room.
The others? The others? The others? The others? The others?
The door clicked shut and Akashi was left alone. He glanced to the side and saw his clothes on a chair. Why were they there?
Slowly walking over to them, he took them in his hands. They felt real… But… They weren’t his clothes… They were without a tear… Without a scratch… They weren’t his clothes.
But, he put them on… They were better than what he currently had on.
As soon as he was dressed, the door opened and in walked Sasuke, “Let’s go.” He gestured towards the door he had first come through. Akashi nodded as he had nothing else to say and followed after him.
He was met with a spacious living room.
Something was wrong.
“Why did you stop?” A cold hand took his own and Akashi breathed out, “We’ll be late.”
Late? Late for what?
He was pulled to another door and Sasuke started putting his shoes on.
Akashi did the same.
Something was wrong.
The door was opened and Sasuke took his hand in his own once again.
Bright light assaulted Akashi’s vision and he was pulled outside, the door clicking shut behind them.
The streets of Konoha looked the same as they did before, but it still lacked something…
The constructions…
There was no way Akashi had slept for days, he would have realised it upon waking up…
Something was wrong.
He didn’t say anything as he was led by Sasuke. The boy hadn’t released his hand and the people they passed didn’t seem to mind them at all…
As if this was an everyday occurrence.
It definitely wasn’t.
Soon after, they reached their destination.
The Hokage Tower?
“Why are we here?” Akashi asked, turning to the other boy.
He received a confused look in return, “Are you joking?” Sasuke questioned and Akashi panicked.
“Yes! I got you, didn’t I?” He forced a grin, but it seemed Sasuke didn’t notice.
“You and your endless schemes…” Sasuke shook his head and pulled him inside.
They went up the familiar stairs, and it seemed like the desk lady didn’t mind them at all… Why was that?
Then, they arrived to the office. Without even knocking, Sasuke clicked the doorknob and opened the door.
Akashi was met with a sight he didn’t expect to ever see.
“Naruto?” The question escaped his lips before he could even think things through.
The blond tilted his head, as if he was confused by Akashi’s tone, “Yes? Why do you sound so surprised to see me?”
Because you were supposed to be dead?!
You were meant to disappear?!
Why are you here?!
No word left his lips as he stared at his little brother…
Something was wrong… Something was wrong… Something was wrong… Something was wrong… Something was wrong…
Little one! Little one! Get a hold of yourself! He heard Kurama yell inside his mind. Akashi!
He pulled his hand out of Sasuke’s own and took a step back, horror written all over his features.
“Akashi?” Sasuke asked, words heavy with concern. “Are you all right?”
No… No… No… No… No…
He was far from all right…
This wasn’t supposed to happen…
Things weren’t supposed to go like this…
Without another word, Akashi turned around and bolted from the office. He heard footsteps thudding behind him, but he didn’t turn around.
He just kept running.
He ran and ran and ran, until he reached the spot he never thought he would see again.
The giant oak tree.
One which was obliterated during Pain’s attack.
One not meant to be here.
One not meant to exist anymore.
What was going on? What was going on? What was going on? What was going on? What was going on?
Akashi!
He was snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Kurama’s voice.
Calm down!
“Is this the Infinite Tsukuyomi?”
It is.
“Kurama… What is this…?” He mumbled out, staring at the tree in bewilderment… “Wasn’t I supposed to be in a happy dream…?” He took a step forward, dread filling him from the inside.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
This wasn’t happening.
He reached his hand forward and placed it on the bark of the tree. Then, he walked around it, relying on his sense of touch. He walked and walked and walked, until he got to it…
He got to the small indent that was there.
His eyes snapped open and his mind fell apart.
US+UA
His knees lost their strength and he crumbled onto the ground.
“Kurama… What is this…?”
I… I’m not sure, but… Kurama trailed off, not finishing his sentence.
“Kurama… Please tell me… What is going on?”
As you’ve said, this is the Infinite Tsukuyomi… It… I think it…
“Spit it out.” He mumbled out, blankly staring at the carved letters in the wood.
I think your deepest desires are in it.
Deepest… desires?
Deepest… desires?
How…?
“My deepest… desires?”
Yes…
His deepest desires were…
Living with Sasuke?
Naruto becoming Hokage?
No! No! That was a lie! This was just a Genjutsu! Nothing more and nothing less!
Little one… I am so sorry…
“Why are you sorry? This is just a Genjutsu… I can just leave it, right? There’s no need for me to be here, right?”
I am sorry…
“Why are you apologising… Kurama? Tell me I’m right.”
I am so sorry, Akashi.
He stood up on shaky knees and stepped away from the tree.
His deepest desires…
“Akashi!” He whipped back around and was met with a panting Sasuke, “Are you okay?” The boy stepped closer to him.
“Stop! Get away from me!” Akashi yelled out, violet eyes wide open.
“Akashi? What’s wrong?” He took another step.
“Stop! Please stop!” Hearing the desperation in his voice, Sasuke did as he was told, “You aren’t real! None of this is real!” Akashi grabbed his head with both hands and clenched his eyes shut, “This isn’t real! I’m not here! You’re not here!”
“Akashi, what are you talking about?! Of course I’m real! I’m right here, aren’t I?!” Sasuke yelled out, his own eyes wide with confusion.
“No!” Akashi screamed out and looked at him, “No! You’re wrong!” He shook his head and took a step back.
He had to get out of there…
Without another word, he turned around and ran away from him.
Akashi ran and ran and ran. He ran until his legs couldn’t carry him anymore and he collapsed inside a forest somewhere outside of Konoha. He didn’t even know where he was.
“Kurama… Tell me you were joking… Tell me you were lying… Tell me you were deceiving me… Please…” His fingers threaded through the grass… Through the grass that felt so real…
Too real…
The wind blew around him, tousling his hair around…
It brushed over his skin and he clenched his teeth at the feeling.
I can’t.
His nails dug into the dirt and he lowered his head.
“What is this…? My deepest desires…? Does this mean I want to be with Sasuke and live here in Konoha? Does this mean I want for Naruto to live and become Hokage?”
I’m sorry.
His eyes stung with unshed tears as the realisation flooded through him.
“Sasuke… Naruto…” he whispered into the empty forest.
His fists clenched and his head touched the soft grass.
“Sasuke… Naruto…” he repeated, voice breaking at each word.
This wasn’t supposed to happen…
He wasn’t supposed to wish for something like that…
His deepest desires were to destroy the world… For the pain to end…
His deepest desires weren’t for love… For connections… For family…
That was what he thought…
But now…
Sasuke’s frightened eyes flashed through his mind.
No…
Naruto’s bloody smile flashed through his mind.
No…
He had broken his vow.
_
“Who would have thought things were going to end up like this?”
He certainly didn’t.
The smoke, the fire, the ash.
He felt everything, all at once.
And then, pain.
Pain was all he could feel.
Physical and emotional, it overwhelmed his senses, until he felt nothing.
A deep dark hole inside him that was soon filled with the emotion he wanted to keep at bay; Rage.
It was released and it swallowed everything around him in a swirl of red.
And then, as he stood atop the mountain, watching the fake world burn to the ground, he leaned back and screamed.
He screamed all his sorrows away.
He screamed all his pain away.
He screamed all his love away.
He screamed until he could no longer scream.
Now…
This world is the same as the real one.
This way, he won’t have to live through something which could have been.
This way…
Their smiling faces won’t remind him of what he had done.
Now…
All that was left was regret and nostalgia.
The scent of the summer grasses…
… and the breeze among the white clouds.
One which he knew would blow no more.
AN: Don’t worry, y’all, this is one of the three endings I have planned. (Or I’ll just make two, idk)
I felt like neither ending really satisfied my inner want for both happiness and straight up tragedy, so I chose to make three. (Or two, we’ll see)
You all are free to chose which ending you like most and are free to comment about them later.
Also, I really wished to write a little bit of the future, like a few years later and such, and I can’t do that if I only do the bad ending, now can I?
In the future chapters, ones after the war ends, I will feature Boruto characters, mostly Boruto and Himawari, but I have no plans in writing the Boruto Storyline since I never liked it.
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