“No,” Sasuke repeated, “I’m not.”
There was a quiet sigh, which Akashi guessed came from the silver-haired man, “Then act like it… There is no reason you shouldn’t spend the rest of your years together, is there?” Sasuke was quiet, but Kakashi continued, “The two of you… I really can’t explain what you two have,” there was fondness in the way he said those words, “You remind me of my younger self a little, you know?” He laughed a little and the mood brightened up.
Deciding he had heard enough, Akashi stepped into the room, “Kakashi, I see you’re doing fine…” He said it in a forced tone, still a little bitter about the fact that the man hadn’t visited him.
Kakashi whipped around at the sound of his voice and stood still as they faced one another, “Akashi? You… What are you doing here?” He questioned and Akashi shrugged his shoulders.
“I had a talk with Tsunade.” That was all he needed to say for Kakashi to understand.
The man glanced at the ground, “I see. How long were you there?”
“Long enough to hear you speak the words of the past,” he tilted his head, “Long enough.”
Kakashi didn’t look at him, “I suppose you need me to leave you two alone?” He looked back at Sasuke, whose eyes were covered with a piece of fabric.
“You are correct.” Akashi answered, stepping closer and passing by the man. He stopped in front of Sasuke, who’s head was lowered, “Kakashi, now.” He urged him and Kakashi did as he was told, but he halted at the door.
“Akashi… We’ll need to talk about something.” Was what he said, before he stepped outside and closed the door behing himself, leaving the two boys in the room.
Reaching his hand forward, Akashi slid a finger down the fabric which covered Sasuke’s eyes, but did not remove it, “You were planning on leaving?” He asked, shifting around him, “You weren’t planning on telling me anything? Why? Because you thought you were going to hurt me if you stayed?” Sasuke didn’t answer, “That’s awfully selfish of you… I didn’t expect that.” He was being honest.
“You were hurt enough.” The raven-haired boy’s words resounded through the dimly lit cell.
“I’m hurting right now,” Sasuke raised his head at his words, “You were planning on leaving me here… In Konoha… Where I suffered the most.” Akashi held back the urge to touch him.
“I was… But I don’t know.” Sasuke mumbled out.
“You don’t know?” Akashi asked in a highly confused way.
“You don’t deserve someone like me… You deserve someone better… Someone who cherishes you…” Akashi almost laughed at the boy’s words.
“Didn’t you risk your life to save me from the tree? Didn’t you beg me to stay with you so I wouldn’t get hurt again?” He asked, hand unconsciously reaching towards the fabric around Sasuke’s eyes.
The said boy went silent as the fabric fell from his skin.
Akashi walked up in front of him and crouched down so he could look into his eyes, “There’s no one better than you.” Sasuke’s eyes were clenched shut and Akashi watched as his jaw flexed when he grit his teeth.
“That’s not true… I left you, back then, just so that I could accomplish my goal of killing Itachi… I’m scum.” Sasuke bit out and the chains around his hands clattered as his body trembled.
Cold palms cupped his cheeks and he was met with the brilliant colour of violet, “You may be, but your will to accomplish your goal was stronger than the memories which tied you to this place, I understood that and now, I understand it on a personal level.” Akashi gently whispered out, staring into eyes darker than the abyss.
“You’re…” Sasuke started, at a loss for words.
“I’m selfish and I don’t want you to leave…” he trailed off, “At least not without me.” Akashi’s hands slid down Sasuke’s shoulders and towards his bound hands. Not a moment passed and a loud clattering noise was heard as the chains fell onto the ground, broken.
Sasuke sat still, as if the chains were still around him and in some way they were.
Akashi’s chains were around him, keeping him in place, not allowing him to move or look away from him. Even though they were physically missing, he knew they were around him, keeping him bound, keeping him trapped.
A weight settled atop his lap and Akashi stared down at him, “Let’s leave together. Doesn’t that sound nice?” The question got asked right next to his ear.
Akashi’s eyes glinted and Sasuke’s answer was swallowed by soft lips.
_
Kakashi had chosen a really bad moment to come back in. He guessed they were done talking, but no.
They were doing more than just talking.
So much more.
He regretted even coming back.
Sasuke hadn’t given him much of a reaction, he just looked away, hands still gripping onto Akashi’s hips as the redhead raised his brows in his direction, “Bad timing, sensei.” The boy said, sending him a sly grin.
“Don’t call me sensei when you’re doing that, it feels weird.” Kakashi replied, awkwardly looking off to the side.
Akashi laughed at his expression and reached for his discarded shirt, messily throwing it on, “We were just getting to the good part.” He said, still not moving off Sasuke.
Kakashi should be glad they didn’t yet take all their clothes off. That would have scarred him for life.
“I don’t need to know what you do in your spare time…” The man sighed out, not even surprised at what was going on, “I’m glad the two of you are getting along, but we’ve got more important things to deal with.”
“More important than me getting la-?!” Kakashi was thankful that Sasuke chose to cover Akashi’s lips with his hand at that time.
“Stop.” The boy mumbled out and Kakashi could see that the embarrassment had caught up to him. Not a moment later, he pulled his hand back as if burnt, a grimace on his features.
“You weren’t telling me that a few minutes ago.” A grinning Akashi replied, tongue disappearing between his lips.
“You’re unbelievable…” Sasuke sighed out, facing away from him.
“Boys, settle down, we need to talk.” He walked towards them and Akashi begrudgingly got off Sasuke’s lap.
“What about?” The boy asked, trying to zip his shirt up, but he failed in doing so. Instead of taking it slow, Kakashi watched as Akashi harshly pulled the zipper up and a ripping noise resounded through the room, “Really…?” The question was mumbled and Akashi closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, “Fucking zipper!” He exploded a moment ago and spun around, throwing the zipper into the wall and causing it to embed into the harsh concrete.
He didn’t change.
Still the same boy with the same explosive temper.
“Kakashi, what do we need to talk about?” Sasuke saved the situation once again.
Looking at Sasuke, Kakashi started explaining, “When I went back to report to Tsunade, she informed me of her retirement as the Fifth Hokage.” Neither Sasuke’s nor Akashi’s expressions changed.
“I suspected that would happen, she seemed rather distraught when I left the office,” Akashi informed him, “I think everything was just too much for her now.” Everything she’d done. Those words were left unsaid, but they were obvious, “What about it?”
“Obviously, there is a need for a new Hokage… That’s where I come in,” Kakashi told them, “She seemed like she really wished for me to take her place as the Hokage, the Sixth one,” seeing as there were no reactions from them once again, he continued, “If that happens, there is a possibility that I could let you two go, but the decision isn’t only mine to make, the elders are involved too.”
“How long will the process take in total? Of you taking up the seat and them making the decision?” Akashi asked, his previous humour gone, replaced by unparalleled seriousness.
“A few months? A year? Who knows… Their decision making will take longer than usual since one of you is the last Uchiha and the other has the other half of Kurama… I don’t know.” Kakashi admitted, glancing away from them.
“So you’re telling me that I’ll have to stay here for a year?” He heard the redhead ask.
“That’s only a maybe.” Kakashi replied, stuffing his hands inside his pockets.
“But it’s still a possibility.” Sasuke spoke up, staring at him.
“It is.” Really, what else was he supposed to say? He can’t lie to them, not now. The only thing left was to tell them the truth, no matter how much they disliked hearing it.
“How long will Sasuke be in here? Is there a reason for him to even be here?” Akashi asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
“I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for you, I can perhaps have him moved back to the Uchiha Compound when the matters of becoming Hokage get settled, but it’s not for certain.” Kakashi answered and he could swear he saw a tiny flash of relief go through Akashi’s eyes.
“That would be better than rotting in here for a whole year.” Sasuke said, peering at Akashi from the side.
Kakashi couldn’t help but agree.
_
“Akashi, you have five minutes to say all you have to say to him, visiting time is over, Tsunade’s orders.” That’s right, Tsunade was the Hokage until Kakashi took the seat.
“Aw shucks! Five minutes aren’t nearly enough for-!” Once again, a hand clamped over his lips.
“Don’t finish that sentence,” This time, Kakashi was the one who did it. How did the man even know what he was going to say? “Five minutes, I’ll be waiting outside… Please don’t make me walk into something I shouldn’t see.” With that, Kakashi pulled his hand back and walked out, leaving the boys in the room once again.
“Shameless.” Sasuke accused, staring at the grinning redhead.
“As if you mind.” He replied, violet eyes sliding in the boy’s direction. Akashi watched as Sasuke’s eyes slid down towards his chest, “What?” He asked and Sasuke stepped closer, hands reaching towards him. His shirt was tugged up, covering the revealed skin.
“You should fix the zipper.” Was what he heard Sasuke say.
Feeling daring, he took Sasuke’s hands into his own and pulled them away, letting the shirt open up. They stared at one another, until Akashi leaned forward, closing the distance between them. He stepped forward and Sasuke was pushed back, gently meeting the wall behind him, “There’s no time.” Sasuke mumbled as Akashi’s lips brushed over the expanse of his neck.
“There’s always time.” The redhead’s hand slid down Sasuke’s waist and towards his hips, before his fingers slipped down into the front of Sasuke’s pants.
“Akashi!” Kakashi’s booming voice resounded from behind them, “What did I say?!” The man stomped forward and took Akashi by his collar, before the redhead was pulled back and away from Sasuke.
“I would have finished in three!” Akashi yelled at the man, but didn’t struggle against his hold.
“That’s not something to be proud of!” Kakashi yelled back, still dragging him away.
Akashi laughed at the man and looked back at Sasuke, “I’ll come by tomorrow!”
Before the raven-haired boy could reply, the door was closed shut and he was left alone in the dimly lit room.
_
Akashi begrudgingly went to Naruto’s apartment, it wasn’t Akashi’s home, already knowing how the blond would react to seeing him after he disappeared.
He stood correct.
“Akashi!” Tanned arms wrapped around his shoulders and he was pulled into a tight embrace, “What were you thinking?!” Naruto questioned, not letting go.
“I needed to see him, you knew that.” Akashi calmly replied, not moving back. Even if he tried to get out of the hug, Naruto would find a way to get him in his arms again.
Akashi was certain of that.
It was almost like he was making up for all the times he didn’t hug him.
“I did… I was worried, you suddenly disappeared and I had no idea what I was supposed to do,” Naruto admitted, leaning into him, “I got scared and thought I was gonna lose you again.”
Ah… So that’s why.
Him leaving Konoha had affected Naruto more than he thought it did, “There’s no need for that, otouto… You’re not going to lose me again.” Albeit reluctantly, Akashi’s arms still wound up around Naruto, returning the awkward hug.
“Nii-san… I missed you,” the words were mumbled into the collar of his shirt, “I missed seeing you… I missed hearing your voice… As funny as it sounds, I missed how you always yelled at me and reprimanded me for every mistake I made, it made me feel like I was noticed, like there was someone who thought about me,” Akashi closed his eyes, “I missed how good of a cook you were… I missed how you’d always defend me… I missed our little night talks, our little games… I missed us spending our birthday together.”
“Naruto…” Akashi mumbled out as Naruto’s arms tightened around him.
“I’m not done… You know, while I was on the training trip with Pervy Sage, the two birthday’s we spent apart were celebrated in silence, and as much as it embarrasses me, they were spent in tears,” fingers dug into Akashi’s back, “Even our sixteenth one… We spent that one apart, too. We were so close and yet we didn’t celebrate it.”
“Listen, I-!” He was once again interrupted when Naruto leaned back, cerulean orbs glistening with tears which threatened to drop.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to say anything to that, I understand now… You were hurting and I never noticed it before. I noticed it when it was too late to make things better. I understand why you left Konoha, if I was in your place, I probably wouldn’t have been able to bear it for as long as you did.” Somehow, it was weird hearing such words come from Naruto’s lips.
Akashi was silent. He didn’t know what to say to any of that.
“It’s late, let’s go inside… I bought us some cup ramen, I got an ultra spicy one for you!” Naruto grinned. It seemed like a little burden which was on Naruto’s shoulders was taken off.
Akashi let himself be pulled inside.
_
“So… How’s Sasuke doing?” The awaited question came.
“He’s fine, except for the fact that he’s locked up.” Akashi replied, slurping up his noodles. The cup ramen wasn’t bad, the spiciness was decent. He could still only barely feel it.
“Oh… Did you two talk?” Naruto took a bite and slowly chewed it as he awaited an answer.
Akashi shrugged his shoulders, “Would’ve done a lot more if Kakashi hadn’t interfered.” In a moments time, the noodles still peeking out of Naruto’s mouth disappeared and the blond broke out in a coughing fit, slamming his fist against his chest in an attempt to swallow. Akashi pressed his lips thin as to not laugh at the utterly unbelievable blush which stained Naruto’s cheeks.
“Akashi!” Naruto spluttered, still coughing, “What the hell?! That isn’t something you should tell me!”
“Oh, come on! You’re my little bro! It’s my job to teach you about stuff you don’t know about!” Akashi grinned, amused by the terrified expression Naruto had.
“I don’t need to know about your sex life!” Naruto replied, placing the almost full cup onto the table, “I’ve lost my appetite…” He sadly mumbled out, but Akashi managed to hear it.
“Aw… Mine was gone when Kakashi showed up.” Yet, Akashi still continued with what he was saying.
“Stop!” Naruto yelled, letting himself fall onto his back, “I don’t wanna hear it!”
Kurama? Are you ready?
For what?
The thing we talked about?
Little one, we talked about a lot of thi-! Ohhhh.
You know what I’m talking about, right?
I do… Aren’t you afraid that he’s gonna get scarred?
Does it look like I care about that?
Disappointed, but not surprised.
“Okay, listen, Naruto, I think it’s time we have ‘the talk'” Akashi finger quoted the last two words.
Naruto raised his head to look at him, “Wait a second… You mean…? Nuh-uh!” He violently shook his head, “I don’t need to know what you and Sasuke do behind closed doors!” When Akashi opened his lips, Naruto yelled, clamping his hands over his ears in an attempt to block out his next words, “Stop! I’m not listening!”
“Who needs words when I can just show you?” Naruto’s eyes widened as the words left Akashi’s lips.
Kurama! Now!
Akashi grinned as he felt both his and Naruto’s chakra spike. He watched as Naruto froze, blinking his eyes, before they snapped wide, a terrified look flashing through his cerulean irises, “No!” A genuinely fearful yell left his lips and he fruitlessly closed his eyes, as if the pictures behind his eyelids would go away.
My other half isn’t happy with what I just showed them… He’s also forced to watch that, you know?
I know… This is a teeny, tiny, little payback. He can bear it.
“Why?!” Naruto wailed, covering his face with his hands, “Why do you hurt me like this?!” He asked, lightly shaking his head.
Akashi couldn’t take it anymore.
He threw his head back as a full-blown laugh left his lips. His obnoxious laughter resounded through the room and he fell onto his back, “Your face! Wow!” He snorted as he tried to calm himself once his laughter subsided. When he received no reply, he sat up and looked at Naruto. The blond had an amazed look on his face, as if he couldn’t believe the sight before his eyes, “What’s wrong?” Akashi asked, tilting his head to the side.
“You… You’re laughing…” Naruto mumbled out, voice barely loud enough for Akashi to hear.
“Should I not be?” Akashi was confused.
“No, no! You should! It’s just… It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you laugh like that… It kind of shocked me, to say the least.” Naruto scratched his cheek as his lips curled into a small smile.
“Oh… I guess it’s been long since I’ve laughed like that.” He hadn’t even noticed… It just…
He felt comfortable enough to do it… Safe enough?
Because of Naruto?
“I missed your laugh,” Naruto spoke up, “I missed how it was so different from my own… I missed how you laughed without a care in the world.” Without a care, eh?
“What’s to miss about my obnoxious laugh?” Akashi asked, wondering.
“Everything? You just seemed so free while doing it…” Naruto averted his eyes, glancing at the floor beneath them, “I hadn’t noticed it back then, but you laughed less and less… I was too dumb and naive to see something was wrong. You know, sometimes, I wonder if things would have ended differently if I paid a little more attention to what was happening around me.”
“You don’t need to wonder about that anymore… I’m here, aren’t I?” Akashi smiled at his little brother, watching as those eyes of his glistened with newfound tears.
“You are.”
_
Time passed, Akashi got used to Konoha again, but things could never be as they were before.
That much he knew.
Sakura had stopped by a couple of times, nervousness radiating off her as she spoke to him. She said she was glad he was back, she was glad Team 7 was together again.
“Team 7… That brings back memories.” He had his arms crossed behind his head as he laid in the grass.
“It does… A lot of different ones.” Sakura spoke up, leaning on a tree a few feet away from him.
Akashi had agreed to go on a walk with her, but somehow, they ended up where they were. On the Third Training Ground.
“Remember the cat?” Akashi closed his eyes as a light breeze washed over him, “She hated everyone.”
“Everyone except you… She always seemed to jump straight into your arms.” Sakura laughed, the wind tousling her hair.
Akashi remembered that. They had to catch the damned cat at least half a dozen times and it was always him who calmed her in the end. He never really liked animals before so it was weird how the cat got attached to him so easily.
“It’s been months since you’ve come back… What do you plan on doing next?” That was a good question. Akashi had thought about it… He planned on waiting for Sasuke to get out and leave with him…
Somewhere far, far away.
“Leave? I’ve never thought about doing anything else… I can’t stay here, this place is no longer something I can call a home.” There was no need in hiding the truth from her.
She went quiet for a few moments, before a small ‘oh’ left her lips, “I see… I suppose Sasuke will be doing the same?” Somehow, it seemed like she had gotten over the boy… Maybe…
But, the way she said his name told Akashi otherwise.
“Yeah… Both of us can’t stay here… We need to leave, relearn about the world we live in.” He noticed her chakra spike and a moment later, he sensed her come closer. He peered an eye open and saw her sitting besides him, a conflicted look in her eyes.
She opened her mouth to say something, before she quickly closed it. That repeated for a few times, but Akashi waited. If it was taking so long to say it, it must have been something important to her, “I know I have no right to say this, but… I’m sorry for all that you’ve gone through… You held on for as long as you could, but your rope snapped under the pressure of the pain and… there was no one to catch you as you fell.”
The setting sun’s light covered everything in front of them and Akashi stayed silent.
“I’m glad you’ve found someone to hold on to… I’m glad Sasuke and you found each other again.” Her words were genuine, Akashi realised that. She was being honest.
“Me too.”
_
Knocks came from the front door and Akashi slowly stood up, already knowing who it was. The door clicked open and he was faced with Kakashi, “What brings you here, Kakashi?” Akashi questioned, leaning onto a wall.
“I had said we needed to talk… I just never said when.” The man said, nervously shifting from one foot to the other. Akashi could sense a great deal of grief radiating off him and that wasn’t a good sign.
That was never a good sign.
Stepping aside, Akashi opened the door wider, letting the man inside. After Kakashi took off his shoes, he made his way to the small living room, before he sat down, “Where’s Naruto?” He asked, sitting still.
“At the academy, he decided he was to go alone and that he was to do this alone… Something to do with his own power or whatever,” Akashi replied, taking a seat across Kakashi, “What was it that you wanted to talk about?”
The moment he asked the question, Kakashi’s chakra spiked and Akashi was taken aback at the rawness of his emotions, “This will take a long time to explain…” Kakashi trailed off.
“It’s not like I have somewhere to be.” Akashi replied.
With that, Kakashi began his story.
_
Hours had passed since they had finished their conversation… Hours had passed since Kakashi had left… And yet, Akashi couldn’t wrap his head around what he had told him.
He actually…
_
Kakashi had been voted the new Hokage.
Akashi had attended the ceremony and left soon after, not really knowing what to do while he was there. The crowd was too big and he never quite liked them. It felt suffocating for him to be there.
_
He had visited Sasuke over the course of the months they were in Konoha, but his visits never lasted more than ten minutes or so.
Kakashi’s orders.
_
Then, the day came. Sasuke was allowed to leave the prison and stay in the Uchiha Compound. Akashi, of course, called dibs and went to see Sasuke first.
Naruto and the others didn’t really mind.
Akashi had never visited the compound before, but now, as he stood in front of the giant place, he realised.
Sasuke must have felt lonely being the only one there. Constantly being reminded that he was the only one left. Constantly being reminded that he was alone.
His heart unexpectedly throbbed, making him grab the area above it in surprise. It’s been a while since that happened. His heart throbbing.
So, he vowed.
He’ll never leave Sasuke alone.
_
“Sasuke?” Akashi called out through the dark and empty hallways. He could sense the boy’s chakra, but it wasn’t moving… Was he sleeping? “Sasuke!” He called out once again and the chakra still didn’t move.
Feeling his worry increase, Akashi raced towards the place where the signal was coming from and he was met with Sasuke, who was standing still, facing away from him.
“Sasu-?” He stepped closer, but was interrupted.
“This is where it happened… The place where Itachi killed our parents,” Sasuke mumbled out, “Right where I’m standing.” His voice sounded shaky. He hadn’t been back in almost five years… That’s a long time.
Akashi walked towards him and slowly extended his arm, placing his palm atop the boy’s shoulder, “Sasuke.”
“Today’s my birthday…” The newfound information surprised Akashi, since he never knew about it… As much as they had spent time as Team 7, he didn’t know anyone’s birthday except Naruto’s, “Can you… stay with me?” Sasuke’s voice was quiet and weak, unlike anything Akashi had ever heard him sound like.
“Of course,” he answered, shifting to stand in front of him, “I’m not leaving you.”
That was a promise he was going to keep.
“Will you go with me?” Sasuke asked, eyes hidden by his bangs as his head was lowered.
Akashi reached his other hand and gently raised Sasuke’s chin so he could look at him, “I want to be with you.” That was another promise he was going to keep.
To say that Sasuke looked overwhelmed would be an understatement. The boy looked absolutely wrecked. His teeth were grit, his brows were furrowed, his eyes… Those two onyx orbs were glistening with tears which were threatening to fall. Sasuke’s arms wound up around Akashi’s shoulders and he leaned into him, not moving an inch, not making a sound.
Akashi went silent.
That was the only thing they needed at that moment.
Silence.
_
The day had come.
Their crimes were fully pardoned.
There was only one thing left to do.
Leave.
As soon as they found out the decision of them being let go, the two of them prepared themselves.
Akashi had gone to Naruto’s apartment, to get his stuff and to say good-bye to his little brother. His previous clothes () had been remade and he was kind of glad about that part.
“Naruto!” He called out into the apartment and received no reply. The blond must have gone out somewhere. Not knowing what else to do, Akashi went to get ready. He grabbed a small bag from Naruto’s closet, not like the boy will mind, and stuffed things which will probably be needed later on.
It didn’t take long for him to get ready.
With everything done, he left the apartment and made his way to the Konoha Gates.
_
Sasuke, Kakashi and Sakura were already there.
“I couldn’t find Naruto.” He said it in a way which explained that that was why he was late.
Kakashi shook his head and cleared his throat, before he stuffed his hands inside his pockets, “Now that both of you are here, let me be blunt. By rights, both of you should be in prison right now. But, we have heard your plea and all your actions up to now have been pardoned. Breaking the jutsu for the Infinite Tsukuyomi and helping in getting up to that point played a big part in the decision. As well as the fact that I happened to become the Sixth Hokage and that Naruto, another key figure in ending the war, testified on the behalf of you two. Don’t forget that,” he may have sounded nonchalant, but he was anything but that, “And please don’t get too reckless. Otherwise, I’ll be held responsible.”
“Understood. Thank you.” Sasuke said.
“Thank you, Kakashi.” Akashi nodded at the man.
Sakura shifted from besides Kakashi, “You two are really leaving, eh?” She asked, averting her eyes, “I… I wish you the best of luck.” Her genuine wishes brought a smile onto Akashi’s face.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to visit sometimes… I don’t know about Sasuke, but I’ll try and get him to follow me. I guess it won’t be that hard.” He bent over as a hand swiped above him, barely missing him.
“You’re really shameless.” The raven-haired boy commented, looking at him with a blank expression.
“As if you mind.” Akashi replied, grinning at him.
Kakashi cleared his throat once more and Akashi straightened up, looking back at the man, “Kakashi… We appreciate everything you’ve done for us… If it weren’t for you, we would have probably still be stuck in Konoha.”
“Probably.” Kakashi said, looking at the two of them.
“We’ll be taking our leave now.” With that, both of them turned around and made their way towards an unnamed destination. They had a lot of things to think about.
_
Kakashi and Sakura stood still, watching their retreating figures, before the latter chose to break the silence.
“They fell in love, didn’t they?” She asked, feeling the summer breeze wash over her skin.
Kakashi took a deep breath and slowly nodded his head, “Yes… Yes, they did.”
_
Honestly, Akashi had already sensed Naruto’s chakra, but he chose not to say anything to Sasuke.
As soon as they made their way past a particular tree, Naruto stepped out, holding a very familiar thing in his palm, “Here.” He said, extending his hand towards Sasuke.
“You kept that thing?” The said boy asked, glancing up from the object to look back at Naruto. Receiving no answer, Sasuke stepped closer, face to face with Naruto.
“I’m returning this.” The blond said.
“I’ll hand on to it…” Sasuke reached forward and took the forehead protector in his hand, “… until our real match.”
Naruto stepped back, diverting his attention to Akashi, “So you’re really leaving, eh?” He asked, eyes a little unfocused.
“There are some things I need to think about… I can’t do that in Konoha.” Akashi replied, not looking away from his little brother.
“I see… You’ll be visiting, right?” His words were coated with something akin to hope. Really, did he think Akashi was going to leave and never return again?
Shaking his head, Akashi stepped closer and pulled Naruto closer, wrapping his arms around him, “Of course I’ll visit… I still need to see you become Hokage, don’t I?” Arms wrapped around him and the embrace was returned.
“Yeah.” Naruto mumbled into his shoulder, voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt. A few moments later, they pulled away, similar grins shifting their expressions, “I’ll be sure to become Hokage as soon as possible.”
That sounded like a promise.
A promise of their future meeting.
“You better.” With one last smile, Akashi and Sasuke turned around and continued their journey.
Leaving Naruto in the forest.
_
The wind blew and danced around them, but he was still not used to it. It never ceased to amaze him how much better the wind made him feel.
It made him feel safe and protected. It made him forget his worries.
He hoped the wind would blow forever and follow him through thick and thin.
As it always did and as it always will.
Forever and always.
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”
AN: Thank you all for following me on this amazing journey! It really was an adventure for me, to manage and write this many chapters and this many pages. When I first started writing this, I didn’t really think I would get this many readers and supporters.
You guys are the best!
As I’ve previously said, this is the ending of the story, but I will be writing some special chapters which revolve around Akashi’s future.
Also, I will not be writing the Boruto storyline, but I will be using some of its characters.
It would mean a lot to me if you don’t message me and ask me if I would write in the Boruto storyline.
![[Mtl, Bl] Zombie King’s Guide To Pretending To Be Well-Behaved](https://i3.wp.com/readawrite.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/28508.jpg?resize=165,225 "[Mtl, Bl] Zombie King’s Guide To Pretending To Be Well-Behaved")
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