Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Final Chapter

Chapter Inspiration: Outro by M83

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EIGHT YEARS LATER

"Hold still, Rena."

The child huffed with a pouted lip as Kakashi gathered up the loose strands and pulled it back into a high, tight ponytail.

"If you don't stop squirming, you'll be late."

"But I don't wanna go anymore," she whined, stamping a foot. "What if I'm not good?"

The man couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head.

"You're going to do just fine, trust me. It won't be easy for any of you, which is why you need to make friends in order to do better."

Turning the girl to face him, the Jounin gave her a reassuring smile.

"You have nothing to worry about. Besides, only last week you couldn't stop talking about being a ninja like your uncle. What's changed?"

Rena continued to pout, heel swiveling back and forth in thought. She did that often when in deep thought. Or worried that Kakashi may not approve of something she had to say.

"Were Mommy and Daddy scared?" Rena questioned.

The question made Kakashi think for a moment, wondering if that were true or not. The Jounin patted the top of her head in encouragement, answering, "I'm sure they were a bit scared, but you know what?"

The pout disappeared and the child leaned forward in anticipation.

"They trained very hard and became the top students in their class."

"Really?" Her eyes brightened in excitement. The man nodded.

"Yes, they were, and I had the pleasure to witness it."

Your mother was a legend, he wished to say. But that was a story for another day when she was older. He wanted her to become the ninja she wanted to be. Not based off someone else's past.

"Now come on," the ninja stood, "I'll walk you to the Academy."

Her small hand slipped into his as they exited the apartment and joined the bustling streets of Konoha.

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Kakashi,

If you're reading this, then I guess I didn't make it back. I'm sorry. I knew what I was doing. But was hoping that things went a little differently. One could only hope.

I knew it was Sasuke that became the serial killer hunting down other rogues. He didn't see me behind the mask when I was part of No Face. I lied when I said I didn't see their faces. Then I left No Face before they could hunt the others. I left them all behind to fend for themselves. Because I was scared. Confused. Angry. Selfish. I'm not a good person.

I wanted to join them, Kakashi. For the first time in a long while I was happy. To be away from Konoha. To feel as if I was doing some good in this world. I was fighting for peace, and I didn't feel like an empty shell while doing it. There were no strings on me. I was completely in control of the mission. I told Beon who I was, and he didn't kill me. If anything, he was thankful for my honesty and invited for me to stay. I could have returned to Konoha that night – earlier than expected – and told the Hokage to stand down. Because none of them were a threat to the greater good. I stayed which delayed my report. I wondered later if I should have just left. Because then I would have never found out Sasuke's secret. When Taka wounded some of the members and Sasuke killed Beon right in front of me, I couldn't do anything to stop it. I had become careless. The seemingly perfect world I finally began to construct for myself crumbled before my very eyes. And I couldn't pick the pieces back up again.