Love for Sale( A various Naruto x reader story.)

Chapter 101

The night was cold and tranquil, but despite that, you took a deep breath and then exhaled. Hoping that with that exhale, some tension would leave your shoulders. The muscles on your neck, shoulders, and even back were so tense that you've been having some headaches.

You don't recall ever feeling this tense and despise the tenseness and exhaustion. Perhaps it was the responsibility that you carried on your shoulders.  Or at least, you made it your responsibility.  Providing hope and freedom to many kids somehow, over the years, become your responsibility. 

And even now that you knew you would die, you couldn't stop thinking about the fate of so many young children. They're torn from their homes and exploited. While many leaders claim that children are the future,  you don't see them doing anything to protect that so-called future. 

Sighing, you raise your head and look up. Despite the beautiful sight, your face formed a frown. What would happen? To them then? Once you died? Would their hope disappear completely? At least with someone trying to rescue them, they would keep their hope alive. Knowing that you were trying and that one day you'll be there to give them freedom.

You heard the steps, but you continued to stare at the sky. Sasuke. You sensed his chakra signature. But even as you felt his presence at your side, you kept staring at the sky. "You're worried," Sasuke spoke, trying to capture your attention.

After a minute more of staring at the sky, you offered your attention to Sasuke. It was Sasuke, but the future Sasuke. Then you laughed. "I've faced death plenty of times and I was never truly afraid. But now...Now I...I'm terrified."

Sasuke's eyes scanned your face and then his eyes settled on your eyes. His eyes softened and he wanted to reach out, you noticed, but he refrained.  "It's natural to be afraid. I didn't know you'd be the very first person that Boruto would encounter." He paused and looked away and sighed but said no more of Boruto. 

But in other words, he was probably trying to apologize. And also explained that he thought Boruto would not say anything about your death. "I'm...I'm not sure if my decisions will change the future. But now that I know I'm dying I want to make sure I leave everything resolved." Sasuke patted his lips and you thought he was going to say something but allowed you to continue. "I'm going to make sure that villages take responsibility. A responsibility that belonged to them, to begin with. And...And I make sure I provide a decent future for Itachi and the others."

Sasuke lowered his head and you noticed the frown. "Even now you prioritize everyone else instead of prioritizing yourself."

"It's the least I can do." A thought came to mind. Actually, if it wasn't for you, they wouldn't be here. And it was not a good thing. If Sasuke and Itachi asked for forgiveness, the Leaf maybe would have pardoned them. And by now maybe they would have been living a peaceful life instead of living like you have been living. Hell. Maybe even Obito too.

"Hey," finally Sasuke managed to grasp your shoulder. "We made our choices, our decisions. It was our choice to stay at your side and help you." It was as if he had read your mind.

But you had influenced their choices whether they wanted to admit it or not. You straightened your shoulders and glanced at Sasuke. "After we find that device, I'm going to follow through with my plans and continue with what I started. On my own." With that, you made your way to your room.

Before you made it far, he called out your name. "My greatest regret is not telling you how I felt." And even now, he wishes he could face his past self and kick some sense into him.

Because he doesn't know yet how painful it is to be standing in front of the person he loves the most and not be able to do anything to save her.

You were now surprised, and you didn't try to stop Sasuke and say something because you knew how he felt. You knew how some felt. That reminder added even more weight to your shoulders. Before entering your room it became clear what you were going to do.

It was time to start doing things alone. And even if they tried to find you, they wouldn't be able to find you if you were in the past.