Another chance [Naruto fanfic]

Uno

Naruto: Another chance.

The intense battle had finally come to an end, leaving Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura lying defeated on the ground. Blood flowed from their bodies, and each movement sent waves of excruciating pain through them. Weakly, they strained to glance at one another, their eyes filled with weariness and defeat.

" E-everything's gone... "

" We won but at what cost? "

" we shouldn't call this a win..! "

Sakura struggled to maintain her voice, the weight of the destruction around her bearing heavily on her. Her eyes scanned the battlefield, littered with battered bodies and debris. With labored effort, she pushed herself off the ground, her hand instinctively covering her wound. Summoning what strength she had left, she leapt to the nearby fallen rock to gain a better vantage point.

" Sakura.."

Sasuke's voice was icy as he tried to lift himself up, but his strength failed him, and he collapsed back down, his breath labored. Naruto struggled as well, attempting to get himself off the ground. Just like Sasuke, he was unable to stay upright, his body weakened from the battle. Despite their battered state, both managed to speak with effort.

" k-ka-kakashi.. "
The blood didn't gush in a constant flow, but in time with the beating of Sakura's heart. she reaches down to the injured sensei, lying lifeless on the floor. She moves her hands to his chest, relieved to find a small amount of chakra.

" h-he's alive.. "

" hn! If kakashi was that easy to kill, he wouldn't have become my sensei. " Sasuke's voice was low and strained as he spoke, his vision starting to blur.

"Teme. He's alive.. that's good.. " Naruto weakly spoke, his eyes becoming heavy and his breathing pacing.

Despite the excruciating pain coursing through his body, Sasuke moved over to Naruto with determination. Every step seemed to drain his energy, but he didn't allow himself to falter.

" This is it, usuratonkachi. It's the end..."

" Sakura.. Sasuke... I- guys.. it's.. "

At first, the blood that flowed from Naruto's wound was thick and forceful, staining his hands as he attempted to stem the flow. He could feel the warm, sticky liquid coating his fingers, its temperature barely distinguishable from his own skin. But as the moments ticked by, the pulses of blood slowly faded in intensity, its flow weakening as his skin paled in response to the rapid loss of blood. Naruto's eyelids grew heavy, his vision blurring as he succumbed to the encroaching darkness.

" Naruto!! "

Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw Naruto's hands fall limply by his side. A deep sense of grief washed over him, and tears streamed down his face. In that moment, he realized, Naruto, his best friend, whom he had taken for granted throughout their journey, was truly gone.

" what if.."

Sasuke's voice was barely above a whisper as he looked around, noticing that Sakura had fallen silent. He wasn't certain if she had also succumbed to her injuries, but he knew his own time was running short. With a sense of resignation, he stood there, waiting for death to claim him as well.

" what if.."

 The familiar darkness enveloped Sasuke as he took his final breath, but the comfort and relief he expected didn't last. The pain that once coursed through him slowly faded, replaced by a sensation of weightlessness and tranquility. The comforting feeling was distinct – he recognized the presence of chakra, though it was faint.

What exactly was going on? He was puzzled.

The absence of pain made him feel lighter and more at ease. Sasuke's thoughts raced, wondering what this feeling could be as a sudden urge to breathe filled him, defying the finality of death he thought upon him.

"Haa!" 

He opened his eyes, puzzled.