Titanium (SasuNaru)

5. Yameru

"One's destination is never a place. But a new way of seeing things."

    -Henry Miller

~

"I don't know... Why would the virus kill only if it's host's heart isn't needed ? What's the meaning ?" Tsunade rubbed her fore head with a sigh.

"What about these ?" Shizune inquired. Tsunade took a glance at the place the woman was pointing. On top of Naruto's heart, there were few black markings.

"Pest control." Tsunade gritted out. Sasuke glared at the markings. "So this virus is man made, and that means; "Tsunade began and the others in the room looked at her. "That it's also stoppable, and that the one who created this, must have really hated humans."

"Really rude." Sakura muttered.

~

As Naruto's health deteriorated, the medical and science teams were trying to figure out the cure. They hadn't figured out the meaning of the ' The one whose heart is needed shall end the curse.' thing, but found files of the names that were on Naruto's skin. They had died suddenly from a unknown disease, years ago. 

Sasuke and Sakura took care of Naruto's mood swings -which were a new symptom, and maybe the worst one- and Tsunade examined him every morning. Sasuke slept next to his lover every night, and Sakura stayed at their guestroom, in case Sasuke needed help. 

Naruto didn't have a lot of time left, and everyone were anxiously trying to find the cure. The blond's golden hair was almost silvery, his blue azure eyes were grayish and his tan skin was a pale as Sasuke's. The marks on his skin stayed the same. Nothing changed for a few days. Tsunade had her team gather the herbs that were needed according to the markings, and Shikamaru and his science team were trying to find more information on the possible cure.

Sasuke stayed by Naruto's side, but sometimes, when Sakura and Tsunade were with the blonde, he'd wander off towards the Uchiha clan's shrine's begging the Kami that there would be something useful on their clan's tablets. There were many medical and historical ones, but nothing related to what Naruto was suffering from.

~

"I'm sorry...so sorry..." Naruto whimpered and Sakura along with Sasuke soothed him. 

"Naruto, c'mon, you haven't done anything wrong." Sakura tried to convince him, but Naruto just let out a sob. Mood swings were the occurring problem, and right now, all of the sudden the blond started crying and apologizing, effectively freaking out his teammates. Kakashi walked inside the room with a small bowl of miso ramen, made with special care for Naruto, filled with nutrients he needed. The bowl was small, because of the blond's resent loss of appetite. It was unnerving to say at least.

"Naruto, here's some ramen.." Kakashi tried, and Naruto's flowing tears lessened, and he grabbed the small bowl with a small thanks. Team 7 watched as the blond -or should it be silver-haired- ate his supper for the day without tears. 

After Naruto had eaten, he beamed towards his sensei. "Thanks, Kakashi-sensei !" He chirped, the sobbing long forgotten. Kakashi just ruffled his student's matching silver hair with an eye smile while the two sighed. 'These mood swings...'

After that, the now happy blond fell in to a blissful sleep, his hand held by his lover.

~

"Damn it !" A loud curse and a crash startled Shizune from her daze. With wide eyes, she realized it came from the Hokage's office. She quickly opened the heavy door to the office and stared.