Only Time Can Tell

DO NOT GIVE IN

CHAPTER 28

DO NOT GIVE IN

SARADA UCHIHA

I couldn't keep myself from shaking all over. My body seemed to move on it's own, running towards my captain. I knelt on my knees next to him, taking his hand in mine. And still, I shook all over. I heard Boruto's scream continue as he ran towards us, sliding on the ground, sitting opposite me.

"Sai!"

"Ah." Sai said blinking. "Surprisingly enough this hurts more than I thought it would." He grimaced. I propped his head in my lap. I watched in my peripheral vision as the others slowly crowded around us. Whispers began to break out.

"Who is he? Did you see what he just did? Unbelievable." I tried to pretend they weren't there.

"Sarada..." I whipped around when I heard him say my name. He gently touched my arm. "Stop shaking." With his cooled touch I immediately stopped. I was frozen, my muscles stopped spasming and my heart stopped beating so quickly. The ringing in my ears even stopped.

"Sai...-"

"You idiot! What is it, is your head full of shit?! Why would you do that?!" Sai smiled at Boruto, my eyes widened when I saw that Boruto crying. "You're so...stupid." He said between sobs.

"It was the right choice. I protected him, I owe it to the world. I've had so much happiness, I think that he deserves a chance to experience the same." Sai coughed, his eyes losing their light as he slowly bled.

"Move it!" I heard Naruto yell, pushing the onlookers away. He stopped when he saw us. "Who...." His eyes grew wide when he looked down on Sai. He stood completely silent.

"Naruto." Sai said, meeting Naruto's eyes.

"Are you..."

"It's not that important." Sai said smiling. "There's something I need you to promise me before I'm gone." Sai stopped coughing up more blood. I pushed his disheveled hair out of his eyes. "Ino Yamanaka."

"Yes?"

"Make sure that she's always happy. Spread your light onto others, save them like you did me. You hold many more than one life in your hands. And Boruto." He said coughing as he reached out to touch Boruto's arm. "Please look out for my son. Make sure that his dreams come true, and that he's always surrounded by friends...please...make sure he smiles. Teach him to grieve. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes." Boruto said wiping away his tears. "I'll do all I can." Before Sai could turn his gaze onto anyone else, Boruto grabbed Sai's hand stopping him. "I want you to know, that you're my friend and-"

"I know. Shh..." Sai smiled, tears slipping from his eyes onto my thighs. "Neji." Sai said looking up. Sure enough, Neji, his eyes wide with shock stared down at him unblinking. "You have this chance-" He coughed again, his breathing becoming more and more difficult. I could feel his heart beginning to slow as death came for him. "To live this life the best you can. Pursue happiness to the best of your ability. Make the best of the life that has been given to you. Cherish the time you have with your friends. Don't forget about any one of them."

Sai's eyes turned opaque as he stared to the sky. "Tell Inojin and Ino I'm sorry and that I love them so much..." He said closing his eyes.

"Sai!"

"I only wish I had more time. I'm sorry....do not give in to the easy....." His chest shook as it rose for that last time. "Live to travel the hard path...and be the strength for the weak. Smile, cry, laugh, live and die...." His chest collapsed. "Love."