oneshots // a compilation

Never close enough // Naruto

Naruto had never, ever seen Uchiha cry. No one had. But as he stood, holding the kunai to his best friend's neck, Sasuke couldn't fight back the tears.

"Sasuke.."

His eyes shot up to meet the blonde's, a flash of hope crossing his mind. Had he figured out a solution? Was there a way that they could all make it out of this alive?

"You.. you have to do this.."

Sasuke pulled his friend nearer to him. He held his body close, careful not to touch the blade to his skin. His silent tears turned into wrenching sobs as he choked out his reply.

"I can't."

Naruto then began to cry, too, unable to fight back the tears that had been threatening to fall since the beginning of this. But he smiled anyway, gently lifting his friend's chin so he could meet his eyes.

"It's okay."

Sasuke held him tighter, unable to stand on his own due to the tightening in his chest and throat.

"You're supposed to talk me out of this, Naruto! You've always told me that I can't do this and I couldn't do that so why can't you say that now!?"

Naruto lifted his hand to squeeze Sasuke's free one, the comforting action nothing but a futile attempt to reassure him.

"You know what you need to do.."

"No! You know what I need, Naruto? You! I need you! I can't-" He dropped his head on Naruto's shoulder, pulling him as close as humanly possible. But it was never close enough.

"I can't hurt you.."

Naruto closed his eyes, taking the kunai from Sasuke's hands and swiftly bringing it to his own neck before his friend had the chance to react. He placed a hand on Sasuke's chest, gently pushing him back so he couldn't stop what he was about to do.

The moment of hesitation before the blade was pressed into the boy's throat wasn't enough for Sasuke to reach him. Blood rushed out of the wound, the color instantly fading from Naruto's pained face.

Sasuke let out an agonized yell, moving to catch his friend before he fell.

"No, no, no, no, no..."

Naruto opened his eyes to look up at him, the pain obvious in his face. He tried to speak, but couldn't; the wound in his neck was too deep, the rushing blood muting any sound that would have been made. So he did the only thing he could to hide the pain; the only thing he ever did. He smiled.

"No, no, no! W-what about our grudges and- and proving the world wrong and becoming Hokage!? What about your ramen and Sakura and-"

Sasuke let his head fall onto Naruto's limp body to cry into his chest.

"What about me..?"