𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 | sasuke uchiha

80

"I'm counting on you, Sasuke."

Before he set off to join his fellow clansmen at the village gate to join them on their journey home, Naruto managed to meet with his co-conspirator one more time.

"Don't worry. I'll get her out."

As the pair stood in front of each other, looking directly into each other's eyes, Naruto grinned and stuck out his hand.

"You're not that bad," smiled the Uzumaki, prompting a look of surprise on the Uchiha's face. "Thank you for taking care of [Name] these past few years. I promise you my father's family will take good care of her. I'm glad to know you love and treasure her just as much as I do."

Face going red at being called out, Sasuke hesitantly reached out and clasped the Uzumaki's hand, muttering, "I'm just doing what feels right."

"The right thing isn't always what we want to do, but here you are, doing it for [Name]'s sake," said Naruto softly, squeezing the Uchiha's hand tightly. "You're a good man, Sasuke."

The blond sighed and looked up at the buildings around them, feeling an odd air of nostalgia about the place.

"I should get going now."

Releasing Sasuke's hand from his grip, Naruto stepped back with a final smile.

"Well, see you later, Sasuke," he said, nodding at his comrade. "I'm glad I got to meet you."

"Travel safely."

Sasuke's hands balled into fists as Naruto turned on his heel and began walking away, before he lurched forward and called out for him to stop.

"Naruto!"

Taken aback, Naruto turned on his heel to see Sasuke bowed down with his hands on his knees, eyes wrenched shut as if in excruciating pain.

"If you... if you ever get the chance to be with [Name] again... please, look after her well," begged the Uchiha in a pained voice. "Please... she deserves so much more than what she suffered with Madara..."

"Of course," chuckled the Uzumaki. "The same goes for you, Sasuke."

"... no. It doesn't. [Name] was always meant to be with you, one way or another. Please look after her well."

Naruto smiled.

"Got it."

***

"Goodnight, Kagura. Goodnight, Sayuri. I love you."

Masking her pain within, [Name] kissed her daughter on the forehead for what she knew would be the last time, and with a heavy heart, left her in the care of her midwife. The Uzumaki had since left two days ago, and tonight, she was expecting Naruto's brother to be waiting for her outside of the village.

"Do I get one?" teased Madara as he trailed his wife to their bedroom, placing his hands on her hips as she walked in before him.

"Maybe another time," replied [Name] weakly, her stomach still churning at the thought of being caught during her grand escape. Even more so than usual, she had been unable to sleep properly since Shisui had delivered the plan to her, meaning that she was more lethargic and drained than usual.

The Uchiha chuckled, following his wife as she went to go lay out their futon.

"Ah, alright. I guess cuddling with you tonight will suffice."

You better enjoy your 'cuddling' tonight, thought [Name] bitterly as she pulled out their bedding. It's the last one you'll be getting from me, old man.