Where The Dead Island Blooms

During the war, when Naruto shared Kurama's chakra across the entire Shinobi Alliance, he hadn't just been channeling power. He hadn't just been letting the world feel the beat of his heart. Without realizing it, he had torn down the very walls that protected his own sanity. He had been forced to swallow-raw-the contents of their hearts, and all the rot festering underneath.
What he heard was not prayers.
Not hope.

With a dull thump of fist meeting flesh, Naruto swung back.

Not in self-defense. Just a single, raw punch, loaded with nothing but frustration, that connected with Sasuke's face without a single jutsu behind it.

Then he grabbed Sasuke's collar and yanked - hard - until their faces were nearly touching.

"You know what, Sasuke?!"

His breath was ragged against Sasuke's face.

"Screw it. Screw all of it!!"

He was screaming now, his voice breaking apart.
His tears finally fell - streaming down a face already wrecked with bruises and blood.

"You want to kill me?? Go ahead."

His grip on Sasuke's collar tightened. His fingers were shaking.

"Kill me! Kill me now, before I become one of them - the ones who laughed while your family was slaughtered."

"Kill me before I'm forced to become a Hokage who smiles at the people who planned your imprisonment."

Blood and tears dripped from his chin.

"KILL ME, SASUKE. RIGHT NOW."

He grabbed Sasuke's trembling hand. Forced it down onto his own chest - directly above his heart.

"STAB ME HERE."