Alright, folks, here's the one I had been hoping to get to; Shadowmoon's NaruSaku tragedy.
Man, you wouldn't believe how hard it was to not get all teary eyed writing this. Hm...maybe I'm just overemotional? Bah, whatever the case, hope you enjoy the bittersweetness that is NaruSaku tragedy. More stuff on the way!
Naruto stood over the motionless body of Sasuke. The blond's body shook as he stared into the now lifeless, black irises of the fallen Uchiha. Sasuke was dead.
Dead...
That didn't matter to Naruto though. Not at the moment.
Naruto turned to the girl of eighteen years sitting against a tree, a weak smile on her face, “Are...are you okay, Naruto?”
Naruto didn't say anything for a moment. He instead looked to the spot Sakura was covering with her hand and a cloth used for applying pressure to a wound that was bleeding badly.
However, Sakura should have been lying on the ground if she wanted to effectively keep the bleeding at bay. Something told him she already knew it was a fruitless effort though.
“Naruto...?” Sakura spoke, her fading emerald eyes looking to him, calling his name, and shaking him from his morbid thoughts.
“I...” he walked over to her, and knelt down so that he was eye level with her, “Sakura-chan, tell me what to do. I'll do it, damn it, even if I don't know the first thing about Medical Jutsu. Just...”
“There's...not much...that can be done, Naruto...” Sakura spoke in a soft whisper, her smile stained crimson from coughing up blood, “Sasuke was a damn good swordsman...h-he went straight to my liver...a-and I think he sent electricity from his electrified blade straight to my heart and lungs...it's hard to breath right now...it hurts...”
Naruto shook his head, “I'll send a Shadow Clone to Konoha! We're only a good five or so miles from the village! Yeah, and I'll carry you back myself while the clone gets a medic team over-”
“Naruto...this is a level five injury...”
Naruto's eyes widened before he shook his head. That was ANBU talk right there; he knew it since he was a captain, “Don't talk like that! It's a level four at best. W-we've got time, a-all we-”
Sakura put a hand to his whisker-marked cheek, trying to quell his shaking body, “Naruto...I'm dying...”
Naruto let out a sob as he gripped her hand, trying to force his will for her to live into her, hoping that by some miracle that she'd suddenly be perfectly fine. The problem was that miracles didn't happen that often in the shinobi world.
“Please don't do this to me, Sakura...if you die...”
“Shhh....” Sakura hushed quietly, her eyes showing a peaceful look that many seasoned Jounin called 'the dying calm'; a look often found in ninja who were dying and aware of it, yet not fearful of their fate. Usually because they died protecting a comrade, Sakura's case being no exception.
“I...I could have survived that Chidori...it was meant for me, Sakura-chan...” Naruto spoke softly, slowly lacing his arms around her as she leaned against him, “You shouldn't have-”
“Naruto...you and I both know that Chidori was more than enough to kill you...Sasuke would have punctured your throat and that would be the end of it...” Sakura laughed a little before coughing up more blood, “Besides...I wasn't about to have you go and die on me...you've protected me enough times...”
“Sakura...you never owed me anything for doing that for you...I did it because...because I...”
Sakura let her head fall weakly to his chest, his heart beat lulling her a bit, “I know...I love you too...”
Naruto looked at her in disbelief. Did she just say she loved him? He bowed his head, and his body shook, “I love you Sakura...”
Sakura smiled, tears forming in her eyes, “I love you, Naruto Uzumaki. I love you more than...more than I thought I ever could love someone. You...mean more to me than my own life is worth...that's why I protected you.”
Naruto could hear the ragged breathing from the girl in his arms, the death rattle as it was often called. Her body was slowly shutting down, too worn out to continue keeping her alive, “Sakura...”
Naruto did something that few had seen him do. He wept. He wept for killing Sasuke, who though was responsible for so much grief in his life, was still a brother to him. He wept for not being strong enough to protect the two most precious people in his life.
Most of all, though, he wept for the cruel fate Sakura had been dealt.
Naruto was now crying openly, and freely as Sakura just ran a hand limply through his hair, “Naruto...it's okay...it doesn't even hurt anymore...”
Naruto looked up, his eyes already puffy and red, “I can't go on, Sakura. I...I'm scared...”
“You need to be strong...Naruto...”
Naruto shook his head, “I can't be strong if I have no one to protect...and...I don't want to live on without you...”
Sakura's fading emerald eyes locked with his sapphire irises, “Naruto...you need to keep living...”
“I can't...”
“Y-yes you can...Naruto...” Sakura whispered, her voice a mixture of pain and love, “You can do anything, and I believe in you. You need...need to lead Konoha...w-when Kakashi-sensei retires...from Hokage...”
Naruto shook his head, “You won't be alive though and...”
Sakura would have laughed if she were in a different situation right now at just how much she affected this young man's life. She basically had been his pillar of strength without realizing it, “Naruto...I want...you to...promise me something...”
A few tears ran down his cheeks as he looked to her. He was quiet for a moment before sighing, “Anything, Sakura...”
Sakura smiled, “Promise me...”
Naruto nodded.
“Promise me...that you'll live...live a good life, and live like I want you to. Don't...don't let your dreams die just...just because I'm no longer alive...”
Naruto was finding it hard to swallow now from all the pain in his throat. He looked away for a moment, contemplating if he really could promise her that.
A hand ran down his face. It was cool...yet, he could feel a loving warmth to it he had never felt before. He looked to see the pink haired kunoichi looking to him, her smile still on her face, her eyes almost closed.
Naruto had never seen so much blood in his life...
“Naru...to...?”
Naruto nodded, his eyes squeezing shut before he opened them with fresh tears. He gave her a smile; a real smile. A smile that said I love you, and I always will, “I promise, Sakura. It's a promise. A promise of a lifetime.”
Sakura let out a weary breath, “Thank you.”
“No...thank you, Sakura. You...you were such a wonderful part of my life...I don't think I'll ever love someone the way I did with you...”
Sakura's eyes were barely open. She could hardly breath, and moving her arms was next to impossible. Her fading memories of medical knowledge told her by the amount of blood and chakra she lost from the wounds, she should be dead right now. Still...her willpower and stubborn nature refused to let her die yet. Not without a final farewell...
“Naruto...”
The blond looked to her, “Sakura?”
“I...I don't think I ever told you this...but I still haven't been kissed by a boy...”
Naruto actually laughed, “You've got to be kidding, with your looks, and still not kissed?”
Sakura grinned, her eyes closing for a few moments, “Baka...” She opened them again, her smile a little softer now, “Will...will you give my first kiss?”
Naruto froze for a few seconds. He wanted to curse the heavens right now for the horrible irony he was experiencing; he finally got to kiss the girl he loved, yet it would be her first and last kiss with him.
He nodded before slowing pressing his forehead to hers. She felt his warm breath tickle her face before his lips touched her own. With all the strength she could manage to muster, she returned the kiss, trying her hardest to convey all her feelings to him.
'I love you, Naruto. Please grow strong for me. Please continue to be the light that so many look to. Keep Tsunade-sama and Kakashi-sensei happy; heavens know they'll need it after the funeral. I will always be with you, and as long as you carry the Will of Fire...you will carry me with you...'
Sakura let out a final breath, which entered Naruto's mouth and lungs. He could taste her blood, along with the faint taste of cherries from her lip gloss. He didn't want to open his eyes, lest he see the sight that would forever haunt his memories.
No.
He had to be strong. Sakura gave her life for him. He couldn't dishonor her like this.
Opening his eyes, he looked, and forced back a choking sob. Sakura's eyes were closed, giving her a serene, eternally peaceful look. Her head lay in his arms, no longer supported by her own strength. Her chest did not rise.
Her heart had stopped beating with that final breath; a breath she had breathed into Naruto, a breath of final life. Her way of making sure Naruto lived on.
- - - - -
When the rest of Konoha Eleven finally arrived a half hour later to the scene of the battle between Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto, they had froze in place. For a moment, no one said anything, just staring at the form of Naruto who held the limp body of Sakura in his arms. He didn't look up to them, but he wasn't crying either. He just held her, looking into her serene face.
The first to approach was Shikamaru, followed by Ino, who was on the verge of crying, “Naruto...”
Naruto blinked before looking up to Shikamaru. He said nothing, instead rising to his feet while holding Sakura's body in his arms.
“Did...Sasuke...?” Kiba asked. Naruto simply nodded, and Kiba looked down.
“She died to protect me. It was an attack that would have killed me as well...” Naruto spoke, his voice surprisingly calm, “She told me she loved me.”
“Sakura-san...” Hinata spoke, her tears not allowing her to say anything more. She cried quietly while Kiba put an arm around her in an attempt to comfort her and himself.
Ino let some tears fall before she cried into Chouji's shoulder. The Akimichi himself was shedding tears. Everyone was; even Neji.
“Naruto...I'm...”
“It's alright, Shikamaru. I'll live on. I promised her that...and...I'm glad I did.” Naruto let a small smile that showed more pain than joy form on his lips, “She didn't really leave us...she's...just a part of us in a different way now.”
Shikamaru was the first to nod, fully understanding the Will of Fire. The others nodded, understanding more or less what Naruto meant.
The ten shinobi waited for the response team of ANBU before they even left the area. They didn't take Sasuke's body, leaving it to the ANBU to bring back. Naruto, however, carried Sakura all the way back to Konoha himself.
- - - - -
After about three days of mourning, the Konoha Eleven finally said goodbye to their dear friend. Tsunade had not had a single drop of sake in those three days, stating that Sakura always said she should drink a bit less.
Kakashi, even with all of his duties as the village leader, took time off throughout the mourning period to say his goodbyes and be there for Naruto. It was always a horrible fear of a true Jounin instructor to outlive your students. Kakashi knew that he would have to be there for Naruto, and not let him sink into the deep depression that he had when he lost his comrades, such as Obito, Rin, and Naruto's father, Minato.
The day after Sakura's funeral found Naruto and Kakashi both standing by the Memorial Stone. Naruto had just come back from Ino's, seeing as she was one of Sakura's best friends. It had been an emotional experience, namely because Ino actually told Naruto that Sakura had been planning on asking Naruto on a date (since Naruto was too much of a gentleman to bug Sakura about dates anymore, even though she would have said yes in a heartbeat). Naruto then told Ino that if she ever needed to talk that he'd be there for her, and she did likewise.
Naruto looked at the newly carved name in the stone, “I kissed her before she died.”
Kakashi looked at his student from under his Hokage hat, “You did?”
Naruto chuckled quietly, “Yeah. She said she had never been kissed, and asked me to.”
Kakashi nodded, “Sounds like something she would do.”
“She also told me she loved me.”
Kakashi actually smiled this time, “That's good.”
“It may have hurt less if she didn't say that to me though.”
“I disagree,” Kakashi started, “To know that someone loved you, even if they were dying, is a wonderful thing, Naruto. Sakura expressed that love in an ultimate fashion; she gave her life for you.”
“You...you really think so?”
The Rokudaime gave a small nod, “Yes. I may not be a romantic person, but I do understand human emotions enough. After all, you and her were the children I never had in a way. If I had been her, I would have done the same for either of you.”
“Thanks...” Naruto said, looking to his sensei and good friend, “I'm...I'm not sure how long it'll take before I can move on from this, but-”
“Naruto, I understand. Some people never completely heal from these things...” Kakashi replied, “Just don't forget what Sakura told you. Don't give up on your dreams. Live a good life...right?'
“Yeah.”
Kakashi patted him lightly on the shoulder, “I'm not over this either. Just know that you have friends who are always willing to talk and help you, myself included.”
Naruto smiled, “I know. I just wish she was still here.”
“She is.” Kakashi spoke. Naruto looked to him before letting a smile form on his lips again. Kakashi pointed to his heart, “She's in all of us, remember? That's the bond she formed with us, right in our hearts. Her smile, her laughter, her punches, her lecturing, her concern and care for others, her love for you...all of that has been carried on to us. As long as we remember her, and never forget her, she'll never leave us. That's the Will of Fire.”
Nodding, Naruto got up with Kakashi, “Then I'll make sure to let others know her story. I'll tell them about the power of bonds...and how important it is to have them. I'll make sure to carry on her wishes and lead this village when I become Hokage, too.”
“Good. I look forward to that day, Naruto.”
The two headed down the road towards the village. Naruto spared a look back to the Memorial Stone.
He nearly tripped as he did so.
For a moment, maybe it had been his imagination, but he saw the figure of Sakura standing before the Memorial Stone. She gave him a loving smile and waved. He closed his eyes and rubbed them, opened them, and she was gone.
“Don't worry, Naruto. I saw her too.”
Naruto looked to see his sensei giving him a calm grin behind his mask, “You did?”
“Of course. She's our Sakura-chan, after all. She's watching over us now.”
“Heheh, yeah...she is, isn't she?”
Naruto would carry his love for Sakura with him for years and years to come. In a way, it was a tragedy, since he never did find another woman that he loved like her. However, he became a beloved Hokage and just like Sakura had wanted, he lived a good life, leading Konoha to a golden age, and bringing peace to the world of shinobi.
If one asked him how he did all of this, he would simply laugh, and say three words.
“I promised Sakura-chan.”