Naruto opened his eyes.
Sakura laid on his chest. She had fainted from exhaustion.
How is this possible? I was at the verge of death, how am I completely healed?
Slowly Sakura’s eyes opened. “Naruto, you’re finally awake,” she barely managed to mutter the words.
“What happened?”
“I healed you with a medial ninjutsu.”
“So does that mean Sasuke’s healed too?
“…” Sakura looked away, “I couldn’t save him.”
“WHAT!?” Naruto jumped on his feet, knocking Sakura over.
“Agh! What are you doing?” Sakura was still too weak to stand. Her dislocated shoulder was starting to swell.
“Then how come you saved me?” Naruto demanded.
“Because I had to make a choice! It was either you or him!”
Sakura managed to bring herself to kneeling position. “I told you once before, I love you; I was serious. Sasuke was too far gone; he was no longer the same person that you and I sought to save. He was consumed by anger and hatred; he was a criminal and evil.”
Naruto stared back at Sakura. Her last word stung.
“You knew going into this battle that Sasuke was never coming back,” Sakura continued. “With or without you, he had to die!”
Silence. For a long time, Sakura and Naruto stare back at each other as Sakura tried to catch her breath. Neither one wanted to look away first.
“I’m taking Sasuke back to Konoha,” Naruto finally uttered softly. He picked up Sasuke’s body and slung it over his shoulder. His eyes were closed peacefully.
I wonder what his last thoughts were. Naruto felt strangely detached. He felt empty inside. Sakura leaned forward to touch Naruto, but he evaded.
“I’m not going to apologize for this, Naruto!” Sakura shouted.
“I’ll send Kakashi back here to get you,” Naruto said as he slowly walked away.
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Chapter notes: The conclusion of Naruto and Sasuke's previous battle is revealed!