She's in front of them, menacing and deadly in her rage. But they've got a plan. And as it keeps working in their favor, Sasuke feels a small drop of relief making its head known between all the adrenaline-fueled perceptions. At the same time dread is settling in because Fate hasn't treated him so well, so he's even more aware as he waits for the other shoe to drop.
So far everything seems to move in slow motion as Sakura punches Kaguya and that distraction is enough for them. Their hands clasp on her shoulders as Sakura retreats and Naruto shouts in triumph next to him when the goddess under their hold groans and tenses as they continue the seal; the knowledge ingrained in their minds, a gift from the Sage of Six Paths that Sasuke's glad it exists.
Naruto has gotten better, Sasuke admits, but his forte has never been chakra control and he doesn't think the blond knows how to mold his chakra in a specific right way without using hand seals. Though Naruto's always been better with complicated jutsus than the easier ones. And he's an Uzumaki. Sealing is supposed to be in his blood.
Kaguya rages and in a last attempt to distract them, she opens several dimensional holes even as the ground breaks and rocks start levitating to surround her, attracted to the magnetic pull she now has. However, it doesn't last; her chakra dwells and the portals close one by one as she continues raging.
They've won, Sasuke's mind whispers as Naruto and he move far away from the goddess, not wanting to be caught in the pull.
Sasuke is panting but there's a smirk on his lips. He glances at his side and sees Naruto smiling brightly at him, giving him a thumbs-up, practically a step away from bouncing. Yet, even with all the cheerfulness he's been displaying, Sasuke can hear his heavy breathing clear as close as they are standing; the slight drop on his shoulders; the sweat running down his hairline, clear even with all the yellow-colored chakra surrounding him and he doesn't blame him. His own eyes feel as if they've their own heartbeat with how much chakra and blood are pounding through them.
They're at their last and he knows it.
It's true that Naruto has larger reserves than him; however, he has also spent the time sharing his chakra with the other ninjas forming the Alliance. It's a feat by itself seeing him still in his Six Paths cloak.
Naruto perhaps it's doing like him, who by now is only able to keep fighting thanks to the chakra the Sage gave them. He knows that once he releases his rinnegan, that'll be it for him. His will is the only thing keeping it from deactivating without his permission. He really hopes Naruto is better off than him. It's not that he trusts him, but he knows Naruto. For all his new strength and skill, he's still the same stubborn guy with unwavering loyalty.
If Sasuke falls unconscious, he's sure Naruto will do everything in his power to keep him safe. That's the kind of fool he is.
Sasuke feels a tug on his mark and brings his hand close for inspection. Naruto catches his movement and looks away from the slowly forming satellite to glance at his palm. One moment is all it takes for him to take his hand away to have a better view of the moon mark in his tight hold.
"Damn, yours is kind of cooler," he grumbles, turning his palm to a better angle as his face moves closer.
Sasuke scowls, ready to pull his arm away but his fingers grasped between Naruto's accidentally brush against the blonde's own mark. The touch makes his lips part in surprise, barely able to contain the gasp wanting to escape from him.
From the place where his finger is touching Naruto's skin, emotions travel through him. The bigger one is the sense of accomplishment almost rolling in waves towards him, but there are others, smaller, that flash too fast for him to catch all of them. Excitement, pride, and happiness are all too thick and lasting leaving their own trace in Sasuke's own emotions.
There's also something unique that's just Naruto; his own mark, almost. Warm and friendly, headstrong and impulsive. He doesn't know how but, from that touch, Sasuke knows he can get more than sensations. Much, much more. From that touch alone, given to him without too much thought, Sasuke knows he can get hold of all his secrets—enter his mind as if he owns it and destroy it completely.
The information comes and Sasuke wants to grab it like the ninja he is, who takes the opportunities in stride and uses them in his favor. Now, with the war slowly coming to its end, the only one who can stand between his goal and him is the one who is giving him freely an opportunity to win. And yet, when Naruto looks at him in surprise and feels happiness, nostalgia, and hopefulness that comes mixed with uncertainty and nervousness, he backs away.
Naruto blinks at him before he frowns slightly. "Oi, bastard, not need to be so touchy. I was just looking."
"You didn't feel it?"
"Feel what?"
Sasuke really doesn't want to; he's a ninja and every advantage he should take, but… there's a probability that maybe—perhaps—he feels guilty. Not because he regrets his actions. Never. However, he recognizes Naruto's strength, recognizes him as a person, and even with their different views, he respects him.
He's guilty because of what he feels now, knowing some of Naruto's emotions, that is… is pity. Someone so strong and yet so weak, so naïve. Sasuke felt Naruto's friendship and, despite everything, there's part of him that's glad, happy even. But only lasts a moment as Sasuke easily stomps on the emotions with little regret.
Not knowing if the effect is only for him, he places his palm up and motions Naruto to touch his mark. As Naruto approaches, Sasuke takes a breath to secure all his thoughts and emotions away, as Orochimaru once taught him.
The blonde's curiosity is clear in his features, with not a trace of weariness or doubt as he easily cautiously taps the mark with his middle finger. Their skin touch for a fraction of a second but apparently that's enough to make Naruto yelp.
So it works for both of them, he thinks, and really, really hopes it's only between them. He doesn't want others to start feeling his emotions while battling if he accidentally touches them with his palm. He's certain he'll end up cutting his hand off if that's the case as he doesn't think he can guard his mind in the middle of a fight.
.
.
They share a meaningful look, the same look of understanding they used to do whenever Kakashi met with Gai for one of the duels and they started acting strange together. Though when Sasuke realizes what he's doing, he scowls while Naruto grins at him. Then the blond opens his mouth, most likely to say something incredibly stupid or perhaps a cheesy speech about friendship. Probably both.
Sasuke's glare stops him. "Not a word."
Naruto moves to give him the 'my lips are sealed' gesture, but Sasuke ignores him and hisses "Zetsu" under his breath as he catches Kaguya's arm flying far away from them. Naruto stops mid-action as he turns around to see that particular shadow trying to escape. Not a second passes before the blond extends his arm and throws him a smirk.
He doesn't need to touch his hand to know what Naruto wants him to do. He grabs the limb and, using all his strength, launches him into the air, making sure there's no portal close Naruto can't avoid with his flying. Not that he uses it. Naruto is quick as he grabs the arm of the almost sealed goddess with Zetsu inside it and throws it towards the rocks that are engulfing Kaguya's body. Naruto screams something Sasuke can't hear, smiling from ear to ear in his characteristic goofy way. He's literally glowing in triumph as he waves at him and Sasuke can't help but answer with his own, smaller and subdued smirk.
However, one moment the idiot is beaming; the next, his bright coat fades into nothingness and he stops levitating, eyes half closing as he leans to the side before he starts to fall.
Sasuke is already forming his Susanoo by the time he notices the portal floating he's sure the blonde is going to fall through. The wings flap once, twice, and the strain in his eyes increases as he flies forwards. Half of Naruto's body is already sucked in but Sasuke keeps going. Panicked shouts of the others come from behind him as the air leaves his lungs. Not that he cares as he's already crossing the portal. He's now close and that's all that currently matters.
The purple energy brushes Naruto's clothes, grazing his skin, and it seems the contact is enough for the blond to gain consciousness, faintly as it is. The problem comes a second later when his whole purple avatar seems to blink briefly out of existence as Naruto absorbs his chakra without realizing it. His already dwelling chakra.
He retreats Susanoo's hand as the purple chakra slowly fades, and screams, "Damn idiot, wake up!"
Azure eyes open slowly and Sasuke feels his heart in his throat as the wind flaps hard on his face. Without his Susanoo to protect him, the consequences of portal hoping are hard to ignore. He's so weak and his eyes want to close, but he still notices the red energy emanating from Naruto's stomach as the blonde looks at him with unfocused eyes.
He doesn't want to glance down and let more air hurt his already sensitive eyes but he needs to. One small peek makes him curse. Sasuke can't even visualize the ground.
There's a tug that makes him once again look up at the blonde. Something makes him freeze with uneasiness as the tug—the yank—increases in its force. Sasuke doesn't know exactly what is but he does know it won't be pretty. It's never pretty. Naruto's yellow glow has returned and Sasuke knows the idiot has woken up and realized the same.
A yellow hand reaches him even as they are separating. His skin prickles as he receives chakra from him, it's faint but still thrown at him hurriedly and without too much care. His tenketsu points feel ready to burst but Sasuke's glad to have some energy back. So glad it takes him a moment to take notice of the Kyuubi's form slowly forming next to them.
His mind doesn't process everything after that. His Sharingan is still active but everything seems to move quickly after Naruto follows his gaze towards the now fox-looking energy.
There's surprise on his face and then blood is coming out of his mouth. A glimpse of a smile and then he's being thrown away, falling towards what he knows will be a painful collision. His eyes bleed as he prepares to use what little chakra Naruto has given him to form a half Susanoo. Just the bones that will serve as a shield to make the impact less painful.
It takes almost a full minute until he's really close to the floor. He sees trees and senses living beings under him. Forming the chest of his Susanoo and a wing to soften the fall, Sasuke is ready to meet the ground.
That doesn't happen though. He just wakes up.
Drenching in sweat and with a sore body, he grunts as his arms flail to the sides of the tub, trying to grab whatever solid thing that will help him ground his panic. However, his arm is still broken and he ends up falling more into the tub with hot agonizing pain shooting through him. He stays that way for long minutes, not moving, just steadying his breath and doing a checkup of his injuries with closed throbbing eyes. Then, when he can ignore the pain in his body, he puts the effort to open his eyes, taking his time to blink and adjust.
He's glad he hasn't stood up yet or he'd have fallen again.
More time passes like that, with him just looking up at the ceiling, trying to right the spinning, swimming world, until his gaze is able to focus enough to discern the small imperfections around him. Sasuke wants to be in that position longer but his stomach tightens and a sound comes from it. He's hungry in a way that makes him know it has been at least two full days since he fell asleep.
Glancing at his side, he can see some of the food he managed to collect from the kitchen. His gut clenches once at the sight more but he ignores it. The food is too far away and he's not sure he'll be able to stand up. Chakra exhaustion sucks like that.
He closes his eyes and sleeps again.
.
.
Sasuke wakes up three more times before he manages to move enough to serve himself a drink. He's glad he chose the tub to fall unconscious and that the water is still working. There is a glass filled with water around his fingers and broken cups on the floor—his flabby attempt those first two times he tried to drink something but his trembling hands were unable to grab anything.
Taking a deep breath, he tries to form a mental list of the things he needs to do now. He cannot exactly try to return to the Elemental Nations with as little power he currently has after all. That'll be his present objective. However, with his current handicaps, that's something of a long-term goal more than anything else so he needs small tasks that will distract him or a short-term goal he can work on while he heals or he won't know what to do with himself.
The truth is that Sasuke's been going from goal to goal without stopping for so long, that he doesn't know what to do without one.
Escape from this world is one, that's right, but… he doesn't know how to accomplish that. Not yet. He'll have to think about something but while his chakra is almost non-existent, and it'll take him a couple of weeks to replenish his large reserves, he needs something else to aim for.
When his mind is focused on a task, he can be calm and collected. However, the truth is that Sasuke's not a patient man. He's never been. He calls Naruto stupid for being impulsive when he is the same. Everything to achieve what he wants. No matter what he hurts, who he kills. If he can obtain it quicker, then anything else will matter. If he stops—if he takes his time to rest, he's scared he won't be able to stand up and continue.
And now he needs something to calm his rising anxiety but Sasuke doesn't not what. He feels it close to reach but not enough to actually grasp it. Everything just itches. An itch coming from somewhere inside him but he doesn't know where to scratch it or if he needs to scratch it for it to stop bothering him and that's unnerving.
The path is no longer clear and he desperately needs something he can work for and occupy his mind in. Surviving is not sufficient. Not for Uchiha Sasuke. He could do that effortlessly without it being a goal. He needs something to think about before sleeping and the first thing once he wakes up. Something he can work for and occupy his mind in. It just now occurs to him, but… he has always trained. He doesn't have any hobbies, or things to spend his time. All his goals were able to be accomplished by being stronger so he did everything to obtain power. Training day and night. Kill Itachi, avenge his clan, kill Danzo, destroy Konoha, and create an everlasting peace with him as the only villain are goals simply solved by gaining more power.
He does need to regain his strength, that's true, however… somehow now is not the same. He wanted everything to end and bring peace, but why is everything complicated every time he thinks he has hold of what he really wants? Why can't he rest? He's so tired.
Not that he can stop now. He needs to return to his own dimension, though what can he do? Training can't be, he's barely able to move. Not that being stronger will help him this time and something inside him tells him he's already reached the maximum level of his power. He only needs more skill and experience but what will those be of help at the moment?
What am I going to do?
The thought comes tinted with a light hysteria and anxiety. There's a tightening in his chest that makes it hard to swallow and think. He feels as if a dam inside him is about to crumble, desperation's building too quickly, and he can't fight it. He really can't and that… that scares him in a way he hasn't been since the Massacre. When he was just a child whose world turned upside down and his hero suddenly morphed into the villain. Weak and useless, lying on the floor, trembling, with tears and snot on his face as his mind repeated once and again all the murdering his brother shoved into his brain.
He hates it. Hates it so much he can't breathe.
Sasuke clenches his hands to stop the light shaking that is steadily forming, his breathing coming in short shaky pants. His chakra reacts to his emotions, making a small spark appear erratically on his skin. He shakily takes in a surprised gasp as a wave of pain different from his own runs through him.
That's Naruto, he thinks. A familiar stubborn resolve as strong as the pain accompanying it comes forth and that can't be from anyone else.
The sensation leaves as fast as it came and an amused huff escapes him. He can clearly picture Naruto screaming in irritation at the pain he must be feeling.
Somehow, that resilience coming from someone in a similar position as his own manages to calm him. It comforts him knowing he's not alo—No.
His lips form a thin line and his jaw tenses. He won't break. Not in an unknown world, not ever. Sasuke breathes heavily a couple of times. He needs a plan. Something to follow. Stomach rumbling almost painfully makes him glance again at the food and this time he nods firmly.
Eat first.
He takes a last gulp of water and licks his lips before placing the glass aside. Deciding he's well enough to try to stand, his hands go to the tub's sides. His arms tremble as he pushes himself upwards. The sensation of pins and needles stabs his legs as he moves them but he keeps moving forward, sweat forming on his temple, making his oily and sweaty hair stick to his forehead.
Perhaps he's lucky he has spent many times working until collapsing because now knows too well the sensation of chakra exhaustion. That means he's used to the feeling and knows what to do in these types of cases. That's why he's going to eat something and then he'll do some light exercise to take the stiffness away from his muscles.
Then he'll take a bath.
It's not much but it's still something to do.
.
.
Sasuke's known civilians owned scented shampoos, soaps, and all types of creams with the purpose of smelling 'nice'. However, being born into a family of ninjas, he didn't understand why they did it until his brother told him civilians didn't think the same as ninjas. For them, having a type of strong smell won't result in their demise if the enemy manages to catch their scent. They could afford to smell 'nice'. They don't have to blend in the shadows to manage the quickest kill. And it's because of that that it doesn't surprise him the people in this world are the same.
Still, he thinks as he grabs a somewhat clean towel, it's strange to smell of vanilla.
It's not strong enough to overwhelm him, but it is noticeable for his heightened senses to ignore. Distracting in a way. The shampoo's smell was stronger and fruity, it reminded him of the one he faintly remembers Sakura using in their genin days. He always scowled whenever he was able to discern that particular fragrance from other smells. He thought they would die because of that and that's why he mostly chose to partner with Naruto when they had to separate in pairs.
He stops drying his hair as he thinks about the absurdity of the consequences of that decision. Because, now that he thinks about it, if it weren't for those actions, Naruto wouldn't be his friend. He had noticed him when they were kids and he knows Naruto had done the same, but they wouldn't have formed any bond if they hadn't interacted. They would still be competing to know who the best was.
It was because of Sakura's hair they managed to spend so much time together and form their friendship.
Or perhaps not. This is supposedly their third life. So maybe it doesn't matter if they're in the same team or if Sakura's hair smells 'nice' or not, somehow their lives were going to end tangled, wanting it or not, repeating the same dance and battle all over again.
Sasuke glances at his right hand and brushes the symbol of the moon with a thumb. He feels a faint echo of pain and willpower that makes his lips twitch.
It's not the same this time, isn't it? Naruto, unlike in their previous lives, has decided to make him see reason and return to Konoha with him. He would not give up until he recognizes their friendship again.
And that's why he has to kill him. He knows Naruto is too headstrong to give up and he's going to interfere with his plans if he's alive.
Though he grudgingly admits, some small part of him is glad Naruto's here. Not only for the reason that he can use him to heal himself with the sage's power. It's because, even if he tries to fight it and hates it, he can deny Naruto is the last bond he hasn't completely severed. It isn't because lack of trying. It just seems that whenever he tries to cut it, it comes back with vengeance. Like a cockroach.
He sighs, exhausted just by thinking of that blond idiot, and starts walking out of the door leading to the bedroom naked, cane loud against the wood floor as he hopes the closet he used to block the windows has clean clothes. It has. They're slightly bigger but even the baggy, hard-looking jeans give him good maneuverability to work with.
He's now clean and even if Sasuke's not in any way full, he can ignore the light grumbling coming from his stomach thanks to some crackers.
That particular reason was the most important one that caused him to leave the heavily guarded bathroom. He remembers leaving most of the stuff he obtained on the bed and he's glad to find it there. The room is dark but he still can discern the food from other implements. Good sight has always been a trait of the Uchiha, Sharingan or not.
If knowing how much time has passed was just that easy. It can be, but he doesn't know how the weather works in this world so the air is not going to be helpful. He's going to have to come out for that and probably ask someone. He discards the idea though that reminds him he still needs to gather information about everything. It's a good thing he's seen books in the living room of the house. There was also what looked like a library near the make-ship hospital and that looks like a good place to start.
It'd be better to do that when the others are sleeping though. There's no light in the room that could tell him if it's day or night but he probably can taste it if this world is similar to his own. Which looks like it does if it has human-like beings in it. He can try it just to be sure because if there's one thing he likes about being a summoner it's the slight physical changes it offers you depending of the chosen summon. He'll never be able to do the stuff Orochimaru could without physical modifications, but he can taste the air and see through his tongue like most of snakes.
.
.
Taking his tongue out and directing a small drop of chakra in it, Sasuke licks the air slowly. He hasn't mastered the art of summoning, nor had he the time to try learning senjutsu with the snakes, so he needs to put more concentration whenever he tries it. Especially if doesn't want to waste chakra. He normally uses less than what it takes to form a kawarimi to use his snake-like abilities, but it seems that that amount is too much for now. Sasuke was slightly breathless at the end, but he obtained what he wanted.
It's early morning, it seems. Also, there are no people near, at the moment, but there has been a great number standing outside the room. Probably two days ago by the faint trace he's picked.
Sasuke goes to the door leading to the hallway and pours a bit of his chakra into the door, unlocking the seal and making the barrier fall.
It's kind of amusing watching how the door falls from its hinges once there's no power to hold it in place. Said hinges follow after, holes and scratches surrounding the places where they have been. He gives a small tap with his foot to the doorframe and hears small cracks going from the place he's kicked to the floor. Dust falls in front of him from the ceiling.
It seems the Governor did try to enter.
He turns the door over to see what kind of damage has suffered and can almost sense the frustration and anger coming from the marks adorning the surface. The handle is the one with a number of holes that smell faintly of the powder used in explosives. He blinks. Sasuke's sure he has smelled it before.
Remembering, he looks over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of the gun he retrieved from the Governor. They must have used similar weapons. He returns his gaze to the door and tries to analyze its power based on the damage he's seen. It must be great if they've managed to scratch the door at all, but there are few and their location seems thought with the purpose of bringing down the door without wasting unnecessary shots. He glances at the hinges which sport similar holes and notices the same.
The people he's managed to see didn't give the air to be the controlled bunch, so they most likely can't afford to waste their ammunition. The Governor has mentioned how this place was a haven from the monsters lurking outside, so they must have isolated themselves. He's also asked if Sasuke was planning of taking their supplies and food. Their resources must be low, too.
He's trying to form a picture from what he's seen and heard and, suffices to say, it's not pretty.
Sasuke's not sure if it's luck or not the one that made him fall into this place where people were near. His pain tolerance is high but he doesn't have the regeneration Naruto has. If he had fallen close to those 'walkers', as the doctor had called them, then…
Sasuke rolls his eyes at his wandering thoughts. After all, why try to think in the 'what if's? It's not productive.
Leaning more of his weight on the cane, Sasuke walks forward. The first thing he sees is the mess in the living room. Counting the different footprints on the floor, he can guess the number of the people in charge of killing him.
If they work like the civilians from his world then the non-combatants must be already afraid of him. He doesn't know how the Governor managed to tell his people into doing that ambush but he remembers seeing people watching from inside some houses. It'd be easy for their leader to fester that fear so they no longer see him as a teenager they must have assumed he was, but a monster of the same caliber as the ones they fear from the outside.
Sasuke's weakened and until he can have a guess of the power from those so-called monsters, it'd be better if he doesn't leave Woodbury. He's going to have to change their opinion of him if he doesn't want to constantly watch his back. Which involves charisma. Something he doesn't have nor is he willing to learn.
Well that, or he could make a deal with the Governor.
Yes, perhaps he should go and talk to the Governor. Deal or not, he still needs to see him.
After all, he hasn't returned his sword.