Chapter 19: Wish upon a star

Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto series...Damn it!

Well, I've been working on this forever right? I remember the first day I started it. Thanks for all the support and such! I would have posted this sooner but I caught a horrible...And I mean horrible bout of food poisoning. Oh god, I wanted to DIE! Be careful about what you eat and always make sure that it is properly prepared okay? That is my advise to all food lovers out there! Anyway, enjoy the last chapter and be sure to tune in to my ITASASU fic, GONE TOO FAR.

Thankies! *blows kiss*

Kakashi held Naruto in the cage of his arms until the bright and blinding light had faded. A little black rat shook itself as it came out of its daze. Kakashi cast a wary eye over the blond, slowly letting go of him. Naruto was still staring at the small creature, trying to comprehend what he was seeing.

"W-What?" the blond whispered, taking a shaky step forward. "S-Sasuke?" he asked. He looked up and down the alleyway, but they were the only ones there. He looked at Kakashi, taking in his slightly guilt ridden and sad demeanor. The little black rat on the ground gave a squeak.

"Naruto?" he spoke. Kakashi was a little surprised that he understood Sasuke. He turned to the blond.

"Naruto...There is something you need to know," he began.

No...No-no no nononononononononooooooo! Why? Why why! Why did I have to turn backward now? Just when I managed to get my blond back into my arms? Why...

Sasuke literally slumped; his ears fell to his sides as his little red eyes watered. He didn't even have the strength to keep his tail off the ground. Before he could act, he watched the blond in front of him waver and take a stumbling step backward. Sasuke gasped as Kakashi quickly rushed forward as the blond pitched back in a faint. Sasuke sprinted across the alley floor and ran up the seam of Kakashi's pants. He stood on Kakashi's shoulder to get a closer look at the blond's face.

"We should go back to Naruto's apartment for now. He probably fainted from shock," Kakashi said, carefully picking Naruto up bridal style. Sasuke nodded and held on as Kakashi started running. They mostly stuck to back alley ways, and it was thankfully becoming dark, by the time they hit the bridge. Naruto groaned a few times as his eyes fluttered. Kakashi managed to get to Naruto's apartment and gently set the blond down on the bed. Sasuke hopped down onto the bed and carefully examined the blond. Kakashi walked over to the sink and grabbed a wash cloth.

"I can't believe this happened," Kakashi muttered, wetting the cloth.

"Why...Why did I change back?" Sasuke squeaked, laying a paw on Naruto's cheek. Kakashi returned and carefully started rubbing Naruto's face to remove some sweat.

"It sounds like your time ran out. You know...Like a parking meter?" he lamely tried. Sasuke gave him a glare.

"That weird guy with the scar didn't say that I would turn back! He promised me that I would be able to stay with Naruto! It's not..sniff...It's not fair!" he yelled. Kakashi watched sadly as Sasuke's ears drooped, and he laid his head on Naruto's shoulder. The little red orbs of his eyes glittered as tears stained the fur on his cheeks. Just as Kakashi was going to say something, Naruto's eyes opened, and he groaned, lifting a hand to rub at his wet face.

"W-where am I?" he whispered, looking weakly around his apartment. Kakashi gently sat on the bed next to him.

"You're back Naruto. You're back at your apartment," the silver-haired man said. Naruto's face instantaneously looked like it was in pain. He looked down abruptly when a weight shifted in his lap. He was surprised to see the same black rat from earlier staring up at him...Sadly?

Naruto's eyes flew open in realization.

That black fur...Those red eyes...No way...

"You're the rat I saved from the kitchen," he whispered. Kakashi beside him nodded.

"Naruto...This is Sasuke." The blond looked confused as the little rat swished its tail and continued to stare at him. Naruto carefully raised his hand and ran a finger over the tiny creature's ear.

"How...Is that possible? What was that light?" he asked, still in disbelief. Naruto wasn't going to lie; it did seem strange, but he did see the flash of light from earlier.

Kakashi went into an explanation about Sasuke and what happened at the bridge. Naruto listened intently as Sasuke remained practically motionless on his lap. He stayed quiet, so he could watch all the facial features on the blond. He was afraid that when the story ended, he too would end from being able to be near the blond. Kakashi finished, and Naruto looked if a little if not completely lost. Sasuke was saddened more when those heavenly blue orbs filled with tears and ran down his face. Sasuke pawed his chest, and the blond looked from Kakashi to him.

"I don't believe it...It seems so weird, but you were real. We talked and went on a date and kissed...Oh Sasuke," the blond wailed, circling his arms gently and bringing the rat to his chest. Sasuke nuzzled the other as fresh tears hit his head. Kakashi watched sadly and looked to the side.

"If this means Sasuke turned back...

"Then that means I will too eventually. I only just changed to human, but Sasuke has been human for a few days. Now...I see. My time will be coming soon as well." Kakashi seemed in a daze when he stood and went into the hallway. After he closed the door, he slid down it, covering his face with his hands. Back inside, the blond was having his own crisis.

"Sasuke...Sasuke..." the blond sobbed. The rat could only sit miserably and watch the one he loved cry in sorrow.

"Naruto...Naruto don't cry," he squeaked.

The blond looked up when the soft sad sounds of the little rat in his lap reached his ears. He ran a finger down the small rats back, smiling sadly.

"I thought my wish had come true. One night...I secretly saw a shooting star and made a wish. I had no idea it would come true," he whispered. Sasuke listened intently; small ears craned up and whiskers twitching.

"That was my wish too...I wanted to be a human so bad! I was happy when I could meet and be with you Naruto!"

"You were so handsome; it seemed too good to be true. Sasuke...I know I said I didn't believe in fate but..." Naruto choked off a sob as he stared down at the equally crying rat.

"I fell in love with you. I don't know how I did in such a short amount of time, but I did!" the blond sobbed harder. "It's not fair! I don't want this to end! Even so, how...How can we?"

Sasuke squeaked sadly and crawled up on the golden's shoulder to sit on his window sill. Sun light filtered through the fair-haired's small apartment through his dirty window. Naruto wiped his eyes with the back of his hand as sunlight hit his face. Sasuke sat on his hind legs; small paws hunched in front of him. Naruto stared back when those red beady eyes caught his. Sasuke was illuminated as the sun hit his back, making him look unearthly and beautiful. Naruto couldn't help himself as he leaned forward, coming closer to the small rat.

"I don't care if your human or not Sasuke. I will always love you, the real you that hides somewhere deep under all that fur," he whispered, closing his eyes as one more tear escaped his eye. "I'll never love anyone else."

Sasuke was trembling when Naruto's lips caught the side of his small cheek. Sasuke shakily raised a paw and let it settle on the tanned cheek. A tear slid from his little red eye, and he moved his face and gently kissed Naruto's now pale lips with his own.

"Naruto...I love you so much..." he whispered back. Naruto stopped as that familiar voice filtered through his ears.

"Naruto..."

Naruto felt his body grow warm suddenly. He gently cupped Sasuke and brought him closer to his trembling lips.

Kakashi rubbed his face raw until the tears finally stopped. He had been sitting in the hallway the whole time, going over his thoughts. He liked being human; it was so much more fulfilling. It sucked knowing he would have to return to life as a rat soon. He felt as if he had been given life's greatest pleasure before it was ripped away cruelly from him...Just like what happen to Naruto and Sasuke. Kakashi punched the floor; he suddenly felt really old as everything that has happened so far caught up to him.

"Damn it!" he hissed. He hung his head and stared at the floor, cradling his aching hand.

Clop clop clop..

A shadow fell over his head, and he looked up, hoping it wasn't a visitor. Not now...Not in their grief.

His good eye went wide when a cloaked figure stood above him, gold eyes gleaming. Kakashi gapped a few times before coming to his senses. He stood angrily and pointed a finger at the man.

"You!" He growled, eye narrowing. The golden eyes man tilted his head and pointed at himself.

"Me?" His deep voice question. Kakashi growled.

"How could you do that? How could you be so cruel to Sasuke? If you were going to make him be a rat again, why did you even bother? He fell in love and expected to be with Naruto forever! What kind of a cruel monster does that to a vulnerable heart!" He hissed at the man.

The cloaked figure closed his eyes before removing his hood. Kakashi was a little intimidated when silver hair framed his face, making him look wise. The same scar from the middle of his face, ran from upper lip, around the curve of his nose and over an eyebrow to his forehead. The scar line vanished into the hairline where hair met skin.

"I needed to test this love. Not everyone is bound by the thin thread of fate. In this world...Humans are challenged day to day. Humans die, everyday. Love can be gained but lost so easily when someone else, better, stronger comes along. Sasuke had to know the extent of which his love for Naruto would go. I had to see if the blond would ever love someone as unnatural as Sasuke," he spoke, voice deep and laced with wisdom. Kakashi's fists were shaking by his side.

"So we were nothing but toys? Just tools to sate your curiosity?" he growled, swiping a hand through the air. "That sounds like a load of selfish bullshit!"

The man closed his eyes and chuckled.

"Forgive me...It has been so long since I have met true people with genuine intentions." Kakashi looked to the side.

"So what now? Will they have to live like this? Forever doomed to stay in this state of despair? Can't you see...They're in love," he spoke softly. The cloaked man lifted his hand and gently removed his glove. His hand was unnaturally pale and looked as if the sun had never once grazed at it. He lifted a single index finger and touched Naruto's door, right next to Kakashi's head.

Tick tock

goes the clock

the mouse fell down

but found in luck

another mouse to grab his paw

and haul him back

with tender love.

They both climbed up,

they both sat down

they nuzzled their cheeks,

they heard the sound...

the clock struck twelve

and one mouse said...

never leave my side,

until the end...

There was a sudden crash inside the apartment as the man pulled his hand back. He smiled at the shocked look on Kakashi's face.

"Be good in this life, you have only one. Find someone to love, and never let go," he said, putting his glove back on. Kakashi watched as the man seemed to fade into a mist right before his eyes. He was long gone by the time Kakashi blinked. He suddenly heard heavy sobbing inside the apartment.

"SASUKE!" He heard Naruto yell.

Kakashi flung the door open, and he quickly rushed inside.

"NARUTO!" He yelled, stopping dead in his tracks.

Naruto felt a heavy weight pin him to his bed. He groaned in pain as his arms were trapped in an odd angle under the weight. A blinding glow formed on top of him, and he had to close his eyes as a strong tremor passed through his body. A hand touched his cheek when the light passed, and the blond opened his eyes.

"Naruto...My Naruto..." it whispered.

The blond's eyes flew open as tears spilled down his cheeks. Sasuke sat...Fully human...On top of him and smiling.

"Dobe...Don't cry, I can't stand to see you cry," he whispered, leaning down and capturing his lips. Naruto sobbed loudly as he wrapped his arms around the body above him.

"SASUKE!" he yelled. Both jumped when the door suddenly flew open.

"NARUTO!" Kakashi yelled. He was shocked when he saw Sasuke...Human Sasuke...Sitting on the bed on top of Naruto. He smiled and heaved a breath before sinking to the floor.

"Thank goodness," he whispered, tearing up himself and crying from his one good eye.

It was later in the day after a long session of Naruto sobbing in Sasuke's strong arms. Both were on the roof of the blond's apartment building, looking at the full moon.

"So...You were a rat that fell in love with me after I saved you?" The blond asked, leaning back against the raven's chest. Sasuke nodded against his neck, the place his face was currently nuzzling. Kakashi was back in the fair-haired's apartment. The day had caught up to him, and he was sleeping in the blond's bed.

"I wished to become human...And it came true. Don't ask me how, there just must be some freaky shit out there...Or I guess...You could call them miracles," Sasuke smiled. Naruto nuzzled back into him.

"Sasuke...I love you, never leave my side," the blond breathed. Sasuke felt his heart flutter.

"I love you too Naruto...More than crackers...And until the end."

Somewhere in the town they gazed out over, a large clock struck twelve as the two nuzzled.

Epilogue

It had been one month since Sasuke became a permanent human. Kakashi after all, didn't turn back into a rat and also lived as a human. Because Naruto had two people in his apartment, he needed to get rid of Kakashi before the landlord kicked him out. Naruto introduced Kakashi to a man he worked with at one of the street cafes. The man's name was Iruka, and the two hit it off instantly. Sasuke had learned much more about humans and was always by his blond's side. Sure he missed the colony, but Naruto was his world now.

Eventually, Kakashi and his perverted nature became one. He started writing books, and they became a huge hit. Especially with his new boyfriend Iruka as his inspiration. They sold so well that Kakashi wanted to do something for Naruto and Sasuke. He gave them the money to open their own small shop, right near the harbor that Naruto's father loved so much. It was a cute restaurant over looking the canal and open to anyone. Sasuke and Naruto rented the second story of the building as their new home, bigger and better smelling. The two would often watch the sun as it set when they laid down in each other's arms. It also let in bright moonlight when they made love.

Sasuke still had his little rat quirks. He would itch his face like he was pushing back whiskers. He also had a horrible habit of digging through trash cans, and Naruto often scolded him for it. Iruka was surprised to see Kakashi have the same bad habit as well...He never found out why...Poor man.

So far, as Naruto knew...He never heard from Leo again. The harbor committee had grown tired of Leo's father and forced him to sell it back to the people. The man was officially ruined and was said to have fled the country. Fishing boats once again filled the people's vision, and much-needed business was back. Sasuke made it a ritual that they go out on the boats once in a while.

Back at the colony, many rats wondered where Kakashi and Sasuke vanished too. Sakura of course was heartbroken, but eventually healed when she met a unique rat named Sasori and settled down, she had over three litters with him.

The restaurant that had been burnt down was never re-opened. Someone (cough Shikamaru cough) leaked to the health commission about the rat problem. The cranky and mean owner balled his eyes out and yelled to the heavens about him being ruined.

Sasuke and Naruto laid in each other's arms, both tired because of the day's events. Naruto leaned in and kissed his rat-turned-human boyfriend on the lips.

"Night Sasu...Love you," he whispered. Sasuke smiled.

"Night...My Naruto."

Somewhere else...In the dead zone.

The golden eyed man sighed as he sat in his chair, keeping his chin in his palm as his arm rested on his knee. He looked dreamily into his crystal ball as it floated in front of him.

"I love happy endings..."

He pulled back and looked at you, the reader.

Giving a small salute to you, he smiled.

"Well, until next time!"

Wow...The end. I can't believe I did it. Thanks to everyone who kept up with me! Please read my other stories!

deathskeith