Whether We Are Chapter 20, a naruto fanfic

This is the final chapter! Oh my god! I started this Fanfic off as something about the Chuunin Exams, and now. Look where it is! I just feel so proud of myself. Nearly 10 times I tried ending this thing, and finally, I did it. I ended it with 20 chapters. I was done these chapters long before I posted them all, I was just too lazy to post it and everything. The song used in this final chapter is called "Mizu no Akashi" by Rie Tanaka and Yuki Kajiura. It's another Insert Song from Gundam SEED, sung by Lacus Clyne after she is at a theatre, and Athrun comes to question her. It's a beautiful song; I sang it at a school function. Anyways, this is the last chapter. Orochimaru's dead, Sakura's gone. And now, true love finally reached their ears. Well, Sasuke's anyways.

◦◦◦˚˚˚˚◦◦˚¤ Twenty ¤˚◦◦˚˚˚˚◦◦◦

So there is a fine line between Hatred and Love. It could easily be crossed, something I just did. I used to hate him; he was my most fatal rival. And the only thing that changed this was me jumping into a fight to save him. I sealed my own fate, and I tied myself to him. I don't know how, or why, but I fell in love somewhere along the road. So much has been gained, and so much lost. I've always felt like a part of me was missing before, but with him here, I've gained it. I no longer see anything incomplete, for I have strength, strength in my loved ones. Kyuubi, Iruka-sensei, the Hokage, and Sasuke. They give me the strength I need to live. I love them all… dearly…

Naruto's eyes flickered open to a bright, blue sky. There were the noises of nature fluttering around him. A bird was singing a merry tune, and he could guess something nice happened to it. His every muscle ached, and his head was killing him; yet he didn't hurt at all. He'd come to an important conclusion, all on his own. This conclusion should have been easier to figure out, but it took him long enough. Ah… this reminds me of that Chuunin exam. The one where I had to help Sasuke. He could never forget that small incident, because it changed the course of history itself. He closed his eyes, and drifted back to sleep.

The nighttime fills the sky.

Stars alive go floating by.

So still the evening air.

So warm and soft.

Peace everywhere.

The long, peaceful silence was like music to his ears. After all of that violence, just about anything would be peaceful. He had barely done any fighting lately, but it was more then enough. He felt a hand slide over his back, placing some soothing herb on it. Who… who is that? Naruto…? He seriously doubted it was the blonde haired boy. They'd both collided, and Naruto probably had the full impact of the Chidori. Not that the Rasengan isn't any less painful. He was happy, to a slight extent. The words Naruto had said during that battle filled him with a bright glow. All of the pain was worth hearing those words.

He opened his eyes, and found himself staring up at the face of his older brother. He quickly sat up, and grunted from the pain in his abdomen. "Mm… you were hit in the chest", Itachi explained. Sasuke nodded, though weakly. Is Orochimaru dead? Even if he is… what about Sakura? He found Itachi's partner, Kisame, nearby, dressing someone else's wounds. Sasuke's eyes widened, as he found Naruto lying there, looking terribly ill. "Na-Naruto", he gasped!

"He's suffering from an inner and outer wound. The Nine Tailed Fox cannot heal him, and he himself cannot heal", Kisame pointed out. He crawled over to Naruto, despite Itachi's protests and his aching stomach. When he looked down at the whiskered face, he found a slight bit of a smile on the boy's face. He's only resting… we need to take him back to the village. Itachi walked over, and placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "I will bring him to the gates, but after that, I must leave", Itachi said. Sasuke looked up at the man, and nodded. Though secretly, his heart ached for Itachi to come back.

I see a world in harmony.

A world of peace and humanity.

Where people walk free like water in a stream.

Flowing on forever more.

Naruto opened his eyes, and found himself staring up at a familiar white ceiling. Ah… I must be in the village again. I should be glad… but, Sasuke? Is he okay? He sat up, squinting from how much it hurt. Almost instantly, he scanned the room, searching for any sign of a raven haired male. He found none. Instantly, he frowned. God, does that teme have to come late? You've been out of it for nearly a month, kid. What?! That's really long! You don't think you could have woken me up? You weren't well enough yet. I suppose your right. Are you okay? Naturally, yes, I am. I see a few letters, open them. Oh and there's a whole group of bouquets of flowers. Naruto looked at the flowers, lying everywhere. Sasuke… Aren't you going to open those letters? You'd be surprised at how many people wrote to you.

The breezes softly blow.

Crisp and warm; so sweet I know.

Upon my cheek I can feel;

Tenderly, a kiss so real.

Naruto quickly noticed a bunch of letters, waiting for him. He grabbed the nearest one, looking at it.

Dear Naruto,

Once you're awake, please be sure to tell me, right away. I've been really worried, and I've come to see you and Sasuke-san a couple of times. He's recovered just fine, but you've been out for a while. Kakashi-kun and I just got together, you see. And Sakura-san has been presumed a missing-nin. I do hope you'll be okay. We're having ramen as soon as you wake up, understand? Oh, and don't forget your training!

Iruka-sensei

Naruto smiled at the letter, folding it neatly. I'll keep this one forever. Iruka-sensei always makes sure I'm okay. He read a few others (Shikamaru actually sent him a two word letter). Soon enough, he found himself with nothing to do. They all care for me a lot… especially Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei. But Sasuke…? Why hasn't he come yet? You're most eager to see him. I can't help it, damn fox.

"Naruto…?"

Like a brush of a hand that I cannot see.

The sound of a voice deep inside of my heart.

So I dream of a new day coming,

For all the world to see.

He stared in something similar to shock as he found Naruto sitting up, staring at the ceiling. The blonde boy had been in a coma for a month, and most people expected him to be that way forever. Sasuke had secretly kept hope Naruto would soon wake up. He'd bought roses and many other flowers every day, hoping he'd open his eyes soon. And here he was today, finding Naruto sitting up. He dropped the blue roses he was carrying, unable to move any further.

"Sa-Sasuke… H-hey…", Naruto said. The boy was uncomfortable, it was obvious. Neither knew how to approach the situation. "H-how are you", Naruto quickly asked? Sasuke shrugged, picking the flowers he'd dropped, and walking over to the bed Naruto lay on. He sat at the edge, staring at the boy's blue eyes. Many times his eyes change color, from blue, to red, and to blue. He was relieved, but now. Now he had to tell him how he really felt.

Lift your eyes and see a new day dawning.

A dream that will soon come true.

The day we've waited for.

And then he felt a pair of lips against his own, soft, extremely, and gentle. "I-I love you", Naruto's voice mumbled. Sasuke blinked, unable to shake off the feeling that he'd just reached heaven. And he wrapped his arms around the boy, pulling him to his own chest, and pressing his lips tightly against his. "Aishiteru, dobe. Did it take you that long to find it out", he asked? Naruto nodded, blushing deeply. The two stayed that way, in each other's arms, neither moving.

Lift your heart and see the future for us all.

Whether we are? That was the question I asked myself about us. I found my answer…

Owari.