A/N: Naruto is property of Masashi Kishimoto, no profit obtained through this fanfic whatsoever.

Sakon didn't want to move, afraid he would ruin the moment. Ukon, his older half, was sleeping next to him, legs tangled with his. They were both nude, feeling the warmth spread like drizzling butter. If he had drizzling butter, he would coat Ukon with it, better than any old piece of toast. It was late morning when he finally got up, Tayuya banging on the door like crazy. He panicked; afraid she would walk in until she yelled, 'EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT YOU GUYS DID IN THERE, SO DON'T THINK I'M AFRAID TO WALK IN THERE!' He blushed; he didn't think the moaning could be heard through the walls, much less through the lair. Once Sakon was dressed and ready to go, he kissed his brother's cheek and set out the daily dose of pills and opiates.

"Alright Tayuya, let's go," Sakon sighed happily, closing the door behind him. Tayuya kept silent and followed, there was a lot of training ahead of them and they had to get started.

The first thing Ukon noticed upon waking up, besides the empty bed, was his throat. Or better yet, his saliva. He struggled to pass it down, but it was impossible. No matter how hard he tried, it was like he forgot to swallow. Panic began to rise inside of him; the saliva was starting to build up in his mouth. He couldn't spit either; his mouth was too weak to do that as well. He remained still too long, and the saliva went the wrong way, causing Ukon to choke. He gasped for air that wouldn't come, and called for words he couldn't say. His sight clouded with panic, and in his effort to get up, he fell off the bed. Kabuto, hearing the entire ruckus Ukon was making, ran in and picked the tween boy up. With swift steps he made his way to a small emergency room, placed the boy on a bed, and immediately began to hook him up with all types of IVs and machinery. The boy had no strength to cough out the saliva so Kabuto had to get rid of it for him. The situation wasn't all that bad, if Ukon hadn't panicked that is.

"Honestly Ukon you can't panic over every little thing," Kabuto chastised him lightly, in reality he was a little freaked out and wanted Ukon to be better. Ukon looked away, he knew better than to freak out but waking up alone and scared got the better of him.

"You don't need to say anything," Kabuto added gruffly, "I don't want to suck all the saliva out of you before noon." Ukon only nodded and closed his eyes, wondering where things went wrong. Right after Sakon got out of bed, he was sure of it. It had always been the other way around; whenever he was gone it was Sakon who cried for him and desperately asked for his return.

In his dreams, the nightmares of beige and red, he talked with his decrepit skeleton version of himself more often than he wished he did. Skeleton Ukon talked about the world beyond, all the glory and peace for tweens like himself. And once they finished conversing, Skeleton Ukon stretched his hand out, beckoning Ukon to join him in that land of glory. He knew better than anyone else the black outs Ukon suffered, all the cramps and internal pain that ruptured through his whole body and the migraines, those hurt the most. No amount of medicine or passionate lovemaking with his brother could fix him, he was broken. Leading his brother on was the absolute worst, feeding him lies that he felt better and silencing his queries with kisses, he had to stoop that low just so Sakon wouldn't suffer. Ukon always refused, he didn't want to go just yet, he would say, there was much to do before he was sealed and buried six feet in the ground. Skeleton Ukon walked away, his back facing Ukon, and hummed a little tune; it was only a matter of time before Ukon would join him.

"UKON!" Sakon yelled, struggling to get out of Kimimaro's grasp. He wanted to shake his brother awake, but Sound Five was holding him back on Kabuto's orders.

"I've gotta wake him up," Sakon sobbed, wiping the fat tears away, "let me go, let me go."

It had been a week since Ukon's little choking, and he hadn't waken up since. He was only dreaming, floating on something lighter than air, looking over everyone. He wasn't dead, the golden light hadn't shown up yet, or so Skeleton Ukon said. He did his best to keep Ukon in the dream world, long enough for everyone to claim him dead. It didn't take long for Ukon to realize that and snap back to reality, bringing relief to his friends and family. He was way past his expiration date, and he asked Kabuto if he could stay in that room. Sakon vehemently disagreed at first, but later realized that it might be the best for his brother.

"Hey Kabuto," Ukon said quietly, once everyone, including his brother left, "do you have a minute?"

"Of course," Kabuto replied, "what's wrong?" Ukon kept a steady face as he merely said, "I want you to do a couple things for me. I know we aren't related, but my brother won't do those things for me if I asked him."

"What is it?" Kabuto asked, "Is this concerning your…end?"

"I want to be cremated, and whatever ash is left to be thrown at the bottom of the lake," Ukon said, "I also have some belongings that I don't share with my brother and I would like for those to be taken care of as well."

"Alright," Kabuto wrote some things down on a notebook and looked up, "things like…?"

"I have a collection of headbands from other villages I would like to be burned," Ukon continued after a small cough, "and a kimono Princess Opal gave me, I would like my brother to keep. It is the only thing he would let me have, even though I received a lot of tokens like this from other people." Kabuto only smiled at the thought, making Ukon feel a little better.

"I'll see to it when the time comes," Kabuto assured him, getting up from his chair, "although you should let your brother in on your plans. Remember what happened last time you shielded your brother from something before?" Ukon's smile disappeared, and he begrudgingly looked out the window, hoping for some comfort.

"He wants to be cremated doesn't he?" Sakon asked once Kabuto walked out of the room.

"Yes, he does," Kabuto replied, "he also left me a list of to-do things. Would you like to help me?" Sakon wordlessly led Kabuto to their room where a small fire was flickering and the headbands were already burning.

"I still can't believe he doesn't trust me, even in the end," Sakon only said, feeding the flickering fire with more headbands.

Ukon got visitors every day, Jirōbō came and fed him all kinds of food, while Kidōmaru read him Shonen Jump and reenacted all the action parts like a mime. Tayuya talked to him about her new romance with Kimimaro and even gave him pointers with Sakon, how she knew these sorts of things scared Ukon. Kimimaro also talked to Ukon, mostly of Sound Five, but sometimes about his new found romance with Tayuya. Even though it seemed people were moving on without him, Ukon was pleasantly glad. It meant he would be missed, but they would move on. His brother was a different matter, he couldn't let go. He hugged him, and promised him revival and said all kinds of foolish suicidal things, like follow him after his death and such.

Other people like Suigetsu, weren't so melodramatic. He came with Karin a few days after his one week coma to see how he was doing. He knew that Ukon had no feelings for him, but didn't take it too bad. He was sad he would never meet another friend like Ukon, and let him go.

"You have no hard feelings?" Ukon feebly asked, "None at all?" Suigetsu only nodded sadly and took his hand, feeling the light pulse move under the skin.

"I want you to do something for me," Ukon said, "if you want."

"What is it?" Suigetsu asked, squeezing his hand a little tighter.

"My brother," Ukon wheezed before coughing loudly, "he…he wants to kill himself. I want you to stop him…by any means possible." Suigetsu's eyes widen once he realized what Ukon was asking him for.

"So once you're gone you want us to get together as a consolation prize?" Suigetsu could only ask bitterly, letting go of Ukon's hand. He stared at his tired brown eyes, then looked over at his pale swallow face and sighed.

"I'll…I'll try," He promised, "but he won't replace you. You may share the same face, that's for sure but I want you…not him. I'm sure he feels the same," He pointed to the corner of the room where his brother was standing, arms crossed and a strange look across his face.

"I want nothing to do with this," Sakon only said, "I suggest you leave Hozuki." Suigetsu got up and kissed Ukon's cheek before walking out, with full intention of keeping his rash little promise.

"Stupid older brother," Sakon muttered at Ukon, "even on your death bed you're still trying to set me up? I love you a thousand times than before, and I won't hesitate to love you after death. What do I have to do to make that clear?" He nuzzled Ukon's chest and cradled his abdomen, breathing warmly on his older brother.

"I'm sick, and dying," Ukon muttered back, "everyone else is moving on, you should too. You will always be my first," He added, setting his head on his brother's. "Now get some sleep, I want to go out tomorrow." Sakon got up and stared at his brother, surely he was joking.

"Out? Where to?" Sakon yelled, "Kabuto says you're recovering at a fast rate because of bed rest. I'm not going to take you out there to get sick all over again. You will not go out tomorrow you hear?"

"Well I'm not about to stay in this room until I die," Ukon retorted, lifting his head up, "now kiss me to make me feel better and prove that little brothers do as their older brothers say." He made an effort to pout his lips, and watched his brother quiver down and kiss him, his tongue licking his chapped lips and begging for more.

"Alright," Sakon sighed in defeat after breaking the kiss, "where are we going tomorrow?"

"That's a surprise," Ukon only said, "just be sure to wear a nice yukata and I would like to wear Princess Opal's kimono, if you don't mind. Of course I could kiss you again if you object…"

"Then I'll object a thousand times just to kiss your lips," His brother retorted back, "you really turn me on, you know that?" Ukon chuckled and kissed his brother before turning off the light switch behind him.

Lovemaking called for energy that Ukon no longer had, but he managed to muster enough to please the one he loved and sighed so beautifully his name. Today was the day. He woke up with a strange light in his eyes, too golden to be the sun and too gorgeous for his pitiful eyes. It was time, but he ignored it. He snuggled closer to his brother, and closed his eyes, but the light remained. Sakon woke up, remembering Ukon's request, and walked over to the closet and pulled out their attire.

"G'morning," Ukon yawned, slowly getting up. His ass hurt and there was semen and blood on the sheets. He needed a shower.

"Shower with me?" He whined, extending his arms so Sakon could carry him to the shower. Sakon swallowed loudly, even though they had a crazy night he wanted more. He walked over to his brother and carried him, blushing like crazy. Ukon had a smug look on his face, and together they showered. Once they were both clean Sakon helped Ukon into the complicated kimono, tying and untying until he got it right. The kimono was a Deidara Exclusive design with a wonderful sea of teal, aqua, and coral green. Seaweed was abundant as well as pretty fish of gold and manila. Seeing his older brother look so majestic and sexy left Sakon breathless, he couldn't look away. His yukata was simple, it was plum and lavender with small petals scattered on it. Sakon opted to put his hair up, while Ukon left his down. They walked out of the room, hand in hand, feeling content and shy at the same time. Outside were all their friends, in festive yukatas, waiting for their arrival. Tayuya was wearing a fiery red and orange one that contrasted Kimimaro's navy blue one. Kidōmaru and Jirōbō had matching forest green yukatas, and even Kabuto was wearing a sexy sky-blue yukata that revealed his chest. It would have been a great sight, if the guys weren't all in drag. Even Orochimaru-sama had a girly yukata and hair pins in his black hair to mimic a girl's attire.

"So where are we going? The okama two for one special?" Sakon joked, receiving a half-assed elbowed from his brother. Everyone had some kind of flowery barrette or butterfly hairpin.

"We're going to the summer festival!" Trilled Jirōbō, "all the food…fooooood." He emphasized, receiving a whoop from Kidōmaru who imagined plates and plates of dango and delicious sweets.

The festival wasn't far, and they were all whistled by men, who only saw a large mass of girls and women. Orochimaru flipped his hair and received more attention, while Kabuto shamelessly winked at people. They other boys were busy eating while Tayuya and Kimimaro shared a sweet candied apple. Sakon and Ukon walked around, looking at all the stands and games set up. Ukon dragged his brother to every game and forced him to play, making him win every tiny little prize. Sakon was enjoying every minute with his brother, seeing him smile and giggle like crazy when they won something. The day couldn't get better, and it didn't. They left the festival in the wee hours of the morning, Orochimaru and Kabuto drunk, dragging Jirōbō and Kidōmaru from their heels because they ate a ton. Kimimaro and Tayuya were no where to be seen, and Sakon was carrying Ukon on his back. They were far behind the crowd, talking quietly and occasionally laughing. It had been the best day ever, but Ukon knew it was time. He managed to whisper to Sakon, "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Sakon said, "anything."

When we get home," Ukon spoke, barely managing to speak what was on his mind, "I want this kimono off of me. I want to sleep in yours, and when I fall asleep, don't wake me up."

"What are you talking about?" Sakon whispered fiercely, "you've got a sugar rush alright? All the excitement must be getting to your head. I mean, you survived to the first day of summer didn't you? Didn't you?" He began to weep; it was starting to make a little sense now. Ukon smiled happily, tears streaming down his face as well.

"Do as your brother says," He sighed, "now kiss me good night." He pursued his lips one last time, and kissed his brother before dying. The pain in his joints ceased, and all the anguish gone, he was done in this world. And just like his dreams, he floated lighter than air and into the golden light, where it lead, only Skeleton Ukon knew. Sakon shook his body forcibly, checking his pulse over and over again, attempting to resuscitate him. Ukon's head fell to the side, his eyes as wide as his gaping mouth. He hugged his brother and carried him home, adamant on completing the last of his brother's wishes.

He undressed his brother and then he dressed him in his plum and lavender yukata, careful not to hurt his frail little body. Morning came and everyone paid their respects, honoring the brave tween brother as he got burned in a fire. Sakon wordlessly picked up the ashes and threw them in the lake, flinging them as deep as he could. No one said anything, afraid of being rude or wrong.

Once that was done, life resumed for the Sound Village and the Sound Five. Kimimaro followed Ukon in death, but managed to bring in the brat Sasuke Uchiha to their side. Tayuya's fire died inside her, all extinguished when she saw his mangled body. All was quiet, and that was fine by everyone. Sakon couldn't bear to let go, and sometimes he stood alone in a mirror, picturing it was him and his brother, only to pitifully fall into tears. He couldn't touch himself, it wasn't the same. And he couldn't bear to seek it elsewhere; it would betray his brother's memory. He resolved to kill himself that would surely make the pain go away, right? He walked to the lake where his brother's ashes lay, and pulled out a tiny vial filled with dreadful poison. He opened it, said his final farewells in his mind, and took a sip. The vial was knocked out of his hand, by a force not his own before he could finish it. His mouth burned and his body convulsed unwilling, when he felt two foreign lips attack his mouth and suck the fire out. Their tongue massaged his mouth, sucking the poison out of him. He couldn't see very well in the dark, but a glimpse of violet told him who it was.

"Idiot," He muttered, pulling Sakon up, "I made a promise to your brother, remember?"

"I thought I told you to leave," Sakon replied coldly, "I don't need salvation." Suigetsu said nothing and pulled Sakon in an awkward open hug, both of them consumed by alien feelings. They would never understand what overcame them that night when they kissed, feeling regret and pity on each other's lips. They lived the cliché, but didn't exactly live happily ever after.

A/N: a clichéd ending for my second fanfic on FF. Please R&R!