I don't own Naruto.

It won't be all right despite what they say.

There comes a time when the realization has to be made that some have made their choices and there is no turning back for them. It becomes clear after Sasuke kills Lee one day, and then takes it one step further and sends back Kakashi's body two months later. There is only so much Sakura and Naruto can turn a blind eye to and hope they can still bring Sasuke back. Sakura began to reach that limit when Naruto returned from the Valley of End near dead and it became final for her when Lee was killed. Kakashi's death just pissed her off.

Naruto never really left off on hoping to bring back Sasuke, but even he had to stop being stubborn when he buried his former sensei and then watched Sakura bring a baby boy into a world where his father no longer lived. He might not have been as receptive to the idea as Sakura, but he had to accept that Sasuke was going to have to be killed, and probably by Naruto's hand. He began to train himself to be as apathetic towards Sasuke as Sasuke had proven to be towards Naruto.

There comes a time when a choice has to be made: Naruto can either leave Sasuke where he is (and will die) or he could defy Tsunade's orders and save the other boy whom Naruto loved like a brother, more than a brother.

He deliberates for a while because the idea of picking up Sasuke and disappearing somewhere with him is really very tempting. Naruto has never been good at letting go of the few precious people he has gained over the years (witnessed by his denial over Iruka's death, his refusal to attend Shikamaru's funeral, and the way he spoke as if Kakashi was still alive). But now he still has a choice to make.

By turning away and leaving Sasuke he chooses to let go.

Because all he has to do is remind himself of all the harsh things Sasuke has done to him and not dwell on the good memories. He just has to remember that Sasuke has become twisted and has done unspeakable acts (he was the one who led the attack on Sunagakure and annihilated the entire village while Gaara had been abducted by Akatsuki).

It is easier if he pretends he can not hear Sasuke moaning from his place on the ground. It is just part of his imagination that makes the noises of pain sound like his name being called desperately, mournfully.

This is how the last of the great Uchiha clan dies. Not in glory on the battlefield, heroically fighting, but alone and left behind his closest friend who he had so easily betrayed once before.

Alone and dishonored, no one can save Uchiha Sasuke in the end. Not even Naruto.

A/N Please tell me if anything's wrong. I do all my own editing.