Why?

I conjured a Chidori while Naruto made a Rasengan – I believe that is what he called it. I growled and focused all my new-found power into my hand, I barely grasp that my Chidori has turned grayish-black. The sound, however, which was a deafening harmony of chirping birds, was hard to ignore when it warped to the ear-splitting melody of…birds taking flight?

'I don't have the time to be focusing on such things.'

I look back up to Naruto and notice that his Rasengan has turned purple. 'Him. This person before me. His disturbingly crimson eyes. The marks – whiskers – on his cheeks, deepened. Fangs? This…this…thing. It is not him. It is not Naruto. Not my…best friend.'

I must do it. I need to do it. I took a breath, and lunged.

"Ransengan!"

"Chidori!"

We collided in the middle, white light appearing where we clashed.

I couldn't do it.

I switched hands and punched Naruto in the chest, I couldn't do it. I couldn't kill him. I couldn't kill my best friend. Then I realized something. He scratched my headband, a feat that I declared impossible for him. I smiled sadly inside.

'That dobe…'

Darkness suddenly replaced the light. It expanded around us until everything around was consumed inside it.

We stared at each other. No sound made between us.

We both gazed at each other with empty eyes.

The light slowly dissipated. Naruto lay below me. The sun shone through the clouds, and a spotlight glowed around us. The light slowly became smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing on Naruto's face.

I stared down at Naruto as my headband fell beside Naruto. Rain began to pour, and I felt a sharp pain in my arm, and I fell, grabbing it. I looked Naruto straight in the face, while the rain continued to fall.

His piercing azure eyes flitted open. "Sasuke, please…please don't leave me."

"I'm sorry, Naruto."

He passed out. I began to rise, but then I stopped. I decided that I probably would never get another chance to do this. So I took it.

I kissed him.

He wasn't conscious, but it's the most I'll ever get.

I quickly got up and sprinted away, ignoring my body as it screamed for me to stop. I needed to get a far away as I could. I couldn't be near him any longer.

'I'm sorry, and…I love you'