Naruto had stayed by Sasuke's bedside for a full day and night.
At last, Sasuke stirred. His eyelids fluttered, then opened, revealing not the soft black eyes of a child, but scarlet Sharingan both eyes now bearing two tomoe each.
"You're awake, Sasuke. Here, have some apple," Naruto said, carefully picking up a slice he had cut earlier and holding it to his friend's lips.
Sasuke turned his head away. His gaze landed on Naruto, but there was nothing human in it cold, mechanical, hollow, as if his very soul had been stripped away.
In a single night, everything he had cherished his family, his clan, his home had been reduced to nothing but corpses and blood.
And the cruelest truth of all?
The one who had done it was none other than his brother the very person he admired most, trusted most, loved most.
How could the world be this absurd?
Even now, Sasuke still wondered if he might wake up from this nightmare. Perhaps he had been trapped in a genjutsu all along, and his brother would come ruffling his hair, scolding him lightly, saying it had all been just a dream.
A sharp smack snapped him back.
Naruto's palm had landed lightly on his cheek. "That wake you up?" he asked matter-of-factly.
"It hurts," Sasuke muttered, lowering his head so Naruto wouldn't see the tears brimming in his eyes.
So it wasn't a dream.
Everything was real.
Itachi no, that man had truly killed their parents.
He had truly slaughtered the clan.
Then why leave Sasuke alive? Why burden him with this agony? Why curse him with survival?
"What are you thinking right now?" Naruto asked, popping the apple slice into his own mouth when Sasuke wouldn't eat it. His voice was casual, but his blue eyes were sharp, searching.
Sasuke's head shot up, his Sharingan blazing, hatred spilling out of him in waves. "Revenge! For Father, for Mother, for every single one of my people. I'll kill Itachi with my own hands!"
Naruto chewed, swallowed, and nodded. "Then I'll help you."
Sasuke blinked. "You "
Naruto's expression hardened, his own eyes burning with killing intent. "Uncle Fugaku and Aunt Mikoto treated me like family. Their kindness… I'll never forget it. This grudge isn't just yours to bear, Sasuke. It's mine too."
Sasuke froze, staring at him. Naruto's fury wasn't feigned it was raw and alive, just as deep as his own.
For the first time since last night, his hatred wavered. Pain shared was pain halved. And in that moment, Sasuke understood Naruto truly carried the same weight.
"…Thank you," he whispered.
Naruto grinned and held out another apple slice. "Apple?"
This time, Sasuke didn't refuse. He bit into it silently, the sweetness contrasting bitterly with the tears that still threatened to fall.
"Grandpa Third will probably come see you soon," Naruto said, settling back in the chair.
"About… him?" Sasuke muttered, closing his eyes as a dull ache throbbed in his head. The remnants of Itachi's genjutsu still clawed at his mind. If not for his Sharingan awakening further, he doubted he'd have woken so quickly.
"Yeah."
Sasuke nodded once, wordlessly.
Naruto stepped out to inform the ANBU stationed outside. "Tell Lord Third that Sasuke's awake."
Later, the door opened. Hiruzen Sarutobi entered, carrying a small basket of fruit. The lines on his face seemed deeper than usual, his sigh heavy.
"My condolences, Sasuke," he said softly, setting the basket by the bedside.
"I'm fine," Sasuke replied flatly. His voice was calm, his face expressionless. "If you have questions, ask. I'll answer everything I know."
How long does it take for a boy to grow up?
For some, thirty or forty years.
For others, a single night.
The bright, mischievous Sasuke of yesterday was gone. He had died with his clan.
What remained was something else entirely. A survivor. A vessel for vengeance.
The last heir of the Uchiha.
He would not allow himself to weep in front of others. He carried the pride of his family now. As long as he lived, the Uchiha were not extinguished.
"The one who attacked… it was Itachi, wasn't it?" Hiruzen asked, his tone grave.
"Yes. I saw him kill my parents with my own eyes."
"I understand." The Third Hokage exhaled. "Konoha will issue a wanted order. Rank: S-class."
"Then… please, when the time comes, let him be mine." Sasuke's mask cracked slightly as his eyes shone with desperate determination. "I want to be the one to kill him to avenge them all."
Hiruzen hesitated.
"Grandpa Third," Naruto cut in firmly, "this one's ours. No one else can take it from us."
The old Hokage studied the two boys, saw the unshakable fire in their eyes, and finally nodded. "Very well. The bounty on Itachi will prioritize information gathering. His life will belong to you."
Neither of them knew that, not long ago, Itachi had secretly come to Hiruzen himself. He had begged the Hokage to protect Sasuke in his absence. Then, as though sealing his own fate, he had walked away into the shadows of a group called Akatsuki.
Officially, Hiruzen had no choice but to declare him a traitor. But now, with Naruto and Sasuke demanding the right of vengeance, the path forward was set.
"As for the clan's estate and assets," Hiruzen added, "they'll all be turned over to you, Sasuke. It's the least I can do."
Sasuke inclined his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
"Rest well. You'll need your strength."
With that, the old man left, his pipe smoke lingering faintly in the air.
"What do you want for lunch?" Naruto asked after a beat.
"…Grilled meat," Sasuke murmured, lying back down to ease the throbbing in his skull.
"Fine. You're paying, though."
Sasuke's eyes snapped open. "What kind of caretaker says that to a patient, you idiot?"
Naruto shot back instantly. "You're the rich kid now, Mr. Heir. You expect me an orphan to cover the bill? Not happening."
Sasuke glared. Naruto glared right back.
"Fine, fine!" Sasuke finally grumbled, waving him off. "Put it on my tab. I'll pay you back."
"Good enough. Only because you're a patient." Naruto muttered his way out of the room, leaving Sasuke alone.
Silence settled. Sasuke stared at the ceiling. His lips moved, soundless at first, then barely audible.
"…Thank you, Naruto."
He knew what Naruto was doing using banter, annoyance, anything to pull him away from the pit of last night's horror. He understood.
But understanding didn't mean forgetting. The images remained, carved into his mind. His brother's face, the kaleidoscope of illusions, the blood.
He pulled the blanket over his eyes, shutting out the world.
By evening, Sasuke insisted on leaving the hospital. Naruto didn't argue. He walked beside him back to the deserted Uchiha compound.
Rain drizzled from a gray sky. Neither boy carried an umbrella. They let the drops soak them, skin and hair, like penance, like cleansing.
Passersby stared, muttering about foolish kids walking in the rain. Sasuke caught their eyes but felt nothing. He was beginning to understand Naruto's defiant indifference.
Why care about the judgment of fools?
He tilted his head upward, gazing at the heavy clouds. His future, he thought, would be just as dark and storm-filled.
A voice broke through the gloom. "What's wrong? Didn't wash the gunk out of your eyes this morning?"
Sasuke twitched, turning to glare. Naruto stood there grinning, blond hair shining even in the rain.
For a moment, Sasuke's chest ached. Not from grief, but from something warmer.
Looking at Naruto was like looking at the sun.
No matter how dark the sky became… he still had family left.
He still had the sun.