Chapter 16 - S

She's in front of them, menacing and deadly in her rage. But they've got a plan. And as it keeps working in their favor, Sasuke feels a small drop of relief making its head known between all the adrenaline-fueled perceptions. At the same time dread is settling in because Fate hasn't treated him so well, so he's even more aware as he waits for the other shoe to drop.

So far everything seems to move in slow motion as Sakura punches Kaguya and that distraction is enough for them. Their hands clasp on her shoulders as Sakura retreats and Naruto shouts in triumph next to him when the goddess under their hold groans and tenses as they continue the seal; the knowledge ingrained in their minds, a gift from the Sage of Six Paths that Sasuke's glad it exists.

Naruto has gotten better, Sasuke admits, but his forte has never been chakra control and he doesn't think the blond knows how to mold his chakra in a specific right way without using hand seals. Though Naruto's always been better with complicated jutsus than the easier ones. And he's an Uzumaki. Sealing is supposed to be in his blood.

Kaguya rages and in a last attempt to distract them, she opens several dimensional holes even as the ground breaks and rocks start levitating to surround her, attracted to the magnetic pull she now has. However, it doesn't last; her chakra dwells and the portals close one by one as she continues raging.

They've won, Sasuke's mind whispers as Naruto and he move far away from the goddess, not wanting to be caught in the pull.

Sasuke is panting but there's a smirk on his lips. He glances at his side and sees Naruto smiling brightly at him, giving him a thumbs-up, practically a step away from bouncing. Yet, even with all the cheerfulness he's been displaying, Sasuke can hear his heavy breathing clear as close as they are standing; the slight drop on his shoulders; the sweat running down his hairline, clear even with all the yellow-colored chakra surrounding him and he doesn't blame him. His own eyes feel as if they've their own heartbeat with how much chakra and blood are pounding through them.

They're at their last and he knows it.

It's true that Naruto has larger reserves than him; however, he has also spent the time sharing his chakra with the other ninjas forming the Alliance. It's a feat by itself seeing him still in his Six Paths cloak.

Naruto perhaps it's doing like him, who by now is only able to keep fighting thanks to the chakra the Sage gave them. He knows that once he releases his rinnegan, that'll be it for him. His will is the only thing keeping it from deactivating without his permission. He really hopes Naruto is better off than him. It's not that he trusts him, but he knows Naruto. For all his new strength and skill, he's still the same stubborn guy with unwavering loyalty.

If Sasuke falls unconscious, he's sure Naruto will do everything in his power to keep him safe. That's the kind of fool he is.

Sasuke feels a tug on his mark and brings his hand close for inspection. Naruto catches his movement and looks away from the slowly forming satellite to glance at his palm. One moment is all it takes for him to take his hand away to have a better view of the moon mark in his tight hold.

"Damn, yours is kind of cooler," he grumbles, turning his palm to a better angle as his face moves closer.

Sasuke scowls, ready to pull his arm away but his fingers grasped between Naruto's accidentally brush against the blonde's own mark. The touch makes his lips part in surprise, barely able to contain the gasp wanting to escape from him.

From the place where his finger is touching Naruto's skin, emotions travel through him. The bigger one is the sense of accomplishment almost rolling in waves towards him, but there are others, smaller, that flash too fast for him to catch all of them. Excitement, pride, and happiness are all too thick and lasting leaving their own trace in Sasuke's own emotions.

There's also something unique that's just Naruto; his own mark, almost. Warm and friendly, headstrong and impulsive. He doesn't know how but, from that touch, Sasuke knows he can get more than sensations. Much, much more. From that touch alone, given to him without too much thought, Sasuke knows he can get hold of all his secrets—enter his mind as if he owns it and destroy it completely.

The information comes and Sasuke wants to grab it like the ninja he is, who takes the opportunities in stride and uses them in his favor. Now, with the war slowly coming to its end, the only one who can stand between his goal and him is the one who is giving him freely an opportunity to win. And yet, when Naruto looks at him in surprise and feels happiness, nostalgia, and hopefulness that comes mixed with uncertainty and nervousness, he backs away.

Naruto blinks at him before he frowns slightly. "Oi, bastard, not need to be so touchy. I was just looking."

"You didn't feel it?"

"Feel what?"

Sasuke really doesn't want to; he's a ninja and every advantage he should take, but… there's a probability that maybe—perhaps—he feels guilty. Not because he regrets his actions. Never. However, he recognizes Naruto's strength, recognizes him as a person, and even with their different views, he respects him.

He's guilty because of what he feels now, knowing some of Naruto's emotions, that is… is pity. Someone so strong and yet so weak, so naïve. Sasuke felt Naruto's friendship and, despite everything, there's part of him that's glad, happy even. But only lasts a moment as Sasuke easily stomps on the emotions with little regret.

Not knowing if the effect is only for him, he places his palm up and motions Naruto to touch his mark. As Naruto approaches, Sasuke takes a breath to secure all his thoughts and emotions away, as Orochimaru once taught him.

The blonde's curiosity is clear in his features, with not a trace of weariness or doubt as he easily cautiously taps the mark with his middle finger. Their skin touch for a fraction of a second but apparently that's enough to make Naruto yelp.

So it works for both of them, he thinks, and really, really hopes it's only between them. He doesn't want others to start feeling his emotions while battling if he accidentally touches them with his palm. He's certain he'll end up cutting his hand off if that's the case as he doesn't think he can guard his mind in the middle of a fight.

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