A tribute art to the latest chapter for Naruto (233) which sent a lot of the fans shocked and depressed for a while.

Characters (C) Kishimoto


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He lifted his face to the sky, waiting for the rain.

Acknowledgement was something both of them had wanted. Naruto from Sasuke. Sasuke from Itachi.

Worth was something each had craved for and slowly earned.

Sasuke had faced Naruto, acknowledging that worth so that they fight as equals.

Now, as he waited for the rain to pour, he realized that Naruto had hesitated in that last few seconds before he fell.

The blond could have aimed for anything but he only reached for the Leaf headgear that Sasuke wore.

He wasn't worthy to wear the badge of their village's pride.

It was the parting shot of the strong.

Never again would he be able to see Naruto's face.

The sky began to weep for the fallen. For Naruto. Perhaps, for Sasuke, too.

Pain shot through his arm, sending him to his knees and coughing blood.

He came face to face with Naruto's. He was merely inches away from the unmoving form and, yet, he could only see the Naruto whose back is turned in disappointment.

He stared long and hard and let the rain mask away the tears that finally came.

~ fin