Naruto and Sasuke - I Told You, We Die Together.

VISIT AND JOIN MY NEW GROUP [link]


-- PLEASE READ --

Lineart by Narutoan98

Colored by Me (Michaelsmith94)

I'm always trying to create new pieces which differ from one another by altering the way I shade, color, draw etc. So it'd be nice to hear some feedback from you guys if you see the drawings improving, what you think I could do better, what you would like me to draw, ask me anything and I will reply ASAP Thanks!

Leave a comment in the section below, and feel free to message me, and comment on my profile page if needs be

"It's my job, no one else's!" Naruto declared passionately, blazing blue eyes locked with Sasuke's dark ones. Sasuke's eyes were like bottomless pits, as emotionless as ever. They bore into Naruto, cold and unyielding – one elegant eyebrow had raised by the minutest fraction; the only indication that Sasuke was actually listening to Naruto's fervent rant.

"I'll bear the burden of your hate…" Naruto continued, attempting to incite some sort of reaction from the other boy.

"…"

Sasuke remained as frigid as ever, and Naruto began to get desperate. The words poured out of his mouth, as he tried to make Sasuke understand exactly how much he meant to Naruto, just how badly Naruto needed him back.

"And we'll both die together!" he ended dramatically, meaning every shocking word he had just uttered. He heard an sharp intake of breath from Kakashi, a gasp from Sakura. Sasuke seemed to have gone rigid, eyes widening ever so slightly. Then-

"… What?! What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Sasuke suddenly shouted.

Sasuke's expression had suddenly contorted from its impassive mask, transmogrified into a look of utter fury, mingled with shock. His eyes were smoldering, with anger, obviously directed straight at Naruto for his proclamation.

'I finally got through to him,' Naruto thought triumphantly, his stomach fluttering ever so slightly at Sasuke's outburst and enraged glare. He thought, perhaps, that there was something else, barely noticeable but yet present… something else hidden within those dark, turbulent depths of Sasuke's onyx eyes. But Naruto knew he was probably just getting his hopes up, deluding himself that Sasuke cared for him in a way Naruto knew he didn't – couldn't.

"Why do you care about me so much?!"

Sasuke's voice was strangely thick. It was a subtle change, yet noticeable to Naruto; Sasuke was trembling, but not from anger – at least not entirely. There was a trace of grief, a trace of regret, shining from those dark eyes.

There was no need for words. They were both top-class ninjas. Naruto could read his thoughts – at that moment, he could understand what Sasuke was thinking, what he was trying to conceal behind his hatred, his uncaring attitude.

Sasuke was shocked. He was shocked at how much he meant to Naruto – but even more he was worried. And upset. At the prospect of Naruto dying, sacrificing himself for Sasuke.

The very prospect gave Naruto hope, and he met Sasuke's questioning glare, his lips lifting ever so slightly.

"Because I'm your friend," Naruto replied simply, the expression in his clear eyes now warm.

Sasuke's anger ebbed away, and he stared at Naruto looking rather bewildered. There was no longer even the slightest trace of antipathy in his expression – just a confused, regretful look; probably the closest to the old Sasuke that Naruto had seen in years.

Sasuke looked exhausted. With his scratched face, mussed up hair and astonished expression – it was as if he was Sasuke from Team Seven, staring at Naruto in shock after he'd performed some moronic misdeed to jeopardize their mission… it was as if he was back at the Valley of the End, gazing at Naruto from across the water, perched upon a log.

Naruto remembered the conversation they'd had back then…

'Why would you go so far for me, Naruto?' Sasuke had asked.

Naruto had replied with the usual 'bonds' excuse – it had been true, at the time.

Now, after all these years, Naruto realized it had been more than just mere 'brotherly bonds'.

Sasuke continued to stare at Naruto disbelievingly, eyes wide.

Naruto took a deep breath, debating internally whether or not to say the words that were on the tip of his tongue, the words that had haunted his mind and had been plaguing his heart for months, no years…

Sasuke had instructed Madara to wait, wait for Naruto to speak. He'd wanted to listen to what Naruto had to say, which meant that a part of him, even if it was a tiny part, actually still cared about Naruto, right?

'And I may never get the chance to tell him this again,' Naruto realized, strengthening his resolve. He would tell Sasuke, once and for all.

"Because I'm your friend," Naruto repeated.

"…"

Sasuke seemed to sense, somehow, that he was not yet finished, and remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"And… I love you."

This time Sasuke looked staggered. He stared at Naruto incredulously, mouth slightly open. Even Zetsu seemed rather surprised, and Naruto didn't even want to know the expressions on Sakura's face and beneath Kakashi's mask.

Sasuke didn't seem disgusted though, which was a relief – maybe he'd interpreted it as brotherly love. Naruto decided not to push further, for the moment, and proceeded with to pour the rest of his heart out.

"… The only way you and I can communicate properly is with our fists!" Naruto was saying exuberantly, though in reality he was actually watching Sasuke closely, trying to gauge his reactions.

Sasuke seemed rather dazed, and was still looking Naruto, brows furrowed, as if trying to make sense of what he had said.

"We'll come to understand one another in the next world…"


Tools:

Wacom Bamboo Tablet
Adobe Photoshop CS5

Time Taken (Approx):

3 Hours