Daylight

Daybreak

Wind breezing through his hair as black as coal, as if whispering soothing words to the fine strands that swayed atop his head glinting with sweat. That was the first thing he felt as he slipped back into consciousness. Next was the hard floor beneath him, a mattress of broken rubble embracing his body. And finally came the inevitable throb of his phantom left arm just where his elbow would be.. The pain throbbed.

But as he looked to his left, his friend, his brother, smiled a wide grin as if missing an arm was the best prize one could ever be gifted. But maybe it was. Maybe Naruto was right. Maybe that was the price to pay - a sacrifice - to finally bring Sasuke back to his senses. Not that Sasuke believed it was fair for Naruto having to suffer for Sasuke's sins and crimes that had engulfed the shinobi world making him an international criminal.

Sasuke's change of heart surprised himself. He had resigned his quest for revenge and instead traded it to become Naruto's partner in helping to shape a world away from darkness, and into... into... Sasuke couldn't quite grasp the right words.

His onyx eyes shifted to Naruto's and his own blood seeping together to form the bond that this battle signified. And again shifted to the blonde hair atop his best friend's head glowing in the daylight.

Daylight.

The word stuck in Sasuke's mind.

And all he could see was Naruto. Naruto grinning. Naruto vowing to never give up. To never go back on his word. Naruto swearing that Sasuke himself was his best friend, and someone worth fighting for.

Naruto. Daylight. That was what the world was shaping towards. Daylight.