Disclaimer: Kishimoto owns Naruto, not me, and this story is me merely writing fanfiction.

Editing credits for the story goes to SyncreticVenture. It would not have been possible without you, so thank you!

Part One: I'm Off (Goodbye)

Even the strongest slip up eventually, Sasuke thought, gritting his teeth as he made a futile attempt to stop the bleeding. If death could even claim Itachi, he'd never stood a chance. His chakra obstinately refused to flow, which was the reason he was in this damned mess in the first place. He'd underestimated how reliant he was on his chakra to help him detect and evade traps; this building's wards had severely crippled him.

The wards cut off all chakra flow upon entry, thus preventing the use of destructive jutsu. This was an effective defense, but Sasuke employed some seriously powerful dynamite to finish the job. The detonator he had carried inside with him. Unfortunately, it now lay out of his reach, and the wounds he'd sustained meant retrieving it would be no easy task.

With another grimace, he tried to stand up, but couldn't even manage that. I should have waited for backup. Now, he was regretting his lone wolf attitude. Am I going to die here? He wondered distantly. Alone, unknown, and failing to complete my mission? How long will it take them to realize that I'm dead? To find my body, or whatever remains of it?

He coughed, sending blood splattering across the floor.

Screw this shit, he thought suddenly with a scowl, dragging himself up through sheer willpower and ignoring the pain and flood of blood that resulted from his movement. What the hell was he even thinking? If he was going down, he was at least bringing this place down with him. And he was so close. So very close, with the detonator being mere feet away.

Right here, right now, that distance couldn't have seemed longer. But he wouldn't let his death be useless. He wanted it to mean something. One step at a time. He struggled to put one foot ahead of the other. What did it matter if he was dying? He would go out with a bang.

He could have laughed when he finally arrived, but it was a struggle just to breathe. He reached out a trembling hand.

At last…

How long had it been? Since that day? And now, now he could go home. He could see them. The thought almost made him giddy with excitement.

Finally…

He almost couldn't wait. Since that day, there had been a hollow in his heart, a vacuum, an empty space that yearned to be filled. His comrades had helped fill it, little by little, but it wasn't enough. It was never enough. Family was something irreplaceable, unforgettable, undeniably precious, and you couldn't replace it just like that, no matter how precious your friends were.

I'm sorry, Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi. But it seems like I'm leaving you guys behind once more.

But at the same time, he wasn't sorry. Not really. Why would he be? It was his time now, and he had been waiting for this since that day years and years ago. He was ready. And there was a person who he wanted to see again most of all.

I want to see you again, Aniki.

He activated the detonator.

And with that, Uchiha Sasuke died with a peaceful smile on his face.

A/N: First Naruto story being published. Hope you guys like it!

And of course, all follows, favorites, and reviews will be greatly appreciated.