Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, I wouldn't be allowed to cry when Sasuke leaves, or when Naruto desperately chases after him.

I don't own Eminem's song, either.

Or the ending idea, really. It's taken from Fullmetal Alchemist.

…:::Let Go:::…

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When I'm gone, just carry on, don't mourn, rejoice

- Eminem
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"It's raining!"

"I hope you slip and fall."

"Naruto, come back over here!"

"Sh . . . it's getting to the good part!"

Team 7 was gathered around their usual training grounds, having stopped their morning ritual to rest in the shade beneath a willow tree. Naruto was rocking back and forth on the heels of his feet, itching to get out and dance beneath the water droplets falling from the sky. Sakura held him back. Kakashi was desperately trying to keep his eyes on his book.

"Naruto, you're obviously tired. We should go home."

"Oh, come on, Sakura-chan!" the blond exclaimed, finally getting out of her grasp to dance beneath the skies. He held out his tongue expectantly. "It hasn't rained for a while!"

Sakura exchanged wary glances with Kakashi, but continued to watch the blond.

"Sakura's right, Naruto. The two of you should head home. We've been training all morning," said Kakashi.

Naruto stopped, allowing the rain to soak his hair. He cocked his head to the side. "What about Sasuke?"

"What about Sasuke?" replied Kakashi. He stopped reading his book to stare over the pages with saddened eyes.

"You didn't give him any orders." The blond pouted and leaned forward. "Are you going to give him special training like always? Why does he always get special training?"

"Shut up, dobe," replied Sasuke, crossing his arms. He was standing away from the rest of them, his arms crossed over his chest.

Naruto was confused when Sakura and Kakashi looked at each other once more with depressing expressions. "Why is everyone so sad? It's a beautiful day and it's raining!"

Seeing that his sensei and Sakura weren't convinced, he strode to where Sasuke stood. "Don't you want to come out in the rain and play?"

"I don't play," Sasuke corrected him. "I need to train."

"You train too much, Sasuke. Come out in the rain with me."

"No."

Naruto frowned and grabbed Sasuke's wrist.

"Stop being so stubborn and come out into the rain!"

"Let go of my wrist, Naruto."

"You know you want to."

"Naruto, let go of my wrist."

"Come on!"

"Let go!"

Let go of me.

Let go.

Sakura and Kakashi looked to where Naruto now stared at the sky, his arms outstretched, his body twirling as he laughed to the clouds.

"Come on, Sasuke!" he exclaimed. "Let's have some fun!"

Sakura bit her lip as she stared at the clearing.

"Is he . . . alright?" she asked Kakashi quietly.

"I'm not so sure."

They both stared at Naruto.

After all, there wasn't anyone else in the clearing with him.

"He thinks Sasuke is right next to him," said Sakura.

Naruto, laughing, came running to the two of them. "You have no idea what you're missing," he said, panting. "It's amazing."

He stared at the sky with a serene expression a few minutes later, his laughter died to a soft, sad smile.

"It's beautiful rain, isn't it?" he said softly. "Right, Sasuke?"

Sakura and Kakashi both stared at the clear sky, devoid of any clouds . . . and without rain. They stared around, where Sasuke's presence was nowhere to be seen. Where it hadn't been seen for two years.

"Sasuke's gone, Naruto," murmured Sakura. "And it's not raining."

Naruto snorted.

Kakashi thought it came out more like a choked sob.

With Naruto's head still raised to the skies, Sakura and Kakashi saw a tear slide down his whiskered cheek, meeting another at his chin before the two tears fell to his shirt, soaking the spot above his heart.

"No, he's not," whispered Naruto. "And yes, it is."