Fanart: Reunion - 5000 kiriban

Sasuke's breath came in labored gasps. He tried to lift a finger, but his body felt like it was sinking to the ground. There was no use now, he thought, and gave up the idea eventually.

'This is how it should be, huh?' he mused. Here in the middle of nowhere he lay, watching the embers of his life fade away.

In the end, he couldn't do it.

He couldn't kill him.

He suddenly felt a familiar warmth press against his cold hand.

"I got...you now...teme..."

'...dobe...' His lips quivered as fingers grasped his own gently.

"...this time, I won't...let you go," Naruto whispered.

Onyx eyes shifted to gaze listlessly on the clear blue sky above. A crimson line slid down his cheek.


***

It took me forever to finish this. Phew! I was trying a new coloring technique and this came out. Anyway, this is my take on how Naruto Shippuden would end - a bittersweet reunion between two best friends.

edit @ 030110: I changed the color of Sasuke's sword so it will be more accurate with the Shippuden series. I also tweaked the shadows for a more dramatic effect.

Naruto Shippuden belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. Please don't sue me. I'm just a penniless person trying to draw.

Hope you enjoy!


Tools:
- Adobe Photoshop CS2
- Wacom Intuos 3 pen tablet
- pictures of my little brother for reference
- lots and lots of Naruto Shippuden photos (to get the clothes right)

Time:
approx. 24 hours