Chapter One: Awakening
"Why, Naruto… Why do you go so far for me?"
"Because you were my first bond…"
"Why didn't you kill me back then, Sasuke!"
"I severed those ties… Give up on me… Just give up!"
The blond boy woke up all sweaty and looked around. He wasn't in his home, but this place looked familiar… The smell… He was in Konoha's hospital. Most of his body was bandaged due to the severe wounds he had. The boy tried to sit up, but it hurt too much, so he just laid back. Soon after the door to his room opened and a girl walked inside. She pinned her emeralds in the boy's sapphires and smiled.
- Ohayo, Naruto, are you feeling better?
- Ah… what happened? Why am I here?
- Don't you remember? You fought with Sasuke and…
The boy's memory suddenly flooded his brain. The fight…
It happened a few months ago. Naruto was finally able to meet up with his former friend and teammate Sasuke Uchiha, who left Konoha 3 years ago to obtain power and fulfill his one and only desire – killing his older brother Itachi thus avenging his clan's annihilation. And everything went according to the young teen's plans – he got strong thanks to Orochimaru's forbidden jutsus and fought with his brother, winning in the end. Uzumaki hoped Uchiha will stop there, but after learning the whole truth about his older sibling, Sasuke now had a new goal – kill each and every living person in Konoha. That left Naruto with no other choice but to fight his best friend. The battle occurred sometime after their meeting. Sasuke had become stronger after implanting Itachi's eyes and gaining power over the ultimate Sharingan, but Naruto wasn't falling behind – he was now in control of the full power of the Kyuubi, sealed inside of him. The battle was dramatic and violent. Two friends, two boys, sharing the same faith, but in the same time two different souls… Yin and Yang… The males made a bet before the fight – If Naruto wins Sasuke will willingly return to Konoha, leaving behind his thoughts for destruction and avenging, but if the raven won the blond had to let him be murdered and lose everything he dreamed of.
In the end both fell and were brought in Konoha's hospital. They were unconscious for the past few days. When the blond realized what had happened he turned towards Sakura with a pale and worried face:
- Where's Sasuke?
The girl didn't answer, she walked over to the sheet, which separated the beds from one another and pulled it back. Uzumaki's eyes widened when he saw Uchiha laying all bandaged up right next to him.
- Does this mean… - the blonds' voice was low and surprised – I… won?
- You did, Naruto… You did… - Sakura sat on her mate's bed and hugged him tight, finally letting her tears fall gently on the shirt of the male – Thank you… Thank you, Naruto…
Uzumaki hugged his friend back and soon asked her to go, because he wanted to take a nap. But that wasn't his true intention. The moment the kunoichi closed the door behind her, Naruto started crying silently. He couldn't believe his one and only dream finally came true – Sasuke was home, it was all going to be like in the past – his first bond; his closest person was finally home. His tears were running down the whiskered cheeks, even though the boy just wiped off a few.
"Why, 'tebbayo… Why did I have to go through all this just to bring you back? Do you hate me that much?"
Sasuke slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He recognized the hospital's walls, and then turned his eyes on the left where his friend's bed was. Naruto had placed his head between his legs and was speaking silently. Uchiha made a small movement, but it hurt too much. He decided to try and say something.
- The big hero can cry? That is pathetic…
Uzumaki jumped and turned towards the raven. He couldn't believe his eyes… Finally… he and Sasuke… They were going to be inseparable again…
- Sa… When did… I am not crying!
But the lie was useless, because Uchiha clearly saw the other's red and swollen eyes. Naruto quickly forgot he just screamed out and slight blush, accompanied with a smile, covered his face.
- What's with the grin, dobe?
- It's just… you're here… calling me idiot… like the old days… Sasuke… - The blond got up, walked over to his friend's bed and sat on it – Is your promise… Are you going to keep it?
Uchiha was silently staring at his friend's eyes, filled with so much passion and hope… And love… The love Sasuke had forgotten… The love of a friend, who cherished him truly. The raven sat up and pinned his onyx eyes in Uzumaki's sapphire ones.
- I made a vow and I am going to keep it… I am remaining here in Konoha… But I don't promise you about us being friends again.
Naruto laughed out loud. He was just happy he got to talk to the male. In the mean time the door to their room opened and a few familiar faces walked inside, accompanied with Haruno.
- Hinata, Shikamaru, Sai, Bushy brows! What are you doing here?
- We came to see how you are, Naruto-kun… We were worried… - the shy girl hid a bit behind Nara – And we came to see Sasuke –kun too.
Everyone turned towards the raven, who felt really bad about having to stare at his former comrades after bringing them so much trouble.
- I can't say I am very happy to see you, Uchiha, but I am glad you are back, because Naruto hasn't smiled like this in ages… And Sakura-san hasn't blushed so deep red before.
Sai received a death glare from the blond and a hard punch in the stomach from the pink-haired for this sentence. The visitation didn't last long, because both boys needed their rest. In the end it was only Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto left in the small hospital room. The kunoichi sat on the small chair between her teammates' bed and smiled.
- I can't believe it… Team 7 is finally reunited… This is such a happy moment… I never thought I would see it happen again.
- Me either… What about you, Sasuke?
- Y-yeah… Listen I am tired… Can I get some rest?
The others got the hint and Haruno walked outside, while Naruto laid back down, falling asleep after 5 minutes. But the raven couldn't sleep.
"Why… Why are you so happy after all the trouble I caused you… Especially you, usuratonkachi… You should hate me… There is no way I can make it up to you… Just no way…"