PLEASE READ!
Hey everyone, I'm sorry this chapter took so long. Almost exam time at school so everything's getting pretty busy. Who knew teacher could give you this many lessons, tests and projects in a week. And to be honest...I wan't really feeling this one while I was writing. I'm not sure how I feel about it so let me know what you think. Is this story getting too repetitive? So i'm putting up a pole on my profile after this about what I should do next for this story. Put in your votes please. I wanna start ASAP on the next. I took all your ideas into consideration and there were a few I really liked but I still have some ideas right now. Once I'm done with those, I'll start doing your suggestions but I'm not going to do Mpregs, and if there is any sexual content, I'm not really comfortable with actually writing out the lemons. Anyway, please READ AND REVIEW!
Sasuke's Heart: Breathless
By. twilaliars789
The sun beat down on Team Seven. Their clothes were stuck to their backs, their cheeks pink and sweaty from the heat.
"Ugh…Sensei are we there yet?" Naruto groaned. His feet ached, his limbs were heavy, and his eyes drooped in exhaustion. They had been traveling in this heat for nearly twenty four hours now.
"Just another mile or so." Kakashi said. His voice was strong but the usual amused or mocking tone had gone miles ago. Now he was just as hot and anxious as his students. He turned his head to look back at them as he walked.
Sasuke was a few steps behind him, his breath heavy and his bangs sticking to his forehead, Sakura was a little further behind, huffing and puffing after the long trek, and Naruto was at least another meter behind her, still not over the ledge of the cliff they'd just come up.
"Ughh at this rate we should just go all the way back to the village."
"That can be arranged if you wish." Kakashi said, though he had absolutely no intention of walking all night with the pressure and humidity pressing down on them.
"No!" Both Sakura and Naruto shouted. He even got a "humph" from Sasuke. The kid had way too much pride. Since they'd left, he hadn't let himself lag even a step from where he'd started a few paces behind Kakashi. He measured each pace so that he was always standing exactly three paces behind him.
At one point during the walk, Kakashi had felt bad making them go so far after just finishing a mission. When the sun had been highest in the sky; beating down on them with no mercy, not a cloud in sight, and not a tree for miles. Then he though; they have to learn to be ninja…this is just part of their training…besides, what kind of ninja complains about the heat.
After escorting the futile lord Kona back to his castle. They'd already been tired from that long trek as well as encountering a small group of enemy ninja on the way. Nothing A ranked but they were strong enough to have the three break a sweat. Kakashi and the group fought them off for a minute, Naruto using his very impressive kage bunshine, Sasuke some taijutsu before Kakashi quickly sent a blast of chakra creating a water dragon that sent them retreating through the trees they'd come from.
Now, Kakashi lead the three up a cliff, and then back down the other side to where he knew a small abandoned cabin lay. It would be much easier to stay there for the night then set up camp. He'd stayed there many times himself weather just to rest the night, to wait out some injuries too rough to walk back with, or wait for some backup. Either way he knew that it was a nice place-besides the dust-with three little bedrooms with two really old beds in each of them upstairs, and a small sitting room downstairs.
Kakashi didn't stop when they reached the top of the cliff; just proceeded to start walking back down the other side.
"Ahh are you kidding me! Why couldn't we have just gone around it?" Kakashi looked back. The kid looked like he was about to pass out from heat stroke.
"Naruto have some water, I think you need it. And this way's faster. Don't you trust me?"
"No kidding," Kakashi heard him grumble under his breath. Then what he was supposed to hear-Naruto and Sakura groaning as Naruto opened the water bottle he'd gotten from his pack.
"Sasuke, Sakura, you too." Both kids were slouching over panting in the humid air. Sasuke was extremely pale, still only three paces behind him. The boy had already been taking out his water as Kakashi had said it to Naruto. Hm, smart kid. Had the decency to drink if he needed to without waiting for orders. Kakashi didn't know why the hell they would even wait.
They didn't stop to put it in their bags again, only walked on carrying it and sipping at it once and a while. At least they knew enough not to gulp it all down at once.
The walk back down obviously wasn't as hard as the walk up, but going back down also meant that there was nothing blocking the sun. Now it was just as hot as mid afternoon, though the sun would soon set over the horizon. When it wasn't so warm out Kakashi loved to sit out and watch the sun fall in this area. He'd had to do tons of missions around here. It was the nicest view he ever looked upon. But he was pretty sure he wouldn't be doing that tonight.
He also knew that the three would sleep tonight. No doubt about that. The sun would set and the three would be out like a light. They looked like the walking dead right now. Kakashi took a moment to wonder whether or not they'd be ready if someone attacked them right now. Whether they'd snap out of it and be able to defend themselves. He supposed they probably would but…
"As soon as we get to the bottom of this thing there's a forest. That's where the cabin is, so you'll cool down soon." He told the three, his breathing a little choppy as well.
Sure enough, at the bottom of the forever running hill, a mass of hard brown bark, dark, snaking roots, and bright green leaves welcomed them under their shelter. It was the most inviting sight the three had seen in a long while. All of them rushed forward, one by one crossing over the tree line boarder and collapsing under the largest, nearest tree. An obese sweeping weeping willow.
"Aw come on guys were almost there now." Kakashi sighed, debating on whether or not he should sit down and rest a minute himself. He knew that right now, there was no way he would get them up and moving.
"Hang…on…just…a ...Minute…please…sensei" Naruto panted. His head was swimming and he could feel his heart trying to push through his chest. None of them could remember the last time they felt this way. Probably when they'd started training for endurance and long distance running.
Sasuke felt as if he couldn't breathe, his chest heavy and his head light. He closed his eyes wrapping his arms around his chest to ease the weight he felt there, while Sakura closed her eyes and laid back in the grass.
This was literally supposed to be the hottest day-and night- in the past hundred and sixty years. They'd all heard this as they passed through a tiny village early this morning. Even then- at five in the morning- it was already the usual temperature of a very hot afternoon.
Kakashi sighed letting them catch their breaths and enjoying the cool shade of the tree. He pulled out his usual orange book and sat down, staring at the pages and listening to the wildlife around him. The crickets chirping, the birds singing, and his own heart slowing down.
"How long have we been gone?" Naruto finally asked.
"It's the twenty third so a week I guess." Sakura responded.
"Really? We've been walking for a full twenty hours this way!?" Naruto asked, his eyes widening.
"Yup…" Sasuke responded before he hesitantly turned to the teacher. "It's…really the twenty third today?" He asked quietly.
"Yea…but the sun's setting so it'll be the twenty fourth soon." The teacher answered with a grin beneath his mask.
The boy turned away from him seeming to be looking at nothing.
"I'm gonna go for a walk." He said before getting up and turning into the trees before anyone could say a thing.
"Huh, that was weird" Naruto muttered. "Isn't he tired…..He looked like the dead a minute ago."
Kakashi shrugged. Yea it was weird that he wanted to go for a walk right now, but he also knew Sasuke was a strange kid with everything that happened in his life. The others may not have seen it, but he saw the sad look in Sasuke's eyes before he left. He'd let the kid go sort out whatever he was thinking about for a while.
Sasuke walked a few miles, breathing deeply to clear his fuzzy mind. It was already the twenty third. He hadn't even realized it. Usually by now the depression would have already set in, preparing him for the following week when all the memories would hit him full force, but he'd been distracted on this mission. Hadn't had time to think about it when he had to make sure that their client wasn't attacked.
How could he just let himself forget something like this was what he was wondering when he realized how far he'd run in such a short time. He'd have to get back, knowing the others would wait for him so that they could head to their shelter for the night. They we're all exhausted and he knew how much they just wanted to get there as fast as possible so they could sleep. Turning around, he started to head back, a little slower than before. There was a weight in his chest that had him slightly worried but he knew it didn't matter. They would soon be back in Konaha, and the depression would finally set in.
The others waited in silence. Sakura figured Sasuke had just had to go to the bathroom or something so he'd be back soon. Five minutes later, he was already back, paler than before with his hand rubbing his chest.
"Sasuke are you okay?" She asked quietly.
"Yea, I'm fine." Was the only thing he responded with.
"Then let's go" Kakashi said without acknowledging how bad Sasuke looked. They set off again. Sasuke still only three steps behind him, and the others following behind.
It took another ten minutes through winding forest paths before they finally stepped through the trees into a small, shrub overgrown clearing, with a tiny wooden cabin off to the side.
"We're here!" Naruto screamed suddenly getting all his energy back. "We're here, we're here, we're here!" He ran towards the small building all the lost happiness and energy of the day coming back full force. Until he whipped the door open so hard that it slammed against the wall and bounces back hitting him in the head.
"Oww…This is where we're staying?" The kid bounced back immediately.
"It's a dump!"
"Naruto, yeah it's dusty but other than that its fine. I've stayed here tons of times. Besides, it's much cooler in there."
The three walked ahead of Naruto into the little house.
"Ohh wow, it is dusty." Sakura said walking in.
Sasuke followed behind her. "Humph…it's fine." He walked right in, dumped his bag on the small couch that just happen to be the only thing in the room other than the carpet and a few cupboards, and turned to look at the others. Naruto and Sakura put their bags down too before all of them turned to look expectantly at their sensei.
He looked at each of them in turn as he picked up all their backpacks, putting the straps of each over his arm. They we're all pale and sweaty; their eyes drooped with exhaustion, and their steps heavy from walking.
"Umm…okay go bathe, there's a lake behind the house. I'll start a fire for dinner than join you."
The three looked at each other as Kakashi handed them their bags again and began pulling some packages from the cupboards.
"I have some extra food stored here from last time so we don't need to have fish again tonight. Umm…there are three bedrooms upstairs. The first on the right is mine, the second is Sakura's, and you boys get the one farther down the hall across from the bathroom–it has two beds. But you might not want to use the bathroom unless you have to brush your teeth or something."
"Kay then." Sakura said turning. She, followed by Naruto and Sasuke began climbing the creaky wooden stairs in the corner. Even upstairs, everything was covered in a thick coat of dust.
They split into their perspective rooms, and cringed.
Both rooms were the same except Sakura's room only had the one bed. On one side of the small room was a twin sized bed facing one way while on the other side there was another facing the opposite wall. On the floor was a thick carpet that would have probably been red some few years ago, and beside each bed was a tiny oak bedside table. Even with the bright orange sky outside, the rooms were dark-the dust wouldn't let any of the light in.
Sasuke dropped his bag in the corner, and walked out without a single word. Naruto sighed. Sasuke had been moody on the whole mission, but for the last twenty minutes- since he'd gone on his walk-he'd been really moody. Eh maybe he was just tired. He knew he was.
Naruto took a minute to fluff the dust off the pillows and blankets on both beds, and then rummaged through both their bags to pull out their own blankets they'd brought and spread them on the beds. With all this dust, he was worried they'd suffocate in the night. He then pulled some towels from the bags, and then went down and out to the others.
Sasuke had a fireball in his palm lighting the small pyramid of sticks Kakashi had set up for a fire. He was still quiet, his eyes far away, but when Naruto finally walked up to them with two towels in hand he turned to him saying "Sakura got there first so we gotta wait till' she's done."
When Sakura finally went back in, wrapped in her towel, the three guys finally took off their clothes and jumped into the lake. They we're immediately relived in the cool water after being in the heat all day, and took their time washing up. Now they understood what had taken Sakura so long.
At one point, Naruto had built up his chakra, ready to try to get Sasuke out of his…slump. Even in the water he seemed slow and …they weren't even sure. Kakashi thought he may be a little sick or have some kind of heat stroke.
When he had a good amount build up, he peeked up at Sasuke to see him leaning up against the side of the lake, his head down on the ledge. Then he whipped it into the water so that a wave, big enough to completely engulf him, pushed through the water, rising until it smashed down over his head.
Two seconds later, he was up holding onto the ledge, completely soaked, coughing and sputtering.
"Naruto, you baka!" He shouted, choking up water while Naruto laughed like a banshee.
"Ha you should have seen your face!" he laughed.
Sasuke glared at him before quickly finishing up, wrapping himself in his towel, and heading inside.
"Aw come on Sas, it was just a joke!" Naruto Shouted after him but he didn't even acknowledge it.
"Naruto, I don't think he feels well right now, just leave him alone." Kakashi said pulling himself out of the water and wrapping himself up as well.
"You know how he is with his mood swings."
Naruto followed suit and finished up too before he went inside to get dressed. They all met Sakura-her hair still dripping-outside where she already had some water boiling with bowls of…
"Ramen!" Naruto shouted, sitting down beside her.
Sakura laughed. They were still tired but all felt much better after cooling off in the lake. Sakura passed the bowls around to her teammate-first Naruto, then Kakashi. No one complained when Sasuke refused, saying he wasn't really that hungry.
They ate in silence as the sky got darker and darker around them. By the time they finished, the only source of light was the bright flames still burning silently. The night was just as humid as the day, and they each in turn felt a great sense of gratitude for the little cabin in the forest.
As soon as they were done, each kid got up as their teacher put out the fire and turned towards the house.
"Kay guys, I'm gonna set some traps so none of us have to keep watch tonight. Go to bed, you all need it."
Kakashi stayed out a little longer, making sure to set up efficient traps before heading inside after his students. He could hear the water running upstairs, meaning they were getting ready to go to sleep, so he pulled his blanket from his bag, took his book out, and sat down to read it until he could get his turn in the single washroom.
Just like any other washroom it had a toilet in the corner that none of them would dare use-it looked disgusting – and a sink right beside it.
Before he knew it, Kakashi's eyes had closed against his will, and he was asleep.
Sasuke and Naruto grumbled as they both slid down the wall to sit by the bathroom door, "Sakura hurry the hell up." Naruto shouted. They had already been waiting five minutes and it was another ten before she actually came out.
"Sorry guys." She said smiling at their annoyed expressions. "I'll see you tomorrow…Goodnight."
Neither boy said a word, only glared at her as she walked off to her room.
Sasuke walked in before Naruto even had the chance to look at the door. He'd been too busy staring at Sakura as she sauntered back to her room in her pink shorts and tank top.
"Grrr Sasuke it was my turn next." He growled. This had to be payback for the lake. Kami Sasuke was such a baka. It was about five minutes before Naruto exploded about to punch the door. His rage had been building as the water ran behind the thin wood. But before he could, the door swung open and he stumbled, flying into the old window on the other side of the room.
"I'm done. It's all yours." Sasuke said, and he walked away, shutting the door behind him.
"Ahh Sasuke!"
By the time Naruto was done and walking back into his room, Sasuke was just finishing with his job of getting most of the dust off his pillow. He wasn't satisfied, but it was the best he could do for now. He was too tired and his chest really hurt.
Naruto did the same with his bedding, before he turned off the bedroom light, and laid his head on the pillow. He felt his aching muscles slowly loosening, his eyes drooping as all the days exhaustion took over, and his mind shutting down into a deep sleep.
Sasuke laid down on top of his dark blue blanket, his head on the pillow and his limbs burning. He closed his eyes wishing sleep would come. He was exhausted. But instead, he only got heavy breathing and a massive heaviness on his chest. He was glad he hadn't had dinner with the others tonight, already feeling sick at his thoughts
He laid there for what felt like hours, trying to calm himself down, but as the time passed, it only seemed to be getting worst. He couldn't help but think how he could have forgotten what day it was. How many days he had left before the nightmares would begin once again. How much time before the depression hit. And he was scared.
He looked out the window at the bright full moon in the sky. It was the only source of light in the room. The dust in the air, mixed with the humidity and heaviness in his chest quickly had him hyperventilating and struggling to breath. It had been like this all day, but now it was starting to get worst. It was a strangely familiar feeling. A terrifying feeling. Something he hadn't felt in years, and he immediately knew it was going to get bad if he didn't fix it quickly.
Sasuke got up, his head spinning and his chest heaving. It felt as if he was moving in slow motion. His chest was beginning to hurt so badly that he was scared to move. Cautiously, he went to his bag and began digging through it in search of the inhaler he hadn't used in about three years. Not had to even think about it in the last two years.
He knew he'd perfectly set himself up for this. Pushing himself to the limit in the heat today, realizing what day it was, walking into the dust filled house, not having dinner, being almost drowned in the lake , and actually thinking about even laying his head on a pillow that looked as if it was actually made of dirt. How could he have been so frickin stupid? Why the hell would he do that? Why would this monster inside affect him again after so many years? Deep down he knew the answer, but he would never admit it, even to himself.
As a young boy, he'd been taught not to panic in this situation. To remain calm until he had the inhaler, until he could breathe again; but that knowledge quickly flew out the window as he dug through his bag, not finding a thing. He knew he'd packed it. He could have sworn he'd had it in his bag even before they'd started their way back to Konaha.
His heart beat picked up, his chest became even further constricted, and fear overcame him as he struggled to draw in a breath. There was nothing in the bag anymore. Everything was strewn across the floor. Everything in his bag except what he needed most. It wasn't there. He was going to die. He was going to frickin die because of his stupidity.
Sasuke turned around so that he could sit, leaning against the wall trying to calm down. He was trapped. He was trapped. His lungs we're trapped. He was going to die.
Naruto woke up to the sound of tiny sobs, whimpers, and a strange, slightly rattling sound. His mind was too fuzzy to comprehend them at first and he just laid there, staring at the wall and listening to the strange noises.
Slowly, they got loader and loader. His mind cleared, and his eyes snapped open as he sat up in bed.
"Sasuke!"
The first thing he saw was the usually arrogant, proud boy, sitting against the wall, his arms wrapped tightly around his chest, sobbing with tears coming down his cheeks. But… Uchiha's never cried, ever!
"Sasuke! Sasuke, what happened? Are you okay?" He yelled running to kneel by the struggling Uchiha.
"Was there an attack? Where's sensei? What happened?" He didn't look to be hurt but he was obviously having trouble breathing. That strange rattling sound he'd heard was definitely coming from Sasuke. They had to have been attacked- the room was an awful mess of clothes, kunai, and shurikan thrown in all directions….but there was no blood, not one of the weapons seemed to have had a target, there wasn't any sign of struggle, and if Sasuke had been hurt in a fight, Naruto knew there would definitely be struggle.
"Na…Naruto." He struggled to get enough air in his lungs to say it as he reached out to grasp Naruto's forearms in desperation.
"No…Attack" He sobbed. "Can't…breathe..… Inhaler…...don't…know…help please" He breathed. It took a moment for Naruto to comprehend his choppy, strained words, and even longer to actually figure out what he was trying to say.
"Can't breathe, inhaler, inhaler, inhaler" He said to himself for a moment before...
"Inhaler, you need an inhaler!" He said gripping Sasuke's arms back as the boy increased his grip nodding.
What the hell! He didn't know Sasuke needed an inhaler. He'd never seen him use one, much less have one on him.
"Umm…okay, do you know where it is?"
"Don't…know…try bath…room." He sobbed. Naruto noted that his breathing was still getting worst. With each breath, it seemed the rattling sound continued increasing.
"Okay I'll be right back. Don't move" Like could even if he tried. Naruto knew that's what Sasuke would have been saying to him if he could, follow by a furious glare. Instead, there was a terrified lost puppy look there that Naruto's mind didn't really believe it was seeing. Uchiha's-most especially Sasuke-didn't cry! They barley showed any emotion!
"Inhaler, inhaler, inhaler." He mumbled to himself as he ran down the hall and began searching through the tiny, dirty bathroom.
Why the hell would it even be in there was what he was truly wondering, but he knew that Sasuke hadn't found it in his bag so it must have been dropped somewhere. The only think he found in the bathroom was some thick green mold by the sink, and the wet towels they'd all left in there to dry earlier. What time was it anyway?
When he whipped back in the room Sasuke's head was buried in his knees, his arms again wrapped around his chest. But this time his fingers clutched desperately at the thin black fabric. His skin was red and sweaty beneath the tears and he seemed to be struggling to even get his sobs out.
"Umm…Kay Sasuke, it wasn't there. Hang on, umm…hang on" The words stumbled out of his mouth as he tried to figure out what to do for his friend in his panic.
"Kay put your legs down, it's only gonna make it worst if you move and constrict your chest like that. Hang on I'm going to get sensei, just hang on Sasuke."
He didn't even wait to see if Sasuke listened to what he'd said, instead, turning to run to his teacher's room.
"Grrrr!" He growled when the only thing he found was his teacher's two backpacks. Where the hell was he!
He banged the door closed behind him before running back down the wooden staircase.
"SENSEI!" He shouted when he saw the man's large form sitting upright on the couch with a blanket over his legs and his perverted book on his chest.
"SENSEI!"
Kakashi jumped about three feet in the air, immediately on his feet with a kunai in hand when he was woken by his student's sudden cry for him.
"Naruto what's going on?" He asked. Not seeing any immediate danger, he relaxed his stance. Naruto just always had to overreact. However, one look at the worry in the boy's eyes and he knew it wasn't some stupid new ramen the boy had just discovered.
That was real worry, real fear.
"I WOKE UP AND HEARD SOME REALLY FUNNY NOISES BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AT FIRST THEN I REALLY WOKE UP AND THOUGHT WE WERE ATTACKED BUT I GOT UP AND SASUKE WAS ON THE FLOOR CRYING! CRYING! AND THERE WAS THIS WEIRD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM HIS CHEST. HE WAS REALLY PANICKED AND SAID HE COULDN'T BREATH AND HE NEEDED HIS INHALER BUT I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HE SAID AT FIRST AND THEN WHEN I DID I ASKED WHERE IT WAS BUT HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. I KNEW HE'D ALREADY LOOKED IN HIS BAG AND DIDN'T FIND IT CAUSE EVERYTHING WAS ALL OVER THE FLOOR-THAT'S WHY I THOUGHT WE WERE ATTACKED IN THE FIRST PLACE! THEN HE SAID IF I COULD CHECK THE BATHROOM AND HE WAS REALLY SCARED AND DESPERATE BUT IT WASN'T THERE SO I WENT BACK AND IT WAS ALREADY GETTING WORST AND HE WAS COMPLETLEY FREAKING OUT AND HE COULD HARDLY BREATHE SO I RAN DOWN TO GET YOU AND YOU NEED TO COME UPSTAIRES RIGHT NOW AND FIX IT!"
The boy said it so fast that he only understood what he was saying from his experience spying in ANBU and with the boy in general. He stood there a minute trying to figure out the book the kid could write with his story while whiping at his sweaty forehead-he just had to fall asleep with the blanket and book over him.
"SENSEI COME ON!" the boy said, running on the spot. His eyes were shiny with unshed tears of panic.
That's when Kakashi put all the words together, flew into action, and began running up the stairs with the boy hot on his heels.
"Naruto I need you to go to my room and get me my little blue backpack-not green, BLUE! It should be in the corner by the window with the green one. I'll be in Sasuke's room. Hurry." He said as quickly, calmly, and clearly as possible in his worry.
"Hai Sensei." Now that his teacher was doing something, he felt slightly better. As Naruto turned and opened the door to his teacher's room, Kakashi continued down the hall to the genin's room.
He was a lot more prepared for what he saw in the room than Naruto had been due to all his training, but the sight still sent a jolt of pain through him. There was just something about it. When he was on the battle field and someone got hurt, he could deal with screaming, deal with crying, deal with blood, but it was always those that were laying there, struggling to breath, unable to move that had his heart racing and his chest constricting. That forced him to fight harder and finish it. This wasn't a battle field and instead of the monster being there in front of them, it was doing the damage from the inside out-however the sight that welcomed him felt just the same-no worst-than a comrade being hurt in battle. This was his student lying against the wall clutching his chest. This was just a little boy crying so desperately that his face was red and soaked from tears and perspiration. This was just a kid, not even able to pant out a breath anymore.
Kakashi ran in, keeping as calm as he could as he knelt in front of Sasuke. The boy had his head back against the wall his eyes open wide in panic.
"Sasuke! Hey, Sasuke!" He said taking a moment to pull the boys hands away from his chest and hold them in his.
"Sasuke it's okay" The only thing he could get back was a tiny gasped whimper from him.
As gently as he could, Kakashi picked the boy up bridle style and sat against the headboard on the nearest bed so that Sasuke was between his legs leaning back against his chest.
"Sasuke, Naruto went to get your medicine, just hang on. You're okay." Then he placed a carful hand on Sasuke's chest and began rubbing small circles against it.
Sasuke's leaned his head back against kakashi's chest so that he could look up at him as he desperately tried to draw in a breath.
"You're okay, you're okay, you're okay" He chanted so quietly that he wasn't sure if Sasuke could even really hear him. He was probably too busy trying to keep from passing out.
"Sensei I got it!" Naruto shouted running back in the room seconds later.
Thankfully the boy had remembered to get the BLUE bag. He had doubted that Naruto would remember in his panic.
"Thank you" Kakashi said when Naruto sat facing them on the side of the bed with the blue bag on his lap. He reached over Sasuke to take the bag, unzipping it, and digging through it for a moment until he felt what he was looking for. The little blue emergency inhaler labeled 'Sasuke'.
"Okay Sasuke" he said taking the cap off. "You know the drill."
The boy made a nodding motion, reaching desperately for Kakashi's hand as he brought the little bottle to his face.
Kakashi watched, his heart beating quickly in his chest as Sasuke took it into his mouth without hesitation, grasping onto his wrist with both hands.
"One, two, three." He said, then pushed down on the nozzle to let out the first spray, all the while still rubbing Sasuke's chest with his free hand.
Tears came down thicker when he barely managed to get that first spray down his throat.
"It's okay, one more." Kakashi said, letting him take the puffer between his lips.
"One, two, three" Kakashi sighed in relief when he saw Sasuke take a breath just in time to let all the spray down into his lungs. This was good. If he hadn't been able to do it on that shot, then they would have needed a hospital, which they very inconveniently didn't have at the moment. It would take them a day to get to one from where they were.
"There you go, good job." He whispered into his ear. He could already feel the tightness in Sasuke's chest begin to loosen under his figures and his tears begin to slow.
"One more" One more, and he knew that he'd be able to breathe.
"One, two, three." Spray, and the rise and fall of Sasuke's chest as he managed to pull it into his lungs.
Nobody breathed-literally- for a moment before finally; Sasuke's chest rose and fell in a shaky, but strong breath.
Both teacher and student sighed in relief.
"There you go." Kakashi whispered to him quietly, wiping the tears and sweat from his face.
"You're okay now. You're fine." Sasuke's tears had come to a stop; his hands still weakly holding Kakashi's wrist, and his slow, steadying breaths deep with exhaustion. He knew he was supposed to keep Sasuke away-make sure he was okay-but seeing the expression of complete fatigue, and feeling his rising and falling chest beneath his hand, he let the boy fall.
"You're okay now, close your eyes. Go to sleep." He said watching his student's pink eyes droop more and more. He tried to fight it for a minute before the soothing sound of his teacher's whispers, and the comforting motion of his hand against his chest caused him a lost battle, and lulled him to sleep. He may have lost that battle, but he'd beat the monster inside once again.
Kakashi continued rubbing the small circles against his chest for a minute as he looked up at Naruto.
The boy was looking on with relived curiosity in his eyes.
"Asthma?" he asked quietly.
Kakashi nodded.
"I didn't know he had asthma. Does Sakura know he has asthma?"
"No, not many people know. You know, I know, the Hokage knows, and a few other jounin know for security purposes. But Naruto, don't say anything about this. It's not our business who he wants to tell unless its people he'll be spending a lot of time with. I'll tell Sakura tomorrow cause after today I think it's best the team knows, but you aren't to tell anyone."
"Hai" Naruto nodded seriously.
"Naruto I know about each of your medical issues. If a problem ever arises in your health I will be notified so if anything like this ever happens with any of you I'm ready. If I'm not around, I always have my blue bag. In there you'll find first aid supplies plus any medication you may be on as an emergency resource. Sasuke hasn't had attack like this in a few years now so he didn't expect it but you can see why you should never underestimate stuff like this."
"But-but why did it happen now…if it didn't happen in so long?"
Kakashi sighed looking back down at the kid.
"I would have assumed he pushed himself too hard. That walk today, the humidity, all this dust. That was part of it. But it probably really got going when he realized what day it was. Sasuke hasn't had an attack like this in so long because it usually doesn't affect him this much unless something about the massacre has him very stressed. Did you see his face when he found out it was the twenty third today?"
Naruto nodded his mouth slightly open as he listened intently. He had seen the shock on Sasuke's face when he'd asked if it was true.
"It took me a while to figure it out but I don't think he realized that the anniversary of the clan massacre, and then his brother's birthday, are both only a week away. He's been focused on the mission this week so it came as a shock to him."
Naruto, having grown up without a family, didn't really understand the depth of the situation Sasuke was in, but nodded sadly, sympathizing for his friend. If he had a bowl of ramen and a chocolate bar he'd be so happy…but then if the ramen decided to go and just spill all over and ruin it, he would feel so betrayed that his favorite food in the world would go ruin his chocolate bar…
Okay maybe not the best comparison ever….but he did understand.
"Poor Sasuke" Naruto whispered even quieter than his teacher had been whispering.
"You may see a difference in him for the next few weeks. He's always quiet and stuff but he usually becomes really moody during this time."
"Pfft. You can say that again" Naruto interrupted.
"Naruto, he doesn't get much sleep due to nightmare, and because of that, he's even shorter tempered than usual. I know it's difficult to understand having grown up alone, but Naruto what I'm trying to say is try to leave him alone when he starts acting like that. Don't pick fights with him. Some of the stuff he says is wrong, but remember all those fears, anger, and emotion will all most likely be coming back to him full force. He's in pain." Kakashi whispered this sadly, remembering his own childhood.
Naruto contemplated quietly for a moment.
"That must be awful. I'll be careful sensei. But-"
"Good, just don't start treating him all different than usual in the morning. Now go to bed." Kakashi cut him off before he could ask anymore question. He'd told Naruto everything he'd had to say to him-maybe more. He could see Naruto drifting slightly and he was beginning to feel a little like he was floating as well.
As Naruto got up to get to his own bed, Kakashi began lifting Sasuke off of him to lay him down on the bed. They'd been sitting there for nearly twenty minutes just talking as Kakashi felt the rise and fall of Sasuke's chest-making sure it was light and steady. It was much cooler now, so Kakashi pulled the blanket halfway over his chest. Naruto was doing the same for himself as Kakashi went to pick up a shirt Sasuke had been wearing yesterday from the mess in the room.
Before he turned to go to his own room, he went back to Sasuke lifting his head so that he could put the shirt over the dusty pillow. He didn't want to take any more chances. The boy was so tired he didn't even stir. He briefly wondered how Sakura hadn't woken up with all of their racket. Then he turned to open the door.
"I'll be in my room if you need me. Goodnight Naruto."
"Goodnight Sensei."
He was asleep before he could even hear the click of the closing door as his teacher left.
Sasuke woke up to see the next morning feeling different. The sun was shining brightly, high in the sky signifying that it was late afternoon. The room was cooler than it'd been last night, but still warm enough to have to kick the blanket off of his chest. He didn't remember having the blanket when he'd gone to bed. Honestly, he'd been dying of heat when he'd gone to bed. His chest had been hurting and his head had been spinning, and then…
That's when the fuzziness in his brain began to clear and he became hyper aware of himself. His skin was hot and flushed from having the blanket over him since before the sun came up, his eyes were sticky and sore from crying, but most of all, his chest and throat were throbbing painfully with each breath he took.
A whimper escaped him as all the feelings overwhelmed him and he suddenly remembered everything. The feeling of his lungs starving for air, his panic and fear at the pressure, like a ton of bricks on his chest, thinking he was going to die alone. Naruto panicking, talking to him-trying to calm him down, looking for his inhaler, getting Kakashi sensei. Kakashi sensei telling him to breath, holding him in his lap, rubbing his chest, helping him take in the medicine, then his voice lulling him to sleep.
Sasuke's mouth dropped open and his cheeks flushed scarlet in embarrassment. A single tear ran down his cheek.
"Oh Kami" he whispered. How could he act like that? Why would he do that? This was so embarrassing. How could he face them after that? Kami he'd been such a baby.
It was just that he'd been so nervous. He'd actually been scared. So scared! He hadn't felt that way in a long time.
Images flooded his mind. Earlier days.
"Shh Sasuke, just hang on otouto ." Itachi's warm voice flooded his ears through the panic gripping him.
"Ni…ni…ni…san!" He watched as his brother rummaged through a drawer across the room. His chest was burning furiously, and his breath coming out in choppy puffs.
"Hang on otouto….I got it Sas-kun"
He could see his brother holding him in his arms again. Putting the inhaler to his lips. Rubbing his chest.
"It's all right otouto . You're okay now. Close your eyes now, I'm here. Go to sleep."
Whispering to him. Rocking him to sleep.
"Th-thank…you…ni…san." he would whisper with a sore throat just before he could go to sleep.
"I'll always be here for you Sas-kun. Always."
Sasuke's eyes got shiny with unshed tears and he quickly rubbed them away. Itachi HAD always had been there for him. The last time he's had an attack this bad Itachi had been them with him, holding his hand all night as he slept. He'd panicked and cried but he knew he was safe, because his ni-san was there with him.
Last night he'd been terrified. He had no inhaler, no breath left, and no nothing but the memory of a backstabbing bother. He'd honestly thought that he was going to die…all alone while everyone slept around him, all because of a stupid asthma attack. Not getting attacked on the field trying to protect the dobe, not exhausting his chakra to make an intimate sacrifice, not killing his brother, but because of a stupid asthma attack. Some ninja he was.
Sasuke closed his eyes for a minute. His chest and throat were burning, and now so was his brain. The image of Itachi holding him suddenly shifted. Grew and elongated-the arms becoming bigger, thicker, around him, the legs slightly longer, the colors lighter, until it wasn't Itachi holding him at all but Kakashi. Kakashi gently whispering to him, holding him, bringing the inhaler to his lips. Naruto panicking as he talked to him, sitting at the side of the bed. His team saving him... again. Minus Sakura, but if she had been there too, he thought he would be dying of embarrassment instead of just drowning in it right now. So technically Sakura too.
He knew the others had probably told her by now but carefully, Sasuke turned around to quietly get out of bed. The stuff he'd thrown around the room was gone, all stuffed messily into his bag and he had to pause a minute when he saw that the team had put a shirt over his dusty pillow as he slept.
Out in the hall, everything was silent other than the creaking wood and the occasional giggling from downstairs. That was Sakura.
It didn't take him long to brush his teeth, wash his face, and throw on shorts and a t-shirt, but after he was ready he wished he could have done it slower.
His steps around the hall and down the stairs were that of the same pace that they'd been when he was nine…pitiful. He rubbed his chest and looked down at the floor as he made it down into the living room where everyone just happens to be sitting. Their quiet talking had all gone silent when they'd seen him come down the stairs.
"Sasuke!" That was Sakura. Then he was right about them already telling her. He guessed that was for the best. His team should have known from the beginning in case something were to happen.
"Hm…morning guys," He said flushing scarlet.
"More like good afternoon. Aw sit down and stop squirming around teme. Relax." Naruto was as load as ever.
Kakashi stood, shaking his head with a measured smile behind his mask. Sasuke realized he hadn't even taken off his mask to go to bed if he'd been wearing in last night at whatever Godly hour it had been.
"How are you feeling?"
His tone was soft and light. An echo of gentle way he'd spoken to him last night. It made him flush brighter.
"Well obviously his chest hurts. I don't think that he's stopped holding it like that since last night." Everyone turned to look at Naruto for a moment before they turned back to him expectantly.
"Umm…yea…my chest and throat hurt but that always happens when it's really bad…I'm fine."
"Good" Kakashi said putting a hand on his back to lead him to the couch. He couldn't believe how embarrassed the proud young Uchiha was. He almost wanted to let out a chuckle. Almost.
"You slept all day; do you want something to eat?" Sakura asked getting up off the floor to sit beside him for a moment.
Before he could respond, Kakashi did.
"Actually Sakura, Yeah he should eat. And have some water for his throat as well if you don't mind getting it."
Sakura and Sasuke stood up at the same time. "It's okay, I can get it. I'm not handicapped." he said.
They watched him go to the cupboards and pull out what seemed to be some kind of peanut butter energizer bar then a bottle of water before turning back to them. This was getting really, really awkward.
"Sasuke" Kakashi said as he sat down again. "We've told Sakura what happened last night as I thought it best we all knew just in case okay?"
"Hn…yea I kinda expected it" He didn't think his bright red face had faded back to normal colour since he'd gotten down there.
"I'd also like to explain to you that if you ever lose the inhaler that you SHOULD always have with you no matter how long it's been since you've had an attack. That blue bag you saw last night will always hold an extra one, plus any first aid equipment you need or medication any of us may be on at that time."
Sasuke nodded. That was good to know.
"I..did have it with me…I guess it fell or something…on the way back? But I don't think it should be a problem again. It's not likely I'll have another in a long time."
Kakashi nodded for a moment, about to speak when Sasuke finally continued-playing with the granola bar in his hands.
"Th-… I ju...I just wanted to say thank you. For last night… Both of you. I-I don-…I was actually really scared last night and I'm sorry I panicked like that. But thanks"
Naruto didn't say anything but let out a laugh. He guessed that Sensei had ordered him not to tease him.
Sakura had gone back to sitting on the floor beside Naruto and gently grabbed his leg in a warm gesture before Kakashi spoke.
"There's no reason to thank us Sasuke. And there is absolutely no reason for you to be embarrassed about any of this. You were hurting, and we we're going to help you weather you wanted it or not. Remember, those who abandon their friends…."
"Are worst than trash." Sasuke finished keeping his gaze on his glass of water.
"That's right. That applies weather your on the battle field, back home in the village, or just breathless. So far you've never abandoned us and I hope to keep it that way. No matter what Sasuke we'll always be here for you."
This time, Sasuke didn't see Itachi's face...he didn't try to pull away...and he wasn't surprise when his usually indifferent teacher wrapped his warm, strong arms around him. He leaned into the warm embrace and hoped that he meant it. Hoped that his team wouldn't leave him. Hoped that he wouldn't be alone in the hard days to come.
So what did you think? Please leave your comments. I have no experience weather with myself or others to do with asthma so please let me no if there are any big mistakes. Hope you enjoyed and are back for the next update:)
`twilaliars798