Disclaimer: I own no one in the Naruto world.
I'm watchin TMNT now :D gawd I love this movie haha, Mikey has always been my favorite. I love how carefree he is and how he is the show's modern teenager. In every version he is my favorite.
This is one of my favorite movies, though. I saw it twice in theaters. Once with my family under the guise of 'it's for my little siblings . .'; the second time I dragged my friend to see it with me just because I loved it so much.
Tis a secret shame of mine how much I love things from the old Kid's WB like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I don't let people other than my siblings see just how far this love goes haha.
Anyways, onward with Forgotten Love chapter 3!
"You really need to come back soon, the house has gotten far too clean. I know I always tell you that you make too much of a mess, but the truth is that cleaning up after your laziness has become one of the more enjoyable parts of my daily routine. It relaxes me by giving me a harmless task I don't have to think about and at the same time reinforces our bond to me. Without you at home to clean after, I have been reduced to dusting and reorganizing. Did you know I found that maid outfit I bought for you? I think I still have the scar from when I gave it to you."
Sasuke chuckled when as he remembered the incident. He had been planning a very special kind of night, only to have it interrupted by a trip to Sakura's house for some new bandages because Naruto had certainly not appreciated Sasuke's little 'gift'.
Sasuke gave a small sigh when he had finished his short bout of uncharacteristic chuckles, usually he would only allow himself such a display when he and Naruto were alone at home, but he had been practically living at the hospital for the past three weeks. Ever since the first night, he spent every day at the hospital, only leaving when visiting hours were over.
Naruto had been moved from his original room to another private room on a lower floor because he had been—slowly—recovering and no longer required so many machines to keep him alive.
Sasuke looked contently at the now peaceful expression on his love's face. There may not have been a smile or much of a visible expression, but Sasuke could tell that Naruto was having one of his more restful dreams.
Sasuke started to stroke Naruto's hand which he had been holding with his thumb to show that he was still there as he looked around the hospital room.
He and Naruto were the only ones in there, but there was evidence that the room had been visited frequently with many visitors at a time; there were many chairs stacked against the wall, every available surface was covered with either get-well gifts or cards (all of which had a splash of orange on them), the trash can was filled with little snack wrappers that been snuck in in the hopes that Naruto would wake up during the visit, and the door was open like it always would be for Naruto's desire to always allow guests inside his room.
Naruto received no less than four visitors a day, excluding Sasuke who did not consider himself a mere 'visitor'. During the first week, Naruto had been attached to those machines in room 457 leaving all who visited in a somber mood, barely speaking a word as they tried to convince themselves that what they were seeing was actually true and not some elaborate prank by the blonde.
After Naruto had been moved to a different room and breathing on his own, his visitors were surprised and worried by the expression Naruto had on his face while he slept. He was frowning ever so slightly and people were afraid that that meant that he was in pain of some kind.
Sasuke knew that he knew that particular frown, but was constantly distracted from trying to place it by Sakura, Shizune, Tsunade or any other nurse or doctor doing some sort of test on his blonde to learn of the cause of his unknown pain.
It wasn't until all the tests came back inconclusive did Sasuke realize where he had seen that frown before. As soon as Tsunade had defectively tell the others the results from the tests, Sasuke had abruptly gotten up and walked out of the room despite objections or the people calling after him.
He had returned less than half an hour later with the source of the problems.
He had made his way towards his lover's bed, had sat down and started to stroke Naruto's bangs away from his eyes.
Then Sasuke had pulled out Naruto's old sleeping cap which he had retrieved from his lover's old apartment to the shock of those in the room. Many had assumed Naruto had gotten rid of his childhood hat after the war, or at least since he moved in with Sasuke.
Sasuke had calmly walked past all of the bewildered and slightly annoyed looks for having left in the first place, and headed straight for his usual seat next to his lover.
He then carefully placed the hat atop Naruto's golden head, arranging it so that it covered the majority of Naruto's hair, but allowing the bags to pop out like he knew Naruto was used to.
The effect may not have been instantaneous, but soon after the hat was placed: Naruto's expression calmed from its slight frown to a serene slumber.
From then on, the others openly agreed with Sasuke that he would be Naruto's primary caregiver. Of course, he had already been acting as so, but now Tsunade that Tsunade had made it official, all the nurses and other medical-nin acknowledged this and stood out of his way when it came to taking care of his Naruto.
He took care of changing Naruto's bandages, except for the ones on his throat and torso. He would move Naruto's available limbs so they would not suffer as much when Naruto woke up. He personally made sure Naruto had his favorite sheets rather than the inferior hospital bedding. Sasuke even brought in Naruto's stuffed Kakashi doll to ease his lover's need to smother in his sleep; though that did not stop him from glaring at that damned cloth filled with cotton for getting his lover's cuddles just for being light enough to not jostle Naruto's injuries.
One thing Sasuke absolutely refused to let anyone else to do for his usuratonkachi is giving him his sponge bath.
This, Sasuke was adamant about. He could allow the others to do the other tedious but important things for Naruto like changing his bandages and keeping his usuratonkachi comfortable…but only if needed…
But only he—Sasuke—was allowed to bathe his Naruto.
When one nurse suggested that she would bathe Naruto while Sasuke helped, Sasuke very nearly strangled her. When Tsunade ran in after that 'nurse' screamed for help, Sasuke explained the truth; that that she-devil was trying to steal his lover from him and he was merely making sure that would never happen again.
After that, Tsunade rightfully agreed that Sasuke would be the only one allowed to bathe Naruto.
Sasuke took his job seriously. He bought more of the shampoo he got for Naruto as well as the soaps he had gotten for Naruto. He knew that Naruto would insist on using the ones from home because they were not fully used even though they were almost empty. Sasuke knew that Naruto didn't care about his hygiene as much as Sasuke did, but Sasuke also knew for a fact that his Naruto deserved the best—especially when he was injured.
Sasuke also would not allow anyone else in the room when he gave Naruto his sponge bath; he made sure the room was secure and that the door was sealed before he did so nobody could cast their lustful eyes on his lover's perfect body. Nobody but him, that is.
He did this not only for his own possessive nature, but also because he knew that it was primarily for Naruto. Sasuke knew that Naruto absolutely abhorred it when people saw him injured like this. He was just as sure that Naruto wouldn't be able to stand other people seeing him at his most vulnerable state so exposed.
It was important to Naruto that others view him as strong and indestructible. He hid his weaknesses as a child, and strove to overcome them as an adult.
Sasuke knew his lover inside and out; knew what he would appreciate or resent during his time of need. He knew that when Naruto had to sleep alone, he relied on his old hat to get the deep sleep he desired. He knew that Naruto was a cuddler by nature, so he allowed the abomination of cloth and cotton to appease Naruto's need. He knew that Naruto hated hospital beds, so he tried to make the bed his usuratonkachi was used to sleeping on. He knew that Naruto craved motion and hated staying still for too long, so he helped move the available limbs.
Sasuke also knew that Naruto hated any room outside their home being quiet, so when no one else was around Sasuke would talk to his lover.
Usually, Sasuke would not spend so much talking outside their home, not feeling the need to allow others to know his thoughts. But this was not a 'usual'. This was Naruto, critically injured and has been in a coma ever since his injuries.
Because of the usual nature, Sasuke had made an exception for his aversion to talking out loud for his Naruto.
After a few awkward one-sided 'conversations' consisting of Sasuke describing a few missions he had been on that he had been on during some of Naruto's other missions. Then, he began describing a few mundane things like a couple of books he had found interesting that Naruto had pretended to read for Sasuke's sake a few months back. Soon, Sasuke started to enjoy speaking to his lover; even though it was one sided, it made him feel like he was connecting to Naruto.
"Even though you had told me to throw the maid outfit away, I obviously kept it. I couldn't bring myself to throw it away because I had bought it for you, so how could I?" Sasuke continued talking to Naruto, stroking Naruto's hand within his own.
Sasuke let loose a sigh. It did not matter how connected he felt with the unanimated body of his lover, he had no real way of knowing whether or not his Naruto was aware. It would not deter him from continuing his efforts, but it would have been nice to know that his over knew what Sasuke was doing for him.
Sasuke reached his other hand to caress his lover's whiskered cheek, running his thumb over each birthmark.
Suddenly, something caught Sasuke's eye.
IT WAS NARUTO!
He thought he saw—no, he KNEW he saw—Naruto's eyelids flicker!
Sasuke abruptly stood up; causing the chair he was sitting in to fall backwards, but he didn't care; what piece of cheap furniture can compare to seeing his lover make a form of movement after over a week of being in a coma?
Not that bundle of sticks. Not any piece of furniture could ever compare.
Sasuke leaned in closer to his lover, still caressing those smooth cheeks with his thumb.
"C'mon, usuratonkachi! Show me you're in there. Show me you're fighting this!" he whispered.
There was no response.
Naruto continued to sleep.
Sasuke removed his hand from Naruto's hand to his lover's other cheek so Sasuke was holding his face.
"Dobe, I know you are fighting this, I know you can beat this!" Sasuke whispered a little louder.
Naruto still remained motionless.
Sasuke leaned in so their two foreheads were touching, staring intently at Naruto's motionless, lidded eyes.
"Please. Do it for me. Show me you're in there, Naruto." Sasuke breathed as he continued to stare.
He waited for a moment; taking in every detail Naruto's lidded eyes had to offer.
Sasuke was about to either lean back or try to force a reaction out of his lover through a kiss when his plea was answered.
Naruto flickered his eyes under his eyelids again!
Sasuke inwardly did a lot of things; he inwardly gasped, smiled, even chucked out of happiness.
Outwardly though, Sasuke gave the smallest of grins and ghosted his lips over Naruto's and whispered, "I knew you were in there."
Sasuke then backed up and removed his hands from his lovers face. He quickly grabbed the constructed wood that had fallen over earlier and sat as close to Naruto's bed as he could.
He then spent his time gazing upon his blonde's face. Naruto would sporadically flicker his eyelids; sometimes simply moving his eyes underneath them and other times as if he were blinking.
Sasuke's small grin grew as he replaced his hand back on Naruto's and resumed stroking it with his thumb.
Sasuke heard the door open behind him, but paid it no attention. His focus was entirely on Naruto's beautiful face and relishing in every time Naruto reacted to something.
"Visiting hours end in ten minutes, Sasuke." Tsunade's voice came from behind him, light and calm; just like all the other nights she had sent Sasuke home.
"Not tonight." Sasuke calmly replied, not taking his eyes away from Naruto.
Tsunade paused, the disruption in the usual, polite routine having not been expected, "What?" she asked, unsure of the reason.
"I'm staying here tonight." Sasuke reiterated.
"…What? Why?" Tsunade asked, knowing perfectly well that Naruto was the only reason why Sasuke would directly contradict her.
Sasuke never wavered in his focus and replied, "Look."
Still confused, Tsunade made her way to the opposite side of Naruto's bed. When she got to the bed, she followed Sasuke's gaze to her gaki's face and gasped.
Did he just flicker his eyes?
Tsunade immediately went into doctor mode. She grabbed Naruto's chart and started checking his statistics and writing down the changes on the chart.
Sasuke heard Tsunade bustle around and writing things on the chart, but his eyes were still trained on Naruto's face. The slight twitches were increasing in duration, but gave no indication on when his blonde would awaken.
After a few minutes of shuffling around, Tsunade announced, "He's definitely improving. He should wake up soon, but I have no idea when."
Sasuke nodded, and then restated, "I'm staying here tonight."
He had always known that Naruto would definitely wake up, but he would admit—only to his lover—that he did have concerns as to when he would wake up. But just hearing that Naruto would wake up from someone else besides what Sasuke told himself and other friends reassuring themselves made his heart soar.
Tsunade's eyes shifted from Sasuke to Naruto for a few moments before smiling as she agreed.
"If he wakes up tonight, I want to be the first person you contact." Tsunade said as she turned to leave.
"Hn." Sasuke agreed before she left the room.
Sasuke spent the next hour continuing to observe his lover's face and its semi-movements.
During the hour, Naruto's eyes came close to opening with his eyelids blinking rapidly without opening. But that seemed to wear Naruto out, because after the effort he resumed his motionless state.
After over twenty minutes of Naruto's face remaining serene and restful, Sasuke moved from his post to stretch out his muscles.
When Sasuke had finished stretching, he moved about the room. He cleaned any small mess, like emptying the trash cans. He rearranged Naruto's get-well cards and gifts so they were easier to notice when Naruto would wake up later.
After making the room aesthetically pleasing, Sasuke had moved some furniture—like the extra chairs—so there was more available room because Naruto was bound to get a swarm of guests when he woke up later.
Sasuke later deemed that everything was worthy of being called his lover's room and resumed his post next to Naruto's bed.
He checked Naruto's face and saw that he was sleeping peacefully before checking the clock and saw that it was only 1:31 AM.
Sasuke then decided that he himself should rest; he did not want to mar his reunion with his blonde lover with fatigue! So he treated this rest as if he were on a solo mission and resting alone while still on the alert.
He slipped into a state of rest where he was able to rest his body while still aware of his surroundings. Sasuke treated this as if he had set up numerous traps in the area and allowed himself to truly sleep for half our intervals before becoming alert again.
He rested like this for a couple of hours until he saw the sky gradually getting lighter. He checked the clock and it was around 5:43 AM so he decided that he had slept enough.
Sasuke was glad he had made the decision because not ten minutes had passed before Naruto began to move his eyes under his eyelids again!
Sasuke felt a thrill similar to the one he felt when Naruto had first attempted to open his eyes.
He leaned in closer, his hands grasping the side of Naruto's bed; fisting the orange sheets.
He knew that he should be content with the efforts that Naruto was doing, but Sasuke couldn't help but want more.
He yearned to see those impossibly blue eyes connecting with his own. He craved that smile that lit up the entire room effortlessly. He desired to hear that voice call Sasuke's name. He wanted his Naruto back.
"I know you are trying to wake up, usuratonkachi, but you have to try a little harder. I know it's hard and you're tired, but I need you to wake up!" Sasuke encouraged his lover.
His words had little to no effect on Naruto's efforts which still continued, though not as fast as Sasuke would have hoped.
Sasuke held back a sigh, in case Naruto really could hear him and would misinterpret Sasuke's sigh as disappointment in Naruto's efforts rather than his own expectations. He knew that Naruto was probably trying his best, and reminded himself that waking from a coma is not at all like waking up from a normal dream. Plus, he had to take Naruto's collective injuries into consideration; if Naruto was waking up then that meant that the pain would also be returning to him, or at least the heavy nature of a sedated body.
He should not expect any more from Naruto then what Naruto was currently doing.
Sasuke gave Naruto a small guilty smile and whispered words meant solely for Naruto, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't push you so hard. You always put forth so much effort that you deserve a rest, no matter how long it takes. I am just anxious because I miss you so much. I love you."
He gently took Naruto's smaller hand into his own and pressed it against his lips, closing his eyes in the process.
He opened them so he could make sure that he replaced the hand even more gently than before back onto the bed as to not disturb his sleeping beauty.
Once he had replaced I back on the bed and had held Naruto's hand within his own, Sasuke returned his gaze upon Naruto's face and gasped.
Naruto's eyes were open!
And that was the chapter.
Sorry it took so long to update! I never abandon a story, but some take a reeeally long time for my inner muse to get the ideas and words to flow despite efforts. I tried starting other new stories in an attempt to arouse her, but found that I was paying more attention to developing them than continuing this one so I stopped halfway through.
Reviews are the best way to entice my inner muse for any story, though. It motivates her in a way frustration cannot.
Anyway, did anyone hear that Michael Bay has now taken it upon himself to destroy more childhood memories? He's producing the new TMNT movie coming out in 2013, but making it Teenage ALIEN Ninja Turtles. What the vanilla? I refuse to watch it if that is really the case.
Anyhoo, thank you all who alert/favorite this story! And an extra special thanks to reviewers!