Keep Breathing

Hey, lovelies. I have put up another chapter. It's early isn't it. I'm just glad I can get back on track. I'm so damned happy. I am announcing that the story is almost over. Maybe two more chapters. Aaaaaahhhh.

Sasuke knew by how high the sun was that he had been asleep for sometime, but he was still so tired and exhausted.

Hearing a long grunt, the raven turned on his side and yawned, watching his lover sleep soundly.

Naruto had his head back in the chair and Sasuke could tell the blond man had just fallen asleep; He had bags under his eyes.

While the Uchiha wasn't necessarily happy with his situation right now, he could say having Naruto around and knowing that what Kenji had wasn't fatal made it all the better.

Naruto was one of a kind and Sasuke was so happy. Hell, he hardly thinks of Hidan as Kenji's father anymore.

Looking over the Uzumaki, Sasuke smiled at his attire. He still had on what he was wearing the day before- shirts and a tee- and his sandals were mismatched.

Obsidian eyes traveled downward to his lovers wrapped hand and frowning confusion overtook his features. Why the hell would Naruto's hand be bandaged up?

A series of scenarios passed through Sasuke's mind.

Naruto punched a doctor and then glass. Nope.

Hidan showed up and Naruto lost his temper. Nope. He promised Sasuke he wouldn't hurt Hidan.

Sasuke did it. He reached over and unwrapped the blond's hand, cringing at the bruised purple tint all over. Yeah, he squeezed Naruto's hand to literal death.

"It's fine, you know." A baritone voice said softly.

Sasuke looked up and his eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry." He sobbed out. He really didn't mean to break Naruto's fucking fingers. He was just like Hidan now.

"You are not, Sasuke." The blond spoke, hugging him close. "Pushing out a child and clenching your fist is very common. I'm just glad that holding my hand helped ease the pain."

"But I-"

"Stop that, now." Naruto commanded. "Nothing is your fault and I sure as hell don't want tooooo see you crying. I get it. You're emotional right now. Who wouldn't be in your situation?"

At that, Sasuke frowned a little. His baby. "Have they said anything new?"

Naruto sighed. "I went to check up on him and I don't want you to see him the way that he is, with the breathing tube and all. Orochimaru said they loosened the cord a bit, buuuut there will definitely be some long term problems."

"Like?" The older male whispered.

"There's a ninety five percent chance that he will have non verbal autism. An umbilical cord being wrapped around your throat throat can affect your lungs and ultimately your speech."

Tears filled Sasuke's eyes, but they weren't tears of regret or embarrassment. He was so relieved. It was like dying for a moment and then being brought to life. "As long as he's okay…." Naruto smiled at him. "I'm fine. As long as he's breathing and I can look at him everyday, I'm okay with anything."

"I knew you'd saaaay….." Naruto's jaw went out and he bit down a few times as Sasuke waited patiently. "Sorry. I knew you'd say that."

"No need to apologize for being you. Plus, you seem to know a lot about autism." The raven stated in a teasing manner.

"Yeah." The blond said sheepishly. "When they diagnosed Takeda with Atypical Autism due to his prematurity, I read so many-"

That's when Sasuke sat up. "Takeda has Atypical Autism? I never noticed." He didn't mean to cut his boyfriend off, but the news really shocked him.

"Atypical Autism is another word for mild autism. It's so small you can't see it. You'll notice that he can get distracted or he has trouble taking care of himself or sometimes, he doesn't like talking to new people.

When he was about two and he first started speaking around ten months, his only word was daddy. That's all he knew how to say. He had trouble learning new things. That's why he's always writing and drawing so that he can develop faster.

He may seem smart, but it took some time. When I say he gets distracted, I mean he will only focus on one narrow subject for a vast amount of time. Like his fire truck. He has plenty of other toys, but he really loves that one. He can't function for some reason without me for a long time. He has to atleast see me three times a day."

More tears filled Sasuke's eyes. "Oh...my babies." He whispered...for Kenji and Takeda. "How'd you find out? When did you know?"

"I had a friend babysit him for a day, but when I left he wouldn't stop crying. When I came back, couldn't even focus on me. At first, I thought he was just shy because obviously Hinata was shy as heeeeeeelllllll when we were growing up. But, another symptom is difficulty getting along with peers of his age. We went to a hospital nursery to check out what was wrong with him. He didn't want to talk to anyone. He gets along with older people.

That's when I told the doctors about the symptoms and they diagnosed him with PDD-NOS: Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified. Or as you know Atypical Autism."

"Why didn't you ever tell me? I always wondered why he would write letters and sentences. I mean...most kids draw." Sasuke demanded softly. He didn't know why he felt betrayed. It was almost like Takeda was his own as well. If something were wrong with Kenji, the Uchiha would tell Naruto in a heartbeat.

Because whether they knew it or not, Takeda and Kenji were both of theirs. And he'd have it no other way.

Naruto looked down, in deep satisfaction and memory. "Because, saaass. He's so fucking perfect…in that little imperfection that he has. He may not be able to connect with people his age, but he's a goddamned charmer. He may get distracted, but he's so cute. I didn't speak on it because it's not a problem, it's a perfection….and so is Kenji."

Sasuke smiled. "We have to tell each other everything, Naru. It builds trust."

"I know. And I'm sorry."

"How is my little baby?" The Uchiha asked, unaware of Naruto briefly wondering if he were still pregnant. This was his seventh moodswing.

"I told you exactly what Orochimaru told me, sas. Kenji is-"

"My other baby." Sasuke stated, rolling his eyes in a playful manner.

"Huh?" THe blond squinted. When Sasuke gave him the look, he straitened up. "Oh, you mean Takeda? Hehe...sorry. Takeda's fne. Still a little shaken up because he thinks you're going to die, but I promised to let him see you when you woke up."

The raven giggled. "Good. I miss my little pumpkin."

Naruto smiled. "It means a lot that you like Takeda, Sasuke. I know it seems little, but not many people get along with kids."

"One...Takeda is easy to get along with. He's unintentionally funny and a damned sweetheart. Two, He's a part of me now. Three: what's wrong with you, dumbass. I don't like Takeda. I love him."

The Uchiha had noticed that Naruto has zoned out after his second point. "Naruto?" He waved a hand in his face. "Naru?" Nothing. "I love someone else."

That got the blond. "Whaaaaat?" He sputtered.

"You zoned out." Sasuke stated. "Whatcha thinking about?" He singsonged.

The blond man blushed and looked away. "I just...I uh...you're just an amazing person. And I figured I'd tell you."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. You are. I'm seriously at a point where I would leave this entire world for you, Takeda, Kenji, Kyūbi, my kaa-san, and my friends." Naruto spoke with a crooked grin.

"Are you just saying that because I named my son Kenji?" The smaller man teased, climbing over into his lover's lap and supporting his pale arms around the tan man's neck.

"What do you mean by that?"

Sasuke laughed and shook his head, leaning forward to kiss Naruto, who seemed confused and starstruck. "Oh, Naruto. Kenji means intelligent second son."

Naruto still seemed confused and Sasuke hit his chest. "You big dobe. It means he is my second son."

It took him sometime, but the blond finally got it. "Aww. I love it."

"I knew you would. Guess wh-"

The Uchiha was cut off by a knock on the door. He and Naruto locked eyes and they began to giggle quietly. "Come in" he called out, trying to cover Naruto's mouth, laughing when the blond kissed his hand.

The door opened and the Uchiha frowned slightly. What was Sakura doing here? She had seen how awkward it was when she came a day prior, and here she was now.

Sasuke didn't feel insecure anymore because he knew Naruto only liked him. Nothing or nobody- not even Sakura- could change that bond they shared. Nothing ever would.

Still, Sakura was not that close of a friend, but Karin was. Hell, Sasuke bet the redhead was sitting outside the rooms now.

And Sakura confirmed that. "Karin was being a meanie so I left her out there. She went to get you some food."

Sasuke could feel the disappointment in the woman's voice. He got the feeling it wasn't from Karin, but from what she was seeing right now.

Even now, when she walked in, Naruto remained holding an arm around Sasuke's waist and watching his face in every emotion. Sakura had never been unacknowledged before. But, now she was.

"How long has Karin been here?"

"She said she got here at six this morning."

There was an awkward silence and finally Naruto acknowledged the woman. "Oh. Diiiiid you want to speak to Sasuke alone, Haruno-san?"

She smiled. "Yes, actually. And you can call me Sakura." She offered.

Naruto smiled and lifted Sasuke bridal style. "Sure thing. I'll be right back, love. In fact, I'm going to get some clothes and use this bathroom to wash. Then I'm going to talk to the person who's selling that old building."

"You thinking about buying it?" Sakura asked sweetly.

"I have an idea or two in mind." Naruto spoke, laying the Uchiha gently on the bed. When he noticed Sasuke's indifferent face, he cautiously looked at Sakura.

"I know who you are and I know what you've done for five years while Sasuke was with thaaaat piece of shit. I don't hurt woman, nor those smaller than me, but I have a cousin who can maul the fuck out of a perpetrator. I'm not threatening you, but I swear on my life that I will protect Sasuke.

Don't make him cry, don't say anything that will trigger him or make him angry. Because he doesn't neeeeed that. Understand?"

Sakura blushed in embarrassment. "Understood." She whispered. And with that, Naruto leaned down to kiss Sasuke and then left the room."

A silence ensued, Naruto promise still fresh on their minds. Sasuke was attempting to supress the giddy feeling in his stomach and Sakura was watching with an impassive look.

"So...what did you need to speak about?"

Sakura looked at him and then sat down. "I came to apologize."

"For what, Sakura?"

"For my behavior yesterday. I'm sure you noticed it." The pinkette said sheepishly.

"I noticed. Is Naruto the reason you came?"

The woman looked down in guilt. "Mhm. I'm so sorry."

"How could you, Sakura. I thought you actually wanted to be friends with me again, but I see that you had other plans. Did you really think Naruto would leave me for you? He's not Hidan, you know?"

That hit home and Sakura wiped her tears. "I know...ever since we were younger I just thought that everyone liked you and I supposed that if your significant other's liked me, everyone else would too."

Sasuke shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense."

"I know." She cried. "I'm so horrible. I tried to take Naruto from you."

"I noticed. But it didn't work. I know I may sound crazy, but I think he loves me...for me. All my flaws and imperfections are beautiful to him.

No one can change what he feels for me, Sakura.

Not. Even. You."

"I'm selfish...yesterday when your labor broke I had wished that the baby would die."

"..."

"..."

"You what?" The man whispered, staring off into the distance.

"I hope the baby would die so that Naruto could go to someone who could actually birth a child right."

She was just like Hidan...like Kakuzu...like that woman in the mall restaurant. She was just like them. He understood her for her pain and constant attempts to be him….but he didn't understand why.

"Who would wish that upon a child, Sakura? A child so innocent to the world. A being who had no sense of the world and its prejudices."

"..."

"Please leave, Sakura." he requested quietly.

When the woman stood and walked to the door, Sasuke called again.

"Sakura….please, for your health and mine….please don't come back into my life." It wasn't a question.

"I won't." The woman said in a bitter voice. How the hell could she be angry? Sasuke asked himself. But it didn't matter because she was finally gone. He didn't need that negativity in his life anyway.

After a moment of silence passed, Sasuke frowned. It may not have seemed like it, but Naruto had been gone for ten minutes. He grabbed his phone and texted the blond.

Where are you….uh?

Not a second later, the taller male replied.

I'm outside the door with me clothes and some for you.

Are you going to come in? And did you see Sakura?

Yeah she looked bitter. And yes, I'm coming in. I'm just going to get done texting you first.

Sasuke sighed. Naruto was so damn dense. Come in, idiot.

There was a laugh and then the door opened. Naruto pushed a tray of food in with clothes on the second shelf. "Hey, love. Karin got all this for you. She said she knew Kenji would taaaake all your food with him. Said she had to get to work, but she'd be back later."

Sasuke nodded and sat up, ready to eat.

"I'm going to take a shower and then I have to go meet with the owner of the old shop. I'll be gone for some time, but I'll text you every thirty minutes."

"Kay." The Uchiha state, digging into his food, letting Naruto do his thing. "What about work."

"I took leave for the month to help you with Kenji. Hey, do you remember that guy Kakuzu?"

"That jerk who own the bar outside of town? Hidan's best bud? Yeah, he comes to the hospital all the time. Why?"

The blond shook his head. "Nothing. It's just I heard he's been saying some pretty nasty things about you and I'm just not okay with that." then walked to the room's bathroom.

Sasuke just sighed. Yeah. He'd let Naruto do his thing for now. But, once he go out of here, no more.

"So what are we doing again?" Kiba asked from the backseat as Naruto's truck pulled into the lot of the closed bar, cracking his knuckles.

Kisame smirked, his fanged teeth gleaming in the sun's 4 pm hour. "I need blood."

"And Whiskey." Kiba added.

"Eh….that too."

Naruto sighed and turned off the ignition. "He's here getting it all ready. He doesn't open up until 7 pm, so we got time to fuck him uuuuup."

"We're confirming it first. I mean...we know that he's been trying to ruin Sasuke's reputation, but we'll have to make sure." Kisame said.

"When we do, can we get a drink? I want to drink my problems away."

"What fucking problems do you have?" Kisame snorted out. "Besides not having a job, and being the female of your relationship with Karin?"

It grew quiet and Kiba huffed into his seat. "Fuck you, shark man."

Naruto put his head on the steering wheel, trying to succumb his laughter. "Could you guys be serious? No, we aren't getting a drink. I have to meet with that guy who owns that building."

Kyūbi barked in the backseat and shook the truck a bit while moving about.

"Are you going to buy if for real? It looks kind of dirty."

"Of course it does. It's old. I have to fix it up. But, I need to make more than what I am now. I have a family to take care of."

"See, N, that's why you're my best friend." Kisame spoke. "You get shit done even when you can't."

"Thanks. So...this is the last time I'm doing something like this. It's only for Sasuke."

"Huh...You remember when those guys at the station were messing with Hinata?"

Naruto laughed and Kyūbi barked again, everyone going into a reminisce. They'd do anything for Hinata. Now it was Sasuke's turn.

"I don't know if I told you guuuuys, but I really miss her." Naruto said, closing his eyes with a smile. He had been the closest to their surrogate sister and had saved her from a lot.

"We all do...so in honor. Let's not raise hell only for Sasuke, but for Hinata too." Kiba spoke, raising his fist in the air.

"For anyone who's been picked on by the lowlives." Kisame said.

"We're going all out?" Naruto asked in a soft manner.

"We're going all out." Kiba confirmed, putting his clenched fist to the front seat. The fist belonged to the arm of their significant tribal tattoo

"For a final time?" Kisame asked, mirroring his dog friend's actions.

"For a final fucking time." Naruto confirmed, putting his fist into the circle.

It was their way of saying 'we'll be busy for some time, so we may not have time for each other. To hang out and stay young, but you will always be my brothers.'

They pulled back and Kisame broke the solemn silence by opening his door and laughing. "You guys are such fucking saps."

"You're the ones who were about to cry." Kiba retaliate, jumping out too.

Naruto snorted as he walked out and helped his dog from the truck. "Please. You guys are so scared of being alone, I can smell the shit in your pants."

They all laughed and Naruto pulled out three steel bats from his truck, handing one to each of his friends.

"You guys ready?" He asked.

Kiba put on a pair of tinted shades while looking around. "Why is the diner always crowded, but this look like a desert town?"

"I don't know." Kisame said, pulling out a knife to sharpen his teeth. "Less witnesses for us."

"Come on, guys."

They walked to the back door of Kakuzu's bar. Naruto pulled softly. "It's unlocked."

"Wait. There are voices inside." Kiba whispered.

They listened in and sure enough there were two voices.

"And I told her 'Sasuke Uchiha is a piece of shit.' I've just been saying shit around town. Nobody would like that fucker. Serves him right for leaving my best friend for some retarded fuck who can't speak right."

Another voice spoke. "I don't know man….I heard about that Uzumaki guy. He don't give a shit about nobody. And I also heard that Hidan hit Sasuke. You can't persuade me to hate someone. Also, why are you trying to ruin the kid's life?"

"Because that whore took my best friend. I thought about killing him, you know. I even told Sakura that Sasuke got in the way of everything."

"He's just a kid you know. And I wouldn't be saying things like that. It's Bias and I don't want no trouble with that blond kid. He may talk weird, but he sure as hell knows how to raise hell."

Naruto chose the moment to walk in, swinging the bat around easily. "You don't know how right you are." He said.

Kakuzu looked up with a frown. "What the he-"

"Yes!" Kisame yelled, cutting him off. "Glass!" He brought his bat up and slammed it down, letting it connect with the drink holder, which shattered.

Kakuzu stared shocked as Kiba pulled the door shut and locked it. "What the fuck's your problem?"

The second man who had been present, who also looked drunk off his limit, shook his head and took a sip of beer. "Told you, man."

As Kiba and Kisame began to break some things down in the bar, Naruto threw down his bat and walked right up to Kakuzu. "Watch the door, Kyū." Grabbing the green eyed man, the blond him to the ground and punched him. "You jealous piece of shiiiiit."

He punched Kakuzu with every word he held.

"If. You. Ever. Insult. Sasuke. Again. I. Will. Kill. You." When Naruto released him, the older man moved back in fear. "Don't say shit about this."

"I won't; I swear man, I'm sorry."

Naruto knew he wouldn't. Not only because Kakuzu afraid, but because he didn't have his cameras on and because his only witness was drunk.

"You like ruining things, huh? Well let me show you how it feels. Bat, Beast!" The large dog ran to Naruto's steel bat and bit into to, carrying it to Naruto.

Kakuzu moved back a bit into the light, giving Naruto a display of his face, which unfortunately didn't look so damaged.

The best part about this situation was that Naruto was calm. He wasn't angry in thinking about what Kakuzu was saying around and the incident in the hospital.

His quiet fury was enough.

Kakuzu put a hand up when Naruto pulled out some money and sat it on a stool. "That's 5,000 ryo for the damages. But how about something you caannn't fix? Like a single body part."

"Please don't kill me." Kakuzu said.

Kisame and Kiba began laughing as if that were the funniest thing in the world.

"Oh. I'm not going to kill you." Naruto lifted the steel bat high in the air. "I'm just going to hurt you...destroy you in the most crafted way possible. And when I leave, only then will you understand why storms are named after people.

This storm is named Sasuke."

The bat crashed down onto Kakuzu's leg, shattering the bones like his glass.

His loud scream was muffled by the thick walls of his bar.

"I don't smell like alcohol, do I?" Naruto questioned as they walked into the mall.

Kiba, being the 'dog,' sniffed around a bit. "No man, nothing."

Naruto smiled and nodded. "How much did you guys give him for the damages?"

"I gave him 3,000 ryo and Kiba couldn't give shit because he's broke." Kisame snickered.

"Fuck you. Even if I had it, I wouldn't have gave it anyway. Doesn't it defeat the purpose? I'm sure he can pay for it all himself." Kiba spoke bitterly.

Naruto laughed. "He can, but we're not horrible people. Also, the bar will be closed for some time. I know for a fact he serves the drinks. He can't serve them with a broken fucking leg. He'll have to get a new worker or wait it out. A leg broken by a steel baaaaat will take about a year to fully heal. Either way, he'll be losing money."

"I never thought about that. You're so fucking smart, N."

"Is that the place?" Kisame spoke up, pointing to a store in the mall that really looked burned and run down.

"Yeah." Naruto smiled. "And look there's old man, Teuchi, fixing it up. This is his."

"It's seriously in the middle of the mall. No one's helping him fix it up?"

"I am. Come on, let's buuuuuy it." Naruto walked ahead an waved. "Teuchi-san!"

The old man stopped sweeping up debris and looked over. "Naruto, my boy. How are you? I see you thought about it."

"Of course, sir. I'd like to go into business anyway."

"That's good. After the fire, Ayame and I decided we should relocate, but we'll need to close down shop and we need the money."

Naruto nodded. "Well I have my check. 10,000 ryo. Ever since I was sixteen, I've been saaaaving up from small jobs. I've waited so long to invest in something."

Teuchi took the check and handed Naruto a key. "You a great man, Naruto. Taking care of a family and making sacrifices like this must be rough."

"I live with it, sir. By the way, these are my best friends, Kisame Hoshigaki and Kiba Inuzuka. They'll be helping me fix up, along with some of my other co-workers."

Teuchi said hello and turned back to Naruto. "It's nice that you'll be turning this into a ramen shop, but also selling other foods as well. I know you're a mean cook."

"Thank you. I wanted the business to go on, so the main dish will be many types of ramen, but we'll also sell lunch and breakfast for all."

"I know you're going to start fixing up right away, but what are you naming the shop, kid?"

Naruto smiled, thinking about Sasuke's exploding temper, Takeda's wavy hair and personality, and Kenji small, yet powerful innocence. Oddly enough, all those things made a beautiful swirling sphere.

"The Rasengan" he said simply.

Naruto opened the hospital door for Takeda as the boy walked in. "Mommy!"

Sasuke laughed as his son jumped onto the bed. "You silly. I missed you."

"You're not dying!"

"Nope, pumpkin."

"Yay. Daddy kept telling me, but I was so scared." Takeda hugged the Uchiha around the waist. "Where's Kenji?"

"He's in the NICU."

Takeda gasped. "Daddy said that I was in there as a baby. Is Kenji-otouto alright?"

"His condition is not as severe as yours love, but he may not be able to speak as he gets older."

"Daddy has a speaking problem, but we still love him. We'll love Kenji too." Naruto smiled at that very fondly.

"Of course we will, bub. He's one of us."

"I know. I made him a letter, so can we take it to him?" Takeda questioned, pulling out a small note. 'Dear little brother, my name is Takeda and I am your aniki. I hope we can get along when you get older and I hope I can stay your hero forever. I can't wait til you come home with us. Love, me.'"

"That's sweet, bub. But, let's let mommy rest."

"But, I want to go see him." Sasuke spoke.

Naruto gave him a look, but eventually nodded, standing to help his lover up.

They made their way out of the room and walked down the hall.

A doctor nodded at them and Naruto turned to his family. "We have to be veeeery quiet. Other babies are asleep."

Sasuke nodded as well as Takeda, giving Naruto the okay to head inside. "Last name Uchiha."

The older Uzumaki led them to a small cubbie, where the palest child lay. He had Sasuke's everything and he was so damn beautiful.

"He's so pretty." Takeda whispered. "Even with that thing on his mouth."

"That's a breathing tube, love." Sasuke whispered, hugging Takeda to his stomach. "And you're right.

While Kenji was on the breathing tube, his eyes were open, giving him access to these three odd people who appeared above him.

He couldn't make out their words, but he knew he had a connection to them. He felt so comfortable, that he closed his eyes in their presence. A symbol that he trusted them.

As Takeda watched his younger brother, Sasuke laid his head on Naruto's chest. "I know what you did. Why else would you ask me about Kakuzu?"

"I know you know. That's why I didn't need to tell you about it. I just don't like what he was doing and I put a stop to it. I'm sorry if it made you feel betrayed. If it makes you feel any better, by bat only broke his leg. And I paid for damages."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I'm just glad you're safe. Don't do it again, you hear."

"Never, love. Unless you give me permission."

"You got the place?" Sasuke whispered.

"Yeah. I'm going to be calling it The Rasengan. I feel like we'll have some big business. I'm just happy that I have something stable to work on for the family."

Sasuke looked away from Takeda, who was whispering into his younger brother's cubbie. He stared intensely at Naruto. "I know it may seem to early because we've only been together for three months, but I think I love you."

It was quiet for a moment and Naruto kissed the raven's forehead. "I know I love you."

Sasuke smiled and went back to watching their son', blinking away his tears. "I love you too."

So, Kenji has a 95 percent chance of having non verbal autism.

Takeda already has atypical autism. It's been there his whole life and yes, it's been in plot. I knew I would reveal it here and that his behavior corresponded with that condition.

Also, I expected Naruto to go back and kick Kakuzu's ass.

And yay! Now he has a shop where he can actually make money. The Rasengan.

Please review, people. Until next time.