I have nothing to say other than, don't kill me. Please. I have a husband and two small kitties to look after.
Date 06.15.06
Unspoken
Awakening in a strange, unfamiliar bed, Naruto couldn't help but feel a little afraid. Moments later, though, Sakura walked in through the open door and smiled at him ever so sadly. She took a seat in a chair beside his bed, still clutching a white flower in her lap. Pale hair fell into her eyes, and her eyes were read, puffy. She looked tired and like she'd been crying for a while.
Sniffing, she said, "Good morning, Naruto."
"Morning Sakura-chan!" Naruto grinned.
He knew by then that he was in a hospital room because he could almost taste the disinfectant. The sheets he was under were white and even the curtains were bleakly white. He hated coming here, even if he was all beat up because it meant staying still and Naruto didn't do so well with not moving.
"What's wrong Sakura?" he asked finally.
She bit her lip and said, "We won."
"Then why are you so sad?"
"A lot of good people didn't make it through," she replied. "There will be a funeral for them tomorrow at the memorial."
"What about Sasuke?"
Sakura gave him a wan smile. "Sasuke's sleeping right now. He's next door, but don't be disturbing him until he wakes up, okay?"
"And Lee?"
Sakura sighed. "Broken wrist and leg, but he'll be up again in no time."
Naruto blinked a few times. "Who are the tears for, then?"
"Kiba is still in critical condition, as is Shikamaru. Temari has been at his side the whole time. We lost a number of jounin, including several ANBU. Kakashi's gone missing since the battle."
"He'll be fine. Kakashi's been in worse and survived."
"There was so much... Crying, pain... I... " Sakura shook her head. "I don't want that to happen ever again!"
Naruto blinked and said something truly profound for a change. "Konoha and all the other villages exist because of the ninja. We are trained to fight, not to live peaceful lives. We are taught to risk our necks in battle, and in that, we live for that rush of adrenaline. I don't think any of us would know peace if it came and bit us in the rear."
Sakura laughed. "And you want to be Hokage?"
"Because, if I am Hokage, then I can fight the battle and let those who can live the quiet life do so without being disturbed. That's what it is about. Sure, we're all addicts of the adrenaline rush, but we can use that to keep everyone else safe and sound."
"Through war?"
Naruto laughed. "Through politics, but also through willingness to go as far as need be for Konoha. Just like Gaara has walked on charcoals and broken glass to keep the Sand Village safe and independent."
"Not literally..."
"No, but in many ways his sacrifice has been worse than any broken glass you can give him."
Sakura smiled. "You're being wise today."
"Then I better shut up." He grinned again.
"Well, Sasuke should be up soon."
Naruto nodded and bit his lip. "Sakura..."
"Yeah?"
"Live the kind of life you want to live. You are always going to be one of the elite. You are already a Jounin in your ability and in your determination. But, even with that, if it's peace you want, then walk that road."
"I'd be called a girl if I did."
"Would you rather have that happen or would you rather live the rest of your life in that place they took Sasuke?"
"Are you implying I'll go crazy?"
Naruto shook his head. "I'm saying that fighting will get to you if you let it. If you think you're strong enough to live with that, then I will never say another word."
"And if not?"
"Take the path you want to take. Live, Sakura. For yourself and for those you care about."
Sakura nodded and left the room. The white flower still lay on the chair, and Naruto looked at for a long time before slipping off the bed. Slowly, because he still hurt, the blonde made his way to the room next door. He opened the door and slipped inside, grasping onto a bed for balance.
Sasuke lay on the bed by the window, and a cool breeze was stirring the soft curtains. The raven looked peaceful when he was asleep like this. Naruto took a seat in a chair beside his bed and grasped the other boy's hand.
"You'd better wake up," he said to the sleeper.
And looking in, Sakura cried even harder.
Tsunade walked over and rested a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Sasuke will wake up, Sakura. The poison is gone from his system, and he is just resting."
"What about the..."
"We'll see what happens when he wakes up again, but I have a hunch that nothing Kabuto makes will keep him down for long."
Sakura sighed. "Naruto has so much hope."
"He is going to need it if he wants to be the Sixth Hokage."
"Not like you'll ever let him."
Tsunade laughed. "You'd be surprised."
"Really?"
"He's got all the right stuff," Tsunade said softly. "I think the biggest obstacle in his life is going to be letting go of Sasuke."
"Letting go?"
"Yeah. Sasuke is human. He will want freedom to live his life, and Naruto is part fox. Possessive little creatures."
"They'll figure it out, I'm sure..."
Tsunade nodded. "They will."
Unknowing, Naruto sat just feet away from the speakers and watched his best friend sleep. Slowly, though, like a flower, Sasuke began to awaken to the light of another day.
The End.
Don't murder me please. The story is finished. The question "What would happen if Sasuke came back" has been answered. I still feel like there's a lot more to be said for all these characters. All of them seem like they have a future ahead of them that's both happy and sad.
I'm feeling proud as this is the first multi-chapter story I've managed to see to completion.
Outtakes:
Sasuke: I'm dying!
Kabuto: Sorry, I think
I punctured something vital.
Sasuke: Moron!
Author: Again? Stop
killing Sasuke please. Take 18!
Naruto: Sasuke, are you
going to wake up.
Sasuke: SNEEZE!
Naruto: Makes for a bad
ending.
Naruto: Is that the
whole truth Sasuke?
Sasuke: No, but my
throat's sore. I'm not used to talking a lot.
Naruto: Why?
Sasuke: 'Cause I
always act the silent prick!
Naruto: Hurt the
author?
Sasuke: Nah, not her
fault.
Naruto: My DOOR!
Sasuke: Looks good. Can
I get up now?
Author: No, keep
sitting. You're supposed to be out of it.
Naruto: MY DOOR!
Temari: Come here!
Shikamaru: Don't kill
me. I didn't do it!
Temari: Do What?
Shikamaru: How
troublesome? Cries...
Orochimaru: It's me
versus you two.
Tsunade: Rock Paper
Scissors?
Jiraiya: Trivia?
Kabuto: Wheel of
Fortune?
Author: Shut up and
start fighting!
Sasuke: I'm not an
invalid. I can take a bath fine, thank you.
Naruto: So what? The
script says so.
Sasuke: I love you,
Naruto.
Naruto: You what!
Ahhh...
Ten-Ten: Where'd my
scrolls go?
Author: I saw Gaara
with them.
Gaara: Ooh, fun play
things.
Ten-Ten: Let go sand
boy... Growl
Gaara: Temari, just
take him and let's go home.
Temari: Okay. Stuffs
Shikamaru into a box.
Kabuto: Shit...
Author: It's over
now. Go home. Forget this ever happened.
Everyone else: Okay!
