Chapter4: Survive for Now

The sun had long set and the small group of five had secluded themselves in silence in the small apartment. All of them we're bussing themselves with one thing or another but it was apparent that they were all thinking of something else. A sound of a door opening broke the silence and Sakura stepped out of the room. Sasuke was standing on the wall, waiting and he looked at her in question.

"He'll be fine, jeez both of you are just too reckless for your own good." Sasuke didn't spare her a word and just made a move to enter the room she had just left, abruptly a cream coloured hand had blocked his way. "Hey," She began, and Sasuke stood back, the only sign of a reaction was the slight crease in his brows.

"We can't really do much for bruised ribs and neither can hospitals. They usually just heal by themselves and that takes three to six weeks. Well, given that it's Naruto he'd probably be better in ten days, but still... I gave him some pain killers to ease him up a little so he might be a little groggy."

Sakura's voice took in a more serious tone when she said; "Any move we'll make next is crucial. We can't have him move too much." At this point Sakura had looked Saskue square in the eyes, an unreadable flow of emotions pouring from them.

"I owe both you and Naruto my life. If Naruto didn't come, I wouldn't… And If Naruto hadn't made it I.."

"I didn't do it for you." Sakura was interrupted by Sasuke's quip interjection and to say that she was surprised was…

Well, to be honest-

"Thank you" She smiled up at him tears marring the sides of her eyes. Sasuke simply moved past her and entered the room. Once he had gone she had wiped the corners of her eyes and smiled off on to the side. 'damn, what a cold hearted bastard.'

-She knew this was coming.

Naruto couldn't sleep, his head was spinning, he didn't know if it was because of the pain or the pain killers no matter how ironic that would be. He knew it wasn't. This day was just so damn stressful and bat shit crazy.

This day had felt as if it were both a sick twisted nightmare, and it also felt as if it had always been the reality. Naruto inhaled deeply, his arm came up to cover his eyes as he closed them, slowly tears began to fall. How many people had he killed?

Did he even really kill them? Better yet, how many people died? He was alive. Does he really deserve this privilege? Everyone should have. But now, after all that, he just felt hallow. The boy who's face had exploded right in front of him flashed in his mind; no one deserved to go like that. And that girl he had stabbed with the stake in his hand…

His arms began to tremble, a strong smell it of metallic still lingered on his flesh, the sent of blood. He could feel it dripping across his finger tips. It was trailing ever corner of his body, coating him in it, drowning him. Everything is making it hard to breath, he can't breath. He's suffocating… and now he was shaking.

"Naruto! Naruto snap out of it!"

"S-Sasuke?" Through blurred vision Naruto had made out the contours of Sasuke's worried face. Heh, worried… yeah right. Naruto quickly rubbed the tears away and fixed Sasuke with a scowling expression.

"Whatcha want yah bastard? Come to brake any more of my ribs again? My skull perhaps?! ohh! The agony!" Naruto comically made a defensive pose, only to freeze a second later then proceeded to writhe in pain. Sasuke only sighed and took a seat by the bed side.

"You idiot" Naruto lied still and looked up at him, it was unmistakable. For all the years they had been together Naruto could defiantly distinguish any change of tone in Sasuke's voice. This time it was both annoyance and relief. Sasuke had his eyes closed.

"There was no choice. It was only through that hall way could we get to the stairs and it was infested. There was no time to explain the plan. You being attacked by our teacher was the only opportunity we had. To use him as a cushion had given you a higher probability of survival… but the momentum needed to brake the glass, the timing and we were-"

"Stop Sasuke." Naruto said in a firm gentle voice. "If you talk anymore, the unthinkable might happen and cup ramen might just fall from the sky. I swear you could talk more then I could sometimes."

Naruto looked to the side."Its fine, I understand. There was no choice in the matter, you swung your sword to save me and it broke some bones big deal. What's important is that we survived. You saved me. Damn, I didn't even think that you'd come for me-"

Sasuke tried to open his mouth to retort but then Naruto continued. "Thank you. When you pulled me out of there, when we were fighting tooth and nail. It was incredible. So don't be an Idiot, I'll be fine." There was a short moment of silence before Naruto could hear the scraping sound of a moved chair.

"Don't steel my line, Idiot." Sasuke didn't make a sound so Naruto had curiously turned his head. He had looked away because he didn't want Sasuke too see the tears that had streaked his face but he guessed it was futile. Sasuke was just standing there and when their eyes met, a cool hand came to rest on a tan cheek. Sasuke's thumb gently caressed the tear stains away and looked tenderly into blue eyes.

"You're fine"

This was the last words Sasuke had said before he left the room. Moments later sleep had taken Naruto, Sasuke's words had resonated in him. The blonde just wasn't sure if it was meant to reassure him or Sasuke himself but like a spell, he was finally able to find rest.

It was dead off night and everyone was exhausted. Naruto had gotten some sleep, but everyone was startled a few hours later with strangled screams form their blonde companion. Naruto had woken up with a start, cold sweat soaking his temples and frantic hazy blue eyes were blind to his surroundings.

He had gotten over it quickly, shyly rubbing the back of his head and apologising. No one blamed him, they could all sympathise. This was the exact reason why the didn't want to go to sleep.

What they saw just a few hours prior was haunting, and not one of them was heartless enough to be able to just sleep it through. So instead of wallowing in their confused misery Shikamaru had called the group to gather in the living room for a small meeting. Naruto had been sore, but walking around a little would be good for his circulation and the pain killers were still in effect.

"We need to device a plan of action." Sasuke agreed, taking his seat on one of the chairs left side of the sofa.

"Judging by what we saw coming here. The outbreak is spreading and fast. Its better to locate the refugee camp now while the number of infested areas haven't reached its totality." Shikamaru reasoned.

"But that's...Shikamaru-kun, that's a big gamble. We haven't been out during the night. who knows how much of them had spread. we aren't even well equipped for travel, and any point of destination is vague at best." Hinata's calm voice was a little shaky but everyone had to acknowledge that her points were strong. The situation outside could have drastically changed over night. A point of destination would also be a problem. The phone lines and cable are dead. No one could get cell service and they could only see so much through the windows on the twenty-first floor. They would all be blind chickens running towards the wolf pack.

"And besides, Naruto-kun isn't in the right shape to move right now, and so is Sasuke-san." The timid girl shyly looked at the two who were sitting close to each other. Naruto had taken the seat on the couch nearest Sasuke's chair. He was spread out and when Hinata's lavender eyes and blue met, Naruto smiled.

"Mah- Hinata, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. We'll be fine ain't that right Sasuke-kun" Sasuke's eyebrows twitched at the suffix but he replied with an undignified grunt.

"That's asshole for 'Yeah, don't worry'" Naruto said with a wink. Hinata suddenly turned beat read and looked at the rug that seemed all to interesting all of a sudden.

"I think Shikamaru's right. We need to get out of here, it would be great to get rescued and all but we can't be too hopeful. It could be days, weeks hell even months before that happens and we'd run out of everything. Food, water... By that point it would already be too late. Our odds at this time is the best. The sooner we move the sooner we could get sanctuary." Naruto argued.

The debate wore on, the group not noticing the silent pink haired girl stand up and walk towards the kitchen. She got some glasses and poured some water in them. She'd figured everyone would be thirsty at some point during this discussion. Really... this is all crazy.

Walking back Sakura had stopped at the door and suddenly tears fell from her face. The group heard a loud crash and they all ran towards the hall way. The pinkkete was sitting on the floor, gathering the broken shards and wiping away tears.

"Sakura what happened?!" Naruto came bursting in at the scene.

"N-nothing, sorry I slipped. I thought I'd get you guys some water and..." Hinata stepped up front, squatting in front of the frazzled girl and touched her trembling hands.

"I'll help you with that. Let's go get a broom, you'll cut yourself." The raven haired girlsmiled up reassuringly at her friend and held her arm, steadily supporting her up.

"We've got this boys, why don't you take the rest of the water and continue to talk ne?" Hinata smiled at the men and ushered Sakura back to the kitchen. she sat her down and continued to rummage the cabinets for a broom.

"Sakura-chan." Sakura didn't look up as Hinata called her name. The raven haired girls bottom lip trembled. she dropped the broom and enveloped her friend in a warm embrace where she tried her best to

make her presence comforting.

"Geez, what's happened to Sakura?" Naruto asked the other two in the room. The boys had sat back down but their conversation was now focused on a different topic. Shikamaru took a sip of his water and had put it back down.

"Sakura's folks run a small bakery two blocks from here."

"Yeah, I know. But what does that have to do with-" Naruto cut mid sentence as realisation dawned on him. His eyes widened and his body had gone stiff.

"tch, dobe." Sasuke quietly quipped. His expression was distressed. He had rested his face on his palm and faced the other way.

"They didn't come back last night." Shikamaru confirmed Naruto's thoughts and suddenly a sinking feeling befell the group and then they were silent.

Just then the two women came in the living room.

"We don't have time for this. We can't be sitting ducks at this point, so stop with this depressing atmosphere and let find our way out of here. The most we can do at this point is help ourselves." Sakura stood facing the three seated boys. Tears satined her face and her eyes were puffing out and rimmed red. Despite this her emerald eyes were burning.

They were stunned. A slow smile grew on Naruto's face as he stood up from his place and made his way to his pink haired friend. Sakura watched him as he did so. When he stood directly in front of here Sakura was surprised to see a tear flow from his very blue eyes.

She couldn't stop it, her eyes began to water but before the tears could have fallen Naruto had taken her in his arms. "Sakura's right" he whispered.

Naruto had let go of her at this point and faced the group with renewed vigour in his eyes.

"I might have something to solve our problem.

A.N. Okay, so I would just like to say thank you to those who faved followed and reviewed this fic! It means a lot, I had a lot of fun writing it so far and knowing that people read my work makes this experience all the more worth while! But sadly I now get the feeling that this fic isn't as well received? I really do wish to know your thoughts! Review! thank you :)