No comment. ;;
Chapter 9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sasuke had been waiting for Naruto in the woods as usual when Naruto burst from the trees, bleeding and panting hard.
"Naruto?! What's-"
"Sasuke." Naruto interrupted. "Run." He managed to gasp out and then fainted.
"Naruto!" Sasuke shouted as he started to run over to the boy.
Before he could get close to Naruto three kunai landed at his feet.
"I knew he would lead me right to you Sasuke." Sasuke's hair stood on end as he heard an evil voice taunt from the trees.
Orochimaru stepped on a branch just above Naruto's lifeless body. Sasuke saw a pool of blood form around Naruto's right arm.
.: Oh god I got to get him out of here or else he might bleed to death. What the fuck is Orochimaru doing here? He should be hiding in some god forsaken hole. :.
"Sasuke come with me I can show you true power and..."
.: Blah blah blah he goes through the same speech almost every time we meet. God it gets so old. I'm more focused on Naruto's well being right now. :.
"I'm not coming with you, so save your breath." He said as he drew a kunai, getting ready to go in and grab Naruto.

"You will if you want your friend to live." He said quickly making hand signs.
Sasuke jumped towards Naruto, picked him up and leapt away as Orochimaru sent snakes down his arm, hitting the spot where Naruto and Sasuke had just been.
Sasuke re-adjusted the way he held Naruto and leapt through the trees, knowing Naruto needed medical attention.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"What do you mean her mark is acting up?"
"The mark Orochimaru gave her. It means that he is near."
"Get your strongest ninja in the ANBU now. We're going to the edge of the forest."
"Why there?"
"Because," Tsunade said smiling slightly. "I know his style."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Sasuke was hopping through the trees, Naruto awoke to see he was in Sasuke's arms.
"Sasuke." He groaned and tried to move.
"Stop. Your wounds need to heal. Moving will only make it worse."
"What happened?"
"Why don't you tell me! You came into the clearing all bloody and- ahem. Never mind. Just hold on I'm taking you to the hospital."
.: Aww not the hospital! I hate the hospital. But I hate this pain in my arm more I guess. :.
Naruto felt a jolt of pain shoot up his arm as Sasuke hit a branch roughly. His body stiffened and he grunted in pain.

Sasuke looked down in concern. "You ok?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. You need to get somewhere safe. Orochimaru is-"
"Yeah I know. He's right behind us. I'm going to drop you off at the hospital and go tell Tsunade as soon as we get to the village. (Note he has been running for a few minutes and he is almost to the gates of the village.)

As he got closer he smiled slightly. "It looks like I won't have to warn Tsunade after all."
"Hmm?" Naruto looked over and saw a bunch of ANBU members as well as some other ninja. Including Tsunade herself.

Sasuke landed on another branch roughly. Naruto screamed as the pain knocked out.
"Naruto?" Sasuke whispered. Naruto didn't answer. "God damn it, you better not die on me."
"Sasuke what happened?" Tsunade said, shocked at the state of Naruto.
"I think he tried to take on Orochimaru on alone. I'm not sure. I was walking in the forest and he was running away from him. He's right-"
Orochimaru landed a bit behind Sasuke.
"behind us." Sasuke finished.
Orochimaru was a bit shocked at the people waiting for him, but he kept that to himself. He made his way towards Sasuke like the other people didn't even exist.
Big mistake.
ANBU was all over him. He now had to fight all the ANBU members there which was no easy task for anyone.

Tsunade was talking to Sasuke. Well more like ordering him around. "I want you to go home. We'll take care of Orochimaru and I'll take care of Naruto."
.: Oh yeah, I was really just going to go home when my worst enemy is here and my best friend is hurt. Not going to happen.:.
Sasuke started to head towards Orochimaru.
"Sasuke don't you dare. He could kill you! I order you to get away from here!"
.: Don't do it he'll kill you? That's like my dream. Am I dreaming again? My arm hurts a lot so maybe not. :.
"I have to, he'll stay here till he fights me, and you know that."
Tsunade grabbed Sasuke's arm. "So what? Don't be stupid like that with your life. He could kill you with out another thought. Look what he did to Naruto!"
.: Tsunade? Sasuke? I can't move. I feel like I'm half asleep. :.
"I'm sorry but I have to do this let me go!" Sasuke said angrily.
Tsunade sighed. "I know Sasuke, I just wish you didn't." She said as she released his arm.
.: Tsunade what are you doing! Please Sasuke, don't do it. I-I would be lost without you. :. Naruto looked on through eyed cracked open. He felt them close in exhaustion. He could still hear.
Tsunade sighed and walked over to Naruto and started looking over his wounds. Sasuke stood there for a second looking at Naruto and then jumped into the battle. Orochimaru saw this and went after Sasuke instead of fighting the ANBU. He and Sasuke started to fight as Tsunade healed Naruto's arm. Naruto felt his energy return and opened his eyes.

"Stay still. If you move too much you might kill yourself."
"Don't care." Naruto said while trying to get up.
"God damn it do any of you ever listen to me! I swear it's like I'm not even Hokage! Lie down!" She said and pushed him back into the dirt.
Naruto almost screamed in pain but bit his lip instead.
"What's going on?" He asked Tsunade.
"Sasuke is fighting Orochimaru and ANBU members are getting knocked out by Orochimaru. What happened in the forest?"
"I saw Orochimaru and he told me to take him to Sasuke. I told him to get lost and we fought."
"Why didn't you use the fox's chakra?"
"Because I saved it for last." Naruto said as he again tried to stand up.
"Sit down now." Tsunade said her voice deadly. This time Naruto obeyed.
"But what about Sasuke? He needs help!"
"I will help as soon as I'm done with you."
"Orochimaru killed the Hokage before you, what happens if you die? The town will be with out a Hokage again, and we'll be vulnerable. People look up to you. To some, you're their only hope and comfort."
Tsunade looked shocked. .: When did Naruto get so mature? And since when has he been right about this kind of stuff:.
"The people of our village need you. But when they see me they think of the fox. They see right through me and only see evil. Let me fight Orochimaru, please. Your life is to greatly needed for you to die here."
"Naruto, I'm sorry but you're not going anywhere till these wounds are-" Tsunade stopped as she looked down at the wounds that were closing up fast. "Healed. Ok but you are not going to over exert your self."
"I'm just going to kill Orochimaru." Naruto said smiling slightly
"That would be over exertion. Stay." Tsunade said commandingly.
"No." Naruto said simply. "I'm going to fight." He said while he stood up.
"Naruto you're not fully healed! You-"
"Does it look like I care?!"
"... No, but you should!" Tsunade said indignantly.
Naruto ran towards the fight before Tsunade could stop him.
"Naruto!" The Hokage yelled at the blonde. "Damn him."
Sasuke was getting the crap beat out of him as he tried to fight Orochimaru. The ANBU members were trying to help the best they could but Orochimaru was just focusing on Sasuke and throwing anyone who tried to interfere ten feet back.
Naruto charged straight towards Orochimaru as Sasuke was pushed down.
Orochimaru was not expecting this and was thrown a few feet back.
"I'm here Sasuke, don't worry, we'll take him down together!"
"You idiot! If you were not so badly injured I would hit you!"
"What?!"
"You need to rest after that kind of beating! You don't just charge head long into battle after you just healed!"
"I don't care! Besides I'm fine!"
"This is no time for you to be fighting Naruto. Go. Now."
"No way!"
"Naruto I'm-" Sasuke was cut off as Orochimaru hit Sasuke squarely in the stomach. "Off!" He cried as he was thrown several feet back from the impact. With the breath knocked out of him, Sasuke gasped, trying to catch his breath back.
"Sasuke, why don't you make this easy on yourself? Join me and I could give you power like-"
"Would you shut up already? I mean it's pretty damn clear that he's not going with you!" Naruto practically yelled at the snake man. He charged and tried to make contact but Orochimaru just lifted him up and threw him into a tree.
"NARUTO!" Sasuke and Tsunade cried at the same time.
There wasn't any movement from the boy. He slid down the tree and slumped over.
Sasuke could feel his heart break. He looked at Orochimaru who was staring at the body of Naruto. The man turned slowly towards Sasuke and chuckled lightly. "Looks like your friend wasn't strong enough to save himself. I hope you, Sasuke, are more of a challenge."
"Just.. shut... up." Sasuke, Orochimaru, and Tsunade looked over at the body of Naruto in shock. He was standing up! "Don't you ever call me weak you slime ball!" Naruto said with an undertone of pure evil. He looked up with a blood-thirsty look in his eyes. They all felt an evil chakra radiating from him. His wounds healed, his fingernails grew, his teeth got shaper and the marks on his cheeks got bigger. A low growl emitted from his throat and he hunched over in an almost animal-like position. Sasuke and Tsunade had never seen Naruto like this. Orochimaru had once, but was still shocked just as much as the other two .

Naruto growled with increased volume as he looked into the face of his enemy, Orochimaru.
.: His eyes. They show such bloodlust! What is he going to do next:. Orochimaru questioned himself.
Naruto charged with inhuman speed. He punched Orochimaru with such force, that he flew into a tree and almost broke it in half.
Naruto charged again, but missed Orochimaru by an inch. He swung out a leg and sent Orochimaru flying again.
Orochimaru was already more than a little tired. I mean he did have to fight all those ANBU and Sasuke, who is no pushover. With demon Naruto to add to that, he decided it was time to disappear and fight another day.
"Well seems like you proved me wrong Naruto. You're not so weak. I guess we will have to fight again. Someday." He chuckled evilly. "Bye." He said and disappeared in a wisp of smoke.
Naruto slowly turned back to his human state. After he did so he walked over to Tsunade.
"Told... You I... Could beat him." He said and then fainted.
"Heh, he's such an idiot." Sasuke said from his place one the ground before fainting.
"Oh boy." Tsunade said as she picked both of them up and poofed to the hospital.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Sasuke woke up, he was looking at a white ceiling. He groaned and tried to sit up. He immediately sat back down again seeing as he was really sore. He heard some noises out side his door. Then Tsunade walked in and went to the bed.
"Good to see you're awake. How are you feeling?" Tsunade asked and sat down in a chair next to the bed.
"A little sore, but other than that fine." Sasuke answered. Then he remembered the fight and what happened. "How's Naruto?" He asked, trying to act nonchalant.
Tsunade sighed. "It's not good, he's still in the critical ward. If it wasn't for the fox's healing abilities, he would probably be dead by now. He lost a lot of blood and he was cut and bruised everywhere. He hasn't woken up yet either." She rubbed her temple. "It's been three days. And he's gotten only a little bit better."
Sasuke was sure his heart stopped at Tsunade's words. "He'll be alright though, right?"
"I hope so." Tsunade said then looked at Sasuke. "You've been asleep for three days and you're fine. You should probably be released tomorrow. Just make sure to take it easy. Ok?"
"Fine." Sasuke said with a sigh.
"Oh and you have a visitor." Tsunade said with a smile.
"Hmm?"
She opened the door. "Ok, he awake you have ten minutes. Bye!" She said as she let the pink haired devil in.
.: Swell. :.
"Sasuke! Are you ok? I was so worried!" Sakura said with worry in her voice.
"I'm fine just a bit sore." .: Do all girls ask the same questions:.
"I can't visit Naruto, he in the critical ward and they say he can't have visitors. Something about germs." She said.
Sasuke stayed silent at that.
"So what happened? Tsunade didn't tell me everything, she said she was too busy."
Sasuke sighed. .: This is going to take a while. :. He thought as he started to explain.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ughhhh." .: What's going on? Where am I:.
Naruto opened his eyes. Sun shone in on his room, it looked to be mid-day.
Naruto groaned again as he sat up. He scratched his head. .: I'm in the hospital. Been here enough to know what it looks like. That's right! The fight! Orochimaru and- oh my god. Am I alive:.
He pinched both of his cheeks and pulled.
.: Ow! Ok that rules out death and sleep. :.
He climbed out of the bed and stretched.
"Wow I feel great! I wonder where Sasuke is? Ha! I bet he's still asleep!" Naruto said as he looked for his regular clothes. He found them in a drawer. They were new. Someone must have gone to his house and picked up a new pair.
"If they did that, then how long have I been asleep?" He decided not to care till later and changed. Then he walked out of his room and went up to the nurse's desk.
"I'm looking for an Uchiha Sasuke. Is he here?"
"No, he checked out five days ago." The nurse said without looking up from her magazine.
"Oh. Ok then. Sorry for wasting your time. Bye!" Naruto said then practically ran out of the hospital.
.: I got to find him! I bet he's training:. Naruto said as he ran off to the training grounds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sakura walk into the hospital, expecting to visit Naruto. As she walked to his room, she wondered if he was awake.
"Naruto! It's me Saku-" She started only to find her self talking to an empty bed. A messy one at that.
"NURSE!" She screamed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Naruto reached the training grounds, he saw many people there, but no Sasuke.
.: Where is Sasuke then? Maybe in the woods:.
He ran to go check there.
By the time he got there, he was panting hard. He had just ran practically all over town. As he came to the clearing that they usually met at, he saw Sasuke there, staring up at the sky. It looked like he was day dreaming.
Sasuke stared up at the clouds, totally oblivious to the world around him. He was thinking about Naruto.
He missed the boy. He had been in the critical ward for five days and got out still in bandages. During the next three days, his bandages came off to reveal a slightly bruised body, but other than that he was fine. Only yesterday he had visited the boy with Sakura. They had both talked about when they thought Naruto was going to wake up. Sakura had left some kind of flower. He was worried. He hoped the boy was alright. Tsunade assured him that Naruto would wake any day now, but that didn't stop him from worrying.
He sighed. He wanted to hold the boy in his arms again. Kiss those pale lips. See that ridiculously wide smile and sunshine gold hair. He smiled slightly at the thought.
Naruto watched Sasuke as he was thinking similar thoughts about the raven haired teen. .: How long have I been asleep? Sasuke had gotten out five days ago so I must have been in there at least that long. If not longer. Sasuke. He would know. But I don't want him to know I'm watching him. He looks so peaceful. His skin is almost glowing the way the sun is hitting it and his hair seems to absorb light. I love looking at him this way. If only we could be closer... :.
Naruto shook his head at the thought. His breathing had calmed down so he got up and walked around the clearing till he was right behind Sasuke.
"Sasuke?" Naruto put a hand on the teens shoulder.
Sasuke was pulled out of his dream to see the blonde standing right beside him. He froze. A small part of his mind cursed him for not paying more attention to his surroundings. But most of Sasuke's mind was going crazy at the sight of Naruto.
The raven haired teen tackled the blonde boy from his sitting position.
"Naruto! You're back!" Sasuke nearly shouted in Naruto's ear.
"Sasuke!" Naruto said in surprise.
"I was so worried! Don't scare me like that!" Sasuke said rubbing his head into Naruto's chest.
Only then did he see how open he was acting. He was acting like Sakura!
He immediately pulled away and blushed a bit. "Errr... Sorry about that."
Naruto was still dazed from the hug and love that he had felt from Sasuke at that moment.
"Its fine." .: Fine? Fine! It was great! It felt really nice and warm and soft. Why couldn't he do that more:. "Uhh how long was I out?"
"Tsunade hasn't told you yet?"
"I haven't seen Tsunade yet." Naruto said and scratched his head.
"Oh. Well you've been out for eight days and Sakura was-"
"EIGHT DAYS?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" Naruto interupted.
"No I was out for three days and when I woke up they told me you were in the critical ward. You stayed in there for two more days before they released you into another room, saying that you were still healing, but other than that fine and that you should wake up in a few days."
"A FEW DAYS?! WELL IT'S SURE BEEN A FEW DAYS!" Naruto said loudly.
"Naruto why are you so upset?" Sasuke asked.
"Well let's see. I've been asleep for eight days! What did I miss?! Being asleep for eight days is like being asleep for a month!" He said sarcastically.
"Naruto, you were asleep for a week and a day. Calm down, you didn't miss anything." .: He looks sexy when he's mad. Wait. What did I just think:.
"Well I still don't like it." Naruto pouted.
Sasuke got a sudden urge to kiss Naruto. So he followed his instinct.
He kissed Naruto gently on the lips.
Naruto was surprised, but still enjoyed the kiss. Sasuke pulled away and looked Naruto in the eyes.
"Did you like that?" He asked.
Naruto smiled slightly. "Yeah. I did."

"Good." Sasuke said and hugged Naruto.
Then he remembered something.
He was mad- no furious at Naruto for fighting like that after he just healed! That idiot!
Sasuke bonked Naruto on the head, totally ruining the moment.
"Owww! What did you do that for?" Naruto said confused.
"You dumbass the reason you were in the hospital so long was because you fought right after Tsunade healed you! Don't ever do that again! Do you want to die?!"
"Grrr... Look I was just trying to help you!"
"I don't need help!"
"Well neither do I, but you still carried me to Tsunade so I could be healed! I had to pay you back!"
"Well next time wait till you AREN'T PRACTICALLY DEAD AND HAVEN'T LOST SO MUCH BLOOD!"
"Huh, this is the thanks I get for scaring the snake man away?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Whatever, you so did not."
"I DID TOO!"
Sasuke smiled to himself a bit. He had gotten a rise out of Naruto, which wasn't so hard to do.
"Think what you want Naruto." Sasuke said and walked away.
Naruto sighed and headed to his house.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Achooo-
-Achooo-
-Achooo-
-ACHOOO-
Tsunade rubbed her nose.
"Am I getting a cold or something?" She muttered to herself as she continued to rub her nose which had just let out a violent barrage of sneezes.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I couldn't resist the sneezing thing! It was fun!
Ok next chapter involves an attacking nurse!
RUN NARUTO RUN!
(Gets knocked out by Sasuke)
Sasuke: You know the drill read and review while I take care of this one for making me look like a fool in this chapter -grins evilly-