"Foolish Hearts"

'Chapter Twelve'

Sasuke slowly blinked his eyes open.

What day was it?

What time was it?

His eyes burned as the bright white room winked back at him, all the windows open -- the sun so bright outside that it bounced off the walls with a blinding glow.

...was he dead?

Everything was just so bright…and it hurt...

His mouth was dry, and he could faintly hear the beeping of machines in the background. As his eyes started to focus, he then noticed the IV in his arm and just how weak his body felt.

...he had to be on some sort of drug -- he felt so heavy and it was hard to blink his eyes open.

"…mm…" He grumbled, noticing the bandages all over his naked torso, the blankets that pooled around his waist and his bare ankles and feet that peeked out from under the thin hospital blanket.

...hospital.

...so he was alive.

He had made it.

But, he was all alone in here.

He lazily tilted his head, licking his dry lips, trying to grasp the situation.

Taira walked into Sasuke's hospital room quietly, Naruto trailing behind him. He motioned for the fox to stay where he was as he slowly approached Sasuke. "...Sasuke." He sat down on the chair that was next to the Uchiha's bed. "My name is Taira. I'm a good friend on Naruto's." He started, "Just relax, you were attacked by some of the Anbu, but you should be fine in a day or so."

"Taira?" The name slipped from his tongue, he lifted a heavy hand and wiped at his face, running his fingers through his hair.

...god he felt so tired.

He tried his best to focus, to stay awake. Sasuke tried not to give in to his emotions, he felt awkward and strange in this place.

Where was the kitsune?

He hadn't noticed the fox -- as he was outside the room door, just peeking in, and Sasuke was too heavy to move up and actually get a good look around himself. "...that's right..." He said, his tone low -- laced with sleep. "...bastards."

The man nodded slightly and set the file down, "There's been a bit of an uprising...It looks like some of the Anbu are working for the council, instead of the Hokage-sama; so the village is splitting itself up."

Sasuke leaned back into the pillows, his head tilted towards Taira. His eyes half-open red-black in the bright sunlight. "...they said Naruto sent them to kill me." He said evenly, recalling the events; a pained memory, a wash in his head.

...it wasn't true.

It couldn't be true…

But, saying it hurt a little…

"...they pursued me, they tried to kill me...I didn't do a damn thing." His tone was a growl, his eyes flashing. "...I could've." A faint smirk tugged his lips, taking in a breath, "I could've killed all of them, all five..." His face relaxed, his eyes closed, "...but I didn't...didn't do anything." He frowned, "...they pushed me to the barrier…and I blacked out."

He watched the personality shift in the man before him.

"We all know you could have killed them." Taira started again, "But you didn't even touch them."

"They took the seal off for the moment, so you can move about freely but the chakra seals are still in place." He stood up and looked back to Naruto, "The reports said that the wounds were superficial, and used with metal from our own swords." He held the file in back of him towards the fox, "They did that to themselves, so keep this file safe."

Naruto stepped forward and took it.

"What's going on?" Sasuke asked after a moment, looking to this man -- unsure what to think.

He didn't trust easily...

Taira had said he was a good friend of the kitsune's -- but the Anbu also said the kitsune sent them to kill them.

Truths, lies, they were all blending and he was too tired to sort them out.

"There was no order sent out to kill you." Naruto started, as he sat down on the bed, the file resting easily in his lap. "The meeting was a diversion, so they could get me out of the house and they could get to you." He rubbed his temples. "The council is going against my word and around me to try and kill you."

Sasuke felt a little more relaxed, more in control as Naruto sat on the bed, feeling the kit's weight and heat against his thigh. Slowly he turned himself on his side, inconspicuously forming his body over the kit's lower back -- his stomach against his tailbone as he hugged the pillow -- lounging a little easier.

Sasuke's demeanor changed easily.

At the drop of a hat he was murderous/content/happy/irritated…

He had little control over himself, but he was getting better, he was trying..

With these numbing drugs it was simple to keep his mind in check, and now his fox was here and whatever truths/lies were around; he wanted to believe the fox was right.

...that Naruto loved him.

He closed his eyes, awake and alert, but just a little sluggish. "…they're doing a bad job of it, those Anbu were horrible ninja." He smirked a little, remembering how slow they were -- how quick and ungraceful their movements.

Nothing compared to him or Naruto in combat.

Naruto smiled and let out a small laugh, Sasuke was right they weren't the best Ninja, but there were his higher Anbu. "You'd make a better Anbu Captain than the one I have now." The fox joked. Reaching out he gently brushed the man's hair out of his eyes, "How you feeling?" He asked leaning down and placing a soft kiss on the man's temple.

Taira rolled his eyes, "Naruto, do you mind?"

"No."

Sasuke opened his eyes half-way, glancing up to the fox, licking his lips and lazily tilting his head on the blonde's knee.

He enjoyed the contact with the Hokage-sama.

Liked the feelings of his fingers as they brushed over his forehead, the feeling of his cool lips on his temple. His dark eyes, splashed with red swooped over to Taira as the man rolled his eyes. Sasuke enjoyed Naruto's contact, and leisurely he wrapped a possessive arm around Naruto's middle.

Looking back at Taira, the fox fixed him with a look, "Deal with anybody who comes here, do not let them in to see Sasuke; under any circumstances." He ordered.

Taira nodded slowly, already knowing that was his job, as well as keeping an eye on Naruto and Sasuke, "Yes yes I know the routine." He waved his hand in a nonchalant manner, "Don't let anybody in the room unless they have a signed document by you." He recited.

Nodding Naruto looked back at Sasuke and smiled gently. "I only have a few more minutes before I have to go call a trail against the Council." He whispered in the man's ear. "Promise me you'll behave for Taira?"

"...mm." Sasuke lazily leaned into the side of the kit's face as the breath tickled his ear. Black-red eyes sweeping to Taira a moment before they closed and he leaned back towards the kitsune.

With sleepy grace he trailed his hand along the kit's back, to his neck, fingers dancing on the nape as he placed a few firm kisses on the kit's mouth -- moving to his jaw and neck before he would retreat and lay back against the pillows. He had a content smirk, his eyes half-active, killing off the pain he was feeling. "...I'll try."

Smiling in a sultry manner the fox sat back up, his hands resting against Sasuke's waist. "If you do, you'll get more than a few kisses..." He winked.

"You're bribing him with sex?" Taira asked a shocked tone to his voice.

"Nope, I'm bribing him with love." The fox stood up from the bed and started towards the door. He had a long battle ahead of him, but one fought without fists, weapons, or chakra.

Sasuke's dark eyes pointedly watched the fox leave, his eyes not leaving his ass -- much to Taira's annoyance before the door clicked shut. Sasuke rolled back on his side, hugging the pillow to himself, ignoring as he jostled the little bag floating above his bed. He licked his lips, dark eyes on the doctor, a smirk on his face -- he looked like he was plotting no good.

...but he didn't make any other moves than that.

...just sitting there, looking at him, sizing him up almost.

A/N:

Another short chapter, I apologize. But, the next one was hard to find a breaking point – it has a lemon in it, and I just decided to end this one quick and let the next chapter drag on a while.

Tune in next time!