"Foolish Hearts"
'Chapter Twenty-One'
Where was he?
He felt…heavy...
There was a pulse in his brain, something faint but it was bothering him, forcing him to wake up and yet he didn't know what it was.
Mm...where was he?
Sasuke groaned, slowly opening his bright black eyes, staring up at the ceiling of what appeared to be a bedroom.
Or rather a medic ward, but not a hospital.
The Uchiha blinked, his bright eyes devoid of recognition as he gazed around the room. He took notice of the curtains on the window, to the empty chair next to his uncomfortable table-like bed.
Hm…
It was strange...
He had no idea how he got here, or where he was.
It was...a little scary.
Sasuke lifted himself up on the bed, taking note of the plain black shirt he was wearing and the white shorts; he even had sandals on his feet and yet he couldn't remember getting dressed.
Well…he couldn't really remember yesterday, or before that…or…anything.
Uchiha Sasuke.
That was…his name wasn't it?
Gods...
His head hurt...
He rubbed his eyes, a frustrated flush on his cheeks as he whined in his throat. Where was he?!
"Sasuke." The bored drawl hit the Uchiha's ears and forced the man to look up.
"Who..?"
"Shikamaru." The man said easily, "The Hokage-sama's keeper of affairs."
Sasuke was quiet then, his feet over the bed, his hands at his sides stiffly like a child being lectured.
Hokage-sama...
Sounded important. Who was that?
"I'm here to bring you home." Shikamaru murmured softly, keeping his expression void of emotion. "C'mon."
Home?
Sasuke…couldn't recall home.
"Is it far?" The Uchiha spoke up, getting to his feet and following this man.
Trust.
Given just like that; even though he really had no idea who Shikamaru was.
Sasuke looked elated to leave the weird medic ward, following the man down the hall, his curious black eyes taking in everything around him.
Uncanny…Sasuke really had no memories did he?
Shikamaru frowned gazing at the Uchiha's expression; the pure curiosity almost stinging him. He sighed softly to himself, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "Just follow me."
--
Sasuke had tried to keep everything straight, tried to force himself to keep everything the man said in his memory.
He lived with Uzumaki Naruto.
Uzumaki Naruto was the Hokage-sama.
He needed to obey and respect the Hokage-sama and the village. He was a leaf ninja and Naruto was his caretaker.
Sasuke was having trouble with everything else; history, events; it all went over his head and he found himself ignoring the man's lazy drawl.
Home!
Sasuke wanted to go home!
He smiled a pure innocent smile as he saw the Uzumaki home come into view. He almost ran towards the gates but kept himself in check; he wanted to look composed, respectable when he saw the Hokage-sama.
...he wished he could remember him.
But…no memories came, no images.
Strange…
Shikamaru opened the gate, allowing them passage towards the home.
Naruto blinked as he heard the gate door open and closed.
"Who's here..?"
He closed the book that had been resting on his chest, and easily moved to stand up. He was wearing just a basic light blue shirt and cargo shorts. He had two weeks of leave; no one was suppose to bother him. He moved over towards the door and easily slid it open, confusion in his bright blue eyes. "Shikamaru?" He asked, "What are you doing here?"
Shikamaru had told Sasuke to stay by the gate; and the Uchiha had complied without complaint.
...it was a little unnerving really.
Sasuke was so simple, quiet, obedient.
He seemed to sincerely nervous to meet Naruto…
This wasn't going to go well.
Shikamaru looked up to the blonde, letting out a quiet sigh as he tried to prepare himself for what he was about to say. "Naruto..." Shikamaru started, "You have to understand I was under council's orders."
He let that sink in a moment…
"Sasuke isn't dead." Shikamaru said, eyeing the blonde's expression.
Naruto blinked and froze; the words slowly starting to sink in. "...What?" His voice was quiet. "What are you talking about?" He stepped forward, his eyes confused. "How?"
Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck, "…I tried to see if there was any other options. I tried to make them see how Sasuke could be an asset to the village.
Shikamaru just didn't like seeing Naruto so sad…
He had done everything in his power to try and change their minds.
"I mentioned a mind-sealing jutsu." Shikamaru said softly, "They said they'd attempt it; but if it didn't work they'd kill him." The brunette sighed, lifting his chocolate eyes to the blonde, "If Sasuke regains his memories he'll be killed, neither of us will be able to save him." Shikamaru glanced over his shoulder, "I didn't want to tell you before... if the mind-sealing failed; I didn't want to get you're hopes up."
Mind sealing jutsu?
"Ho-how far back did they go?" He asked in a rushed voice.
Would Sasuke remember him?
"Where is he?" He reached out and set a hand on his shoulders, gripping them hard.
Shikamaru swallowed thickly, "He's…at the gates." The brunette averted his gaze from the blonde's, "...he…doesn't remember anything Naruto; barely his name."
Naruto felt everything within him drop…
He barely remembered...his name?
His eyes lifted and gazed over Shikamaru's shoulder towards the gate.
Sasuke was there…
His black orbs, taking in the sight of the house…
This wasn't his Sasuke...
Shikamaru didn't know what to say, "…I tried Naruto." He said lamely, unsure if saving Sasuke was really the right thing to do.
...would it just be worse for the fox?
Having him alive rather than dead?
Shikamaru gestured for the Uchiha, "Yo Sasuke!"
Sasuke perked to attention, moving up the path with smooth deliberate steps, walking right up to Shikamaru, standing next to him and gazing up at the blonde.
...this was the Hokage-sama then?
Sasuke took in the sight of his bright blue eyes, pale blonde hair and the weird whisker marks on his cheeks.
Why did he have those?
"It's a pleasure to meet you Hokage-sama." Sasuke said in an even tone, trying to impress this man with his respectable statement -- he'd make Shikamaru proud. "I am Uchiha Sasuke."
Shikamaru couldn't look at Sasuke or Naruto now. "I...need to get back." Shikamaru said in a quiet tone, "...be good Sasuke."
Sasuke turned slightly, looking to Shikamaru's back and feeling the bite of apprehension in his stomach.
...he had grown attached to the lazy ninja.
Sasuke hid his nervousness, glancing back to the Hokage who had yet to speak.
Naruto watched Shikamaru start to leave.
What?
Just like that?
His heart was beating heavily in his chest, his eyes nervous as he glanced back at Sasuke. He stopped as he caught sight of the dark eyes; They seemed...nervous…
A child…
That's what he was reminded of…
Taking in a deep breath, he tried to put a smile on his face, "I'm Uzumaki Naruto."
He held his hand out to Sasuke...
His dead lover.
--
A/N:
This is a short chapter, sorry. I just wanted to end on that last note; I liked Kareian's line there, hehe. But, yeah, next chapter will be out soon and it should be longer. Sorry if Sasuke seems out of character, it was difficult to play him like this. You have to remember he knows nothing; no one, no past, nothing. So, without his past to shape him, he's literally an empty shell – a child. Keep that in mind before getting upset with his character.
If you're still interested in the story, please leave a review. Thanks.