Blood Brothers NaruSaku Chapter 2
- Determination of a Demon
My eyes were growing heavier the longer I fought the need to rest. I couldn't stop now; we were so close to Konohoa. Naruto's condition had worsened considerably. The many laceration and puncture wounds were taking their toll. I cringed at the sight of his abdomen the hole in his stomach was most likely infected. His once green vest tinted a sickening red. I kept trudging on even though I knew I was running on empty. Every part of my body ached and begged for rest. I felt my eyes close and considered just leaving them closed, just for a while. To my right I heard my partner groan in his fitful sleep. I shook my head and forced myself awake, I couldn't afford to succumb to fatigue.
I cursed silently as I resumed my grueling trudge onward. I found myself wishing my brother were awake I missed his company, and it would keep me awake. If the blond were in fact conscious I would surely give him a piece of my mind for rushing in headfirst yet again. This time it was to save an innocent civilian from getting swept into our extremely large-scale battle. The four-hour fight stretched through a forest and almost a quarter of the city. He had saved the woman from death while earning him a katana through the gut. I know it's petty to be angry with a critically wounded person for the trouble they caused you; but I'm not the one having to be carried back home bleeding the whole fucking way.
A root in the road struck my foot and I felt myself falling forwards. The ground was unforgiving, and I landed with a harsh thud. The dirt in the road was so comfortable, I wanted so much to simply let the darkness take me. Fighting a losing battle was hard, even more so when it was against yourself. I found it amusing that I would be in this bad of a state after only four days of not sleeping.
I remember before losing my Bijuu to Akatsuki I would go weeks with only a catnap here and there. The fear of losing myself to Shukaku drove me to insomnia. I still remember the long nights questioning my existence, the pain of not having a will or reason to live. Slowly I got up from the ground, and started moving again. Naruto had saved me that day we first fought. He befriended me, and saved me from my hell. I set my eyes forward with newfound determination. He showed me what life was all about; I couldn't give up now, not on Naruto.
Popping a solider pill into my mouth I concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. The pill took affect and I noticed that my hands had stopped shaking. I spared a glance at Naruto. His face was covered in sweat, his mouth open in a groan as he tossed on the makeshift bed of sand. I knew he probably had a fever from the infection; I took out my water and poured some in his mouth and some over his head. His pain seemed to decrease because the groans subsided. I turned back to face the road when I heard him breathe her name again. Sympathetically I reached out to clasp his shoulder, "Were almost to her hold on Naruto."
My wounds were not serious compared to my partners, but combined with chakra exhaustion, and not sleeping for four days I was practically the walking dead. The only reason I was able to carry Naruto with my sand was my frequent abuse of solider pills. I knew the risks involved with abusing the drug but we were in a tight spot. My muscles screamed for me to stop, but I kept pushing. My partner's life rested on my shoulders and rest currently wasn't an option.
An hour later I found myself looking at the gates of the hidden leaf. I felt a smile grace my lips, we were finally home. I saw the guards running frantically towards us and chuckled a little in spite of my self. I looked at my comatose brother as my eyes slowly closed against my will. I felt myself hit the ground, as the darkness slowly crept in the edges of my mind. 'Naruto when this is all said and done your buying the Sake…' I felt a pair of hands grab me and lift me up 'He's your problem now.' I smiled as I felt sleep take me away like a gentle tide.
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Work is always the same when he is out on missions. How am I supposed to run a hospital when I can't concentrate fully on my work? Last week I had awoke without the love of my life in bed with me. My loveable Baka had left in the night to complete yet another mission. The ghost of a kiss on my lips and his headband left for me until he returned to me. How am I supposed to concentrate when my head is filled with what ifs? I can't help but worry for him; the man doesn't seem to realize that no matter how strong he is. Make no mistake he is strong he isn't invincible.
I remember the day I realized I was head over heels in love with the sweet, loud mouth, unpredictable boy. The day he came home from his training trip with Jiraiya. He had grown so much since then. Maturing and growing physically into the man I married. No matter how much life throws at him, he shoulders the weight and carries on. Lesser men would have crumbled under the weight he carries. Not only does he carry it with a smile, but also he kept a glimmer of that enticing boyish innocence.
I jumped slightly from leaning on the wall I had unknowingly stopped at. I felt my cheeks heat, as I had no idea how long I had been daydreaming about him in the middle of the hospital. I tried to get rid of the foolish smile I know had taken over my face but I just couldn't seem to. I love that idiot more than I had yesterday, and tomorrow I'm sure he'll have me falling deeper in love with his gentle carefree being. I began walking to my next patient's room blushing and smiling like a love struck schoolgirl.
I stopped in the hallway to allow a stretcher pass by me. I looked on at the medics running to get the man with blond hair to intensive care. The main with blond hair and whisk… 'Oh god' my feet were moving before I knew to tell them too. My mind was empty except for a raw overpowering fear. Running flat out I followed the medics to the room. Looking in I saw my husband lying on the bed gashes and cuts all over his body. My eyes widened in horror as I saw the hole in his stomach. Going into medic mode instantly I rushed into the room and barked out orders. 'Naruto Uzumaki don't you dare die on me!'
---Time Skip---
My eyes burned as I blinked them open. The white light was so bright I gasped and shuddered back. My body ached everywhere, like I had been beaten to an inch of my life. The smell of cleaning chemicals and death filled my nostrils. I let out a groan, as I instantly knew where I was. I once again opened my eyes to the light of the hospital and attempted to sit up.
I quickly stopped as I felt my arm not move with the rest of my body. It was then I became aware of the weight on my shoulder and bicep. I glanced down at the shroud of pink hair enveloping my shoulder, and the beautiful woman it was attached to sleeping at my side. I smiled wide as I saw how cute she looked curled up next to me. I looked at her face and my heart hurt with a sudden pang. Her makeup was runny and she had dark circles under her eyes. I knew she had been crying, and it was without a doubt my fault.
A flash of self-loathing took hold of my heart. She deserves so much better than what I give her. It must be so hard for her waiting for me, mission after mission never knowing if ill come back. I wrapped my arms around her petite frame as I tried to drown myself in her. I breathed deeply in her scent my cherry blossom was so intoxicating. I huddled desperately to be closer to her, to bask in all of her warmth. I tried to mold my body to her as if to tell her I would never leave her again.
The steady beat of her heart soothed me. The intake and release of her breath were like therapy to me. She was here safe, and I made it back to her. I don't know how long I watched her sleep she was just so stunning. The way the light hit her hair made me want to run my hands through it, to bury my face in her soft pink tresses. The way her face changed in her sleep made me wonder what she was dreaming of so serious or playful as she slept.
My thoughts were interrupted as her eyes fluttered open sleepily, revealing two shinning pools of lovely emerald. I gently caressed her cheek as I leaned in capturing her lips in a loving kiss. She kissed back instantly almost desperately, and I felt her body sob against my arms. The salt on my lips from her tears struck me like a slap to the face. I hated myself for making her cry, but I could beat my self up later she needed me.
I wrapped her in a hug as she snuggled relieved into my chest. "I'm so sorry Sakura-Chan." I could feel her breathing even out as she calmed down and her sobs subsided. I heard her voice break as she spoke "Your home now that's all the matters." I pulled her closer to me crushing her against my chest in a desperate hug.
"I love you." She said it so softly I almost didn't hear it muffled against my chest. I breathed out in relief as a weight lifted off my heart. I kissed her softly on the head her hair tickling my lips. I knew she wasn't mad at me I was forgiven. "I love you too." She snuggled closer and rested her head on my shoulder. I shuddered as her lips grazed my neck in light kisses. "I don't deserve someone like you." I said it as if it were a fact, like I knew it was true. "Maybe your just lucky" she laughed her hot breath dancing across my bare shoulder. I smiled as I held her tightly to me, afraid to let go. "To be able to go home to you and have your love. I'm the luckiest man in the world." She giggled as she moved up and pressed her lips to mine.