Hey! Well, since so many people asked for a sequel to Peaceful I just couldn't deny them. So here we have the next part.
Hope you all like it!
Naruto POV until the last bit at the end, just like last time.
...
It's warm.
Wow, how's that for a contrast. I'm sure I was freezing earlier.
But now it's warm.
Not hot. Just...warm.
A comfortable warm.
Like the embrace of a mother's arms.
Oh shit, I'm dead aren't I? Yep, I'm dead and now my dead mother is hugging me.
...
But then why is it dark?
I'm pretty sure heaven is supposed to be white, with fluffy clouds and lots of old people in white robes singing bad choir songs.
...
Or did I go to hell?
No, my mother would not be in hell. Maybe it's Jiraiya?
...
Nope.
So then where am I? It's warm, but it's dark. I feel safe, even though I really shouldn't.
What's the last thing I remember?
I remember walking into the alleyway. I was going to go into the bar two buildings away using the back entrance. I wanted to sneak up on my best friend and see if I could scare him. Not likely.
I remember hearing something, and turning.
Then pain.
A lot of pain and crimson blood. Someone was staring at me, a wicked leer on their face.
White hair, down to his shoulders. A bandana on. And he had just shoved a knife into my chest.
Now that I think of his face, I recognize him. From the news. He's an escaped criminal. He's insane.
Something Mizuki, or whatever.
And that motherfucker stabbed me right in the chest.
Asshole.
Then I was on the ground, on my stomach, bleeding. And it was raining.
And I was alone.
Yes, I remember it all.
And then I was thinking of Sasuke.
And by some miracle that makes me reconsider my religious views, Sasuke found me. He was there, holding me and telling me to hang on.
His arms were around me.
Is that where I am now? Wrapped in Sasuke's arms again?
God, that would be great.
Maybe I should try to open my eyes since they're closed.
...Oh.
I just solved the mystery as to why it was dark.
Geez, even in possible death I'm a dobe.
Sasuke would be proud that I lived up to my name.
Okay, so here we go. Open my eyes.
...
FUCK! That hurts! Too bright!
Maybe I am in heaven. I just saw a glimpse of WHITE everything!
Ow. My head hurts.
But I'm not one to give up so easily. One more time at least.
...
Still fucking painful, but I can bear it.
Hmmm...so I'm not in heaven. I'm in heaven's waiting room.
The hospital.
I'm lying on a bed. Rather comfortable bed, I might add.
Ah, the blankets are covering me. That's why I'm so warm.
But there's something else. Something else in on top of me.
I'm facing the ceiling, so it might be a bit hard to look down, but I want to see what the hell is on top of me.
Here goes nothing.
...
Holy shit.
Holy shit.
Holy rice shitting shinobi and all their cousins.
Sasuke's lying on top of me. Not next to me, not sitting on the side. He's on fucking top of me.
And he's actually really light.
He needs to eat more ramen.
...
Focus, dude, focus! You're best friend is lying on you!
Not that I really mind all that much.
I do love him after all.
"Naruto...I love you too!"
H.O.L.Y S.H.I.T.
That weird thing that moniters my heartbeat is working overtime. Because my heart is trying to indent itself into my chest.
Sasuke said he loves me.
Sasuke said he loves me.
Sasuke said he loves me.
Shit, remember to breathe! Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.
Good, got that down. Now, focus on slowing your heart down too. We don't want some freaky nurse running in.
Or do we? That might scare the shit out of Sasuke.
...
Nah, save it for later.
Focus on trying to wake him up gently.
Let's see, can I move anything?
...
Toes- fully operational. Fingers-fully operational.
Mouth- ...what the fuck is on my mouth?
Oh. It's an oxygen mask.
Funny how I never really notice these things from the start.
Okay, I wonder if my voice works. Let's try.
"...S..su...e..."
Well, that was pathetic. Damn, my throat kind of burns. Must be from coughing up blood and half my lungs.
Let's try again. Without the total suckish-ness this time.
"Sa...Su...Ke!"
Much better.
...
This guy sleeps like a fucking rock. I'll remember that and use it to my advantage later.
"Sasuke!"
Hey, I said it in one go! Victory for me!
Oh shit he's moving. He's waking up.
And now, once again, I realize how much of a dobe I am.
I didn't think about what to say to him.
"Mmn.."
Aw, he's so cute when he groans with pre-waking bastardness.
Ah, he's looking around now. I can see his eyes. They're bleary and tired, but they're still that beautiful onyx colour.
And his hair. The guy has some serious bed head.
No...wait.
That's just his usual duck-butt hairstyle.
Never mind.
"...N-Naruto?"
Oh, shit. Forgot you can't really smile while wearing an oxygen mask. It doesn't work to well.
"Hey...Sas..uke."
Talking is painful. So I'll try to keep it down a bit.
Heh, Sasuke's staring at me like I've just risen from the dead.
Or maybe I have?
Well, I can focus on the little details later. For now I'll focus on the fact that my best friend looks ready to cry.
...Scratch that.
He is crying.
And now I feel bad again. I made him cry again.
Gee, I'm awful aren't I? I'll buy him some flowers later.
...
Wait! I'm the sick one! He must buy me flowers!
There we go, the order of the world is restored.
Oh crap he's talking. What's he saying?
"..o you have any idea how fucking worried I was? Dammit, Naru why did you go down that alley? What if I didn't find you when I did? You would've..." he chokes here.
I feel really bad. I made him worry about me to the point of tears, sleep deprivation and other forms of out-of-characterness.
"I'm sorry." Is all I can say right now.
He's staring at me now. But there's something in his eyes. An emotion I thought I'd only see in my own eyes when I look at him.
He's leaning forward. Hey, he took off my mask. Idiot, what if I suffocate without it!
...
Who cares?
His lips are so soft. I can't believe he's really a guy. Guys shouldn't have such soft, delicious lips.
But his are. And I love the feeling of them pressed against mine. It's a tender kiss. Nothing heated, but filled with passion.
No! Come back here! Don't lean back! Argh, you're an asshole! I was enjoying that!
"Heh, don't look so pissed Naru. We'll have plenty of time to do that later."
I like the sound of that. Okay, so I'll smile now that the mask is off and I'm not suffocating.
"Who did this to you?"
Drop the smile. He's gone into avenger mode again. Damn, he always gets pissy when in this mood.
"Never mind about that. I'm alive, so that's fine for now."
My voice is still scratchy and my throat still hurts, but it's getting better.
Oh, shit he looks ready to kick my ass.
"No, it's not fine! Some son of a bitch had the nerve to try and kill you! I'm not going to sit back and relax until that motherfucker is dead or behind bars!"
"Sasuke...stop shouting, I'm sensitive to loud noises."
That's not entirely a lie. My ears are ringing from his little outburst. But I don't really mind since I get to hear his voice, but I don't want to wake up any other patients.
He's calming himself. His face has softened a bit. He gives me another kiss.
"Sorry. I'm just...I was so close to losing you...I can't even begin to imagine what I would've done if you had..." he stops, reaching over and grasping my hand. I smile, squeezing the pale fingers with my own.
"It's okay. Let's just...focus on the fact that I'm alive for now." I say slowly. I don't want to upset him. He gives a small smile, and gives me another kiss.
I'm really starting to like those.
Before he can pull away again, I stick my tongue out, and swipe at his lip.
Heh, I made him gasp. That's another win for me!
...
Holy shit, his tongue has skill! My head feels all light and fuzzy. And I'm pretty sure it's not from any medication.
No! You bastard how dare you pull away again! Do you enjoy making me whimper!
...
Not that, uh, I whimpered or anything.
Oh fuck it, I whimpered.
He's smirking at me. The cocky moron.
"You're so cute when you pout."
Who the fuck says that! I'm a guy! I may be gay for him, but that doesn't mean I'm all girly.
Yes! I can move my hand!
So, let me flip him off.
He's chuckling at me! Oh, he's so going to get it when I'm out of here!
That raises a good question though.
"When am I getting out of here?"
Oh dear, solemn looks are never good. Please don't tell my I'm stuck here for long.
"The doctor says that you need to stay here for at least three days to recover. And he also wants to keep you a little longer for observation."
My newly appointed religious figure is testing me, I just know it.
"Three days plus extra? That's so not fair!"
"Calm down dobe. Don't stress yourself! You need to rest. The more rest you get the faster you heal, and the faster you heal the faster you get to come home with me."
Well, he has a point ther- wait, what?
"Come home with...you?"
"Yes, dobe. You're moving in with me."
Did I miss the memo? When was I going to be told about this!
"Right now. I just told you."
Shit, did I say that out loud?
...
Yes.
"You want me to live with you?"
Why do I sound so...hopeful?
Aw well, maybe because I've wanted to live with him since...forever.
"Yes. I've already asked Kiba to help move your stuff. He's actually coming to visit soon."
Kiba.
Looks like he was spared the job of being the cheer bringer at my funeral.
Lucky break, Dog-breath. Lucky break.
"How long have I been here?"
"I found you at around ten thirty. You were in surgery for about an hour or so. It's now half past twelve in the afternoon."
...
"Dude, I'm in a hospital. Please don't make me do maths."
"You've been out for just over fifteen hours."
Wow, that's the longest I've ever been unconscious or asleep. I usually wake up quite easily.
I know, it's surprising but it's true.
"What did Kiba say when you told him? What did you tell him?"
"I told him that I'd found you stabbed and dying in an alleyway. He tore his room apart over the phone. I heard his mother screaming for him to calm down. Then when I told him that you'd made it through the surgery and that you were going to be all right he just hung up. But his mother called me soon after and demanded to know why her son was singing choir praises at the top of his lungs at one in the morning."
I laughed. It hurt and I shouldn't have done it but I laughed. Kiba was always so dramatic. He took everything to the extreme.
Sasuke was laughing too. He stroked my hand, watching me as I tried to calm down. His eyes were so warm. So different from the usual stoic bastard mask he wears. He's showing compassion, and kindness and love now.
And it's all directed at me.
"Sasuke?"
"Hn?"
"...I love you."
"...I love you too, Naruto."
I smile and lay back, content with everything.
I'm really tired. Guess I should go back to sleep. Sasuke's whispering soothing things to me, encouraging me to pass out.
Well, if he insists.
I just hope he's here when I wake up.
"Dude, if I ever find the fucker that did this, I'm gonna rip his balls out through his ass!"
"Ew, gross! Nice visual!"
"Well, the fucker will deserve it! Right?"
"I-I suppose s-so. B-but won't y-you get in t-trouble?"
"Pfft. Fuck if I care."
"Be quiet Kiba! You'll wake him up!"
"Oops, sorry."
"Hn."
"I h-hope he's a-alright?"
"The doctor says he just needs a lot of rest."
"...and how are you doing?"
"?"
"Well, you were the one who found him. Are you okay, Sasuke-kun?"
"I'm fine, Sakura. I'm just glad he's okay."
"Dude, you have no idea how fucking relieved I was when you told me he was going to be alright!"
"Actually I do have an idea. So, which choir praises were you singing?"
"'Hallelujah', 'Praise be to God' and 'Rejoice'. And I rocked at it, by the way."
"Since when did you know choir songs?"
"Since my young days of innocence, my dear Sakura."
"Pfft. Innocent? You? Please."
"Fuck off!"
"Everyone! H-he's w-waking up!"
Actually, I'd been awake for a while. It's hard to stay in a peaceful sleep with Kiba in the room.
From what I've heard, it seems that Sasuke, Sakura, Kiba and Hinata are in the room with me.
"Naruto?"
Ah, Sakura. I swear she's bi-polar. Earlier she sounded really sceptic, and now she sounds like a caring mother.
"Naru?"
Sasuke's voice is so smooth. He should talk for those skin care ads. The woman will flock just listening to him.
"Hey Foxy! Are you in there?"
And Kiba ruins the moment once again.
"Shut up Dog-breath."
There's a collective sigh after I speak. Looks like they were afraid I'd lost my voice or something.
Well, guess I should open my eyes.
BRIGHT LIGHT! BRIGHT MOTHERFUCKING LIGHT!
"OW! Turn off the lights!"
There's the sound of movement while I clutch at my head. Agh, it's throbbing now. Stupid hospital lights.
"There we go. The lights are off."
Let's try again, and hopefully avoid all pain.
...
"Much better."
I can finally get a good look at everything. Of course, that's only after Sasuke helps me sit up slightly. My chest is still wrapped in bandages, and it's a bit sore, but otherwise I'm feeling great.
Aside from the throbbing headache of course.
"Naruto! I'm so glad you're okay."
Sakura gives me a light hug, and I manage to return it with one arm. Her bubblegum pink hair is tied back for once, showing her sea foam green eyes. She's wearing that red shirt I gave her for Christmas last year.
I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Oh, no wait. I'm just hungry.
I wonder if they serve ramen here?
"No ramen."
Okay, I know for a fact that I didn't think that out loud. So how the fuck did they all know what I was thinking of!
"If you're wondering how we know, it's because you always start drooling when you think of ramen. But you can't have any because it's too unhealthy." Sakura explains.
Damn.
Sasuke laughs lightly and just leans over to peck me on the cheek.
Shit! Do the others know?
...
Well, no one is saying anything. And they're not really staring at me in a 'holy-fuck-you-just-let-Sasuke-kiss-you' kind of way.
No, it's more of a 'it's-about-time-dickwad' kind of way.
Well, except Hinata. She's just blushing, like always.
"So, when do you want me to move your shit apartment into Sasuke's not so shit apartment?" Kiba asks, grinning.
"I do not have a shit apartment."
It's a lie. My apartment is so shitty, even the flies avoid it.
"Sure sure. Whatever you say."
Mental note: First order of business when out of hospital- beat the shit out of Kiba.
I'm feeling kind of tired again. They seem to notice, because they start talking a lot softer.
It's great to have friends around me like this.
Sleep comes easy.
-Three weeks later—Normal POV-
Uchiha Sasuke walked down the deserted streets, zipping up his coat and shoving his hands into his pockets. The wind was icy tonight, he hunched his shoulders in an effort to keep his ears warm.
He'd had to stay late at his work, seeing as the new employee had screwed up several files. Stupid idiot. Sasuke had had to re-order all the files, pack them away and then teach the newbie the right way to do it.
Now, because of that, he was walking out in the streets at quarter past ten at night. It was a cloudy night, and the moon was hidden from view.
Pity. He'd always liked watching the moon.
He was passing a few buildings when something caught his eye. He stopped, and looked to the side to see an alleyway.
It was empty, without any rubble at all. The light from a street lamp flooded through, illuminating the ground a bit.
He saw it.
There, halfway down and on the very edge of the light, was a large, dark stain.
A blood stain.
It was three weeks old, but it was still noticeable. As Sasuke stared at it, memories of that horrid night came flooding back to him.
-Flashback-
He'd had one of the shittiest days ever. His boss had yelled at him, Neji had won a bet, he'd almost broken his neck when some brat knocked him over near the stairs and his stupid older brother had been an ass.
He'd been ready to kill someone when his phone had rang.
"Hello?" he answered, still miffed.
"Yo, Sasuke! It' me! Want to go for a drink in our favourite bar?"
Sasuke sighed and thanked whatever higher power had given Naruto the urge to go drinking.
"Sure. Meet me there at ten."
"Gotcha! Later babes!" Naruto had laughed at the nickname. It was one he often teased Sasuke with, saying how they were always hanging out together like a couple.
Sasuke sighed. If only the idiot knew just how much Sasuke wished that nickname was serious and not just a joke.
He'd been in love with Naruto for years, but he'd never said anything.
Why?
Because Naruto was his best friend, and he didn't want to risk losing him. Simple as that.
He looked at his watch and realized he'd have time for a quick shower and change of clothes.
After he was ready, he set out to the bar, arriving ten minutes early.
He knew Naruto would be about five minutes late. A total of fifteen minutes alone for him.
He sat down and ordered a drink. Nothing heavy, just a shot. He didn't want to get drunk before Naruto had even arrived.
His phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Sasuke. I'm on my way there. Are you already there?"
"Yes."
"Dammit, bastard. Why're you always so punctual?"
"Because, dobe, I'm not you."
"Whatever, teme. See you in a bit."
"Hn."
He hung up with a small smile on his face. One thing about Naruto was he always let people know what he was doing. Even if no one asked he would tell you.
Example being the time he strutted down the high school corridor calling out "I'm going to go take a dump! Feel free to join me!"
He'd gotten suspended.
Sasuke had laughed in the safety of his own room.
"Hn. Dobe." He said affectionately.
...
...
Something was wrong. It was already twenty-five past ten. Naruto should've been there by now. Sasuke looked down at his phone, glaring at the time.
Had the idiot stood him up?
...
No,he wouldn't do that. Sasuke sighed, and pressed the speed dail for Naruto.
It rang.
And rang.
And rang again.
And then rang some more.
And then –"Hi! This is Naruto, but of course if you're calling me, you should already know that! I'm not here so leave a message and I might get back to you! Later!" followed by a beep.
Sasuke snapped his phone shut and stared at it.
"Somethings not right." He murmured.
Another thing about Naruto...He always answered his phone. Always.
He even took it with him in the bathroom.
So if Naruto wasn't answering, something was wrong.
Sasuke felt something tighten in his stomach, and he slapped some cash onto the counter before getting up and leaving.
It had been raining, but stopped now.
He planned to walk the same path Naruto would take to get to the bar.
He was passing the building next to the bar when he decided to try calling again.
Snapping out his phone, he pressed the button and carried on walking, listening to the ringing.
'Dead as dead can be, my doctor tells me. But I just can't believe him, never the optimistic one-'
Sasuke froze mid-step, his eyes widening.
That was Naruto's ringtone. He listened as the song Passive by A Perfect Circle continued playing, before registering that he wasn't hearing things.
His head snapped to the side to see an alleyway. The music was coming from there.
A street lamp behind him flickered to life, its eerie yellow glow casting some light into the otherwise dingy alley.
Sasuke's heart stopped as the light illuminated a body lying in a pool of blood.
"No." He whispered, beginning to run forward "Naruto!"
And everything had passed by in a blur from then.
-End flashback-
Sasuke shivered at the memory of holding a bloodied and almost dead Naruto in his arms.
He had never been so scared in his life as he had been that night.
However, there was one single good even that came from the entire traumatic experience.
'Sasuke...I...love you...'
Naruto had confessed.
And so had Sasuke.
He smiled slightly at the thought of his best-friend-turned-lover's face.
He decided to get moving.
When he arrived at his apartment, he opened the door and called out "I'm home!"
He was met with silence.
Furrowing his brows in confusion, he slipped off his shoes and walked down the hall to the living room.
The sight that greeted him made him smile.
Naruto was lying on the couch, curled up in an almost fetal position. His arms were wrapped around the large fox plushie that Sakura had given him as a 'get-well' gift. He wore orange pyjama pants and a black wife beater. His golden hair fell haphazardly around his face and he was snoring softly.
Sasuke crept up behind the couch and leaned down a bit. He placed a gentle kiss on Naruto's forehead. When he pulled back, Naruto had a content smile on his face while he slept.
"I'm home, Naru." Sasuke whispered, before going to the bedroom to change. When the door closed behind him, a blue eye cracked open.
"Welcome home, Sasu."
End.
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