Golden lashes fluttered slightly, yet the lids in which they belonged to remained closed. A small groan escaped parted lips as the blonde males form began to shift, signalling that he was about to regain consciousness. Sunlight poured through the hospital rooms window and illuminated Naruto's scared cheeks with its rays, his temperature had not decreased, cold sweat was still present on his forehead and even though he had been asleep for a few hours now, his body was in as much agony as when he had awoken that morning.

Slowly, his eyes began to open and crystal blue orbs came into focus. Blinking away the fuzziness still lining his vision, he did not recognize the bed he was currently laying in and his features twisted into a small frown; confused at why he was there. Naruto surveyed the room he was in; the most notable part of his current residence was the white walls, they gave the room an almost clinical vibe and made the blonde feel slightly uneasy as he continued his observation. The rest of room was bare. There were no pictures, no paintings, no decorations, only empty walls and a pastel coloured floor. His eyes widened as the confused expression slipped away from the blondes face and his features visibly paled at the realization of where he was currently lying. A hospital room. Shit.

His breathing picked up and he repeated to himself in a mantra that he must try to stay calm, perhaps they hadn't checked him over yet…perhaps they didn't know the full extent of the damage inflicted upon his body.

Breathing in deeply, he closed his eyes to calm his racing heart before shifting his arms and slowly raising his body into a sitting position. Pure agony, shot through his being and he gritted his teeth to stop a scream from escaping his lips. The pain was concentrated on his torso area, yet his limbs felt like lead and he had not a single idea how he had managed to walk and arrive at school earlier that morning.

Slowly bringing a tanned hand up to his head, Naruto rested his burning forehead against it as he tried to recall the last memories he had before his mind had gone black. He remembered sitting through chemistry, remembered talking to Sasuke and then asking for his notes after the lesson had ended; and then…nothing. His memory was blank from that moment onward.

Before he had time to contemplate how he had ended up here rather than being taken home, a familiar voice reached his ears from outside his room's door.

"He has a lot of explaining to do, Itachi." It growled before the door was swiftly pulled open and the two Uchiha brothers walked through it; Sasuke wearing a rather agitated expression and Itachi, a small frown. Neither noticed the blonde's form, propped up on the hospital bed that was, quite clearly, awake nor the crystal blue eyes that widened upon their appearance. They were both too absorbed in the new information that had been presented to them only moments ago, by the nurse, regarding Naruto's condition.

"Sasuke…" Naruto whispered hoarsely, both relief and apprehension circling inside his gut upon the arrival of his raven haired friend. He was so glad to see Sasuke and knowing that he had not left Naruto alone made him joyful beyond words, however, he did not know if the hospital had checked his injuries and informed Sasuke of the abuse his body had suffered. If they had he did not know how to explain its ruined state to the raven.

Black locks swayed as Sasuke whipped his head round, reacting immediately to the murmur of his name. He felt his tense posture relax almost immediately when his dark eyes locked with vibrant blue, relived that the blonde had regained consciousness, however his agitated expression did not falter when he recalled what the nurse had told him regarding Naruto's health.

A hand was placed on Sasuke's shoulder and only seconds later, the raven felt a reassuring squeeze follow; shifting his gaze to his older brother he regarded him patiently, knowing that Itachi was going speak.

"I'll wait outside the room, Sasuke. Please call if you need me." The eldest Uchiha said smoothly, his features calm yet his dark eyes flashed with concern as he turned his head to look at Naruto for a long moment. Seeing his brother give a slight nod from the corner of his vision, he removed his hand from Sasuke's shoulder, turned and gracefully exited the room; closing the door softly behind him.

For brief period of time no one spoke. A tense silence engulfed both occupants of the room; neither knowing quite how to start or ask the questions that jumbled their minds. Sasuke was the first to break the strained atmosphere.

"Idiot, what the hell happened to you?" the raven growled, agitated that he did not know how to approach the situation or how to ask his blonde friend about the injuries that practically covered his entire body. His dark brows were still slightly furrowed and his lips pulled down in a small frown; contrary to what Naruto might have thought, the raven's annoyance was not directed towards him.

Naruto's heart raced at the question and he immediately broke eye contact, glancing down at his light blue bed sheets, a sick feeling pooled in his stomach at the realization that Sasuke knew. A nurse had checked him over. His injuries had been discovered. They had told Sasuke about the state his body was in, and it was now time for him to explain himself. Almost choking on the words about to leave his throat, the blonde decided to feign ignorance; he could not have Sasuke getting involved in his problems, they were Naruto's burden to bear and he would never put Sasuke in harm's way. He cared about the raven too much. Much more than he was ever willing to admit.

"Nothing. I-I don't know what you mean." Naruto said quietly, cursing himself inwardly for stuttering and sounding so weak, so vulnerable, so…pathetic.

Swiftly making his way over to the blonde haired boy, Sasuke stopped at the side of Naruto's bed, towering above him, making Naruto feel even more insignificant than he already did. Clenching his teeth shut in irritation, Sasuke was unable to stop the glare from forming on his flawless features as he looked down upon the blonde; he was frustrated, he was angry and he wanted answers.

Half an hour ago Sasuke and Itachi had arrived at the hospital, carrying Naruto through reception before a doctor had taken over and put the blonde onto an available hospital bed, wheeling him to one of their free rooms. They had sat patiently, waiting for at least 15 minutes, before a nurse had approached them wearing an almost horror-stricken look on her face. She had explained in graphic detail, the condition Naruto was in. He had two broken ribs, one that had almost punctured his lung and another that appeared to be fractured in multiple places. His limbs and torso where littered in ugly black bruises that, they assumed, had not been given a chance to heal before more where created in place of the old ones.

She went on to inform them that Naruto's fever had most likely been the result of a multitude of factors; the most probable being an infection in the pricked lung, causing him to collapse as it spread throughout his body. Both Uchiha's, who were normally collected and stoic in many situations, looked at her with horrified expressions; neither could believe that Naruto had managed to get to school, let alone move. The brothers had not spoken as the nurse continued to talk, telling them that she could not give Naruto any painkillers until he regained consciousness; they did not know if he would have a negative reaction toward them and they could not risk making his condition worse.

"Naruto, look at me." Sasuke said calmly, his expression softening slightly as he looked upon the blonde's form; ever since he had first spoken to Naruto, Sasuke had always seen him as loud and outspoken and hot-headed, never had he seen his blonde haired friend look so vulnerable. He didn't like it. Sasuke wanted to wipe that expression right of the perfect tanned face that belonged to Naruto and destroy anything that would cause him to look like that again.

Fists curled and Naruto clenching his teeth in frustration at the ravens command. How could he look at him? He had lied, and Sasuke knew it. How could Naruto even stand to look upon the raven now that Sasuke knew how frail the blonde was, how absolutely pitiful Naruto had become. He could not, there was no way.

The blonde haired boy felt pale fingers situate themself underneath his chin and his lips parted slightly in surprise as the raven raised his head, gently yet firmly. His blue orbs were forced to lock with cool black and Naruto tensed at the emotion present on the ravens features; anxiety and fear touching the very core of his being at the next words that left Sasuke's sculpted lips.

"Tell me Naruto. Tell me what happened."

Authors Note:

I'm so sorry if it's absolutely terrible and rushed; I'm just so tired and didn't really have a lot of time today. I'll try and make the next chapter better : )

Still, I'm glad you took the time to read it and please feel free to review!