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The song used in this chapter is 'It's Not A Fashion Statement, It's A Death Wish' by My Chemical Romance
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◦◦◦˚˚˚˚◦◦˚¤ Seven ¤˚◦◦˚˚˚˚◦◦◦
The village has started recovering from the shock of the Chuunin Exams. It took me a week to be able to leave that hospital, and he's still lying in here. They say he's got an intense fever. Stupid dobe must have used his brain too much. There's no sign of Orochimaru in the village, and Sunagakure seems to be apologizing for its rash actions. They were under Orochimaru's influence, and they want our alliance. No one seems to be speaking about the reappearance of the Nine Tailed Fox. They're all scared of it, more-so than Orochimaru's threat of coming back to Konoha. They're so scared; they've stopped talking about it altogether. No one outside of those in the exams knows about it. All that's left is for dobe to wake up… something he isn't planning on doing anytime soon.
Sakura and Sasuke walked down the small path, heading towards the Konoha Hospital. Sakura's pink hair was tied in a bun, and she'd chosen to wear a red t-shirt and a red skirt instead of her usual attire. Her eyes were on Sasuke, who was being himself. Sasuke-kun seems so set on seeing Naruto. I don't blame him… he was acting so strange yesterday. And then the… it appeared and he must have been lying there. We all want to know what's going on with him… why isn't he behaving like our Naruto. She closed her eyes, clutching the blue lilies close to her chest. We don't want him to leave our team. If… I won't let him. I've always been rude to him… is this why he was acting so mean? Then I want a chance to apologize! I can't let him just avoid me… I don't want him to.
Sasuke's head jerked to one side, looking at Sakura. Tears were silently trickling down her cheeks, her eyes closed. She looked, altogether, sad. Serves her right. She was always being selfish… she didn't realize how much Naruto loved her. He folded his arms across his chest, closed his eyes. Naruto…
Do you remember when we met you told me this gets harder?
Well it did, been holding on forever. Promise me that when I'm gone you'll kill my enemies.
The damage you've inflicted, Temporary wounds, I'm coming back from the dead.
And I'll take you home with me. I'm taking back the life you stole.
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Naruto's eyes flickered open to a white ceiling. I seem to be waking up in this room, often. He let out a sigh, as he examined the room further. No one else was in here with him. Did Sasuke leave Konoha… or did he just recover before I did? He let out a small sigh, exhaustion clear on his face. We pushed ourselves to the limit, kid. All of your pent up emotion, and my size, caused your small body to have a major breakdown. Naruto blinked, before closing his eyes. I know… I took it a bit too seriously. What was I thinking? I released you… when my body wasn't ready for it. It'll be okay, we just need more practice. Indeed. The door suddenly crept open, and Naruto's eyes jolted open. He sat up, staring into the faces of his two teammates. Why did they choose to come here, right now?
Sasuke was relieved. Relieved that Naruto was awake. He's been unconscious for two weeks, and his chakra levels were unusually high for a while. He's really beginning to scare me… stupid dobe. Naruto almost instantly pushed the white sheets off himself, and tried standing up. Fortunately, Sakura rushed to him, pushing him back to lie down. "You're still ill, Naruto! Stop trying to sit up", Sakura scolded. And then Naruto pushed her away. She landed on her bum, staring up at him in surprise.
Wordlessly, Naruto stood up, and began walking to the door. Much to his expectations, Sasuke stood between him and the door.
We never got that far. This helps me to think all through the night.
Bright light's that won't kill me now. Or tell me how.
Just you and I your starless eyes remain. Hip hip hooray for me.
You talk to me. But would you kill me in my sleep.
Lay still like the dead.
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He's an idiot… a completely, useless idiot. He's a completely useless idiot if he thinks I'm going to let him leave this hospital. Sasuke gave his biggest glare, keeping himself infront of the door. Naruto didn't seem to look at him, nor care less. Sakura finally stood up, grabbing Naruto's hand. "You're really ill! Why else would you reject flowers from me", she stated. Instantly, Naruto's right hand fisted, but his body stayed still. "Even Sasuke-kun knows you're ill! Now go lie down, and we'll call a proper doctor to examine you", Sakura said. Slowly, an amount of chakra began to appear in Naruto's right hand. Sasuke's eyes widened, as he quickly tackled Naruto to the ground. Wordlessly, he landed with a thump onto Naruto's chest. Both boys stared at each other, silence filling the air.
Stop running away, Naruto. Whatever happened to 'I'm never gonna run away, believe it!'? Why are you being so cold with your teammates? With me? I'm here because of you… only you.
With what weight he had, Sasuke kept Naruto on the ground, and Naruto didn't try to get away. I'm here to prove that I'm not a coward… I'm here to prove that you mean something to me. You're my rival and my best friend; you're the closest thing I have to family. I'll be a fool to lose you. I won't… I'll make sure of it.
From the razor to the rosary. We could l lose ourselves and paint these walls in pitchfork red.
I will avenge my ghost with every breath I take. I'm coming back from the dead.
And I'll take you home with me. I'm taking back the life you stole.
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Naruto took all of his energy in stopping the blush from creeping onto his face. Sasuke, the immovable, cold Ice Prince. That same Sasuke just tackled him, and was now lying atop him. What is he doing? What does it look like? He doesn't want you to leave the hospital. I'm not sticking around… I don't wanna explain what happened when you appeared. Point taken. Use a substitution jutsu; you have enough of your own chakra for that. Then make a run for it to your apartment. Thank you for the kind suggestion.
Sakura gasped as Naruto seemed to poof into a log. Naruto then appeared behind Sasuke, making a quick run for it. Sakura pointed at him, and screamed, "He's getting away"! Sasuke stood up, and made a run after Naruto. Sakura was left staring. I'm so useless. Why can't I seem to do anything? It's always those two…
This hole you put me in… wasn't deep enough and I'm climbing out right now.
You're running out of places to hide from me.
When you go. Just know that I will remember you. If living was the hardest part.
We'll then one day be together.
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Naruto quickly dove into his apartment, landing on his knees. Strangely, he only had a few burns from his stunt. I'm starting to like your training a lot, fox. The Kyuubi smirked in his mind. He stood up, and locked his front door as best as he could. I can do more then just that. Sound's like fun! Indeed. Especially since you're my Jinchuuriki. You'll have a much easier time. But we can only learn more on one condition. What's that?
Naruto was interrupted by a window smashing. Much to his horror, Sasuke walked in through the window, his fist bleeding. Dammit! Does this guy ever give up? Sasuke looked, incomparably, like a zombie. His bleeding fist wasn't helping much either. Naruto had no intention of talking to the Uchiha; he had other things on his mind. He continued to ignore Sasuke, though he was getting the shivers as the Uchiha began walking closer. Finally, he felt someone stand infront of him, a bloody hand reaching to his whiskered cheek. The blood stained his cheek, as he twitched from the contact.
"I have a fucking bleeding hand… because I had to chase you down… and break through a window. Do you honestly know how much you're making me work?"
Naruto didn't try answering back. The feeling of blood dripping down his cheek seemed so familiar. Kyuubi… what's going on with me? I'm enjoying… I'm enjoying the blood. Of course you are. I absolutely worship any form of the red liquid. Try licking it, it tastes good too. On second thought, don't. You're teammate is here right now. Naruto paled, stepping away from the Uchiha and wiping his cheek using his black sleeve. "You're never answering my questions, Naruto. What in the living hell, happened to our Naruto", Sasuke growled, his eyes suddenly flashing. Fear suddenly swallowed Naruto as a whole. No… I'm… I can't. If… NO!
And in the end we'll fall apart. Just as the leaves change in color. And then I will be with you.
I will be there one last time now. When you go. Just know that I will remember you.
I've lost my fear of falling… I will be with you.