-o-o-o-

Chapter 10: Gomenasai

-o-o-o-

"Welcome back to Konoha News Network. We have received updates about the iconic and most influential master writer Uzumaki Naruto's condition."

"Following the reports of his accident, the Hidden Leaf Special Tactic and Investigative team has immediately started their researches. Current findings indicated that the cause of the accident is a slippery road and brake failure. However, some sources pointed out that the man is not in his right mind while driving and explained it by his unusual driving patterns."

"Before you fans go ballistic, we are pleased to inform that the writer is not affected by alcohol during the accident. Moving on... The Hidden Leaf Hospital has released notes of his steady recovery but he still hasn't woken up. And not surprisingly, a lot of companies has decided to postpone production of many anime, manga, novel and books and the Paradise series, as well as other movies he was working on. Some studios even closed down and are already searching for new writers."

"If we look into our charts, we listed the many stories and media he was working with and are possibly affec---"

Sasuke turned off the television and throw the remote control with anger to a nearby wall, shattering it with his anger-driven strength. They did not just hinted that his father is not recovering. It cannot be! He refuse to believe it! Naruto cannot die!

He rose from his chair and stomped to his room, covering himself with his blanket, trying to hide away the tears that threatened to fall. In a few seconds, he was met with the comforting darkness.

Dream Sequence

Sasuke woke up to find himself in a white open space, with vibrant color glowing from a distance. Blinking his eyes to discern the place, he found the place slowly distorting and it revealed a forested area with a peaceful and serene river in front of him. He was somehow drawn to the river and took a few steps to move towards it. He turned right and saw a tent and was greeted with a delicious smell. He was shocked to see Naruto making barbecue.

Smiling gratefully, he hastened his pace and it was then that his father noticed his arrival.

"Hi Sas! There you are!" Naruto ran towards him and hug him. The smaller teen responded by kissing his father on the lips. The man inwardly grinned and responded to the kiss. When they broke away, both of them were grinning.

"Hello Naruto! Is everything set?"

His father's grin widened and placed his right hand on his forehead as a salute to him.

"Yes sir!"

"Good."

Naruto only gathered him in his hands and whispered against his ear.

"So, master, how may I serve you for today?" Naruto imitated a very erotic voice and indicated a site beside their tent with leathers, whips, chains and other things Sasuke couldn't recognize due to distance.

He felt a strange sensation in his stomach and that's when he bit his father's ear.

"Quiet slave. You know I want you!"

"I love you, too Sas."

Sasuke merely smirked and jumped out of Naruto's hands, attacking his father's neck with kisses while trying to unbutton his shirt, however, he stopped his son's advances.

"Thank you for everything Sas---" Without a word, Naruto jumped to the river while Sasuke screamed, shocked at what has just happened.

End Dream Sequence

Sasuke woke up to find himself screaming, in tears and sweating very hard. His mind wandered back to his dream and shuddered. The news must have shaken him more than he thought. He shook his head and jumped out of his bed.

Splashing some cold water on his face, he was finally able to see his reflection in the mirror, giving him the perfect opportunity to assess his situation.

And to say that he was a mess is a sad understatement. He was shocked at his appearance. Apparently, his eyes are bloodshot, red and swollen. His hair lost their glow, and the bags under his eyes has darkened and became more pronounced. He is exceptionally paler than normal and he had lost some weight.

A deep sigh escaped his lips, as his mind got flooded again with images of Naruto. Leaning against the sink, he finally let the tears flow, knowing the fact that he may not be able to see Naruto again, much less apologize and make things right with him.

He balled his hands into fists, as he saw how pathetic he is. He saw how his pride shattered and how wrongly he led his life. He was briefly reminded of how cruelly he treated Naruto and thought this might have been his punishment.

Sighing once more, he exited the bathroom and made his way to the living room. But he was surprised to see his teacher there.

"What are you doing here, Kakashi?"

His teacher grinned beneath his mask.

"You look messy Sasuke!"

"Well duh! How nice of you to notice Mr. Obvious." Sasuke scowled. Seeing his teacher already worsened his day.

Then Kakashi's expression changed.

"As much as how fun it is to talk with you Sasuke, I am here for more serious matter."

"What could be so important that you somehow entered the house without knocking. And to state the obvious, this is TRESSPASSING, if you don't know."

Kakashi sighed.

"I was granted special permission by the school Sasuke. You have already skipped for more than three days and according to regulations, a teacher is to check up on his student."

"And I'm not interested now leave the building or I'm calling the police."

"Sasuke..." He sighed. "Alright. But before I leave, may I ask you to accompany me in visiting your father?"

And that's enough for Sasuke. All the pent up rage and anger which was bottled up over the past few days, the frustration that was masked, the sorrow that he tried so hard to suppress-- came rushing out and was directed at his teacher.

"NO! I don't want to see that fool! And never will I! LEAVE NOW! LEAVE! LEAVE!" Sasuke angrily ushered him to the door. As he slammed the door, he caught three sentences that awakened something inside him.

"So what Naruto has actually worked hard for is this pathetic whiny brat? I feel sorry for him now. And judging by how things are going, I'm glad that the hospital will spare him the trouble of waking up and find his son hating him."

Sasuke's eyes widened. The news played itself again and visions of his father laying on a bed flashed before his eyes. And something clicked inside of him that made him rush to his room and head straight for the hospital.

When he arrived in Hidden Leaf Hospital, he rushed to his father's room when he saw a few angry reporters leaving the area. When he entered the room and was surprised to see Kakashi there.

"Ah Sasuke-kun. Glad to see you."

"What are you doing here?"

"There had been rumors of the hospital pulling out the life support for your father. As ridiculous as it sounds, the local reporters believed it. I barely managed to convince them otherwise."

"Hn" That was all that Sasuke could manage. How could he? He didn't know what to say himself.

"I guess I'll leave you alone with your father, Sasuke. He still hasn't woken up. But it would help if you talk to him. I know he can hear you."

And with that, his teacher left the room. That was all Sasuke needed. He came nearer to his father and let the tears fall.

"Dobe..." He started in a shaky voice. "You don't deserve to be in this place... This is all my fault. I shouldn't have said those words"

He leaned on his father's chest and listened to its comforting heartbeat.

"Naruto..." He started again. "I love you, I love you so much. Please, don't leave me."

Sasuke fell asleep crying on his father's chest. Unknown to him, his father's face twitched into a small smile as his still hand moved slowly and snaked behind Sasuke's neck, comforting Sasuke into a dreamless yet peaceful sleep.

An unsaid word was left unsaid... I'm Sorry....