SO since your reading this you know that I have decided NOT to end Shattered, but I considered pressing that Completed tab just to see what you guys would say. Sadistic. IT's sad.
Ok, so I've been suffering from severe writers block for about…six years now, like seriously. I have written one original idea or story for so long, and now the writer's block has affected my fanfiction. When will the evil STOP?
Ok, so, I have started another story…its much lighter and easier, it helped a little…it made me feel happy and hyper and I started arguing with my reflection again…so basically, I felt more like myself.
SO, I decided to whip out my next chapter on SHATTERED! (waits for applause)
…well that was disappointing. Anyways, I don't really care if I'm staying up till 5 AM just to finish these! I'm doing it for myself!
Yeah…whatever. Anyways, this chapter IS shorter than usual…but I'm still trying to outline what's going to happen with Shattered, because honestly I had only outlined up to this point because at the time I had released two chapters without a single review, so I figured I would 'cancel' it so to speak.
BUT Happy me found some people who like to read it, so I've decided to NOT cancel it, and work on it some more. Besides, as someone pointed out, THEY HAVEN't DECLARED THEIR UNDYING LOVE TO EACH OTHER YET. But who knows if that'll happen.
Thank you people who reviewed last chapter, Cherry Jade (unmanly squeal! I love your stories!), starcristen, The-Murder-Kitten, satans-sweety, BookHippie, Kichou-Ketatsuki, Aoiro tskui…
And a special thanks to Angel-Winged-Kitsune, you inspired me to keep writing, even though I was half way through with this chapter, reading your review made me feel all nice and fluffy so I was given an energy boost.
So, enjoy this chapter….even though I don't why I'm typing this, it's not like you guys are actually reading the Author's Notes! You just want pain and sex. Heh.
WARNINGS: Language
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto the manga or anime. But Naruto owns my heart. And I wish it would give it back. It's destroying my social life. (CHE, what social life?)
Enjoy.
The dreary lights hummed continuously as the clocks ticked and the sounds of machinery filled the air. The floors were shiny and waxed clean, not a spot could be seen, not a scuff to be found. It smelled of cleaning chemicals, and every window was covered by heavy blinds. If words were uttered it was in a whisper, and every now and then a phone would ring shortly before it was picked up. Or one could hear the rolling of metal wheels, or the soft footsteps of someone making rounds.
This is what describes Konoha West Hospital.
Every room was silent, and every door was closed and usually dark. It was a really depressing place.
Room Number 101 held a middle aged woman, Kamiki was her name. She had been involved in a drunk driving accident.
Room 106 contained an elderly man, his name was Daichi. His kidneys were slowly failing.
Room 108 held a young blonde man who had been stabbed, beaten, raped and finally drowned.
Naruto Uzumaki, was his name.
Beside the bed sat another young man, he was dark haired, and If you saw his face you would never guess he was young. He seemed tortured, sleep deprived, and worry lines creased his pale skin.
Sasuke looked up lifting his head from his hands, rubbing his burning eyes. Gazing at Naruto, Sasuke let out a shuddering sigh before sitting back in his seat.
Sasuke hated being there. He hated hospitals in general, but the whole quietness of the floor was getting to him, slowly turning him mad, and hearing only hushed voices and the constant hum and beeps of machines.
Of course, what did Sasuke expect from a Coma Ward?
FLASHBACK: (AN: The Flashbacks are ALL from NARUTO's Coma mind)
"Naruto! Naruto!" the warm sweet voice called out, following Naruto everywhere he went. Naruto gave a little gasp before dashing underneath his bed. Peeking out from under the bedskirt, Naruto watched as the feet stepped into his room.
"Come on, Naruto," the voice pleaded. "Come out, or I'll have to tickle you…" the taunt rang louder as the feet moved closer.
Frowning, Naruto edged backwards, farther under the bed. Quietly breathing Naruto gazed around, he didn't hear anything…
Moving carefully Naruto edged towards the bedskirt to check-
"Gotcha!"
The bedskirt was yanked up and Naruto squealed as he was pulled out from under his bed by the foot. Small dainty hands ran all over Naruto's body, causing him to squirm and giggle with laughter. Finally, the tickling stopped and Naruto was lifted in the air to face his attacker.
"Naru, my sweet Naru," the woman he faced smiled at him. "Why are you hiding from me?" Naruto crossed his arms and puffed out his bottom lip, pouting.
"I don't WANNA go!" he shouted. The woman laughed and pulled him closer to her chest.
"You'll love school," she chided. "You'll meet lots of young kids your age and you can play and learn and laugh…" Naruto made a noise and snuggled deeper into the hug.
"And…I bet…they'll have little fox figurines to play with."
Naruto gazed up at the woman.
"…you're lying to Naruto!" he said finally. She let out another laugh and held him up to eye level.
"Would I lie to you, Naruto?" she asked him seriously, her eyes shining. Naruto finally gave way and wrapped his arms around her neck.
"Nooo," he pulled away and smiled sweetly. "Okie, I go to school."
The woman smiled and stood up, setting him down. Naruto picked up his small bag, and reached for the woman's hand as they headed for the door.
"I love you Naruto."
"I love you too, Mommy."
END FLASHBACK:
Sasuke looked up wearily once more as the door creaked open quietly. A nurse popped her head in, seeing Sasuke she smiled brightly. Sasuke just nodded in recognition, this woman had been here before.
"I'll be out of your way soon, I just need to get some vitals for a couple of tests we're running," she whispered loudly walking over to the base of Naruto's bed she pulled up a clipboard.
Clicking the pen, the nurse studied the machines under Sasuke's heavy eyes. Finally finishing she turned and gave Sasuke another big smile.
"Alright, I'm allllll done! The results should be back soon," she walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. Sasuke stared at the door for a moment.
He never really understood why people were so quiet in Coma Wards. They whispered, tip toed around, and not a noise could be heard. What, it wasn't like the patients could hear it, and it was almost like they didn't want them too. Wasn't the point of being quiet so you won't disturb anyone? Well, Sasuke was pretty sure that waking someone up from a coma was kind of important.
Sasuke sighed, for the fifth time, and leaned towards Naruto's face.
He looked so angelic and peaceful, laying there on the bed. The only movement from the blonde was his steady breathing as his chest moved up and down. Sasuke was pleased to see they had taken Naruto off those awful machines that generated air for him, at least that was a good sign.
The night that Sasuke had found Naruto was burned into Sasuke's mind like a major national disaster would. For him, it might as well be. The only thing Sasuke could do at that moment was try to carry Naruto to his car, but Sasuke had fallen several times, it had been a long and painful walk, but eventually Sasuke had gotten him to the hospital.
Naruto had slipped into an oxygen deprived coma.
And all the doctors had said to him was that Naruto needed instant care, but all they could really do is make Naruto comfortable and hope that he wakes up.
The door rattled again and creaked open.
This time it revealed Iruka and Shikamaru, would walked in carefully. Sasuke watched them steadily as Shikamaru sat down on a small love seat on the far end of the wall and Iruka stepped carefully over to his adopted son lying on the bed.
Sasuke had always wondered about that relationship, after all Iruka hadn't adopted Naruto until he was released from the orphanage, that didn't really make much sense did it? Sasuke wasn't sure of the whole situation, but he knew that Iruka loved Naruto and was very protective of him. And very pissed at Sasuke..
Hell, Sasuke was pissed at himself. He blamed himself every second of the day for not getting there faster, not being able to stop that motherfucker before he could hurt Naruto. And not noticing what was wrong with Naruto to begin with.
Iruka rubbed Naruto's lifeless hand before his eyes caught on to a vase loaded with yellow daisies. Turning to Sasuke, he pointed back to the flowers.
"Did…did you put those there?"
"Hn."
Iruka stared at him for a moment before looking back down at Naruto.
"They're nice," he whispered. Sasuke watched Iruka as he went to sit on the opposite side of Naruto's bed. Shikamaru broke the silence.
"Have the police come?" he inquired. Sasuke glanced back at the lazy man.
"They came earlier today, for the second time," Sasuke answered slowly. "I told them everything I could, but they can't be much of a help without Naruto to give them the rest of the information." Shikamaru grunted but said nothing.
The only people that had been allowed into Naruto's room were his emergency contacts, which Sasuke already found out consisted of all three of the people that were in the room at the moment.
Naruto did have visiting hours though, and Sakura, Kiba, Lee and Hinata had come by. Sasuke didn't mind sitting by himself though. He didn't have to work, like Iruka, and school-…well it could go to hell for all he cared.
FLASHBACK: (AN: just a reminder, this is from Naruto's mind)
Naruto looked around the busy classroom. He was miserable, he didn't want to be here…he wanted to go home, he wanted to go back to his mother. Sniffing, Naruto picked up a small fox figurine he had found suspiciously in his bag that his mother handed to him.
Of course Naruto was only four, and he didn't care as long as he had it.
"Alright class, it's time to draw pictures!" The female teacher gathered all the children together and sat them down at a long table equipped with white blank pieces of paper and boxes of crayons.
Naruto watched as the other kids busily started drawing, discussing who was going to draw what and who they were going to give it too. Naruto looked down at his fox again, thinking of his mother.
"Are you going to cry?"
Naruto's head snapped to his left to see a stoic little kid. He couldn't be but a year older then him, Naruto was sure. But he sure looked so…serious. Naruto sniffed defiantly.
"No!"
"Well, you look you're about to start."
"I'm not!" Naruto stuck his tongue out at the dark headed young boy. The boy returned the gesture before he looked at the fox.
"I like that," he pointed. Naruto pulled the figurine possessively to his chest.
"It's MINE," Naruto growled. The boy cocked his head to side and gave a little smirk. It was then that the teacher noticed neither one of the boys were at the table.
"Hey kids," she knelted down gently beside them. "Come on over and draw some pictures with us!" Naruto frowned at the woman, the idea didn't sound very appealing. The teacher smiled a little too brightly.
"Don't you want to show your mother what you did on your very first day of school?" she said in a sweet tone. Naruto brightened up at that. Standing up, Naruto followed the teacher over to the seat as the pale boy sat beside him.
"Remember, class!" the teacher called back to them. "Draw the picture to give to someone else!"
Naruto chose his colors carefully before he started drawing out his mothers form. He looked over and noticed a little pink rose hair colored girl drawing a house with her mommy and daddy. Naruto frowned and looked down at his picture. He only had a mommy.
Naruto rebellious laid down his crayons. He didn't need a daddy, he and his mommy were just happy as they were. A sudden tap on his shoulder surprised Naruto. He turned to see the black eyed boy staring at him.
"What?" Naruto asked him. The boy held out a piece of paper towards him.
"It's for you," he added solemnly. Naruto took the paper carefully, and gazed at the red fox that covered the page. Widening his eyes he looked up at the boy.
"It's…awe-some," Naruto said slowly, still not sure how to say that word. The boy smirked again.
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha."
"My name is Naruto."
END FLASHBACK
Iruka looked out the window and glanced down at his watch. He hated leaving Naruto but he was working a graveyard shift tonight, covering for a friend. Glancing over at Sasuke Iruka felt a pang of guilt.
It was obvious Sasuke had been there ever since he had checked Naruto into the hospital. He was badly sleep deprived, and overall looked awful. But Sasuke had managed to hang on to scraps of his personality, looking as composed as possible, calm and calculated…
"Sasuke," Iruka started softly. "I think you should go home and get some rest." Sasuke's eyes flickered towards the older man, but he didn't say anything. "I have to work, and I'm sure Shikamaru has tests in the morning, we have to leave. You've been here for a long time, just go home."
Sasuke shook his head slowly, gazing back down on the blonde.
"I can't," he whispered in a low voice. So low, in fact, that Iruka could barely hear his response. Iruka, looked at Sasuke once more before turning to Shikamaru.
Shika was stretched out on the love seat, his feet and head propped up he had dozed off about an hour ago. Shaking the lazy man, Iruka waited for Shikamaru as he blinked his eyes open.
"Eh? What is it, did he die?" Shikamaru sat up slowly, looking around confused. Sasuke shot him a glare but soon returned to watching Naruto. Iruka shook his head grimly.
"We need to leave," Iruka said looking over at Naruto one last time. "We'll come back," he turned to Sasuke, "I'll be here first thing in the morning." Sasuke nodded as Iruka moved towards the door.
Just as he reached for the knob, the door swung open. Startled, Iruka stepped back into Shikamaru who cursed (and received a hot glare from Iruka). It was the nurse and she was giving another one of those painted on smiles.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said. "But you might want to wait just a while longer, the Doctor will be in shortly with the results of his tests." Iruka nodded slowly, he could wait a little longer for Naruto, and after all, what was more important to him?
FLASHBACK:
Naruto was scared. His mother had never acted this way before.
Naruto leaned forward in his car seat, gazing with wide blue eyes as his mother wiped the streaming tears from her eyes.
"Mommy…?" asked softly. "Are you okie?"
Taking a wet breath, his mother flashed her young son a watery smile, gripping the steering wheel with one hand and wiping the tears away from her face with the other.
"Oh, yes Naruto, I'm fine," she smiled sweetly again at her young son before she turned back to the road. Naruto frowned and leaned back, his mother certainly didn't seem fine.
She leaned forwards over the wheel, trying to see the road in the rain beating down heavily on the car. Blinking the tears away she narrowed her eyes, looking for any turns or treachous signs.
"Where are we going, mommy?" She paused for a moment.
"We're going to visit your grandparents, Naru," she said in a soft voice. "We'll be staying with them for a little while, ok?"
"B-but I don't wanna go!" Naruto protested. "I want to stay home, with you! I wanna go to school!" Naruto looked at his mother with wide, pleading blue eyes, leaning forwards again.
His mother let out a small laugh that was marred by the tearful sounds in her voice. She turned to look at Naruto and gave a small smile, he really was her everything. She only turned around for a second.
One. Second.
Seeing Naruto's eyes widen, she turned abruptly to see bright headlights bearing in on the windshield. She turned back to Naruto frantically, roughly pushing him back in his seat before-
FLASHBACK END:
Sasuke tapped his foot impatiently, didn't the nurse say the doctor would be right in? What was taking him so long? He looked over at Iruka who had sat down in the loveseat, he looked completely defeated.
All three men in the room stood suddenly as the door opened.
A handsome young doctor walked in and gave them a brief smile. Holding his clipboard close to his chest. He looked over at the motionless Naruto.
"You…might want to sit down."
FLASHBACK:
Naruto sat back in his rough chair. There weren't many places to sit in the orphanage, and he had been lucky to get the seat before anyone else.
He glanced around the room, looking at the other children. They were all dirty, and cold. None of them seemed very interested in anyone around them, as Naruto had found out on the first day, in this orphanage it was every kid for himself. Needless to say, he wasn't faring too well.
Checking around the room to make sure the other kids were busy, Naruto turned slightly and slowly pulled out a small fox figurine.
It was dirty, and half of its tail had melted off in the fire, black markings covered the once red fox permanently, but Naruto didn't care. Naruto's eyes didn't move, fixated on the fox as he slowly stroked it with his small fingers.
"What's that!"
The fox was ripped from his fingers. Crying out in anger and surprise, Naruto turned to see another orphan's grubby hands holding his fox, twirling it around to see what it was.
"Give it back!" Naruto whined reaching for it. The orphan danced out of his way, frowning at the plastic figurine.
"It's ugly," he said finally.
"Just give it back…" Naruto said pathetically, gazing at the fox in the kids hands longingly.
"You're a little baby!" the orphan taunted. "This thing is trash, ruined." He ran over to the open window of the dingy orphanage before flinging the fox as hard as he could out into the world. Naruto yelled in protest and rushed to the window.
Looking wildly out the window for any sign of the figurine, but he couldn't see it anywhere. The orphan laughed and skipped away, as Naruto sank to his knees under the window. He felt a small tear glisten as it dropped down his dirty face.
Pulling his knees up to his chin, Naruto rested his forehead on his legs, gazing down at his stomach. He hated it here, he just wanted to go home.
FLASHBACK END:
The doctor shifted his stance, watching as the three men waited for his words. Licking his lips, he cleared his throats.
"Naruto's suffered very, very severe injuries," the man started. "And just having those injuries alone would be a struggle for Naruto to pull through…but, add that with the fact he's in a coma." The doctor avoided the pleading in the other's eyes.
"Naruto is suffering from an oxygen deprived coma, the lack of air flowing to his brain and lungs forced him to shut down into a coma. As you should know, and with any type of coma, we cannot force Naruto to wake up from said coma. And to be perfectly honest, we're not sure that Naruto will wake up at all."
A heavy silence filled the room. Iruka shook his head, unbelieiving.
"But, he's still alive right?" Iruka demanded. "He's…okay, he's still breathing!" The doctor nodded slowly.
"He stabilized enough to start breathing on his own, but after that no progress has been made in recovery, and with his…situation, it's very unlikely that Naruto will ever wake up."
Sasuke felt like this doctor had just dropped the weight of the world on his heart. Gasping slightly, Sasuke couldn't move. He felt like a giant block concrete.
Naruto…
"In some cases," the doctor said slowly, "it's better just to turn off the machines and let Naruto go…in peace." Sasuke's eyes snapped to the doctor.
"He's not dead yet," he snarled. The doctor gazed at him for a moment before nodding his head.
"It's up to his family," the doctor said slowly. He turned to Iruka who was gazing at the ground, completely defeated. Sasuke turned and looked at the broken man as well, his eyes almost pleading at Iruka to make the right choice.
"I…" Iruka shook himself. "I have to work."
Iruka sniffed, wiping his eyes he stood deftly, pushing past the doctor, Shikamaru on his heels. The doctor watched them leave, checked Naruto's vitals, and turned back to Sasuke who was sitting motionless at Naruto's side.
"We'll leave him be until his father tells us otherwise," the doctor said slowly, nodding towards Sasuke, he left the room.
FLASHBACK:
Naruto gave a big grin as he evaluated the large campus. This was his dream after all? Getting his college degree?
Gripping tighter on to his books, Naruto made his way up the stone steps and entered the college.
The long hallways were bustling with young adults, all rushing to get their stuff together for their first day of the semester. Naruto took everything, he wanted to remember this day. Sliding by busy people, Naruto looked at the people.
All the freshmen looked excited or nervous, the returning students looked stressed and annoyed to be back in college. Naruto flashed grins at those lucky enough to catch his blue eyes. Glancing down at his schedule, Naruto looked around for his first class.
Yanking the door open, Naruto was pleased to see he was early…for once.
Happily gazing around the room, Naruto noticed that most of the students had already arrive and were mingling about the room, talking to each other in loud voices. Naruto took a deep breath before moving towards the desks, he thrived on this kind of thing.
"Hey! It's orphan kid!"
Naruto nearly cringed at the nickname, but turned to see who had called him. His eyes met those of a pointing brown haired boy who was standing in a group of students. Naruto flashed a famous grin and waved at him.
"Hey, Kiba." Naruto knew the boy from his days in highschool.
"Don't call him that, Kiba," a reprimanding voice sounded. Naruto turned to see the pink haired girl who had spoken. She turned and smiled at him, her green eyes sparkling. Naruto could feel his heart skip a beat, it was Sakura Haruno.
"Come on over, Naruto!" She motioned for him to get closer. Naruto felt like he was floating as he made his way to stand beside the girl, breathing in her sweet smell. She gripped his arm, turning him to meet eyes the other students in the group.
"You should know these people, Naruto," Sakura said pointing to them. "We were all in highschool together…
That's Shikamaru Nara, Kiba (you already met him), Neji Hyuga, and of course Ino and Choji, that's Lee and Tenten…" Sakura looked over and pulled a blushing girl forwards. "And this is Hinata Hyuga, she's Neji's cousin." Naruto smiled at her and Hinata's facing burnt up with a pink flush.
Naruto nodded at them all, enjoying Sakura's hand still on his arm. Naruto glanced past the others and frowned as he caught sight of a pale boy sitting alone, bored, in the corner of the room, obviously ignoring the girls who fluctuated around him.
"Eh, Sakura," Naruto nodded towards the boy. "Is…that Uchiha Sasuke?" he questioned. Sakura's eyes caught on the boy and she scoffed a little.
"Yeah, he's just being his regular ice bitch self," She shrugged. Naruto grinned at the description and stopped looking at the man, drawn back into the comfortable conversation the group of friends had started again.
For some reason, Naruto felt that this would be a great four years.
FLASHBACK END:
It was dark now, about one o'clock in the morning, Sasuke guessed.
He didn't care, he wasn't going anywhere. Sasuke's onyx eyes hadn't moved from Naruto's face for the past couple of hours, and he wasn't going to leave the boy's side as long as he was hurting.
Sighing, Sasuke gripped Naruto's hand, laying his head on the side of Naruto's hospital bed.
"Naruto…." Sasuke whispered, knowing that the man couldn't hear him. Fighting away the sudden wave of emotion, Sasuke closed his eyes against the burning in his body.
And Sasuke stayed that way, by Naruto's side, until the sun slowly rose from the sky, bringing another day.
Okay, so this chapter was mainly to let you guys know exactly what had happened to Naruto and his current issues.
I really wanted to answer some questions in this chapter, thus Naruto's coma flashbacks…I'm not sure if you could figure this out, but Naruto was very young in all his flashbacks EXCEPT the last one, that was his first day of college.
Now I did leave a couple of things unknown, for later chapters…I hope you were satisfied with the chapter, even if it was shorter, I really really wanted to post it yesterday but I couldn't keep my eyes open, so sorry for making you wait a day for this.
Review if you liked it!
What do you think will happen with Naruto…should he wake up next chapter, I was considering maybe a time jump? But I hate those….what do you think?