I was so excited to get this next chapter out, not because I like it that much, just that I'm real excited to be back to writing. I've planned everything out, so while it may be frustrating, its all in my evil plan. BAHAHA.
That was uncalled for.
Alright, heres some notes about this chapter, it might be a tiny bit shorter, and theres no major drama, but all my chapters do have a purpose, just remember that ^.^
I've planned out the next chapters up til Chapter 20, and you might be happy to know I have no ending in sight as of yet. My poor brain protests, but hopefully you guys will enjoy that.
I also really really want to thank all of you guys reading and especially those that review, not because I want a high review count, but because I read every single one and they all make me feel amazing. And honestly if I didn't get what you guys write to me, I would probably delete this, I swear it. I'm not just being cheesy, and melodramatic, I absolutely adore you guys, and thank you so much for your awesome feedback XD
So as promised, here are the new reviewers as of when I publish this chapter: A huge thank you to...DeidArasPerFectAnGel, Narutopokefan, The Desiree Incident, Miss Markova, orichimaruninjafan, Cervello, Akirakun17, karolalpha, TheBrideofChuckyIam
I love you guys amazingly, thanks for reading and reviewing...
And now on with the story!
WARNINGS: Nothing really...frustrating angstiness.
DISCLAIMER: Blahblahblah I don't own Naruto or anything associated with it blahblahblaaaah
Uživajte!
Sasuke Uchiha was in a good mood. That was something not very many people would believe, but Sasuke didn't care what other people though. The only thing Sasuke cared about, was a certain blonde boy, the one he thought had been stolen from him.
Humming to himself, Sasuke locked his car door, turning towards the hospital entrance.
After watching Naruto wake up, Sasuke felt like a fire had been set in his heart, a new and fiery determination that grew steadily every minute of every day. The Uchiha had never felt this way about anyone, much less any possible girlfriend or…just anyone at all, he supposed. He wasn't sure what it was about the dobe that made him like this, but he had decided he wasn't letting that feeling go.
If there was one thing people knew or should know about the Uchihas, it was that they were determined. Most would call it stubbornness, but for Sasuke it was just a part of his nature. And he was certainly determined to tell Naruto how he felt, and for some reason he had a gut feeling Naruto would feel the same way.
Walking steadily, Sasuke made his way through the bottom level of the hospital, moving towards the elevators.
He slowed down, the gift shop on the right catching his eye.
A bouquet of orange flowers shined from the windowpane, smirking slightly at Naruto's distasteful obsession with the color, Sasuke quickly entered the store.
It smelled sickeningly of peppermint in the store, Sasuke noticed. Wrinkling his nose, Sasuke picked up the bouquet, observing its beauty, before walking over to the cashier.
Setting the flowers down, Sasuke grabbed some money from his wallet. The cashier gave him a warm smile as she rang up the flowers.
"Those are quite beautiful," she said cheerily. "For someone special?"
Sasuke returned her smile with a soft smirk.
"Very special."
The raven haired man handed over his money and picked up the bouquet carefully, leaving the store.
Once in the elevator, Sasuke pressed the button to take him to the coma ward, thinking carefully over what exactly he was going to say to Naruto…would he demand Naruto returned the feelings? He couldn't just sit there like an idiot and wait for his answer. He would have to do it cunningly, make Naruto say something first.
Just because Naruto made him feel like a lovesick idiot, didn't mean Sasuke was going to act like it. He was a Uchiha, after all.
The elevator doors slid open, and Sasuke briskly walked through the quiet halls, making his way to Room 108.
Slowing down as he got towards the door, Sasuke took a deep breath, cursing his abnormal nerves, before swinging the door open.
Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks, stunned.
What met his eyes made his heart skip in fear, he saw…nothing. The room was empty, clean, like Naruto had never been there.
For a few breathless moments, Sasuke couldn't move, his mind racing. Finally, he spurred himself into action, whirling around he almost ran to the desk where two nurses were busying doing paperwork. Sasuke nearly slammed into the desk, laying his hands down he didn't waste anytime.
"Room 108, Uzumaki Naruto," Sasuke said sharply. The two nurses looked up, surprised, and slightly horrified to see Sasuke. No one in the entire hospital had forgotten the "incident" as it was being called.
"Mr. Uzumaki was released early this morning," one of the nurses finally got the nerve to answer him. Sasuke took a large intake of air, at least nothing bad at happened to him. His rational mind snapped back to the several problems that were presented with this information.
"He was discharged?" Sasuke looked around on the desk to see if he could see any information. "Why would the doctor discharge him so soon? He just woke up from a six week coma."
The nurses glanced at each other nervously.
"W-well, the doctor made it quiet clear to that he was still not well, b-but was very intent of leaving early this morning…." The nurse faltered as Sasuke's expression changed.
"Very…intent," Sasuke mused. "Where'd he go?"
"U-hm, sir I'm not legally able to tell you anything else," The nurse clutched a piece of paper tightly and took a step back as Sasuke's eyes flashed. Turning on his heel, Sasuke walked away from the desk.
"S-sir! Your flowers!" the nurse called after him, but Sasuke didn't turn back.
Sasuke didn't need to know where Naruto went, there's only one place that he would be allowed to go anyways. What Sasuke DID need to know was why Naruto was 'so intent' to leave. And he would find out.
Xx
Naruto sighed as he messed with his IV. That was the most annoying and painful thing that was bothering him at the moment, weren't these things supposed to help?
Pulling on the metal rod holding the bags that were connected to his arm, Naruto made his way back over to his bed, flopping down, Naruto couldn't help but wince as his body made contact with the surface.
"Uhhh, seriously?" Naruto glared at the TV remote which was a good six inches from his grasp. Struggling to stretch, Naruto failed and gasped with exasperation at the effort. There was no way he could force himself up again.
Just at that moment Iruka opened the door to the bedroom, carefully making his way towards Naruto, balancing a tray of steaming soup and tall glass of water. Naruto gingerly accepted the tray, giving Iruka the best smile he could. Iruka gave him a scolding look.
"You should be in the hospital, Naruto," Iruka said in a tone of voice that clearly meant, 'you should be ashamed of yourself you little selfish child.'
"Nah, I just can't stand hospitals, you know that Iruka," Naruto shrugged, fighting the urge to scream as pain shot like burning electricity to his arm, where that monster had stabbed him. Iruka's judgmental look fell to concern.
"I just don't understand why you would want to leave, you only woke up from your coma barely two days ago," Iruka came closer, carefully inspecting Naruto's condition. "And I don't understand why you wanted to get out so quickly, without telling anyone…especially Sasuke." Iruka looked in Naruto blue eyes, searching for a sign or anything that could serve as an answer for him.
Naruto forced a small smile but avoided eye contact with his adopted father.
"I can heal just as well here than I can there," Naruto said firmly, but refused to comment on the last words Iruka had said. The very mention of his name nearly ripped Naruto in two, but he quickly reminded himself of his vow.
Iruka gave up at last, turning to leave the bedroom.
"Hey, Iruka?" Naruto called after him. Iruka turned to meet Naruto's eyes. "Thanks…for letting me stay here." Iruka gave him a kind smile.
"What kind of father would I be if I didn't take care of my own son?" Iruka winked and turned to leave again. Naruto looked down at his soup, the words were like a warm soothing medicine for the heart.
"Oh, Iruka?" Naruto called again.
Iruka sighed and turned back to Naruto. Naruto smiled sheepishly and pointed to the remote.
"Could you get that for me?"
Xx
Iruka hummed to himself as he wiped off the counters, cleaning up after he had cooked Naruto another meal. He supposed being in a coma called for a heavy appetite. Unfortunately for Iruka and Naruto, Iruka didn't have much food to give his son.
Grimacing at the thought of having to take off work to take care of Naruto, Iruka quickly pushed the thoughts of money-or lack thereof, and focus his attention on Naruto.
Throwing a towel over his shoulder, Iruka made his way into the small living area, otherwise known as Iruka's current bedroom. Making his way to the couch, Iruka started cleaning off his tables before he turned and rolled his eyes.
Shikamaru had come by earlier that day to check on Naruto and had fallen asleep on his couch. Lazy bum.
Iruka went and picked up his own mess from eating, taking it into the kitchen to wash off, Iruka had just started the water when he was surprised by a knock on his apartment door.
Turning off the water, Iruka walked to the door, yanking it open to reveal Sasuke Uchiha, his hand posed to knock again.
Iruka could've sworn he caught a glimpse of a worried look on Sasuke's face, the millisecond before the emotionless mask took over the pale man's face once more. Iruka cleared his throat nervously, he knew what Sasuke was here for.
"H-hello, Sasuke," Iruka gave him his friendliest smile. "What brings you here?"
Sasuke gave him a look.
"I went by the hospital today," Sasuke said in a monotone voice. "I noticed Naruto wasn't in his room."
"O-oh, really?" Iruka smiled again, scratching the back of his neck in nervousness. It was obvious Sasuke knew Naruto was here, it would be pointless to lie to him.
"Do you know where he is, Iruka?"
"Well, you know, Naruto hates hospitals," Iruka shrugged. "He just wanted to be someplace…familiar, I think. He's asleep right now…"
Sasuke slowly nodded, glancing behind Iruka into the house to see if he saw Naruto. Iruka studied him carefully, And in one second, Iruka noticed how hurt Sasuke was. Sasuke turned away from him, and walked away from the apartment, back to the parking lot.
Giving a long sigh, Iruka closed the door behind him, securely locking it. Turning, Iruka almost yelped to see Shikamaru standing directly in front of him.
"Gah, Shikamaru, don't sneak up on me like that," Iruka said uncomfortably, unsure of what Shikamaru had heard of that conversation.
"Why'd you send Sasuke away?" Shikamaru asked suspiciously. Iruka shrugged.
"Naruto needs his rest," Iruka quickly made himself busy around the house. Shikamaru stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Didn't stop you from letting me in to see him," Shikamaru almost sounded like he was taunting Iruka. Sighing, Iruka threw the towel down and turned to face Shikamaru, a look of helplessness on his face.
"Naruto won't see him. I don't know why, and I don't understand, but I can't…I can't just let Sasuke in when he obviously doesn't want to see him. I…" Iruka trailed off, shaking his head he turned back to what he's doing.
Shikamaru thought for a moment, before turning towards the door.
"I should get going, Temari will be waiting for me," Shikamaru glanced back over his shoulder. "Iruka, you need to take a break sometime. You'll get yourself killed if you keep working as hard as you do, take a break."
Iruka said nothing as the door closed behind Shikamaru.
Xx
"Naruto! Your class begins in 20 minutes! And it takes 30 to get to the college!" Iruka's voice rang through small apartment.
Naruto sighed, dragging his feet as he swung his bag around his shoulder. Slowly opening the door, he walked into the living area where Iruka was tiredly eating some odd looking meal, he had just gotten off work.
"I don't wanna go," Naruto whined.
"Please, Naruto, you're 20 years old, stop acting like a three year old."
Naruto gave Iruka a look before finally forcing himself to go out the front door. It had been two weeks since Naruto had left the hospital, and he hadn't seen Sasuke once. He wasn't sure if Sasuke had attempted to see him of course, Iruka never mentioned it.
Naruto was dreading his return to school, to face everyone there…more than likely the persistent questions, and worst of all, the teme himself.
"I'll be back later on," Naruto mumbled grabbing Iruka's keys, he closed the door behind him. Naruto walked briskly in the cold November air, making his way through the small sheltered sidewalks that led to the parking lot of Iruka's apartment complex.
Finally arriving at Iruka's small car, Naruto shivered before quickly unlocking the door and sliding in. Cranking the car, he drove out of the parking lot and onto the road, speeding to make sure he got to class on time. The last thing he wanted was to walk in front of everybody.
Naruto dashed through the hallways, grimacing at the pain he got when he ran, he almost passed his door before he slid to a stop. Yanking it open he breathless stepped inside the room, feeling the rush of air as the door swung open.
"After the Romans quickly established…" the professor turned trailing off as she noticed Naruto.
Shit.
Naruto slowly made his way around the corner, his worst fears realized as he faced a class of at least fifty people staring at him as he made his way slowly up the aisle of students.
Unknowingly griping his cut up arm, Naruto kept his head down, unable to bear the looks on the other students faces.
Making his way to the back of the room Naruto slid quietly into his seat as the professor continued her lecture on Ancient Roman history. Naruto carefully lifted his eyes and scanned the room.
Letting a low but long breath out Naruto was relieved to find that Sasuke was not in the class. Lazily looking around the room, Naruto found he could barely concentrate on what the professor was teaching, it almost sounded like a far away voice that he could barely make out as his thoughts drifted.
Rubbing his arm, Naruto carefully lifted his sleeve, exposing one of the stab scars from the attack. Naruto ran his fingers along the upraised skin gingerly tracing it over and over again as flashes from that night threatened to make their way into Naruto's mind.
Naruto's eyes caught on to the faded marks on the same arm from his cutting. Naruto's eyes darkened as he remembered his apartment and the mirror underneath his couch. He supposed no matter how hard he tried to forget that life and those moments he just couldn't, they were as permanent as the scars on his arm.
The loud sound of a chair hitting the floor, caused Naruto to jolt out of his own mind and look around, feeling as if he had been asleep he noticed that everyone was quickly filing out of the classroom, the buzz of conversation rising into the air. Moving to get up as well, Naruto noticed the pieces of paper lying on his desk.
When did that get there…
Picking it up he studied it, it was the assignment for next week. Naruto glanced at the teacher, had she put them there?
With a painful sharp feeling in his gut, Naruto realized he had his sleeve up exposing his scars. Had his teacher…?
Naruto swung the bag around his shoulder and made his way quickly towards the exit, desperately hoping not to catch the teachers attention.
Almost there…almost there-
"Uzumaki! Would you wait there please?" The new professor's voice was stern but had a hint of kindness in it. Or was it pity? Naruto bit his lip and turned, head down towards the professor.
"Yes, Professor?" Naruto asked meekly.
"Well I noticed today you were a bit…distracted," the woman moved around her desk and pulled up another piece of paper. "So I wrote down the page numbers that we were concentrating on, it should help you with this weeks assignment." Handing over the paper, Naruto glanced up at her.
She seemed nice enough, a nice face smiling eyes, and dark pulled back hair. But why did she…as Naruto wasn't usually known for keeping silent-
"Why did you do this?" Naruto asked her curiously.
The woman stared at him for a moment before walking back around her desk to stand behind her chair.
"Well, I know the first day returning to class is hard, and I know you've been out for a couple of weeks…I'm new here, and I just wanted to make sure everyone gets off to a good start." She flashed a friendly smile.
"Ok…look I'm sorry I wasn't…really paying attention, I guess my mind just…wasn't very focused today." The woman nodded a look of pity flashed across her face.
"Well that's fine, I know you'll have your rough days but just keep going and you will get you through it-"
"Excuse me, rough days…? Get through what?" Naruto watched her carefully.
Obviously and suddenly uncomfortable the woman cleared her throat, and moved a stray hair out of her face.
"Well, Naruto, I'm sure what you went through was very traumatic-"
"What I went through?"
"W-well yes, I know what happened to you, and I think you're very brave not very many people-"
"Wait…you know?" Naruto felt a blaze of emotion, of which he wasn't sure. It seemed to be a mix of surprising horror, humiliation, and disgust.
"Well yes, Naruto, I think most people do-"
"Wait you mean everybody knows?" Naruto felt the breath rush from his body like a mountain just crushed his lungs. The woman opened her mouth to respond but Naruto had already turned and nearly stumbled out of the classroom.
Walking quickly down the hallway, Naruto found he was unable to look at any of their faces. They all were whispering, pointing…how did it get out? Who told them? Naruto bit his lip, he felt like he was some sort of a show, a spectacle, like the animals in the zoo everyone stares at feels sorry for.
Angrily Naruto raised his head slightly, refusing to let them to get them.
That quickly changed when Naruto's bright blue eyes caught on to the back of a raven headed boy only a few feet ahead of him.
Letting out a yelp of surprise, Naruto dropped on all fours, quickly hiding the mass of walking students. Naruto watched as Sasuke turned, looking for the source of the sound. Naruto squeezed his eyes shut praying that Sasuke wouldn't come his way.
Just before Sasuke took his first step in Naruto's direction, Naruto could hear Sakura's voice calling his name. Sasuke turned to face the pink haired girl and Naruto took his chance. Turning he scrambled along the cool floor on his hands and knees.
Reaching a dark classroom, Naruto quickly slid towards it, desperately pulling on the door handle, Naruto was able to crack the door open and slide inside in the darkness. Quickly flattening himself against the wall, Naruto's breathing came hard.
Naruto could hear Sakura's annoyingly cheery voice getting louder as she got closer, Naruto held his breathe and looked through the crack of the door right as Sakura and Sasuke's forms passed by in the hallway.
Waiting a couple of seconds, Naruto sighed deeply before carefully slipping out of the classroom. To come face to face with Shikamaru.
"Ahh!" Naruto grabbed his chest looking angrily back up at Shika. "Don't DO that!"
"Sorry, I guess it isn't the smartest thing to give you any more health problems," Shikamaru smirked back at him. Naruto rolled his eyes, turning to start down the hallway towards his next class.
"So…" Shikamaru suppressed a yawn, "is there a reason you were hiding in a dark classroom? Or should I even ask."
Naruto sighed, falling back to walk side by side with Shikamaru. Glancing around to see who was around he looked down at his feet.
"Shika…everyone knows," Naruto nearly whispered. Shikamaru raised his eyebrows.
"Did you really think that a college student from this particular college being attacked in a public park and put into a coma for six weeks didn't hit the news? Come on, Naruto."
"It's humiliating! They're either whispering about me, or looking at me with these…little pity faces. I can't stand it," Naruto looked up at Shikamaru. "I don't know how to deal with it."
Shikamaru nodded slowly and gave Naruto a little smile.
"I think only you can find out how to do that. Just give it some time." The two friends continued walking in silence turning into another hallway, before Shikamaru spoke up again. "So, that's why you were in the classroom? It had nothing to do with the fact that Sasuke was walking by at the exact same time you literally crawled into it?"
Naruto shot Shikamaru a look.
"You were spying on me!" Naruto shouted loudly, pointing a finger in Shikamaru's face. Shikamaru pushed the hand away.
"No, I had just came out of class, and I happened to observe you. Naruto, why are you avoiding Sasuke? You wouldn't let him see you while you were recovering, now you're literally running and hiding from him."
Naruto looked down again, a deep depression settling in on him.
"Because…Sasuke is…well, Sasuke. He's rich, he's smart…and he doesn't need to bother with me. You know…how much he did for me. Shikamaru, I'm a waste of time, I'm worth nothing compared to him, and I need him to…I need to protect him from me."
Shikamaru stopped in his tracks, staring at Naruto, unable to believe what he had just heard.
"Naruto, you don't really believe that do you?" Shikamaru nearly hissed grabbing Naruto's arm, but the blonde refused to make eye contact with him. "Naruto that's bullshit."
The blue eyed boy pulled away from Shikamaru, how could he understand anyways?
"I have to get to class," Naruto offered before quickly retreating into a classroom.
Xx
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful for Naruto, he avoided all of his friends, including Shikamaru, he tried to slip by into the crowd, minimize the looks he got from people who had heard about what happened to him, he stayed away from most everybody.
Making sure not to bump into anyone he knew, Naruto took long routes to get to classes, and lunch. Pretty much, Naruto tried to be invisible, as if he didn't even go to the school.
How I've changed, Naruto mused, vaguely remembering how he used to thrive on the school, the people, his friends…now all he wanted was to keep everyone as far as possible from him…for their own good of course.
Finally, it was the end of the school day, Naruto made his way towards the exit, he made sure he chose the back exit, the service entrance that staff went through, and deliveries went through. There was still pretty big school traffic of people laughing and talking, so Naruto lowered his head into his books.
Which is why he didn't notice anyone in front of him until he collided with them head on.
Naruto cursed as he fell backwards, landing on his butt, and dropping all his books. Scrambling up, Naruto rushed to gather all his stuff, muttering an apology to whoever he had slammed into.
Grabbing all his books in one arm, Naruto grimaced as he struggled to get up.
Turning, Naruto noticed a hand extended to help him up. Taking it, Naruto grunted as he finally stood up straight.
All the blood drained from his face as he faced the man he had run into, none other than Sasuke Uchiha.
The raven was staring him down, not in an unkind way, more of a curious fashion. He seemed to be scanning Naruto for any injuries, or something out of place. Naruto shifted uncomfortably, glancing into those glimmering obsidian eyes once before he was forced to look away.
"Sorry for running into you, Sasuke," Naruto managed to mutter it, in a low voice. "I should…I should probably go now," Naruto made a move to go around Sasuke to the exit, so temptingly close.
Sasuke moved slightly to block Naruto's movements. A pale hand reached out and carefully brushed against Naruto's face. Naruto looked up in surprise. Sasuke quickly withdrew his hand, but his emotionless expression never changed.
"You look better," Sasuke finally broke the uncomfortable silence. Naruto said nothing. "How are you feeling? Are you sure you should be back so soon?" Naruto shifted.
"You shouldn't be worrying about me," Naruto muttered.
"What am I supposed to do, since you've been ignoring me?"
Naruto looked up quickly, studying Sasuke's face, but it didn't change. Naruto's resolve steeled itself.
"I've got to go," Naruto moved to get past the Uchiha, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Naruto, what's wrong?" Sasuke said quietly, aware that people were starting to notice them. Naruto looked up in his face.
Suddenly he wanted to spill everything, throw the books down and cry into Sasuke's shoulder, relax into his friend, tell him that he couldn't sleep at night, he had worse nightmares than before. Tell him he flinched every time anyone-anyone touched him. Tell him that every shadow looked like that man, tell him…
"I need to go." Naruto shouldered past Sasuke finally breaking through and getting to the exit, Naruto forced himself not to look back.
Ahhh NO NARUTO! LOVE HIM!
Yeah I kinda screamed that as I wrote it.
Anyways here is a real Author Note:
Here's a little information, as most people know its two days til Christmas Day, I'm not sure how much writing I'll get done, but I really really want to upload another chapter in the next couple of days, if I do it will probably be shorter than normal, but at least its a chapter!
So I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter...
Let me know! (:
BOOM goes the dynamite.
Yes you just read that right.
Oh Snap.