He Walked Away

Things change
...Things change, hopefully for the better
....But things will change no matter how much you fight it.
...Things change, inevitably they change and you can never go back.
...THINGS DO CHANGE...

(Ahem I don't own Naruto.}

He Walked Away...

{Naruto's POV}

Sasuke was acting like the same old bastard, "Don't be such a teme. Teme!"

'Ouch! My head feels like it's going to split! No what's wrong I feel weird...'...all went black...

{Sasuke's POV}

In the stillness of the evening I passed the all to familiar hospital corridors. The old bat was looking him over I was waiting though my patience was thread bare.

"Sasukeeee!" Some fangirl screeched at me she was wearing what looked to be a nurse’s uniform. Though the skirt barely covered her underwear and the top was cut almost to the naval. I glared at her.

"WHAT?" I'd never had patience with these women. I wasn't about to start showing these mentally deranged psychos any sort of compassion, now of all times.

"I-I-I thought you might be sick..." She gave a weak smile through bright red lipstick. There was a bit on her teeth. Like I said...deranged psycho.

"Listen lady, I have a sick friend being treated. I think you need to take that uniform back to the costume store you bought it from and ask for a refund; because it isn't doing you any favors."

"...But, I wanted-"

"I don't care what you want. This is a hospital not a strip club. I suggest you go now before you embarrass yourself further." The girl actually had the gall to cry, "Damn-it! Go!" She finally ran off the skirt was riding up to reveal her underwear. Disgusting, I know.

I went back to pacing waiting for a real nurse or even Lady Tsunade to let me know how my dobe was. Sakura came around to check up on me. I guess she got over me because she was barely civil toward me until recently. She blamed me for Naruto's deterioration, I can't blame her for feeling that way I felt that way too. Still do if I'm being honest. Sakura could not stay long but I think she helped pass some of the time, and she makes a great buffer for clingy fan girls; Heh, she used to be the clingiest of them all. I guess she feels more like a sisterly nuisance then a psychotic hormonal lovelorn teenager nuisance.Finally, after a few hours of pacing, sitting in uncomfortable chairs and being harassed by rabbid woman, Tsunade came and got me.

{Normal POV}

"It's a good thing you brought him here when you did. He had major hemorrhaging in his brain. We are controlling the swelling, and the Kyuubi's healing powers are helping but even it's demonic powers can not regrow Braincells. Let's just hope his brain wasn't too badly damaged, he's stable but not awake." Sasuke looked with worry at the new Hokage. Even knowing Naruto was under care of the most powerful and skilled medic ninja in the world did not help ease his nerves.

"Can I see him?" Sasuke lost all pride in that moment. He looked to the old woman like a lost child.

"He's quite altered looking, are you sure you can handle it. There will be no tantrums, no touching of the patient, and you can only be with him for a few minutes. I want to keep risk of infection down to a minimum," She looked sternly at the raven haired teen. Sasuke never looked meeker. He nodded, "Go on then first door on the right in intensive care. And You have fifteen minutes. If he wakes up call a nurse or come get me." Again the boy nodded in understanding.

Sasuke was allowed into the intensive care unit he closed the door to Naruto's room gently and turned to see the boy laying helplessly in a hospital bed, they had shaved part of his head and there was surgical cotton and gauze covering the place they had to drill into. Naruto looked to be sleeping. He looked more relaxed then Sasuke would have expected. It was hard not to touch his delicate face.

"You scared me Dobe," Sasuke whispered, "I thought I lost you again. I never got to tell you this, but I love you. Not like a brother either. I'm in love with you Naruto, you stupid, stupid, baka." Sasuke looked like he was feeling ill. He just stood there wanting to touch his most precious loved one and knowing to do so would put him at risk. Kyuubi was doing it's best to help heal. It seemed like Naruto and she had a truce.

{Inside Naruto's Head}

Naruto paced the dank sewer prison that belonged to the Nintails Fox, "How much longer?"

"Damn brat! You almost died, be happy you didn't. Your friend is right you are a BAKA!" Kyuu spat at him.

"Friend? What friend are you talking about?" Naruto jumped up and down in excitement.

"That Uchiha boy whom you neary killed," She replied.

"Hey that was your fault," Naruto grabbed the bars looking in at the red eyes that were studying him intently.

"Not the way I see it. If you had maintained control of the situation he would not have been injured at all. I am just thankful that you helped me. I had one huge screw loose," The huge fox pranced up to the cage Naruto was currently gripping the bars. She licked his hand playfully, "OK I think it is safe now for you to wake up, but your going to have a huge headache when the pain killers wear off."

"I don't care long as I can see Sasuke-teme!" Naruto smiled and offered his hand to scratch the great snout of his new found ally, "Oh, and Kyuu, Thank-you for everything. I think you have helped me in so many ways I lost count."

"Whatever brat," the fox turned swishing the bars of her cage. Nine small brass locks jangled as her tails caused them to swing. They were small and light, now, but oh so much stronger then the ones he had in place before. Each one represented the new found bound he had formed with his prisoner. Their music was the last thing he heard.

{Normal POV ...No longer inside Naruto's head}

Naruto cracked open his eyes. The roomwas painfully bright. He saw someone from behind as they were leaving, "Tem...me." He croaked. Sasuke stopped in his tracks. He didn't move for what seemed like an eternity.

"Don't...leave...me...a...gain," Naruto's voice was raspy.
Sasuke didn't turn around, "Dobe...You freaking scared me." Still did not turn around.

"Turn around...please," Sasuke obeyed. Naruto almost gasped when he saw the great Uchiha Sasuke was crying.

"Damn-it Dobe, I thought I lost you. I don't ever want to lose you again," He wiped his tears on his sleeve making him look much younger then he really was, "I love you Naruto."

The blond boy gasped. His mouth moved but no sound came out. He seemed to be thinking, "What do you mean, you love me?" he looked confused and tired.

"I mean I love you Dobe. I've always loved you. I'm in love with you," Sasuke took a step forward. Naruto gulped. He wished he could back away but he was pretty helpless.

"Usuratonkachi, I'm not gonna do anything to you," Sasuke rolled his eyes smirking, "You're in a freaking hospital bed. Oh that reminds me the old woman wanted to know if you woke up."

"What did you call me, brat?" Sasuke turned to see a irate Tsunade standing in the door way, "As much as I enjoyed watching you confess and frighten my patient I must insist you leave so I can examine him. If he's up to it I'll be moving him to a normal room. Then you can visit him, but keep the touching to a minimum, and no funny stuff." Tsunade pushed the boy out and Sasuke left feeling much better. He didn't show it but those who truly knew the young man saw how happy he was.

The End!

~*~*~*~Announcement~*~*~*~

Next I will be posting the squeal! Rehabbing the dobe…still in progress.