Why Orange?

Hi ya'll. Okay here I am. Say hello Itachi and quit sulking.

Itachi:Bite me.

T.W.:Where?

Itachi:(sends death glare)Go to hell.

T.W.:They're scared of me and your death glares don't work on me anymore. Where's Sai?

Itachi:In hiding.

T.W.:Uh why?

Itachi:He said something about not wanting to have sex as long as felt I had to prove something.

T.W.:Ah, got it. You tried to prove your Seme-ness a little too enthusiastically.

Itachi:Hn.(broods)

T.W.:Well while he's brooding I'm get this thing started.

'thoughts'
Kyuubi speech

Chapter 25 Awake
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Naruto was twitching with impatience when Sasuke came in followed by Tsunade.

"Hey Baa-chan."

She jerked at the sight of Naruto awake and grinning instead of unconscious and unresponsive. She went over to him and caught him in a fierce hug.

"Ack Baa-chan can't breathe."

She released him, "Sorry, I'm just happy to see you awake."

"It's okay. Sooo when can I go home?"

"I have to examine you to determine that."

"Well hurry up!"

The corner of her mouth twitched a bit before she forced the fledgling smile into a scowl, "Keep it down brat. You aren't the only one in the hospital."

Naruto sobered, "How did he battle go?"

Tsunade began her examination as she answered, "Although there were a few major injuries, none of our ninja died. Your injuries were the worst of them all," she finished the examination and looked him in the eyes, "I thought you wouldn't pull through this time. You scared me brat."

"Baa-ch-"

He was interrupted by Sakura bursting into the room. She rushed to Naruto and pulled him into a joint popping hug, "You're awake!," she pulled back and whacked him on the head, "Don't ever do that again!"

"Itai! Sakura-chan not so hard."

Naruto's whining tone made Tsunade, Sakura, and Sasuke smile.

"Ne Baa-chan when can I go home?"

"In a week."

"A week! But Baa-chaaan."

"A week, that's non-negotiable."

Naruto pouted as Tsunade left the room.

"Dobe quit pouting, anyone else would have to stay at least three months and that's if they survived."

Naruto looked at Sasuke, regestering the tension in his voice which was matched by the tension on his face. Because Sakura was still in the room and they weren't alone, Naruto decided to start an arguement to comfort Sasuke.

"Well I'm not anyone else teme. I shouldn't have to stay here any longer since Kyu heals me so fast."

Sakura decided to ease out of the room before she was caught in the crossfire that was certain to be coming.

Instead of snapping back at naruto, Sasuke caged him between his arms and leaned down so that there was barely a millimeter of space between their noses. Black eyes collided with blue and Sasuke spoke in a low, serious tone, "Your heart stopped. I felt it slow down and stop. I saw the snake's fangs pierce through your body and pried you out of it's mouth. I felt you die. I don't care how fast Kyuubi heals you, after seeing you die, feeling you die, if Tsunade says you need to stay in the hospital for a week then you're staying for a fucking week!"

Naruto watched the emotions flickering in the black eyes, the memory of fear, grief, devastation, and loss. He sighed and bumped his nose against Sasuke's, "I'm sorry, I didn't really mean it. I was just...I was trying to make you feel better by starting an arguement. It was a stupid idea."

Sasuke blinked and dropped his head onto Naruto's shoulder. His own shoulders began to shake.

"Teme?"

"Only you could come up with an idea like that usuratonkachi."

The shaking increased and Naruto heard Sasuke start snickering. The snicker soon turned into a full blown laugh that was filled with relief and happiness. Sasuke nuzzled the side of Naruto's neck, "That's just so uniquely you Naruto."

Naruto raised a hand to the Uchiha's hair, running his fingers through the silky black strands. Sasuke shifted so that he was sitting on the bed, arm wrapped around his usuratonkachi. After a few moments, Naruto heard Sasuke's breathing even off into sleep. He felt guilty as he took in the dark circles under Sasuke's eyes. 'He hasn't been sleeping.'

He was worried about you kit. You were out for a while.

"I know. How're you feeling Kyu?'

Tired.It's exausting bringing you back to life.

'You gonna hibernate for a while?'

As long as you're in the hospital yeah, so don't bug me brat.

'Yeah yeah, go to sleep you giant fuzzball.'

Hmph brat. Zzzzzz.

Naruto smiled at Kyuubi's typical response then he sobered and watched Sasuke's face as the avenger slept. 'I'm gonna have to find some way to make the last few weeks up to him.'

As Naruto was ploting, Iruka burst frantically into the room followed by a much more composed Kakashi. Naruto put a finger to his lips, signaling them to keep it down. Iruka went over to Naruto and placed a shaking hand on the blond's shoulder.

"Naruto."

Naruto looked into the face of his beloved sensei, remembering what was revealed in the midst of the battle, "Hey ANBU-sensei."

Iruka blinked at Naruto's cheeky tone then frowned.

"Iruka-sensei? What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry."

"Huh? What for?"

Iruka looked away, "If I had maintained the barrier you wouldn't have been hurt. I failed you, I'm sorry."

Naruto stared at Iruka in shock then, he put a hand on Iruka's and squeezed, bringing the scarred man's gaze back to him.

"The kunai that Orochimaru threw at the barrier was designed to bring it down and if there was one thing that miserable vomitous disgusting mass of snake was godd at it was barriers. You didn't fail me in any way and my injuries weren't your fault so don't take the blame for them or I'll...I'll set off smoke bombs in your classroom and steal everyone's pants!"

Iruka smiled at the blond, "Alright Naruto. Is there anything you want from home?"

"Nah but if you could bring me some ramen that would be great."

Iruka chuckled as he left the room, "Miso right?"

"Um-hmm. Thanks Iruka-sensei."

Naruto looked at Kakashi who'd stayed behind, "I want you to tell me what's been going on since I know you won't sugar coat anything."

Kakashi closed the ever present Icha Icha book and looked at his former student.

"Sasuke stayed by your side the entire time 24/7 and even stopped eating for a short time until Tsunade threatened him with sedation," Naruto winced but motioned for Kakashi to continue, "Iruka's been sleeping badly and blaming himself, although I think you just put an end to that, everyone from the chunin exams has visited you every day, Sakura has been coming everyday to talk to you and mother-hen Sasuke, both Tsunade and Jiraya's drinking went up, I didn't think that was possible, Shizune's been distracted, dropping things all over the place, and Sai hasn't painted anything since the battle. Konoha itself sustained minor damage, the worst was the area around the Academy but everything has been almost completely rebuilt and all the injured have recovered. Now that you're awake things can get back to normal."

"Huh?"

Kakashi chuckled at Naruto's obliviousness of his importance to Konoha.

"Nevermind."

Naruto glared at the jonin but decided to study the room rather than press for answers. For the first time he noticed the jungle of flowers that filled the room.

"Whoa, where'd all the flowers come from?"

"The one's around your bed came from your friends but the majority came from the villagers."

Naruto whipped his head around to stare at Kakashi, "But why would they send me flowers?"

Before Kakashi could answer, Iruka came back carrying five steaming bowls of Ichiraku ramen. He set two aside for himself and Kakashi then set up three bowls for Naruto and helped the blond eat since Sasuke was still sleeping on him.
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Sasuke woke up to see vibrant blue eyes watching him. 'I fell asleep?' Naruto grinned at the brunette's bemused expression.

"Afternoon Sleeping Teme."

Sasuke scowled at the teasing remark, "How long was I asleep?"

"Mmm five hours but don't worry only Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei saw your hideous true form."

Sasuke rolled his eyes at the laughter in Naruto's voice, "Very funny dobe."

He slid off the bed and moved to sit in the chair beside it, "Did you eat anything?"

"Yeah, Iruka-sensei got me some ramen."

Sasuke frowned, "I forgot you asked me to bring you some ramen."

"S'okay you were exausted," the grin faded from Naruto's face, "You shouldn't have stayed here all that time. You might have gotten sick from sleep deprivation."

"You learned a new word usuratonkachi, I'm impressed."

Naruto let the mild insult slide, "I'm serious. You should have at least gone home to get some decent sleep. I'm not complaining about you caring so much, that you do makes me happy, but I'd rather you take care of yourself. I don't want you making yourself sick over me."

Sasuke squirmed a bit then muttered, "I can't sleep if you're not there."

"Wha?"

"When you're not near me and I fall asleep...I have nightmares. Of the clan massacre and," his gaze slid away, "other things, but when you're there I don't have them."

Naruto didn't know what to say but he got out of the bed, plopped down in Sasuke's lap, wrapped his arms around the brunette's neck, and kissed him. Sasuke tunneled his fingers through Naruto's hair and licked his bottom lip, requesting entrance. Naruto happily obliged and Sasuke gently explored his usuratonkachi's mouth, savoring the taste that he almost lost forever.

A round of applause and a wolf-whistle came from the direction of the door, interrupting the kiss. They looked toward the doorway to see the Rookie 9, Team Guy, Sai, Yamato, Genma, Anko, Raido, Ibiki, Shizune, Tsunade, and Jiraya all congregated just inside the room. Naruto blushed while Sasuke merely raised an eyebrow at the interruption.

Tsunade ushered everyone out saying, "As you can obviously see, Naruto's fine," she glanced over her shoulder at Sasuke meaningfully, "He just needs to avoid strenuous activities for a week."

Both Sasuke and Naruto translated that as 'No sex until he's released from the hospital' and let out a simultaneous, "Damn."
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Well hoe was it?(gets out shield in anticipation of flames)

SaiWhere on earth did you get that?

T.W.:Hey you're back!Oh you might want to step to the left and fast.

Sai:Why would I want to-oof!(looks up at Itachi who just tackled him)

T.W.:That's why(gets out camera in anticipation)He's been brooding and ploting what to do to you for the whole chapter, except for when he went out to get some(cough)toys from Adults'R'Us.

Itachi:Thanks for the loan by the way T.W.(gets down to the business of tying Sai up and molesting him)

T.W.:Believe me you don't have to thank me for that.Ooooo(grins and takes a picture)Now that's what I call a Kodak moment. Please review. Ja ne!