The Running Free

Chapter 25
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Sasuke knew before he went into surgery that he would be in pain once he woke up… if he woke up. But what he really experienced was nothing short of excruciating. He couldn’t help but let a tiny whimper of pain escape his dry throat as he slowly came to. He instantly felt hands on him and that was not what he wanted. He didn’t want anyone touching him; he just wanted the pain to go away. Where were Naruto and Itachi? They said they’d be there when he woke up… The young raven felt a sting in his side and guessed someone had inserted some kind of needle and almost instantly the pain was reduced to a slightly more manageable level.

He could hear voices talking over him but couldn’t understand a word since he was still a bit out of it due to the anesthesia. Sasuke hated feeling like this; helpless and alone. He really needed his lovers… he could feel the tears escaping his eyes as the dull throb in his stomach increased just a bit as he was transferred from one surface to another. Apparently he was being transported. Maybe Naruto and Itachi were where he was going; he hoped they were.

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Naruto looked up from Itachi’s shoulder as Sasuke was wheeled in on a gurney. Just like when he had been wheeled out. It was so much more comforting this time seeing that Sasuke was still alive. He watched as the orderlies transferred Sasuke from the gurney to the comfortable recovery bed and could hear a faint whimper of pain from Sasuke. The blond got up from Itachi’s lap and made his way over to his lover and took his hand softly in his. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Sasuke’s cheek, being mindful of the wires that seemed to almost overtake the space around Sasuke. “It’s ok baby. I’m right here.” Naruto said softly as he tried to kiss the pained features on his lover’s face away.

Itachi stood up to talk to one of the orderlies; asking them when he would be able to talk to the doctor and what not. Once that was taken care of and the nurses left, Itachi made his way to Sasuke’s other side and gently ran his fingers through the dark spikes of his brother’s hair. He noticed that Sasuke had yet to open his eyes, but he knew that his brother was awake, judging by the small whimpers of pain he could hear every few seconds. “Sasuke, did they give you anything for pain?” he asked gently.

Sasuke didn’t even want to move let alone talk. But it was his brother and he did deserve some kind of response. So he just nodded faintly. He didn’t have enough strength to explain the needle in his side and that it was most likely some form of pain meds. He tried to open his eyes but all he could manage was a small crack which ended up being way too bright for him so he decided to close them again. He squeezed down on Naruto’s hand when a shot of pain raced through his stomach and another whimper escaped him. He really needed to find a new sound for those; he sounded so pathetic.

Naruto wanted nothing more than to gather his baby up in his arms and hold him until the pain went away. But sadly, he would probably make the pain worse by cuddling with his Sasuke. He looked over at Itachi with a worried expression and saw the older raven turn something that was attached to Sasuke’s hand. “What are you doing?” he asked with a curious expression.

Itachi put Sasuke’s hand back down and then sat in the chair that was directly behind him. “I just turned up his morphine flow. He can’t do it himself and he’s obviously in pain…” he trailed off as he looked down at his brother. “You should be feeling less pain in a minute.” He said to Sasuke as he stroked his hair once more.

Naruto didn’t bother asking how the morphine worked. He knew what the drug was and was glad that Sasuke was at least getting some strong stuff.

At that moment, Sasuke’s surgeon stepped into the room with a chart in one hand and an IV in the other. She made her way over to the bed and watched as the blond boy hurried off to the other side to give her some room. “Has he woken up?” she asked kindly as she gently peeled the tape off of Sasuke’s arm that held the current IV needle in place.

Itachi nodded. “Yeah, but I think it’s too bright for him to open his eyes. Either that, or he’s too tired.”

The surgeon nodded as she gently retracted the needle from Sasuke’s arm and replaced it with the new one. “I’m just giving him a new IV that has some needed vitamins. His new diet is going to have to change drastically where vitamins are concerned. It’s easy to get a deficiency after a total or partial gastrectomy. I’ll suggest a few nutritionists for him to see once he wakes up a bit more. In the meantime; I’ll leave you two to take care of him and I’ll be back tomorrow to see how he’s doing.” With that, she shook first Itachi’s hand and then Naruto’s before she made her way out the door.

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Sasuke woke up a second time and thankfully it was blissfully dark. He figured it was either night, or Itachi had pulled the curtains closed. Whichever it was, he was grateful, but the pain was something to be reckoned with. He knew he had been given morphine, so having pain even with that said something about how he would have felt if he didn’t have the meds. He opened his eyes a bit more and immediately felt nauseous. He guessed it was either from the anesthesia or the morphine, but he needed something, and quick. He didn’t want to puke all over himself. Luckily he had made a noise or something because he felt a hand gently lift him up a little and some kind of container settled under his chin. He really hoped it was a trashcan or something along those lines because he lost whatever liquid he had had in his stomach at that moment, which really wasn’t anything since he hadn’t eaten or drank anything in the past two days. The young raven felt the arm slowly lay him back down on the bed and he immediately missed the warmth. He still couldn’t tell who it was that was next to him since he couldn’t see all too well. For one, it was dark, and two, he was still a bit disoriented. But he did feel better when he felt the hand return to stroke his hair.

Naruto had woken up to the sound of Sasuke’s groans of pain and wanted nothing more than to hold his lover and promise him that everything was alright. He couldn’t do that though; Sasuke was in too much of a fragile state to hold him at the moment and from the sound of it, his love sounded like he was about to be sick. Full realization of his last thought hit him in full and he hurried over to the bedside and picked up the bed pan that was under the bed. He gently lifted Sasuke up a bit to make it easier on his lover and waited patiently until Sasuke was finished to lay him back down again. He wished Itachi would hurry up and come back soon. It wasn’t like he didn’t want to be alone with Sasuke, but he feared he wouldn’t be able to take care of his weak lover. Itachi was always the one to take care of both of them if they were sick, or if they needed comfort. He ran his fingers through Sasuke’s hair and felt the boy relax under his touch. Maybe that’s all he needed, just a bit of comfort.

Naruto pulled up a chair and sat down beside Sasuke’s bed, still stroking the soft hair. He grasped Sasuke’s hand with his other free hand and leaned down to press a kiss to the brunette’s forehead. “Hey baby, it’s me. Are you awake still?” He wasn’t sure if Sasuke had fallen asleep again; he knew morphine was a pretty powerful drug that could knock you out pretty quickly.

Sasuke heard the sweet voice of Naruto and gave an involuntary sigh. He nodded weakly in answer to the blonde’s question and tried to open his eyes again, but he was too tired. “I’m awake.” He said in what he hoped was an audible voice.

Naruto rested his head on the bed next to Sasuke’s as he spoke. “I’m so relieved that you’re alright.” he said in a whisper. “Both of us were really worried when they had you in there longer than they said.” The blond remembered that moment well. It had been almost five hours and neither a doctor nor Sasuke emerged from the doors. It was the most painful waiting period of his life and he almost fainted in relief once a doctor came out about an hour later saying that Sasuke was fine.

Sasuke had no idea that he was in there longer than they had anticipated. Did something almost go wrong? He doubted it; they probably just misjudged the amount of time the surgery would take. These were the best surgeons after all. “Don’t worry baby; I’m ok.” he said as he tried his best to rub the back of Naruto’s hand with his thumb. “What about you? You should be resting.” he said worriedly, remembering Naruto’s pregnant state.

Naruto just smiled and placed a hand on his ever growing stomach. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Too bad you won’t be able to go with me tomorrow.” he said with a sad expression. Tomorrow was the end of his first trimester and his third visit with Dr. Tsunade. He didn’t blame Sasuke for not going… he was in a hospital bed and couldn’t even move. But it would have been nice for him to be there all the same.

“I’m so sorry baby. Once I get out of here I’ll go to every one of your appointments.” Sasuke said as he brought Naruto’s hand up to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to the soft skin of the blonde’s palm. Just that little bit of work made him tired as all hell. “Where’s Itachi?” he asked, finally realizing that his brother had not said a word since he woke up and figured he wasn’t there.

“He went to get some coffee and to get me something to eat. He should be back any minute. Do you think you could stay awake until he gets back?”

“I don’t think so. I’m just too tired.” Sasuke breathed out in a kind of slurred voice as he felt his eyes close. “I love you Naruto… tell Itachi that too, and that him I’m ok.” he added before he drifted off to sleep once more.

Naruto kissed Sasuke’s lips gently and rested his head once more next to his lover’s. He was glad that Sasuke was getting his rest, but he still felt awful that the young raven had to go through all of this. He didn’t stir as he heard the door open and knew that it was Itachi. He felt a hand rub his back gently and he let a comforted breath escape him. “He woke up a few minutes ago.” he informed the older raven as he sat up once more to look at his older lover.

Itachi pulled the blond up and out of the chair and sat him down again in his lap as he seated himself in the chair next to Sasuke’s bed. “Did he say anything?”

“He got sick first. But he said he was alright and that he loves you. Sorry you went all the way to find food, I’m not very hungry anymore.” Naruto leaned against Itachi’s chest and rested his head on the older man’s shoulder, reveling in the comfort the man exuberated.

Itachi nodded in understanding. “You can eat when you feel hungry. But I want you to eat soon; you need to keep yourself healthy.” He knew he didn’t have to explain any further than that. Naruto knew what he was doing. He also knew that Naruto understood the implications of being pregnant and the need to keep your body in the best physical condition.

Naruto nodded in thanks and just let himself feel the strength coming from Itachi. God knew he needed it right about then. “I’m so tired.” he said quietly.

“I know. Go to sleep. I’ll look after Sasuke for now.” Itachi grabbed Sasuke’s hand, which Naruto had recently let go of and brought it up to his lips to give the soft skin a kiss; just as Sasuke had done with Naruto. He hoped that Sasuke would sleep until morning at least. But with the pain his little brother was obviously suffering, he highly doubted the boy would get at least three hours at a time.

They were all in for a long night.

TBC
Emotional chapter is emotional yes? Yes! But it must be done! Please review! Sorry I’ve been MIA as of late. But I was in San Francisco for about a week and then when I got home… I got sick… yeah… So anyway... Please comment!