Mind games

Because

Naruto's eyelids drooped. His head began to slip from his hand. He just wanted to sleep. Just for a few minutes. Maybe an hour. Nothing much...

But as his head fell from his hand, he caught himself. He rubbed his eyes and stretched his muscles, determined to stay awake. He'd never forgive himself if that moment came where Sasuke finally woke up and he wasn't awake for it. No, he'd be damned if he wasn't the first to see those onyx eyes open.

He could catch up on sleep later.

He looked down to his sleeping comrade. Sasuke looked pitiful. His pride didn't shine through in his unconscious form. Despite the various wounds and bandages covering his body, Naruto couldn't help but smile a little. Sasuke had never looked more innocent.

For now, he didn't look like a teenager with a tragic past. He didn't look like he was on the path of revenge and determined to give up everything he had- including his best friend- to achieve that revenge.

No, for now he looked like Sasuke. He looked innocent and unscathed, emotionally speaking. He looked the way Naruto always felt he deserved to feel. He swore that he'd kill Itachi if he ever came in contact with him, despite the fact that Sasuke would consequently murder him for it.

Naruto knew pain because he was a freak. After years of being shunned, he'd convinced himself that he deserved it. He was a monster. But what was Sasuke? He was a normal boy. He didn't deserve to have this pain in his life. There was no reason for it.

Naruto's eyes softened as he placed a hand on top of Sasuke's. He'd been out for three days now. It'd been three days since Naruto last slept. And if it was another week before Sasuke woke up, it'd be another week before Naruto went to sleep.

It was his fault that his friend was in this position. It was because Sasuke had taken an attack meant for the young kitsune. Naruto would never forgive himself if Sasuke didn't wake up. Not only because he'd be the cause of Sasuke's death, but because he never would've been able to tell Sasuke that he secretly loved him all this time.

"Ngh... Uhh.."

Naruto shot up from his chair at the sounds. His eyes instantly focused on those of Sasuke's, only to be elated when those onyx eyes opened.

"N-Naruto?"

"Sasuke!"  Naruto could feel tears at the corners of his eyes. Sasuke was awake!

Sasuke's onyx eyes blinked a few times before refocusing on Naruto, "Where am I? What happened?"

"You're in the hospital because you took an attack for me, you bastard," Naruto replied, the insult at the end only half-hearted.

He meant it- Sasuke was a complete bastard for landing himself in the hospital and worrying Naruto nearly to death. But he couldn't say it with the fierceness it deserved. He was simply too relieved that Sasuke was awake.

A small chuckle escaped Sasuke's lips, "Good,"

"Good? Why would that be good? You worried me to death, teme!" Naruto returned to his seat, but perched himself on the edge of it, rather than sitting in it properly.

"Because," Sasuke slowly propped himself up on his elbow, "You go through enough pain. You didn't need this, too."

Naruto stared, dumbfounded by Sasuke's words. He wasn't sure how to respond, what to think...

"I need you around, Naruto. I had to protect you,"

Blue eyes blinked slowly before Naruto stood from his chair and gently hugged Sasuke, "I wouldn't ever leave you, Sasuke. Not until I've become Hokage and watched you revive your clan."

Sasuke pulled away from Naruto, "Yeah... about that last part?"

Naruto looked down at him, one eyebrow quirked in confusion.

"We're gonna have to adopt some children in order to restore my clan. Because I'm not giving up on that dream, and I'm not giving up on you, either."

Naruto smiled, letting a quiet chuckle escape his lips, "Fine, but three is my maximum."