Can't Help Myself 2.0

.4

Pitch black was all he was greeted when Naruto opened his eyes. Darkness surrounded his whole body, not a single speck of light could be seen.

He didn't expect to wake up in such a place. What even happened? He wonders about that, the most he could remember was how panicked he felt during it but can't recall anything else besides that.

Though it was dark, it oddly felt peaceful, like there was nothing for him to be weary of outside of his life anymore. It also felt comforting in a way, like a familiar presence that he's unsure where he had experience this before.

He felt like he was hidden within the shadows.

It's almost like a first to have something nice like this, ever since he graduated he had only felt drained and more on his toes than usual. He didn't have to worry about the others who had a distaste of his existence here.

Though it felt nice, he also felt a bit saddened. Are his friends thinking of him right now? Do they consider him as a friend like he does to them? What is he to them?

Without any answers go even, he felt his heart grow heavy as he slowly shut his eyes once more. It's alright, it doesn't matter anymore.

.           .           .

"Na..."

?

"... wake... please"

Please? Who is begging? Why are they begging?

"Troublesome blond, why are you keeping me waiting?"

Wait a minute, that phrase.

No way.

Naruto snapped his eyes open, a feeling he cannot figure out at the moment overwhelming him as his face grew warm. A small light shined above him, glowing warmly against his skin. He raised an arm up, trying to grasp onto the light, noting that it was shinning even brighter, blinding him completely before he grew hazy.

A few moments passes, his ears started to pick up a faint sound of beeping. He groaned lowly, feeling his body sore in every part as he attempted to shift in his spot. Groggily, he opens his eyes, squinting at the white light flashing at his face as he woke up from his deep slumber.

After getting a couple of blinks in, his eyesight was getting more clear. He looked around the area and took mental note that he was in a hospital. Very recognizable place, he's been here so often that he could consider it his second home. Question is, how did he end up here?

His eyes landed at a person who sat right beside his bed, looking tired themselves based on their worn out expression.

"What is Shikamaru doing here?"

The overwhelming feeling he had felt while he was asleep still lingered, heart tightening up once more as he recalled the warmth he had felt. There was so many things happening inside his mind, jumbling together into a mess of a ball.

Meanwhile with Shikamaru, it's been one day since Naruto's emergency and he's now fully patched up of his injuries. Hearing the news after waiting for a couple of hours, Tsunade told him that he would be let in only if he went home and showered. With some grumbling, Shikamaru followed her order and did as he was told. Going home, showered, ate with his parents, and coming back afterwards.

Shikamaru had been keeping himself busy by playing a round of shogi, the sound of the pieces hitting wood helped him feel more relaxed as he waited beside Naruto. While he was placing a piece down, he heard the bed shift and turned his attention towards his friend.