Empty Eyes: The Sequel

Chapter 39

When I woke next, the bed beneath me was magnificent, especially compared to the stone ground I'd slept on for a few weeks. My muscles ached when I took a deeper breath, making me wince. Hair was gently brushed away from my face, and my eyes fluttered open to see Madara sleeping at my side. I turned slightly to see Sasuke gazing at me with an exhausted yet warm expression.

Worried, I looked over his appearance, "Are you alright?"

He nodded, offering his usual glare. I watched in disbelief as his anger slowly melted into what seemed to be genuine relief. Tears welled in his eyes as he leaned forward to press his forehead to mine, "Don't ever save me again."

I sniffled, weakly lifting an arm to touch his face. My broken bones must've healed most of the way while I slept.

Then his lips were on mine: desperate, cautious, and doting all at once.

After thoroughly discussing my habit of encountering danger, the prince told me that Nagato and Zetsu were killed in Konoha's assault on Amegakure's castle. Kakuzu, Deidara, and Hidan were captured, while Yahiko, Kisame, and Konan escaped.

Since the king escaped, Sasuke and Madara decided it best to travel separately from the rest of the war party in case it gets ambushed. Sai, Itachi, and Kankuro were leading it, Jiraiya and Tsunade also in their ranks, so it's not like we left the soldiers defenseless.

I asked how Tsunade magically appeared in Amegakure, and he explained that Matsuri had sent a letter to the bar Shizune runs, telling them how I'd been captured and how it'd happened. Apparently, Tsunade and Jiraiya showed up within the next twenty-four hours, just in time to join the Uchihas for their departure to Konoha. When I asked why they suddenly cared, given that they pretty much told me they didn't want to see me ever again, he said they wouldn't say. Sasuke said the only thing the pair would tell them was that it would take me multiple weeks to fully recover from the life-threatening incident. The jewel on my forehead was gone entirely.

"So what now?"

Sasuke and I sat across from one another at the small table away from the bed so our talking wouldn't disturb Madara's sleep, sharing a bowl of noodles that room service delivered. My hypothesis was confirmed. Apparently, the elder Uchiha single-handedly took down Nagato, Zetsu, and Hidan. After all that, it's not surprising that he needed rest. I'm a bit flattered, actually, that he trusts us enough to let his guard down and sleep.

We're somewhere between Konoha and Ame, about two days of travel by car away. I was unconscious, and both Uchiha men were struggling to stay awake. That's why we're at this hotel.

"Now we go home and prepare for Yahiko's next move."

Chewing a mouthful of food, I twirled some pasta onto my fork and held it out for him, a bit of giddiness sweeping over me when he accepted it without hesitation. I missed him so much. In fact, I missed being like this with Sasuke more than anything else. For over a month now, it's been one fight after another. We haven't had the time to just exist at one another's side and relax.

I glanced at the quietly sleeping man across the room and briefly wondered how different things would be once this crazy chapter of our lives ended. As I brought my gaze back to Sasuke, though, I simply smiled to myself. Initially, it might be rocky, but we'll figure it out.

After our meal, it became apparent that he was fighting sleep. Since Madara passed out, he'd acted as a lookout in case we were tailed.

"Get some rest, Sasuke. I'll stay up." He opened his mouth to argue, but I pointed at the bed, "I won't leave the room, and I'll wake you if I hear anything. I promise. Go."

Annoyance clear on his handsome features, he gave up and climbed under the covers next to Madara. I pulled my knees up to my chest, my feet in the chair, and watched them with a warm feeling emoting from my chest. For some reason, the only thing I could think as I basked in the calm air was the phrase "my boys".