Forgotten Love | SasuNaru

~Chapter 20

Naruto POV

I didn't quite hear what the commotion was downstairs but I didn't really care that much. I had seen it was my old mentor, Kakashi, downstairs. It seemed even more guests had welcomed themselves in with the sound of how many voices were sounded downstairs. As I splash my face with water and washed my face with a towel before staring at myself in the mirror. I don't know how long I was staring as my mind drifted to places I wanted to forget. An echo in my ear. . .

Stop

Sasuke, please let me go

Stop it

IT HURTS

PLEASE STOP

STOP

I flinched at the distant memory, the wounds inflicted to me that day, have mostly healed and long forgiven. But the results of that day lay permanent, choices and decisions had to be made. Although, I barely had a choice in the matter, I don't regret it. I didn't hate it because I was in pain, I hated it because I could see you were in pain. You were trying to give me a reason and I refused to accept it as your true answer. Since that day, I stopped listening to your words and instead, I watched your eyes.

Because no matter how many vile things you said, your eyes told a different story. For a brief moment, you were vulnerable underneath my gaze and told me your true desires but even then. I just couldn't reach out to you like I wanted too and once again, you were out of my reach. Left me with unanswered questions but to this day, we will always be two sides of the same coin. A gentle hand touched my shoulder, making me flinch violently, "Naruto, relax, it's me..." Sasuke whispered to me. As he held my waist, he stared at me blankly before kissing me on the side of my forehead.

Using his thumb to rub circles on my hip, it took me a couple seconds to recognize that I was crying. As I began to calm down and turn towards Sasuke, holding onto him as I tried to ease my breathing. It was moments like these I was glad Sasuke was there to comfort me. It was hard to show my vulnerable side even to people as close as Shikamaru. They rarely get a chance to see me breakdown in tears, these days it feels more common for me to feel such emotions. As everyday, more and more, I'm failing as a father and I've lied to my kids, my family, even my friends.

I shiver as I soon realized his chest was on display, a blush began to burn my cheeks. I giggled nervously as I pulled away, avoiding eye contact out of embarrassment. I had my head down as I stared up at Sasuke with pouty face. Sasuke had a small smile but then dragged me out of the bathroom into the bedroom. Which set off alarms in my head as I was thrown onto the bed. "W-wait Sasuke, we really shouldn't-" I was interrupted by clothing being tossed into my face catching me off guard.

I pulled the shirt off my head to see Sasuke trying to button up his shirt single-handedly. Sasuke was always stubborn like that, I giggled as I got off the bed, getting in front of Sasuke as I helped him out. Buttoning his shirt up for him, he glared at me as I stared into his eyes lovingly. "Didn't need your help, idiot" Sasuke muttered as I just grinned at him, I understood that Sasuke didn't want to feel dependent on anybody because of his disability. As you could only do so much with one hand but even still, although I knew he could take care of himself, it was nice to take care of the small things for him. It was kinda funny to be honest, that despite his disability, his fighting skills were still at peak performance.

But doing something as small as buttoning his shirt can sometimes be a struggle for him. It reminded me that despite how amazing and powerful the world thinks of us. Deep down, we are still just human beings, I sighed softly to myself in thought. "Come on, Naruto, let's go..and go change already" Sasuke said as he pushed passed me, now fully dressed in his regular outfit. I must of spaced out, I quickly put on the clothes given to me, putting my usual orange jacket on top to finish it off as I zipped it up to my chin. When I came downstairs, seeing Hinata again so soon, I didn't expect.

Neither did I expect her seemingly still being on good terms with Sasuke as she softly spoke to him. That was the beautiful thing about Hinata, despite everything that has happened, she was always pure at heart. It was one of the many traits that made me so grateful on my wedding day. I didn't know what to say to her but I felt it wasn't good to stay quiet. "Hey Hinata, nice to see you again, how's Himawari" I asked even though it barely was even a day since he went over to live in her grandfather's house. "She's okay but that's not why I came by" Hinata stated, I stared at her for moment before glancing at Sasuke to see his reaction to the matter.

I didn't need to look at long to understand that this was serious, "we're heading to the hospital" Sasuke told me before Hinata could explain. I perked up at the word hospital, "HOSPITAL, what happened" I asked urgently, as I was now looking at Hinata for answers. "Shikadai is in surgery" Hinata answered getting straight to the point. It didn't take long before I was out of the house before anyone could stop me. Next thing I knew, I was bursting through the doors to see Shikamaru sitting in the waiting room. Once Shikamaru saw me, he stood up as we rushed over to each other.

"I heard what happened, how's Shikadai" I questioned. "He's still in surgery, Sakura is working on him right now" Shikamaru told me. I was quick to give him a hug, we pulled apart and Shikamaru smiled at me. "Thanks Naruto, I needed that" Shikamaru mutter in appreciation. "Well, do you know how serious his condition is" I asked again. Shikamaru frowned as he looked at the window that had the blinds closed.

"They said he has two fractured ribs and a small concussion, the wound on his side was minor but he bleed a lot getting here..." Shikamaru explain the situation as he would any, staying incredibly calm. I nodded in understanding, I saw Boruto talking with Sarada, I sighed quietly before something else caught my eye. I had to do a double take when I saw the two pair of eyes on me. In that very moment, I don't think my heart has ever sunk so deep in my chest before.