"Fate's Crossing

### Chapter 5: A Long Night

Chapter 5: A Long Night

### Chapter 5: A Long Night

Naruto woke up with a groan, the sterile smell of the hospital room filling his senses as his eyelids fluttered open. The room was dimly lit, with the faint beeping of machines and the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the blinds. For a moment, he felt disoriented, his head swimming with the remnants of unconsciousness. Then, the pain in his shoulder reminded him of what had happened.

*The mission. Sasuke.* He winced, shifting slightly in the hospital bed, trying to sit up. His body felt heavy, and his shoulder throbbed with a dull ache, but his mind was already racing.

"You're awake," came a familiar voice from the corner of the room.

Naruto blinked, turning his head to see Sasuke sitting in a chair, his arms crossed, and his face as unreadable as ever. Despite his calm demeanor, there was a faint look of relief in his eyes.

"Sasuke?" Naruto muttered, rubbing his eyes. "How long have I been out?"

Sasuke leaned back in the chair, his expression indifferent. "A few hours. The doctors said you'd be fine after some rest."

Naruto let out a breath, then smiled weakly. "Thanks for saving me back there, man. I owe you one."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "You saved me first, idiot. I just returned the favor."

Naruto chuckled but quickly winced as the movement sent a sharp pain through his injured shoulder. His smile faded as his thoughts shifted. *Ino!* His eyes widened as he realized how late it was. Ino was probably waiting for him, worried sick.

"Oh no!" Naruto groaned, pushing the blankets off himself. "Ino-chan must be freaking out! I'm way later than usual!" He swung his legs over the side of the bed, trying to stand up despite the pain shooting through his shoulder.

Sasuke, ever the pragmatist, frowned. "Naruto, you haven't fully recovered yet. You should stay here until you're properly healed."

But Naruto shook his head, determination written all over his face. "Nah, I can't do that. Ino-chan will think something's wrong. She's probably worried sick." He gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand, wobbling slightly as his body protested.

Sasuke sighed, clearly unimpressed. "You can barely stand. Are you sure you want to go home like this?"

Naruto, never one to back down, grinned through the pain. "Of course! I've been through worse. It's just a little bullet wound!" He pressed a hand to his injured shoulder, wincing as he applied a healing jutsu to ease the pain slightly. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, watching as Naruto stumbled toward the door. "You're an idiot, you know that?"

Naruto waved him off with his good arm, laughing. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine. See you tomorrow, Sasuke!" With that, he left the room, his steps uneven as he made his way out of the hospital.

The drive back to Naruto's apartment was anything but smooth. Naruto gripped the steering wheel tightly with his uninjured arm, his face twisted in concentration. Every bump in the road sent a jolt of pain through his shoulder, but he gritted his teeth and powered through. He had to get home. Ino was waiting for him, and the last thing he wanted was for her to worry.

Meanwhile, back at the apartment, Ino paced back and forth, her hands clutching the phone Naruto had bought her. The clock ticked away, each second only adding to her anxiety. Naruto was later than usual—much later—and Ino couldn't help but fear the worst.