THE WILL OF FIRE: 2. The Phoenix (A Naruto Fanfic)

The Phoenix, Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

I was falling in and out of consciousness. The first time I woke up, someone was carrying me. The chakra felt so warm and familiar I snuggled next to him, but in that moment I couldn’t remember who he was, I just knew that he was safe. The second time I woke up, a bunch of people were running around me, treating my wounds. When a nurse saw my eyes fluttering, she immediately gave me something so I feel back to sleep. Three times I woke up in a strange room but fell asleep in a second after.

When my eyes fluttered open for good, I realized I was probably in a hospital room. I started to feel every muscle in my body, feeling a little surprised I was even able to fall asleep with so much pain.

“So you’re awake,” said a gentle voice to my left. I slowly turned my head and saw Anko sitting there. “Don’t pressure yourself,” she said when I tried to sit up.

I tried asking her something but my scratched throat wouldn’t allow me. I coughed and was finally able to form words, “What happened?”

“Not now, you still need to rest.”

“I wanna…” I coughed again so my voice didn’t sound so raspy anymore, but I was still only managing whispers. “I need to know what happened.”

“Well, when I told you to send a signal, I didn’t mean for you two set half that bloody forest on fire.”

“How long was I out?”

“Four days. The second round of the second exam will begin soon.”

“How did I get here?”

“Save your questions, I’ll explain everything, you don’t need to talk. Just lie back down and relax.” I did as she said and gave her all my focus. She began, “We don’t know who brought you here, they just found you at the foot of the hospital, unconscious and with that Phoenix next to you. I knew something happened when there was this giant boom in the forest. The medics were able to tell that you used the Nine Tailed Fox while fighting Orochimaru and sustained huge injuries. They were surprised you were even alive. So they put you under intense treating and they should release you in about a day or two.”

“Sasuke…I failed…”

“Shh…don’t worry about that now.”

“But it’s my fault!”

“Listen, we know you gave it your best, and despite what your team thinks about you, you did fight for them, until the end.”

“Only Uncle Orochimaru was too strong for me. How did he…”

“Stop the Fox? He used the Five Elements Seal. I’m surprised he got a close hit on you. And I’m surprised you were able to send the message right after.”

“I…yeah.” I remembered I only sent that message to Shishou. I guess he took care of the rest.

“Oh God, what have I done.”

“You don’t have to beat yourself up for this. You got more hits on Orochimaru than any other Chūnin would have. You did great out there.”

“Afraid you’re the only one who thinks so.”

“She is not the only one.”

The Third Hokage entered the room and this time I willed myself to at least sit up.

“Lord Hokage.”

“Don’t bother, you’re not in any shape to sit.”

“I’m fine, really.”

“You Uzumakis are all the same,” he said and laughed. The nurses brought in an extra chair and he sat down on my right.

“What truly happened in that forest is a mystery to us, though your friends might know. But they are in the process of completing their Chūnin exam so we should not disturb them.”