Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Soul Rehabilitation	By : Xiophelia Category: Naruto AU/AR > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1693 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, I do not make any money from it.

Chapter List
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The mall was overcrowded on a Saturday, people milling around as they walked leisurely through the complex. The sound of every conversation joined together to create a cacophony that filled the hall. It seemed everyone in Konoha was out today and had decided to congregate in the mall. It was annoying trying to weave through the mass with a cane and a few shopping bags, a few times Naruto had to completely stop and interrupt whatever conversation was going on so he could get through. The scowls he received were enough to further his already foul mood.
There had been some hope that everyone would be outside in the park to celebrate the warm day, it was well over seventy degrees outside and the sun was shining with not a cloud in the sky. It was the perfect day to get some outdoor recreation in, but all everyone seemed interested in was the mall. Whatever was so special about today could have more than likely have waited. Of course Naruto had the notion to come the next day when everyone was in church. But he had gone along with the thought that people would be out enjoying the day.
Naruto’s right leg was already numb and he knew he had to find a bench soon or else he would collapse and find himself in an ambulance. He had no desire to see his father in the ER and have Iruka called to rush in and fuss over him. It seemed as though most of the benches were taken and as Naruto continued to trek through the mall, they were becoming less and less. He finally spotted an empty one outside of a toy shop and made a beeline for it, walking there as fast as he could despite the pain he was in.
As soon as his ass hit the bench, Naruto gave a sigh of relief. It had been about three months since his break up with Itachi and Sasuke. There had been minimal contact between him and the older Uchiha since the younger hadn’t come about around just yet. It seemed as though Itachi wasn’t able to keep his promise of them still communicating without any hard feelings. There had been hardly any text messages and even fewer messages on Facebook. He knew it wasn’t going to be an easy road and that everyone involved was deeply hurt. Naruto always took promises seriously and this was just another one that was broken by an Uchiha. He would need more than just his hands to count the many times a promise hadn’t been kept since his accident.
Slowly, the throng of people made their way to the food courts. It was about lunchtime and Naruto couldn’t bring himself to care. His lower body hurt so he didn’t want to move and make the long walk to the other end of the mall. It was too much effort at the moment as he sat and watched people with melancholy blue eyes. Naruto hadn’t wanted to get hurt, it had been out of his control when the other driver had crossed the lanes and hit him head on. The bastard had put the car in reverse and had sped away without a second thought as Naruto had laid in his own, broken and bleeding.
If it hadn’t been for a motorist passing by, he never would have made it. That fact scared him more than anything else. The driver that hit him had never been found and it irked Naruto so much he had been angry about it for months. He couldn’t let go of it at all and so the anger stirred in him until he had received the news that he would never walk again. The news of his paralyzed state had only added fuel to the fire already and Naruto had been ready to combust. With determination and a few state of the art new procedures had him walking again. He wasn’t going to give up just because he was a victim.
The crowd finally dwindled but Naruto had no inclination to move. There was no way he could walk to the outside of the mall to catch the metro back to his apartment. He had toyed with the thought of calling Sakura and having her pick him up, but Naruto dismissed it because it was weak to call on a friend. It wasn’t as though he was too proud, it was the fact he wanted to be as independent as possible. Naruto was already relying on too much on his fathers to help him get by. He was also grateful for the fact they hadn’t detected his awful hacking by now. The small cough from three months ago had gone away for a short time only to reappear as a barking, body shaking cough three weeks ago. Naruto thought nothing of it, thinking it was a chest cold that would go away on its own.
Ever since the accident and staying in the hospital for months, Naruto had a great dislike of them. He avoided them as much as possible. Only when Kakashi noticed something was wrong did he go and get checked. So far his immune system held up, but Naruto knew it was only a matter of time before it deteriorated completely and leave him as defenseless as a baby. Of course he was taking every precaution he could so he could avoid being ill, he didn’t fancy being out of school again.
Naruto was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice a small ball of energy racing towards him until it collided with his leg. Blinking in surprise, he looked down and met Suigetsu’s excited gaze. The kid had a huge smile on his face as he looked up to his favorite teacher. Looking around, Naruto couldn’t find his guardian, not that he knew what Kisame Hoshigaki looked like anyways.
“Mr. Uzumaki, what’re you doing here?” Suigetsu asked curiously as he climbed onto the bench to sit by Naruto.
“It’s my day off,” Naruto explained, chuckling. Summer break was starting next week and he had yet to find a job for the summer. He didn’t want to bum off his parents. It was so odd searching for a job when Itachi and Sasuke took care of everything during the summer break. It served to remind Naruto exactly how dependant he had been on his ex lovers.
“You have days off?” Suigetsu asked in awe, his eyes wide as he stared at Naruto.
Naruto’s booming laughter filled the air. “Yes, Suigetsu, even teachers have days off. By the way, where’s your guardian?”
A sheepish smile spread over thin lips as the child remembered he was here with his uncle. Naruto was no stranger to the over excitement of children as they saw something that completely took their attention away. He knew he had to find the person Suigetsu was here and return the child safely.
“I left Uncle Kisame in the toy store when I saw you,” he admitted shyly, showing Naruto a shy side of Suigetsu he had never seen before. Normally the kid was excited and full of energy but this side was probably something he never showed many people.
“Well then, we need to go find him,” Naruto said as he grabbed his cane and struggled to stand, only to be shadowed by a large body. The man was tall, easily six foot eight and dark skinned, the tone a deep brown. The teacher had to crane his neck to glance at the man’s face, which was ruggedly handsome. Dark, almost silver eyes glanced down at with with suspicion and distrust. It was obvious that Suigetsu didn’t take after this side of his family as the child was pale.
“There’s no need, and just who are you?” The man’s voice was deep, rugged. Something Naruto had never thought he would find attractive. He blinked wide blue eyes as he realized he was asked a question.
“I’m Naruto Uzumaki, Suigetsu’s teacher this year. He got excited when he saw me,” Naruto answered before his legs gave out and he fell forward, large arms catching him. They were warm and seemed to dwarf him with ease.
“Hey, are you alright?” Kisame asked as he maneuvered the smaller body to the bench and sat him down, noticing the cane for the first time.
“Mr.Uzumaki can’t walk that well,” Suigetsu supplied, his purple eyes gazing worriedly at his teacher. He hovered on the edge of his teacher wondering if he should offer his teacher something to drink since he did seem a little out of breath.
“I’m paraplegic with some ability to walk,” Naruto supplied at the man’s confused look. “I overtaxed myself today by walking around the mall for too long.”
“Don’t you have someone with you?” Kisame asked as he took a seat on the other side of Naruto. His gaze searched every inch of Naruto as if he was seeing the man for the first time since their encounter began.
“No,” Naruto answered, tight lipped about why he was alone. He didn’t want to be seen as weak or a pity case. It grated on his nerves when people treated him like that and so he would stalk off. But he couldn’t detect any pity on Kisame at all, which he found intriguing.
“Then allow us to escort you,” the big man said, sending a roguish smile to Naruto. “You are Suigetsu’s favorite teacher after all and he talks highly of you.”
“Uncle Kisame! Stop it!” A blushing Suigetsu screeched while leaning over his teacher to hit the big man. He missed by a mile as Kisame ducked out of the way easily.
“Well, don’t you always talk about how wonderful your teacher is?” Kisame teased, Suigetsu’s face going redder as he once again took a swipe at his uncle.
“Suigetsu, that’s no way to treat your uncle,” Naruto said sternly, making the child move back to the other side of him. He pinned his teacher with large purple eyes that were pouting.
“But he was being mean!” Suigetsu whined, crossing his arms and jutting a lower lip out to pout.
“You don’t outright attack,” Naruto answered, with a delightful yet bordering on sadistic gleam in his eyes. “You wait for the moment your enemies guard is down and then you pounce.”
Years of experience with pranks had made Naruto quite the master at pranking. He had driven Kakashi and Iruka nuts with his everyday actions. He hadn’t known how to deal with the loss of his parents, having seen them dying as abandonment. Of course it didn’t help that his mother was one Kushina Uzumaki who had a wild streak in her that seemed to pass onto her son.
A mischievous glint entered his eyes as he looked to his uncle. A sly smile passed over his lips as he remained silent as if he were calculating something in his head. He smoothly sat back and listened as the two adults talk. It was interesting to see his uncle take to someone like this immediately, normally the large man was cautious of others.
“Oi, don’t be givin’ him ideas!” Kisame protested with an easy going smile as he watched the bright young man before him. He had never been so protective of someone he just met, but there was something about Naruto that drew you in. As they talked, he felt himself giving the teacher his full attention.
“So tell me, will you be coming to the last day of school for parents breakfast?” Naruto asked, turning large blue eyes to Kisame. He wanted the man to take a more active role in Suigetsu’s life and come to the school. It was obvious Suigetsu loved his uncle and craved his attention.
“I was planning on it anyway. I just finished up the research I was doing and I have some free time,” Kisame answered, eyes darting his nephew who looked like he was scheming. He would let the kid have his fun since it had been awhile since he was able to spend time with Suigetsu.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Naruto answered as he glanced down at his watch, it was already past two and he wanted to go home. The metro wasn’t coming around for another hour or so and he didn’t know how he could waste so much time.
“We haven’t eaten yet, why don’t you join us?” Kisame asked, drawing Naruto’s attention away from his watch. He would have offered to have driven the teacher home, but he knew the man before him had a large sense of pride and wouldn’t want any help. If they ate, he was helping Naruto kill time and maybe he could steal a little more of his time.
“Sure, I am a bit hungry,” Naruto answered as he stood, his legs still wobbly as he tried to gain his balance. A large hand steadied him and Naruto blinked owlishly up at Kisame in surprise. No one had ever just taken control like that and just helped him. It stunned him until he gained his wits back and gave Kisame a wide smile before they made their way to fight the crowd at the food court.
~*~
Naruto thanked the cashier as she bagged his stuff since it was the polite thing to do and the woman seemed to have been having a bad day. He grabbed his purchases in one hand, the load a little heavy, but nothing he couldn’t handle. The store was only a block from his apartment which meant it was in walking distance. He had been sure he could make it there and back and so had taken a walk. It was cloudy so it hadn’t been too hot as the sun was covered and he could enjoy this cool day before the hot ones settled in.
It looked at though it would pour the rain any minute, but Naruto had to risk it. Both his fathers and his friends were all at work and he didn’t want to disturb them with such a trivial thing as getting home when he was so close. He was frustrated at the whole situation and just wanted to give in and march back to the cashier and ask if he could use the phone.
Stepping out into the abandoned street, Naruto began the trek to his home. His hips were aching at the demanding pace at which he walked, he tried to scurry as fast as he could before the rain would fall. But as he continued to walk, Naruto could feel his legs wanting to give out. He had overdone it by walking there and through the whole store without a break. He would be paying for it now as he fell to the cold, hard concrete.
The contents of the bags splattered over the sidewalk as a deep cough overtook his body and he shook. Then as if mother nature were punishing him for his foolishness, rain began to fall in a downpour, the temperature dropping from the hot summer temp it had been earlier. Naruto’s body shook with the cold air as he tried to call for help through his coughs, but he wasn’t given enough time and he sat there, alone and wishing he hadn’t been so stupid.
Naruto was soaked through to the bone, his body shivering as it lost warmth and left his hips aching. Tears pooled at his eyes as he realized he couldn’t be as independent as he wanted to and he needed to rely somewhat on others to help him through his life. He had two people who had done so at first, but now it seemed as though he had no one. He couldn’t bring himself to think about who would want a broken person. His sunny disposition washed away as the rain continued to pelt his shaking body and gave way to darker thoughts.
He could barely hear anything as thunder cracked through the sky, making Naruto jump at the booming sound. He shook in fear at what would happen to him since he had left his cell phone at the apartment, thinking he wouldn’t need it. His tears mingled with the rain as he pounded the concrete with a fist.
“Naruto?” The deep, rumbling voice was familiar. He knew it and Naruto looked up to see Kisame beginning to kneel at his side, dark gray eyes wide with concern.
Over the past three weeks the two men had began a tentative friendship, getting to know one another on level past that of parent/teacher. It was nice to have someone new to hang out with and Kisame’s personality was as loud and obnoxious as Naruto’s own at times. It was a nice break to know someone who didn’t know of his bad break up and wouldn’t ask him if he was okay about it. Old feelings weren’t being dug up around Kisame and he was grateful for it. But a small bud of attraction welled up in Naruto as they had continued to hang out every other day.
“Kisame, I fell,” Naruto stated, his tone dull as his blue eyes as he looked to the man before a particularly nasty cough wracked his body and he fell forward covering his mouth. His fist clenched on the sidewalk as it passed and he once again looked to Kisame as the man placed the back of his hand to Naruto’s forehead.
“You’re burning up, Naruto,” Kisame said, frowning before he took it away and drew the smaller body into his arms and lifting Naruto from the ground as the blond quickly grabbed his cane. One hand fisted into Kisame’s shirt as Naruto’s head rested on a large shoulder. He felt safe in the large arms, like nothing could ever hurt him and Kisame would protect him from anything.
Naruto didn’t say a word as he was loaded into an SUV and buckled in safely. He couldn’t bring himself to think since he was in so much pain. It seemed that it was all his over body and particularly nasty in his chest. He had to fight to get air into his lungs, which he knew he was screwed.
“Take me to Konoha General, my father works the ER,” Naruto rasped as Kisame started the car up and put the heat on full blast to warm the shaking body up. As they drove, Naruto’s body warmed up slightly even though he was shivering. He felt as though he couldn’t get warm enough and wrapped his arms as closely to his body as he could.
Kisame frowned at the state Naruto was in, worried that there was something seriously wrong with the cheery teacher. He hadn’t liked the strange dull blue eyes when he had found him. Kisame found himself wanting to put the spark back in them. He swore to himself he would put it back after he got Naruto to the hospital and the man healed up. He knew then he wouldn’t leave Naruto until he knew he was better, even if it meant the rest of the day and night at the hospital.
As he pulled the SUV into the parking lot of the hospital, Kisame wasted no time parking it and climbing out of it. He quickly pulled Naruto from the passenger side and cradled him softly to his body. The man was pale despite his tan and Kisame knew something was seriously wrong with Naruto. He rushed into the emergency room and immediately someone had came up to him and asked how they could help.
Quickly Kisame explained how he had found Naruto and when the person realized just who it was in those large arms, they wasted no time in retrieving Dr. Hatake after leading him to an exam room. Kisame had never met Naruto’s parents and this was the worst situation to meet them under with a sick Naruto in his arms. He waited in an exam room, having placed Naruto on a bed and putting a blanket over the shivering body. Gently, he brushed the damp bangs back from Naruto’s forehead, his gaze tender.
“Why’re you looking at me like that?” Naruto wheezed, pulling the blanket tighter around himself. He hadn’t seen such an expression directed at him for a long time. He found himself lost in the dark, silver eyes before his father burst into the room.
“Naruto! What in the hell!” Kakashi said as he pushed Kisame out of the way and began looking his son over. “Why didn’t you tell me you were sick!”
Rolling his blue eyes, Naruto didn’t answer, knowing his father was in full doctor mode and he wouldn’t be deterred at all. He laid there patiently as he was checked over, his hand sneaking out for Kisame’s. When the large, warm hand enveloped his, Naruto settled down and let Kakashi look him over.
“You’ll need an x-ray, it’s not looking good,” Kakashi said, pulling away from his son and pressing his hand to the warm forehead. “What in the blazes were you doing? You’re soaking wet!”
“I fell in the rain,” Naruto admitted, squeezing Kisame’s hand for support and hoping Iruka hadn’t been called. He was a bigger mother hen than Kakashi. “I couldn’t get up and I didn’t have my cell on me. Kisame found me and brought me here.”
“Iruka’s bringing you some clothes. I’m afraid I’m going to have to admit you, Naruto. I suspect you have pneumonia, but I can’t be sure until you’ve had the x-ray. A nurse will be in shortly to take your blood so we can perform other tests. I’m not going to lecture you since I know Iruka will. Just rest for now and I’ll be back.”
Blue eyes watched as Kakashi left, glad that he hadn’t asked Kisame to leave.Naruto was comfortable with Kisame staying with him. It gave him some sense of normalcy as the nurse came in with a smile a few minutes later, after the other had drawn his blood, holding two small plastic cups that were closed. He knew Kakashi was giving him codeine to help with the cough and he welcomed the relief the drug would bring.
“Here you go, dear,” she said politely after she mixed the two cups so that he would have one dose in one swallow. Naruto took the medicine and made a small face. Since his blood had been drawn earlier and he was itching to get the gauze off his inner elbow. It irritated him to have such a thing there and Kisame chuckled at the face he made as the nurse gave him another smile.
“You have two visitors outside, do you want me to send them in?” She asked, hovering near his bed.
“Uh, yeah, I guess.” Naruto answered, knowing it was more than likely Hinata and Kiba since Iruka had a thing about calling his friends when he was ill. The nurse left as two bodies slid in, neither one people he wanted to see. His blue eyes flashed with anger as he growled, “what are you doing here?”
Kisame was strangely silent beside him, dropping his hand and making Naruto feel insecure. He didn’t want to face them alone, but he had never told Kisame about his ex lovers, he wanted to wait a bit longer before he broke the news.
“Apparently we’re still listed as your next of kin,” Sasuke supplied, his face blank as Itachi sent Kisame a curious glance.
“A mistake that will be corrected, I assure you,” Naruto replied. “Now tell me, why bother showing up? You haven’t talked to me since we broke up.”
“We were concerned,” Sasuke answered as if it were obvious. Naruto huffed as he crossed his arms and glared. He wanted to call the Uchiha out on his bullshit, but refrained from doing so. He couldn’t lash out at a time like this, especially in a hospital where his father would have his head.
Anger grew in Naruto, in his eyes they had no right to be here while he was sick. They hadn’t been around the times he was ill and now they had decided to show up after they were no more. His hand sought out Kisame’s again and his grip was tight, not allowing the man to move it.
“Get out,” Naruto stated harshly, glaring at Sasuke. He didn’t believe the Uchiha at all and wanted to be left alone. He couldn’t deal with the emotions that warred in him right now.
“Kisame, why don’t we step outside while these two talk,” Itachi supplied, nodding his head to the door as the large hand slipped from Naruto’s slack one and followed his friend outside.
“I want to apologize, Naruto,” Sasuke said, his tone solemn as he took a seat beside the bed. He went to grab Naruto’s hand, but it was pulled away. “I know you’re hurt by what we did and I’m sorry about that day. I didn’t take the news well and I didn’t want to hurt you further by lashing out at you. No matter what, a part of me will always love you. I know you won’t believe me, but it’s the truth.”
“I can’t forgive you right away, Sasuke,” Naruto said after minutes of a tense silence. And he couldn’t, there was too much to forgive to do so in such a short time. “I need more time, I know I was at fault as well, but it still hurt.”
“I understand, Naruto. I’m not asking for it right away, I just want the promise that you’ll forgive me over time and we can...at least be friends,” Sasuke said, his eyes never leaving Naruto’s as he leaned closer to the bed. “I’ll leave you alone now, but I do wish that you’ll find someone that will take care of you like you deserve.”
Despite Naruto’s previous coldness, Sasuke placed a tender kiss on the warm forehead before leaving the room, not giving Naruto time to answer. Naruto blinked in surprise, he never expected Sasuke to do such a thing. His hand moved to his forehead and touched it before yanking it back. Tears pooled at his eyes and he couldn’t understand why. He blinked his eyes as Kisame moved into the room and made a beeline to his bed.
“Did he hurt you?” The man asked, a hand moving up to wipe a stray tear away. The large hand was gentle against Naruto’s skin, and he was stunned at the action. He had thought for sure when Itachi had wanted to talk with Kisame, the man would just walk away.
“No, why are you still here?” Naruto asked hoarsely as Kisame sat on the bed as it dipped with his added weight.
“Because I care, Naruto. I want to make sure you’re okay before I leave here, even if it means staying all night and day tomorrow.” Kisame said, his voice was husky with something Naruto couldn’t identify.
“But you talked with Itachi, surely you know that I was involved with them. How could you want to still be here?” He couldn’t understand it, he had been so sure once Kisame found out he had been involved with two men, he would walk away.
“Then you don’t know me that well. Itachi is an old friend of mine and he threatened my balls if I should ever hurt you, which I have no intention of doing, Naruto. I care for you more than you think.” Kisame answered, his hand moving away from the warm cheek as he took the other’s hand.
“I didn’t know that,” Naruto admitted. Itachi had never talked of Kisame in all the years they had been together. He found that odd since it seemed they were quite close.
“After high school, we sorta drifted apart. We haven’t been in contact for years,” Kisame said, shrugging his large shoulders. “I don’t let others influence me, Naruto.”
“But he’s your friend, surely his opinion matters? I mean, I’m not a catch,” Naruto answered, his hand waving down his body to point out his disability. He was used to people staring at him and knew he would be rejected if he were seeking a lover, no one wanted broken goods.
“You have no idea the effect you have on people,” Kisame grumbled as he leaned closer to Naruto. “His opinion may matter, but he told me what kind of person you truly are and it was not anything bad. He talked about you as if he still loved you, but he was resigned to the fact you will never go back to them.”
Naruto’s head dropped in relief as Kakashi re-entered the room. His expression was dour as his eyes zeroed in on Kisame and his close proximity to his son. He didn’t say anything as he moved forward and checked over Naruto again.
“They’re ready to take your x-ray, Naruto. Your friend will have to leave since it’s past visiting hours,” Kakashi said as he stood once again, never giving Kisame another glance.
“I’m staying, I want to make sure Naruto will be okay,” Kisame answered, crossing his arms in a gesture that backed up his words. “I’ll be here when you get back, Naruto.”
“I will have you removed forcibly,” Kakashi’s tone left no room for argument, but Kisame held his ground and didn’t budge. His dark grey eyes moved to Naruto and a smile stretched his lips.
“Let Naruto decide,” Kisame said smoothly, knowing exactly how the teacher would answer. He knew of the other’s fear of hospitals and how he hated to be there. The need to provide comfort to the smaller man was overwhelming and it surprised him.
“Let him stay, Dad,” Naruto said with a large smile, the thought of Kisame defying his father sent a small wave of pleasure through him. Even Itachi feared Dr. Hatake on a good day and when he wasn’t irritated. But Kisame was standing strong in front of Kakashi’s full glare and gave him a withering glance.
“I like this one, Naruto,” Kakashi said as he helped his son out of the bed. “Do you think you can walk?”
“I know I can’t,” Naruto answered as he was sat back down on the bed and his dad disappeared out of the room before returning with a wheelchair. He went to move to sit in it when Kisame appeared at his side and helped him into the chair with gentle hands. He gave the man a small smile, he didn’t want the help, but appreciated it nonetheless.
“I know it’s hard for you to accept help, and I can tell you I’m not gonna hold your hand all the time. But there are times when others need to know that you need them and not the other way around.”
Kisame’s words struck a chord deep within Naruto before he was wheeled out as the large man waved with a smile. The words made him think about everything from the past year and a half. He knew he had been at fault for his failed relationship as well as Itachi and Sasuke, but he couldn’t help the thought that he had been the cause and fed the growing pit until it forced him to break up with the two brothers.
Naruto felt hollow as his x-rays were taken, mechanically moving his arms into the positions the technician asked. He knew he was overthinking everything as he tended to do sometimes, but Naruto couldn’t help but wonder if things would have turned out differently if he had shared and let Itachi and Sasuke help him.
It was no use crying over spilled milk though, his love had died for the two men. There was no going back now and it broke his heart as he was wheeled back to his room. Kisame was still there as the man lifted him out of the wheelchair and placed him in the bed. He was tucked in securely until they would hear word of how Naruto’s health was and if an overnight stay was necessary. Naruto worried his bottom lip as he continued to think, his mind not shutting down as it kicked into overdrive.
“Stop thinking and get some sleep,” Kisame grumbled as he slid into the seat next to the bed, taking Naruto’s hand. “I’m here so you can rest.”
The words were comforting and despite himself and his hatred of hospitals Naruto found himself falling asleep as Kisame’s thumb rubbed the back of his hand. Just having another person there was more calming than any medicine out there and Naruto made a note to thank Kisame for everything he had done today as he fell into the sweet embrace of sleep.
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