Painfully Aware with So Much to Learn

Chapter Thirteen: The Hospital

"The rain shouldn't be an issue, he's right ahead!" Pakkun yelled, not slowing a bit.

"And Kakashi," The dog looked at me grimly. "I smell blood."

My own blood ran cold as I heard those words. Pakkun was never the type to be that serious, and with the rain it means there's a lot. I quickened myself further, looking for my student. I knew Sasuke was long gone and I could've chased him, but Naruto was the priority.

I arrived at the valley. A pool of blood stained the tacky orange jumpsuit I'd become familiar with. A hole in his jacket and right through his body, a wound similar to what had taken his parents. But then I saw it.

Burns.

Not the minor burns that covered his body, these were lightning burns.

He didn't.

I picked up the boy and ran toward Konoha. I don't know when the tears started but all I could see was flashes of her. Of her burns. Of her blood.

He fucking did.

I'm not losing anyone else. Not to my jutsu. Not my sensei's son. Not my  cute little genin.

I kept running, I ran faster than I ever have. I can't do this again. I saw Pakkun trying to keep up with me but I couldn't slow down. Not with Naruto bleeding out in my arms. Suffering my jutsu at the hands of one of the few people he ever managed to trust.

I need Naruto to live.

Not just me, but Konoha. Everyone needs him, the unpredictable knucklehead ninja.

'Please, don't let me be late' I thought as I approached the gate.

Naruto's breath was weak and his skin was pale, it seemed the Kyuubi was healing him, but not fast enough.

Medic nin swarmed my student and I as we entered, asking about Sasuke. They didn't spare a glance at the boy dying in my arms and that pissed me off.

Did they really hold so much of a grudge against the kyuubi that they would let a child die?

What am I asking? Of course they do, in my ANBU days I've saved Naruto's life and innocence more than I should have had to.

I pushed past the nin and made my way for the hospital. I knew Tsunade-sama would be there because of the other four, I just hoped she could help him in time.

Shika POV

I was paceing the hall. Choji, Kiba and Neji had come back, Neji was in the worst state. Everyone was covered in bandages and what did the group leader have to show for it? A broken pinky. I don't even know if the mission was a success because Naruto isn't back and my mind kept spiraling.

'Did Sasuke hurt Naruto? Did Sasuke confess to Naruto? Would Sasuke hurt Naruto? Does Naruto like Sasuke back? Would he leave Konoha for Sasuke?' I knew the answers to some of those questions. Of course Sasuke would hurt Naruto after I threatened him like that, he's a psycho with an 'if-I-can't-have-him-no-one-can' complex. Would he kill Naruto? I sure hope not. But then I heard a door slam open and everything stopped.

Sunshine blonde stained with blood.

Kakashi was crying.

His tan skin was pale.

Kakashi was yelling.

He was wet with rain.

Tsunade was yelling.