Silent Heartbeats

Two days had passed since Sasuke had been admitted to the hospital. Throughout this time, Neji had been a constant presence at his bedside, his expression as unreadable as ever, though his eyes were heavy with concern. Shizune, having noticed Neji’s refusal to leave or take proper care of himself, finally lost her patience.

“Neji, you need to eat something,” Shizune said sternly, handing him a tray of food. “If you collapse, you’ll be of no help to him.”

Neji glanced at the tray reluctantly before nodding. “Thank you. I’ll eat,” he murmured, taking the food but remaining beside Sasuke. Shizune gave him a firm look before turning away, muttering about stubborn shinobi under her breath.

Kakashi, too, had been in and out, silently observing the scene whenever he visited. Each time he arrived, his gaze lingered on Neji, quietly acknowledging his dedication. But Kakashi’s main focus was Sasuke—his student who had been through so much and was now lying unconscious, fragile in a way that seemed almost impossible for someone like him.

Tsunade and Shizune continued to conduct tests, their expressions grave as they worked. There was a tension in the air, a shared concern about what the results might reveal. Sasuke had been so deeply affected by what he’d gone through, and Tsunade feared that the physical toll would be as devastating as the emotional one.

Finally, after two long days, there was a stir from the bed.

Sasuke shifted, his eyes fluttering open. Neji, who had been sitting by his side, immediately straightened, his breath catching. He watched as Sasuke blinked slowly, disoriented, his gaze sweeping the unfamiliar room until it landed on Neji.

“You’re awake,” Neji said softly, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and wariness.

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed slightly, his mind sluggishly piecing together where he was and what had happened. Pain coursed through his body, a dull, aching reminder of everything he’d endured. He swallowed, his throat dry.

“Where…?” Sasuke started, but his voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper.

“You’re in the hospital,” Neji answered quietly. “You collapsed in the Uchiha compound. I… I found you.”

Sasuke’s brow furrowed as fragments of memory returned—his confrontation with Naruto and Hinata, the crushing betrayal, the overwhelming despair that had driven him to isolate himself. His eyes darkened, and for a moment, it looked like he might try to get up, to leave.

Neji reached out, placing a gentle but firm hand on Sasuke’s arm. “Don’t,” he said softly. “You need to rest. Tsunade-sama and Shizune have been monitoring you closely. You’re… not in good shape, Sasuke.”

Sasuke’s gaze turned to Neji, searching his face. There was something in Neji’s eyes—something that Sasuke couldn’t quite name. It wasn’t pity, but it was close to it, a deep empathy and protectiveness that Sasuke wasn’t used to seeing directed at him.

“I’m calling Tsunade-sama and Shizune,” Neji murmured, standing up. He pressed the button to summon the nurses, his gaze never leaving Sasuke’s face. “They’ll want to see that you’re awake.”

Sasuke didn’t respond, his thoughts still a swirling mess. He looked around the room again, his senses slowly coming back to him. The sterile smell of antiseptic, the quiet hum of the hospital machinery—it all felt distant, like a dream he hadn’t quite woken up from. But the pain was real. His body felt heavy, every muscle aching as if he’d been through a brutal battle.

The door opened, and Tsunade and Shizune entered, their expressions shifting from worry to relief as they saw Sasuke awake.

“Sasuke,” Tsunade said softly, stepping forward. “How are you feeling?”

Sasuke swallowed again, his throat burning. “Like… I’ve been hit by a train,” he muttered, his voice strained.

Tsunade’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Well, that’s an improvement, considering what we found.” She exchanged a glance with Shizune, who nodded slightly.

“We’re still running some tests,” Shizune said gently, stepping closer. “But you’re stable for now. Just… take it easy, alright?”

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed again. He looked at Tsunade, suspicion flickering in his gaze. “What… exactly did you find?”

Tsunade hesitated, her gaze shifting briefly to Neji before returning to Sasuke. “We’ll talk about that once you’re a bit stronger,” she said carefully. “For now, just focus on getting better.”

Sasuke’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t have the strength to argue. He turned his gaze back to Neji, who was watching him intently.

“Why…?” Sasuke croaked, his voice barely audible.

“Why what?” Neji asked quietly.

“Why… are you here?” Sasuke’s eyes bore into Neji’s, demanding answers.

Neji took a deep breath. “Because I found you. Because…” He trailed off, searching for the right words. “Because I couldn’t just leave you like that. And… because you deserve better.”

Sasuke stared at him, uncomprehending. There was too much pain, too much confusion for him to process Neji’s words fully. But something in the way Neji spoke—something in his tone, in his gaze—made Sasuke pause.

Before he could say anything, Tsunade stepped forward again. “Get some rest, Sasuke. We’ll talk more when you’re feeling better.”

Sasuke closed his eyes, exhaustion washing over him. He was too tired to fight, too tired to think. But as he drifted off again, Neji’s words echoed faintly in his mind.

“You deserve better.”

And for the first time in a long while, Sasuke wondered if that could really be true.

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The atmosphere in Sasuke’s hospital room was quiet, the soft beeping of the heart monitor the only sound accompanying the stillness. After Sasuke’s brief moment of consciousness, Tsunade and Shizune had placed him on a drip to ensure he stayed hydrated and nourished. His body, weakened from the ordeal, needed as much support as it could get.

Neji stayed close, refusing to leave even when others suggested he take a break. Instead, he watched over Sasuke, his concern palpable. The usually composed Hyuga seemed tense, as if waiting for something to go wrong. When Sasuke stirred again, his eyes opening slowly, Neji leaned forward, his expression unreadable.

“You’re awake again,” Neji murmured softly, his voice a steadying presence.

Sasuke blinked, his gaze turning sluggishly to the IV drip in his arm. His brows furrowed, but he was too weak to react more than that. His throat still felt dry, and the soreness in his limbs hadn’t abated, but he felt more aware, more… present than before.

Neji reached over and carefully adjusted the pillow behind Sasuke’s head, helping him sit up just a little more. There was no hesitation in his movements, no discomfort. If anything, Neji seemed almost natural in the role of caretaker, his focus entirely on making Sasuke comfortable.

“Can you eat something?” Neji asked, his tone gentle but firm.

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of resistance appearing, but Neji didn’t back down. He picked up a small bowl of porridge that Shizune had left earlier and held it out, waiting for Sasuke to respond. After a moment of tense silence, Sasuke finally nodded—just a tiny, barely noticeable gesture, but a gesture nonetheless.

Neji didn’t say anything as he spooned a small amount and brought it to Sasuke’s lips. Sasuke turned his face away slightly, but when Neji waited patiently, his gaze steady, Sasuke sighed and opened his mouth. The food was bland, tasteless, but it was warm, and it felt oddly soothing as it slid down his throat.

Neji continued feeding him, moving slowly and methodically, never once showing a trace of impatience or discomfort. There was no pity in his eyes, no judgment—only quiet determination. Sasuke’s gaze stayed on him the entire time, watching as if trying to figure out what was going through Neji’s mind.

Kakashi entered the room then, his lone eye widening slightly at the sight of Neji feeding Sasuke. He lingered in the doorway for a moment before stepping inside, his presence almost hesitant.

“Neji,” Kakashi greeted softly. “How’s he doing?”

Neji glanced up briefly before returning his attention to Sasuke. “Better. He’s awake, at least.”

Kakashi nodded, his gaze shifting to Sasuke. “That’s good to hear.”

Sasuke, still weak, didn’t bother to respond. He took another spoonful of porridge before turning his head away, signaling that he was done. Neji set the bowl aside without protest, wiping Sasuke’s mouth carefully with a napkin.

Kakashi’s gaze softened. There was something surreal about seeing the usually distant Hyuga prodigy care for Sasuke with such diligence.

the door opened again, and Tsunade and Shizune entered, their expressions grave. There was an intensity in Tsunade’s gaze as she looked at Sasuke, a tension that made the room feel suddenly heavier.

“Shizune, can you bring the chart?” Tsunade murmured, her eyes never leaving Sasuke.

Shizune nodded and handed her the clipboard, her lips pressed into a thin line. She glanced at Neji and Kakashi, then back at Tsunade, waiting.

Tsunade took a deep breath. “Sasuke… we need to talk about your condition.”

Sasuke’s gaze sharpened, his senses going on high alert despite his weakened state. He shifted slightly, his muscles protesting the movement.

“What… condition?” he rasped out.

Tsunade hesitated, a rare uncertainty flickering across her face. “We ran a lot of tests, trying to figure out what happened to you. At first, we thought it was just physical exhaustion, but… it’s more complicated than that.”

Shizune stepped forward, her expression gentler. “Sasuke… you’re pregnant.”

The room was heavy with silence as everyone tried to grasp the situation. Tsunade’s voice was the only sound breaking through the tension, her words quiet but firm. “Sasuke… the chakra readings from the fetus are unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Even in this early stage, the chakra level is equivalent to a highly-trained shinobi—almost like a fully developed jōnin.”

The implications of this sent a chill down Neji’s spine. Unconsciously, he activated his Byakugan, the veins around his eyes bulging as he focused on Sasuke’s abdomen, searching for the source of this monstrous chakra. As his vision honed in, he gasped softly, his eyes widening.

What he saw left him breathless. Chakra, pure and powerful, coiled within Sasuke’s body, emanating from a tiny, flickering mass nestled deep within. But it wasn’t just the amount of chakra—it was its intensity. Even in its smallest form, it was unlike anything Neji had ever seen before. The raw strength, the way it seemed to pulse with life, shimmering with layers of energy…

Neji felt his heart stutter. The chakra was still developing, but it was already terrifyingly strong, stronger than anything that should have been possible for an unborn child. The sheer density and potency of it radiated like a blazing star. It was almost overwhelming to look at, even with his Byakugan.

“What…?” he breathed, his voice barely audible as he continued staring, transfixed. “It’s… unbelievable. I’ve never seen a chakra like this.”

Kakashi and Tsunade turned toward him, their expressions puzzled. “Neji, what do you see?” Kakashi asked quietly.

Slowly, Neji deactivated his Byakugan, the veins around his eyes receding as he turned a wide-eyed gaze toward the others. “The chakra… it’s already fully formed, almost like a shinobi’s chakra network. But it’s not just that—it’s powerful. Even at this stage, it’s… overwhelming.”

Tsunade exchanged a worried look with Shizune. “So the readings are correct,” she murmured. “This child’s chakra is… abnormal. It’s far stronger than any fetus should have, stronger than most adult shinobi.”

A tense silence followed her words, the enormity of what Neji had seen settling heavily in the room.

“And,” Shizune added hesitantly, “it’s likely that this chakra is the only reason Sasuke has survived. The fetus must be instinctively lending him chakra whenever his own levels drop too low. If it weren’t for that… Sasuke might not have made it.”

Sasuke’s chest felt tight, his entire being trembling as he struggled to come to terms with what he’d just heard. The silence in the room was deafening, the weight of the revelation sinking in. His heart was pounding so loudly that it seemed to echo in his ears, drowning out every other sound.

Kakashi’s voice finally broke through the oppressive quiet, disbelief and confusion lacing his tone. “But… how?” he murmured, his visible eye wide with shock. “Sasuke, you’re… you’re a man. How is this possible?”

Tsunade glanced at him, her expression a mixture of frustration and sympathy. “Orochimaru’s experiments,” she said quietly, turning back to look at Sasuke. “He altered Sasuke’s body. We don’t know how extensive the modifications were, but it’s clear that he… made certain changes.”

“Changes?” Kakashi repeated incredulously. “You mean—he gave Sasuke a—?”

“A uterus,” Sasuke interrupted bitterly, his voice low and tight. “Yes. That’s exactly what he did.”

Kakashi fell silent, the sheer absurdity of the situation leaving him momentarily speechless. He turned to stare at Sasuke, his expression a mixture of shock, disbelief, and something that looked painfully close to pity. “But why would Orochimaru—?”

“Because I was supposed to be his vessel,” Sasuke cut in, his voice trembling with barely restrained rage. “He needed a way to ensure his… legacy. Or whatever twisted reason he had. It doesn’t matter.” His hands clenched into fists, his nails digging painfully into his palms. “He did it. And now… now I’m…”

He trailed off, his gaze dropping to his abdomen. The bitterness in his eyes was almost palpable, a dark, corrosive thing that seemed to eat away at his resolve.

Tsunade stepped closer, her expression softening. “Sasuke,” she murmured gently. “I know this is hard to accept. But the child… it’s not just a result of Orochimaru’s experiments. It’s yours. Your blood, your chakra.”

“I don’t want it,” Sasuke snapped, his voice breaking. His eyes were wide and desperate, pleading as he looked up at her. “I don’t… I can’t… Tsunade, please. I don’t want this child. I didn’t ask for this.”

Kakashi stiffened, his gaze darting between Sasuke and Tsunade. “But… Sasuke, it’s not that simple,” she said quietly. “The child’s chakra—it’s so… alive. I’ve never felt anything like it. Even now, it’s strong enough to sustain you. To keep you—”

“Alive,” Neji murmured

The room was steeped in silence, a suffocating heaviness hanging over everyone present. The initial shock of Tsunade’s revelation had given way to confusion and disbelief, leaving them all at a loss for words. Sasuke, still lying in the hospital bed, looked utterly drained. His dark eyes were wide with shock, staring blankly at the ceiling as if hoping that this was just a nightmare he’d eventually wake up from.

But he wouldn’t. This was his reality now.

“You’re saying… I can’t get rid of it?” Sasuke whispered, his voice barely audible.

Tsunade’s gaze softened, a rare gentleness in her usually stern expression. She stepped closer to the bed, her hands clasped in front of her. “It’s not that simple, Sasuke,” she said quietly. “The fetus… it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Its chakra is already at a level comparable to that of an elite shinobi—stronger than most adults, even. It’s sustaining you, lending you its energy to keep you alive. I don’t know how it’s possible, but—”

“It’s not a normal pregnancy,” Shizune finished softly, her eyes full of sympathy. “If we tried to terminate it now… it could kill you. The bond between you and the child is too strong.”

Sasuke felt as if the world were crumbling around him. His chest tightened painfully, his breath hitching as panic began to swell in his chest. “But… that can’t be true,” he choked out, his voice cracking. “It’s just a fetus. It can’t be… that powerful.”

Neji, still beside the bed, activated his Byakugan again. The chakra signature around Sasuke’s abdomen flared to life in his vision—a bright, pulsing presence that seemed to radiate strength and vitality. He swallowed hard, his throat tightening at the sight.

“She’s right,” Neji murmured, his voice strained. “I can see it. The chakra… it’s linked to yours. Almost as if it’s… protecting you.” He turned his gaze to Sasuke, his pale eyes softening. “I don’t think it’s just sustaining itself. I think it’s actively keeping you alive.”

Sasuke’s breath caught. He stared at Neji, his mind reeling, and then turned back to Tsunade. “But why?” he whispered hoarsely. “Why would it… do that?”

Tsunade shook her head slowly. “I don’t know. It’s possible that whatever Orochimaru did to your body… altered the way the fetus develops. It might have an instinctive need to protect its host—to ensure that it survives until it’s strong enough to be born.” She hesitated, her gaze never leaving Sasuke’s face. “But one thing is clear: you can’t terminate the pregnancy. Not without putting your own life at risk.”

The words hit him like a physical blow. Sasuke felt the air leave his lungs, his entire body going numb with shock. He was trapped. Trapped by this… this thing growing inside him—this child that was half his and half Naruto’s.

Naruto…

The thought of him sent a fresh wave of anguish crashing over Sasuke. He squeezed his eyes shut, a strangled sound escaping his throat. How had his life come to this? Betrayed by the person he’d thought he could finally trust, abandoned, and now… forced to carry a child he hadn’t wanted—a child he hadn’t even known he could have.

“What… what am I supposed to do now?” he whispered brokenly, his voice shaking with despair. “I can’t… I can’t just pretend this isn’t happening. But I can’t… I don’t know if I can…”

Sasuke recoiled as if he’d been struck, his entire body trembling. “But… but there has to be a way,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “There has to be something—some way to—”

“There isn’t,” Tsunade said softly. “I’m sorry, Sasuke. But this child… it’s not just a part of you. It’s sustaining you. If we remove it… you won’t survive.”

The world seemed to spin around him, everything blurring together in a dizzying swirl of confusion and fear. He felt like he was drowning, suffocating under the weight of a decision he’d never wanted to make. “But I—” His voice cracked, raw and broken. “I don’t… I don’t want this. I didn’t ask for this. I don’t want this child!”

Kakashi flinched, pain flashing across his face as he looked at his former student. “Sasuke…”

Tsunade stepped forward, her hand reaching out hesitantly. “Sasuke, listen to me,” she murmured gently. “I know this isn’t fair. I know you didn’t ask for this. But right now, the child is part of you. A very powerful part of you. And if you want to live… you have to find a way to come to terms with that.”

Sasuke’s shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of him all at once. He stared at the floor, his expression empty, lost. “I just… I just wanted to be free,” he whispered, his voice so soft it was barely audible. “After everything… I just wanted to be free.”

Neji stepped forward, his gaze gentle but unwavering. “I know,” he said quietly. “But you’re not alone, Sasuke. Whatever happens… we’ll be here. I’ll be here.”

Sasuke didn’t respond. He just closed his eyes, his chest heaving with the effort of keeping himself together.

“I don’t want it,” he whispered again, his voice barely a breath. “But I don’t want to die, either.”

And for the first time, Tsunade didn’t have an answer.

The room fell silent again, the others exchanging uncertain glances. No one knew what to say. How could they? There were no words that could ease the pain, the confusion, the fear that Sasuke was drowning in.

Finally, Kakashi stepped forward. His gaze was soft, his voice low and gentle. “Sasuke… whatever you decide, we’ll support you. If you want to keep the child, we’ll make sure you have everything you need. And if you… if you choose not to, we’ll do everything in our power to protect you. But it’s your choice. No one else’s.”

Sasuke bit his lip hard, the coppery taste of blood flooding his mouth. Choice. What choice did he have? He couldn’t terminate the pregnancy without risking his life, and if he kept it… if he kept it, he’d have to face the reality of being a parent. Of raising a child that was half his and half Naruto’s—a constant reminder of the betrayal that had shattered his heart.

“I need…” He took a shaky breath, struggling to steady his voice. “I need to be alone. I need… time to think.”

Tsunade opened her mouth as if to protest, but then closed it, her expression softening. She glanced at Shizune, who nodded silently. Slowly, reluctantly, they began to step back, giving Sasuke the space he’d asked for.

“All right,” Tsunade said gently. “We’ll give you some time. But Sasuke…” She hesitated, her gaze lingering on his pale, drawn face. “You’re not alone. We’re here for you. All of us.”

One by one, the others began to file out of the room. Kakashi lingered for a moment, his gaze lingering on Sasuke’s hunched form. “If you need anything,” he murmured, “just call. I’ll come right away.”

Sasuke didn’t respond. He just stared blankly at the wall, his shoulders trembling. Kakashi sighed softly and turned to leave, his heart aching for his former student.

Neji remained standing in the room even as the others left. His presence was a steady, silent support as Sasuke lays motionless on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the wall. Tsunade hesitated at the door, glancing back at the two of them. When it was clear that Neji had no intention of leaving, she gave a small nod and closed the door quietly behind her.

The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Sasuke’s hands trembled slightly as he pressed them against the sheets, his knuckles white with tension. Neji took a small step forward, his gaze soft but unwavering.

“I’m not leaving,” Neji said quietly. “But… think of me as if I’m not here. Take your time, Sasuke.”

Sasuke’s head turned slowly, his dark eyes locking onto Neji’s. There was something raw and vulnerable in that gaze, something that made Neji’s chest tighten. He stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate, until he was standing right beside the bed.

He reached out hesitantly, his hand hovering just above Sasuke’s shoulder before he let it rest there, a gentle, comforting weight. “I know it’s hard to believe right now,” Neji murmured softly. “I know you have a lot of questions to ask and even more to understand. But I’ve seen what you’ve gone through. I know about Naruto and Hinata… about the betrayal you faced.”

Sasuke’s expression didn’t change, but Neji saw the flicker of pain that crossed his eyes. Neji’s hand tightened slightly, a small, reassuring squeeze. “You’re not alone in this. Whatever happens… whatever you decide… I’m here for you.”

There was no immediate response, just the silence that seemed to stretch on forever. But Sasuke didn’t pull away. He didn’t tell Neji to leave or reject the offered comfort. Instead, he slowly closed his eyes, a single, shuddering breath escaping him.

Neji stayed like that, his hand resting gently on Sasuke’s shoulder. He knew there were no words that could erase the pain Sasuke was feeling, no promises that could make this situation any easier. But if he could offer even a small bit of support—if he could make Sasuke feel just a little less alone—then that was enough.

“I’m here,” Neji repeated softly, his voice steady and calm. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

Sasuke opened his eyes again, looking up at Neji with a mixture of confusion and something like gratitude. It was faint, barely a flicker in the depths of his gaze, but it was there.

For now, that was enough.