Silent Gestures, Growing Bonds
It had been weeks since Sasuke was admitted to the hospital, and in that time, a quiet routine had formed between him and Neji. The passing hours were marked not by words, but by actions. The small, almost invisible gestures that Neji made were unnoticed by everyone but Sasuke, who, though silent, had started to become acutely aware of each one.
It was in the early mornings, when the room was still and Sasuke had just woken, that Neji’s presence was most felt. Sasuke would stir in his bed, still groggy from sleep, and the first thing he would see was Neji sitting nearby, his back straight, but his gaze soft as he watched over him.
Neji always seemed to anticipate what Sasuke needed, even before Sasuke realized it himself. When his long, dark hair slipped across his face, falling into his eyes, Neji would lean forward, his movements careful and gentle, and tuck the strands behind Sasuke's ear. It was a small gesture, one that should have been insignificant, but somehow it wasn’t. Each time Neji’s fingers brushed against his skin, Sasuke found himself strangely comforted.
It was odd, Sasuke thought, to find comfort in someone else’s touch. He had never been one for physical affection, not since childhood. But with Neji, it felt different. It wasn’t suffocating or intrusive—it was simply there, like a steady presence he hadn’t known he needed until it was offered.
Neji’s care didn’t stop with small touches. Every detail in the room seemed to be under Neji’s careful watch. Sasuke noticed how there were always extra pillows placed behind his back, adjusted perfectly to support him whenever he shifted in bed. On days when Sasuke felt particularly fatigued, Neji would adjust the angle of the pillows just so, making sure that Sasuke was comfortable without ever needing to ask.
The food that was brought to Sasuke’s bedside was never left untouched, either. Neji always ensured Sasuke ate the food . He’d quietly sit by Sasuke’s side, his presence both comforting and insistent in a way that told Sasuke there was no room for debate. Neji never pushed, never demanded—he simply waited, knowing Sasuke would eat eventually.
There was an extra glass of water beside Sasuke's bed at all times, just in case. Neji would always pour a fresh one . And though Neji rarely spoke, Sasuke found that the silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable. It was full of understanding, and that, more than anything, had helped Sasuke feel less alone.
As the days passed, Sasuke became more aware of how much his hair had grown. It was longer now, more unruly, often falling into his eyes or across his face whenever he shifted in bed. Each time Neji would reach out to tuck it behind his ear, Sasuke would briefly catch his gaze, seeing something soft and unspoken in Neji’s eyes.
The first time it happened, Sasuke had been too disoriented to react. But now, after so many days of the same gentle gesture, he couldn’t help but notice the care in Neji’s movements. Neji would never let his hair stay in disarray, always making sure it was tucked neatly out of the way. It was such a small thing, but in those moments, Sasuke felt the weight of something deeper forming between them.
It wasn’t just about the hair, or the pillows, or the water. It was the way Neji had slowly integrated himself into Sasuke’s life in ways Sasuke hadn’t expected. He was always there, always watching over him, but never in an overbearing way. There was a quiet intimacy to it, something Sasuke couldn’t quite name but felt all the same.
Tsunade and Shizune were both quick to notice the changes in Sasuke. During their daily visits, they exchanged glances that conveyed their shared surprise. It wasn’t just Sasuke’s physical condition that was improving—there was something else, something more emotional. Sasuke seemed more relaxed, more open, though he rarely spoke of it.
"He's opened up a lot," Tsunade remarked one morning as she took Sasuke's vitals, her eyes flicking between him and Neji. "Physically, he's healing well, but there’s more to it."
Shizune nodded in agreement, jotting down notes on her clipboard. "He's been eating more, resting better. And I think," she said with a knowing smile, "that someone here has been making sure he’s comfortable."
Neji didn’t say anything, but he felt the warmth of Shizune’s comment. He had always been protective of Sasuke, even before the hospital stay. But now, that protectiveness had deepened into something else, something quieter but far more powerful.
"I’m just here," Neji said simply, but Tsunade’s sharp gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, as though she saw more in his words than he let on.
As the days wore on, during one of the morning Tsunade entered the room, her clipboard in hand, glancing at the various monitors hooked up to Sasuke. She seemed pleased with the results, and after making a few notes, she turned her attention to Sasuke, who had been resting quietly while Neji sat beside him.
"You're doing well, Sasuke," Tsunade said, her tone softer and there was a glint of relief in her eyes. "Your vitals have stabilized, and your overall health is improving, which is a good sign."
Sasuke merely nodded, his hand still resting on his stomach, where the faintest pulse of life was growing. He had grown accustomed to the idea that he was carrying a child, though he still hadn’t fully processed what that meant for him in the long run. The weight of it lingered at the back of his mind, but for now, he kept those thoughts buried.
Tsunade glanced between Sasuke and Neji for a moment before she continued, "Tomorrow, we'll be conducting a detailed ultrasound scan. It'll give us a clearer picture of the baby’s development, and…" she paused, her eyes resting on Sasuke, "if you want, we can determine the gender during the scan."
There was a quiet shift in the room as the words hung in the air. Sasuke’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, though he kept his expression neutral. Neji, however, felt a sudden surge of emotion welling up within him. The reality of the situation had been unfolding slowly over the days, but hearing that they could soon know more about the child—its gender, its growth—made everything feel even more real.
Tsunade softened her tone, sensing Sasuke's unease. "This scan is very important to find out baby's growth ok , if you don't want to know about gender... it's ok... Don't ....worry ..about it " .
Sasuke didn't respond immediately, but his fingers unconsciously tightened over his stomach, his thumb brushing against the soft fabric of his hospital gown. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to know the baby’s gender yet and yet here they were, talking about its development as though it was an inevitability.
Neji, who had been sitting silently at Sasuke’s side, sensing Sasuke’s hesitation, felt something stir deep within him—something he had never anticipated. He glanced at Sasuke’s hand, then to his face, before speaking quietly but firmly.
“We’ll be there,” Neji said, his voice steady.spoke up, his voice calm but reassuring.
Sasuke glanced at Neji, surprised by the quiet strength in his words. He hadn’t asked for Neji’s support, but the fact that it was being offered so freely made something inside Sasuke loosen, if only for a moment.
Tsunade gave a brief nod, her usual stern expression softening. "Good. We’ll see you both tomorrow morning, then. I’ll leave you to rest for now."
With that, Tsunade turned to leave, but not before exchanging a knowing look with Shizune, who had been quietly observing from the doorway. As the two medics exited, the room fell back into its familiar, comfortable silence
Later that day, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, Kakashi made his routine visit. He entered the room with his usual calm demeanor, his single visible eye immediately noticing the subtle shifts between Sasuke and Neji. The air between them felt different—more connected, somehow.
Kakashi exchanged a few quiet words with Neji before turning his attention to Sasuke. To his surprise, it was Sasuke who broke the silence.
"Kakashi," Sasuke’s voice was quiet but firm.
Kakashi glanced over, surprised by the sudden directness.
Both men turned to see Sasuke looking directly at them, his expression as serious as ever, though there was a slight softness in his tone that hadn’t been there before.
"Yes?" Kakashi stepped closer, his curiosity piqued.
"I want you to be there tomorrow... for the ultrasound," Sasuke said quietly, almost hesitantly, as though he hadn’t been sure whether to ask. But once the words were out, he held Kakashi’s gaze, waiting for his response.
Kakashi blinked in surprise. Sasuke wasn’t one to make requests like this, and certainly not for something so personal. But something in Sasuke’s expression told him that this was important. More than that, Sasuke had allowed himself to reach out, to ask for help. And that was no small thing
For a moment, he was speechless, but then a warm smile spread across his face.
Kakashi smiled , his voice warm as he responded promised. "I'll be there, 100 percent."
Sasuke gave a slight nod, his eyes flickering with a hint of something Kakashi couldn’t quite place—gratitude, maybe, or perhaps relief.
Neji, standing beside the bed, felt the shift between Sasuke and Kakashi, and something inside him settled as well. Kakashi’s presence meant a lot to Sasuke, more than he might ever admit, and Neji was glad to see that Sasuke was opening up in ways he hadn’t before.
As the evening wore on, Neji continued his silent vigil beside Sasuke’s bed. The routine was familiar now—tucking Sasuke’s hair away, adjusting the pillows, making sure he was comfortable. But tonight, Neji found himself lingering longer with each gesture. His fingers brushed against Sasuke’s skin as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind his ear, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to feel the weight of the connection growing between them.
Neji had been by Sasuke’s side every day, watching over him with a quiet vigilance. He had never questioned why he felt such a strong need to be there—at first, it had simply felt like the right thing to do. But as the days passed, something had shifted in him. The more time he spent in that hospital room, the more he found himself feeling… attached, in a way that he hadn’t anticipated.
Sasuke had been through so much, and Neji could see the toll it had taken. But it wasn’t just Sasuke he found himself growing protective over. No, there was something more—something Neji hadn’t expected. It was when he caught glimpses of Sasuke's hand resting on his belly, when he saw the faintest movements under the fabric of Sasuke's hospital gown, that Neji felt it.
A few days ago, during one quiet afternoon, Neji had been sitting beside Sasuke’s bed, his thoughts drifting. He noticed Sasuke shifting in his sleep, his face creased with a slight discomfort. Without thinking, Neji reached out, gently adjusting the blanket and brushing Sasuke’s hair from his face. As his hand grazed over Sasuke's stomach, where the child grew, Neji paused, his palm coming to rest softly against Sasuke's belly.
At that moment, something profound stirred within him. The soft rise and fall of Sasuke's abdomen beneath his hand made Neji suddenly aware of the fragile life growing inside. The heartbeat that echoed through Sasuke’s body, faint but real, pulsed beneath his fingers. It was in that moment that Neji felt an overwhelming surge of protectiveness—one that went beyond anything he had experienced before.
It was strange. The child wasn’t his, and yet, the feeling was undeniable. There was an immense need to shield both Sasuke and the baby from anything that might harm them. His mind told him it didn’t make sense—this wasn’t his burden to bear—but his heart said otherwise.
As Neji’s hand remained resting on Sasuke’s belly, the overwhelming sense of love followed close behind the protectiveness. It was a feeling so intense that it almost scared him. He had always been disciplined, reserved, keeping his emotions under tight control. But this—this was something else entirely.
He cared deeply for Sasuke, that much he already knew. But this love he was feeling now… it wasn’t just for Sasuke. It was for the life growing inside him, a life that had nothing to do with Neji, and yet, it felt like everything. The bond forming within Sasuke—between him and the child—was something Neji could feel too, as though he was being pulled into it.
There was a deep connection forming here, one Neji hadn’t anticipated. He didn’t just want to be by Sasuke’s side anymore; he wanted to be a part of this, to help protect this child and give it a future. The thought startled him. He had never imagined himself in this role, never thought he would be capable of feeling so strongly for something that wasn’t even his own.
Yet, here he was, gently patting Sasuke’s belly, feeling a love that was overwhelming in its purity. He didn’t understand where this need to protect and care came from, but he couldn’t deny it.
He looked at Sasuke, still sleeping peacefully, unaware of the flood of emotions Neji was going through. How could something that wasn’t his—this child, this life—feel so important to him? But it did. And Neji realized, in that quiet moment, that he would do anything to protect Sasuke and this baby, even if he wasn’t the father, even if it wasn’t his place.
It was something he hadn’t expected, this quiet affection that had blossomed over the days they had spent together. Neji had always respected Sasuke, had always admired his strength and resilience. But now, those feelings were deepening into something more. Every time he saw Sasuke’s pale hand resting over his stomach, felt the steady rise and fall of his breathing, Neji felt a surge of protectiveness he had never known before.
And Neji, though not the father, felt a deep sense of responsibility—a love so powerful it made his chest ache.
For the first time, he let himself imagine what the future might look like.
A future where he wasn’t just Sasuke’s protector, but something more.
Tomorrow, they would see the child on the ultrasound for the first time. Neji wasn’t sure what to expect, but he knew one thing for certain—he would be there, by Sasuke’s side, just as he always had been and Neji knew, in the depths of his heart, that it would change everything...........