The Hospital Room
Sasuke lay on the hospital bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. The sterile white walls seemed to close in on him, a constant reminder of the emptiness that now filled his life. He hadn't moved since he woke up, refusing food and water, his mind trapped in a loop of memories from that horrific night.
The images played over and over in his mind—the blood-soaked room, his parents lying lifeless on the floor, and Itachi, his brother, standing over them with a cold, indifferent smile. Itachi's words echoed in his ears, a cruel taunt that refused to fade.
"Hate me, my foolish little brother. You are too weak to even be worth killing."
Sasuke clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. The pain was a welcome distraction from the emotional turmoil raging inside him. He had always looked up to Itachi, admired him, loved him. How could the person he idolized betray him so completely?
The door creaked open, pulling Sasuke from his thoughts. Rock Lee's cheerful voice broke the silence. "Sasuke! Naruto and I came to see you."
Sasuke didn't respond. His eyes remained fixed on the ceiling, his expression blank.
Rock Lee hesitated, glancing at Naruto for guidance. Naruto, ever calm and composed, simply sat down beside the bed, his presence a quiet reassurance. Rock Lee followed suit, placing an apple on the bedside table.
"Sasuke, you haven't eaten all day. You should have something," Rock Lee said, his tone gentle but insistent.
Sasuke remained silent, his body rigid. The room was filled with the sound of cicadas outside, their rhythmic chirping a stark contrast to the tension inside.
The Breaking Point
Hours passed in silence, the sun dipping below the horizon and casting long shadows across the room. Finally, Sasuke's stomach growled, betraying his hunger. Naruto seized the opportunity, his voice calm but firm.
"You need to eat, Sasuke. You can't carry the weight of Uchiha's pride if you're too weak to stand."
Sasuke's eyes flickered, a spark of emotion breaking through his stoic facade. "Pride?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. "What pride? Uchiha is gone. Itachi destroyed everything."
Naruto's gaze softened, but he didn't interrupt. He knew Sasuke needed to vent, to release the pain that had been festering inside him.
"He killed them all," Sasuke continued, his voice rising with each word. "My parents, my clan… everyone. And for what? To prove how weak I am? To mock me?"
His Sharingan activated, the tomoe spinning wildly as his anger boiled over. "I'll kill him. I'll use these eyes to make him pay. No one can stop me—not you, not anyone!"
Rock Lee, unable to contain his frustration, slammed his fist on the bedside table. "Sasuke, do you even hear yourself? Naruto's been by your side this whole time, training with you, supporting you. And this is how you repay him? By lashing out like a child?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his anger shifting to Rock Lee. "You don't understand. You'll never understand what it's like to lose everything."
"Maybe not," Rock Lee shot back, his voice trembling with emotion. "But I do know what it's like to fight for something. And right now, you're not fighting—you're just throwing a tantrum."
Sasuke's Sharingan flared, and he lunged at Rock Lee, his movements fueled by rage. "You think you can lecture me? I'll show you the power of these eyes!"
The Fight
The two clashed in a flurry of punches and kicks, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Sasuke's Sharingan allowed him to predict Rock Lee's attacks, but Rock Lee's raw strength and determination kept him in the fight.
"You're faster," Rock Lee admitted, blocking a kick aimed at his ribs. "But speed isn't everything."
With a grunt, Rock Lee removed the weights from his legs, the heavy bands hitting the ground with a resounding thud. The room seemed to shake as Rock Lee's speed increased exponentially, his movements too fast for Sasuke to track.
"What…?" Sasuke's eyes widened in shock as Rock Lee's fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Wake up, Sasuke!" Rock Lee shouted, his voice filled with frustration and concern. "This isn't you!"
Sasuke struggled to his feet, his Sharingan spinning wildly. "You don't get it! I have to be stronger. I have to kill him!"
Rock Lee's expression hardened. "Then do it for the right reasons. Not out of hate, but out of the desire to protect what's left."
Before Sasuke could respond, Naruto stepped between them, his voice calm but commanding. "Enough."
With a flick of his wrist, Naruto activated a Kido spell. "Bakudo Number Nine: Horin (Disintegrating Circle)."
A glowing yellow chain wrapped around Rock Lee, restraining him without causing harm. Naruto turned to Sasuke, his expression unreadable.
"Sasuke," Naruto said, his voice gentle but firm. "I understand your pain. But lashing out at your friends won't solve anything."
Sasuke glared at Naruto, his Sharingan still active. "You don't understand. You'll never understand."
Naruto's eyes softened, but his resolve didn't waver. "Maybe not. But I do know one thing—hate will only destroy you. If you want to avenge your clan, do it for them. Not for yourself."
Sasuke's fists clenched, his body trembling with suppressed emotion. For a moment, it seemed like he would lash out again. But then, his shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of him.
"I… I don't know what to do," Sasuke admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, his touch a silent reassurance. "You don't have to figure it out alone. We're here for you."
Rock Lee, now free from the Kido spell, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Sasuke. We're a team, remember?"
Sasuke looked between them, his expression a mix of gratitude and guilt. For the first time since the massacre, he felt a glimmer of hope.
A New Resolve
As the night deepened, the three sat together in the hospital room, the tension slowly dissipating. Sasuke ate the apple Rock Lee had brought, his movements slow but deliberate. Naruto and Rock Lee stayed by his side, their presence a silent reminder that he wasn't alone.
"I'll get stronger," Sasuke said finally, his voice steady. "Not just to kill Itachi, but to honor my clan. To protect what's left."
Naruto smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "That's the Sasuke I know."
Rock Lee grinned, his usual enthusiasm returning. "And we'll be right there with you, every step of the way."
For the first time in days, Sasuke felt a sense of purpose. The road ahead would be long and difficult, but he wasn't alone. With his friends by his side, he would find a way to move forward.
And when the time came, he would face Itachi—not as a vessel of hatred, but as a shinobi with a mission.