Work Text:
Day 0:
Sasuke wakes up slowly. He's in unfamiliar clothes and an unfamiliar bed, and he hears unfamiliar voices. When he finally opens his eyes, he notices he's in a hospital room overpacked with people arguing among themselves.
When they notice Sasuke is awake, they all suddenly fall silent and stare, making him very uncomfortable.
All except one.
"GOOD MORNING, SASUKE-KUN!" shouts the man in all green. "MAY THE YOUTHFULNESS OF THIS DAY RESOUND WITH THE YOUTHFULNESS OF YOUR SOUL!"
Sasuke gives in to the only rational choice he has.
Sasuke screams.
He screams for 8 seconds, until someone mercifully reaches out and jabs a pressure point, knocking him out.
The remainder of the room stare at the Hokage in shock.
Hiruzen only puffs on his pipe in response. At least until a medic knocks it out of his hand with a pointed look.
"I think we should try again tomorrow in a less, ah, overwhelming setting," is all he says.
One of the council members opens his mouth to object, but Hiruzen cuts him off with a glare and a meaningful glance at the door.
Appropriately scolded, the majority of the crowd files out the door. Hiruzen picks his pipe off the floor, then follows after, leaving only the medic in the room with the boy.
Day 1:
Sasuke awakes slowly, until the memories come back to him. Then he flies upright, glancing around the room in terror.
It's the same hospital room, but this time there is only the Hokage and a medic. The medic is watching the Hokage like a hawk for some reason.
"Hokage-sama," Sasuke says warily.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun," the Hokage responds. He starts to lift his pipe to his mouth, but stops when the medic clears his throat. "I am afraid we have some unpleasant business ahead of us. Do you remember what happened to your family?"
Sasuke looks down and nods.
"I am terribly sorry for your loss, Sasuke-kun. Such hardships should never happen to a member of my village, and I apologize for my failings in keeping your family safe. Though I cannot change the past, I hope to help you in the future to help you overcome it. What would you like? If possible, it will be yours."
Sasuke responds immediately. "I need to become strong."
Hiruzen nods thoughtfully. "I believe your new guardian would be happy to help you achieve that goal."
"New guardian?"
"Yes, Maito Gai. He has expressed a desire to, ah, 'help you recover your youthfulness.' He is waiting outside."
At the Hokage's signal, the medic goes to open the door, never glancing away from the Hokage.
The man in green walks in.
Sasuke bites back on his impulse to shriek as loud as he can.
"GOOD MORNING, SASUKE-KUN!" Gai shouts.
"Good morning, Maito-san," Sasuke responds at a much more reasonable volume after an expectant pause.
"PLEASE CALL ME GAI, SASUKE-KUN! ARE YOU READY TO DEPART FOR THE START OF OUR NEW YOUTHFUL ADVENTURE?"
Sasuke glances at the Hokage. He almost imagines he sees pity in those eyes.
"The medics have cleared you and ANBU have already packed your personal possessions and brought them to your new residence," the Hokage provides.
Sasuke feels resignation join the lingering feelings of terror.
"Hn."
Day 2:
"GOOD MORNING, SASUKE-KUN!"
Sasuke bolts out of bed with a half-formed shriek. A quick glance shows it is not, in fact, morning.
"...what time is it?" Sasuke whispers to himself.
"IT IS THE YOUTHFUL HOUR OF A QUARTER AFTER 4!" Gai answers anyway. "THE HOKAGE TOLD ME OF YOUR YOUTHFUL GOAL OF GAINING STRENGTH, SO I AM HERE TO INVITE YOU ON MY DAILY RUN AROUND THE ENTIRE VILLAGE!"
Sasuke remembers the exact situation that made him want to get stronger. Then he looks out the window and back to his bed and promptly gives up on his plans of vengeance. He starts inching his way towards the bed, opening his mouth to politely inform Gai of his change of heart-
-only to see the hopeful expression on Gai's face start to fall.
Sasuke's shoulders droop. He gives in to the inevitable, making his way to the bathroom.
"Hn."
Day 3:
"GOOD MORNING, SASUKE-KUN!"
Sasuke does better this morning. He remains in bed, though the covers are thrown off.
This could be because his legs don't seem to be properly working after his lap around the village yesterday.
"I THOUGHT WE COULD START THE MORNING WITH A PUSH-UP CONTEST!"
After two days, Sasuke has already learned that there is no arguing with his new guardian.
"Hn"
Day 4:
"GOOD MORNING, SASUKE-KUN!"
Sasuke only manages to sit halfway up before flopping back down. He is no less startled than the other days, but now his arms have joined the list of body parts that don't work.
"I WAS GOING TO RUN THE WALL THIS MORNING!" Gai begins - Sasuke's heart starts beating double time at the idea of letting the man down - "AND THEN I REALIZED WE HAVE YET TO TRY SIT-UPS!" Gai finishes.
Sasuke is painfully relieved.
"Hn."
Day 5:
"GOOD MORNING, SASUKE-KUN!"
Sasuke's eyes fly open. They seem to be the only part of him that works.
"I WAS GOING TO ISSUE A YOUTHFUL CHALLENGE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I WILL HAVE TO POSTPONE. PLEASE ALLOW ME TO BRING YOU BREAKFAST IN BED TO MAKE UP FOR THIS!"
The enormous wave of relief that washes over Sasuke threatens to make him cry. He forces his neck to bend in a half nod instead.
It's only when Gai returns with the food that Sasuke wonders why Gai isn't issuing a challenge today, and perhaps Gai can sense his question, because he exclaims, "IBIKI SAID HE HAS SOME NEW YOUTHFUL FRIENDS FOR ME TO MEET AND ASKED ME TO COME AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE!"
Curiosity settled, Sasuke starts the painful process of reaching for his chopsticks, until something makes him pause.
Isn't Ibiki the head of...?
Sasuke refuses to complete that thought.
Instead, he just picks up his chopsticks.
"Hn."