It was a rainy day and Kakashi was heading back home. His mind was convinced of what was right, but he could not help but feel a heavy heart.
The council had decided that it was best to kill Sasuke. He knew that he was beyond saving, and he needed to think logically but all he could wonder was what he had done wrong and if Sasuke was truly beyond saving. He was starting to sound like Naruto.
He went to bed that night with that uncomfortable feeling. If he knew what the right thing to do was, why was he feeling so brokenhearted? He felt as if someone close to him had just died. He was sad, angry, and confused.
He tried to remember all the horrible things Sasuke had done but regardless of his efforts, his mind would go back to that confused, lost, and lonely kid that once belonged to his team. He remembered all the speeches, all the trouble, all the outbursts, his vulnerabilities. He felt as if had lost a child of his own. He remembered the kid that he once almost saw as his own. In his mind, he was still the same lost puppy he was when he found him.
His mind traveled back to many times he felt close to the kid. He thought of all the moments he contemplated losing one more person in his life.
*Memory*
Sasuke woke up early as usual. He followed the same routine as always. Woke, freshened up, made his bed, took his early morning walk, and was soon on his way to meet with Kakashi.
Sakura woke up early as well. She spent about an hour trying to figure out what to wear. Then she spent another hour doing her hair. It was typical for girls her age to spend so much time trying to look good, especially knowing that Sasuke would be there. Once done she made her way to the training area.
Naruto woke up much later than his teammates. He had his morning milk and left the house a disaster. After that, he left to go meet with his team.
Regardless of the time they left for the training grounds, Kakashi managed to be incredibly late. After he made up a ridiculous apology, he gave them a mission for the day. The mission consisted of watching a farmer’s 11 children all under 10 while he worked the fields. After a long time of protesting and begging for a real mission, team 7 reluctantly left.
*A few hours into the mission*
“I think this one needs a diaper change” Kakashi announced.
“I changed the last one” Sasuke said “Naruto, it’s your turn.”
“There is no way it’s my turn again, I already changed like 2 babies” Naruto complained.
“We’ve all changed like 3 each, it’s your turn” Sakura said.
“Kakashi-sensei has not changed any kids” Naruto yelled.
“That’s your job, my job is to supervise you” Kakashi quickly responded.
“Not fair” Naruto yelled.
“Oh well, too bad” Kakashi said “Go change the kid.”
After more complaining Naruto went to change the kid. He made a few faces and gagged a few times but did it anyway.
Sasuke was rocking a toddler who had taken some liking of him and did not want anyone else to touch her. He had been at it for a few minutes, and she was not falling asleep yet. At this point, everything hurt. His back hurt, his neck hurt, and his abdomen hurt for some reason.
Sakura was trying to whip something for the kids to eat after they had complained about all five dishes she had managed to pull.
When the mission was over, team 7 was destroyed. They were sweaty, tired, stinky, and HUNGRY.
“If I ever have to change another diaper in my life, I’ll die” Naruto cried.
“I don’t ever want to hear a kid crying ever again” Sakura signed.
“That’s why I don’t have kids” Kakashi said subtlety.
Sasuke just walked in front of them. His abdomen was still hurting a bit, probably from the hunger. He applied some pressure to see if that would help but that didn’t help. He just hoped to make it to the city soon.
“Don’t say that Kakashi-sensei, you’ll love having children one day” Sakura said.
“Nope, oh how wrong you are” Kakashi just said “It’s enough that I have to deal with you three” he complained.
“We are not that bad” Naruto screamed.
“That’s right, you are worse.” Kakashi said.
They kept on fighting and complaining until they made it to the gates of the city.
“Aaaah, we are finally here. I am so hungry” Naruto yelled one more time.
“Me too” Sakura said “Sasuke-kun, I bet you are really hungry too” She finished.
Sasuke just ignored her and simply kept on walking.
“I was given a budget to take you guys to eat tonight” Kakashi announced.
“Yay!!” Sakura and Naruto screamed.
“Let’s see” Kakashi counted the money “With this amount of money we should have enough for…..”
Naruto and Sakura looked excitedly, and Sasuke listened carefully.
“Ramen!” Kakashi announced.
“Yes!!” Naruto yelled as Sakura and Sasuke just looked gloomy with the option.
Naruto ran all the way to the restaurant. He started ordering a huge ramen bowl with almost every item on the menu.
“Naruto, you pig” Sasuke said.
“Yeah, Naruto, that’s disgusting” Sakura continued.
“It will all end in my stomach anyways” Naruto exclaimed.
“Sasuke-kun, what are you having?” Sakura asked.
Sasuke was just covering his eyes with his hands and shaking one of his legs. He passed his hands through his hair and signed.
“I don’t know, everything here is disgusting” Sasuke said with an attitude to which Sakura just responded with a frown.
They all finished ordering and the food soon made the way to their table. Naruto began devouring his food and Sakura tried to hide but she was also very hungry.
“Who would have thought it would start raining, I am glad we made it back before the rain” Kakashi said looking at the heavy rain outside of the restaurant.
“True” Naruto said with his mouth full of food.
“Stop that, it’s disgusting” Sasuke said being annoyed with Naruto’s slurping.
“Just eat your food” Naruto yelled.
“Sasuke you haven’t touched your food” Kakashi cut Naruto.
“That’s because this food is disgusting” Sasuke yelled “This is worse than dog’s food. You are loud, and so annoying. I’d rather spend my night alone than see you all for another minute.” Sasuke yelled as he got up and threw his chair against the table and left.
“Sasuke wait, it’s…. raining” Sakura said as he left without listening.
“Prick…. whatever, more for me” Naruto said pulling Sasuke’s plate to his side.
“Alrighty kiddos, time for me to go home. Stay as long as you want” Kakashi said leaving as well.
Sasuke was walking home. He was cold and the rain was not helping. The pain in his abdomen had gone from being slightly present to definitely being there. He had developed nausea as soon as he had sat down at the restaurant. He knew he had to leave before he gagged right there in front of his team. His body was feeling heavy, and he just wanted to lay in his bed.
The rain got worse and his nausea with it. He felt his stomach tighten and his heart racing. He started taking deep breaths and saliva began to accumulate in his mouth. He quickly made his way to lonely alley before he lost control of his stomach. He threw up the spoonful of ramen he had had onto the wall.
Sasuke began shaking heavily and just slid onto a box next to the dumpster sitting there trying to calm himself. He didn’t know why he was so anxious. He knew better, he was desperately trying to keep his cool. His stomach was still in knots. He knew that there was much more from where that had come from. It was just a matter of minutes.
Sasuke began hyperventilating. His heart racing. He could feel his heartbeat in his ears. He covered his mouth with his hands trying to drown his upcoming gag.
He gagged with his whole body shaking. He kept on covering his mouth. He gagged one more time, this time more violently.
He felt a hand on his leg trying to separate his legs. He didn’t even see this person but opened his legs a little.
“Don’t puke on your lap” a voice said tapping his leg one more time.
Sasuke adjusted his legs but kept his hands on his mouth.
Sasuke gagged one more time, and he panicked as he was trying to hold the contents of his stomach back.
“Alright, let go. Don’t hold it in” the person said trying to remove his hands from his mouth.
Sasuke finally removed his hands and began vomiting between his legs.
The other person put a hand on Sasuke’s back and the other one on his abdomen in order to support his shaking body.
“You are okay, you are doing good” The person comforted him “Are you done?” the person asked.
Sasuke just sat there for a second, spat one more time, and simply nodded.
“Okay, let’s get you out of here” the person said helping him up.
Sasuke looked up and finally made up the figure of his helper.
“Kakashi?” Sasuke asked lethargically.
“Feel better already?”
Sasuke nodded with his eyes closed and his hand on his abdomen.
“You probably ate something that didn’t agree with your stomach” Kakashi declared “Let’s go home” he finished.
Kakashi encouraged him with a soft push on his back.
Sasuke was quiet and simply followed Kakashi. Kakashi assumed the kid was pretty sick because he would have usually put up much more of a fight with listening to him.
The rain kept on showering them as they silently made their way home. Sasuke was just silently following him as the pain just traveled through his body. Kakashi turned around as he had left Sasuke behind.
Sasuke looked miserable. He was walking with difficulty with his arms holding his abdomen. He was looking at the floor with his body bent.
“You okay kid?” Kakashi asked.
Sasuke just stopped and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes trying to control the pain and simply shook his head.
“Feel like throwing up again?” Kakashi asked.
Sasuke kept his eyes closed trying to control his breathing. He shook his head but didn’t start walking again.
“Tired? Nauseous?” Kakashi kept on assessing him.
Sasuke nodded as he rubbed his legs for some comfort.
“Come on, we are almost there” Kakashi turned around pointing to his back signaling to jump on.
“I can walk on my own” Sasuke said in between breaths.
“Come on kid, don’t be stubborn” he insisted.
Sasuke made his way to Kakashi and reluctantly allowed him to carry him the rest of the way.
He fell asleep on top of Kakashi and didn’t complain much the rest of the way.
“I feel like I am going to be sick” Sasuke said rapidly.
“We are around the corner; think you can make it?” Kakashi asked.
Sasuke nodded and closed his eyes.
Kakashi walked as fast as humanly possible.
“Alright, we are he….re” Kakashi said as he felt his student gag. He felt a warm liquid slash against his jacket. He just stood there silently waiting for Sasuke to be done throwing up. If he was miserable, he was sure the kid was much more miserable.
“Done?” Kakashi asked.
Sasuke just answered with a deep breath.
“Alright, let’s get you inside” Kakashi said carrying the kid upstairs.
Sasuke was still lethargic from sleeping and puking. He looked up and did not recognize the house. Soon he realized he had covered his Sensei in puke.
“Your jacket….”Sasuke said.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s laundry day anyways” Kakashi said.
Sasuke was embarrassed but didn’t say a thing.
“I am going to go change, I’ll be right back” Kakashi said handing Sasuke a towel.
Kakashi left and as soon as he closed the door to the living room, he almost ripped the jacket off. All he could whisper to himself was “This is why I am never having kids”. He sighed; he knew it was going to be a long night.
“Okay Sasuke, here” Kakashi handed Sasuke some clothes “Change into this”.
He gave Sasuke some privacy to change. Kakashi’s clothes were pretty big on Sasuke, but it was better than his wet clothes.
“This isn’t my house” Sasuke said.
“Definitely not, it’s mine” Kakashi joked.
“Why am I here? I need to go home” Sasuke protested.
“You are a fool if you think I am going to leave you alone in your house in your condition” Kakashi replied.
“I am fine, I ate something funny but it’s already out of my system. I just need to sleep it off.” Sasuke complained.
“I’ll be the judge of that” Kakashi said.
“How did you find me?” Sasuke cut him off.
“You are too obvious when you are sick” Kakashi said sarcastically “come on, let’s get you to bed.” He finished.
Kakashi opened the door and showed Sasuke around.
“Here’s my bed, you can have it for the night” Kakashi pointed to his bed “there is the bathroom, I’d rather have you puke over there than on my shirt” he finished pointing to the bathroom door.
Sasuke’s face went red as if was filled with embarrassment.
“Alright, let’s get some water into you” Kakashi said before fetching a glass for him.
Sasuke drank it slowly and reluctantly and then just laid down in the bed. His whole body felt weird. He was cold, tired, in pain, and just overall wrecked.
Kakashi took the opportunity that his student was sleeping to quickly research what to do. He knew how to keep the kid hydrated but was not sure how to deal with the situation.
He grabbed a few pamphlets and started reading as much as possible. He grabbed “How to Comfort a sick child” and “What to Do if your child is sick”.
Sasuke woke up from his 10-minute nap. He quickly stood up and ran to the bathroom where he proceeded to throw up once again. Kakashi signed and followed.
“Still feeling sick, huh?” Kakashi said flushing the toilet “You are doing good” he said while placing his hand on Sasuke’s back remembering that the pamphlet said he should comfort the sick child.
Sasuke just shot him a weird look “I am just puking” he said.
“Right” Kakashi answered awkwardly.
“You are warm” Kakashi said moving his hand from Sasuke’s back to his neck and then his forehead “I think you have a fever” he finished.
Sasuke slowly and painfully stood up and Kakashi helped him back to bed.
“You are officially on bed rest for the rest of the afternoon and night” Kakashi said.
“Stop mothering me” Sasuke said.
“The only reason I am mothering you is because I don’t trust you to take care of yourself” Kakashi responded.
Sasuke just made a complaining noise.
“Alright, how long have you been feeling sick?” Kakashi asked.
“Are you a nurse now?” Sasuke protested.
“I have to make sure you are okay” Kakashi said “Come on, answer” he ordered.
Sasuke sighed “I am not sure, I guess since earlier” he answered.
“You should have said something before” Kakashi reprimanded him.
“Yeah, so you could give us even more stupid missions next time. I’ll pass” Sasuke answered.
Kakashi took a deep breath trying not to smack the kid knowing he was sick.
“And you have vomited three times, correct?” Kakashi kept on asking.
Sasuke thought for a second and shyly answered “four”.
“Oh okay, let’s make sure we keep you hydrated. You don’t want to end up in the hospital over a stomach virus” he replied which just led Sasuke to become even more upset “Also, you have a fever. Any pain?” Kakashi kept on asking.
“My abdomen hurts” Sasuke answered. He was in pain, and he could not do much to hide it.
“Where?” Kakashi asked examining his abdomen.
“All over” Sasuke answered.
Kakashi applied some pressure on the kid’s abdomen. Sasuke immediately made a pained noise and held Kakashi’s hand trying to stop him.
“Okay, I see” Kakashi rolled Sasuke’s shirt back down “what about diarrhea? Have you had any loose bowel movements?” Kakashi asked very calmly.
“What is wrong with you? Why do you want to know that? Sasuke shouted.
“I’ll take that as a yes” Kakashi said.
“No, I haven’t crapped water” Sasuke said defensively.
“Alright, just let me know if you do. We have to keep track of your fluids” Kakashi responded ignoring Sasuke’s defensive shouting “Let me know if you develop diarrhea or any other symptoms, okay?” he finished.
“Leave me alone” Sasuke said laying back down.
“Okay?” Kakashi ignored him and repeated.
“Okay” Sasuke responded loudly.
Kakashi sat on his couch and let Sasuke sleep for a bit. He got up a couple of times to be sick and Kakashi made sure to give him some water afterwards.
After two more times of being sick and total of 8 times puking and more difficulty tolerating the abdominal pain, Kakashi decided to give him a bucket and attempt IV with fluids.
Sasuke was a little more lethargic than usual and that was when Kakashi decided to use an emergency IV with fluids that he had for missions.
“Alright kid, I am giving some fluids through here since you are not keeping a drop down” Kakashi said grabbing Sasuke's arm.
Sasuke just nodded. Kakashi could tell the kid was pretty miserable and even he was starting to become miserable with seeing the kid getting worse.
It took Kakashi a while to find Sasuke’s vein since he was dehydrated. He finally did and just put on his nightstand.
Sasuke finally fell asleep for longer than 10 minutes. Given that he already had fluids and a bucket he used the opportunity to go to the store since it was about to close.
He left quietly and quickly bought ingredients for soup, some stomach medicine, and another IV with fluids.
When he returned Sasuke was not in his bed. He just set the things he had bought outside and knocked on the bathroom door.
“You okay Sasuke?” Kakashi asked trying to open the door that was locked.
“Yeah” Sasuke said.
“Need me in there?” Kakashi insisted.
“No, go away” Sasuke screamed.
“Alright, I am right outside if you need anything” Kakashi said before leaving to sit back on the sofa.
After 15 minutes a very pale Sasuke came out of the bathroom. He was walking painfully slow and holding his abdomen and IV bag.
“You okay?” Kakashi asked from the sofa.
Sasuke just shot him a killer look.
“That bad?” Kakashi said without getting a response back.
“I don’t want to talk about it” Sasuke complained while slowly getting back into bed.
“Alright” said Kakashi adding a tally mark to his written symptoms.
Kakashi got up and went to the kitchen to make some soup.
He made a chicken soup with a thin broth. It should not be heavy on Sasuke’s stomach.
“Hey, I brought soup” Kakashi said entering the room.
Sasuke was once again slowly making his way out of the bathroom, twice as pale as he was before.
“I don’t feel like eating” Sasuke said.
“Well, you have to” Kakashi said.
“I’ll puke it” Sasuke protested.
“We have to try to get something on your stomach” Kakashi said sitting next to him “Come on, I bet you are hungry” he insisted.
Sasuke took a look at the soup without much hope.
“You haven’t thrown up in a while, maybe you’ll be able to keep it down” Kakashi suggested.
Sasuke took a deep breath and tried a spoonful of the soup. It tasted good and he was getting hungry. He had about for spoonful and put it aside.
“How was it?” Kakashi asked.
“Not bad” Sasuke said.
“I’ll save some for later” Kakashi said taking the plate away.
It was already getting very late and even Kakashi was getting tired.
He started set up the sofa to sleep there for the night and turned off the lights.
About an hour later, Kakashi woke up when he heard retching sounds coming from the bathroom.
“Kid?” Kakashi looked at Sasuke.
Sasuke looked up to Kakashi and immediately threw up again.
Kakashi took a deep breath and made his way next to the kid.
“It’s okay, it should not last much longer.” Kakashi comforted Sasuke with a hand on his back.
Once Sasuke was able to take a breath and look up, Kakashi flushed and cleaned his mouth with a cloth.
“Done?” Kakashi asked tiredly.
“I don’t know” Sasuke said before gagging again and throwing up whatever was left from the soup.
“Come on, let’s get you in bed. I have the bucket over there. You’ll be more comfortable” Kakashi said.
“I’ll stay here” Sasuke said weakly before gagging again without bringing anything up.
Kakashi just took a look at the sick kid in front of him and signed.
Kakashi left the room and left Sasuke there. He would not admit it, but he felt a little anxious when his sensei left. Regardless of how proud or mature he could be, he was still a 12-year-old child who was sick and craved comfort.
A few minutes later Kakashi emerged from the bedroom with a few blankets and pillows.
“If you are not leaving, then I guess we will both have to stay here” Kakashi said while setting the pillows and blankets on the floor.
“Come on, try to rest” Kakashi said gently pushing Sasuke onto the blanket.
Sasuke let out a pained shriek as the movement aggravated his pain but eventually got more comfortable. Kakashi turned off the light and left a night light on. Then proceeded to lie on the floor with a pillow. Sasuke had already fallen asleep. His cheeks were flushed due to his fever, and he looked a mess. Kakashi was beginning to worry and just hoped for it all to be over soon. They slept for half an hour before Sasuke woke up again.
“I feel sick” Sasuke said rapidly breathing “I am going to be sick” he desperately said.
“It’s okay, come on” Kakashi said helping Sasuke sit up in front of the toilet.
Sasuke began to get sick once more. His hands were holding his head as he was exhausted.
“It’s okay, it’ll be over soon” Kakashi said putting his hand behind Sasuke’s back “Are you done?” he asked.
Sasuke just rested his head on his hands and took a deep breath. Kakashi kept his hand on Sasuke’s back until he nodded.
“Alright, let’s get some water in you” Kakashi said lifting a glass to Sasuke’s mouth.
Sasuke took a sip of the water, and it immediately came back out. He hadn’t had a chance of swallowing it before it made its way back out.
“That was a bad idea, I am sorry” Kakashi said putting the water away “Okay, try to rest some more”.
Kakashi tried to help Sasuke back down. He was visibly in pain, he closed his eyes and swallowed hard, his toes were curled, and he was holding his breath as he was lying down.
“Is it the pain?” Kakashi asked.
Sasuke just nodded with his eyes still closed.
“Let’s see if this helps” Kakashi said pulling a patch from under the sink and slowly placing it on Sasuke’s abdomen. Sasuke flinched when Kakashi touched his abdomen but found some relief.
The next two hours consisted of Sasuke getting up to throw up, Kakashi checking on the kid, and trying to catch some sleep in between. At this point, they were both exhausted. Kakashi was not even talking anymore just waking up and making sure the kid didn’t faint. Sasuke was just on autopilot waiting for his misery to end.
Sasuke began breathing heavily once more and was noisily complaining.
“Feeling sick again?” Kakashi asked without getting up.
Sasuke just nodded and sat up with a lot of effort. He took a deep breath and silently got sick once.
“I am honestly worried” Kakashi said sitting up “at this rate you are going to puke your organs out before morning” he said while putting his hand on the back of Sasuke’s head.
Sasuke gagged abruptly two times without bringing anything up.
“Alright kid, you done” Kakashi said.
Sasuke opened his eyes and began patting his abdomen with curiosity.
“What is it?” Kakashi asked.
“The pain…it is not as bad anymore” Sasuke said with relief.
“That’s good. You are probably getting through it already” Kakashi responded.
“I feel better” Sasuke said.
“Good, kid. At this rate I thought you’d be dead before dawn” Kakashi said with relief “Are you ready to go to bed?” he asked hopeful.
Sasuke thought for a second and nodded. They picked up the blankets and pillows and went back to the room. Sasuke was still a little lethargic, but he looked a lot better.
As soon as Kakashi touched the couch, he was asleep. Sasuke was deeply asleep on the bed. They were able to sleep until around 5 in the morning.
A loud retching noise woke Kakashi up. The noise was followed by literal screams. Kakashi got up quickly and ran to Sasuke.
Sasuke was a wreck. He had been sick all over himself and was screaming and holding his abdomen.
“Sasuke what is wrong?” Kakashi kept on asking.
Sasuke was not responding. He kept on holding his abdomen and yelling in pain. He breathing was labored and his eyes were not even open.
“What is it, Sasuke?” Kakashi asked worriedly “is it your stomach?” he said trying to touch Sasuke’s abdomen.
Sasuke held Kakashi's hand and pushed away.
“What is it?” Kakashi yelled desperately.
Sasuke was not answering. He was just holding his abdomen and trying to catch his breath. Kakashi noticed tears forming at the edge of his eyes. He needed to make a decision quickly. He could try to heal the kid himself or he could send a message to the hospital and see if they could take the kid.
Sasuke’s breathing became more and more labored and Kakashi noticed swelling and bruising in his abdomen. He touched the kid’s forehead, and he was burning up.
In his desperation, Kakashi grabbed Sasuke in his arms and ran as fast as he could to the Hospital. He had no time to wait for anyone. His heart was pounding. His calm nature was truly distraught. He could feel Sasuke’s heat through his clothes.
“Hang in there Sasuke” Kakashi kept on repeating as he kept on running.
*In the Hospital*
Kakashi abruptly opened the door.
“Help! Help! I need help” Kakashi was screaming hysterically like had never before.
“Hey, I came as soon as I could” Asuma approached Kakashi in response to a message he had sent earlier about Sasuke’s condition.
Kakashi looked at Asuma and remembered Sasuke in his arms.
“Somebody help” Kakashi yelled.
A group of nurses came running towards him and began placing Sasuke on a stretcher.
“What is wrong with him?” A nurse asked.
“I am not sure; he was sick all afternoon and in pain. Just help” Kakashi said rapidly.
“Sick how? As in throwing up?” The nurse continued to ask.
“Yeah, yeah” Kakashi answered.
“How many times?” The nurse asked.
“I don’t know, a bunch of times” he said while running his hand through his hair.
“Was he in any pain?” the nurse asked.
Kakashi was going to answer when he felt a small hand pulling his arm.
“Kakashi-sensei, is Sasuke-kun okay?” a soft voice said.
Kakashi turned and panicked when he saw Sakura looking at Sasuke worriedly. He made eye contact with her and couldn’t bring up any words to say.
“Was he in any pain?” the nurse repeated.
Kakashi was flustered for a second between his student pulling his arm, the nurse asking, and the other nurses trying to get Sasuke an IV.
“Sakura come here; Sasuke is a little sick but the nurses are going to help him” Asuma said pulling Sakura away.
Kakashi looked at Asuma with relief and nodded as a thank you.
“Yes, he was. He said his abdomen hurt” Kakashi said looking at the nurse.
“Alright, we’ll take care of him” The nurse said as they wheeled Sasuke away.
Kakashi just silently watched as they took Sasuke away and then sat next to Asuma.
“Where is Sakura?” Kakashi asked with a sigh.
“I told her to go back to assist the nurses and that we would tell her how Sasuke was doing as soon as we knew anything” Asuma said.
“I forgot she volunteered at the hospital this early sometimes” Kakashi said.
“I’ve never seen you so worried. Is the kid okay?” Asuma asked.
“I don’t know, you should have seen him” Kakashi said.
“He’ll be fine” Asuma declared.
“I hope so, it’s my fault he is here” Kakashi said.
“What do you mean?” Asuma asked curiously.
“I should have taken him to the Hospital a lot earlier. I assumed it was a virus and look at him now….” Kakashi said exhaustedly.
“You had no way of knowing; you did what you could” Asuma said “you are a good sensei”.
“I hope so, I hope so” he whispered.
A few hours passed and Kakashi was pacing back and forth. Asuma had fallen asleep on the chair.
“Are you here for Uchiha Sasuke?” A nurse asked.
“Yeah” Kakashi quickly approached her “how is he?” he asked.
“He is out of surgery and should make a full recovery. His appendix ruptured and caused peritonitis. A few hours later and things would not have been as good but he is fine” the nurse explained.
“Thank you” Kakashi sighed with relief “when can I see him?” he asked.
“He is still coming off of the sedatives, but you should be able to see him” the nurse responded.
Kakashi turned around and looked at Asuma who was standing by Sakura who had come to check if they knew anything about Sasuke.
*Sasuke’s room*
Sasuke began to open his eyes and look around. He made eye contact with Kakashi and then looked at his IV with a bit of confusion.
“You are okay Sasuke-kun” Sakura said jumping towards Sasuke and hugging him.
Sasuke didn’t hug her back, he was still confused about what had happened.
“Be careful, he just had surgery” Asuma said pulling Sakura from Sasuke.
“You gave me quite a scare kid” Kakashi said.
“Don’t call me kid” Sasuke said groggily.
Kakashi just laughed, he knew Sasuke was back and okay.
“Oh well kid, get used to it because you’ll be staying at my house until you are fully recovered” Kakashi told him.
“What a nightmare…”Sasuke said before dozing off.
“Is he okay?” Sakura asked.
“Yeah, it’s just the anesthesia” Kakashi said “Come on, let’s go so he can rest” he finished.
“And so you can rest too” Asuma said looking at Kakashi who just gave him a smile.
*Present day*
He remembered that day and wondered if Sasuke did too. He thought of how on that day the thought of losing someone else terrified him. His heart became heavy once more knowing that this time he was choosing to eliminate someone who he once loved like a son. He was grieving and he didn’t know. He always said he didn’t want kids but deep down he knew he could not afford to lose anyone else.
A tear rolled down his eye as he renounced the idea that Sasuke could one day change. Deep in his heart, he wished to be wrong…