I do not own anything nor do I make any money from this story. All rights apply.
Post manga AU from 464/465.
DO YOU REMEMBER…
Sakura sat perched on the window sill of the hospital room. As the head of the Konoha Hospital, she was supposed to be checking up on the patient, Kiba, but he slept so she left him – he was going to get very little sleep in the weeks, possibly months, to come. And it wasn't just his body that needed to heal but his heart as well. Instead she found herself looking out the window, seeing nothing as she thought about the past six years and the war that had raged for the last four. Borders had been closed for the six months now; attempts at peace were ground to dust.
Though the Hokage refused to give up; sending out teams to try and make contact – volunteers only. The Sand were still allies but half of that was Shikamaru and Temari. Chouji still lived and Ino… Well, she was alive but lost in what ever mind she last made contact with; eternally sleeping.
Rock Lee had been the first of them to fall – taijutsu only went so far. Neji still fought and Tenten was on the list of those whose fate was unknown but had been missing too long. Shino was on that list though both Hinata and Kiba kept the hope alive – almost a year later… But Kiba had lost Akamaru yesterday. Would he still hope?
Inevitably her thoughts turned to her own team mates. Naruto, now Hokage; Sasuke, long cold in death and Sai, who had cut out his tongue to free himself of Danzo. Danzo… and the meeting of Kage. The start of all the grief. Tsunade managed to keep it at bay for almost two years but her health, fading ever since Pain's attack, gave up and too many remembered that Naruto had fought for Sasuke. Sasuke's betrayal over shadowed his one good deed – the one that cost his life. Defeating Akatsuki. But in a way they won… Only now there appeared to be no end in sight.
Sometimes, very seldom, she could actually curse Sasuke and his past actions. But there was little point in cursing the dead and even less in loving them.
Sounds of waking pulled her to the present. Kiba lay blinking for a moment before he spoke haltingly.
"I- I wanted to wake…" he stopped, tears running down his face and soaking his pillow. "I don't want Akamaru to be dead… I want…"
Sakura came to his bedside but before she could say anything he added.
"Don't say anything," he said fighting to keep his voice level. "You've lost; you know the words sound hollow."
"They are needed to be heard and to be said," countered Sakura. "I'm sorry about Akamaru, Kiba."
For sometime the only sound was Kiba crying but that slowly faded.
"Do you remember simpler times?" asked Sakura.
"Childlike rivalry and grand dreams…"
Sakura nodded.
"Death was so far away – we were all invincible," she said.
"Until we started dying," said Kiba softly. "That is what ninja do – they die."
Sakura turned her attention back to the window.
"In surprisingly simple ways…"
END