Hey guys, sorry this is really short and really late. I've had a hectic work schedule this week, along with my daughters party, and then my computer decided to play games with me and I had insane writers block. Though I did throw a bit more Gaara in this one. I want to try and add more of the other characters. Anyway, Shidonii-kun has a poll on her profile, if you guys could go vote on it that would be totally fantastic. Enjoy!
~Sasori's POV~
I sat in the hospital room, gripping Aki's hand as we waited for the medication to wear off. Sasuke and Deidara sat curled up on a padded bench by the window, both sound asleep. Sasuke and I both refused to leave no matter how many times Shizune had tried to shoo us away. Deidara spent the majority of his time going back and forth between Shidonii and Aki's room before finally drifting off. No matter how many times I tried to sleep, my mind only kept me awake, with memories of the past few hours haunting me. Itachi had driven us to the hospital with Sasuke and I in the back of the car with Aki while Sasuke told us what all had occurred that night. Shizune wasn't happy when we arrived for having to treat both Aki and Shidonii in the same night but she assured us that it wasn't as bad as I'd feared. She had passed out only from the pain and exhaustion, so there was no threat to her life. Her eye however, required some surgery, which is what she was recovering from now.
I pushed the hair away from her eye and let out a choked sob as the stitches came into view. They reached from her forehead, over her right eye to her cheekbone. It looked much better now that it was no longer a gaping wound, but it was still hard to see, knowing I hadn't been there to prevent it. Ever since she came home she seemed years ahead of her time, but here, she seemed so young and even fragile.
She stirred and opened her eyes, looking over at me. "Hi." She said, weakly. I gave her a small smile, holding back my gasp at the sight of the dulled color in her eye. She pulled her hand from my grasp and held it in front of her face, frowning. "I guess it's as bad as I thought it'd be."
"Can you see anything at all?" She answered by shaking her head and I dropped my head into my hands. "I'm so sorry. I never should have let you go alone. I should've stayed with you regardless of how little I knew."
"Hey, look at me." I felt her hand on my cheek as she lifted my face. "There's nothing you could have done." she said, sitting up and smiling, "Besides, I'll just put my hair over my eye and look all badass. Sakura won't dare mess with me now." I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to me.
"Aki, you stubborn, reckless girl. You worry me, and you piss me off to no end half the time, but I love you." I grinned as her eyes widened and a deep red spread across her cheeks. I leaned my forehead against hers. "That's something I should have told you a while ago. When I watched you fall to the ground, thinking that I'd lost you for good this time, I promised myself that I'd tell you if you woke up. Just please, don't leave again." Tilting my head slightly I kissed her gently.
"I love you too," she whispered, "and I won't. I could never leave your side." She pressed her lips against mine once more in a heated kiss. Her hand trailed up my neck, her fingers tangling in my hair. I groaned and pulled away.
"Not here." I muttered. "Later. That is if I can get you away from your brothers for even a moment. Deidara's been pacing the room for hours. I'm going to go find a nurse and let them know you're awake so we can go home."
"I can leave?"
"Yeah. Shizune said as long as everything went well there was no reason for you to stay."
~Aki's POV~
I held my hand up in front of my face once more as Sasori left the room. I sighed, furious at myself. He was right, I'm too reckless. It was going to take forever getting used to this. I looked for my phone before remembering that Hidan had taken it. Damnit, now I'd have to get a new one. Scowling, I picked up my shoe from the floor and chucked it at Deidara. He jolted awake, falling off the bench and startling Sasuke. I laughed as he shouted a string of curses at me before realization dawned on his face.
"Aki! You're awake un!" He ran over and pulled me into a hug.
"How are you feeling?" Sasuke asked, coming over to stand beside him.
"A little drowsy, but I'm fine. What about Shidonii?"
"She's pretty banged up yeah, but she's alive. I've been going back and forth between your rooms, giving her updates un. She's pretty worried about you."
"About me? I saw the car, you're both lucky you're here! This is nothing."
"I know, and I told her you were fine yeah. But you know how she gets yeah."
"Shidonii will be fine." Shizune stated, walking quickly into the room. "She's resting right now, and will be allowed to go home in a few days. You however, are going home tonight. I'll write you a note to take to the school, excusing you for a few days."
"No." I shook my head. "I'll go back tomorrow. Might as well get used to things now."
"Don't push yourself." Sasori snapped. I shot him a glare and turned back to Shizune.
"I feel fine. I promise."
"Well, we'll check you over and see what happens, okay?"
I shut my locker and slung my backpack over my shoulder, walking toward the steps. Stepping onto the first one, I misjudged the distance and stumbled for what seemed like the thousandth time today. A hand grabbed my elbow, keeping me from tumbling down. I looked up to find Gaara.
"Easy Aki."
"Thanks Gaara, I guess I'm still not used to this."
"It'll take some practice. It took me a long time to get used to reading while walking." He smiled, holding up his copy of Twilight. I laughed as we descended the steps, making our way out of the school. I had received stares from students all day, and answered an onslaught of questions, covering up what happened with a story of being in the accident with Shidonii and Dei. I dreaded the classes without Sasori and Deidara, so having Gaara and Lee in those classes, who only offered help rather than questions, made things a bit easier. "It's only your first day getting used to your lack of vision. You'll get the hang of it. And you have plenty of help." He gave me one last smile before skipping over and lacing his hand through Lee's, who turned around and waved. I returned the wave and quickly looked around to find Sasori. Not seeing him I smirked and made a dash for the parking lot, keys in hand. Dei's car was already gone from the spot next to mine, which meant he already left to see Shidonii. I was just unlocking my car door when a hand grabbed my keys. "I don't think so." Sasori scolded, taking the keys out of my hand.
"Aww man, come one, I'll never learn to drive like this if you don't let me try." He placed his hand on the door and leaned in, trapping me between him and the car.
"Maybe in a parking lot to start. Not on the street. I couldn't help you last time so please, just let me protect you now. I want to be the one to keep you safe." I smiled and kissed him quickly, reaching for the keys.
"You worry too much." He pulled the keys further out of my reach and opened the drivers door, getting in.
"Try for them again, and I'll take you home instead of going to see Shidonii." he smirked, opening the passenger door for me.
"What am I? Five?" I rolled my eyes, but climbed into the car, excited to finally see my best friend.
