Prompt: Mother Dearest
Pairing: AsumaXSakura
Sakura navigated the halls of the hospital with a grace that only came with years of practice and make no mistake she did have years. Her braid swished to the side as she made a sharp turn to arrive at the hospital room. She didn't waste any time opening the door.
Lying on the bed was a five-year old Sakura knew very well. The girl was all long wavy brown hair and the same red eyes that were identical to her mother's. "Atsuko Sarutobi, just what are you doing in my hospital?" Sakura's voice was stern, but not cold. The girl had the decency to look ashamed "I just healed your leg no more than two hours ago, and I told you to go straight home! What in the world was your dad thinking letting you go back out?" The girl refused to meet her gaze and Sakura sighed before going to sit on the bed. She looked at the leg propped up on the pillow, it was the same one. Sakura set to work healing the broken bone, AGAIN.
When she finished Sakura moved to sit beside the girl instead of her leg. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind the girl's ear. "What's going on Atsuko, where's your dad?" Atsuko turned her head in a refusal to answer. Sakura scooted closer wrapping an arm around the girl she brought her own legs on the bed and laid them next to Atsuko's. She finally looked up at Sakura, tears forming in her eyes before she launched herself further into Sakura's arms, burrowing her head in Sakura's chest she clutched at the woman and began to sob.
Sakura held her close, rubbing her back soothingly and humming a song she had sung to the girl since she had been born. Kurenai had gone into labor when the village had been attacked and died giving birth to Atsuko. Sakura had found Kurenai holding the baby and with her last breaths she had begged Sakura to protect her baby, Sakura had promised.
Asuma had been in a coma for a little over eight months at that point and remained in the coma for another two. In the meantime Sakura had cared for the little girl, with Shikamaru at her side constantly leaving only to do Tsunade's bidding. When Asuma had awoken Shikamaru, Ino and Choji had been there to help him, to tell him of what happened to Kurenai. He refused to talk or see anyone, and for a week Sakura had allowed him his mourning. Then she had had enough. Swaddling the child in blankets and carried her in her arms to her father's hospital room.
He had stared at the baby in amazement and had clutched her to his chest. It had woken him up. He had become a father from that day forward and Sakura had become his confidant and best friend. She had been at his side at almost constantly teaching him how to be a parent. When he left for a mission Atsuko stayed with her followed only by Shikamaru.
And now five years into the girl's life Sakura had become her mother in a sort, though she knew of Kuranai very well. She was almost an imaginary figure to the girl; made up of only pictures and stories. "Atsuko, what's wrong?"
Sakura's voice was calm, it was the tone that always soothed Atsuko, made her feel warm inside. Atsuko couldn't help but tell her, in a voice that exclaimed hurt and sadness "He's on a date!"
So this is going to be a two parter I can't resist, I have a soft spot for Asuma. Review and let me know what you think.
