Becoming Higurashi
Jessylane318
Sakura sniffled softly.
"Mah, Sakura," said her sensei softly. "Don't cry."
She sniffed hopefully trying incredibly hard not to. Naruto sniffled next to her, complaining of the allergies.
Kakashi looked like he was contemplating throwing them both out.
"Is she going to be okay?" asked Souta from a nearby hospital cot with eyes darker then she remembered—haunted. Kakashi-sensei had found the boy using his dog summons the day before, unconscious in one of the medical tents. Nobody had dared ask what he was doing there.
"I don't know," replied the gray haired man solemnly. Sakura found the sniffles a little harder control.
It wasn't fair. Sasuke was being a jerk, stuck in his bed after being knocked out by Gaara. And Kagome, the only person she knew who could really understand, was comatose.
She felt like screaming, like punching the wall, like sobbing till the world changed back right.
"Sakura," reprimanded their sensei. She looked down ashamed. She knew she wasn't the only one who was upset; Naruto wasn't nearly as loud and annoying either. He seemed deflated, like a kicked puppy.
"Ahem!"
She looked up to see a harassed nurse giving them pitying looks.
"I'm sorry, Kakashi, but visiting hours are over…"
Sakura stood slowly as their sensei nodded, grabbing Souta by the shoulder, and leading them from the room. She glanced back to see Kagome sleeping peacefully, at least fifteen wires trailing from the bed. She looked younger, somehow, and vulnerable.
The sight made her uncomfortable.
There were certain things she came to expect as a ninja.
One, that Kakashi-sensei would always be late, no matter what.
Two, that life as a ninja was dangerous.
And three, that Kagome was the most powerful woman she had ever met.
The door closed, blocking off her view, and Sakura found her world breaking into little pieces.
"Sakura," said a voice. She looked over to see Souta staring back at her. "Kagome's going to be okay."
"You don't know that!"
"Yes I do," he said sadly. "This happened the last time-"
"That's enough," said their sensei sharply. She looked at him in confusion, noting that he looked incredibly alert. But why?
"Ah, but Kakashi, let him continue…" said a gruff voice ahead in the hospital hallway. She looked up to see a dark-skinned man with bandages covering his face, a cross-shaped scar on his chin. Danzo, her mind immediately supplied—one of the council members.
No one made any move to reply.
"Well boy!" said the man finally, his one eye narrowing in disdain. "What happened last time?"
She felt a shiver of fear rippling down her spine. Something wasn't right, why was he here? Shouldn't he be busy doing council things?
"Ahh…"
Souta squirmed nervously ahead, clearly uncomfortable. Sakura felt a defensiveness rise in her and noticed Naruto twitching nervously as well. Something was wrong here.
"Are you intentionally keeping information from the council boy?" asked the man dangerously. Sakura moved forward, grabbing the hem of Kakashi's vest, silently pleading with her teacher to do something. Anything!
The old man reached to grab Souta by the front of his shirt, but Kakashi finally intervened. He gripped the man by the wrist; she could literally feel his resolve.
"Do not touch the boy."
The man outright glared and snatched away the arm.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Kakashi."
Her sensei didn't respond.
"Very well," replied Danzo, sweeping away imaginary dust, his face straightening into an empty façade. "We will discuss this later."
Her sensei nodded slightly, and she wanted to bury her face in his chest.
"Let's go," Kakashi finally said, his voice dropping into a bored tone. She hoped things would return to normal soon.
