A/N: This time… I'm /really/ late in updating. -sweatdrop- Excuse…? Well, I've discovered Naruto episodes on youtube… and it's consumed every second of my life for the past week or so. -twitch- Gomen!
Hmm… I feel like I should "disclaim" something, as I haven't for a while. Once again, I don't own Naruto. If I did… well, needless to say… it would be much too smutty to show on regular television! X3 Also, this chapter… and all of them, now that I think about it, contain mild language. Now don't get used to this "disclaimer" nonsense! It's far too troublesome to stick in on every chapter.
Requiem of Despair: Chapter 5
Persistence
Bright rays of sunlight bored into Sakura's closed eyelids early the next morning.
Where am I? She wondered briefly, before remembering the previous day's unnerving events.
Lifting the blanket off of herself, failing to recall when or how she had obtained it, she turned her attention to the still-sleeping form of Kakashi.
Once again, she checked his pulse… still weak.
His fever… still burning.
Is it my imagination, or is his fever worse than it was yesterday?
He stirred from the sudden touch of her hand, and opened an eye slightly.
"Sakura…" he whispered, almost inaudibly.
"Kakashi-sensei, don't strain yourself…. you're still weak," she cut in, while busying her hands with his untidy bedding.
His eyes flashed with frustration.
If I wanted a nurse, I would have checked into a hospital…
"Sakura…" he started more forcefully this time, demanding her attention. "Don't stay here on my account. I'll be fine. I've dealt with far more serious situations than this on my own."
Perhaps it would have hurt less… if he had slapped her in the face.
"The hell if I'll leave you here! You're not fine… in fact, far from it. Quit acting as if you don't need my help, and quit treating me like a child!" She screamed, tears unconsciously starting to well up in the corners of her eyes.
Traitorous tears, you had better stay put! Why can't he see me as the adult that I've become?
"I'm sorry Sakura-chan, but you're the one who still calls me sensei… even though I haven't actually been your sensei for years now. How am I supposed to see you?"
Her jaw clenched while her eyes glared daggers into his flesh. She stood up abruptly, and took a few steps away from his motionless form. She could barely grasp the insensitive words that had just left his lips, when she had only been trying to help!
That bastard…
But as she continued to stand there, scrutinizing the weak and fragile state of the man before her, it occurred to her that it could possibly be just the intensely high fever compromising his reason, causing him to view her as the frail genin she once was.
Then perhaps Tsunade-sama was right… he must have some emotional problems if he thinks he can handle this situation by himself.
Sakura quickly wrapped up her inner arguments and finally came up with a suitable reply.
"Hn, well… I'm needed at the hospital today anyway. I trust a great man like Hatake Kakashi, the infamous Copy Ninja, can take care of himself without a worthless child worrying over him." Sarcasm dripped off her tongue like acid.
And before he could utter a word in his defense, she formed a familiar seal with her hands, disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Sakura swung open the giant doors to the Fifth Hokage's office, and closed them forcefully behind her.
"Ah, Sakura-chan." Tsunade hailed from behind several stacks of paperwork and motioned Sakura towards a chair near by. "How did you enjoy your brief vacation?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, it wasn't much of a vacation." Sakura sighed while squirming in her chair, anxiety emanating from her body. What would Tsunade-sama say when she found out about Kakashi's condition? Then remembering the cruel words he had spoken to her earlier, her eyes narrowed as realization set in.
I really didn't have time to relax at all! Damn that ungrateful Kakashi…
"What do you mean? Out partying the whole time? That isn't like you Sakura-chan…" Tsunade chuckled to herself. She knew full well Sakura wasn't the type of person to party, and she obviously seemed nervous about something.
Just a little more provoking… and I'll have the story out of her!
"I wasn't out partying!" Sakura shouted, pounding her fists into her thighs.
"No…? Well explain then." Tsunade's brown eyes finally lifted from the paperwork in front of her, giving the now thoroughly upset Sakura their full attention.
"Well, you told me to look after Kakashi-sensei, so I paid him a visit. What I found was not my former teacher, but a fragile shell of the man I once knew. He was completely soaked with rain water, and had collapsed onto the floor." She paused, searching Tsunade for a reaction of some sort. Tsunade only nodded, signaling her to continue.
"After a brief examination, I discovered that he had a high fever, so I got him cleaned up and fed… but he collapsed shortly after. It was then that I checked his pulse, almost too weak to detect. He's been sleeping ever since."
Well… the last part was a lie, but she doesn't need to know that he's an asshole even when he's half conscious.
"And you left him there feverish, weak and comatose, all by himself?" Tsunade asked incredulously. She knew she had trained Sakura better than that! A shinobi draws strength from the people most precious to her, and must protect these people no matter what the cost.
Comatose? Thank you for the exaggeration Tsunade-sama… as if I needed the extra guilt.
"You said you needed me here at the hospital immediately after my time off!" Sakura countered, growing increasingly defensive while her sea foam green eyes flashed dangerously. Now not only did she need to justify her actions to Tsunade, but to herself as well.
"Sakura-chan, how many times do I have to remind you? You can't just leave a patient alone in that state!"
Sakura's eyes narrowed. You've never told me that… well at least, not in those exact words.
Silence fell between the two while Tsunade reflected on the situation carefully. She definitely couldn't leave him alone in his current condition.
I need Sakura-chan to take care of him, however… I can't just come out and ask her. Not when she has such a defensive disposition. I need to help her come to this realization on her own.
"Hmmm…" Tsunade tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Bring him into the hospital for observation."
"You know he won't come near a hospital!"
At this, Tsunade threw her hands up in faux frustration. "Well then, it looks like you'll just have to take care of him the best you can on your own. As of now, I'm making him your full-time patient."
Sakura blanched. He doesn't want me anywhere near him… she thought, miserably.
"Tsunade-sama… I lied before." She began with a whisper. "He did wake up, early this morning. He told me to leave… and that he didn't need me. That he'd gotten himself out of worse situations on his own." As she lowered her head, pink bangs shaded her eyes.
Typical stubborn man…Tsunade shook her head with a smirk.
"Sakura-chan, it is normal for a proud man such as Kakashi, who has lived his entire life depending on only his own strengths, to resent the person caring for him in his time of need. However, being alone certainly isn't going to help him… that's what got him into this predicament in the first place. He needs you now, more than ever… regardless of what he might think." Tsunade stood up next to Sakura, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Just be persistent, and don't coddle him…he won't respond well to that. And if he gives you any trouble, tell him that you were appointed to him directly by the Hokage!" she advised, while ushering Sakura towards the door.
"But…I…" Sakura stammered, glancing at her sensei behind her.
"Oh, and before I forget--keep this a secret, Sakura-chan. He won't want anyone knowing about his weakened state. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do just fine." Tsunade gave her student one last smile, before closing the doors between them.
Just wonderful… now I get to spend every hour of the day nursing an irritable Kakashi back to health! What did I do to deserve this…?
She sighed deeply, regaining her composure, and continued walking down the busy streets of Konoha.
Well, I'm sure he'll be just fine for another hour or two…she thought wickedly.
Serves him right for not appreciating me! I've got to pick up some groceries for the dead-beat anyways… might as well say "hello" to a few people. I may not have the chance to see anyone for another week or two.
With that, she smiled up at the wispy clouds above her, before stepping into a very familiar flower shop.
A/N: Yay! I finally finished this chapter! Sorry for making Kakashi sound like a completely ungrateful bastard! He's… just under a bunch of stress and such. You know… sickness and having to rely on a former student. -sweatdrop- Don't hurt me! Oh, and review review review! I love reviews! They completely brighten my day. XD
Oh… and before I forget… muchos thanks to my awesome new beta-reader, Cari! She's the best! Pffft, you're all just jealous that you don't have her! X3
