Closer
Sakura was genuinely…. Happy?
Not only was Sasuke finally back but they were closer than ever. He was still enigmatic old Sasuke but it almost seemed as he was opening up more to her or at least that he was trying to be better for them. The family that was supposed to pick up the baby had been delayed so Sakura had been taking the baby to Sasuke everyday so they could keep each other's company. Sakura has even gotten to know some of Sasuke's old teammates, and they are pretty good friends. She has gotten to work alongside with Karin a few times and one could almost say they are friends. Since Juugo got back from the village he was helping, he has not left Sasuke's side. He is always making sure he is okay. As for their health, Naruto is almost fully recovered and therefore being annoying but deep-down Sakura loves that. Sasuke is steadily recovering as well. He seems to get frustrated at times but does not talk much about it. The talks about using Hashirama's cells to create prosthetics are already taking place. Naruto is very excited, but Sasuke does not seem too excited, or at least every time it is mentioned he cuts the conversation off.
Sakura went to see Sasuke with the baby at the regular time she always goes. Naruto was being taken out of the room to run some tests. Juugo had stepped out and only Sasuke was in the room. Sasuke smiled when he saw the baby and immediately picked her up. Sakura helped him accommodate her on a pillow so he could feed her. Sakura smiled at the picture of Sasuke feeding the baby.
"wasn't her family supposed to be here already?" Sasuke asked.
"They were delayed by a sandstorm in the Suna village" Sakura responded "they should be here in about one or two days"
"I am going to miss you girl" Sasuke told the little baby.
The baby began crying loudly. Sasuke tried to comfort her, but it soon became difficult for him to do it and Sakura took over. After some rocking she fell asleep.
"Poor little one, she was tired" Sakura said trying to comfort Sasuke who seemed frustrated by his lack of ability to bring comfort to the infant.
"She is probably tired of this place; I don't blame her" reckoned Sasuke.
"I get it. These walls can be pretty lonely" Sakura said.
"Lonely? That is pathetic. This place is depressing." Sasuke retorted.
Sakura looked down and said "I am sorry you feel that way. I wish I could do something to speed up your discharge process. Please understand that you are here for your own good."
"I know, I am just tired of being here. I have not seen anything other than this room in days. I am almost tied to this bed. I have not had a proper shower in days. I am so tired of bathing in bed. I eat here, I bathe here, I sleep here. It's exhausting. You know when the last time that I washed my hair was?" Sasuke finally snapped.
Sakura was saddened to hear about how Sasuke's experience. Truth be told, it must be frustrating for him…...even humiliating.
"I am sorry" was the only thing she could come up with.
"Stop apologizing" he snapped once more "it is not your fault."
Upon seeing Sakura's pained facial expression, Sasuke decided to tone it down.
"Look, I am sorry I snapped like that. You have done nothing but to make this nightmare more pleasurable. I am just upset about this whole situation. I am probably just tired." Sasuke dismissed.
"Feeling frustrated is normal, even being a little bit depressed. You are in a difficult position. I know you have a lot to process, and this place does not help. Please understand that you are here for your own good and that leaving is not going to do anything for you. Safe your energy to get better." She said with a soft smile.
"Depressed? That's pathetic. This is nothing compared to other things I have endured. Stop making assumptions about things you know nothing about" said Sasuke angrily.
"I did not mean to upset you" said Sakura with a heavy heart.
"Just leave" said Sasuke sharply "I am tired".
"As you wish" said Sakura softly and walked to the door where she stopped.
"I am here for you Sasuke-kun" said Sakura in a very low volume barely audible.
"I know" said Sasuke while turning his back to her as a tear escaped his eye.
Sakura left with the baby. She was gone for a while. She could not stop thinking about what happened to Sasuke. She knows he needs space and time to think. What she did not know was that Sasuke could not get the incident out of his mind either. In the past, he would not have cared at all, but he was not the same man he was before.
After a while, Sakura gathered some things and showed up at the boy's room. Both, Naruto and Sasuke were asleep. She put her things on the side of Sasuke's bed but accidently stumbled on the side of the bed and almost fell. She managed to not fall but she woke Sasuke up.
Sasuke opened his eyes slowly and smiled a little when he saw her.
"Hey" said Sasuke while attempting to sit on the bed.
"I didn't mean to wake you up" Sakura apologized.
"No worries, what have you got there?" he asked while pointing to some things Sakura had brought.
"Oh, this? Well, you said you were upset about not being able to wash your hair, so I brought a hair washing basin. I know it doesn't take away the fact that you are stuck here but" Sakura was saying as Sasuke interrupted her "thank you, it's perfect".
"How does it work?" Asked Sasuke.
"Well, you put your head in here and I can wash your hair" Sakura mentioned. "Of course, if you want to give it a try you can do it, I was just saying it because it sounded difficult. If you mind, I can leave you to it" Sakura said shyly.
"I am okay with you doing it" Sasuke said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Sakura accommodated the basin under Sasuke's head and gently began to wet his hair. Sasuke began relaxing as the warm water hit his head. She put the shampoo on his hair and began massaging his scalp softly. After a while, Sasuke had fallen in a deep sleep. Sakura kept on doing her task as the Uchiha peacefully rested. A soft snort came from Sasuke's mouth. Sakura pressed her lips together trying not to laugh even though her body was shaking with laughter. Sasuke opened one eye and joined her laughing. He grabbed some water with his remaining hand and splashed some against her face. This made Sakura laugh loudly and soon they were both laughing while she dried his hair with a towel.
"Shut up" he said jokingly to which she responded with more laughter.
"You snored yourself awake" she remarked while laughing.
"Stop it, I can't barely sleep with that thing next to me" he said while pointing to Naruto who was loudly snoring.
Naruto woke up and Sakura and Sasuke started laughing even harder. Naruto just looked confused and joined the laughter cluelessly.
Juugo joined the scene abruptly without even noticing Sakura in the room.
"I was able to speak to the lead nurse. They said that they cannot up your pain medication due to a shortage in the hospital and that they are trying to get some to everyone. They gave me this over-the-counter medication and said that you could take a higher dose and that would help." Juugo said while entering the room.
"Oh, did I interrupt something?" He said upon noticing the scene.
"No, come on in," said Sasuke.
"Are you in pain?" asked Sakura while looking at Sasuke.
"it's nothing," said Sasuke.
"His wound is hurting" Juugo cut him.
"You should have said something before Sasuke-kun" Sakura said with concern.
"I would have said something if it was something serious" He responded.
"Tell her the truth" Juugo begged.
"I am fine" Sasuke responded.
"He is nauseous" Juugo said.
"I was not hungry this morning, that's all" Sasuke continued.
"I've been a little nauseous too" Naruto joined the conversation.
"Well, nausea is a common side effect of the antibiotics" Sakura said in a pensive voice.
"You, see? It's nothing serious" Sasuke reassured Juugo.
"I will try to get you guys some medication for the nausea" Sakura replied
"Thank you," said Sasuke.
"But you need to eat so you can get better soon" Sakura said to Sasuke.
"It's a deal" Sasuke answered "Oh, and Sakura, I am sorry about this morning. I should not have talked to you like that. I am thankful for everything you are doing for us" Sasuke finished.
Sakura began sobbing and bowed to him. Sasuke looked scared but was calmed by the soft smile behind her tears.
There was peace in the room.
