Everything ached.

It took a long time before Kazuko could open her eyes, and when she finally managed to, glaring light forced them shut again. She groaned, feeling every ache and pain in her body as she tried to shield her face from the glare.

Something warm touched her face and she heard a voice calling her name, but the sound was muffled. They called her name again, full of concern and relief. She struggled to open her eyes again, but still she couldn't see who had spoken, the light silhouetting their face from her.

The voice became clearer and she realized that it was Kakashi speaking. His hand was holding her cheek softly and he leaned down to press his forehead against hers. Finally, her eyes adjusted and she saw his face, so close to her own. His visible eyebrow was drawn down, his lips pressed together in concern. He looked tired, with dark circles under his eye indicating his exhaustion.

"Kakashi," she croaked, her throat bone dry.

A shudder ran through his body and his other hand came up to frame her face. "I'm here, baby. I'm right here."

"Thirsty."

"What? Oh!" He pulled away from her and reached over to where a glass of water sat on the bedside table. "Here," he said, holding it to her lips. She would have scolded him, saying she could hold it herself, but her arms felt heavy by her side and it took great effort to even try and lift them.

She drank greedily, quickly draining the glass, and asked for more. He refilled it but didn't return it to her, instead putting it back on the table. "Don't drink too much at once; let that sit for a bit."

Now that she had some moisture back in her body, Kazuko tried to lift herself into a sitting position. She gasped as pain shot through her body and Kakashi was in front of her in an instant. He held her gently by the shoulders, keeping her still.

"You shouldn't get up yet. Your body has taken a lot of damage and it'll be some time before you are strong enough to move around." He brushed hair out of her face, his fingers so delicate and light it made her heart ache.

Her mind protested lying still for so long—she needed to be up and moving about—but she knew her body wasn't in the position to do so. She would have to suck it up and do as she was told for once, whether she liked it or not.

Her eyes widened suddenly and she pressed against his hands, forgetting his words as she struggled to rise. Her breathing grew rapid and the beeping on the heart monitor started increasing, showing her anxiety. "Where's Naoko?"

"He's fine, Kazuko," Kakashi replied, stroking his hand over her hair soothingly. "He's in the hospital, but he's fine."

The little strength she had in her body drained from her exertions, Kazuko collapsed against the mattress. She searched Kakashi's eye, knowing he was hiding something from her. "What happened?" When he avoided her gaze, her voice grew stronger. "Tell me, Kakashi."

He pulled a seat closer to her bedside and grabbed her good hand—though she noticed that it was bandaged. He saw her looking at it and said, "Your hands were burned from holding onto the metal sheet, so the nurse bandaged them." He held her eyes, his own serious. "Firstly, I want to assure you that he is fine. He's recovering well."

That didn't instil her with a lot of confidence. "But…"

Kakashi took a deep breath. "The metal sheet that fell on him crushed his spine. He's lost all feeling from his waist down."

The heart monitor picked up again. "Is it reversible?"

"No. He's going to need to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life."

Kazuko shook her head, not believing him. "You said he was fine! That is not fine, Kakashi!"

He tried to soothe her, stroking her arm with soft touches, but she began to shake, the heart monitor indicating her distress. "He is fine. He is alive, healthy and in good spirits."

She wasn't listening, her mind turning to thoughts of her oldest and dearest friend. He would never walk again. They would never again be able to go on missions together. A choked sob escaped when she realized he would never be a ninja again.

Kazuko cried as hard as she had the day she learned about her sister. Great, heaving sobs shook her body, shooting pain through her with each one. Kakashi tried to settle her, but his voice was distant to her ears. She thrashed against the bed, unable to contain her emotions.

Something sharp jabbed into her arm and she felt a strange calm take over her. She stopped struggling, her breathing evening out as her eyes drooped closed. Voices sounded above her, Kakashi speaking to someone.

"What happened here? She's opened up her wounds again." an unfamiliar voice said, sounding frustrated.

"I'm sorry. I told her about her partner's condition."

"You shouldn't have done that!" the angry lady scolded him. "She is in no condition to get riled up right now."

Kakashi sounded contrite, and Kazuko wondered why the lady was getting mad at him. "She wanted to know. I couldn't lie to her."

The lady huffed. "She'll be fine now. The sedative is fast acting. But don't let her lose control like that the next time she wakes up."

"I won't. I'm sorry."

Kazuko wanted to reach out to him, hearing him sound so defeated. How dare that woman make him feel bad! But her body felt as though it was floating on air, and the anger didn't last for more than a few seconds. She felt so tired, and she wanted to sleep again, to sink into the clouds that were cradling her.

"Kakashi," she managed, wanting his touch.

He was there in an instant, one hand holding hers, the other cradling her face. "I'm here. Do you need anything?"

"Stay with me."

Lips brushed against her forehead. "Always, baby. Get some rest. I'll be right here when you wake up."

She did, the clouds soothing her into a peaceful sleep.

.

.

.

Sitting up hurt like hell, but she refused to lie down for another second.

Kazuko had taken stock of her body when Kakashi first helped her sit up, noting all of the bandages that covered her skin. She had practically been turned into a mummy from her thighs up, and her two hands were completely bandaged, the stump on her left hand plainly visible for all to see.

She had stared at that stump for a long time, until Kakashi closed his hands around hers and hid it from her view. She knew it didn't matter, not really. She still had nine other fingers—that one missing appendage wouldn't hinder her at all. Not like what had happened to Naoko. Still, it would be a constant reminder for her that she had been too weak to stop the Night Demon. And she didn't like reminders of her weaknesses.

Kakashi brought her hand up and gently kissed the covered stump. When his eye caught hers, her breath caught at the look reflected in his dark gaze. When she told him why she didn't like it, he replied that instead of a weakness, to him it showed her strength. She had gone through a lot at the Night Demon's hands, yet she survived, as strong and fierce as ever.

"Every time I see it, I'll be thankful," he said, kissing it again.

Emotion filled her and Kazuko desperately wanted to reach out and hold him. At seeing the longing in her eyes, he leaned over, his lips close to hers.

"I've come to see you, Kazuko! Ah, I seem to be disturbing you again." Naoko's voice sounded loud in the small room and Kakashi flew away from her. Naoko's eyes turned to Kakashi and he grinned sheepishly. "Sorry for my bad timing."

Kakashi returned his smile. "It's fine. Kazuko has been wanting to see you."

She had, but it still felt like a punch to the gut when she saw him in the wheelchair. Kazuko had tried to tell herself she was okay with it, that she wouldn't cry when she finally saw him, but tears welled in her eyes at the sight of his legs hanging uselessly from the wheelchair.

"Hey, why are you crying?" He pushed himself close to her bed and reached out a hand to dry her cheeks. "I'm not dead."

"I'm sorry," she managed through a sob. "I told myself I wouldn't do this."

Naoko sent her a playful smile, but his eyes were sad. "This is so unlike you, Kazuko. Look, you're making such an ugly face right now."

She managed a laugh and his arms came around her, hugging her tight. "Don't scare me like that every again, idiot."

Naoko chuckled. "That's my line. You damn near gave me a heart attack, woman."

Kakashi let them have their moment, standing against the wall silently as he watched the two friends embrace. Finally, Naoko looked over to him with a grin. "Sorry Kakashi. I don't mean to monopolize your girlfriend's attention."

"Monopolize all you want, Naoko," Kakashi replied, eye twinkling. "Once you leave, I'll have her all to myself."

A knock at the door had Naoko laughing. "Think again, friend," he said, watching with amusement as Team Seven bounded through the door.

Naruto rushed to Kazuko's side, chattering away about how worried he was and asking if she was okay. Sakura followed him, eyes full of worry, and she stood close to the bed, taking in her injuries. Kazuko shot her a reassuring smile, letting her know she was okay.

Sasuke was the last to enter the room, hanging back against the wall close to Kakashi, but Kazuko could see the worry he tried to keep out of his eyes. It was almost overwhelming, being surrounded by the people she considered closest to her, and she had to stop herself from breaking down all over again. She had never been a crier, but lately she couldn't seem to stop.

Kakashi had told her that the Night Demon was dead. While Naoko was helping her get out of the burning warehouse, Kakashi had struck him down. Kazuko had felt a twinge of envy that he had been the one to do it instead of her, but she knew that feeling was ridiculous. The only thing that mattered was that he was no longer around to hurt anyone else.

She caught Kakashi's eye above the flurry of heads around her and he smiled at her from behind his mask, his gaze full of relief and longing. Kazuko returned the smile. She couldn't wait to see what the future held for her.

.

.

.

Six Months Later…

The garden looked impeccable, with tables and chairs spanning the large area, while enough space was left for dancing. People milled about, chattering and laughing happily with one another, excited for the afternoon ahead.

A hand squeezed hers and she glanced up to share a loving look with her new husband, who looked dashing in a white suit piece. She had laughed when she had first seen him, a white mask on his face that complemented the rest of his outfit. He told her he had to keep up appearances, and teased that if he didn't wear it, he would take the spotlight off her with his good looks.

At the ceremony, he had dipped her, his back to the audience, so he could kiss her without the mask. Cheers echoed through the room—the loudest being Naruto's and Naoko's—and Kazuko was flustered and red by the time he set her upright again.

After she had recovered from her injuries, Kazuko traveled to Sunagakure to report to her ANBU captain. Naoko stayed behind in Konoha, happy to let her deal with the captain, while Kakashi and his team accompanied her.

She had decided to ask for a transfer—from Sunagakure's ANBU to Konoha—and she brought with her the permission of the Hokage. She just had to convince her Kazekage, which in the end, didn't prove too hard. He looked happy for her and gave his permission, without her even having to give the speech she had prepared.

Kazuko had packed her most valuable items from her apartment before doing the same in Naoko's apartment, since he had decided that if she was going to live in Konoha, then he would too. Ever since they were children, he had followed her everywhere, and Kazuko was thankful of his decision to stay with her. She wouldn't have had it any other way.

It seemed everyone had come to their wedding, both from Konoha and Suna. Kazuko saw many of her ANBU comrades, including her captain, and her heart swelled with emotion at knowing how much they cared. Kakashi had a lot of friends, most of which she had already met, but some were new to her and introduced themselves throughout the day.

Guy tried on several occasions during the day to start a contest with Kakashi, goading him, but Kakashi refused to take the bait. Kazuko could tell he wanted to, though—despite appearing mature, she knew he was just a big child—and she encouraged him to go along with his friend. Kakashi had laughed and told her she would regret it if he did. Apparently, carnage seemed to follow their rivalry games.

So many people came up to them with congratulatory words that Kazuko almost felt overwhelmed. When Asuma and Kurenai left after chatting for some time, Kazuko let out a breath to compose herself.

"You doing okay?" Kakashi asked, his eye watching her with concern.

She smiled at him, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Of course. I'm just not used to talking to so many people. Or smiling so much."

Naoko rolled up to them, a huge grin on his face. If people didn't know any better, they would think that he was the one getting married. He reached out and Kazuko immediately went to him, hugging him tightly.

"Congrats, partner," he whispered. "It's good to see you so happy."

Kazuko leaned away, wiping a tear as she did so, and sent him a smile. "Thank you, Naoko. For everything. I love you."

"Aw, shucks. I can count on one hand how many times you've said those words to me."

"What, thank you?"

Naoko laughed. "That too." His eyes turned soft and he grabbed her hands. "I really am happy for you, Kazuko. You deserve this."

He rolled away before he started blubbering and Kazuko moved back into Kakashi's embrace with a smile. She leaned against him, tilting her head so she could look him in the eye. "I hope you don't end up regretting this decision," she said.

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh? And what makes you think I'd do that?"

A mischievous smile touched her lips. "I can be pretty feisty. And stubborn. I'm unrelenting and I don't like to compromise." She patted his chest affectionately. "We might fight a lot."

"You know the best thing about fighting?" he asked, eye twinkling with mirth. "I hear the make-up sex is amazing."

Kazuko laughed, shaking her head and ignoring her reddened cheeks. "You're such a pervert, Kakashi."

Guy, his booming voice made louder with the microphone, announced it was time for the bride and groom to have their first dance. Kakashi led her by the hand to the dancefloor and circled his arms around her waist, a contented sigh escaping as he held her close.

He leaned down to plant a kiss to her nose. "Are you happy, Kazuko?"

"More than I can express with words," she replied, reaching up to kiss him over his mask.

"Good. I promise I'll do everything I can to make you happy in the future, too. I love you, Kazuko."

Kazuko squeezed her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest, her heart full. "I know. And I promise to do the same, Kakashi." The guests faded into the background as they held each other, swaying lightly to the music. She tilted her head back, leaning up on her tiptoes to kiss him, her mind imagining the future they would have together. "I love you too."

And that's a wrap! Thank you to everyone who followed this story. I hope you enjoyed Kazuko and Kakashi's story. :3

(In case anyone is thinking I thought of making Naoko paraplegic because of what happened to Guy in the series, that isn't true. I first wrote this back in 2014, long before they finished the series.)

I would love to hear your reviews now that the story has ended. If you liked it, please let me know. :)