Augh. I don't think I can update next week! Sorry, but school is being a bitch right now. But three-day weekends are coming.

Disclaimer: Don't own.

Ch.27: Hospital Visits

The next morning held no change. Sakura was still in a coma, Naruto and Sasuke looked on while Kakashi looked at her prone figure with hollow, regretful eyes, and Ayame was still asleep.

It was about 8:00 in the morning. Naruto went to get breakfast for them while Sasuke stood guard. He had positioned a chair next to Ayame's bed and watched her sleeping figure. He ran a hand through her ebony locks when he noticed her eyes flutter. "Ayame?"

No response. He squeezed her hand. "Ayame, it's Sasuke. Will you wake up please?" He noted her brows furrowed in concentration. "Come on Ayame, you can do it. Just open your eyes for me. Please." he pleaded.

Ayame cracked her eyes open, then blinked until she gazed up at a pair of obsidian eyes. "Sasuke?" she asked unsuredly.

What happened next was a blur to Ayame. One minute, she was lying in the bed, the next; Sasuke was kissing her. At first, she froze. He kissed her harder and she melted against him.

"Ahem."

Ayame tore her blushing face away from Sasuke and the obsidian-haired man turned to face the voice. A smirking blonde stood in the doorway. "Am I interrupting something, teme?"

Sasuke glared and Ayame blushed more furiously. "Um, hi Naruto."

Naruto noticed Ayame awake and threw the breakfast on the table beside her. "Ayame-chan! You're awake! I'll go get the doctor."

With that, Naruto sped out the door and skidded into the hall. Ayame sweatdropped. 'He's really fast.'

Sasuke sighed and turned back to Ayame. "You get used to it." he explained. Ayame smiled and giggled, but clutched her side. Sasuke held her steady. Ayame placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'm…fine, but I guess I shouldn't move around too much, huh?"

Sasuke helped her lay back in the bed. "Guess not. Don't worry, I'm sure dobe'll be back soon." Ayame smiled and Sasuke softly smiled back.

Naruto was speeding through the hospital. He was about to turn and go to the receptionist's desk when he heard a familiar yell. "I said where is Haruno Sakura?!" Naruto peeked from behind the corner. "Tsunade-sama?"

A big-busted (A/N: Seriously understated.) woman turned to face him. "Naruto! Tell me where Sakura is, dammit!"

"I-I-I can only allow three people per room." the receptionist squeaked.

Tsunade glared and Naruto looked pityingly at the poor woman. "It's okay, I can take care of it. Tell a doctor that Honda Ayame is awake and to come and check on her."

The woman behind the desk nodded. "And tell everyone else to wait their turn." said Tsunade. With that, the blondes left and strolled down the halls.

Naruto looked out the corner of his eye at his superior. "So I'm guessing you know why I've asked you to come." he said seriously.

Tsunade nodded grimly. "I don't know the details though. Hinata came in such a panic to me this morning and when I asked her what's wrong, I called everyone over."

"Everyone? This morning?"

"Well, your wife fainted after she hung up the phone and Neji found her still out this morning. He woke her up and asked him to take her to me. She told me everything and I sent messengers to everyone."

"Who's everyone?"

"Ino, Shikamaru, Neji, Tenten, Genma, Anko, Iruka, Kiba, Shino, Lee, Gai. Most of the Anbu too."

"Is it wise to leave Konoha unprotected?"

"I have Gaara and Temari watching the place. Some of the Anbu are still there to do missions and such, but when they heard the news, people kept asking to come."

Naruto chuckled. "Sakura sure is popular."

"Shut up and tell me where her room is."

Naruto led her to the room and opened the door. Tsunade shoved past him and spotted Sasuke sitting next to a girl. "Sakura!"

Tsunade ran to the girl. "What happened to you? Naruto, you said she got shot! Never mind, you're safe! What happened to your hair and eyes, Sakura?!"

"Um…I'm not Sakura."

Tsunade let go of the girl. "You're not?"

"This is Ayame." explained Sasuke.

"They're like twins. It's sort of scary how much they look alike." said Naruto.

Tsunade blushed. "Sorry. I'm Tsunade, Hokage of Konoha. I was one of Sakura's teachers."

"Honda Ayame."

Tsunade spotted the clipboard hanging on Ayame's bed. She scanned through it and smiled. "Seems simple enough." Ayame stared blankly at her. "I'm going to fix you up. Hold still." She summoned chakra into her hands and placed them on her body. Dusting off her hands, she smiled. "Done. Now where's Sakura?" asked Tsunade.

Naruto's face fell and he solemnly pulled back the dividing curtain. Tsunade gasped and fell backwards. Naruto thankfully caught her. Tsunade stared dumbly at the bed. She laughed. "Okay Naruto, you got me. Seriously, where is she?"

He looked solemnly at the woman. "That's her. She been like this since yesterday."

Tsunade's eyes started to water and she extended a hand to cup her ex-student's face. "W-what h-h-happened?"

"She saved me." explained Ayame sadly. Tsunade turned back to the bed when she noticed something. "Kakashi?"

The silver-haired ninja looked up tiredly and went back to look at his fallen angel. "He's been here since they allowed us in. They're in love, Tsunade-sama. Sensei blames himself for her getting hurt and now we can't get him to leave her side. We had to force him to go to the bathroom this morning to freshen him up, but as soon as he was done, he was beside Sakura. He's so different Tsunade obaa-chan. He's so different." whispered Naruto.

He shut the curtain and turned to see a doctor checking over Ayame. "She's fine, but I'd like to keep her for observation for tonight. Thank you Tsunade-san for helping us." Tsunade nodded and walked out the room.

The ninja from Konoha all sat in the waiting room. Some fidgeted, while others sat silently. Tsunade entered the room and the ninja all stood up. "How is she?" asked Genma.

"She's in a coma." Tsunade said before collapsing in a chair. She sat with her face buried in her hands. "She's in a coma and I can't do anything!" she sobbed.

Shizune comforted the woman when the door burst open. "Where is she?!" screamed a blue-haired man.

"Saita! Calm down, we're in a hospital!"

"I don't care, Keiko, where is she?"

"SAITA!" barked an elderly woman.

Saita looked at the ground, clenching his fists. "Sorry, Kisa-san, but I can't help it." Kisa nodded. A blonde girl went up to the desk. "Hello, I'm Watanabe Keiko. We're looking for Haruno Sakura and Honda Ayame's rooms please?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to go in."

"Why not?" she asked.

"She has enough visitors already, come back tomorrow."

Saita smashed his hand against the door. "DAMMIT!"

Tsunade lifted her face from her hands. "Who exactly are you people?"

"I could ask the same of you." snorted Saita.

"Saita!" exclaimed Keiko.

"Never mind him. We're all a bit high-strung. I'm Hiro, Kisa over there is my wife. Saita is Sakura-san's cousin and Keiko is his fiancee. We're her friends, pray tell, who are you?"

"We're her friends from Konoha." said Tenten.

Hiro nodded. "I see."

The receptionist came back to the waiting room. "I can let two people in now. Who would like to go first?"

Ino was about to raise her hand when her boyfriend stopped her. "Let her family go first. Kami knows how hard it must be for them." Ino nodded. Saita thanked him with a nod and led Keiko into the hall.

Kisa looked warily at the door while Hiro sat next to her. Shizune left the room and came back with a cup of tea. She offered it to Kisa who took it. "Thank you."

"No problem, Kisa-san."

Anko smirked. "Seeing how we'll be here for a while, let's start the introductions." The ninjas all nodded and started.

--------------

Keiko looked warily at her soon-to-be-husband. She placed her hand on his shoulder, he looked at her. "How you holding up?"

Saita sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Fine. It's just..Gah! Why'd it happen to her?! She's had enough shit to go through already and I couldn't…" Saita trailed off and looked down at the floor. Keiko brought his face up. "Tell me."

Saita clenched his fists. "I couldn't protect her and now two people very close to me are hurt."

Keiko kissed him on the cheek. "You wouldn't have been able to stop it. I mean, they were all ninja and even they couldn't do anything. All we can do know is pray Sakura gets better. Come on, we better see how she's doing." Saita nodded and followed.

Saita stood warily at the door. Keiko placed her hand on his shoulder. Saita smiled and placed his hand over hers. Taking in a steadying breath, he opened the door. "Saita-kun!"

Saita stood dumbly in the doorway. "Ayame?! I thought you were supposed to be unconscious and hurt!"

"Tsunade fixed her up." exclaimed Naruto.

Keiko peered over Saita's shoulder. "Ayame-chan!" She shoved past him and launched herself at her best friend. "You're alright! Dammit, be more careful next time!"

Ayame laughed. "Okay. Okay!"

Saita smiled and hugged his friend. "Nice to see you're alright." He let go and surveyed the room. "Hey. Where's Sakura?"

Naruto, Ayame, and Sasuke's faces all became grim. "Guys?" Keiko asked softly. Naruto looked to Sasuke. He nodded and opened the dividing curtain. Keiko gasped. Saita just looked on.

Saita walked over to where the bed was. He looked over Sakura's body, then at the heart rate monitor. Face covered by hair, he walked over to where Kakashi was. The silver-haired man looked up at him, then returned his gaze to the bed. Saita clenched his fist, reared back, and punched him in the face. Kakashi did nothing to stop him and took the blow. "Saita!" exclaimed Keiko.

Sasuke and Naruto rushed to restrain him. Saita tried to pry his arms away from them. He glared scathingly at Kakashi. "You. You. This is all your fault! I trusted you dammit! I told you to take care of her! She's in a fucking coma! And I.." Saita sank to his knees, slipping out of the two men's arms. "And I couldn't stop it." he sobbed.

Saita sat slumped over himself as Keiko cried quietly.

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Ino had just finished telling Hiro and Kisa what had happened at the chunnin exams when the door opened, revealing the haggard figure of Saita and the sad-looking Keiko. A nurse soon followed. "The next two visitors please." she said.

Hiro looked to his wife and helped her up. They walked over to the nurse. "Yes. We're the next visitors."

The nurse nodded. "Follow me." The old couple shuffled after her and disappeared behind the door.

Saita and Keiko sat beside each other in the newly vacated chairs. A purple-haired woman tapped them on the shoulder and held out some Kleenex. "Here." she offered.

Keiko nodded and took some. "Thank you, um.."

"Shizune."

Saita looked up. "So you're from Konoha?"

Shizune smiled. "We all are." she replied.

"Well, we better introduce ourselves." a loud blonde woman exclaimed. Saita thought for a moment. "Ino?"

The woman looked towards the man. "Have we met before?"

"Ino, it's Saita. Sakura's cousin. The little blue-haired kid who protected Sakura before you."

Ino's eyes widened. "Saita?! When'd you get here?"

"Troublesome woman. He introduced himself when you weren't paying attention."

Ino glared at the pineapple-haired man. "What'd you say, Shikamaru?!"

"Troublesome."

Saita looked between the two of them. "Ino, who's that?"

Ino directed her attention towards Saita. "This is Nara Shikamaru. He's my boyfriend. Soon-to-be-ex if he doesn't propose to me soon."

Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome. Pleasure to meet you."

Ino clapped her hands. "Since intros have started, we might as well get them over with."

Saita raised his hand. "Takahashi Saita. I'm 24, a pharmacist, and I'm engaged to Keiko."

Keiko went next. "Watanabe Keiko. I'm 23, a waitress, and I'm getting married to Saita."

A dark-blue-haired woman with white eyes shyly raised her hand. "M-m-my n-n-name i-i-is Uzumaki Hinata. I'm 23, jounin, and married to Naruto and I work with Sakura-chan at the hospital and in the field."

Saita smiled. "Hi."

Hinata shyly smiled back. "She gets like this around strangers." explained Ino.

A man with long brown hair and the same white eyes cleared his throat in the corner. "Hyuuga Neji. 24, Anbu, Hinata's cousin, engaged to Tenten."

A brown haired woman waved. "Tenten. 24, jounin, weapons-specialist, engaged to Neji."

"Shiranui Genma. 40, Jounin, ladies-man."

A woman scoffed. "Mitarashi Anko. 35, Jounin, loves dango, finds Genma to be annoying."

"Akimichi Chouji. 23, chunnin, likes chips and Korean barbecue."

"Inuzuka Kiba. 23, Jounin, partners with Akamaru who's my dog. He's outside."

"Maito Gai. 37, Jounin, eternal rival of Kakashi."

"Aburame Shino. 23, Jounin, tracking specialist. I work with Kiba with my insects."

"Sarutobi Asuma. 38, Jounin, married to Kurenai."

"Umino Iruka. 36, chunnin, academy teacher."

"Yuuhi Kurenai. 38, Jounin, married to Asuma."

"Rock Lee. 24, jounin, taijutsu specialist, and believer in the power of youth!"

"Shizune. 39, assistant to Tsunade."

"Tsunade. Fifth Hokage. Sakura's ex-mentor."

Ino clapped her hands together. "Well, that's all of us. Oh! The Anbu over there aren't going to be introduced. It's a work issue, you know. All I can say is they're either patients or comrades of Sakura. I can never remember."

The Anbu nodded.

"So what's been happening since you left Saita?"

Saita smiled. 'I guess they're trying to keep our minds off things.'

"Fine Ino. I'll tell you."

--------------

Kisa stood shaking in front of the door. Hiro put his hands on her shoulders. Kisa smiled behind her and opened the door.

"Kisa-san!"

"Hello Naruto-san. Ayame-san, you're awake?"

The girl smiled brightly. "Tsunade-san fixed me up."

"She's being kept overnight for observation. She'll probably have to go to physical therapy, but she'll be fine." said Sasuke.

"Kisa-san, do you mind her staying with us after she gets out?" asked Naruto. Kisa smiled. "Not at all. She's better off where we can watch her and away from Yumi."

"Any news on her?" asked Hiro.

"No. We think she went into hiding. She'll come out eventually. If we don't hear from her in two weeks, we'll send the Anbu." said Sasuke as his eyes narrowed to a glare.

Hiro nodded. "Tell me, where's Sakura-san?" asked Kisa.

Sasuke pulled back the curtain. Kisa choked back a sob and Hiro stood in shock as they saw Sakura's unconscious figure, the heart monitor beeping a steady pattern. "We don't know if she'll make it or not." said Naruto solemnly.

Kisa cried into her husband's chest while he cried into her hair. "Why her?! Why?!" she wailed.

Sasuke and Naruto watched the elderly couple while Ayame looked at the haggard man at the bedside. 'Poor Kakashi. If that were to happen to Sasuke, I wouldn't know what I'd do. I hope Sakura will get better, I don't think he'll be able to handle it if she left him. Please wake up Sakura, if not for us or yourself, for him.'

-----------------

The door opened revealing an emotionally drained Kisa and a tired Hiro. A nurse helped them to a couple of chairs and said, "Next." Anko and Genma went next. They said hi to the Uchiha and the Kyuubi container and made friends with Sakura's double. Their smiles died as soon as they went past the curtain, a senbon plinked on the tile floor.

"Kakashi?" asked Anko unsuredly. The man looked up, eyes unfocused. "This is a joke right? Some stupid genjutsu you guys put up?" laughed Genma.

Kakashi went back to looking at the heart monitor. Genma continued to laugh, but they soon turned to tears. "Oh man. She's really here. She's really hurt and Hatake really looks like that." He put a hand on his head trying to comprehend the new information.

"Come on, Genma, we better get you out of here." With that, Anko picked up the senbon and dragged the confused nin out of the room.

Next were Kiba and Shino. They said hi, went behind the curtain and stood silently as they looked at Kakashi and Sakura. Kiba looked to Shino and the quiet man nodded. They went over to the corner and grabbed a chair for the poor man to sit in. They silently prayed for her recovery and left. Chouji and Shizune went next. The ninja started a pattern. They greeted Sasuke and Naruto, introduced themselves to Ayame, and went behind the curtain. Chouji stood silently while Shizune cried a bit.

Lee and Iruka were next. The door opened. "Iruka-sensei!"

"Naruto, this is a hospital." teased Iruka.

"You know I'm always loud." he replied.

"Hello Naruto! Sasuke."

"Fuzzy-brows!"

Sasuke nodded to the two. Iruka scanned the room when he spotted a girl in bed. "Sakura?"

"That's Ayame. She's like Sakura's twin or something."

"Pleasure to meet you Ayame."

"You too, um.."

"Umino Iruka. The man in the green jumpsuit is Rock Lee. He's harmless as long as he doesn't get into any alcohol."

Lee ran up enthusiastically to the bedside and held Ayame's hands. "Pleasure to meet you. My, you look just like my beloved Sakura!"

"Back off fuzzy-brows." threatened Sasuke.

"Well, she does look like the beautiful flower of my heart. By the way, where is she?" The light mood in the air grew stale. The tension almost became visible. Naruto pointed to the curtain. Iruka got the message and ushered him to the curtain.

Lee slipped in, then Iruka. Iruka had just turned around when he spotted one of his closest friends. "Kakashi?" A small half-hearted "Yo" escaped his lips. Lee walked over to the bedside. "Sakura?"

He reached out to touch her. "Don't." snapped Kakashi. Lee stopped and looked at the man. "Just, don't. Please." whispered Kakashi. Lee took back his hand and slipped out of the curtain. Iruka bid the man farewell and ran after him.

Iruka found Lee outside the door. "It looks like things have changed since they left." said Iruka.

"Kakashi loves Sakura, doesn't he?" asked Lee.

"I wouldn't know." responded Iruka.

"You don't have to lie to me, Iruka. It's okay. If Sakura captured his heart, it can't be helped. If it's someone like Kakashi who's captured her heart, I wouldn't mind because he'd never purposely hurt her. I never stood a chance. She only saw me as a brother at most." Lee looked up at Iruka and smiled softly. "He'll take care of her and that's all I can ask for."

Lee walked down the hallway whistling a small tune while Iruka scratched his head. 'When'd he get so perceptive?'

Kurenai and Asuma went afterwards. They came back to the waiting room a few minutes later, Kurenai in tears and Asuma seemed to go through his cigarettes faster than before. "Next."

The group looked at each other. "I-I-I'll go."

The nurse nodded and led Hinata to the room. The girl opened the door shyly and peered in. "Naruto-kun?"

"Hinata!" She was soon enveloped in a bear hug. "Naruto-kun!" she smiled.

He released her. "Sorry, but it's so good to see you."

"Who's she?" asked a girl in bed.

"This is my wife, Hinata. Hinata, this is Ayame, our newest friend." Hinata bowed. "Pleasure to meet you."

Ayame nodded her head. "Same here."

"Naruto-kun, where's Sakura-chan?" Naruto gripped Hinata's hand and led her through the curtain. She gasped. "Sakura?!" Hinata sobbed into her husband's clothes while he comforted her. Sasuke looked at them before leaving the room.

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The door opened. The group stood up and was shocked. "Sasuke?" exclaimed Ino.

"Hn."

"So how's she doing, Uchiha?"

"Why don't you go look for yourself, Hyuuga?"

Tenten nodded. "Thanks Sasuke."

"Hn."

Tenten led Neji through the door, into the hallway and into the room. "Hi everyone." exclaimed Tenten.

"Tenten! Neji!" exclaimed Naruto. Neji motioned to the girl. "That's Ayame." explained Hinata.

Tenten stuck out her hand. "Hi. Don't mind Neji, he's a real sweetie when you get to know him."

A small blush appeared on the prodigy's face. "Hn. Where's Sakura?"

Hinata pulled back the curtain. Tenten raced to the second bed and placed her hand over her mouth. She groped blindly behind her in a desperate effort to still herself. Neji came and pressed her against him. She sobbed while he took in the sight of his two companions. After a few minutes, he led her out of the door.

The Anbu visited next. They entered the room and exited just the same. Although they could never show their emotion, a slight drooping of the shoulder and clenching of the fist signaled their distress.

Ino and Shikamaru were last. Ino burst through the door. "Finally!" Her boyfriend followed shortly. "Troublesome," he muttered. After introductions, Naruto led them behind the curtain. Ino almost fell over in shock. "Forehead-girl?!"

Ino gripped the side of the bed. "Okay, you got me. Stop messing around and wake up."

"Ino…"

"What?! No Ino-pig? Ignoring me?"

"Ino."

"Dammit, forehead-girl. Wake up!" Ino started to shake the bed feebly. "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" She crumpled on the floor crying.

"Come on, Ino." Shikamaru picked her up and looked over at the bed. "Sakura. Wake up soon, ne?" he whispered before leaving.

-----------

In a small, dark apartment room, a woman was cackling. "I didn't kill them, but I can always fix that later. They're in the hospital and Sakura's in a coma. Life can't get any better! I can't leave though. I have to wait until this blows over, then I'll finish them off for good. Just you wait little sister, I will win."

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Later that day, the visitors were chased out of the hospital. Saita and Keiko went home. The Leaf nins were invited to stay with Kisa and Hiro, seeing how most of the guests left the inn already. All that was left in the hospital were Ayame, Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura. Ayame and Sakura were asleep. Kakashi was still awake, watching over Sakura, leaving the two men alone in their thoughts. "Hey teme."

"Yeah dobe?"

"Do you think Sakura's gonna get better?"

"I hope so dobe, I hope so."