Okay, so it took another day for the next chapter; at least it's done!

Time setting: February before Naruto returns

Ages:

Sakura- 15

Kakashi- 29

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters depicted in these drabbles. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

100 word Drabbles

Week 12: Guilt

Word count: 455

"Please Kakashi-sensei, please stay with me!" A desperate voice filtered through Kakashi's semi-conscious mind. What happened? Where was he; and more importantly, why couldn't he breath?

Kakashi forced his heavy eyelid open to see a blurry pink object, which soon focused into a distraught Sakura. 'I must have gotten injured on a mission,' he thought. Sakura hadn't noticed his awakening; she was busy trying to heal a deep wound on his chest. 'That explains why I can't breath;' he most likely punctured one of his lungs. Taking note on the rest of his body he also counted a heavily bruised abdomen, a sprained left ankle, a broken right arm, and a deep slash on his right side.

Kakashi tried to open his mouth and reassure her, but the feeling of blood in his throat stopped him. He decided to lie still to conserve energy and let Sakura treat him. He then noticed the dark and rocky wall behind Sakura's form. They weren't in the hospital, but to Kakashi that didn't make sense. Why would Sakura…?

The fog cleared from his mind and complete consciousness hit him; he suddenly remembered everything. They had been on a mission together. It was a fairly easy messaging mission; until some of Kakashi's old 'acquaintances' decided to ambush and attack them. It seemed they were willing to risk a war just to rid the planet of the copy-nin.

The battle proceeded normally, with Kakashi defeating many of them quickly; until a lucky kunai pierced his chest. It was at the perfect angle to puncture his lung. He went down quickly, and he couldn't remember anything after that.

'Sakura either defeated the last three, or was able to retreat.' He hoped it was the latter; they were completely vulnerable now. He turned his attention back to Sakura; she was still focused on his wound.

Hesitantly he lifted his uninjured hand to touch her arm. Her head whipped quickly toward his face. "Kakashi-sensei, you're awake! … I'm so sorry!" He could see tears barely held back in her eyes; eyes that were full of guilt. Guilt for not having enough chakra to completely heal him; guilt for dodging the kunai instead of deflecting it; guilt for begging Tsunade to put her on this mission in the first place.

Kakashi continued to search her eyes. He slowly raised his hand up to her face, cupping her cheek; then he smiled. He could breathe shallowly now, but didn't trust trying to speak yet. In his smile he put all of the reassurance he could muster. Kakashi was going to survive this, and Sakura's eyes were never going to mirror the survivor's guilt in his own; not if he had anything to say about it.

AN: Wow, that is the longest chapter to date! Only 45 words under the limit. This drabble is the most dramatic also. Humor might not show up for a while. I kind of like the final product, but of course, that's just my opinion. I hope it isn't too confusing. I'd like to thank those of you keeping up with my story and reviewing! Contstructive criticism is greatly appreciated!