A moment of silence..non of them had anything to say
Hiromi gave him her back and hugged her blanket..
He had no idea what to say, he couldn't treat her like a kid because she clearly wasn't a normal one..and so he didn't say anything
..
He didn't try to sleep, the last thing he wanted was another nightmare..other than the one he was living
Hiromi had been laying in the same way ever since their conversation about thirty minutes ago..and he was at the window, since he couldn't go out for some air, by orders of the doctor
He could feel Hiromi staring at him, a sad smile found its way to his lips...she was just too kind
He knew that she was in a world of pain, but giving her attention and concern to him even in her condition, was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time
"Does it hurt a lot?" She said in a whisper, as if not wanting him to hear
To be honest, it did hurt..a lot, something about his injuries wasn't right, they weren't healing as fast as they should "Hiromi, stop beating yourself up over it...I told you, I'm fine and it's not your fault...I should have been more careful" he should've known that she was too dangerous to handle, it wasn't wise to be in direct contact with her right after the session, but he was in a hurry to get her to the hospital
She didn't add anything, just stayed the same way..taking peeks every once in a while to check on him..as if he was going to drop dead any second
...
It'd been another day at the hospital..no book for him to read...no enthused conversations for her to start...just the awkward, uncomfortable silence
The Hokage had visited him the night he and Hiromi entered the hospital, and Kakashi had asked him to not tell anyone that he was in the hospital..to say that he was on a mission
It wasn't a complete lie..he was on a mission, even if he long since stopped considering it to be one
And the reason he didn't want anyone to know was obvious..first he didn't like the attention, and the second and the more important reason was that he didn't need Guy's voice in his already aching head..constantly jabbering about 'youth' and giving him bizarre 'medicine' recipes
He could already imagine what he would say..
~imagination~
"Kakashi! Why is my eternal rival in a hospital!" Guy says in his thundering voice after storming into the room
Kakashi rolls his eyes and flinches at the pain in his head that got worse, thanks to Guy
"Well lucky for you, I have ran upon a medical herb that will restore you to your full youth in no time! It's called..." aaand Kakashi stops listening at this point
~reality~
Kakashi shook his head, and flinched at the throb of pain his move caused...he definitely needed to sleep, now he's getting some bizarre daydreams about Guy?!
..a day later..
His injuries were less painful..and Hiromi had two days left before she was released
Her injuries were minor, and had long since healed..it was his injuries that refused to heal..
And again..silence
...
One more day left, and Hiromi hasn't been eating anything ever since she first woke up..but it was ok since she had an IV
That was until it was removed in the morning..
She still refused to eat and kept saying that she had no appetite..no one could blame her, but that wasn't a reason to stop trying
Kakashi wasn't involved in any way, it was between her and the nurses...he didn't have the energy to argue, neither did he have the interest
...
Finally, the day of her release came..
Kakashi was released at the same day, the doctor insisted that he needed to be taken care of and that his injuries needed constant checking..and therefore more time at the hospital
But he refused, the only reason he agreed to stay as long as he did, was that he had to watch over Hiromi..but now that she was released, he had no reason to stay
Hiromi hasn't been talking a lot..all she did was look at him sorrowfully and it wasn't without a reason..
Other than holding herself responsible for his injuries..she was sad that he looked like that..he was a bit pale, had bags under his eyes and other things caused by lack of sleep, making him look awful
..
Arriving at the Hokage's..Kakashi and Hiromi entered the place, Hiromi headed to her room while Kakashi headed for the Hokage's office
He was swaying, barely able to walk...not sleeping for so long wasn't the least bit fun
He was lucky to be out of the hospital, the doctor was already suggesting to give him something to make him sleep..and if his sleeping problem continued any longer, they would definitely do something about it
Knock knock
"Yes" came the voice of the Hokage from Kakashi's left
He turned to find the Hokage beside him
"Sir" he said kneeling
"Kakashi!..what happened to you?!" The Hokage asked in a worried tone after having a good look at Kakashi
Kakashi smiled, standing up "it's..well.." 'where to start sir?' He collapsed on the floor
As luck would have it..Hiromi was standing a few meters back..she'd come to see the Hokage after dropping her bag in her room, having missed him from not seeing him for the past days
She paled, and her eyes widened..staring at Kakashi with pure horror
Before the Hokage could say anything to her, she exploded into black flaming chakra..
It was but for a second before she as well, fainted..the black, flaming aura of chakra disappeared
..
Seeing how Kakashi loved the hospital, his fate brought him back to it..
He was asleep, finally...the bandages on his chest and stomach were changed after taking care of his slowly-healing wounds that opened when he fell
..
Back at the Hokage's, Hiromi hadn't woken up yet..
The Hokage was sitting beside her, after having sent Kakashi to the hospital and making sure that he was in no danger
It'd been hours before Hiromi started waking up..
She slowly opened her eyes..looking at the ceiling
About five seconds later..her eyes flooded and she started crying "I..I..I killed him!"
The she got Hokage's attention "you're awake" he said, having expected a similar reaction
"I..k..ill..ed h..him!" she was crying hysterically at that point
"No..he's alright and at the hospital..you didn't kill anyone"
She cried for a few seconds before his words made sense to her "wha..at?"
"Apparently he needed sleep since he hadn't slept for a while, and he couldn't keep it up any longer"
She wiped her eyes and sniffed "ca..an I go see hi..im" she asked
"I doubt it would do any good, he's asleep..and he'll be like that for some time"
She didn't mind, even if he was asleep...she could just sit there and make sure he was okay...but she didn't want to argue with the Hokage...but mostly, she didn't trust herself enough to get close to him again
She nodded sadly
"Don't give me that face, he's going to be just fine...and about what happened, it wasn't your fault" something about his words was warm and reassuring..
She hesitated out of fear of hurting him, but her need for warmth exceeded her fear, and she threw herself around him into a tight hug
He loosely wrapped his arms around her small body, patting her back
He didn't need to say anything...for her, just his presence was reassuring enough..
..
He slowly placed her blanket over her then left the room
She cried some and sat in his arms until she fell asleep..'poor child'
..
The Hokage sat in his office, watching the village from above..so peaceful
He had to start sending Kakashi on missions again soon..he'd been turning down the requests that specifically asked for Kakashi..but he couldn't keep doing that for long..after all, Kakashi was one of the Leaf's most skilled ninja
Other than that, new academy students were soon to graduate, and Kakashi would be assigned to a team
Hiromi slowly opened her eyes..everything was blurry, she blinked a couple of times before it cleared
Staring at the ceiling, she was thinking..wondering, why did it end up like that?
She was happy, and out of her cage, out of Orochimaru's grasp, and with Kakashi..the person she came to love the most..respect and idolize, all with the duration of a little over a month
She was too quick to get attached to people..but she never considered it a bad thing..
Why did it all have to go like that?
It wasn't something she had control of, and that was what scared her the most...
She bit her lip and wiped her teary eyes then got up
She was going to get herself busy, anything better than sitting still, because all it did was make her think of matters that were out of her hands
She brushed her hair, tied it in a ponytail..the shorter hair strands stood out
She then made the bed before heading for the Hokage's room..
She stood in front of it, hand into a loose fist as she was about to knock the door
She stopped to think for a while..it was night time, and the Hokage had to have a lot of work since he hadn't gone to sleep yet
She didn't want to be a bother and interfere with his work..other than that, she just couldn't allow herself to get close to people..
She wouldn't be able to take it if she hurt anyone again..
She lowered her hand and turned around "come in Hiromi" she jumped upon hearing his voice
'How did he know I was here?!' She opened the door and got in, but didn't go any further
He got up and walked towards her..
She took a step back but he stopped her by placing a scarf over her shoulders "put this on, it's cold outside" he said
"We're going out?"
"Yes, you haven't had anything yet am I correct?"
She nodded and he did the same "then we're going out" he said, walking ahead of her
She followed him and found him waiting at the door out of the building..she hesitated but took his hand..
"Where are we going grandpa Hokage?" She asked
"You will see" he said with a smile and a small chuckle
..
They stopped at some shop..it was one of the few that weren't closed..
The Hokage got her a sandwich and a bowl of soup, he didn't get anything for himself
..
"Eat you soup first" the Hokage said after the order arrived..
She nodded and did as he said
..
She picked up her sandwich after finishing the bowl "take it with you" he said getting up
They left after paying for the food..she was holding her sandwich with one hand and the Hokage's hand with the other
She was hungry..she hadn't had any food in some time now, so she didn't wait and started on her sandwich while walking
..
They walked for sometime, before stopping at a lake
"Did you like it?" The Hokage asked
She looked a him with a mouthful, then at the sandwich then back at him and nodded
He chuckled at her goofy look "I'm glad"
..
They sat for some time..
The sky was clear and the stars were decorating the sky with their elegant gleam..the beautiful picture was reflected on the calm water of the lake
They looked at the beauty from where they were sitting under an old, large tree
"It's beautiful isn't it?" He asked
"Hm?"
"That flower" he pointed at a closed flower nearby
She shrugged..nothing was special about it
He nodded
She furrowed her eyebrows..she didn't understand what was up with today's sudden trip
..
She wasn't sleepy at all, but with the peaceful scene of the lake and the reassuring presence of the Hokage..she couldn't help but fall asleep after some time
..
She opened her eyes, blinking slowly...but the blur didn't clear..she noticed that she had something on her face, lifting it..she saw that it was the Hokage's hat
"You're awake" came the Hokage's voice..something was different about him, he wasn't..she looked underneath her to find the Hokage's white coat under her
"G..good morning" she said, rubbing her eyes
"Good morning" he said with his warm smile "did you sleep well?"
"Mm-hm" she nodded
"Here, have this" he said, offering a sandwich
"Thanks" she said with a smile..she had quite the appetite for some reason
He sat in his previous spot while she ate the sandwich..looking at the sparkling water of the lake that reflected the morning sun's rays
"Isn't it beautiful?" He said, looking at a beautiful flower nearby
"Wow" she said slowly with food in her mouth..she noticed and swallowed before adding "it's really pretty"
He smiled "do you know that it's the same flower from last night?"
She furrowed her eyebrows..then remembered "oh, really?"
"Yes, it wasn't pretty the night before, was it?"
She shrugged "there was nothing special about it...it looked like an onion" she said with a chuckle
"But when it bloomed, you saw how beautiful it was inside"
She nodded
He fixed his position, his back to the tree "Hiromi"
"Yes, grandpa Hokage"
"Why do you think I brought you here?"
"I..don't know"
"Well, for one, to get some fresh air...you do feel better now don't you?"
She did feel better, so she nodded
"But other than that.." he started, but then decided to say something else...he thought for a while before saying "do you know the story of the Hidden Lotus?" Time to come up with a story
"No" she shook her head, and turned around so she was facing him
He took some time...cleared his throat then started..
"There once lived a special flower..it held beauty, like no other flower..and for that beauty to be seen, it needed more nourishment than any other flower in the swamp..and when it consumed all the food there was..the surrounding flowers withered...the beautiful flower feared blooming, for that it feared to hurt the other flowers any further
Allowing that fear to consume it...the flower lived it's life confined, away from the world..and no one was able to see it's beauty..all they knew about it was that it was a dangerous flower..one that harmed others around it..all they could picture it to be was ugly and dark...so unlike the beautiful, caring nature it held within
Only one person was able to see the flower for what it was..that person kept nourishing the flower, always there to keep an eye on it..make sure that it survived, not caring for what everyone thought of it...of what the flower thought of itself..for him, this flower was the opposite of anything bad, it was purity itself
The time passed, and that person's presence helped the flower overcome it's fear..helped find a way to bloom without affecting the other flowers..he showed it how there was always a way, even in the darkest alleys
And with his help...the flower stood strong and bloomed...showing its beauty to all the eyes..proving itself worth of his faith
That flower became known, it became a story told for generations...a symbol of persistence and strength" he was impressed with his ability to improvise
Hiromi was looking at the flower nearby
The Hokage smiled..he got to do all that he wanted...he got her to eat, get some fresh air and a piece of advice..he called that a win, and mentally patted himself on the back "it's time to go"
...
Arriving at the Hokage's, they stopped at Hiromi's room where she got in and the Hokage continued to his office "th..thank you grandpa Hokage" she said shyly
He smiled, nodded and continued...that little trip was something she needed, it was nice after all that happened
..
Soon...she started to notice how the room was bigger than ever..she really missed Kakashi
The more time passed..the more worries rose
She busied herself cleaning the room..
...
After she was done, she had a shower then sat on the bed..
She tied the ribbon back around her wrist after she took it off to shower and looked at it for a while..
She thought about Kakashi...if he was okay like the Hokage said, shouldn't he be here by now? But the Hokage wouldn't lie, would he?
She shook that thought off..the Hokage wouldn't lie, and Kakashi was okay
...
The day passed slowly..she just wanted it to be over, it was uneventful and lonely..
She held the ribbon tightly "good night unkle Kakashi" she said before going to sleep
...
The sun's rays seeped through the glass over to her eyes..she moved a little before waking up
She sat up and looked at the clock "s..seven" she said sleepily, rubbing her eyes
She was so obsessed with Kakashi's condition...petrified that she might have done him unrepairable damage, endangering his life
Not having the patience to wait until she washed her face or wore her shoes..she walked to the Hokage's room..he must've received some news about Kakashi
Holding her right hand into a loose fist, she was about to knock on the door before hearing another voice inside
"..condition is very dire...I really doubt that the doctors can do much, they themselves said as much"
Frozen for a couple of seconds..all color drained from her features, before she broke into a run in the direction of her room, barely in time to miss the person coming out of the Hokage's office, which was perfect since he would've stopped her
She barged into the room and stood in her place for a while..hands through her hair, it was as if the room was spinning..as if minutes were seconds..everything was so fast
All she could think about was that every single thing she feared was confirmed with that short statement..
She stood for a couple more seconds before jumping out of the open window..
She landed swiftly on the ground..but didn't have the time to even notice
Once she touched down..she sprinted through the street
She had a pretty good idea where the hospital should be since she'd already been there twice
People's heads barely had time to turn to see her..her heart was racing and her feet were scraped
..
She finally made it to the hospital...of course she didn't take the shortest route, she just followed the one they did at their first visit..
She was panting and didn't know what to do..she heard a call for some doctor to an operation room
The hospital was really busy and she was too small to be noticed in the crowd, slipping in between people..she was able to move unnoticed..or whoever did notice, couldn't catch her..whichever
She followed the signs and looked for the operation room she heard in the speakers..
The man said that Kakashi wasn't okay right? So that meant he was in an operation room..didn't it?
She panicked..stood still, hands in her hair again...is she too late? is he dead? What if he was? No he wasn't...he couldn't be
She turned to her left to find the room..she opened the outer door and got in..there were sinks and some clothes and other things she didn't recognize
No one was allowed inside an operation room..she knew that much
At any rate..she did even need to get in.."..of death 7:23" an ominous voice came from inside
She couldn't comprehend whether it was too fast that it almost seemed nonexistent or it was not there all together..she couldn't even feel her heart
Ever since that morning started...everything was too fast
With no idea about anything..she darted into the hallway..her tears flying from her eyes..she didn't know why what or how..just hearing the words made her think the worst
There was an open window in the hallway..an she was in the ground level, so she went through the window and to the village..
..
The scenery of the village was changed to that of the woods..but of that she wasn't aware..
Not until her face hit the soft ground..she didn't move, just stayed on the ground where she sobbed uncontrollably..
What had she done?! When life finally had mercy on her..when she finally had someone...someone to love and be loved by..
Her father, the person that was supposed to care for her..was the person who hurt her the most..
And when she thought that she was finally out..Orochimaru's prison became her next 'home'
But now..she was sure that it was over...she was truly out, and she had Kakashi! That for her was what life was
She didn't know what life was until that day in the woods..and now, here she was, back in the woods..at the end of her life..what cruel irony
..
No tears left...no energy, she got up and looked around blankly
Walking, swaying..she sat at the edge of the lake..staring ahead with her bloodshot eyes..her tear streaked face had some small cuts from the fall..her feet were scraped..and her heart was shattered
..
It was night time..and she hadn't moved an inch..thoughts swirling around her head..breaking her mind into pieces for that she had no control over destiny..
She came to a question...why did she blame life...destiny..all that crap
Why hadn't it occurred to her before that she was the curse..
She was the one who annihilated her people, so were they wrong to imprison her in the first place?
She destroyed everything she touched..and it never hit her as hard as it did now..because she'd never cared about anyone as much as she did now..
..
Something caught her eye..a bright mop of hair in the distance..
She zoned out again..starting at the lake..but snapped out of it when "are you okay?" said a childish voice softly
She didn't respond
"You wouldn't be here if you were" he said sadly to himself
No, she wouldn't, she would..a tear ran down her cheek
"Is it the eyes too?" He asked somberly after sometime...joining her in looking at the lake
She turned to look at him, eyes questioning
"The way everyone looks at you..is it..strange?" He asked
Surprisingly..she could understand what he meant..it was the people back at her village..the ones with the strange looks..the accusing..full-of-hatred eyes
Was this boy the same as her? Was he a curse too? He looked normal enough..but so did she
His hair was bright yellow, messy and short..he also reminded her of a kitty for some reason
She kept staring at him.."is it why you're sad?"
She shook her head..kept shaking it and started sobbing again..
A worried expression appeared on his face..along some slight panic "p..please don't cry"
She cried harder..soundly, and now he was fully panicked
"Aa..um" he was looking around for something to do, then jumped as he felt a head on his chest..
Hiromi was much smaller than him, even though if she had to guess, she'd say he was about two years older than her
His expression changed dramatically..it was as if he himself was going to cry..
He stayed awkwardly still..not knowing what to do..all he knew that he was deeply sad for her
..
His back was getting stiff..he'd been still for some time now, Hiromi had cried herself to sleep...and now, ever so uncomfortably..her head was on his chest in an awkward position
He straightened his back..and when he did so, her head fell to his right thigh..he closed his eyes then slowly opened one eye and gave a relieved sigh when he saw that she was still asleep
He decided to stay with her..she was asleep and he didn't want to disturb her..he didn't have to go home, it wasn't going to be any emptier than it already was if he didn't
..
His head was nodding every once in a while..he was getting sleepy
He laid back and made sure that his thigh didn't move from under her head..before he himself, fell asleep
(A/N)
So there it is guys...please vote if you like it and comment your reactions/opinions