RECAP: Hey

Sakura was crying next to Sasuke. Kakashi had just come to the hospital and was accidentally listening in to Sakura's talking. He wanted to comfort her but was unsure if he should. Kakashi wanted to comfort Sakura but someone beat him to the punch. He could only watch as Kiba did it for him. Kiba hadn't seen him so he figured he might as well listen in. Kiba sat down next to Sakura and put his arm around her.

"Who's with Naru?"

"Hinata."

"I bet she's great with kids."

"Sakura, come on, I don't want to see you sitting here alone crying."

"What am I supposed to do? He could come back..."

"Do you really believe that Sakura?"

She didn't say anything else. Kiba kissed her cheek and Sakura got tense.

"Why'd you do that?"

"To make you feel better."

"Well- don't. I still love Sasuke."

"That's OK. If you ever decide you need to move on I'll be here."

There was a long pause before Sakura said anything else.

"Thanks for coming Kiba. If you didn't I probably would've stayed here and cried until I had to go home."

"That's why I came down here. Have you been to see Kankuro or Gaara?"

"...No, I should though shouldn't I."

"Let's go."

Kakashi started to walk away trying to avoid running into the two of them. Kiba had Sakura by the hand and was playfully walking her down the hall to Kankuro's room. They passed Kakashi without even noticing him. Although a little sad he was relieved, he wanted to see Sasuke and he nearly passed out when he did. Kiba had got Sakura to Kankuro's room but Kankuro wasn't there.

"That's odd. Well, wanna go see Gaara?"

"Kiba, you really don't have to try and cheer me up."

"But I want to."

Sakura blushed but luckily he wasn't looking at her.

"Come on let's go."

He took her hand again and found Gaara's room. Naruto was gone.

"Where is everyone? Oh shit! What happened to Gaara?"

Kiba was hoping that the others wouldn't look as bad as Sasuke. They didn't look as bad as him but he definitely didn't look good.

"...Poor Gaara."

"Aw, don't get all sad again."

"But look at him."

"Ugh, there's got to be somewhere in this hospital that'll cheer you up."

Kiba grabbed her hand and started running playfully again occasionally turning his head to smile at her. She started to feel bad about enjoying herself while Sasuke was in the hospital especially with some other guy. Kiba stopped for a second at the nursing station, panting and asked a nurse where Kankuro was. She told him and he turned to Sakura who was still panting.

"I can't keep up with you Kiba."

"I guess I could carry you."

"No! That won't be necessary. Let's just walk."

"Alright but you should probably hold my hand for stability."

"Laying it on a little thick there Kiba."

"If I don't start the wooing process now you'll be taken."

"By who?"

"Anyone really."

"Even with a baby?"

"Even with a baby. Trust me."

Sakura started to smile at him which made him smile back. Sakura then started feeling guilty about Sasuke again and Kiba noticed her smile fade.

"What's wrong?"

"I still love Sasuke you know."

"Sakura, enjoying yourself doesn't mean you're a bad person. I think Sasuke would want you to stop mourning, maybe not this soon but at some point. Naru deserves to grow up with a happy mom."

"I just can't imagine her growing up without Sasuke seeing it."

"He will."

"...Where're we going again?"

"Oh yeah, Naruto needs stitches for something so Kankuro got a nurse and went with him."

"Stitches? I should be doing those!"

Sakura ran to the exam room where a nurse was about to start his stitches and Kiba followed. She took one look at Sakura, handed her the supplies, apologized and left. Naruto was laying down with a silent Kankuro next to him. Naruto was apologizing to Kankuro for something but she couldn't hear.

"Naruto why do you need stitches?"

"Oh, hey Sakura."

Naruto didn't sound as cheery as she usually did which made her worry a little she was looking in his eyes as she turned his head and put her hand on his forehead to check his temperature, hoping a fever was the reason he was down. When she did Naruto cried out and she quickly pulled her hand away. She hadn't seen it but he had a gash in his forehead.

"Sorry Naruto. When did this happen?"

"Kankuro said I passed out, I hit my head. I haven't eaten in a while ya know?"

"Naruto...you're not helping Gaara by starving yourself."

"...I know...just do the stitches..."

"Alright just let me get it numbed."

"OK. Make it quick I gotta get back."

Sakura disinfected and started the stitches. Naruto didn't flinch. Sakura, Kiba and Kankuro were getting worried about him. Once she was done Naruto sat up and she gave him juice and a cookie so he could walk without fainting. He then noticed Kiba was there.

"Hey Kiba."

His cheer had returned a little. Sakura figured it was because Kiba was something new, something not at all related to the hospital or the mission.

"Hey Naruto."

"It's been a while. Haven't seen you since like when Naru was born."

"I've visited Sakura since then though."

"Ah, well I've gotta get back to Gaara."

"Alright..."

The three of them let him go knowing there was nothing they could do to help until Gaara woke up. Kankuro wheeled off with him, Sakura felt bad, Kankuro was practically taking care of Naruto and she couldn't help any. Kiba and Sakura trailed a little behind Naruto and Kankuro. Kankuro waited outside while Naruto held Gaara's hand and played their song. The sight of the two of them made Kiba and Sakura's hearts sink. Gaara looked awful. Kiba didn't want Sakura to get even more depressed so he took her to hospitals back garden. Usually this was the only place patients could get outdoor air but there were none today. Kiba had given up trying to hold her hand again, Sakura wouldn't let him. They were laying out in the shade on the grass trying to get their minds off of Sasuke.

"Kiba, why're you going through all this trouble?"

"Are you going to make me say it? How cruel."

They both chuckled a little.

"It's still too early. Sasuke was...he was...just incredible in every way."

"...I'm gonna have a hard time living up to that."

"I always thought you and Hinata were kind of a thing."

"Now that you mention it, I never actually thought about it."

"Ha."

Kiba turned his head to the side so he could look at Sakura. She noticed but wasn't sure if she should turn her head too. She was still in love with Sasuke. Still very much in love but if he was dead he'd just be mad at her for not moving on.

"Sakura."

"Hmm?"

"I'm not trying to replace Sasuke."

"I think you're getting a little ahead of yourself."

"I know but I just wanted to make that clear."

"I'll keep that in mind."

She turned her head and smiled at him. He took that opportunity to kiss her again. Her eyes went wide and she put her hands on his chest and tried to push him away gently. He pulled off of her as soon as she started resisting.

"Kiba!"

"Sorry."

"...Nevermind."

"Look I'm sorry!"

"..."

"I actually thought I was a pretty good kisser."

"It's just...I miss Sasuke..."

"Alright I'll lay off. But only for like a week OK?"

"...Kiba, I don't like you."

"Wow...that was...to the point..."

"I mean not in that way. I still love Sasuke."

"I know you might feel like you're betraying Sasuke but can you honestly say he wouldn't want you to move on?"

Kiba reached for her hand and held it. Sakura threw his hand on the ground as she let go of it. Kiba sat up fast. Sakura was still lying down.

"Kiba, I love him."

"...Yeah? Well I lov-whatever. I'll be watching Naru."

Kiba got up and walked to the door. Sakura sat up and watched him leave. Kiba went back to Naru so Hinata could go home. Sakura didn't know what to do next. She went back inside and into Sasuke's room.

"...Sasuke, I love you, you know that, but I can't handle this, this state you're in. I mean am I a widow or are you going to comeback at anytime? I hate having to tell people whether or not you're dead because I don't know. Can you please try harder to come back or give me a sign that you're gone. Please."

Sasuke's heart rate sped up.

"I don't know what that means Sasuke. Please, hurry, I can't do this much longer, I need to know whether to start coping or to hang on. I can't be in that in between state anymore. I'm going home. I'll see you tomorrow."