"Can't you be more careful next time, Kakashi?" Sakura said tearfully as she tries to replenish his depleted chakra.
Her eyes swam with her unshed tears but she kept them at bay. It will do no good for Kakashi if she started to bawl her eyes out.
She knows that any day, Kakashi's modified team will return from a mission that needed two doujutsu. Kakashi is the team leader, then Neji, Ino, and Kiba comprise the group. If the mission is as dire as she heard, she cannot fathom why it's Ino that they send as their medic.
Sakura knows that Ino is a capable medic, being trained by Tsunade, as well. But Ino's strenghts is not in medical ninjutsu, its on the signature attack of her family.
As color started to return to Kakashi's deathly pale skin, she started to relax. If it was she who had accompanied them, she would have replenished Kakashi's chakra right there. But she can't think of maybe's and what if's now. She focused her attention to her patient.
Sakura's hands glowed with a soft green light as she channeled her chakra into Kakashi's body. The room was filled with a tense atmosphere, and Sakura's concern for Kakashi was palpable.
Kakashi, although weakened, managed a weak smile. "Sorry, Sakura. It seems I miscalculated this one," he said, his voice raspy but with a hint of gratitude.
Sakura sighed, her worry still etched on her face. "You're lucky I was nearby when you all returned. What happened out there? Why did they send Ino as the medic?" She wasn't outside Konoha's gates by chance, she had been scouting the perimeter of the gates just to make sure that she'll be there when they arrive. Something is itching in her soul that demands her to be there as soon as possible.
And her instincts were right. Any later, and she could have lost Kakashi. She blanched at the thought. She cannot imagine Kakashi being killed on a mission.
Kakashi's gaze shifted to the ceiling for a moment before he spoke. "It was a complex situation. We encountered unexpected resistance, and Neji and Kiba were incapacitated. Ino used her telepathic abilities to coordinate our movements and strategies. It was... necessary."
Sakura frowned. She understood the importance of Ino's skills, but a mission requiring two doujutsu users was undoubtedly perilous. The needed a full blown medic. She continued to infuse Kakashi with chakra, ensuring his strength returned steadily.
Kakashi observed Sakura's expression and reached out to gently pat her hand. "Don't worry, Sakura. We made it back, and your healing is doing wonders. I trust Ino to handle the situation in her own way."
Sakura nodded, although still unconvinced. As a medic, her instinct was to be there on the front lines, mending wounds and ensuring the team's well-being. She finished replenishing Kakashi's chakra, and he sat up, his strength returning.
"Thanks, Sakura," Kakashi said, now looking more like his usual self. "I'll brief you on the details of the mission later. For now, let's get some rest. We all need it."
As soon as the words left Kakashi's mouth, Sakura felt her body sway. The strain of her healing took a toll on her body, and Kakashi needed a lot of chakra and she gave him majority of hers. She's not on the brink of chakra depletion but the rapid loss of her chakra made her world turn.
Kakashi reacted quickly, catching Sakura before she could collapse. Concern etched on his face, he guided her to sit on a nearby chair.
"Sakura, you pushed yourself too hard," Kakashi chided gently, his hand still supporting her. "Rest for a moment. I'll get you some water."
Sakura made a noise of desistance, but she felt the room spin as sh closed her eyes, trying to regain her composure. Ino, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward.
"I got it, Kakashi-sensei" Ino reasurred the man, her voice calm. She placed a glass of water in Sakura's hand and then placed her hands to her temples to alleviate her exhaustion.
"Kakashi," Sakura muttered after she drank her water. "don't you dare move from that hospital bed." she admonished him.
Kakashi just nodded to his former student. Although he wants to escape the confines of the hospital, he can't do that and expect that Sakura won't drag him back by his ear. He decided that hee wont argue with her as she was weakened by healing him.