Someone you loved

Chapter 21

Shakily she took a deep breath, eyes opening slowly to gaze at a white ceiling. Everything was blindingly bright after being in darkness for so long. Nonetheless, she heard her kids call out for her and with all her strength, she sat up. They needed her; she would not let them wait any longer.

For a moment, the room was spinning, and Chiasa gasped weakly, until she could make out different colours and figures.

Pink. Yellow. Black. Silver.

Sakura. Naruto. Sasuke. Kakashi.

And others she didn't know, but for the moment they weren't important. She had full faith that Kakashi wouldn't have let anyone dangerous in the same room as the children.

"Kids," whispered Chiasa croakily, voice rough from being silent for so long.

Suddenly, it was like time passed twice as fast as the first person hurled himself at her.

Sasuke clung desperately to his sister, arms wrapped around her neck like iron chains as he hid his face in her neck, crying silently.

"Nee-san," the younger Uchiha whimpered again and again, hardly believing that his beloved sister was finally awake.

Soothingly, Chiasa put her arms around him, holding her baby brother close, whispering soft nonsense in his ear.

There were still so many things uncertain to the kunoichi, but she'd never hesitate in given her brother the love and reassurance he wanted.

Placing tender kisses on the top of his head, Chiasa rocked Sasuke in her arms fondly.

"It's alright, Sasu. I'm here and everything will be okay, I promise."

Soft whimpers were the only response she received from the boy, but it was okay. She knew Sasuke needed to let out whatever burdened him before he could move on and begin to heal.

Glancing up, Chiasa hazily noticed Naruto and Sakura standing nearby, tears in their eyes, but keeping their distance vehemently. Arching an eyebrow confused, she moved her brother slightly to make space and opened her arms, beckoning the children to come. It was kind of them to give Sasuke time, but they weren't just friends or teammates at that point. Sasuke and her had more or less adopted them into their small family and as such Chiasa cared deeply about their wellbeing.

The children's eyes widened disbelieving before thick tears rolled down their cheeks and they jumped into her arms.

"What's with those faces?" she murmured softly, tenderly kissing their heads.

"Chiasa-nee!" Sakura sobbed, snuggling closer to the woman.

Naruto silently wept, tremors shaking his small body as he tried to make himself impossible smaller.

"Oh, sweetheart, little prince. You're fine, it's okay."

Her heart ached at the pain and anguish radiating from the children in her arms. All she remembered was fighting Orochimaru and using her Mangekyo ability to heal the Hokage, though this time it hadn't felt like healing some fatal wounds. The healing had been harder as if something or someone was fighting against her.

But that was something to worry about later, for now the children were her priority.

Only when the tears had ebbed and none of her kids were on the brink of another breakdown, did Chiasa dare to weaken her hold around them, watching fondly as they curled up all on one side, not wanting to be apart from her. Softly, she combed through their hair.

"We were so scared, Chiasa-nee," whispered Sakura as the kunoichi patted her head.

Smiling warmly, Chiasa replied: "I'm here now, there's no reason to be scared any longer. You all were so brave, sweetheart."