Under My Skin

Chapter 28

Akari

"You gave Taiyo-san and I a fright there," the pink Uchiha's familiar voice was the first thing Akari heard as she came to. "Some of your organs failed but I repaired them best I could despite what's happening. It won't last long but it should hold it off for a few days."

A few days... That's all she had left.

Akari inhaled deeply and was relieved that she could.

"Thanks," she croaked and attempted to sit up but Sakura pushed her back into the bed.

"Don't, just rest." She commanded and Aki couldn't find the strength to disobey.

"How long has it been?" she wanted to laugh at the words. She wondered how many times she'd asked Chikako the same thing.

"A day. I kept you in an induced coma to help with the repair but I knew you didn't have.... Didn't have long left so I brought you around earlier than I usually would. Is that what you want?" Uchiha came to stand by the edge of the bed and looked down at her.

"Thank you, Uchiha-sama."

"Please, call me Sakura." She smiled sweetly.

"Sakura." She confirmed.

"You were in the hospital but I brought you here myself. I thought you'd be more comfortable." Sakura looked around the room and Akari found her eyes following. She realised she was back in Kakashi's room and relief flooded her.

"Is he back yet?" she found herself asking but Sakura shook her head.

"No, but I sent word. He should be back by tonight." She watched Sakura's gaze glaze over as she stared into nothing out the window.

"I'm sorry," Akari found herself saying.

"Don't be, despite everything, I see how much happier Kakashi is with you. I owe him a lot. I'm not even sure I'd be with Sasuke if it wasn't for Kakashi sensei," Sakura admitted as she looked back down to Akari who was still lying down. "He's always tried to bring Sasuke back to the light but during the war he made both of us realise how we felt." She watched Sakura smile at the memory. The thought of Kakashi valiantly trying to show his students that they loved each other made her chest feel light and tingly despite everything. She found herself smiling and she couldn't stop.

"Sasuke has said the same. I remember when he made me realise how my love for Sasuke had changed a lot. That it was on a totally different level to the puppy-love I felt from the academy. He told me he trusted that I loved him even when everyone else seemed to mock how I felt." She laughed but it was full of warmth and reminiscing rather than amusement. She shook her head and her smile fell. "Sasuke said he told Kakashi he felt like he had no reason to love me, and Kakashi was the one that made him realise he didn't need a reason to love me. He told him I just wanted to help him, all that time." Sakura seemed to be deep in memory and watching it made Akari chest tighten until Sakura looked straight at her. "I think, maybe if he never met you. Never experienced the love between you two, we might have never come together. So I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you. Not only for bringing happiness to Kakashi sensei but for everything after." She gave her a smile with her eyes closed and Akari realised then how much they all meant to one another. They really were a family. Sakura turned to leave.

"Sakura-Kun." Akari seemed to desperately call out and sat up. The pink-haired medic halted and turned back to her with a questioning gaze. "I know you will anyway, but... lookout for him when I'm gone. I don't want him to be lonely, and make sure he eats. Gai said he didn't eat afterwards... last time... and make sure he trains, I don't want him to lose his strength. Oh and make sure he doesn't spend all hours of the day talking to us at the memorial stone. Oh! And-" the chime of Sakura's laughter halted her verbal spray of words and she watched Sakura's fingertips cover her mouth lightly. Akari felt her head tip to one side in question.