BONDS • k. hatake

•21•

-3rd POV-

Akiara was in a coma.

Everyone was alive, but her. The hospitals were empty except for her room.

"We brought more flowers." Sakura walked in with her favourite flowers, pink dahlias. Slowly, Naruto walked in. His hands in his pockets.

"We miss you onee-chan. You did an amazing job protecting the village." Sakura felt the tears well up in her eyes.

"You'd think for the 11 months I've visited you, I wouldn't cry anymore." She laughed sadly. Her sisters pale body laid on the bed, the beeping of the monitors rung in her ears.

"I-I know you don't like this life.. a-and you're heartbroken by so many things.. so," Sakura composed herself. "You don't need to fight anymore.. if you can't fight anymore, y-you can go. You can be free, you can be happy. We won't keep you here under all your stress and pain. We'll all be fine." Sakura cried holding her sisters cold hand.

"Sakura-chan..." Naruto whispered. He'd never seen her cry this much, she was a strong woman, always pushing through but this was breaking her and there was nothing he could do.

"It's okay... I-I don't want you to be in pain. You've been through so much a-and you didn't d-deserve any of it, n-not a s-single ounce..." she cried into the bed, tears falling onto the bed.

Naruto places a hand on her back, trying to comfort her.

What they didn't know was their silver haired sensei was outside, hearing every word. His heart shattering, more and more.

-----

Everyday, countless people visited the woman. Bringing letters and flowers, talking to her for hours.

People were considering to write her name on the KIA stone, it was almost a year since she was in a coma and she wasn't going to wake up anytime soon.

War was coming, no one could watch her. They needed everyone at the front lines and if she died alone, in her hospital room. No one would forgive themselves.

Kakashi would sneak in every night, not wanting anyone to see his tired and depressed state.

"I wanted to ask you to marry me that day.. the day when we ended things.." he whispered. "I went to get my mothers ring that was hidden so my stupid ass wouldn't lose it." He laughed bitterly.

"But my stupid ass lost you." His voice came out in a whisper.

"I didn't mean anything I said.. b-but I was so scared of loosing you, I acted out in anger. They said if you don't wake up before the war.. they're going to take you off of life support.."

"You've proven you're strong, you've proven you want to live so please.. take the last step and wake up..." he begged, the warmth of his hand held her ice cold ones.

"I don't expect you to forgive me if you wake up... I will never forgive myself either b-but knowing y-you're alive will mean everything... please.."

"Tomorrows your birthday.. you're 22nd birthday. I missed your 19th, 20th, 21st.. please don't make me miss your 22nd." He pressed his unmasked lips on her forehead.

"I'll see you tomorrow.." he said before placing another card on top of his other 330 cards, one for almost every single day she was alseep.

------

"Hello?" I asked. I looked around. It was empty apart from the dark blue light that surrounded me.

"Come closer child." I heard a voice, I turned around and saw a lady in white. She had the same silver eyes and black hair I had right now.