(Ryoko's POV)
As I slowly came to, the first realization that washed over me was the fact that I felt great. Opening my eyes, the second was the fact that I was no longer covered in bandages. I sat up slowly, pulling the sheets off of my body and observing it for scars. Happiness surged through my being as I noticed the lack of them. However, my eyes landed on my right arm, a long, winding scar that resembled lightning adorning my flesh. I felt myself frown, to absorbed in my own body to notice the audience in my room.
"I-I'm so so sorry for messing up on your arm Ryoko! That was the only thing I had to do myself and I messed it up." My attention immediately went to Ren.
I was upset, but there was no way I would ever tell him that. "You did well Ren. Don't worry about it."
Tsunade stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "He did well for the amount of training he's received, but I can fix your arm for you if you'd like."
Normally, I would've immediately jumped on the offer, but for some reason I found myself hesitating. I didn't want to upset Ren more than he already was. Moreover, I felt like I needed to keep it. Most of my scars, the ones I could see anyways, served as reminders to me that I was still weak. They made sure to motivate me to always try harder. This one would never let me forget that I needed to watch my own back during a mission, as well as those around me.
"No." I softly shook my head. "I want to keep it."
Everyone's eyes collectively widened and Tsunade tentatively approached me. "Are you sure? It wouldn't take very long seeing as how it's a rather simple procedure."
"I'm sure, thank you though."
She sighed before heading towards the door. "Alright, if you say so. Come on you two, we have more work to do."
And with that, she exited the room. Sakura immediately followed behind her but Ren lingered for a moment, looking to me with regret and sadness in his eyes. I smiled softly, trying to silently reassure him that everything was fine. He nodded before exiting the room himself. Once the door was closed, Kakashi sat on the edge of my bed, watching me carefully.
"Are you sure you want to keep the scars?"
I turned my gaze to the window, looking outside at the scenery. "Yeah. They look kinda pretty, don't ya think?"
"That they do." He chuckled, causing me to turn back to him, the corners of my lips upturned ever so slightly.
(Kakashi's POV)
She was so cute, yet I couldn't help but to feel sadness creeping up from the darkest corners of my mind. Scars already littered her body and here she was choosing to keep another one. However, I couldn't help but to understand why she did. It served as a reminder to her, whatever that reminder may be.
'I hate seeing it though. It's just a reminder that I wasn't there to help her...'
Things could be a lot worse than a scar on her arm. I should be happy that she's even alive. Most people who come in contact with the Akatsuki don't live to tell about it. But, no matter how much I tried to reason, my brain refused to comply. I still felt, somewhere deep inside of me, that it was my fault she was in the shape that she was in.
Flashes of Rin flooded my head, the image of my hand buried deep within her chest stained into my conscience for the rest of my life. I couldn't save Obito and I killed Rin. I had failed so many years ago, what if that happened again? What if I couldn't protect Ryoko? Or worse, what if I was the one to kill her?
"Are you okay, Kakashi?" Ryoko's voice finally snapped me out of my daze.
Blinking, I looked to her, noting the concern in her eyes. Usually I wouldn't have any issues hiding my true emotions, but I couldn't around her. So, I forced myself to produce the most believable smile I could.
Closing my eyes, I scratched the back of my neck. "Oh, I'm alright."
"I know you're lying, so why don't you just tell me what's wrong?"
Opening my eyes and removing my arm, I looked away. "I'd rather not.
"Oh. Well, I-I'm here if you want to talk..."
This time, I did smile genuinely. As I looked back to her, she was blushing slightly, fidgeting with the sheets in her bed. This only caused me to smile more.
"Thank you." I ruffled her hair slightly. "I'm going to go back to my apartment to get some stuff, but I'll be right back."
I stood from the bed, heading towards the window.
"What kind of stuff?" She questioned, making me stop in my tracks.
Turning back to her, I shrugged. "Stuff."
She huffed, crossing her arms and looking away from me. "Whatever. Don't be too long, okay?"
Her voice softened at the end, causing my gaze to do the same. "I won't be."
And with that, I left her hospital room. I made my way back home as quickly as possible. My emotions were churning and crashing about within me, threatening to tip over and flood my senses. I was always so cool, calm and collected, so why was I feeling this way now? Not to mention the fact that I was always able to keep my emotions in check when I was around others.
The second I entered my apartment, my back all but slammed on one of the walls, my body sliding down until I sat on the floor. More and more images of Rin dying flashed through my mind over and over, overwhelming me. Before I even realized, hot, salty tears began to slowly form and dampen my mask and headband. I couldn't do anything then and I wasn't going to be able to do anything this time either.
'No... That is NOT going to happen to Ryoko... It can't... I won't let it...'
