To Have a Mother [Slow Updates]

Episode Four: Given a Chance

The following day, Kakashi and Iruka returned to the hospital as soon as they'd readied themselves for the day. They greeted each other at the entrance, carrying flowers and get-well cards.

"Don't you have to teach a class?" Kakashi asked the chūnin that just appeared beside him.

"In a bit, yeah," Iruka replied, flowers in hand. "Don't you have a squad to look after?"

"Yeah, and a member is still here." The white-haired shinobi responded, though most his attention was focused on his Icha Icha novel. "I came to pick up Naruto. Sasuke and Sakura should be joining us soon as well."

"Good morning, Sensei."

Kakashi didn't even have to look behind him to know Sakura was standing behind him and Sasuke was most likely at her side. He simply pointed his thumb to them in told-you-so sort of manner before closing his book and turning towards his students.

"Good morning," he replied. "We're here to pick up Naruto. I'll explain what we're doing today once I have you all together."

***

No one was prepared for the sight the group witnessed when they arrived at the hospital room. Akari was sleeping soundly in bed curled up to Naruto who, instead of in a bed of his own, was asleep in the chair beside her with his head rested on her bed. Akari's hand was placed protectively over his head as if she'd been caressing him when she drifted.

Iruka was first to gently move the hair out of Akari's face, causing her to stir and look up at him. She smiled softly and held his cheek. "Morning, Iruka-chan. It's nice waking up to you."

Iruka sat beside her, returning the smile, slightly awkward. "Um, I brought flowers."

Akari's tired eyes shifted to the bouquet of tulips in his hands. "That's really sweet. They're lovely."

Kakashi strolled in, rolling his eyes, as he ripped the tulips from Iruka's hands and shoved them in the vase on the windowsill. "Yup, and I'm here, too."

Akari looked the man up and down in a disrespectful manner. "It's way to early in the morning to deal with you, Kakashi."

"I'm not here for you," The Copy Cat Ninja retorted, hiding a get-well card behind his back and pointing to Naruto with his opposite hand. "I'm here for my student."

"Huh?" Akari looked to her side and finally noticed the sleeping blond beneath her hand. "Oh my... was he here all night?"

Sakura formed fists at her sides and marched up behind the boy. "Leave it to Naruto to be weird while a woman's sleeping."

Akari ran a hand over his head and he smiled subconsciously, causing her to coo in adoration. Sakura's fist halted before she could hit him, and she withdrew herself. She was confused, but if Akari was happy with him sleeping by her, there wasn't a reason to disturb him.

"Oh, he's so cute!" Akari gushed. "He's an angel, really."

Sasuke lifted an eyebrow at the woman completely melting over the kid drooling all over himself and snoring loud enough to drown out a storm.

"Yeah," his voice dripped in sarcasm, "cute and angelic."