Sakuya's P. O. V:
I stand beside Guy Sensei with an unconscious Sasuke on Izumi's back. I was going back to the village with Guy Sensei because I also want to check in on Kakashi, even though I doubt there's any change. I also want to check on Homura. Before us stand Jiraiya and Naruto.
"Alright, Guy, Sakuya. We'll leave Sasuke in your hands," Says Jiraiya.
Guy gazes at Naruto when he speaks up. "Jiraiya-sama, find Tsunade-sama. Bring her back to us."
Naruto promises, "Don't worry! You can count on us! We'll have her back in the village in no time." Guy looks at him as Jiraiya chuckles and places his hand affectionately on his head.
"Naruto," Guy addresses. "Nothing impresses me more than guts, kid. Com'ere, let me give you this!" He reaches into his flak jacket. "Lee got stronger with this."
"Really?! What?! What is it?!"
Guy gives a sparkly grin and holds up a thumbs up, before holding up a familiar green body suit. "Check it out!" Jiraiya and I give the Jounin dry, deadpan expressions as one of our shoulders slump. Izumi huffs indignantly. Naruto grins eagerly.
Guy waves the suit around. "It's breathable, retains moisture, and offers complete freedom of movement, all in one s-weet package! If you wear it while you train, you'll notice the difference immediately. They really grow on ya!" Guy winks at Naruto as invisible drums roll somewhere. "Pretty soon you'll be wearing them all the time, just like Lee. I've got a thing for them myself!"
With fire burning in his eyes, Naruto spins around and cries, "Aawwee, man!!" He and Guy exchange sparkly grins and giddy giggles as the Jounin gives a thumbs up.
I give Jiraiya a pleading look, silently begging for him to help me out. He just looks back at me with a violently twitching eye and a helpless expression. I look back at my teammate and Guy Sensei before face palming with a loud slap, a huge sigh escaping me.
I grab the back of Guy Sensei's collar and drag him after me with Izumi following. "Naruto-kun, if I see you wearing that thing next time, I'll have shred it with my Kekkei Genkai!" I could swear I feel the blue eyed boy freeze. "Let's go, Spandex Guy. We have to get Sasuke-kun to the hospital." I add over my shoulder, "Once I've checked in on Kakashi-kun and Homura, I'll come find you guys."
Jiraiya tells me the name of the town they're going to next before I release Guy. We pause and wave at Naruto.
"Pretty cool!" Naruto says, looking down at his jumpsuit.
"Don't even think about it!" Jiraiya tells him. "Remember what Sakuya-chan said?! I mean! Look at that guy!" They gaze toward Guy Sensei's behind. The suit has tugged up around Guy's behind and hugs his body tightly. "Man, talk about goofy."
Guy pauses to give Naruto and Jiraiya another sparkly grin and thumbs up.
"Hurry up, Guy Sensei," I call, walking ahead with Izumi. Guy hurriedly catches up.
"Sakuya-chan! Do you want one too?!" Guy asks, whipping out another of those horrible suits. Does he have a whole stash of them in there?!
I give him a dry, flat look as I respond, "No thanks! I'd rather die! Besides, green isn't my colour."
Guy stops short and stares after me with a dumbfounded expression as I continue ahead with Izumi. I don't look back.
Izumi says to me, "I'm glad you chose not to wear it. It really wouldn't suit you."
I sigh, "I know."
After a few moments, with me well ahead by now, the black haired man runs to catch up with me.
🌸🌸🌸
After getting Sasuke set up in the hospital, I go to check in on Kakashi who was moved to the hospital. Izumi curls beside me as I perch in the seat and grip my Guardian's hand, worry tugging at my heart.
"He'll be fine, Sakuya-sama," Izumi tells me. "He'll pull through."
"I know. I'm just really worried about what Itachi may have put him through," I murmur, gazing at my unconscious Guardian.
I stay until visiting hours were over then go to leave. Kakashi's hand tightens on mine, however, making me pause and look back at him. I smile a little. It seems as though even unconscious, Kakashi can still feel my presence.
I murmur, "I'll be back, Kakashi-kun. I have to go help Naruto-kun soon, but I promise I'll be back."
I gently pry my hand from his and set it on the mattress under the blanket before I head for the door with Izumi. I pause in the doorway, hand on the edge of the sliding door, while I peer back at the Hatake, a worried expression on my features.
Then, I pull out of the room and slide the door closed before I exit the hospital with my tiger at my side. I wander through the darkened streets, my mind wandering back to my Guardian. I suddenly bump into someone, causing me to stagger back, but an arm comes around my waist, preventing me from meeting the ground.
"Hey, there, Sakuya-chan!" I look to see Kiba in front of me, a grin on his face. Akamaru is in his jacket. He barks happily at the sight of me. "Heard you disappeared for awhile. Glad you decided to return."
"Kiba-kun! Something came up," I respond as I straighten.
"Are you okay? You seem troubled," He says.
I reply, "I'm fine. I'm just really worried about Kakashi-kun. And Homura."
"Yeah. I heard what happened. I'm positive he'll pull through. Come with me," He says before taking my hand and leading me somewhere. I blink my eyes when we stop outside the veterinary clinic. We enter and see a young woman with her long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail while wearing a white king sleeved coat.
I tilt my head at the familiar red fang marks on both her cheeks.
"Kiba?" The girl says.
"Hey, Hana. I brought Sakuya to see her," Says Kiba.
"So you're the Sakuya I've heard so much about. I'm Hana, Kiba's sister," The pretty brunette greets. That explains the resemblance. "Kurenai Sensei brought Homura in earlier and asked me to heal her. She's recovering now." We follow Hana to the back and she opens a cage where the nekomata is sleeping.
Homura wakes up as I crouch in front of her and hood out my arms. She comes up to me and I cuddle her. "Homura! I'm so glad you're okay."
"The burn was nasty, but she'll be fully recovered in about a week," Hana tells me.
"Thank you," I say appreciatively. I look up at Hana. "I don't know much about healing animals. Do you think you could teach me?"
Hana smiles as she agrees, "Of course. We can start tomorrow, if you'd like?"
I nod as I say, "That'd be great. Thank you." Hana nods and leaves me alone with Kiba and Homura. "I was so worried about you."
Homura whimpers in response.
"I didn't understand quite what happened when I heard from Kirenai she was brought here, but I came to check her myself," Says Kiba.
I explain to him what happened. I sniffle once I'd finished and say firmly, "I'm never going to let him hurt Homura again."
We remain like that for awhile, Kiba's arm around my shoulders comfortingly.
🌸🌸🌸
Kiba and I walk through the streets in silence, my gaze trained downward.
"Awe, cheer up, Sakuya-chan," Says the Inuzuka. "I just know Kakashi Sensei will pull through, and so will Homura. She's a demon, after all. She'll be back to her old self in no time!"
"... I suppose you're right," I mumble without looking up. My stomach grumbles and I blink my eyes.
"Seems as though you haven't had dinner yet, huh. Wanna grab a bite?" Kiba offers. I nod and he takes my hand before leading me somewhere again. We stop outside of Yakiniku Q.
We enter and place our orders.
Kiba and I chat while we eat and he even got me to laugh. Kiba told me about his training with Shino and Hinata.
After awhile, we leave the restaurant. Kiba and I find a place to sit, on a bench on a balcony in a part of the village with yellow light spilling over us.
We gaze at each other in silence, comfortable silence.
I gaze up at the stars before I rest my head on my boyfriend's shoulder, his arm around my waist, and begin to sing softly.
"All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here suddenly I see
Standing here it's all so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be
And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you
All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were
Now she's here shining in the starlight
Now she's here suddenly I know
If she's here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go
And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything is different
Now that I see you
Now that I see you"
As I finish the song, I raise my head and gaze deeply into Kiba's eyes, feeling my heart flutter in my chest as my face heats up, just like Kiba's.
He lifts a hand and brushes some hair back behind my ear, before cupping my cheek.
"You're so beautiful," Kiba murmurs, making me blush.
We stay in the bench as we enjoy each other's company, with Kiba's arm around my shoulders and my head on his.
About an hour or two later, we get up and he escorts me home before going home himself.
I enter the house and lock the door behind me before making my way to the stables. I lean Kin in and feed him. I give the palomino a Goodnight kiss and hug before I go back inside.
I feed Konohana and Yuri before going to bed for the night. I'll wait awhile before finding Naruto and Pedo Sage.