Jazmine
I watched Rin's back as she left until I could no longer see her outline. I sighed lightly looking down at Akamaru as he let out a soft whine. On the walk to find fireworks I had realized my love for dogs.
"I'm alright buddy" I whispered gently as I scratched his head. All this had been her idea and she couldn't even enjoy it. I knew she loved Kakashi Sensei heck I could see their connection when she first came to the village. I always knew Rin, better than most except for maybe Shikamaru but Kakashi and Rin were in love and that was that and people should stop interfering.
"Hey, where'd Rin go?" I looked up at Ino and sighed as I let down Akamaru and reached for a sparkler, the boys were having a blast exploding the larger fireworks.
"To the hospital before visiting hours closed." I informed her. Though even if visiting hours were over Rin would just sneak in.
"She planned this and she's leaving?"
"Hey leave her alone, she's hurting right now " I shot back noticing Ino's annoyed tone.
"I get that but spending that much time in the hospital isn't healthy." I sighed lightly.
"You would do the same if you were alone." I told her dropping the burnt-out sparkler.
"Well being alone isn't healthy either." I sighed then picking up another.
"She only lives with Sasuke, and even though she and Kakashi sensei are dating she wouldn't be so reckless as to stay in his home." Ino nodded slightly.
"We'll she still shouldn't be alone, I'm sure Sasuke and Kakashi sensei would want her well taken care of." I was about to object but then the realization came that she was right. We would all be going home to someone, our parents or siblings. Rin would be going back to an empty apartment.
"Hey guys!" I shouted breaking their attention from the fireworks.
"Do a few of you want to crash at Rin's place? You know so she's not alone. I know it late notice but I'm going to head home and ask my mom if it's alright." They seemed to ponder my question for a while until Kiba grinned.
"Yeah sure I'll run home and ask my mom too."
"Same here"
"Man this'll be drag." I heard from Shikamaru but took that as a yes.
"Alright we'll meet at her place then and set up, I'm sure she'll be at the hospital for a while longer but we still should hurry" They nodded in agreement as we began to clean up the fireworks. I smiled slightly; at least she wouldn't be left alone now.
Rin
I had just finished visiting with Sasuke and found I couldn't stay long without having guilt begin to tear at my heart. Now I sat at Kakashi's beside; the moon being the only light to cast a hazy shadow in the white hospital room. I laced my fingers with his and sighed. It was weird I'll admit not being the one laying in the bed and having Kakashi worry over me; though at least I had usually been conscious enough to tell him that everything was going to be alright. I didn't even know what was going in his head right now if he was peaceful or restless. It took me till now to realize I was interested in a man I barely even knew. Maybe that was part of it; I enjoyed the mystery or something.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow," I whispered softly as I rose from my seat. I leaned over him and pushed aside his bangs before placing a soft kiss on his forehead. I smiled slightly when I looked down at him.
"I'm glad I have you" I whispered. I turned about to leave when a hand suddenly clenched my own. I glanced back slightly stunned but Kakashi still lay unconscious. As I looked down at my hand it was his that held my own in a tight grip. I relaxed again as a soft smile came to my face.
"Excuse me Princess but visiting hours are over." I looked back at the nurse who had a small smile on her face and nodded.
"Alright" I gently removed his hand from my own and placed it back on his bed. I sighed lightly as I looked at him but said nothing, the subconscious gesture was enough for me. I stepped out of the room and the nurse closed the door behind me. I walked down the hall slowly and out of the entrance into the fresh night air. In the distance I could no longer see or hear fireworks so had to assume that everyone had gone home.
"I guess I should do the same" I mumbled. The walk home wasn't that far but in truth I didn't want to go home. I hated being alone, the feeling and entire idea of it frightened me and made me uneasy; ever since I was a kid, well after I was kidnapped by the Akatsuki being alone just made me nervous. For months after I had returned I would sleep in Itachi or Sasuke's room with them and every so often father would permit me to curl up with him and mother in their bed. Nightmares were another thing and the problem with those is that they usually made my curse mark flare up into a fever. Even in the Akatsuki Itachi had done his best to seem detached but when my mark flared up in the middle of the night I could always see his blurry outline at my bedside dipping a cloth in cool water and placing it on my forehead. As withdrawn as he tried to be it was too late for him to convince me that he didn't care for Sasuke or me. Since I was little he made it a point to assure me that he cared for me no matter what happened, and from there grew our relationship that even father couldn't understand. On more than one occasion he had told me that I seemed to know and understand Itachi better than he or mother did.
"Jeez" I muttered. I had to stop these trips down memory lane. Sure it made me smile at first but after a while, it just began to hurt. I stepped into the apartment building shaking away my thoughts as I pulled my key from my pocket. I reached for the doorknob but stood confused as to why it was already unlocked. I took a kunai from my holster and held it tight in hand. I activated my sharingan and threw open the door spinning the kunai in hand only to stop meeting the many eyes of my comrades.
"What the..."
"Surprise!" Sakura shouted suddenly and the others laughed.
"What's with the kunai?" Kiba questioned.
"And Sharingan?" Jazmine added.
"I thought someone broke in considering the door was left unlocked." Sakura giggled softly.
"Sorry we didn't mean to startle you, but we all asked our parents if we could sleep here so you won't be alone. You know since Sasuke's in the hospital. It was more Jazmine's idea but we all made it complete." I nodded slightly looking at the group. Everyone was here all dressed in their pyjamas and backpacks, blankets and pillows piled up all over the living room.
"Rin, are you alright?" I looked at Sakura, then Jazmine and nodded giving them a smile before pulling them into a hug.
"Thank you" I whispered and heard them laugh softly.
"You're my team mate Rin..."
"And my friend" Jazmine added. I smiled as we released our embrace and turned to the others.
"So how are we all sleeping?" I questioned.
"Already figured it out" I looked to Kiba who grinned.
"We figured Sasuke's room was off-limits so the girls set up in your room and we guys are crashing in the living room." I smiled then and nodded.
"Alright we'll I'm going to go change," I told them before disappearing down the hall and to my room. I closed the sliding door and carefully stepped around the blankets, sleeping bags, backpacks, and pillows as I made my way to my dresser. I tugged off my ninja gear tossing my holsters into the empty drawer beneath my bed and kicking it closed. I threw my capree pants, top, and mesh into the laundry basket. I pulled out a navy blue tank top and black shorts from my drawers quickly slipping them on before leaving my room. I made a quick dash to Sasuke's room and dug in his closet finally taking out one of his sweaters that held the Uchiha crest on the hood. I pulled it on enjoying the comfort from it about to leave until I noticed the picture sitting on his nightstand. I walked to his bedside taking the picture from the nightstand as I sat on his bed.
"Jeez..." I mumbled feeling the tears beginning to well up behind my eyes. It was a simple wooden frame but inside was a picture of Sasuke and I the same evening that father had taught us the fireball jutsu. Both of us had bandages on our faces but he was grinning ear to ear and holding me up on his back as I leaned over his shoulder having the same silly grin. Behind us I could see father with a proud look in his eyes watching the two of us. It was the last time I saw Sasuke so happy, the last time we had both genuinely been happy.
"Hey, Rin...are you okay?" I wiped my eyes before looking back and smiling at Shikamaru placing the picture back on the nightstand.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I assured him as I got up and walked to the door. I made sure to close it behind me before following him down the hall. I found myself smiling as I saw everyone in the living room. Sure it was crowded and half of us were sleeping on the floor but it felt good to know that I had such a large group of friends that cared enough and didn't want me to be alone. I took a seat between Sakura and Jazmine on the sofa as I listened to the happy chattering around me. Sasuke and Itachi are my brothers and I love them more than words could explain, but this was definitely my family too.