Chapter 27 - Bad News

                                    

                                          
"Sasuke!" Hinata yelled, running towards him at the waiting area next to the emergency room, "how is she?" She asked. 
"I don't know yet, they're still checking her," he answered. 
"Come sit down for awhile, I brought some clothes that Sarada has at our place. She needs to change," Hinata said, sitting down at one of the waiting chairs while pointing at her bag. 
                          
"Thanks, Hinata."
                          
He handed Sarada to her, but he still continued to pace left and right. 
"Have a seat, Sasuke. You don't need to keep worrying, I'm sure Dr. Tsunade, Ino, and the rest are going to take care of her," Hinata assured him. 
                          
"She hit her head first, Hinata. What if—"
                          
"No. The doctors haven't told us anything yet, so for now it's nothing. Don't think of anything that probably isn't really there at the first place."
                          
"You're right. Thanks Hinata, really."
                          
He sat down next to Sarada who was now changed into a yellow dress that is sweat-free. 
"Sweetheart, it's almost midnight, I think you should sleep now," Sasuke told his daughter. 
                          
"Where is mommy?"
                          
"Sarada, your mommy is being treated by the doctors. If you sleep now, by the time you wake up, you'll finally see her," Hinata was the one who explained. 
                          
"But Aunt Hinata, I cant sleep. The guy, he was so scary," tears fell on Sarada's cheek without making any crying noises.
                          
Sasuke gestured to Hinata if he can now carry his daughter, and Hinata nodded. He then placed Sarada on his lap.
"Sweetheart, I will never let anything like this happen to you again. I promise," he said wiping Sarada's cheek. 
The toddler didn't say anything back, she just wrapped her arms around Sasuke's neck. 
                          
Sarada finally dozed off on Sasuke's shoulder. Hinata insisted on Sasuke to just sit still at the waiting chair since she knew they've been really exhausted after everything that just happened to them.
She got them coffee from the vending machine and she kept talking to Sasuke about Sarada to make him less worried. 
                          
When they finished their cup of coffee, Sarada woke up again. 
"Go to sleep again, sweetheart," Sasuke mumbled. 
                          
But the little girl just rubbed her eyes,
"Mommy?"
                          
"She's still with the doctors, Sarada," Hinata smiled at her. 
                          
Before any of them started talking again, Ino finally appeared at the waiting area. 
"Ino!" Hinata exclaimed. 
"How is she, Ino?" Sasuke asked, and made Sarada turn her head to her Aunt Ino. 
"She's finally awake," Ino announced. 
"Oh thank god," both Sasuke and Hinata let out a deep breath. 
"Can we see her now?" He asked. 
"Yes of course, follow me," Ino instructed. 
                          
When they reached Sakura's room, Sakura was smiling at all of them when they entered. 
"Mommy!" Sarada shouted, smiling. 
"Oh, my sweetheart!" Sakura responded. 
                          
Sasuke walked hurriedly towards her and placed the toddler on her bed, so she could hug her mom. 
"Careful, Sarada," Ino warned her. 
But the little girl was too excited to hug her mom. 
"Are you alright, sweetie?" Sakura asked. 
"Yes, mommy!" Sarada hugged her tight. 
"How about you, how are you feeling?" Sasuke asked her, kissing her forehead. 
                          
He didn't want to kiss her on the lips in front of Sarada, Hinata, and Ino. He sat down on the chair next to the bed waiting for her to respond. 
"I'm okay, but I just feel exhausted," Sakura looked at him with tired eyes. 
                          
Suddenly a soft knock was heard. Then Naruto entered, with Itachi, Fugaku, and Mikoto. Sasuke turned to them with furrowed eyebrows. 
                          
"Why are you here? I told you to stay at home!" Sasuke exclaimed. 
"It's okay Sasuke. We ask Naruto first about Sasori before heading out. We're just really worried about Sarada and Sakura," Itachi answered. 
"We're doing good now, Itachi. Aunt Mikoto, Uncle Fugaku. Thank you," Sakura smiled.