A/N: welcome back. Chapter 15 here. Honestly, not too proud of this one. It feels... very short, but I didn't know how to word everything the way I wanted to, so I got this. Regardless, enjoy.
"M-mom!" Hinata staggered forward, feeling fresh tears coat her still-soaked cheeks.
She couldn't believe it. Her mom, she was here, she was with her. She was standing there the whole time, watching her quietly, she just knew it.
They reached out for each other, the grief and anguish melting away as soon as they embraced. They laughed and wept, both unsure of what to say to the other.
After a time, Hinata stepped back from her mother and took it all in. She looked young, her barely-visible wrinkles from before replaced by smooth, pale skin. Her hair-exactly like her daughter's before her-was tied back into a loose bun, with just a few strands around her face. She looked beautiful, vibrant and happy, but mostly just… alive.
"It's good to see you, Hinata." even her smile was just as beautiful as before. "You've grown so much since… since…" her smile weakened for just a moment, but she brought it back.
"You too, Mom. It's been… so difficult…" she started to shake, her grief hitting her hard.
"I know, honey." they hugged again, quiet this time. This was both comforting and concerning to the young bluenette. Her mother was always a cheerful hugger, laughing or talking every time she gave or received a hug from anyone.
Too soon, she felt her mother pull away.
"You need to wake up, Hinata. People are waiting for you, just to see you smile." She smiled again, touching her daughter's cheek as they both started to cry.
"B-but Mom…"
"No buts, little one." Taking Hinata's hand, they said their goodbye's to the man and the children before walking off into a completely different direction. "You need to go back and live your life, not sleep and make everyone worry over you."
"But you're here, Mom!" Hinata felt herself start to shake. "How can I live my life when you won't be there anymore? When I'll just be… living in fear and uncertainty?" She tried to make her mother look at her, but to no avail. "P-please M-mom!"
She kept walking, her grip on her daughter's hand growing tighter with her protests.
"You can live because you have love, Hinata. There's a young man waiting for you to open your eyes, sitting next to your bed day in and day out, praying for you to wake up. I was just meant to be a piece that got you to him, and by the gods I will, dead or alive." She finally stopped, staring off into the distance.
They were at the beach, the water gently lapping against the shore. A light wind stirred the sand, twisting it around their bodies, making it feel alive.
Hinata looked at her mother, her tears finally coming to a stop. "I'm so sorry, Mom.'
All she did was smile, releasing her daughter's hand for the last time.
"I love you, Hinata. No matter what happens, I will always be watching over you." with a gust of wind, Hinata was alone.
Trying not to crumble back into her grief and tears, she marched forward, unsure of what was waiting for her, but knowing that this was how she would return to her life.
"Long time, no see, Gaara." the strange raven sat in an empty chair against the wall, crossing his legs lazily.
"Same to you." the redhead tried to figure out why he was here, and alone at that. Not once has Sasuke visited them; he was always told that their silent friend was out running errands, taking care of something. He wasn't angry at him, of course. If anything, it was nice to see him once rather than never.
"How are your hands doing?" Sasuke broke the silence, asking the obvious question.
"Well enough. All the glass is out, will probably have more than a fair share of scars on them."
"Mmm."
The silence continued on, the only noise being the machines-too many machines-beeping and wheezing at them. Gaara shifted his eyes back to the sleeping girl, assuming that would be the end of their conversation. Neither of them were very chatty.
But the raven was full of surprises today.
"They found him, Gaara." his words stabbed through the redhead like a jagged knife, tearing a hole in his chest.
"What happened?" he almost regretted asking. As if the answer would be pretty.
"He was hysterical. Covered in blood and other filth. They tried to arrest him, bring him under control, but…"
"But, what?" he stared at Hinata, his heart beat going mad.
"They couldn't even touch him. He committed suicide before they even had a chance."
The relief and confusion Gaara felt almost caused him to choke. Suicide? After everything he's done, everything that Hinata and Tenten were put through…
He couldn't think of Kiba feeling remorseful over what he's done. To him, it was an escape route, an easy way to avoid his responsibilities and pay for his actions.
Anger suddenly filled him. Why? Why did all of this have to happen? Looking at Hinata, his anger rose higher and higher.
"Gaara, there isn't anything that can be done. He's gone; you're going to have to accept that." Sasuke stood and left, leaving the furious redhead to his own thoughts.
He couldn't believe it.
He was so angry. He started to shake, letting as much anger out as he could allow.
He couldn't believe it.
A/N: there we go! Sorry it's so short again. Hope you enjoyed it! Leave a review if you can. The end should be soon, just a few more chapters I think. In the meantime, I have some writing to do. Until next time. ~htl