Attentive Care
In the dimly lit ward, Koki lay quietly on the bed, fast asleep. His breathing was steady, and his pale face looked particularly fragile under the soft light.
Outside the window, the once silent sky was disturbed by a sudden rumble of thunder. The thunder sounded like ten thousand horses breaking free or like mountains collapsing, shaking the heavens and the earth with its immense power.
Each flash of lightning illuminated the ward instantly, followed by even more violent thunder, as if to tear the entire world apart.
Startled awake by the deafening thunder, Koki instinctively tried to open his eyes, but in the instant his eyelashes fluttered, he felt a warm, broad hand gently covering his eyelids.
With her other hand, she gently patted his shoulder, a soft and soothing gesture.
Just as Koki was filled with doubt, he heard a familiar voice, a gentle voice. "Don't be afraid, Koki, it's just thunder, go back to sleep."
It was Uncle Sakumo!
Koki's tense body instantly relaxed, enveloped by a warm aura that brought him an unprecedented sense of peace.
Koki was already a heavy sleeper, but since his injury, he has become even more prone to fatigue. His eyelids are now so heavy that they feel like they are weighed down by a thousand-pound boulder. His consciousness is gradually blurring in that peaceful atmosphere, and he is about to slowly drift into a dream again.
However, just as he was about to completely succumb, a thought flashed through his chaotic mind like lightning—Uncle Sakumo was injured!
Startled, Koki abruptly removed Sakumo's hand from his eyes. He struggled to open them, and the scene before him gradually became clear, revealing Hatake Sakumo's face.
Hatake Sakumo sat quietly on the edge of the bed. His snow-white hair shimmered softly in the dim light, as if moonlight were pouring over his silver strands. His thin lips were slightly pursed, revealing a subtle tenderness.
Koki looked at him anxiously, her eyes filled with worry and concern, and asked in a trembling voice, "Uncle Sakumo, are you alright?"
Sakumo paused for a moment, then smiled reassuringly, "Koki, don't worry, I'm fine." However, the smile couldn't hide the weariness in his eyes.
Liar! How could someone who risked their life to assassinate Danzo possibly escape unscathed?
Uncle Sakumo was just putting on a brave face to comfort him!
Thinking of how Uncle Sakumo had risked his life for him and suffered such serious injuries as a result, his heart felt like it had been clenched, a wave of sorrow surged up, his eyes instantly reddened, and tears welled up in his eyes, almost falling uncontrollably.
Seeing this, Hatake Sakumo was at a loss. His usually resolute face was now filled with panic. He wanted to say something to comfort him, but he didn't know where to start. He just sat there blankly, his eyes full of heartache and helplessness.
Koki tried hard to control her emotions, but she couldn't help but sob.
Hatake Sakumo took a deep breath and gently patted Koki's shoulder. "Koki, don't cry, this little injury is nothing, it'll heal quickly."
Seeing Koki's state, Kakashi quickly came over and comforted her gently, "Koki, don't cry. Look, we're both fine now."
However, instead of comforting him, Kakashi's words seemed to ignite the emotional fuse deep within Koki's heart, causing his long-suppressed grievances and gratitude to surge forth like a burst dam, becoming uncontrollable.
He suddenly burst into tears, the sound echoing throughout the room.
The sudden crying startled Kakashi and his son, who looked at each other, completely at a loss.
Hatake Sakumo paced anxiously back and forth in the room, while Kakashi frantically searched for tissues to wipe away Koki's tears, but dared not get too close, for fear of upsetting him again.
After a short while, Koki's crying gradually subsided, and her emotions finally returned to calm.
But when he realized how out of control he had just been, a strong sense of shame welled up inside him.
Good heavens, I'm so mentally mature, how can I still cry like a child?
This is so embarrassing!
Like a shy kitten, he quickly buried his face in Kakashi's arms and refused to lift it up.
Kakashi gently leaned against the bedside, his arms wrapped around Koki. Sensing Koki's embarrassment, he secretly smiled. The smile behind his mask contained both his Koki and a touch of childlike mischief.
Sakumo stood to the side, watching the two of them with gentle eyes; the scene before him was the most precious image in his heart.
Just then, Mikoto pushed open the door and entered. Looking at the scene in the room, she was filled with doubt and couldn't help but ask, "What's going on?"
Sakumo smiled and shook his head without answering, while Kakashi suppressed a laugh, glanced at Koki in his arms, and also chose to remain silent.
Oh my god! Mom's here! Koki buried her face even deeper, as if trying to hide herself away.
"Brother~" Just then, Koki heard Itachi's clear and childish voice calling her brother.
Upon hearing her younger brother's voice, Koki eagerly revealed her face. To her surprise, she saw Itachi struggling to carry a bucket of watermelon juice that was bigger than his face. His small body was trying hard to maintain its balance, and he looked both cute and pitiful.
Meanwhile, Shisui and Obito were carrying in a huge table, both of them with beads of sweat on their foreheads.
Mikoto smiled and said, "There were so many people eating, I went to borrow a table."
Itachi finally placed the watermelon juice safely in front of his brother, a pure and innocent smile on his face, and said softly, "Brother, drink it."
Koki into his younger brother's expectant eyes, Koki felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He gently patted Itachi's head and said, "Itachi is such a good boy."
"However..." Koki changed the subject, "Where did this come from?"
Itachi smiled sweetly at Koki: "Brother loves to drink it, so I asked the nurse for it."
Oh my, Koki about my little brother's sweet appearance warms my heart. No wonder even the nurse couldn't resist Itachi's charm.
Although the torrential rain outside was still pouring down, pounding against the windows as if trying to submerge the whole world in this raging curtain of water, the interior was a harmonious and warm scene, as if isolated from the violent world outside.
The table was placed steadily in front of Koki's bed. It was covered with Mikoto's carefully prepared bento boxes. The dazzling array of dishes exuded an enticing aroma: colorful vegetable salad, juicy and delicious roasted chicken legs, golden and tempting fried shrimp, and steaming miso soup, all of which made one's mouth water.
Everyone was having a lively meal around the table, their laughter echoing throughout the room.
Obito a concerned look on his face, Obito sat to Koki's left, gently supporting Koki arm and carefully bringing the spoon to Koki lips, coaxing softly, "Koki, come on, open your mouth, this tastes delicious."
Kakashi stood to Koki's right, intently watching Koki. Every time Koki swallowed a bite of food, he would quickly hand her a glass of warm water, constantly muttering, "Eat slowly, don't choke, drink some water to help."
Shisui's gaze never left Koki, and he would gently wipe the soup from the corners of Koki's mouth with a tissue from time to time.
Little Itachi sat beside Koki, holding a spoon, diligently feeding Koki watermelon juice. His eyes were full of focus as he carefully placed each spoonful to Koki's lips, whispering, "Brother, just one more sip."