Chapter 10

Sasuke's Farewell

With all the madness that happened, Sasuke was hospitalized for a while. Kotomi saw this coming even though she didn't want to admit it out loud, but Sasuke was fighting a losing battle. Itachi was just too strong.

In the academy classroom, Kotomi heard some whispers that were mentioning her brothers, mainly Sasuke. She knew that they were trying to have her hear on purpose. In response, she purposely ignored it.

Tsubaki walked over to Kotomi, worry written all over his face. "I'm sorry about your brother, Kotomi."

Kotomi let out a sigh through her nose. She wasn't sure to say that it's fine or not. "I don't know..."

Sitting down next to her, Tsubaki arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean you don't know?"

Not sure herself, Kotomi just shrugged. "I just feel... So confused about everything. Sasuke has been acting strange lately, and then this happened..."

Tsubaki didn't even know how to answer that. "I'm sorry that I can't be much help with this..."

"It's fine. Thank you for listening. I needed to get that off my chest."

Tsubaki softly smiled at her. "You know you can talk to me anytime."

Not being able to smile at the moment, Kotomi lowered her eyes. "Thank you."

***

Also after that incident, Naruto and Jiraiya left the village for some special mission. They came back with someone who healed Sasuke back, having him finally wake up.

Once they were able to get into the room, Kotomi, Naruto, and Sakura came rushing in. Sakura embraced Sasuke tightly, sobbing onto his shoulder. Sasuke didn't even move her away. His eyes were blank, yet his expression looked like he was somewhat comforted.

Naruto softly smiled at the sight, Kotomi did the same. She was so glad that her brother was alright. Making a mental note in her head, she had to thank the person who helped heal him.

As soon as Naruto and Sakura stepped out, Kotomi was alone in the room with Sasuke. He was silent, he still looked out of it. It didn't look like he was going to speak first.

Walking near the side of the bed, Kotomi gave him a smile. "How are you feeling?"

Sasuke looked up, his expression empty. He looked like he was unsure how to answer that question. He was far from fine. "Ok I guess."

"Does it hurt anywhere?"

Sasuke shook his head. "Not anymore."

"Good. Do you need anything? Food? A change of clothes?"

Sasuke shook his head once more. "Not right now."

Since Sasuke was in a hospital gown, the upper part of his chest showed some skin. She saw a mark that was half covered, thinking it was the source of all those marks she saw on him that one time.

Not sure if she should bring it up or not, Kotomi let out a sigh. "Onii-san..."

"What?"

Twiddling her fingers nervously, Kotomi bit her lip. "When you get discharged, can we go out somewhere to eat? Just the two of us?"

Squinting his eyes in suspicion, Sasuke nodded his head once. "Sure." He knew his sister well. He knew that she was hiding something. "What else did you need to ask me, imoto?" His tone of voice sounded serious in the end.

Gulping, Kotomi knew that he was onto her. "Well... I was wondering about that mark on your neck."

Sasuke placed his hand over the mark, clicking his tongue. "I was hoping that you would never see it."

"Where did you get it from?"

Silent for a moment, Sasuke shook his head. "It's not important."

"Onii-san..."

"Just drop it."

Lowering her eyes, Kotomi nodded. "Alright. I'll be back soon. I'm going to get you a change of your undergarments." Walking towards the door, she exited out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Letting out a sigh, Kotomi walked away from the room. She was really curious about where he got that mark. She didn't want to pry him about it. She knew that he would tell her eventually when he was ready.

***

On one of the days where Kotomi, Naruto and Sakura were visiting Sasuke at the hospital. The room was silent, awkwardness filled the air.

Sakura was cutting apples for Sasuke, handing it to him on a plate. "Here you go, Sasuke-kun."

Instead of taking them, he just whacked it out of her hands. They went all over the floor, the plate breaking in result.

During the time Sasuke was hospitalized, Kotomi started to see her brother's attitude change. It worried her, but at the same time, it made her upset. "Why did you do that for?!"

"It's none of your business!" Sasuke had never raised his voice at her before, making her shocked. Unable to say anything at the moment, Kotomi kept quiet. Sakura placed a hand on her shoulder as her way of comforting her.

Sasuke turned to Naruto who was witnessing this entire thing silently. "Naruto. I want you to fight me. Fight me now."

At the same time, both Kotomi and Sakura grunted. Maybe that's why Sasuke has been acting so differently. He felt so irritated seeing Naruto getting stronger while he feels like he's still stuck in the same spot.

Naruto looked shocked. "What?! Why do you want to do that for?!"

"Shut up and fight me!" Sasuke's eyes had the sharingan. Kotomi's eyes wavered at the sight, he was being serious about this.

Naruto looked somewhat intrigued, a smirk on his face. "Actually... This is the perfect chance to kick you butt. I'll show you how strong I've become."

Sasuke got up from the bed, his expression serious. "Then follow me." He started to walk towards the exit of the room, Naruto soon following.

Kotomi started to feel that uneasy feeling again. It felt like a knot in her stomach. Was it because they were about to fight or was it something else? She couldn't ignore it this time.

Watching their fight on the hospital rooftop, Kotomi couldn't help but gasp. It was intense for a sparring match. Those two were going all out. Her brother set the roof on fire with the jutsu he was helping her train with.

The next moment, the two were doing their powerful jutsu that they recently mastered. Naruto with the rasengan and Sasuke with the chidori. It looked like they really intend to hurt each other.

"NARUTOOOO!"

"SASUKEEEE!"

"Stop!" Sakura started to run towards them, hoping to stop the fight.

Kotomi extended her hand out. "Wait! Don't run in there!" Her feet moved on their own, trying to catch up with Sakura to stop her.

It all ended in an instant when Kakashi intervened, grabbing both Naruto and Sasuke's wrist, throwing them towards a couple water tanks where their jutsu hit.

Kotomi's eyes wavered at the sight. It felt like she could either cry or her knees would give out. She didn't even know which one since she was so shocked.

Seeing Sasuke disappearing from sight, Kotomi tried to go after him, but felt a hand on her shoulder. Seeing that it was Kakashi, he was shaking his head, gesturing her not to go after him.

Thinking he was right, Kotomi lowered her eyes sadly. She wanted to be there for Sasuke, but she knew that he wanted to be alone right now to clear his thoughts. He wasn't acting like himself. She just hoped that he would come to his senses, and realize how he's acting.

***

Later that night, Kotomi opened the door in Sasuke's room. She still felt bad yet awkward about earlier. Sasuke didn't even look her way. "Hey... I'm here to say goodnight."

Even when she said that, Sasuke still didn't say anything or look her way. Feeling sad about that, Kotomi went out of his room, closing the door behind her. She was so worried about him. Maybe a good night's sleep would help him. Thinking that she would be there for him all day tomorrow, Kotomi went to her room.

In her room, Kotomi went under the covers. The lights were off, the room was filled with silence. Her stomach was full, but so was her mind. "Onii-san... I hope that you know that you can talk to me... About this..." She was mumbling to herself at this point. Feeling her eyes getting heavy, Kotomi soon fell into a world of slumber.

A little later, her bedroom door opened. Sasuke's head peeked in, seeing that she was sound asleep. His expression was gloomy, yet distant. Taking a long look at her, he closed the door silently, not waking her up.

***

The next morning, Kotomi was up, cooking breakfast for both her and Sasuke. She wanted to be there for her brother no matter what. Even if he didn't admit it, he needed her there for him. That's what siblings do at times like these.

Knocking on his door, Kotomi cheerfully smiled. "Onii-san! Wake up! Breakfast is ready!" There was no answer. Thinking he was still asleep, she knocked again. "Wake up! Your food will get cold!" There was still no answer. "Onii-san..?"

Opening his bedroom door, Kotomi saw that he was nowhere to be found. His bed was already made. Looking around his room, she saw that the picture of him in his squad was facing down. Realization hit her, soon running out of the room not even a second later.

Running towards the main gate, Kotomi saw Naruto with four other guys that were his former classmates that were in different squads. Sakura was there as well, crying on the spot.

Stopping where she stood, Kotomi was panting. "Naruto! When I woke up this morning, I saw that Sasuke was gone! Where did he go?!"

Everyone was looking at one another with sad expressions. Naruto spoke up. "Sasuke... He left the village..."

Kotomi's eyes widen. The facedown picture gave her a huge hint, but she thought that he wouldn't really do it. But it was just her being in denial. "He... He's not..." Tears wielded up in her eyes, rolling down her face.

Naruto walked up to her, placing his hand on top of her head. Looking up, she saw Naruto smiling at her. "I made this promise to Sakura, and now to you. I promise to bring Sasuke back! You can believe it, dattebayo!"

Her face was full of tears, they wouldn't stop even if she tried. "Please... Please bring my brother back..."

"I will. Don't worry. Even if I have to drag him back here, I will bring him back!"

Kotomi buried her face in her hands. "Thank you, Naruto..."

Naruto smiled softly. "I'll be back with your brother. You can count on me." He started to walk away, starting the mission with the other guys.

Kotomi didn't even hear them go, distracted by her own sobbing. She couldn't believe that Sasuke actually left. She never thought he would do such a thing. It made her feel like a terrible sister. She should've been there for him more. She started to think what she should've done differently. But no matter what came to mind, she couldn't change what has happened. She could only count on Naruto at this point.

***

Hearing that Naruto was unable to bring Sasuke back, Kotomi fell into a deep depression. She was in her room under the covers, staring at nothing.

She knew that Naruto and the others tried their best, but she was so upset. She heard that her brother went to the person who killed the third hokage. "Why?!" Burying her face in her pillow, she started sobbing. "You're such an idiot! Idiot brother!"

Kotomi hasn't felt this much grief since the night of her clan's massacre. It was too much for her to handle right now. Her heart felt heavy, she felt out of breath.

Removing her face from the pillow, Kotomi's eyes had the sharingan, having three tomoe in them. It felt like something new awakened in her, but she didn't care. She wanted her brother back. She wanted to tell him how sorry she was for not being there for him enough. She wanted him home.

***

It's been a while since Sasuke has left the village. At this point, Naruto left the village to train with Jiraiya. Sakura was training under the new hokage. She was still in that state of depression where she didn't even get out of her home.

Kotomi knew that she couldn't be holed in her home forever. Naruto, Sakura, Tsubaki, and even Konohamaru came numerous times for her to come out, but she refused them every time. She understood if they gave up trying.

Getting out from under the covers, Kotomi wiped her face with her hand. She knew that she couldn't let this depression consume her. She couldn't be weak any longer. She had to get stronger just like everyone else was doing.

Making herself look decent, Kotomi was running all over the village to find a certain someone.

Seeing that certain someone reading a book while walking, Kotomi appeared in front of him, making him stop and look at her. "Oh, Kotomi. You're finally out of your house."

That person was Kakashi. Bowing her head, Kotomi shut her eyes. "Kakashi-sensei! Please let me be your apprentice!"

A/N: At this point, we're going to transition over to the Shippuden part! I apologize if this chapter was too fast, I just really wanted to get to the Shippuden part. Kotomi fell into a deep depression for a while, but now she's going to be training her butt off!