Kakashi's Unexpected Love

Worrying

Bad News

—news that made her blood run cold.

Her father, Inoichi, stood before her with a grave expression. "Two Akatsuki members attacked four Konoha Jonin. One of them... was hospitalized after falling under Itachi Uchiha's genjutsu."

Itachi Uchiha.

Sasuke's older brother. The very same brother of her ex-crush.

She had long moved on from Sasuke, but the name Itachi still sent a chill down her spine.

"This information is classified," Inoichi continued. "The village doesn't want people to panic. I'm telling you because I trust you... and because you need to be careful."

Ino swallowed hard. "Who was hospitalized?"

There was a brief pause.

"Kakashi."

Her heart stopped.

"K-Kakashi?!" she gasped, already scrambling with her apron.

"Ino—"

"I have to go!"

"Ino, wait!"

Too late. She was already halfway out the door, sprinting toward the hospital, leaving her father staring after her with sympathy in his eyes.

———-—————————————————————————
By His Side

When she reached Kakashi's hospital room, she barely hesitated before barging in.

And there he was.

Unmoving.

Silent.

The sight made her throat tighten. Kakashi Hatake, the man who always seemed untouchable, now looked so... fragile.

She sat beside his bed, clutching his hand, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Baka..." she whispered, blinking back tears.

Days passed.

Word spread—Sasuke had fallen into a coma, too, after encountering his brother. Ino made her rounds, checking on him as well. Every time, she found Sakura already there, never leaving his side.

For the first time in a long time, Ino didn't feel the need to tease her. Instead, she understood.

Because she, too, was waiting for someone to wake up.

Every day, she visited Kakashi.

Every day, she talked to him, hoping—praying—that somehow, he could hear her.

Every day, she brought fresh flowers, until his hospital room looked more like a garden than a recovery ward.

Then, finally, the news came—Tsunade-sama, the legendary Sannin, had been named Hokage. And she might be able to heal him.

Ino had never felt so relieved.

The Awakening

When the door swung open, Ino turned sharply, eyes widening at the sight before her.

A blonde woman entered, exuding an air of raw power, followed by a younger assistant and Naruto.

Tsunade wasted no time, stepping forward and placing her hands over Kakashi's chest. Chakra flared.

Ino barely breathed.

Then—

A twitch.

A flicker of movement.