Ai No Namida 8

Things were falling back into place, for Sasuke at least. Sakura returned to school and they fell back into routine. Everything was normal again until one day...

"Sasu-chan, you're father left these files. Can you deliver them to him?" Not like he could refuse either way, plus he had nothing better to do at the moment. He took the files from his mother and she thanked him before going off to do chores and whatnot.

The drive to the hospital was uneventful. Fortunately, when Sasuke came through the doors, he found his father in the lobby, but he wasn't alone. He was talking with Sakura. Curiosity hit him like a ton of bricks. He moved a little closer, but any closer they were bound to notice him. He still couldn't hear them so he tried reading their expressions. From what he can tell it was a grim conversation. Deciding he had no reason to meddle or hide, he strode over to them. He couldn't help but hear the end of their talk.

"Just be careful and don't strain yourself."

"I know and thank you Uchiha-sensei," when she turned to leave, she almost bowled into Sasuke. He was clearly surprised to see him as he was to see her. He thought he saw a glimmer of fear in her eyes too.

"Sasuke what are you doing here? Is something wrong?" Facing his father, he held out the files.

"You left these, Ka-san wanted me to bring them." Fugaku took them with an appreciative nod.

"I'll be leaving now, thanks again Uchiha-sensei." Sakura retreated as quickly and politely as possible. Sasuke watched her suspiciously.

"I presume you're friends with Sakura. She is in your year I believe. Do me a favor Sasuke, watch out for her," that was a surprising request. What did Sakura mean to his father to have him worry over her? And why would she need to be looked after?

"There's something you both aren't telling me. What's wrong with Sakura?" Narrowing his eyes at Fugaku he tried to fit everything together.

"You know better Sasuke, I can't divulge confidential information on my patients. Only she has the right to say anything, but I'm warning you Sasuke, don't prod her about it. I have work to finish, I'll see you at home." His father walked away and Sasuke left more curious and frustrated than he wanted to be. No matter what his father said, he was going to find out. Being left out of the loop didn't sit well with him.



"Why were you at the hospital?" Sasuke asked, seated on the rooftop bench with the source of his frustration. Sakura didn't look at him once today and he knew she was hiding something.

"I was visiting someone." He knew she was lying through her teeth from the way she wouldn't make eye contact and gripped her chopsticks tightly.

"That's bullshit." She sighed tiredly.

"What do you want Sasuke?"

"What are you hiding from me? Tell me the truth."

"I don't have to tell you everything Sasuke. It has nothing to do with you! Why do you care so much anyway?" She was getting mad now, but he was pissed too.

"That’s exactly why. Because I care! I care more than I want to." That shut her up. Good. He wasn't done yet.

"I like you Sakura. A lot. I'm sick of that sad look in your eyes and not knowing why it's there. Just tell me what's wrong!" He never felt this emotionally raw before and he hated her for making him feel this way. He almost regretted yelling at her when he saw the tears in her eyes, but he had to know. But shit, he didn't want her to cry.

"Oh god this can't be happening. You can't like me Sasuke, you can't," it insulted him a bit that the first girl he wanted didn't want him to like her, but her overflowing tears made a sense of apprehension wash over him. She brought her hands up to wipe them away only to have more replace them. They wouldn't stop.

"I can't control what I feel. Why are you pushing me away? I want to help you." He tried to grab her hands, but she moved away, standing up and sending food everywhere.

"No! You can't help me Sasuke, no one can. Just stay away! You'll only get hurt in the end," she kept choking on the lump in her throat. She didn't want it to be like this, but she didn't want to be the one to hurt him in the end. It's better this way. When Sasuke wrapped his arms around her, she fought against him.

"You think you're not hurting me now? I can't stop thinking about you Sakura."

"Stop!" She was so close to giving in, her emotions were suffocating her.

"If you don't want to be with me then just say it, but just tell what's wrong!"

"It's not that!" She stopped struggling. Her fists were clenched in his shirt, tears soaking into it. He still wouldn't let go.

"Then why are you fighting me? Why are you keeping yourself from being happy? Not just with me. You could have friends Sakura, but you purposely choose not to."

"I want that. I want to be happy with you!"

"Then what's holding you back? Tell me Sakura," he was getting desperate, but he didn't care right now. He just wanted her to talk to him. He just wanted her to stop crying and be happy. She pulled back a little to lift her head and finally look him in the eye. Her voice came out in a soft, broken whisper.

"I'm dying Sasuke."

He thought he didn't hear her right at first. Dread started to settle in him and he felt like he couldn't breathe. He held her by her shoulders.

"What the hell are you saying?" She could see the fear in his eyes and looked away.

"Exactly what I said Sasuke. I'm dying and there's no way to save me."

"Why?"

"Leukemia."

"What about treatment?" She shook her head.

"I've stopped responding." God, she was the patient his father was talking about. Why didn't he realize this before? She was slowly fading away right before his eyes and he didn't notice it. He pulled her back into him, not wanting to let go and afraid she would just disappear. He clenched his eyes shut and rested his forehead on her hair. She let him hold her, for his comfort and her own.

"I'm sorry Sasuke." His hold tightened.

"What the hell could you be sorry for?" Why did it have to be her?

"For making you feel this pain."

"No!"

"I should've stayed away."

"Stop it Sakura! It's too late to change that now. I still want to be with you."

"It'll only hurt you more."

"I don't care! I want to make you happy. You deserve to be happy." He pulled back to look at her as the tears started to flow again.

"Sasuke..." She choked on her sobs and brought her arms up to his back to embrace him more. He held her closer, using one hand to uselessly brush her tears away.

"I'm here Sakura."

"Thank you." She couldn't be any happier than she was right now.