AUTHOR'S NOTE - Hey, this is my first fanfic, I really hope you enjoy it. Constructive criticism is always welcome, and if you guys like this then I can potentially expand it to a two-shot.
DISCLAIMER - I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
She was dying, that much she knew, from the way her breaths were coming out short and shallow to the way her body shivered uncontrollably. Her surroundings were hazy, she blinked slowly, deliberately hoping with all hope that this was a dream, but it wasn't because the pain was unbearable, the burning sensation that her lungs were going to erupt with a simple intake of air. This wasn't a dream, and she was sure her end was coming if the way her eyes couldn't focus or stay open without an incredible amount of energy was any indication. She tried desperately to remember how it was that she got here because hell, until she knew why her life was fading she was not going to die, absolutely refused, any god could come down and spite her she would not leave without knowing who she was fucking dying for.
She had achieved so much, the respect of her friends, they even admired her now. Even her father told her that he was proud, her father, the Hyuuga head for Christ's sake! Well, he wasn't the clan leader anymore but that was another story all together, one story she would prefer to not re-live because frankly she wondered if the decision made was the right choice. It didn't matter anyways, she was dying, slowly becoming non-existent and taking one good look around -w
ell as good a look as she could muster up considering the kunai delicately lodged into her heart - she saw no one. She heard a couple grunts and then a scream, that startled her enough to fully open her eyes only to notice the blood all around her, not just her blood. A battle, quite obviously a rough one considering the repulsive stench she finally took notice of. Interesting, well at least she was going to die with honour and pride on the field like most anbu do. Figuring that she died at the hand of the enemy protecting her village was reason enough for her to pass away at peace. She closed her lavender coloured eyes and waited for the darkness to consume her.
It didn't though. What did come was a pair of strong arms and matching callused hands that shook her so violently she thought her heart would give out right then, so instead of bleeding to death it would be a heart attack, lovely. It was only then she opened her eyes once more to tell the asshole to screw off and let her die in peace that she got lost in eyes the brightest red imaginable, brighter than blood itself. It was then she realized the last Uchiha was staring straight at her and though his face was as impassive as always his eyes were leaking. That's what she called it since Sasuke never cried. The sight left her more breathless than before, never had she ever seen her boyfriend so emotional. He was always the epitome of seriousness, crying was not an option, and yet here he was silently sobbing for her?
It was then the last bit of information surged through her mind like a tornado, destroying every bit of calmness she had left because here he stood, the thing she deemed worthy of sacrifice. She had jumped in front of him as the kunai headed straight for the 'icebox' (as people said) of his heart. She had jumped thinking he couldn't die and now here she was dying in the arms of the one she loved. She smiled, a small tired smile and in the best voice she could find the strength to use told him that he would be fine, that everything would continue and that she would love him whether it be from heaven or hell. He laughed a deep raw laugh, clearly laced with pain and skepticism about the hell part.
She found herself thinking that she would miss him, for everything he was and everything he would never be. At the thought of never seeing him again her eyes welled up, she swore it was unintentional but it's not every person that gets to die looking into the eyes of the one person who made even nightmares seem beautiful. She was so lost in her inner turmoil that she hadn't noticed Sasuke calling out for her, like the many times he did in bed whilst having a nightmare. She knew she was it for him, everything he had left and now she was fading too. She looked into the recently turned obsidian eyes quietly noting his sharingan was off probably due to exhaustion - to hear, " Just hang on Hinata, you'll be alright."
At that she laughed, a strained hoarse laugh that led to coughing blood but a laugh nonetheless. He was delusional if he thought she would survive, it had already been a couple of minutes and she couldn't hold on any longer, air tasted like metal, the light blinding her eyes was overwhelming even though she knew it was past midnight. All these symptoms only lead to death, they both knew this, it was unavoidable. She debated telling him she would be fine but Hyuuga Hinata was not one to lie, and she wouldn't start now, so she did what she thought was right. She held each of his cheeks staining them a deep shade of crimson and kissed him. It didn't last long, she was so tired and hurt and all she wanted was for the pain to disappear. She had apparently voiced these thoughts out loud because next thing she knew the ex avenger was burrowing his head in the crook of her neck repeating " Please don't leave me, don't ever leave me." She was shocked to say the least, this wasn't Sasuke, he was strong and could handle anything with ease, her death would be no different.
One look at his deep onyx eyes and she knew she was wrong. The affection he held for her was very real and incredibly strong. So much so that she had to look away from the sadness that was so present on his face as she understood that if she died he wouldn't be able to handle it, he would be consumed with depression, anxiety and overall guilt. The guilt he felt for having her die trying to protect him. She wanted so badly to try to convince him that it was her choice and she would never regret it, but it would be futile. Arguing with an upset and stubborn Uchiha was like arguing with a brick wall, useless and disappointing. She didn't have much time as it was. Finally she found the courage to look at him. When in heaven she would say it was the way he looked at her that made her want to sell her soul just to spend a few more minutes with him.
She guessed he saw how close to death she really was because all she remembered before the darkness took over were a pair a of warm lips desperately moving against hers, as if that could stop death. He tasted like metal and salt but the purity of the kiss tasted better than any they had previously shared. The last thing she heard before becoming permanently unconscious was those same pair of warm red lips, stained with her blood mumbling " I'll always love you, wait for me, I'll be with you soon."
She smiled at that, taking one more careful look at his perfect face and finally let herself go. No more pain, no more worry, no regrets, just the satisfaction of knowing she loved him to the fullest. She died in peace, loving him to the end without so much of a doubt that her life was wasted.