Don't hate me, Sasuke.

by todo-mahem

'Sasuke'

I heard my own voice carried across the clearing, as if all other noise had faded away. Was it because it was in my own head? Or was it because it was truly silent.

I couldn't tell.

Time seemed to have stopped for me, carried away with the excruciating pain.

Pain I'd never once felt before, finally eased and left me in a calm trance. I could feel the tears on my face, but I wouldn't cry any more.

'Sasuke...'

Again, my voice. I wasn't even aware I was speaking.

Where was I?

Vaguely I recalled the mission, my final confrontation with Sasuke, my last attempt to bring him back.

I felt once again every wound as it was inflicted, every word that escaped his mouth as we fought, trying to break each other down.

'...S-Sa-suke...'

Cold. Numb. Dark. Alone.

Briefly I opened my eyes only to find a pair of deep dark eyes staring back at me.

Tears streaking down his face, as he lay beside my broken body.

Could he still feel his wounds? Could he still feel his tears?

Smiling slightly I looked at him, speaking quietly the words I'd never before managed to say.

His eyes widened slightly, but he didn't stop crying.

Through the numbness of my body I felt the light touch of a hand on my own.

I saw his lips move, but didn't hear the words.

I felt the darkness, as it closed in around me.

It didn't matter.

Sasuke was here.

Don't hate me, Sasuke.

For loving you.

For hating you.

For breaking you.

Always for you.

A/N: OTL. Sorry, venting here. If it makes sense to you, then you deserve a cookie. C: