Her body was becoming colder by the second.
Normally flushed cheeks were losing their peachy tint and with the slowing of her heart beat, Sasuke's anxiety increased exponentially.
He had already bandaged the wound at her neck and tucked her under several blankets, but she was still so cold.
Deciding to wait a little longer, he paced at the foot of the bed.
He glanced at the sleeping figure every few seconds before dark eyes eventually became fixed on her, willing her eyelids to flutter open and reveal that familiar lavender hue he's grown fond of.
But his wishes were in vain.
She was as still as the night. The only way he knew she was alive was the barely perceptible sound of her shallow breathing.
He had to know she would be okay. He had to see her again.
So he sat at the side of the bed and gently cradled her cheek to his, bringing his body close to hers. Tucking inky strands behind the girl's ear, he murmured to her.
"Hinata? Hey…"
Save for the ever slowing rate of her heart beat, deafening silence greeted him.
"No no no, please Hinata. You said you'd always be there for me."
He was gripping her body tightly now, as if the effort would keep her soul from escaping its fragile vessel.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to take so much…" he whispered.
His body trembled and the reality of the situation set in.
The only thing he could do to save her was…
No. He couldn't do it.
He couldn't change her, it would be cruel and unfair. She was a human and she'd have to abandon her family, her friends, her humanity, and what if she didn't want to live like him? Like a parasite?
She was just so different from him and his kind; she was full of love and light and... and...
He didn't want to - couldn't - kill her a second time.
"Hinata, please wake up."
Silence greeted him still, mocking him.
"P-please…" his voice wavered.
"Itachi-nii… what do I do?"
His cries for help were unanswered, the older Uchiha was gone and he was utterly alone. Pink tears dripped onto Hinata's pallid face and stained the sheets.
Gazing forlornly at his lover's face, the sound of sobbing filled the room as he came to a final decision.
"Hinata… I'm so sorry," he murmured before he violently tore into his wrist and held the wound to her parted lips.