Anon Asked -
After the war, Sasuke starts suffering from the same lung disease Itachi had.
For those interested in the disease and want to know more take a look HERE
Also, this user on LJ has a very good (simple) analysis of Itachi and the disease with pictures. There are others but this one is most user friendly :) Look HERE
Disclaimer – I do not own Naruto
Mistakes are all mine! Hope you like it :)
Prompt #07 Prompting Promptly – sasusaku
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It took weeks and weeks for Sakura to get Sasuke to the Hospital. The nin hadn't been looked at by a professional since he was 13 years old, and the medic put it at the top of her to do list. However, that didn't mean that he would come easy, nor in a snappy fashion.
One would think the exam to be standard for all returning ninja, and it actually is. However, following his return, Sasuke disappeared completely from sight. It took a week, but the last Uchiha convinced Tsunade to place him under house arrest pending investigation. Then, he renounced all ambitions of becoming the future Hokage and quietly slipped into seclusion.
Of course, ANBU continue to watch him day and night, but that is neither here nor there. Sasuke's friends were pushed away little by little until not even Naruto was allowed in his small apartment.
Until Sakura got fed up with his bullshit...
...
"Sasuke-kun." Sakura hollars cheerfully, despite having just broken down his front door. There seem to be traps littered here and there that have obviously been made for Naruto. Or perhaps Sasuke is just underestimating her?
"Are you here?" The pinkette calls. Though where else would he be? There is no where to go.
Walking into the living room, the woman notes that the house is not in a good state. There is rubbish on each surface and plates piled high in the sink, along with clothes strewn over various pieces of furniture. Green eyes narrow calculatingly as she takes in the scene. If this was Naruto's apartment, Sakura would think it clean. However, Sasuke is a naturally neurotic person and would never allow it to get this bad...Unless something is wrong. Calling his name once more, the medics worry meter shoots all the way up passed 100.
It isn't until Sakura enters the bedroom that her bag tumbles to the floor and emerald eyes widen in horror.
There, collapsed on the floor, with blood dribbling from his mouth and over the carpet, is Sasuke.
And that dear readers, is how Uchiha Sasuke landed himself in Hospital, on bed rest, with one of the rarest diseases of all the nations.
xxx
The hospital room is bright with sunlight when Sasuke's eyes flutter open and he intakes a large amount of air. Gazing blearily around the room, the nin looks downward to survey his attire and the various tubes coming from his form. The last time he was conscious, the Uchiha was sure he was a goner and for the first time in a long time...He wished to live.
The sound of movement calls Sasuke's attention upward and he notices Sakura sitting on the end of his bed, reading a file.
Of course, Sakura saved him. He should have know. It seems that no matter what he does, that girl continues to surprise him with her caring. There was once a time that Sasuke didn't think she was worth a dime, but that changed quickly. What does he think of this older sturdier version of his annoyance now? (Affectionately so.) After resigning himself to death, the nin retreated from every one and everything. Though, looking at the woman close by Sasuke doesn't feel uncomfortable at all. Actually, it all feels rather familiar.
"Am I dying?" He asks bluntly, not realising that his words come out crass and uncaring.
Startling, Sakura turns to look at him with wide green eyes. For a moment, Sasuke swears that she leans forward like she wants to hug him, but then stops herself.
"You have Microscopic Polyangitis." She says calmly, despite her grave face. This doesn't look good...
"Why didn't you tell any of us Sasuke-kun?" Sakura continues, looking thoroughly annoyed. The hurt shines through in her eyes and any previous reason he had lined up flies out the window. How does she do that? How can Sakura make a rational thought process sound absolutely ridiculous?
Sasuke doesn't reply because he doesn't have anything to say. He thought that he was prepared to die. Stupidly, he didn't think of these people at all. His friends.
"I'm sorry." The nin finally settles on and Sakura promptly shuts her mouth.
Sighing, she settles back down again and looks to the manilla folder open in front of her. "You have a disease Sasuke. The same as...The same as Itachi." She says carefully, like she doesn't want to hurt him. "It's a rare auto immune disease...You are very unlucky." For a moment, the girl pauses in thought. "It's not genetic. You did this to yourself." She finishes, unable to suppress the bitterness she feels.
"I didn't ask for a disease Sakura." Sasuke says a little softer than intended, despite being confused.
"I know." She trails off with a sigh. "I just can't believe your luck." Turning a piece of paper over, the pinkette looks upward to meet his eyes. "It makes sense though. Vasculitis is triggered by an extreme stress of the body. For the past couple of years you have been using more chakra than any man should, especially after gaining the Mangekyo. Your eye sight being lost was the first symptom. My guess is, you didn't notice the other signs because of the eye transplant. That and your...State of mind." Sakura explains delicately, not knowing exactly where to focus her gaze. Deciding on the papers in front of her, the medic scans the text once more before tossing the file to the side. There is no point going over it again. She has already read the content 100 times, and even compiled it herself in the first place.
A warmth brushes by her outstretched hand bringing Sakura from her glum thoughts. When she looks down though, Sasuke's hand is back in it's original position, like he never moved at all.
"Am I dying?" He asks again, and there is a tenseness to the air. He knows that Sakura avoids tough topics until she can ease her way in...Shit maybe he is dying.
"Microscopic Polyangitis is fatal, yes." And the shinobi's eyes widen a fraction. "But no. You won't die." Her words cause him to breath out an audible sigh of relief and the girl is happy to see that he cares.
"Why not?" Sasuke asks, now more curious than worried. If the disease is fatal, shouldn't he die?
"You were reckless, Sasuke-kun." Sakura says quickly, almost angry. "Your quest for power almost killed you. It took you away from us...From me, and it almost did so a second time." Her words are strong but the nin can sense an underlying quiver. "You won't die because I won't let you!" She finally cracks, unable to hold the few tears waiting to be let free.
Sitting forward, Sasuke suppresses the urge to cough. If he does, it will be messy and bloody. Once composed, the nin reaches out to wipe the stray droplets from her lily white skin.
"Sakura." Sasuke calls her attention. "I really am sorry." He forgot how much this woman cares for him. How stupid. The nin can't believe what an idiot he is...He is horrible.
"I know." She replies, turning her gaze to meet his with unfaltering passion. The strength in the expression is so sturdy that it takes Sasuke off guard. Sakura sure has grown up.
"I love you Sasuke-kun and I don't care if you can't love me back. I don't care if you don't believe me even. I know that I do and I always have. You can say I don't know you and all that bullshit, but you're wrong. I trained harder than I thought possible to catch up to you and Naruto, and now my training is going to save your life. I won't be without you." She finishes the impassioned speech with a shaky breath, but her gaze holds true. "So whatever you are going to say. Just shut the hell up and let me heal you. Let me love you." She rouses, and Sasuke wants to smile. Not smirk...smile.
"Nothing has stopped you loving me before. I didn't think you'd stop now." Sasuke says simply, and this time he reaches up to cup her cheek. A small smile slowly makes it's way onto his pale face and Sakura mirrors his expression, looking tentative once more. An absent thought crosses his mind that voices itself before he realises. "You've grown up." He informs, and it is very much a compliment.
"Thank you." Sakura replies. Taking in a big breath, the medic smiles brightly now. "We have a lot of work to do Sasuke-kun. I am going to have to reinforce the walls of your veins, one by one. I am going to make you copy my healing jutsu so that you can help me. That is only the start though." She advises before prattling off the other needed procedures.
Yes, Uchiha Sasuke has a disease...Thankfully, the woman who loves him is the brightest medic of her time and won't let him perish.
Reaching out, Sasuke takes Sakura's hand in his to weave their fingers together naturally. Slowly, a pink blush spreads over the woman's form and a flutter courses through the Uchiha's body.
They have a long way to go, and it won't be easy...but he will live.
"You owe me big time." Sakura says absently, leaning forward to give him the first hug in a very long time.
"Aa."
Perhaps Sasuke can repay her with the rest of his life.
xxx
A wise man once said that love comes through hardships. Needless to say, things have never been easy for Sasuke and Sakura.
END
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