0 – Hey Now

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, just the story.

PRESENT

Sasuke's never been good at waiting.

If he knew what he wanted, getting it wasn't a problem. It was just a matter of figuring out how. In his world, there'd never been a more unstoppable force than Uchiha Sasuke.

But now, sitting stagnant in the too white, too bright waiting area, he is forced to just wait it out while everyone else around him continues around with their day. Strangers— patients, visitors, doctors— mill about, unaware and uncaring, like ants.

He can feel them crawling under his skin.

Sasuke loosens his tie; it doesn't feel like he can suck in enough air to placate his lungs.

And he hates this helpless kind of waiting. Half-formed possibilities swims inside his head, none of them something he can proactively fix. What if they were too late? What if there was nothing they could do?

What if that was it?

A small, cold hand twitches above his palm.

The little girl, Aoi, stares straight ahead. She hasn't moved or spoken since they were deposited there by the solicitous nursing staff. The hot chocolate they gave her is left cooling in the styrofoam cup precariously placed by her elbow.

If he focuses, he can almost parse out the prayers she screams in her head.

"Sasuke!"

Naruto's voice rebounds in the hallway despite the carpeted floor and foam tiled ceiling. Some of their friends pile in behind him, looking more like they were on their way to a business meeting instead of camping out on the floor of a general hospital.

The blonde kneels in front of Aoi, a cautious smile on his whiskered face. "Hey kiddo, how are—!" He looks down on the bloodied blouse the girl grips with her other hand.

Sasuke doesn't have to check on his shirt to know it was just as red, just as damp. He can feel the heavy wetness of it against his chest.

"Sasuke, where's Sakura-chan?"

Aoi's hand squeezes his.

Sakura's been in the operating room for two hours now and all he is supposed to do is wait.

A/N: What. Looks at the two unfinished fics already published. Looks at the other wips in my folder. It has been a weird, weird couple of years my friends. I hadn't intended to post this yet but I needed the input.

I hope you review even if it's just to say what's wrong or what can be improved.