The Art of Love
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Chapter Seven: I Love You
Two years and three months Earlier
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The smell of disinfectant made contact with his nose. The white walls, the sound of the machines, the tears of family members were just some of the reasons he hated hospitals. Sighing he pushed on, moving passed the double doors and towards the end of the hall. Stopping in front of room 293, sounds of the machines could be heard outside the door. Using his will power he opened the door, taking in the sight.
His eyes stared at the figure lying on the bed. The male looked pale, lifeless. If had it not been for the raising of his chest, it would seem he was dead. Moving in the room, he saw the backside of the indigo haired female. Feeling a sense of defeat wash over him, he moved closer to the figures. With each step closer his breathing become heavy, his heart became to ache, and tears threated to escape from their captivity.
Stopping in front of his fallen comrade and best friend, he analyzed the severity of his wounds, the man, from what was covered by the hospital gown, had bandages covering his arms. Minor cuts could be visibly seen on his face.
Transferring, his gaze, he stared at the faithful woman at his best friend's side. The pale skinned beauty looked lifeless, as she stared at the wounded man. Her hands clammed on to one of his friend's hand, as if holding on to dear life. Her face was pale expect for her red noise and cheeks, from what he presumed was from crying.
Pulling a chair next to her, he sat down. Running his hand through his blonde locks, a feeling of disparity washed over him. Staring at the raven haired man, felt a sense of rage. He didn't deserve this. His best friend had changed much over the last few months. He was happy, caring, all around becoming a better person. The blonde knew it was because of the female next to him. She had changed him, for the better.
"He can't die," he heard her whisper from next to him. Not trusting his voice, he only nodded in agreement. Moving his hand to her shoulder he squeezed it to reassure him, that he would. The thought of his best friend not being around scared him to pieces.
"Hinata," he said finally. She only let out a sigh. "Naruto," she whispered again, looking at the blonde. Meeting his eyes, he saw how red hers were. "I love him," she said a little louder. Turning away she looked at him, "I didn't tell him before he left, he begged me to tell him but I couldn't. I can't lose him Naruto. I just can't. I have lost to many. I refuse to lose him," she said taking a shaky breathe.
Naruto nodded. "He knew you loved him. He told me himself," he said staring at his friend again.
Hinata nodded at the man, and touched Sasuke's face. "I told you I'd wait a life time, and you told me you would return to me," she said as she kissed his forehead.
"If you want to go home. I'll stay with him," Naruto offered. Hinata looked at the man and shook her head. "I don't need to go home, but I do need to use restroom. Stay with him till I return," she said. Standing up, she stood above him holding his hand. She slowly pulled her hands free, and walked away slowly.
Naruto watched her exist. Within seconds the door opened again. He watched as Shizune walked in. She nodded to him, as she moved towards Sasuke. "I see you finally got Hinata to leave his side. Poor thing has been here for two days straight," she said while checking his IV.
"How is he," Naruto asked in a whisper. Shizune looked at him and sighed. "He hasn't improved. He was has been in a coma for two days now. If his body doesn't start to slowly shut down and he survives, we don't know when he will wake."
Naruto nodded taking in the information. "She can't lose him," he said surprising himself. The medical nin looked at him. "Hinata," he said looking up from Sasuke's limp body. "I protect the ones I love. He won't die. He's too hard headed for that. She nodded at him and smiled. "I'll be back to check on him later," she said leaving.
Few minutes later Hinata walked in and sat next to Sasuke. "If you want to leave Naruto, I will be here."
"I want to stay," he said. He watched as she rested her head on the bed. He stared out the window and at the moon. After what felt like hours his eyes became heavy and a restless sleep found him.
Staring out the window, she watched as the leaves fell. Pulling the covers closer to her, she took in his scent. Sighing she found herself staring at the picture of him. How could you miss someone that much? Hinata had never known she loved how much she loved his black hair, his dark eyes, and his lips, his everything.
The sound of thunder called her back to reality. Staring out the window she watched as rain drops race down the window. Laying down she hugged the sheets. His scent was slowly fading. Taking a deep breathe she closed her eyes. The feeling of emptiness consumed her. People were right when they said love changed everything. Things have changed. With him she felt stronger, powerful, and happy.
"Sasuke come back to me," she whispered softly as sleep found her.
Hinata had learned a lot in the days since Sasuke left. She learned that she loved him and he was the one. It was strange to thing that she would need a man to help her breathe. Since he left, she seemed to be suffocating. It felt like she had lost not only a lover but a friend.
"Hinata," someone called out to her. Opening her eyes she sighed. His voice was calling out to her. She shivered. Moving out of the bed she moved passed to the living room. She heard a slight knock on the door. Moving towards it the heiress gasped. "Sasuke," she yelled out.
He stood in front of her covered in dirt and blood. There were visible wounds that looked fatal. Her feet moved on their own accord. She stood inches away. "What happened," she whispered staring the wounds. "We have to get you to the hospital," she said. He smiled slightly to her. He hissed in pain as he moved his hand up. His fingers touched her skin. Cubing her face he smiled again. "I love you," he whispered as he became unsteady. Feeling him fall front wards she held him. Laying him on the floor she felt tears fall. "Sasuke stay with me," she yelled at him. "I am going to get you to the hospital," she said kissing him.
He looked up at her and smiled again. "I told you I would come back to you," he said as he closed his eyes. "Sasuke," she yelled at him.
Opening her eyes, she felt tears gather. "Hinata," she heard Naruto. Taking a deep breathes she steadied her breathing. Looking up she stared at Sasuke, watching his chest rise and fall, it made her calm knowing he was still alive. Her mind traveled back to the day he left.
One year earlier.
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Love changes everything. It gives you a reason to smile, to laugh, to cry, to hope. The stupid four letter word helps heal old wounds and protect you from nightmares. Love it changes the person you are.
Sighing Sasuke looked at the woman lying in his bed. Her back side was pressed against him. Her indigo hair tied in a ponytail. She wore a shirt and pants hiding her body from his eyes. He could hear her even breathing. With a slight, moan she turned around moving closer to him. The warmth from her body made him feel safe.
In the last three months, since his little confession, things had changed. Every night they weren't on a mission they spent together. Every night she was with him, his wouldn't dream. She protected him for his nightmares, his past, and himself
He felt himself change. He felt happy, at first it was a foreign feeling, the feeling of content. Smiles came easier along with laughing. He ones made a joke and laughed at it.
People knew of them and yet no one commented on it. It was quite known fact that the last soul survivor of the Uchiha clan, the ones ruthless monster had fallen madly in love with the quite shy heiress Hinata.
The whispered had died down. People had become more accepting of him. Never had he thought change would come this drastically to him. Looking at the beautiful woman in his bed he smiled. She was the only woman he slept with without engaging in sexual intercourse. Sasuke had many women in his bed but never ones did he hold them, the way he held her, kiss them the way he did her.
Slightly brushing the loose strains of her face he smiled down at her. "I love you," he whispered. Those three letters came to him easily. "Sasuke," she called out to him.
Looking at her he smiled. She smiled back. "What time is it?" she asked. Looking outside the window the sun was about to rise. "Four."
"Why are up," she said not opening her eyes. Moving her face onto his bare chest, she wrapped her arm around his waist. Smiling he kissed her head. "I love you," he said closing his eyes. He could feel her smile on his chest. He waited but she said nothing back. He sighed.
She had never told him she loved him. "Do you love me," he asked sitting up. Moving to get up she looked at him. Opening her mouth she closed it. "I care about you more than I have cared for any one."
"Then why can't you tell me you love me?" She sighed. "I, I am need time," she said. Sighing he got up from the bed. "Hinata, I have a mission," he said sitting on the edge of the bed. Moving to him she sat next to him. "How long?"
"Six months maybe a year," he said. Turning he looked at her. She leaned in and kissed him hard. She found herself straddling him. Deeping the kiss she ran her fingers over his chest. Pulling away she looked into his eyes and frowned. "Where are you going?"
"I don't know," he said holding her closer. "It's a S ranked mission?" He nodded kissing her forehead. "When do you leave?" "Tonight along with Sakura and Nara," he said looking into her eyes. She nodded and kissed him again.
"Will you wait for me," he said her. Looking into his eyes she smiled. "I would wait a life time," she said kissing him hard. He pulled her closer. Her fingers ran through his hair, as their tongue wrestled. A soft moan escaped her lips. Moving his hands he rested him on her hips. Pulling away he looked at her. Their eyes met. She smiled as she rested her head on his.
"You are the reason I smile, the reason I laugh, the reason I hope," he said kissing her head. "I love you Hinata."
Looking into to his eyes she smiled. Kissing his lips gently she rested her head against his chest. Taking his scent she felt her heart become heavy. Pulling away she stared at his face, tracing over his features. "What," he whispered to her. Nodding she kissed his cheek. "I am taking your face in. I won't be seeing it for a year. I just," she stared as a tear fell from her eye.
The thought of knowing he wasn't going to be there after her practice. He was going to be watching her cook, or sit beside her on their hill top as they admired the stars. "We are trained soldiers. Our duty is to protect. To serve, to fight," she paused as she kissed him, looking into his eyes she cubed his face, "no matter what," she whispered against his lips.
Pulling her closer, he held her. She pulled away and pushed him on to the bed. Lying down against his chest she kissed it. "Sleep," she commanded him. Complying he closed his eyes.
Hours later he woke to Hinata staring out the window. She was staring at the clear sky. "Hinata," he said his body gravitating towards her. Turning she smiled. "You're up, let's get you packed," she said smiling at him. Nodding he watched her pack the few things he was permitted to take.
Hinata sat on his bed as he readied himself. Felt him behind her, turning around she stared at him. "It's time," he whispered. She nodded, taking his hand they walked out of his apartment towards the gates. Hinata saw his fellow team mates and waved at them.
"Hinata," Nara greeted her. "Nara-san." "How is your wife," she asked tightening her grip on Sasuke. He squeezed her hand in reassurance. "She is well, a troublesome woman to say the least. She will be back to the village soon." "Then I must visit with her." She turned to Sakura and smiled. "I will miss you," said the pink haired girl. Things had been different since the confession. It hurt Hinata to think that the woman who hadn't ones gave Naruto a second look, won him.
At one point Hinata had resented the beauty now she understood. Love was love and she could not hold it against her that she was in love with Naruto. "I as well," she said hugging the girl. Hinata turned to Sasuke. Taking a deep breathe she kissed him. "Wait for me," he whispered to her. Smiling she kissed him again. "Be safe please."
Letting him go she watched him, leave. With him a part of her had gone. Sighing she turned to make her way through the village.
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Leaning her head back down and took deep breaths. Hearing the sound of the heart monitor become louder, she rose. Sasuke was coding. "Naruto get a doctor," she commanded him. In seconds Shizune and a few nurses walked in. Hinata moved away as the tired to bring him back. She felt tears spill her. Naruto engulfed her into a hug. She cried on his shoulders, as they watched the one they love fight for his life.
"We have a pulse," one of the nurses said. Letting out a breathe Hinata didn't know she was holding, she watched as the medical nins did their work. "He's stable for now," Shizune said. The staff walked out the door. Hinata made her way towards him; standing over him she kissed his hand. "Please don't leave me. I love you more. I love you so much. I want to marry you," she said kissing him. "Fight," she whispered in his ear.
Leaning away, she sat next to him and watched his chest rise again. She heard Naruto sit down.
Night had turned in to day, and one day had turned in to and two turned in to three. Ten days had passed since Sasuke had slipped in to a coma. Hinata only left his side to take a shower and change.
"Hinata," Naruto said, "eat," he commanded. She had barley ate. The heiress had become paler, the bags under her eyes were more visible, and her body seemed to have thinned. She looked exhausted and sick.
Naruto sighed. He vowed to watch over Hinata till Sasuke was better so for the last seven days, he brought Hinata food, watched Sasuke so she could take a shower and change. He brought her books and gave her a shoulder to cry on when she needed it.
"Go take a shower," Naruto told her while packing the bento box away. She nodded and left.
Naruto started out the window at the night sky. Sighing he closed his eyes. In between visiting Sasuke, taking care of Hinata and helping Sakura recover he was exhausted.
"Hinata," he heard a faint whispered. Naruto opened his eyes and stared at Sasuke. His hand slightly moved, and his eyes slightly opened. Struggling to stay open, jumping to his feet he Naruto smiled. "Baka," he yelled at the wounded man. "Shizune," he yelled as loud as he could. The woman ran into the room. "He's awake," Naruto exclaimed feeling relief wash over him. He looked down at his brother and smiled. "I am glad your back. Hinata needs you," he said grinning down at his friend.