Author's Note:
A short and sad AU.
Title: Before the Story Ends
Summary: Not all stories have happy endings. (No medical marvels AU? - Not sure how to class this one).
Rating: K+
Word Count: 248
"You came back."
"I told you I would."
"I-I didn't think you'd make it back before . . ." She was unable to finish the thought.
Kakashi murmured softly, "I promised I'd be there before the story ends."
They shared a quiet, secret smile at their inside joke.
Her lips slipped downward. "I'm sorry to say my story is ending soon."
The unspoken words ate at them both; "I wish I had that little bit more time with you."
Sakura couldn't hold back her tears. There was no doubt, not one doubt that she wouldn't have long. She wanted more, more time to feel, to talk, to love. Each day was a fight, and she knew she was reaching her limit. Sheer will power and determination had seen her this far, but even her fighting spirit had its limits.
"Will you hold me?" asked Sakura.
"Of course."
For a time the both were lost to their grief and fear. Sakura weeping while Kakashi rocked her awkwardly, as the couch they were on was cramped with two. When the flood of emotions did pass, they settled together under a thick quilt.
Kakashi read their favorite book. A story about a world where there were happy-ever-afters, advance technology and medical knowledge, and illness was rare but treatable. Perhaps in another time, in another story, they got their happy ever after along with their love ever after. Perhaps in another story their ending wasn't so soon.