Cancer - Chapter 3

"Blood-soaked tears"

His voice was low and and strained- almost as if he swallowed the rough part of a sponge.

"I told you this b-before. I..never like to see you cry..." He gently wiped away my tears with his thumb and forced a pained smile.

I held his hand to my face. They were calloused, but at the same time so soft. "S-Sasuke..." I sniffled. "W-why were you b-being so stubborn..."

He paused for a moment, averting his eyes downward.

"...Because... I knew it would make you cry; I knew it would make you worried.."

I looked over a pallid features, laying his hand that was previously resting on my cheek down and I began to gently glide my fingers through his head of raven colored hair.

His hair was always so soft underneath my finger tips. It always made me wonder how it could be so soft. Suddenly, my attention snapped towards the sound of the room's creaking door. "Mr. Uchiha..?"

He slowly began to sit up. I gently pushed him down. "Please don't strain yourself.."

"We'll have to keep you over night until we've received your tests and blood counts. For now, just make yourself comfortable."

"U-understood.."

The doctor bowed to the both of us before parting.

Sasuke was looking away; upset that he had to waste his mission time in a hospital.

"Are you hungry? Maybe I should get you something to eat."

He shook his head. I guess you can say that the mention of food didn't peak his interest. "At least have something to drink. Your fever must be dehydrating you.."

"A-alright. I'll do that at least.."

I smiled softly and kissed his forehead. "I'll be back soon. Get some rest, alright?"

Nodding, he closed his eyes and drifted into a deep slumber.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

The next day, he had woken up; hoping his stay in the hospital was only a bad dream.

"Dammit.." He though to himself. "More time wasted..."

He looked over and noticed that I was asleep in the chair beside him; my bangs covering my eyes.

He smiled at me being in such a peaceful state.

A sudden wave of pain hit his chest and he began to cough.

I woke up, sitting up from the chair quickly. "Sasuke! Sasuke are you alright!?"

He continued to cough, blood dripping from his hand and onto his bed sheets. At that moment, I couldn't really think. I was in a major panic.

"Nurse! Nurse please come quickly! He's coughing up blood!"

I was afraid. My body was shaking all over. Why! Why is this happening to him?!

The nurse came with two other nurses. One of them rubbed his back in gentle circles while another was preparing the oxygen.

The third carefully took his hands from his mouth and began to wipe away the blood. "Take slow breaths, Mr. Uchiha. Try to steady your breathing as much as you can, alright? We're right here with you.."

He continued to cough; the blood spilling from his mouth began covering his bed sheets.

It was cruel to watch. How did this happen? Was there something I missed? I just.. I don't understand what went wrong.

Eventually the coughing ceased but it left him panting. I took a damp cloth and wiped his mouth, neck, and hands. I had asked one of the nurses to bring him a new change of clothing and fresh bed sheets. Nodding, they bowed and made their way out.

"Sasuke?" Worry filled my voice as tears began to fall. I couldn't choke them down like I thought I would.

"I'll b-be fine.." He was trying to breathe to no avail. His breaths came out in harsh pants. "Just... Just let me rest..."

I nodded and pushed him down gently. I didn't pull the covers over him since they were drenched in blood. It would more than likely make him feel worse. I sat down and began to tap my foot in utter impatience; waiting for the nurses to come back. I noticed that the oxygen wasn't placed on Sasuke. I guess that the nurses were just as panicked as I was. I took the liberty of lifting his head slowly, being as gentle as I can while placing the oxygen on him. I laid him back down and kissed his forehead before sitting back down in my seat.

This was going to be a long day..