Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Sakura watched anxiously as Sasuke walked over to them. He saw swaying slightly, she noticed with concern. As he got closer, she saw that his chest was caked with blood. Beside her, Naruto had also seen the blood. Together, they ran over to their injured teammate. Just as they reached him he collapsed and Sakura caught him.

"Sasuke?" Naruto asked urgently, kneeling down next to them. Sasuke grinned weakly – very weakly.

Sakura didn't speak immediately. Instead she inspected the teenager in her arms. He was totally drained of Chakra – that much was clear. So was the fact that his usually pale face was pure white, making his onyx eyes stand out in comparison. Her inspection reached his chest, but she couldn't see the wound – there was too much blood.

"I need some water," she said. Almost immediately, a pale hand handed her a bottle filled with water. She looked up.

"Here," Suigetsu said. Sakura decided that she wouldn't question what he was doing there. Gratefully, she accepted the water and gently washed away the blood. What she saw made her pale. There was a small, compact hole just above his left lung.

"What are you doing here?" she heard Naruto ask.

"I saw Kirin and realised that Sasuke was in trouble so I came here as fast as I could," Suigetsu replied. Sakura shut out their conversation – she had more urgent matters to worry about. Carefully, she laid her right hand on Sasuke's wound. He winced and groaned in pain.

"Sorry," she whispered. A green ball of Chakra formed around her hand and she focused it towards the numerous ruptured veins and arteries visible. She didn't flinch when she saw his lung. There was a tiny sliver of it missing, which concerned her. Some of her Chakra was refocused into the hole. She didn't relax when the life threatening wounds closed even though there was a high chance that he'd survive. Having carefully healed the internal damage, she started on the skin. Under her expert guidance, the skin flawlessly flowed together.

Retrieving the discarded water bottle, which had somehow been refilled, she washed away the rest of the blood. There was a lot of it, but there were no other wounds on his front. Gently raising him into a sitting position, she removed his top as he winced slightly.

"Naruto," she said. "Keep him upright." Obediently, Naruto tenderly gripped Sasuke's shoulders, keeping him in the sitting position. Sakura put her hand on Sasuke's back. Instead of being smooth, it was bumpy – a sign of broken bones. Her Chakra seeped through his skin and slowly set the bones in the right places.

"Any more injuries?" she asked quietly.

"No," he rasped. "I... I don't think so." How much blood has he lost? she wondered, considering how pale he was. Carefully, she reclaimed him from Naruto.

"Yamato-sensei," Sakura said. "Please get Lady Tsunade." The ANBU nodded and disappeared. The teenagers fell silent. Sakura closed her eyes, listening to Sasuke's breathing. It kept catching, like he was having difficulty. Sasuke coughed and she opened her eyes. He coughed again and some blood came up. Feeling exhausted, she laid her hand on Sasuke's chest and tried to determine what was happening. What she found did not please her in the slightest. A sliver of bone had penetrated his left lung – so tiny that she'd missed it before.

Dammit she thought. I can't take it out here, it's too risky – but will he make it to the hospital? Sasuke coughed again, more blood coming up.

"Sakura?" he asked weakly. "Am I dying?" The simple enquiry shook her. It was true, she realised. His heartbeat was slowing and his breathing was getting fainter. Tears filled her eyes.

"Yes," she whispered. "But if we can get you to a hospital..." He shook his head, cutting her off.

"I... I won't make it," he whispered.

"Don't say that!" Sakura scolded.

"I'm sorry!" Naruto sobbed. "It's my fault!" Sasuke shook his head.

"N... no, Na... ruto. Y... you made th... the right ch... oice. I... I wouldn't have... let him t... take you any... way," he whispered faintly.

"Shh!" Sakura said. "Don't try to talk." He smiled at her – a genuine smile.

"You... you fuss too much," he rasped. "I'm going... going to die – we... we both know th... that." Tears rolled down the kunoichi's cheek. "Don't... don't cry, Sa... Sakura," Sasuke said, reaching up and shakily wiping away the beads of moisture. His breathing caught and his hand fell away from his face.

"Sakura..." he gasped weakly. "Sakura... I... I lo..." She had to lean in to hear him. "I... lo..." He fell silent. His body went limp in her arms. His chest rose and fell, then stopped.

"SASUKE!" she screamed. "No! Sasuke! Wake up! Please! WAKE UP!" His sightless onyx eyes stared past her.

"No," Naruto gasped. "No no NO!"

Suigetsu just stared at Sasuke's body. Behind them, footsteps signalled the arrival of Tsunade and Yamato, but they were too late.

Thanks for reading!

Tsari