Because I couldn't let you guys wait and I really wanted to write this chapter. Will this be the end, my lovelies?

...

Today was the day of the surgery. Naruto had been thoroughly prepared already and was being wheeled into the operation room. This was where they had to say goodbye, because when they reached those doors. Sasuke felt awful at this point and it was clearly shown on his face. A grim look covered his features and Naruto almost was more worried about him than he was about his own surgery.

'Hey, I'll be fine,' Naruto murmured softly, a soft smile tugging at his lips. He reached his hand up and let his fingers slide over a pale cheek. 'I'll be out before you know it,' he added, but he quickly noticed it didn't matter what he would say at this point. Sasuke's mind was off somewhere else, only thinking in worst case scenarios.

He had put so much time in this. Had been beside Naruto's bed since the beginning and thinking that this might all be over in just a few hours was such a strange idea. What would he do with his life then? Now Sasuke had somewhere to go after work and in the weekends. His life hadn't really mattered before. He had gotten a job at the family company and had worked hard every day to just work his way up and become a manager. He was earning good money and he had a nice house, but it hadn't meant anything. His life had been boring. Until he had gone to that party and had met a very drunken Naruto.

Of course at first Sasuke just saw it as a one night stand with a very willing Naruto, but that morning everything changed. When Naruto had told him he had cancer. It was as if he now had a goal in life. He was supposed to take care of Naruto and make him as happy as he could be and Sasuke thought he was doing pretty well. They had even spoken of love. A deeper relationship than Sasuke had ever been in before. And to think now that Naruto might be gone today and they would never share a moment together. What was he supposed to do then? He was never going to love someone like he loved Naruto. He even wasn't afraid anymore to tell the blonde and that meant so much already.

If this was the end for Naruto, it would also be the end for Sasuke. He would live an empty life again and just live by routine.

'We have to say goodbye now, Sasuke. We're here,' Naruto said softly, his blue eyes still staring up at the raven. There was no smile on those thin lips anymore, but his eyes still sparkled, holding so much life. But Sasuke couldn't say anything back, knowing his voice would break if he tried saying anything at this point. Fisting his hands by his side, Sasuke stared down at Naruto. He let out a soft sigh, trying to empty his mind.

Carefully leaning down, Sasuke hovered just above Naruto's lips, staring deep into those deep blue eyes. 'Promise me I will see you in a few hours,' he whispered.

'I promise,' Naruto murmured back and with that answer in mind, Sasuke leaned down for one final kiss. He tried to put as much feeling in it as he could. Hoping Naruto would feel everything he felt for the blonde. He didn't want to say it. Because if he said those three little words, it would feel like the end. It would feel like he would never be able to say it again and he couldn't believe that. He had to believe that Naruto would come out alive and then the first thing Sasuke would say would be those three words. He would say it then.

And then Naruto was wheeled away, pushed through the doors and then they flipped back closed. Sasuke stared after the blonde, following the bed through the small windows in the doors. Blue eyes kept locked with his. Would this be the last time Sasuke was able to see those eyes look back at him, see them shine just for him? Was this truly the end?

…

Hours had passed already, but Sasuke knew it would still take some time. He had been sitting in the waiting room, just trying to think of other things. But how could he? The only thing that was on his mind now was Naruto. The good times they shared and how much he would miss those.

About an hour ago one of the doctors had informed him that the surgery was going well. Naruto did suffer from some blood loss and they almost had complications, but apparently Tsunade had acted in time to stop the bleeding. But it wasn't the end yet. The tumour hadn't even been out at that point. So the worst was yet to come. And that idea only made Sasuke more nervous. If something went wrong now, then what did that say about the rest? He shouldn't think about that. He should keep hope and believe in Naruto's strength.

Someone sat down beside him and Sasuke eyed the person through his bangs. It was Sakura and she wore a slight smile, probably as some sort of comfort, but it didn't really work. She was holding something in her hand and without a word she handed it to Sasuke.

Folding the letter open Sasuke started reading it. Surprised he looked up at Sakura who was still wearing that smile on her lips. The look in her eyes was soft. But that didn't explain this letter! Why was this letter here? 'How?' he asked, unsure on how to finish that question and Sakura's smile just grew.

'I sent him a letter about Naruto, telling him he was going into surgery. This is Kiba's way of supporting you right now. He would've loved to come here and really support you guys, but he can barely move around the house anymore. His time is running out, but he wishes both of you all the time in the world.' Her face then turned happier. Sasuke found it highly inappropriate, until she said the last line. 'And he also wanted me to tell you that he finally had gotten a kiss from his crush. He knew you would be proud.'

And that was it. Sasuke's breaking point. That stupid Kiba wishing them the best of luck and telling him he shouldn't be as negative as Sasuke always was. Naruto was going to live. Why? Because Kiba said he was. Damn that guy…

Tears started streaming down Sasuke's face and soon he found himself pressed against Sakura's shoulder, soothing words murmured against him. 'Just let it out, Sasuke. You've been through a lot as well. It's okay…' And of course that didn't help. He couldn't lose Naruto. Clutching Sakura's shirt, he just let everything out. He sobbed softly, tears slowly running down his face. The idea of people seeing him crying right now wasn't even important. People knew what could happen in a hospital, so it wasn't strange to see someone crying. And this was the very first time Sasuke actually let his feelings out over this.

Slowly the sobs died out and Sasuke was just sitting there, Sakura's arms still around his shoulders and keeping him close. Somehow it didn't feel awkward this time. Maybe because Sakura wasn't hugging him for her own pleasure, but just to be a comfort. So he didn't mind sitting in her hold and wait on news.

His mind went back to the letter, it now crumpled up in his hand as it was fisted between his hand and Sakura's shirt. That stupid dog lover thinking just about them again and not about living his life out the happiest he could. He shouldn't be thinking about them. He should only have good thoughts. Spend time with that damn dog. But his words still touched Sasuke, even if they weren't poetic or incredibly sweet.

Hey guys,
I heard Naruto was going into surgery. Lucky guy.
He will come out alive just perfectly fine. Why? Because I say so.
And you know everything I say, comes true.
Anyway, good luck guys. I'll be thinking of you.
I'll hear from you soon.
Love, Kiba

He should write a letter back. He would do that later. Sasuke had never imagined that he would hear from Kiba again and he probably wouldn't have if Sakura hadn't sent him a message. Would it be okay to contact him? Well, Kiba was expecting an answer. Of course he wanted to know if Naruto had come out alive. But what if Naruto didn't? Sasuke couldn't tell Kiba then. He couldn't even bare that idea, let alone let someone else suffer.

He didn't want to think about this. He had Naruto to worry about and shouldn't also be worrying about Kiba. It was already bad enough that Sasuke now knew Kiba was doing worse. Not even able to leave the house anymore?! Damn it, this day was truly the most horrible day he had ever experienced.

…

After a while Sakura left, having work to do, but she would be back later when the surgery was over. So now it was just Sasuke, sitting alone in the waiting room again, worrying his ass off. Pacing didn't work, he had tried. How long would it take still? He had been here for over six hours now and had to eat that damn cafeteria food, but it wasn't like it had any taste to him now anyway. Nothing meant anything at this point. The only thing Sasuke was noticing, was doctors walking through the waiting room. Every time he saw one, Sasuke hoped it would be the one to give him the answer he needed to hear. Why did it take so long?

And then he saw her. Naruto's doctor. Tsunade. She didn't look very happy, but Sasuke couldn't remember a time that he had actually seen her smile. So he wouldn't think anything of it. He just couldn't think anything of it. Naruto had to live. This could not be the end. It just couldn't be.

'Sasuke,' Tsunade started out, standing right in front of the raven, hand posed on her hip and some sort air that screamed arrogance lingering around her. She kept silent for way too long and Sasuke really was about to jump to jump out of his seat and just attack her, forcing the answer out of that damn woman as he hit her square in the face. You weren't supposed to hit a woman, but there were more important things in life. 'I think someone is waiting on you.'

Sasuke's eyes grew wide and he just stared at her, slowly standing up out of his seat. 'H-how did it go?' he asked, because he couldn't ask the most obvious thing. What if this was just some cruel way of Tsunade telling him that Naruto was waiting on him in the OR, dead… No, she wouldn't be that cruel, right?

And then for the first time Sasuke saw a smile appear on Tsunade's pink coloured lips. 'It went perfectly fine of course, just as expected. I am a great surgeon. Naruto's all finished up and probably about to wake up in his room, so get to him and be all romantic together and stuff.'

That was all Sasuke needed to hear. He didn't even thank Tsunade or whatever else he should've done in situations like these. He just ran, yes ran through the hospital. He needed to see Naruto. Only then would he truly believe that the blonde had come out fine.

Slamming the door open and breathing heavily as he stared at the bed at the end of the room, Sasuke was met with two bright blue eyes. 'Hey,' Naruto said in a raspy voice and tried to smile, but winced when he shifted his body too much. He looked incredibly tired and his skin was paler than it should, but other than that, Naruto looked fine. He was fine. He was alive. It was all over now.

Slowly walking towards Naruto, Sasuke got to the bed and stared down at the blonde. And then said the one thing he had promised to say.

'I love you.'

Characters © Masashi Kishimoto

Let me know what you think!

Of course not! This is only the beginning! Okay, not really. But I never planned on killing Naruto off, so you all didn't have to worry actually ;) Now I want to focus a little on the in health part, so I hope you will enjoy that as much as well. It might not be as long as the in sickness part though.

I hope you guys are happy!