Sasuke observed Hinata's consumption of the pudding with a mixture of amusement and concern. Her appetite was voracious, as if she had been deprived of food for an eternity. He couldn't help but appreciate the sight of her eating with such enthusiasm, knowing that she was savoring each bite.

"Sasuke," she whispered, drawing his attention. He shifted his weight, resting his chin on his hand as he continued to watch her intently.

"Can I have another?" She asked in a hushed tone, her eyes meeting his with a hint of uncertainty.

Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at her request. "That's your fourth one," he remarked, reaching for the empty cup and standing up. Hinata flinched slightly at his sudden movement. "Sorry," he muttered softly before disposing of the empty cup in the trash.

He then exited the room, leaving Hinata alone with her thoughts. She stared down at her legs, hidden beneath the covers, her hand nervously rising to her mouth as she began to bite her nails.

"I'm fine," she murmured to herself, her voice trembling slightly. "He's here. He's real." She repeated the words like a mantra, seeking reassurance in their repetition.

The door opened once more, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw a mop of yellow hair walking into the room.

Naruto stepped into the room with a warm smile, his eyes filled with genuine concern. He held a small bouquet of flowers in his hand, a colorful array of daisies that seemed to brighten the entire room.

"Hey there, Hinata," he greeted softly, approaching her bedside. He placed the bouquet in a nearby vase, the vibrant colors contrasting with the sterile hospital environment. "I brought you some flowers. Thought they might make this place feel a little more like home."

She offered him a feeble smile as he set the flowers gently by her bedside table. His presence brought a certain comfort, despite her struggles to express it.

"How are you feeling?" He inquired, his tone gentle and understanding. Hinata turned her head slightly, her response withheld. Naruto nodded, as if acknowledging the weight of her unspoken emotions. "I get it," he simply said, respecting her need for silence. "I'm glad that my godfather found you," he continued, his words unexpected, causing Hinata to furrow her brow in confusion. "I'm sorry I couldn't do it myself... my mother... she died."

Hinata reached out for Naruto's hand, ignoring the tremors that coursed through her body. Her inner turmoil warned her that trusting anyone could lead to hurt, but at this moment, she needed to believe in Naruto's sincerity. She didn't speak; instead, she offered him a heartfelt smile and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

Naruto turned away, concealing the tears that welled up in his eyes. "I'm just glad I didn't lose two important people in my life," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Hinata slowly lifted her eyes to meet his, her gaze locking onto those deep, compassionate pools of blue. She understood that this was Naruto's way of saying goodbye for now. Her heart ached at the thought, but as she continued to gaze into his eyes, she found solace and hope.

"Please, get better so we can play video games like you promised last time," Naruto requested, returning the squeeze of her hand before rising to his feet, preparing to leave.

Hinata knew he was saying goodbye, and her heart felt heavy with the weight of their shared experiences. Yet, in those final moments, she held onto Naruto's gaze, finding strength and reassurance. "Goodbye, Naruto," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude and determination.

Sasuke's eyes locked onto Naruto as the blonde closed the door behind him. "Naruto," he called out.

"Oh hey Sasuke!" Naruto replied with a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck.

"When did you get here?" Sasuke inquired, his dark eyes scrutinizing Naruto.

Naruto flashed a sheepish smile. "Literally 5 minutes ago," he admitted, his gaze briefly falling to the floor.

"Leaving so soon?"

Naruto glanced up at Sasuke, his expression turning earnest. "I just wanted to check on Hinata," he explained softly. "Hey Sasuke... Take care of her. Ok, bastard," he added with a playful yet heartfelt tone.

Sasuke's features softened, and he stepped closer, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Thanks for your help, dobe."

"No problem, teme," Naruto responded with a small smile, his eyes reflecting their shared history and the deep bond that had formed between them. He waved as he turned to leave, leaving Sasuke to watch him go, a mix of emotions settling in his heart.

Tears streamed down Naruto's face as he clung to his mother's lifeless, cold hand. His voice quivered with grief as he whispered, "I'm sorry, Mom! I'm sorry I didn't make it in time! I'm sorry that I wasn't here!"

The doctor's presence pulled Naruto from his sorrowful moment. He looked up at the medical professional with teary eyes, struggling to find words amid his anguish.

"I'm sorry, sir," the doctor began gently, his tone filled with sympathy. "But we have to take her away now."

Naruto nodded, his voice choked with emotion, and turned back to his mother's lifeless form. "Goodbye, Mom..." he whispered softly, his heart heavy with loss. He carefully placed her arm back onto the bed and watched as the nurses gently took her away.

The doctor offered condolences, explaining, "Sir, we tried—"

Naruto's grief-stricken eyes shot up to the doctor's, cutting off the apology. "You didn't...You didn't do everything you could," he said calmly, though his words carried an underlying anger. "Don't lie to me."

The doctor hesitated, glancing down at his notes. "She had stage 4 cancer."

Naruto's voice trembled with frustration and sadness. "She didn't a year ago! You guys said, 'It was fine,' 'Nothing to worry about.' Well, now she's dead... Because of you guys not knowing how to do your job!"

The doctor swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Naruto's words. "Sir, we didn't see—"

Naruto interrupted, his tone resolute, "Just stop. Nothing you can say will fix what happened." He turned away from the doctor, walking out of the hospital in his own world of grief and anger.

In his car, he slammed his fist into the steering wheel, the horn blaring loudly. He leaned his head onto the wheel, closing his eyes, taking deep breaths to regain his composure. Amid the silence, music suddenly filled the car. Naruto reached for his phone, which he had thrown haphazardly when getting in, and answered it.

"We found her," a voice on the other end of the line declared, bringing a mix of emotions to the surface once more.