SakuSasu - Waiting

"Why did he do it?" Sakura asked herself miserably as she sat by Sasuke's bed, waiting for him to wake up.

Less than two days ago, Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke were sent on an A-ranked mission without Kakashi.

"He didn't have to do it," Sakura whispered, stroking the Uchiha's cheek. He still did not stir.

On their mission, they had come across foreign ninja. They all fought well until Sakura was struck down by a blow from behind.

"My healing abilities didn't work on his wounds... why?" Sakura blamed herself for her lack of skill.

"Sakura!" Sasuke called. The ninja advanced upon her. Sakura couldn't move; she was paralyzed. She waited for what seemed like days for the sword to pierce her skin.

"If I hadn't been so helpless, Sasuke would be ok," Sakura shook her head, tears falling from her emerald-green eyes.

She heard a grunt and a soft thud. She opened her eyes and saw Sasuke sprawled out in front of her, blood pouring from a wound in his side.

"Sasuke!" Sakura cried, turning him over so she could get a better look at the cut.

"I wish I could take it all back," Sakura made no effort to keep the steady stream of tears at bay.

"Sasuke, why did you do that?" Sakura whispered. Sasuke gave her a faint smile.

"You're so annoying, Sakura... me and Naruto are always risking our necks to save you," he said softly.

"But I don't want you too! You should have let that sword hit me!"

"Sasuke..." Sakura whispered, lowering her head as the tears fell faster.

"Sakura, are you going to sit there all day and talk to yourself?" she heard a voice ask. Her head shot up.

"Sasuke...?" she whispered uncertainly. He smirked.

"Hn. Who did you think it was?" he grimaced as he sat up. Sakura gave a cry of joy, flinging herself on top of Sasuke.

"OW! Sakura, that hurts," Sasuke muttered, though he made no attempt to push her away. She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his collarbone.

"Sasuke, I'm... so sorry," Sakura muttered to his neck. He gave her waist a gentle squeeze.

"Sakura, it wasn't your fault; don't apologize," he whispered in her ear. He could feel the hot tears pouring from her eyes onto his shoulder.

"If only you had let it hit me-"

"Sakura, I would never let you get hurt in front of me," Sasuke said firmly. Sakura looked into his onyx eyes.

"I would die for you, Sakura," he said. She smiled tiredly, moving onto Sasuke's lap. He smiled as she laid her head against his chest, falling asleep almost instantly.

"Sakura, I couldn't let that happen," Sasuke said, grunting at the pain.

"Why?!" she wailed, shaking her head.

"Because I love you, Sakura,"