𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 | gaara/sasuke uchiha

Chapter Twenty Five - Only Time Will Tell

"[NAME]!" I remove the arm that was covering my eyes, half expecting to see my own blood splattered across the ground in front of me. When I realise I hadn't been hit, though, I begin patting down every inch of my body to make sure that I 'm really and truly unharmed.

"Ah ha! I'm not- SASUKE!" It's only after I've finished rejoicing that I see the Uchiha lying in front of me, groaning as he clutches his shoulder. I look around wildly and see that the Sound Four have disbanded, and Deidara, Hidan and Itachi are quickly on their tracks, running off away from the hall. Gaara's not too far away from Sasuke, his phone pulled out as he fervently dials for an ambulance, looking worriedly in Sasuke's direction. I bite my lip, unsure of what to do; when I normally pictured this event, I'd leave Sasuke for dead, laughing like an evil witch as I rode off into the sunset on my three headed dog. However, now that we're actually here...

"Sasuke?" I say in a small voice, daring to inch closer to the fallen Uchiha. His eyes are scrunched up, and regardless of how much I hate his guts, I can't help but wince at the pain written all over his face. I glance over at Gaara, who's keeping a very close eye on us as he tells the receiver on the other end of the line our position and situation.

"[Name]," groans Sasuke, clutching his shot shoulder with his good hand. "Oh my god, did I just get shot?"

"No, you were struck down by God," I say sarcastically. "What else did you think?" To my surprise, he chuckles, and opens an eye to look at me.

"You look pretty tonight," he says softly, making me flush and turn away in embarrassment. Was this really happening?

"Sh-shut up," I stuttered, raising a hand to cover my pinkened cheeks. I hear Sasuke laugh again, and look over to see Gaara hanging up and coming towards us. Sasuke sees too, and groans loudly, expressing his dislike.

"Who knew I'd have to get shot just to hear you talk to me again," he murmurs lightly, trailing off at the end of his sentence. I leap forward as he closes his eyes, beginning to panic.

"No no, don't pass out, Sasuke!" I say shrilly, looking towards Gaara for assistance. The redhead merely looks upon Sasuke with a suspicious look, an eyebrow raised. "Gaara! Help me!"

"Why did you do that?" he asks coldly, looking down at the fallen man. Sasuke groans and rolls his eyes as I pull him up, cradling him.

"What do you mean "why did you do that?"" asks the Uchiha in an annoyed tone, managing a half-assed scowl at Gaara, who narrows his eyes in return. "Okay, fine. Whatever. If I didn't do it, you would've done it anyway, right? I'd rather I was the one who took the bullet for [Name], thank you very much." Gaara scowls even more, and rounds on the raven.

"Oh yeah? Why have you suddenly decided that you want to be her knight in shining armour, huh? Have you been lonely without Rinka hanging around, huh? Why do y-"

"Rika. Her name was Rika." Astounded, Gaara and Sasuke both look at me as I correct the redhead, numbly staring at the ground. "Gaara, could you leave us for a few minutes? There's something I want to talk about with Sasuke." Realisation sweeps across his face, and he looks set to rebel.

"[Name]-" I shoot a glare in his direction, prompting him to shrink away and mutter, "Okay." Once he ups and moves himself, I'm left with a wounded Sasuke in my arms, still staring at nothing in particular. It's quiet for a little while, before I finally manage to speak again.

"Why?" Sasuke looks up at me in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Why?" Without me even knowing it, my voice is beginning to crack, and I feel tears beginning to spring up in my eyes as I hold the Uchiha close in my arms.