Survivor~A Sasu/Hina love story

This takes place after the fourth Shinobi war. Sasuke regathered his little team and Kakashi's Hokage. I hope this isn't too confusing. Enjoy.

The scent of blood and scorched flesh filled the air. The battle had ended terribly after many days of fighting. So many had died. The wounded did not last much longer. It was a sad day for survivors. There were a few. The place was no longer visited and declared a grave. Little did they know that a couple of people still held the breath of life.

What was this? She felt herself lurch and kept her eyes tightly shut. The pain in her side was excruciating and she wanted to cry out, but could not summon the energy to do anything besides breathe. Even that, was becoming more and more difficult as the minutes passed. Hinata silently begged the darkness to come and take her but..... It was of no use. Though the hazy fog threatened to swarm her over, it did not. The Hyuga was trying to let her mind go blank, trying to block out all the pain. Around her, the agonized moans of the condemned survivors filled her ears and to her misery, the thoughts kept flitting about in her mind. Why had they left her here? She was the Hyuga heiress! Shouldn't they come looking for her? They must. Her friends would not believe that death had taken her, would they? The suffering girl would have wept if she had any excess moisture left in her body. How long had she been laying here, conscious and fully alive? She was sure it was more than a few seconds, but how many seconds? How many minutes did her mind refuse to leave her in peace? Has it been hours? Hinata continued to breath and her thoughts, once again, started to race. She wished she could just sleep and rest. It would be nice to succumb to the blackness where her body would stop hurting and her nose would not be filled with the suffocating scent of copper, of blood. Never in her life had she pictured herself in such a predicament. As a ninja, Hinata knew she would most likely die on the battlefield. However, this was absolute torture. Wasn't death supposed to be quick? She let out a small sigh. Her chest heaving with the effort and pain. Her throat was dry and her mouth was parched. Her lips seemed to crack little by little as she took in more air. Had she been too naive? Death. She always thought of it as an escape. But that was trying to take the easy way out, was it not? A horrible, useless person like her should definitely be made to suffer before going on to the life afte, be if heaven or hell. She hoped feverently it was the latter. Her mother would be in heaven after all. Her mother.... Hinata ached to see her again and be enveloped by those loving arms. She wished to be held and comforted by an unjudgemental figure. Her mother never callex her weak, stupid or ugly.

Hinata forces those thoughts out of her mind. Why grieve? She would be dead soon. There would be no one to rescue her. How could a weakling like her be expected to survive through that horrendous battle? Kumo was a strong village. A Shinobi country that had many strong ninja. More so after Madara had taken over. They declared war on Suna and Konoha and all of the Leaf's allies. Hinata could still remember when Hokakge-sama had announced the news. She could remember his steely voice and that one gray eye.... Kakashi-san carried a heavy burden and she pitied him. It would be hard to defend Konohagakure. The war with Pein had left them weakened and unfit for battle.

She struggled for more oxygen as more of her blood seeped through her gaping wounds. It was a miracle she was still alive. Or a curse... Hinata thought bitterly as she laid there. Her muscles were numb with fatigue and her head was pounding. Or was that her heart? Hinata couldn't tell which was which anymore. It was getting harder and harder to concentrate. Hinata would have smiled if she could. The tiny flicker of hope came back. Was death finally here? She yearned for the darkness to take her and get rid of the pain. She was tired and dirty and hurt. No one was going to come for her. Hinata willed it to come quicker.

"Hyuga. Snap out of it." Hinata felt a jolt of surprise when fingers tapped lightly at her cheeks. The voice was unfamiliar and foreign. In her mind, the Hyuga heiress cursed him. She had felt the consciousness finally draining away.... More fingers probed her scratched up face. It was neither rough nor gentle and she wished he'd just leave her alone to die in peace. "Can you hear me?"

Yes. Hinata thought crossly. How could she not hear him when he was speaking directly into her ear? Mother, please get this man to leave me alone. But something inner stirred and she put all of her remaining effort into moving her fingers. It was hard work. She couldn't exactly feel where they were since the pain was starting to flare back up. Stupid man. Though, Hinata admitted that this was her fault. The fact that she was here, like this, she only had herself to blame.

"So you're conscious." The voice said again. This time, there was a hint of some emotion in his voice. He sounded relieved. There was some shuffling then a drenched piece of cloth was held to her lips. Instinct took over and Hinata sucked it in desperately. Her mind had not even realized it was for drinking yet. Her body just took over. The cool taste on her tongue sent a shock of energy through her and she continued to drink, slowing a bit, knowing she could choke. The sweet water dripped down to her hoarse throat and soothed her dry thirst. It felt so good and Hinata's wet lips tugged upward.

After she drunk her fill, the cloth was taken away and another took its place at dabbing her face. Who was this? Who was being so kind? This man, this stranger was giving her another chance at life. Even now, Hinata could feel her strength coming and the feeling returning to her limbs. It was painful but it meant she was alive!

"Shit. She looks awful." Hinata listened intently as the new voice filled the silence. Did she know him?

"Shes going to need some surgery." a woman this time. "I've got my tools,"

"Where's Jugo?" it was the man again, the one who had given her water and knew her name.

"Hunting for food." the other man spoke this time and then something went over Hinata's face. A heavy piece of cloth ... It smelled strange and her eyes fluttered.

Had she seen correctly? Was it actually him? Her heart seemed to pound, but then her mind started to go fuzzy. Anesthetics? We're they going to kill her? Hinata was about to struggle when the woman's voice stopped her again.

"Shall I start now Sasuke-kun?"

It really was him. Hinata went limp as sleep took over her mind.