Author's Note: I'm not familiar with the timelines so please forgive me. But Sasuke and Sakura are both 12-13 years old in this fiction.

Disclaimer: We all know that I do not own any part of Naruto, so let's get on with it, shall we?

Chapter 2: The Secret Visitor

It was the dead of night. The chilly wind howled furiously across the dark, damp streets and alleyways. There was not a soul outside their homes, except one. Hastily leaping from rooftop to rooftop was Uchiha Sasuke. Gracefully and stealthily, he made his way to the Harunos' residence.

The uneasiness that nipped at him since that morning didn't stop. After he left Naruto to buy some cold medicine, he spent most of the day training on his own. However, he couldn't concentrate fully. The thought of a bed-ridden Sakura kept consuming him. As often as he thought about it, he denied the need to see her, stubborn pride reigning in his decision. Was he worried about her health? Was he guilty that he didn't protest when she insisted on joining them in the cold rain? Was he jealous that Naruto could visit her anytime he wished?

Maybe he felt all three emotions. The weight of his feelings was so much that by the day's end he had grown weary from the mental anguish. Finally acknowledging what he had to do, he sat down and thought hard. He seldom bargained with his pride because it was an instinct he had always followed...well, until now, it would seem. He knew it would be a difficult debate:

She's my teammate after all. Since I always look after her during our missions, then I should at least see how she's doing. That's logical, isn't it?

No, there's no way I'm going there. What about Naruto, Kakashi, her parents even. If they see me anywhere near, they'll think I've got a soft spot for her. Or worse, they'll think I like her. And Sakura…she's going to be even more clingy than usual after this.

But, she's sick. And she's not THAT clingy…not like Ino or those hordes of fan girls.

Whatever. So what if she IS sick? Everyone's sick! Who cares?

/Sneeze/…Dammit! I can't get any peace if I don't see her!

Am I going crazy? I'm a cold, heartless avenger for crying out loud. Forget it. Uchiha Sasuke is not going to be seen even twenty feet from her house. I will not show concern; concern is a sign of weakness. End of story.

Wait a minute…If getting seen is the trouble, then I won't be seen.

What? I can't believe this is happening.

It's just a peek. Just a peek to see how she's doing and then I'm gone. I'll sneak into her house tonight, when they're all asleep.

What about Sakura?

She'll never know I was there. Nobody will.

Hn…just a peek, huh?

Yes, that's right. So I can get this stupid anxiety out of my system.

Bah. Suit yourself. How annoying. I can't believe I'm letting myself do THIS.

I know.

"Just a peek," Sasuke whispered, reminding himself of his boundaries. He was in the vicinity of Sakura's house now. Swiftly yet cautiously he jumped over the fence. He ran towards the house and backed himself against one of its walls. He looked over his shoulder up to the window at his left. A pale yellow light emanated from inside. With the same surreptitiousness he would use in his training, he sprang unto the narrow window sill. Focusing chakra unto his feet, he landed perfectly on the small ledge without making a sound. He held unto the window frame with his hands. He lowered his head to peek inside.

It was very dim inside. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. To his right, at one corner of the room, was a small lamp set on a on a table. It was the only the source of illumination. Beside it was her bed. Piles of blankets were scattered on the floor around it. A small figure was curled on top of the bed sheets. It was Sakura, no doubt. The sallow light mingled with the pink of her hair, making it look like it was aglow. She was wearing white pajamas with red circle prints. She slept on her side with her knees bent awkwardly and her back facing him. Her arms were loosely wrapped around herself. She was shivering.

He paused. Should he…? He was having another bout with himself. Just a peek, his pride reminded him. But when he looked on at her shaking form, he just couldn't turn back. She was annoying him even when she slept. He scowled inwardly.

Slowly, Sasuke slid the window open and slipped inside. After closing it, he tiptoed to her bedside. He looked at her and confirmed that she was asleep, and carefully began gathering the scattered sheets. One by one he neatly laid the sheets on top of Sakura's trembling body. He was careful to lay them neatly, and tuck the edges slightly under her. As he did so, he unconsciously noted how the hair at the back of her head was beautifully strewn across her pillow. For a moment, he wondered if he could touch it. But then he realized what he was thinking and shook his head mildly, dismissing the idea with a grunt.

What IS wrong with me today?

Only one blanket left and he was done. He bent slightly as he dragged the blanket up to her shoulders, finding satisfaction as he neared completion of his task. But suddenly, as he was about to stand up, she stirred. Alerted by her movement, Sasuke caught his breath and stiffened. His hands still held the hem of the cloth, the fingers on his right hand slightly brushing against her back. What happened next made his mouth hang open in bewilderment—she rolls over, burying his arm under her!

How and why his ninja reflexes failed him in that split-second left him perplexed. Sasuke's mind screamed. He grit his teeth in frustration.

Damn. I knew this was a bad idea!

And so there he was, Uchiha Sasuke, the prodigy of Konoha, stuck at her teammate's bedside, embarrassment written all over his face. And just when he thought things possibly couldn't get any worse, large raindrops drops started to sheet down outside. He stared on at the drops that pattered against the window and heaved a sigh.

Feh. This is going to take longer that I expected…