#81 Memory
-Sunpies-

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto et al.

There is something numbing about knowing you're going to die. It's almost tangible in the same way that a memory is, Sakura thinks.

The mission was a complete failure. It was an information gathering mission that went all wrong. Maybe they had been careless or maybe the enemy had just been more careful than they had, it didn't matter. Before their team had even started, the squad of enemy shinobi separated them despite their captain's best efforts.

"It doesn't have to hurt." The shinobi guarding her said. Even from where she lay on the ground her captor was a short, slight man. His green-blonde hair hung in front of large brown doe-eyes. Off-hand he didn't look like he would be able to break both of her legs, but his innocence was deceiving.

"Fuck off."

He shrugged and coughed blood onto her face. Sakura furrowed her eyebrows confusion which was quickly replaced by relief when the other shinobi gasped and fell to reveal their team leader.

Neji bent to examine her legs. "Broken." He said tiredly. With that he picked her up in his arm, trying not to jostle her and then sped towards Konoha.

"Where are Aitomaru and Hiromi?" The dashing shadows that were their teammates were nowhere to be seen in the surrounding trees.

"Dead." Neji replied flatly. "I took care of the bodies." He said as if that was why she'd asked.

"Oh."

It took nearly three hours to reach Konoha and Neji stayed with her until Tsunade had to put her under to fix the broken bones.

"I didn't think anyone would come." She admitted drowsily, trying to keep her eyes focused on him. "Thank you."

Neji shook his head. He wasn't a hero; he was a captain trying to gather the surviving pieces of his team. "Sleep." He said at last, releasing her hand.

Tears forming in her eyes, Sakura drifted into a heavily medicated sleep.

Even years later, when she saw him all the time, that was the way she remembered him; matted with blood, pushed beyond exhaustion, and holding her hand after saving her life.

#81 Memory
-Sunpies-

For Lady Silvamord