CHAPTER 7: Comfort.

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When Sakura finally awakens in the mid evening, her cold eyes seem to stare at everyone that has gathered around her. All of the rookie nine and their jonin-senseis are in front of her. Even Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro, who have insisted in helping with the Naruto retrieval team, are gathered around her bedside.

"Hey sleepy-head." Calls out her familiar blonde hair blue eyed best friend.

Sakura tries to smile but the action seems to pain her too much on the inside. "Hey Ino." She says in an almost sad, yet apathetic voice.

Ino points around the room. "Everyone came to see how you were."

Sakura frowns a little as she looks at everyone's smiling face. "Why do you all waste your time with me?"

Kakashi places his hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Because you're our friend Sakura. What better waste of time is there then being there for your friends when they need you around?"

Sakura rolls her eyes as she lays back into her bed, looking up at the ceiling. "We need colors other than white in this hospital."

No one laughs at her joke, as she seemed to cut all of the humor out of her voice. Ino grabs one of the get well cards with a big smile and a happy tone. "Shall we decorate it with the get well cards?"

Sakura shakes her head. "White's fine. It represents something I don't have."

Kakashi raises his eyebrow in a goofy look. "What you mean Sakura?"

Sakura remains mute as her hands seemingly run subconsciously to her stomach. "Simplicity...calmness."

Sakura remains in her apathetic not caring mood for what seems like hours as the squads slowly filter out from the silence Sakura seems to radiate. Finally only Kakashi and Ino remain.

Ino turns to Kakashi giving him a look to tell him to leave, yet Kakashi shakes his head. "Let me be here for my student Ino-san. Whatever your about to say I want to here."

Ino lets out a frown as she turns to Sakura. Sakura seems to speak for Ino. "I already know I'm pregnant Ino."

Ino stands in silence for a moment as Kakashi asks the question. "Who?"

Sakura looks at the ceiling. "... I believe its Naruto's...or Sasuke's. I'm unsure, I've been passing out around Sasuke a lot lately."

Kakashi lets out a regretful sigh. He keeps seeming to fail his students. First with Sasuke in not stopping his lust for power. Then with Naruto for not allowing Naruto to look up to him or remind him that he is there for him. Now he's failed in protecting the kunoichi of the group from harm by her own two team mates.

Ino rubs her chest as the memory of the chain seems to burn like fire inside her, spurring her next question. "Sakura...who placed that chain on you, and how'd you get it?"

Sakura looks down at her wrist, actually taking time to absorb the chain and take it into her mind. "Who knows? I don't care." Is all she responds with.

Kakashi decides that for once he must leave his student alone with Ino. He places his hand on Ino's shoulder, letting her know he'll be right outside.

Ino nods her head in thanks as she turns to Sakura with a more determined look in her eyes. "Did Sasuke attack you again?" Ino asks knowing full well that Sakura didn't want anyone to know about Sasuke and his recent attacks. Though it was clear to anyone who wasn't blind that Sasuke had been trying to aggressively court Sakura as he was admitted several times with a broken pelvis.

Sakura shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know...I don't care anymore Ino."

Ino frowns even deeper as she tries to get Sakura to open up even slightly to her. "Sakura, please tell me what's wrong with you. I'm your best friend. I've been your best friend since we were little."

Sakura shakes her head. "Ino you weren't my first friend and you know it."

Ino looks at Sakura with contemplation. "What do you mean?"

Sakura turns her look to her wrist one more time. "My first friend...is the same person as my first true love...now both seem to be gone."

Ino gives Sakura a funny look, knowing that she is referring to Naruto. As the memory of Naruto introducing them seems to fade into her mind. "You really miss Naruto don't you?"

Sakura nods her head. "Life just isn't life without him."

Ino grabs Sakura's hand as she smiles. "Then as Naruto would say. We will bring Naruto back that's a promis-." "Shut up!" Sakura shouts out in a loud tone that is somehow angry and sad at the same time.

"Don't you dare Ino. Don't you fucking dare."

Ino frowns as her plan for cheering Sakura up seems to have horribly backfired. "I'm sorry Sakura."

Sakura lets a tear fall down her cheek. "The only promise, lifetime promise I ever want to hear is from Naruto."

Ino nods her head. "Hai, we will bring Naruto back to you so he can make his promise."

Sakura shuts her eyes. "Just don't let me destroy you too Ino."

Sakura lets out a sigh as a silence forms between the two of them.

The long silence is eventually broken as Sakura's mom and dad walk into the room. The concern for their daughter clearly written on both of their faces. Tsunade neglected to truly tell her parents what was wrong. The worry was clear as her mother looked about the room noticing all the get well cards. "Sakura dear, are you alright?" Her mom says as she leaps at her daughter, hugging her tightly to such a point that Sakura's father has to pull her off. "Asami. Sakura's probably still sore, don't add to her pain."

Sakura's mother nods her head as she releases her grip enough to allow Sakura to breath. Her father eyes her up and down using his former shinobi skills. Still his fatherly side seems to take over. "Sakura-chan, how are you feeling? You seem to have gotten a lot of cards and attention for something so simple as just being sick."

Sakura shuts her eyes as her mind clicks on an excuse. "I'm sorry its just I've been taking Naruto's leaving a little hard and I pushed myself too much. I should be fine." She musters as much relaxed joy into her voice, yet her father doesn't seem to buy the excuse like her mother had. He could just sense she was faking what little joy he heard in her voice. She sounded exactly like Naruto had.

Isamu looks to his wife and smiles at Sakura. "Well Sakura-chan, please get well. I'm sure Naruto will come back to you."

Sakura nods her head. "Thanks. If you don't mind though, I'd like to get some sleep."

Isamu nods his head. "Hai, come Asami we need to let Sakura rest. You can cling to her when she gets home."

Asami shakes her head, refusing to let her daughter go. "No."

Isamu lets out a sigh. "She's not a child anymore, she needs her space." Isamu grabs Asami and literally yanks her off of Sakura causing Sakura to shift about in the bed from her mothers clinging. Isamu hears a distinct clattering sound as his shinobi instincts kick in causing him to yank harder with such a force that he drags himself and Asami to the floor.

Isamu smiles. "Guess, you really didn't intend to let her go. I'm sorry dear."

Asami gives Isamu a pouting glare before she finally lets her mind take over. "It's okay. You're right, Sakura is old enough for us to leave her alone in the hospital."

Isamu nods his head. "I'm really sorry dear."

Asami suddenly flashes her fist upside Isamu face nearly knocking him out cold as he lies back on the floor. "Ow! Yeesh I said I was sorry."

Asami glares at him. "Just take me home." She then turns a happy smile to Sakura. "I've already talked to Tsunade-sama and she said she will remove you from all missions for a week. So relax and get some rest dear. Your father and I will always be here for you."

Sakura bows her head. "Thank you mom."

Asami gives Sakura another hug as Isamu gets off the ground to hug his daughter but he whispers softy in her ear. "We need to talk later Sakura-chan."

Her pulls away and both of Sakura parents in unison say. "We love you Sakura." before leaving the room.

Sakura lies back in the bed shutting her eyes.

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(AN: Awwwe Everyone cares... Not much I can say about the chapter... Just be ready for a dark moment... Next chapter... For as I said...Nothing good last forever. MUAHAHAHAH.)