Sakura's POV

Life. I couldn't comprehend the possible meaning or understanding of such a word
at the moment. It was hard to believe or even grasp this concept in the state I
was in. Ablack hole. A never ending vortex of despair. Sucking me in until I
couldn't handle the pressure bracing against my chest. Memories, were all
disintegrated here. All I could feel was pain. So much, that surrenderingto the
pain might be a lot more forgiving then fighting against it.

Light flooded into my pupils as my eyelids flickered open. My breath was rapid
and choppy as I tried to gain a hold to reality. A chill snaked down my spine
and made me shake uncontrollably. "I really thought I was dead" I thought. I
closed my eyes and tried to control my breathing. Mixed emotions flooded into me
as a replayed the events that had happened recently. "Sasuke" I sobbed inaudibly,
to myself. "There's no way... What happened Sasuke?... I just don't..." My fists
were getting hard now as i flexed my muscles.

"Sakura?" a warm voice purred. "Oh thank god, I thought you'd never come around.
You've been out for quite a while!" the voice became cheerful and full of relief
and finally let out a bittersweet chuckle.

That welcoming voice. The one that just made me feel okay when things were
wrong. That voice led my eyes to a boy with golden locks and smiled brilliantly
at me. Naruto. I almost cringed at his face filled with hope and innocence. It
was so hard to see him so bright when he was totally ignorant about the
situation. However, I still I just stared at him for what seemed like forever. I
could feel life pour back into me as I continued to stare into his clear ocean
eyes. Happiness filled me. Just so blessed that I could possibly see that smile
for another day.

"Uhh...Sakura..?" his voice drew me out of my momentary daze. I now realized my
surroundings. I was lying peacefully on a hospital bed. Soft white cushions
cradled my head and a small vase of flowers spouted color next to my bedside.
"wow... I really am alive." I gasped to myself. Sure I was bandaged up and was
aching in various places, but all of that seem to fade in the small quiet room
with me and the knucklehead ninja.

"Sakura? Did you lose your voice box or something?" Naruto blurted, a little
annoyed. "Voice box? Seriously? This boy has no knowledge in the medical field
does he?...oh shit! How long has he been speaking without a reply? Man I'm
really losing it!"

"Oh! Naruto! I... Uh... Hello," I lowered my face a bit. My pink hair falling
around my face, camouflaging with the patches of blush that appeared on my
cheeks with embarrassment.

"Haha... You really seem out of it Sakura," he chuckled a bit. "Don't worry,
I got something to cheer you up," Naruto did a drumroll on his leg before
lifting up something from under his chair "Tada! A take out from Ichiraku's
Ramen Stand! Well... It's a little destroyed.. But the old man's still
cooking!" he flashed another one of those amazing smiles. Even though it would
hurt my lungs and body, I couldn't help but laugh even in this condition.

"Thank you Naruto!" I meant it too. I was quite starving. I accepted the plastic
container from his hands and pryed the lid off, careful not to spill. All I saw
was a small puddle of liquid left and maybe 6 noodles. I turned my head in
Naruto's direction and put on a quizical expression.

"Ha...ha... Well about that..." he stared at the almost empty ramen bowl.
Typical I thought. "Well, I got, hungry... And..." the rest was self
explanatory. I almost could feel my fist automatically rising in order to punch
him across Konoha's borders. Naruto cringed as I flexed my muscles ready to
launch but then slowly put down my fist. "Why should I cause him more pain after
all he's going through?" After a small awkward silence, I whipped my head towards
him and smiled.

"It's alright," I picked up my chopsticks and spoon "this is just enough..." I
stirred my spoon into the mush of noodles and soup. I finally picked some up and
popped it in my mouth. Chewed and Swallowed. Then smiled at Naruto before taking a
second serving.

Naruto laughed shakily, probably relieved that I didn't punch him. "Ya know! You
have to be more careful Sakura..." he became serious instantly.

"Hmm..?"

"Kakashi told me. How you fell off some cliff on your last mission? Yeah
apparently, you guys just finished fighting off a bunch of idiots for quite a
while. A lot of your chakra was depleted and on the way back, you totally
fainted, and fell from really far up. Plus you already injured from the battle
right?"

I stared at him, oblivious to what he was saying. Then it all clicked. He still
didn't know about what really happened. "Oh! Yeah...I'm such a spaz... I'm
sorry..."

"Yeah..." he whispered "I don't want you to get hurt…"

Silence engulfed the moment. I didn't really know what to say now.

Suddenly the door swung open and a nurse came in. She walked over to realize
I was awake. "Oh! Sakura! You are awake! Thank the heavens!" she placed her hand over
her chest and exhaled. She spun in her heels to face Naruto "I'm sorry
Naruto, but you're going to have to leave. I have to check over Sakura."

"Awww" he complained to her. Then he looked at me "Ok. I guess I'll see ya
Sakura. Feel better." he grinned as light from the window caresed his warm
figure. He quickly walked out and shut the door behind him. The glow of the room
seemed to fade as he left taking the warmth with him too. "Naruto." "I couldn't
let this boy go through anymore pain. Sasuke was one of those things that was
causing him pain. And I was too weak to kill him. Way too weak."

The nurse walked over to me and took out her stethoscope and softly placed it
onto my chest. "Okay, now take deep breaths," she soothed as she listened to my
heartbeat carefully. I obeyed and sucked in dry air. This air that kept me breathing. That kept me alive. I was alive. And with this life, I would do anything to save Naruto from pain or torture."Next time I would be strong. I would save Naruto from the overbearing promise he kept for me. Even if it meant that I would have to kill Sasuke myself."Exhaustion overpowered my body and dragged me into a deep slumber.

END OF CHAPTER! R & R PEOPLE!