The same dream again.
A woman with long pink hair, shrouded in mystery, whose lips formed a beautiful smile.
Her face had beautiful features, but her eyes Sasuke could not see - they were out of his sight.
Gentle hands roamed over his bleeding lower abdomen, their healing properties giving him solace.
Sasuke wanted to say something, to find out what it all meant, why it repeated itself every night, but no sound came from his throat. He had no power over his body.
Strange noises called out to him from afar. He shuddered, trying to move at least a finger, with poor success. An unfamiliar woman leaned over him, whispering a promise to him:
"I'll stay with you, always." the voice was filled with despair, squeezing the heart.
Before he had time to realize it, he was snapped out of his sleep by a familiar voice and the warmth of a body.
"Alright now, Sasuke, relax. I'm with you."
Sakura stroked his hair, pressing his head against her chest with all her strength. Safe arms encircled Sasuke, assuring him that he could stop fighting now.
One look was enough for him to realize it was still night.
"I didn't mean to wake you." he mouthed, and his words sounded weaker than usual.
"Shh..." her breathing had a calming effect "It was just a bad dream." She brushed his hair away from his forehead "I'll go get some water."
Rising from the bed, Sakura put her feet on the floor. The lost weight from the mattress worried Sasuke. He couldn't let her go; not like he had let that mystery woman.
"Stay." he asked, hoping she was unable to see his eyes, in this darkness.
Suddenly the heaviness returned, along with warmth and strong hands.
"Always."