Title: Let me take way your pain
Warnings: None
Mood: Numb
The first time Sakura failed to save a life, she felt numb.
Her clothes and hands were covered with blood – her patient's blood. All she could do was stare at her hands.
Those hands that have never failed her.
At least, until that moment.
She couldn't think; couldn't feel; couldn't breathe. The only things she saw were her blood stained hands and the dead body of the shinobi she had failed to save.
"Sakura…"
She felt someone's hand rest on her shoulder, emitting warmth. But she didn't budge.
"Sakura, hey, it's okay. You tried what you could. There was nothing else… nothing else you could do…"
The hand on her shoulder tightened but she didn't give a reaction.
Strong arms encircled her and pulled her closer to his warmth.
Sakura broke down then into tears and Naruto continued to hold her; continued to support her as she cried brokenly into her hands. She cried for her failure. She cried for the life she couldn't save. She cried for the family of the shinobi. She cried, knowing there will be more lives she may not be able to save in the future.
And all the while Naruto held her and rocked her as he whispered soothing and comforting words into her ear.