Disclaimer: I do not own nor profit off of Naruto. I only enjoy the beautiful drama in it and look forward to watching it every week.

A/N: So this is sort of a strange story. It follows the plot...but it also doesn't.. (as in the scene your about to read about doesn't really fall into an episode category...if that makes sense. Let me know whatcha think.

Takes place during sometime in the newer Shippuden episodes.

A Promise To You

...

The heavy rain pounded hard against the Konoha hospital windows as a fierce thunder storm continued on throughout the dreary day and into the night. Sakura shifted in her chair and fluffed up the pillow that Lee had offered her as she tried to find some kind of comfortable position to sleep in.

Before shutting her heavy eyes to get some much needed rest, she took one last look at her dear comrade to make sure he was alright. Satisfied with what she saw, she drooped in exhaustion and succumbed to the darkness. 'Naruto...'

The boy beside her hadn't stirred in over a day. No one knew what to make of it except that he was extremely sick.

"It's much more severe than just a mere flu." One nurse had said earlier. "The fact that he's not waking up and his fever continues to climb are both really bad signs...We're not exactly sure what's wrong with him."

All of Naruto's visitors were surprised to see that Sakura had not once left his side since they arrived, except to grab some food or go to the bathroom.

At one point, Shikamaru had even spotted her holding his hand gently in her own and stroking it softly. She whispered something in the unconscious blond's ear, which left the dark haired ninja feeling like an invader of privacy as he quietly slipped away from the door and back down the hall.

Flowers and little gifts were scattered across the room, a reminder of how well loved the patient was.

As a bolt of lightning hit the ground nearby it momentarily lit up the black sky and it was at this moment that Sakura heard the scream. HIS scream...

...

Orochimaru stood only a few feet away from Naruto, licking his lips and laughing menacingly. "Sasuke-kun is mine, boy. He told me himself that he hates you...that he would love to see your rotten corpse lay at his feet."

Naruto's blood boiled hot beneath his skin as he pushed back the tears that threatened to fall.

"LIAR!" He cried. "You're a LIAR!!"

Charging blindly forward with everything he had, he clenched a kunai tightly in his hand and plunged it deep into Orochimaru's belly, as blood sprayed from the wound and onto his face and clothes.

"This is for Sasu-" Naruto's face fell as he stopped in mid sentence. The crimson liquid trailed down his enemies, now, dark blue shirt. He watched in pure anguish as the hideous snake like foe transformed into his best friend.

"Sasuke..." He barely whispered, still clinging to the the weapon inside the victim.

Orochimaru's mocking laughter filled his ears and surrounded his entire being. The broken teen shook his head in disbelief as he felt his own heart shatter to pieces.

The young Uchiha who stood before him tried to say something, but could only manage one last breath before crumbling to the ground. He stared up with pained, helpless eyes, and then ..he was gone.

"SASUKE!"

Sakura's eyes snapped open as she heard her charge's harsh scream ringing in her ears. Flinging herself from the chair, she instinctively ran to his side, at first simply grabbing his hand like she had been doing for the past few days.

"Sasuke! No!... No!" Naruto wailed from deep in his throat, kicking and flailing like a mad man as Sakura attempted to wake him. He was going to hurt himself, or perhaps even her own self if she couldn't calm him down.

"Naruto-kun! Wake up!...Open your eyes." She pleaded with him, shifting her weight as she pinned his arms to the bed.

The burdened teen screamed the familiar name once again followed by another fit of desperate sobs and wails.

Seeing no other option, Sakura shook him forcefully in a last attempt to wake him from the troubled nightmares.

Her heart ached for Naruto. It wasn't fair that he carried such a burden...the burden of losing Sasuke...of not keeping his promise. She deeply wished that he would forgive himself for not finding their comrade, but he continued to bottle it all in while covering it up with that sweet and carefree smile.

As another bolt of lightning hit the ground, the jinchuuriki's frail body jolted awake and he sat up in shear panic.

Watery blue eyes scanned in terror for something...anything to help him escape from the evil feelings that surrounded him. His trembling hands searched for familiarity as he listened to his own pathetic cries.

As his fingers grazed over Sakura's middle, he instinctively shied away from the young woman. That is until he heard her quiet voice ring through his ears.

"Naruto...I'm here." She soothed, rubbing a hand up and down his shoulder. "It's me... Sak-"

She gasped as the frightened boy lunged forward and tightly gripped her waist. She could feel his feverish body pressed close to hers and despite the worry she felt at how high his fever must have been, the medical ninja felt a different kind of heat rise to her own cheeks.

"S-S-Sakura-chan." Naruto choked out, breathing as if he'd just ran laps from a long day of training. "D-Don't...P-Please...d-don't go."

Sakura instantly wrapped her arms around him upon hearing his timid request.

How many times had she pushed him away when he even attempted to embrace her? At any other time she would have been enraged by such an act or at least she would pretend to hate it.

But what if someone were to open the door to the room right now? No doubt there would be rumors..or at least suspicion. Even as this thought crossed her mind, she was suddenly more aware of the sound of peoples' shuffling feet passing by the room.

Taking a deep breath, she forced her growing fear of the 'what if's' behind her and continued to comfort Naruto as best she could.

He needed her. It was that simple.

She quietly whispered things in his ears.. secret comforts that were just between the two of them.

"I killed h-him." The young ninja whimpered. " I- I thought that..."

Sakura shushed him gently, noticing that the poor thing couldn't even finish his sentence. "It was just a dream, Hun..."

The pink haired woman found herself under complete control of her true feelings as she cradled and rocked him tenderly like a tiny baby. She had called him 'hun'. As the enduring name rolled of her tongue, she nearly wanted to laugh at herself for being so sentimental with him. She truly hoped he would forget this little moment in time and that he wouldn't get the impression that she cared for him in any other way but a friend.

Her heart skipped a beat as she heard the door slowly creak open. Another blush crept to her face upon seeing her sensei enter silently.

"Kakashi Sensei.." Sakura murmured.

The masked ninja moved forward and gave a little sigh. "I heard him screaming from down the hall. How is he?"

Sakura cleared her throat and moved slightly, feeling so vulnerable and embarrassed. She found that she would not let go of Naruto, however, despite her worrying about Kakashi's thoughts on the scene before him.

"His fever is still quite high...but he's just had a terrible dream."

For a moment the only sounds were Naruto's sniffles and heavy breathing. Kakashi felt a sudden fatherly feeling wash over him at seeing the teenage boy in such a state. But he was just as equally fascinated upon noticing the extremely intimate bond between his students. Never had he seen Sakura so caring and loving towards the usually goofy blond.

"I'm taking care of him, sensei...He'll be okay." Sakura stated simply, bringing him out of his thought process.

It was then that he noticed her green eyes pleading to be left alone, maybe even pleading for him to keep quiet about this event.

Completely catching the hint he nodded and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Right then...Oyasumi, Sakura." He stated softly with a smile, turning and going back out to the lighted hall.

After seeing him leave, the young woman focused her attention back on to her friend. He had calmed slightly and she felt him lean more heavily into her lap.

Combing a hand through his soft hair, she gently wiped his reddened eyes and nose with the other.

"Sakura-chan...Thank you. I'm s-sorr-" Naruto could barely stay awake as he fought the darkness to tell her how greatfull he was.

Sakura smiled and wrapped a blanket around his form, making him feel even more secure.

"Just.. go to sleep now, silly." She replied before shutting her eyes as well.

...

TBC?

...

A/N: :sigh:

My first Naruto fic. I'm not asking for gentleness, cause if it sucks it sucks. HAHA But no flames would be nice. I like Constructive Criticism.

Anywho,I am known for my sappy hurt/comfort stories so bare with me. Should I continue or should it remain a one-shot? Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Oh by the way, the whole 'Hun' thing just sort of came to me. I realize that they don't use that word in Japan(to my knowledge) and I was wondering if that was a stupid idea. I just thought it was cute. haha Thanks for reading.

God Bless!