This is just a simple, beautiful one shot of NaruSaku. It just came to mind after reading chapter 662 and I wrote it in one day. I just think its a very analytical type one shot and you can take it any which way you want it. I hope you enjoy this just as much as I did! 🎀

~Kei-chan 💘

Scars

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The tent in the middle of the battlefield was set up just for him. He knew he would be badly injured from this fight, but he didn't care. He never cared to get hurt for this place. For this village, for this world, for these people. Strangers, even. It didn't matter to him.

Because that's who he is. That's how he wants to be known. As the boy who saved? No, as the one who protected. He's the Hero of the Hidden Leaf already, but that wasn't enough for him. He had to go and save the world.

Of course I supported him through everything, but that doesn't mean I wanted him to do it. I care about him. I care about him so much that sometimes it gets hard to breath.

This was one of those moments, one of those moments where I couldn't breath when I looked at him.

His jacket was open as his legs dangled over the side of the cot. The black undershirt he usually wore was ripped open down the middle and I could see wounds in various areas. His hand was pressed against the side of his stomach, putting pressure on his injury. He was covered with a scattering of bruises, scrapes, cuts, and gashes. Someone had already cleaned the ones on his face and bandaged them. Some gauze was wrapped around his bicep and blood stained through the white material. His headband was setting on cot beside of him and his face was scrunched up in pain.

"What hurts?" I asked, distracting him from the agony.

"This right here," He responded, lifting his hand away so I could see. "I was stabbed with that blade of his and I guess I didn't notice how deep it had went in until now."

The wound looked nasty, being about four inches deep and four inches wide. Blood trickled down his stomach from it and stained his clothes.

"I'll need to heal it from the inside out," I told him, putting my hand on his shoulder to push him back against the cot. "It'll probably need stitches, too."

"Stitches sound painful," Naruto grinned. "Do I really need them?"

"Yes," I nodded. "You need them."

"Fine," He groaned and stretched out his arms above his head. "That's probably one of the hardest battles I've ever been through."

"I think it's easy to say that it is your hardest battle you'll ever fight," I mumbled, pressing my fingers into his gash. "Set still."

"Sorry, it just hurts," He winced, squeezing his eyes shut. "Don't you have some sort of numbing medicine?"

"We're running out," I explained. "The Sand Village is going to supply us with more, but it will be about two more days before it gets here."

"Aye," Naruto groaned, as I began to push my green glowing chakra into his wound. "How long will it take to heal this?"

"I can only heal the internal wound right now," I said, pressing my fingers deeper into the gash. "And it'll take just a few more minutes."

"And the external?" He asked, eyeing me.

"I'll have to sew it up and put a few stitches in it," I answered, putting the finishing touches on the cut. "It'll take about maybe two weeks with as fast as you heal, Naruto."

I pulled my hand back and examined the hole. All internal damage was healed. I pressed down on the wound to pressurize the blood spilling from it. Naruto grunted in pain and bit down on his lip.

"Sakura," He groaned, seeing the needle in my other hand. "Please just hurry up and finish it. It's going to hurt, I know it."

"Just hold your breathe, it'll be over soon," I told him, pulling my hand back and preparing the needle. "I promise."

The needle slid through his skin just as if it were a thin fabric. The gash was large so it took a bit longer than expected, but still didn't take more than ten minutes. When I finished putting the wound back together, I took out some antiseptic and wiped it over the freshly sewn gash.

"All done." I smiled. "Do you want me to look at your arm?"

"No, it's done bleeding," He mumbled, looking at it. "Besides it was just a little cut, probably healed by now."

"Okay," I nodded. "Here, let me help you up."

I offered him my hand and as he started to lean up. He took it and pulled himself upright onto the edge of the cot. He took a deep breath, making me lean in closer to him.

"Naruto?" I asked, as he leaned his arms out towards me. "Are you alright?"

He didn't say anything, just wrapped his arms around my waist. Laying his head against my stomach, I realized he was still in pain. I wrapped my arms around his head. Without thinking, I leaned forward and placed a kiss on the top of his head.

I stiffened up as I realized what I had done.

"Sakura?" Naruto asked, his head still laying on me.

"What?" I mumbled, laying me cheek against his messy blonde spikes.

"I brought teme home." He responded.

My heart began to ache as the tears formed in my eyes.

"I know you did," I choked, tears starting to fall on my cheeks. "Thank you."

"I kept my promise, didn't I?" He said, arms tightening around me.

I nodded, tears falling faster.

Naruto started to rise to his feet, making me lift my head back up. My head came to his nose, forcing me to have to look up at his blue eyes.

Placing both of his scared hands on my cheeks, he lifted my face up towards his. Slowly, never taking his eyes off of mine, he pressed his lips against mine. It was just one simple kiss that seem to last a lifetime. Warmth cover my entire body as I wrapped my arms around his neck again. I felt alive for a whole five seconds and then it was over.

By the time I opened my eyes, Naruto was walking towards the exit. Tears made their trails down my face as a stinging burn took the place of the blissful warmth.

"That's going to leave a scar." I said, not turning to look at him.

I heard him pause for a moment then the door flap was pushed open and he continued to walk out of it.

I fell to the ground as tears fell onto my knees. The ache in my chest seemed to grow stronger with each second that ticked by.

I looked up to the dusty top of the tent and sighed, letting the pain set in.

What have I done?