Naruto healed fast.
Too fast.
Sakura noticed it the moment he stood up the next morning like nothing had happened, stretching his arms with a lazy yawn.
"You're not cleared for missions," she said sharply, arms crossed.
Naruto grinned. "Relax, Sakura-chan. I feel great!"
"That's not the point!" she snapped. "You nearly collapsed in my doorway last night!"
Her voice wavered at the end, and Naruto's grin faded.
"…You were really scared," he said quietly.
Sakura turned away, fingers curling into fists. "You don't get to say that like it's nothing."
Naruto stepped closer. "Then tell me what it is."
She laughed bitterly. "I've spent my entire life watching people I love run headfirst into death. First Sasuke. Then you. I told myself I could handle it. That I was strong enough."
She looked at him now, green eyes burning.
"But every time you bleed, Naruto, something inside me breaks."
Silence.
Naruto reached out, hesitated… then pulled her into a hug.
She stiffened—then melted.
"I'm sorry," he murmured into her hair. "I never meant to hurt you like that."
Her hands gripped his jacket. "Then stop acting like you're invincible."
He smiled softly. "I'm not."
She pulled back, startled.
"I just… don't want to face this world without you anymore."
Her breath caught.
Before she could respond, a sharp knock echoed through the apartment.
ANBU.
Naruto straightened instantly.
"Uzumaki Naruto," the masked shinobi said. "Emergency summons. Sakura Haruno as well."
Sakura's stomach dropped.