Come the Devil to Pay

Part 2

She woke again only this time to light. It was too bright. It also caused her to see Naruto's worried face. She immediately closed her eyes. Naruto looking at her like that could only mean she had fucked up again.

"Sakura?" It was quiet, gentle, yet urgent and anxious. "Oh, Sakura." She opened her eyes if only to prevent Naruto from sobbing for her. Her entire body hurt. She began the process of healing herself again.

Her skin was charred, her throat sore and her jaw bruised. Her thick numb tongue poked around inside her mouth and she realized she was missing one of her molars.

Naruto had taken one of her hands and was stroking it, being careful to avoid her burns. "I shouldn't have let this happen to you," he said thickly. "I can't... forgive myself..." He was about to fall to pieces.

"I'm okay," she said in a raspy voice, quick to reassure him. She was fine. She was wonderful.

Naruto looked up at her with red rimmed eyes. "No, you're not," he said darkly. It almost startled her, and she didn't know what to say. He must have known she wasn't dying. It was just a few scrapes. She would be good as new in a day and a half if she continued healing herself.

The hospital room door burst open. "You're awake," Ino stated, dressed for work. There was an awkward silence. Ino and Naruto had always been awkward with each other, like neither one of them knew how to share their friendship with Sakura. She could tell Ino wanted Naruto to leave, but there was no way of moving the Hokage, as he was too busy staring dully at her hand. "What happened?" Ino finally asked. It was a question Naruto probably should have asked already.

Sakura swallowed, trying to wet her mouth. "It was the light switch. I... it should be removed. Light sticks will have to be used moving forward, annoying as it is."

Naruto was shaking his head in despair.

"I won't let it happen again," she reassured.

"You won't let it happen again." Naruto tightened his grip on her hand. "You won't go back to him."

Sakura glared at him. "And who's going to look after him!?"

"Anyone else!" Naruto shouted. Ino flinched but Sakura was not affected.

"And have someone killed?! I can survive any injury and know him better than anyone! The only other person who could possibly be capable of that task is you, but you don't have time for it. We need you to focus on running the village! You shouldn't even be here! You're wasting time! I'm fine! There's nothing to see here."

"He raped you!" Naruto got up from his chair, threw her hand back at her, and began pacing around the room. Ino took a step back away from him. "He hurt you."

"So what? What's the worst that can happen? I'm pregnant? I'll heal from it, like anything else. I'm a ninja of the Leaf." Naruto stared at her with his heartbreaking blue eyes.

Ino cleared her throat. "Lord Eighth," Naruto turned his head to Ino like he forgot she had been there. There were dark circles around his eyes. "Perhaps it's best if you step outside for a moment. I'm sure there are other things you should be doing. I'll take care of her."

Naruto did a quick nod and left. Ino sat in the chair that Naruto had been, giving Sakura a hard stare. "You're not pregnant," she said.

"How do you know?"

"I gave you an emergency contraceptive."

"Why?!"

"Um... because you were raped?" Ino said sarcastically. "Sakura. I don't know what you think Sasuke is, but he doesn't give a shit about you."