A Not so Sickfic

The Not So Common Cold

Sarada's wrist was like a pulsing furnace against Boruto's hand. The inside of his other arm was damp with sweat just from being wrapped around her waist. He couldn't help himself from glancing over at her every now and again, just to make sure she still had her eyes open. But she only trudged forward, a determined look on her sunken pale face.

Finally, she started shivering. Her feet were dragging so badly he couldn't hear anyone else's footsteps. And because it became unsafe to continue the way they were walking, he stopped.

Unwrapping her arm from his shoulders, he gently lowered her down to the ground.

"What's wrong?" She asked, her voice raspy. "I can still--"

"No, you can't."

"Hm? Boruto, we're almost there," said Kawaki from the front. "What are you-- Oh..."

Boruto's eyes showcased more concern than he realized as he took off his jacket and went around behind her, coaxing her arms through the holes. She flinched back at first, the fabric likely stinging her skin. But once it was fully on, she crossed the right side over the left, hugging it tight against her trembling body.

"Get on," he said, crouching down in front of her. "In that condition, you can't walk anymore."

"I can still--"

"Sarada." His tone told her it wasn't an option. Sometimes he couldn't believe how stubborn she was.

Mr. Kunigawa clicked his tongue and turned around, arms folded. "How are you supposed to protect me if you're carrying her?"

"Boruto." Mitsuki cut off the crotchety man. "Go ahead of us. Take Sarada to the village now. We'll escort Mr. Kunigawa the rest of the way. It isn't too far."

"This wasn't in the request!"

"Sorry Mitsuki, Kawaki." Boruto hooked his arms around Sarada's legs as he stood to his feet. "I think I'll take you up on that."

Gravity caused her feverish body to press into his back as he leapt up into the trees. From now on, he could travel at the pace of a ninja. And that meant the village was only five minutes away. This technically counted as abandoning the mission. But with Mitsuki and Kawaki to protect their snobby client, there wasn't anything to worry about.

"Hang in there," he mumbled. "It's just a little further."

.  .  .

Upon arriving in the village, Boruto asked around about the hospital's whereabouts. A few minutes later, he entered through the automatic glass doors with Sarada on his back, shivering like no tomorrow.

One look at her crumpled form and a passing nurse had a diagnosis. "Another one? How many does that make today?"

"At least twenty," said another woman, eyeing Sarada. "Wait... Isn't that Sakura Harun-- I mean, Uchiha's, daughter?!"

"Yeah and she's burning up," Boruto replied. "Can you get her a room, auntie?"

"Right this way." With that, the medic ninja led them to the second floor.

The hospital room smelled of sterilization products. Design wise, it was almost identical to the ones in Konoha: mint green walls, large pull back ceiling to floor curtains, multiple beds in each room.

Boruto gently let Sarada off his back and onto the soft mattress. She immediately turned on her side and hugged herself into a ball, her body missing his warmth.

He took one last worried look at her flushed face and went to her feet, working at her boots with care until they slid off. He quickly pulled the blanket out from under her and brought it up to her shoulders. All while the nurse prepared various things around the room.