Promise

Random little drabble because Kimimaro totally deserves more fics on him. Oh, and Tayuya too. Just gotta love her attitude!

Pairing: Kimimaro x Tayuya (I adore this pairing!!)

Disclaimer: I own Naruto...NOT!!

She was wearing a simple cream-coloured robe that reached all the way down to her knees. Clutched to her flat chest was her flute, pressed against her as if someone might jump out and steal it. While some may sleep with stuffed animals, Tayuya slept with her flute.

Tired, Kimimaro asked her what she wanted.

“I-I had a nightmare…can I sleep here for the rest of the night?”

Kimimaro was completely caught off guard by the question. Unfortunately, Tayuya mistook his silence as consent.

As she started for his bed, Kimimaro realized what she was doing and was about to protest…until he saw that she’d been crying. Sighing in defeat, he moved over to make room for her. Just one night…that’s all.

The redheaded girl slipped under the covers quietly. Kimimaro hear her sniff once or twice before she fell silent.

He was just drifting off when she spoke again. Kimimaro was having trouble restraining himself from telling her to shut up and sleep, especially since she was just terrorized for a nightmare. But he froze when he heard what she had to say.

“I-I dreamt that you…d-died,” mumbled Tayuya, voice still unstable from crying. Kimimaro glanced over his shoulder in surprise.

“What?”

“I-I dreamt that you were dead,” repeated Tayuya. “You…were buried alive. I had to make sure you were still okay.”

Kimimaro noted the absence of the usual curses in her sentences. The dream must have been pretty bad…or she’s still half-asleep and has no idea what she’s talking about.

Awkwardly, he patted her head. Her hair feels nicer that it looks, he noted, before quickly drawing his mind away from that thought.

“Don’t worry, that’s not going to happen,” he assured her, not even bothering to suppress the small smile on his face. It felt strangely good to know at least Tayuya cared deep inside, beneath all her brutal insults and feigned toughness.

“Promise?” She sniffed again, but he could hear the smile in her voice.

“Promise.”

Ah, the irony of life...we all know what happened to poor Kimi in the end...HE GOT FRIGGIN' BURIED UNDER 500 MILLION TONNES OF GAARA'S SAND!! HOW COULD KISHI DO THAT TO HIM!! HE WAS AN AWESOME CHARRIE!! (calms down) Now that I've got that off my chest...

Please review! Constructive cirticism always appreciated!!