A/N I don't own Naruto… but I did come up with this story… and yeah.

Intro: Basically, I'm gonna make this a 3 chapter story. Its supposed to be a one act, but I just separated into 3 chapters for the sake of me not slaving over this for YEARS. I mean it took me 2 months just to get this thing you're about to read. Well yeah… Naruto and Ino pairning basically…. And they're all about 18 or so… yeah. Enjoy reading!

When you're gone the pieces of my heart I'm missing you.

When you're gone the face I came to know is a missing to.

When you're gone the words I need to hear to always get me through the day

And make it okay, I miss you

- Avril Lavigne

Snow drifted from the skies and landed on the empty playground. Naruto gazed up, following a snowflake's trail to the ground and then let out a sigh. He shifted his eyes and looked at the corner of the playground where he remembered the time when he first met Sakura.

"Hi there." Came a voice from behind the 8 year old Naruto.

Naruto turned and saw a girl who was about the same age as he was. Her pink hair moved softly in the wind, but he paid no attention to her. He turned back and began to stare at the ground below him.

"I'm Sakura, what's yo.."

"Shut up. Don't pretend to be nice, I know you'll hate me like everyone else in the village."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean what I just said; you'll just hate..." Sakura sat down beside Naruto and laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his. "me…like…" Naruto was unable to finish his sentence, and just looked up at the sky.

"I like you, I like the way you smell." said Sakura as she looked up at the sky.

Sakura looked at Naruto and the way the setting sun coloured his face a light shade of orange. He looked down at her and as their eyes met Sakura saw his beautiful azure eyes that hid the pain that he had suffered. She tightened her grip and still resting her head on his shoulder, Sakura looked up at the sky and said

"I'll never hate you, we'll always be friends. I won't let anyone hurt you again."

Naruto let out a sigh before looking down at the snow by his feet and drearily made his way towards one of the benches. He sat there alone, oblivious to the world, as time flowed daintily around him. Suddenly he felt something push him, which threw him onto his back.

"Hey Naruto!" Said Ino, standing beside the bench and giving Naruto a smile.

Naruto turned his head, gave the blonde kunoichi a weak smile and simply said, "Hey…"

Ino sensed that Naruto wasn't in the mood to talk. She helped Naruto back up and simply sat down with him.

"Are you still thinking about Sakura?"

Naruto flinched at the name and couldn't stop his tears from escaping.

2 Days Ago.

Ino sighed as she sat down in front the counter of the Yamanaka flower shop. She put her arms on the table and huddled her face in them. God… I hate winter; no one ever comes and buys flowers… I don't get why we have to even open the shop… The bell on the door rang as it opened. Naruto came walking in and stood in front of her, looking at her sleeping quietly. He noticed the way her bangs came over her eyes, half covering them.

"Hey Ino! Paying customer here, why don't you stop sleeping on your job and start paying more attention!"

Ino slowly turned her head to the boy standing in front of him. "Oh… hey Naruto. How's it going?"

"Good. Now I need some help, I need to get some flowers." Naruto grinned at Ino, as he looked around at all the flowers surrounding him.

"I bet they're for Sakura" Ino gave Naruto a sly grin as he blushed. "No, they're actually not…. The house has been looking really dreary these few days, since Sakura's been out on a mission."

"Oh? What mission does Sakura have this time?" Ino began to look around for something colourful, but not too flashy for Naruto. Naruto followed her as she began to pick out some flowers here and there. "uhh… something about going to the Hidden Mist to make some peace treaties…I think…"

All of a sudden, a ninja burst in. "Naruto, Ino. Come with me, the Hokage needs to tell you two some important information." Naruto and Ino looked at each other wondering what it could be, but either way, Ino quickly close down the store and the three went to the Hokage's office.

Tsunade sat at her hair staring gravely at the reports in front of her as Naruto and Ino came in with their guide. "Hokage-sama, Naruto and Ino are here." Tsunade motioned her arm to tell the guide to leave.

"Naruto, I am about to tell you something, I don't want you to over react. Please stay calm."

Ino looked over at Naruto grimly already guessing at what she was about to say.

"The group of ninjas that we sent over to the Hidden Mist….they were ambushed by a group of rogue-nin who were trying to destroy the relations between Konoha and the Mist."

Naruto stared blankly at Tsunade, waiting for more information. "Baa-chan… g…go on…"

"The group was caught completely off guard, only one survived. Sasuke tried to run away with Sakura, but both were too injured. Obviously, both of them collapsed from fatigue after running a fair distance. Our medic-nins found them, Sasuke had barely survived… and…Sakura was dead by that time."

A/N: if you haven't realized… or at least I hope I don't imply this too much XD. But uh Naruto and Sakura live in the same house, they're supposed to be like siblings, not lovers, so maybe I didn't stress that enough here… just to tell you, so no mix ups XD.