She was ready.

This was how she would die. Protecting the one she loved.

At the world's end.

If the world were to end tomorrow, who would you like to spend your last day with?

The girl took a bold step forward, her arms stretched out, making her body act as a human shield. Determination etched on her features as the countless spikes flew at her from behind. She would protect him at the cost of her life.

Uzumaki Naruto

Two people had no intention of letting her.

He was too far.

His mind had already calculated the distance. He couldn't make it. Even if he had all his chakra. It just wasn't possible. The spikes were coming at an alarming rate, much faster than he could move. Nevertheless, he sprinted, channeling chakra to his feet, propelling them on despite the fatigue that overtook them. He had to save Hinata. Byakugan! Using his special clan jutsu, he was able to pinpoint the incoming spikes that were going to hit his cousin. I'm sorry, Tenten. I won't be able to tell you, now.

She was closer.

She witnessed Hinata stepping in front of Naruto and Neji-so far away-pushing himself to get to the pair in time. He would not make it. However, she could.

She moved without thinking. Her decision made.

She slid in front of them in a split second, just a few feet away from Hinata's back. Using her chakra enhanced strength, she grabbed the ground beneath her and brought up a huge slab of earth. The spikes penetrated the newly made wall. But her only defense crumbled against the assault. It's strength failed. Her strength failed.

She gasped as the pain ripped through her. Blood pooled around her, smearing the battlefield in crimson.

She was falling.

Warm arms wrapped around her before she met the red ground. "Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled. Unable to set her down because of the spikes prodding out of her back, he let her head rest on his shoulder instead. "Medical team! Where are you! We have a serious injury here!" Naruto screamed, tears already streaming down his face. This couldn't be happening. Hinata slid down to her knees behind Naruto's back, facing Sakura. Her face stained with tears. Neji had arrived moments later and he gently placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder.

"Hurry!" Naruto cried, hoping that they would come quick enough to save his teammate. His best friend.

"Naruto," Neji began. He knew the wound was fatal.

"What?" Naruto snapped, catching the meaning of Neji's tone.

"There's no use."

"Don't you dare-" he roared.

"Enough...Naruto." she weakly called out to him. Her voice strained and unnaturally soft. It was too different, too different from her normal loud and confident self.

"Sakura-chan," Naruto whispered quietly, Neji forgotten. "You can heal yourself right?" His hope etched into his words, "Quickly, Sakura-chan, heal yourself! You can do it!"

"Tried…" Naruto's heart sunk. Sakura took in a shaky breath, "Too deep..."

"Don't say that, Sakura-chan!" Naruto's voice quivered, "You're the strongest bestest medical ninja in the world. I know you can heal yourself!"

"Naruto, I-I don't deserve... a friend like you."

"Sakura-chan?"

"I've always been the selfish, weak one… I had you make.. that stupid promise… I never was a good friend, but," the pink haired medic coughed again,"Hinata, Neji."

They looked up at the sound of their names.

"They were willing to give their lives for you… They're true friends...Don't carry your burdens alone like me... like that time…"

"You are a good friend, Sakura-Chan!" Naruto frantically assured, "You were never selfish! You always kept me in check because you cared! C'mon you've got to live! Who's going to keep me in check?" Naruto pleaded. He shut his eyes, his tears continued flowing regardless. This couldn't be happening. This had to be a dream.

Sakura let out a soft chuckle which sounded more like a painful grimace. Naruto, you'll be just fine because... She turned her attention to the lavender-haired girl, "Hinata?"

The Hyuga heiress sniffled in response, "S-sakura-san. I-I,"

"I leave it...to you."

No other words were said. Both girls knew what Sakura meant.

"Neji…Tenten-san...tell her ho-"

"I will." Neji interrupted, "No more waiting."

"Good."

She lifted her head upwards. Her emerald orbs gazed at the sky above. This was it wasn't it? The end of the line.

"Tell... everyone that I-" Her voice faded and her once vibrant green eyes dimmed. The blood that oozed out of her mouth slowed. Her rapidly cooling body crumpled to the floor below, giving Naruto the full view of her unseeing and dull eyes.

Tell everyone that I love them. Tell them to follow their dreams. Tell them to enjoy life to the fullest. Tell him that-

"SAKURA!"

She was gone.

0000000000000000

AN: I have always felt that Sakura dying instead of Neji would have had more of an impact on the characters. But that's just me… Thanks for reading and plz review! - (you know you want to) XD

Just for the people wondering, if Tsunade can survive getting cut in half, then Sakura should be able to survive this, right? Well, I feel like it's not very realistic even if you have the Strength of a Hundred seal which Sakura doesn't at this point in time. (And Tsunade healed only with Karin's help, anyways.)