A/N: Well, this is just a OneShot. It is just something I wanted to write to take up my time, really. However, look out for an early update on my other story 'Exactly What It Looks Like'. Please read and review. This can be quite the tear-jerker, so get you tissues ready. Hehe, just saying. Sorry for the grammatical errors.
Summary: Sakura Haruno has been diagnosed with a rare disease that, in less than a month, would kill her. Read as she goes through her last days with her friends and her last 'goodbyes'.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
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Time is almost up, thought Sakura, as she sat there looking out the window.
Three weeks ago, she learned that she was dying of possible heart failure. She knew it was really happening because the pain was there. Ever since then, she has made it an effort to live out the remaining of her short-lived life to its fullest.
Now, two weeks later, the pain has become unbearable. It felt as if someone or something reached into your very heart and was tugging at every artery that was connected to the vital organ. For countless times a day, she would feel light-headed, nauseous, sometimes to the brink of losing conscious. Even those medicines did not prove of any help, but she knew why she was taking them. They were only delaying time. And right now, it seems that time was all she had.
So Sakura came to the conclusion that she would hang out with her friends one more time. She did not tell them about her disease because she thought it would be pointless.
She took out her cell phone and decided to call her best friend, Ino, first.
She dialed in Ino's number and waited as the phone rang.
"Hello?" said Ino.
"Hey, Ino-pig," replied Sakura.
"Oi, Forehead? What's up? Make it fast because you know I have a date with Shikamaru."
"Oh, well I was wondering if you wanted to hang out."
" (Ino laughs) Very funny, but seriously, what do you want? Shika-kun is almost here."
"Seriously, I want to hang out like old times. You can bring Shikamaru with you as well."
"Look, Forehead, as enticing as that sounds, I want to hang out with Shika-kun tonight. Ok? We can go to the mall tomorrow? Ok? Well, he is here so I'm going to go. Bye." And with that said, Ino hung up the phone.
Sakura, on the other hand, sadly smiled and whispered a good bye, knowing fully well that it was going to be the last one she said to Ino.
Next, she decided to call up Tenten. As she did before, she dialed her digits and waited for someone to answer.
The person that answered took her totally by surprise.
"Hello?" answered a masculine voice, but Sakura knew who it was. It was Neji.
"Neji, is that you? Um, is Tenten there?" asked a reluctant Sakura.
"Yeah, hold up." In the background you can hear Tenten and Neji conversing.
They're probably on a date, Sakura concluded.
"Hey, Saki, what's up? Look, I don't mean to sound like I'm rushing or anything, but like could you hurry it a bit up. Neji promised me a surprise and I want to see what it is."
"Oh, well, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out, like old times."
"Look, Saki, couldn't you call up Ino or Hinata, I'm busy."
"(Sakura sighs) Well, in that case, I just wanted to say thank you, for everything. And that you ha-"
"Look, Saki, don't pull that shit on me, you know I'm never one for mushy moments. Anyways I'm going."
"But-"
"Whatever. I'm going. Bye."
Sakura could barely force back the tears that were forcing their way through her eyes. She just wanted a good farewell. She knew that Hinata would be with Naruto. She also knew for a fact that Hinata would also want time with Naruto seeing how it was their first date. Sakura sighed, yet again. Then, the last person popped up, and she quickly dialed his number.
"What?" asked Sasuke.
"Well, that's a nice way to say hello," replied Sakura.
"What do you want?" Sasuke asked yet, again. He seemed annoyed.
"Well, I just wanted to see what you were up to," replied Sakura.
"If that is all you wanted to know, then you are wasting my time." In the background, you can hear a female giggle. It was obvious as of that moment that Sasuke was with another girl.
"Well, before you hang up, just please hear me out."
"Fine, you got five minutes," said a rather much annoyed Sasuke.
"Okay, well, here goes nothing. I just wanted to say thank you, for everything. I mean when I first met you, you were pretty much an ass. (Long pause )But you know what, as time progressed, you were different from the beginning. And as much as I hate to admit this, but I've fallen in love with that you. (Sakura sighs) Well, thanks for your time, but I have to go. Good bye, Sasuke."
"Wait! Why are you saying this?" Sasuke asked. It was weird, but somehow, he has a feeling that something bad is happening to Sakura.
"Hello? HELLO? Damn it!" Sasuke knew that Sakura hung up. He decided that maybe she was just grateful.
But why would she say those things? He pondered. However, his attention was quickly diverted to the female next to him. He had feelings for Sakura, but being the boastful person that he is, he would rather die choking on a mouse than admit it. He couldn't deny the fact that he had fallen in love with a smart, funny, loving, pink-haired girl.
I'll just talk to her tomorrow, he concluded.
It is one of life's lessons that we must appreciate the things that we have all been blessed with. Whether it is a t-shirt or a loving friend, it is truly something to be thankful of. Unfortunately, a few teenagers were going to have to find out the hard way.
It has already been a week and nobody has heard word from Sakura. They were all curious. Ino, Tenten, Hinata, Naruto, Neji, Shikamaru, and Sasuke have all pondered as to where their fun-loving, pink-haired friend was.
They all decided to pay her house a visit.
Maybe she is sick, they all thought.
Ino was the first up the stairs followed by the rest of the crew.
Knock Knock Knock
The door slowly opened to show a red eyed lady around her forties.
"Ino? You guys? What are you doing here?" asked Mrs. Haruno.
"Well, we were wondering where Sakura was," replied Ino. "Is she in there?"
After hearing this, Mrs. Haruno fell to her knees when her husband rushed up to help her up, she could hardly stand.
"You guys, I think you should take this." Mr. Haruno handed them a DVD with the title 'My Friends' scribbled on the front. Mr. Haruno was also having a hard time trying to compose his self, although, the teens could easily see through it.
"Thanks, Mr. Haruno. We're going to go over my house and watch it. Have a good day," said Ino. She walked away from that door feeling even more worried about Sakura. She could easily see that the others were also affected by what they had just seen.
Four cars had just pulled up Ino's driveway. All of the passengers were eager to watch the DVD. One by one, they made their way to Ino's living room, and made themselves comfortable across her couch.
Ino popped in the DVD, and sat down by Shikamaru and pressed play on the remote.
The screen started to clear up and in it was Sakura, apparently under a Cherry Blossom tree, filming this.
(Sakura in the DVD)
(Everybody's reaction)
"Hey everybody! (Sakura giggled.) Well if you are watching this, it must mean that I'm in some sort of a freezer or something."
"A freezer?" asked Naruto. "What does she mean a freezer?"
"Be quiet, dobe," said Sasuke. He was also questioning what this meant.
"I just wanted you guys to know that you guys are the best of the best (Sakura laughed.) I want to thank all of you for welcoming into your homes, your fridge (Sakura giggled.) and your hearts.
Ino-pig, your sense of style never ceases to amaze me. You are out-going, funny, and not to mention 'troublesome'. (Sakura imitated Shikamaru's voice and laughed, although it was apparent that she was fighting back the tears that were making their way down her beautiful face.) You have become more that my best friend, you've become my sister. My co-partner in crime. (Sakura laughed even though she was crying.) Thank you.
Ino was crying by now, wondering why her best friend was saying these things about her.
Tenten, you bum. (Sakura laughed) I never told you this, but I always looked up to you. (She smiled.) The tears were unbearable now as they kept on coming down. You were always so strong even though I knew you were going through the same pain. You were the wall that kept us, and I mean everybody, grounded. And for that, for everything, I am grateful.
Tenten was holding onto Neji really tight. She wasn't crying, but she was shaking. Everything Sakura had said came to life. She was trying to be strong.
Hinata. (Sakura giggled.) You are amazing. I don't see how you've put through with all of us. We were crazy to say the least. (Sakura smiled.) You, in a way, were always the glue that held us all together. You were shy, but hell, you sure do pack on hell of a punch. (Sakura laughed.) Don't change for anyone, ever.
Hinata was already crying. Sakura was always the one that gave her the needed support.
Oh and guys, meaning Naruto, Neji, Shikamaru, if any of you ever, ever, break one of their hearts, I'll see to it that my friendly ghosts pay you all a late night visit! Consider that a warning. (Sakura looked as if she was going to bite a person's head off, but then she quickly changed her façade and put on a smile.)
Everyone sweat dropped at this and laughed. Leave it to Sakura to be unpredictable. The girls were now crying, even Tenten couldn't put up that wall anymore. The guys had tried to really comfort their girlfriends.
I just want to thank all you guys for everything. Naruto, for being the loud-mouth, knuckle-headed idiot that he is. Always flashing that million dollar grin. (Sakura smiled.) Thank you, Naruto, for teaching me that life is meant to be lived, not programmed. (Sakura giggled.)
Naruto smiled at the T.V.
To Shikamaru for being the lazy bum that he is. Thank you. Your advice and boring excuses would make my day, any day.
After hearing this, Shikamaru smirked.
Neji, (Sakura laughed.)Neji. It amazes me to know that for a very forward guy like you, it took you three years to finally ask her out. (Sakura smiled.) You're cold demeanor was endearing, yet very annoying. (Sakura giggled.) Thank you.
Neji blushed a bit when Sakura said the part about three years. He looked at Tenten and smirked. How right she was.
And to Sasuke. Well, (Sakura smiled through the pouring tears making their way down her face.) You can say that we have been through some crazy shit together. I guess we all have been. I just want to thank you, for being that shoulder that I can lean on. Please tell your mother I said thank you, and also to Itachi. Please thank them for me because I can't right now. (She was crying really hard. It took some time for it to pass.)
Sasuke was having a really hard time just standing there. He saw that his best friend was crying. He was crying? Neji and Shikamaru had at least shed a few tears, but it stopped.
Your cold attitude was annoying at first.( She smiled.) But as I came to know you, it became a part of our communication. I just hope that when you grow up, you'll find someone that can give you the love that you deserve. (She giggled at this.) Thank you.
Unbeknownst to Sasuke, a single tear made its way down his face.
And now onto the reason as to why I am saying this. Well, three weeks ago, I found out that I had a heart problem. Unfortunately, they were still working on a cure. (Sakura was crying really hard.) I would go through a tremendous amount of pain if I can have forever with you guys. (She cried.) I love you guys and always will. I guess now would be a good time to say good bye. (Long Pause.) Sakura couldn't stop crying.
At this, the girls were crying and the guys were silently crying as well. Sasuke stood there still in his nonchalant manner, thinking that all of this has to be a joke.
It has to be a joke.
(Sakura slowly lifted her head and looked out. She smiled that beautiful smile of hers.)
"See ya later."
The screen went blue and then black the next moment.
It took some time, but everything was silently, deafly silent.
Tenten quickly stood up and went to the phone. She was crying really hard.
"She is not dead. She is not. This is all just a joke," she said as she dialed Sakura's cell phone.
She quickly put in on speaker phone and waited.
"Hey this is Sakura-"
"AHA!" Tenten screamed.
"-please leave a message, and I'll be sure to get back at you." It was Sakura's voicemail.
Tenten tried again and again and again. Her fingers were practically bleeding from having to run them through the numbers so much. Neji went up to her and hugged her from the behind. She tried fighting him off, but he only turned her around to hug her.
"She is not dead. Not like that."
"Tenten, just let it go," said Ino.
"You try letting it go. You wanna know something. The last I talked to her was a week ago." Tenten said while fighting back the tears. Ino's head hung when Tenten said 'a week ago'.
"You wanna know what I said to her? Huh? Well, here it is. 'Look, Saki, don't pull that shit on me, you know I'm never one for mushy moments. Anyways I'm going.' Can you believe it? She was trying to say thank you and I said that! She wanted to hang out, probably to say good bye, but I was so caught up, you know." Tenten said. She fell to her knees, trying really hard to keep it all in.
"I know," said Ino. She stood up and went to hug Tenten. Hinata looked up and ran outside. She couldn't take it anymore. Naruto ran after her, and saw Sasuke make his way to his car and drive off like a maniac. Naruto finally caught up with Hinata and hugged her so tight. Hinata lost the only person that had stood up for her when she was being bullied or when Neji wasn't there. She is supposed to be the one to say thank you, not Sakura. But it was too late.
While with Sasuke, he could hardly grip the wheel as he kept on driving. She left him. She left him. He, too, remembered what he said the last time they talked. The pressure was too much for him. Finally he pulled up to where he wanted to be. He was at the park. It all came to him. This was where he fell in love with her.
He walked up to a Cherry Blossom tree identical to the one that Sakura was standing in front of. As a matter a fact, it was the very one that Sakura stood in front of.
He pulled out a knife and on the tree he carved 'S.U. + S.H. 4ER' and around it, he carved a heart. He cried. He finally cried. He swore that there were only three women he would cry for. His mother, the love of his life, and his daughter, that is if he ever has a daughter. And now, he would weep for only two.
Sasuke was dead set in having a daughter. He would have a daughter, after college and when he has a good job. He would adopt a beautiful baby girl and say that Sakura was her mother. Therefore, her memory would still live on. He was sure that he would never love another like he love Sakura.
He traced his hands over Sakura's initials and sighed a heavy sigh.
I love you.
A/N: Well there you have it. I know, it was a bit cheesy about the daughter part, but it is a pact my other brothers have as well. Except there are four. You know, mother, sister, wife, and daughter. Thank you. Please Review.
Life Lesson:
NEVER TAKE ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE FOR GRANTED. LET THEM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM, SAY THANK YOU. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE UNTIL IT IS GONE. AND LIKE MANY SITUATIONS BEFORE, SOME CANNOT BE TAKEN BACK.
