"Sakura!" Kakashi's yell echoed through the air, following her desperate sprint into the Valley of the End. Almost completely depleted of chakra, the pink haired woman dredged up the last she had to complete her goal. She watched as two blood soaked ninja, with hardened eyes and hardened hearts, ran towards each other with the intent to end it once and for all. Their war cries burst through the air as the black flames and white lightening of Kagutsuchi and the spiraling Rasengan lit the clearing. It was the hospital rooftop all over again. She couldn't, wouldn't, let that happen. Kakashi wasn't going to stop them, but maybe she could.
Almost- Her agonized scream cut off all thought as it rang throughout her mind, pain consuming her very being. Emerald met shocked dark orbs as a choking sound came from behind her. She looked down to see her best friend's hand protruding from her stomach as the Avenger's arm pierced the middle of her chest.
"Sakura-chan!" The kunoichi opened her eyes to find Naruto's tear streaked face hovering above hers. I'm on the ground? She could see Sasuke still frozen behind him, trapped by the red covered arm he held in front of his face.
Strange. Her eyes moved back to the golden haired man that had pulled her into his lap.
It doesn't hurt anymore.
"Naruto." She tried to reach her hand to his cheek but nothing happened. She felt so heavy. And tired. So tired. She knew she didn't have a lot of time. She was surprised she lasted this long after being impaled with both of those jutsus, especially with the blood loss she was experiencing. She wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth however.
"Safe. You're safe -" Blood bubbled from her mouth and Naruto sobbed harder, chanting her name as if the very act could stave off the inevitable. She struggled to breathe as she saw a flash of silver come up behind her teammate. Kami, just once more. Please. They need to know.
"Love you -" her body seized and her eyes widened as she tried to get the rest of her message to her boys. To make them understand.
"All -" Naruto's tears fell down onto her face as she gasped for air, gagging and choking with the effort.
"No matter - what." She could feel it. The last few drags of life she'd ever have. Naruto seemed to understand what was about to happen and held on tighter, screaming into the air. She didn't regret it. She never would. She saved them. Saved Naruto from killing his brother, his best friend. Saved his heart from growing cold and dark. Saved his goodness. Saved Sasuke from the point of no return. Saved him from the never ending madness that would have consumed him with Naruto's murder.
She did not fear death. She was Shinobi. She was ready to face the unknown, knowing those she loved were alive.
So finally, with green locked to blue, her body stilling; she was free.