(A/N) I tried to get this up as soon as possible to make up for posting the last chapter late. But as usual, the fates are working against me. The day after I posted the last chapter, I find out my friend Haja Koroma died. It's rather tragic since she was only fourteen and she drowned when she tried to save her sister. I went to a memorial service on the twenty-fifth and it was very emotional. When I went over to hug her mom, I pretty much broke down. Her family kept on telling me to be strong, but I really don't know how. It's funny how I'm usually the strong one. I'm also pretty busy with tennis and swimming and last week I went on vacation. I brought my notebook with me, though. Too bad I got poison ivy. And when I got home I found out my dog had to be put down. My summer's so sad.

Tobi: Don't cry, Clyde-chan. Here's a tissue. Wait! Where'd it go?

Uh…Tobi. You never had a tissue in the first place. -.-;

This chapter is dedicated to Haja.

Notes:

Italics: Thoughts, dreams, flashbacks, emphasis.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, and I probably never will. Damn copyright…

Mikadzuki

Deep Blue

When the seasons comes and winters sleeps, I will come visit with flowers

-0-

Sakura received the news in a scroll.

Disappointingly, the Hokage didn't deliver it herself. Shikamaru knocked on her door at six o'clock in the morning, waking her from the first peaceful slumber she had in days. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she opened the door to see a rather solemn Shikamaru. Without a word, he placed the scroll in her hand. She gave him a questioning look, but he still said nothing.

He didn't want to tell her that the words on the parchment would cause her heart to shatter.

-0-

Naruto stood atop Yondaime's head, looking over the great village of Konoha. Tsunade glared up at him, irked at the aspirant Hokage. Only he would defile the Fourth's head. True, it was only a stone facsimile, but he should still have respect for the man. 'Well,' she thought. 'At least he's not giving him a makeover with paint…'

"Where is the Ero-sennin?" Naruto mumbled, crossing his arms.

He expected something like this from Kakashi, but not the almighty Toad Sage. He was probably doing 'research' at the onsen. 'And he's the one who told me to meet him here.'

"Have you been waiting for the great Master Jiraiya?!" a booming voice asked.

It was clear from his tone, though, that he didn't care; the sennin only wanted to hear his own voice. Naruto turned to grin at him, even though most people would punch the 'great Jiraiya' for being so late and then acting like a buffoon. But, Naruto was used to Jiraiya's antics.

"Jiraiya, get off of your sensei's head!" Tsunade shouted.

"Come up here and make me," he shouted back childishly, placing his hands at his ears and shaking his butt.

"Bad idea," Naruto squeaked, starting to panic.

The ground began to shake and a noise that sounded like a stampede met their ears. Earth rose from behind the Hokage as steam shot from her nostrils. No one taunted the Tsunade.

"Run!" Naruto cried.

The two of them jumped from the stone monument and began to sprint, trying to escape from the Godaime's fury.

"I thought I told you to get Sakura!" Naruto shouted. The pink-haired medic was usually the peacemaker whenever Tsunade got infuriated. Either that or she distracted the Hokage by challenging her to a fight.

Jiraiya didn't respond until they reached a safe place. Said safe place was an adult entertainment store; Tsunade would never want to come in there. They fell to the floor, much to the clerk's displeasure.

"Now…isn't…a…good…time…for…her," the sennin panted.

"Why?" Naruto asked, equally exhausted.

"You mean, you haven't heard?" Jiraiya asked bemusedly.

Naruto shook his head. The man seated across from him sighed. He seemed somber, which was unbefitting of him.

"Ino Yamanaka was killed."

Naruto waited for the words to sink in. He tried to assimilate like a sponge, but he still didn't seem to comprehend it.

"W-what?" he asked.

Jiraiya sighed again and stood. "She was killed on a mission. As she crossed the border heading to Suna, she was attacked by missing-nin."

It was then he got what his master was trying to convey to him.

"I'm sorry," the old man offered as condolence.

How was he supposed to respond? What could he say that would express what he was feeling at that moment? Nothing could, so he remained silent. He slowly digested the fact of what happened. A friend of his was gone. She was no more, only a fragment of his memories. He stood up, and walked out of the store, not concerned with the fact the Hokage was after his head. He began the long trek to Sakura's house for he knew she was the one he needed to see.

-0-

"How did she take the news?" Tsunade asked. She had given up on her chase, and resumed her seat in the office.

The glow of the rising sun permeated the window of the Hokage's office, wanting to illuminate Konoha in the midst of such sad events. However, its efforts were in vain, and an ethereal darkness clouded the sky of the village that contained so many hopes and dreams, and so many secrets and fallacies. Consequently, the sun went and hid, not to come out until the next day, when hopefully, new hopes and dreams would be born.

"She would have taken it better if you were there," Shikamaru responded, a bit displeased with his leader.

She should be there for Sakura, comforting her. Instead, she was seated in her office, pretending to do paperwork. Nothing could excuse her behavior.

"I'm too busy," was her excuse.

The truth was she didn't want to be the one to give Sakura the news. It pained her to see her student hurt and knowing there was nothing she could do to make it better. The problem with loving someone is that you don't want to see them in pain and would do anything to protect them. Unfortunately, Sakura was too old to be lied to, and the Hokage was too damn soft to tell the girl herself.

'I've become such a bad kunoichi,' she thought, gripping her decoy of a pen till it practically splintered between her fingers. 'I'm a leader of a village, and I can't even tell one girl of her best friend's death.'

Being a village's leader also meant consoling her subordinates in a time such as that. They've lost a valuable ninja in a time where they need all the warriors they can find. Ino was the spirit that fueled so many people, including Sakura. She was a light in darkness, a fighter, a healer, a lover, a friend. And now, she's a memory.

-0-

Sakura could hear the birds' singing and children playing and wondered why it was so. Why should the world continue normally when someone just died? At least she had enough courtesy to put her life at a stand-still for her best friend who no longer had a life; who could no longer breath, eat, or dream.

"Sakura," she heard Naruto call through her locked door. "Come out already."

Did he not hear her heart wrenching sobs? Did he not hear her world falling apart?

"You can't hide in your apartment for three days like you did when Shizune died."

It seemed Shikamaru had come back from reporting to Tsunade. Sakura didn't say anything; she couldn't speak through the tears. Tissues weren't enough to stop their onslaught; they only cleared away her face to make way for more rivulets. She could taste the saltiness in her mouth and her nose felt like it was clogged with water. In panic, she realized she may never stop crying.

"Ino…" she whimpered. "Where are you?"

She wanted to hear her voice, for she could only hang onto threads of its chiming sound in the many memories she had collected in her life. They did not comfort her, only make her cry even harder, because she realized she'd never be able to hear such a sound again. She could no longer hear her friend's playful, childish insults. She could no longer fall asleep during her spiels about the different kinds of flowers she had gathered in her shop. There would be no more training lessons by the river or girl talks over the largest bowl of popcorn they could find. No more lectures on how she should dye her prominent hair black and no more inside jokes that made them laugh like lunatics. Only memories were there, and she tried to use them to stitch the growing hole in her heart.

"Sakura, I know interrogating Itachi is important but so are your friends!"

She could remember Ino's hand on her cheek clearly. She knew it wasn't meant to be malicious. It was meant as a wake up call. Her bruising slap told Sakura that she should be concerned about the things happening around her. However, even after her slap, she didn't quite get it. It took her death to have reality come back full-force to her. She now knew that she could lose another loved one just as easily and she needed to honor her friends.

'But you're a ninja,' her warrior side chided. 'This is the way of your kind; people are killed every day. Don't think Ino is the only one. That's why we must not let people get so close. They all die in the end.'

Why was it Ino instead of her? She had crossed Konoha's border before her. Ino didn't deserve to die. She was too young and too full of life. She was going to take the jonin exams the next week, and Sakura was going to work up the courage to speak to her and apologize.

She was too late…

-0-

Sakura looked at the urn encased by crimson roses and tried not to think about what lay inside. If she dwelled on the reason she was standing there, the tears would come anew. She had finally stopped crying after several hours, and unlocked the door Naruto and Shikamaru were pushing against. They consoled her with the customary phrases 'it's okay' and 'she's in a better place', but she knew they were only saying those things to placate her, and they felt the same way she did. Knowing this, the girl was still left with numbness inside. Ino had made up a part of her, one that kept her together, and without that part it seemed that everything else would fall away.

The hot air did nothing to help her frame of mind. However, she could see dark clouds rolling in, as if preparing for an attack. The service was to be held outside, near a precipice overlooking the sea. She could hear the crashing of waves as they collided with the rocks; two conflicting forces fighting one another. It reminded her of how she and Ino once were.

"Sakura, how have you been?"

She was shocked to see the silver haired ninja, crutches and all, standing and waving at her with his only visible eye closed. His signature mask was back on, but it probably wasn't the best idea since he needed all the air he could get.

"Kakashi, shouldn't you still be in the hospital?!" she called, running over to her past sensei. He was another part of her, and she was glad she hadn't lost him.

"You know how I hate hospitals," was his only reply. "You haven't answered the question."

Sakura sighed. "Not so good."

Why did he even ask? It was apparent just by looking at her that she hadn't been a bright ray of sunshine since she heard the news. The medic's face was red and blotchy where tears had made themselves known and she was so fragile, unlike her usual self. The girl was shaking slightly and biting her lip, as if she'd fall apart with the slightest touch. He wanted his strong, cheerful kunoichi back; the person standing before him was only a shell of that former existence.

"I heard you'll be speaking," Kakashi said in a soft voice, as if the reverberation itself would be enough to break her.

"Yes," Sakura replied with an empty tone. "Her family gave me the honor of writing the eulogy."

She did not even have the strength to speak her friend's name. How could she ever stand before all of those people and speak about her? She felt someone grab and squeeze her hand and looked into the bright blue eyes of another part of her. Naruto tried his best to smile, even though it felt misplaced on his face. Sakura squeezed his hand back, happy to have some comfort. She looked around at those who have gathered. Almost the entire village was there, including the remainder of the rookie nine. Choji was standing with his parents, trying his best to put a brave face on even though his bottom lip was quivering. Shikamaru stood with his own parents, conspicuously without his cigarette; he wasn't doing any better than Choji.

Then there were Ino's parents. They were the strongest people she knew. Her father stood tall with his chin up, but his eyes were exhausted and grief-ridden. Her mother clutched at his arm, speaking to those who came to give their condolences and commiserations. They were surrounded by flowers of various kinds, their petals bright and extravagant. However, the bouquet Sakura held in her hand was different from the ones placed around the service area.

"Sakura, do you know what my favorite flower is?"

Sakura sighed. "Ino, I didn't come over to hear you talk about flowers. I thought you needed help picking out an outfit for your date with Choji."

Ino pouted. "We can talk about flowers while we pick out an outfit."

She had just turned seventeen and on her birthday Choji asked her out with much nervousness. Ino said she'd go out with him, for the simple fact that she cared about him. She wasn't sure it'd turn into anything, but she thought it'd be fun.

"So…?" Ino asked, inclining her head.

"Roses are your favorite flowers," Sakura huffed, having heard it one thousand times before.

She picked out a pink, flamboyant dress from Ino's closet and grimaced, quickly hanging it back up.

"Do you know what kind of roses?" Ino asked, inspecting a blouse with a twisting, confusing pattern trailing down its side.

"No, Ino. How about you tell me."

The girl grinned and walked out of her bedroom. Sakura just rolled her eyes and continued to inspect her closet. It seemed strange that she'd need any help since she was 'fashion forward' but she assumed the blond just wanted to spend some time with her. Even though at times they became exasperated with each other, they were still best friends. Actually, they were more like sisters.

"Close your eyes!" Ino said in a sing-song voice.

Sakura's arms fell to her side and she followed orders, waiting for whatever Ino was going to do to her. She felt her hair being tousled and something scratched against her ear.

"You can open them now!" Ino chimed.

She did and looked into the vanity mirror Ino held so close to her heart. In her pink hair was a deep blue flower, elegant and beautiful. It matched the one Ino had tucked behind her ear.

"They're blue roses," Ino said, stating it eruditely as if she was a professor giving a speech. "I've finally learned how to breed them. They represent hope against unattainable love. Aren't they beautiful?"

Sakura inspected the flower one more time. She could see why it was Ino's favorite. It was so strikingly beautiful it seemed to belong in a fairytale book. Being the romantic she was, Ino probably also liked how it represented hope against unfeasible love.

She nodded for no words could express how lovely the flower in her hair was.

"I think I have an outfit that's perfect," she said, remembering the only dressy item she possessed.

It was a dark blue gown and harmonized with the salient rose.

Sakura clutched at the bouquet of blue roses she had obtained from her friend's greenhouse. Even though they were wrapped in plastic, a thorn had sliced through and scratched her finger. She didn't mind it, though. The pain erased some of the numbness in her heart.

They all sat down and began the memorial service. Tissues were passed around, the white cloth warnings of the emotions that were about to come. Orators and loved ones stepped up to the podium that was set on a dais, telling the audience of how much this girl meant to them. Sakura tried not to listen to them, because every time they mentioned how much she cared about her friends or how great a ninja she truly was, she could feel something rise in her chest.

"May Sakura Haruno please come up to the podium," one of Ino's relatives said, standing at said podium.

Naruto gave Sakura's hand another squeeze and gestured to the rostrum. She walked up to the podium, reciting her eulogy once more in her mind. She had memorized countless jutsu; speeches were nothing. Standing there, she felt like she was on display. All eyes were turned to her, waiting for what she had to say about her closet friend.

"First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who gathered today in memoriam of Ino Yamanaka," she said professionally. "But, Ino is not dead."

The group looked around at each other, eyebrows furrowed. Sakura smiled forlornly.

"Sure, her body is hollow, but her soul still lives. It thrives within our hearts and memories. She will never be dead because she will never be forgotten."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Sakura breathed in deeply.

"Ino had a special power. She could tell when you were upset, and knew what to do to make it better. That, or she would beat up the person who made you upset."

Memories flooded into her mind and overflowed her psyche. They surrounded her comfortingly, reminding her of her lost friend.

"I've known her for a long time, and watched her grow and bloom into something beyond all of our comprehension. I always looked up to her, wanted to be like her. She was something of beauty to me, and yet I didn't know she could go beyond that. In our teenage years, we never realized what was really important to us. We didn't understand what our friendship was and it turned into a rivalry."

Sakura thought of Sasuke and sighed. She realized how stupid they both were. Even though, in all of her experiences with him, she ended up caring about him, she still should have not torn apart something so wonderful for one person.

"However, we both learned that nothing should come between us. Together, we became something that gave us pride: adults. In this stage of our lives, we gained knowledge of something even greater than before. There are some things that are beyond our control. Such as our feelings for someone else…"

She looked over to Choji and smiled, earning a smile in return. They had grown closer than anyone ever predicted and became lovers.

"…Or, where our lives take us. And with her departure from this earth, we learned another thing beyond our control: death. That's why we should honor the ones we love, and not ever take them for granted. I've learned that the hard way. Ino taught me many things in her lifetime, such as what not to say on a date. But in her death, she taught me something even greater: they're not called loved ones for nothing."

Sakura stepped down from the podium, trying to avoid everyone's eyes. Respectful applause joined in with the chorus of waves crashing against the crag. Walking back to her seat, she felt the insistent tears fighting against her eyelids, wanting release from their prison. Before she sat down, she felt a strong hand grip her shoulder. Looking at the person whose body was attached to the hand, her heart clenched.

"Tsunade-shishou…" she muttered.

The woman smiled despondently and gathered the broken girl into her arms. She was astonished at the unusual display of affection, and couldn't respond immediately. In time, she was able to wrap her arms around Tsunade's waist, bury her head in her chest, and cry.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you myself," the Hokage murmured, resting her chin atop her student's head. "I'm such a coward."

She could feel Sakura shake her head, as if signaling that it was alright and she was forgiven.

"You had enough courage to come," she murmured lifting her head so she could be heard. "And…I thank you. I don't think I can make it without you."

'Don't say that,' Tsunade wanted to tell her. 'There will come a time when you'll have to make it without me. Nothing lasts forever, Sakura. As you said: we only have memories of Ino now.'

However, Tsunade didn't want to hurt her, so she didn't say anything. The two stood, holding onto each other in attempt to soothe the other's pain. Unfortunately, there was too much on both sides and their attempts were fruitless.

The pain was too strong to go away.

-0-

Ino's mother stood at the tip of the precipice with her daughter in her hands. She took the lid of the urn off and turned the vase over. The ashes were carried into the slight wind, drifting slowly to the abyss of the ocean. The waves leapt up and devoured the vestiges greedily, taking them down as they died. The guests looked on, all containing the same emotion. As her ashes disappeared, it felt like they lost the only connection with Ino they had left. They felt as if they were letting go of the last thing that bound her to them.

The sky growled threateningly, warning everyone below that it was preparing for an assault. They looked up, noticing how dark the firmament had become as a result of the grey clouds that reigned over the sky, holding it captive. White light flashed through the dark masses, illuminating the dimness they had brought on. The assault began shortly after as the clouds released their fury upon the earth.

It was an unexpected summer shower, but a much needed one.

The rains scattered, attacking the people gathered and the waters below. The sea turned a deep, unfathomable blue. Soon enough, it would be completely black. Sakura stepped forward between Ino's parents and stared at the flowers she held in her hand. The raindrops seemed to accentuate their beauty, having mercy on the delicate roses. She lifted them up, and tossed them into the air. The bouquet plummeted quickly, the wind being no match against its mass. No waves caught the flowers as they crashed against the riotous sea that swallowed them, joining Ino's ashes.

Looking around, those that were gathered noticed the ambiance was deep blue.

-0-

(A/N) It's creepy and sad that I had to write about Ino dying right after my friend died. But, it gave me insight into how Sakura must feel. So I mostly wrote about how I felt when my friend died. Sorry if I mad it too emo or gushy, but I remember how I felt when I lost my friend and just wrote it down. I felt as if maybe I should stop my life out of respect for the one my friend lost. I couldn't stop crying, and at the simple mention of her name, I would break down. There was a point when one of her teachers said that my friend wrote her a letter before she died saying that when she grew up she wanted to be a teacher and she inspired her and I pretty much broke down. It stormed at the funeral service, too. And after I finished writing the chapter, it started to storm. Weird.

I know you're all probably pissed that I killed another person off, but I did warn you it'd get more intense. However, as I said with Sasuke, I didn't just wake up one day and think 'I should kill off Ino'. There's a reason behind everything I do. As a fair warning, there will be one more major death at the least. I'm sorry I didn't include Itachi in this chapter. I felt this chapter belonged to Ino. But don't worry; he'll be back in the next chapter.

The quote at the beginning is from Dir en Grey's song Higeki Ha Mabuta Wo Oroshita Yasashiki Utsu. The title is very long so that's why I didn't use it as the title. Instead, I used a repeated phrase 'deep blue'. It may seem like I screwed up the grammar in the lyrics, but that's how it's written in the CD pamphlet. Right before that phrase, actually, it says 'Just realizing I'm getting used to being hurt' and I think that suits Sakura.

A note about the funeral: it was after the wake. I just chose not to include it because it seemed too pedantic. And another note. I had to listen to a lot of songs to get me in the mood for this chapter. They were: Strangers by Yoko Kanno, Fear by Evans Blue (don't ask me why), pretty much every song by Team Sleep, Deftones, and Katatonia. Also, Stories by Hitomi, which is an OST from CODE Geass.

Wow, that's a long author's note. I should win a prize. So, review for…calamine lotion!

Hidan: Do you really think your readers would want calamine lotion?

Yes. So they can squirt it in your face.