Hi! Ramen-hokage here. I just want to point out one thing before you read, if you dislike sad endings, just imagine Sakura got better and her mom left Ino alone, and Sakura and Ino lived happily ever after, ok?

I don't want anyone hating me, I just wanted to try a new genre, so enjoy the final chappie.

And I'm sorry if any medical-ness in here doesn't make sense.

Sakura's POV

PG-13

Definitely not my characters. If they were, would this be on size=1 width=100% noshade>Chapter 15

"Aah," I moaned in pain as I was brought back awake from the dull burning pain in my chest. Not just that, but I also felt a heavy weight over my chest. I opened my eyes to see what was going on around me. Obviously, the first thing I saw was the plain and simple white ceiling. Moving around a bit, I managed to get my head to face the object laying on me. It was Ino, asleep and drooling over the bandages on my body. I, despite the pain in my body from her weight, enjoyed the feeling of her warmth over mine. Sighing peacefully, I laid back, feeling the cool morning air from the open window.

As I breathed in the fresh air, a sharp pain began in my lungs and shot through my entire body. I gasped, and for a moment there, I was unable to breathe. When air finally entered my lungs again, I coughed feeling a metallic taste in my throat. I figured it to be the hospital food trying to make it's way back up. But later I learned it was worse, much worse.

My coughing had had an effect on Ino, as I noticed her begin to shuffle in her sleep. I poked her head a couple times. "You alive? Hey, Ino." I poked her some more. She began to drool a lot, causing puddles to soak into my bandages, making it really uncomfortable to me. I tried to shake her awake, but out of nowhere, Ino screamed. Her voice was shrill, but there was a comical tone to it. I jumped back, having most of the life scared out of me. My lungs began to hurt again. I coughed loudly a few times, but there was no metallic taste this time around.

Ino awoke with a gasp. She looked around and saw where she was and how she had fallen asleep. I watched her face turn multiple shades of pink and red. I had to resist laughing hard at the situation my friend had found herself in. I gave her an odd look and she turned her eyes away from me.

"I had a weird dream. I was eating this sandwich and … it grew big and tried to eat me. It was so scary." Ino's voice was that of a childs' and this time I could not hold back the laughter. But with each second I laughed, the pain in my chest grew harsher and harsher, though I made no emotion showing I was hurt. I don't want Ino to worry anymore than she already does.

Before I could ask about anything else that had happened, Ino had discovered how she was asleep before. There were no more shades of pink on her face; she was all red. She leapt off of me in a seconds' time and stood next to the window, still red. I laughed again, ignored all physical feeling. She mumbled many things, but all I heard were the 'I'm so sorry' 'sorry, I didn't know'. I smiled and said in a clear, calm voice, "It's okay, Ino. I'm fine and I know you didn't mean anything about it," I held out my hand, "Come. Sit back down." Her blush faded off and she set herself down in the chair. I found her hand and held it in mine on the hospital bed where I lay.

It was a warm-hearted moment that I wished would never end.

But it did.

"Hey guys!" I heard a voice from behind me that I hardly recognized. I turned my head to see the girls in the doorway, Tenten and Hinata. I had guessed Tenten to be the one who had just spoken. I waved my right hand a little, motioning for them to come over. Hinata seemed frightened by my appearance. "We heard from your mom what had happened and Hinata dragged me here," Tenten said with a tone of annoyance, "And I was sleeping in too." I chuckled as Hinata glared at Tenten. Ino watched the two and let go of my hand, leaving it cold and alone. Tenten saw this and asked, "Are we interrupting something? 'Cause I can just leave if you want."

Hinata glared at her again and spoke, "No, Sakura needs us. No offense Ino, but the more friends, the better I figure Sakura will be."

Ino waved her hand as though saying she took no offense in Hinata's words, "Hey, I'm with you on that. Anything to get her out of this place."

Hinata laughed politely and Tenten leaned against a nearby wall, sighing in boredom.

Not long into the silence did Yondaime enter. "I'm sorry girls, but you will have to leave. You too, Ino. I have some important stuff to tell Sakura."

"Oh, well, I wish you luck, Sakura." Hinata said as she left out the door. Tenten left waving her hand, without turning around she said, "You'd better get well or I'll never hear the end of it from Hinata."

Ino slowly left the room. I watched her go, my eyes telling her I'd be alright. Her eyes were dull, but she smiled, assuring me, "I will be back Sakura."

Tenten yelled from down the hall, "Hey Ino, let's hit the cafeteria. C'mon." Her yell was followed by a harsh whisper from Hinata, though that was loud as well, "Don't yell in the hospital."

Yondaime chuckled as her closed the door behind Ino, who had left laughing at the couple ahead of her. Sighing heavily, he sat in the chair where Ino had sat before. "I have some rotten news."

"Just tell me. I dislike the suspense." I said bluntly.

"Well, your left foot has been injured beyond any chance of being corrected. You will never walk again. At least, not without the help of crutches or some other option we doctors manage to come up with. But that's not the worst of it…"

"Go on," I insisted.

He sighed again. "Last night, sometime after you were asleep, you went through a coughing fit. A nurse called me in and you were coughing up blood. If you've noticed lately, you can't take in a deep breath without the need to cough or gasp for breath. I have concluded that there is a hole in your lung, but by the time we had discovered this information, the hole in your right lung has gotten too big to even stitch without endangering your well being. It seems that one of the broken ribs had tore the hole. I'm sorry, but I don't think you'll be able to see tomorrow."

I fought back the tears, and Yondaime patted my shoulder. "I'm sorry. Is there anything you want? Perhaps, some yummy food? I'll pay for it out of my own pocket. So you want some non-hospital crap?"

I waved off his offer, "No thanks, I just want to see Ino."

"Okay, then, I'll go find her," As he stood up, my mom entered, "Yes, hello Mrs. Haruno, I believe you know what has happened and what will happen, so I'll just leave you two alone for a bit." He left without another word.

I stared at my mom. Her eyes were red from crying as they stared into mine. I looked away, not being able to handle the pressure of her eyes. My mom just stood there in the doorway, no words came from her mouth. I could hear her begin to cry at the sight of seeing her daughter like this. She knew I was going to die, she knew there was nothing she could do.

The urge to cough again came sudden and painfully. I gasped in pain and began to hack in my coughing. Blood dripped down my chin as I could breath a less and less as my time ran out. The sand in the hourglass draining away. The candle slowly running out of wax.

My mom saw the blood and ran out the door, she wailed sobs down the hall.

My breathing began to get ragged as I thought to myself:

It begins.

Ino came into my room, half-running, half-skipping. She seemed happier. I noticed she had two things of ice cream in her hands. One for her and one for me.

"Thanks Ino," I said as I reached out for one.

She batted away the hand I was reaching out with. "Don't move your right arm," She bossed. I laughed lightly and held out my left hand as she walked around the bed to hand me the treat. I took it with gratitude and began to eat the vanilla ice cream.

Ino talked about how funny Hinata and Tenten were and how she didn't have to pay for these ice cream treats. I listened intently, or I seemed like I did. I wasn't really paying attention I guess because in no time Ino has stopped talking and waved her in front of my eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. I was just thinking."

"About?" Ino inquired. I had not chance to say anything to answer her when a spasm of pain shot throughout my body, causing my hand to squeeze the ice cream treat. "Sakura? Are you alright?" Ino asked as she found a towel to clean the dripping ice cream from my hand and blanket.

Shaking my head, I managed to gasp out, "Get a nurse!" My coughs began hacking and I couldn't breathe one bit. Ino ran out of the room yelling for Yondaime and his assistants. I coughed, and coughed, and choked, blood spurting from my mouth, I gagged at the thick metallic taste I had thought to be hospital food earlier. Ino re-entered with those she had called for. She came in first and made her way to my left side and refused to let go of my hand.

"Sakura, it's okay, don't worry. You'll get better." She tried a smile.

I too tried to smile, but I had been interrupted by another series of coughing. Blood covered my chin, neck, and made its way over my chest. The pain was too much. I thought I would faint.

I watched fearfully through teary eyes as my mom entered. She was still wailing from earlier and began smacking at Ino with her purse. Ino ignored her completely and kept her eyes locked with mine. It took two nurses to drag my mother out of the room and get her away from Ino. No one touched Ino though. My left hand was held tightly by both of her hands. Yondaime stuck a needle in my arm and said to me, "It's to help the pain. Just keep your calm."

I nodded and hacked up more blood. Some landed on him, but his face was already protected by the mask doctors are supposed to wear.

"Ino? Ino?" I said between chokes, "Help me!"

"I'm here," Ino gripped my hand tighter. I gasped as the painkiller took effect. My whole body felt light. I was floating on a cloud. But the painkillers did nothing for coughing and the blood.

I didn't care anymore. I just didn't care.

I pushed the doctors and nurses away from me and managed to talk to Ino between my hacks and chokes. "Ino, I love you too. I was awake when you kissed me that night, and I don't care what happens to me anymore! I just wanted you to know that!" I reached for her with my right arm and gripped the back of her neck, pulling her forward. I faced away from her for a moment as I hacked again, and spat all the blood from my mouth. I whispered, "I love you, Ino."

Pulling her close enough, I faced her and locked my lips onto hers. Despite the taste of blood that we both shared now, Ino's tongue entered my mouth. I moaned, but had to let away when another cough brought its way from my mouth. Ino was crying waterfalls as she spoke. Her voice broke as she cried her emotions into words, "Don't go Sakura, please. I really love you and I don't want to be alone! Please don't go."

"I love you," I said again. The lights swirled. Last I heard was Ino yelling my name and trying to call me back. "I don't want to be alone! Sakura, please don't leave me! Sakura!"

Images flashed through my mind. It was like watching a clip show.

I saw when Ino and I first met.

The many games we played.

Our first day of school.

I saw how my mom hated her.

I saw the comedy of my high school class.

I even saw the events that I couldn't remember before of when Ino lost her memory. Yondaime was right. She did save me.

I remembered the night she kissed me, thinking I was asleep.

I saw Ino.

I love Ino.

But Ino, you're not alone. I'll always love you. I'll always be there for you.

Ino's voice echoed a loud scream as the world finally ended and went black forever:

"SAKURA!"

Owari
Oh my god, I am fighting the tears as I write this. I really enjoyed all the reviews I got, thank you guys.

I'm sorry the ending isn't a happy one. I wanted to try something new.

Review replies:

Motomoto: Thanks for the idea. I hope you enjoyed it.

Yugi-obsessed: I thought ending of the chappie was adorable too. But this one isn't.

Alana-StarSugarCat: And the last chappie, I hope you like it. And I'll get working on a sasunaru fic soon.

Nejisaku4ever: Don't hate me. I finished and I really hope you loved it.

SakuraSasuke29: Sorry I had to end it, I was planning on having more chapters before Ino lost her memory but I couldn't wait to write this part and here. I hope you liked it. But I'm not done writing fics. So just wait, there will be more ramen-hokage!

Zannen desu ne of animespiral: I guess most everyone is, but does it matter? I hope you liked it.

Sorry my fans, but this fic is over. And, unlike Kitsune Tails, I'm not going to spring and extra chapter. Sorry. I hope you enjoyed reading and will read and review later fics of mine.

Bai bai now.

Chiyo