New matra of the week for authour:

"Naruto doesn't belong to me... Naruto doesn't belong to me...Naruto doesn't belong to me...Naruto doesn't belong to me..."

"..." means speech

Bolded words are inner Sakura's thoughts

'...' means thoughts. Used to use ...>> but somehow it NEVER show up properly... Haizz... (;)
'Hi Dad, Hi Mum.'

Sakura stood in front of the stone monument, her eyes searching for a third name.

Yamanaka Ino

'Hello Ino-pig.'

Flashback

A year ago. 3 years after Sasuke went to Orochimaru. At Konoha's border.

"You shouldn't come. Baka."

"I'm also a kunoichi of Konoha. How could I stay behind and see you guys fight."

"Rasengen!" A ball of concentrated chakra formed in his palm. As he rushed forward, he split the ball into 2 so that there was one in each hand.

"Come on Sasuke, fight him. I know you can hear me!" Naruto shouted.

"I'm AM Sasuke. And I am also Orochimaru. I've come to test my capacity just like my brother did."

Kabuto did a series of seals. A layer of chakra covered his hands. Sakura drew out another kunai and whispered to Ino. 'Wait and look for an opening.'

Sakura concentrated her chakra to her feet and in a burst of speed, ran towards Kabuto. Sakura sliced the kunai up and Kabuto blocked with his chakra-covered hand. With her free left hand, she created some seals.

"Stunning fist no jutsu!" Her fist landed on Kabuto's stomach. "Ino!"

Ino appeared behind the stunned Kabuto and stick a knife into his chest where the heart was. Kabuto tried to move but his entire body refused to obey him.

Sakura grinned. "Modified Tsunade's jutsu."

Ino was grinning and Sakura showed her the thumbs up. A blur of shadow moved across Ino and she stop moving. Orochimaru/Sasuke stood beside Ino. Ino's head slowly slid off her neck. Orochimaru/Sasuke kicked Kabuto's body aside.

"Worthless trash."

"INO!"

Sakura ran forward and created a series of seals.

"Kokuangyou no Jutsu (Journey into Black Darkness Technique.)!"

"It is useless Sakura. I can still smell all of you." Orochimaru/Sasuke drew out a katana from his mouth. (Eww... Hate it when Orochimaru does that...)

"Sakura!" Neji shouted. He jumped to her side. "Hakke Rokujuuyonshou!"

Orochimaru/Sasuke jumped out of Neji's field of attack.

'Only the Hyuuga is not badly injured like the other two. He would be the best candidate to test my capacity.'

"Kage Bunshin no jutsu." Two Orochimaru/Sasuke appeared. The two shadow clones attacked Naruto and Sakura. "Come Hyuuga. It's just two of us."

Neji smirked. "So you think I'm the only one worthy? Fine. Bring it on."

A blur of movement happened and Orochimaru/Sasuke was thrown towards a tree. He flipped and used his Katana slash at Neji. Neji blocked with his Kunais.

"Give it up, traitor. I've already sealed your chakra points. You can't utilise your chakra now."

"Is that so?" A Katana was sticking out from Neji's chest. Where the heart is. "You shouldn't underestimate your foes you know, Hyuuga." spat Orochimaru/Sasuke. A clone Oro/Sasuke was behind him, holding the Katana.

'So there was 3 shadow clones. Not 2. No wonder.'

"Neji!" Sakura and Naruto shouted. They both turned when their opponents disappeared.

"HAHAHAHA! I defeated the Hyugaa!" laughed Oro/Sasuke.

Both Konoha's shinobi ran towards Neji. Sakura grabbed onto him as he fell.

"Naruto!"

"Hai!" He understood Sakura's meaning and stood in front of them. Sakura laid Neji on the ground.

"It's too late Sakura. He's dead." Oro/Sasuke laughed and turned, walking away from them.

"Stand and fight me traitor," screamed Naruto.

"Once a dead last always a dead last, dobe." Oro/Sasuke turned his head. "Both your pathetic lives I'll claim when I have the leisure. But now, I have other tasks to do." then he sinked into the ground and disappeared.

He turned and knelt beside Neji, in front of Sakura. Sakura has already opened Neji's shirt and started healing him.

"Luckily for Neji, the katana missed the heart. Unluckily for me, it hit the artery. Kusso..."

Moments past.

"I've controlled the bleeding but we still need to bring him to the hospital."

Naruto nodded. He picked Neji up.

"Naruto... Can you... We can't let..." Sakura stopped, looking at the ground.

'Stop it! A Kunoichi must not show her emotions!' Her inner self yelled at her.

"I understand," reading her mind. He created a shadow clone. The clone picked up Ino and her head. "This is the least we can do for Shikamaru." The group ran to the direction of the village.

"Wait! Put Neji down!"

"What? We need to hurry." However, Naruto did as he told.

"You silly dope. His pulse is too rapid." She placed her hands on Neji's forehead.

"Clammy and cold.." she murmured.

She concentrated chakra to her fist and slammed it down on his chest.

'Come on Neji. I don't want to see any more friends die.'

She placed two fingers at the neck. A faint but normal pulse was felt. But it was starting to pick up its tempo and his skin still feels cold and clammy. 'Shit. He's still going into a shock.' She concentrated her chakra into her hands. Both hands glowed bright orange. She placed one on Neji's forehead and the other on his chest. Slowly, she infused her chakra into him. She could feel her body protesting to her for infusing chakra into Neji. She has almost depleted her chakra during the fight and healing Neji. Her hands quivered and she saw black.

'No...' She shook her head to keep herself focus.

"Sakura?"

"Daijoubu." she smiled. Then she fainted.

"KUSOU!" Naruto moved towards Sakura. 'So pale,' he murmered. He created another shadow clone. 'Well at least I've found out another use for this jutsu. To carry knocked-out teammates.'

"Is she going to be all right? How about Neji?" Naruto grabbed Tsunade's arms when she walked out of the room.

"Neji's going to be fine. Sakura infused chakra into him to help him boost his red blood cells level temporary until he reached here. The medic-nins here will continue to boost his red blood cells level until they are back to normal. The wound has been sealed up successfully by Sakura so there's no worry there. Sakura's a bit worrying. She pushed herself too much. She had done the infusion alone when it should be done with at least 3 medic-nin. She almost depleted all her chakra reserve and killed herself."

Naruto gave her a clueless look. "You aren't talking some foreign language are you?"

Tsunade sighed. 'I should have known. We will be having a long talk again when you come back Jiraiya.'

"They will be all right. They just need some rest."

"Mnn" moaned Sakura. She slowly opened her eyes.

"Are you all right?" A familiar voice spoke.

"Tsunade-shishou?" Her mind finally tags the voice to a face.

"You silly girl. You almost killed yourself. Why did you try?" Tsunade said gently.

"I.. can't let any more of my friends die. How long have I been knocked out?"

"Two days."

"The funeral?"

"The funeral for all the dead would be held tomorrow morning. Rest now. I suppose you will want to attend the funeral tomorrow." Tsunade rose up and left the room.

"How about Neji?"

Tsunade turned. "He's all right. You've done a fine job sealing the wound." Then she left the room.

Sakura closed her eyes. She started to think of Ino.

'They are making fun of you because you tried to hide your forehead.'

'From now on, we are foes.'

She placed her arm across her eyes as tears starts to fall.

"Hello Sakura."

"Hello Shikamaru." she didn't turn. "You're late."

"I couldn't decide on which flower to give her today."

Sakura turned and faced him. "No matter what flower you bring, she will like it." She remembered that when Ino's name was mentioned during the funeral, the normally laid back Shikamaru broke down.

'Why did you go you silly girl? Why were you so careless? Why did you leave me? You are suppose to be with me, grow old together with me!'

"Thank you Sakura." Shikamaru smiled.

"I've got to go. Training with Tsunade-shishou."

"See you around then."

"Ja." Sakura left.

More author's rambling...

Thank you for reading this fic. Ehto... The next installement would be longer... I think... Hopefully I can get the next chapter up in 1 week time.