Okay, here's another chapter!!

I'm hitting writer's block really bad right now, so I'm sorry if it takes longer to pump out more chapters! But I'll keep trying!!!

If any weird ideas come up, feel free to message me.

Thanks to all who read!!!!

Once again, I don't own Naruto!!!

Chapter 8: Last Breath

The rain had ceased by morning, leaving only the clouds in the sky. The sun peeked through a few clouds, beginning to dry up last nights mess. Ino inhaled slowly, taking in the wonderful smell. Pausing, she realized that she was also inhaling a different scent as well. She wasn't exactly sure how to describe it, but it was a warm, comforting smell. Actually, she kind of liked it.

Opening her eyes, she gasped, realizing that she was pressed up against something warm. Someone, she realized, had their arm around her. Her eyes wandered up as she pushed herself back, blinking several times, clearing the sleep from her eyes as Gaara's face came into view. She smiled slightly, remembering last night. Her eyes remained locked on his face, unwilling to move. He seemed so relaxed and serene.

Sitting there for a minute, she finally decided it was best she get up and moving around. Carefully, she slid down, scooting slowly out from under his arm, as to not wake him. Grimacing, she sat up, feeling more strength through her body. She smiled, turning around to Gaara and pulling the blanket more over him, centering his trench coat over his body.

Turning her back to him, she pulled her hair brush out of her bag, tearing it through her long hair. She sighed as she pulled it slowly back, leaving a section over her right eye, and tying it with the band she always kept on her wrist.

Slowly crawling out of the tent, she plopped next to the remaining pile of wood, starting it with chakra. There wasn't much left, so they would have to get some to use to make breakfast. She inhaled sharply as she heard a rustle behind her, making her turn her head quickly. She relaxed upon seeing what had caused it.

"Good morning." She said softly, smiling as Gaara slowly came out of the tent.

"Good morning." Gaara returned, blinking his eyes a few times, trying to wake up fully. He had his trench coat back on, his hair combed.

"So, how did you sleep?" She asked softly, resting her cheek on her knees.

"I slept well, thank you." His voice was quiet, almost distant. "And you?"

"I slept pretty damn well. I feel great, thanks to you."

He smiled at her, then glanced at the fire. "I'll go get some more wood. Once we eat, we'll head out." He told her, touching her shoulder as he walked past her and out of the clearing.

Ino smiled slightly at his retreating back, then slowly stood up. "I should clean up before we leave." She said softly to herself, turning away from the fire and heading to Konoha River again. Stretching as she walked, she was glad that her muscles had relaxed, making her grin.

"Faaaabulous!" She sang softly, nearing the river and kneeling down. She grimaced as she repositioned herself, holding her shoulder. "Oooh, ouch, man!" She grumbled, leaning down and splashing water on her face, glad that the wounds on her face had sealed, however, they weren't healed. Sitting up, she stared at her shoulder, sighing as she began to pull off the bandages.

One, two, three, four, five, six... She began to see spots of blood that seeped through. Eleven, twelve, and thirteen… The blood got thicker and thicker, but it was more dried than fresh. Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen…

"Geeze… Gaara must have wrapped this thing up like an OCD doctor…" She muttered, reaching twenty-five before she had to peel it from her skin. She tossed the rewound bundle aside, staring down at her shoulder.

It seemed better. Almost. There was a lot of dried blood around it, though. The bleeding had stopped, leaving a strange, thin film covering it. 'I'll have to be careful not to tear this thing open,' She noted, reaching for the bloodied rag and rinsing it out the best she could.

She carefully patted away the dried blood around it, pursing her lips as it stung. "It looks a bit better, now that it's been given some good old-fashioned TLC." Tossing the rag aside, she did a few hand signs. "I wonder how much of this I could heal…" She thought aloud, raising her hands to her shoulder, emitting a green glow.

Pain ripped through her shoulder as the muscles slowly began rebuilding themselves, pulling together. She gasped, barely able to hold the jutsu as her torso lowered, folding her body in thirds; legs folded beneath her. After a minute, she ended it, not wanting to lower her chakra too much.

She lay unmoving for a long time, breathing sharply after her strained effort. After gathering her strength, she slowly pulled herself up, staggering the first few steps before heading back to camp, clutching her shoulder.

Gaara hadn't returned yet, making Ino raise her brow upon seeing the empty camp. "Gaara?" She asked, looking around. There was no sign of him. She sighed, walking towards the dying fire.

"Ino!"

She jumped upon hearing her name, turning towards the sound to see Gaara walking towards her quickly, a strange look in his eye.

"Oh, Gaara, you scared me there for a minute…" She trailed off, seeing that Gaara looked angry. "A-are you o—"

"Where the hell have you been?!" He screamed at her, cutting her off.

"I-I'm sorry, I went t-to the river to clean up a-and—" She stuttered, her eyes wide. He was suddenly right in front of her, grabbing her forearms.

"I was worried about you, Ino!" He hissed, gripping tighter. "You didn't even tell me that you were going!"

"I-I'm sorry… I sh-should have told you…" She whimpered, feeling his sand clench around where his hands were, taking their place.

"G-Gaara, you're hurting me…" She gasped, trying to pull out of his hold. But she was unsuccessful. She could hardly move.

He ignored her. "Don't ever scare me like that again!" He yelled at her, his sand slowly tightening. "I-I'm s-sorry, Gaara! B-but let go! Y-you're hurting me! Plea—" She was cut off by a sharp slap from Gaara.

"Don't you dare tell me what to do." He whispered menacingly.

She looked up at him, her cheek throbbing, tears threatening to spill over. What happened to him? Why is he acting like this? 'Wh-what happened to my Gaara..?' She thought sadly, lowering her eyes.

"G-Gaara…" She choked, closing her eyes. "I… I-I didn't mean to upset you… B-but please… Will you p-please let go?" She whispered, hoping her soft tone would calm him down.

She froze upon feeling something cold and sharp against her neck, opening her eyes to a crazed look in Gaara's face. He had a kunai pressed against her jugular. "You're getting on my nerves."

Her tears finally poured down her face, eyes wide as she stared up at him, his cold eyes glaring back. There was no escape, she couldn't even move; he had her shoulders locked into place with his sand.

She slowly closed her eyes.

No longer will she be alone.

She'll join her comrades now.

It was time she died, anyways.

She took one last deep breath.