NOTE: Whatever happens in this story, I will fix it, so do NOT give up on me no matter how bad it seems at the moment.

Wind rustled in the leaves. A chill was in the air. The world was getting dark- and it was morning. The village was in for a real storm. Aimi was curled up in her bed, not willing to get out. She stared out the window at the dark town and sighed. Yesterday had been… interesting. She let her words slip ahead of her, like always. She wasn't sure if Sasuke was alright. For all she knew, he was where she left him yesterday. She sighed again and stopped looking at the window.

She lied down. She felt something move under the bed. It was bigger than Akio or Emi, Chika was still in her room snoring… who could it be?! "Who's there?" she asked, slowly reaching for a dagger she kept on her bedside table. The creature stopped moving. She held the dagger close to her and slowly, cautiously got out of bed. She kneeled down and looked under her bed. It was too dark to see anything. She reached and felt around. Then she felt some hair. She jumped back. "Who's that?!" she asked. Hesitantly, the person spoke softly and mumbly. "Nrto." She blinked. Oh. No. "NARUTO?!" she whisper-yelled, trying not to wake anyone up. "Yes…" he said. "What the heck are you doing under my bed?!" she asked. "I had no where else to go." he said. "Have you ever heard of the word, 'home'?" Aimi said, annoyed. "Well…" he said, sounding lost a bit. Aimi shook her head. "Whatever. Come out from there." she said. Naruto wormed his way out from under the bed. "Next time, hide under Miko's bed, OK? She's your girlfriend…" Aimi trailed off when she saw Naruto's expression. He looked like he hurt. "Are you OK?" she asked. "I came here 'cause this house is closer. I… um… kind of… got hurt…" Naruto said shyly. It would be hard for him to admit he couldn't take care of himself. All boys are like that. Aimi noticed he was sitting weird. "Where did you get hurt?" she asked. "My back." he said. He turned around. Aimi saw his shirt was torn and there were 3 cuts slanted down his back. She gasped. "How did you… did you challenge someone stronger than you to a fight?" she asked. He blushed and shrugged. "Naruto!" she said. "Come to the bathroom and take off your shirt. We're gonna need to wash that." she added. He did as she said. "Ow!" he flinched as she began to wash it. "Don't focus on the pain. that'll make it worse." she said. He whimpered as she continued. When she finished, she went to get some bandages. She came back with them and began to wrap them around him. "Who did this?" Aimi asked. "Kiba." Naruto replied. "He doesn't look like the type." Aimi said. "Well, I challenged him and told him not to go easy…" Naruto trailed off. "And he followed orders. Now I can imagine THAT…" Aimi sighed. "How much blood?" Naruto asked, sounding kind of scared. "Enough." Aimi replied. He whined. She grabbed his hand and led him away. "Can you make it home?" she asked. "Yeah. Thanks!" he said. Then he glomped her. "Ak!" then she giggled. "You're welcome." she said. She led him to the door. He skipped off after glomping her again. "Funny guy." she said. She closed the door.

She did her normal morning routine, then headed out the door. She looked around at the cold world around her. She closed her eyes while walking. Naturally, she bumped into someone. "Watch it." a familiar voice said. "Mm. Hi Sasuke." she said dully. She began to walk away, but his arm shot out and blocked her. This is oddly familiar. She tried going around the other side. He blocked her again. "What?" she asked tiredly. "You OK?" he asked. "Yah. Are you?" Aimi asked. "Hn. Why wouldn't I be?" he replied. "Well. Yesterday-" Aimi began. Sasuke stopped her. "I know very well what happened yesterday. The memory is vivid. TOO vivid." he said in his usual cold tone. Aimi sighed. "Yah well." she said in a flat tone. She didn't know how to talk to him anymore. "Thank you." Sasuke said quietly. "What?" Aimi asked. "Thank you… for helping." he said in a whisper. Aimi felt tears well up in her eyes. She blinked them back. She gave him a hug. "Oh, Sasuke…" she said, her voice quivering. "D-don't cry." Sasuke said. Aimi smiled. He knew how to handle everything… except feelings. They stayed in their hug.

--SASUKE'S POV--

Sasuke heard Aimi gasp. "What?" he asked worriedly. She fell. He caught her. He saw something in her neck. Poison dart. "Aimi! Aimi! No… no… no… Aimi! Aimi are you ok?" he yelled. Aimi quivered. "I'm…OK…" she said with difficulty. He put her down on the ground and checked her pulse. Slow. Too slow. "Aimi. Aimi, don't die on me…" he whispered. "I wont die. I…promise…" she said, her voice getting quieter every second. She closed her eyes. "Aimi." he said. She didn't reply. "Aimi?" Nothing. "Aimi!" Still, nothing. "AIMI!" he yelled her name to the world. He checked her pulse. Nothing. "No! No! No! No! No! NO!!" he cried out. He picked her up bridal style and began to run to the hospital. Rain fell hard. He ran as fast as he could. She couldn't die. She promised. He stopped at the hospital. "We need help! NOW!" he yelled to the woman at the front desk. She got someone and he waited while she was taken away from him. He waited, his head held in his hands. This cant be happening. Not her. Why? Why are the ones so full of life and joy the first to die? Why?

Chika, Miko, and Naruto arrived at the hospital. They rushed to Sasuke. "What happened?!" they all asked. He told them. They all began to cry a little. "Not Aimi…" Miko said. Sasuke nodded. "Aimi." he said.

The nurse came out. Everyone practically attacked her. "Well?" Sasuke asked, nervously. The nurse bowed her head. "I'm sorry. But she didn't make it." Naruto, Chika and Miko began to cry hard. Everything slowed down around Sasuke. "No! She wouldn't die! She promised!" he yelled. The nurse shook her head. Then looked up. "A-are you Sasuke?" the woman asked. He nodded. "She said to tell you she's sorry. And- she left all these notes for you and the rest of them." she said, handing him a bunch envelopes. Sasuke shook his head and took the envelopes. "When could she have written these?" he whispered.

Chika walked over. Her eyes were red. "What are th- the letters!" she exclaimed. Sasuke looked at her with a weird look. "The…letters…?" he asked. "She wrote some letters last night. She wouldn't let me near them. She said she would keep them with her and if anything were to happen to her to give them to certain people." Chika said. Sasuke's mind flashed to the day before, when she had yelled at him. Called him Itatchi. Fought. That must have sent her into thinking. But how could she know to do it just the right time?

He looked at the letters, then up to the nurse. She had begun to walk away. "Hey." he said. She turned. "Can we…see her?" he asked hesitantly. The nurse thought for a minute and then said, "Alright. Follow me." Sasuke called the others, then they all followed the nurse to a room. She opened the door, then walked away. "I'll give you some time." she called over her shoulder. They crowded into the room. There was Aimi, her hands to her sides, all the color drained out of her. She looked sad. Her eyes were closed. Her hair, which used to be a lively brown with purplish streaks, now was a dull brown and the streaks were fading. Sasuke shut his eyes and clenched his fists. Whoever did this will pay. I'll kill him. He opened his eyes, which were now wet with tears. He let go of his clenched fists.

Chika, Naruto and Miko were kneeling at her side. They were staring at her sadly. Sasuke stayed in the background. He looked at the envelopes in his hand. The one on the top was marked Chika. He walked over and put his hand on her shoulder. She looked up and he handed her the envelope. The next was marked Naruto. He thrust it out to Naruto who looked up along with Chika. The next said, Miko. He handed to Miko. The next read, Ichirou. Sasuke just shook his head and put it in his pocket. Ichirou would get it. He put his hand over his heart as if he was promising her. The last was scrawled across in cursive. Sasuke. He stared at it. He saw the others were reading theirs. But he couldn't bear to read it. He shoved it in his pocket along with Ichirou's.

--NARUTO'S LETTER--

Naruto opened the letter. He took it out of the envelope and noticed something else was inside. He looked in to see what it was. He pulled out a mood necklace and a rope bracelet that had orange rope woven into it that spelled out NARUTO. He put them on and read the letter.

Dear Naruto,

Please excuse the "dear" because I know you'll make a big deal out of it if I don't write that. Anyway, If you are reading this, I'm probably dead. Yah. Dead. If I was alive, I wouldn't believe it either. But I'm dead. Well, anyway, I just want you to know that you made a good friend when I needed one. You are the funniest boy I've ever met, and you don't seem easily embarrassed. I know you'll make the BEST hokage there ever was someday. Don't give up on that. If you do, I will come back alive and kill you. I don't want you to get overly sad about my dying. You've got to move on after a while. And don't let Miko get sad either. Promise to protect the girls, OK? OK. The gifts you found in the envelope were made by me. Yeah, I made them. Be thankful, they took me FOREVER. You're the man.

Love ya,

AimiPS Don't you dare cry right now.

Naruto couldn't help it. He cried.

--CHIKA'S LETTER--

Chika's letter had a tiara with pearls on it and a matching necklace for gifts. It was easy to see when she opened the chunky envelope. She smiled softly and began to read.

Dear Chika,

If you are reading this, I am probably dead. I don't want you to get too sad about this. Tell Emi that her wisdom rocks and tell Akio he's the man of the house. I love you Chika. You are the BEST sister ever. If anything, let my death only make you stronger. I hope you like my gifts, 'cause they cost me a fortune. Well, anyway, I love you very much. Move on from my death, because you have nothing if you act like it. Play some music! That always cheered me up in my distress. I'm sorry I'm making this so short, but…

Love you,

Aimi

--MIKO'S LETTER--

Miko opened her letter. A ruby and a diamond fell out. They shone brightly on the floor. Miko picked them up and stared at them before putting them away. Then she read.

Dear Miko,

If you are reading this, them I'm probably dead. Hope you like my jewels! I've been meaning to give you them… but somehow, I think this is the best way to give them to you. You're the best best friend I have ever had. Just making sure you knew that. Tee hee. Ive known you since I was like 2, and you've always been there for me. Now be there for Chika. And Naruto as well. Heaven knows Naruto needs it. Well… if Sasuke lets you, and want you to be there for him too. He might need it even more than Naruto. And don't be too sad about my death. People die every day. I'm just another one out of about a million per day. Stay happy.

Love ya like a sister,

Aimi

--SASUKE'S POV (NOT LETTER)--

Sasuke walked away from the hospital. He snuck out when everyone was reading their letters. He sighed. This was it. She was really gone.

Apparently, Ichirou found out because he slammed into Sasuke while he was running towards the hospital. "She's DEAD!!" he yelled at Sasuke. Sasuke took a few steps back and nodded. Ichirou stared at him. "How can you not be there?" he asked. Sasuke didn't speak. He just stared at Ichirou. Ichirou gaped at him. "What the heck?! You are so selfish!" Ichirou yelled. Then he hit Sasuke, straight on. Sasuke stumbled back and fell onto the ground. He didn't get up. He didn't even feel anger. He pulled out Ichirou's letter and gave it to him. But he didn't get up. Ichirou stared at him. Thunder roared ahead. He grabbed the letter and ran.

Sasuke just layed back onto the ground and felt the rain on him. He remembered last time he'd done that, Aimi was with him. He sighed and stared into the sky. He heard Aimi's laughter. He saw her dancing in the rain. But then she faded away. "AIMI!!" he yelled. The clouds swirled around everywhere. As he cried, he put his hand to his face. As he pulled it away, he saw red. He cried some blood. He shut his eyes. I just want this to be over. Just walk away, leave everything behind, and have me forget everything and everyone here. Maybe if I just walked into the lake… just walk into the lake and drown… Do not think of that! Is that what Aimi would want?! Is it?! He stared at the sky, not sure of what to do. He decided just to stay there.

--ICHIROU'S LETTER--

Ichirou stared at the letter inside the hospital. He pulled out the paper and noticed something else was there. He looked in and saw a ring with a green rock in it. He slipped it on. He saw a necklace just like it. He put it on as well. Then he read.

Dear Ichirou,

If you are reading this, then I'm probably dead. Like my gifts? I found the rocks and made the necklace and ring by myself. Heee. Hope you like! Well, the only thing I can think of right now is I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't know you very well, I'm sorry I have a friend who was willing to kill you, I'm sorry I didn't give you much a chance to be with me. don't be too upset that I died. Don't let Sasuke beat you up. Protect the girls. That includes Naruto. -smiles- Well. I'm sorry I can't put much in here. But short and sweet. I really thought of you as one of my closest friends. You rock.

Love ya,

Aimi

That's right. Short and sweet. He grinned.

--SASUKE'S POV--

Sasuke finally had gotten up and gotten home. He just sat there. Then he remembered his letter. Should I read it? He wasn't sure. It could make things worse, for all he knew. He pulled the letter out and set it on his bedside table. He stared at it. He focused on breathing. He imagined Aimi there with him, sitting by his side, smiling. She was laughing. She was saying nice things. She was hugging him. Then she got up and danced around the room. Then, as if she realized she was dead, she disappeared. Sasuke found it hard to breathe. He bowed his head.

He pulled the letter out. He saw something else inside. He pulled it out. A black rose. He held it in his hand as he red the letter.

Dear Sasuke,

If you are reading this, I am dead. Don't be too sad over this. Be sure to know that I didn't ever want to make anyone sad. And I never wanted to die. Don't cry. I know, that's not something you really do, but its possible. I also know you really need someone there for you. Quit pushing everyone away. Let someone in. It would do you good. A lot of good. There is a storm raging as I write this. Remember me every time it rains. Rain is my favorite weather. Feel free to go out and dance in it like I used to. And smile once in a while. Being strong doesn't mean being emotionless. Please know the difference. The rose I gave you will not die. I made sure of that. Keep the rose. Do not enjoy it for just one day, enjoy it for a lifetime. Black roses are hard to find. I love you.

Love,

Aimi

Sasuke drew in a breath as he read the last part. I love you. He repeated the words in his head, over and over, until he could barely think. He put the letter in a drawer. He sat down and thought to himself about what he read. He wondered if he loved her. He looked at the black rose in his hand. It seemed to glow, even though it was dark. He listened to the rain pounding. Everything made him think of her.

CRASH!

"AH!"

"GO!"

"EVERYONE!"

"FIGHT!"

"RUN!"

"HE'S COMING!"

"SAVE YOURSELVES!"

"GET A SWORD!"

Sasuke leaped into action. Something was happening. And he needed to help.