Hey guys :) This one is going to be a bit shorter than the others... Of course, I already warned you about that. Anyways, if you're very sensitive or unstable as some might call it, this might not be the chapter for you. I promise it will get better, and I tried not to.. well, you know. Anyways, I hope you like it!

Enjoy!

A month passed. The doctors said Ino wouldn't last after Thanksgiving. She passed away on a Saturday in December. Her funeral was held a few weekends after that, on a Sunday. All of her friends were invited to come, even Naruto. Also Kiba and Shino, who she hadn't known that long. It turned out that shortly after the whole group visited that one day, Ino wrote a short letter saying that she would like them all to attend her funeral, no matter what. It also said, surprisingly, that she would like a few of them to say some things.

"I know none of my family knows the new friends that I made," her mother read off her letter, wiping her eyes and sniffling before going on, "But I would like them all to come to my funeral. I know I'm going to have one, it's just a matter of time. I can say I outlived what I probably was supposed to, though. I would also like them to say something, if they would like. I know Sakura, my best friend, might have some things to say. As most of my family knows, she is my dearest friend, and I love her with all my heart. Also Naruto Uzamaki. I understand that some people attending my funeral might not like him for a certain reason, but please, give him a chance. I'm sure if you got to know him like I and all my friends have, you will see just how amazing he really is, just like we did. I love you all, and wish you all happiness. Be safe, and never lose yourself."

It was silent around the grave. People clad in black sniffled or outright bawled. Sasuke held Sakura close and stroked her hair as she soaked his shirt with tears, sobbing into his shoulder. Hinata's heart ached, and she clung to Naruto, who held her back closely. Neji stood by his sister in silence, letting Naruto console her better than Neji knew he could. He hadn't really known Ino; he'd only met her once, and hadn't even talked to her. What Hinata and the others needed was for themselves to be told by each other that it was alright, that no matter what, it was going to be ok. Ino's mother, Mrs. Yamanaka, wiped her eyes and approached Sakura.

"I-I know it's h-hard," the older woman choked out, her blue eyes that were so like Ino's looking down at Sakura with tears welled up inside, "B-But I'm s-sure she would l-like it if you s-said something." Sakura sniffled and nodded. Mrs. Yamanaka nodded thankfully and stepped aside. Sakura stepped forward but Sasuke took her hand.

Sakura looked back at him and they exchanged a look before he nodded and let go. Sakura turned and walked to the front of the crowd surrounding the grave. She made the mistake of glancing at the tombstone, which had been freshly carved with her best friend's name on the front. Sakura let out a choked sob and fell to her knees, a new wave of fresh tears flowing down her cheeks. Sasuke was immediately by her side, rubbing her back and whispering something in her ear. After a silent moment of just sniffling and sobs, Sasuke helped Sakura stand to her feet, but this time he didn't leave her side. Sakura took a deep breath.

"I," she started weakly before clearing throat, "I'm Sakura. I-Ino w-was my best f-friend… We did e-everything together when w-we were younger. E-Even as we got older we never d-drifted apart like f-friends to sometimes. S-She was the greatest p-person I'd ever known. S-Still she is. S-She made me, and a lot of o-others, l-like our friends, realize h-how little some things m-mattered compared t-to others. I-It was due to her that I-I met Sasuke and all of the others. S-She was the most a-amazing person and t-the best friend y-you could e-ever wish for." Sakura raised her head, having tilted it down when she started crying in the middle of her speech, and met Naruto's equally watery gaze.

"N-Naruto," she murmured, "P-Please… I k-know none of you knew h-her for as l-long as I d-did, but I s-still think it would m-mean a lot to her if y-you said something, N-Naruto…" Naruto's eyes widened and he immediately started to protest, but then he felt a squeeze on his hand. He looked down at Hinata in surprise.

"G-Go ahead, N-Naruto," she whispered, "F-For Ino…" Naruto stared at her for a moment before raising his gaze, his eyes landing on Mrs. Yamanaka, Ino's mother. She gave a tiny grimace of a smile and nodded.

"G-Go on, don't b-be shy," she told him, "I-It is my d-daughter's wishes." Naruto swallowed thickly and nodded, getting an encouraging squeeze on his hand from Hinata before he took Sakura's place up front, giving her a hug and Sasuke a nod as he passed. Once in front of the crowd, Naruto shifted uncomfortably.

"Erm…." He started, then sighed. He raised his eyes to look at each person in turn, seeing each person's blood-shot, tear-dried eyes gazing at him or turned to console another's. Suddenly he remembered who spoke at his parent's funeral; an old priest who didn't actually know them and didn't care.

Naruto hadn't even spoken at their funeral, he was so strung on grief, and he was scared that if he talked someone might yell and ruin the grave. Naruto's fists clenched. That was not what Ino's friends and family needed right now. They didn't need to worry, and neither did Ino. Naruto looked at each person again, his eyes lingering on Hinata as he remembered something she once said to him. Finally he took a deep breath and spoke.

"I'm Naruto Uzamaki," he started, "Some of you might know me, or know who I am, but that's not why you're here. Ino… I didn't know Ino as much as I wish I had…. I only knew her for a short time. But in the time that I did I realized that people like that can exist." Most people turned to frown at each other in question, but Naruto pushed on.

"She showed me that there are kind people in the world, that not everyone is as cruel as some people think. And sometimes people, good people like that, don't always get what they deserve." Naruto watched as Hinata's head perked up and her once sunglass-less eyes widened. He smiled a little.

"Ino deserved more," he stated, "Ino deserved to have more than what was given to her. But I'm sure anyone who met her knows, that's not the way she saw it. She was thankful that she had people in her life who loved her, as we all should be. She was happy that she got to live and be with her best friend and got to meet new friends and got to help them feel better. And we're all glad we got to know her, too. She pulled us out of our own problems and let us know that everything was going to be ok. She was wiser and smarter than anyone I've ever met still, and she was only my age. But she's not gone. I think she's watching us. Waiting for us to make the right decisions. To uncover each other's secrets so that we might understand, to be sweet and kind and nice to each other so we can make it through those bittersweet times. To be caring even when we make mistakes, and keep promises that will lead to new discoveries. We must be patient to be deserving, and look upon Ino as our amazing friend, or our sibling, cousin, daughter, and our metaphor to life." Naruto stopped and caught his breath, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Suddenly Mrs. Yamanaka let out a sob and lurched forward, pulled Naruto into a tight hug. Naruto's eyes widened as the older woman sobbed on him, and glanced around. Everyone had fresh tears, and some were even smiling a little at him.

"T-Thank you, my d-dear, thank you," Mrs. Yamanaka sobbed, "Thank you…" Naruto's eyes softened and he relaxed a bit.

"There's no need to thank me, Mrs. Yamanaka," he told her quietly. Mr. Yamanaka approached them and gave a slight smile to Naruto.

"No there is, Mr. Uzamaki," he said as Mrs. Yamanaka let go of Naruto and grabbed hold of him, "Thank you very much." Naruto smiled a little.

"You can just call me Naruto, sir," he answered. Mr. Yamanaka nodded.

"Very well, Naruto," he stated. "Thank you."

A few more people talked, and it was silent. It started to rain, and some people left. Soon it was only the group of friends and Ino's parents. Soon, though, even they left, so it was just the group of friends; Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, Sasuke, Kiba, Shino, Shikamaru, Lee, all gathered around Ino's grave. One by one they placed their flowers carefully around the stone with Ino's name on it:

Ino Yamanaka

Beautiful Daughter, Wonderful Friend

1996-2011

It was silent other than the pattering of rain. Soon everyone had gone except for Sakura and Sasuke. They were both getting soaked, but Sasuke didn't want to rush her. Finally Sakura sighed and placed her flowers down on the front, her hand brushing over Ino's name.

"Good bye…" she whispered. Sasuke approached her and she stood, taking his hand before they left the graveyard, leaving the rain pattering down upon the stone.

Dedicated to anyone who has lost someone from cancer. We are with you. If you feel you need to reach out, no matter what you're going throught, go to someone you trust. You're not alone.

You can also message me if you like, I will try to understand.

Have a good day. Stay safe.

:)