Entry no. 9: Death

A/N: SakuraXIno friendship, my personal cruel AU where everyone dies on Sakura again… set after Lee's death. WARNING: It's bull.

"Am I going to die, Sakura?"

Sakura turned to her friend, lying limply on her bed.

If she asked earlier, she could say she's not sure.

But now…

Since Ino woke up from the coma, she was dying even more quickly than before, her previous state making it easier for her body to deal with the disease and the injuries.

"Yes, Ino."

"How soon?" her voice was quiet.

Sakura let go of her tools and sat down on her friend's bed. "Very soon," she admitted. "But I'm not sure when exactly."

"That's too bad," Ino said, smiling slightly - only way of smiling her worn-out body allowed her. "I'm going to die before I get the chance for a rematch with you."

"I'm sorry about that, Ino."

"I was going to kick your ass anyway."

Sakura smiled a bit. "You were."

"Hey," the blonde called softly. "Don't be nice at me just because I'm dying. That's no fun, forehead-girl."

"Sorry."

"Are you so down because of me?"

Sakura looked at her. How could she even ask?

"Don't be," Ino said firmly. "I'm okay. I've done all I wanted to do. Except the fight, but I can live… I can die with that."

Sakura shook her head. How can she be so… calm when she's dying?

"Ne, Sakura," Ino caught her attention once more. "You know, I thought I'm dead the second those senbons hit me. And so… I did all I wanted to do in the two minutes before I blacked out. I've told my team they are the best and that I love them, I've said full-on I think I might not be the best kunoichi ever born, but I'm awesome anyways, and tried a dangerous trick with kunai Asuma-sensei showed us once. I really thought I'm gonna die there. So I did all I could so I won't regret."

"Ino…"

"I'm done in that world."

Sakura watched her friend with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Just one more thing I wanted to do - Sakura, you're the best best friend I've ever had and I… and I would send Sasuke to hell if not doing so may mean losing you. You're the best. Friend. Ever."

And one tear fell. "Idiot."

"Do you know I always had a thing for Shikamaru? I didn't until he kneeled above me when I was blacking out. Funny how you realize when it's too late, huh?"

Too late. It was definitely too late for Ino.

"Don't cry, forehead girl," Ino grinned. "Death's gonna be like vacation to me, you know? Forever vacation. No more forcing Shikamaru to move, no more yelling at Chouji to let his food go for a while."

"Stop that."

"I'm gonna love my death."

"Shut up."

"I'll say hello to Naruto and Sasuke for you."

Sakura bit her tongue. "Find Lee-san as well."

"Lee's dead?"

"Yes."

Ino closed her eyes. "And your parents. I'll find your parents. Is there something you want to tell them?"

"That I loved them," Sakura said simply. "I guess that… all that was supposed to be said was."

"Fine. Easier for me to remember."

"Ino?"

"Yeah?"

"When you die…"

"Wait. Don't cry when I die, okay? Be happy for me. Because imagine how boring lying in this bed is for me. Death is freedom."

"Okay. When you die, who do you want to get the flower shop?"

"You."

Sakura grimaced. "I'm terrible with flowers."

"You'll manage."

Sakura took her hand and squeezed it.

Ino tried squeezing her, too, but failed.

And then she gasped for breath.

Once, twice…

Her heartbeat slowed dramatically.

"Bye, Ino," Sakura said, knowing that this was the last paroxysm.

And Ino died.

And Sakura didn't cry.

It's funny, death, really.

How you can find deep sorrow in it, but inner calmness as well.

How death can help you deal with death.

A/N: Warned you.