Sakura's p.o.v

It's so painful.

It's been a little bit over a month since Ino was killed... She didn't deserve something like this. She was too good of a person.

I was receiving letters about Ino's funeral in the mail from her mom and dad. The date for the funeral was coming up soon, but I wasn't ready. I never got the chance to call her parents to see how they were holding up after this.

I've been pondering about when it was the right time to call them. I'm scared to speak or face them. I feel bad about what happened to her. It's hurting me to my core.

Every day since Ino has been gone; I would stop by the flower shop. While I was there, I would sit across the street, and just stare at it.

After the shooting police officers were there all the time. As the days went by, they slowly disappeared one by one. There hasn't been any word about the status of the case. I was guessing that the people in charge of it just gave up because they couldn't find anything.

This is all I did. This was the only thing I felt was right. I couldn't do anything else for Ino. This feeling was the worse and I just felt like shit. Then to add on the bullshit Naruto pulled was overwhelming too. When the police finally disappeared completely, I would water some of the flowers on the outside.

I wonder if her parents stopped by here.

The funeral date was getting closer and closer. I didn't need to go out and buy a black dress. A while ago Ino bought me a black dress. We were supposed to do something together, but never did it. I think we were going to go to this event we were invited too.

I decided to wear that since Ino got it. If her spirit was there, I know she would be happy to see me in it.

There wasn't anyone I could talk to anymore. I know I lost just about everything and everyone that was dear to me. Was this what it felt like to be lonely or abandoned? Then I remembered there is one person I might be able to talk too and that was Sasuke.

He was calling me all the time, but I never answered my phone. I didn't answer my phone because I thought the subject of Naruto would come up. I didn't even want to think about him nor speak his name. Why would I want to think about someone who keeps hurting me? I'd rather pass on it. There are bigger things I would have to worry about.

But I knew it was time to call Ino's parents. I needed to apologize.

For the first time in a long time, I finally picked up my phone. There were over 20 missed calls on my phone. I know a few of them were from Sasuke, but I didn't check the others. My first priority was to call Ino's parents.

The phone started ringing and I waited for someone to pick up.

"Hello?"

" ?"

"Sakura, is that you?"

"Yeah…" I bite down on my lip roughly, before I said anything else. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have called you earlier and told you what happened to Ino. You shouldn't have had to see your daughter was gone through the news. I should have been the first to say anything. I was just so scared."

"Sakura, it's okay. I understand. I would feel the same way if I was in your shoes. I know things like that are very overwhelming. Don't worry. I appreciate you calling me now. I'm still hurting over losing her, but it's okay."

"I'm still sorry…"

"You should prepare yourself for the funeral on Friday. Don't spend your time apologizing. You're going to need all your energy, if you want to get through with this."

"Right. Thank you for listening."

"You're welcome, Sakura. I'll see you on Friday."

"Bye bye."

Friday came faster than I thought it would. Today was supposed to be a sunny day, as I seen on the weather channel. When I looked outside, it was gloomy, and the sky was grey. Fitting weather for such a sad day. I grabbed an umbrella before I left, just in case it started to rain.

There was another flower shop located in the inner part of the city. I stopped by there before I went over to the cemetery. I wanted to buy Ino some flowers. Her favorite color was purple, so I bought a bunch of purple flowers in a small bundle.

I didn't even know what kind of flowers I picked out. Now that Ino's gone, it seems like the little knowledge of flowers I did have is gone now.

My body started to feel weak. I wasn't ready to go to this funeral. Every step that I took was painful. The feeling of everything being numb was slowly coming back. This was real pain. Pain I couldn't get rid of. I knew this sort of pain would stick with me forever.

When I arrived, there were already people here. Most of the people that were here, I didn't know. I recognized a few people. Naruto was there too. When I seen him, my body froze. I didn't expect him to be here. Ino's mom must have invited him. I didn't even want to look at his stupid face.

The entire time while I was standing there I kept my head lowered. I couldn't look anyone in the face.

We waited a few more minutes for the rest of the people to arrive. The funeral started and the pastor began to talk. It was an open casket funeral. I was buried in the small group of people. It was like I was being suffocated by a black swarm of darkness.

The pastor read a few passages from the bible. Then the time came for people to share their thoughts on Ino before they lowered her casket in the ground. Ino's parents walked up to the open casket together and began to speak about their daughter. They said so many wonderful things about her. Everyone said something but me. I wasn't going to say anything at first because I could barely open my mouth.

"Is there anyone else that would like to say anything?" The pastor spoke out.

"I have something to say…" I took a deep breath and walked forward. "Ino was an amazing person and friend. She was always there for me when I needed someone and when I felt like the world was turning on me. She made me believe that anything in this world can change for the better. The only thing we have to do is wait for the change to come. She use to say a flower is the greatest example of a person. They take their time becoming the person that they want to be, and then bloom into something beautiful. And Ino was such a beautiful person." I could barely speak anymore. The entire time while I was talking, I was trying to hold back tears. I had to be strong. I had to continue to be strong.

I got one good look at Ino's face while she was laying there. She looked so peaceful.

I stepped back in the crowd as they started to lower the casket in the ground.

"It's okay if you want to cry." A familiar voice whispered to me. It was Naruto's voice.

"Leave me alone please."

"I know things between us aren't okay right now. But just for today can we act like there isn't anything wrong and let me hold your hand."

I could feel his fingers intertwining with mine, but I snatched my hand away.

"I don't need you to hold my hand. I'm not a child. I know what it feels like to be in pain. I don't need your sympathy or pity."

"It's not even like that Sakura."

"Then what is it like? You were never there when I needed you. The last time I did need you, some bitch that you're probably fucking opened the door."

"I don't even know who that woman was. Just listen to me. Stay away from Sasuke. That's all I'm asking you. Stay away from him…"

"Don't tell me what to do. You have no say so over me."

"He's dangerous, Sakura please."

"Stop talking to me. I asked you to stay away from me and not to speak my name anymore. Now leave me alone and go back to doing what you know how to do best… Lie."

The men finished burying Ino's casket. The service was over. The entire area was covered in flowers. Everyone left, but me. When everyone was gone out of sight, I sat down in front of Ino's tombstone. I didn't know what I was doing.

I was holding the bundle of flowers I bought.

"Hi Ino. I know you won't be able to speak back, but I hope you can hear me."

"I wish you were still here with me, with everyone."

"I miss you so much and I won't be able to talk to you ever again Ino."

"You're one of the best things that ever happened to me."

"I wish it was me in the casket instead of you. There was so much in life you didn't get to experience yet."

"How do I keep going? How I am going to be strong? There's so much I didn't tell you."

"I never told you about the baby I almost had when I was younger. I got pregnant by Naruto, but I had a miscarriage. I was only about a month pregnant, but I was so afraid to tell you."

The tears started pouring out my eyes,

An idea popped up in my head. This wasn't the best answer for things, but it was the only thing I could think of doing.

"Tonight I'm going to stop by my house and get two or three duffle bags. I'm going to go over to your house. "

"I'm going to take all the things you loved the most like pictures and some of your favorite flowers. I promise I'll take care of them. I'll make sure they'll grow strong.

"I'll send your parents most of the pictures."

"I'm going to burn down the flower shop. I can't have it, so whoever does this can drive by there and get pleasure from what he or she has done."

"I know it's not my place to do something like this, but I don't know what else to do. I can't keep walking by there and thinking about what I could have done to save you if I was given that chance." I stood up and laid the flowers with the rest. I waved at the tombstone and smiled.

"Thank you Ino. Maybe I'll be with you soon."

I did exactly what I planned to do that night.

I got the duffle bags and filled them with things that Ino cherished. One bag was full with pictures and the others were full of Ino's favorite flowers, and some supplies for them.

I placed the bags outside. Then I walked back in to complete the final step. The lighter that I was going to use to start the fire was cheap, but it would do. I flicked the lighter until a small flame came out. I held the flame up to one of the cloth curtains in back room, until it caught on fire.

As the fire slowly started to spread, I walked across the street, and sat down with the bags. I watched the fire consume the bottom floor of the building before it started to make its way up. The entire building was up in flames.

I sat there for a while listening to the crackling of the fire and watching the wood break into piece.

I stood up and started making my way home when I heard the sirens from a fire truck getting closer.

"I'm sorry Ino."

I want to take a moment to thank everyone that has been reading this fanfic and sticking with me. I appreciate every review, favorite, and follow that I get. So thank you again. I'm trying my best to get everyone interested.

AND I'd like to give a shoutout to my homie (eightohone). If you like SasuNaru, you should go check out her current story, "Redemption". Give it a favorite, follow, and don't forget to leave a review.

s/10551326/1/Redemption -Link (don't forget to put the fanfiction. net in front of it.)