Ino Yamanaka felt this was it—the final, desperate battle.
With her best friend.
Using kunai, shuriken, explosives, secret techniques—everything she could wield—to fight the friend she had grown up with, shared every childhood memory with, and even chased the same boy alongside.
She had steeled herself to face it all. Yet she was not prepared to see the girl kneeling quietly before a gravestone.
That pink hair. That red clothing.
"Sakura…"
Sakura knelt in the dirt. This was only a secluded corner of the forest, not in a cemetery proper. No grave markers, no flowers—just a small stone marking a tiny grave. Here lay the parents of the rogue ninja Haruno Sakura. They had died by suicide, shamed by what the outside world would call the betrayal of their beloved child.
Everyone in Konoha knew the story.
But did anyone know the truth?
"Ino?"
The voice was soft, hollow, like the sound of being abandoned by the world.
"Sakura."
Ino stepped forward. Her weapons, so carefully readied, became useless. The kunai in her hand clattered to the ground. Hidden explosives were tossed into the grass. Even the prepared triggering seals for a sneak attack were folded back into her pouch.
She saw the scarred forehead protector and recognized that Sakura now stood with the red-caped Akatsuki attacking the village. Logic screamed at her: Strike first. Use any means necessary. Kill this enemy.
But when she saw the pink hair, the red clothes, all desire to fight vanished.
Sakura was Sakura. Ino was Ino.
"Don't worry. This belongs to the Yamanaka clan. I've taken care of your uncle and aunt's matters. They may not be with everyone else, but the view here is nice. I think they'll like it."
There was no accusation, no scolding—only comfort.
Finally, Sakura understood what it meant to be part of a "plastic" sisterhood. Perhaps only plastic flowers could bloom forever.
"Ino, aren't you going to ask why?"
"Before I saw you, I wanted to ask. But now… I already know."
Ino's words brushed aside the long golden hair that veiled one of her eyes. The exposed green eye met Ino's emerald gaze. Years of shared memories reflected there, echoes from long ago.
A friend choosing a different path was not shocking. Even if their stance diverged, the bond remained. Sakura of Konoha, Sakura elsewhere—she was still Sakura. Ino saw no betrayal, no confusion, no despair in her friend's eyes. That was enough.
Sakura had endured neither suffering nor humiliation. She needed no rescue, no help forced upon her.
People said Sakura had changed, become irredeemable, infamous.
But Ino saw those green eyes. She was still the same Sakura—innocent, determined, brave, and unwavering.
People claimed Sakura had descended into hell.
But who defined hell? The word is merely a construct, a label given by perception and knowledge. To be called evil is simply to be different from the majority.
These were complex ideas for Ino, yet when she met Sakura's gaze, understanding struck with lightning speed.
"Many things have happened in Konoha lately. Ever since that one person's identity was revealed, everything changed. I don't know why, but seeing you… makes me feel at ease."
Ino forced a satisfied smile.
Tears streamed down Sakura's face, the weight of past grievances finally spilling out.
Then a hand brushed them away.
"I don't know the burden you carry… but it must be heavy. I'm sorry. In the end, I couldn't help at all."
The tears would never be fully wiped away.
Sakura wanted to scream, to shout:
It's not my fault! Sasuke betrayed me! I couldn't abandon my duty as a medical ninja! I only went to Amegakure to save Kita! I didn't do anything wrong! My parents were killed by Konoha to silence me…
But she said nothing.
She only cried.
Ino offered her shoulder. Her gaze softened, like it had in days long past.
"It's like we're children again. You used to cry on my shoulder when those bullies hurt you. You never told me why. Later, I found out they laughed at your broad forehead. But Sakura, that's your strength. Look—you finally completed Tsunade-sama's Byakugou Seal. Beautiful, isn't it?"
The crying continued. Ino choked on her own voice. She patted her friend's back, feeling the pain in her chest and stomach.
"I'm sorry, Sakura. I could never truly help you. Even as a child, knowing they mocked your forehead, I could only fight them a little. I should have been stronger—strong enough to make them never dare again. But I failed. I could only let you not hate the name… I'm sorry, Sakura…"
Ino cried. Her burning tears fell on Sakura's pale neck, searing and painful.
"During the Chunin Exams… I arrived too late. You had to cut your beautiful hair. I couldn't help. I couldn't save you. I just watched her hit you. I was too scared to intervene sooner. I… I failed. I was too weak… I did nothing right…"
No. Ino had already done enough.
Sakura shook her head. Not like that. She stepped back, wiped her tears, and met Ino's reddened, tear-filled eyes. She swallowed her grief, her weakness. She breathed deeply, halting the tears that threatened to betray her.
This was Sakura's choice. A path she must walk alone.
Finally, she succeeded.
"Thank you… Ino."
The one who sobbed now passed the mantle. Ino stiffened at the words, then the tears she held back, the false strength she had maintained, became despair.
She knew… nothing could ever return… Sakura had finally bloomed into a beautiful cherry blossom.
She should have laughed, celebrating Sakura's growth, but Ino could not. Not by force, not by command, not even by will alone.
She could only cry—painful cries, sorrowful cries, desperate cries.
…Sakura… doesn't need me anymore…
Ino didn't understand her own feelings. Her body ached as if something had shattered it from within. Thought was impossible; all she could think about was that Sakura no longer needed her. This should have been good, a cause for celebration—but she could not rejoice. She could only cry, repeating the same words over and over, words no one else should have to say:
"I'm sorry, Sakura… sob… I'm sorry, Sakura…"
"Sakura, it's not your fault. Thank you for being my friend, for always standing by me. But this time… I can't let you get hurt. I'm sorry, Ino."
Sakura…
Sakura…
Sakura…
In the flowering fields, the pink-haired, red-clad figure stood.
The young girl in the moment, emerald eyes glistening.
"Ino… I'm sorry."
Ino fell—not to the ground—but into Sakura's arms.
—Ino, Konoha is no longer my home. Being near me would endanger you. I must leave. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for trusting me. Sasuke betrayed me; he could betray you too. Stay away from him. I wish you happiness… forever.
All her wishes converged into a kiss, landing on Sakura's hair. Sakura glanced at her parents, then at Ino, before flying toward the raging battlefield.
Pain, I do not hate Konoha. I do not hate the world. But I will seek justice for this unfair world.
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If you're enjoying the story, the complete fanfic is already available on P@treon(.)com/Crimson_Lore