A/N - Alright, everyone must understand that there will be more dialogue in this, which means it'll be longer tiny bit longer. That's all I can say in till the ending comes.

Here we go.

Epilogue

These days, they have been going by so slow. I no longer lose myself, I never have since I became friends with Ino again, but without her by my side I almost wished time would just stop obeying the law and started to go by years at a time. This way I wouldn't have to be tortured slowly. This way everything could be over in a blink of an eye.

Things between me and Ino has not progressed at all, no matter how bad I wished them to. twenty-eight years old and it is exactly how we left it in high school. Though, I am no longer the child that runs down the hallways to get away from the imaginary darkness, but instead run down the halls of the hospital, trying to keep the darkness from taking people away.

Irony, it's one of the less loved things in my life. Because Irony was a joker, and loved cracking one or two as it laughed at its own, not considering on whether the people all around it found it funny also.

Irony, you have personal permission to kiss my arse.

Still, more things have changed. Ino has married. I personally thought it was a bit too quick, but to me, Ino marrying anyone would always be a bit too quick if it wasn't to me.

If I were a masochist I would describe her wedding as pure blissfulness that filled me with nothing but the utmost divine pleasure too see her receive the ring and the 'tying the knot' kiss.

If only…

To see her receive that ring on that sacred finger that belonged to me was gut wrenching.

To see that soft smile of hers as he looked up at her and said 'I do' was nauseating.

And to see her kiss back made me so revolted that after the wedding I couldn't bring myself to go to the reception.

As she enjoyed her moment of true happiness, I threw up in my toilet. Dramatic? Very, but that didn't stop the rejected fluid to rush out of my mouth. Didn't stop the heart break feeling from tearing me apart continuously for two weeks afterwards. And the tears didn't even grant a second thought as I cried myself to sleep for so many nights from there forth on.

I don't care if she didn't have a clue, she should have known! She should have saw right passed my disguise as I tired so hard not to show my true feelings for her. What was she thinking? Why did she continue to be so selfish to a point where marriage became a factor of her life! Marriage that didn't include me. Marriage that sold our friendship away, the one that we treasured and held so dearly.

It was as if she didn't care anymore.

It was as if the friendship we fought for was no longer a second thought, as if it didn't need to speak it's opinion as she decided these big decisions. Sure we are still friends, but its nothing compared to how we were in high school.

But atleast we were still friends…

Atleast we still have that much..

Chapter I

I walked through the hospital hallways with brisk, purposeful, steps. My speed could not be matched as my interns followed behind me with a light jog. My lab coat whipped behind me from the wind that I was slicing in half.

"Would you like me to do Pediatrics?" Asked a young man with a tone that told me, 'I am trying to get on you're good side, please don't make me scrub bed pans.'

I smiled slightly to myself as I turned a corner, "No, I want you to go scrub bed pans."

I watched him as he slinked away and turned to the remaining interns, "Rule number 56, do not try to get on my good side." They nodded like eager dogs soaking up knowledge, and I gave them a firm nod back, but then crossed my arms and stared at them intensely, "Alexander, what is rule number 38."

"When walking briskly down the hall, look both ways before switching lanes." Alexander said quickly.

He was a good kid, I liked him, "Great, you may do whatever you like."

"Pediatrics." He said simply, he waited for my approval before walking off.

"Alright. Angela-"

"Doctor Haruno," Said a young lady that was walking up smoothly, "You have an appointment that is scheduled at 5 aclock."

I move to check my watch, but Angela cut my movements, "Four fifty-five."

I look at her with a nod, "You may do what you like."

"Family Medicine." I gave her another nod and she was off.

I look back at the young lady, "I don't remember filing an appointment with anyone."

The lady shrugged before holding out a folder to me, "It is what I was told." I frown and stare at the folder, not wanting to do this appointment, "You have four minutes doctor." She said simply, with a grumble, I snatched the folder and turned to my interns, "Everyone else, do something that would please me."

Then I walked off, hearing one of the interns mumble, "It's a trick, remember rule 56? We need to do the opposite."

I shook my head. She was a smart kid, but she was reading into it. That being said, she was going to cause the rest of the interns dread once I tell them that it was, in fact, not a trick.

Chapter II

The thing is, I don't have many appointments because I try to avoid those things. Getting appointments meant I had to be family doctor, and for some strange reason I didn't find the idea appealing. It meant getting attached. It meant responsibility. And I no intentions on doing either.

The one I want to get attached to was Ino.

The one I wanted to be held responsible for was Ino.

It was simple. No reading between the lines. I had gotten this way over the years, realizing that I compared everyone to her. She was my example of perfection. She was the one I held up in my right hand while I held the imperfection in my left and analyzed.

When I had realized that thought, I became so consumed in trying to find someone else. When the truth invaded my mind I tried so hard to shut it out. With my tears, with my pleas to god. Untill the day came where I accepted that she is image of perfection. My angel. There was no stoping the poison that already penetrated my defenses. It was there for good.

After that I realized that no one would ever be good enough. No one would ever be her. And with that, I figured it was either her or no one at all. One might think that this is good, that my love had grown so deep it had come to this, but does anyone realize that I am doomed for a lost cause? Has anyone figured out that now I am alone for the rest of my life.

Because of her.

Because she has ruined me so far that it is irreversible.

No?

Because I have. I have made that realization by myself after countless of dates that just didn't feel right. I have came to that conclusion after numerous of times I spoke the words, "I'm sorry, it just isn't going to work out."

'Why isn't it?' They ask, 'I thought everything was perfect.' They try to find reason.

It is because while we made love I thought of Ino moaning my name. Because as we held hands, smiling, I thought of Ino's soft smile and baby blue eyes. Because, as you said you loved me, my heart rejected you so much that it became disgust. Why?

Simply because you are no Ino.

Because you are no perfection.

And for that, you are being rejected.

But my replies are no where near as harsh as I'd like them to be. I only shake my head and just say, "It just wont work out. It just won't."

How she has consumed me is like deathly posion. How she has entranced me is like a lion staring at it's prey. And, oh, how she has made me love is so sickly sweet, that too much makes the insides burn with hunger and revultion. It's addicting. Every single part of her is addicting.

Chapter III

I walk into the room with my vision guled to the folders words. Simple words catch my eyes until it sowed together and I realized why exactly this patient was sent to me. The patient was looking into Tubal Ligation, (she wanted her tubes tied),which required surgery.

And I am the best surget there is in this hospital.

Finally, after absent mindedly taking out my pen from my pocket and checking a few boxes, I look up to greet my patient with the most friendliest smile I could muster, "Hello, my name is Doctor Haru-"

Her smile made my heart sputter to a stop.

"I know who you are," She says with amusement, "Doctor Haruno." The last part she mocks out with a soft smile.

My hand that held my folder open, closed and slowly fell to my side. She hadn't changed a bit. Her features were still motherly and genuine. It made my heart ache, "Ino." I say in disbelief.

"Hi," She says no higher than a whisper, "Been awhile hasn't it."

I open my mouth, then close it, still in a daze. Her eyes turned to amusement as she stood up, opening up her arms for a hug. Out of pure habit, I stepped into them and hugged her closely, my heart beating out of my chest, "Ino, what are you doing here."

She stepped back, her smile never leaving her face, "For an appointment." she says simply.

That's when my heart started back up slowly, and my mind quickly registered, "You're looking into Tubal Ligation…" I mutter out, my mind clicking everything into place.

"Yes," She said cheerfully, "I figured the only person I could trust in this was you, so I flew in for an appointment and requested you personally."

I was frowning, I know I was, but she didn't let it effect her. I sat down in my chair, watching her as she walked around the room, poking at things she had no business touching. But that was Ino, always curious, "Why do you want to get you're tubes tied?"

She pauses, and I catch the glimpse of her frown from where I sat, "It's personal."

I shook my head in confusion, I didn't understand this at all. It was silent for a moment, and she contined to poke at things, picking things up and examining it.

"What is this about?" I ask, watching as she continued, "This is a big deal Ino. Why do you want to have this done?"

"I just do." She mumbles at me, and my heart twisted as I started to panic.

"You can't do this!" I say without thinking, "It can't be changed. You wont be able to have children! And Ino, you wanted children for so long!"

"I know," She whispers out softly and turns to me with a look of plea in her eyes.

I shook my head, my fingers pushing my hair back as I tried to remain calm, "No." I say simply, "Just wait a bit longer. Think about this a little bit more. This is a serious procedure."

She frowns, turning away from me and looking angry, "Stop, Sakura. You are just suppose to be my doctor, remember? You are suppose to give me information and the pros and cons about the procedure, not try to talk me out of it."

I flinch back, then quickly look away from her in embaressement, "Right," I mumble out, "Ok…"

It was silent as I reached for the paperwork for the appointment, and a notepad for dates and extra information. As I settled everything, I turned towards my desk fully, boring my eyes at the sheet, "Do you have any health conditions that I should be informed of? We need to know this because it is important not to use medication that might threaten these conditions in any way possible. Threatening these conditions might lead to heart attacks, death, cedures, and also strokes. We will need you to sign a consent form also, to allow this to be-"

"Stop speaking to me as if I am a patient," She abruptly cut me off with such harshness that for a moment, I could think of nothing to say.

That moment passed quickly before I swirled around and bore my eyes on her instead of the paper, "What would you prefer I talk about?"

"On how fast this procedure can be done." She says, looking directly into my eyes.

I blink, my heart breaks, and slowly I crumble away, "We could make this happen in less than a month if we have paperwork ready and-"

Her eyes dimmed, but she smiled anyway, "Great, I would like it done as soon as possible."

I continued to stare into her eyes as I spoke, "What about getting information on it? Don't you want to know how it's done, why it's done, the risks?"

She stood up, smiling even though her eyes betrayed her, "The internet is a very powerful thing. It's alright, I already know what it's about. So whens the next appointment."

I tore my eyes away from her and looked at my calendar on my phone. Today was the twenty-fifth, "I have nothing going on the third at five a'clock. Is that good enough for you?"

"Yes," Ino spoke formally, grabbing her coat, "Stay at home mothers aren't very busy."

My eyes drifted back to her as realized what she said. Anger flowed through me, "Stay at home mothers?" I question threw my teeth.

She nods and walks towards the door, "For some reason, he feels the need to spoil me…And is thinking of what a perfect family he wants to have."

"So he made you quit you're job just to live his fantasy?" I continue to press as I walked behind her. Ino would have never agreed to be a stay at home mother. It was against everything she was about. It contradicted everything she wanted.

Ino just shrugs, "If that's how you look at it."

She starts to open the door while anger rips through me with such force I feel myself shaking, "What the hell does he have you doing over there?"

"A lot of things have changed since I've gotten married, Sakura." She says an in even, calm tone, "Maybe you would know half the things that's going on if you didn't become so distant after the wedding."

I wince and quickly look away, my anger draining with swiftness, "Things have come up."

"I'm sure," She says casually, her tone conversational, "For a good six months now you have been swamped."

My insides twist with guilt as I mumble out, "I just couldn't bare it, Ino."

It was silent for a moment, and I am sure we both realized what exactly I had just said.

"Bare what Sakura," She asks softly, and I hear the door quietly close with a click.

My nerves start to become jumpy. My heart filled with all the possible answers I could give, all the answers I desperately wanted to say over the years. 'To see you with another man.' 'To not have you.' 'For me to stand by and while I see you with someone else.'

My mouth opened to say either one of those, not caring which, "To…" I pause, willing myself to say the words. Struggling as I tried to push it out. But logical thoughts were stopping me, forcing me to see the truth.

She's married! My mind screamed. Don't mess this up for her. She's happy!

My heart thudded angrily. Happy living with some man that doesn't know at all. Happy with someone else! She should be happy with you! Only you can bring her so much more pleasure and happiness.

"To see you with him!" I practically blurt out. My eyes were avoiding her whole body, my insides jumbled in such a mess with so many things going on at once. Excitement. Giddiness. Relief. Nervousness.

"Seeing me with him…?" Ino asks, taking a step towards me, "You mean my husband?"

I nod, my gaze towards the ground.

Turn back now. My mind whispered.

"Why, Sakura? Why can't you bare it?" She presses gently.

She's asking you to tell the truth, Sakura. My heart comforted me gently. She wants to know, and she deserves to know.

"Because…" I struggle out, my eyes closing in concentration

My mind is pleading with me. What if she rejects the whole idea of you loving her! What if it ruins everything? Cuts the last string we are hanging on with her!

My heart struggled to make case. She will love you no matter what. She will never turn you away. Best friends don't just drop people. She will always be there.

"Yes?" She continued to probe delicately.

I look up at her, "Because…I never liked the man." I finally get out. I was such an idiot. I lost my chance.

My mind was satisfied.

But my heart ached over the mistake I made.

Ino's eyes, which were mixed with pleasure, soft caring, and eagerness, dimmed ten shades. She quickly looks away, and gives me a smile that looks a bit off, "Ah…" She says, and for some reason I feel as if she's struggling for words, "He really isn't that bad, Sakura."

"He doesn't like me." I say as if I'm some stubborn child.

But she turns away, and instead of continuing the conversation, opens the door, "Only because you didn't like him first." As she spoke, I could tell it was suppose to come out as amusement, but to me it sounded broken.

I walk behind her, my insides broken and my smile strained, "I have good reasons. Intuition." I try to joke, to cheer her up because I knew she was feeling a bit down. I should have called her more over the six months that has passed. I silently vow to do better in atleast that area. I owe her that much.

"If you had that, Sakura," Ino mumbles barely over a whisper, "Then we wouldn't be in this predicament."

The words could have slipped passed me. If I wasn't so engulfed by her every movement and her every syllable, I would have missed it. But I was, and I heard it perfectly clear. Still the words were so off, so unexpected, all I could manage to say was, "Huh?"

Ino blinks, quickly looking at me with her eyes wide, "Um, nothing." She sputters out, before shifting her coat in her arms. I just watch her, my eyes curious. She quickly looks away and smiles at the ground, "I will see you around, Sakura. I'll be back on the third." She turns around and walks abit before looking back, "He actually found you funny, you know, at first." She calls, and I turn my head like a puppy, "He said he liked how you laughed at all his jokes and how he never saw you frown, not even once. I didn't have the heart to tell him that you were faking through you're teeth."

I blink, my heart dropping. I remember when I met the man, and when I was trying so hard to look happy and pleasant to be poilet, for Ino's sake. I never knew Ino saw right through my façade, because it wasn't till later on in the marriage did I express that I didn't like him.

As I looked at her surprised, she turned around, shaking her head and I could her distant chuckle, "Yeah Sakura," she calls, still walking, "I noticed."

Chapter IV

So many moments had slipped by just like the one that happened today. Chances that were practically handed to me, but I never seemed to have the nerve to take them. I always seemed to reason myself out of the situation.

If reason were stripped away from me, and all I had was my heart, things would be so much easier.

I wouldn't be creating my own world of hell and torture, and I would have been told her. I don't try to make things difficult for myself, they just always seem to end up looking that way because, again, I never take the chance.

The thought of telling her makes me dizzy and nervous, but it always flips my stomach to think about having her to myself. For her to be mine. For me to pleasure her for the rest of our lives. The thought makes my mouth water with longing.

X

I walked inside of my apartment with a sigh, my keys noisily falling on the counter as I head straight to the kitchen, pressing the start button on my coffee machine. I watch as it drips in the container slowly while I lean against the counter surrounded by silence. My breath slows as I relax, and thoughts begin to buzz as they swirled in my mind, the nothingness in my ear making it easier for them to flow.

"You always came back though. You always came back first so I didn't have to." Ino's young voice rang through my head. That was my first mistake, never coming back. "Why? Why would you ever believe that?" Her voice was filled with such disbelief and hurt when I told her I thought she moved on. "We wont ever let go of each other from now on. From here on out. We will be together." Such lies made my heart ache and my ears ring. "You'll always be there, right? No matter what?" I haven't left you yet Ino. What more do you want from me. What more can I do to make you see… "You can't ever leave me again." Her voice said with a silk whisper. I closed my eyes in pain, and with a shaky breath, I straighten myself up and fixed my coffee. I stood and sipped silently. "He's so wonderful, Sakura. He sweeps me off my feet. It's as if he's a dream!…" Ino babbled in my ear. How I struggled to contain the jealousy and anger. "I do." Ino said with a soft smile, her voice laced with happiness. I held my mug tightly in anger. "For some reason, he feels the need to spoil me…And is thinking of what a perfect family he wants to have."

The constant buzzing halted swiftly.

My mug dropped with an ear piercing shatter.

Eyes shotting open, my heart sputtered to a stop.

She had said that. I remember her saying that. My mind raced as my heart sped in my chest

"…And is thinking of what a perfect family he wants to have."

Why the hell didn't catch that while I was in the office!

I raced towards my phone and quickly dialed the number I knew by heart. I waited impatiently until the receiver picked up, "Hello?"

Ino sounded like crap, her voice rasped as if her throat had been torn into a million pieces. I glanced at the clock to see it was one in the morning.

"Ino, why do you want you're tubes tied?" I ask urgently.

I hear a sigh from the other line, "Let it go, Sakura."

"Answer me!" I demand harshly, "Why do you want you're tubes tied?"

"Does it matter!" She asks, aggravation evident in her voice.

"Yes," I say evenly, "Because it doesn't make sense."

"What doesn't make sense, Sakura." She sighs as if she is fed up with the conversation.

"The fact that you want you're tubes tied, but you're husband wants a perfect family!" I speed out, my heart racing as I did. Everything clicked in to place when I said it out loud.

There was silence from the other line, but I continued.

"You said in the hospital that your husband wants to spoil you and thinks about what a perfect family he wants to have, while you were trying to walk out of the room!" My mind raced as I started to fit the puzzle pieces together, "And you've always wanted children! You dreamed of nothing but having your own family! The first thing you wanted to do when you got married was to have two little boys and a girl. I remember us talking about it in high school when you fantasized about the future! When you see a child, you stop and smile at them! When you go near the park, you sit at the bench and watch them as you play! It wouldn't make sense for you to want you're tubes tied when you dreamed of nothing else! And now that you're husband wants children, suddenly you change your mind!" I pause, taking a breath, "Which makes me wonder, why do you want you're tubes tied."

Still, there was silence. I waited patiently for a moment, but after a second I became impatient, "Ino." I called

"I don't want to talk about it." She replied quickly, and I heard a sniff.

My heart drops, "And you've been crying. Ino, what's going on, you can talk to me."

I heard her sob out a reply, "It's nothing, ok."

I shake my head, "You've never kept a secret from me before, Ino. You don't need to start now. Talk to me."

"No." She whimperd out.

I grabbed my keys and walked towards the door, "Where are you?"

"I don't want you to come over!" Ino cried out.

That didn't stop my stride, already I was going down the stairs, "I am not taking no for an answer. Where are you."

After a moment of pause, I hear her whisper out, "The three bar hotel on valley road."

"I'll be right over."

The End

As soon as she opened the door, I hugged her. My arms wrapped around her waist as I pressed her against my body as close as I could. She cried on my shirt, damping it with her tears and watery snot. I rocked her back and forth, whispering to her how much I loved her, and how everything was going to be alright. My mind was calm, and my heartbeat was steady, because when it came to Ino being hurt, I always pushed all my emotions aside to accommodate her.

Eventually, she stopped crying untill she only sniffed out softly. By then, we had made our way to the couch, me laying down as she laid on top of me, her face buried into my shoulder. I stared at the ceiling, breathing lightly as silence finally settled in the room. My arms never loosened around her.

"Ino." I whisper out carefully, stroking her back, "Are you going to tell me what's wrong."

She shook her head in my shoulder, staying silent.

"Please." I begged gently, "I'm you're best friend, I can't stand to see you like this." She sniffed, and mumbled something, "What was that?"

"I can't stand you." She said louder, her voice muffled from saying it against my shoulder.

For some reason, all I did was smile softly, "Why, Ino? What did I do?"

"It's what you're doing." Ino answered, moving her face away from my shoulder, "You're making me do this."

I shook my head, "This is you're decision. If anything, I'm trying to stop you."

"You're not trying hard enough." She said, moving to climb off of me, but I tightend my arms around her waist, looking at her eyes as she looked down at me.

"What am I suppose to do Ino." I asked calmly, "What do I have to do to make you not do this."

"You know what you have to do, Sakura." Ino said, her eyes staring straight back into mine. For short moments, they would shift back and forth, as if trying to look at both of my eyes at the same time, but struggling.

I stayed silent.

She sighed and looked away from me, sitting up to where she was straddling me, "Do you remember," She asked, looking at the wall, "When you used to know everything just by looking into my eyes?"

I blinked and nodded, "Yeah. Back when we were in high school."

"No." She said simply, climbing off of me, "Back when we were children. If you were able to do that in high school, we wouldn't be here right now."

I watch as she walks away, while I sit up on the couch, "What is that suppose to mean?"

"Thousands of things, Sakura. Figure it out!" She snapped.

I stood and followed her into the kitchen, watching her movements carefully, "You expect me to figure it out without you telling me a single word?"

"Yes." She said simply, stopping at a counter and staring at it, her hands holding the corner, "You don't realize how much I expect out of you. But you have yet to prove yourself."

I stood at the entrance of the kitchen, my eyes gliding over her body, "I am human, I need to be helped along the way."

"No." She snapped, "You are my best friend. You should know everything without me helping you. When we were five you were able to read me by my eyes, now that we're twenty-seven it's like you have lost everything that was special about you."

I smiled slightly, taking a step towards her, "I am twenty-eight now, Ino."

I heard her pause, and then she stumbled out in disbelief, "You're birthday passed."

"Yes," I said casually, "And I didn't receive a call or a card. I was wondering when you were planning on popping up and suprising me, because I knew it was coming." She stayed mute and I smiled gently, "So today was the day huh. I have to admit, it's better than a birthday card."

I was lying, and I think she knew it also. But, I just didn't want to her to hurt anymore tonight, my birthday didn't matter.

"Yeah." She whispered out.

I stepped closer to her, "What is going on, Ino?"

"Nothing, Sakura." She said stubbornly, refusing to turn around.

I continued to step till I was right behind her, "You're lying." I whispered softly.

She straightened a bit more, but insisted on not turning.

I allowed my arms to snake around her waist, pressing her against my chest. I heard her take in a shakey breath and a smile slid across my face as I felt pleasure of causing such a reaction, "I just do." I murmured near her ear. Her breathing stopped, and I continued, "How fast this procedure can be done."

"Don't Sakura." She pleaded softly.

I chuckled lightly, "I finally figured it out."

"Please." She spoke desperately.

But I continued, "You don't love him. You don't want his children."

Her breathing came back, but her intake had quickend, "Don't tell-"

"You don't want him at all." I spoke, cutting her off. I bent down and kissed near her ear softly, "Do you?"

"Oh my god." She breathed out.

I tightend my arms around her, "A long time ago, I would have thought you were saying that because I figured out that you don't love him. Or because you are freaked that I just kissed you ever so gently." I bent down and kissed her skin again, "But that isn't it, is it Ino? That wasn't a call to God out of panic, that was a call of longing."

She stayed mute as I kissed her down to her neck, "I finally figured it out." I whispered, "And, this is me trying to stop you from making even more mistakes."

Finally, she turned moved to turn. I let go, stepping back and watching her movements. As she turned around, her eyes rested steadily into my eyes, searching for something, "Sakura…" She whispered out.

I smiled at her slightly.

She shook her head, closing the distance between us and placing her right hand near my heart, her other grabing the waist of my shirt, "Baka...I've been waiting for you for so long."

I chuckled, "I tend to be late getting these things."

She nodded seriously, and I continued to laugh.

Then things gotten silent. My heart thudded nervously as I looked at her, watching her facial expression turn into amusement as she slightly smirked at me. I tore my eyes away, coughing slightly, "Well then…"

She laughed softly, before touching my cheek with her fingertips. I drag my eyes back towards her, and I see her watching me cautiously as she hesitantly moves her face towards mine. She moves with a stuttered motion, stopping every moment she gets closer, before glancing down at my lips and pressing hers against mine.

I've finally got her.

And I'll never let her go.

Sucks how it just ends, right? Anyway, i hopped you like it. Maybe if you want to hear Ino's side i'll think about it, but so far this is the end. I actually like this story very much, thank you everyone for giving it a chance.