This is an idea that's been rolling around in my head. It should basically be called, Naruto: what should have happened, because Ino is my favorite character and I think she would have made a better heroine. This is not trying to bash either Sakura or Ino, because they are both great characters. But I just think that Kishi could have done a better job developing the heroine in the beginning, and Ino is my favorite character. Anyway, please read and enjoy.

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This is the Tale of Ino Yamanaka.

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Ino stared into the distance, squinting with concentration. Rain poured over her, soaking her clothing. She panted and desperately tried to catch her breath. She ran as swiftly as she could, however; her chakra was running out and she was reaching her breaking point.

Just a little further.

Up ahead, her eyes adjusted as she saw an empty clearing, isolated from the rest of the war.

As she ran in, she braced herself.

"Naruto! Just hang in there! Please, just…just a little longer…" Sakura was bent over Naruto, who was lying on the ground. He was a battered mess, covered in painful scars and gashes. Green chakra flowed smoothly out of Sakura's hands as her eyes narrowed in concentration. She tried to remain professional, but Ino could tell she was really freaking out. Ino rushed over and joined her. Both medics poured all their chakra and willpower into Naruto's chest, closing his wounds and fixing the internal organ damage. Ino concentrated with all her energy, but something felt…wrong.

It wasn't working.

"Come on!" Sakura gritted her teeth desperately. "Come on, come on!" Her hands trembled as realization hit her.

Naruto's eyes opened for a split second, and he gave her a sincere smile. "Sakura chan." He coughed violently, unable to finish. Sakura gently laid a hand on his face and stared into his eyes. "Naruto." She begged. "Please, don't leave me. I need you."

Her eyes were hallowed and confused, like her soul was also leaving her body. Her shoulders sagged and she started trembling as she finally realized there was nothing she could do.

Ino's mind kicked into overdrive. Naruto was really dying. The thought of death was not something shinobi became immune to. Especially if the death was of a comrade. Her heart ached as she watched Sakura and Naruto exchange final words. Sakura's tears started falling. "I couldn't save you. It's all my fault. I couldn't show you how much…how much you mean to me…" Sakura sniffled, tears streaming down her face.

Ino watched, heartbroken. She couldn't imagine the position Sakura was put in.

Despite of himself, Naruto chuckled. He stroked her bangs gently. "I don't blame you. Just please, promise to...be strong...for both of us...okay?"

Sakura nodded painfully as she wept. "Naruto...I love you. I'm sorry I didn't realize it before."

Naruto flashed her a grin. "Thank you, Sakura. Thank you...for believing in me...for being there for me. I love you too."

"You died a hero." Sakura whispered to him. He closed his eyes.

Sakura's eyes widened. "No! Please! Wait!" She desperately tried to heal him again, but it was hopeless.

The air suddenly got colder around them.

As Sakura sobbed, all Ino could do was comfort her.

"It's no use. He's dead."

Ino turned around.

Her blue eyes swept over dark, cold ones. A figure consumed by the darkness stood in front of them. Then all she saw was red. Cruel, red eyes of murder and hatred. Eyes that wouldn't shed a tear over their ex best friend's death.

The Sharingan? But that meant-

"Sasuke?" Ino asked. "You killed him!?"

He showed no remorse. "It had to be done. The Nine Tails was extracted from him. There was never any hope for him."

"How could you?" Sakura's lower lip trembled. "He did everything he could to save you. Even when you became a criminal, he stood up for you. He cared about you. How could you kill him?" She burst into tears. "You're a monster! You're-"

Sasuke was behind her in less than a second.

Sakura's eyes widened.

"Sakura. You're still…annoying." He pulled out his sword.

"I can't believe I ever loved you." She whispered.

He stabbed her with the sword and she froze, her eyes bugged out. Silently, she fell to the ground.

"Sakura!" Ino shouted helplessly. No. This couldn't be happening. She didn't have any chakra. There were no reinforcements coming. There was nothing she could do.

She wiped away her tears and gently picked Sakura up and laid her next to Naruto. Hopefully, maybe someday, somewhere, they could finally be together.

Her childhood best friend and her lover were both gone. They were really dead.

"Hey, Ino! Guess what? i finally found a way to make Sakura like me!"

The funny part was, in the end, she really did love him. It deeply saddened her that his other dream of becoming Hokage would never come true.

"I won't be in your shadow any more, Ino. It's time I became my own person .I'm going to prove to you that I can beat you, in ninjutsu and love! It's my turn to shine!

Sakura. She really did blossom into a beautiful flower. She turned to Sasuke and stared at him sadly.

He looked at her, uninterested. he didn't look guilty at all, considering the fact that the murder of his two best friends were on account of him. He turned and started walking away.

"Sakura was right. Naruto did everything to save you. Save you from the darkness." She told him. "And you killed him. You killed your best friend."

He stopped walking.

"Sakura loved you. She and Naruto both did. And you killed them without batting an eye. You really are a monster."

He turned around.

She froze. Who was this man? She didn't recognize him. There was no way this was Sasuke Uchiha. This wasn't the boy she dreamed would acknowledge her. This wasn't him. It couldn't be. This person was...colder...and darker...and evil.

He looked at her with the intent of killing her.

The bloodthirsty look in his eyes hypnotized her and froze her in place. Horrified, she realized this was his Sharingan in action.

He gathered up his chakra and ran to her with his chidori.

Sasuke.

He stabbed her, and but she didn't feel any pain. Instead, a bright, white light consumed her.

Where did it all go wrong?

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Thoughts consumed her mind. Deaths, war, and sicknesses wiping people out. A world with nothing but darkness. She struggled in a nightmare, trying to escape. Was this a trick of the Sharingan? Or-

"Ino! Sweetheart, wake up. you're going to be late!"

She jumped, her heart racing. Her mouth was completely dry and her entire body was sweating. She was in...bed?

He eyes were open, but she couldn't see a thing.

Sunlight poured out from a nearby window and she could feel it on her face. Birds were chirping outside.

"Who healed me? Where are Naruto and Sakura, are they really dead? Where's Sasuke?"

"Oh honey, are you alright? I think you had a bad dream." A voice said soothingly.

She rubbed her eyes and they came into focus. Staring back at her was her mom.

She looked around. She was in her room!

She started trembling. "What's happening? Where am I?"

Her mom looked at her, slightly confused. "In your room, of course. Come on, your dad is waiting downstairs. It's almost time for breakfast. Besides, you don't want to be late on your first day."

She got up and left the room.

Dad was alive? Why was she in her room, and her parents downstairs eating cereal? They were in the middle of a war! Wh-

Ino gasped. She stared at herself in the mirror, completely horrified. She was…she was...she was twelve.

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Okay, i apologize because I suck at writing sad/serious/fighting scenes, and basically the only thing I am good at is humor/romance. The end part was supposed to be serious, not funny...but hope you like it! Please no bashing of the character, but I would appreciate if you took the time to leave a review! Thanks!