Only a Week

"Sakura…" Tsunande looked at her sadly.

Sakura knew that the news was bad.

It was only a few days after they have brought back Sasuke. She, Naruto, and Sai were on a mission to protect an important ambassador of the Rain village. Unfortunately, while Naruto and Sai got distracted, one of the enemies shot out a poison needle into Sakura's neck. They completed the mission, but Sakura's condition was getting worse.

"…this poison…I haven't heard of it before. It's so strange...most poison that hit people on the neck can kill them instantly in just a few minutes and the fastest, in a few seconds…but you…it's different…we don't know how to fix it, " Tsunande let out a heavy sighed.

"Which means…the poison can't be cured?" Sakura looked down.

"Well…Sakura, I hate to put it this way…but, no. There is no way to cure it. We've found out that this poison does nothing to harm or affect the blood vessels or any organs…but it travels slowly throughout the body for a few days, and the person will die in…" Tsunande paused.

Sakura looked at her with curious eyes.

"…the longest a person can live to…is only about ten to fifteen days…but, Sakura…" Tsunande put her hands on Sakura's shoulders and squeezed it tightly. "The poison has been injected into your body for a long time, now. It's been two days already…and…" she closed her eyes to prevent the tears and hugged Sakura tightly. She was like a daughter to her, and she didn't want to lose Sakura. "Sakura, the most you can live up to…is only about a week…"

Sakura's eyes widened. 'A week? But…my friends and everyone I worked so hard for, and my future…I'm just going to end like this?! And…Sasuke kun…he just came back…I still want to be there for him…I still want a future with him…' Tears ran down her cheeks and dropped onto Tsunande's shoulder. "Why?! If I hadn't been so careless…if I would have noticed in time instead of just standing there, it wouldn't be like this! I don't want to die, yet…there's so much I want to do, things that I need to do!"

Tsunande shook her head and hugged Sakura tighter. "I'm so sorry, Sakura…I love you so much and you're just like a daughter to me…I wanted to train you longer so you'll get stronger…I wanted to see you grow up and become a strong woman and use the skills that I have taught you…I don't want it to end like this either," She broke apart and forced at smile at Sakura.

"Make it last…these last few days…make them happy ones…fun ones…ones filled with laughter and love and friendship. Say what you need to say and have no regrets…"

First chapter! More to come, so please review!!!