This is my first attempt at writing a fan fiction, although I've had limited experience in creative writing I would REALLY enjoy it if you guys give me some critique on the writing. Now I'm not a guy that likes Anime that much in general, but Naruto is just too good of a series not to read. So after reading the stories to a certain extent I started having my own thoughts on the directions Naruto should have taken.

So this is my own way of getting in Masashi Kishimoto's driver's seat and taking the Ferrari of mangas for a drive.

Just so I don't get sued - I don't own Naruto, but hell, if I did… I'd make Naruto hella cooler. In this reality Naruto starts a second confrontation with Sasuke.

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"So…," Tsunade's ferocity was always a problem, "your telling me we have almost no idea what's the function of this village?"

"Well, no ma'am." Kakashi was obviously straining to appear nonchalant. Yet Tsunade's eyes pierce through the armor, there was venom in that stare. Her temper was rising as the frustration mounted.

"Your telling me, that all recon attempts have been useless in even getting inside of this village?"

"It's impossible ma'am, every attempt is fruitless. All probes were found and quickly escorted by counter special forces nins. They did not harm us, but that didn't mean they were not well prepared to confront us. Aiko was the only one that got closest to the village. Yet they intercepted her several miles in sight of the village."

"Oh? And these sketches are exactly what Aiko saw during your probe?"

"Yes ma'am, Aiko used a memory jutsu to redraw every detail she could see to the extent of her abilities."

"Hmm…" Tsunade studied the only discernable tower that rose above the forest.

"Is this the best Aiko could do?"

"Yes ma'am." Kakashi waited for the tirade. Yet none came. Tsunade only clasped her hands together. Brooding on the predicament she faced. Kakashi could only stare out the window, realizing the situation was more dire then it seemed. What was the legendary Sannin thinking? Her eyes had not left his, there was a strange serenity to it now. He couldn't help but keep himself from looking directly at them. She had a way of showing her disappointment with those eyes.

"Your dismissed. Get your team some rest, I'll send team Shikamaru on another recon mission." Kakashi felt a surge of anger. So that was it then? Just keep sending nins into the land of waves like that. Keep reconnoitering the area until the new Kage forced an incident. Then she could aggressively raise the level of espionage. He couldn't help feeling contempt towards the strategy. The Wave nins had truly scaled up their show of arms. Had it not been for the prudence of the Wave nin's team leader, he wondered if he would have even been standing here. He thanked that nin for letting them go unharmed after Aiko's stunt.

As Kakashi walked out, he saw the folder being carried by Neji into the Hokage's office. The mission indicator was a triple S rank. One of utmost importance. Neji hadn't even noticed Kakashi as he walked by. His eyes baggy from lack of sleep. There was only one mission that was a triple S ranking. It was the longest standing mission over the course of 7 years. Funded and pursued by the entire council of advisors to the village, including the Kage herself. The mission was named after the man they were searching for. Uzumaki Naruto, whereabouts unknown, age 24, their only objectives were as follows: Find the defective jinchuuriki, kill it, and harness the bijuu inside to be placed in a new container.

The door closed on Kakashi as he strolled past the ANBUs guarding the door. Kakashi wasn't thinking about his previous mission anymore. He was thinking of his ex-pupil. A student that had truly struck a cord inside of him. In so many ways he was like Obito. Perhaps that was why he tried to keep a distance between himself and Naruto. It had only dawned on Kakashi over the years the repercussions of Naruto's loneliness. Perhaps he felt sympathy for Naruto. Although Sasuke had claimed termination of Naruto, the search had gone on. Sasuke… his path as a righteous avenger. How foolish he was, now a father of three. Within four years of marriage!

Maybe it was true. Maybe Sasuke had killed Naruto, it was through that act, that Sasuke had returned to the village. Shocked at his actions, and how the climax of the battle had forever scarred him. Yet the Hokage had thought different. She believed Naruto still lived. But how? If he was alive, surely he would have returned. Sakura had been inconsolable from the news. She had yet to speak to Sasuke. Her efforts had gone into team Naruto. An effort she had started along with Neji and several of the younger nins to find Naruto. Kakashi walked on, his feet wandering forth. There was no destination, his thoughts were too consuming to remember where he was heading.

"Haroukage-sama… the leaf ninjas have been safely escorted to the border. There is a possibility that another team will be sent within the next few days." The village Kage turned from his class of academy students. It was graduation day, the people of the village had gathered to see the future of their village. Their legacy stepping up to the challenge of defending and carrying on their village's honor.

Pausing in mid sentence, the blonde Kage nodded, a soft smile of assurance. Letting the Elite Border Security Nin get on with his job. His pale blue eyes returned to the children. Or men and women, he corrected himself. Trying to maintain his composure. Everyone was here. So many he had been forced to make his speech to a microphone. He looked over every single graduate. What fierce children, he thought. There was so much youth in them he felt a surge of pride for his village. So much potential for greatness. Again he smiled softly, now it was at the crowd in it's entirety.

"It is the previous generation's sole responsibility, to pass on their legacy. To give their lineage a future. Yet it is the ensuing generation's responsibility, to surpass the previous generation. And I belief that should be taken literally." The Kage paused, his heart sank as he said those words. If only you could see me now…

"No one, deserves-" he cut off. A hand came to his shoulder. He put his hand up, signaling that he was fine. The tears had been suppressed. "No father, should have to bury his child. No mother, should have to mourn for their child. It is our responsibility to die before our children. To ensure their future." He could see all of the adults, their heads nodding. Some were brought to tears at his words. The graduates somber from his lecture.

"And thus, the future of our village lies with you. The future of Hidden in the Waves. It is a weight that you might deem too large a burden to endure. But look to the graduate next to you," eyes glanced sideways, "they are your comrades. And your comrades will always be there to help you endure the weight of this burden. Haroukagure is your home. Protect it with pride." As the Haroukage stepped away from the podium there was a cheer. One that deafened him. Completely blocking out all other sounds. He waved to them and approached the graduates. Their headbands had already been issued. Parents stood proudly by their children. The Kage shook all of their hands. Wishing each graduate the best of luck.

"That was a very good speech Naruto-kun." Itachi appeared sincere. It was his hand that had tried to calm his emotions. Only Itachi could control his disease. One that had cursed him for seven years.

"All speeches that comes from the heart, are speeches worth listening to."

"True…" Itachi smiled, his eyes weren't needed to see the pain in Naruto. It was moments like this that drove daggers in Itachi. To see such a close friend hurt by his past. They were too similar, men that wanted to leave the world. Yet there was trouble in the world. And it had to be remedied.

"How long ago… I left that field of battle with Sasuke. Believing I could escape fate. I was such a fool…" Naruto's eyes grew downcast. Itachi could see Naruto's memory. Instanly recalling the day that he probed Naruto's mind. Searching for the drive to his anger. An anger that was his disease. One that caused a continues decay to Naruto's mind. Inside of him, Naruto was pitted in an epic battle to control his chakra. How long had it been since Naruto been like this…

"Sasuke!" Naruto's kage-bunshins had cornered Sasuke, "Stop it! Damn You!" The charcoal black eyes only returned a lust for his blood.

"Die Naruto," Sasuke's eyes turned crimson, his pupils dividing into three. "With your death. I will be closer to my vengeance."

"Is that what I am? A tool to get closer to defeating your brother?"

"Yes, and no. You are a tool Naruto, but I'm going to kill my brother."

"You're my brother also…"

"Pfft. What would you know about having one."

Naruto was cut deep by those words. He bit his thumb. Blood as the tribute, he thought. He pulled his shirt up, his thumb went to the sternum. Applying chakra at the exact moment to all nine seals. He was going to manipulate all tails of the demon's abilities. All tails to utterly end this fight within the next blow. But Sasuke was no fool, the air around him crackled with the intensity of the skies. The clouds were pitch black. Jolts of lightning striking just yards from Sasuke.

"Sasuke, the amount of chakra will kill both of us. Please… this might be our last chance."

"Don't worry Naruto… I will survive."

And thus Naruto would end it in one fell sweep. His sudden and complete death. He would be able to go back to her. The woman he had grown to love.

"Then here we go!" His Rasengan was expanding, the blue color disappeared, replaced by a red intensity. Black at it's core the Rasengan was pure chakra. Anything that touched it would instantly disintegrate.

Damn… the idiot wasn't bluffing. Sasuke stared at the intensity of the Rasengan. He raised his hand. The lightning finally converged on his palm. A blast that engulfs the entire hill that Sasuke stood on. Naruto's Kage-Bunshins were evaporated. The lightning constantly coming down on the jagged orb in his palm. It's center also a pitch black. Yet far smaller then Naruto's.

"Here I come…BROTHER!" Both leaped from opposite sides of the Cliffside at each other.

"UGH!" Sasuke stared at his right hand in shock. The sound had come from Naruto's mouth. His head on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Why?" Sasuke could only stare at the blood that engulfed the entirety of his hands to his elbow. His chidori had driven straight through Naruto's very sternum, where Naruto had applied the controlled seal unseal jutsu. He could feel warmth flowing from his shoulder and down his back and chest. "You idiot… why didn't you use your Rasengan?"

"How could I kill my own Brother?" the body slumped. Naruto's hand grabbed Sasuke's right arm. With his own blood, Naruto made the leaf symbol on Sasuke's forehead.

"That's what you will always be…" there was an audible sigh.

"Naru…Naruto…" Sasuke's very body shook. He slowly set Naruto down. The blow was definitively fatal. Not even the Fifth's famed healing jutsus could do a thing about the wound.

"Bastard…" Sasuke felt the drops rolling down his cheeks. How long had it been since he had last shed tears. Naruto lie smiling.

"Sasuke, tell Sakura… that… I…m… I'm… sorry…" His body heaved spasmodically. Naruto violently coughed blood. The body had already expired. Only Naruto's will kept it animated.

"Naru… I'm sorry…" The crying came easier then. At that moment the dams finally broke. Sasuke removed his hand from the cavity that was Naruto's chest. How could he have been such a fool… There had always been a brother there for him. And now he was lying in a pool of blood Sasuke had caused.

"Leave…me…here…"

"No…I'll…I'll take you back Naruto!"

"Please…" And then those sky blue eyes finally let go. There was nothing left in him to stay amongst the living. Sasuke saw Naruto's head pitch just alittle away from him. The lids of Naruto's eyes closing just slightly. That was when he knew Naruto was gone for sure.

As he got up, Sasuke realized there was only one thing he could do.

"What have I done…" Walking away from the body, Sasuke could only think of the cost. The cost of his revenge. How it had been too high to even come close to Itachi. He had sacrificed his own brother for what? To kill another? No… he couldn't do it anymore. Sasuke looked one last time back at the body. And disappeared into the underbrush.

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Well there you go. First chapter… pretty short eh? Well this is just a sample. R&R please. Even one good review will be enough for me to continue this story just for that person that liked my story. I hope you enjoyed it. Spell checks are as good as I can get it. Japanenglish is kinda retarded for word processor. :P