Spoiler Rating - 1 (Low) to 10 (High): 7 – High (Should have watched at least up to episode 136 and read through "Kakashi Gaiden" of the manga)

Koori's Korner: This is my first Naruto tale. I haven't read too many other Naruto fan stories so if this tale mirrors yours too closely please send me an e-mail with a link to your story and I'll remove mine. Hopefully if the idea is overdone the tale and characters are a fresh twist. Rated the tale PG-13, though in general will be PG but just in case the battles get intense, will add the 13.

There is no romantic couples, nor smut.

Most of the story will be told from Kakashi's point of view

You will have to have some knowledge of the series to understand this tale. You can also find the story on my web page. Koori

PART ONE BETRAYER

Chapter One

Hatake Kakashi, Copy Ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village was returning from a mission in Sunagakure, Village Hidden in the Sand. It had been a diplomatic mission, after the death of the Fourth Kazekage at Orochimaru's hands; the governing body of Sunagakure was desperately trying to reform an alliance with the Land of Fire. Kakashi was sure the newly appointed Fifth Hokage would be pleased with the sealed scroll he was carrying.

He kept his gait slightly below a flat out run, but faster then a jog. The hard part of his mission was over but Konoha was still in a state of emergency, recovering from the devastating attack of the Sand and Sound ninjas. Kakashi knew he was needed for another one of the many missions piling up.

As he raced along the familiar forests of his homeland, he picked up a recognizable scent. "Ah, the aroma of a teenager that doesn't have a parent to remind him to shower," Kakashi thought to himself with a smile as he altered his path slightly. The closer he got the more smells he picked up, the odor of wet dog fur and the scent of an expensive perfume. "Naruto, Kiba and Hinata," he identified them as he jumped up grabbing a hold of a tree branch and continued his travels in the trees.

Kakashi was almost to them when he picked up another scent; sulfur. He frowned as he landed on a branch and looked around to get his bearings; he quickly flipped himself up higher in the tree he was on. From his vantage point he could see lush forests behind him and to the west the welcoming faces of the Hokage that overlooked Konoha. But to the other side was the patch of barren land, called "No-Man's Land," where the village had fought against the Nine-Tails. The forest had never grown back and most villagers avoided the area. However, according to his senses that was where the genins were.

His sighed as he considered returning to his original path and delivering the letter he carried to the Fifth, but against his better judgment he continued tracking Naruto and the others. Moments later he came upon them, his approach wasn't noticed by the three below.

"Naruto, we shouldn't … Akamaru doesn't like it here." Kiba rubbed his hand across the head of the puppy snuggled against his chest.

Hinata nodded her head. "This place is taboo … too many people lost their lives here, let's turn around and hurry back to the village. We finished our mission and should report to Hokage-sama."

Naruto chuckled but there was no humor in his voice. "You two head back to the village, I'll catch up. I just want to look around." With that the teenager raced headlong into No-Man's Land. Hinata and Kiba paused, looked at each other and sighed.

"Naruto, wait!" Kiba yelled as they raced after him.

Kakashi placed a hand on his chest as he stared out across the land of burnt and broken trees. The battle that took place thirteen years ago was still etched in his mind, though at the time he had been assigned to protect the villagers and hadn't witnessed the fight up close. All would have been lost if not for his sensei … the Yondaime Hokage. "I didn't even get to tell him good-bye." Shaking himself out of his memories he continued to trail the young ninjas.

He caught up with them again when they stopped to stare at what looked like giant cracks in the burnt ground. What seemed to be crevices were truly the claw marks left behind by the Nine-Tails. Naruto was staring at his own hand with a look of disgust.

"Hey, shouldn't you three be headed back to Konoha?" Kakashi said making himself known to the three.

The three genins jumped slightly as he seemed to appear out of nowhere. "Kakashi- sensei," Hinata said bowing.

Kiba also nodded, but Naruto seemed lost in his own world. Kakashi put a hand on his shoulder. "Let's go home, Naruto." A gentle wind stirred the dust around their feet and Naruto started to turn, but stopped suddenly. He lifted his head and seemed to be sniffing the air. Kakashi did the same but sensed nothing.

"Betrayer …" Naruto growled. He glanced up at his Sensei with blood red eyes before tearing his shoulder free and racing off.

"Naruto …" Hinata whispered.

"Kyuubi ..." Kakashi thought to himself.