Hi there! This is my first time writing a fic though I've been reading them for almost 4 years now. I am by no means a writer, so any suggestions as to how I can improve will be greatly welcomed.

Summary: Haku died by Naruto's hand that fateful day on the bridge. This causes Naruto to take shinobi life seriously as he follows his dream to become the greatest Hokage ever!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 1

Thick Mist

Thick mist settled over the bridge. Naruto could barely make out Haku's face. But he knew it was him. It all came rushing back to him; the voice, the movements, the manner of speaking. By now the Kyuubi's chakra had all but faded from his system.

"Why?" He inquired of the effeminate boy in front of him.

If Haku heard him, he gave no indication of it and replied with his own request, "Naruto-san, please kill me."

Naruto didn't understand. He couldn't understand. How could a person ask for death so peacefully? Haku had given up, that much was clear. "But why?" Was the question on the blonde's mind.

Why would a single defeat matter so much that he would actually request his own death? Naruto decided to repeat his question, "Why?! Damn it!" Anger and confusion evident on his face now.

Haku replied with a level tone "Because I live only to serve as a tool for Zabuza-sama…He is my precious person, surely you can understand? He has no use for a broken tool."

"Why the hell does no brow mean so much to you? Don't you have other precious people?" Naruto screamed.

Haku was silent for a moment before answering, "I once had people that were precious to me… My parents"

As Haku recounted the story of his childhood in Kiri, Naruto couldn't help but feel strangely connected to the formerly masked shinobi.

"After I killed my father and escaped the others I realized something that hurt more than the loss of my parents," Haku trailed off, eyes still devoid of any emotion.

Naruto was too afraid to ask what Haku had realized all those years ago for fear he already knew.

"The realization that I was no longer needed by anyone in this world," The blank look on Haku's face haunted Naruto more than the words he uttered.

"I tried to die many times but one day I met Zabuza-sama," Haku smiled lightly at this, "He gave me a purpose, he wanted my ability when others scorned it… This is why Zabuza-sama is my precious person."

The two stared at each for a few moments as Haku observed the emotions rolling around in the cerulean blue eyes of the orange clad shinobi.

Anger…. Anger was the one that was around the most, followed by, grief, guilt, sadness, regret, confusion. They all battled for dominance before fading into a dull emotionless look that matched his own.

Haku became surprised at this. He didn't expect the blonde before her to be able to control his emotions like that.

The whisper of a kunai being removed from its holster jolted her from her stupor.

"Haku," Naruto began in a voice much deeper than usual, "To save you from that pain… that feeling of unwantedness… I will end your life right here"

Haku smiled serenely, "Thank you, Naruto-kun"

The last sounds Haku heard were the chirps of many birds as Naruto buried his kunai deep in his heart. He drew a gurgling breath, and blood welled up in his mouth. Soon there was no strength left to even draw breath and his body went still. His final smile still etched onto his face.

Naruto closed Haku's eyes, allowing him a peaceful final rest. As soon as he removed his kunai from his heart blood gushed out like geyser. Naruto could only stare numbly as the reality of what he had just done hit him fully.

"No…"

Blood splashed on his face and was soon joined by warm tears.

"What have I done?"

2 weeks later

Team 7 was en route to Konoha after Tazuna had completed the bridge.

Or at least what used to be team 7.

Kakashi had his nose buried in his favourite book, 'Icha Icha paradise' as usual, but the silver haired jonin was scarcely interested in its contents at this moment.

Over the last two weeks his team had undergone drastic changes, some for the better others for the worse.

When Sasuke regained consciousness and learned that his teammate, the dead last of the academy had killed a foe that had bested him. Well it didn't sit well with the Uchiha, that much was certain. Any progress Kakashi had made in regards to getting him work together with his team mates had been completely lost as the avenger had devoted almost all of his free time now to brooding.

The so called dead last had been walking around with a cloud over his head for almost a week after his first kill…or rather, first kills.

Flashback

"Heh heh, which of you do I thank for getting rid of the bitch who broke my arm?" Gato laughed out smugly.

Naruto snapped.

How dare he insult Haku? It was his fault Haku died the least he could do now would be to end the life of the one who dared to insult his one true friend from beyond the grave.

Killing intent flooded the bridge as Naruto sped toward the army of thugs, aiming specifically for Gato. The diminutive man could do nothing as the red eyed boy rocketed toward him, claws outstretched.

"Tell him yourself when you see him in the afterlife you filthy pig!" Naruto roared as his clawed hand wrapped around the man's fat neck before he squeezed hard enough to separate his head from his body.

The thugs surrounding quickly got over their fear when they realized they had the numerical advantage.

"Hey! That was our meal ticket!" One screamed.

"We'll kill you then take what we want from the village!" Cheers of agreement followed this one.

Naruto seemed content to simply let them kill him, he had killed two people- No, he killed one person and one monster. But he still killed; he was the monster the village thought him to be.

He could never face the old man or his other teammates after that. Especially since he still let Sasuke die.

A sword pierced his gut.

A spear pierced his shoulder.

A club hit his head. And blackness consumed him.

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