A/N: I know this comes as a dissapointment to some that have been following updates on my other stories, But this one is going to be the primary, and it won't be updated often, I'm sorry but I've been busy as all hell, Two trucks that need complete rebuilding, and a jetta that's already got itself mostly in the grave, so All my time is working, and trying to get one of the other vehicles on the road before this one finally loses the motor.
War is built on sacrifice.
After the mission to wave some things had gone seriously wrong for Konoha, Things that no one could have foreseen, First the declaration of war from Kiri was definitely a surprise to them. It soon became apparent that Gato had been funding Kiri for quite some time, they were less than impressed with their loss of income. This had been their basis for starting a war with the strongest of the elemental nations.
We find Team 7 on a intelligence mission gone wrong somewhere just inside the border of Fire country, Kakashi had split from the team minutes before to hold off some of the Enemies that were giving chase. The three still running though had figured out that some had gotten through. Their best guess was they were being chased by a squad of Chunnin from the Mist village.
"Guys You keep going I'll hold them off as long as I can, You need to get the information we gathered to The Hokage."
Sasuke turned his head to look at his friend and team mate while still running "Are you crazy if you stay behind you'll be killed"
"This information is far to important, In times of war sacrifices must be made, This is one of those times, you two are too important to die here, Keep running."
Sasuke's anger showed in his tone when he responded "Are you fucking crazy This is suicide."
Naruto looked back with a heavy expression when he answered "It's not suicide, Simply mercy"
Without another word the blonde reversed direction toward the enemy that was quickly closing the gap.
"Shouldn't we go after him?" Sakura asked completely lost for what to do.\
Sasuke looked over to her and in a tone showing more emotion than he had in a long time he told her "No, I'm not gonna let him die without a purpose, We need to get this to the Hokage. That's what he's fighting for so that's exactly what we are going to do.
6 hours later, Konoha main gates
The remaining two member of team seven approached the gate when the guard on Duty stopped them "State you're bussiness".
"Team seven reporting from mission, 1 Gennin missing, as well as the team's leading Jonin."
The guard looked at them with a saddened expression, This wasn't an uncommon sight for him since the start of the war. "Please report to the Hokage's office immediately and inform him of what has happened."
5 minutes later, at the gates
A beaten kakashi was returning from The mission, He had barely held out through the fight, He could only hope that the team had made it back to Konoha.
"State you're bussiness"
Kakashi sighed, Procedure was tedious, and repetative, It kind of annoyed him.
"Reporting From mission, Has the rest of Team seven arrived yet?"
The Guard's expression fell once again, it was bad enough when the gennin came back but it was going to be another matter entirely to have to tell their sensei that only Two had made it home.
"I'm sorry Kakashi, Only two members of your team made it to safety the third member is missing, Please report to the Hokage, With any luck the remainder of your team will still be debriefing."
The Silver haired Jonin Formed a single handsign and disappeared in a cloud of white smoke.
Hokage's office. Current
Kakashi appeared in the office in a swirl of smoke and leaves to find Sasuke and Sakura standing in front of the Hokage's desk, Both looked like they were about to collapse.
The New arrival did not go Unnoticed by the Old man, However, He didn't acknowledge him just yet, He wasn't through with the report from these two.
"So you're telling me that Naruto volunteered himself to stay behind so that you two could safely complete the mission?"
"Yes Hokage-sama" Sasuke's response showed that his mood was deflated he was weary and tired.
"Okay, Kakashi, I see you made it back safely, I can only assume that you found Naruto along the way?"
Kakashi looked at the ground his head hung in shame. "I'm afraid not, I was hoping that all three of them had made it back, there was no sign of Naruto during my Return."
The old man Sighed heavily, This was going to be hard, He had loved Naruto like his own grandson, His team were his best friends, his sensei, well, He didn't know what Kakashi thought, it was hard to tell with him. The time had come to let them know what this meant.
"I regret to inform you all then that Uzumaki Naruto, is Now Listed as missing in action, If no trail or information is found within the next 3 weeks, then we will have to assume he's dead. In that case Their will be a Funeral for him. The information that you have returned was of great value, I wish I could give you more time, But you only have 3 days until your next mission, Dismissed"
Weeks passed, no word came, Team 7 had been kept busy with several delivery missions of supplies to friendly outposts near the countries borders. No one had heard any news on Naruto, Not even Jiriya, It was official, Naruto was to be pronounced dead and his, name for his contribution and sacrifice to the leaf village, would be engraved on the memorial stone, Next to the many other's that had died in the name of the will of fire.
The funeral was to be held The next morning. Though The old hokage knew that the turnout would be limited.
The next morning, Shinobi graveyard
The Konoha rookies were all gathered at the grave. This was hard for those that showed up, Sasuke and Sakura looked visably defeated, Hinata was near the back, She had chosen to wear a veil to hide her tears at the loss of the boy she had loved seemingly forever. Kiba, Shikamaru, and Choji had gathered off to the side, all trying not to show their pain. Ino was in the back ready to make a quick exit, She wasn't that interested in being here really, She was only here incase Sakura needed her. Shino was standing near Hinata, Silent and Stoic. Though he had befriended the young man, he was here for Hinata as well, As a friend and team mate.
They were all too absorbed in their thoughts though to notice the two silhouettes on hokage Monument.
"You know, it's a better turn out than I thought, I figured maybe half this." The shorter figure said turning to the taller.
"I knew they would turn up, You know I could get in a lot of trouble for doing this."
The shorter one gave a dry chuckle. "I know, I'm sorry to drag you into this, But I appreciate the help Kakashi, I've got to get going though before Someone see's me, or ANBU catch me."
The older man watched as the younger faded into the horizon. "It's the least I can do to make up for all my mistakes...Naruto."