Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

Last Revised 1st June 2013.

Goodbye, Our Hero

Chapter 1 - Your Sacrifice

It was so close he could smell the stench of its breath. It was not even a hundred feet away, crouching with its fangs bared into a snarl. The beast dug its claws into the soft ground and as it flicked its tails, the trees sank their roots into the earth with all their strength. Its eye, a swirling orb that glinted in the moonlight flickered with cunningly wise malice and trained onto the flash of orange coming towards it. Throwing back its head and letting a vicious roar erupt from its throat and into the night, the beast whipped its tails with a crack.

Naruto panted. His body hummed with energy as chakra rolled off him in waves. Everything seemed to have magnified ten times: his eyes were wide, capturing every detail with ease and no intake of breath nor drip of sweat escaped his ears. It was virtually surreal. It overwhelmed him, almost rendering him crippled of vigilance. His eyes which were flecked with golden darted around the clearing before settling onto the figure atop the razor-edged cliff. With his magenta cloak billowing with the straying winds, the masked man held a long silver staff and exuded a fearless and almighty aura. The air was heavy, laced with multiple intense chakras which caused the ground to shook with fear. Naruto noticed the masked man lifted a gloved hand and point a finger behind him. Digging the soles of his shoes into the solid ground, the jinchuuriki sprung into action. He threw himself forward and made for the raised platform with lightning speed. Vaguely, he heard a distant call of his name and he was abruptly flung forward towards the beast. The monstrous beast gave a feral grin and promptly lashed out its tails towards the boy.

Naruto cursed before he was assaulted by an immense chakra. Rigid, he could do nothing as rope-like shadows were casted straight at him. Putting his arms up over his face, Naruto waited for the attack to hit him and send him crashing into the sapphire oceans. Seconds past and yet he felt nothing. Lowering his scorched sleeves, he froze when he saw the person kneeling in front of him.

...

Hyūga Hiashi watched helplessly as his nephew leapt seconds before the attack connected. His body has motionless and his arms hung limply by his sides, the monstrous trees of the ancient forest enclosing them seemed to bow with the wind. All he saw was red before he lowered his head and trembled, fisting his bandaged hands until his knuckles paled.

... I'm sorry,

Hizashi …

Her mind went blank.

She looked on in horror as the branches impaled him and pierced his torso. The beast threw back its head and laughed hysterically. It rang across the fields and froze their hearts. Blood trickled down onto the murky ground with a constant drip, drip.

No, she reasoned, this … this was not happening! Her eyes were fooling her, that was the only explanation. He was fine, he would survive. He was fine, he woul-

Yet as time seemed to drag on into more than a mere second, she felt her heart sink lower and edge towards the labyrinth of dread. Her vision clouded and she shook her head in vain to try to clear it. Tears threatened to escape as she quivered with fear and anger. Fear, because of the shock and terror etched onto the faces around her. Anger, because she was yet again unable to help him. She had always been their shadow. She wasn't blind, she wasn't stupid. She could see that their sensei favoured Lee and Neji more than her. They were prodigies in their own right: Neji, the gentle fist genius of the Hyuuga clan and Lee, the taijutsu master. When she was younger, Tenten hated herself for her weakness. She had nothing but her weapons, yet Temari of the Sand Siblings had managed to decapitate her with merely a flick of her fan. It was humiliating.

So she trained. Day and night, she remained behind and trained. Sometimes, Neji would offer her advice and others, Lee would give her a thumbs-up and his signature pose. Deep inside, she felt her heart swell. She was so relieved, so happy her teammates were there for her. She got stronger, vowing to never let them leave her behind. One day, she managed to grasp the hem of their robes. She had succeeded.

Tenten felt tears streaming down her face but she ignored them. She remembered what they said to her that day, what he had promised.

They were training, the sun glimmering above them. Sweat caked their bodies as the sounds of kunai scraping against rocks and the earth rupturing filled the peaceful sky. Tenten panted and she pressed her palms on her knees in fatigue. In front of her, Neji was standing with his head to the side. He had a serene expression as his unbounded long hair which cascaded down his back remained neat and untangled in the wind.

"You're pushing yourself too hard, Tenten." His voice was soft but she could hear it nevertheless. Tenten blinked in surprise and gave him a questioning look. He sighed and closed his eyes. Tilting his chin into the air, he said, "you'll will catch up someday, there is no need to rush ... We won't leave you behind."

His words flashed across her mind as she saw his face contort with pain and distress. Her heart wavered as she stumbled slightly. 'You said you won't leave me ... what are you doing now, Neiji?!'

Pain. That was all that he felt when he collapsed onto Naruto. He closed his eyes momentarily to dispel the pain, but to no avail. He could taste the metallic tinge of blood in his mouth as he desperately sought for the effort to speak. 'Dame da*,' he thought as he heaved and coughed out blood. The corners of his mouth tilted up faintly, 'at least I made it in time ... I'm glad.' When he saw the shock on Naruto's face, his body had leapt before his mind willed it. He had made it, he has fulfilled his duties.

"MEDICAL TEAM!" Naruto howled in denial, clutching onto him as though he was the one in physical agony.

"No," Neji choked, "I'm already …"

"Nii-san!" Hinata's features were of concerning distress as she ran forward to catch him when Naruto crumbled under Neji's weight. Why? Why would Neji sacrifice his life for him, a jinchuuriki?

Upon Naruto's look of bewilderment, Neji said reassuringly, "Naruto … Hinata-sama is willing to die for you … that's why …" You freed me from my cursed past, Naruto.

Naruto, unsatisfied and conflicted with his answer questioned, "Why are you willing … to throw away your life for me?!"

His brows were creased with immense refusal and to this, Neji merely smiled. 'Because … you told me that I'm a genius …'

He knew that it was nearly time. His body ached with every breath, it felt like millions of needles pricking his skin at the same time. Neji willed himself to look at his fellow shinobi one more time. His chest clenched tightly with guilt as he recognized the unmistakable dread on several faces. However, on the others, he saw glimpses of unguarded admiration and honor.

His heart swelled with pride when his eyes at last settled onto her. He saw in her warm brown eyes sadness but also hints of resolve. He would miss her and team Guy. 'Tenten. Thank you.'

He smiled genuinely as he finally succumbed to his injuries. This choice … this sacrifice … was worth it.

Dame da*: It's no good

A/N: Thank you for reading! Review please? :D