Alright, another Saturday! Time for another update! I would like to thank everyone who put me on some kind of Alert List. I'll be sure to check out some of your stories, and I'll try to review (my computer's strange, and sometimes won't let me review.)

moasan
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A special thanks to DramaQueen1193, for putting on not one but three Alert Lists

And, of course, a huge shout out to my ever present reviewer, my most faithful reader, Think-chan! You rock!

If I missed anyone, my mother probably deleted the E-mail. Sorry!

Enough of that! Today's disclaimer is brought to you by Hayate!

Hayate: Griffin does not (cough) own (cough cough) Naruto.

Griffin: Why do you keep reminding me!

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The Original Rookies had set out just a few short hours after making their decision. After sneaking out of the Hokage's office (no small feat, considering all the traps and jutsus Shizune had set up to prevent a certain delinquent Hokage from attempting the same thing) they had separated, packed, and re-gathered at Konoha's wall. Shikamaru had concocted an ingenious plan, involving Akamaru, Kagemane no Jutsu, and Shintenshin no Jutsu. They were on their way before any one knew they were really gone.

That had been two days ago. Sakura and Sasuke had remembered most of the way to Wave Country. What they forgot, Akamaru had managed to find by tracking Naruto's scent.

"So, what happened on this mission?" Shikamaru asked.

"Well, it started when Naruto complained about not getting a proper mission," Sasuke said. "So the Sandaime gave us a C-rank mission."

"We thought we would be protecting this bridge builder, Tazuna, from bandits and such," Sakura continued, "but it turned out he had ninja after him, because Gato wanted him dead."

"Gato, as it the shipping tycoon?" Kiba asked. "But I heard he died."

"He was still alive at this point," Sasuke said. "Anyway, Gato sent two Chunin after us and I took care of them."

"Then?" Ino asked.

"Momchi Zabuza," Sakura said. "He caught Master Kakashi, but Naruto came up with a plan that freed him. Then Master Kakashi to Zabuza down."

"Or so we thought," Sasuke continued. "It turned out that Zabuza was still alive, and he had an accomplice, a boy named Haku. Naruto and I fought him…"

"While Master Kakashi fought Zabuza again," Sakura said, "and I protected Tazuna-san."

"Haku had us trapped in a cage of ice mirrors," Sasuke said. "At one point, he tried to kill Naruto, but I protected him….

FLASHBACK

Naruto was on the ground, with Sasuke standing in front of him, his neck pierced with many senbon needles.

"Why did you… you should have minded your own business!" Naruto shouted

"How should I know?" Sasuke replied. "My body just moved on its own… fool." The black-haired boy collapsed backwards.

END FLASHBACK

"I don't remember much after that," Sasuke said.

"I remember the air was suddenly filled with such intense chakra," Sakura said, "so full of malice it was difficult to breath. I guess Naruto tried to kill Haku… but stopped. Haku was killed by Kakashi, and then Gato showed up… Zabuza killed him, and then died himself."

"I woke up then," Sasuke said. "We stayed in Wave Country until the bridge was finished."

"Wow," Kiba said, "talk about intense."

"I'm just glad you're all okay," Hinata said.

"We should be getting close…," Sakura said. He voice trailed off as the bridges gate came into view. The name of the bridge was written in bold charters for all to see.

The Great Naruto Bridge

"Wow," Ino said simply.

"I guess Naruto left a big impression on these people," Neji said.

"No kidding," Sasuke replied.

The group crossed the bridge and entered Wave Country. Sakura and Sasuke were surprised by how much the place had changed: the streets were clean, the shops were well stocked, and the people were happy.

"Tazuna-san was right," Sakura said. "The bridge did bring them hope."

A few minutes later, Sakura and Sasuke had led them to a large house. Sasuke knocked on the door, and a dark haired woman answered.

"How may I… oh! Sakura-chan! Sasuke-kun!" Tsunami exclaimed.

"It's been a long time, Tsunami-san," Sakura said, smiling. "I hope you don't mind us dropping by so suddenly."

"Of course not," Tsunami said, smiling. "Please come in, all of you."

The ninja filed into the house. It was much nicer than Sasuke and Sakura remembered.

"Father, Inari!" Tsunami shouted. "You'll never guess who just showed up at our door!"

Inari, who had been playing on the back yard with a small dog, came in. He smiled hugely when he saw Sakura and Sasuke.

"Sakura-san!" he cried, hugging the pink-haired kunoichi.

"You've grown a lot, Inari-kun," Sakura said, returning the boys hug.

"You two have grown a lot yourselves," Tazuna said, leaning against the hall door. "Who are your friends?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Sakura said. She introduced everyone.

"Where's Naruto-ni?" Inari asked eagerly. Immediately, the mood changed from happy to gloomy.

"What's wrong?" Tazuna asked.

"Naruto… ran away a few days ago," Neji explained.

"We were hoping he was here…," Choji said.

"I'm sorry," Tsunami said.

"I hope he's all right," Tazuna said. "Why did you think he would be here?"

"We figured Wave County would be the place Naruto felt safest," Sasuke explained. "Besides Konoha, of course."

"You know, now that I think about it, I heard this really strange rumor," Tazuna said.

"What do you mean, Tazuna-san?" Lee asked.

"I was listening to some of the workers," Tazuna said, "and they started talking about Zabuza and Haku's graves."

"What about them?" Sakura asked.

"Apparently, they're haunted," Tazuna replied. "People have been seeing a spectral figure around the graves, one that disappears if anyone tries to talk to him."

"So?" Sasuke demanded.

"He had blond hair, this spirit," Tazuna said.

Everyone froze, staring at the old bridge builder.

"I think you better get going," Tazuna said, smiling. With a quick "thanks" the young ninja ran out the door.

"Where are the graves?" Hinata asked.

"This way!" Sakura and Sasuke replied. Everyone followed them, running as fast as they could.

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Naruto had spent the last few days sleeping in the trees above Zabuza and Haku's graves. He talked to them often. When he had slept, he had odd dreams that he couldn't remember after waking. They always left him feeling very sad.

What am I doing here? Naruto thought. Why am I here?

You can't think that way, kit Kyubi said.

"Shut up," Naruto said softly. He took a kunai out of its pouch, fingering the edge.

What… what are you thinking about, kit? Kyubi demanded.

Naruto didn't answer. He spun the kunai though his fingers slowly, hypnotized by the edge of the blade.

Don't even think about it, kit! Kyubi yelled. That's not the answer! Hey, are you listening to me?

I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP, YOU DAMN HAIRBALL!!! Naruto screamed mentally. HONESTLY, WHAT DO YOU CARE?! I MEAN, BESIDES THE FACT THAT IF I DIE, SO DO YOU, DO YOU REALLY CARE!?

Naruto Kyubi said, shocked.

OF COURSE YOU DON'T!! NOBODY DOES!!! Naruto ranted on. WHY SHOULD THEY?! I'M JUST A MONSTER, A DEMON, A WEAPON! I DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE!!!

Naruto gripped the kunai tightly, holding it high. He swung it down, aiming for the opposite wrist. He wanted pain, he wanted release, he wanted death. He closed his eyes….

"NO NARUTO!!!"

The kunai stopped, and something warm and liquid hit his arm. He opened his eyes, and saw the last thing he expected.

Hinata was standing beside him, her hand wrapped around the kunai's blade. Her blood was dripping onto his arm. She was gasping for breath, apparently having run very fast in order to get to him in time. The other Original Rookies were approaching fast.

"Don't do that, Naruto-kun," Hinata said.

"Get away from me!" Naruto yelled, pushing Hinata away.

"Why would you do something like that, Naruto?" Sakura asked.

"Go away," Naruto said. "Leave me alone."

"Come back to Konoha with us, Naruto," Tenten said.

"Go away," Naruto said again. "Leave me alone."

"We want you to come home, Naruto," Neji said.

"NO!!" Naruto screamed. "LEAVE ME ALONE!!!"

"I've had enough of this," Sasuke said. He moved, so fast that Naruto had no time to react. The Uchiha boy dealt Naruto a sharp blow to the back of his skull, and the blond hit the ground, unconscious.

"It'll be easier to convince him back at home," Sasuke explained.

Everyone agreed silently. Sasuke picked Naruto up, and Sakura put a special seal on Naruto's arm, to keep him unconscious. There was a brief silence, and then they set off back home.

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Naruto: And that's it for the week! Tune in nest time for another exciting installment!

Sakura: Why are you doing the closing, Naruto?

Naruto: Point to the right, where Griffin is curled up in a ball in front of a portable memorial tablet (like Yoh uses in Shaman King)

Sakura: What's with her?

Naruto: Her mother took her ramen away.

Griffin: MY PRECIOUS RAMEN, PLEASE COME BACK TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sobs

Naruto: Anyway… what do we have to do get you people to review, beg?! REVIEW!!!