Kakashi, Yamato, and Naruto all looked at me. Their eyes were almost piercing into my soul. A low laugh came from Madara Uchiha, "The lonely girl now has friends. But watch how these friends will quickly turn away from you when they find out about your past and the things you have done."

I clenched my fists. "You're...you're lying!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "Itachi did not love me. He has never loved me. If he did love me he would have said something! Anything that night!"

"Itachi loved you so much he even saved you that night…the night that Daisuke died. Once again, Itachi Uchiha destroyed fate's plans for you, to let you survive. He always said that it was either you or Sasuke that would be his undoing, but Sasuke beat you to it."

I was so mad I didn't know what to do, "What do you know about the night that Daisuke died? Tell me!" I yelled at him.

"Only Itachi can tell you what happened that night. I merely just hear things." Madara Uchiha said. "But he's gone. You still have a chance though. With Sasuke, he must know something, Itachi did leave Sasuke to carry on his will."

"Where's Sasuke now?" Naruto yelled.

"Engaged in a fierce battle with Danzo. Danzo though, is no match for Sasuke. Still. It is a very interesting battle to watch, so I will see you later." He disappeared into his own jutsu, as we all watched helplessly, not knowing what to do.

Yamato released Naruto from the barred jutsu he had on him, and he ran up to us immediately. "Veena sensei…is it true, everything he said about Itachi and Sasuke?"

I looked at Naruto and I opened my mouth but no words came out. "Naruto." Kakashi finally said, "She probably doesn't know herself, but I don't know why Madara Uchiha would lie to us about this."

I nodded my head, "I never really expected Itachi to do what he did, and it never made sense to me. Itachi was never much of a fighter, he wanted to live in a peaceful world, and he wanted everybody to be safe." I told Naruto. "I think it's the truth." I finally admitted to him, even though I myself was not sure whether it was the truth or not.

My mind was racing now and I didn't know who or what to believe. I then heard people running from the distance. I used my ryakugan and I saw that it was Kiba, Lee, Sakura, and Sai. I looked at everybody else and nodded. They swooped down and we were confronted face to face.

"Naruto." Sakura called out. She needed to talk to him about something important and Naruto looked worried. "I…I love you."

My eyes went wide and Kakashi and I both exchanged looks, "Did she just say what I think she said?" Yamato asked me.

"I said I love you." She repeated to him, "So you can give up on this search for Sasuke, and forget all about that promise that you made to me. Because it's you Naruto."

I looked at Naruto and tried to figure out his response. "Sakura what are you saying? Stop joking around." He said to her.

"But I'm not joking around!" She told him seriously. "Honestly Naruto, how could you treat a girl – "

"Just shut up." He told her. "Why are you doing this?"

Kiba and Lee exchanged a look, and I chose not to step in. I didn't know what Sakura's plan was but I wasn't going to ruin it. Everybody seemed like they wanted Naruto to give up on Sasuke. But after hearing Itachi's story…that wasn't the case for me anymore. I wanted Naruto to help Itachi's precious little brother, and I would support him.

"Wow Naruto, I can't believe you. I'll talk to you once you understood what I've said because I don't think that's happened yet." She said to him.

"Stop lying Sakura!" He grit his teeth, "This isn't funny! You and I both know the truth. What you're doing is cruel. You have no idea what you're saying. Heck, I know you better than you know yourself, and I know what you're saying is a lie!"

Sakura kissed her teeth, "Whatever Naruto. Lee, Sai, Kiba, let's go." She said escorting them out of the way.

I looked sadly at Naruto and I put my hand on his shoulder. "Naruto…" I sighed.

Once Sakura and her group were out of sight, Sai reappeared. Although it wasn't really Sai, it was just an ink clone. He told us everything. About the promise, and about Sakura's plan. "Even now, she is planning on going to Sasuke herself and killing him."

"That's crazy!" I said to Sai, "Although Sakura is a strong ninja there is no way she can do it. Sasuke and her are on two whole other levels. And even if she somehow had the chance to kill him physically, do you think she would be able to take the opportunity to kill him?" I breathed in. "She loved Sasuke in the past. You never completely stop loving someone. Even if their actions are wrong and they have done horrible things in the past, it never vanishes. Even if it was replaced by a new love she felt for Naruto, there will still be a part of her holding onto Sasuke!" I yelled.

Kakashi looked at me quickly and lowered his head. I couldn't tell what kind of look he was making but I regret what I said. There were obviously still unresolved feelings that I had for Itachi, and I'm sure it didn't take long for Kakashi to figure that out.

Nobody said anything for a while and we saw another troupe approaching. I recognized them. It was Gaara, the Kazekage, and his siblings. "Naruto Uzumaki." He said in his normal monotone voice. "I see that you are still on the search for Sasuke. I am here to tell you though; you must give up on Sasuke Uchiha. He is gone now."

"Gaara…what do you mean by gone?" Naruto asked him.

Gaara explained what happened at the five kage summit, and none of it surprised me. Though what did surprise me was that Sasuke fought the five kage, and somehow made it out alive. I didn't even know that was possible for a shinobi, but I guess Sasuke was on par with his brother. "Danzo has also fled. A war has been declared by Madara Uchiha. The Leaf needs a new Hokage while Tsunade is out."

I stood stiff. I didn't know who would make a good Hokage. It usually had to be the strongest person in the village. Maybe Shikaku would be good. He was responsible enough. Lazy, but it would work out in our favor.

"Kakashi Hatake. I only trust you to be Hokage. I know that you would make a good Hokage. You would be someone that I could trust and depend on, along with the others. Will you do this for your village?" Gaara asked him.

Temari I believe spoke up this time, "There is nobody else in the village that is as capable of this as you are." She said to him.

Kakashi nodded, "I will take on the role of the Hokage, and work with all of you." My head whipped towards Kakashi immediately.

"Miss Ezahiya, what sort of face are you making I wonder? You should be happy for Kakashi. He will be a wonderful leader for your village." Gaara said to me. "You would make a good Hokage as well….hm maybe you should let the village decide between the two of you."

I nodded my head, "Yes. Lord Kazekage." I said to him.

"Naruto. I consider you as my friend. So I am going to urge you to listen to my advice and give up on Sasuke Uchiha."

I bit my lip from saying anything, but Naruto obviously knew what to say. "You may be my friend, but Sasuke is my best friend, and you cannot just give up on best friends like that."

"Make your decisions wisely Naruto Uzumaki." Gaara told him. "As for you two," He looked at Kakashi and I, "Maybe it would be best for me to decide. Kakashi Hatake has more experience, so it would be better to be Hokage. Please contact me as soon as you get back to the village." He told us.

Kakashi and I both nodded, and Gaara left. "I'm going to go after Sakura." I finally told them all. "I think it's better for Naruto to stay here."

"You're not going alone." Kakashi said to me, "Sai, lead us to Sakura. After all, it's my fault that we are all in this current situation." He sighed.

I shook my head, "It isn't your fault Kakashi. Sasuke chose this path for himself. I know you. I know you never taught him about revenge, and I know you tried…you tried to save him. It wasn't you Kakashi."

"She's right." Yamato agreed with me. "Well you two better get going." Yamato told us, "Don't worry. I'll watch out for Naruto."

I nodded my head at Yamato and then Kakashi. We both ran out as quick as we could with Sai leading the way and we were both silent. After a while, Sai informed us that we were almost there. "Sakura just used a gas to knock us out. I'm afraid this is as far as I could lead you. The rest is up to you…" Sai said as he splat onto the floor.

"I'll use my ryakugan." I told him. My black orbs changed to gold, and I tried finding Sakura's chakra, and it finally became familiar. I saw her running, and then I saw two more figures. One I could tell straight away was Sasuke, but the other was unfamiliar, it was also weak. "Sasuke and Sakura are talking. This doesn't seem good. We need to hurry." I said kicking it up a notch.

"It looks like Sasuke is trying to get Sakura to kill that girl." I focused in even more and I saw Sakura pull out a kunai. "Oh no, she's going to kill that girl." Almost there. Make it. Make it. I then saw Sasuke pull out his chidori behind Sakura. Before I even had time to react, Kakashi jumped forward and kicked Sasuke back.

"You tried to kill her? Oh how you have fallen Sasuke." Kakashi said to him. Kakashi threw a kunai with some rope and tried to restrain Sasuke but he used a substitution jutsu and it was a log instead. I finally made it down and stepped in front of Sakura.

Sasuke made eye contact with me and I could only mutter one word, "Itachi." He looked at me with a mad smile. "You're…you're nothing like Itachi." I grit my teeth and he broke out into laughter.

"It's just one after the other. This is a blast from the past. Veena Ezahiya. I haven't seen you since Itachi killed everyone in my clan. I remember talking to you, but after that you just seemed to disappear." He said to me.

"Sakura…you intended to kill Sasuke by yourself didn't you?" I asked her. She looked down sadly.

"There's no need for you to carry such a heavy burden." Kakashi started, "After all, it was my responsibility for what happened to team 7. I once told you something dumb. I told you that everything would be alright, but I don't know if I was trying to convince you or myself. I'm sorry for being a careless Sensei."

"But you're not…" She said. I wasn't in a place to interfere, but I turned my attention back to Sasuke.

"I told you this once before Sasuke, and I absolutely hate repeating myself. Give up on your revenge." Kakashi said to him.

Sasuke laughed like a crazy person "Itachi, my clan, BRING THEM HERE AND I'LL STOP."

"I don't want to kill you." Kakashi said.

He laughed, "You?! Kill me? Just try. I've been dying to kill you. You aren't my sensei anymore Kakashi, so give it up. You will die here today."

Kakashi lifted his headband up and revealed his sharingan, "Now I know how the Third Hokage must have felt when he was fighting Orochimaru."

I used the shadow clone jutsu and made a clone out of myself to restrain Kakashi, and another to protect Sakura, and I myself leapt in front of Kakashi. "I will not let you go through this Kakashi. I will not let you fight your student and I will not let you blame yourself. I am here now, and I will carry your burdens now." I turned around and smiled at him. But my shadow clone was having a tough time restraining him, but I put a lot of chakra into it, and used a water jutsu that was sticky so he wouldn't be able to move. "Sakura, go heal that girl. I won't be long."

"Why are you fighting me?" Sasuke asked. "What are you hoping to accomplish? Are you trying to kill me? Because you can't."

"I'm going to beat a lesson into you. One that your brother should be here to teach you. But since he isn't, I'll be filling in." I smiled.

"Please, don't make me laugh. You are nothing compared to Itachi. And I'll show you your place." He said to me. He quickly pulled out some shuriken and launched them at me. "Let's see what you got!"

"Earth-style, mud wall!" I said mimicking the move that Kakashi used during our battle with Pain a few months ago. The shuriken were buried into the wall and Sasuke came at me with the chidori, and I jumped from the wall into the water and I balanced my chakra at my feet to balance on the water.

Sasuke jumped down too, "I don't know much about the ryakugan, but compared to a true sharingan, it's nothing. Your Kakashi will know that, since he's nothing but a fake sharingan user. It's an Uchiha gift. Once I'm done with you, I will be taking Kakashi's sharingan."

"I will never let you touch him!" I yelled at Sasuke. But he used his sharingan and suddenly there was a black skull like demon. There was an arrow and it was launched right at me. "Shit." I said under my breath. "I can't move fast enough." Before I knew what was happening, I braced myself for the blast.

I didn't feel anything but I was launched into the water and I felt a pair of arms wrap around me as we fell on top of the water. I got up quickly and saw Kakashi get up too. He must have used the mangekyo.

"I'm impressed." Sasuke started, "I thought that only an Uchiha would be capable of using the mangekyo."

"Sasuke, more than just your clan is here. You are your own person. You just need to look deep inside of you." Kakashi said. "I think deep down you know the truth." He said to him.

"Just shut up Kakashi, you know nothing about me. You don't know what it's like." I saw Sakura come up under the bridge ready to strike at Sasuke with a kunai. But she was frozen and couldn't move. Kakashi kept on talking to Sasuke, and I was praying that he wouldn't notice, but my worst fear came to life as Sasuke whipped around and grabbed Sakura by her neck.

I ran towards Sakura, and Kakashi was fumbling because too much of his chakra had already been used with the mangekyo. But Sasuke was quick and he pulled out a kunai knife. Almost there. I said as I grabbed Sasuke by the collar and I pulled him back while an unexpected Naruto showed up grabbing Sakura.

Sasuke skid back but was still on his feet, and Kakashi and I immediately jumped in front of Naruto and Sakura. "Sasuke…you really just tried to kill one of our comrades right now?" Naruto asked him.

Of course, Sasuke being who he is now let out a very unattractive evil laugh, "Former comrade. I'm off your team."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes, "Do you see it now? His will to kill is undeniable. The Sasuke that we once knew is gone now."

"Listen Sasuke," Naruto started stepping between Kakashi and I, "I know the truth about Itachi. Kakashi and Veena sensei do too. Tobi told us everything. Now, I don't know if he's lying or not but,"

"Sasuke. I don't know you, but I know your brother, and he would not want to see you like this. He loved you so much. He wanted the best for you. He didn't kill you that night because he wanted you to live on, for a better future. Itachi is dead now." Tears streamed from my face as I said those words out loud. It was the first time they hurt me. "Itachi is dead, and you are what he left behind, for a better future Sasuke. Why…why can't you understand that?" I asked him.

Kakashi walked over to me and squeezed my hand, "It's okay Veena. Itachi was a different man than Sasuke was. Sasuke is gone now. I know you see your old love in him, but you must let it go, because he is not Itachi."

Sasuke growled, "You're all the same. Itachi gave his life for the village. He gave his life for you Veena! And how do you thank him? By hooking up with another man? By being with Kakashi? You have no right to preach about loyalty to Itachi, when you are the one who left his side. You put my brother under a spell. You claimed to have loved him, and then you run into the arms of another man. Now I don't know much about love, but I sure as hell know that isn't what love is supposed to be."

I was taken aback by his words and I pulled my hand away from Kakashi's as an instinct. Sasuke was right. How could I claim to love Itachi when I'm with Kakashi now?

"None of you get it. You are all outsiders! You never had a clan that loved you and was then slaughtered by the person who mattered most to you. So you can all just shut up!" Sasuke yelled at us.

This time Sakura stood up to talk to Sasuke, "Do you know what Naruto has gone through for you? He still considers you a comrade. Everybody wanted to turn on you, but Naruto alone stood up for you and wanted to rescue you."

"Rescue me from what? I don't know need any rescuing." He simply replied to Sakura.

"From revenge Sasuke. I wanted to rescue you from revenge and all the chaos that it caused you." Naruto told him.

He let out a low laugh, "But I don't want you to do that. I already got my revenge. The one behind Itachi's betrayal, Danzo." We were all shocked and I let out a gasp. "I've never felt so powerful before. I can feel the tainted name of the Uchiha become cleansed and rising up once again. You all wanted this didn't you? Erasing the Uchiha name? So I will make all of you forget it. By destroying the Hidden Leaf Village."

I balled my fists and it took everything that I had to not punch Sasuke Uchiha. The vicious cycle of hatred. I thought to myself. Naruto created two shadow clones, and then Kakashi stepped in front of them. "Naruto, Sakura, Veena. Get out of here now. This is my responsibility."

"But Kakashi sensei," Sakura tried to fight him.

"A poisoned kunai will not kill Sasuke. He has an immunity. If you stay here, you will see things that you wished you have never seen, and you will not be able to un-see them." He warned.

Sasuke pulled out another chidori and Kakashi his lightning blade. "Kakashi sensei. This is something you don't want us to see…are you going to kill Sasuke?" Naruto asked Kakashi.

"Go. Both of you." Naruto then held back Kakashi with one of his shadow clones and quickly formed the rasengan and launched himself at Sasuke. There was a huge impact and I didn't know what was happening next.

All I saw was Kakashi get rid of the shadow clone and grab the real Naruto. The waves were rocking uneasily back and forth, but I maintained my balance and caught Kakashi before anything else could happen to both him and Naruto.

A white creature saved Sasuke and quickly started to clone itself. Half of its body looked almost like a human, while the other half was just a blob trying to imitate a human. A battle was about to begin; I would have to fight myself. Kakashi didn't have enough Chakra, and it wasn't going to be east. He would be out in no time. I had faith in him, but I also knew the consequences of letting him fight, and I would never do that to him.

Madara Uchiha had also appeared and then I got scared. There was no way that we could win this, and then Madara Uchiha spoke, "Capturing the nine tails is beyond you Zetsu. After all, you were not made to fight. We will let Sasuke capture the nine tails."

He barked some more orders at the white creature and they started sinking beneath the water and Naruto stepped forward. "Sasuke, if you attack the hidden leaf I will fight you. Don't doubt that. But until that day save your hatred. If you choose to attack, I will die with you. You can throw all your hatred right at me."

"Die? No Naruto, I will not be the one to die. It will only be you. You will be the one falling. So be prepared." Sasuke responded.

"That's no problem at all. Since you still don't respect me enough as an equal."

"Enough Naruto." Kakashi told him, "I will handle Sasuke. You must absolutely not give up on your dream of becoming Hokage."

"But I don't deserve to be Hokage if I can't even save my friend."

"Alright Naruto, I will leave Sasuke to you." He said, "But Veena watch over my body. I will get rid of Madara right now."

My eyes went wide as I looked at Kakashi and that idiot was being serious. I couldn't tell what Kakashi was doing but I ran to grab him and hold him back. I absolutely would not let Kakashi die.

"Don't bother Kakashi." He said, "That jutsu won't do anything to me. We'll be taking our leave." Was all that Madara said before disappearing into his own jutsu.

I let go of Kakashi and I jumped back up on the bridge to check up on the girl that we left behind. The rest of them followed and Kakashi got her onto his back. Naruto and Sakura were waiting by a bridge and Naruto looked ill, "Oh, it was the poisoned kunai wasn't it?" I laughed. Sakura giggled as well but Naruto yelled about it not being funny.

"Hey Kakashi sensei, who is that?" Naruto asked pointing to the girl with bright red hair and eyes.

"This is one of Sasuke's comrades, I'm taking her back to the village for some questioning." He responded.

"Was." The girl corrected Kakashi.

"I'm going to head back to the village with Veena, and you guys should head back to the Land of Iron. You forgot something there didn't you?" Kakashi said to them.

Sakura looked in shock, "Oh no!" Suddenly, a tree sprouted from under the bridge and caged Naruto.

"Naruto!" I heard Yamato yell, "You made me chase after you and apologize to the inn keeper for putting a hole in the ground!"

"Oh Yamato, did you send Naruto here? It's a good thing you did because we would have been dead." Kakashi said to him.

Yamato yelled over at Kakashi, "Of course I didn't! I wouldn't disobey your orders!" He told Kakashi.

I giggled, and it was the first time I did, but I felt bad because so much happened, and at that moment I feel like it would have been better to be buried under the water.

"I see so Naruto outfoxed you and left you in the dust?" I laughed again. So even Kakashi had a sense of humor. Yamato began to deny everything, "It's better this way. If Naruto didn't come when he did…"

The captive spoke up, "Sasuke's chakra is different than before. It's colder now."

"Sasuke is still Sasuke though!" Naruto smiled at her reassuringly. Sakura and Kakashi both agreed with him and Yamato and I exchanged looked of confusion.

"So Yamato, everything worked out. You can forgive Naruto." Kakashi told him.

Yamato grunted, "Oh alright then. This just seems more and more like a babysitting job each and every day." He sighed. He released Naruto from his jutsu, "Alright. You guys head back."

"Where are you going?" I asked him.

"Me? I'm going back to the inn to repair the damage that Naruto has done of course." Yamato responded as he disappeared.

As we were walking, we saw Kiba, Lee, and Sai on the die of the rode still knocked out. They were all just asleep of course. "Hey Naruto, wake them up gently!" She said to him. Naruto didn't protest at all, and he went to sleep right with them. "NARTUO!" She yelled at him.

"Sakura, isn't it?" The captive spoke again, "Isn't Naruto like this because of your poison? What a carefree guy. He's already out."

Kakashi chuckled and I laughed as well at the expression that Sakura was making. "However, we don't have time to waste here. Sakura hurry and wake them up."

"I'm glad that Naruto is resting easy. That means he's finally let things go." I smiled.

Kakashi looked at me too, but I couldn't look at him and I instead turned away. He came over to me and he kissed my cheek with the mask on. The captive blushed and I just couldn't look at him, "I have to talk to you when we get back to the Leaf." He told me.

"There's nothing to talk about right now. We know everything, and we'll discuss everything with the council." I said to him,

"You know what I want to talk about." Kakashi said to me. "Hokage…Itachi…there's going to be some serious changed going on around here, and we need to talk about us. Whether an 'us' can still exist or not."