"Kakashi sensei!" Sakura cried out in horror.

Tazuna's face was pale.

Sasuke was shocked. But he quickly noticed something out of the corner of his eye.

One of the attackers seemed to be interested in Naruto. He leapt forwards and approached with speed. He aimed his gauntlet of claws at Naruto.

In that moment Naruto froze.

He knew he was being attacked. He knew right there and there if he didn't do anything, he was dead for sure.

'But what?! How?! What am I supposed to do?!' he thought frantically.

In that split second the hairs on his neck rose. Cold sweat seemed to envelop his body. His chest clenched with a sickening feeling. His breath shook and his legs trembled. 'No. Not again' he though with dread.

The assailant swiped his claw. Naruto barely managed to lift his hand in front of his face. The metal claw scratched the back of his hand, wounding it. Naruto dropped to the ground, while the assailant got ready to attack with his chains.

CLANG!

{a/n: yes. sound effects. lol}

A shuriken came flying towards the attacker. He deflected it with his claw. However another shuriken followed pinning the long chain on his other hand to a tree. A kunai then immediately struck and pinned it in place.

Sasuke took this chance and kicked him on the chest. A sudden desire to protect Naruto had crashed into his mind like an avalanche leaving no space for doubt.

The other assailant went straight for the bridge builder.

Sakura was the only one free. As the assailant approached she froze.

'I have to move. I have to move. I have to move...Come on!' she thought desperately.

'I know it might not work. But still!' She quickly brought out two kunai and managed to strike the chains of the attacker.

All of a sudden there was a *poof* right in front of her. Someone used their arm, hooked it on the attackers neck and choked him to a stop.

"Hi" said Kakashi in a friendly manner.

Then he flung him to the other assailant bringing them both down.

"Sensei!" Sakura said in relief.

'Show off' thought Sasuke. 'Where was he when Naruto was attacked?'

Naruto stared at his sensei in shock and confusion. "But he was- "

As Naruto turned to look at Kakashi's mutilated body all he saw were a couple of logs.

Substitution Jutsu.

"Naruto. I'm sorry I didn't help you right away" Kakashi said. "I didn't mean for you to get hurt. I just didn't think you would freeze up like that again."

Having said that he turned around to address the attackers. "Good job Sakura. You too Sasuke. Very smooth" said Kakashi. "Though...next time, remember Naruto is a shinobi too. You should let him fight for himself" he added.

Kakashi had noticed how protective the boy was to Naruto. It was sweet but too much and it would likely hinder both of them.

As Kakashi ties up the two attackers Naruto sat there in shock and devastation. 'I was useless' he thought. 'Sauske was so cool and he attacked them like he'd done it a thousand times. Didn't he feel scared at all? I was so lame he had to come up and save me! Even Sakura did something. Ugh. Why can't I keep up with them?'

He stood abruptly.

"Naruto! Stand still" Kakashi warmed. "These shinobi have poison on their claws. We need to take it out of you by opening the wound. It's in your blood so don't move around too much."

"Huh?" Naruto took a moment before he stared panicking. "No no no no no noooo!! I'm too young to die!" he wailed.

Kakashi faced the attackers and said "They're the Demon Brothers from the Hidden Mist. These two chunin specialise in relentless attack. They keep fighting no matter what the sacrifice."

"How did you know about our attack?" one of the brothers asked.

"A puddle on a clear day when it hasn't rained in weeks?" Kakashi said in an obvious manner. "There's a drought in these parts"

"Eh? Then why didn't you attack?" Tazuna questioned.

"I could've handled them but...I needed to to know, who they targeting and what they were after" said Kakashi. He turned to face the bridge builder.

"Since these are chunin assassins attacking us shinobi, this mission should be a B-rank or higher" he continued. "In other words we're not suited to handle this mission"

"That's right. This is way too advanced for us genin" said Sakura. "And I think we really should treat Naruto's would as soon as possible"

Kakashi seemed to think for a moment. "Naruto's hand could become a problem" he said. "Perhaps we should return".

Naruto's heart plummeted. This was the first time he was getting a C-rank mission. Now, they were planning to leave because he had gotten himself poisoned. His stupidity and weakness weighed down on him.

'No. Not happening...'

Naruto took out a kunai from his pouch.

'I will not be a burden!'

He raised his kunai and then brought it down. The Uzumaki swiftly pierced his poisoned wound. Blood immediately started flowing from it.

Everyone else stared in shock.

"Naruto. Stop that! What are you doing?" said Sakura.

"Why am I so worthless?" Naruto asked himself. "Why am I always behind—ugh" He grunted in pain as more blood seeped from the wound.

Sasuke stared at Naruto in shock and profound admiration. When the kunai pierced his wound Sasuke could've sworn he felt it with his heart.

"I worked so hard to get here. Pushing myself until it hurt. Training myself for hours to pass the genin exams. All to get stronger and reach my dream."

As drops of his blood fell to the ground Sasuke's heart clenched uncomfortably. He suddenly felt guilty.

"I will never back down again and let someone else rescue me. I will not run away. I will not lose to Sauske" Naruto said. "In fact, I'll be strong enough to save him" he added without thinking.

Sasuke's eyes widened and his heart gave a little twirl. 'Strong enough to save me?'

"Upon this wound I make this pledge. Bridge builder, I'll complete this mission and protect you" Naruto declared.

With a determined look in his eyes he withdrew the kunai from his wounded hand.

Sasuke was still staring at him. It was strange but he felt proud. He felt pride for someone else's bravery.

The Uchiha then saw the bloodied hand and snapped back to reality.

He quickly grabbed Naruto's unwounded hand. He then led him to the small river they had passed just minutes ago.

Naruto stumbled along as Sasuke pulled him. "Wh-wait where are we?-"

"You opened the wound so now you need to wash it" Sasuke stated.

"He's right" said Kakashi in agreement. The jonin followed them and the two others did so as well.

Once they reached the small river Sasuke crouched down along with Naruto. Then Sasuke cupped his hand and scooped up some water. He carefully began washing Naruto's wound.

"Don't go around sound reckless things like that" he said to the blonde.

Naruto scoffed. "You're just jealous that I looked way cooler than you"

Sasuke stared at him and said "That's not it dobe"

"Then what?" Naruto challenged.

Sasuke stopped. He felt a flare in his soul. It ignited something inside his soul. A feeling that made his heart swell with confidence and pride.

Up until now Naruto's unwounded hand was still holding the kunai. He has washed it but had not withdrawn it.

Sasuke took his left hand towards the kunai.

He then slashed the back of his hand on it.

Sakura gasped. "Sasuke!"

"Huh? What are you doing Sasuke?!" Naruto asked with worry.

Sasuke took the back of his hand and pressed it against Naruto's. Their wounds were now in contact with each other.

"Naruto" Sasuke said looking at him sternly. "You promised to get stronger. You said you won't lose to me. You vowed to be able to protect yourself, and those around you"

Naruto stared back at him.

"Then I'll make my pledge. I will not lose to you either. I will become a shinobi with power equal to yours. When you become strong, I'll become even stronger. When you protect me, I'll protect you next."

Sasuke paused for a moment and then said "The promise I made to you weeks ago. I will fulfil that as well. I make this vow on the pride of my clan and, as a shinobi"

When he was done he was surprised at how much he had said.

Naruto's curious eyes widened. He remembered the promise they made weeks ago when they were at Sasuke's house. To stand by each other's side and protect each other.*

"And I'll do the same, dattebayo" said Naruto with a beautiful smile.

Sasuke looked at Naruto and felt his heart blooming like a magnificent flower. Towards that blooming heart he felt butterflies fluttering in his chest.

Sasuke smiled back at Naruto making the boy's heart dance in excitement. His onyx eyes has brightened with light as if his soul had awoken at last.

Without speaking, as if their minds were one they made the unison sign of shinobi with their injured hands.

Tazuna, Sakura and Kakashi watched silently.

"A shinobi vow" said Sakura. "Isn't that right sensei?"

Kakashi didn't answer. He stared at the two boys with a nostalgic and sad look.

"Let's make a shinobi vow" he had said. "One where we stand by each other's side and protect each other."

But when that oath was fulfilled all it did was bring him to his death.

'I hope that doesn't happen' Kakashi thought with dread.

Seeing that her sensei wasn't responding Sakura went towards the boys. She brought out bandages from her pouch. "Let me bandage that" she said.

"Oo, oo, me first!" Naruto said excitedly.

"No way idiot! Sasuke goes first" she scoffed.

"Aw come on!" Naruro complained.

"Stop whining" Sasuke said.

"Hmph"

And so they began arguing amongst themselves.

Kakashi watched them and chuckled. "Hey Naruto. Let me bandage you" he said.

As he went over he thought 'Perhaps these two will see their vow through'.

So, on that day an oath was made.

An oath that bound them, and their lives together.

An oath that they both promised themselves, to never break.

* About that promise. It refers to Chapter 15.

A/N: I'm sorry to say that my laptop died on me. I'm using a shared device and have limited time to do anything on this phone. There is currently a lockdown so I can't get anything fixed.

I am NOT giving up on this story. However updates may be slow. Especially for this arc. Please understand and know that I'll try my best.