*~
Catch me, don't let me fall,
I'm waiting for you
Catch me, I'm falling
The world is slipping away
What I thought I knew
Isn't true
I'm falling, won't some one save me?
They walk right by, they refuse to see me
I'm almost to the ground... no ones going to catch me...
There are bushes and twigs trying to hold me,
But they break...
The ground feels hard against my back
No one caught me, they let me fall...
~*
Me: Get ready for the last chappie! I know that I kinda wait in till the end for shout-outs, but I only have one and this a good one for right here. And for some spice, I'll write is like a letter.
04/10/04
Ivan's Kitsune
animegoddess515@yahoo.com
somewhere on the globe
Dear someone():
My my... aren't we good a picking out plots. I think that you might have read my mind. I've been working on the idea sense chap 5. you should try the psychic hotline bis. You might do well. ~_^
Ivan's Kitsune
Well, I'm done ranting here, on to the final chappie!
************************************************************************
*~ Punishment ~*
They just stared at the boy, the dead boy. It was hard to tell that he was a blond with all the blood in his hair. His cloths had turned red from blood and the last thing left of him was the empty smile on his face. It was then that they saw what that smile really was, not a smile of happiness and energy that he always pretended that it was, but a smile that was like a mask. It hid the pain in his heart, the pain the village had caused him. The air was still, and the only sound was the sniffing of the girls. Hinata had just lost her crush, and Sakura had lost, although she would have never told him, one of her best friends. Sasuke and Kakashi hung their heads down, and Iruka just stared that what remained of the boy he loved as a son.
" ...Na..." Iruka couldn't speak. He walked slowly to the body and moved it into his arms. The shuriken was still lodged in his chest and blood was still pouring out, but not as fast now. Iruka hugged the boy close to him and began to cry. He didn't need this kind of sorrow... he had a dream... Now he could never have the chance to achieve it. It didn't matter to Naruto how hard it would be to become Hokage, he would do anything to prove that he could. He might have been like Sakura and know the text books front to back, or like Sasuke and have knowledge of almost every style of ninja-jutsu he could get his hands on, but he was skilled at what he could do and loved doing what he could. He would pretend to be happy so no one around him would be worried about him. He was put up with anything as long as he could see his dream beyond it. But now... nothing, but dying in pain. " Naruto... you didn't deserve this... " Iruka cried out softly. Sakura and Hinata walked over and looked at Naruto too. Hinata began crying beyond control and Sakura touched Naruto's forehead. Ice. No heat to speak of.
" Naru-ruto... no!!" Sakura fell to the floor and rolled herself into a ball. Kakashi put his hand on Sasuke's shoulder and turned his head.
" We should say goodbye to Naruto..." Kakashi stopped speaking. Sasuke could tell that if he spoke anymore his voice would crack. Sasuke nodded and they walked up to the others.
" Naruto... goodbye. I'm sorry I couldn't have told you that you the best rival and friend I ever had, even if we did fight all the time. I'm sorry..." Sasuke said as he put his hands over Naruto's still open eyes. " At least you can go to a better place now..." Sasuke moved his hand down along his eyes, closing them for good. Kakashi put his hand on Iruka's shoulder.
" Iruka, come on. Lets go bury Naruto and then see to these people..." Kakashi waved his hand around. Iruka nodded. He and Kakashi headed for the forest. Sakura and Hinata were about to run up to them but they saw that Sasuke had gone to the ashes of Kyu. Judging by how well she burned, he guess that they have doused her in beer or something else that was flammable. He picked up as much ashes as he could. Sakura pulled out a jar and handed it to Sasuke. He took it, nodded his thanks, and put all the ashes in the jar.
" She should be left out here with these people. We should bury her in the same area as Naruto." Sasuke's voice cracked as he said that. Hinata and Sakura nodded and they both ran off to the forest. As they were running, they could hear people screaming. " I guess the people have decided that they can leave their house's now..." Sasuke said under his breath. After about five minutes of running they were in the forest. They reached the clearing with the Sakura trees that where in the grove about ten minutes outside the village. It was a beautiful place with petals fall softly and slowly, like pink snow. Iruka and Kakashi were waiting in the clearing, both of them standing over a hole. They guessed that they had dug the hole, but had waited for Sasuke and them before covering it. They could also see what looked like a second, smaller hole, like the size of a jar next to it. Sasuke guessed that Kakashi guessed that they were picking up Kyu's ashes. They nodded at them and the kids gathered around the grave. Naruto had been lain down softly in the ground. All the blood had been cleaned off. Someone must have dug the holes, and the other cleaned Naruto. He still looked a bit wet. a few petals had fallen in the grave, each resting softly on him, joining him in the earth forever more. Kakashi nodded at them again and covered the hole. A small mount is all that they could see now. The petals were falling all over it. In about ten more minutes, the mount would be pink. Sasuke walked over to the small hole and placed Kyu in. He said a prayer and covered it as well. Sakura put her hand on his shoulder and leaned over him.
" C'mon, there are still people you need to be put to rest." Sasuke nodded at her statement and they headed back to the village slowly. As they reached the gates they could hear people yelling. They just asumed that it was about the massacre, which was true, but more was behind it. As they walked in to the town, everyone was staring at them.
" Uh... Something's wrong..." Hinata said softly. Iruka nodded and they began walking again. People began to whisper and when they passed, they began pointing. Some people gasped, others broke into tears, and others still began to become enraged, not the best emotion in a time like this.
" I hear that they helped that monster out."
" They are just as big a problem as that thing."
" I bet you that they helped kill some of those poor, good foke that were just rejoicing in the happiness of being free from a demon."
" Perhaps... they've been cursed by those demons! They were both foxes, and foxes are powerful enough to do so! They are no better then demons now, I know it!" the last person didn't bother to keep her voice down. People seemed to like this idea and because the group can smell trouble, they took off fast before the people were organized enought to cause some issues.
" Damn this isn't good. Because of our close ties with Naruto, the villagers think that we are evil too. If were not careful, were going to be like Kyu..." Kakashi said as they ducked into a narrow alley. They all hid as the mob passed by and waited to intill they could hear them anymore. Then they gathered in the back corner so on one passing by could see them.
" We need somewhere where we can go. If we stay in this village, were going to be killed by the end of the week!" Iruka yelled softly. Kakashi nodded.
" But we can't just walk out of town, their going to keep on eye on all the ways out of the village to make sure we don't leave. I bet that intill the Hokage is back, this town is going to be a hell zone." Sakura said.
" And if we do leave, where are we going to go?" Hinata asked as she bunched up into a ball.
" How about the land of the wave? I'm sure we could stay with Tazuna intill we come up with a better plan. Plus, I'm sure that they would like to know about Naruto's death, not everything about it, just that a very bad incident causes him to commit suicide. I mean, they named that bridge after him..." Sasuke said. Sakura looked up from the rock she was looking at.
" Are you sure that we should tell them that their hero died of suicide?" Sakura asked sadly. Kakashi shook his head.
" I know that you mean for the of the people Sakura, but lying to them isn't going to make things any better. If it makes you feel better, we'll add that he did it so that no more people could get hurt. That makes it sound better." Kakashi said. Sakura nodded.
" But we still got to get out of here alive." Hinata said.
" Oh yeah... Hmm... I say we wait in till night. I know that's when their going to have more guards around, but if we wait in till a late hour I'm sure they'll be too tired to put up much of a fight." Sasuke said as he rested against the wall.
" I think that might work... But we'll need to get some sleep now then... and supplies, I'm sure that food and a first-aid kit are going to be needed. I think we should go to my house. That's most likey the last place they'll look." Sakura said.
" Your's?" Iruka said. Sakura nodded.
" Yep, my parents are most likely in that mob thought, but they woundn't kill me... I hope. You guys can hide in my room and sleep there. I'm sure their not going to look in the houses that belong to their members..." Sakura said thoughtfully.
" Hmm... Maybe, but if they do and we are all together in a small place like that isn't good." Kakashi sighed.
" What about Naruto's place?" Hinata asked.
" Nope, they'll go there as well. Hell, I bet they've got someone there right now watching out for us to do that." Sasuke said.
" I say that we got to our own houses and hide somewhere in them, hope that they don't find us, and if a few of us get away, we can save the ones that get caught, if any of us get caught that is." Kakashi said. They nodded and run off to their houses. They were carefull not to be seen by anyone. When they reached their houses, they grabbed the first mild sized bag they could find and began to fill it was food, sleeping gear and some first-aid things. Hinata dove under her parents bed, knowing that it was safer then her own. Sakura hid in the attic, on top of some wide beams, allowing her to look and lay down. Sasuke had a hidden nook in his living room. He hid himself there. Iruka found a spot in his basement behind a large pile of boxes. He needed to put in a new light bulb in, but now he was greatful that he didn't. Without the light, you couldn't tell that there was space behind them to hide a man laying down. And Kakashi used the hidden nook he also had. All of them went to sleep, hopeing that no one would show up at their houses...
*~ Hinata's ~*
Hinata had awoken to the voices of her parents yelling with each other. She looked at her watch to find out that she had been asleep for abour 2 hours.
" But-!"
" No buts! Hinata been tainted by those demons just like the others! We've got to turn her in to the mob." She heard her father say. she heard someone sob.
" But she's our little girl! Perhaps we can help her break free from the demon's spell..."
" No, none of us are strong enough to help those five now. The best thing we can do is free them from the spell by putting them to rest..." Her father said. " Lets look in her room, maybe we can find something about where she went..." They both left the room. When she was sure that they were out of earshot she let out the breath that was didn't know she was holding.
" Mama... Papa... " Hinata sobbed quitely. She heard her father yell 'Ha!' and a pair of feet rush back into the room. Hinata forced herself to be quite. They seemed to be reading something...
" '... Naruto-kun seemed kinda sad today... I hope he's OK, I don't like when he's sad. He's alot cuter when he smiles... I think those brats at school are giving him alot more saddness then he's letting on... Poor Naruto... Perhaps I should do what Sakura-chan said and tell him how I feel...' See! Not only as those demon's tainted her, but the male one even made her fall in love with him! She's evil now! There's no way you can love a demon and still be good!!" Her father yelled. Hinata tired hard not to gasp. She had left her diary in her room! She had been to busy getting the important things before her parents got home that she forgot about it. Great, that just proved there points.
"... I see... It's the only way we can free our baby... We have to... for her..." Her mother said.
" I think the girl was stupid enough to come back here, so search the house. I'll take the top floor, you take the bottom... " Her mothers shoes left the room. " I better search this room first..." Her father walked across the room and began looking in the closet. Hinata knew that she'd never get across the room without being seen. Her only hope was that he over looked the bed.
*// yes... leave the room...//* Hinata thought as her father motioned to leave the room. But then he turned around and headed for the bed. *// NO! //*. he seemed to be in thought for a sec, as if thinking if his little girl was a true enough idiot to hide under a bed. He seemed to think that she wasn't that dumb and left the room. Hinata sighed just as the door closed only to hear him say wait and open the door again. He marched to the bed lifted the covers, looked down and pulled her out by the hair.
" Ha! You thought that I'd over look you hiding under a bed eh?" He lifted her head higher, still holding on to her hair.
" OW! STOP IT, YOUR HURTING ME!" She yelled. Her mother heard and ran into the room.
" ... You found her... Lets go..." Her mother turned and left, followed by her father and herself being dragged along.
*~ Sakura's ~*
The attic was dark and dusty. If it wasn't for her will to stay alive, she'd have broken into a sneeze fit along time ago. She spent two hours trying not to sneeze. After a bit she began to sleep... only to be awoken by the slamming of a door. Two people were walking around in the attic, moving things around.
" Are you sure that she's here? I mean, she can't be as dumb as that Hinata girl... Hiding under her parents bed like that!" Her mother said. Sakura used all her willpower not to gasp.
*// Hinata... they found her! I hope they don't search up here too! //* Sakua thought to herself. She wanted to see where they were looking but she didn't want to risk moving.
" She doesn't seem to be up here... Is there anywhere else she could hide up here?" Her father asked.
*// YES!! They haven't found me yet! //* Sakura was just about to smile when her mother sealed her fate.
" Hmm... How about the beam overhead?" Her mother asked.
" Good idea... HA!" Her father popped his head up next to Sakura's body and pulled her down roughly. He grabbed her tightly around the neck. " Found her! Good. Now Sakura dear, we know that your not a evil person, but we have to free you from the demon's curse, and this is the only way we can think of to free you." Her father and mother dragged her out.
" NOOOO!!!" Sakura yelled as they dragged her out.
*~ Sasuke's ~*
Sasuke could hear people moving around in his house, but none of them were near his hiding spot. After about ten minutes of seaching they all gathered in the living room, about three feet from the bookcase he was hiding behind.
" He's not here... He was smarter then those girls."
" One under a bed, another on top of the beams in a basement... But I gotta amitt that the beams were a good place to hide. I don't know why they decided to look there, but they did and they found that girl... Sakura was it?"
" Yeah, and that Hinata girl wasn't to hard to find, but hiding under your parents bed, I guess that I wouldn't think that she'd hide there..."
" Oh, well, perhaps Sasuke went into alleys or the school yard, or even the Hokage's mountain."
" We'll go search all those places."
" Right-o." Sasuke heard all of them leave. He decided to stay put a bit longer just in cause one came back. Sure enough, one had left his hat in the living room and ran back into the house just as Sasuke was about to push the bookcase aside. The man was there for about three minutes and then he left. Sasuke waited another ten, then he freed himself.
" Sakura... Hinata... I need to save them! Wait... first I need to get Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei... OK, time for some ninja-jutsu!" Sasuke transformed himself into a girl, knowing that it was the best cover, and walked out. He made sure to hid himself in till he was a bit away from his house. He walked out of a alley and headed to Kakashi's.
*~ Iruka's ~*
Iruka's heard people moving around inside his house. He decided to make himself as small as he could so that it was least likely to be found. He heard the people come downstairs and that they started moving boxes.
" Hey, he doesn't seem to be here... how about the other places?"
" Don't know about Kakashi yet, but if that guy doesn't want to be found then I don't think were going to find him anytime soon. The two girls are being watched down in the square and they couldn't find the boy." Iruka held his breath to keep himself from gasping. Sakura and Hinata were both found. At least Sasuke got away...
" Damn, where could he be hiding...?"
" Maybe he anit here?"
" NO, I can feel him, 'es here, I know it!" It sounded like they were right infront of the boxes he was behind.
" Maybe he's behind some of these boxes?"
" Hmm... check." A man came into Iruka's fiew, but before he could react to the man, he was already pinned down.
" Heh, I told you 'e was here! C'mon let's get him going to the girls!"
" Damn you!" Iruka yelled as he was draged outside into a crowd of people. All of them alittle too happy to see him. " Great, this can't be good..."
*~ Kakashi's ~*
Kakashi had a bad feeling about the others. Something told him that something was wrong. If it wasn't for the people inside his house right now he would have got to check on the others. The people sounded like they were trashing the place.
" Aint here either. That mean we've got three of them and two got away."
" Whos the other one?"
" Sasuke."
" Heh, the two best ones got away huh. So when are we going to get rid of the evil ones we've got?"
" In about an hour."
" Same way as the demon."
" Every same."
" Heh, I always liked a burning..."
" This should be good..."
" Yeah... " Both of the men left Kakashi's and Kakashi was left to grief. After about 20 minutes of waiting he heard someone calling him.
" Kakashi-sensei? Kakashi-sensei?! KAKASHI-SENSEI!!" The voice sounded like a girl, but their was something about the voice that he couldn't pick-up... " Kakashi-sensei, it's me, Sasuke!" Kakashi pushed his door open to remember that he had a armchair over the door. Sasuke saw that the chair kinda moved up, so he pushed aside and helped Kakashi up. Kakashi saw that Sasuke had made himself a girl, kind of a mix of Hinata and Sakura.
" Nice look for you Sasuke.. Oh well, lets go and see if we can help Iruka and the girls. I think I'll take a leaf out of your book." Kakashi did the hand thing as well and looked like a women after. S/he nodded at Sasuke and they left to the square. When they got to the square they saw that three stakes were in the middle and three people were tied to them. A short-haired girl was crying her eyes out. A pink-haired girl was screaming at the top of her lungs. And a brown-haired man was trying to break free. His ropes seemed to be much more stronger then the girl's.
" Sakura-son!! Iruka-sensei!! Hinata-son!!" Sasuke yelled. Kakashi grabbed Sasuke and they ducked into a alley before anyone heard him and guessed who said it.
" I know how you feel, but exposing ourself wont help us save them. We need a plan." Kakashi said. Sasuke gasped then nodded.
" OK, how about-" Sasuke was cut off by the cheers coming from the square. They ran out only to see that they were too late, they had lighten the stakes. Hinata's crying was to the point were her tears were fighting the fire and putting up a good fight. Sakura's screaming could be heard from the next town, and Iruka had a couple chain wrapped around him held them there.
" Kakashi-sensei!! Hinata-son!! Sakura-son!!" Sasuke yelled. Kakashi grabbed him again and held him back.
" Sasuke, getting your killed isn't going to save them. They wouldn't want you to get yourself killed!" Kakashi was using everything he could to keep Sasuke from jumping up there and getting himself burned. Sasuke was about to attack Kakashi when they heard Sakura.
" SASUKE! I KNOW THAT YOU AND KAKASHI-SENSEI ARE OUT THERE AND YOU MIGHT BE TRYING TO SAVE US, BUT WE DON'T WANT YOU TO GET KILLED BECAUSE OF US! JUST GO HEAD AND DO WHAT WE WERE PLANNING!! WE'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP NARUTO AND KYU COMPANY! THEY WONT BE ALONE ANYMORE!!" They couldn't hear anymore because the flames had reached her body and the only thing that she did was scream. All three pillars were aflame and only screaming was heard, but after a bit, nothing was heard. Dead. All three were dead. Kakashi pulled Sasuke to the gates leading out. They ran from the village. Sasuke stopped to look back. The he saw the villagers throwing thing that the flames. Tears fell from Sasuke's eyes as he turned back around and ran to catch up with Kakashi, the only one left.
" Sasuke, I know that you will miss them, but we can stay... Shit! RUN! Kakashi grabbed Sasuke and pulled him along. Sasuke looked back to see that about 20 people were following them. All of them threw shuriken at the same the same time and both Kakashi and Sasuke got hit, but because of Kakashi's skills, he could still run and stuff. Sasuke knew that if Kakashi tried to help him get away, he too would be killed.
" Kakashi...sensei... you've... got... to... leave-ugh-me! Go!" Sasuke could barely breath from his wounds. Kakashi knew that Sasuke was going to get killed no matter what.
" I'm sorry this turned out this way, I don't know how to make it up to you, even in death, but I will find a way. I'm sorry and good bye..." Kakashi rubbed his head and took Sasuke's badge. Kakashi had his own badge that was still in great shape, but Sasuke knew that it would be a keep sake.
" Bye..." Everything went black and Sasuke saw no more... The last thing he felt was the feeling of flames licking him.
***
Kakashi wiped away his tears from were he was. Sasuke's badge replaced his. He knew that no one but him would know that it was his, but... He knew and that was that. he didn't know what he was going to do with his life now, but he knew what he could do... If only... Kakashi took one last look at the graves he dug. The villagers didn't burn their bodies as much as Kyu, so there still was shape. They had dumped them outside the village to rot. Kakashi found them and laid them all to rest in the same spot as Kyu and Naruto.
" In one day, I lost everyone I can say that I could say that I cared about... What a great day, eh Naruto?" Kakashi couldn't help but think of what the others would have said if they weren't resting here... Sakura's two different views of everything. Sasuke's hidden amusement. Iruka's disapproving frown. Hinata's shy laugh. And, Naruto's smile... a smile that both showed light and hope and the true darkness of humanity. Perhaps, this was his punishment for never truly enjoying these things while he had them.
" I will never forget you... all." Kakashi turned around and walked away. He didn't see five shadows smile and a white petal fall on the most important and the grave that held the person who touched so many people, in one way or another, Naruto's.
************************************************************************
Me: DONE!! yay! If you want, I can do a shot about what happened to Kakashi after this takes place! Review and tell me!
Catch me, don't let me fall,
I'm waiting for you
Catch me, I'm falling
The world is slipping away
What I thought I knew
Isn't true
I'm falling, won't some one save me?
They walk right by, they refuse to see me
I'm almost to the ground... no ones going to catch me...
There are bushes and twigs trying to hold me,
But they break...
The ground feels hard against my back
No one caught me, they let me fall...
~*
Me: Get ready for the last chappie! I know that I kinda wait in till the end for shout-outs, but I only have one and this a good one for right here. And for some spice, I'll write is like a letter.
04/10/04
Ivan's Kitsune
animegoddess515@yahoo.com
somewhere on the globe
Dear someone():
My my... aren't we good a picking out plots. I think that you might have read my mind. I've been working on the idea sense chap 5. you should try the psychic hotline bis. You might do well. ~_^
Ivan's Kitsune
Well, I'm done ranting here, on to the final chappie!
************************************************************************
*~ Punishment ~*
They just stared at the boy, the dead boy. It was hard to tell that he was a blond with all the blood in his hair. His cloths had turned red from blood and the last thing left of him was the empty smile on his face. It was then that they saw what that smile really was, not a smile of happiness and energy that he always pretended that it was, but a smile that was like a mask. It hid the pain in his heart, the pain the village had caused him. The air was still, and the only sound was the sniffing of the girls. Hinata had just lost her crush, and Sakura had lost, although she would have never told him, one of her best friends. Sasuke and Kakashi hung their heads down, and Iruka just stared that what remained of the boy he loved as a son.
" ...Na..." Iruka couldn't speak. He walked slowly to the body and moved it into his arms. The shuriken was still lodged in his chest and blood was still pouring out, but not as fast now. Iruka hugged the boy close to him and began to cry. He didn't need this kind of sorrow... he had a dream... Now he could never have the chance to achieve it. It didn't matter to Naruto how hard it would be to become Hokage, he would do anything to prove that he could. He might have been like Sakura and know the text books front to back, or like Sasuke and have knowledge of almost every style of ninja-jutsu he could get his hands on, but he was skilled at what he could do and loved doing what he could. He would pretend to be happy so no one around him would be worried about him. He was put up with anything as long as he could see his dream beyond it. But now... nothing, but dying in pain. " Naruto... you didn't deserve this... " Iruka cried out softly. Sakura and Hinata walked over and looked at Naruto too. Hinata began crying beyond control and Sakura touched Naruto's forehead. Ice. No heat to speak of.
" Naru-ruto... no!!" Sakura fell to the floor and rolled herself into a ball. Kakashi put his hand on Sasuke's shoulder and turned his head.
" We should say goodbye to Naruto..." Kakashi stopped speaking. Sasuke could tell that if he spoke anymore his voice would crack. Sasuke nodded and they walked up to the others.
" Naruto... goodbye. I'm sorry I couldn't have told you that you the best rival and friend I ever had, even if we did fight all the time. I'm sorry..." Sasuke said as he put his hands over Naruto's still open eyes. " At least you can go to a better place now..." Sasuke moved his hand down along his eyes, closing them for good. Kakashi put his hand on Iruka's shoulder.
" Iruka, come on. Lets go bury Naruto and then see to these people..." Kakashi waved his hand around. Iruka nodded. He and Kakashi headed for the forest. Sakura and Hinata were about to run up to them but they saw that Sasuke had gone to the ashes of Kyu. Judging by how well she burned, he guess that they have doused her in beer or something else that was flammable. He picked up as much ashes as he could. Sakura pulled out a jar and handed it to Sasuke. He took it, nodded his thanks, and put all the ashes in the jar.
" She should be left out here with these people. We should bury her in the same area as Naruto." Sasuke's voice cracked as he said that. Hinata and Sakura nodded and they both ran off to the forest. As they were running, they could hear people screaming. " I guess the people have decided that they can leave their house's now..." Sasuke said under his breath. After about five minutes of running they were in the forest. They reached the clearing with the Sakura trees that where in the grove about ten minutes outside the village. It was a beautiful place with petals fall softly and slowly, like pink snow. Iruka and Kakashi were waiting in the clearing, both of them standing over a hole. They guessed that they had dug the hole, but had waited for Sasuke and them before covering it. They could also see what looked like a second, smaller hole, like the size of a jar next to it. Sasuke guessed that Kakashi guessed that they were picking up Kyu's ashes. They nodded at them and the kids gathered around the grave. Naruto had been lain down softly in the ground. All the blood had been cleaned off. Someone must have dug the holes, and the other cleaned Naruto. He still looked a bit wet. a few petals had fallen in the grave, each resting softly on him, joining him in the earth forever more. Kakashi nodded at them again and covered the hole. A small mount is all that they could see now. The petals were falling all over it. In about ten more minutes, the mount would be pink. Sasuke walked over to the small hole and placed Kyu in. He said a prayer and covered it as well. Sakura put her hand on his shoulder and leaned over him.
" C'mon, there are still people you need to be put to rest." Sasuke nodded at her statement and they headed back to the village slowly. As they reached the gates they could hear people yelling. They just asumed that it was about the massacre, which was true, but more was behind it. As they walked in to the town, everyone was staring at them.
" Uh... Something's wrong..." Hinata said softly. Iruka nodded and they began walking again. People began to whisper and when they passed, they began pointing. Some people gasped, others broke into tears, and others still began to become enraged, not the best emotion in a time like this.
" I hear that they helped that monster out."
" They are just as big a problem as that thing."
" I bet you that they helped kill some of those poor, good foke that were just rejoicing in the happiness of being free from a demon."
" Perhaps... they've been cursed by those demons! They were both foxes, and foxes are powerful enough to do so! They are no better then demons now, I know it!" the last person didn't bother to keep her voice down. People seemed to like this idea and because the group can smell trouble, they took off fast before the people were organized enought to cause some issues.
" Damn this isn't good. Because of our close ties with Naruto, the villagers think that we are evil too. If were not careful, were going to be like Kyu..." Kakashi said as they ducked into a narrow alley. They all hid as the mob passed by and waited to intill they could hear them anymore. Then they gathered in the back corner so on one passing by could see them.
" We need somewhere where we can go. If we stay in this village, were going to be killed by the end of the week!" Iruka yelled softly. Kakashi nodded.
" But we can't just walk out of town, their going to keep on eye on all the ways out of the village to make sure we don't leave. I bet that intill the Hokage is back, this town is going to be a hell zone." Sakura said.
" And if we do leave, where are we going to go?" Hinata asked as she bunched up into a ball.
" How about the land of the wave? I'm sure we could stay with Tazuna intill we come up with a better plan. Plus, I'm sure that they would like to know about Naruto's death, not everything about it, just that a very bad incident causes him to commit suicide. I mean, they named that bridge after him..." Sasuke said. Sakura looked up from the rock she was looking at.
" Are you sure that we should tell them that their hero died of suicide?" Sakura asked sadly. Kakashi shook his head.
" I know that you mean for the of the people Sakura, but lying to them isn't going to make things any better. If it makes you feel better, we'll add that he did it so that no more people could get hurt. That makes it sound better." Kakashi said. Sakura nodded.
" But we still got to get out of here alive." Hinata said.
" Oh yeah... Hmm... I say we wait in till night. I know that's when their going to have more guards around, but if we wait in till a late hour I'm sure they'll be too tired to put up much of a fight." Sasuke said as he rested against the wall.
" I think that might work... But we'll need to get some sleep now then... and supplies, I'm sure that food and a first-aid kit are going to be needed. I think we should go to my house. That's most likey the last place they'll look." Sakura said.
" Your's?" Iruka said. Sakura nodded.
" Yep, my parents are most likely in that mob thought, but they woundn't kill me... I hope. You guys can hide in my room and sleep there. I'm sure their not going to look in the houses that belong to their members..." Sakura said thoughtfully.
" Hmm... Maybe, but if they do and we are all together in a small place like that isn't good." Kakashi sighed.
" What about Naruto's place?" Hinata asked.
" Nope, they'll go there as well. Hell, I bet they've got someone there right now watching out for us to do that." Sasuke said.
" I say that we got to our own houses and hide somewhere in them, hope that they don't find us, and if a few of us get away, we can save the ones that get caught, if any of us get caught that is." Kakashi said. They nodded and run off to their houses. They were carefull not to be seen by anyone. When they reached their houses, they grabbed the first mild sized bag they could find and began to fill it was food, sleeping gear and some first-aid things. Hinata dove under her parents bed, knowing that it was safer then her own. Sakura hid in the attic, on top of some wide beams, allowing her to look and lay down. Sasuke had a hidden nook in his living room. He hid himself there. Iruka found a spot in his basement behind a large pile of boxes. He needed to put in a new light bulb in, but now he was greatful that he didn't. Without the light, you couldn't tell that there was space behind them to hide a man laying down. And Kakashi used the hidden nook he also had. All of them went to sleep, hopeing that no one would show up at their houses...
*~ Hinata's ~*
Hinata had awoken to the voices of her parents yelling with each other. She looked at her watch to find out that she had been asleep for abour 2 hours.
" But-!"
" No buts! Hinata been tainted by those demons just like the others! We've got to turn her in to the mob." She heard her father say. she heard someone sob.
" But she's our little girl! Perhaps we can help her break free from the demon's spell..."
" No, none of us are strong enough to help those five now. The best thing we can do is free them from the spell by putting them to rest..." Her father said. " Lets look in her room, maybe we can find something about where she went..." They both left the room. When she was sure that they were out of earshot she let out the breath that was didn't know she was holding.
" Mama... Papa... " Hinata sobbed quitely. She heard her father yell 'Ha!' and a pair of feet rush back into the room. Hinata forced herself to be quite. They seemed to be reading something...
" '... Naruto-kun seemed kinda sad today... I hope he's OK, I don't like when he's sad. He's alot cuter when he smiles... I think those brats at school are giving him alot more saddness then he's letting on... Poor Naruto... Perhaps I should do what Sakura-chan said and tell him how I feel...' See! Not only as those demon's tainted her, but the male one even made her fall in love with him! She's evil now! There's no way you can love a demon and still be good!!" Her father yelled. Hinata tired hard not to gasp. She had left her diary in her room! She had been to busy getting the important things before her parents got home that she forgot about it. Great, that just proved there points.
"... I see... It's the only way we can free our baby... We have to... for her..." Her mother said.
" I think the girl was stupid enough to come back here, so search the house. I'll take the top floor, you take the bottom... " Her mothers shoes left the room. " I better search this room first..." Her father walked across the room and began looking in the closet. Hinata knew that she'd never get across the room without being seen. Her only hope was that he over looked the bed.
*// yes... leave the room...//* Hinata thought as her father motioned to leave the room. But then he turned around and headed for the bed. *// NO! //*. he seemed to be in thought for a sec, as if thinking if his little girl was a true enough idiot to hide under a bed. He seemed to think that she wasn't that dumb and left the room. Hinata sighed just as the door closed only to hear him say wait and open the door again. He marched to the bed lifted the covers, looked down and pulled her out by the hair.
" Ha! You thought that I'd over look you hiding under a bed eh?" He lifted her head higher, still holding on to her hair.
" OW! STOP IT, YOUR HURTING ME!" She yelled. Her mother heard and ran into the room.
" ... You found her... Lets go..." Her mother turned and left, followed by her father and herself being dragged along.
*~ Sakura's ~*
The attic was dark and dusty. If it wasn't for her will to stay alive, she'd have broken into a sneeze fit along time ago. She spent two hours trying not to sneeze. After a bit she began to sleep... only to be awoken by the slamming of a door. Two people were walking around in the attic, moving things around.
" Are you sure that she's here? I mean, she can't be as dumb as that Hinata girl... Hiding under her parents bed like that!" Her mother said. Sakura used all her willpower not to gasp.
*// Hinata... they found her! I hope they don't search up here too! //* Sakua thought to herself. She wanted to see where they were looking but she didn't want to risk moving.
" She doesn't seem to be up here... Is there anywhere else she could hide up here?" Her father asked.
*// YES!! They haven't found me yet! //* Sakura was just about to smile when her mother sealed her fate.
" Hmm... How about the beam overhead?" Her mother asked.
" Good idea... HA!" Her father popped his head up next to Sakura's body and pulled her down roughly. He grabbed her tightly around the neck. " Found her! Good. Now Sakura dear, we know that your not a evil person, but we have to free you from the demon's curse, and this is the only way we can think of to free you." Her father and mother dragged her out.
" NOOOO!!!" Sakura yelled as they dragged her out.
*~ Sasuke's ~*
Sasuke could hear people moving around in his house, but none of them were near his hiding spot. After about ten minutes of seaching they all gathered in the living room, about three feet from the bookcase he was hiding behind.
" He's not here... He was smarter then those girls."
" One under a bed, another on top of the beams in a basement... But I gotta amitt that the beams were a good place to hide. I don't know why they decided to look there, but they did and they found that girl... Sakura was it?"
" Yeah, and that Hinata girl wasn't to hard to find, but hiding under your parents bed, I guess that I wouldn't think that she'd hide there..."
" Oh, well, perhaps Sasuke went into alleys or the school yard, or even the Hokage's mountain."
" We'll go search all those places."
" Right-o." Sasuke heard all of them leave. He decided to stay put a bit longer just in cause one came back. Sure enough, one had left his hat in the living room and ran back into the house just as Sasuke was about to push the bookcase aside. The man was there for about three minutes and then he left. Sasuke waited another ten, then he freed himself.
" Sakura... Hinata... I need to save them! Wait... first I need to get Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei... OK, time for some ninja-jutsu!" Sasuke transformed himself into a girl, knowing that it was the best cover, and walked out. He made sure to hid himself in till he was a bit away from his house. He walked out of a alley and headed to Kakashi's.
*~ Iruka's ~*
Iruka's heard people moving around inside his house. He decided to make himself as small as he could so that it was least likely to be found. He heard the people come downstairs and that they started moving boxes.
" Hey, he doesn't seem to be here... how about the other places?"
" Don't know about Kakashi yet, but if that guy doesn't want to be found then I don't think were going to find him anytime soon. The two girls are being watched down in the square and they couldn't find the boy." Iruka held his breath to keep himself from gasping. Sakura and Hinata were both found. At least Sasuke got away...
" Damn, where could he be hiding...?"
" Maybe he anit here?"
" NO, I can feel him, 'es here, I know it!" It sounded like they were right infront of the boxes he was behind.
" Maybe he's behind some of these boxes?"
" Hmm... check." A man came into Iruka's fiew, but before he could react to the man, he was already pinned down.
" Heh, I told you 'e was here! C'mon let's get him going to the girls!"
" Damn you!" Iruka yelled as he was draged outside into a crowd of people. All of them alittle too happy to see him. " Great, this can't be good..."
*~ Kakashi's ~*
Kakashi had a bad feeling about the others. Something told him that something was wrong. If it wasn't for the people inside his house right now he would have got to check on the others. The people sounded like they were trashing the place.
" Aint here either. That mean we've got three of them and two got away."
" Whos the other one?"
" Sasuke."
" Heh, the two best ones got away huh. So when are we going to get rid of the evil ones we've got?"
" In about an hour."
" Same way as the demon."
" Every same."
" Heh, I always liked a burning..."
" This should be good..."
" Yeah... " Both of the men left Kakashi's and Kakashi was left to grief. After about 20 minutes of waiting he heard someone calling him.
" Kakashi-sensei? Kakashi-sensei?! KAKASHI-SENSEI!!" The voice sounded like a girl, but their was something about the voice that he couldn't pick-up... " Kakashi-sensei, it's me, Sasuke!" Kakashi pushed his door open to remember that he had a armchair over the door. Sasuke saw that the chair kinda moved up, so he pushed aside and helped Kakashi up. Kakashi saw that Sasuke had made himself a girl, kind of a mix of Hinata and Sakura.
" Nice look for you Sasuke.. Oh well, lets go and see if we can help Iruka and the girls. I think I'll take a leaf out of your book." Kakashi did the hand thing as well and looked like a women after. S/he nodded at Sasuke and they left to the square. When they got to the square they saw that three stakes were in the middle and three people were tied to them. A short-haired girl was crying her eyes out. A pink-haired girl was screaming at the top of her lungs. And a brown-haired man was trying to break free. His ropes seemed to be much more stronger then the girl's.
" Sakura-son!! Iruka-sensei!! Hinata-son!!" Sasuke yelled. Kakashi grabbed Sasuke and they ducked into a alley before anyone heard him and guessed who said it.
" I know how you feel, but exposing ourself wont help us save them. We need a plan." Kakashi said. Sasuke gasped then nodded.
" OK, how about-" Sasuke was cut off by the cheers coming from the square. They ran out only to see that they were too late, they had lighten the stakes. Hinata's crying was to the point were her tears were fighting the fire and putting up a good fight. Sakura's screaming could be heard from the next town, and Iruka had a couple chain wrapped around him held them there.
" Kakashi-sensei!! Hinata-son!! Sakura-son!!" Sasuke yelled. Kakashi grabbed him again and held him back.
" Sasuke, getting your killed isn't going to save them. They wouldn't want you to get yourself killed!" Kakashi was using everything he could to keep Sasuke from jumping up there and getting himself burned. Sasuke was about to attack Kakashi when they heard Sakura.
" SASUKE! I KNOW THAT YOU AND KAKASHI-SENSEI ARE OUT THERE AND YOU MIGHT BE TRYING TO SAVE US, BUT WE DON'T WANT YOU TO GET KILLED BECAUSE OF US! JUST GO HEAD AND DO WHAT WE WERE PLANNING!! WE'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP NARUTO AND KYU COMPANY! THEY WONT BE ALONE ANYMORE!!" They couldn't hear anymore because the flames had reached her body and the only thing that she did was scream. All three pillars were aflame and only screaming was heard, but after a bit, nothing was heard. Dead. All three were dead. Kakashi pulled Sasuke to the gates leading out. They ran from the village. Sasuke stopped to look back. The he saw the villagers throwing thing that the flames. Tears fell from Sasuke's eyes as he turned back around and ran to catch up with Kakashi, the only one left.
" Sasuke, I know that you will miss them, but we can stay... Shit! RUN! Kakashi grabbed Sasuke and pulled him along. Sasuke looked back to see that about 20 people were following them. All of them threw shuriken at the same the same time and both Kakashi and Sasuke got hit, but because of Kakashi's skills, he could still run and stuff. Sasuke knew that if Kakashi tried to help him get away, he too would be killed.
" Kakashi...sensei... you've... got... to... leave-ugh-me! Go!" Sasuke could barely breath from his wounds. Kakashi knew that Sasuke was going to get killed no matter what.
" I'm sorry this turned out this way, I don't know how to make it up to you, even in death, but I will find a way. I'm sorry and good bye..." Kakashi rubbed his head and took Sasuke's badge. Kakashi had his own badge that was still in great shape, but Sasuke knew that it would be a keep sake.
" Bye..." Everything went black and Sasuke saw no more... The last thing he felt was the feeling of flames licking him.
***
Kakashi wiped away his tears from were he was. Sasuke's badge replaced his. He knew that no one but him would know that it was his, but... He knew and that was that. he didn't know what he was going to do with his life now, but he knew what he could do... If only... Kakashi took one last look at the graves he dug. The villagers didn't burn their bodies as much as Kyu, so there still was shape. They had dumped them outside the village to rot. Kakashi found them and laid them all to rest in the same spot as Kyu and Naruto.
" In one day, I lost everyone I can say that I could say that I cared about... What a great day, eh Naruto?" Kakashi couldn't help but think of what the others would have said if they weren't resting here... Sakura's two different views of everything. Sasuke's hidden amusement. Iruka's disapproving frown. Hinata's shy laugh. And, Naruto's smile... a smile that both showed light and hope and the true darkness of humanity. Perhaps, this was his punishment for never truly enjoying these things while he had them.
" I will never forget you... all." Kakashi turned around and walked away. He didn't see five shadows smile and a white petal fall on the most important and the grave that held the person who touched so many people, in one way or another, Naruto's.
************************************************************************
Me: DONE!! yay! If you want, I can do a shot about what happened to Kakashi after this takes place! Review and tell me!