Disclaimer: Get a clue would ya? My autograph worth crap.

Pairing: SasuNaru. ItaNaru. KakaNaru. (I'm getting to their parts, erm, soon?)

A/N: OMG, ya guys haven't bail on me yet? WOOT!

Italics : Song (My Immortal by Evanescence)

- Flash - Blah Blah Blah - Flash - : Flashback


Never would in Hatake Kakashi's whole life would he expect to see what his eyes beheld before him now. Somehow, this scene seemed so surreal that he was almost sure that it was a genjutsu. Almost.

Everything was just wrong. So wrong. Too wrong. Fate has played the joke too cruel this time and the evidence was finally showing like an un-mendable crack upon that once beautiful porcelain. That youthful face which always hold a smile, either cocky, happy or impish, was suddenly so void, as though the facial muscles have forgotten, forgotten how to show all positive emotions. Cerulean eyes which used to sparkle with life, were now dull with pain and sorrow. Even worse, where pupils were supposed to be, demon slits have substituted them in an replacement upon blue irises.

And in those haunted eyes, the world was stained a sickly red. A blinding red that flowed freely down his pale cheeks as tears, tears of blood. Knees raised to his chest in a fetal crouch, and both hands cupped tightly to his ears, the boy rocked to and fro in his unstable state. His crazed gaze was focused on the item Sakura brought over. It was something of his. Why was it here at all?

I'm so tired of being here

Suppressed by all my childish fears

And if you have to leave

I wish that you would just leave

'cause your presence still lingers here

And it won't leave me alone

A bubble of protest crawled desperately along his throat, trying to form itself into a scream. But there was no sound, albeit his mouth was wide open. Memories rushed through his mind, shards of the past, tearing and twisting inside. He choked. Why was it here at all? Why was his hitai-ate here at all? Fitfully, he thrust out his legs and kicked the object away from himself, unable to bear any close distance to it. In his confused mind, the boy continuously chanted 'Get it away from me. Get it away from me.' As though a glaring nightmare, it reminded him of their mission, his failure, and his betrayal.

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

Kakashi could only stare. Because nothing seemed appropriate to say, nor do now. Beside him, Sakura remained in shock. In her mind, she barely registered the thought that the person before her was not Naruto. It was just a monstrosity of a doll Fate has put in placed of her blonde teammate. A broken doll.

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears

When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

I held your hand through all of these years

But you still have

All of me

There was nobody home in those eyes. There was no Naruto.

You used to captivate me

By your resonating mind

Now I'm bound by the life you left behind

Your face it haunts

My once pleasant dreams

Your voice it chased away

All the sanity in me

Yet, his soundless scream continued to deafen the silence. The silent words formed a plea for help, help to break free from his mind of insanity.

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

And blood continued to cascade down his face as tears.

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone

But though you're still with me

I've been alone all along

- Flash - 'Maybe I'm the only one who thought we were friends.' Naruto thought, mouth gurgling full with blood. As a dribble of that thick red liquid slipped passed his lips, he can't help but winced at the pain that coursed through his being. Looking down to where Sasuke's arm has punctured through, the meaning of being betrayed was finally written clearly before the blonde's very eyes. And kami(god), it hurts so bad. - Flash -

Like a horror movie, this specific broken image played in his mind repeatedly. Repeatedly.


He struggled throughout the whole time they restrained him, thrashing and kicking in panic. It was after tremendous efforts that Naruto was put to rest again. Even then, his last sanctuary was snatched and torn apart by nightmares as everybody present in the room watched the boy twisted restlessly in his sleep. A frown was etched deeply into his brows while tears continued to flow still. The only assurance to them was those tears were no longer of blood.

"He can't speak." Iruka stated haltingly, choking back a broken laugh at the irony of this situation. "Naruto can't speak."

"How is this possible?" Kakashi asked tersely, turning to face the silent Hokage.

Noting the angry vibes Tsunade was giving off from under her seemingly calm composure, Shizune spoke up instead. "Tsunade-sama has given Naruto-kun a full body check-up and diagnosed him as perfectly healed. Therefore, this problem of him being unable to talk was not caused by his injuries…The most reasonable explanation is…"

"Traumatized! The poor boy is traumatized beyond words. And this 'heart' problem of his is preventing him from talking!" a clear voice interrupted, growling fiercely, forcing everyone to turn their attention from Shizune to her. Even with her back to everybody, they could still tell the Hokage's vivid anger at the sight of her tense shoulders, clenched fists and wavering genjutsu.

"What actually happened at the Valley of the End?" Iruka finally whispered sadly to the uncomfortable silence.

Nobody answered him.


Moments later found a still fuming Hokage storming out of the hospital room, with Kakashi flanking her. Iruka and Shizune had decidedly stayed behind to take care of the blonde. Snapping her fingers in a no-nonsense way, Tsunade summoned the ANBU captain who appeared immediately before her.

"Your orders, Hokage-sama?" the masked ninja bowed respectfully to her and asked quietly.

Lifting her chin, Tsunade looked haughtily down at the ANBU captain. In a cold voice, she said to Kakashi's chagrin, "I hereby announced Uchiha Sasuke as an S-class missing nin."

"Wait, Hokage-sama! Please reconsider!" the silver-haired jounin tried to intercept the furious female, to no avail. She simply ignored him. However her next words made him froze in place.

"There are to be hunter-nins after this dangerous man. I want him to be caught. Alive…or dead." Tsunade bared her teeth in an ugly smirk. Sweeping passed the ANBU, she slammed the exit door behind her, leaving behind the captain and a stunned Kakashi in her wake.

TBC…as usual with a ???


A/N: Kami, writing a series always drain my strength and make me lazier than Shikamaru, if that is possible at all. And I know, I'm a slowpoke to drag the story so long. Sue me. But review nevertheless! And, I promised to thank each and single one of ya next time! Really…as soon as I can stop looking at the wall…(sweatdrops)

P.S Anybody need a mood lifter, read my newest one-shot. It is something silly, as told by others.