Someone Worth Fighting For

By: Ernilriel

Disclaimers: Naruto is not mine; it never hurts to pretend though.

'Kyuubi' 'thoughts' "speech"

Chapter 5: Friends Become Enemies

It had been three months sense Naruto left Konoha for his mission. Naruto was being as careful as possible, just as he had promised Sakura, and care takes time. Sakura didn't think Naruto was dead, unlike a few people.

"Just face it, he's gone and he's never coming back," people would tell her. Naruto was still alive, as long as the letter confirming his death never came, Naruto was still alive.

'Alright if I come in at this time, the Raikage's assistant will be here, along with his four bodyguards,' thought Naruto, he was formulating a plot to complete his mission; assassinate the Raikage's assistant.

'That won't work,' Kyuubi said before Naruto could fully think out his plans.

'Why don't you give some ideas," Naruto thought gritting his teeth.

'Are you really going to put your life in the hands of a demon?' Kyuubi asked with a smirk.

'You're right, too risky,' thought Naruto, 'I can't do risky.'

Naruto took a drink of the coffee he ordered, he had only gotten about three hours of sleep for the past two days, and he was dead tired. Then a little boy walked up to Naruto and tugged on his vest.

"So what'd you get me?" asked Naruto in a gentle tone looking at the little boy.

"Here, the four bodyguards protecting the Raikage's assistant," answered the boy handing Naruto four pictures.

"Thank you so much, and as I promised," said Naruto taking the pictures and he handed the boy a small roll of 1,000 yen bills, and Naruto ruffled the boy's hair, "Remember, you never met me."

"Okay, mister," said the boy and he ran off to do whatever.

Naruto began to look through the pictures that the boy gave him, on the back was info like their names, years of experience, and level.

The first one had a picture of a brown haired ninja from Konoha. He had blue eyes; in the back it said his name was Mantoko, he had 14 years of experience, and he was an elite level.

The next ninja had black hair, he was also from Konoha. Naruto couldn't tell the eye color, the card said his name was Shamoki, he had 20 years experience, and he was also elite level.

The third ninja was a girl; she had red/brown hair, from the sand village. She had hazel eyes, her name was Melriel, she had 17 years experience, and she was journeyman level.

The last card made Naruto's insides turn cold; it was a picture of a silver haired ninja that wore cover over his face. He had black eyes, the amount of experience was unknown, he was an elite level ninja, and it said his name was Kakashi.

'Oh this makes things complicated,' said Kyuubi in mock concern.

'I can't fight him! I'll get killed for sure!' thought Naruto, 'I'll have to fail this mission!'

'I don't think you want to do that,' Kyuubi said.

'Oh yeah, why?' asked Naruto.

'Well, haven't you noticed that none of the Kage's has ever failed a mission,' Kyuubi pointed out.

'Your point?' Naruto asked frustrated, he hated how Kyuubi took his time to get to the point.

'Well if you quit, you can never be called champion,' answered Kyuubi lazily. Naruto knew he was right.

'I'm sorry Sakura, I have to do this,' thought Naruto.

'It's alright, she'll understand, while she's stuck raising your child!' Kyuubi said; those words stabbed Naruto like a knife.

'I have to do this, I've worked all my life for my dream, and I'm not stopping now,' thought Naruto with determination.

"Any news about Naruto?" Ino asked as she walked in the living room, Sakura had been staying with her.

"No, not yet," Sakura answered, "I'm worried."

"So am I, but all we can do is hope for the best," said Ino sitting down on the couch, Sakura was sitting on the reclining chair on the other side of the room. Just then there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," Ino said, she got up and answered the door, it was Sakura's father.

"Is Sakura here?" he asked, "I'd like to speak with her."

"Yeah, I'm here," Sakura said getting up and going to the door.

"Can we speak outside?" Sakura's father asked moving aside so Sakura could pass. They both walked outside and sat on the porch swing.

"Your mother and I were thinking, and we'll let you come back under one condition," Sakura's father said rubbing a spot on his knee.

"What is that?" Sakura asked as she looked over at her father.

"We'll let you come back if you agree to have an abortion," her father said looking at Sakura.

"What!" Sakura asked, she couldn't believe what she was hearing, "This is your grandchild you're talking about!"

"Listen I know it's hard to understand," Sakura's father stammered, "I-I just don't think you're ready, that's all."

"Dad, that can't be the only reason, if that's all, I'll put the child up for adoption," Sakura said, she stood up, tears welled up in her eyes, "Is it the father that you have a problem with?"

"Y-yes, I do," Sakura's father said standing up.

"Dad, this is your grandchild, do you really want to kill your grandchild?" Sakura asked, tears rolling down her cheek.

"Anybody related to that, that thing, cannot be my grandchild!" shouted Mr. Haruno. Sakura stepped back, she could not believe what her father had just said.

"Well, if that's how it is than I am no longer your daughter," Sakura said and turned her back on her father, and she walked in the house.

It was midnight, Naruto was patrolling the area in search of his target, from habits and surveillance, and he should be around here. Just then Naruto hear voices coming and Naruto summoned chakra to his hands and feet; he jumped and clung to the wall. Then the Raikage's assistant along with his four bodyguards came around the corner. Naruto struck with the speed and stealth of a cobra, the Raikage's assistant fell dead with a Kunai lodged in his throat. Three of the bodyguards seemed upset, only Kakashi was calm.

Naruto then sensed someone behind him, he looked and there was Kakashi, then a fist collided with Naruto's face. Naruto fell of the wall and now with his mission complete all he had to do was make a break for it. But Kakashi wouldn't allow that. Naruto felt pressure behind his ear and his world went black.

"Who the hell is that?" asked Mantoko.

"He was one of my old students, I have to hand it to him, he has gotten a lot better," said Kakashi checking his vital signs, there was a steady pulse.

"Is he dead?" Melriel asked.

"Yes, he can't get much worse than that," lied Kakashi.

"Well, not much more we can do except go home," Shamoki said with a sigh.

The doorbell rang.

"I'll get it" said Sakura, she opened the door, and there was a ninja with a letter in his hand.

"Are you Haruno Sakura?" the ninja asked.

"Yes, what is it?" answered Sakura.

"I was asked to deliver this to you," the ninja said handing Sakura the letter, "Farewell," and the ninja left.

Sakura walked over to the table and sat down; she opened the envelope and read:

Haruno Sakura,

We regret to inform you; your comrade Uzumaki Naruto was reported dead by Kakashi on the 7th of November at 2:43p.m.

Uzumaki Naruto also requested that in case of his passing you would receive his full payment. Enclosed in this letter is his payment.

Sincerely,

Omochi, Gottaka

After reading this Sakura broke down and sobbed. She lost the one she loved twice.

"Sakura what's wrong?" Ino asked concerned, Sakura just handed her the letter that she just read. She read it over, she looked over at Sakura.

"He promised me that he would come back," she sobbed, she buried her face in her arms, "He promised."

There was a knock at the door, Ino answered; it was Sasuke.

"Is Sakura here?" Sasuke asked, worried.

"Yeah, she's in here," Ino said letting Sasuke in.

"Did you hear?" Sasuke asked sitting down across the table from Sakura.

"Yeah, but how would Kakashi have known to report him as dead?" Sakura asked.

"Because it was Kakashi that killed him," answered Sasuke.

"What?" Sakura asked confused.

"And Kakashi wants to have a word with you, around 5 o'clock." Sasuke said and got up and left.

Sakura met Kakashi on the bridge that they usually meet. Sakura was surprised that Kakashi was only 15 minutes late.

"You probably know why I wanted to talk to you," said Kakashi looking over at Sakura. Tears welled in her eyes and she started to cry again.

"Why?" she sobbed, "why did you kill him!"

"Sakura listen," Kakashi started but he was cut off.

"He was your student! What kind of teacher kills his own student?" Sakura exclaimed, tears flowing down her face.

"Sakura, he's not dead," Kakashi said flatly.

"He's not?" asked Sakura confused, she stopped crying.

"Naruto is still alive, he'll probably wake up in some gutter with a splitting headache, that's all," Kakashi explained, "I told you so you wouldn't get all worked up like you just did."

Sakura was silent she felt bad that she yelled at Kakashi, but she did feel a lot better knowing that Naruto was still alive.

"Good night Kakashi," Sakura said and started to walk home. Kakashi was silent and he disappeared.

Naruto woke up in a dark alleyway, it was around noon.

"OW, my head," Naruto groaned clamping his hands over his head, "stupid Kakashi!"

Naruto got up and stumbled down the dank alleyway and made his way back home.

Author's notes: So what did you think of it? Please review! If you have any questions feel free to ask. Or if you want to tell me it sucked tell me! I need to know these things!