-1Chapter 13: The Riverside Accident

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The sun rose, lighting the forest. Birds flew over the ninja campsite and sang their morining song. Kakashi hopped down from the tree he was in. He stretched in the sun. It had been a long night of nothing but silence in the dark. Kawada, Sakura, and Naruto slept in the sleeping bags.

A morning fog was still lingering just a bit. The sky was still pink from the sun rising. Clouds held the golden color underneath.

'Well, I guess I should wake them. The sooner we get Kawada to Tsunade, the better.' He walked over to the tent and woke Sakura first. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Her was a mess. It frizzed up in places, did little curly cues in others. "Is it morning already," she said while yawning. Stretching her arms to the top of the tent.

"Yes, could you wake Naruto and Kawada for me. I'll start packing up. Here," he pulled out the brush that she had in her pack. Sakura yawned again and took the brush. She pulled at the tangles and smoothed down the curly cues. After she had brushed her hair, she went over to Naruto and shook him. Kakashi left the tent.

When Sakura shook him, Naruto mumbled something. A small line of spit coming out of his mouth. She sighed and shook him again, "Well of course I'll protect you, don't be afraid Sakura-chan." He was talking in his sleep! What he said got Sakura steamed. She smacked him in the head. He sat up, with a terrible headache.

"I had the strangest dream. First Sakura-chan was nice to me, then I was hit in the head for some reason." He said to himself, rubbing the lump that Sakura had left for him. She rolled her eyes at the genin and woke up Kawada.

"Morning. How do you feel?"

"I'm.. feeling better. It's easier.. to.. breath and... speak."

"Good, Naruto, pack up. We're leaving." Sakura turned back and helped Kawada stand. He grabbed his cane and walked outside. Sakura followed close behind. Naruto stood up and was about to exit when the tent collapsed on him.

Naruto moved to the edge and was able to make it out. Kakashi was sitting on a branch that was right above the fallen tent. "Sorry about that Naruto. I didn't know you were in there." Naruto just jutted out his jaw and walked over to stand with Sakura and Kawada, as they waited for Kakashi to be done with packing up the tent.

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Haku walked up to the door. He wasn't sure why he came here, but his feet took him this way. 'Can they forgive me? I hope she's alright.' Haku knocked on the door. He heard a familiar voice call out, "I'll get it." When the door opened, a little girl stood in the doorway. Her eyes wide, a smile on her face.

"Haku! Your alright!" Nakamuru shouted as she wrapped her arms around his chest. She hugged him until he gentley removed her grip. Nakamuru looked up into his eyes. "My sister is out back with the chickens. She won't like it if she knows your here. Yuzuki doesn't like shinobi."

Haku patted the little girl's head. He smiled for the first time in a while. "Don't worry, I won't stay long. I just need to grab the pack I left here." Nakamuru stepped aside and let him in. His pack was still in the corner of the room. As Haku went over to get it, he noticed Nakamuru looking at him. Her eyes filling with tears. "What is it?"

Her lip trembled, "I'll-I'll, I'll never see you again, will I?" Tears streamed down her cheeks. Drops fell to the ground. Haku felt terrible for some reason. After what had happened in the woods, she still cared for Haku. Now he felt like he wanted to stay with the little girl. Be her friend, more than anything. In the past days, he had bonded so quickly to Nakamuru. Now his heart felt heavy, he was sad as well. But tears were far from coming to him. He had lost the ability to cry a long time ago.

"I'll miss you as well, Nakamuru." With his words, Nakamuru cried out and ran to Haku. All he could do was hold her to him. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" the girl cried. Haku's shirt soaking in her tears.

Haku looked down at her. 'Another friend lost.' "For what happened in the woods. I'm sorry."

"Don't be! You were overcome by rage. I knew you didn't want to hurt me! You were just blinded by hate!" she held him tighter. "Don't leave me," Nakamuru whispered, choking on tears. Haku held her even closer. They stayed like that, not wanting to let go, either of them. But Haku knew he had to be off. Staying longer would only make it harder.

He knelt down to the girl and looked into her eyes. Haku stroked her face. 'Why have I become so attached to this girl?' "Listen to me. I will always be here for you, I'll think of you everyday. You and your sister. The girls who healed and helped me." Nakamuru smiled, knowing he cared for her filled her heart with joy. She hugged him one last time. Then he stood up and walked to the door.

Haku could feel the girl's eyes digging into his back. It was all he could do, not to look back. Not to stay. Not to be happy with the girl. If he stayed, his heart would never heal. He had to avenge Zabuza. Haku looked straight and walked out into the sun, shutting the door behind him. He heard Nakamuru cry out loud. He couldn't take it any more and ran as fast as his legs would carry him.

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Naruto dragged his feet. The day had gotten hotter and hotter. He left two long lines behind him, where his feet had dug into the ground. "Water, water." Naruto stuck his tounge out for effect. "Need... WATER!" No one turned around. Naruto thougth he would try again, "WATER!" This time Sakura turned around.

Naruto straightened up. "Did you say something, Naruto?" Her voice darkened with his name.

"N-n, no. I was just wondering if you need water?"

Sakura thought on that for a minute, "Now that you mention it, it's pretty hot out here. It's a shame there aren't any trees right now. I'm getting thirsty." She turned to Kakashi, who was walking in silence, oblivious to either of the two genin. "Kakashi-sensei?"

"Hmm? Did you say something?"

"Yes, can we stop for water?"

Kakashi rubbed his head. "If memory serves me right, there's a river up ahead. Just hold on a little longer."

Sakura smiled, "Arigato." Then she turned to Naruto, "Catch up lazy." Naruto didn't disagree with her. He ran up beside Sakura and Kawada; who was walking at a good rate for somone with a cane.

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Haku came to a river. It had a water fall. Mist swirled around the base of the waterfall. Some of it rising up to where Haku sat. He pulled out his cantine and swished the water inside. It was almost empty.

The tree branch bounced a little as Haku jumped down by the river's edge. He put his hand in the water. It was cold against his skin. It felt good. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't had a bath in a while. Maybe now would be a good time. Haku started to remove his shirt when he noticed movement across the river.

He quickly retreated back to his hideout in the tree.

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Naruto was the first to the river. He dipped his head underneath. The cool water felt good. His head came up, water just pouring off his head. Sakura came round the trees and rolled her eyes at the ninja. "Come on Sakura-chan! It feels good!" She sat by a tree that had plenty of shade.

"I don't think so Naruto." She pulled out her cantine. It was completely empty. Now was the best time to finish it. Perhaps upstream from Naruto. Kakashi helped Kawada to the edge of the river. He sat down and put his feet in the river.

"This... feels.. so.. good!" He sat there with his eyes closed. Naruto looked up at him and smiled. An idea popped into his head. 'I'll get Sakura wet, one way or another.' Naruto saw her bending down to fill her cantine. He stood up and ran into the woods. Kakashi was leaning on a tree watching him. 'Now what's he up to?'

The next thing he knew, Naruto was running out of the woods in nothing but his boxers. "Yahoo!" He jumped over Sakura's head and fell into the river right in front of her. Kakashi stood up. The river was shallow at some parts. Since the water was dark, it was hard to tell where.

A wave of water showered down on Sakura, leaving her dripping from head to toe. Underneath a her a small puddle had formed. To Kakashi's relief, Naruto popped his head out of the water. He started to tred water. The face Sakura had on was one to see. Her eyes grew dark and dangerous. Her fist clenched at her side.

"Naruto!" Her head slowly raised. He smiled, until he stared into her eyes. It was like she was seeing into his soul and turning of all the heat. A shiver ran up Naruto's back.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry Sakura-chan!" He tried to swim away. The last he wanted to do was get hit by Sakura at that moment. But what she did do surprised him.

She stood up and jumped in as well. Kakashi laughed a little. That wasn't any thing like what he expected either. Kawada watched and chuckled at the two teens.

Sakura's head popped up next to Naruto's. "You think I can't have fun too!'' she said while splashing Naruto.

He splashed back and soon they both having a good time. Sakura and Naruto laughed at each other. "Whew, Sakura-chan, that was great." They swam back to shore. Both of them were cooled off and ready to go. A little fun helped them loosen up. Naruto sat on the river bank. His legs resting in the water. Sakura just put her elbows on the land. Her body moved as the river did.

"Arigato Naruto."

"For what?"

"That cannonball you did! I haven't had so much fun since Sasuke left." At the mention of Sasuke, both Naruto and Sakura grew silent. Naruto rubbed his arm. He didn't want Sakura to be sad, so he switched the subject.

"So do you think Haku will strike again?"

Sakura shrugged, "I don't know. I hope he doesn't until we're prepared." Kakashi walked over to them. He stood looking across the water. "Do you see anything Kakashi-sensei?"

He looked a little longer then said, "No." Naruto looked at his sensei. All dressed in black, with long sleeves and pants. But what made it worse was the vest.

"Kakashi-sensei, it must be hot with those clothes on."

"You get use to it." He bent down next to Naruto and smiled underneath his mask. "So, are we ready to go?" They nodded. Kakashi walked over to Kawada and helped him up. Naruto jumped up and started towards the woods to fetch his clothes. Sakura laid there for a second or two. If she had gotten out immediately, maybe she wouldn't have gotten hit.

Naruto looked back to make sure she was coming. That's when his heart almost stopped in fear.

Kakashi gave Kawada his cane and then turned towards his students. It all happened too fast. Later he would curse himself for not being fast enough.

Sakura was pulling herself up on shore. Her waist was out of the water, when a stray log came roaring down the river. Sakura didn't have enough time to react. It smashed against her. She heard something crack and then nothing. She passed out.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto ran back to the water. He was there just in time to see her hand go under the log. Kakashi saw it as well. He jumped into the water in hopes of saving her. At that time he was glad that Sakura wore red. He saw her floating closer and closer to the water. Kakashi pulled himself up onto the water surface and ran along the water. When he was close to the waterfall he dove back in.

Naruto ran down the shore. Not knowing what to do. His thoughts were only about Sakura. "Come on Kakashi-sensei! Please Sakura-chan, please be okay." Naruto shifted his weight to try and keep calm. Neither his sensei or Sakura were coming up.

Kakashi had gotten ahead of her. He waited as he saw her coming right at him. Her body ran right into him. This made it hard for him to keep his grip on the river's floor. Stones and soil shifted with the extra weight. The current of the river was faster down this far, near the water fall. Kakashi couldn't hold it anymore. His feet let go of the ground. Next everything was in a flash.

The water, the falls, darkness. She was in his hands, put it pulled back, determined to carry her away. The surface offered the only chance of saving her. But it pulled him down, further and further to the bottom. He wished it were one of the shallow parts. It pulled harder and harder than ever. She slipped. A reach, a miss, her hand going over the side. His breath being released as he rose to the top. His heart beating faster than the river was carrying him.

Naruto saw Kakashi's head rise up out of the water. He pulled him to shore. But no Sakura. "Where's Sakura-chan?" Kakashi stood up and ran to the edge of the fall. He couldn't see her. Naruto saw Kakashi disappear over the edge. "What are you doing?" Naruto ran over.

Kakashi dug his heels into the cliff. His hand dragging behind to control his speed. His body raced down the cliff. With his free hand he lifted up the headband. He was prepared to use sharingan. When he was close enough he jumped off and landed at the water's edge. The water was cleared down here so he scanned the water with his sharingan. No Sakura. 'Maybe she's under the waterfall!' he jumped in once again. Kakashi swam over to the waterfall's base. The pressure pushed him down. He successfully got under the waterfall. On the other side, an air pocket made a small ledge of stone. But still no Sakura. Kakashi's heart sank. "Shit!" he slammed his fist on the stone. There were three more options. He wished it were one and not the others.

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Naruto had to follow his sensei. He HAD to help Sakura. Kawada stood beside him. "Go... ahead.. you have... to save... your friend." He put his hand on Naruto's shoulder. Naruto nodded and then jumped off the cliff. He had watched Kakashi, so he tried to do the same. But it wasn't as easy as he expected. Digging his heels into the cliff was easy, it was maintaining speed that was hard for him to do.

The trees passed him in blurs. He was speeding down the cliff way too fast. Then a bolder seemed to come out of nowhere. Naruto closed his eyes and prepared for impact. He felt his feet hit it as his body was tossed into the air. Still 20 yards from the base. He flew through the air. Not being able to control his body. He landed on his back with a gasp of pain. The rocks jabbed his back.

Kakashi came out from under the water. He saw Naruto and got out quickly. "Naruto! What happened?" He jumped to the genins aid. Naruto tried to move, but it pained him too much. "What did you do?"

"I," he winced in pain, "I came... gasp... help." He closed his eyes and clenched his teeth. 'I'm such a baka! What was I thinking?' Kakashi lifted up Naruto's head. There was a cut there. It was begining to get dirt in it. Kakahsi sighed.

"Naruto, can you move?" Naruto tried. But pain was the only thing that came. "I guess not. Listen, I'm going to carry you back up. Don't say anything. Concentrate on breathing, okay? Now this is going to hurt. Feel free to scream." That's exactly what he did as Kakashi lifted him in his arms. 'Things can't get worse?' Kakashi directed as much chakra as possible into his feet and started to run back up the cliff. When he got there he was surprised. Kawada wasn't there. 'Where did he go? I can't think about that now, Naruto is more important at the moment.'

He set Naruto down on the ground. "Now, I'm going to make something to drag you on. It will be a lot smoother if than me carrying throug the trees. Hold on and I'll be back." Kakashi raced off into the woods to find some limbs. Naruto closed his eyes. 'Maybe if I don't think about it, the pain will go away.'

That thought was quickly dismissed as he gasped from another wave of pain. It seemed like an eternity to Naruto before Kakashi came back. He brought four large limbs. From his pack, Kakashi pulled out some wire. "I'll use this to tie the limbs together." He started to tie the limbs together. When that was taken care of he went over to one of the trees and started tearing off branches that had plenty of leaves on them. When they were attached to the limbs he had time to take a look at Naruto's injuries.

First he cleaned and bandaged the cut on Naruto's head. Then he saw that Naruto had scratches and small cuts down his back. To make it worse, both of his ankles were spraned. Naruto's breathing had slowed back to normal. "Okay, the pain died down a little." Kakashi looked at Naruto with sad eyes as he said this. He could tell that Naruto was still in much pain.

"Alright, let's get you on the stretcher. It's only a few more hours till we reach Konoha." Naruto nodded and prepared himself to be lifted. It wasn't as painful he expected. Kakashi grabbed the two limbs he was going to use as handles. Once he was on, the pain subsided just enough so that he fell asleep. Kakashi channeled just enough chakra underneath the stretcher to keep it from boucning.

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Kakashi saw the Konoha gate and was grateful. The sun had begun to set. Kakashi had to force his feet to move. He made it to the gate. The guards ran over to him when they saw Naruto. "Are you alright? What happened?" Kakahsi pushed them away from him.

"Take care of the kid first! I'll be fin-" before he could finish he passed out.

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I hope you liked this chapter! I had an interesting time writing it. Okay, the next chapter won't be as long as this one. It's like the calm after the storm. Don't worry, we find out what happens to Sakura in the next chapter. R&R! Oh, put as many reviews as you want! I like hearing your opinions!

P.S. It gets very interesting in the next few chapters. Why Kawada went missing is answered in chapter 15.

Read on...