It was the brink of dawn. Team 7 was up bright and early, anxiously awaiting their mission to begin. Kakashi began reviewing the team's objective and priorities. They were all well prepared as they hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. The four ninjas swiftly and silently breached the city walls, rendering any enemy ninja unconscious. They made their way to the stronghold where they saw the princess hanging by a rope at the top of the ceiling. But there was a problem. There were three seemingly powerful ninjas. One of which Kakashi seemed to be familiar with.

"I can reach her before anyone notices" Naruto whispered

"Don't be stupid Naruto, these aren't pushovers like the guards we knocked out"

"Why do you always try to put me down Sasuke?" Naruto whispered with a tempered sound

"Simple idiot! Because you're weak" He said with a snob like grin.

"Naruto you ARE a bit on the weak side." Sakura seemed to agree with Sasuke

"..." Naruto had nothing to say

Hearing that quieted Naruto. It would have been ok for anyone else to say something like that to him. But coming from Sakura was a different story all together. Coming from Sakura, it hurt.

"ALL OF YOU BE QUIET AND FOCUS" Kakashi got his team to be silent and focused on the task at hand.

Kakashi was a bit worried. Sure all three members of the opposition were strong, However, the one that seemed to be the leader was particularly familiar. He had and a vicious, dangerous aura about him. An aura that Kakashi just couldn't shake. And one that he knew he'd encountered before.

"Ok team here's the plan. Naruto, the two of you well circle behind the enemy and wait for further orders from me. Sakura, you and I will stage a full frontal assault directly on the enemy. I will take lead. Sasuke, you will go to the ceiling begin to free the hostage princess. Do you all understand?" Kakashi gave his orders

"I'm ready sensei. Believe it!" Naruto's confidence was soaring sky high

"Yeah" Sasuke said in monotone.

"Yes..." Sakura replied nervously

"Good, now everyone have your headsets on and ready" Kakashi prepped

The team turned on their headsets and was on standby for Kakashi's orders. Sakura was nervous. Sure, she had been on missions before as all of team 7 had been in the past. But this was the first time Sakura was put into an offensive position rather than a defensive one.

Inner Sakura

"Why...why am I shaking like this...this is so intense...can I survive this...?"

Meanwhile Naruto had skillfully got around the enemy. Kakashi watched on as his student made it around the enemy with great silence and ease. His student had learned well and he was very proud of him. His student had come a long way. This boy, who was usually loud on an almost sonic level was now ghostly silent. Kakashi truly looked on in awe. Even Sasuke was shocked at Naruto's stealth ability.

"Sakura, wait for me to charge first. Once I begin my assault, I want you to count to three and use a smoke jutsu to make cover for Naruto and me. After you complete the jutsu, then join into the fight only using distance attacks."

"Ok everyone, remember your training and listen well. Stay focused and remember we're a team. We work and fight as one. On three, everyone goes. 1...2..."Kakashi began his count

Naruto was anxious to the point that he was going to burst. Sasuke awaited the final number patiently yet ready. Sakura however, wasn't as mentally prepared as her other two young teammates. She was scared and unsettled.

Inner Sakura

"...I don't know if I can do this...I ...I can't breathe.

"3!" Kakashi's final number was yelled out.

Naruto and Kakashi began their two pronged attack charges. Sasuke began scaling the ceiling to cut the princess loose of her confinements. However, there was a pair of sinister eyes fixed on Sasuke as he made his move. They were the eyes that gave Kakashi that bad feeling of deja vu.

"NARUTO, CLONES NOW!" Kakashi yelled out.

Naruto made his clones, never losing stride in his running.

"Damn they caught us off guard." One of the enemy ninjas said

So far the plan was working. The enemy was totally off guard.

Kakashi began to throw kunai at the enemy targets. They were able to skillfully dodge some of the kunai. The enemy had no idea that the kunai were sensor marked.

"You must be joking if you think your gonna hurt us with a few kunais" the enemy mocked toward Kakashi

"He doesn't have to hurt you fool" Naruto called out

The enemy was so focused on Kakashi that they had no chance to prepare for Naruto's side of the assault. There was one ninja that was totally still. He wasn't worried at all. Which in turn, made Kakashi worry. This was all too familiar to him.

"I'M GOING FOR IT!" Naruto and his many clones began their onslaught on the enemy.

Sakura completed her jutsu and the cover was complete. And as planned, she began her distance assault with shurikens. The enemy ninjas were dodging and blocking Sakura's assault. But they were tired. Weary enough for Naruto and Kakashi to knock out. They knocked out the two enemy ninjas. But the third enemy was just standing there, totally devoid of emotion and movement. And completely unreadable with his left hand behind his back.

"You're all alone now loser" Naruto said with confidence was he surrounded the final enemy along with Sakura and Kakashi.

"WAIT!...where is Sasuke." Kakashi barked out.

"..." the enemy pulled his and from behind his back, revealing a bloodied Sasuke. He threw Sasuke on the floor at his feet. Clothing shredding, bleeding and bruised all over, broken bones, and numerous chakra burns. Sasuke was totally decimated by this unknown assailant.

"SASUKE-KUUUUUUN!" Sakura whaled out.

Naruto's shock was very evident. He didn't think that anyone could ever beat Sasuke this badly. Both Naruto and Kakashi were both stumped. How could such a savage beating happen without them even noticing. Sasuke never yelled out for help.

"...I know you..." Kakashi's familiarity of this vicious enemy came to reality

"You should know me well, ...copy ninja"

"Sensei, who is this guy" Sakura was scared and confused all at once.

"He's known as the blood luster soldier, Malhavoc.

"I don't care WHO he is, he won't get away with this." Naruto made 4 clones and made a charge at the enemy.

Malhavoc began a jutsu as Naruto attempted his assault. "DEMON CENTURY" the jutsu was set

Demon Century, a forbidden jutsu. It brings the mind back in time. To a time when demons roamed the world and tormented all of humanity. Naruto stood there, frozen in complete limbo. Kakashi and Sakura saw as their blond teammate was in total anguish. He was going crazy. The horror inflicted upon his mind was staggering. Kakashi was preparing his own assault against this powerful enemy until Malhavoc decided to end the conflict.

"SANCTUARY" Malhavoc used this jutsu to release Naruto from the demon century technique. Naruto was totally drained. Now both he and Sasuke were out for the count.

Inner Sakura

" Sasuke-kun and Naruto didn't stand a chance...what can I do?...we're going to die here...I don't want to die..."

"So...the hidden village in the leaves has gotten wind of our scheme have they" Malhavoc said smiling

"And what if we did" Kakashi said in haste, ready for conflict.

"Easy Kakashi, you'll have your shot at me when I say you can. No sooner" Malhavoc said grinning.

"No we finish this NOW!" Kakashi began a charge

"Have it your way...old friend...I'll begin to kill your young team. Starting with the blond boy."

Kakashi halted his attack. Despite wanting to face off against this enemy from his past, he turned his attention to his team. They were so confident up until Malhavoc totally devastated them. Naruto was still unconscious from the demon century jutsu. Sasuke was a mess with broken bones and blood everywhere. And Sakura was a combination of scared and shocked.

"By the way I guess you can have the princess, since YOU guys are the enemy things have changed" Malhavoc vanished.

As much as Kakashi wanted to go after Malhavoc, he knew his team came first. He looked on as his team was in total dismemberment. The moment Malhavoc was gone, Sakura ran to Sasuke to tend to him. Naruto was closer, but she totally bypassed him.

"Sasuke...Sasuke-kun please wake up" she began to use her chakra to heal him.

Kakashi concluded the mission, retrieving the princess. She was very relieved that she was rescued from Malhavoc and his ninjas. But she saw Naruto on the ground, unconscious. She ran to him and began to heal him.

Sakura had finally succeeded in rejuvenating Sasuke. She smiled and began stroking Sasuke's hair.

"Are you ok Sasuke?" Sakura asked with great concern.

"I'm fine" Sasuke swiped her hand away from his head and began to slowly get up.

"Sasuke-kun, you shouldn't be in such a..."

"RUSH? I'm not like you Sakura, I move at my own speed" Sasuke as he walked away from her.

Sakura was really hurt by that. She didn't expect any real gratitude from Sasuke. However, she didn't expect this kind of cold treatment either. Meanwhile, the Princess was healing Naruto. She had his head down on her lap and began using her healing jutsu. He regained his consciousness. They made eye contact and met each other with warm smiles. Her hands were firmly placed on him. Her right hand was on rubbing his cheek softly and her left hand was wrapped around his waist, reaching his back.

"Hi..." they both said to each other softly

"Are you ok?" the princess asked with concern.

"Thanks to you yes" Naruto said with his voice filled with gratitude.

"Oh I'm sorry, I never gave you my name. I'm princess Morrigan." The princess introduced herself.

"Nice to meet you" everyone said in unison. Everyone except Sasuke. He was just standing by himself, not giving any emotion or attention to anyone else. That was normal for him. Sakura looked on with slight jealousy.

Inner Sakura

"Look at how appreciative he is for her saving him...I wish I was in her place. He is so different from Sasuke...I don't know why...but...I'm jealous."

"Well team, once we get the princess back to her home, our job is complete. We camp on the horizon for the night and then head out to finish this mission. Naruto, Sasuke" Kakashi stated.

"Yes sensei" Naruto asked

"The both of you are going to need to be looked over by a doctor. There is only so much Sakura and princess Morrigan can do from here."

"Gotcha" Naruto said

Nightfall came. It was a tiresome day for everyone. Kakashi was busy reading his books. Sasuke found a place to be alone. Sakura tried to spend some time with him.

"Hey Sasuke-kun, can I sit with you?" Sakura asked

"Do whatever you want"

Sakura sat down a few inches away from Sasuke and tried to make conversation. But Sasuke, being his usual self became irritable and wanted nothing to do with Sakura.

"Soooo uh Sask..." Sakura was cut off

"I can care less if you sit, but I don't want to talk"

"Oh..."Sakura halted and got up

Inner Sakura

"Why is he so cold to me?...Am I such a displeasure to be around?"

Sakura began walking away, hurt and dejected. She noticed princess Morrigan walking down through the forest toward the lake. Sakura was curious so she followed. Then she saw Naruto sitting at the lake and she stopped.

"Hey you" the princess said patting Naruto on his shoulder.

"Hey" Naruto replied smiling at her.

"Hmmm, did you want to be alone? I can leave if you want"

"No it's ok. I don't mind the company"

Princess Morrigan gave a little blush and sat by Naruto's side.

"So blondie, what are you doing out her all by your lonesome?" the princess asked.

"Nothing much, I'm just used to being alone I guess." Naruto replied

" Really? I'm always trying to be alone. Everyone is always around me, tending to my every whim."

"That sounds great"

" It's not as great as you might think" the princess said giggling.

"I wouldn't have the slightest clue of how your life is Princess"

"And why is that?" the princess asked with a puzzled look on her face.

"Because . . . I've been alone all my life...and I've always been ridiculed and hated where I live. I'm considered both ugly and stupid."

The princess started to look at Naruto, not wanting to shed a tear for one of the ninja that saved her earlier that day.

"How could anyone hate you Naruto...my sexy blond hero" she said as she put her hand on his face and rubbed his cheek.

Sakura was still there, silently looking on. She wasn't sure why but she had strange feelings coming over her as she watched Naruto and Princess Morrigan talk candidly. She felt partially ashamed. And partially jealous of what she was seeing. The princess saw something in Naruto immediately. It was something that Sakura had never seen until now.

Inner Sakura

"...I...I've never seen Naruto this way...he's so open with her...Maybe I should take the time to get to know him better. I used to always make fun of him and be mean to him, just like everyone else...Maybe I am displeasing to be around after all..."

"...your hands are warm princess" Naruto said nervously blushing.

The princess giggled and smiled. She was truly fond of Naruto. She immediately saw the purity of his heart and the kindness within his soul. Sakura was truly becoming envious.

"Naruto...you've never known the warmth of a hug have you" the princess asked

"...I've only seen a hug...I guess I never really thought about how it felt..."Naruto said, looking down at the lake.

The princess crawled behind Naruto and began to slowly press her body onto his back.

"Princess what a..." Naruto was cut off in surprise

"Easy hero, easy. I won't bite...I'm just giving you a hug" she said smiling

She continued by putting her arms around his waist and she held him snugly. She then slowly pressed her cheek to his. Nobody had every given Naruto this kind of warmth and kindness. Was this motherly? Or was this something far beyond that?

"Princess Morrigan...this feels nice..."Naruto was blushing heavily

"Naruto...you're a special guy. Never let anyone tell you otherwise."

She released Naruto from her embrace and smiled at him.

Sakura felt she saw enough. She didn't know why, but she started to slowly begin to cry. She decided to call it a night rather than go to Sasuke. She knew how he was going to treat her.

Inner Sakura

"Why am I crying?...the one I love is Sasuke...but why am I feeling this way...envious of her. Am I jealous of her? Naruto is just a friend...why do I feel this way?"

Meanwhile...

"Princess Morrigan..."

"Naruto...just call me Morrigan...I'd rather you treat me as a friend. Forget title and lineage...please" Morrigan said blushing

"Yes...Morrigan..."Naruto grinned

"Goodnight..." she whispered in his ears as she walked back toward the camp site.

Naruto stayed sitting by the lake. He was trying to take in all of what just happened. No woman had ever been that close to him or given him any kind of compassion the way the princess just did. For once, he didn't feel lonely or mocked. He fell asleep by the lake, thinking about what had transpired.

To be continued...