Kakashi knew it wasn't just a simple star in the sky like Shizune had said. He knew it was definitely a signal flare of sorts. The two continued on till they got just outside of the village's southern gate. A flock of ninjas ran directly at them. They both saw the aggressors and acted accordingly.

"Shizune, get ready" Kakashi said as he took his battle stance.

Shizune shot poison needles at two of the aggressing ninjas. One of which was tagged, and dropped instantly. The other ninja dodging the needle, was free to attack. The enemy had a dagger heading at lightening speed for Shizune's throat. Kakashi seemed to appear out of thin air to halt the oncoming enemy. Pushing Shizune out of the way, Kakashi hit the opposition with a crushing blow, a punch directed to the mid section. He felt the enemy's bones shatter as if it were glass through the force of his blow.

"Shizune, get it together. You're no rookie" he was stern. But it was only because he loved her and didn't want her hurt, let alone in this confrontation to begin with.

"Yes..." She replied through the shock of almost gracing death.

Shizune was stunned for a moment, but she understood as she collected herself. More enemy ninjas were heading their way.

"STOP" the enemy knew the voice of one of their two leaders and obediently did as they heard.

Kakashi and Shizune, stood still as well. The voice that halted the enemy was familiar to Kakashi and Shizune both. It was Malhavoc. He along with some of his rogue ninja stood while evil grins looking at the two Konoha elites.

"Malhavoc..."Shizune was frozen as she said this man. A man which both she and Kakashi once called a friend.

"Still with that loser huh Shizune? When do you plan on getting a real man?" He said blatantly with Kakashi right there.

Shizune took that comment to heart and responded forcefully. Always defensive of the man she loved, she insulted Malhavoc in retaliation.

"I've always had a REAL man. But you wouldn't know what a REAL man is. All you've done in your life was take the easy way. REAL men don't do that" Shizune tried to hit Malhavoc's pride. She and Kakashi knew his past well.

"Hmph, whatever" Malhavoc wasn't phased by Shizune's words

"They're just a minor distraction. Carry on with our plan. I will personally handle this." Malhavoc said with an eager smile at the thought of a fight with Kakashi.

"Do you really think you're just going to simply bypass us and go into our village?" Kakashi began going after the enemy but, he was attacked from behind. The ninjas continued on their way into the village.

A chain whip was wrapped around his leg and flung him high into the air. Kakashi was too good a ninja to be thrown off balance by a move like that. He regained control of his body in midair. Throwing a giant fuuma ninja star at Malhavoc, who happened to be the man in ownership of that chain whip. The star was dodged easily, as if an amateur threw it. But that dodge brought Kakashi enough time to get back on the ground without worrying about another attack on the way down.

"Shizune, get to the Hokage. Tell Tsunade what is going on. Hurry."

"Kakashi no, I can fight with you" She didn't want to leave him alone to fight.

"NOW!" he yelled at her, forcing her to go

Reluctantly, Shizune ran into the village as Kakashi ordered. Her worry was evident in her tears. But for the sake of the village, she had to do as he ordered. As she was dashing through the village, there were fights everywhere. She felt a bump at her leg. And what stopped her sent her into shock

Gasp "...no..." A body was at Shizune's feet. A Konoha ninja lay dead with a javelin impaled in his mouth. The poor man wasn't even able to scream. Shizune looked at the man's face. He was struck completely off guard, not even given a chance to defend himself in the slightest.

She continued on running to the Hokage's office. The streets were silent, with bodies dropping everywhere. Every once in a while, a scream was heard. But for the most part, the enemy ninjas were skilled to say the least. And were especially good at silent killing.

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Naruto, who hadn't quite made it home yet as still overjoyed about spending time with Sakura. His jovial mood was abruptly cut off when three random rogue ninjas attacked him. Thus far, Malhavoc's plan was going smoothly, which was not a good sign for Konoha or its inhabitants.

The first ninja swung at Naruto with his katana. However, his attack missed.

"Who the hell are you guys?." Naruto questioned as he countered the attacker

Naruto attempted to drop kick his opponent, but the enemy grabbed his foot in midair and threw him in the direction of another enemy ninja. Skillfully, Naruto, rather than being prey to another assault, kicked the enemy in the face while using him as a catapult to send himself flying toward his original attacker. While still in the air, Naruto took out two throwing stars from his side pouch and threw them at the enemy, striking them both in the head.

"Who are these guys? And why are they here? What's this...?" Naruto asked questions to himself as he picked up something off of one of the dead bodies of an enemy he'd just slain.

"It's a...prison tag I.D.?" Naruto was very puzzled.

"SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto thought of Sakura's safety and ran off back toward her house.

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Shizune had made it to the Hokage's office. With great haste, she had alerted Tsunade that there are rogue ninja assassins attacking the village as she spoke.

"LADY TSUNADE!" Shizune yelled hysterically

"Calm down Shizune...What's wrong?" Tsunade asked

"Lady Tsunade, we are under attack. We have to alert all the ninjas in Konoha." Shizune was talking hysterically. But Tsunade was able to make out her words

Without even responding, Tsunade sounded the village and what was almost a silent sneak attack was brought out into the open. Shizune tried to storm out of the Hokage's office when a familiar hand placed itself onto her shoulder.

"Wait Shizune!" Tsunade yelled

"No, I can't wait I..." Shizune was still hysterical

" What are you saying?" Tsunade loudly questioned

"KAKASHI...Kakashi...he's at the south gate...fighting Malhavoc alone" Shizune said as she snatched herself out of the Hokage's grasp and darted out, destined to get back to the south gate.

"SHIZUNE...!" Tsunade tried to call her attendant back.

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Kakashi and Malhavoc were fighting a very intense battle. But Malhavoc was clearly getting the better of Kakashi. To Malhavoc's men who were watching, this was nothing more than sport. For Kakashi and Malhavoc however, this is a fight for survival.

"After all this time Kakashi, you're still sooooo weak." Malhavoc mocked him as he tried to strike Kakashi with his sword

"Your talking as if you have me beat. You know, you're no different either Malhavoc. You still THINK you're the best. And you STILL no good on your own." Kakashi was trying to hit his opponent's pride.

"I'm good enough to take you out alone"

"And good enough to take on four children. Two of which were injured by the way. With HELP for that matter." He was referencing that he needed Zabuza's help with his young Jounin team.

"I'LL KILL YOU!" Malhavoc lost his temper. Kakashi's words were pinpoint and wounded Malhavoc's pride.

With his anger flowing, Malhavoc dashed toward Kakashi. He swung at Kakashi, attempting to cut him in half. Fortuitous for Kakashi, the strike didn't cut deep as he dodged. But the strike was still good enough to make the grey-haired Jounin to bleed profusely.

"You'll always be weak Kakashi. Time for me to put an end to your weak existence...AGGHHH...damn, my arm." Malhavoc felt a sharp pain

Malhavoc was so caught up in his rage that he failed to notice Kakashi's counterstrike. Kakashi had driven a dagger directly into the back of Malhavoc's elbow. Which in turn severed several nerves connections between his elbow and his hand. This meant his blade wielding arm was now rendered useless.

"Not looking too weak now, am I old friend" Kakashi had a smile under his mask. Kakashi's smile aggravated Malhavoc even more.

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!" Malhavoc, screaming madly, began performing the hand signs for his demon century jutsu.

Kakashi was in luck. Malhavoc was interrupted as they village's alarm was sounded. Konoha ninja squads were beginning to dispatch to counter the enemy threat.

"WHAT?...the alert?...my plan..." Malhavoc was in complete disbelief. He hadn't counted on the alert to go out so soon.

The rogue ninjas that were watching the duel between Kakashi and Malhavoc with sadistic delight were interrupted from their viewing pleasures.

"DON'T STAND THERE DAMMIT. GO ON WITH THE PLAN!" Malhavoc barked out his order in fury.

As renegade ninjas ran past both Kakashi and Malhavoc, the two stood at a crossroads. Malhavoc was indeed stronger. However, Kakashi held the technical advantage. This was a stalemate of high stakes.

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Ino and Shikamaru were standing against the would-be invaders as well. They had two of the enemy ninjas cornered.

"Now that the two of you are caught, mind telling us what you're doing here?" Ino demanded an answer.

"Babe please, do you really think we'd tell you anything? Well, I can tell you SOME things. But they require a little priva aacckk" The enemy was cut off from speaking

Shikamaru was using his shadow jutsu to strangle the foulmouthed ninja.

" You might want to watch what you say to the lady." Shikamaru was indirectly threatening the enemy.

The second enemy ninja used an unknown jutsu to counter Shikamaru's shadow. He used the blinding light jutsu. This jutsu was a technique that unleashed a flash of unrelenting light within a 30-foot radius. The jutsu the enemy used was able to diminish Shikamaru's shadow jutsu into nothingness.

"Looks like this is going to get rough Ino" Shikamaru tried to prepare Ino for the worst.

"Some girls like it rough." Ino replied as she was eager for battle.

"Lucky for you, things are gonna get REALLY rough" a voice came from behind both Ino and Shikamaru.

It was another squad of enemy ninjas that had came up from behind. They were surrounded on both sides now. Despite the minor annoyance of the alert, Malhavoc's plan was taking form.

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Sasuke was having intruder troubles of his own. Four renegade ninjas bombarded his house with throwing stars. They were coming from every angle. Some of which were chakra induced throwing stars which were able to pierce the stone walls of his home.

"Damn...I'm pinned down here." Sasuke was in a desperate situation.

"IDIOTS! DON'T KILL HIM!" a familiar voice yelled at the enemy.

The ninjas complied and did as they were ordered. An ominous silence filled Sasuke's abode. He crept to the door to try to hear what was going on outside. Just as he held his ear to the door, a large presence bursted his way through it. The force hurled Sasuke a good 15ft as he skid across the ground.

"Today's your lucky day boy."Zabuza walked in with reckless confidence.

"You're right! I get another shot at rocking your skull." Sasuke tried to be threatening as he spoke while rising to his feet.

Zabuza couldn't help but laugh hysterically. He knew Sasuke had no hope of defeating him. He couldn't beat him when he was in perfect health. So in his condition he stood little to no chance at all.

"Don't laugh at me" Sasuke prepared a fire jutsu and began spouting flames.

"Careful kid, you're under aged. Playing with fire is for the adults" Zabuza pulled out his zweihander.

Zabuza began fanning the flames with his sword. Using his sword, he formed a flame ring formation around both him and Sasuke.

"Don't be stupid boy. Don't you get tired of being weak? Have you ever grown weary of second place?." Zabuza's threat was both real and valid.

Sasuke was trapped. He had nowhere to go and the heat of the flames was starting to bare down on him. He had no choice but to at least her what Zabuza had to say.

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Naruto, tired from his previous encounter with rogue ninjas, had just made it to Sakura's house. He barged in without warning. What he saw froze him. Both Sakura and her mother were cornered. They were outnumbered by seven ninjas. Ms. Haruno was no fighter. She was of little to no use to Sakura in battle. It was fortuitous that Naruto came when he did.

"Picking on a couple of women. And to think, you have to have numbers on your side even to do that. Forget being ninjas. You're hardly even men."

"Is that right? Well, having you here makes three people for us to kill." The enemy was eager for blood.

"I can remedy that. Sakura, turn out the lights!" Naruto replied with confidence as he cloned himself to even up the numbers.

Sakura did as Naruto told her and reached for the light switch that was next to her. The house went black. He didn't want her mother to see the violence that was going to take place. Naruto and his clones made short work of their enemy.

"It's ok Sakura. Turn the lights back on" Sakura flipped the switch.

"I didn't think children were this strong in this day and age" Ms. Haruno was impressed that Naruto was able to dispatch the enemy.

Inner Sakura

"...He came back...for me..."

"We have to get your mother out of here Sakura. It's not safe in Konoha"

"I won't be scared out of my home" Ms. Haruno protested.

"Mom, he's right. You're not a ninja" Sakura was concerned about her mother's safety.

"Sakura, I won't be scared out of the house I love. This is where I raised my daughter. This is where my...I won't leave" Ms. Haruno almost let out something she didn't want to.

"Whoever they are, we need to drive them out. Sakura, stay here" Naruto ordered as he left out to defend the village.

Sakura watched Naruto go out the door. Her mother just took one good look at her daughter's face. She knew she wanted to go fight along side Naruto.

"Sakura, go with him" Ms. Haruno tried to make Sakura go

"Mom no, I can't leave you here alone. It's too dangerous."

"I'll be fine dear. I may not be able to fight. But I can keep myself hidden if the need arises."

Sakura gave her mother that concerned look that families give each other.

"Sakura, Naruto can very well die tonight. This could be the last time you see him." Ms. Haruno did anything to make her daughter go.

Inner Sakura

"...Thank you...mom..."

Sakura didn't want to leave her mother's side, but she did have a point. Konoha was a very dangerous place at this point. The thought of losing Naruto was unacceptable to her by any means. She grabbed her weapons and darted out the door, trying to catch up to her comrade.

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Zabuza had continued reasoning with Sasuke. He and Sasuke had a common ground. They both wanted power

"Naruto is stronger than you. You train harder. You work longer. But still, he bests you." Zabuza had a point

"I HAVE ALL THE POWER I NEED!" Sasuke yelled as he went to attack Zabuza with his kunai.

Zabuza grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back. Then with his free hand, he forced Sasuke's face into the ground.

"All the power you need? You've no power at all, boy."

Sasuke was pinned. The more he struggled, the more Zabuza pushed his face into the ground, cracking the floor.

"What if I told you that you alone can have the power to save your village?" Zabuza had begun indirectly propositioning Sasuke.

"Save the village? The only threat I see is you and your ninja invaders"

"Please. We are nothing compared to the threat that lives in your village." Zabuza raised Sasuke's curiosity.

"Meaning?"

"Have you ever wondered why everyone in your village hates Naruto? Has anyone ever told you about that demon fox 'incident' that happened here and Naruto were 'connected'?"

"Can't you talk straight?" Sasuke was both curious and annoyed.

"Poor boy, you never knew that your own comrade embodied the legendary fox demon Kyuubi." Zabuza snickered.

"You're lying dammit" Sasuke refused to believe what he had heard.

"Child, think back to the hospital. Remember how strong he became when that girl was in danger. How his chakra grew and he put Malhavoc through that wall?" Zabuza brought back a recent memory.

Sasuke was silent. Zabuza's reasoning was starting to sink in. Sasuke wanted something, something to justify his desire for power. Hearing the reality of Kyuubi being inside Naruto was nothing more than an excuse to quench his power thirst.

"Will you come with us? Will you allow us to make you powerful?

"...I will..." Zabuza convinced Sasuke and the mission was completed.

The two ninjas began on their way. And Sasuke, of his own free will followed behind Zabuza. Sasuke felt me just may have found the power he's always lusted for.

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Ino and Shikamaru still had their hands full with problems of their own. For the most part, they were able to hold their own against being outnumbered. However, battle wounds were beginning to way heavy on the two young ninjas.

"It might be good for us to make a strategic retreat." Shikamaru realized the severity of the situation and how desperate it had become.

"And run where? In case you hadn't noticed, the village is overrun." Ino was a bit annoyed with Shikamaru's attempt to fall back.

Feeling a presence overhead, Ino looked up into the sky at toward the rooftops. She noticed Sasuke along with a giant figure with a zweihander blade slung behind his back.

"SASUKE" Ino tried to call out to him. But her calls weren't heard.

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Malhavoc and Kakashi were still locked in mortal combat. Kakashi had lost plenty of blood and Malhavoc could no longer wield his sword.

"Kakashi...today you DIE!" Malhavoc began charging toward Kakashi with his uninjured arm.

Malhavoc swung and missed badly. Which in turn gave Kakashi a chance for a final strike. As Malhavoc's attack left him off-balanced, Kakashi drove his knee into Malhavoc's jaw. The force of the blow sent Malhavoc flying back.

"Good hit...from a dead man" Malhavoc was getting ready to use his demon century again.

"..." Kakashi, without a word dropped to the floor unconscious.

"Don't deny me this DAMMIT GET UP" Malhavoc wanted the pleasure of delivering a final blow.

Malhavoc was about to strike his downed opponent. However, his assault was stopped by a hand of dominant and forceful power.

"GET OFF OF ME ZABUZA"

"Kakashi is mine to kill. Not to mention our job is complete" Zabuza said

"He is MINE to kill" Malhavoc protested.

"Malhavoc either you let it go, or I kill YOU. Make your choice" Zabuza's threat was real

For the first time, Zabuza had the edge over him. He was in no shape for a head to head confrontation with his uneasy comrade. He complied

"Whatever." Malhavoc was forced to leave Kakashi's unconscious body to its own devices

Malhavoc sent out another flare to signal that their mission was completed and for the pullout of the rogue ninjas began. Malhavoc, Zabuza, and Sasuke left as Kakashi was down for the count.

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Ino and Shikamaru were almost done for. But as the enemy were preparing for their final assault, they saw the flare and began their departure. Battered and bruised, both Shikamaru and Ino were left with questions.

"Shikimaru...why would he do that? Why would he leave us like that?" She asked her comrade as she began to cry.

"...I never thought Sasuke would willingly leave. He always had a thirst for power and..."

"ENOUGH" Ino cut him off

She didn't want to hear it. But deep in her heart she knew what Shikimaru said was true. Sasuke finally had an outlet in which to satisfy his wants for power. She just didn't accept the fact of it.

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Shizune had made it back to the south gate. She was speechless at what she saw.

"KAKASHI..." She screamed her lover's name as she ran to his side in an instant.

She began using her medical abilities to heal him. She was using all the chakra she possibly could. Her lover for him was strong enough that she would have gladly used it all, sacrificing her own life. Within moments, Kakashi regained consciousness.

"Shizune..." Kakashi muttered out her name.

Shizune's tears overflowed. She was just happy that he was alive. She just kept him in her arms as they both sat on the ground.

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Naruto and Sakura fought hard as the rest of the enemy began its pullout of the village

"They're...retreating?" Naruto was confused as to why the enemy was suddenly departing.

"Don't ask questions like that. Let's use this good fortune we have and head to Lady Tsunade's office" Sakura saw this as a chance to learn the extent of the damage.

The two looked on as they walked. Windows were smashed in. Bodies lay dead in the streets. Homes and abodes were on fire. Weaponry and blood paved the streets. Konoha became a living hell in the wake of the enemy.

"...look at our town...our...home" Sakura cried as she and Naruto continued to walk down the desolate streets.

"Yeah...our home. We couldn't protect it..."

"How do we rebuild after this...?"Sakura questioned with tears in her eyes.

"We just do it Sakura...we will get who is responsible for this...I don't want you to ever see this again" Naruto said with silent fury

Sakura just turned and smiled at him. She latched herself to his arm for comfort as they continued on to the Hokage's office.

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Ino and Shikimaru had the same idea as Naruto and Sakura. To head to Tsunade's.

"We should go Ino...Lady Tsunade needs to be made aware of what's transpired."Shikimaru tried to get his partner to budge.

"I...I can't" Ino was crying over Sasuke's leaving.

"Come on, you're stronger than this." Shikimaru tried to help any way he could

"And how would you know?...This is Sakura's fault." Ino was angry and was sure Sakura was the root of what has transpired in the village.

"I can't say whether or not that's true. Maybe we can find out, together" Shikimaru said as he grabbed Ino's hand.

And just as Naruto and Sakura were doing, they too were heading to see Tsunade.

To be continued...