I Own Nothing

mfmxxx:Yeah I know, I did it because it offered something later on in the story.

BentShuriken:Why thank you.

Guest Called 'Strange Guy,':That's what is going to happen. They may be forgiven faster than what you want, but even that won't be a total forgiven(ness?)

Raging Pelican:Why do you rage Mr. Pelican? I'm just kidding I just couldn't resist saying that...ahahaha. Anyways my response is basically they one above.

Kalomin:Admittedly no, I actually don't know why I did that now that I look back on it.

Krazyfanfiction1:Oh trust me, I already have ideas.

So many reviews I had to answer...well I didn't have to...I chose to.

Don't think I trust you anymore! How to cope with murder.

Naruto frowned when he walked into the village Tazuna was from. It was…poor to put it in a kinder state. Honestly though, it was dilapidated, like it had lost all hope. Buildings that looked like they should be well-built and strong looked pathetic, and moldy, barely holding on by a thread. Naruto could have sworn one good punch would send them crumbling to the ground. There was feces and urine on the street, with children that were quite literally only skin and bone. You could see the veins and bones bulging from their skin. Dead children were on the streets, rotting quickly, and the smell was filled with decay, proving more dead bodies were around than Naruto would care to see.

Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto all retched outside the town when they saw it. It was…pitiful to see this happening to people. As they walked towards Tazuna's house they couldn't help but ask what happened to the place.

"Gato happened," Tazuna said. "The economic stranglehold he has us in is making people resort to drastic measures. Our people have given up on all hope, and it's tearing us apart. We're turning against each other too, some people are turning to Gato to solve their problems, and the strange thing is he's helping them. He's actually pulling people in only to use them to get back at the village. It's despicable. That's why I need to complete this bridge, so our town can have hope again."

Naruto looked at Tazuna seriously. "What makes you think Gato won't take control of the bridge too?"

Tazuna looked at Naruto questioningly. "Aren't you going to kill him?"

Naruto shook his head. "That's not our job. Our job was to escort you to Nami no Kuni (Land of Waves), technically if we left now we would still get paid as we accomplished the mission. We're doing you a favor by protecting you so you can finish this bridge. Gato is not our problem either. Unless they threaten any of us specifically we have no requirement to protect you from, or kill, Gato, at least not any longer since we are in Nami no Kuni. More so, from what Kakashi-sensei told me about the situation, you lied about the scope of this mission, meaning that really we should have canceled this mission the second you told us that Gato was after you and that he had powerful ninja to use against us, as Zabuza alone can bump a mission with only a squad of genin and a single jonin from a C-rank to an A-ranked mission. Don't make demands."

Tazuna looked stunned. He knew what they were saying was true, but to hear it stated so bluntly, it put him to shame. It disgraced him. He never thought about it that way, but he honestly put these ninja in massive danger for lying about the scope of the mission.

"Please," Tazuna said. "You have to forgive me; we didn't have the money to pay for an A-ranked mission. We would have if we could have, but the entire village poured in its funds for a simple C-rank."

Naruto growled as they walked. "That makes no difference. Konoha is a very reasonable village, as is Jiji. He would have accepted some form of pay off later on. Admittedly, you didn't know this, but if you had at least attempted to tell them I'm sure they could have tried to help nonetheless. You have endangered Konoha shinobi that are unprepared for the scope of this mission. Normally, if you had paid the right price, no one would blame you if a shinobi died, however you did not, meaning the blame if any of us die will fall onto your lap, and that's if any of us make it back alive since Kakashi-sensei is down."

"What do you mean? Gato shouldn't have stronger reinforcements."

"I agree," Naruto said, looking at Tazuna. "However, do you really think Gato won't hear about Zabuza's death at that hunter-nin's hands? He will hear of it, and he will assume you are the cause as you are leading the revolution against him, and because of that he will send his forces after you…in droves."

Tazuna's eyes were alight with fright after he heard that. "Please you have to protect me," he begged.

Naruto continued walking. "We do not HAVE to do anything. Don't worry about what I said though, it's only speculation."

Tazuna looked at Naruto as he continued walking, followed by a quite shocked Sasuke and Sakura. Tazuna looked at the ground sadly and balled his fists, tears falling from his eyes.

"I can't let that happen," Tazuna whispered. "I refuse."

Tazuna scrunched up his face with sadness and began walking after Naruto, before leading the way. Sasuke and Sakura walked forward, trying to catch up, but were to busy with their own conversation.

"I didn't know Naruto had it in him," Sakura mumbled.

"I agree," Sasuke said. "He's…experienced some things to be that knowledgeable about what could happen. That's the only explanation."

Sakura looked at Sasuke. "But why would anyone do such things to Naruto?"

"I don't know Sakura. I don't know."

XxX

Naruto smiled at the woman who opened up the door to Tazuna's house, which looked better maintained than the majority of the houses they had seen in the town.

"Father, you're back," she said, voice full of relief as she hugged him.

"Tsunami, it's good to see you again," Tazuna said, hugging his daughter.

Tsunami had long, dark, blue hair. She wore a short sleeved pink shirt with the end of the sleeves and the collar being red in color.

"Are these the ninja that escorted you back home," Tsunami asked, looking at the genin and Kakashi was still unconscious.

"Yes," Tazuna said, smiling. He walked inside the house, after Tsunami smiled at the trio and walked in.

Tazuna looked at the trio before beginning to speak. "There are guest rooms upstairs, two, so I'm assuming boys go with boys and girls go with girls…no, not assuming, no business here," Tazuna said, glaring at them mildly.

The three genin all blushed and began stammering out sentences along the lines of they would never do that, but Tazuna just laughed at their expense.

"It was a joke. But, seriously don't do that. But there are two guest rooms upstairs; you can lay your sensei there."

The Naruto clones cried out in happiness. They had been carrying Kakashi for a long time, and their arms were killing them. They quickly shot up the stairs and put Kakashi to rest before disappearing in a puff of smoke, causing Naruto to chuckle.

"What's so funny, brat," Tazuna asked, looking at Naruto.

Naruto looked at Tazuna suspiciously. He was just acting like he was a monster on the way here but now he was acting friendly. That was exactly what any tactical person would do, turn someone against them. However Tazuna had a point. How had he known his clones had drawn a mustache on Kakashi's mask? It wasn't like he got their memories or something…did he?

"None of your business."

Tazuna sighed and looked at the ground as Naruto glared at him. Tazuna looked up at Naruto, a deep sadness in his eyes.

"I understand that words are not enough, but please know that I truly mean you no harm. Also, forgive my earlier transgressions, you are not who I thought you to be."

Naruto just growled and turned before coming face to face with Sakura.

"Naruto, apologize to him," she ordered.

Sasuke groaned as she said that. Sakura and himself were in no position to be ordering Naruto around, especially after what they did. Even he knew that they would have to work to build up the trust he had in them, if it was possible to get that trust back at all. It could take months, maybe even years, for him to regard them as friends, and it would be a fragile friendship at best for a long time, again too. Yet, here Sakura was, trying to boss him around as she always tried to do.

"What did you say," Naruto whispered.

"I said apologize to him. You had no right to talk to him like that."

Naruto growled and shoved past her, walking towards the door of the house.

"I'm leaving. Don't try and find me."

Sakura growled and glared at Naruto.

"Who said you could leave!?"

"What are you my mother!?" Naruto roared, turning on her, his eyes blazing.

Sakura took a step back as he said that, scared of him.

"You insult me, call me a monster, hurt me, scream at me, verbally and physically abuse me, and now you except me to follow your orders!? I should slap you where you stand! You know nothing of me, you just assume, and believe the villagers lies! Unless you have something important to say shut up! Sasuke is better than you are. At least he knows to be quiet, but you, you and you always thinking you're perfect. Well, it's time for a damn wake-up call. You know nothing."

Naruto turned on his foot and slammed the door as he walked out, shaking the walls of the house. Sakura on the other hand was on the ground, staring at the door in shock and fear. Had she really acted like that? She knew she verbally and physically rejected him whenever he had asked her out, but had she really called him such horrible things? How could she live with herself knowing that she did that?

Sakura curled up into a ball, put her face on her knees and cried. Tazuna just looked at the girl with sorrow, and Sasuke sighed. He walked over to Sakura and put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to look up at him. She continued to cry as she saw him.

"Am I really such a horrible person?"

Sasuke shook his head. "No, you just…misunderstood. Just, give Naruto his space for awhile."

Sakura's tears slowed but she looked at Sasuke still.

"How do you know this?"

"I don't."

XxX

Naruto growled as he stomped down the streets, thinking back on what Sakura said.

'Who the hell does she think she is? She knows nothing about my life, she couldn't comprehend it! She couldn't live a day in my shoes, heck, she couldn't live a day in any of these peoples shoes. She's fortunate, having a good family that cares about her. She's never suffered; she's gotten everything she's ever wanted excluding Sasuke. I understand what Kakashi-sensei, and Anko-sensei tried to tell me now. She's…she's not the type of person you want in your life as a lover. At least, not now anyways.'

Naruto stopped his insistent walking as he felt something tug on his leg. He looked downwards to see a child looking up at him. The child had black hair and black eyes, and was definitely skinnier than a kid should be at his age.

"Mister, do you have any money," the child asked his voice raspy and weak.

Naruto frowned at the child. He had money, and he would give it to the child, but to see a child in a state like this, it was saddening.

"Here you go," Naruto said, giving the child money. "Get some food, and if there are more people with you take this," Naruto said, handing the kid more money.

The orphan smiled at Naruto. "Thanks mister."

"Don't thank me. Anybody would do this."

"Not the guys with those big swords."

Naruto frowned. "Don't worry. I'll take care of those guys soon."

The orphan smiled and ran off, although it was very slow, and anyone could see it took a lot out of him. Naruto sighed and looked up at the quickly darkening sky. He should be getting back to the house now.

XxX

"I'm back," Naruto called as he walked into the house.

"Welcome back," Kakashi said. He was using crutches to stand.

"Kakashi-sensei, you're up," Naruto said.

"Yeah, I feel better now. I heard you took care of things while I was gone."

Naruto just walked through the living room, a frown on his face.

"I guess you could call it that."

Kakashi sighed and walked after him. Things were going great before this mission had started. It seemed this one mission had taken a heavier toll on his team than he originally thought. Their teamwork had been demolished and unfortunately, probably the worst thing, was that he had a sinking feeling Naruto had discovered the secret. Now he could only hope that he wouldn't hold it against Konoha.

As Tsunami set the table, with Sasuke's help, albeit he didn't volunteer, more like he was forced to, Naruto sat down. Tazuna, Sakura, and Kakashi quickly joined him, all of them waiting for food. Tsunami sat the last plate down on the table when a young boy came down the stairs.

The boy had spiky black hair and dark colored eyes. He wore a green jumpsuit with a yellow shirt and a simple pair of sandals. He also wore a blue and white striped hat.

The boy sat at the table as Tsunami did, sitting right next to her.

"Good, Inari, you came down and I didn't even have to call you," she said, rubbing his head.

The boy, who Naruto assumed was Inari, just sat there, eating his food quietly. To be honest it put Naruto off. Kids at that age should be loud, and boisterous. Well, maybe he was relating kids to close to his own life, but they still should be talkative. Any shyness shouldn't have kicked in yet, so it was odd seeing the kid be so quiet. However, he didn't have the time to debate why ask Kakashi began talking.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, tomorrow we're going to start intense training. You're teamwork is working well, and you each have your own strengths. This means I'm going to start training each of you in your strengths along with getting the advanced basics of genin down, got it?"

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto and Sakura said. Sasuke just did his familiar, "Hn."

Kakashi nodded. "Get a good night's rest then." However, the room then went back into the awkward silence they were in before Kakashi talked. This allowed Kakashi to actually ponder his thoughts.

'Their teamwork is working well, I can't deny that. Even after that happened they still can work together solidly when needed, as they demonstrated against Zabuza. However, for their teamwork to truly get better and me to start teaching them advanced stuff they need to learn to trust each other again.'

Kakashi sighed as everyone finished eating their food.

"Well I'm off to bed," Tazuna said.

"As am I," Sakura and Tsunami said.

Sasuke just stood and walked towards his room, and Inari just vanished from sight the second he finished his food, as if he didn't even exist. Naruto yawned and waved to Kakashi who waved back and sat down on the couch once everyone had turned the lights off. He was fine with being in the dark, it was a ninja's best asset and also there worst nightmare, yet he wouldn't have to worry about attacks.

'Zabuza is still alive,' Kakashi thought as he thought back on what happened during the battle with Zabuza.

'I was too tired to realize at the moment, but the hunter-nin wasn't real. Hunter-nin are supposed to cut off the head and burn the body immediately when they kill it, yet this hunter-nin did not do that. He took the body with him, plus senbon are not used to kill but to paralyze. He could have put Zabuza in a death-like state to fool me. Zabuza is alive. I'd give us a week at the least before Zabuza's ready to come back and attack the bridge builder, and next time he'll bring that fake hunter-nin. I need to get them ready for that fake hunter-nin, or this mission may end up being worse than what happened with Obito and Rin.'

XxX

Kakashi was about to go to bed when a scream shot through the house from Naruto's and Sasuke's room, as Kakashi had volunteered to sleep on the couch. Kakashi shot into the room as fast as he was able, finding Naruto screaming with his hands clutching his heads and everyone in the household in the room. Naruto kept mumbling unintelligible things as Kakashi walked in.

"Sasuke what happened," Kakashi ordered.

"I don't know. One minute I'm sleeping and the next Naruto's screaming wakes me up. He was screaming about how their faces are haunting and their screaming…something along those lines anyways."

Kakashi nodded. He now had an idea of what was going on and knew how to fix it. He walked up to Naruto and put a hand on his shoulder before turning back to the others.

"Would you all leave please? I need to talk with Naruto for a moment."

They nodded but kept walking, although Sakura and Sasuke shot a look at their teammate before they left. It was easy for Kakashi to see that they were worried about him, despite the transgressions that had happened between the trio.

Kakashi clutched Naruto's shoulder a little harder. "Naruto."

Naruto stopped his screaming and looked up at Kakashi, tears in his eyes.

"K-Kakashi-sensei."

"Hey Naruto. Care to explain what's wrong?"

Naruto's eyes began to water as tears fell from them, and he clutched his knees.

"Those two people that I thought killed you. They're…they're alive…they're in my dreams. They keep screaming things…screaming about torture and reliving it over and over again. They…they…they're insane. They keep saying piercer…murderer…slammer, it's it's," Naruto had to pause his explanation as he began to shake in fear again.

Kakashi gently put his hand on top of Naruto's head, causing the boy to look at him.

"I'm going to tell you right now that those people are not alive, they are dead, I saw them die. I'm going to be blunt and say you killed them, that's right, what Sakura said is right, you are a murderer, those voices are correct."

Naruto began to shake, tears about to overflow, until Kakashi continued.

"But this is part of the job. Being a ninja involves death; you either kill or are killed in this world Naruto. Each ninja must go through this to mature, even I had to. I've killed before, and while it never was a pleasant experience I did it because it was my duty, I had to as I had to protect the people I cared about."

"But how do you act so…so…okay with yourself," Naruto asked.

"As you've probably noticed, a lot of the jonin have weird habits. Me, reading my books, Guy, acting…eccentric…Anko acting sadistic or even Ibiki's cold, uncaring demeanor, all of us have our quirks. We use these quirks to help us cope. Everyone has something they use to help them cope with killing people. They use this to ignore the fact that they have other people's blood on their hands."

"So I have to find something to help me cope?"

"Yes, whether it is immersing yourself in training so you can defeat people without killing them, or playing ninja with kids, you need to find something that helps you move past this. I can help you when we get back to Konoha."

Naruto frowned. "What will I do until then?"

"Force them away. You're strong Naruto, and I believe in you. You can do it. Plus, thinking about things that make you happy tends to help."

Naruto nodded and Kakashi walked over to the door.

"Oh yeah, Naruto, as a word of warning, don't ever, ever enjoy killing people. It makes you no better than a demon, which you are not."

With that Kakashi left the room.

Hey guy's it's Kuma Akuma. It's really late, but I decided to get this chapter out anyways. I just finished typing it actually, and checking it. Sigh, I'm so tired and just heard gunshots near my house. It's like 1 am...why am I up!? Anyways, I'm just now realizing this is one of my darker arcs, or I guess you could call it my darkest fic in general. That's funny, considering it's already matched The Story of Lightning and Wind, in popularity, and that's my most popular fic. I just thought it was weird because darker stories are usually are to get into. Not to say my story compete's with some other dark stories like, say, Introverted by Shadenight123. Go read that by the way, but when you do, be warned that the dark moments are incoming, in droves. I actually had to quit the fic as I would have ended up hating the Naruto verse entirely. He's a great writer though. Moving past helping other authors get famous, if you haven't go vote on my pole and send in OCs, as I will be using them. One's being introduced after this arc. Now, I have an announcement. As you may have noticed some of the jutsu haven't been underlined recently. I would like to say that this isn't my fault. When reading over my stories I noticed this and was surprised, as when I uploaded the chapter it said it was underlined, yet when I went back it wasn't. I was soooo confused. Well, I haven't found the problem, but I'm just no longer going to underline jutsu anymore. I don't know if you'll like it, but that's my choice. Interesting I know.

Also, I bet some of you are happy that you got to see Naruto's 'inner darkness,' slightly *cough* guests *cough* as some of you *cough* guests *cough* were asking for that badly. Well more of that will come, and things in this story that you may or may not like will come with them, along with the Gaara vs. Naruto fight, that will be majorly changed. Also, Sakura is getting beat down more in my fanfic. Do not get me wrong I don't hate her, I don't particularly like her, but I don't hate her and this is in no way a bashing. But, in my opinion someone must get broken down to get built back up better and stronger, and that's what's happening to her, only the broken down part right now. Her building will come soon.

You also got to see more into the SasSaku aspect of the story, as yes that is the secondary pairing. I always hated this pairing, yet always liked it too for some reason. Never got that. NaruHina will be starting soon, as you have seen Naruto has given up on Sakura. Of course he will have lingering emotions for her, as you can just say, "Screw her," overnight, but you catch my drift. That's all I have to say for now. See you guys later, and avoid the Earl.