We All Have to Die

"So, everyone is here?" asked Shikaku as Natsu finally made it to the meeting spot.

"Sorry for running late," said Natsu, out of breath.

"This is diplomat Roku-san," continued Shikaku as if Natsu never said anything. A tall man in tan robes stepped forward. He was an older gentleman with no hair and gray eyes. He looked at the Genin with a slight smile. "We will be escorting him back to Suna."

"Right," said the other three.

"These are my students; Haruka Uchiha, Hana Inuzuka, and Natsu Ryuu," said Shikaku as he looked at Roku.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all," replied Roku with a bow.

"Let's get going."

The five walked outside of the gate. Hana led the group as her nose and the noses of her ninken would be able to smell an enemy coming. Haruka walked behind her with Roku due to her close combat abilities. Shikaku and Natsu followed behind since they were long range.

"It should take us about a week to get there. We will spend a few days there and then come back," said Shikaku to the group.

"We get to explore?" asked Natsu with a smile.

"Is that all you care about?" asked Hana with a laugh.

"Roku-san, what type of enemies do you think we will see on this trip?" asked Haruka after some time. The group had been walking for a few good hours.

"Mostly bandits, but recently their have been reports of rogues in the area, so there is a possibility of meeting up with them," said Roku as they walked.

"Do you know who?" asked Shikaku as he tried to make plans in case there was a meeting.

"A few ninja from Suna who defected. I know they are wind nature and use fans," said Roku as he scrunched up her eyebrows in thought. Shikaku made a humming noise.

"Hopefully we wont have to worry about them, but its better to be prepared then not have a plan at all," said Shikaku as he looked up at the sky. "Remember, as ninja, we must always be ready. I expect the three of you to be on alert at all times. Though we might not run in to them, there is still a chance that we might."

"Right," said the three students.

'This should be a good mission. It should help me focus on my thoughts,' thought Haruka to herself. She then started to lightly blush. 'I can't believe Itachi confessed to me. We even kissed! I feel so happy about it!'

"Three people, incoming. They're ninja, don't smell that strong," said Hana, breaking everyone's thoughts.

"Get in formation," said Shikaku as they all got ready. Not even a few seconds after getting in formation, three rouge ninja appeared. All were dressed in all black and it was impossible to tell them apart from each other. Their faces were covered completely except for their eyes.

"Well, well, what do we have here? Three brats, an old man, and a ninja," laughed one of the men as they surrounded the group.

"Troublesome," said Shikaku as he used his Shadow Possession to stop the man behind him. Natsu quickly reacted and killed the man.

Hana sent her ninken to attack the other two while Haruka stayed and protected Roku. In just a few minutes, the other two men were dead.

"Well that was easy," said Haruka, uncaring. 'Staples!'

"They were amateurs. We might face stronger opponents later," said Shikaku as he grabbed the bodies and put them together. He then nodded to Haruka.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Haruka lit the bodies on fire, destroying them.

"Let's go."

The group continued to walk until night fall. They then put together a camp for the night.

"I'll take first watch," said Haruka to the others over the dinner they had made. Natsu had caught a wild hog and, with the help of Shikaku, skinned and cooked it.

"I'll take second, then Natsu, finally Hana," replied Shikaku.

After they finished eating they went to sleep with Haruka watching.

'I need to stay alert, but I need to think about everything that has happened so far and what might happen,' thought Haruka as she sat up on the branch of a tree.

'So far, everything has followed the plan of what was supposed to happen. Or, at least, what I think I know should have happened. Though, I know for a fact, I wasn't in it. I also don't know about Michiru. Could we change things? There are so many factors I don't know about. When I get back, will the massacre happen?

'He told me he loved me. Can that change things?' question Haruka as she blushed. She then shook her head and focused back on her surroundings. She continued to split her mind between paying attention to her surroundings and thinking about everything going on with her clan.

"What are you thinking about?" asked a Shikaku after some time. He had woken up an hour early, shocking Haruka.

"Sensei," asked Haruka in shock. 'Why is he up early? Nara's never wake up early.'

"You've seemed troubled," he replied as he moved to sit next to her on a tree.

'What should I tell him? I can tell him I think something is wrong with the clan, that should put me in a good light, right?'

"I'm worried about my clan," said Haruka as she looked toward the sky.

"Oh?"

"It just seems like everyone is angry now a days. I never know why. I know there has been a few clan meetings, but I'm never around to go to them. From what my mom has told me, they are simply talking about outer clan relations."

"Outer clan relations?" asked Shikaku as he looked at his student.

"Relations with other clans, with the village, so on and so forth," said Haruka as she then snorted. "When we first became a team, Fugaku-san told me that I had to show you that I am good for something since I couldn't graduate earlier than the other students. He said that I represented the clan, so I had to show that I was the best. I had to make you think that you were lucky to have me on your team.

"It's so stupid since you're so smart. Why would you care if an arrogant Uchiha was on your team? In all honesty, I just wanted my team to like me for me. Not because of my clan or my abilities, but because they like me for me."

"You wanted to be with people your age, didn't you," said Shikaku with a smirk. "You remind me of me, in a way. You put in effort, more than I did or my son does, but you make sure to make it seem like you are doing all you can. You didn't want the pressure that comes with being a genius. You want to be you," he said as he looked at her.

"Itachi told me not to push it. I saw his stress. Shisui-nii told me the same thing. They were afraid of what would be expected of me."

"That's good of them. They care," he said as Haruka smiled with a blush.

"Yeah." She said as she looked toward the side.

"Go to sleep. I'll take watch now," he said as he lightly hit her back.

"Don't fall asleep," she laughed as she jumped onto the ground and took his sleeping bag.

"Yeah, yeah," he replied as he watched her. She fell asleep in a few minutes.

'She's a smart girl. Those boys were right to tell her not to push it,' he thought as he glared at the sky. 'The Uchiha's are angry. About what? I know they started to get mad about how they were forced to move. The only question I have is if they are going to use that anger against us.

'If so, then where will she fall into this? I can tell she isn't a part of anything. Hopefully, if anything does happen, I can get her out of it before it gets to bad. A Nara protecting an Uchiha. Who would of ever of thought that?'

~A Week Later~

The group had finally made it to Suna with little trouble. They had encountered a few more bandits and minor rogues, but other than that, there were no problems.

"Thank you for the escort," said Roku with a bow once the group walked into the village.

"No problem," said Shikaku with a drawl. He then turned to his team. "You guys go to the inn and I'll meet you there. I need to go meet with the Kazekage."

"Yes Sensei," said the three as a Suna Chunin directed them toward the inn.

~At The Inn~

"Man, what a tiring mission!" said Natsu as he laid on the floor of their room.

"Yeah, but I feel like we learned a lot so far," said Hana with a smile as she set out food for the Haimaru brothers.

"That's true. And we still have to go back and who knows how that's going to go. We might still run into those rouge ninja that Roku-sand was telling us about," said Haruka as she sat on a couch. She then sighed and got up. "I guess I'll make dinner. I have supplies for it. I didn't want to spend extra money here if I can."

"Yes! I love your cooking!" said Hana with stars in her eyes. 'I can't wait to rub it in Kiba's face!'

"YES!" yelled out Natsu as Haruka walked toward the kitchen to start cooking. 'FOOD!'

"Why are you so excited?" asked Shikaku as he walked into the room, looking at Natsu like he was crazy.

"Haruka is making us food!" he said with a bright smile.

"Ah," was all he got as a reply.

~After Dinner~

"That was really good, Haruka," said Shikaku as the group sat at the table.

"Thanks! I already decided that when I become a Jonin, I'm gonna make sure that me team can cook and kick ass! That way they will never need a man and can kick his ass when needed!" said Haruka with a smirk, scaring Natsu. Shikaku laughed.

"Well, hopefully you will have my son's future wife on your team."

"Well, then he better get ready to have his ass kicked!" she said with a laugh.

"Poor men," laughed Hana.

"Anyway," said Shikaku as he rolled his eyes, "I've decided that we will be leaving tomorrow morning."

"What! I thought we were supposed to stay for a few days," complained Natsu. 'All the food I could have tried.'

"The Kazekage wants us to leave as soon as possible."

"Why?" asked Haruka with her head tilted to the right.

"Some problems with the village and he doesn't want us involved. Said something about how he doesn't want us to feel hassled to help. It fine with me, the sooner we leave, the sooner I can go home and nap."

'Of course,' thought the three Genin with a sweat drop. The ninken also had sweat drops.

'I wonder if these are some of the problems that cause the invasion during the Chunin exams in a few years,' wonders Haruka.

"Let's go to sleep and we will leave in the morning. What a drag, we have to leave so early," he said with a sigh as he got up and took his dishes to the kitchen.

"I'll wash the dishes," said Hana as she also got up and gathered the rest of the dishes.

"Time to sleep!" said Natsu with a smile as he got up and walked to one of the rooms. The one he was going to share with Shikaku.

"Night," said Haruka as she also stood up and walked to the room she would be sharing with Hana and the ninken.

'I'll take a shower and then go to bed,' she thought as she took out her sealing scrolls and got some clean cloths.

~The Next Morning~

"It should be a shorter journey," said Shikaku as his team got to the gates of the village.

"Yes! I can't wait to get home," said Natsu.

"The good thing is that I managed to get a souvenir for Kiba," said Hana.

"When did you have time for that?" asked Haruka with a raised eyebrow.

"I have my ways," said Hana with a grin.

"Right?" said Shikaku as he also raised an eyebrow, though he did look impressed.

"Lets go!" yelled Natsu, impatiently.

"Troublesome. Alright, let's go."

"Right!" said the other three as the ninken barked in agreement. They then took off.

"I want to make it to the forest as soon as possible, then we can rest. It's a drag to camp in the sand," said Shikaku after a while.

"Agreed!" said Natsu with a smile.

"It's going to be so hard to clean this sand from the Haimaru brothers' fur," complained Hana.

"Or to get it out of our hair," said Haruka with a sigh.

"You want to know what I'm excited for? To see the kids in the orphanage. It's been a while," said Natsu.

"You really miss them, don't you," asked Hana with a smile. Natsu nodded.

"I always try to make time for the kids. I want to help them become ninja. Since I was in the orphanage, I can really relate to a lot of them," said Natsu with a found smile, causing the others to have smiles, or in Shikaku's case, smirk, in return.

"Well, after we get back, you guys can take a week's rest. I'm going to be doing something for my clan, so I won't be able to take you guys out on missions. Though, I would like you guys to train for the Chunin exams," said Shikaku as they continued to run.

"Yes!" said Haruka and Natsu in excitement.

"I'll have mom train with me more," said Hana as the Haimaru brothers barked in agreement.

The three Genin talked about how they would train for the Chunin exams. They talked in excitement for a few hours as Shikaku smirked. He was happy that his students seemed so dedicated, though he would probably be taking a nap when they trained.

The group seemed at peace as they neared the forest when Hana got quite, causing the other two to stop talking and look at her.

"What's wrong, Hana?" asked Haruka, causing Shikaku to glance at them.

"Someone is up at ahead," is all she said.

"One person?" asked Shikaku as he moved closer to them.

"I don't know," said Hana as she narrowed her eyes. The Haimaru brothers barked and whined. "We can't tell for sure. It's like they're blocking their sent and presence in general."

"Troublesome," mumbled Shikaku. "Get ready for an attack. These might be those rouges Roku-san told us about."

"Right," said the other three as they got ready by making sure they could access their weapons fast enough.

They reached the forest and continued to run for a few minutes when several ninja appeared and started to attack. They're seemed to be a total of 20. 14 went after Shikaku while the rest split into two and went after the Genin.

"Shit!" was all Team Four heard from their Sensei as they were all separated. "Fight and meet back as soon as possible!"

'Fuck!' thought Haruka as she activated her Sharingan and put her hand on her sword to draw it out. She was forced to run in the opposite direction from her teammates.

"An Uchiha," said one of the ninja. He had red hair and red eyes. He wore an all dark blue outfit and smirked at the teen.

"Think about all the fun we could have with her!" said the other ninja as he looked at Haruka with perverted eyes. He had black hair and brown eyes. He wore an outfit similar to the other man.

"More like I'm going to have fun taking you assholes out!" said Haruka as she attacked with her sword.

The three fought harshly. But luckily for Haruka, her Sharingan helped her big time. She managed to see the attacks before they could land a critical hit to her, though she still did get a few cuts.

'I need to end this soon and make it back to the team,' she thought as she dodged another attack. 'There!'

She swung her sword as she went pass the two men, severing their heads from their bodies.

"Now to get to the others," she said out loud as she looked at the bodies. She was about to go when a third man appeared in front of her. 'Shit! I don't have time to dodge!'

The man was about to swing his ax down on her when a kunai hit him in the head, killing him and causing his body to fall backwards.

"What would you do without me?" asked Natsu as he appeared behind his friend. Haruka laughed.

"What about the others?" asked Haruka as she turned to her friend.

"Hana went to help Sensei while I looked for you. We should head back."

"Right," said Haruka as she went to move, only to notice a figure in a mask. "Another one?"

"Shit," said Natsu as he got ready to fight. The figure, who they thought was male, wore all black and had on an Orange mask with stripes. His hair was dark and long.

"Who are you?" asked Haruka. 'Wait a minute! Isn't that Obito? Or could it just be a coincident?'

The two worked together to fight the man, but he blocked their attacks without so much as a care. He played with them.

"Is that the best you can do?" said the man as he blocked another attack. He was about to say something else when he was attacked by shuriken.

"Haruka! Natsu!" yelled Hana as she, her ninken, and Shikaku appeared.

"This man has to be at least Jonin level," said Haruka to Shikaku. He nodded.

"Get ready!" he said as he attacked. The others following behind him.

'He's playing with us,' though Shikaku as the man seemed to dodge easily. He even dodged Hana's Fang Over Fang technique.

'There!' thought Haruka as she used her sword to impale him, only for it to go right through him. It was like he was a ghost. 'It really is Obito!'

"Keep trying, little Uchiha," said the man as he threw everyone back.

"Damn it," said Natsu as he and Haruka were thrown in one direction while Shikaku and Hana where thrown in another, the Haimaru brothers following Hana.

"We can do this," said Natsu as he moved. "He's just one of those rouges."

"He's to powerful to be with them!" yelled Haruka at him. 'We need to retreat.'

"You're going down!" said Natsu as he ran forward to attack, ignoring what Haruka said.

"Natsu! Wait!" yelled Haruka, Shikaku, and Hana.

Haruka tried to run forward to stop him, but time seemed to slow down. No matter how much chakra she forced into her legs, she couldn't move fast enough. She watched in slow motion as the man in the mask gave no indication of caring and with movements to quick for Haruka's Sharingan to catch, he swung his sword and beheaded Natsu.

Team Four watched in shock as their friend and teammate's head flew from his body, his face in shock. His body landed next to the man, weapon still in its hand, ready to fight. His head rolled to a stop some feet away.

"Natsu!" yelled Haruka and Hana in shock as their eyes started to tear up.

The masked man watched Haruka as her eyes changed. They tomoe came together to form a pinwheel in her eyes. She had unlocked Magenkyo Sharingan.

"Back ups are always need," said the masked man. Haruka looked at him and held her sword strong as she held back her tears.

'I have to keep fighting. For Natsu!' she thought as she got ready to protect herself. Before the mask man could attack her, if that even was his intentions, she couldn't tell, when he froze.

"Shadow Possession, complete," said Shikaku with a grimace as he completed his technique.

"Perhaps, it is time I left," said the masked man as looked at Haruka. His body then seemed to swirl and disappeared into a worm hole or something, shocking the others. Once he was gone, Haruka dropped to the group, crying.

"Haruka!" yelled Shikaku as he ran to her. Hana followed him after collecting herself. Once in front of her friend, she cried.

"I tried to stop him, but he attacked," cried Haruka as Hana held her.

"Shit," said Shikaku as he looked at the body of his only male student. 'Who was that man? He definitely had a lot of power. This shouldn't have happened. He seemed fixed on Haruka, though.'

"I'm going to collect his body and then we can leave. We will keep going to the village, no stops," said Shikaku as he walked toward Natsu's body. "I'm sorry I wasn't fast enough."

"Th-there's a lake a little fr-from here," said Hana with a stutter.

"Le-let's go," said Haruka as the two walked away, the Haimaru brothers following with sad whines.

'Those girls.' Thought Shikaku as he collected Natsu's remains. "I'm sorry."

~A Few Days Later~

"Welcome back," said one of the Chunin at the gate. He glanced at them and was about to ask about their missing member when Shikaku glared at him.

"Your team need to report to the Hokage-sama, immediately," said the other Chunin.

"The kids," started Shikaku, only to be cut off.

"Hokage-sama's orders. Your team must report as soon as you enter the village."

"Shit. Fine," said Shikaku as he looked at his team. "Let's go."

"What about Natsu?" asked Hana.

"I will take care of it," said the first Chunin, accepting the scroll that contained Natsu's body and then leaving.

Team Four then walked to the Hokage's tower.

"I promise you guys that after this, you will have a break," said Shikaku as he lead the them to the tower, but he noticed something weird. 'Why is everyone watching us?'

They traveled in silence, all the while Shikaku tried to figure out what was going on, his students were simply looking at the ground as they walked. The Haimaru brothers following slowly.

Once at the Hokage's tower, the climbed the stairs. The secretary saw them and was about to say something, when she noticed Haruka and her eyes widened.

"Please, go ahead and see the Hokage-sama," said the women.

'Haruka? Why was she shocked to see her?' thought Shikaku as they walked to the door. He knocked and waited for a voice to tell him to enter. Once given the okay, he and his team walked in to see the Hokage sitting at his desk with paperwork on it. He was smoking from his pipe,

"Shikaku-san, I'm happy to see you're back," said the Hokage with a smile, though that turned into a frown when he noticed one member missing. "What happened to Natsu Ryuu?"

"He's dead," said Shikaku as he glanced at the girls who simply looked at the ground. "We encountered some rogues when on the way back, but the man who killed Natsu wasn't a part of them. I believe he might have wanted Haruka."

"Haruka?" said Hana in shock.

"It's my fault?" whispered Haruka in shock.

"No, my dear, it's not. But I fear I might know why he had an interest in you," said the Hokage as he looked at the Uchiha girl in sadness.

"What do you mean?" asked Haruka as she narrowed her eyes. 'What could he know about Obito?'

"I'm afraid there was an incident while you were away."

"An incident?" asked Hana in confusion, her ninken moving closer to the girls.

"Sir?" asked Shikaku in confusion.

"A few days after you left, Itachi Uchiha massacred the Uchiha clan," said the Hokage, cutting to the chase.

"Wh-what?' said Haruka in shock as she dropped to her knees. Hana followed her. 'I thought I had more time. Why would he do it after only telling me that he loved me.'

"I know this is hard for you, after just losing a teammate and now finding out about this, but do you know of any reason why Itachi would do this?" asked the Hokage, seriously.

"She couldn't know!" said Hana in anger, her ninken growling. "He just told her he loved her the day before we left!"

"Did he?" asked the Hokage in shock.

"He told me we were going to go on a date. He even asked my mom," said Haruka with as she cried. 'I know it was going to happen, but not so suddenly. I thought there would be more time. And Natsu is gone too! What type of fucked up world is this!'

"Where there any survivors?" asked Shikaku as he looked at the Uchiha girl in sadness. 'She doesn't deserve this.'

"Two survivors," said the Hokage as he also looked at Haruka with sadness in his eyes. 'I have failed you child. I am sorry.'

"Two?" asked Haruka in shock, eyes wide. 'Sasuke and who else?'

"His younger brother Sasuke Uchiha and an orphan by the name of Michiru Uchiha."

"Sasuke and Michiru are okay?" said Haruka as she stood up. "I-I have to go to them. They're probably so scared."

"They stayed in the hospital. They're together right now. But Haruka, I need to ask you something important; are you willing to take care of them," said the Hokage. He was about to say more when Haruka cut him off.

"I will take care of them. I need to see them. Then I need to cl-clean the compound," said Haruka as she looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"You realize that it will be a lot of work."

"I know that and I'm willing to take care of them. We need family," said Haruka as she stared the Hokage down. Shikaku sighed and turned to the Hokage.

"I'll take her to hospital," he said as he walked to her. He nodded at Hana.

"I'll go home and ask my mom to if she cans end clan members to help clean up," she said as she stood up, pulling Haruka with her.

"I already had some AMBU clean up, for the most part, all that need to be done is fixing some things. I'll send some people to help," said the Hokage as he nodded at the group. "I would like your report by the end of the week, Shikaku."

"Right," said the Nara.

"Thank you," said Haruka as she bowed. 'I have to be strong for those two. No matter what.'

Team Four then left the building, far more broken then they would have ever thought possible.