A/N: Written for the /r/NarutoFanfiction writing prompt challenge #18 (you can see the other entries at redd dot it slash 55mzto). "Naruto loses control under the influence of the Kyuubi's chakra and accidentally kills Sasuke."
-O-
Naruto stumbled back, staring with wide eyes at the bloody pulp that used to be his best friend. He threw his head back and screamed, and the red chakra that had just retreated burst out again. One, two, three tails danced at his back as he turned back towards Konoha. He tore through the forests and fields, revenge the only thing on his mind.
The first thing they noticed was the sound - a horrible, high-pitched keening that set nerves on edge and made even seasoned veterans look around in fear. The second thing they noticed was an explosion ripping apart the thick walls. And with that, an oppressive chakra that was last felt thirteen years before was back.
Wave upon wave of shinobi threw themselves at the beast, returned once more from their deepest nightmares. There were no bodies - anything the Kyuubi's chakra touched was scorched away. In the end, it took two of the Sannin working together and the death of Danzo Shimura to destroy the vessel and seal the Kyuubi away once more.
Whispers of what had happened soon spread. Madness, some called it - to snap so thoroughly from the death of a friend was rare indeed in the shinobi world, where retiring at forty was considered a long and successful career. Love, others said, for that was not uncommon amongst genin teams. Hate, still more people claimed. And would it not be fitting that a creature of hate, sealed in hate, was called forth once more for the same reason?
Nobody mentioned the two other most famous Konoha traitors. Some names held too much weight, even years afterwards, to be used lightly, or at all.
Neverthelss, two weeks later, Itachi Uchiha entered Konohagakure. He killed the guards protecting the new jinchuriki and set the Kyuubi loose again. There weren't enough defenders to handle it, and soon trails of civilians were desperately fleeing the ruins of their old homes, running for the treeline as behind them Konoha burned. Jiraiya fell first, and Tsunade followed him soon after, in a desperate rearguard action.
-O-
"...and so I came here," the shadowy figure finished its report. "I know that it wasn't what you had planned to happen after the defection, but I hope you are satisfied nevertheless."
"Oh yesss," Orochimaru hissed. "I am very... satisfied. You have done well, Sasuke."
"It was easy. Naruto never did manage to figure out how to break genjutsu." Sasuke smiled, malice to rival Orochimaru's glinting in his eyes.
