A/N: Thanks again to those lovely people who reviewed! I love you dearly! As usual, the chapter is dedicated to the reviewers, who know who they are. Also, I had a comment saying that said people aren't too keen on first person, thankyou for your views! Please take the poll on which view you prefer (1st, 2nd, 3rd) so I'll know what thew vast majority think. Depending on the most popular choice I'll edit my writing, it's no problem :)

Death

"Finally, I think this blasted fog is lifting" Tazuna said, sighing with relief, this must be a good sign, the sooner he could see clearly the safer he would feel. Sure, he didn't stand a chance against the assassin, but being able to see would make him feel better. You couldn't see your hand in front of your face a few minutes ago. Kita whined on the man's shoulder, her ears back and her eyes wide. In her little heart she knew that something bad was going to happen, something really bad.

"Momma..." she said softly. She knew it was to do with her dear Okaa-san too. She had a connection with her Momma and knew she was in trouble. She wished she was bigger, and then she might be of some use.

"Look they're standing still like they're squaring off!" Sakura cried, able to notice two silhouettes in the distance. There was no doubt in her mind that it was Zabuza and her sensei, and if Kakashi's still standing, then it must be a good sign. Especially if he's found Zabuza and the fogs lifting.

"Huh? I can't see a thing!" Tazuna cried. Peering through his glasses, his eyes not as sharp as the young kunoichi's.

"Which one's of them's Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked, her eyes narrowing in an identical way to Tazuna's. She was trying to see clearer; Zabuza was taller and more bulky, while Kakashi had his unique hair. She gasped suddenly, as she noticed one of the jonin running towards the other. "One of them's moving!" she cried. She desperately wanted to know what was happening, but daren't leave Tazuna's side. She knew if Zabuza was perfectly fine and Kakashi was seriously hurt she'd just get in the way. But it didn't stop her wishing she could do something. Sakura mentally slapped herself. She was protecting the client! What's more important than that?! Her eye's travelled in the direction of the ice-dome that was still shrouded by mist. Sasuke-kun…

Naruto charged clutching his kunai tightly, his knuckles pearly white. His teeth were clenched and his eyes were incredibly watery. Haku's eyes closed as a peaceful look spread across his face. He was sorry that it had to be Naruto and Kari, whom he had become fond of in the short time he had known them. But at least this way they would be able to set him free. He could go see his dear mother again. Haku gasped his eyes snapping open as a shock ran through his body. His heart froze in his chest, knowing what he had to do. Haku caught Naruto's kunai as the boy went to strike, his hazel eyes determined, lit with a fire few had seen.

"Sorry Naruto change of plan" Haku said, glancing into the mist as he raised his hand in a hand sign. "I'm not ready to die quite yet" He shot into an ice mirror so fast it was as though he suddenly disappeared. I had sensed Kakashi's attack and knew exactly what Haku was going to do. No way. I was not going to let Haku die. He didn't deserve this. With a burst of inner strength chakra pooled down my thigh until it reached my feet. With an inhuman burst of speed I hurtled towards Haku's doom, the world around me a complete blur.

A blast of wind came from the direction of the two jonin. Sakura cried out, her arms immediately rising to shield her face from the fierce winds.

"WHAT THE DEVIL?!" Tazuna cried holding tight to Kita so the little wolf didn't get blown away. With a horrifying shriek, Kita's voice rang over the sound of the fierce wind from the attack.

"MOMMAAAAAAA!!"

Blood splashed onto Kakashi and Zabuza and painted the floor a sickening red. The ninja hounds disappeared one by one in small poofs of smoke. Kakashi stared horrified at the sight before him.

Haku had jumped in front of Zabuza and Kari had dived in front of the Haku boy.

Kakashi's attack had gone straight through the small girl, leaving a gaping hole with burned, bleeding flesh around it and Kari being so small; his Raikiri had also gone half way through Haku. The attack had forced Kari into him and their lips had collided. They came apart and vomited blood, the red liquid soaking the fronts of their bodies. Haku grabbed one of Kakashi's arms, holding it in a vice like grip.

"Za...bu...za..." he whispered weakly, his voice hoarse.

"KAAARRIII!!" Sakura screamed, tears flying from her face. Tazuna stared in horror. She was so young, so, so young. She was only four years older than Inari, she's just a little girl… Kita was struggling against him crying out to her mother in desperation.

"OKAA-SAN! OKAA-SAN! MOMMA! MOMMAAAA!!"

"So my future is all used up huh? Wrong again Kakashi..." Zabuza said mockingly. The light slowly left the young boys eyes as he looked at me. A smile was on his beautiful face as he left this world, finally finding his freedom.

"Oro? Nani? Where'd they go?! Huh? Hey!?" Naruto whined in confusion, one moment Haku and Kari had been in front of him, the next; they were gone! "Huh? The fogs lifting!" Naruto cried in relief, looking around he noticed four shapes in the fog. "Wait is that them?" A trademark Naruto grin lit up his face and he ran towards the four figures. They've stopped; Kari must have talked sense into Haku. As the figures began to sharpen Naruto suddenly stopped in his tracks, his azure eyes wide.

"No... no... no... It can't be!" Naruto whispered. Kakashi had his hand through Kari and was also hitting Haku. It took a moment for Naruto's brain to register the scene in front of him. Blood… everywhere, EVERYWHERE! Haku's blood, Kari's blood!—Kari! Tears stung Naruto's eyes and a terrible pain shot through his heart. A horrible suffocating pain that filled him up and made him want to vomit. This wasn't happening, it couldn't be! Naruto's legs shook underneath him. If he didn't run towards them, then his legs would give way and he would fall to his knees. He needed to see her, but feared what he would see.

"N-NO! KAAARRIII!!" Naruto screamed, his hands flew to his face, he peered through his fingers his eyes wide. His usually warmly tanned face was the colour of fresh snow. She would be ok right? A week of resting and she'd be fine! All she needed was some bandages didn't she?! Naruto's hands went over his ears as he trembled from head to toe, tears sliding out from his eyes. No way… There was no way his Kari was dead.

"The boy threw himself in front of my attack! He saved your worthless life at the cost of his own… But Kari... I just don't understand" Kakashi said weakly. His squad member; dear sweet little Kari who could always bring a smile to his face, who though inexperienced persevered through her training showing incredible improvement, who dared to stand up to the Uchiha Sasuke when he put Naruto down, whose kindness became her downfall. His dear little apprentice, the warm-hearted kunoichi with potential to be a great ninja, she threw herself in front of his attack. She was smart enough to know what was going on, her high intelligence was near Sakura's though experience gave the pink-haired kunoichi the advantage. She proved her bravery and strength, her extreme loyalty. He had seen her struggle to shield Sasuke, even now he could see the lethal senbon sticking out of her body and the cuts that grazed her porcelain skin and tore her clothes. He had seen through the gap in the mirrors such hope, an innocent, childish smile that spread across her face when Naruto arrived. She fought so hard trying to protect everyone. But that's impossible… Now, she and the Haku boy, whom with her small hands she clutched for dear life, even in death holding tight to his kimono… they were undeniably dead...

Zabuza laughed maniacally, making Kakashi's stomach churn and his blood boil. How dare he laugh over the loss of his comrade! How dare he laugh over the loss of mine! Their children for Kami sake! Their lives had barely begun; Kari had told me on the way to the Wave country of how when she got back she was going to do so many things. She was innocent and naïve! How can he laugh over their death! It's sickening!

"Well done Haku" he said. I glared at him enraged. Did he have no heart whatsoever? He pulled out his sword, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI! KARI! WATCH OUT!" Sakura screamed, from somewhere in the distance. She must not have realised Kari can't hear her… Kakashi's eyes widened. Zabuza was going to hack through the boy who had just saved his life to take him down! And he'd go straight through Kari as well!

"I knew I found a treasure when I found you boy! You've not only given me your life, but Kakashi's as well!" Zabuza cried in delight. The grey-haired Jonin quickly put his arm round the boys back. As Zabuza attacked he jumped up with Haku and Kari. The kunoichi safely held between Haku's body and his own. Zabuza laughed again.

"Not bad for having two corpses in your arms!" Zabuza cried. Naruto took a step forward his fists so tight a light trickle of blood ran down his palms.

"You'll pay for that!" Naruto cried. "She's not dead do you hear me?!" There were tears in his eyes and my heart truly went out to him. He'd really bonded with the kind-hearted kunoichi, she accepted him in an instant, loving him like a brother until the end. Her time was far too short; Naruto never got a chance to really know her. It wouldn't be surprising if they had fallen in love at some point in their future. He cared so much about Kari. "SHE'S NOT DEAD!!" he screamed, he went to run at Zabuza, the young boys blue eyes flickering red for a mere moment.

"NO! Stay out of this Naruto!" Kakashi said angrily. He completely understood how Naruto felt, but I know Kari would never forgive me if something happened to him. She'd haunt me constantly, I'd never get a moments peace. This thought threatened for a smile to spread across the jonins face. She'd burn his books in front of him and wake him up in the middle of the night.

With a heavy heart Kakashi placed Kari and Haku on the ground next to each other, removing his bloodied arm from their bodies. They looked so peaceful; Kakashi's heart lurched noticing she was still holding onto Haku. Gently removing her hands, he instead placed one over Haku's so she could still feel him, the other lay over her motionless chest. Kakashi didn't see the need to check for a heartbeat, she was silent and had that horrible paleness. He pushed a strand of hair out of her face, his hand reaching out to caress the canine ear that had taken the place of her human ones, it was wolf-like and the exact colour of her honey hair. A tail lay limp out the bottom of her spine, coated in a thick layer of fur.

I guess she really was the jinchuuriki for the Torai-kenshi-yasha, the Tri-canine. Who would have thought? At least we vaguely know why she's a part of this world now.

Gently, Kakashi closed the two cold shinobi's eyes giving them a more peaceful expression. Kari's eyes were frightening so blank, that playful spark diminished. Both looked hollow and empty. They looked so fragile, so innocent. Yet at least no, they look at peace.

Kakashi stood, waves of chakra radiating off his enraged body. Zabuza will pay, that boy didn't deserve that fate and Kari certainly didn't. I'll show him what happens when he dares to kill Hatake Kakashi's team-mate.

"This is my battle! Zabuza's mine!"

"Naruto? NARUTO!!" Sakura cried waving to the blonde shinobi, relief washed over her face, a weak smile stretching her tear-stained cheeks. "Over here Naruto! Are you and Sasuke-kun all right?"

"Uh...um..." Naruto stumbled over his words unable to find the right thing to say. If he admitted Sasuke was dead to Sakura, then there's more chance Kari could have died. And Kari didn't die. But Sasuke... He was so still, he looked more peaceful and at rest that Naruto had ever seen. Even in sleep, Naruto doubted Sasuke would look so calm. And he was so pale, senbon sticking out of him and cuts, scratches and smears of blood across his face.

"What's wrong? Where is Sasuke-kun anyway?" Sakura asked, her smile weakening slightly as fear started to sink in. Naruto turned away, his shoulders shaking as he released soft sobs. "No... not Sasuke-kun too..." she whispered. Her emerald eyes widened in fear as tears pooled underneath them, threatening to spill over. It was as though her heart had been forcefully ripped out of chest. No way… not her Sasuke-kun. Naruto had simply made some sort of mistake.

"Sakura..." Kakashi said, his heart going out to the remaining kunoichi. To see Kari, who she had befriended dead before her eyes and then realising Sasuke, the one she cared for most, loved with all her heart had been taken away too… Even he found it hard to bear. But Sakura wasn't as strong as the other members of her team. Sasuke was cold and talented, he'd experienced horrors of the worst kind and had learnt to keep his emotions at bay. Naruto was too naïve and couldn't take things seriously, he was brave and confident and always looked on the bright side. Kari… he didn't know the extend of her past, but through the battles and pain she had suffered, he had never heard her cry out, and until the point he closed her unseeing eyes, he had never seen tears on her face. Sakura was known for intelligence, not strength. She, like most other girls is too sensitive at heart and struggles in the ways of the shinobi.

"Kakashi! I'd stay focused if I were you!" Zabuza cried, snapping me out of my mournful trance. He charged at the jonin, but powered by the pain of loss, Kakashi found new strength to avenge his squad and ruthlessly kicked Zabuza in the face.

"Sakura, you can't see Kari because it's dangerous in there, but I can take you to Sasuke. As long as we stay together you wont be disobeying your sensei's orders" Tazuna said softly, noticing the kunoichi's grief. She took his hand, finding comfort from the old man, her lip trembled violently and her voice was strained, but she had to be strong.

"Arigatou..." she whispered softly and ran towards Sasuke. She had to see him and see if he really was… If he really was gone. Grasping Tazuna's hand for all she was worth she passed Naruto, she could see the sorrow in his eyes and immediately knew Sasuke was dead, but she had to keep believing, she had to hold on to that small shred of hope.

"Sasuke..." Naruto softly croaked. Without a moment's hesitation Naruto ran in Kari's direction.

Sakura's eyes fell upon Sasuke's body. Her Sasuke-kun's dead body. With a shuddering gasp she fell to her knees beside him. He actually was... He and Kari both... She reached out with a shaking hand and gently touched his cheek.

He didn't scowl and brush her off, he didn't twitch in irritation and move away, he didn't even glare at her. His skin was icy under her touch, horribly pale, paler than usual. Sakura knew her Sasuke-kun. He was never this pale, even when he was sick with a fever that time a year or so a go. He shrugged it off and persevered through the academy, though his perfect kanji was a little sloppy, and his shuriken were ever so slightly off centre.

"His body's cold... this isn't just one of his genjutsu tricks is it?" Sakura said softly trying so hard to hold in her tears. She'd be able to tell if it was genjutsu, from all her studying on it. But… this was real. It wasn't just some horrible nightmare.

"Go on... you don't need to be brave on my account. Go ahead and let your feelings out Sakura it's all right" Tazuna said softly, making a movement to place a comforting hand on Sakura's shoulder, but stopped, not wanting to make her feel worse. He knew she needed to cry. Her voice was shaking, her shoulder quivering, her lip trembling and her eyes watery.

"I was the best… aced every test at the academy… the perfect student..." Sakura said, her usual chirpy voice now quiet and hollow.

"Hm?" Tazuna said, knowing she needed to talk, just to let her feelings lose.

"Did you know there are more than 100 principles of shinobi conduct?" Sakura's voice was starting to break. "I memorised every single one, I used to love it when they tested us on them... gave me a chance to show how smart I was. I remember so clearly this one exam, they asked us to explain the 25th principle; I got it right of course..." Tears started spilling down Sakura's face; she was unable to hold it in any longer. "A shinobi never shows his feelings no matter what the circumstances. Feelings are a weakness that only cloud his judgement and weaken his sense of duty..." some of her tears fell on Sasuke's face and still he made no movement. "Sasuke-kun!" With a heartbroken cry Sakura threw herself onto Sasuke's body and sobbed her breaking heart out.

Naruto fell to his knees beside Kari. Now he got a good look at her there was no mistaking it. She... She was gone. The tears streamed down his face as he bit his lip. He carefully raised the top half of Kari's body off the ground and held her to his chest. Her head lay underneath his chin, his salty tears falling into her golden hair. She was so cold, Naruto couldn't stand it. She shouldn't be this still, she shouldn't be this cold. She was my only friend... She can't be gone... First Sasuke... Now Kari... Why?


"Kari-chan" he sobbed, scrunching his eyes shut in agony as he slowly rocked back and forth. He embraced her tightly as sobs shook his body. Please… Please don't say that I'm alone again…