Cries.

That was the first thing that could be heard from inside the hospital.

"Why?" Tsunade clenched her fist and banged it next to a body covered in white sheet. "Why?" She asked again, this time is louder. "WHY?"

"T-Tsunade-sama!" Shizune tried to calm her, only to find herself backing down and fell quiet.

On Tsunade's hand, there was the necklace of the first hokage. This cursed necklace… She thought to herself.

"Tsunade-sama-"

Once again… Tsunade's teeth gritted. The image of her younger brother and boyfriend came into her mind. "I really wanted to believe it this time, but why…"

Tears fallen down from her face just like waterfall. "…Why once again the curse landed…"

Tsunade stopped talking and began crying in silence. Kakashi was just staring at the body while laying his back on a wall, he only see the whole scene in silence. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. Obito, Rin… Minato-sensei…

I am sorry.

He knew sorry wouldn't do anything.

He is a failure. I failed again. He thought to himself. He thought he will make a team who will care for each other this time. No one else would do the same mistake as his, in this team. That was what he thought at first.

He was wrong.

Never did he think Sasuke would kill his own friend and comrade.

I am sorry.

I am sorry.

The word repeated over and over in his head.

Shikamaru was already out of the room. He couldn't take it inside. At first he thought he would stop crying by getting out of the room, but it didn't help at all. He continued crying. Two major injuries, One minor injury, and one death. Not only that, the mission was also a failure.

He was perfectly okay compared to the rest of his team.

Words couldn't describe what he was feeling that time.

'Sacrifice is an inevitable part of missions.' He remembered Temari's words when he was waiting for Choji and the rest of his teammates. Yeah, sure… He never expected someone to be actually dead in a mission he led. Moreover, it was the death of his own friend.

Shikamaru was never been that close with Naruto. He does not hate or like him. But he is his friend nonetheless. Shikamaru tried to stop crying, he felt cried enough for that day. But, he just couldn't… you know?

He wondered how he will explain this to the rest of the team.

It hurts so much.

"It would be too bothersome." He sobbed quietly.

Sakura was waiting.

Watching at the water's reflection does nothing special, but she did that anyway; standing on the bridge while watching her own face on the water. Stop frowning, you idiot. She told herself in her mind. They will come back, right? Both Sasuke and Naruto. She told herself.

The image of her friends fighting on the top of hospital was still in her head. She held herself back from crying. She already cried enough. Naruto will bring Sasuke back, she tried to believe that. Sakura didn't cry, but she didn't feel like smiling either. She never thought it would come to this…

Both Sasuke and Naruto are her friends. She liked both of them. Sure, she 'liked' Sasuke more than Naruto, but that is another topic, right? Still, it is hurt to see both of your friends fight. Ahem, the love of your life and your close friend fight- either way, they're both precious for her.

She wondered if time would ever turn back to the time they were laughing together. Please, oh just please… let us just be friends altogether again.

Sakura remained in silence. She stared at her own reflection…

I couldn't do anything…

"Sakura!" Ino called, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked up, wondering what she is up to. "It looks like everyone's back!" Ino told her. "Come on now, let's go to the hospital!"

A little hope sparked in Sakura's eyes. Sasuke and Naruto are back, she told herself. Ino knew very well how hurt Sakura is at that moment. Seeing the spark on Sakura's eyes, she smiled. Don't worry, everything is going to be alright. Ino wanted to tell her that, but words were not what she needed that time. The two headed right to the hospital. It will be alright

…Right?

The two has parted at the hospital, with Ino telling Sakura that she was off to see Choji. Sakura was going to see Sasuke and Naruto. She had asked some shinobi who passed by where the returned team were. She was informed that Kakashi and some ninjas gathered in one particular room ever since Kakashi got back. Thinking they were possibly Naruto and Sasuke, she headed to the room they talked about.

Hearing how they said the ninjas were gathered there, she only can imagine the room was filled by laughter and smiles.

.

.

.

"Heh, I just got you back, how's that feel?" Naruto pointed at Sasuke, laughing.

"Hmph, don't feel proud of yourself, Usuratonkachi." Sasuke said his usual remark.

"Come on you two," Tsunade said. "Don't go and worry all of us like that again!" She gave a small nudge at both of their heads and they laughed together.

"Don't worry, it's always been like that," Kakashi said as he looked up from his book.

"How troublesome," Shikamaru commented. "Never make us worry like that again, Sasuke-kun."

"Yeah. We always can get some food together." Choji said.

"You are all about food, Choji!" Ino stated.

"Come on, it's good that you are friends for life. Just like me and Akamaru!" Kiba said, with Akamaru barking in response.

"I…I'm glad you're back with safety, Naruto-kun…" Hinata said, blushing.

"Haha, thanks Hinata!" Naruto laughed. "I did kick some sense to Sasuke's ass, anyway!"

"Tch, I can fight and beat you anytime. Let's have a proper match next time." Sasuke said, crossing his arms as he pouted.

"Hehe, knock it off, you two." Tenten said, smiling. They are all laughing again.

"Oh well, fighting is the sign of the springtime of youth!" Lee said excitedly.

"I am glad you worried about us, Hinata-sama." Neji commented.

"Hey, you guys still hadn't forgotten me, right?" Shino commented.

All of them… laughing.

.

.

.

It was just a thought, Sakura thought. It could be true. They are just at the back of the door. She came to the door closer, wanting to open it.

"Naruto,…" she called. "Sasuke-kun…"

Only then, when she was about to open it, she overheard some things from the inside. It was no laughter… oh well, it was a wish after all. But it was not a serious talk or something like that either… What she heard was crying noises.

Her eyes widened in shock. Her mind only asked one word: 'Why?'.

What happened?

"Tsunade-sama,…" Shizune's words could be heard. Her voice was rather weak, Sakura could tell she was crying as well. "It's enough. We have to work." The words that came after that really blown Sakura's mind. "…Naruto is gone, stop crying over that boy..." Shizune's voice cracked once again. "…okay?"

Sakura's legs felt limp, she fell down in front of the door. She just told herself to not cry. Her eyes stared at nothingness. This is a joke. This is a joke. Right, Naruto? You are joking. Just like always…

RIGHT?!

Her eyes got watery, she still don't want to believe that fact.

"What's done is done." Kakashi's voice then heard from inside the room. "Sasuke killed Naruto and left," He said. "The chidori went through his heart and killed him in an instant. There is a hole on his chest…" Then Kakashi's voice fell quiet.

Sakura couldn't believe what she just heard. Naruto is dead… Sasuke killed him… Sasuke left… Naruto is gone… Naruto… Naruto!

Ino walked through the hallway, just returned from visiting Choji. She wanted to go visit Naruto next, and surprised to see Sakura in the hallway. "Sakura?" She asked. "Why are you here?" She noticed the expression on Sakura's face. "What's wrong?"

"U…Uu…Uuh…." Sakura trembled, trying not to cry.

"What- What happened?" Ino started to worry. How bad is Naruto and Sasuke's injuries? She was tempted to open the door to see, but there was Sakura in the way. She got closer to her and the door, and then catching some talk the elders were talking about.

"Death is a thing that is us, shinobi, used to." Kakashi's voice could be heard. "…Sure,… I never expected Sasuke to kill off Naruto as well, either…"

Ino's eyes widened in shock this time.

Uzumaki Naruto… dead?

Ino couldn't believe that. Uchiha Sasuke killed him? But why? Ino stayed still on her place. Sasuke…

"U…Uuuuh…. N-Naru…Uuuuh…." Sakura sobbed, finally letting her tears out. Ino reached her and hugged her, "Sakura…"

Both of them knew how that felt.

"Ino…!" Sakura hugged Ino and let out all her emotions. She cried loudly. Ino felt tears coming out from her eyes. The two girls cried in front of the death room of their friend. Who would've expected that to happen at that very moment?

From inside the room, Kakashi noticed Sakura and Ino who were crying outside. He stared at the door, remembered the time when the team he is holding was becoming genin, and then the time when they went to chunnin exam together.

You are my proud team. He told them that. They cared for each other deeply… there is no way you would go into the same state as me.

Kakashi's head bowed down. He turned his back on Naruto's body. He started to tremble.

After he had been holding that straight, unmoving face for so long… Hatake Kakashi finally let his tears slide out of his eyes.

.

.

Death is something that happens every day

Why would it still so hurt each time?

Whoaaa I didn't think this fic would get notification at such a short time, and it was just the prologue! Thank you so much!

Call me crazy or what, but I am currently in crazy mood with this fic =w='' I really hope I can finish this… but I don't know.

Thanks a bunch for the supports! I hope you liked the first chapter! As I said, the story will later focus around Sasuke. I hoped I did the characters good… I am really sorry if any of them if OOC or the scenarios are off or something.

I am still tempted to call this Sasuke Shippuden tho' :v

But after all, I hope you liked it! Review is highly appreciated ^^ See you next time!