"Can you believe it my lady?" Shizune whispered, starting out the window. Tsunade looked up at her, her hands tucked beneath her chin. "It's been a year since our hero died." Shizune said, wiping a tear from her eye. There was knock at Tsunade's door, Sakura entered the room and sat down. "You called for me Tsunade?" she asked. "Yes Sakura, I've waited a year in light of the situation, but I think it's time we talk about your mission." Tsunade said. "I'm ready." Sakura said. "I have assembled a team for you consisting of Kakashi, Chouji, Kiba, Neji, and Shikamaru." Tsunade said, looking at Sakura, she had a smile on her face. "Just like our first Sasuke retrieval mission." Sakura whispered, wiping tears from her eyes. "There is no retrieval Sakura, you kill Sasuke Uchiha! That is the mission." Tsunade said, anger thick in her voice. "He will be dead, if I have to die trying." Sakura said. Tsunade walked to Sakura and wrapped her arms around her and let tears slip down her cheek. "Your team is waiting for you at the gate, good luck Sakura." Tsunade said. "Thank you my lady." Sakura whispered and left her office. The mission to kill Sasuke Uchiha was in full force.
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Sasuke and Naruto were training by the river, they had traveled far in the past year, they were high up in the mountains. Naruto had changed so much in the past year, replacing his orange jumpsuit with an orange and black cloak, an orange tank top, and black pants. His wrist were still wrapped up, hiding the scar, hiding the past.
"You've gotten so strong Naruto, so powerful." Sasuke said, tossing kunai's at him, Naruto blocking them all. "Couldn't have done it without you." Naruto smiled. Sasuke smiled back at him and walked up to him, brushing blonde locks from his face, something that had now become a habit. Sasuke leaned down slowly and kissed Naruto on the lips. Naruto broke away after a few seconds. "What's wrong?" Sasuke asked. "I have a feeling we are going to be having some familiar company soon." He said, looking at the sky. Sasuke took Naruto's hand and squeezed it. "We're ready." Sasuke smiled. Naruto smiled back and placed his head on Sasuke's shoulder.
/~***~\\\\\
Sakura and her team members jumped from tree to tree, they had been traveling for days now. Many leads were pointing towards the Village of Clouds. Sakura had a sinking feeling that they were going to seeing Sasuke soon. Akamaru was racing at the head of the group. "He's got Sasuke's scent!" Kiba yelled and they all leaped faster through the trees. "It's strong guys, he's also detecting one other scent that he can't identify." Kiba said. Sakura ran as fast as she could. "Sasuke has to know we are coming, he's smart, why would he only have one accomplice?" Kakashi asked. "They must be strong, we better watch our backs." Shikamaru said. "Agreed, it could be a lot more than we are expecting." Neji added in. "We just need to get to Sasuke, once he's dead, we leave." Sakura spat. They all nodded in agreement.
Akamaru stopped suddenly at the very edge of the forest, staring out at the river. They all looked around and then, the ground below them crumbled in an explosion. They all jumped backwards and stared ahead, waiting for the dust to clear. They readied themselves for battle.
When the dust finally cleared, they widened their eyes. Sasuke and Naruto were standing before them. Sakura was shaking, she had to steady herself with the tree behind her. "Naruto…" Sakura whispered. Naruto and Sasuke jumped down from the ledge on to the crumbled earth. "Hello Sakura." Naruto said. No one could speak, there was so much shock that they all froze. "Naruto…I thought…I thought you were dead!" she screamed. "That's what I wanted you to think." Naruto said. Sakura ran at Naruto, and Sasuke's sword came between them. "It would be wise not to come near me Sakura." Naruto said. Sakura just stared at him, tears in her eyes. "Sasuke…Naruto…" Kakashi whispered. "Hello sensei." Naruto smiled. Sasuke looked around at each of the ninja, his former friends. "Naruto, what happened to you?" Sakura pleaded. "Sasuke came to me one night a week after my suicide attempt, he told me of your plans to kill him, I didn't believe him. So, I found out for myself. I was devastated when I heard what you and Tsunade were talking about, I ran and ran and ran until I collapsed to the ground. Sasuke came to me again and asked me to join him, I quickly accepted the offer. So I faked my death in order to keep you off my tracks, but I see now that you were never going to abandon your plans to kill Sasuke." Naruto said, looking into her eyes. "You're a rogue ninja." Sakura couldn't believe that she was saying this about Naruto. "You abandoned your village, for him?! Him of all people, after all he's done to you, to us, to our village!" She screamed. "Can you say you wouldn't do the same…for the love of a friend?" Naruto said. Sakura was taken aback, she used that same phrase when she told Tsunade of the mission to kill Sasuke.
Nobody knew what to do. Everyone was in shock, everyone was hurt. "I think you've stunned them Naruto." Sasuke finally spoke. "I believe so." Naruto chuckled. A kunai came flying at Sasuke and Naruto threw one just as quickly to block the attack. "If you want to get to him, you'll have to go through me first." Naruto said. Sasuke drew out his sword, Naruto put his hand up. "Sasuke, remember your promise." Naruto said. Sasuke nodded and sheathed his sword. Naruto knew that no one would kill him, and they knew Naruto wouldn't allow them to hurt Sasuke. Kiba picked Sakura up off of the ground, she was hysterical. "I don't believe they are going to do anything my love." Sasuke said. "Let's go." Naruto said and took Sasuke's hand. Everyone looked at them as they disappeared into flames.