~*****~

Sakura's scream roused me from unconsciousness. 'Sakura!' I struggle to get back to my feet as Naruto tried again. Naruto fell to his side as Sasuke and I went over to him. "Naruto? Can you get up?" Sasuke asked.

"Try not to use anymore Chakra. That's only going to help him now." I coo, helping him sit up.

"I know guys, I know." Naruto strained out. He fell back down, and Sasuke deflected the senbon. I stood up, wanting to help. I pulled out my kunai and deflected what I could.

"He disappeared! Where'd he go!? How can he just disappear like that?!" Sasuke asked aloud. "Naruto, you better not pass out again! We can't do this by ourselves!" Sasuke snapped angrily. "Come on, let's go! We can't keep protecting you like this!"

"Well then don't! I never asked for your help!" Naruto strained out, falling backwards from attempting to get up.

"Naruto!" I yelped, catching him and laying him on my knees.

"You can't revive him." Haku droned. "He's reached his limits." Sasuke threw the senbon he held at the disappearing image of Haku. "Impressive. You have excellent moves. Your attacks are very skillful." Haku praises, throwing three senbon. Sasuke moves out of the way in time. "But you've reached your limits as well." Haku states, appearing before him. "Motor functions, reflexes. Judgement. Your abilities are weakening slowly, but surely. Now, you're finished."

'Here he comes!' I gaze up at Sasuke, getting ready to dodge. In a flash, Sasuke leans down, hoists both Naruto and I up and leaps out of the way. He set up down, panting lightly. I looked back up at him, feeling my cheeks start to warm up again. "Sh... Sharingan...." I mutter, gazing at those piercing red eyes.

Sasuke began to follow Haku's movements. I clenched my eyes shut as Haku moved in for the kill, but aiming at Naruto and I instead..... A familiar scent wafted up my nose. I cracked my eyes open, staring in horror at the figure before me. Sasuke stood in front of Naruto and I, holding his arms out. "S-Sasuke? Wh-What... What are you.... Why did you...." I stutter, feeling the tears start to build up and flow down my cheeks. Naruto awoke and sat up, staring at the Uchiha in shock. Naruto moved out of the way as Sasuke fell forwards, landing in my arms.

"Shinobi... never cry..." Sasuke muttered to me.

"Sh-Shut up! You idiot!" I cried, helping him turn around in my arms.

"You... always get in the way... Naruto..." Sasuke muttered to the orange clad ninja.

"Sasuke! You beat him!" Naruto shouted, just now seeing his battered form.

"You should seen the look on your face...." Sasuke strained. "You... you look like a total... loser!"

"Wait... why did you...." Naruto stuttered out. "Save me? Why did you do it?"

"I don't... know why...." Sasuke panted. "I just... did." His eyes started to haze over. I could see the memories coasting over them, the memories of the three of us. Even if they weren't the best. I found myself crying harder. "You.... I hated you...."

"Then why?! It doesn't make any sense!" Naruto growled. "Why did you protect me?!" Naruto asked again. "I didn't ask for this! I didn't ask for you to save me! Ren didn't ask for this! Neither of us did!"

"I don't know..." He said. "My body... just moved.... There was no time.... to think... loser...."

Naruto leaned down besides us.

"He... He's still out there..." Sasuke started, gazing up at me. "My brother.... I promised myself.... I'd stay alive... until I killed him...." Sasuke reached his hand up, cupping my cheeks as more tears oozed out. He looked over at Naruto, his hand dropping. "Naruto, don't let... your dream die..." His eyes closed. I gripped onto him tighter, burying my face into his hair. I looked up after a moment, frowning as my face set in an angry look. I willed wanted Naruto to fight.

"Is this the first time you've seen a friend die in battle...." Haku asked, drawing my attention to him. Hate filled my body. "This is part of what it means to be a ninja."

"Shut up."

I snapped my eyes on Naruto. He was looking down. "I... I hated you too, Sasuke.... And yet...." Steam billowed out around us, forming a ring as the atmosphere turned deadly. The steam began to rise around us. I stared at Naruto in shock. 'What's he doing?' I question to myself. And then.... another voice rang in my head. 'You know exactly what he's doing....' "You'll pay for this!" Naruto growled. The steam dissipated, leaving Red Chakra in it's wake. It swirled around us like a tornado. It created cracks in the ground, tearing up the pavement in it's wake. I've only felt something like this one before..... I tugged Sasuke closer to my chest as I stared at Naruto. His blond hair went wild, the nails on his hands and feet extended and sharpened. He lifted his head. His eyes were blood red, his teeth had grown and sharpened, and the markings on his face turned bolder. I've never felt so afraid in my life. This chakra felt so.... murderous. And yet, the malice was not pinpointed at anyone, but Haku. And in that moment, I felt incredibly bad for him. The needles began to push out from Naruto's body, as if his body rejected them. His wounds sizzled and sealed rapidly. I find myself thinking if the poison would even affect him.

"N-Naruto?" I whimper, gazing up at him. He gave me one look that sent shivers down my back before launching towards Haku, hell bent on grabbing him and tearing him apart.