*Naruto's Point of view*

With my home destroyed and our lives at stake, there was only one man with a common interest I could turn to.

Sai halted the car in front of the gates, behind it stands a mansion. A huge one filled with guards. The second we rolled down our windows, hand guns were aimed at us. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" A gang member asked fiercely.

I stepped out of the car slowly while raising my arms to let them search me, Sai parroted me.
As they inspect every part of my clothing and pockets, I replied to their question calmly. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I'm sure you've heard of me. I'm here to see your boss, Gaara."

"And how do we know you don't mean harm?" Another member questioned, eyeballing me.

I couldn't help but laughed at such a question. "Firstly, as you can tell, I am not carrying any weapons. Secondly, if I were to want him dead, he would have been dead." I shot back a glance at the man who asked.

"Let him through." The voice of the man that I wanted to hear has finally arrived. Gaara calmly scrolled towards us with guards surrounding him in a diamond formation.

Gaara led us to his office and told the guards to leave. They were hesistant and reluctant to at first, but eventually left as Gaara persisted.
"Like Naruto said, if he wanted me dead, I would be." He muttered as he signalled his men to beat it.

His green eyes diverted to Sai and I when we were finally alone. "Naruto Uzumaki, I must say you really have the guts.. to show up here after what you did to me." He walking over to his office chair and sat in it right behind a large pane of windows.

I leaned back on the cushioned chair across from him, putting my hands behind my head. "Of course I'd have. It takes guts to run a gang."

He smirked, nodding stiffly. "That's why I expected you to come here."

The red haired leader actually had an intense expression for the first time..
I came here to buy some time, in hopes he would negotiate with me on providing me with guns and shelter if he thought I had new information on Sasuke Uchiha.

But it seemed like he had other intentions already.
Fuck, is this a trap?

Were Shino and Gaara working together to get me?

After a few seconds of silence, Gaara signalled me to come closer to him. I leaned over the table to get closer to his face.
"I know where Sakura is."
My eyes widen as I inched closer.
Sai was still standing guard behind me, on edge and staring at every minor movement Gaara makes.

He has to be lying.
This is a bait.

"Sakura is at Konoha Medical Hospital. In ward C, bed 104." He continued whispering in my ear.

I didn't even know which ward or bed Sakura was warded. Could this be a bluff?

...
And if it isn't?

I couldn't take that chance.

"What the fuck do you want?" I growled softly as I didn't want to startle my right hand man.

"You.. Dead."

Fuck. This was a trap. But how and why?
He predicted this.
He definitely has a mole in my gang.

But who..?

Only a few close people are aware of my steps ahead.
.. Sai?
.. Kiba?

They would never..

He slid a gun out of his holster, this triggered Sai to pounce. But I signalled Sai to stay calm.
Gaara placed the gun on my palm before wrapping my fingers tightly around the grip of a handgun.

"What are you doing?!" Sai yelled out to me. I shook my head, "Fuck.." I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

"It's You or Sakura." He smirked.
"Fuck you, lay a finger on her and I swear to god.."
"Your pal, Kiba is there protecting her, isn't he?"
"Leave them out of this."

I had to think fast.
There has to be another way out of this.
But with Sasuke, Shino and now Gaara after my head, even if I were to make it out alive now, how much further can I run?
I'm a dead man walking either way.
And all I do is put everyone else's lives in jeopardy.

I'm tired.
I'm so fucking tired of all of this.

But..
Is this really my end?
...
Fuck.. But how can I keep putting everyone I love in danger?
Everyone has sacrificed so much for me.
And I was so selfish.

"I'll do it. Just.. leave everyone else out of this!" I slowly raised the handgun, shaking.
"What are you doing, Naruto?!" Sai was frantic and confused.
"We're outnumbered.. This is the only way to save everyone."
I jammed the muzzle against my temple.

I released the gun's safety to see Sai attempting to run towards me.
"Don't! Stay there!" I threatened him as I placed my index on the trigger.

Both eyes were glued on me, anticipating the better and worse.

I was a man who never feared death.
...
Why am I shivering now?
...
I became so powerful because I had the balls to challenge every and anyone.
...
But why am I so scared of dying now?

Just pull the trigger, Naruto!
It isn't that difficult! Just move that fucking finger! Sai and Kiba will finish Gaara's gang off.
Everyone will be safe.
Just take one for the goddamn team!

Just fucking do it!
Fucking do it!

I screamed and pulled as hard as I could on the trigger.

A loud bang echoed the room.

My hand gun dropped to the floor.

My ears were ringing and my vision was blurred from the shock.

I see silhouette behind Sai.

"How gullible are you, Naruto?" A voice that sounded miles away mocked me.