Hello,

Long time no see... I know I know. Three long years is a heck of a long time, but I thought it was time. It was something that I needed to do... Though I got Naruto on the Brain...Which is probably why you get this. This story wouldn't get out my head until I have written this.

Just to let you all know. This is a rewrite of my Fanfiction of New Purpose. After still getting reviews and alerts after three years, I felt I like needed to finish this story for my readers. However, as I reread that story finish it, my disliked for the story grew. Not the plot, but I hated everything else. I hate some of the things I have written. And if I was going to finish the story, it needed to be rewritten. I would like to think that I have changed a lot as an author since when I started his story, and I would like to think it was for the best... Though some might not agree with that. You will have to be the judge on that.

Please keep in mind that my Naruto Knowledge is limited as I hadn't watched it in over three years... though i will admit that I have recently started to rewatch what I can. So somethings will be different or off from the canon, though I want everyone to keep in mind that this in an AU. To me, this makes sense that things will be different. So please do not kill me. :)

Please note: I do not own Naruto and I do not make money off this.

Redefined Purpose

Chapter 1:

Harshness of Reality

It seems rain a lot in the Hidden Leaf Village in times of great loss. It's like the sky is crying down upon the land, knowing the loss that everyone had just suffered. Everything in its path is soaked from the downpour, though no one cares. It doesn't matter that their clothes are drenched in the cold, icy water, which is adding 25 or more pounds. It doesn't matter that they can't see more than three feet in front of them. No one cares that they'll be sick tomorrow after standing in this rain for so long, as each are so weighted down and defeated that they can't feel anything.

Today is the day that they lay to rest one of their Shinobi, a young shinobi that was taken far too soon. Today, they lay to rest a boy that touched more hearts than anyone realized. Today, they lay to rest their heart- their soul. This kid had changed so many hearts without anyone realizing he was doing it. Somehow, he touched so many people, even when their hearts closed.

So after everything, this feels like a cosmic joke. It really does. It feels like a slap to a face for these who knew this boy. After everything this boy had lived through, he was killed by this best friend. Killed, trying to bring his comrade back to a village that he loved so much. These friends pushed each other, making the other better—well, that's what everyone thought until that final battle. Now, they realize that they were poison to the other.

Lightning reaches across the darken sky, lighting up the area and everyone's breaking faces. No one finches at the loud roar of the thunder, as everyone is focused on the coffin. The funeral isn't the biggest the village has seen, but it isn't the smallest. There's a good number of people here, and each have been touched in some way by the blonde shinobi, as this young man had a way to make the impossible possible.

"How's Sakura holding up?"

Kakashi has never been good with emotions, and at certain points in his life, he has refused to acknowledge them. Now, he's at a complete loss, and when he glances at his remaining student, his heart drops. Like he's in a mist, he's unsure of what to say or act. "As you can imagine, she's barely keeping it together. She blames herself for his death as she sent Naruto after Sasuke," he replies, eyeing the Kunoichi who's barely able to keep on her feet. Without Ino at her side, Sakura would most likely be on her knees. "And how is Shikamaru?" he asks, looking away from his student.

Asuma follows Kakashi's glance toward his newly promoted student. He doesn't answer right away, studying the stilled form of Shikamaru, who's staring forward with a blank expression on his face. Choji, still exhausted and worn out from his battle, is at his teammate's side, providing him support. "He's blaming himself as well. Not only did he fail his first mission as a squad leader, he lost someone under his command."

The Copy Ninja knows that feeling well, knows it all too well. "Like most people here," he replies. Everyone standing in this downpour feels the same, feels like they have lost something invaluable and irreplaceable.

"Everyone will be out for blood now."

Kakashi let out a painful sigh, as that statement brings out more pain than he expects. Though he understands why, the idea that his student—No, former Student—will be hunted down and possibly killed does not sit well with him; however, his insides are already rotting as he has already lost one. He wonders for a second if this is how Minato felt like when he lost his students. "I know." He utters. "This isn't going to end well."

Asuma closes his eyes as he tilts his head up slightly, letting the rain pelt him in his face. "I'm aware," he says, drily. Even with his eyes closed, there's a heavy, grim expression on his face. "Naruto had touched a lot of people." He says, opening his eyes and looking around. "Like the Sand Ninjas, who want to be here, but the youngest one is too unstable at the moment."

The Sand Ninjas aren't the only ones who are missing from the funeral; Lady Hokage is also missing, but everyone knows better than to inquire where she is. That woman has already lost people in her life and had spent years wandering, trying to find peace. She had no interest in ever returning to the real world, until Naruto. He had changed her, snapping her back to reality, but now, he's gone and so is his bright light. After losing that, there's no doubt that Tsunade isn't coping well. There's no doubt that she'll hunt Sasuke down and kill him herself.

The rain isn't letting up, and it is hitting harder, slamming down like large pebbles against the ground. It's almost impossible to hear the words that are being said; it's almost like the pastor isn't saying anything. However, no one says or moves an inch as they feel the world weighting down on them, shattering their spirits. Naruto's words to each of them are echoing in their heads, reminding how much they have lost.

"How are you, Kakashi?" Asuma asks, lowing his head and turning toward his fellow jounin. "I know this can't be easy for you after everything."

There's no need for Asuma to say anymore as no words are needed to explain. Even if he keeps everything in, it's still clear that this loss is extremely painful to the silver hear jounin. There's no doubt that everyone can read him like a book at the moment and see him how he sees himself. He won't be able to deny it, won't be able to lie his way out of it, even if he tries. "I'm fine," he lies. He lies now as they won't call him on it just yet.

Before Asuma can say anything, Jiraiya suddenly appears besides them, and his appearance shocks them all. Though they haven't spent much time with the Sannin, his currently state takes them by surprise. It looks like he hasn't slept in days- though none of them have, but it looks like he has been put through the grinder. His eye, a bright red mess, looks like it'll be a nasty, black contusion in a few hours. It'll be a painful black eye, which will probably render the eye useless for the next week or so, and there's no doubt that it's a gift from the Hokage. "She won't come out," Jiraiya replies without being asked. "I fear she will regret that choice."

"I take it that she isn't taking this well," Asuma replies, unsurprised.

The Sannin shakes his head. "No, she's not—not that she's talking about it. Just saying the Brat's name is asking for trouble. Cursing him for dying. Calling this a massive joke." He closes his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. "Calling this a curse. Thinking she's cursed too. And I have to admit that I'm feeling cursed as well."

"Cursed?" Kakashi utters before he can stop himself. He doesn't need to ask to understand, because he knows.

Jiraiya opens his eyes slowly, as he stares forward. "Everyone that Tsunade has given the First Hokage's necklace to has died. Naruto being the third and definitely the last." He takes another deep breath. "If she ever gets her hands on it again, there's no way in hell that she'll allow another person to touch it." His hands ball at his side as he looks at the coffin being lowered into the ground. "Did you happen to find it when you recovered the Brat's body?"

Feeling like he has been punched in the gut, Kakashi doesn't answer right away as Jiraiya's guilt is almost overwhelming. It's like he's drowning in it, and he feels sick to his stomach. "No, I didn't."

The Sannin sighs harshly. "Then I better go look for it." His hands are shaking at his side, and it's heartbreaking.

"Do you think that's wise?" Guy asks, stepping into the conversion. "Maybe, it's best that the necklace stays gone. It's just a painful reminder? Don't you think?"

Jiraiya closes his eyes for a second before he looks at Iruka and Konohamaru, who are a crying uncontrollably. He eyes the two, who Naruto saw as family, for a few seconds, reading the pure pain on their faces. "How can you know what someone needs?" he asks, his anger growing. His fists are now shaking at his side. "How can you judge what someone needs? How would you know what kind of closure a person needs? Maybe, she needs that necklace to cope. If she doesn't, she can decide what she wants to do with it," he snaps, trying to keep his voice down but failing. At his risen level, a few heads turn, and stare at him from the corner of their eyes. "Why don't you just worry about yourself?" He all but snaps as he turns away.

The Sannin doesn't watch as the small coffin disappears into the ground. He doesn't watch as they start to shovel dirt into the six foot hole. He doesn't pay any attention to words that the pastor is saying as he walks away. To him, this funeral is over, and he doesn't care who he insults by turning his back on it. No one can tell him how to feel or act. No one knows how he feels, though if they could, they will see him shattering.

Mutters rocket throughout the crowd at his exit, but no one moves to follow or stop Jiraiya as he disappears between the trees.

*O*O*

Ten years has come and gone in almost a blink of an eye, though no one can say that it was without pain. No one can say the last ten years were easy, but they didn't quit as that isn't how you honor the dead. Living is how you honor the dead, even if you're tired and exhausted. Naruto had his own Ninja way: never giving up, and it's a disservice to the fallen Ninja if they do not do the same.

Today is no difference, even if it's a horrible anniversary that no one wants to remember. With some, they force themselves to remember as some kind of punishment. Sometimes remembering is the worst punishment; sometimes replaying it is the worst curse there is. For a few persons, that's what this day is, a curse that they'll feel for the rest of their lives. A curse that they will feel every second of every day, killing them with every breath.

*O*O*

"So the Demonic Flash strikes again?" Kakashi asks as he leans against the window in the Hokage's Office. "Are you sure? He may be a S-Class rogue Ninja and all, but this doesn't seem like him."

Tsunade closes her eyes as she leans against her desk and folds her arms under her chin. "And what does this seem like to you?" she asks, as the Rogue ninja's last kill lays out in front of them. "He's an assassin for hire. What do you expect?" she asks, her tone anything but nice. "He kills for fun. Nothing else."

The Copy Ninja pushes himself off the wall and steps to her desk, as he puts away the book he's reading. For a few moments, he stares at the photos laid out on the Hokage's desk. "I think you're confusing him with Rab from the Land of Stone. He's the one that kills for fun. With the Demonic Flash, there's logic to his kills. Picking certain assassinations, and there's a game plan to that—a reason, though I have no idea of what that is."

The Hokage lets out a sigh, knowing that her Shinobi is correct. "You may have a point, but this is his handy work. These are his sword cuts," she says, picking up a photo of a dead Noble and pointing to his bloody chest. "His pattern."

Kakashi analyzes the photos, studying every detail of the photos. Yes, Tsunade's correct that this is his signature: the deep, fine cuts in the chest, but the killing of the Noble's children isn't the Assassin's style. In every known assassination of his, he hasn't killed a child or even harmed a children. In fact, he goes out of his way to avoid hurting a child, and Kakashi doesn't know why, considering he's leaving countless witnesses. It doesn't make sense to leave someone behind to identify him. It's reckless, giving his enemies too much info. These children are the reason why they have so much info on the Assassin. "But killing the sons? That isn't like him. So why start now?"

She gives a hard look, harsher than normal—though customary for the day. She isn't known to have the best temper on this day: the anniversary of Naruto's death. She's known to snap on the smallest of things on this day. "Think that he has been framed, Kakashi? If so, why would anyone do that? It isn't like there isn't already a bounty on his head."

"Not that anyone has tried to collect that bounty and lived," Kakashi replies, almost with a chuckle. It's true that there's a nice sized bounty on the Demonic Flash's head, but no one is foolish enough to try and collect—not that anyone is able to track him. Jiraiya has tried and failed a few times. "It's asking for death."

Tsunade sighs as she reaches for the only known sketch of the Assassin. As the man isn't notorious for leaving behind witnesses—well, besides the children-, no one has any idea of what he looks likes. He can be a woman for all they know. The only reason why they have this sketch now is because of a brave child, who was courageous enough to talk. "You maybe be correct," she says, as she stares at it. "But who gains from framing him?"

"Maybe, they're trying to force your hand?" he points out. For the most part, there isn't a massive man hunt for the Demonic Flash as there is for Rab or any other rogue Ninja. Sure, he's probably the most dangerous Rogue ninja with his mysterious jutsu that almost seem limitless, but his activity level is low. He takes one mission per every six that another rogue ninja takes… maybe less.

The Hokage stares at the only drawing of the Demonic Flash. In the image, the assassin is wearing a short sleeved, hooded clock, which hides both his face and figure. Though the dark red cloak casts a heavy shadow over his face, the assassin is also wearing a pitch-black mask, making his face disappear in the dark shadows of the hood. Even if his body's hidden under the cloak, it's clear that he's wearing a light, full body armor, evident by the visible parts of his arms and legs. On his back is a long katana, said to be forged from a special kind of steel, with a golden hilt, but that cannot be confirmed as no one who has seen the blade has lived. "I doubt that the Demonic Flash fears me or any other Kage, even if he should. No, I think you're right: someone is trying to force his hand."

Kakashi narrows his eyes. "And that idea doesn't sit well with me. If someone plans to use that assassin as a tool, we'll be in a world of pain. I doubt we have seen his full strength yet."

Tsunade takes a deep breath as she swirls in her chair toward the window. "It would be easier if we knew where this man came from. Sure, we know that he's a highly trained shinobi, who I want to say came from one of the five Villages…though I might be kidding myself if I say that. He could've come from a number of places if he had the right teacher. If someone had at least seen some of his Jutsu, we would have an idea."

"So what are you planning to do?"

It's at this moment that a messenger eagle arrives at the Hokage's window. "For right now? Nothing. I need more information," she says as she clips a small scroll to its outstretched leg.

Kakashi doesn't need to ask where that letter is heading, considering the recent assassination. It's either to Gaara or Jiraiya, as she has started to balance ideas off them in the recent few years. There has been a growing number of rogue ninjas, which is a major issue, and they need a plan to deal with it. "I hear the Nobles are creating a stir over this."

Tsunade gives him a look, clearly not wanting to talk or go into detail about it. "I wish I could kill them all as I'm tired of their whining, but I can't do that, now can I?" she says, letting out a sigh.

"What does Gaara and Jiraiya think?"

She chuckles for a second. "Jiraiya is coming up empty—not for the lack of trying, and Gaara is more concerned about Rab, Korra, Enki and the other rogues. He's not worried about the Demonic Flash for some odd reason."

Kakash's mind is spinning as he's trying to wrap his mind around that. "Does he know something you don't?"

"If he was another Kage, I would, but I don't know what his reasoning would be if he knows something."

The Copy Ninja doesn't respond right away, thinking through everything that he knows about the situation—even if it isn't much. "Either way, the situation doesn't look good. Though I don't doubt he had killed the Noble, I don't think the Demonic Flash has killed those child, which means that someone else has and is framing him."

The Hokage turns back to him. "Probably the case, which isn't good… But, I can't help but wonder why children are special to him. There has to be a reason why he spares them. But why?" Her voice drifts off as she stares off.

There are a few ideas that pop into Kakashi's mind, but he keeps them to himself for the moment as he stares at Tsunade, who looks like she hasn't slept in days. It makes him wonder where Shizune is, as that woman would and will make the Hokage rest. "When is the last time you slept?" he asks.

Tsunade's head pops up and she glares at him, knowing why he's asking. "I thought we were talking about the rogue ninjas, and I'm fine."

There's a reason why people avoid the Hokage on this day- this anniversary, and it isn't because of her happy-go-lucky self. It's because she's anything but friendly, and Kakashi might even call her a beast—though not to her face. Every year on this day, she's falls into a depression, ready to kill anyone who crosses her. "Did you go visit Naruto today?"

Her glare gets colder if possible. "Don't," she all but hisses. "Don't you say dare say it like that!" Her tone turns nasty. "I can't go visit him. He's dead. Dead." She tries to fight back the tears but fails.

Though he knows he should, the shinobi does not back down. "I visit Obito. It helps. Talking to him. Trust me."

"No," she snaps, strongly, as she gets to her feet. She doesn't move from her spot, but she's intimidating with her fists shaking at her side. "You act like he can hear me, but he can't! He can't hear a goddamn thing, so what's the point? Tell me! What's the point in wasting my breath? Nothing I say now will make a difference. He's still dead." She's trembling at his point, unable to control the anger that's boiling inside of her.

"I like to think that our loved ones we lost can hear us."

Tsunade snorts. "Nice thought, but no." She pauses for a second, taking a deep breath. "Why don't you go and pass your wisdom to the Uchiha? He needs it more than I do?"

For a few seconds, he wonders if he should press harder, but he knows he's already pushing his limits. "You know Naruto wouldn't want to see you like this, right?"

Her glance softens for a second as she thinks about the blond. "Yea, he would call me Grandma Tsunade and order me to snap out of it or else." She cracks a tiny smile for a second before her expression turns hard. "But as he's dead, he doesn't get a say in how I live my life."

Kakashi lets out a sigh before he turns to leave. He has reached the limit, and if he pushes any harder, he'll know how it feels to be hit by her fist. "Just know that he wouldn't want to see you like this," he says as he disappears out the door.

It isn't long after the door closes behind him that he hears something shatter against the wall. He doesn't turn back to think of what it is that she has thrown, as he needs air himself. This days hits him harder than he portrays. Having lost quite a few people in his life, he knows pain; he knows it well, but he likes to keep it hidden. Can't handle it if he doesn't. At times, he wonders if he'll ever feel anything besides pain. He had thought that he had found peace when he got a genin team to train, but that was a joke, a cruel joke. As he thinks back, it feels like a shot to the gut.

This is why he won't abandon Sasuke, even if the man tests him at every turn. Even if the man makes him want to ring his neck, he won't leave the man alone in his pain. No one should be alone. No one should suffer alone, even if he or she deserves it. That only creates more hatred, and there's enough of that in the world.

*O*O*

With every day feeling like a plague, ten painful years have passed since that dreadful day, since he though leaving the village was wise. Seven horrible years since he found out what had happened to his annoying, stupid rival—or dear he says, best friend? Though if he thinks about it, he has no right to call him that. Not after what he had done. How was he so clueless? So stupid?

Even if he wants to think that he's over it, he isn't, and there's no amount of alcohol that can change that. At first, he thinks he can as he's a heartless bastard, but he's mistaken. He isn't as heartless as he thinks and he can't put the haunting past behind him. Then, he thinks he can make up for it or at least attempt to, but that isn't possible in his wildest dreams. He's powerless, though this fate is his own doing. He has brought this pain upon himself with his own foolishness. He's the one who has cursed himself.

A man, a few months over twenty-two, stands at the Memorial Stone: a rock that'll haunt him for the rest of his life. However, it's only one name that steals his breath, which had appeared on the faithful stone ten years ago. It's that one name that he utters whenever he wakes up in a cold sweat. It's that one name that he sees every time he closes his eyes. It's the name that he can't forgive himself for, as he's the reason why it is there. He's the one who had taken the life.

This young man used to visit this cold, cursed stone every day for an hour or so, but from day one, it has taken a toll on him. Each visit feels like a shot to his heart, his soul, and it's killing him slowly; it feels like someone's sucking out his will to live. Unable to take the heartbreak, he limits his visits, and in the end, he's lucky if he visits the stone once a month after he drinks himself into a blackout. However, he visits on this day sober no matter how he's feeling, as it's the least he can do after what he has done.

It's early on this bitter, cold morning, as the sun starts to peak over the cliffs. Heavy, fat clouds darken the sunrise, and rain threatens to fall from the murky sky and soak everything in its path, but the young man doesn't care. Rain won't make his day any worse—not that it's possible. Not caring about how dark the sky is, he takes his regular seat by the middle post directly across from the stone. In all of this, his eyes never leave that one name, which means the world to him, though he wishes he had realized that years ago.

A few seconds later, heavy, cold rain starts to bomb down, leaving nothing in its path untouched. To drop the temperature even more, strong winds pick up, chilling everything its path.

"I'm going to kill you."

"Me? We're teammates! How can you kill me?"

In shame, his eyes drop from the name. In humiliation, they drop to his hands as he realizes that he has no right to look at Naruto's name, since he's why it's there in the first place. He's the one who had refused to listen to reason. He's the one who refused help, thinking he knew what he was doing.

"You're coming back with me."

"No! That place has nothing to offer for me!"

Bringing his legs to his chest and feeling like someone has his heart in a death grip, he buries his face in his knees. This always happens, whenever he visits the stone. He turns into a crying mess, which he had never thought would become his life; however, these chilling memories do that to him. They haunt him-fate's punishment, and he deserves it.

"You can't even scratch my hitai-ate," a 12-year-old boy yelled.

The freezing rain doesn't let up, hitting him like mini explosives, but the young man doesn't move. He doesn't care he's soaked to the bone or freezing to death. He doesn't care if he gets sick. He just doesn't care. There's nothing he cares about nowadays besides the mission, barely having the will to fight. What's there to fight for anymore?

"Chidori!"

"Rasengan!"

The two boys, who were either unable to comprehend what they were about to do or didn't care, charged at each other with everything that they had. There wasn't a second thought to the fact that they were rushing at each other with two deadly attacks. There was no hesitation, and seconds later when the attacks hit, everything disappeared in a blinding, bright light. Time seemed to stop for a second before a huge explosion rocketed from the two deadly bouts, destroying everything in a mile radius.

A tear, masked by the down pour, runs down the man's pale face.

The older boy had his hand plunged through the blonde's chest, and blood was pouring from the wound.

In the present as the memory threatens to take over, the young man's nails dig deep into the palms, drawing blood. With guilt and shame, he remembers how he was consumed by evil and how he let it control him. Even now, he cannot understand how foolish he was. Did he really think obtaining power was everything? That nothing else matters?

With no care that he was dying, the blond reached forward and scratched the raven's hitai-ate, and he was smiling as he did it. There wasn't an ounce of guilt or worry on the young blonde's face even with the pain. Soon after scratching the symbol, the blond passed out due to blood lost, but he did not have a single regret.

In complete shock and concern, the raven-haired boy's dark eyes widened, not able to comprehend what all had just happened. Unsure of what else to do, the raven-haired stepped back and left, leaving his friend to bleed out—though the very idea that the blond could be dying didn't passed through his mind. The idea that he might not see his friend alive again didn't register. He was too focus on what his older brother had once told him about getting true power.

Why is he so weak? Why does a single memory take so much out of him? He's an elite Jounin for crying out loud, who no one can best in a real battle. Plus, he's a highly-trained killing machine, and he shouldn't have any of these emotions, but for some reason, he's flooded with them. He has lost—no, killed- his best friend without a second thought; he wants to say that he didn't mean to do it at the time, but he can't, which is the biggest slap to the face. There's no denying that he was stupid, wanting to kill the blond to gain that power that his brother had told him about; now, he wishes he could go back in time and stop himself as it was all a lie. There was no secret power.

A man, about 15, stared at his former, pink haired teammate, his old Sensei, and two strangers. Even with everything that was happening around them, there was only one thought on his mind: where was a certain loud mouth blond. How wasn't he here? He had made a promise to their teammate that he would bring him back. Did he turn his back on that?

The man forces himself to his feet and steps to the nearest tree. Without caring about the growing pain in his hand, his fists go flying into the bark as anger fills him, and he's unable to stop himself, not that he had any desire to.

"Where's the Loser?" the raven-haired asked standing between two dangerous missing Ninjas: one wore glasses, while the other had a face like snake. At the time, he had tried to tell himself that it was just curiosity that drove him to ask.

"H-how dare you ask that?!" the kunoichi asked, shaking. Anger was flowing through her, as her fists were balled at her side. For a medical ninja, the killing intent that was rolling off her was strong.

He didn't—couldn't understand why that question was so emotional. Why did she look like she wanted to kill him over a simple question? Was the blond hurt? Confused, he looked down to the two unnamed Konoha Ninjas, who were using each other for support. He eyed them for a second before he turned to his old Sensei, who oddly wasn't making eye contact with him. He knew he was missing something. "I don't have time for this," the teen yelled, annoyed.

"We're here to bring you back!" the Kunoichi yelled, trembling in anger. "It's what he would've wanted." Shadows darkened her face as tears formed in her eyes.

"I'm not coming back. There's…" he paused, noticing the word: wanted. "Would've wanted? What do you mean?" His mind went to overdrive as he tried to figure out what she had meant by that: past tensed, but something deep inside told him that he wouldn't like the answer. He wasn't so sure why, but the answer scared him.

"Naruto's dead," Sakura cried, tears running down her face. Sasuke's eyes widened as his expression broke.

Heartbroken as if it has just happened yesterday, the man falls to his knees, unable to support himself anymore. "This wasn't how it was supposed to be! This isn't how it was supposed to end." Tears rans down his face as he slams his fists down against the ground. "You're the one who was supposed to bring me back, Loser. To save me from myself. You were supposed to become Hokage! You were supposed to save the world with that stupid smile and catch phase of yours."

"The dobe's dead?" In complete and utter shock, the boy stumbled back as the world started to fall apart around him. Even if that had been his intention at first, he couldn't wrap his mind around it. Naruto dead? How was that possible? It didn't sound right as that boy refused to accept defeat. How would he accept death? "H-how? Who?!" Unable to stop them and surprisingly, his emotions were coming out, and they were overwhelming to say the least.

The woman in front of him was breaking down. "You!" Sakura answered, while her heart was shattering.

"Me?" His voice was creaking, betraying him. Even after the three long years since he had left the village, it felt like the world was crumpling around him, as he staggered on his feet.

"Yes, you killed him the day you turned your back on the village," Kakashi explained, calmly though there was anger boiling beneath it all.

The young, broken man struggles to his feet as he pushes himself up. His body shakes underneath him, threatening to quit on him, and it takes everything he has to keep upright. Unable to look anywhere else, his eyes find that one name on the stone again: 'Naruto Uzumaki.' Shaking with each step and with pouring down rain, he walks to the stone and places his shivering hand on the name. The stone feels like ice under his touch, but at the same time, it feels like fire.

"I knew you would be here, Sasuke."

Sasuke turns around to see a tired Kakashi, who looks like he has just run a race. His old Sensei is one of the few still in his corner, though he can't understand why. Sure, it's because of Naruto, who wouldn't want Kakashi to turn his back on him, when he should, but Sasuke still struggles to understand that. How could someone be as forgiving as the blond loser? Did he not understand that people don't change? They are who they are to the end.

However, that was the kind of person that Naruto was, seeing the good in people no matter what, and he wouldn't want anyone to get revenge for him no matter the crime. Knowing this, revenge isn't how you honor him, and it's a disservice. The Uchiha knows this is one of the Hokage's reasons for letting him back into the village, when she should've locked him up. "I had nowhere else to be." He feels dead inside, and sometimes he wishes he is.

His Sensei doesn't say anything, just standing at his side to provide support and comfort. Sasuke isn't reasonable or logical, when he's like this; he acts on pure emotion and impulse with no care about the outcome. It's lethal to interrupt the boy, when he's like this, and sometimes it helps to just let it out.

After everything, he's tired of the comfort and fake pity. "Ten years! He could've been the Hokage by now, if I didn't kill him." Okay, he knows it's unlikely for a few different reasons, but he doesn't care about the likeliness of his statement.

"You don't know that," Kakashi responds, remembering the blonde knucklehead. "Be too young anyway. And I don't want a ramen run for a mission."

Is Kakashi joking with him now? Does he think this is all a joke? "Shut-up," he hisses, glaring at the older man. "Why do you even talk to me? Why do you even care? The others don't." Locking his jaw, he flexes his hands and stares at them. His body feels strange to him, like it doesn't belong to him.

"Though it doesn't change the past, you are making up for it," Kakashi replies. "You're being the shinobi that Naruto knew you could be. You are honoring him by being that." He takes a deep breath, thinking back about the last ten years. "You're the reason why the village is still here. You protected it from Pein."

"If Naruto was alive, he would've defeated Pein himself! He would've saved everyone, been the hero that he shouldn't been, and I robbed him of that."

It strikes Kakashi hard that Sasuke is fighting him so intensely, fighting the belief that he has changed. "Everyone needs a friend."

That feels like a punch to the stomach. "…I had a friend…and I killed him," Sasuke says, walking away. Besides, when are you a friend? There's no doubt in his mind that his former Sensei is only here out of guilt; he isn't a friend in any sense of the word. He's doing this for Naruto, not for him.

Before chasing after the last Uchiha, Kakashi says a silent pray for Naruto, promising to come back later for a chat. Even though he's in a hurry, his eyes linger on the stone before he turns and follows the trouble, young man. Sasuke didn't and still doesn't have it easy; he had faced and lived through hell. He had lost everything: his family, friends, purpose, and the idea of who he is. After everything, Kakashi can see how broken he is. Sasuke has nothing, not even revenge to live for. That's why the old ninja tries to befriend this young man.

"Leave me alone," Sasuke yells back, picking up his speed.

The older man doesn't listen, which he will blame the downpour. "You know he wouldn't want me to," Kakashi explains, when he catches up with the depressed man.

"That can't be your reason for everything that you do!" His voice is anything but friendly. "And it doesn't matter what he would want. He's dead."

"He wouldn't-"

This man explodes as his hands balls and trembles at his side. "I can't! Why can't you understand that? Why can't you understand how much I hate myself?! I killed him—my closest friend, and I will never be able to get over it," Sasuke snaps. "And don't talk to me about getting over it, when you aren't clearly not. Just look at you. You look like shit." His fists flex at his side as he keeps his eyes forward.

With a deep sigh, Kakashi closes his eye and forces himself to take a few long, deep breath. Yes, his former student maybe correct that he will never be over it. He has lost so many people in his life: his father, his teammates, his Sensei, his comrades/friends, and lastly, his student…his Sensei's son, and because of that, he knows why Sasuke think that. He understands why the young man feels like this, and he's right in some sense. Even after everything—years later, he still feels like he has failed on every level, but he knows he can't let those feelings win. He must fight, and Sasuke needs to know this too. "Why don't you join me? A few of us are getting some ramen in honor of Naruto."

The Uchiha snorts, as he lets his anger drain from him. "I think it is left unsaid that I'm invited to those," he replies, stepping away from the Jounin. "I don't think anyone will want to see my pretty face."

Kakashi knows he has a point, but today should be a day of remembrance, not about punishment or spite. They need to remember the blond that had lost his life, trying to bring back his best friend. "Do you think Naruto would let his friend suffer alone? No, he wouldn't."

Sasuke wants to argue, telling this will just start a fight, but the sound of Naruto's name drains him of all the fight that he has in him. "Okay," he replies, knowing he'll bolt at the first sign of trouble. He doesn't want to fight with any of them, especially Sakura, who can barely look at him even now. He isn't sure if it's because she hates him for killing Naruto, or because she hates herself for sending Naruto after him. "But if there is any trouble, I'm out of there."

The older Shinobi smiles softly at raven-haired. "Why don't we just remember a friend together in peace?" he asks, as he steps to Sasuke's side and glides him to the restaurant.

*O*O*

Heading toward the Land of Waves with very little on his back, a young auburn haired man—around 22, and a small chestnut haired boy sitting on his shoulders slowly cross the Great Naruto Bridge. There's nothing flashy about the two as they can easily blend in with the rest of the crowd on the busy bridge. There's nothing special or out of the norm about the young father and son. No one pays much attention to them even with both smiling and laughing like crazy.

The only thing that can be remotely out of the norm about the two is a green blue Crystal Gem hanging around the young man's neck. It shines in the afternoon rays as it smacks against his chest lightly, but no one thinks twice about the necklace, even if it's worth a mountain weight in gold. It is just a necklace to most, even if it is so much more.

The End for now

Please let me know what you think.

To be honest, I do feel overwhelmed by story with my lack of knowledge... So Maybe, I am biting off more than I should, so anything kind of feed back will be nice! :)