~*****~

"Go on," Haku pressed. "Finish it! Kill me! Why do you hesitate?" Haku pressed again. Naruto just growled and backed away. "I thought you wanted to be a mighty warrior."

Naruto growled again. "That's not what it's about!" He shouted back angrily. "Do you really believe that's all there is to it?! Just fighting and killing until there's only one man left standing?!" Naruto screamed. "There's a lot more to being a shinobi than that!" He added, standing his ground. "And there are other ways of showing your strength than just beating someone in battle!"

"I've had a feeling all along... From the first moment we met in the woods... were a lot alike..." Haku stated, striking a nerve in Naruto. "I'm sure you know what I mean. I'm only sorry it must be your hand that is tainting with my unworthy blood."

"You sure about this?" Naruto asked, like he was actually gonna do it. "And you're positive it's the only way?"

"Yes." He replied.

Naruto looked sickened for a moment. "The weird thing is... if we met in another time and place, then maybe we could've been friends...." Naruto finished, pulling out his kunai and running at Haku. I whimpered and closed my eyes again, not ready to see death again.

I opened my eyes just as Haku dodged and ran straight for his master. I gazed in horror as Haku took the full brunt of Kakashi's Lightning Blade. My insides went cold as all the blood dripped down.

Zabuza began to chuckle evilly. "So, my future is all used up, huh?" He began to chuckle more. "Wrong again, Kakashi!" He sneered. He raised his arm up, sword and all and flung it down. But Kakashi jumped away in time with Haku's body. I clutched Sasuke tighter, staring in complete and utter shock. I barely even noticed Sakura running up and landed on her knees besides us. She glared heavily at me, silently blaming me for his death. I let go of Sasuke and laid him down carefully, still sitting by his side. I just stared down at him as Sakura trembled.

"Go on... no need to be brave on my account. Go ahead and let your feelings out, girls... It's all right." Tazuna sighed.

Sakura was quiet for a moment. "I was almost the best.... I was always behind you, Ren.... We were the perfect students...." She whispered, making me return to the normal world.

"Did you know there are over 114 Shinobi Rules of Conduct?" I ask, my eyes remaining focused on Sasuke's face. "I memorized every single one..... Just so I could out do you, Sakura...."

"We used to live it when they tested us on them...." Sakura replied, gripping her hands into fists.

"I remember so clearly, this one exam...." I start pulling senbon out of his body, wanting to make him at least presentable. "They asked us to explain the 25th principle. We got it right...." The tears start to make another appearance. "A shinobi never shows his feelings.... no matter what the circumstance is.... Feelings are a weakness...."

"It only clouds judgement and a sense of duty...." Sakura finishes as she collapses forward, bawling into his chest. She called out his name as she cried. I clenched my eyes shut as tears oozed out, my chest burning from the intense pain of losing my friend, and most of all, guilt built up in my stomach. If I had been stronger, maybe I could've helped out more. If I were stronger; He'd still be with us.