I just saw the episode with this flashback in it and it makes me wonder who was stronger, Haku or Kimimaro? So I decided to write a fic about it. Enjoy! (No flames, please)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, Garra would beat up anyone who messed with me.

Chapter One

Meeting in the Mist

Kimimaro walked next to his new master, deep in thought. The rest of his clan had been slaughtered in a terrible and foolhardy battle with Kirigakure the night before. Soon afterwards, Lord Orochimaru had found him and promised to give him purpose in life. Someone was finally looking at him without just seeing a weapon of war, and he was determined not to let his master down.

As the two walked along, two figures came visible through the mist ahead. "Be on your guard, Kimimaro," Orochimaru muttered. Kimimaro looked up, startled out of his reverie.

Gradually, the mist parted to reveal a man and a boy walking in the opposite direction. The man was as tall as Orochimaru, had bandages wrapped around the lower half of his face, and had short, spiky black hair. He also had no eyebrows.

But it was the boy that caught Kimimaro's eye. He was smaller than he was, had jet black hair that fell to his shoulders, and pale skin. He had seen these two the night before! He had asked them if they were allied with Kirigakure, and the man had answered no. Kimimaro had then gone on his way.

This boy…he had eyes that reminded him of his own. Those were my eyes, before I met Lord Orochimaru, he realized with a start. This boy too had known pain…terrible pain.

The man stopped. His hand moved up to grasp the hilt of a longsword attached to his back. "We are not with the Mist Village. What do you want with us?" he demanded.

Anger sparked in Orochimarus eyes. "Watch who you're talking to, boy," he snapped. "I'm one of the three Sanin, and I could destroy you with a single jutsu!"

The man snorted. "I'm Zabuza Momochi, and I bow to no shinobi. Now die!" he exclaimed, and leaped at Orochimaru, drawing his sword with one motion. Orochimaru opened his mouth, and a sword shot out of his mouth and into his hand. He blocked Zabuza's attack just before the blade connected with him.

Orochimaru chuckled. "Kimimaro, while I kill this guy, make yourself useful and kill that brat with him. It will be a fine first test of your abilities."

Whew! Spent two hours straight writing this. Enjoy, review and look out for Chapter 2!