Title: Zabuza

Author: Mangekyou SharingAL

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Psychological

Disclaimer: This story takes elements from the manga and elements that i have added in myself to make the story more enjoyable, so dont be alarmed at any changs to Zabuza's history, as this has been done deliberately for the purpose of the story. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter One – The Mission

Zabuza carefully maneuvoured himself along the two wooden planks on the ceiling. Both wooden planks were set at a 90 degrees angle, which should have made movement easy for Zabuza. It didn't.

Zabuza adjusted the angle of his decapitating carving knife and gazed studiously at the room below him and its surroundings. He had become a patient man in all of his battle-hardened years, but was now vastly running out of it. He started to reminisce about the criteria of this mission.

Three days ago he and Haku had been becoming a vastly successful "Shinobi for hire" duo and were approached by a man one day.

The man revealed to them, that two days journey away was the Fang country. Its local Daimyo had died, and as a result a power vacuum had developed between two rival factions. Both had claims, neither was willing to back down.

In the midst of this stepped a tall man, a mysterious and charismatic man who was wielding enormous power and influence, and gaining popularity with the masses. For the two rival factions, it was not only that he didn't belong to one of them, but the fact that he was an outsider was unacceptable. Thus Zabuza and Haku had been hired to eliminate this dangerous threat.

Zabuza hated political kills like this, but was a professional. He immediately turned his attention back to the room.

The plan was simple. It was a minimal fuss scenario that they had performed dozens of times.

Haku would use his feminine whiles to distract the target until the finishing blow could be delivered.

Zabuza heard a door open, and in walked a tall man dressed in a black and white Kimono... He had a large hat on concealing his face, but this must be the target. Zabuza waited for the inevitable knock of Haku to come.

Knock! Knock

Zabuza watched as the tall man walked towards the door and slowly opened it. It was Haku...They walked over to center of the room and Zabuza watched as Haku started to dance for the tall gentleman. Zabuza smiled. Haku was as deadly efficient in his dancing movements as he was his normal movement when he was on mission; He was deadly efficient and hardly wasted a movement. Economy of movement was an important asset for a shinobi, and could secure many a stealthy kill. Zabuza allowed himself a slight nod of the head. He had trained Haku well.

The tall man clapped his hands, and two men who were obviously personal servants ran in with a tray and tea for their lord.

Zabuza watched the tall man with intent as he made his own tea, his movements were very efficient. Could he be a former ninja perhaps? Zabuza shook his head

"Impossible, he's just goody two shoes noble"

Zabuza's attention then returned back to Haku. He was reaching the end of the performance, and soon the signal would be given to move out.

Haku reached the crescendo of his performance, and as if he instantly realised, the tall man stood up and applauded.

Zabuza then made his move as Haku froze his movements. He instantly dropped from the ceiling and landed directly on the floor with great poise and balance behind the tall man.

Zabuza thrust his sword around the neck of the tall man

"Don't move!" He then intently gazed at Haku

"Good work, secure the door" Haku nodded and instantly disappeared in the direction of the door. Zabuzu then returned his attention to the tall man

"my my, now there's a voice I haven't heard in a long time, you've certainly became a good shinobi, but..." The tall man then took off his hat and then turned partially towards the once intrigued, but now horrified Zabuza.

"..You still haven't gained the resolve to kill Mamochi Zabuza"

Zabuza froze instantly. The angel like looks of this man, his blonde hair, and caring yet insidious smile. The man was instantly recognisable. Zabuza's entire life came flashing before his eyes.

"You're..."

"Yes..." Answered the tall man, in recognition of the look in Zabuza's eyes and the recognisable strain in his voice.

"Who is this man?" The tall man looked towards Haku and then turned back towards Zabuza with a smile on his face.

"My name is Jun Kizuma, and I am a person who was killed a long time ago by this man...and his best friend"

Haku looked in shock and instantly tried to see if this man was lying. His voice was full of confidence and his demeanour frighteningly calm in the face of death...who was this man?

Zabuza continued to look like he saw a ghost, his face started to turn pale, His grip on the sword was loosening. Yes, the last time he had had a feeling like this was that time long ago...When he threw his humanity away, where he had killed 100 men in a heated battle of carnage and despair...and where he gained his notorious nickname Demon Kabuza.

***

The long walk down the corridor was taking its toll on Kabuza, but today was a very important day for him and his village, so he persevered... The long group of students reached the exit to the long corridor and entered the outside world. Zabuza looked up at all the people sitting in the coliseum like building. He took in the view. It would probably be the last time he ever saw a bloodless environment again. His hands begun to sweat as he clenched his fist. A hand touched his shoulder and he looked up to see a reassuring presence.

"It's ok, I'm with you. Your friend Jun Kabuza is with you" Jun smiled.

Zabuza nodded calmly the angelic like smile and features of Jun had always reassured him in times of need.

Zabuza walked into the empty battlefield with his tall friend, wondering what challenge lied ahead.

To be continued.....