A.N. Another crossover, this time with Haku as a main protagonist. I'm currently in limbo, still waiting to hear back for certain things, and decided to flesh out another idea from one of my flights of fancy in the meantime. May become Haku x harem, who knows. Because even the girliest looking guys deserves to have one.
As usual, I do not own Naruto or Rosario + Vampire. They are the works of Kishimoto Masashi and Ikeda Akihisa, respectively.
Nami no Kuni
Haku looks down, as the water from the rain mixes with his own tears. His clothes are torn and singed, testament to the desperate struggle he went through not too long ago. The rainwater is soaking through his clothes, and his body is slowly registering the chill of the cold water through the damp clothing. All this, however, means nothing to him, as he stands before the final resting place of the man who had taught him everything he knew. His mind relives the previous days, when his life changed once again, just like it did eight years ago.
Flashback
He was standing there before him, defeated, and his mask broken. Haku had urged Naruto to kill him, knowing that he had failed Zabuza, who no doubt would discard him as easily as he would a broken kunai. He had failed in his purpose, and been unable to incapacitate Naruto as he had already done for the other boy on Naruto's team. Naruto had hesitated, visibly struggling with the decision. Everything about the boy, at that moment, indicated that he was still naïve, to the experienced eye of Haku. Someone who had yet to take a life. Someone who did not know what it meant to become a true shinobi. That would soon change, as Haku presented him his first experience of killing a man. Haku looked at Naruto, sad, but resolute. The boy had been adamant that there must be another way, but Haku told him there were none. This was all for the best.
Then, just as Naruto made up his mind, and began to approach him with a kunai in his hand, Haku saw, from the corner of his eyes, that Kakashi had trapped Zabuza. The situation looked dire, with Zabuza completely defenseless and immobile beneath the pile of dogs. The blazing blue orb crackled in Kakashi's hand, and he was rushing towards the nuke-nin, with the full intention of ending Zabuza's life. Haku had stopped Naruto in his progress, and quickly began making the hand seals to form an ice mirror, in a desperate attempt to reach Zabuza before Kakashi. He had failed in stopping the Konoha genin, but he could still protect his master, and give Zabuza another chance to get away.
However, Naruto misconstrued his actions as an act of deceit, and with a roar of rage tackled Haku to the ground, breaking Haku's concentration. He only needed another half a second to complete the seals, but the disruption was enough to ruin his effort. While he frantically tried to fight off Naruto, Haku's despairing eyes looked back towards his sensei. It was too late.
Kakashi had stopped running, with his hand now plunged through Zabuza's chest.
What happened afterwards was only a blur to Haku. The most relevant point was that Gato had showed up, loudly boasting of his treachery. Haku, in return, made the man pay for it with his life. He was willing to take on the armed mob also, in his state of anguish, had it not been for the timely appearance of Nami's citizens, finally rising up to throw away the hold that Gato had on them for so many years.
As a sign of penance, Haku had silently assisted with the construction of the remaining portions of the bridge. The distrust and hostility with which the residents of Nami held for him quickly evaporated, when they saw his grief, and the nightly vigil he kept for his fallen master after work. Tazuna and his family had entreated that he stay on, if need be, and were obviously concerned for his wellbeing. He politely refused them. This place will forever be the place where his dream ended, a source of constant heartache for the rest of his life.
However fortunate he may have been to survive the ordeal, it still does not change the fact that Momochi Zabuza, former member of the Kiri ANBU corps as well as the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, is forever gone from his world. Truly, he has no one left now.
He had thought of, and then immediately dismissed the idea of going to Konoha. Naruto and his team had asked him if he wanted to go with them, and he had turned them down. Really, could they really do anything to help him? He had deceived them initially to save Zabuza's life, and later on fought them on the bridge, in a last ditch effort to complete the mission given by Gato. He could have killed them, and had caused such anguish for Naruto that he almost did die by his hands. The only possibility of him going to Konoha would be to serve as a shinobi of Konoha, and that was not a choice he was willing to contemplate. How could he? He still had not resolved his grief, and if he joined, would have to work alongside Hatake Kakashi, the man who committed the actual deed. Did they really think he could get over the pain that easily, with a constant daily reminder in the form of Kakashi?
As he continues to look down upon the grave that holds Zabuza's remains, he ponders his options. Does he still wish to continue Zabuza's unfinished task? It would be difficult to take on missions by himself, despite his experience and apprenticeship under the Demon of the Mist. It would take most, if not all, of his life to earn enough money to hire the people needed to complete Zabuza's dream of taking over Kirigakure.
However, despite his anger at the Yondaime Mizukage, he knows that, in the end, the chance of success for such an undertaking is slim. It had been nothing short of miraculous that they had survived for so long, after the coup attempt, with the constant harassment from Kiri Hunter-nin squads. No, he cannot hope to accomplish the deed, and in some small part of his mind, he also knows that he has no wish for it. Let others fight and tear each other to pieces over that position.
Still looking down, he silently offers a message of gratitude, and farewell, to the man who had been his world in the last eight years of his life. The man who had taught him all that he knows in the shinobi arts, and through the time they had together, also taught him about the way the world works. He bows deeply, one last time, to the grave marked by Zabuza's sword.
Getting up, he walks away, without looking back.
The rain has abated, and a sliver of sunshine is visible, just beyond the patch of dissipating raincloud. As the warm glow of the sun permeates through his wet clothes, Haku finds a new resolve to live on in this world. While he will always cherish memories of his time with Zabuza, he needs to go out on his own, and find his own path.
Hidden Oto base # 4
"Ku ku ku. Excellent, a most interesting development."
Orochimaru, Konoha nuke-nin, as well as self-proclaimed Otokage, is pleased. Pleased at the thought that his research has helped to open up, literally, a new realm. A new world that may contain the secrets to immortality, and perhaps the tools to help him finally crush the village that had driven him away years ago.
Through complete serendipity, he had come upon a mild twist in the fabric of this world. It was so tiny that it would have been almost invisible. But he, ever the sharp genius, did in fact notice it, and had tried to experiment with it. He commanded some of the best seal experts in Oto to help him design a seal, to let him separate out the fabric, and create a portal. A portal to where, he does not know, but he is willing to give the time and effort to developing it, if it allows him to gain even the most miniscule advantage and knowledge over his numerous enemies.
As he ponders upon the new portal inside the underground base, he can see nothing beyond it. And yet, he cannot help feeling the sensation of power emanating from this other world…power that he will make into his. With that thought, he decides that, instead of approaching it himself, he would first let a trusted underling do a reconnaissance mission on his behalf.
Turning around, he sees a chunnin nearby inside the subterranean stronghold, and gives him the command. "Bring me Tayuya." The chunnin quickly bows, and leaves the room to carry out his order.
Hum, yes, she will do. Out of the four of them, she is the most intelligent, and will likely be able to adapt to whatever world that lies beyond.
Another minute later, the appearance of the redhead interrupts his thoughts. "Yes, Orochimaru-sama?"
Turning around, he looks at the bowing form of the genjutsu specialist. He laughs in the back of his mind, knowing the foul language that she possesses, and the fact that she is most likely straining hard to not let an expletive appear in her interaction with him. However, right now is not the time for such frivolities.
"I have summoned you here for a solo mission." Tayuya's eyebrows rise up a small fraction upon hearing this, but she remains silent. It is rare for the Sound Four to go on individual missions; they have a proven record of success as a team. A team that runs like clockwork, despite the individual members' quirks and contrasting personality types, and on a battle field no one else has yet been able to stop them. It is for this reason that they are selected as amongst the very best that Oto has to offer, and chosen as Orochimaru's personal guards.
"This is very important, Tayuya," Orochimaru continues. "We have discovered another world that is yet likely unknown to the rest of the Elemental Countries. And I intend to find out everything about it. Your task is to infiltrate this world, and learn everything about it. If you find anyone with special capabilities, do not hesitate to capture them, and return them here. I want to know anything that can be used to strengthen Oto. Also, kill anyone who learns of your purpose on the other side; you are to keep your cover until I inform you otherwise. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
"Good, then prepare for an extended mission. The gate will allow you to keep a line of communication with the base here, for any supplies that you cannot find on your own. I expect to see you back here at the end of today and ready to enter the portal."
Hi no Kuni, on the other side of Naruto Ohashi
Haku has finally departed from Nami, using the bridge which he helped to build. The path that he is currently on is surrounded by trees, and soon enough, the view of the bridge is swallowed up by the surrounding foliage.
He remains undecided as to where he should go next, even though that has been on his mind while he is walking away from Nami. Should he go north, into land not affiliated with any hidden village? Or should he continue into the west, as far away from Kirigakure as possible? And what, exactly, will he do in this next phase of his life? With Zabuza now gone, will he even remain a shinobi?
While contemplating his options, he notices someone walking in the opposite direction. The man is robed in white, holding a packet, and is moving along at a leisurely pace. Haku immediately notices there is something strange about the man, mainly, the unnaturally glowing eyes. Though the man does not seem to be a shinobi, Haku knows, instinctively, that the man is not to be underestimated.
When they pass each other, Haku offers a slight nod in greeting, and then continues walking onward, intending to be as unobtrusive as possible. The man may be powerful, but it is not something that Haku needs to concern himself with, as long as he is not one of the dreaded Hunter-nin from Kiri.
"Wait," the man calls back, which has the effect of immediately stopping Haku's progress. Had he been wrong? Is the person somehow aware of who he is? As far as he knows, Haku has never been in any of the bingo books, having never officially been a Kiri-nin in the first place. Could the person be from Kiri, one who had seen him that fateful night of the failed coup?
Thinking quickly, he quietly slides a senbon into his right hand, out of the man's line of sight. If this meeting should turn violent, he is prepared to hold the man off, and then quickly make his escape. Haku then turns his head slightly, so that he is looking over his left shoulder, at the man now facing him. "Yes?"
The man gives no indication that he has noticed anything is amiss, and continues on conversationally. "I can't help but notice, are you someone lost, without a purpose?"
His eyes now widened, albeit slightly, Haku now turns around to face the mysterious stranger fully, while taking care to hide the senbon away from the man's view. "How did you guess this?"
"It is no more than my power of observation." The man looks down at the packet held in his left hand. "I was thinking of just dropping this off somewhere, but I guess you will do." He steps closer to Haku, and then hands his packet to Haku.
Haku cautiously slides the senbon back into his sleeve, and then takes the large envelope. He opens it up, to reveal a stack of paper held together, with the words Youkai Gakuen in the front. After quickly perusing the contents, he raises his eyebrows in bemusement, and then looks back into the mysterious stranger's face. "You would like me to apply to this school?"
"Yes, I think you will fit in quite well, and I also think it can be beneficial for you." The man smiles a cryptic smile. "I can sense sadness in you, as well as a desire to seek a new direction in your life. By coming to this school, you will learn how to fit in to normal civilian society better."
"You know…that I am not a civilian?" Haku had taken off the Kiri hitai-te, and is wearing non-descript clothes that Tsunami had made for him. He had purposely removed all trace of his previous training from his gait, enough to fool even seasoned chuunin and jounin. How did the man know? It is rather depressing, to think that so soon after his master's death, Haku is already losing his edge as a shinobi.
"It is not obvious, and would have fooled most people. But then again, I am not most people." The man's smile is unnerving. What exactly he is, Haku does not know, but it would be something interesting to find out, now that he has Haku's attention.
Haku looks the man in the eye for another minute, carefully assessing the man's intentions. He then looks through the packet once more, examining the contents.
"I have never been formally educated in any institution, so I do not have previous academic records to supply. Up to this point in my life, I had only been taught in a specialized apprenticeship by one sensei. And since my sensei died recently, I no longer have anyone who can vouch for me." Haku looks back into the man's face. "I do not object to attending this school, but I have no proof that I already have the prerequisite education necessary."
"That is indeed quite a challenge," the man agrees. "But, if you do come, I can arrange for you to take an assessment exam, to see whether you do possess the foundation of knowledge someone of your age group is expected to have. And I can ask the teachers to provide you any remedial coursework, to help you catch up, if you happen to be lacking in any subject."
"This is very generous. But it is far more than I would expect, for a stranger you have just met. Am I right to assume," Haku narrows his eyes, in suspicion, "that this school is not a normal civilian school? Why do you want me there, specifically?"
The robed figure smiles, almost as if he is pleased with Haku being astute. "I was hoping to surprise you with this, but I suppose there is no point in doing that now." As quickly as he ended that statement, his demeanor takes on a more serious tone. "This world that you live in still has many beings other than humans, which humans call monsters. Therefore, it may be easier for you to accept what I am about to tell you next."
Taking a pause, he looks Haku over, for anything that can give away what Haku is thinking inside of his head. Haku, however, remains calm, and is ready to listen to whatever the man may say next.
"Youkai Gakuen is a school constructed and built in another place, separated by a barrier from normal human society, which prevents the human world from learning about the youkai and the school. The society itself is actually quite advanced, in many ways, than this one. This world that you know is actually several centuries behind the one that I came from."
Haku blinks his eyes, not sure what to make of that claim. It is hard to believe. But the man still has more to say.
"And in this place, separated from the human world, the children of monsters attend an academy that allows them to learn how to fit in better in human society, since there are now more humans in the world than ever before, and monsters do not reproduce as rapidly. For the continued survival of the monsters, they need to learn how to coexist in the world of humans."
The man does not seem to be lying, and seems very convinced that what he says is the truth. These things are completely outside the realm of his knowledge. But, if there are Biju and giant animal summons in this world, then why should there not be monsters as well?
"At the same time," the man continues, "I have reasoned that if monsters need to learn to live amongst humans, perhaps it would do to have a human also in a school of monsters, so that the human can also learn to coexist with the monsters. To that end, I occasionally allow one or two humans to attend the school. However, the policy of the school is that any humans found there would be expelled. Thus, if you were to attend, you must never reveal the fact that you are a human."
"And what," Haku asks, having found a convenient pause in the one-sided conversation, "is your role in this school, if I may ask?"
"Why," the man smirks, "I am the headmaster."
"I see." Haku pauses, and then begins, in a quieter voice. "I can see why you think this is an offer that could possibly benefit the both of us."
"Indeed." The headmaster of the school strokes his chin, thoughtfully. "Usually I wonder if the humans would be able to survive a semester, let alone an entire academic year unscathed, given the violent nature of some of the monsters. Humans are, sometimes rightfully, to fear monsters, as there indeed are ones that would not hesitate killing them, and see humans as nothing more than prey or food. You, however, have some training in fighting, am I correct to assume this? You are a shinobi, are you not?"
"I have been trained in the shinobi arts, yes," Haku answers, truthfully, "though I would prefer not have to fight, or to kill."
"And that is a sentiment I share, though sometimes we are denied that luxury," the headmaster nods his head, in approval. "You have the proper attitude, as well as the aptitude. I think everything is settled, for now, then. Come with me, and as long as you wish to continue studying at Youkai Academy, I will be your personal guarantor. You will not need to worry about paying for your schooling. In fact," the man tilts his head, as sudden inspiration struck him, "you can be my eyes and ears in the student population. I can give you a stipend for doing this work."
"You are asking me to be a spy amongst the students?" Haku has no objection to this. He has done infiltration work before, and is confident in his abilities. He is reasonably sure he can pass himself off as another student, even though he has never attended a school before in his entire life.
"I want you to pay attention to a specific student, though you are not to let her know she is receiving undue amount of attention from me."
"Understood." Haku nods his head.
"Good. The specific details that you will need to know will be revealed to you at another time. For now, let us get back to the school. We will need to prepare you for the beginning of the new semester."
...and that's the first chapter. Tayuya will be playing her part in the story, but I don't think I will be introducing any other Naruto characters into the Rosario + Vampire universe.
As always, please review, and offer any constructive criticism.