Blood of the Frozen Chapter 1, a Naruto + Bleach Crossover fanfic

Naruto stared into the crowd of people, chattering about happily congratulating their children for making Genin, while she was stuck in the same loop. Over and over she failed. Getting chance after chance. Sure, she had no clue how to mold chakra. Or unlock it for that matter, but she had outstanding kenjutsu, rivaling even the strongest of swordsman, and her taijutsu was highly developed. She brushed her hair back from her face.

She didn't understand why she couldn't do it but it was a part of life she supposed. The only thing she could truly do was mold this weird energy in her body in many ways. She could do nearly anything with it when she had concentration. It was to a point that the only thing she honestly cared for anymore was the beautifully crafted katana strapped to her back. It's magnificent blue woven hilt and gold guard seemed highly expensive. It was however quite the piece of junk when she got it originally.

Naruto let out one last sigh when she saw the golden locks of her father, along with her mother leaving the building with her brother. The better of the two in their eyes. They never really pay her any attention anymore anyways. Not even calling her for dinner. She was ignored in the house for having no talent. Maybe they will see what she will become one day.

Naruto looked over herself for a moment, she wore a white waistcoat with black Anbu pants and traditional wooden sandals. She had a black shirt underneath the waistcoat.

As Naruto sat twirling one of her red locks between her fingers a firm hand was placed on her shoulder. "Hey Naruto, I know you are upset about the results of the test, but I and Iruka came to a... decision to help you." Naruto's eyes grew wide as she turned to her teacher. "I'll do it."

Naruto was moving. Fast. Very fast actually. She had learned a couple years back when she was learning the use of the power inside her that if she surrounded her feet in the "spiritual energy" she could step a large distance nearly instantly. And through practice, she has mastered it to a point that she can move up to four hundred meters per second at max. Putting her in mid to high Jonin speeds. Without it though is very different.

To her back was a large scroll. Held securely by a strap. She had been ordered to retrieve the scroll for extra credit which would put her quickly in a good spot to get into the ninja program.

She smiled as she landed into the clearing, sitting down with her blade on her lap. She checked the time noticing she was two hours early. Sighing she calmed her nerves and settled into meditation.

Opening her eyes back up to the frozen ice scape of her inner mind. She smiled as she spotted the beautiful figure of her Zanpakto. "Good evening Shirayuki-chan, how are you?" The beautiful figure of the white-haired Zanpakto smiled as she slowly kneeled down into a sitting position. "It is nice to see you again, how have your studies been Lady Naruto?"

Naruto frowned and sighed lightly. "It has all been kinda bad. However I had been given a chance to gain some extra credit in the form of some mild espionage and thievery~" Naruto drew out her syllables slightly, enjoying the rather posh and royal speech with her highly respectful Zanpakto.

Shirayuki smiled "I am glad you have found a way to manage. But it is for the best no one understands your power for now. I want you to train for some time longer before then to prepare yourself."

Naruto nodded slowly. "I understand, I will do all I can to conceal myself. But... Do you think I could pick up my training in order to speed along that process?"

Shirayuki lowered her head for a few moments then nodded to herself. "If you follow all of my words and grow at the rate I figured I suppose we could push it up some time. Three months or so and we could have you ready."

Naruto smiled. "Yes, Yuki-chan~ We can do this!" Naruto cheered. Though even with her being a bit louder than her usual tone it was extremely quiet. "Oh... Seems I sense a bit of spiritual energy coming in. I will see you soon Yuki-chan, I just have to speak to my Sensei and go home."

"Of course Lady Naruto. Have a wonderful evening." Shirayuki bowed her head with a smile on her face.

Naruto breathed out slightly. Her breath creating a very thin line of icy mist. She smiled at the mist and giggled. Her body temperature was much lower than normal. She stood up and waited for the closing in spiritual signal. And like that one of her Senseis burst through the trees. Though this was not the one she was waiting on. "Oh hey Iruka-sensei~ I got the scroll, can I have my headband now?"

Iruka paused mid-syllable and asked, "What do you mean Naruto?"

Naruto put a hand on her hip, "The extra credit you and Mizuki-sensei are giving me, steal the scroll and bring it here."

Iruka's eyes widened as he quickly pointed at the scroll. "Okay Naruto, do not give anyone that scroll."

Just as Iruka was speaking another voice made its voice known. "Well well. You figured me out Iruka, I was kinda hoping this would be a silent affair but who was I to hope." The white-haired man slowly looked over the two from the trees. "But if you could give me that scroll Naruto, I will let this all go easy."

Naruto glared and drew her blade. "Come and take it, if you would like to try." At that Mizuki raised an eyebrow, confused at how quickly she switched to defense mode. He quickly eyes Iruka for a moment. Drawing one of his large shuriken strapped to his back he grinned. "Alright, Catch kid." With intense speed, he launched the shuriken at Naruto. She readied her blade and steeled herself and just when she was about to knock the shuriken aside she watched Iruka throw herself in front of the shuriken, blocking its path with his back.

Naruto's eyes were wide in shock. As his body fell to her feet she stared in disbelief. She could have stopped that... why had he done that... She shook herself from her thoughts and redirected them at the strolling form of Mizuki who was coming closer. "You know, I kinda liked you, I was going to be so generous with you and let you live. But now you sealed your fate. I will end you along with that pathetic Sensei of yours."

Naruto slowly forced her brain into working order just to notice Iruka pass out due to his heavily bleeding wound. She lowered her head and thought on everything for a moment.

"What? Are you too scared to move? Why don't I just end you then." As he swung with his second spinning shuriken Naruto raised her blade, the shuriken clanging off of her blade and flying away. "Have you ever wondered what it would be like to freeze to death? Perhaps slow came to mind, perhaps painful. Just so you know... It is painful, but it is not always slow." She held her blade out and slowly started rotating it. "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki"

As she rotated the blade a long white ribbon formed on the butt of the sword. The hilt turned fully white as well as the guard. And like that she was at his throat. And acrobatically flipped over him, spinning as she descended she left a deep slash along his back before she even landed he was already half frozen over. "If only Iruka was not here, I could have made it more painful... Enjoy the afterlife." She slowly sheathed her blade. Watching as his body was engulfed in ice before shattering with the click of her blade.

Moving over to her Sensei who protected her life she shook him gingerly. "Iruka-sensei, wake up. Wake up please."

Slowly stirring from his slumber he stared at the form of his student. He looked around for Mizuki before smiling at the scroll held in Naruto's hands. He reached behind his head and untied his headband. "Here Naruto, you truly deserve it."Naruto smiled, happy at finally being able to lead her own life. To truly gain power.

Naruto stared at the Hokage with her head bowed. Even if she was his daughter she still gave him the utmost respect in his office... or anywhere for that point. He never acted as a father anymore so she treated him as the Hokage. He seemed thoughtful on that fact and continued for a good few seconds think over that.

He shook his head before he waved. "I will allow you to keep the headband under the battlefield promotion clause. While it was a horrible trap set up by Mizuki and you managed to safely contain the scroll afterward I will wave any crimes committed in that scenario. Dismissed."

Naruto bowed and left the room. Letting a misty sigh release. She hated being in a room with him. He was so cold to her.

Naruto walked through the academy doors to her classroom. She looked over the seats as some people yelled at her for failing the test. She ignored them. She had the headband around her neck for a reason. Sitting down in the top left seat she waited for team assignments with her hands in her lap. As the time ticked by Iruka came into the room holding a clipboard. And like that started naming off teams. He ticked each one off as he went down in numerical orders before "Kento Namikaze, Naruto Namikaze, and Sasuke Uchiha."

Naruto then slowly thought of her team. She was honestly rather annoyed at her options. She got her Brother who is wholly entitled, rather weak and untrustworthy. Happy go lucky child with no experience. He did have a good chakra pool, some minor skills with his Kyuubi chakra and a few jutsu. Sasuke, highly entitled as well. Bratty and annoying but quiet most of the time. He did have remarkable Taijutsu and Ninjutsu. So in total, close range from Naruto, mid range from Sasuke and mixed from Kento.

Naruto kept to herself in her little bubble the classroom trickled away until only her and her teammates were left. And like that, hours ticked on. With Naruto in her little bubble of thought thinking of different strategies for maximum synergy. Before it was all blown out the window two hours later when she realized that her brother was a snob towards her for her "weakness" and Sasuke basically hated everyone.

Naruto let out a sigh as she leaned back to relax. She had been too tense with all the Mizuki things going about. Just as Naruto was falling back into her bubble she heard the door open, and a silver-haired man walks through the doors. He took a quick look around the room before speaking "My first impression of you three; downers. Roof in five Go!" And like that he disappeared in a blur.

Kento turned to tell her to come on only to see her blur away. She wanted to conceal her powers, yes, but she could take certain liberties when it came to general techniques.

Naruto stared into her Senseis eye. Working through everything she knew about him. He usually spoke to Kento and rarely spoke to her. She only knew his reputation, some bits of his likes and dislikes. And she knew that he favored teamwork and friends far over the rules and regulations.

She glanced over at the doors to the roof to see her brother and Sasuke walking over to her seat. Neither said a word in front of their Sensei, hoping to get more information on how to act.

Kakashi just smiled, well, his eye smiled really. "Well now that we are all here let's get on with introductions. Likes, dislikes, dreams for the future."

Kento gave him a weird look. "And why don't you go first Sensei?" Kakashi simply sighed and snapped his book closed.

"Well, My name is Kakashi, my likes... You are far too young, dislikes... And dreams. You first dark sunshine."

Sasuke looked annoyed at his admission of information but sighed. "Sasuke Uchiha, I don't particularly like anything and I dislike most everything. What I have is not much of a dream but an ambition. I will revive my clan and slay a certain someone."

Kakashi let out an internal groan 'Revenge complex, going to have to stomp that real quick, or direct it into another place.' "Alright, you next Blondie." Kento glared at him half-heatedly. "Kento Namikaze, I like rock gardens and sushi. I hate dango and sweets in general and my dream for the future is to follow my father's footsteps to be the Hokage."

Kakashi nodded a bit relieved he had one normal kid at the very least. 'And with a drive like that, I have no doubt he will take the mantle some day.' "You next Snow White."

Naruto rolled her eyes. "Naruto Namikaze, I like the cold."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "That it?" Naruto simply stayed quiet. 'Oh great, another Ice Queen. Maybe we can break her out of her shell. Though she was so happy when she was younger...' "Alrighty then. Meet me tomorrow at training ground 7 and don't eat, you will just throw it up afterward." And like that he blurred away. Naruto stood and before her teammates could say a word she like their Sensei blurred away.

Naruto let out a sigh. She looked around at the trees. The scent of the forest calming her. She let a smile grace her pale features as she drew her blade. "Let's start then Yuki-chan." She took a deep breath then exhaled. Slowly turning her blade counterclockwise as she spoke. "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki." And as she turned her blade the hilt turned white as well as a ribbon extended from the hilt.

'Now, simply go as long as you can before you drop. This way you can expend your spiritual pressure as well as garnering experience. Just limit the first dance. Pillars reaching the heavens are not very inconspicuous.'

Naruto smiled and nodded. "Alright. Until I drop eh? Got it."

Naruto walked slowly into the training ground. Her coat fluttering in the find slightly. She had woken up two hours later than normal but figured she would be "On time." She let out a light yawn as she strolled up to her teammates. She opted out of the conversation and hoped up on the tree branch in a quick leap, letting herself comfortingly nuzzle into the nook of the tree.

It only took an hour for their Sensei to arrive, making Naruto realize she was still early. She let out a very slight yawn and hoped down from the tree. Kento rolled his eyes while Sasuke stood with his hands in his pockets. Kakashi smiled at them all and held up two bells. "You guys ready for some survival training?"

They all halfheartedly stared at him making him sweat drop. Just slightly. "Ah... Okay, how about this, whoever doesn't get a bell goes back to the academy." At that, they all sparked up a bit and stared at him a bit straighter of spine. "Still no words though... Good enough I guess. You have until noon. Starting..." He glanced at a little timer which he quickly turned the knob on. "Now."

Both Sasuke and Kento dashed to the brush while Naruto walked towards Kakashi, hand on her blades hilt.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "I heard about your kenjutsu skills. Impressive from what I hear but this would probably be less painful for you if you acted like a ninja and not a samurai."

Naruto rolled her eyes as she slowly drew her blade. "You know what I think? I think this is all a big bluff. Never in the history of Konoha has there ever been a two-man Genin cell. Threes are always a constant. So that takes a little steam from your engine there. And as well as your famously known teamwork emphasis I can see why this test is put in place. However, none of my teammates like me or would ever understand that because their faculties are either over absorbed or too shortsighted. So in total, my only chance is to simply do all I can to get a bell in hopes I can pass into the general shinobi regimen or hope that my "team" will come and help of their own volition."

Kakashi's eye widened slowly as she spoke, her blade was readied and both of her hands were gripped onto the hilt loosely. "I see, well, try it if you like."

Naruto breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly before she took a single step and was at his throat. Kakashi, surprised, jumped back and lashed out at her. Naruto moved her head to the left away from his now drawn kunai and clashed it with her sword. She quickly twisted underneath the kunai and slashed at his midsection making him jump back again. She blurred forward again aiming for the strings at his belt. Kakashi quickly parried the blade and attempted to retaliate. Naruto quickly saw the attack coming and before the blade could connect she was behind him and like that her blade a mere flash of silver as a single one of the strings were cut. She slammed her foot into his spine sending him careening forward into a roll as she picked up the bell.

All of this was done in the span of ten seconds and Naruto kept her face impassive, staring at the now recovered Kakashi. "You see Sensei, you underestimated me and held back horribly. If you would have fought me as well as you could have I would not have retrieved that bell." She sat down next to a tree and sheathed her blade. "Please try to pop that bubble of superiority of my teammates. It will make it very difficult to interact otherwise."

Kakashi sighed slowly. "Fine, I will give you this once. Enjoy the freebie." And like that he blurred away, in search of the two others on the team.

Naruto let out a sigh as she ran her hand over the blade's sheath. 'sorry for the rough handling Yuki-chan.'

'its fine, not like it hurts, just a bit shaky.'

'Thank you Yuki-chan.' Naruto relaxed against the tree, waiting for her team to fail miserably. She had no doubts that Kakashi was holding back heavily. He may have been getting a bit weaker over the peacetime but he was still no pushover. Even with Yuki, she would not be able to beat him yet.

And like that she could feel a larger spiritual pressure and two very tiny and weaker ones. Moments later Kakashi drops in front of the three posts. Tieing the two to the posts. As soon as he had finished the knot on the second post he turned to her. "I'll admit they really are shortsighted when it comes to these things. You guys are lucky I am passing you guys due to a favor."

Naruto nodded. "Thank you Kakashi-sensei. I hope we can all get along through time." Kakashi eye smiled at her. "I hope so too. But I do wonder. How did you become that good with a sword? And on top of that, learn and perfect the shunshin?"

Naruto gently drew her fingers through her shoulder-length silver locks, and gently blew the one ever-present strand on her face to the other side of her nose. "Well... My kenjutsu skills are self-taught. I formed it over a few styles I have seen and created techniques." 'Actually, Yuki-chan taught me the right way to wield her.' "And the shunshin is actually pure speed. I kick my feet extremely fast in order to create a teleportation like an effect." 'Well, it is true, just amplified. I need a name for it though... Hmm. Maybe one day it will be faster that fathers Hiraishin... Wait... I got it! Shunpo! Flash step is perfect! '

Kakashi frowned through his mask. "I thought it looked different. Did your parents not teach you anything?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Of course not. I am far too weak for my parents to notice me." Kakashi scrunched up his face. 'So, she was never traditionally trained and she became this strong... I see then. She is prodigal in her field but not experienced in others. I hear she lacks the ability to use chakra yet she continues to push her body to its limit. I am honestly impressed.'

Kakashi smiled lightly. "Well, I will be sure to work off of your skills as best I can." Slowly he heard the two start to stir awake from their positions. "Ah, looks like you two failed."

Kentos eyes widened as he started barking out, "No way my loser sister could get a bell Kakashi! She obviously cheated in some way!" Sasuke simply glared at Kakashi.

Kakashi glared at Kento, "Your 'loser sister' managed to hold her own against me and remove the bell with pure skill in a matter of seconds. You managed to block one kick. And even then that was not the point of this test. It is a test of teamwork."

Sasuke then piped up "Then why does Naruto pass when she fought you head on as well?"

Kakashi held his forehead. "Because she identified the test and explained her reasoning for not complying with the standard rules. At least she wanted to, you two just went right for the most glaring option of all." Kakashi then lets out a slow sigh "Just, remember, always look underneath what is underneath." Sasuke and Kento huffed and turned their heads. Kakashi just shook his head "But I am passing you because I believe you can all grow to understand." He gave a pointed look at Naruto to keep her quiet. 'I assume he just deems me more responsible... Wonder if I won him over already~'

And like that her blade decided to speak up 'No boys for you!'

Naruto pouted internally 'I am just playing Yuki-chan.'

She heard a light huff 'Better be'

Naruto stifled a giggle as she heard her Senseis dismissal with a meeting time in two weeks and took that as her cue to shunpo away.

Naruto breathed heavily. She could feel her eyelids drooping as she forced her body to continue her training. She wanted to grow stronger. She would grow stronger. There are so many things for her to accomplish and strength was needed. So Naruto swung her blade. Carefully weaving it in crescent arcs of silver. Naruto had noted. Over the two and a half months since she had been with her team every night she had trained herself to the very bone. And she had noticed the results. Her blade felt much lighter in her hand. As if the very blade itself was becoming closer to her soul.

Along with that, she had noticed. At the very base of the blade where the blade met the hilt, there was clear ice, so perfect and clear, and much sharper than even the blade itself. Much stronger as well. She had figured as she mastered the use of the blade in its Shikai she would see the whole blade turn into the tougher, sharper crystalline ice. She smiled, she was smiling at each and every swing of her blade brought her to mastery. And with all of the careful and meticulous work her skills were honed very carefully and with as little fault as possible. Her swordsmanship especially.

With every bit of blood and sweat, she forced her body to adapt unconscious actions. Lining up every muscle in her body to make the perfect arc in each swing and flow into the next. The very essence of cold was in her very body. She could feel it. Controlling the very water molecules in the air, bringing the very water in the air closer and freezing it solid. Spikes, thin walls, thicker walls, the dances being extreme uses of the ability. And to devastating effect. Her range with The first dance was growing slowly. Angles hurt her concentration but slowly she was expanding that range.

Naruto finally felt her body give out from under her. The last white ripple she had used had just toppled over nearly eighty meters of trees and froze them all solid and another hundred meters behind that was frosted and nearing zero Celsius. Nearing. At the grin of satisfaction of her ability graced her lips as she finally dropped to the ground like every night before and slipped into unconsciousness.

Naruto groaned. She sat herself up and glanced around her area, noticing the decimation of plant life in front of her. She let out a giggle and hugged her blade. "We are doing great Yuki-chan!

'You are doing great, but don't get too cocky, you still have much to learn' Naruto smiled and nodded as she picked herself to her feet. She quickly started using her shunpo to return to the Namikaze estate. She wanted to take a shower and change real quick before she had to meet her team for their first C ranked mission. She was excited to leave the village for once and besides the old drunk they were escorting, she was sure it was going to be relatively easy.

Naruto had just finished drying her hair extensively. As she threw on her normal clothes, the difference being that instead of her normal waistcoat and black shirt she had a long-sleeved black shirt and a long flowing hooded white cloak. Which when still could cover her entire body from head to toe. In most ninjas cases you would not want such a cumbersome thing that limited the ability to grab the many weapons they hold. But for Naruto it was different. She only had her blade. It was the only thing she cared for and the only weapon she needed.

With that she slipped the blade into the white sash she had around her waist and flew out the window, using shunpo to cross large roof spaces in an instant. Her speed had definitely improved.

She spotted her teammates and dropped down beside them. They both turned to her at the same time and nodded. She always appeared a minute and a half before their Sensei. No one knew how or why but it was exactly that amount of time. And Sasuke leaned against the village gate while Kento focused on chatting with the bridge builder, their client and Naruto simply stared at the road ahead. Imagining all the things she could accomplish outside this village.

She had never truly thought about it much but there was a whole world outside of the village and so much to attain out there. She could do anything she liked, and grow without the limitations of a breeding hungry village. Hell, she could start her own village if she pleased... If only she could just escape from this village... She sighed as she felt the energy from their Sensei coming towards them. She has a hypothesis on why she can sense peoples spiritual energy. Because of how chakra is unlocked and processed in the body she figured that she was simply feeling the spiritual half of their chakra. And that is why it is usually practiced for her to double any presence around her in terms of strength. That is why she knew how strong Kakashi is. If he has grown rather complacent in peace.

As Kakashi landed he nodded to his students. He had been trying to up their taijutsu as much as physically possible for them and it has worked in some. Naruto had been showing some growth despite her primary use of her prowess is her blade. Sasuke has soared in that department while Kento has shown more skill in Ninjutsu than Tai though he was exceptional in both. Playing off of Naruto's strengths he focused on her kenjutsu training heavily. But even so, he found that she actually was more skilled in the arts of the blade than himself. He had been surprised at first but respectfully took that L.

Even so with that information he simply continued to spar with her, allowing her to use him as a target dummy for testing techniques which he would then Kawarimi out of. "Alright team, Naruto at point, Sasuke left flank Kento right flank, I bring up the rear. Tazuna please stand directly in the middle at all times to ensure your safety." Tazuna let out a low grumble and everyone fell into line with what will be a long trip.

Naruto continued to scan the area, focusing on her sensing in order to ensure no intruders were anywhere near her client. She silently rubbed her eyes before her eyes widened. She slowly lowered her hand to gently rest on the hilt of her blade and she used her other hand to sweep back her cloak, signaling to Kakashi there was a threat. As they kept walking their pursuers made their move. Dashing as one they wrapped Kakashi and shredded him with the chain that kept both of them together. "Get the bridge builder!" One shouted in a hurried tone. Naruto glanced at both Sasuke and her brother noticing her brother in his childlike mind was frozen in fear, and Sasuke had already started moving, throwing many shurikens pinning their chain to a tree. The quickly disconnected the chain and charged. Sasuke kicked one in the face and before the other could counter-attack his head fell to the ground.

Naruto breathed out a very light mist as her blade clicked back into its sheath. They were slow. Very slow. Kakashi has used a Kawarimi set and ready for over twenty seconds before they moved. And using her shunpo she doubted he even saw her move before his head touched the floor. The blood pooling as his body turned colder.

Naruto glanced at the other one who was already tied to a tree. Easily dispatched without the other to back him up.

Naruto then turned and stared at the tree she felt Kakashi's energy in and like that he dropped down with an eye smile. "You three did great! Naruto, you were wonderful, easily dispatching your foe with utmost efficiency, Sasuke you did great at shutting him down and restraining. I like that knot. And Kento, you stayed with the bridge builder and guarded him well. Good job." He then turned to the bridge builder. "Now, Tazuna, would you like to explain why those men were after your head?"

Tazuna showed an immediate reaction with sweat starting to pour from his body. "I-i have no clue." He stuttered out a halfhearted answer before Kakashi started focusing a slight amount of killing intent and he cracked. "Okay okay! I am building a bridge that will connect wave country to the outside world. This will allow us free trade and free us from a tyrannical ruler by the name of Gatou. He has imposed a forced tax which has taken every Ryo from our savings for years and has forced everyone into a stasis. We are dying in wave and the cancer that is killing us is Gatou. Please, I am begging you to help us. There is no way we could afford anything above C rank. "

Kakashi let out a sigh as he rubbed his face and just as he was about to deny the request Naruto spoke up. "I want to continue the mission. We showed we can take care of our own and you are a renowned Jonin Sensei. As much as I agree about the fact that he should have made a formal request to gain higher level mission values we can do this."

Sasuke and Kento seemed to agree as they stood behind her nodding. Kakashi stood still for a moment as he digested everything. 'This is easily a B class mission at this point and while I believe my students can handle their own together I still worry... And if I deny it could negatively impact their future attempts at teamwork... They could start blaming each other in a worse case scenario... Okay, I suppose we can continue.'

Kakashi cleared his throat and spoke to Tazuna clearly. "Very well, we will continue to protect you until you complete the bridge and afterward Konoha will want compensation for the endangerment of Genin. But I suppose that conversation will be with you and the Hokage after all of this."

Tazuna bowed his head graciously "Thank you so very much. You have no idea how much this all means to Wave." Kakashi waved his hand and they all fell back into line, everyone much more serious about the mission. Their futures could ride on the completion of this mission.

Naruto carefully focused on her senses. The mist was clouding her vision and as much as she like the cool climate of Wave she was making very much sure to stay on the alert. This mist did not feel right.

She let a cool breeze pass over her before she let out a loud shout "Everyone down!" And like that Kakashi tackled Tazuna to the ground and the rest dropped just in time as an absolutely massive blade slammed into a tree they had all just passed. As they all raised from the ground they looked upon the shirtless form of a tall man. Eyeing them all with an impassive look only to stop on Naruto for a short moment. Looking down at her blade and then nodding before his eyes glanced back to Kakashi. "So, Kakashi no Sharingan huh. I read up about you from back in my Swordsman days. Impressive. However, I am not really here for you. If you could hand over that bridge builder we could all have a nice day."

Sasuke's eyes widened dramatically 'Sharingan!? But how? He definitely is not an Uchiha... Did he steal it?'

Kakashi had a light voice but his features were hardened and he already had a grip on a kunai. "Sorry Zabuza, but unfortunately I kinda need his head on his body for a good while."

Zabuza shook his head "Well... that is quite the shame. I was hoping to avoid bagging up your head for the bounty if possible but if you are going to be that way I will just have to take him from you."

Naruto stared up at Zabuza in admiration. She was one person she had studied extensively on her research on the swordsman of her world. She was surprised how skilled and agile he is with that ridiculous blade of his. He was a pretty good inspiration for a few of her more acrobatic attacks.

Kakashi turned to them with a hand on his headband. "Do not leave the bridge builder alone. Zabuza is a master of silent killing and could end all three of you before you even realized it."

Kakashi quickly raised the kunai in front of himself to block the impossibly large blade from removing his head from his shoulders. "Don't you know Kakashi, never take your eyes off of your opponent." Kakashi pulled his headband up quickly revealing the spinning pinwheel eye under the plate.

Zabuza grinned as he pushed harder into Kakashi's guard. "The Sharingan so soon? I'm honored."

Kakashi jumped backward parrying a blade that came flying at him at high speed before flipping forward over Zabuza and pulling a kunai tight against his neck. "Surrender"

And like that, a blade was at his neck. "Die" Was all Zabuza spoke before another kunai was at his neck. The Zabuza grinned before dissolving into the water only to reveal the real Zabuza at the shore of the lake. "I see, you copied my Water Clone in the blink of an eye. Impressive. Truly. But what good is that eye if there is nothing to see." Zabuza made a half ram seal and like that the whole arena was flooded with mist so thick you could barely see your own hand in front of your face.

Naruto drew her sword and closed her eyes, sharpening her senses. She could hear Kento breathing heavily. He kept shifting his feet and was rather erratic with his breathing. She assumed he was full panic mode. Then she heard Kakashi through the mist. "Don't worry. I will protect you all with my life." Kento seemed to calm and tense again, but this time a much more stern tense.

Then she heard Zabuzas voice. But this time it was much closer. Centimeters away, she turned on heel and blocked his hefty blade. She strained but held herself. She kicked out his leg sending him kneeling before spinning and lobbing his head off. Only for him to fizzle into the water. She groaned as she heard the clanging of metal deeper into the mist.

Slowly Zabuza began naming the eight vital points. Each even if only nicked is fatal. She only wondered how he managed to strike any of them accurately enough with his berserker blade.

Slowly she breathed in and breathed back out, calming every nerve in her body. She let herself relax into her stance and simply waited. Slowly through the sounds of intense waves and the clashing of steel she noticed. She could see the battle again. As could everyone else. The mist had cleared some and she found that Kakashi had been forced into a bubble of water and was waving at us rapidly to run. "Run! This battle was lost the moment I was captured! Take the bridge builder and run!"

Naruto took a deep breath and calmed her now rampant nerves. Zabuza just laughed. "As if a bunch of green Genin could outrun even a legless me." And like that ten water clones formed from the lake and started walking towards them confidently. "Each one of these clones is exactly one-tenth of my strength in every sense of the word. Once you can defeat one I may consider any of you as a true ninja.

Naruto let out an almost interchangeable growl and shifted her stance. This one made for wide sweeping attacks with intense speed. And like that Naruto was gone. And before Zabuza could blink was on the other side of the clones, sword outstretched. And in that moment of silence, all of the clones exploded into water. She stared at Zabuza impassively as she swung her blade clearing it of water completely. "And now I destroyed them all, does that ruin your game Zabuza-san?"

Zabuza furrowed his eyebrows at her, he had never thought a green Genin like her would be able to slaughter his clones like that. It was extremely odd. 'Heh, maybe Haku has a little rival here.'

"Alright, how do you plan on making me release your Sensei here then? So you can handle one-tenth ten times at once, what about when all of it is combined?"

Naruto then shunpod close, forcing Zabuza to heft his blade in defense. Naruto flashed behind him and slashed again, he brought his blade behind his back to block and like before she kept flashing around him. Slashing over and over at increasing speed. Zabuza would never in his life admit it but he was being overwhelmed. He could barely keep his sword at pace with only one arm and she was still making nicks along his arms and a couple on his chest. Then he finally noticed it. She was stuck in an endless pattern of attack. He grinned viciously when she flashed exactly where he expected. He brought down his blade to her head and his eyes widened.

"Thank you." She had dropped low, using her spiritual energy to stay on the water and kicked up, hard. Sending him flying into the air. Taking advantage she jumped upwards only to be surprised when he still managed to block with his massive sword. But her goal was accomplished. She dropped back down and flashed backward towards shore.

Zabuza went to pursue only to be forced to block a kunai. He cursed silently at the fact that he was forced to release the prison. He parried a few strikes from Kakashi and then backed off, stowing his blade as he formed hand seals. He immediately noticed Kakashi making the same seals and cursed again. Hoping he held superiority with his primary water affinity and years of hard work he continued and then released his water dragon.

Only to be surprised when Kakashi had emerged another dragon of equal size. The clashed and like that canceled each other out in chaotic waves of water. Just as quickly Zabuza started forming seals and just like before he noticed Kakashi doing the same seals. But this time he actually did announce his curse when he noticed Kakashi doing them faster.

Screaming Zabuza tried to speed up but it was too late. Kakashi released the jutsu announcing its name casually. "Water Style: Exploding Water Wave."

The Jutsu sent Zabuza spiraling into trees, slamming his skull viciously into a tree in the process before finally stopping when he slammed into another tree back first. And like that two kunai thunked into his shoulders. Immobilizing him. "Can... Can that eye see the future..?" Zabuza asked weakly.

Kakashi stared down at him from the branch above "Why yes, your future is death Zabuza." Before Kakashi could strike the finishing blow two needles slammed into Zabuza's neck. He immediately dropped limp.

Naruto stared at the now dead man who served as a role model for her for a few years. It was kind of a downer but she focused her attention on the masked figure who was now speaking to. She heard her voice. It was... So soft, beautiful really... But it was empty. So hollow like everything was stripped from her and she was forced to live a certain way. That really sealed Naruto's mood. Now set in a saddened state she simply walked over to Kakashi who by now had completely dropped to the ground from exhaustion.

She sighed and picked him from the ground. She looked at Tazuna and her now stunned teammates and looked apathetically into Tazunas eyes. "Tazuna, if you would, our Sensei is injured and he needs rest."

Tazuna nearly jumped as he started speaking, beckoning them to follow. "You all can stay with me while you are all here. It is only a few minutes down the road we will be there super quick."

Naruto and her team came to the door to the spare bedroom and lied Kakashi down on the only futon out at the moment. Slowly stripping off his clothes and bandaging his minor wounds. To his credit, he only got a few nicks and scrapes over the entire fight. She sighed. It took about an hour and a half to fix up their Sensei, and honestly, if it were any more grievous of wounds she would probably have failed miserably. She was not too good at the medical procedure. But she knew enough about simple wounds.

She looked him over once again and nodded. At that, she simply made her way to the futon she had rolled out herself and lied down. Getting really nice and comfy before literally passing out.

Naruto came down the stairs groggily. Her hair was a mess and her sleeping clothes... Well... Not so innocent. With just a big T-shirt and some panties protecting her modesty she sat down and started eating the well-prepared breakfast.

Kento chooses that time to pipe up. "I don't know if you think you are such a badass after the lucky stunt you pulled but make sure you remember that you are still pathetic under me."

Naruto rolled her eyes and continued to eat. Sasuke really didn't bother with anything as he continued to eat.

They all turned when they heard the hobbling footsteps of their sensei. Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck as he looked over his students. Slowly he made his way over to the table. As he sat down he thanked Tazunas daughter, Tsunami, who had been the one to make the food.

"So I am going, to be honest with you all, Zabuza is most likely alive. The hunter ninja that appeared used very precise weapons called senbon. They are used to activate certain pressure points all over the body. And the ones that she struck were ones that can put a body into near perfect stasis."

Naruto rubbed her eyes annoyedly. She did not want to deal with him again.

Kakashi waved his hand lightly. "Worry not, little genin, it should be at least two weeks until he appears again. Meaning it is time for us to kick our training into high gear. As best I can at least. I will do all I can to increase your survivability. And maybe even put you in combat readiness."

Kento and Sasuke looked at him expectantly as he slowly picked up his chopsticks and very slowly started on his breakfast. "Hope you three are ready. Cause it will not be easy..." He took another bite as he thought things over. "First is speed training. I have some simple gravity seals on me to help with that..." He moved a few pieces of food to the side before taking another piece in his mouth.

"Then I suppose I will do what I can to train you in some kenjutsu. It will be using kunai and short ranged attacks but all in all, it should help." He let out a yawn as he stretched casually. "Then I suppose chakra control will be useful for the boys. And Naruto... Hmm... We will keep with our normal regime and after that, I will allow you to do your own thing. You seem to excel like that." Naruto let a barely noticeable smile grace her lips and nodded towards her Sensei graciously.

Kakashi finished his food and gently stacked his plate and chopsticks with the others on the tables and thanked Tsunami. "Alright, each day I will go with Tazuna to the bridge in the mornings to night. I will be working constantly with him. So I will get you all started today since this is an open day for everyone. And each evening I will leave you with basic and more advanced instructions to accomplish while I am gone. So I expect you all to do everything you can do to accomplish both. But don't overwork yourselves. We need everyone to be ready at all times." Each of them agreed on that topic and nodded towards their sensei.

Kakashi eye smiled. "Well good. We can get started right now." And like that he started to hobble towards the door.

Naruto had been training. Heavily. She was held up against a tree. Her Shikai long ago fading back into its sealed form.

Naruto could barely handle herself at that point she had trained herself to the bone with nonstop training. Over her usage of the spiritual power it had grown dramatically over the years and she had used every last drop over the course of three days of nonstop usage.

After everything she did, there was quite the amount of frozen plant life. She stumbled out of her blast zone and a few more meters before finally dropping to the ground and passing out.

Breathing out slowly enjoying the chilling atmosphere of the woods this early in the morning walking through the forest looking for specific species of herbs to mix into medicine for deep wounds. Spotting the purple color of the herb she was looking for she smiled slightly.

Slowly she moved towards the plants before stopping dead in her tracks at the edge of the clearing. She eyes the young swords mistress that managed to push Zabuza to release the water prison in under ten seconds at that. Slowly she reached into the basket she was holding, gripping a hidden senbon.

She moved forward with such a light step even some of the most skilled shinobi would be oblivious. As she stalked up she got a better look at Naruto's face. She seemed at peace, cute lips parted slightly as she slept, a sleek angular face with nearly sparkling pale skin. She was in a mess of her cloak as she slept but was completely unfazed by the temperature which was still slightly below freezing. Her hair was frayed out dramatically like she had dropped unceremoniously.

Haku shook her head for just a moment as she tightened her grip on her senbon before finally releasing it. 'I am too weak sometimes... This girl is the enemy but I am just going to let her leave with her life... I am sorry Zabuza-sama.'

Haku gently crouched down and sat on her knees, shaking Naruto gently. "Come on now, you will catch a cold if you sleep out here like this."

Naruto stirred from her position, scratching her head for a moment with groggy eyes. She glanced up at the sky realizing it was barely six in the morning and groaned. "I'm gonna melt~" She dramatically hummed out before dropping back to the ground.

Haku giggled with a hand over her mouth. "Well, we can't have that either."

Naruto sat up slowly and leaned against a tree as she eyes Haku. "Hello, sorry but I am not sure I know you?"

Haku noted the tone change, and the features shift to a more proper format. Haku smiled and started collecting the herbs. "Oh, I am simply picking some medicinal herbs for someone precious to me."

Naruto turned her head curiously. "Someone precious to you?"

Haku glanced at her "Do you not have someone that is very precious to you?"

Naruto looked down at the ground and slowly processed it. "No... I have not thought about that in a long time. This blade I carry though... She has been with me for a very long time. In my way, she is the only thing I care for any more..."

Haku's eyes softened as she finished picking her herbs and she turned to Naruto. "So you have no one... Were your parents killed?"

Naruto shook her head slightly. "Not really. They do not care for me. I am insignificant in their eyes. Too weak to be one of them. So they ignore me completely."

Haku nodded, she understood that. She took it all in and then spoke. "If I know one thing it is to that when you find at least one person to take you it is difficult to be alone again... I do not like being alone and it is very difficult to think of a life without that one precious person by my side... And I believe that the blade you wield is something that has grown with you. Almost like an extension of your very soul. Keep that in mind."

Naruto smiled at her. "You know, I do not think that I have ever met someone with a better viewpoint on life than that. Unfortunately, I lack those bonds... They are missing from my life and cast off. That need was killed when I was forced to end them. I only truly hope that one day everything will work out and I can rekindle those needs. To feel properly again."

Haku lowered her head for a moment before nodding to herself. "Do you think that is possible? To rekindle that need?"

Naruto sat still for a moment thinking over the question silently before speaking. "I am not quite sure. I really just want to hope it is possible. It is all I truly hope for in my life. Even death is something I have grown to embrace and expect. I would die with a smile on my face if I had just one more person to latch onto and know they are there through everything. So to answer. I just hope it is possible."

Haku let out a soft breath then smiled. "Perhaps one day you can truly find that person. I wish you every bit of luck in your search."

Naruto stood up and gazed at Haku, a smile on her face. "You know, whoever your precious person is, I kinda envy them. You are a wonderful person. May I know your name?"

Haku just smiled, "Haku, and yours?"

Naruto smiled happily. "It is Naruto. Do you think we could meet again sometime? I am going to be around for a week or so. Maybe we can relax by the ocean for a while and enjoy the view."

Haku seemed to think hard for a moment 'I-if... If I say yes, I could be making bonds with the enemy... If I have to kill them after I make bonds I may not be able to do it... But... I really want to... I want to talk to her, she reminds me of... Of myself... I am so sorry Zabuza-sama..' Haku also stood and smiled happily. "Let's do it, in two days, let's meet right here. Right before sunset. Okay?"

Naruto nodded as she glanced at her surroundings for a moment before nodding again. "Alright." She smiled brightly. "See you then!" And with that, she blurred away.

Haku frowned for a moment before turning and smiling. "Yes, I will see you then. I promise."

And with that Haku jumped to the trees and started moving back towards the base.

Naruto sat at the base of the tree and waited. It was about two hours from sunset and she knew she was early. She wanted to be a bit early so she could get as much time in as possible. Haku was such a refreshing person to be around. She had a wonderful outlook on life and people that it was nice to talk to her. Unlike everyone around her all dim and dreary. Though she did suppose she contributed to it.

Naruto sat in wait idly, running her hand over the hilt of her blade gently. She smiled silently as she did so. Knowing Yuki-chan loved it when she did. They can feel each other when she is in contact with the blade.

Just before she was about to enter her mind to speak with her Naruto's ear twitched. Her senses flared up for a moment before she recognized the energy that was Haku's. It was... Weird... She almost felt like herself... Chilling... But comforting.

Naruto stood up and waited. It only took another minute for Haku to enter the clearing with a smile.

Haku waved as she moved closer. "It is a nice evening to do this. Shall we head out to catch the sunset?"

Naruto didn't say anything, just grinned and waved for her to follow before locking her arms together behind her back as she started to skip off to the best view she had ever seen.

Haku smiled at her enthusiasm and followed at an even pace. She figured she made a good impression if Naruto is opening up so much. Then she slowly clicked the dots together. 'I could be the only person to listen and help her in years... She could be trying to grasp at something... Anything...' Haku frowned slightly at that but didn't falter. Perhaps this would be good for both of them

Naruto slowly leads her into the brush, pushing away the bits of plantlife blocking their path. She really wanted at least one person to sow this place too. She had found it one day when scouting the area.

Haku was nice to be around but Naruto knew something was off about her. She was a very gentle person she noticed. She carried herself that way. Added to the fact that she cared enough to meticulously pick herbs for her precious person and the fact that Zabuza escaped with a fake hunter-nin and the fact Haku had very impressive pressure. Perhaps even a little stronger than Zabuza himself.

At this point, Naruto refused to allow herself to care. If there was any other person in her life to help her perhaps she would have chosen a different route. Maybe she would of slit Haku's throat the moment she felt such pressure from her. But no, Naruto allowed herself this weakness. She allowed herself to become oblivious. She allowed everything and she couldn't care.

Smiling as they made it to the spot she wanted to share. She held back a bit of brush like a door for Haku to pass. Haku smiled gently as she walked past. Pulling her eyes to look out at what will forever be ingrained in her mind.

Before her laid a beautiful scape of the ocean from a grassy cliff side. The sunset teetering on the edge of the horizon making the ocean glint in a wondrous mix of yellow and orange. Haku's eyes practically glittering at the sight as she exhaled slowly. "It's... Beautiful.."

Naruto sauntered up beside her with a smile spread happily across her face. "It is truly wondrous. I have never seen such a truly beautiful scene in my life. It struck me the moment I saw it and I could not just keep this to myself. I had to show someone. So... I want this to be our spot. Just between the two of us."

Haku turned her head and stared into Naruto's eyes with a smile. "Just between us?"

Naruto nodded enthusiastically.

Then Haku nodded. "Okay, just between us."

Naruto smiled and did a little twirl before plopping down onto the ground, her arms placed for support behind her back as she crossed her legs. She looked up to Haku and patted the spot next to her. "Sit with me for a bit. It is really a nice night to relax."

Haku stared down at Naruto's beautiful violet eyes, sparkling in the light of the sunset. Temporarily stunning Haku. It took a moment for Haku to catch herself put she quickly smiled and sat down next to Naruto, crossing her legs and staring out at the sunset.

They both smiled, silently enjoying each others company. Uncaring for the outside world for just a couple hours they ignored all of their other responsibilities and just sat, talking to each other about the dumbest of subjects and just purely enjoying each others company.

Naruto had been eating dinner. She had not planned to meet Haku today but she wished she did with her brother constantly glaring her down. She simply blew off his glares with blatant indifference.

Kento growled as he stood up, shaking the table with his swift shift as he pointed at her "What the fuck is wrong you? Why are you such a bitch all that time? You never even speak a word to me or Sasuke really for that matter and all you do is silently sit as if none of us even exist!"

Kakashi started to stand upon that raising his hands "Now let's calm down now-"

Naruto gently set her chopsticks down and stood up, carefully, gracefully, and stared him in the eye. "Because you are a part of the family that treats me as if I do not exist. I am simply civil. I work with you and Sasuke as needed and fulfill my duties as required. Nothing more nothing less."

Kakashi held a hand up to Naruto "Let's not do this here-"

Kento glared at her "Of course, you are weak! Tiny, insignificant, you can't even unlock your chakra, how do you think you will ever get anywhere as a shinobi! You might as well have stayed home and waited to be married off in some political wedding. At least then you would have been useful in some way!"

"Kento!" Kakashi glared at the boy who had crossed his arms and continued to glare at Naruto.

Naruto paused. Her impassive barrier crumbling around her as she took a step back. Was she really that useless? Was she so useless that all she was good for was marriage? Furthering political gains and being a mindless sex doll... Was... Was she that useless?

Everything Naruto had done up until now and all of her accomplishments flew out to the wind when her he struck the one cord that could crack all of her defenses. Before she could let her brother see the tears in her eyes she turned on heel, her cloak blowing with the door being swung opened quickly before it slammed just as fast.

Naruto curled up in her warm cloak on the cliff face that she had brought Haku to. It held nice memories, she wanted to be somewhere nice to let out all of her tears.

Her tears poured down into the grassy ground as she thought of all of the things he had said.

Was she useless?

Could she even help anyone?

Could she protect anyone like she is now?

Why couldn't anyone love her?

Was there anyone who would accept her?

It was at a point where Naruto had no clue what she could or couldn't do. She never experienced love. She never knew what it could solve or how to live with it. She had always lived with indifference. She could never understand her own thinking with no experience. The only one to truly love her was Yuki-chan... And she was a part of her own soul... Was there no other kindred souls out there though. Someone to stand with her... Anyone...

"Naruto?" Narutos whimpers caught in her throat as she heard one of the only people to ever speak to her personally. "H-Haku?" She quietly wiped her eyes and sniffled slightly as she sat up.

Haku slowly moved forward. "Naruto? What's wrong? Who did this?" Naruto sniffled again as more tears started to force themselves out of her eyes. "I-i..." Haku slowly knelt down and wrapped her arms around Naruto.

"It's okay, I am here for you." Haku gently held her close and ran her fingers through her hair as Naruto gripped her kimono, crying into her chest as she pulled herself tightly into the embrace.

Haku continued to run her fingers through her hair as she waited for Naruto to calm down.

After twenty minutes Naruto had started to calm down. Her bawling slowly progressed into silent sobs. It took her a few moments to collect herself before speaking, though she held the embrace tightly through everything. "My brother... He started screaming... Telling me I was weak... I was worthless... That I should have stayed home and been married off... That-"

Haku gently lifted her chin up to meet her eyes. "Naruto, do not listen to any of that. It is all lies. You are strong, you have strength like no one else, being able to withstand every bit of mental degradation focused on you by your parents. Never believe what he says because you are different. You are strong, powerful, and... and beautiful."

Haku stared down into Naruto's glittering eyes as she gripped her kimono tighter. "R-really?" She gripped slightly tighter. "You're not lying?"

Haku smiled and gently ran her fingers deeply through her hair. "Of course, I would never lie to you."

Naruto stared into the silver eyes that almost let Naruto stare into her very soul and saw nothing but compassion and care. Naruto faltered for a moment and then slowly wrapped her arms around her. Gently nuzzling into her neck. "Don't leave me... I just... Need someone... To stay with me..."

Haku gently pulled her closer and closed her eyes slowly. "I won't... I promise. Just relax." Naruto hummed an approval as she slowly drifted into a deep slumber. Truly drained from all of her cryings.

Haku had long settled into the embrace after realizing that whatever was in Naruto's arms when she fell asleep was stuck there until she woke back up. It only took her a few more minutes to finally fall into a deep sleep.

Naruto groggily opened her eyes. Yawning cutely as she rubbed her left eye with her hand as she pushes herself up gently. It took her a moment to notice that whatever was under her palm was squishy. She took a moment to think before she opened her eyes to what was under her.

Naruto started to slowly grow a blush on her face. Haku was under her, still silently breathing as Naruto slowly removed her hand from her breast. She looked at her surroundings for a few moments, realizing that she was back on the cliff side.

Slowly the memories of last night came back and Naruto frowned. She had admitted a lot... But... Naruto... Naruto felt something for this girl. She was still straddling Haku, but she just couldn't move. She felt so comfortable with her. She gently lied back down and nuzzled into her chest.

She wanted to think that there were things were okay in the village, that she had people there that cared for her but the more she thought the more she realized how little she had in the village. She had barely spoken twelve sentences to anyone in the village. And while she did enjoy Iruka, he was very rare to see. She never really spoke to anyone else and no one ever really talked to her...

Naruto sighed slowly as she nuzzled closer. She couldn't decide. She was at an impasse... Would she choose bloodlines? Or would she choose the one who truly cares at the sacrifice of everything... Even at the cost of her life... Would she be willing to throw everything she has ever known just to chase what could be...

As she was thinking Haku slowly started to wake up, groggily rubbing one of her eyes as she glanced down to the form of Naruto's sprawled out hair. Gently nuzzling into her chest. Haku blushed slightly. "Y-you comfy down there?"

Naruto let out a soft giggle "Maybe I am~ Can't I stay~" Naruto intentionally made a cute face as she glanced up into Haku's eyes.

Haku just could not bring herself to deny her face and just started to run her fingers through her hair and simply nodded. "Of course you can."

Naruto giggled happily and curled up gently. "Thanks... You made me feel a lot better last night. It was nice."

Haku nodded with a smile. "Of course. I will be here any time you need."

Naruto closed her eyes, a gentle smile on her face. "Thank you... For everything..."

Naruto breathed out slowly. Gazing up her blade she smiled. The blade was almost halfway crystallized, if her hypothesis was correct that would mean she is on her way to mastery of her Zanpakto. She let out a quiet giggle and hugged the blade tightly. As she sat back against a tree she closed her eyes and focused on her own mind. Entering her mind scape. 'I would never have gotten this far without you Yuki-chan. Thank you'

Shirayuki lets a smile grace her lips unseen by her master. 'why of course Lady Naruto, you are my master, I must help you no matter what.'

Naruto stared up at Shirayuki, blinked once before shaking her head. "No, you are family."

At that Yuki blanched. Letting her face drop into confusion. "We share no bloodlines. We cannot possibly be family."

Naruto shook her head. "Family is family and blood is blood. A family may be in blood but true family is those you have the closest bond of all with. You are family Yuki-chan. Because we are two parts of the same soul. Two different halves and when released we work as one, we are truly family. Because in all honesty, we are twins. I am you,"

Yuki's eyes widened before she spoke for Naruto. "And... I am you."

Naruto smiled happily. "Exactly. Twins~" Yuki smiled as she gently pulled Naruto into a hug.

Just then Naruto sighed and left Yuki's arms. "Sorry, Yuki-chan. Company." Yuki simply nodded with a smile on her face as Naruto transitioned out of her mind scape.

Naruto let out a yawn and glanced around before noticing Kakashi standing behind her. He looked very serious. "Who is this Yuki?"

Naruto's eyes widened for a moment before she schooled her features. "I'm sorry Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi glared lightly. "You spoke the name Yuki, with the suffix chan. This implies close bonds. So. Who is Yuki and why did you apologize to her?"

Naruto growled internally. 'I started to transition out while I was speaking and ended up giving my waking body a command to speak.' She slowly willed her features to be saddened as she thought of an excuse and waved Kakashi off "Yuki is a very good friend of mine who has passed. It comforts me slightly to talk to her every now and again. Ya know... Saying my goodbyes and such, saying that I may see her soon." Narutos lie seemed to bite as Kakashi's eye drooped slightly and lowered his head.

"I understand... Sorry for the hard questions. I just came to tell you we are expecting some company either tomorrow or the next."

Naruto nodded silently" Thanks. I will take it easy in order to stay on top of it all. "

Kakashi eye smiled "Thanks, I will leave you to it."

Naruto slowly waited for his presence to cease from her focus before a smile bled back onto her face. 'Looks like we get to relax Yuki-chan!'

Naruto heard a slight giggle before 'Yes, you are doing great Lady Naruto. We can afford a break.'

Naruto happily sauntered back towards the house.

Naruto stared up at the ceiling, breathing in and out as she thought everything through. After everything, it was becoming increasingly difficult to decide.

On one hand, she has the chance to truly live. Haku lit a fire in her, really making her feel alive. While on the other hand, she thought back to the village. There she was safe. Nearly guaranteed a sustainable life without much trouble besides the work she would have to attend to with her missions.

But in the village, she would forever be locked down with the chains that are her family. Unable to move from her stagnated position and live a dull uneventful life.

What ties did she have... Which ties could she sustain? Would she be willing to lose everything for something?

Naruto let out a deep breath before closing her eyes. She had decided.

Grunting in pain as another senbon impacted his body Kento groaned and parried another wave of the irritating weapons. This dome of ice was thick. Incredibly thick. Kento had been idly channeling some of the foxes chakra, hoping to counteract a lot of the bleeding and counteracting the pressure points being placed over his entire body. He had brief moments of terror when one or two of his limbs stalled for a moment before the fox took care of it. He had Sasuke watching his back though. He honestly felt rather close with Sasuke, growing up all his life with him by his side. They were always close so when they had been made a team Kento was rather happy that he made it with someone he liked and could trust.

His sister always acted bitchy, ignoring him constantly as well as Sasuke which only fueled his rage. He wondered though... The hunter-nin that was peppering them with the debilitating weapons seemed angered specifically at himself. As he had been on the receiving end of quite the many more than Sasuke. It is like she was angry at him for some reason. Though in the end it really didn't matter as he was dodging for his very life at the moment.

Sasuke rolled backward as Kento moved in to block a volley of senbon aimed at his brother in all but blood.

Sasuke coughed slightly as he steadied his breath. "Kento... You have those clones right?" Kento glanced towards Sasuke and nodded before staring back into the mirrors.

Sasuke got back to his feet and grinned. "Start sending rounds of them towards the mirrors... I think I have a way to end this."

Kento nodded. He still had plenty of chakra left so he did as he was told. He crossed his fingers in an odd tiger seal and started sending waves of ten in all directions. Just as he did Sasuke splashed a puddle of water hard making it explode into the air in water droplets. Just then Haku moved, destroying all of the clones nearly before they could blink before blowing the two back to the center.

Sasuke grinned and wiped his lip as he spoke: "Kento, do that one more time."

Kento nodded releasing another wave with a grunt this one larger. And again Sasuke slammed up a mass of water and again Sasuke grinned as the clones were destroyed. But this time his grin formed a frown when Kento took a senbon to the neck. He quickly dropped to the ground completely paralyzed.

Sasuke growled. Though he would never outwardly admit it in his lifespan he knew that Kento was like a brother to him. He couldn't lose him now. He could barely even imagine a world without him. And almost as if the world was taunting him he watched as she flanked them, attacking Kento who was now paralyzed if only temporarily. She wanted to take him out.

Then Sasuke realized... He could see. He could see! Sasuke moved quick, anticipating the attack and parried. Knocking her back into a mirror.

Haku let out a silent growl. She was confused about her own actions. Every spot she aimed for was vital, these kids were decent for their age and managed to always make her miss. She did not want to take a proactive role in their demise by entering close combat, but she did want Naruto's brother to feel even a large amount of pain. She couldn't understand. She hated the thought of what she could be becoming but she had no time. She had to hurry... The battle was dragging far too long.

She glanced at Sasuke before figuring out her plan of action. Then she started bouncing around her dome releasing one or two senbon at a time. She found he had the Sharingan like a lot of his clansman. He could predict where to block but could barely keep up.

She added a bit to her speed and watched as he took the bait. Then she released a hail of senbon directly opposite of the last senbon. Sasuke quickly noticed. He winced preemptively as he flipped over Kentos body and blocked the storm of steel with his back.

Kento stared up into Sasuke's eyes as he coughed a little blood up. Sasuke let a slight chuckle into his voice. "Ya know... I really wish I could have done some more..." Sasuke then dropped falling to the ground painfully as the points pierced knocked him out quickly.

Kento growled as he leaked more of Kyuubi's chakra. The power slowly started to rise from his system. Building around him in a red flow of chakra. His eyes slit as he glared up into the mirrors..

Haku stared him down with an impassive glare. "Ah, a simple berserker when one loses control. How saddening that you have no grasp of your own mind." Unfortunately, Haku had severely underestimated the very power of the strongest of the Biju. With a loud roar, Kento unlocked the first gate of chakra that was the Kyuubi's tails. The red liquid like tail bursting from his spine as he released a shockwave like a roar which cracked the mirrors instantly. Haku stumbled for a moment as she stared in shock at the shocking power.

And before she could recover Kento had already implanted a fist into her face. Shattering the mirror she was in along with the dome from lack of chakra flow. Kento stared down at her flattened form with red eyes as he stalked forward like the animal he was. Her mask had long since fallen from her face, shattered along with her mirrors from the impact. Haku had a tear streaking down her face. 'I am sorry Zabuza... Naruto... I have failed you both...'

Just as Kento was reaching down for her shirt to pull her up and break her down again he stopped. Just as a deep slash across his chest formed and sprayed blood. He coughed horribly and dropped to the ground. The cloak of volatile chakra receding. Haku glanced hopefully towards the cause of the horrid wound.

Narutos snow like cloak billowed in the wind as she held her blade ready to her side. "Haku... I... I am here to be with you. You are the only person to ever have shown me true kindness in ages. So... I am here, for you."

Haku stalled for a moment. Saddened that she had been, albeit indirectly, drawn another into the difficult lives of missing-nin. Just then she felt an intense flow of chakra emanating from where Zabuza was, meaning... "Zabuza-Sama!" Haku tried to form another ice mirror only to realize when her mirrors shattered her flow was broken so she could not retrieve the excess she had pumped in. She had no more chakra to form any more mirrors. Then, without a word Naruto blurred away.

Kakashi held his left hand tightly as lightning covered his hand and forearm. "You should be honored, Zabuza, few see this move for even a moment before they are dead. Enjoy it." Kakashi then sped forward aiming to pierce Zabuza's heart. Just then Kakashi came to a realization, Naruto was heading for him and fast. And that she would easily intercept him.

Naruto had forced her to speed up a bit and slammed right into Kakashi and did manage to knock him off target, but they were moving too fast and even though Naruto managed to keep his heart intact, Zabuza chest and part of his neck were bleeding profusely.

Zabuza stared Naruto in the eye for a moment. "You... You... Are the one Haku has been hanging around aren't you..?"

Naruto got up staring back into Zabuza's eyes. She nodded respectfully. "Yes, I hear wonderful things about you."

Zabuza chuckled lightly "You knew... all along." By now the dogs had been released from their summon and returned to their homes. While Zabuza fell to his knees. "Take... Good care of her..."

Naruto nodded and bowed her head respectfully as he finally collapsed, just as Haku stumbled into the area to see his last breath.

Haku dropped to her knees and started crying. Naruto immediately ran to her side, wrapping her arms around her. "I am so sorry... I did all I could... I was too slow... I was not good enough. I am so sorry for losing your precious person." Haku gripped her arms and cried into Naruto's chest as she patiently held onto Haku, hoping to help at least somewhat.

But it was all for naught as Kakashi stepped in. "I am sorry to intervene but Naruto, you are currently consoling the enemy, and why did you actively knock me off my mark?" Naruto turned to him with a glare. She whispered and apology into Haku's ear as she stood, and faced Kakashi. "Kakashi, I hereby renounce my second name Namikaze, with you as the witness as well as Haku. As well as I renounce my Konoha citizenship and my Shinobi duties less officially."

Kakashi sighed as he stared at Naruto before lowering his head. "Has... everything truly been that bad for you? Have they really severed all of your ties?"

Naruto nodded. "I have been thinking about it for a while and this is the way I wish to go."

Kakashi nodded. "Could I ask one thing? Have one last battle with me, I just want to see if you can handle it out here, and I want you to use that energy of yours. I want you at full strength." Naruto's eyes widened as she stared at him and he decided to explain preemptively "I can see chakra with my eye, but the only thing I see is a far more compressed energy in you which is how you seem to step from place to place. I also see it constantly flowing through the blade of yours. "

Naruto grinned slightly and nodded. "Very well. One last time." Kakashi smiled slightly before a frown formed again. Clapping hands through the fading mist echoed along with a voice. "Oh great, they couldn't even end one. Well, glad I didn't invest much in you two. I got these guys for that now." And like that the mist cleared a bit more to view the two hundred strong thugs and ronin hired by the tycoon of a man.

Naruto glanced at Kakashi with a smile. "Perhaps I will give you... A brief glimpse..." She then looked at Haku "Haku." She called her name to which she looked up in response, tears staining her eyes. "I know you hate killing... But I wish to dedicate this dance to you and Zabuza."

Naruto slowly strode forward as Gatou fearfully ordered them to attack. Naruto held her blade up. 'A good performance for my precious person, eh, Yuki-chan?'

Yuki simply smiled. 'Anything for you Lady Naruto'

Naruto pulled in a breath and slowly turned her blade. "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki." The ribbon flowed extravagantly from the hilt, and the half crystallized blade forming. An immensely cold wave washed over each one in the audience.

"First Dance, White Moon." Naruto smiled gently and slowly twirled with her blade making a circle. Like that, a white circle glowed on the ground directly in the center of the small army, fifteen meters in diameter which glowed like a full moon. Then in an instant, everything became below zero, a massive pillar of ice formed, reaching the very heavens sparkled magnificently.

Each one in that diameter was instantly frozen to death, with little thought to their lives. Naruto breathed out a cold steamy breath. Though, due to the opposite reason as the normal.

Naruto slowly twirled her blade before holding it downwards. The hundred fifty or so charging her. Naruto pierced the ground four times, the ice particles in the air freezing and floating upwards. "Next Dance, White Ripple." She slowly pulled her blade back so it was level with her eyes then thrust forward like a normal piercing strike. A rippling wave of freezing ice and wind forced itself forward lasting three seconds which was all it took for the freezing wind and ice to freeze a majority of their skin off. There was still only about fifty left and some of the stronger willed ones came to charge her.

Naruto closed her eyes as she did a carefully practiced low spin before extending her blade, "Third Dance, White Sword" Naruto's blade grew dramatically to over eighty meters in length. Still, as light as ever, she swung with her whole body decapitating the rest of the army including the men who were practically ice sculptures, as well as the pillar which shattered with the ice of the blade shattering as momentum took it.

Ice clattered to the ground and some even fell like gentle snow flakes creating a dazzling array of sparkling ice which glistened even further in the bright moon light.

Then only the tycoon stood. "And finally. Just for you, Haku."

Naruto stood straight, as she pierced her blade into the ground as a trail of ice traveled all the way to the shivering Gatous legs. He tried to say a word but immediately let out at a blood-curdling scream as he started to freeze. Roots grew as he raised off the ground with the small trunk shaped structure as branches started to form until Gatou no longer stood and only a crumbling tree of ice. "White Tree."

Naruto turned as her cloak fluttered. A smile held on her face, smiling down at Haku. Her arms held wide out in a presenting manner "Did you like it?"

Haku sat for a moment, her eyes wide at the beautiful display of both power and grace. "It... was beautiful."

Naruto slowly sheathed her blade. Closing her eyes as the tree started to crumble. Her body temperature slowly started to stabilize as well as the environment temperature. "I'm glad." Naruto locked her hands behind her back as she beamed.

Kakashi slowly made his way forward with his now two students still unconscious. "They are alive thankfully... Luckily there is one student still in reserves due to the max number of students achieving rank. So we will fill your spot soon. And after your performance, I believe I can trust you in this world... I only want you to feel as free as you can. And live to your utmost out here in the world. Just be careful."

Naruto bowed graciously "Thank you. How will you explain not being able to detain me?"

Kakashi sighed slowly "I suppose I could say you left with Zabuza's apprentice when you made a connection while I was in combat with Zabuza. No heat for me and you will have plenty of time to leave the area. Get your pack, map, and some food from the house. Be out in two hours. I do not want them to know anything. Also here." He handed over a copy of the bingo book from his pouch as well as an orange coloured book underneath which was placed sneakily under the black book so Haku could not see.

He giggled quietly and whispered "Don't let her see the orange one." Naruto, while confused decide to slip it secretively in her cloak pocket and moved on for the time being.

She then nodded and looked at Haku, who at this point had recovered enough to function stood and waved for her to follow and they both started moving for the house. They would need all the could get.

Alrighty then, so this is a nice little story I have been working on to conjoin a bunch of writing experiments. I kinda really like the concept and had this on the back burner for a long time but I wanted to try a bunch of things out to improve my writing drastically. I experimented with POV points and much longer sets of chapters. Unlike my normal 4k to 7k this chapter is over 14k words!

Now to clear some things up. I will be experimenting with different uses for the dances and such to make them more versatile as the story moves on.

Now about the fact of the power of Yuki-chan. Well with the ability of Rukia's actual Shikai ability it makes a few things about her dances confusing. Such as all the snow and ice... So I made it a dual type kinda. To solve the inconsistency The ability will be the lowering of the bodies internal and external temperature as well as the manipulation of water particles in the air. That way all the icy attacks and snow can be her manipulating the water particles closer to freeze into attacks. Such as the first second and third dance. White tree is the use of both the moisture in the ground and the air.

This is all my opinion and I will play my creative license card!

I know this did have some cute fluff to it as will most chapters but I will be taking this story a bit slower than most of mine. Hoping to create a better flow.

Anyways, for those that enjoy Remnants Crimson Streak, do not fret! I am working and heavily into the next chapter I am just working on story boarding to get some better clues on the continuity and I may change some time frames in the chapters in order to fix some inconsistencies I have noticed. So those interested please review! This story is a bit more important right now due to my need to solidify my writing style. I do need a steady beta reader and I am working on it. So please review me your thoughts, or PM me your issues so I may help with any questions you may like to ask. All it takes is a button click~

Did you do it yet?