Okay so I was going over multiple couples in my head and I realized I didn't have a HanaxNaruto pairing, so with this story I was hoping to fix it. My goal is to get a really good story on most of the Naruto couples as I can. It's a goal I may never achieve but who cares, got to set the goals high right?
Well without further delay here's the fanfic!
Review please! I don't own Naruto.
XXX Chapter One XXX
*CRACK*
The impact of Naruto's fist slamming into Haku's hunter-nin mask flew the ice user through his own mirror constructs. Haku didn't know what power this blonde boy had, but it far surpassed his own, and his masters. Ashamed he had failed his master Zabuza, Haku struggled to stand on his own two feet again to accept death.
Naruto, still in his berserker rage flew at Haku with every intention of killing him and avenge his teammate. Haku knew it was pointless to attempt to dodge and he waited for death, as his mask began to slide off his face in pieces due to the damage from battle.
Haku was confused. Why wasn't he dead? Opening his eyes he saw a stunned Naruto, a fist an inch from crushing his skull. Soon the initial shock wore off and the demon container needed answers right now.
"Y-you! You're the b-boy form the forest! Why are you helping that creep Zabuza?" Naruto stammered out.
"you should know why, Naruto-san. Zabuza-sama saved me from the darkness in return for being his tool. He told me to help him fight you, and I did." Haku told Naruto while trying to stay standing.
Naruto definitely understood, but he didn't like it. The boy in front of him was so similar so him it was scary. Both were hated by their homes, but were saved. Foor Naruto it was the Sandaime Hokage, Tenten and Iruka-sensei. Was it really Haku's fault his savior was a less than pleasant individual? The demon container's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of what seemed to be chirping birds. Both boys looked over to see Kakashi about to kill Zabuza with a Raiton jutsu.
"I am sorry Naruto-san, but it seems like I can still be of some use left to Zabuza-sama." Haku said, while making a single ice mirror.
Haku stepped into the single mirror made of ice and it allowed him to speed toward the path of Kakashi's assassination jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto subconsciously pumped some demoicc chakra into his legs and ran after Haku. He couldn't let the boy who was so similar to him get killed. The smell of flesh melting filled the air.
Standing in front of Zabuza were Naruto and Haku, Kakashi's fist sticking out of Naruto' and Haku's back. A fatal wound for both boys, their blood intermingling while their hearts were still able to beat.
Kakashi looked on in horror; he had just lost another one of his teammates, his own subordinate, accidentally killed by his own hand. Why did Naruto do it?
"K-ka-kashi-sensei… Sorry… Haku… like me…" Naruto whispered to his sensei.
After speaking his final words, Naruto slumped over, still being held up by kakashi's arm that was now being removed from the chests of the two ninja. Zabuza began to chuckle, snapping Kakashi from his thoughts.
"Well, it seems that Haku probed a useful tool after all. Shame he had to die to serve his purpose thought." Zabuza praised.
Clapping accompanied the arrival of Gatou and his thugs.
"Well well, it looks like the Demon of the mist is not much of a demon after all. Oh and your little friend died too, serves the brat right! Oh well, it doesn't matter anyway, we were going to kill you both after the bridge builder died anyway. Get him boys!" Gatou ordered.
The men began to charge but stopped when a spiral of red demonic chakra spilled forth from the blonde that was lying next to Haku's corpse. All looked on in horror as the sound of cracking bones accompanied the hole in the boy's destroyed chest being filled with new flesh. The boy seemed to grow taller before their eyes, his hair lightening to a bright icy blue and becoming wild. Fangs lengthened, nails became claws, and the whisker marks adorning the boy's face became thicker and deeper. Eventually the chakra died down and the boy struggled to his feet. The bandits were terrified by the cold killer look the jinchuriki's slitted red eyes held for them.
"Play time!" the jinchuriki yelled out at them.
In a blur the boy seemingly vanished before a thug suddenly found a clawed hand piercing his chest. Naruto ripped his hand out from the now lifeless body and ducked below two incoming swords. With a swipe of his claws one of the attackers had his chest slashed open. Turning around the demon container lunged at the other's throat, biting and tearing the man's windpipe out. While the other thugs stood still, shocked by the brutality, Naruto began a flurry of swipes and spins, removing heads, limbs, and destroying torsos with brutal efficiency. By the dozens men were being slaughtered by the genin. Kakashi was officially afraid of his student at this point, hoping that the demo fox had not escaped.
"Well I guess we don't need to fight anymore, so could your dogs let me god? I wanna kill Gatou before your brat gets him first." Zabuza said, prepared to kill the man who dared try to cheat him out of payment for a job.
Kakashi nodded dumbly and unsummoned his nin-gods. Zabuza was gravely wounded by still joined Naruto in slaughtering the bandits. For every bandit the Demon of the Mist took down he was impaled by another weapon. Gatou was horrified, his army was being reduced to nothing before his eyes. After a few quick moments that seemed like an eternity Zabuza and Naruto were standing before the short shipping tycoon. Zabuza held his arm in front of Naruto to stop him, and the boy managed to calm down from his bloodlust. Back in control, Naruto had no idea of what he had just done.
"Sorry brad, this bastard is mine!" Zabuza told the demon container while holding his arm out to stop the boy from trying anything. Zabuza grabbed his massive blade and struck.
And so the reign of Gatou ended by his head rolling off his shoulders. Satisfied, Zabuza collapsed and was caught by Naruto.
"Hey brat… I'm not gonna make it… but I'd like to see Haku one last time before I die…" Zabuza whispered to the genin, he didn't have the strength for much else.
The boy nodded and carried the badly bleeding missing-nin toward his fallen friend. He settled Zabuza down gently.
Using what strength he could, Zabuza raised a hand to touch face of his apprentice, "Haku… I know you are going to a much better place than me, but I wish that I could join you. I'm… I'm sorry I treated you like a tool; you were like a son to me. Goodbye… Haku-kun… And you, brat" Zabuza turned only his eyes to Naruto who was standing on the other side of Haku's body now, "Take my blade, the Kubikiribocho. Use it… well. Don't come visit me… too soon you… got that? Later brat." Zabuza whispered out the last two words as his eyes slowly shut in death's embrace.
Momochi Zabuza, Demon of the mist, was dead. Naruto grasped the handle of the Kubikiribocho and held it out if front of him in awe. The zanbato was incredibly heavy, but with chakra flowing thorugh the muscles of his arms he was able to at least carry it. Next, Naruto walked over to the remnants of Haku's mask andblaced both halves into his empty weapons bouch. Naruto then noticed that Sakura was wailing over a now awakened Sasuke, and Kakashi was behind him.
"Naruto, do you have any idea what just happened? Is the seal okay? Am I even still talking to Naruto?" Kakashi asked of his student, on guard in case he was attacked.
"Oi! Kakashi-sensei, it's me, no idea what happened thought. I remember trying to save Haku, and the next thing I recall was Gatou was dead. I think the seal is okay." Naruto explained to Kakashi.
Kakashi accepted that for now. He was glad that his students were indeed okay, Naruto did not remember him slaughtering over a hundred men, and neither Sasuke or Sakura had seen what happened. Naruto had enough problems interacting with others, the last thing he needed as his teammates completely terrified of him. The copy ninja was intrigued that Zabuza passed his sword onto Naruto, although the boy had grown enough to potentially use it. That probably had something to do with the fox, but Naruto didn't know what happened and Kakashi didn't have the ability to investigate further until they got back to Konoha.
"Kakashi-sensei, why does everything seem smaller?" asked Naruto with his head tilted to the side in confusion.
Well that proved it was still Naruto. Only he could not notice that he had grown over a head taller than he used to be, or how he was completely covered with blood. Kakashi hoped Naruto would think that it was his own and Haku's.
"Naruto… after you tried to save Haku, demonic chakra come out of the seal and healed you, but it also seemed to break your bones and make you taller. I am not really sure, but I think it was because of your tenant. We'll have to talk with the Hokage about this when we get back." Kakashi explained, mumbling to himself that he didn't sign up for this when he decided to take on a genin team.
"Sure Kakashi-sensei. Hey sensei, could you help me bury Haku and Zabuza? They deserve at least that much, and I doubt Sakura-chan or Sasuke would help." Naruto asked, praying his sensei would say yes, to which he only received a nod from the masked jonin.
Sakura and Sasuke had both fallen unconscious. Sakura, in relief for her Sasuke-kun being alive, and Sasuke due to Sakura squeezing him as hard as she did with his injuries. After Kakashi agreed to help Naruto, he grabbed both of his other students and used Shunshin to take him back to Tazuna's house. After a few moments Kakashi returned and helped Naruto with the bodies.
*** Away from the bridge ***
Naruto led Kakashi to the clearing in the forest where he met and befriended Haku after explaining their lives. Making some simple markers for their graves using some tree branches and rope, he and Kakashi lowered the two bodies into the graves. Naruto placed the right half of Haku's mask into the grave with the boy's body.
"Zabuza… Haku… I'm… I'm sorry it had to end this way. I know for sure that had we met under different circumstances we would have been friends. I promise now on your dewaths that I will make you bth proud. Zabuza, thanks to you I finally realize how stupid I've been. Before this mission I thought that being a ninja was all about flashy moves and being cool. I realize now that this is a dangerous and serious lifestyle, and my life could end at any moment. I hope I can do my best to grow strong. Haku, you showed me that I can oly be truly strong when protecting someone I love. I'll keep both of you with me always." Naruto spoke to the bodies, hoping Zabuza and Haku could hear him.
Naruto took the other half of Haku's mask and placed it over the left side of his face, attaching it with some chakra.
"haku, you will be my armor, you will help protect me and all who I love." Naruto swore.
Grabbing the giant blade, Kubikiribocho, he held it over Zabuza's body, chakra flowing through his arm.
"Zabuza, your sword will help me stop those who threaten my friends and allies." Naruto said while slashing the massive blade once.
Having said what he needed to say, Naruto pulled the half mask off his face, storing it in his pouch, and began to cover the bodies of Zabuza and Haku. Kakashi stood behind his student radiating pride, although he knew Naruto would never be the same after this mission, but he diddn't realize how much the deaths of Zabuza and Haku had changed the jinchuriki.
*** Tazuna's House ***
Kakashi and his student returned to Tazuna's house late in the evening. Everyone had gone to sleep after the day's events. Kakashi and Naruto were both exhausted as well. The boy bid Kakashi a good night, setting his pouch containing the mask and the zanbato next to him and went to sleep.
*** Naruto's Mindscape ***
Naruto awoke in unfamiliar surroundings. It appeared to be a dark sewer. The boy began exploring the slightly flooded pathways and entered a room with a large gate. On the doors of the gate was a slip of paper bearing the kanji word for 'Seal'. As he neared the gate a claw shot out from the gate almost taking his head off.
"Hello human. Welcome to my humble abode." An ominous voice range out.
"K-Kyubi! What are you doing here?!" Naruto stammered out.
"We're in your mind you baka! I need to explain some things to you and this was easier than me trying to rip my way through this impassible seal and talking to you out there." The Kyubi told Naruto in a sarcastic voice.
"You sure as hell do! What the hell happened on the bridge?" Naruto ordered to the source of his suffering in the village.
"Well, you got the brilliant idea to get a hand shoved through your chest. I had to fix the damage. My regeneration works through rapid multiplication of cells near the damage area. In the process of healing the gaping hole I guess some of the other human's blood was multiplied as well. Turns out that other brat had a strong dominant bloodline and using his cells to repair you caused a chain reaction leading to most of your body being altered to accompany the genetic material of the bloodline. I took some… liberties to alter you a bit while I was at it. I had to removed any impurities of the bloodline that occurred over the generations, as well as made you taller, and increased your muscle mass a bit. You embarrass me still, but not quite as much as before." The fox explain as he looked over his handy work.
Naruto stood there for a while trying to process all of this information. He had a bloodline. The Kyubi directly altered his body without his permission. How could the Kyubi do that?
"When you used my chakra as much as you did I gained some control of your body. Please do so much more often, it was rather fun helping and watching you slaughter all of those puny men on that bridge. Here, I'll let you see, since you don't remember all the fun you had." The Kyubi told Naruto, reading the boys thoughts and chuckling as the memories of the slaughter now replaying for the boy.
"…No… I couldn't have… You... you made me do it!" The now traumatized boy muttered out.
"I did no such thing human. You used my chakra, you wanted those men dead. I just helped a little. Now get out of here and let me out more often to play!" The last order barked out before kicking Naruto out of his own mind and back to the waking world.
*** Tazuna's house ***
Naruto awoke sweating profusely and quickly took in a large breath of air. That was too real to be a dream. He never remembered his dreams; abut whatever happened was not a dream. There was no way he was going to go to sleep again so he slipped on his backpack, grabbed his weapon pouch and grabbed Zabuza's sword. Immediately after enter the forest outside the house, the memories of what he had done returned once more, causing the demon container to vomit at the brutality of it all.
'I can't let that ever happen again, so I need to become strong enough to not need the demon. I doubt I can ever forgive myself for what I have done, but I need to learn from my mistakes. If I really do have Haku's bloodline I should probably see if I can find where he and Zabuza were staying. Since Haku was the last in his bloodline he probably made notes as he developed his own techniques with it. I won't let myself be the idiot any longer. I'm going to learn how to use my new power and protect Konoha and its people.' Naruto thought, his eyes showing his old fierce determination.
Naruto recalled that Kiba could increase his senses by putting chakra into his eyes, ears or nose. Naruto attempted pushing chakra to his nose and the result was rather overwhelming.
'I need to remember to work on chakra control more, that was WAY too much. Naruto noted, having received such a massive boost to his sense of smell he almost passed out from sensory overload. The next attempt was more manageable. He pulled out Haku's mask sniffing it before putting it away and attempting to find a scent trail. After wandering around for a half hour he picked up a trail. The jinchuriki quickly followed the scent to Zabuza and Haku's hideout.
*** The Hideout ***
The place was rather simple, but he knew it wasn't a permanent residence. Despite this it was rather well put together. He found Zabuza's room first. The decorations were nonexistent, but he did make a rather interesting find. In a drawer was a scroll of Suiton techniques, most likely stolen from Kirigakure, as well as a scroll depicting his Kenjutsu's style and tips on his Silent Killing technique as well and a storage scroll which he just placed them all into his backback..
The blue-haired boy looked down at his shredded clothes and searched for something to wear due to being around Zabuza's height now. He found some couple pairs of basic black pants and black muscle shirts. Naruto put the new clothes on and stored the rest in his backpack, after which he continued his search of the room. After finding nothing else of note, the boy entered the other room.
Haku's room held much more warmth than Zabuza's there were a few pieces of furniture outside of the bed. Naruto felt bad for stealing from these two men, but he needed any help he could get. He knew he was weak. He only beat Haku ecause of the damn fox. Naruto never wanted to use the fox's power again after learning what it let the fox do, and what he did when he used it. Shortly after that thought he found a chest containing several scrolls.
Inside the scrolls were some very excellent finds. Not only did one scroll contain notes on Haku's bloodline, but there was one on using one handed seals as well. There were several scrolls on human anatomy, with annotations, most likely made by Haku himself as well. Placing all of the scrolls into his backpack on top of his new clothes he turned an noticed his reflection in the mirror.
"HOLY HELL! My hair is blue! Well this is… different…" Naruto said out loud, wondering when the surprises were going to cease.
After a few more minutes of looking around Naruto exited the hideout where he noticed a new scent, that of a fox. It wasn't the Kyubi as it was sealed inside Naruto so it couldn't have a smell could it? Curious, he moved around the house to investigate. Turning a corner he found a black fox with two tails tied to a tree.
'Must be another pet of Haku's like that rabbit was, I should let it go otherwise it would starve.' Naruto thought. He had a soft spot for animals since they never treated him any different from other people.
After removing the rope around the fox's neck he expected it to go running off into the words. Instead it just stared at him for a bit before the silence was broken.
"Thanks mister!" a chipper feminine voice said.
Naruto jumped at the sound. He didn't sense anyone nearby.
Placing his hand on the handle his blade he starting whipping his head side to side looking for the source of the voice, "Who's there? Who said that?" Naruto demanded.
"I did silly; look down in front of you." The voice from before said.
"I only see a fox." Naruto stated, eyes still shifting slightly and his body still tense.
"That's because I am a fox, duh!" the voice said, the fox looking up at him what could be classified a grin on its face.
"Strange question, but how the hell are you able to talk?!" Naruto asked, slowly questioning if he was going crazy or not.
"Hmm… Well I'm just doing what I normally do, maybe it's you who can understand me like I can understand you even though we don't speak the same language." The fox said sitting in front of him while the tails sway slightly.
'Well I guess Kiba can understand Akamaru when he barks. This is probably because of the Kyubi-bastard.' Naruto concluded, great now he could talk to foxes. While he had nothing against it or anything he began to wonder how many more surprises were going to hit him.
"I see… So what's your name? I'm Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto said, introducing himself with a slight bow.
"Haku-kun called me Koko! I smell him on you, where is he?" greeted the newly named Koko, perking up hoping to hear about Haku while looking around to see if he was near.
Koko watched as Naruto's face fell at the mention of Haku. Whatever the boy in front of her was going to say it wasn't good. Haku was very nice to her, but she did wish Haku would let her fight alongside him even if his kind was endangered.
"I'm very sorry Koko… Haku is dead…" Naruto sadly told the fox in front of him.
Koko was surprised that Naruto pulled her into a hug. The Nibi-Foxes were hunted down after the Kyubi's attack, them all thinking that they were spawns of the Kyubi itself and not wanted to have a repeat if any of them grew up so she wasn't used to too many people being kind to her.
Koko was found as a little kit by Haku and Zabuza on their journey and Haku decided to keep her and she grew to like Haku. She would even keep Haku entertained whenever Zabuza left for a while to do business. Now that Haku was dead where was she supposed to go? She supposed she could try living in the wild, but she was afraid she'd be found and killed like many of her kind before her. Maybe this boy Naruto would let her come with him.
"Thank you Naruto-san. I have only just met you, but you have shown me great kindness. I would like to come with you if you'd let me. I've always wanted to be a nin-fox since Haku found me but he always kept me as a pet instead of an ally who could aid him in battle." Koko asked with hope gleaming in her eyes that he would agree.
"I umm… Well… I guess that would be fine. I should warn you thought, people at home don't like foxes very much. Almost 13 years ago the Kyubi no Kitsune attacked Konoha and killed a lot of people before it was finally sealed in me. Most people see me as a demon sometimes, and decide to take their pain out on me, so I wouldn't want to put you into danger like that, especially with you being a fox with two tails." Naruto explained to the Kitsune, not realizing he had just told a complete stranger that he was the container of the Kyubi, even if it was just a fox.
"I'm glad for your concern, but I hope you will find that we can protect each other. I may not look like it but I am strong, I won't let anyone hurt you." Koko promised Naruto. She didn't mention the Kyubi since she imagined that if the village was hurting him for it that it would be a touch subject.
"Thanks Koko, I won't let anyone hurt you either. Let's go do some training. I can't sleep, and we can't go into battle together if we don't practice can we?" Naruto asked rhetorically, wearing a smirk on his face.
Naruto received a yip of approval from his new partner, the two of them moved quickly to a clearing near Tazuna's house. Naruto formed a few clones and ran through a few different drills to work on his teamwork with Koko. He found out that his new nin-fox companion was very adept at finding his shadow clones and sneaking up on them. While she didn't have the physical strength to do a whole lot of damage, she was very fast and had something Naruto never expected, she was able to breathe a little fire, though it tired her out quickly.
While Koko did seem to have decent stamina, it couldn't hold a candle to Naruto's but then again who could? After taking all of the training, she curled up by a tree for a nap. While she slept, Naruto began practicing the Katas so he could use his newly obtained weapon in battle. This was when he learned that he needed to train a lot more first before he could actually use the blade. So he chose the first few katas and ran threw them again and again, making vertical and horizontal slashes through the air. The sword was still very heavy to him but he figured if he kept practicing, it wouldn't be a problem for him and he might be able to find an advantage out of the excessive weight.
As time continued to move forward, Naruto's muscles aching from the strenuous work, he looked into the sky to see the sun slowly was making its ascension in the sky. This gave Naruto enough light for him to look over the other scrolls he had taken. The blue-haired boy figured that it would be best to work on the techniques that were not part of his bloodline, and learn anatomy. He couldn't remember if they taught much about it at the academy, and he was mad that he didn't take his education seriously. Naruto read about the basics of the human body for an hour before his boundless energy made it hard for him to sit still and read. He would have to work on his patience later, especially if he was going to use the Silent Killing technique, but for now he needed to do something else.
Grabbing the Suiton scroll he found in Zabuza's room, he quickly looked at the first jutsu in the scroll. It was a jutsu he knew all too well thanks to the mission. Kirigakure no Jutsu (Hidden Mist Jutsu) was a D-rank technique that let him pull water from the air into a dense mist. According to the scroll it could be used anywhere, but it worked best near water. Always enjoying a challenge Naruto stayed by Koko to practice the jutsu.
Naruto focused on the sir around him and imagined the air around him thickening while he did the hand signs. The result of his attempt were rather pitiful, but he didn't expect to get it on the first try either. He kept working at it until Koko finally woke up around 7 am by the suns reference. She woke up to a thick enough mist that she could only see a few feet in front of her.
"Naruto-kun was this your doing?" Koko asked, trying to find Naruto since his scent was everywhere. She finally found him using her hearing and he had his mega-watt smile on.
"You bet Koko! I've been practicing for hours. The others are probably up by now, I say we go meet up with them for some breakfast. I'll even introduce you to my team and the family we're staying with." The blue-haired ninja told his new companion. In truth the smile was a mask, well half of one. He has happy he was getting the jutsu down, but was still disgusted with himself about how he killed the men on the bridge. He kept smiling as he thought it over, keeping to himself so he would worry the Kitsune.
The air began to clear as Naruto deactivated the jutsu and he could see the clearing fully. Koko quickly ran up his leg to his shoulder and he scratched her ear for a few seconds before bending down and picking up his things. Together they sped off towards Tazuna's house.
As they got closer Naruto could smell breakfast cooking already and went inside, announcing his arrival. "Hey guys, I'm back! And I've found a little friend!" the energetic ninja yelled out.
Koko couldn't help but shake her head at her new partner's antics before following him into the house. Tsunami walked out of the kitchen to greet the blonde boy, only to find no blonde on his head.
"Hey there Naru…to…kun…" Tsunami stammered out, trying to figure out who was now standing in front of her. It looked like Naruto only he was taller and his hair now ice-blue instead of blonde.
"Oh, hey Tsunami-san. Why are you looking at me like that? Oh yeah that's right! Only Kakashi has seen the 'new me'. I'll explain at breakfast so I only have to say it once." Naruto said while rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
Tsunami nodded dumbly before going back to making breakfast, trying to figure out exactly what happened to Naruto. Said boy placed his zanbato against the wall, careful so as not to scratch up the floor, before sitting down at the table. Koko walked up beside the blue-haired boy and decided to curl up in his lap, both of them waiting for breakfast to be read.
*** Breakfast ***
Sakura and Sasuke grumbled sleepily as they slowly walked downstairs to breakfast. Sasuke was wondering where his idiot teammate was since the dead-last was gone before he woke, and he knew Naruto was a heavy sleeper. His question was replaced with another question after he saw a taller, older looking version of Naruto but with pale blue hair sitting at the table with a black fox sitting his is lap. Sasuke was about to demand to know who he was but was beaten by someone much louder.
"Who the hell are you?!" Sakura screeched, hoping he wasn't there to hurt her Sasuke-kun. Only Naruto noticed the cringe of the fox from the loud noise.
"Oi, Sakura-chan, Sasuke! It's me Naruto. I know I look different but I'll explain once everyone is down here; and if you could please be a little quieter, we haven't even had breakfast yet." Naruto said, as he softly petted Koko.
Sakura decided to ignore that last comment and continue, "You better you baka! And what with the fox?"
"It's all part of my explanation." Naruto told Sakura, not wanting to repeat himself several times over.
Neither of them really wanted to accept that, but they knew Naruto was very stubborn so they didn't bother arguing about it. Both genin were trying to take in Naruto's new appearance while they waited for everyone else. He was much taller, and seemed more muscular than before, but not overly muscular. He was wearing new clothes, but they just figured he bought them in town before any of them got up. The other obvious difference about Naruto was his hair. To them he was no longer a blonde idiot but now a blue-haired idiot instead. Sakura idly thought that Naruto was much better looking now, but still refused to think that he could compare to 'her Sasuke-kun'. Proud of her loyalty to the emo-Uchiha she turned to him and smiled brightly. Sasuke ignored the girl and figured that while the dead last may have gotten bigger and had a dye job, the idiot was pathetic compared to himself. He was however curious about why Zabuza's sword was against the wall near Naruto though. He could use it to kill him, decided that he must have it.
After a few minutes breakfast was done cooking and everyone else in the household joined the three genin at the table. Naruto grew rather nervous at the stares from the house, being used to people that stared at him would end up attacking him. Rubbing the back of his head nervously while giving them his big patented fox grin he figured he should start explaining.
"I guess you all are wondering why I look different huh?" Naruto asked already knowing what their answer would be.
He received nods from everyone, and took note that Kakashi was paying attention to him probably waiting to hear his explanation.
"Okay, well I guess during the fight on the bridge I activated a bloodline. I'm not really sure what I ccan do yet other than my physical changes. Fox here," Picking Koko up to show everyone, "Is Koko. I found her in the woods wondering around since I wasn't able to sleep. She likes me so I thought I'd keep her." Naruto explained, trying to leave out as many details as possible while still keeping to the truth as well. He just was hoping they'd take the explanation at face-value and drop the subject entirely.
Kakashi knew his student wasn't telling everything, but he probably didn't want to tell his teammates too much information. He was very curious about the fox as well, especially since he had never seen a fox with more than one tail.
"Hey dead-last, what is Zabuza's sword doing here?" the Uchiha prodigy asked.
"Oh yeah, before he died Zabuza told me he wanted me to learn to use his sword." Naruto stated, acting as if it was no big deal.
To say that the Uchiha was mad at this was quite an understatement. "What?! How could a dead-last like you learn to use a sword? Zabuza should have given his sword to me! Give me the sword dead-last, I can use it to kill him!" an angry Sasuke yelled out.
"No." Naruto stated simply, while petting Koko.
"WHAT?!" asked Sasuke, getting even angrier by the second.
"I said no, Zabuza wanted me to have the sword and I will honor his dying wish." Naruto stated again, this time looking the Uchiha in the eyes, hoping he'd get the picture.
Being the last surviving Uchiha, Sasuke didn't really know the meaning of the word 'no' since he was basically given anything he asked for. Enraged at his teammate, Sasuke jumped out of his seat he ran toward the sword. Everyone was surprised at his actions and didn't move to stop him, including Naruto. It didn't matter in the end, as soon as Sasuke's hand wrapped around the grip of the massive blade, spikes shot out, piercing his hand. He pulled his hand back falling over and yelling in pain, as he clutched his injured hand to his chest.
"NARUTO! What did you do to Sasuke-kun!" Sakura yelled at Naruto, punching him in the head. Koko say Sakura's hit connect and she growled at her as he tails trashed around a bit. She just met his teammates and she already knew she didn't like them.
Naruto was sort of used to getting hit by now whenever Sakura was upset, "What? I didn't do anything to him. Maybe it just didn't like him or something." Naruto said rubbing where she had him. He was hoping that she would at least be happy that he had activated his bloodline (or well absorbed it), and obtained a sword, but he finally figured that there was no reason to try to impress her anymore. She only had eyes for the arrogant bastard that was rolling on the floor clutching his hand.
Kakashi was rather ashamed of the actions of the genin. He expected them to act much better than they had. He could also see the hurt in Naruto's eyes from his teammates not accepting him, and he knew that he was alright filled with enough hurt.
"Sasuke, Sakura, that's enough the sword is Naruto's so don't try to steal it again. Do I make myself clear? Sakura, the sword most likely has a self-defense seal on it so only those allowed to wield it. Naruto made no action himself to hurt Sasuke so hitting him and blaming him for it was uncalled for. Now then, I'd like to talk with Naruto outside for a bit." Kakashi scolded as both him and Naruto stepped outside with Koko following behind Naruto.
Breakfast continued as normally as it could, following events like that. Kakashi led Naruto a good distance away from the house before stopping and turning to his student.
"Alright Naruto, I know for a fact you weren't tell the whole story; But I need to know exactly what happened." Kakashi demanded.
Naruto sighed, he figured he would have to explain this to Kakashi and the Hokage later though it didn't mean he wanted to tell them.
"Okay Kakashi-sensei, I'll tell you what the Kyubi told me and what happened afterwards." Naruto said waiting for the reaction to this bit of news before continuing.
Kakashi's eye widened at the mention of the Kyubi, which didn't go unnoticed by Koko or Naruto. Naruto was in touch with the demon inside him? This could be very bad.
"Yeah I met the Kyubi. He's a bit of an ass, but he was the cause of all my changes. He used Haku's blood to help heal the hole in my chest which led to me getting a purified form of haku's bloodline. Apparently using the chakra of the Kyubi allows him much more control over my body versus the already nonexistent control he has the rest of the time. I never want to use that bastard's chakra again. I know what he did to those thugs on the bridge yesterday." Naruto said, whispering the last part while looking down as the events played again in his mind.
A reassuring hand on his shoulder from Kakashi helped him to continue his story, "After walking up from the meeting with him, I wasn't capable of going back to sleep. I thought since I had Haku's bloodline I should see if he had any notes on his technique, wherever he and Zabuza had been staying. I tried to use a sense enhancing technique from a friend of mine, Inuzuka Kiba, he had mentioned it in class and I found the place. I found his notes and some clothes to change into since mine were just rags really. I also found Koko there, Haku was keeping her as a pet even though she told me she wanted to be a nin-fox. I was hoping to make that official when we get back to Konoha, Kami knows I need at least someone I can depend on to work with if Sakura' and Sasuke's actions are anything to go by. I am not too sure I can fully trust Sasuke again after his stunt, and Sakura just follows his lead no matter what." Naruto finished explaining, leaving out the information about the scrolls Zabuza had which were all probably stolen from Kirigakure.
Kakashi had noticed that Naruto didn't add the –chan to Sakura's name but he let it slide for now. "She told you?" Kakashi asked, hoping to get a better clarification on that matter.
"Yep, I can understand what she says. I think it has something to do with my housing the Kyubi inside me but whatever." The jinchuriki said, hoping he didn't have to face the demon later to figure it out.
Kakashi nodded, as he filed the new information for later use. It sounded so far-fetched, but then again this was Konoha's Most Unpredictable Ninja he was dealing with here. Normal logic just didn't seem to fit, and he didn't see any lie in Naruto's words but he was going to have to inform the Hokage about all of this as soon as they got back. He had hoped that Naruto didn't remember what had happened on the bridge, since that could easily traumatize anyone, but now he thought he was fine. He said it was the fox and that it happened because he used his chakra, and now he seemed determined to never use his chakra.
"Alright Naruto, we'll have to talk with the Hokage when we get back. I agree with your decision to not use the fox's chakra. Nobody had any idea what using it would do it you and now we have some form of an idea as to what will happen. I'm sorry about Sasuke's actions earlier. I will also be having a talk with him later about respecting the property of others. I'd ask you to give them a second chance, but I know how people are, especially you, about people who break that trust." Kakashi told his student before dismissing him. Kakashi sighed, 'I did not sign up for this, why do I have to have the most difficult team to work with?' Kakashi thought.
Naruto was glad that Kakashi was his sensei. I mean sure he wasn't the best at teaching, well okay he was pretty horrible at it, but he was a pretty good guy once you get past the his tardiness and his addiction to porn.
*** Time Skip one Week ***
One week went by as the bridge was finished due to the newly motivated workers and the large amounts of clones Naruto lent for labor. With their job now finished, Team 7 was ready to head back home to report the missions success.
Naruto had spent most of his free time practicing with his new blade, Suiton jutsu, and Koko who had stayed close to him cause he didn't like her companion's teammates. The other two on Naruto's team were still mad at him, despite him not doing anything, so they pretty much left him alone for the most part.
After all of the goodbyes and the tear filled goodbye from Naruto to Inari, Tazuna and his family watched the ninja that had changed so much for their village head back to Konoha.
"Well the bridge is done, but it needs a super name!" the elder bridge builder said.
"How about the 'Great Naruto Bridge' Ojii-san?" Inari suggested to his grandfather.
"I think that is the perfect name for it," Tazuna said as he hugged his grandson to him as they turned to the fleeting sight of Team 7