Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Setting/Information: Fourth Shinobi World War, Day One, Division Three: Short and Mid-Range Battle Division, Land of Hot Springs.
What Doesn't Kill You
Chapter 1
Kakashi and his division had arrived just in time to save Sai, Omoi, and Zaji from being killed by the enemy. Kakashi was surprised to see Zabuza and Haku among the resurrected.
"Kakashi-san?" Haku questioned meeting the resistance of the Third Division commander.
"Kakashi-san, you saved us," Sai said standing behind Kakashi.
Without taking his eyes off of any of the resurrected enemies Kakashi answered, "It's a bit early to be celebrating. All these guys are extremely dangerous."
Zabuza spoke then. "I knew I'd end up fighting someone, but I never imagined it would be you, Kakashi. I should've been sent to hell after your group finished me on the bridge. Next thing I know, I'm standing next to Haku. And I thought something was off. I guess this really isn't hell…or heaven."
"No, this is the real world," Kakashi said. "And none of you belong here anymore."
"Zabuza, Haku…" Sakura trailed off.
The men behind the divisions waiting for Kakashi's orders seemed confused by the words that were exchanged. Some of them questioned if Zabuza and Kakashi knew each other.
"Heh, Kakashi's kunoichi student, you sure grew up." Zabuza commented. "How's that other kid? He doing okay?"
"What? Umm…y-yes," Sakura answered the question.
"He must be pretty famous these days, after helping you beat the two of us," Zabuza meant Naruto.
"Yup, they named that bridge "The Great Naruto Bridge," and these days the villagers call him a hero," Kakashi explained still holding back Zabuza.
Haku laughed lightly.
"Thanks to you two," Kakashi continued. "Naruto found his path in life…his own "ninja way," and he swore to you on both your graves that he'd always follow it. And he did. He's become an admirable shinobi."
"Then I'm sure," Haku spoke. "He'll continue to grow even stronger."
Zabuza twitched then and pushed more force against Kakashi's grip.
"Kakashi…please…stop us," Zabuza got out before his personality was gone and he was completely taken over control.
Kakashi and the others jumped back away from the resurrected. Some of the shinobi recognized them.
"There's no doubt about it! The demon Zabuza, and a child from the cursed ice-wielding Yuki clan." One shinobi exclaimed.
"My mind is fading," Haku stated.
"God dammit!" Zabuza yelled.
"That hellish aura…the Demon Zabuza," Guy said. "And an ice element user."
"Get ready!" Kakashi cautioned. "Stay focused, Guy. Zabuza's silent killing prowess is second to none."
Haku spoke again, "Kakashi-san, I must ask you to please stop us again. My dream was to protect, to save Zabuza-san, and die as his too. If Zabuza-san has also been summoned with this technique…then I must have failed on that day. And now…I cannot even be his tool, much less defend him."
"No, you saved his life," Kakashi told Haku. "Zabuza dies for another reason…and he didn't just view you as a tool."
Haku looked surprised at Kakashi's comment.
"Kakashi, keep your blabber mouth shut!" Zabuza threatened.
"Naruto drove something home to Zabuza." Kakashi told Haku to make him understand.
Zabuza raised his head to look into Kakashi's face. "Kakashi, don't hold back. Stop me whatever it takes. I'm already dead. My humanity is dead!"
Kakashi lifted the hitai-ate from his Sharingan, "Yeah…got it."
"Here they come," one shinobi said. "General Kakashi, the man from Iwagakure has a bloodline limit..Blast Element. He's Gari, a former member of the Blast Corps. And the woman is Paku, she uses Suna's scorch element. Please be careful!"
Zabuza performed the Hidden Mist technique to blot out everyone from view.
"Nothing but kekkei genkai…" Kakashi said. He turned to the shinobi behind him to shout orders. "Group the battle squadrons around the sensor ninjas. Everyone else cover them from three, six, nine, twelve o'clock in a manji formation! Zabuza can detect his target's position through sound alone!"
Kakashi, Gai, Lee, and Sakura had their backs turned towards each other in a manji formation.
"Thickening fog, visability getting worse by the second…this must be the hidden mist technique," Gai said.
"There's nothing to be afraid of!" Lee stated. "I'll protect you even if it costs me my life, Sakura-san!"
Not taking any nonsense at the moment, Sakura countered, "Last time he caught us from this formation's only blind spot, the center. Watch your back, too."
"What?" Lee yelled. "Oh…right."
Out of the mist came yells of pain and fear. There was a clash of metal from within the heavy fog.
"They're attacking," Kakashi said.
