Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Naruto walked along in the dark, a brand new head band tied around his neck. Kicking open the hatch to his house he descended into pitch black and flipped the switch on. "Surprise." Rin and Kakashi said as they popped streamers, "Happy graduation. Welcome to the party." Naruto nodded with the flicker of another smile.
"Come on and cut your cake." Rin said steering him over to it. Naruto walked over and stared at his cake, it featured a Chibi version of Naruto with his arms crossed surrounded by four smiling Anbu masks. "You like it?" A full blown smile appeared on his face and lasted there for a few seconds before it vanished behind his mask again, but a small smirk remained intact.
Naruto picked up a kunai and cut the first piece off, he turned around and handed it to Rin. "Thanks Rin." she ruffled his hair and helped distribute the rest of the cake.
"Naruto, over here. Come take a picture." Kakashi called.
"In a minute, I have to go to the bathroom. Be right there."
Kakashi watched as Naruto walked over to the door and closed it behind him, a few minutes later Naruto came back out. "Must be nerves." he muttered to himself as Naruto walked over and the took the picture.
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Naruto walked along the road, the gates of the Academy greeted him like old friends, he entered the classroom and slid into the last chair in the top row, as the classroom filled up his eyes grew harder. "Alright welcome back returning graduates," Iruka said, "This is the part where you give your speeches, who wants to go first?" Naruto raised his hand and walked down to the foot of the classroom, he stared at each and everyone of them, he said five simple words. "I will miss you all." and he erupted into smoke. Iruka stared at the spot in the classroom for a moment before he started to panic.
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Naruto walked calmly along the dusty road, his sword strapped to his hip, a black traveling cloak covering him, a straw hat covering his head, and a scroll full of money in one pocket. He stopped atop a bluff and gazed across the land of wave. "My true Ninja way begins now." he sighed. A gust of wind blew across the cliff top and he was swept away. He reappeared in the middle of a small city and continued walking through it. As he walked he noticed a beggar on the street corner and fished out a gold Ryu out of pity for him, as he tossed it to him he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eyes and he turned around to see a dozen men before him.
"Hand us your money kid and we won't hurt you." Naruto blinked slowly and he ignored them and began to walk away. "Hey kid, where do you think you're going?" more men stepped before him and Naruto sighed.
"You don't want to do this." Naruto said calmly. "It will end badly for you and these men if you take another step towards me." The man laughed as he stepped forward, there was a flash and Naruto stood outside of the circle, he cleaned his sword and sheathed it with a snap, the men behind him and around him fell down, dead. "I told you not to." Naruto said calmly as he walked towards the closest bar, walking in he noticed a muscular man staring at him, the girl beside him was also staring, she seemed about his age. Naruto ignored them and walked over to the counter, "Water, how much?"
"On the house." the man yelled, terrified. Naruto sighed and left a few copper ryu on the bar and walked over to a bare table next to a wall, he took off his hat and sat it on the table before him, he sipped his water.
As Naruto finished his water he watched the muscular man and the girl get up and walk over towards him, he watched them closely as they sat down before him. "What can I do for you?" Naruto asked.
"Answer questions for us," the man said, Naruto watched as he took a huge sword out and laid it on the table.
Naruto saw the words, head cleaver, scrawled on the side and he stared at the man. "Zabuza of the seven swordsmen of the mist… you might want to leave this town, I probably have head hunters and Anbu on my tail at the moment."
Zabuza shrugged, "One question before we leave. Who are you? And I'm not talking about your name boy."
Naruto stared at him, "I'm a tool, I was born a tool, I was shaped to be a tool. I didn't like my potential wielders, they operated from the sidelines." Zabuza grunted and stood, Naruto looked at the girl beside him and had a strange sense of Deja-vu, "Have we met before?" he asked, perplexed.
She shook her head and stood, "I don't think so, good bye."
Naruto grunted as he looked out of the door way, "Damn they're fast." Naruto muttered as he stood and placed his straw hat back on, "They must have Hana with them." he muttered as he stood and leapt into the ceiling.
A moment later two anbu walked in, "Check each room, we cannot lose him." Naruto was vaguely surprised that it was Kakashi and also slightly irritated, Kakashi made things a lot more difficult. "I know you're here Naruto, come out so we can talk." he called, Naruto slid out of the open sun roof and vanished down the side. He counted to five and walked out and across the street, a moment later two anbu landed in the alley he previously occupied. Naruto smiled as he back off into the thickening mist, letting it envelope him, he walk on through the mist, but as the woods came into view something slammed into his chest and he flew across the air and landed in the middle of the square, surrounded by a dozen Kahona shinobi. "Hey Naruto." Kakashi greeted. Naruto grunted as he stood up and looked around, he was surrounded and there was no way out. "Would you please come with us?" he asked.
Naruto sighed, "What do you know about my eyes Kakashi? I don't think you fully comprehend its power." a tremor shook the ground, but Naruto ignored it as he stared at Kakashi. "It has a power that even I could not fully comprehend, it has the power to send someone back. But it has restrictions, it can only be used once, it will leave me weak for days, I'll become younger as I go farther back, and we have to agree on when to use it."
Kakashi's single visible eye widened, "We?"
Naruto nodded, "I have been in contact with Kyubbi since I gained these eyes, and we have come to a small understanding at the moment, good-bye Kakashi." Another tremor shook the ground and Naruto closed his eyes. Red energy surrounded Naruto as the ground shook even more, Kakashi and the other shinobi were blown back as the energy erupted out, then it drew itself in and Naruto was gone.
Up in the trees red Sharingon eyes looked on with interest, his blue skinned partner beside him frowning in confusion, "Where'd he go?"
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Naruto opened his eyes groggily and raised a hand wearily to shield his face from the wet tongue bathing it, he sat up and shook his head, he looked down at the small kitsune mother and smiled at her, "Thank you mam, but I think I need human support for this." The kitsune bobbed her head and Naruto crawled out into the misty world, he checked to make sure that everything was intact and that his sword was still on his belt before walking away slowly.
"I told you it was a stupid idea Idiot." Kyubbi muttered.
"I didn't have any other choice." Naruto said calmly, "Or at least none that I could see." Naruto limped along into the small city just as grey snow began to fall, limping along he passed regular sleeping quarter and instead went down an alleyway and sat down heavily next to a dumpster, he glared at the grey sky. "Damn, I need to rest." he swore, he heard a scuffling to his right and his sword flashed out and he found the point an inch away from a young girl's throat about his age, he saw the panic in her eyes and he sheathed his sword swiftly. "Sorry," he looked at her grime covered face and he handed her a towel, "You want to wipe your face? Or perhaps you're just hungry?" She looked at him as Naruto took out a nutrient bar and handed it to her, "It doesn't taste that good but it's food." she took it and frowned, she wiped her face with the towel.
She unwrapped the bar and bit into it, "You're right it isn't that good." she stared at it. "But you're also right that it's food." she took another bite as Naruto scowled at the sky. "What happened to you? Lose a fight?"
Naruto shook his head, "Just the side effect of something stupid." he mumbled, he turned and stared at her, "What is your name?" he asked.
"Haku, it's nice to meet you." she said as she extended a hand.
Naruto took it and they shook, "Hey Haku, I'm Naruto. Would you mind if I join you?"
She smiled slightly, "Sure Naruto, as long as we help each other." Naruto smirked, "Sure, first would you like a bath and a room? We can get separate rooms if you don't trust me."
She stared at him, "Actually I feel like I can trust you, plus I wouldn't want to be alone in a strange place." she admitted,
Naruto nodded, "I know the feeling, could you help me up?" Haku stood and grabbed his hand. "Come on, let's get a room for the night."
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Naruto grunted as he laid down on the couch in their room. "Darn, still need more rest." he muttered.
"Umm, Naruto? Would you, umm, do you have a pair of clothes I can change into?" Naruto looked up to see Haku's blushing face, he blinked and dug out a scroll, hit bit his thumb and wiped the blood across it, a black shirt and pants sprang up, he got up heavily and walked over to Haku he bent down and placed them near the door, he turned around he began to walk away. "Thanks." Haku said she closed the door with a snap, Naruto sat back down on the couch and dug out a scroll on wind techniques. Ten minutes later Haku walked out and sat in the chair directly across from him, "Why are you being so nice to me?" she asked cautiously.
Naruto set the scroll down and looked at her, "You remind me of myself, plus I think it would work nicely for both of us to work together." he said simply. Haku stared at him. Naruto sighed, "Look at my eyes, do I look normal? I believe that we have more in common then you think Haku. My eyes tell me things about people sometimes, it tells me that you've seen things that should not be seen, it also tells me that your soul is pure, it also tells me you need to fix the neck line of that shirt before it gets any lower." Haku looked down then back up at Naruto who now held a needle and thread. "Hold still for a minute please." his hands flashed and Haku blinked, "There done, no more danger. Now where was I?" he scratched his head and Haku giggled. "Right, it also tells me that you're trust worthy. And that I value most of all." Haku stared at him and Naruto closed his eyes, "If you need money for food just tell me." Naruto said as he leaned back against a pillow. "I'm going to sleep now, you can have the bed. Be careful when you wake me, just stay still if you do." Haku watched as Naruto's face relaxed and the seriousness was replaced with peace, she sighed and shook her head. Reaching over she brushed a strand of hair to the side and smiled, 'Naruto huh? I'm beginning to like this guy.'
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Naruto sighed as he stood and stretched, "I think I'm finally back to full health." he said to himself, "It only took a week." he muttered. "Hey Haku." he walked over to the bed and looked down at her, he nudged the bed with his foot, "Wakey, Wakey sleeping beauty. Time for breakfast."
Haku sat up groggily, "What? Oh Naruto, right." she slid around and stood up with a yawn, "Where to?"
Naruto shrugged, "anywhere is fine by me."
Haku smiled at him as she headed for the bathroom, "Let me get ready first okay?" she closed the door and Naruto sighed, he took out his black blade and checked it over for chips or scrapes, it was still in perfect condition. A minute later Haku came out, and her face seemed glow white. "Let's go." she said as she tugged on his arm. Naruto gave in and followed her closely behind.
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"I don't think this was a good idea Naruto, I have a bad feeling about this." Haku shivered in her seat, Naruto looked up from his breakfast and frowned.
"Okay we can leave, but you haven't eaten anything yet."
Haku shook her head, "I don't feel like eating right now."
Naruto nodded, "As you wish, let's go." Naruto pushed off from the seat and offered Haku a hand down. As they turned around Naruto's eyes flashed and he growled, "Let's get out of here." he tightened his grip on her hand and pushed forward. Three feet from the exit half a dozen men blocked the path, Naruto stopped and pushed Haku behind his back, "Can I help you gentlemen?"
One of them laughed and Naruto smelled the liquor on his breath from where he stood, "Called us gentlemen. Listen boy, how much for the girl?"
"She's not for sale." Naruto growled.
"Well that is a pity. If she's not for sale then we'll just have to take her." they started to advance and Naruto placed a hand on his katana.
"Take another step and you will die my friends." Naruto said calmly, behind him Haku shivered. The sky darkened and Naruto's eyes glowed, a faint light began to come from the katana, the men stepped closer. Naruto slid his katana out slowly, lightning crackled around the blade and the men took a step back. Naruto took the katana out fully and raised it above his head, "Let me show you your future." he brought the lightning fused katana in front of his eyes and held it vertically up. "Leave now or die." Naruto whispered, the men looked at one another and nodded, they stepped forward again. Naruto heard Haku squeaked and felt her presence leave his side, he looked back to see one of the men holding her tightly, Naruto turned back to the men before him and lightning flared, lighting the street and the inside of the bar. Naruto turned around to see the man staring at him. Naruto sheathed his blade with a sharp snap and began to walk over to him, "Release her or die." The man let go and Naruto caught Haku before she fell, she was unconscious and there was a cut on her forehead, a thin line of blood was trailing down her pale face. Naruto picked her up bridal style and disappeared.
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Naruto sat Haku down on the middle of the bridge and sighed, he took out his blade and a cleaning cloth. Cleaning the gore off of it he looked over at Haku, the blood was still flowing out of the wound and her face was covered in ash, he placed his hand over it and closed his eyes, red chakra began to seep through his hands and into her wound, a few seconds later he removed his hand and wiped the blood away. Naruto heard muffled foot fall and looked up to see someone coming towards them. "What's this? Two orphans on a bridge? What are you two doing here?"
Naruto blinked, "Zabuza of the seven swordsman of the mist. Interesting…"
Zabuza stared at him for a moment, "What's with your eyes?" he asked.
"Keni-geki. Shouldn't you be leaving now? The head hunters will be coming soon."
Zabuza stared at him then looked at Haku, "She has a Keni-geki as well?"
"Yes, my eyes have told me." Naruto stared, waiting.
"Who are you?" Zabuza finally asked.
"I am a tool, a shinobi."
Zabuza nodded, "How would you two like coming with me?"
Naruto shrugged, "Beats sitting around her doing nothing, I'm sure Haku will agree." Naruto picked Haku up bridal style again, "Lead the way."
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Naruto leapt back as thousands of icy needles peppered the ground where he had stood a moment before, he formed a single seal and spilt into four different copies. They landed and each one ran through different hand seals.
"Futton: hurricane."
"Suiton: Grand dragon."
"Kaiton: burning phoenix."
"Raiton: lightning cage."
A blazing cage of living lightning surrounded Haku, three different layers of elements surrounded to make sure she could not escape. Naruto smiled slightly until he felt a senbon needle to the side of his neck, "Dead." Haku said. Naruto frowned, he glanced left and right, there was a water clone on each of his shadow clones.
"Damn, you win." Naruto grumbled, irritated.
Haku giggled and hung onto his neck, "Okay, take me to camp now." she commanded, Naruto was then forced to bring her in on piggy back to a slightly amused Zabuza.
"Lost again?" he guessed, Naruto grunted. Haku leapt down and took off her hunter's mask. Naruto did the same, his mask featuring the face of a fox. "I'm starting to think you let her win." Zabuza said as he cleaned his blade. "I think I may have found an employer for us, he's a scum ball but he's rich. We move at noon, understood?" Naruto and Haku nodded. "Good, grab the gear, it's a long walk." Zabuza wrapped his sword and picked up the biggest pack, while Naruto and Haku picked up the smaller ones, Naruto placed his mask in the pack and placed his straw hat on. "Right, let's go."
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"An old man? You want us to take out an old man?" Zabuza asked incredulously as he sat on the couch, Naruto stood to his left while Haku stood to his right, her mask firmly attached. "What is so important about him?"
"You don't need to know that. Just get the job done." Gato said as he tapped his staff on the ground, Naruto blinked. "He's hired body guards from Kahona to protect him, a genin team."
"Naruto?" Zabuza asked, Naruto nodded. "My friend can handle them himself, but just incase I'll send the demon brothers with him, happy?" Gato nodded, "Good, Naruto you know the drill." Naruto nodded again as he stroked his sword. "Take them out, bring the old man's head in." Zabuza commanded.
"Hai, Zabuza-sama. It will be done." Naruto turned around and walked out of the room, his black cloak fluttering in the slight breeze.
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Naruto looked down at the approaching team with irritation, "Why is it always my luck? Hatake Kakashi leads the team, be fast and do not make any mistakes. You will only have one chance, understood?"
"Hai Fox, we will take him out." that was what they knew him as, fox.
"No, not yet. Let me see who else he has with him." Naruto's eyes began to glow, "Sasuke Uchiha, Harono Sakura, and… no one else? Huh, it's a two-man team, that's odd. Alright, just as planed." the brothers nodded and vanished, Naruto sighed. "Why is it always Kakashi?" he muttered again. Naruto watched as the trap was set up, his scarlet eyes making the slits in his mask glow blood red. Naruto waited until they were done then raised his hands to the sky, the sky began to darken and rain started to fall, distant thunder boomed and lightning flashed. Kakashi looked up and held out a hand as rain began to fall, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an umbrella. Naruto almost laughed.
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"Kakashi, I don't think this is normal weather." Naruto heard Sasuke mutter.
"No, you're right it's not. But it's real rain, it's not a jutsu… interesting though, maybe someone's just messing around with us." Naruto watched as they came closer to the trap. Naruto fingered his swords handle, his fingers briefly stopped as he saw Kakashi glance down at the puddle, 'crap.' Naruto turned and leapt higher into the trees just as they passed the puddle the brothers rose up and wrapped their chain around Kakashi, Naruto gritted his teeth and fled, already knowing the outcome. 'I told you to ignore him.' he thought furiously.
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"I told the fools to ignore him, I told them to just focus on the old man!" Naruto seethed slightly as he marched back and forth in front of a surprised Zabuza and Haku, "I thought they could handle it, I thought they understood. Now Kakashi will know that the old man is the target, he'll be on the alert." Naruto stopped and breathed deeply, he composed himself swiftly, "You will have to be careful if you face Kakashi Zabuza-sama, he's on his toes now. He might even get another team to help protect him." he said evenly.
"So, you know Kakashi well?" Zabuza asked.
Naruto nodded, "We were friends once, he was my guard, he watched over me as well, but recently we went against each other."
"What happened?" Zabuza asked, Naruto sighed.
"Do you have a new copy of the bingo books?" Zabuza nodded and pulled out a small grey book, Naruto took it and flipped open the pages, he handed it back to Zabuza who read aloud.
"Naruto Uzamaki, A-ranked missing nin. Ran away from Kahona after graduating, approach with caution his scarlet eyes are an unknown Keni-geki that is wanted by the council of Kahona. Reward… twelve million Ryu. Geez kid, who did you kill?" Naruto shrugged unhappily. "Your bounty is bigger then mine."
Naruto closed his eyes wearily, "I know."
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"What are you thinking about?" Haku asked from her position in the tree braches above Naruto.
"Old times, old friends." he said with a sigh as he chewed on a stem of grass, "I'm wondering if they'll recognize me. Behind the mask I mean." he laid back on the ground and stared up at the clouds.
Haku jumped down and landed beside him, "And what if they do? What if they do find out who you are? Are you afraid that they'll take you away back to the village?"
Naruto sat up and stared at her, "I'd rather die then be separated from you and Zabuza, I feel like it's home when you two are around, I never really felt like that in Kahona." Haku smiled at him and blushed slightly. "Are you blushing?"
"Shut up." Haku's blush increased and Naruto smiled. "Quit smiling you Baka." Naruto grinned and Haku tried to slap him half-heartedly. "Baka." she muttered again, Naruto chuckled.
"See, I never used to smile like that, I never used to laugh at all." Naruto said as he leaned forward to impress what he was saying. "Before I met you I was lost, all I knew was that I was not meant to be in Kahona. But when I met you it was like clouds were lifted, I could see my path again. It was like you helped to open my eyes, and if they were ever to try and take you away from me…" he leaned away, "I would kill anyone that tried to harm that." he said finally. Haku looked up, her face was cherry red. "Huh? Why are you blushing?"
"Shut up." she yelled as her blush increased.
Naruto smiled and laid back down, "Whatever you say Haku-chan."
It was raining slightly as Naruto walked through the base. Zabuza walked beside him, they were discussing when the best time to strike at the genin would be. "Look, all I'm saying is that they have a disadvantage in and on the water where we have the advantage. Fight them near the lake next to the path." Naruto argued.
"Fine, I'll attack them there, but what if there is another Jounin present? I can't take them both."
Naruto turned his scarlet gaze on him, "I'll take care of it then, without my hunter mask. Don't worry, it'll be easy."
"If it was easy why did you run before when you discovered that Kakashi lead the team?"
Naruto blushed slightly, "I was scared, it won't happen again, I'm prepared this time." his fists clenched and his eyes flashed. "I swear, just leave it to me." Zabuza looked at him before nodding once. "Come on," Naruto said wearily, "Let's go before we miss them." they disappeared into the mist.