(A/N) Hey Simple People. Sorry for the long wait but I had a few thunderstorms that knocked out our power and was afraid that if I tried to write during it, I could have lost my doucment or it become corrupt. To make it up for the long wait, I made the chapter longer than usual. Now remember I just started writing... so, sorry if the fight scenes aren't up to par and for any mistakes I may have missed that needs to be corrected. Please, enjoy the story now. Peace!

Disclaimer(s): I don't own Naruto. If I have used any of your ideas, sorry and I don't own that either.

"Human Talking"

'Human Thinking'

"Bijuu Talking"

'Bijuu Thinking'

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Chapter 4

Team 7, along with Tazuna and the hooded helpers, finally arrived at Tazuna's house and were greeted at the door by a young lovely woman. This was Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter. She seen the condition of the ninja present and quickly ushered Sasuke and Sakura inside, who were holding up Kakashi. After they went in, Tazuna, and the mysterious people who were holding Kasuga, stayed outside.

"I really appreciate you in helping us out back there." Tazuna said. "Is there anything we can do for you, for helping us out?"

"Well, I am hungry." Said the red cloaked girl.

Naruto looked at her. "We'll get something later." He turned back to Tazuna. "Hello. My name is... Um... Well, you can call me Inu." Naruto bowed to the man. "Thank you for your offer but we're okay."

"If I may ask? I would like to know why you were attacked by missing ninja, even though you had ninja escorts?" Asked the white cloaked one.

Tazuna looked around and at each of them. Each looked like they was staring intently at him... Well... Five of them were, he noted. The lightning streaked cloaked one was poking Kasuga, who was tied up, with a stick. He was wondering if he should tell them all about Gato. Thinking they might stay and help them, he decided to tell them. He started from the begining and even told them about his son-in-law. Seeing that they didn't show any kind of reaction, from what he could tell. He still hasn't seen any of their faces. He told them about how Inari, his grandson, took the whole ordeal.

Each one looked at each other and even Denki, who was busy poking Kasuga, stopped and stood up. "Tazuna-san... We will help." Naruto said. "But, not here. You have ninjas here who can help you. We will be around and help any one in town who might need it. We will not let this town or its people fall to some greedy man."

Tazuna bowed. "Thank you, very much! When we get the money, we will pay you for everything you do for us."

"Keep it." Said the brown cloaked one.

"We must be off. Can you point us in the right direction to town?" Asked Naruto.

Tazuna nodded but was thinking of a way to repay the kind shinobi and started to tell them of the town and were they can stay at a hotel, if they choose to. He told them which direction to walk in and watched them turn around and start to leave. He was about to go inside and help, when he thought of something.

"Hey! Wait! What do I do if we need you or how can we find you and what should I call you?" Tazuna asked/yelled.

They stopped and Naruto opened his mouth to answer but felt a hand over his mouth. "Just call us the Elementals and we will be around. Just yell for us and we will be there. Like super heros!" Yelled Denki with a big chessey grin.

Each one of them face palmed and just turned and started to walk away. Tazuna was silent but started chuckling when he saw the red one smack the blue streaked one in the head and yelling about something he couldn't hear. He watched them slowly fade into the forest and turned around and saw his daughter sitting there, giggling, with her hand over her mouth.

Tazuna shook his head smiling. "Strange hero's, huh? Come on, let's head back in."

Tsunami just smiled and told him about how Sasuke and Sakura are sitting with their sensei. She told him that Kakashi was fine and that he just needed rest. He probably wore himself out with that fight they got in. They just sat in the kitchen and decided to wait until Kakashi woke up. Well, Tsunami was heading upstarirs to tell Sasuke and Sakura about what happened and Tazuna was sipping on Sake that he brought back from Konaha.

-X-

Meanwhile, Sasuke and Sakura are with a unconscious Kakashi. They were quiet for a little while. They each were thinking about the samething. How Kasuga just turned on them and tried to kill Sasuke. How Kakashi was trapped and couldn't help them. They would have died if it wasn't for those cloaked strangers... Thinking the samething, the cloaked strangers, they looked at each other.

"Um... Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked quietly. "Are you alright?"

Sasuke just sighed and looked back at Kakashi. "Yeah, i'm okay. Um, are you alright?"

"Y-yeah... Just a little... unsure of what to do now." She would have been happy that he cared about how she was but the situation wasn't a happy one. "What do you think about the people who showed up and helped us? I mean, I didn't even thank them or ask them for their name." Sakura said.

Sasuke turned and looked at her. "That may still be here. Kakashi-sensei seems fine, just needs to rest, like Tsunami-san said." He turned and went to the door. "Are you coming?"

"Uh, yeah." Sakura got up but the door opened before Sasuke got there.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Tsunami said. "I was going to inform you of what happened."

Sasuke and Sakura looked at each other. Each worrying that something bad might have happened with the strange ninjas that helped them. "What happened? Did they do something?" Sakura asked kind of panicked.

"What? No. No no. They just left and said they were going to help around the town but, they have decided to help us. If we should need them, they said." Tsunami said. "They also called themselves "The Elementals"... If they helps you figure out who they are." She said. Thinking she could find out more about them.

"I don't remember hearing anything about a group like that." Sasuke said after a minute of thinking.

"I think I have." Sakura said. Surprising both of them. She felt both of their attention on her and she got nevous. "U-uhhh, Well..." She cleared her throat. "A couple years ago, when I was walking home from the academy. I heard a couple of older shinobi talking about a run in with a weird group of ninja's during there mission. They said each wore a cloak of different colors and used different elemental justus. I don't remember them saying anything about what they called their group but they match the description of the story." Sakura looked at Sauske. "Sorry, but that's all I heard. I made it home before I could hear more."

"Well, that's more than what I got." Sasuke said.

"They were very nice when my father was talking to them." Tsunami pointed out.

"Hey, weren't they the ones holding Kasuga-baka?" Sakura suddenly asked.

Sasuke eyes widen. They forgot all about him and was getting ready to run down there and demand what he was thinking. Before he could go, he remembered that they left. He quickly turned to Tsunami.

"Did they take him?" Sasuke asked quickly.

"Um, I don't remember actually. They sort of just left after they heard about Gato and what he's doing." Tsunami told them.

Sasuke and Sakura quickly went passed Tsunami and headed downstairs. They were thinking the samething. That they took him and left without them noticing. They quickly opened the front door and spotted a little white dog sniffing a tied up Kasuga and Team 8 about to cut him out of the rope. They seen Kasuga awake and smiling. He was almost free but heard Sakura yell for them to stop.

-X-

A few minutes earlier... Team 8 was heaading through the forest and was a little tired from having to cross a lake to get to the Land of Waves. They were worried they might have been to late when they saw the land by the water was tore up and trees were soaked and bent. They hurried and followed the footsteps from the battle site and Hinata used her Byakugan to search around and saw Kasuga tied to a tree by a house.

"Sensei! I see Kasuga-san and he looks hurt." Hinata said.

"Alright. Hinata, search around and see if there are enemies near by. Kiba and Akamaru, I want you and Shino to keep a lookout for me. I am going to head down there and see what's going on." Kurenai said. "Hinata, is he awake?"

"Hai, sensei." Hinata answered quickly.

Kurenai slowly approched Kasuga and saw him looking around. He looked scared and was trying to get out of the bonds. He kept trying to make sure noone was around as he was trying to get out. He spotted Kurenai when she got close enough and used his head to look around and make sure no one could see him. He motioned with his head to come over and she slowly came towards him.

"Kurenai-sensei! I'm so glad you're here. Will you help untie me?" Kasuga said quickly.

Kurenai looked around herself and only saw a house. "Team 8, you can come down here now." She said. "Kasuga-san, what happened and why are you tied up out here?" She asked.

Kasuga looked around and looked nervous. "Well, I don't know really. I remember us fighting Zabuza and then, some cloaked, hooded figures showed up and one broke my ankles and the other knocked me out after I hit them in the stomach. Please, untie me! I don't know what's going on but I need someone to heal my ankles." Kasuga said.

He smirked on the inside when they said he was telling the truth because he was. He just didn't say that the hooded figures were helping team 7 from him and Zabuza. They did break his ankles. Afterall, it wasn't lying. He just left out a few details. He was also quite tired when he woke up. 'Damn. I think I put to much chakra into that jutsu when I used it on the Uchiha.' His father use to be a shinobi and hated clan kids because he had to work for his training and jutsu's. When Kasuga's father heard he was going to be on a team with the 'Last Uchiha', he started trying to teach Kasuga high leveled jutsus. Kasuga was smiling ear to ear when he saw Kurenai get a kunai out and reach for the rope but frowed when he heard Sakura.

"STOP! Don't untie him!" Sakura yelled.

Team 8 looked at them and saw two other people standing by the door. From what Kurenai could remember about the report she got, she knew the older man was Tazuna.

"Why? His is your teammate and he is injured! He needs medical attention and shouldn't be tied up out here!" Kurenai yelled at them. She mad at what Sasuke and Saukra did to Kasuga. "Where is Kakashi?"

"We didn't do anything! He betrayed us and tried to kill Sauske-kun!" Sakura shouted.

"Don't listen to them. They could be the enemy in disguise or be a henge. Hurry and untie me in case they attack!" Kasuga said quickly. 'Damnit! I was almost free!'

Kurenai froze. She slowly stood up and looked at her team 8. "Shino, spread some Kidaichu around and see if we really are alone here." Kurenai ordered. "Kiba and Akamaru, I want you to scout around and see if there are any traps and check their scent. Hinata use your Byakugan and see if they are who they really are and try to find Kakashi!" Kurenai while watching Team 7 closely.

"He's inside. Resting from chakra exhaustion. Top floor and the room to the right." Sasuke said.

"I see Kakashi and their right, he has very little chakra and seems to be sleeping." Hinata said.

"We are alone and secure. No one is around, sensei." Shino said.

"They smell like Sasuke, Kasuga and Sakura." Kiba said and Akamaru barked. "There seems to be no traps or anything dangerous around, sensei." After walking around the property for a bit.

Kurenai then turned to Team 7. They looked at her and started to tell her everything. From the Demon Brothers, to now. Even Tazuna backed them up. Of course he was slurring a little bit. Tazuna even told them about his conversation with the "hooded people", he like to call them, about Gato and even about Kaiza and Inari. Sasuke and Sakura were shocked to hear about Kaiza and Tsunami looked sad and had a few tears. They each noticed Kasuga was starting to glare at everybody.

"Well, were here as your back-up and seeing as your a man short, I guess it's a good thing we came." Kurenai said. Trying to change the subject for Tsunami. "Shino-san, I want your kidaichu to watch Kasuga and drain him of any chakra he may be rebuilding. Hinata-chan, I want you to close his Tenketsu's with your Juken."

"Hai, sensei!" They said in unison and got to work.

"Fuck you guys!" Yelled Kasuga while being covered in a few bugs and being hit in several places in his arms, legs and torso. "I hope you all die on this mission!"

"Kiba-san, can you please gag him? I don't like that language." Kurenai said.

"Hai sensei." Kiba said.

"Get the fu-mmph mph MMMMPHHH." Kasuga tried to say and just glared at everyone.

"Well, since your here. Would you guys like to come in? I didn't know we would be having a lot more ninjas helping us but I can cook some more food for all of you." Tsunami said.

"Thank you. We would love to join you, if it wouldn't be a problem." Kurenai said while she bowed. "My name is Kurenai Yuhi, This is Kiba and Akamaru..." KIba waved and Akamaru barked. "This is Shino Aburame..." He just nodded his head towards her. "And this is Hinata Hyuga." HInata bowed toward Tsunami.

Tsuanmi bowed to them all. "Nice to meet you all. Name is Tsunami and this is my father Tazuna." She turned around and started to walk back toward the house while team 8 and 7 picked up Kasuga and carried him inside. Everyone ate and talked during the evening and toward the night. They split the rooms between boys and girls. The boys had to take shifts and watch Kasuga. Tazuna, Sasuke and Sakura told them all they knew about the hooded people. Kurenai thought it was weird they called themselves The Elementals but remembered some Chunin was talking about hooded figures they encountered on a mission and helped them out when they was outnumbered. Kurenai didn't say this though. She didn't want to tell them that and be wrong about who was helping them.

-X-

Meanwhile... Naruto and the others were walking along the road after talking to Tazuna. They walked and just listened to Denki go on and on about how they could save people, to what they should eat and then about were they are going to sleep. Then suddenly Kaze stopped and looked at Naruto.

"Do you think that they will recognize us, if we show Sakura who we are?" Kaze asked.

"I don't know. She's the one who told us to leave her alone and we have no idea what she told the others about me." Answered Naruto. "Their sensei... Kakashi... He has the same hair as Inu-san. I wonder if that's him or he's related to Inu-san."

"I say we continue and just travel around. Why should we just head straight back?" Kasai said. "They might not even want us back. The whole time we were gone, we never seen or heard of people looking for you Naruto."

"True. What do you guys think? Tamaishi, Kawa and Denki?" Naruto asked.

"Well, I say we sh-" Tamaishi began before he was interrupted by Denki.

"OH! I have an idea! We should just see how they act on this mission and decide after." Denki said while jumping up and down.

Everyone just looked at him.

"What?" He said.

"Okay... First, don't ever interrupt me again, Denki!" Tamaishi said sternly.

"Sir yes sir!" Denki said loudly.

Tamaishi sighed. "Seriously? Know what? Never mind. Secondly, It's just weird you have a good idea once in while." He said.

"Well, that hurt." Denki pouted dramatically.

"I'll just do what ever you guys do. You know that already." Kawa said.

"I like Denki's idea. We'll see how they do but for now, we're here." Naruto said. "Alright, let's split up in two groups. One group to buy as much food as we can afford and give it to those who need it and second group will see if we can help anyone around here."

"I say Naruto, Tamaishi and Denki go and see who they can help around town." Kaze said. "While Kasai, Kawa and I go and buy food for everyone we can. Also... we may have to pull down our hoods. People might not like us showing up in cloaks and covering our heads."

"Since we don't know if the leaf shinobi will know of us, we'll all use henge. Just change our hair color and hide our whisker marks." Naruto said.

"Aw... But I like our whisker marks!" Denki said.

"Just do it, Denki." Kaze said.

"Alright, I guess we'll split up here. Meet back here before it gets to dark. We still need to set up camp." Naruto said.

"Sir yes S-" Denki tried saying but a hand quickly went over his mouth.

"Shut up and come on." Tamaishi said while picking up Denki and carrying him.

"Weeee..." Denki said and raised his hands up in the air.

Naruto started laughing and followed them. Kawa just yawned and followed Kaze and Kasai. Kasai saying how they were lucky and wasn't stuck with Denki. Kaze was just giggling at how everyone in their little group were.

They helped as much as they could but there was little food and hardly anyone trusted them or just already gave up hope and didn't want help. Naruto was pissed when they finally set up camp. He really didn't like this Gato and told the others that they should try to take him out. They're planning on going back to Tazuna's house the next day and help the leaf shinobi and hope to find out more about Gato. It wouldn't be the first time they killed someone. Couple years ago, they ran into other leaf shinobi with Sato and had to help them from some missing ninjas and bandits. He was surprised at how easy it was to kill and how he didn't feel anything afterwards. Like it was just normal for him to do that. That scared him and vowed to only kill, when he feels it's necessary and Gato... was necessary.

-X-

Earlier that same evening... A masked Kiri ninja was standing above a corpse but when he reached up to grab the bandages, the corpses hand shot up and grabbed his hand.

"Damnit, Haku. Why do you always go for the neck?" Zabuza said while pulling out the senbon in his neck.

"Be careful Zabuza-sama. Could hurt yourself more, if you're not careful." Haku said.

"I know what i'm doing Haku." Zabuza said. "How long before I can feel normal enough again?"

"Well, a couple of weeks but i'm sure you would take less than that." Haku answered. "I have the herbs ready but would need to go get more soon."

Before they could say anymore, their hideout door opened and standing in the door way, was a short budgy man with two tall body guards with him.

"Well, well, well... The Demon of The Bloody Mist... Took out by one man and a bunch of brats." Budgy man said.

"Gato! What the hell do you want?" Zabuza asked harshly.

Gato reached Zabuza and reached for him by felt a hand around his wrist. He looked up and saw Haku holding his wrist. Stopping him from touching Zabuza. The two body guards were stunned. They didn't even have time to react before Haku was already grabbing Gato.

"Don't you dare touch Zabuza-sama!" Haku said in a angery voice and everyone heard a loud snap, then heard Gato screaming in pain.

"Get him off of me!" Gato yelled but before they could grab their swords. Haku already had them in his hands and was pointing them at their necks.

"Please leave. I don't want to kill you." Haku said in a calm voice.

Gato and his guards quickly started for the door. Once they reached it, Gato turned around. He looked right at them and told them that the leaf shinobi have more back-up that arrived and that Zabuza better take care of the bridge builder or else.

"So, the leaf brought even more for little ol' me. I'm flattered but if their are more of them, then that's going to make things more difficult. We might need to take up that old favor Terauchi owes me." Zabuza said out loud. "Haku, when I am well enough, we are going to take a short trip and pick up some back-up."

"Hai Zabuza-sama!" Haku answered quickly.

He knew who they were going to go after but he didn't like who they were going after. This person just killed and killed for the fun of it and always tricked people into helping them and then stab them in the back later and steal everything they own. Haku believe if such an opportunity arrises, they will do the same to him and Zabuza.

-X-

The next moring, as Kurenai awoke, she noticed Sakura was awake but looking out the window. She got up and went to check on the boys first and see if Kasuga was still tied up and how they could get him back to the leaf village to pay for trying to kill a teammate. She returned to her room and saw Sakura hasn't moved.

"Hey, Sakura-san. Are you alright?" Kurenai asked.

"Huh? Oh... Yeah, i'm fine..." Sakura said quietly. "Well... no. I'm not fine. We should be dead but because by some luck, those 'Elemental' people happened to be walking by and saved us." Sakura pulled her knees up to her chest. She looked like she was very deep in thought and miles away from where she was now. "If they haven't shown up... Kakashi-sensei would have died by Zabuza and Kasuga would have helped him kill Sasuke-kun... and I don't want to think about what he would have done to me." Sakura started shaking and hung her head on her knees.

Kurenai quickly went over to the girl and softly held her. Sakura laid her head on Kurenai shoulder and started crying. "I know you went through a lot yesterday but it's alright and you and Sasuke are alive. Be thankful for that."

"I know and I am but i'm really mad at myself because I didn't do anything. I just stood there when the Demon Brothers attacked and when Kasuga betrayed us... All I did was stand by Tazuna and watch over him." Sakura confessed. "I know we were suppose to guard the client but I couldn't help Kakashi-sensei or Sasuke-kun... Maybe being a ninja was a bad idea. I'm useless..." Sakura said quietly.

Kurenai heard enough. "Sakura, listen!" She said loud and harshly while holding Sakura by the shoulders. "Your not useless! You had a bad day. Everyone does but doesn't mean you should give up. I don't want to hear a fellow kunoichi talk like that. Sakura, you have talent. Kakashi had told me but you seem to be stuck up on thinking about what boys think about you. Especially what Sasuke thinks." Kurenai said while looking directly at Sakura. Sakura flinched at her tone and what she was saying but was listening to every word she said. "Stop worrying about what others think and just worry about what you think about yourself! Don't become a kunoichi for some boy... Become one for yourself and become strong. Show people that talent you have and start taking being a kunoichi seriously. I know you can become strong Sakura. Now, don't be harsh on yourself and learn from your past. Use it to become a better ninja and show the world what Sakura Haruno can do." Kurenai finished while smiling at Sakura.

Sakura was silent for a while and looked a little shocked at Kurenai. No one ever talked like that to her. Her mother would just pat her back and sooth her and tell her it was all going to be alright. No one ever forced her to listen about her flaws and told her she can become so much more than some pretty kunoichi. She can become strong and show everyone that she isn't just a bookworm from the accademy. She looked right at Kurenai and gave her a big hug.

"Thank you, Kurenai-sensei. You're right. Since Kakashi-sensei might not be up for a while longer... Can you help us train? I want to become the strong ninja you belive I can be." Sakura said with a new found determination.

"Sure. Go wake up everybody and we'll all go somewhere and train. I hope you don't mind a shadow clone helping you though. We still have to guard Tazuna on the bridge." Kurenai said while smiling.

"Hai sensei!" Sakura said and went to wake everyone.

-X-

Kurenai made a couple shadow clones to help them with their training. Team 8 and the rest of team 7 was standing in the kitchen, with a bandaged up Kakashi. He woke up a little earlier and told everyone about how he believes Zabuza could still be alive and may take a week or two for him to recover. He was surprise to see Sakura not looked frighten by the idea of him still alive and looked more determined than he ever saw her. He would ask Kurenai about it later. They also told him about the cloaked group and that they would help from afar and while he was thankful, he was also suspicous about them because they didn't want to help directly. Kakashi said while they went training he would watch over Kasuga and make sure he didn't escape. They was just getting done eating breakfast when Hinata suddenly spoke up.

"Kurenai-sensei! There's six people standing outside the house and each seem to be wearing different cloaks." Hinata said with her Byakugan active.

"It must be the Elemental group then." Said Sasuke. "Should we head outside and greet them or are they coming in?"

"They seem to be waiting... It's weird. I was going to look and see if I can see their faces. Maybe find out if we may know them but their cloaks... It's blocking my Byakugan. I only see six hooded people outside." Hinata said with a curious expression.

Kakashi got up and used his crutch to reach the door. He told everyone to be ready just in case. He saw they were about freshly graduated genin height but seen ninja younger than them in ANBU. He looked at each of them and they were just standing there. No one said anything for a while and just looked at each other. Kakashi cleared his throat to say something but one of them said something first.

"Do we looked badass or creepy more?" Said the lightning streaked one.

That through Kakashi for a loop and everyone listening on the inside just sweat dropped. "Well, to be honest, I guess you look more creepy because your just staring at a house." Kakashi answer honestly. Rubbing the back of his head, he said. "Maybe if we were on the battle field but since were not... Well, you know?"

He saw them all look at the Lightning streaked one. "We told you, Denki!" Said the brown and green one.

"Heh heh... I thought we would be like... All mysterious and badass looking. Heh heh heh..." Denki said.

"Sorry about that but he insisted that we try it." Naruto said then bowed to him. "You can call me Inu." Naruto told him and that caught Kakashis attention.

"Hello, my fellow ninja! I am Denki!" Denki said and was waving his hand high in the air.

He got smacked by the red one and she turned and bowed. "Hello. My they call me Kasai. Sorry about this one." She said.

The brown and green cloaked one stepped forward and bowed. "Hello. I am Tamaishi."

The white cloaked one stepped up and bowed gracefully. "Hello Kakashi-san. I am Kaze. Sorry for not introducing ourself yesterday."

He then heard a yawn and looked at the last one. "Oh. I guess it's my turn. I am Kawa."

Kakashi looked at each of them but wanted to speak with the orange one more. The fact that he was wearing orange and called himself Inu made Kakashi start thinking about his sensei's son. Even though he knew the chances low, he still had a little hope that this could be Naruto. That had to wait for now because the others are behind him and wanted to see what was going on out there. He stepped aside but kept looking at the orange one.

"Um, Hello. I am Kurenai Yuhi." She bowed to them. "And this is my genin team."

"Hey. I am Kiba Inuzuka and this is my best friend, Akamaru." KIba introduced himself and Akamaru just barked while sitting on his head.

"Greetings. I am Shino Aburame." Shino said with a nod.

"Hello. Pleasure to meet you. I am Hinata Hyuga." Hinata said and bowed gracefully. Each of them frowned because they remembered Hinata as the girl they saved from the bullies and what happened afterwards.

"I am Sasuke Uchiha." Sasuke said because he still didn't trust them that much. They haven't seen their faces or know anything else about them.

"Hello. I am Sakura Haruna." Sakura said and bowed. "Um, thanks for helping us yesterday. We never got a chance to say that yesterday."

"Nice to meet you all. Sorry we cannot show you our faces but we like to remain unknown. That way people don't know who we are when we take these off and walk around." Naruto said.

"Well, they were getting ready to go train and I was going to watch Tazuna at the bridge. You may join them if you would like?" Kurenai said. She was hoping to see a little bit of their skills and try to learn more about them if she can.

Naruto looked at each of them and they each shrugged while Denki wasn't even paying attention. He was swaying back and forth and slightly humming. "We would be honored to train with you but we like to train in private. We have some moves we rather not show right away and i'm sure your teams would like to keep their skills secret to." Naruto said.

'Either he's smart and knows what I was trying to do or theres something they're trying to hide from us.' Kurenai thought. "Very well then. Will we be seeing you around here more often or are you just here to introduce youselves?" Kurenai asked.

"You'll see us more often. We want to help you and try to get rid of Gato while we're here. We have seen the town and talked to it's people. Gato needs to go and wish for your help after we help you finish the bridge in taking out Gato." Naruto said. "If you can't, we will understand because you may need to head back to your village but Gato will be gone by the time we leave." Naruto finished with fire in his voice.

He turned around and started walking away. Each one started to follow, except Denki. He was just standing there, still swaying and lightly humming. The leaf shinobi didn't know what to do and was about to speak to him but out of no where he sunk into the ground and disappeared. They looked down to where he was and saw a hole there but heard a girl yelling in the distance and Denki saying sorry over and over again. Again, everyone sweat dropped at the strange group.

"Well, I guess i'll see you guys when you get back. I'm still a little tired and i'll keep an eye on Kasuga." Kakashi said. 'Naruto would probably be that height around this time. I must try to get him to talk to me alone. Even if it isn't him... maybe he could have seen Naruto somewhere before.'

"Alright. Team 8 and 7, let's go. I'll be sending these shadow clones with you to help and if there is a emergancy, then tell a clone and it'll let me know." Kurenai said.

"Hai sensei." Each genin said.

They went by a river bank and started training in various things. Hinata, Kiba and Shino were practicing their clan techniques and sparring with each other. Kiba asked Hinata about a date while they were there but Hinata said she rather focus on her shinobi career for now. She didn't want to worry about being someones girlfriend for awhile. On the inside though, she was wondering if she would have said the samething if her courages savor from back then would have asked her and she blushed lightly. Kiba was nice but she couldn't help but just see him as a friend. Kurenai's clone was watching and was wondering the samething as Hinata. Of course Hinata told kurenai-sensei about the blonde hero and how she wanted to be like him. Team 8 continued that way for the evening. Kurenai was teaching them how to detect Genjutsu or teaching them couple Genjutsus moves.

Team 7 or well, what was left of team 7 was just either practicing ninjutsu or taijutsu. Sasuke was surprised that Sakura hasn't asked for a date or even tried to get his attention. She was so focused on her training and he was liking this new Sakura. Sakura was trying her hardest to keep up with Sasuke and was regretting not taking training seriously now. While Sasuke was running on water and going through Taijutsu katas, she was having trouble just being on the water for long. Even though she realized how far she was behind, she was more determined to catch up and kept getting up and trying again after regaining some of her strength. Kurenai clone was happy seeing Sakura not giving up and taking training seruously now.

-X-

They continued like this for days and once in while they would see one of the cloaked figures and talk to them. They wouldn't say much but seemed really nice when they did talk. They would asked them how their training was coming along and would tell them about how helping the people was going. One day, Naruto showed up and talked to them for a while but Kakashi couldn't get him alone. They meant Inari on that day and when he brought up something about how they should give up and they couldn't win against Gato. Sasuke blew up in his face and told him he doesn't know suffering and about how his whole family was wiped out in one night. Sasuke stormed off and went to there room. Sakura followed and helped cheer him up and again Sasuke was surprised that after she helped him calm down, she didn't ask for a date or anything. Naruto followed Inari and talked to him about his past and told him that he should honor his step-father and protect his precious people, no matter what happens. That he should be grateful that he still has his mother and grandfather who love him dearly and what Naruto wouldn't give for that. A couple days after that, Naruto and his 'friends' were training when they senced someone coming.

"We know you're there. You can come out. I swear we're nice." Naruto said outloud and smiled.

Haku was just walking around in the forest and picking herbs for Zabuza-sama, when he heard what sounded like a fight going on and slowly aprroached the sounds. When he got close enough to finally see what was going on... it just stopped. He was surprised when he heard someone talking to him and he walked out in the open. On the inside he was surprised but on the outside, he was just curious but what he saw shocked him. There were six people who were wearing cloaks and he knew it was the same people from before but he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against all of them. The field they was standing in had burn marks everywhere, but everything was soaked and saw huge chunks of the earth missing. Scorch marks like lightning was on some the trees and saw other trees topled over and uprooted. Each cloaked person was panting but looked ready to fight at a moments notice.

"Oh, hello. I must have interrupted something. Was you guys fighting? The land looks rough." Haku said.

"Uh... No. We weren't fighting. Just sparing but I guess we did get carried away." Naruto answered.

"Oh, are you ninjas?" Haku asked.

"Well, not really. We train and fight like one but we don't belong to a village." Naruto said. "Are you a ninja... Um, i'm sorry I didn't get your name."

"I am Haku and no. I am not a ninja." Answered Haku.

"Nice to meet you. I am Inu and these are my friends." Naruto said and each of them introduced themselve to Haku. Even Denki was to tired to be his hyper active self and just waved.

"May I asked what you are doing out here, Haku-san?" Naruto asked. "We are pretty far from the town."

"Oh, my precious person became ill a while back and i'm picking some herbs to help him get better." Haku answered.

"Oh, would you like some help?" Naruto asked. "Just show us what kind of herb you need and we'll get some for you." Then he looked around. "Well, not around here. I'm pretty sure any here would be to damaged." Naruto joked.

Haku just smiled. "Thank you Inu-san. These are what I need." Haku showed them the herb he needed.

They all split up and started walking around to look for the herb. Haku was talking to Inu/Naruto and just making conversation.

"Tell me, Inu-san. Why did you want to become a ninja?" Haku asked curiously.

"Well, I have a dream. Where people all live together in peace and there would not be more useless bloodshed and everyone would get along." Naruto said.

"That's a big dream, Inu-san." Haku said surprised. "Do you have anyone precious to you that you that you may want to protect while trying to accomplish this dream?" Haku said.

"A few. Why you ask Haku-san?" Naruto said while giving Haku the herbs he found.

"Thank you. I believe people can truely become strong if they have someone precious they want to protect." Haku said.

Naruto just smiled and said. "Yeah. I can see that. I do have a few... some don't even know that i'm still alive but one day I will return to them."

After Haku get everything he needed, he got up and told them that he must return to his father. He thanked each of them personally and said good-bye. They each bowed and waved to Haku as he was leaving. Haku just turned and told them that he was a boy, which only surprised Denki. He screamed what and stood there shocked while, the rest just face palmed. As soon as Haku was out of sight and they waited until they were sure he wasn't there anymore. They looked at each other.

"No, i'm not a ninja my ass." Said Kasai.

Naruto snorted. "Yeah, right?"

"That must have been the hunter ninja that took Zabuza. He had the same chakra as Kiri ninja." Said Kawa.

"Haku it is then." Tamaishi said. "Should we follow?"

"No. I'm looking forward to the fight they might bring us later." Naruto said.

Little known fact about Naruto is that he loves combat. He can fight to his heart's content and not have to hold back. He loves the adrenaline you get in combat and especially the feeling you get when you win. Yup, Naruto was a combat addict and because of that. He always fought when he would travel around with Sato and they would run into bandits or missing ninjas. Sato was a combat addict and would always tell Naruto stories of his fights and Sato was good at telling stories and pulling Naruto into them, that part of him rubbed off on Naruto. He realized this conflicted with his dream but would cross that bridge when he got to it.

"Come on. Let's train some more and this time... No holding back." Naruto said as he grinned.

Each of them grinned as well and got into there combat stances. They just stared at each other and waited. The wind blew and a few leaves were falling but they each kept there eye on the same one. As soon at it hit the ground, they exploded into action. All you could hear in the forest was the sounds of yelling and explosions of jutsus. Sounds of lightning cackling and crashing, sounds of something huge hitting the ground and water splashing everywhere. Powerful gust of wind would often be heard blasting through the trees and orange glow of fire above the trees could often be seen. If you listened closely though... you could hear the sounds of girls and boys laughing in the middle of this mayhem.

-X-

A week and a half later. Zabuza and Haku was walking around close to the borders of kiri. They were in search of a certain and place and when they finally found it, they just sat on a rock and made a camp fire. They stayed silent and sat there for hours and it was getting close to dark but they finally looked up from the fire when they heard a femine laugh through the mist surrounding them.

"Well, well, well... What is The Demon of the Bloody Mist doing near my hunting ground?" Asked a very curious and femine voice.

"You can knock that off Terauchi. We're here to take up that favor you owe me for helping you kill that dream ninja that almost killed you." Zabuza said.

"About time, Zabuza Momochi... It's been nearly a year... I was wondering if you were ever going to cash in on that." Terauchi said. "Can't wait until I can finally start trying to hunt you and watch you kneel before me and beg for death." She looked past Zabuza. "Oh, and who is this? Did you bring me a nice little play thing?"

Haku calmly answered the femine voice. "I am Haku and I belong to Zabuza-sama. I am his tool."

"My, my Zabuza. I didn't know you were like that." Terauchi said amused.

"Shut up, Terauchi." Zabuza growled. "I am in need of a killer. I need another shinobi to help deal with other shinobi I may be encountering. After that, we can go our sepreate ways and you start trying to hunt me down again."

"Fine. I will help but after that... I will be looking forward to when I can kill you and your little 'tool'." Terauchi said. "Lead the way and fill me in on the way. It's been a week since I got to kill somebody and am looking forward to this." She said as she walked out of the mist behind them.

"Whatever! Let's go haku." Zabuza said and they started walking off and then running back toward Land of Waves.

-X-

Two weeks has past and team 7 and 8 made great progress in their training but always room for improvement. Sakura was happy with how she could keep training longer than before and her taijutsu was getting better. Sasuke was starting to like this new Sakura and how his team will start to be better when they get a replacement. His and Sakura's teamwork was getting better and better nowadays. Kiba, while sad that Hinata turned him down, still improved and has been working on getting faster and stronger in his taijutsu. Shino was trying to learn more Kidichu techinques he could use and also throw ninjustu in there as well. He was glad knowing that he finally perfected his Kidichu clone technique. Hinata was trying her best to get better at her lightning element. She was hoping to add it to her Juken and make it even more effective. Kakashi and Kurenai had them test what there affinty was and started them on learning how to control it. Sasuke was lightning, Sakura was water, Kiba was fire and Shino was earth. Kakashi and Kurenai was surprised at the wide range of elements were on there side. All they needed was wind they thought. They would see the strange group from time to time and they each looked like they have been in a life and death battle. They asked about it to them and all they would say was that it was do to training.

Today though, all of team 8 and 7 were watching the bridge builder and helping were they could. The strange group agreed to stay at the house, just in case and to also watch over Kasuga. He would often be seen glaring at everyone who would look at him. Even when Tsunami tried to be nice and help feed him. Naruto and the others were just sitting all along the house when they felt the present of two little chakra signatures coming there way. Kaze peeked outside and she said that two bandit looking men were walking toward them.

"I have an idea." Kawa said. "If you guys want to try it?"

"What do you got?" Naurto asked.

Kawa told them and each one had a little laugh at the idea and agreed to the plan. The two bandits didn't even bother knocking and just kid the door in and quickly snatched up Tsunami, while Inari was yelling and telling them to leave her alone. They just laughed in his face said they could just kill the kid and bring the daughter back to felt a chill go down there spines when they saw 'Inari' had a big grin on his face and suddenly the one holding Tsunami was stabbed in the stomache and the other one had his ankles slashed and he fell, screaming in pain. Tsunami and Inari disappeared in a puff of smoke and they saw two hooded figures just staring at them with big grins on there faces. The bandit who was stabbed in the stomach bled out to quickly and died right there. The one holding his ankle was scared because he was surrounded by the hooded figures.

"What do you guys want?" The bandit asked in fear.

He felt his hands get grabbed quickly and kunai peircing his hands and nail him to the floor. He screamed in pain and saw the orange kneel next to him and started speaking to him.

"Well, that must hurt. I'm sorry but before we let you go or just tie you up... I want to ask you a few questions." Naruto said calmly. "Where is Gato and what are his plans for you coming here?"

"Alright, if you let me live I will tell you everything." The bandit said. "He wanted us to grab the daughter and use her to kill the bridge builder. He believes that after Zabuza and the other shinobi are done fighting, they will be to tired to fight back and he could easily kill them off. That way he won't have to pay Zabuza and could kill the bridge builder." The bandit said.

He was starting to slur his words and his eyes were slowly closeing. He was losing to much blood and it was obvious. Naruto saw this and just looked the dying bandit. Naruto leaned close to his ear. "Thank you and i'm sorry for lying." Naruto whispered and slowly pushed a kunai into the bandits heart.

Naruto stood up and wipe his hands. "I guess that means there may be trouble at the bridge. Let's get Inari and Tsunami to a safe place and knock out Kasuga. That way he can't escape while we're gone."

Each nodded and they quickly got everything together and left.

-X-

With team 7 and 8... They were helping out where ever they could and Kakashi noticed that a dense mist was coming in quickly and it was laced with chakra. Kakashi slowly went to everyone of the genins and told them not to look and act normal but Zabuza may be there. Then he told Tazuna and he studdered a bit but told everyone that it was time for lunch and they could leave for now. Each was scared because they knew that was the code for enemies near by. They all calmly left the bridge and started running after getting a certain distance away. The Genins were little scared but they been planning for this for two weeks and knew what they had to do. They mentally prepared themselves and turned toward the bridge and got in combat stances.

"Well, looks like they aren't as scared this time around." Zabuza said through the mist.

"Don't under estimate our genins Zabuza. Besides, you should just leave now. There's seven of us and only two of you." Kakashi said. He knew Zabuza wouldn't listen but at least he tried.

"Oh? So, you know of my little accomplice." Zabuza said amused. "Seven though? Why... Where is the other one? I liked him better." Zabuza chuckled.

"Don't worry about him." Sasuke said firmly. "We are your opponents!"

"I don't see the others that helped you last time." Zabuza said, ignoring Sasuke. "If they aren't here this time then, I will kill you all and then the bridge builder." Zabuza said smugly.

Kakashi had enough and used his chakra and forced out a wave, which cleared the mist a little bit but were little shocked when they saw three people standing there instead of just two. That unearved them a little bit because they could practically tasts the bloodlust she was releasing. It didn't help that she had a sadistic looking grin and maddening look in her eyes.

She was a tall woman, with maroon capri style pants, that had kunai/shuriken holster stapped to both her thighs. She wore ankle high blue sandals and had a sleeveless black trench coat with a mesh wired shirt underneath. Her wrists and ankles were taped up and she had a pair of fingerless plated gloves on. Her Hair was down to the middle of her back and was tied in a high ponytail. She had silver eyes and her hair matched the same color as her eyes. She looked right at the genin and they flinched a little at her gaze when it landed on them.

"Sorry about that. This is my back-up. She and Haku will deal with the rest of your little shinobi, while you and I, have our rematch." Zabuza said. "This time though, no one will show up to save you... Haku! Terauchi! GO!" Zabuza ordered.

Haku and Terauchi exploded into action and started for the genins and the only jonin left. Kurenai leapt for the female kunoichi and ordered the other genin to guard Tazuna. She was also going to engage Haku but she had to start blocking and avoid kunais and shuriken from Terauchi and Haku manged to slip by her and engange the genin.

Kurenai was doing her best at avoiding the kunai and shuriken but after a while she was thinking she was in a genjutsu. Teraichi was throwing so many kunai and shuriken that she believed that she was in one because no one could have that many and throw them that fast and quickly. She saw Terauchi laughing at her for trying to release a genjutsu and finally saw that the kunai and shuriken she was throwing, only appeared when she opened her hand and then tossed them.

Terauchi seen that Kurenai was shocked and laughed. "Surprised? I have a unique ability to make weapons out of nothing but my chakra." She started throwing more and more at Kurenai and watched her trying to dodged them all. When she saw Kurenai slowly getting closer, she would spin and that would toss senbon needles out of nowhere, all around Terauchi. Kurenai couldn't get close and was starting to get overwhelmed. She tried using genjutsu to hopefully distract Terauchi but the chakra weapon creator would just break free. Terauchi had experience fighting a genjustu user and Kurenai was quickly realizing that. Terauchi would laugh each time she would scratch Kurenai and finally getting bored of fighting with throwing weapons and created two short swords in both her hands and charged Kurenai. Kurenai tried blocking but was tired from all that dodging and trying to use genjutsus over and over. She started regreting not learning more other jutsus to help her here. Terauchi was relentless and would land strike after strike. Kurenai finally landed a kick and knocked Terauchi back and jumped back herself to get breathing room. Terauchi just smiled and looked at Kurenai who was covered in cuts and bruises all over and panting.

"Such a shame." Terauchi said. "Zabuza promised me a good hunt here but I guess leaf shinobi aren't what people say they are." Terauchi then looked right at Kurenai. "I guess I should just end this and just kill you here." Terauchi said and charged fast at Kurenai.

Kurenai was panting but saw her coming and waited until the last second to cast a genjustu,that made kurenai look closer to her than she really was and jumped back out of the way of a slash with both swords that was supposed to decapitate her. Kurenai swung her kunai at Terauchi after she seen Terauchi lose her balance and slashed her across the stomach. She followed up with a quick punch and hit Terauchi hard in the face and watched her go rolling across the bridge. Kurenai hoping to end this quickly, tossed a kunai toward Terauchi but was surprised again to see Terauchi raise her arm and a giant metal disk shaped shield appeared and blocked the kunai.

"Still got a little fight in you I see but that won't help you here." Terauchi said and touched her wound across her stomach. It was a shallow cut and wouldn't hinder her that much. "I should kill you slower for that but you look like you're on your last leg." Terauchi then created a niginata and threw it at Kurenai but she then threw her shield as hard as she could and hit the bottom of the niginata and made it go faster towards Kurenai. Kurenai was getting ready to try and dodge but saw blue streak quickly kick the weapon away and it embedded inside a tree far off.

"Oh and who is this?" Inquire Terauchi curiously.

"Hello, miss big, bad and spooky! I shall be your new opponent!" Answered Denki. "The name is Denki." He said but suddenly the air grew heavy and Denki voiced changed. "But... i'm sure you know who I am... Michiko Terauchi."

The newly named Michiko giggled. "Hello Denki-kun. Been awhile since I last seen you." She gave a sickly smile. "Last time I saw your little bunch, you were crying like a little baby because I showed you the head of your 'ni-san'." She started laughing loudly. "What's wrong little brat? I thought you were going to kill me on the spot next time you saw me."

Denki turned and looked at Kurenai. "If you can still fight... Go help Kakashi. The others are already helping your team and we will quickly deal with this one here." Denki said completely serious.

Kurenai saw how serious he was and just nodded. She quickly thanked him and told him to be careful and went to try and help Kakashi who had a big cut across his chest. She took a peek toward the genins and saw a dome of ice around them but saw the other 'Elementals' charging towards it and going through hand signs. She looked back toward Kakashi and started her own hand signs and used what little chakra she had left to shoot a 'Suiton: Water Gun jutsu' toward Zabuza to help Kakashi. After she got done, she collasped and watched while panting hard.

-X-

Minutes earlier we see Haku heading straight for Tazuna after he got past Kurenai. He was sure he could get there and quickly deal with the bridge builder before having to deal with the genin but was intercepted by Sasuke and Kiba. Sauske and Kiba started showing there new found teamwork and attacked together, while Shino sent out bugs, Sakura started going through hand sign for a water jutsu she knew and Hinata stood by Tazuna, just in case Haku gets by them. Sasuke was throwing punches and kicks left and right but Haku was blocking them easily while Kiba and Akamaru used their clans jutsus and became a rotating spiral and charged at Haku. He easily dodged, evaded and blocked all their attacks. They saw Haku quickly going through hand signs and tried to stop him.

"Fang Passing Fang!" Kiba shouted. Him and Akamaru, who looked like Kiba, quickly started spinning in the air and charged at Haku.

"Suiton: Water Gun jutsu!" Shouted Sakura.

"Katon: Great Fireball jutsu!" Sasuke quickly shouted.

Haku saw three attacks coming from different sides but before they collided, each was stopped by a wall of ice in front, behind and the right side of Haku. "Hyoton: Ice Wall jutsu!" Haku suddenly went through more hand signs quickly and the walls of ice shattered and turned into senbon needles and took off toward the genin. "Hyoton: Thousand Needles of Death!" Sasuke quickly had to grab Kiba, who was holding Akamaru from the solid hit they did on the wall of ice, and managed to get them out of the way but was hit in the leg by a needle. While the genins were dodging and getting back up, Haku suddenly finished another set of hand signs and trapped everyone except Hinata, Sakura and Tazuna.

"I'm sorry but it's time to finish this." Haku said. "Hyoton: Demonic Ice Mirrors jutsu."

Haku had to use his trump card because he saw that Terauchi was about to finish off the leaf kunoichi and didn't want her to try and stab Zabuza in the back, while he was fighting the other leaf shinobi. "Please , surrender. This is my strongest Jutsu and I don't want to have to kill you." Haku asked.

"Never!" Shouted Kiba and tried to fang passing fang one of the mirrors but headed up hurting himself when he hit.

"I'm sorry for what happens next then." Haku said remorseful. He quickly began his assault and started throwing senbon from the mirrors quickly.

Sasuke, Shino and Kiba tried to dodge all they could but were hit all over the place. Kiba could hear Akamaru whelp in pain when he jumped and took a hit from the senbon to defend Kiba. KIba quickly grabbed Akamaru and started to evade the senbon better. "I'm sorry boy but you need to get out of here." Kiba then tossed Akamaru between the gaps in the mirrors and Hinata was surprised but caught Akamaru. KIba was hit a few more times and fell down unconsious.

Shino was trying his best to think of a way out of the situation but couldn't. He even tried using his Kidaichu but they would instantly freeze when Haku went into another mirror. He wished they had more time to let his Kidaichu adapt to the ice and try to sap the chakra but Haku wasn't giving him time to concentrate. He had senbon sticking out of him from all over but stayed up and saw Kiba getting ready to throw Akamaru out of the dome and made a Kidaichu clone to try and keep Haku busy with him. Shino then looked at Sasuke and asked him to use his fire jutsu and see if he can melt the mirrors. Sasuke looked at Shino and surprised him. His eyes was no longer brown but red with two tomoe in the right eye and one in the left. Shino saw him going through hand signs and quickly made another Kidaichu clone to help distract Haku. Haku saw this and went for another assault but that didn't stop Sasuke, even after being hit with more needles. A giant fireball filled the whole dome and continued for a minute. When it cleared... Sasuke and Shino, who was kneeling and panting hard next to him, were shocked to see all the mirrors still standing.

'Even with my Sharigan... I can't even defeat this opponent. How am I suppose to be able to kill Itachi if I can't even help my comrades here and beat this one person with all of us?' Sasuke thought, panting hard.

Haku looked calm but if you looked better at the reflections, you would notice that Haku was breathing hard. 'That took more chakra to maintain than I would have liked. He put a lot of chakra into that jutsu. I need to end this now or I won't be able to help Zabuza-sama after. I've wasted to much chakra as it is fighting these shinobi.' Haku thought while trying to get his breathing under better control. "You should give up shinobi-san. No one has ever escaped my ice mirrors and you both look like you can't even continue."

They suddenly heard several shouts outside the dome and saw one of the mirrors shatter and four of the cloaked strangers landed and surrounded Sasuke and Shino. "Tamaishi! Take both of them and get them out of this dome and shatter more from the outside." Said the orange one. Tamaishi nodded and grabbed Sasuke and Shino with both hands, after going through somne hand signs.

-X-

Sakura and Hinata were both unsure of how to help the guys inside the dome. Sakura tried using some of her water jutsus but that seemed to make the dome stronger. She looked at Tazuna and Hinata hoping for a suggestion but saw they looked unsure as her. Hinata was getting ready to try and use her lightning jutsu to see if that could work but when she got half way there, she had to stop and catch Akamaru who was whining and looked terrible from the needles sticking out of him. She and Sakura wuickly got to work on getting the needles out and wrapped bandages around him. Hinata saw Kurenai slowly trying to walk to them and went to try and help her but they suddenly saw few people rush passed them and heard them shout a jutsu and heard the mirror shatter. When they looked, they saw the brown cloaked one grab Shino and Sasuke and sink into the ground. A few seconds later, they came up beside them.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura yelled and went to help him.

"Shino-san!" Hinata yelled and went to help them as best as she could.

They suddenly heard a guy and girl shout.

"Doton: Rock Throw jutsu!" The brown cloaked shinobi said.

"Katon: Fireball Jutsu!" Shouted the other one.

-X-

Haku was getting ready to jump and block them from jumping outside the dome but was surprised to see them sink into the ground and reappear outside his ice mirrors a few seconds later. "Impressive. I never thought of someone just going under my mirrors." Haku said.

"Yeah, we figured that... Haku-san." Naruto said.

"So, you knew Inu-san? Why didn't you kill me before then?" Haku asked curiously.

"Simple... I wanted to see what you got but we was hoping you guys would attack tomorrow. It was our turn to watch Tazuna and the bridge then but I guess now will have to do." Inu/Naruto said.

Before Haku could do anything, he heard two shouts outside his ice mirrors again. "Doton: Rock Throw jutsu!" and "Katon: Fireball jutsu!" Haku saw the others in the mirror quickly jump between the gaps of his mirrors but couldn't do anything as he saw the boulders and the fireball combine and turn the boulders into super heated boulders and slam into his mirrors and it was taking to much chakra to maintain the jutsu after that. The mirrors shattered and Haku leapt out of the mirror from the top of the dome and landed in front of the five cloaked shinobi. Haku quickly had to dodge a punch from the orange one and jumped back before he could be charged again.

"You will be my opponent, Haku-san." Inu/Naruto said. "Elementals, go help Denki and I will be there shortly."

"Hai!" They said in unison and quickly left.

"Shall we begin?" Inu/Naruto asked.

Haku quickly charged at Naruto but was starting to feel the strain of the battle from before. Haku threw a straight punch at Naruto who easily dodged and swept at Haku's who jumped up and raised a knee to Narutos face and felt contact but was suddenly pulled from the air and slammed on his back. Naruto had grabbbed Hakus leg after his knee hit his chin and managed to pull him straight back down. Haku quickly rolled back and onto his feet but fell onto his knee. Haku was exhausted and knew he may not make it out of this fight. Naruto saw this and felt disappointed. He wanted to fight a ice user but it look like that might not happen. He slowly walked up to Haku and looked down at him.

"Please, make it quick. I failed Zabuza-sama." Haku said.

"Why should I? You have a great bloodline and I want to fight you at full strength." Naruto said and grinned.

"I am a worthless tool!" Haku shouted and then began to tell Inu/Naruto about his past and how he became Zabuza's tool. "I couldn't even help Zabuza-sama fulfill his dream or kill a simple bridge builder." Haku said solemnly.

Naruto sighed. "If that's what you really want, then I will fulfill your wish." Naruto pulled out a kunai and put it against Haku's throat. "I guess I should tell you my real name since I am going to be the one ending your life." Naruto said sadly. He didn't want to kill Haku but wouldn't deny someone their final wish. "The name is Naruto Uzumaki." He declared, while pulling down his hood and slashed across Haku's throat and then stabbed his chest. Naruto felt sick when he saw Haku looked grateful before he closed his eyes and died. He hated seeing innocent people being used and especially when they had talent like Haku did. He really wanted to go after Zabuza after that and beat the man Haku saw as a father but was knocked out of his thoughts when he heard Kawa shout at him.

"Naruto! We could use your help here! You forget that she's a S-ranked shinobi!" Kawa shouted towards him.

Naruto turned toward the genin and saw they looked grateful but horrified that someone around their age just killed someone. They knew that eventually they would have to kill to but it still unnerved them. They were more shocked when they saw who was one of their savors. They saw a kid their age but with bright blonde hair and whisker marks on his cheeks. He looked at each of them one more time to make sure they were alright and took off to help his others.

Sakura was in shock because she recongized him. As the other cloaked one yelled... It was Naruto! She could finally ask him about why he disappeared and why people in the village didn't really like him. She was about to asked him the question but he already ran off toward the others and went to fight the other kunoichi that came with Zabuza to kill them. She went back to trying to help the boys heal up from the, now dead, Haku. She will ask him about what happened after all this is over... If they survive that is.

Hinata was stunned. She found him! She found her savor from all those years ago and finally heard his name. It was Naruto Uzumaki but blushed when she saw him look at her. She found herself looking him up and down now and blushed harder when his gaze went up and down her as well. She thought he was checking her out but Naruto was just looking at Akamaru who was at her feet, to see if they all were alright. She went to speak but found she couldn't talk and her mouth insanely dry. She felt sad when he quickly left but knew she would get a chance to talk to him after the mission.

-X-

Denki was currently using his speed and quick moves to dodge all the Kunai and shuriken she was throwing. Everytime he got close, she would spin and senbon would come flying out of her. She was getting frustrated because unlike the last opponent, she couldn't get a hit on him. She was happy when she finally managed to hit him with the senbon but grew angry when he took the hit on purpose and managed to hit her square in the jaw and make her stumble backwards. She quickly made to short swords in her hands and charged at Denki but saw him smiling. Before she could try to found out what he was smiling about, she suddenly was kicked in the chest and got tossed in the air. She was trying to get the wind that was knocked out of her in the air but yelled in pain when she felt something hit her hard in the back and launch her down toward the ground. Spun and got ready to land on her feet but before she touched the ground, she had to use a substitution because she saw a sphere of water rushing toward her. She scowled when she looked at the five figures in front of her.

"Well, I guess I just have to take it up a notch and kill you all here. Toshio isn't here to save you this time, little brats!" Michiko said. "Were's the creator of you imaginary people, huh? To scared to fight me head on?"

"Don't worry about him. We'll fight you ourselves." Said Tamaishi. and each of them got into fighting stances.

Terauchi suddenly created a large metal bo staff and charged at them faster than before. Each evaded and blocked as many hits as they could. She swung right at Denki who fell into the ground because Tamaishi pulled him under to evade the attack. She turned quickly and blocked a kunai from Kasai and kicked her hard in the stomach. Kasai went flying but was caught by Kawa and they slid back a few feet from the power of the kick. Michiko then charged at Kaze and swung her staff straight down at her. Kaze step to the side and avoided it but was tripped by Michiko and hit hard in the ribs from the staff she swung at her. Suddenly Tamaishi appeared and tried to punch her but she grabbed his fist and pulled him toward her and used her knee to hit him right in the stomach. Tamaishi felt the wind knocked out of him and fell to the ground. Michiko was going to finish him there but had to jump back as Denki's foot suddenly hit the ground where she was standing. She jumped to the side and avoided Kasai fireball. She jumped in the air and began to spin as fast as she could. Senbon needles started flying everywhere and a giant mud wall appeared and blocked all the senbon from hitting the others. When the wall fell down, senbon made of lightning charged at Michiko and she jumped to the side but had to jump again when she saw a small fireball heading for her but grew huge and powerful when it collided with the wind jutsu by Kaze. Michiko rolled to feet and was about to charge at them but was hit with a wave of water by Kawa. When they didn't see her, they went back to back and watched out for her. They remembered what Toshio told them about fighting opponents and thinking you've won. Never let your guard down unless you are sure you have won. Suddenly Tamaishi yelled in pain and went rolling across the bridge. Denki saw a huge chunck of him was missing from the hit but had to block a punch from Michiko and went flying back from the force of it. Kasai saw this and ran toward Michiko to hit her while she wasn't looking but was sent back when she was hit with the bo staff. Kaze started throwing kunai to get her to back up away from them. Kawa looked over and saw Naruto just standing there.

"Naruto! We could use your help here! You forget that she's a S-ranked kunoichi!" Kawa shouted towards him.

After he said this, he was hit hard in the chest and fell in the water. Kaze went to punch Michiko but she just went to the side and the punch flew by her. She then swung the bo staff backward and hit Kaze right in the back and Kaze stumbled a bit before falling down on the bridge. Michiko turned around looked at them. Tamaishi was kneeling beside Denki. She saw piece of earth were rising toward the chunk she took out of him and repair the damage she did. Both were breathing heavily. She saw Kawa appear out of the water and crawl towards Kasai who was right next to the water and was panting for breath and holding her side where the staff hit her. She saw Kaze was slowly rising but was shaking when she stood.

Michiko started to laugh. "This is the best you got? I really expected a better challenge."

"Then it's time to go all out." Naruto said as he walked along the bridge beside the others.

"I already took care of your little imaginary friends. What are you going to do?" Michiko taunted.

She watch them all slowly stand up and walk to stand behind Naruto. Each looked at her with determination and saw each one nod at each other. They was planning something but she didn't know what. She just grabbed her staff and got in a defensive stance and waited for them to charge at her.

-X-

Kakashi charged a chidori in his hands and charged at the immobile Zabuza. He was thankful for Kurenai and the suiton jutsu she shot at Zabuza to help him get the time needed to summon his ninken and hold Zabuza. He was almost to Zabuza when he felt a surge of chakra from him and watched his dogs get launched away or poof away. He stopped when he saw Zabuza wasn't even looking at him but looked livid and was to stunned to do anything fast enough and watched Zabuza charge toward the genin. Kakashi thought he may be to late but was stunned again when he saw Zabuza not attack the genin or the bridge builder but kneel beside the ice user who was clearly dead. He went to Zabuza and just watched the Demon of the Bloody Mist silently shake and held the young boy. Kakashi heard him talk about how he was a fool for turning him into a tool and using him. Kakashi cursed because he saw the state of his genins and went to check on them. Then they heard the sounds of fighting and saw the cloaked figures engaging the kunoichi.

Zabuza went through many emotions when he saw Haku laying there around a pool of his own blood. First he felt hatred and was angry at who ever had done this. He wanted to slaughter everyone there but when he got close to Haku... He just broke down and kneeled before Haku and finally realized that even though he didn't show it... Haku was a son he never had. He told Haku that he wished he could join him in where he's going but there was no place for a Demon like him where Haku was at. He heard Kakashi curse and run towards his genin but turned to see something that surprised him. The cloaked figures looked like clones of each other but different somehow and what amazed him more what that they was keeping up with Michiko. That in itself was not an easy task.

-X-

Naruto and the others just stared at Michiko. "I made a promise to get the sword back you took from my ni-san." Naruto started. "All he wanted to do was go back to his village and be accepted." Naruto and the others started spreading out more. "When he got there, you had to attack him and kill him." Naruto and the others had a new fire in there eyes from remembering what happened. "He was your friend and he trusted you! You stabbed him in the back and stole everything that he owned." Each one pulled off there cloaks and got into combat stances.

When they took off there cloaks, each one had on the same thing. Solid black loose pants with kunai/shuriken holsters strapped to their right thighs and a huge pocket on the left side. Black ninja sandals that go up to their ankles. Black long sleeved Gi's with kanji on the back. Tamaishi had the kanji for earth on his back, Kawa had water, Kaze was wind, Denki had lightning, Kasai had fire and Naruto had the kanji for shadow. On the front of the Gi's, top right and small as a fist was the kanji for darkness, which is the symbol you see when you enter Kagegakure. What stood out most to everyone was that they were bright blonde haired and had whisker marks on their faces. Each looked like a clone of each other. Even the girls, except they had long hair tied up into pony tails. Kasai had hers in pig tails and Kaze was in a single high ponytail. Their belts around there waist was the same color as the cloaks and each wore a necklace with a seal on it.

"You will give me his sword that you stole!" Naruto declared.

Naruto charged right towards Michiko and went through hands signs quickly. Michiko was ready to block or evade but was surprised. Naruto finished his hand signs and shouted. "Doton: Hiding like a Mole jutsu!" Naruto then disappeared under ground but when she saw him move out of the way, she had to bring up her arms to block the chunk of earth that was flying at her.

"Doton: Rock Throw jutsu!" Tamaishi said. He went through more hand signs. "Doton: Stone Bracers jutsu." He said and made the earth move around his arms and charged at Michiko.

Kawa saw where they were trying to lore her toward and quickly went through hand signs. "Suiton: Giant Vortex jutsu!"

Michiko managed to evade the vortex but had to block a strong punch by Tamaishi. She swung her staff and hit him but he blocked with his bracers and quickly jumped back. This confused her until she heard Kasai and Kaze.

"Katon: Fire Breath jutsu!" Kasai shouted.

"Futon: Great Breakthrough jutsu!" Kaze shouted.

Their jutsus meant in the middle and it became a scorch release fire breath heading for her. Michiko was about to jump out of the way until she felt hands around her ankles and saw Naruto holding them.

"Doton: Double Suicide Decapitation jutsu." Naruto said and pulled her until just her head was sticking out.

She watched in horror as the scorch jutsu was heading for her. The jutsu hit the ground but Kasai and Kaze didn't stop until they ran out of breath. They looked at the land she was on and saw it was just scorched and nothing was left but a crater by the bridge. All of them except Naruto was panting and fell on their knees. The fight had exhausted them but knew until they seen a body, it wasn't over. She suddenly leapt from the forest beside the bridge and charged at them with a crazed look in her eye. Her face looked horrible because it was completely burnt on the left side of her face and most of her hair was gone. She managed to use a substitution right when the fire hit her.

"DIE, YOU FUCKING BRAT!" Michiko screamed. She was pissed that they was able to hurt her that much and catch her off guard.

Naruto jumped in front to try and stop her but saw Kakashi jump in front of him but before he could do anything, she suddenly stopped and fell on her face. Kakashi then fell to his knees, breathing heavily. Naruto walked up to him and looked Michiko. "Thank you, Kakashi-san." Kakashi nodded and pulled his handband back over his Sharigan. He was feeling the backlash of using the Sharigan to much and was glad that she fell over before he had to do something. He watched as Naruto continued until he was beside Michiko and flipped her over. He pulled out a kunai and put it against her chest, right above her heart. Not that she had one. He saw her barely open her eye and look right at him.

"Where is it?" Naruto asked softly. He didn't want to kill her but something about her dying was satisfying.

Michiko only closed her eyes and sighed. She wanted to kill him and every else really badly but knew when she was bested. "A scroll..." She coughed. She breath in when the fire hit her and burnt her lungs from the inside out. "Left side... of my... coat." She was breathing harshly and heavily. Naruto opened her coat and pulled out a scroll and seen it was a sealing scroll. He looked at her and saw her nod. He put the scroll away and stood up. She gave a look of confusion and he saw her and answered. "I'm not going to give you a quick death. I want you to suffer... just like you made Sato ni-san do." He then turned and walked back to the group and kneeled beside his group and gave a big sigh. The others were still catching their breath and watched Naruto kneel beside them and finally started breath heavy himself. Using earth jutsus took a lot out of him because he was naturally a wind user and his control wasn't as good as he would like it to be. He just recently learned water walking.

Michiko just stared at the sky and accepted her death. She closed her eyes and her breathing slowly came to a stop and she died right there. Her last thought was when she meant Naruto and Sato all those years ago. She never thought that two years later... The same hyper active and loud mouth brat would be the one to finish her. She died when a little smirk on her face.

-X-

Team 7 and 8 watched the fights between The Elementals and Michiko and Kakashi and Zabuza. They felt like they had a lot more to learn because they were beaten by one Shinobi about their age and Naruto took on a older and stronger kunoichi, after helping them, and still won. They was about to congradulate them and ask if it was finally over but heard someone clapping.

"Well, how about that. The Demon of the Bloody Mist beaten down by a a bunch of snot nosed brats and one shinobi... again." A short budgy man said. "And his fucking guard dog is dead to. Such a shame... I wanted to kill him myself. Ah well, at least it'll be easier to kill you and those around here. Not that I even planned on paying you."

Zabuza was livid and just laid Haku down himself carefully and looked straight at Gato and the group of thugs he brought. "Gato!" He growled. "So, this is what you were planning! I should have known you were going to betray us!" Zabuza angrily said. He got up but noticed he wasn't alone when he stood on the bridge and faced down Gato and his thugs. He looked to the left and saw Kakashi standing there and gave each other a knowing nod. They each knew the fight between them was over and had a common enemy to deal with now. He looked to his right and was a little surprised to see the blondes also standing beside him.

Zabuza turned and looked straight at the traitor and his thugs. "Are you the one who killed Haku?"

Naruto just stayed looking straight. "Yes. I'm sorry but he told me that he failed you and wanted to die." Naruto took a deep breath. "He saw you as a father you know."

Zabuza nodded. "I know and I used him but he was like a son to me." Zabuza lefted up his Executioner's Blade. "I know we aren't the best team to be working together but leave Gato to me and if I live through this brat... You and I are going to have a fight to the death for killing Haku."

Zabuza didn't look back knew Naruto nodded his head. "I understand, Zabuza-san and we will help try to clear a way for you to get to Gato. As long as you promise me to make sure he doesn't live passed today."

Naruto saw Zabuza nod. "Deal, kid."

Kakashi, Zabuza and the elementals got into combat stances and watched the thugs. Gato was watching the whole thing and let them have their moment because they would die today. He knew shinobi were strong but he also knew that once you weaken them, you could kill them easy. He saw each looked tired and wore out. He smiled and looked at the thugs behind with confidence.

"Alright boys! Who ever kills them first, get a go at the lady kunoichi's. After i'm done with them of course." Gato laughed.

The thugs cheered and charged at the Shinobi but that proved to be the worse thing they ever did. Kakashi, Zabuza and the elementals charged and what happened would forever be in the young genins mind. They could see Kakashi and the elementals pushing their way through the thugs and Zabuza was charging right behind them and killing all who got passed them. They saw people being tossed into the water below, chests looking like they were being smashed in, throats being slit, thugs screaming because they were being electrocuted or some on fire but Zabuza was just slicing them left and right. They watched as some weapons would stab Zabuza in the back but he never stopped. Kakashi got cuts along his legs or arms but kept going. They watched in horror when they saw Denki get stabbed right through the chest. What surprised them all was that Kawa jumped and landed on Denki, while holding a hand sign. The next thing they saw was Kawa explode into water and splash several thugs and Denki then burst into lightning and shocked everyone who was hit by Kawa's water. The saw a thug with a giant club hit Tamaishi in the head and smiled until Tamaishi exploded like Denki but sent sharp rocks flying everywhere and killed several thugs. Kasai and Kaze saw this and ran toward each other, going through hand signs. They landed looking at each other, right beside several thugs and shouted their jutsus at each other.

"Katon: Fire Bullet jutsu!" Kasai shouted.

"Futon: Air Bullet jutsu!" Kaze shouted.

"Combination style: Scorch Release!" They shouted after at the same time.

The jutsus collided and exploded into a fire ball and caused Kasai and Kaze to explode in the middle and made the fire ball expand and scorch everyone within several feet of them.

Kakashi was surprised by what just happened but promised to ask about it later. Naruto saw this and cursed. He was hoping they would last longer but knew the situation and couldn't blame them for what they did. He had cuts and some stab wounds along his body because he was trying his best to just knock out the thugs but that was proving difficult. He was starting to get a headache in the middle of this fight because he could hear all of them talking to each other in his head.

Zabuza finally reach his destination. A scared, screaming and trying to run for his life, Gato. Zabuza looked at him.

"I'll see you were the Demons roam free, Gato!" Zabuza growled at Gato.

Gato yelled but turned into gurgle after Zabuza decapitated him. The thugs watched Gato fall into the water dead and realize they were next and decided to flee. Kakashi, Zabuza and Naruto watched all the thugs run away in fear and saw Zabuza collapse after they all got away.

"Take me to him." Zabuza requested.

Kakashi nodded and picked up Zabuza and sit him beside Haku. He watched Zabuza touch Haku's face and apologise for not being able to meet him where he was. Kakashi saw Zabuza die beside Haku but realised that Naruto wasn't with them. Kakashi turned around and saw Naruto only made it half way before he fell over also. He panicked and ran to Naruto but sighed in relief when Naruto was just unconscious from all the fighting and blood loss he suffered from it. He was still curious about the others just... dying... like they did but knew Naruto would tell him when he woke up.

"Is he dead?" Asked a hesitent Sakura.

Kakashi looked up and saw all the genin surrounding him and Naruto. "He's not dead, Sakura." Everyone heard her, and surprisingly Hinata, release a sigh of relief.

Everyone turned and looked at them both but Sakura only saw them look at her. Hinata blushed from all the attention on her. She made have gotten better over the years but once in awhile, she would still act like that shy girl she use to be. She saw that they were waiting for an explaination and took a deep breath. Sakura saw this to but didn't noticed Hinata about to speak also.

"I know who he is." They spoke in unison and looked at each other, confused.

Kakashi saw the weird atmosphere and clapped his hands together. "We'll let's get him back to Tazuna for rest and after he recovers, i'm sure he'll answer your questions then." He saw them all nod. "Good because after we recover a little bit... We need to come back and clean the bridge from all the damage and "Spills" that happened." He eye smiled tiredly at them when they groaned about cleaning. Tazuna, who was worried, was glad to hear that they were going to cleam the bridge of the blood and bodies all over it and around it. He was extremely happy to know Gato was dead and couldn't wait to tell the village.

Sasuke and Kiba helped pick up Naruto after Sakura and Hinata tried to help bound all his wounds. Kakashi turned and looked at Kurenai, who looked back at him. The genin were alredy walking toward Tazuna after this long and extremely exhausting day. They were tired, sore and very hungry. When they got a good distance away Kakashi finally spoke.

"I know who he is." Kakashi said.

"Who is he and why don't I know know who he is but Sakura and Hinata do?" Kurenai asked.

"He's the Jinchuriki that ran away all those years ago." Kakashi told her.

Kurenai was shocked! "Well... Things are about to get interesting then." Kurenai fianlly said.

"Exactly." Kakashi said.

'I found him and he is fairly strong for his age. Wait until Hokage-sama hears about this.' Kakashi thought happily. 'He may have a heart attack' Kakashi chuckled at that. 'Just wait until Jiraya-sama hears I found him and he didn't... but raises the question of where he's been all this time and who trained him.' Kakashi sighed at that thought.

"Oh well... Just wait until he wakes up." Kakashi said outloud.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI! KASUGA IS MISSING!" Sakura shouted.

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(A/N) Hello! Sorry, it was set to come out sooner but I had a few thoughts and had to do a rewrite of a few spots but again, I am new and still learning. I tried the write the fight scenes as best as I could but the image I had in my head is hard to put into words sometimes, haha. Even if this chapter was bad, I still hope you at least enjoy my story still. I know some people don't act canon but again, I made a few changes to the story but the plot could still be the same. To those who may think I revealed to much about the elementals in this chapter, well, I haven't revealed everything, haha. I just want you guys to enjoy my story and hope to hear feedback, even the bad ones because it will help me, in the future, write my story, or stories, better. *wink wink* Anyway, Have a Jolly day. Simple People! Simple man out!

P.S. Who figured out who the cloaked people were? I had someone PM me and nailed it right on the head. Kudos to that Simple Person!