Here's the next chapter of Naruto, The Elemental.
Of Crimson Waves
Naruto stared at his opponent, wondering if this was some sort of whole new level of hate. They had been sparring for at least a day now, which meant about four hours outside of the sword's world.
He stood at roughly six foot seven, towering over the younger wielder, and had a lithe build. Long silver-gray hair fell to just above the shaggy wolf tail that came from his tail-bone, with two wolf-like ears poking out from the silver curtain. His eyes were covered by a black strip of cloth, and twin scars ran vertically down his face, right through where his eyes would have been, though this had done little to hinder him while he repeatedly stomped Naruto into the dirt.
He wore an open black trenchcoat over a bare chest, showing his tanned skin. His pants were white, and the combat boots on his feet were a dark gray, and none of his clothing was dirty in the slightest. In his hand was the chronicle sword, but in place of Naruto's longsword it was in the form of a bastard sword.
"Come on kid, I don't have all day.", Grey Wolf said calmly, taunting Naruto. "Or do you want to take on Zabuza the way you are?"
Naruto had received a letter from the nukenin, challenging him to a duel in a way he couldn't refuse. Either they fight one on one, or the population of Wave gets blown to hell. The second stipulation was that the loser had to give up their current mission and become the subordinate of the other. His team wasn't thrilled about his decision to accept, despite the consequences of refusal. Hinata had been the most verbal of the four, mainly because she knew the likely hood of her being single after the fight.
"Shut it furry.", Naruto growled out, charging forward.
"Second verse...", Grey Wolf said quietly as he neared. When he swung, he sidestepped and tripped the boy, making him fall face first into the dirt. "...As funny as the first."
Naruto got up and charged again, knowing that his only chance at beating Zabuza was to train with Grey Wolf. He had taken a vow as soon as he had went into the sword that he would train until he was sure that he could protect Hinata. He knew she was perfectly capable of handling herself, but some backup in that department never hurt.
"And so it begins again.", Grey Wolf said calmly.
(six hours later, real world)
Naruto's eyes snapped open as his team walked in the door, all of them looking drained. They had obviously been training their asses off, preparing to run interference if Zabuza wasn't true to his word.
"So how did you enjoy sitting on your ass all day while we trained our asses off?", Anko asked, flopping down on the couch. Naruto was sitting in the armchair by said couch, in the lotus position with the sword across his lap.
"I was beaten, stabbed, impaled, crushed, lacerated, shanked, smashed, garroted, and cleaved in half countless times over the last two and a half days in the sword. You know what? I'd rather be fighting Zabuza then that silver-furred bastard.", he groaned out, cracking his neck while his eye twitched.
"Silver-furred bastard? Who the hell are you talking about?", Anko asked. She knew time passed quicker in the sword, but she didn't know who he was training with in there.
"That would be me."
Naruto's head whirled to the door, his teams' following a second behind. There, standing there as bold as brass while leaning against the wall, was Grey Wolf. Outside the Sword. Without the rune.
"Don't think on it too hard, your little brain might fry up, and you can't fight if you're a veggie.", he said cheerfully, walking towards the group. "I'm the one who's been running fishcake's ass into the dirt for the past few hours, technically speaking."
With a wave of his hand a rather extravagant armchair grew out of the floor boards, complete with cushions. He sat down with and interested smile on his face as he "looked" at Hinata. Neither Naruto or Hinata was exactly comfortable with his gaze.
"This is it? The one that motivates you?", He asked, turning his gaze back to Naruto. "I used my once-in-a-century trip out of the sword to see your motivation, and this is it?"
"Choose your words very carefully.", Naruto said, standing up with sword in hand.
"I'm just saying that there are more fish in the sea, including the ones in the sword. To each his own I suppose.", He said, playing with some of the fur on his tail.
Anko and Kurenai could feel the waves of power that were rolling off of this man, and despite their desire to stand up for their students, they knew it would only cause more harm. Shino was trying to calm his bugs down, trying to figure out what had instilled so much fear into his colony.
As the tension rose it was obvious that Naruto was reaching his exploding point, but the one to break the silence was surprisingly Hinata.
"I don't know why you decided to come here, but you should leave. Your presence is neither desired nor appreciated.", she said, dangerously low. All of them could tell that she was very angry with the silver haired man for telling her boyfriend that there were "more fish in the sea", despite her diplomatic tone.
"Now now, no need to get testy. I just came to test a theory, and I am done now. You may all pretend that I never came here, and go back to training for the upcoming clusterfuck of a battle. Oh, and Naruto...", he said, turning his "gaze" to the current wielder, "Try not to do anything stupid. After all, if you die then your destiny won't happen, and it's in this world's best interests for you to live. That and I'm not sure I could put up with you mucking about in the sword's world; We have enough idiots as it is."
He smirked and did a backflip out of the chair as a juuken strike landed right where his heart had been.
"Theory proven once again. Later.", came the response through a bemused grin. In an instant he went form standing there to... not being there anymore.
"I'm going to rend him limb from limb... and duck tape him back together.", Naruto said with a twitching eye. He walked over to his girlfriend, who stood still while taking deep breaths to try and calm down. "You didn't have to do that.", he said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Yes I did.", she said, accompanying it with a sigh. "You have to train with him all day? Isn't there someone else?"
"I'm not fond of him either, but the fact that he stomps me into the dirt every time is proof enough; if I can scratch him then I can take Zabuza's arm off.", Naruto said, sheathing his sword. Hinata attempted to smile at his words, but her nervousness broke through her fragile smile.
The rest of the team didn't comment as Hinata turned to face Naruto and latched onto him, arms encircling his torso. Naruto returned the gesture, gently stroking her hair with the hopes that she would calm down. He knew that he would live as long as Zabuza's blade didn't do more then clip him, and he knew that he did have the transformations... but something had felt off about it lately.
He had managed to sneak off and practice with Nacaro's transformation, but he could barely maintain it. He had asked if it was a side effect of the Backlash, but Nacaro had no idea. Cyrus's answer had worried him slightly.
There was a point in every wielder's life that the transformations were locked off, forcing the wielder's own powers and element to come to the forefront. Normally this happened near the age that others of a wielder's original race would die, so for humans it should have happened near eighty or so, not sixteen and a half. When he had mentioned it to Grey Wolf a few hours later, the lycan was bemused at best saying that the most violent of currents are the first to break the dams. Translated, he meant that for Naruto to be losing access to the Transformations so early, he must be tuned into a very powerful element. When asked what it might have been, Naruto had gotten a three ton boulder thrown at him.
"Are you sure that you want to do this? If we rush him then we might be able to take him down before anything goes wrong.", Anko offered, knowing the discomfort that the Hyuuga girl must have been feeling.
"Better that I try. We don't know how bad the aftermath would be otherwise, and as much as I hate politics I'm not going to be responsible for the clusterfuck that would happen if half of wave died because I wouldn't face a challenge. Besides... this should be a good test of my skills.", Naruto said, a wicked grin on his face.
"Just... be careful.", Hinata pleaded quietly, face still buried in his chest.
"Don't worry about me... I'll be fine.", he said, realizing he was very shitty at being reassuring to a worried girlfriend. Hinata seemed to be a little bit more comfortable though, so he kept stroking her hair and trying not to look like he was formulating a battle-plan.
"We're back.", Tsunami said as she and her family walked back into the house. They had gone out to the market, leaving Naruto alone in the house. When Tsunami got to the living room she looked around until her eyes found something out of place. "When did that armchair get there?"
(Next day, roughly the same time)
Naruto snapped awake and swore loudly, cursing Grey Wolf with labored breath. He was surprised that his physical body wasn't starting to show signs of wear and tear from the constant beatings, but something really felt off about his body... like something was flowing the wrong way in his energy.
The door opened and Hinata walked in, glad to see her boyfriend. Naruto had chosen to meditate with the sword in their room, much to the heiress's delight. She walked over to the bed and sat down beside him after he had sheathed the sword and leaned it against the side of the bed.
"So, how did training go?", he asked as she leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Long and hard. Anko-sensei said she wanted you to participate tomorrow, something about getting you used to seeing jounin-level speeds.", she said, starting to doze off. Despite what one would think at first glance, Naruto was incredibly comfortable to sleep on. "How did your training go?"
"Well enough I suppose, the "matches" are at least taking more then one move for me to lose, so that's progress.", he said skeptically, wanting to tear the blind lycan in half.
"Did you ever find out what theory the silver-furred bastard was talking about?", Hinata asked, not thrilled about mentioning him. Naruto was slightly surprised; that was the first time he had heard Hinata swear.
"No, and I don't really care what he thinks of you. You are perfect to me, what the world thinks doesn't matter.", he said, kissing her lightly on the lips. She smiled at him and cuddled up closer to him.
After a few moments she suddenly wrapped her arms around him and managed to knock him onto his back, keeping her grip around his torso she softly nuzzled into his chest. Naruto had been caught completely off guard by the action and was left stunned for a moment before he could actually comprehend the situation, though once his senses came back he smiled and put his arms around her, lacing his fingers and resting them on her back.
"I love you, Naruto-kun.", she said happily from her position on he chest.
"I love you too, Hinata-chan.", he replied, gently stroking her hair.
They were content to stay that way for a few hours, but Naruto thought something was off. Not with what the scene was, but more of the color... something just didn't seem right. He tucked some of his silver hair behind one of his ears, noticing that whatever he was noticing went away when he did that.
"What in the world...", he muttered as he took the same hair form behind his ear and started looking at it. Hinata looked up with a confused expression on her face.
"What is it?", she asked, wondering why he was fiddling with his hair.
"Something's not right... there!", he said, taking a few hairs away from the rest of the group. The three hairs gave both teens a perplexed look. "Hinata... my hair is normally silver... right? There aren't some different colored areas that I can't see normally?"
"No... it's all silver. So why... those are connected right?", she asked, taking one and jerking.
"...ow.", Naruto said, slightly annoyed that she hadn't asked before she took the hair out.
"Some people just have a few strands of hair that are different colors from their main color, I don't think this is something to worry about. A couple of red hairs aren't going to kill you.", Hinata said. She had to admit though, the color didn't seem like the normal color for red hair. She'd have to see a lot more of it grouped together to see the actual color, but it seemed darker yet more vivid then normal.
"Hinata, hair color for a wielder of the chronicle sword denotes elemental affinity. Silver is the neutral color, or what you have if you don't have an affinity yet. If my hair is turning red then it means that I'm more then likely developing an affinity for fire. That, in and of itself, is odd though...", Naruto said, looking at the twin hairs.
"Odd how?", Hinata asked, trying to understand her boyfriend's thought process at this point.
"You see, elemental affinities and personalities never conflict. Fire elementals are never shy about showing their emotions, often showing extremes on the emotional scales. While they aren't all violent, they are all very passionate about what they do, which usually has something to do with fire or the aftermath of a blaze. Given my background and own knowledge of my mindscape... it just doesn't fit that I would be aligned with fire."
"So what element do you think you'll fit?",She asked, raising herself up a little to look at him comfortably.
"I thought I would fall to Water or Ice. Jaxter said that I could pass for a Darkness user if I dyed my hair black, and Nacaro said I could be a Metal wielder. Personally... Fire just seems off to me.", he said, letting the hair fall.
"Well, what other elements are red? Hair color wise anyway.", she asked, actually starting to become interested.
"I'm not the right person to ask; All I know is the basics, and there are such things are fusion elements that can have the color of either "parent element" or a new color. Ice is considered to be a pure water element, but the manipulation of lava would be classified as both fire and earth.", Naruto explained.
"Is there a way you can check what element you are aligned to?"
"Get into a life threatening fight and see what happens when I'm about to die. That's about it. Luckily for my curiosity, that much is in the near future.", he said, knowing that it was going to kill the mood.
"Oh...", Hinata said, putting her head back down.
"Yep. Let's hope I'm a water elemental or an air user, because those are the only two elements that are plentiful on the bridge.", he said jokingly, patting her on the back gently.
"Be careful... please be careful.", she pleaded, choking on her words.
"Hinata, I swear to you that I will walk away from that battle victorious. I may very well collapse like a sack of potatoes right after, but as soon as I wake up will make it up to you, and prove that I did in fact live. Sound good?", Naruto asked. Hinata looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.
"And how do you expect to make it up to me for making worry like that?", She asked.
"...I... don't know. How about I do anything you want for a full day without complaint?", he offered.
"You mean you wouldn't do that anyway?", she asked, adopting a slight pouting look.
"W-Well I... uhh...", Naruto stuttered, at a loss for words.
"I'm kidding Naruto-kun. That sounds fine.", she said, smiling up at him. "What do you mean by anything though?". She had to ask, some of her inner pervert shining through. She wouldn't take advantage of the situation... too much.
"Anything barring homicide and causing physical harm to you.", He said, brushing her cheek lightly with the back of his fingers.
"You think I would ask you to kill someone or tell you to hurt me?", she asked, slightly surprised. Naruto smiled down at her, cupping her cheek.
"No, I don't think you would. Still, I thought I should mention it. Humans are creatures of emotion and whim; rogue feelings might make you want something done that both of us may regret at a later date.", he said, not saying it like an insult, but more of an explanation for his rules.
"Better safe the sorry?", she asked, letting her eyes drift shut. She noticed something was off though, move her head so her ear was over his heart. He had skipped the leather breastplate, instead going with some wraps around his abdomen, letting her hear his heartbeat. "Naruto... did you know that you heart beats four times? It's at a really weird pace too."(Watch the movie DragonHeart. Naruto's heart beats like Draco's...Thump...Th-Thump-Thump.)
"Yes. My blood is much thicker then most wielders, so my heart beats an extra time compared to their three-beat hearts. When my element locks into place then my heartbeat might change depending on the element."
"That's... odd. Why would it change though?", she asked, finding the four beats rather relaxing.
"Jaxter bleeds liquid fire. Cyrus bleeds freezing water. Nacaro bleeds a liquid steel. Wielders become their element, and it alters them. Hair color and physical alterations are obvious, but we change internally too. Our bodies become so in tune with the element that we can use it to make our bodies undergo incredible feats of regeneration in only a few seconds to minutes. If submerged in water, Saiya could regenerate an arm in under a minute. Body parts with vital organs are more difficult though, taking several hours. If the damage is too extreme then we die. All things considered, we have more defensive mechanisms then offensive ones.", Naruto explained, thinking back to the three red hairs.
"Is that why Saiya always looks a little... damp? Her affinity?", Hinata asked, interested.
"Yep."
"...But, what if the element you get doesn't really fit you? What if you don't like it? You said the sword's powers worked based on choice, but it doesn't seem like you have a lot of choice here."
Naruto sighed and looked at the sword for a moment before responding.
"I don't understand all of it, but Cyrus did explain something to me. He said that a wielder's element has to do with their true names. In that sense, the element is the person, no matter what the person may feel towards the element. The problem is that we become so in tune with the element that we understand it on a level that few can, and that is the true test of control for us."
"Why?"
"A person's true name describes that person's soul and being, and to know another's name is to have power over them. But learning your own name is dangerous; it means having to see everything that you are, every flaw and boon... Cyrus described it as the most painful experience that he ever had to undertake. Learning your name though, gives you power over yourself. As redundant as that might seem, it lets you achieve levels of power that are beyond comprehension. Personally, I'm in no rush to know my name."
Hinata could sense Naruto's discomfort with the subject and decided to drop in, letting her eyes drift shut while listening to his heart.
(Four days later, Sword realm.)
"You know, you fight like an ogre.", Grey Wolf said as he jumped over a swing and did a spinning kick in the air that struck Naruto in the side of the head. "You swing and hope to hit something."
"Hold still and I'll fix that problem.", Naruto muttered, the daze from the kick starting to fade.
"Oh, and I think I figured out why you're element is coming out so early.", Grey Wolf said, holding his bastard sword in a lazy grip.
Naruto dashed forward and swung down, using both hands. Grey Wolf held him off with one arm, parrying the blow and the one after it.
"You see, the awakening of a wielder's element is a defensive mechanism for battles that the wielder has to win to protect someone or something very important, or when they fight on their own in life-threatening situations. Since you fought Zabuza and have been fighting myself alone, it's been forcing you're element to surface prematurely.", he explained, ducking under a swing. "The downside is the loss of the transformations which would definitely be of use in the up coming fight, but the use of your own element will be more then enough to win. Don't worry about Cyrus and the rest of the spirits though, they'll still be with you. That's the other half of awakening your element."
He parried a vicious blow and delivered a brutal kick to Naruto's midsection, making the teen fly backwards.
"The spirits that you contact unlock, in a sense, that element for your use and experimentation. You're actually very well off for someone your age; Water, Fire, Ice, Wind, and Steel. Not to mention your element, very nice by the way; few can claim it as their true element.", he said, giving a mock applause.
"How do you know what it is?", Naruto said, wondering if he could finally find out what had changed a few more of his hairs to that red color. At this point there were thin red streaks in his hair.
"My element is Time, Naruto. The reason I blindfold myself is so that I don't constantly see a person's future and past; It gets rather aggravating very quickly. But because of it, I know what element you possess. And you dearly beloved's very short lifespan.", He said, actually adopting a grim tone.
"What did you say?", Naruto asked, dangerously low. He couldn't tell if it was a threat or a prophecy.
"She'll die before the year is over. But I also see what you do after that; allow me to congratulate you in advance, it was... or should I say it will be, very quick thinking and completely insane to boot.", Grey Wolf said, an amused smile on his face. "No one has ever done what you will; you'll be the first to save your Pale Lady. Hinata is very lucky to have you."
"You just said she was going to die, how does that make her lucky?", Naruto Asked, ire rising.
"She won't stay dead... technically she'll only die in a light sense of the word. I just said it like that to scare the fuck out of you.", he said, smiling. "Though it will be entirely your fault if she dies permanently, and you only have a small window of time. The future is fickle afterall."
Naruto's eye was twitching as he looked at the older spirit in disbelief. His grip tightened on the sword and before he could stop himself he swung it in a wide arc, causing a large crimson wave to be launched at Grey Wolf.
Said spirit saw it coming and ducked under it, but he still lost a few strands of hair to the cutting wave. Both he and Naruto watched it carry on until it had sliced through several trees.
"It's a start.", Grey Wolf said, turning back to Naruto. "But you cut my beautiful hair..."
"Oh shit.", Was all that Naruto could say before he was thrown into the air and kicked around like a ragdoll.
After what felt like a thousand punches, kicks, and a painful lesson on how tails could be used as melee weapons, Naruto hit the dirt.
"Don't fuck with the fur."
(Next day, Expected Day of Zabuza's return.)
Naruto walked ahead of the team as they walked towards the bridge. Shino had volunteered to stay at the house to protect Tazuna and his family while Anko, Hinata and Naruto went to the bridge to face Zabuza's challenge. Kurenai had decided to stay with the family as well, in case a few mercenaries from Gato came after the house.
Hinata and Naruto had done what they felt was necessary the night before, holding one another and making sure they had said everything they could have so that they could focus on the mission. Anko was proud of them for being able to do that despite the freshness of the relationship.
Inari, Tazuna's grandson, had gone off on a tirade the night before about how they couldn't win. Given Naruto's foul mood from the prior beating he had been receiving, both in the sword and out, well... Inari was glad that he had missed to say the least. The chair and floor weren't so lucky though.
"I'm sorry we can't help you Naruto. I wish you a glorious battle to come.", Nacaro said, depressed that Naruto's ability to transform had been locked the day before. They had all felt it, Naruto included; a sort of sudden disconnection. It had resulted in more of Naruto's hair turning red as well, making it roughly half and half at this point, enough of the red showing for it to be identified as a dark yet vivid red.
"Indeed. Bad timing, but with any luck your element might be of use.", Cyrus offered, pissed in his own way.
"Has Grey Wolf said anything?", Naruto asked, hoping to have it revealed. He knew it wasn't fire, but he had been able to disrupt a still pond with his energy and his regeneration rate had increased. And then there was the crimson wave that he had been unable to recreate since the fight with Grey Wolf.
"No, he's been giving cryptic hints, but nothing helpful. Fucking Chronomancer." , Jaxter swore, getting a chorus of agreement.
"Remember, you cut a few strands of Grey's hair; you'll be able to tear Zabuza's arm off if you can hit him.", Saiya said, knowing what the boy was feeling. She had been in a similar situation when her element surfaced.
"If I can hit him.", Naruto said grimly.
"When the Knight's charge is threatened, the gate will shatter. Strike nothing lethal; a scratch will give you swords.", Came Grey Wolf's voice, sounding fairly prophetic... and as cryptic as a stoned monk.
"... Thank you Captain Asshole.", Naruto said, eye twitching.
Before anything else could be said within the teen's head, Naruto saw his opponent. Standing on the unfinished side of the bridge was Zabuza, his hunter-nin accomplice standing at his side. As they approached, Naruto grabbed his sword and tore it from it's sheath, intent on ending this.
Zabuza smirked at the boy's courage, Taking his own sword in hand and starting to walk forward as well, leaving his apprentice behind.
As the two neared they began to pick up speed, eventually charging each other. Haku was worried for her(yes it's a she) master, having had to stitch up Zabuza's wounds from their first encounter. She didn't know what this kid was, but he wasn't one to fuck with.
A monstrous clang erupted as the two blades met, locked together as their wielders struggled to gain the upper hand. Naruto gripped the Chronicle sword with both hands, grinding his teeth together as Zabuza fought him with equal force.
"What happened to you runt? Last time I saw you your hair was silver; don't tell me you think that dyeing your hair is going to help you win this fight.", Zabuza taunted, putting more force behind his zanbatou.
Naruto didn't answer, having to concentrate on holding Zabuza back. When his transformations were cut off, his ability to use the spirits powers went too; Normally he would have shot off a Fang Scar or, if he had transformed, a Divide.
"What happened to all that strength? You were much stronger the last time we fought.", Zabuza asked, not letting up in the least.
Zabuza let up and sidestepped as Naruto was thrown off-balance, striking him with the blunt side of the blade like a bat. Naruto was sent flying, though he managed to right himself and land shakily twenty feet away.
Zabuza didn't give him time to recover, launching forward With his sword digging a rut in the bridge. Naruto swore and brought his blade up it time to block it, and be thrown backwards with a cut in his breastplate. It didn't get to his flesh, but it was on his left side, just below his ribs.
"Come on, this is insulting! Maybe I should take a swing at that Hyuuga girl, would that get you to fight me seriously?", Zabuza taunted, not realizing what sort of nerve he had hit.
Charging like a berserker didn't work on Grey Wolf... but Zabuza wasn't Grey Wolf. He blocked instead of dodging. Not that Naruto cared at this point, looking just as pissed as he had been when he had used the Rage.
Zabuza knew he had hit the right nerve for a better fight when energy started rolling off of Naruto in waves. His hair started blowing in a non-existent wind before it started to levitate slightly, turning completely red in the process.
Then the Chronicle sword changed. It wasn't a straight edged longsword anymore, it no longer looked capable of making any sort of clean cut whatsoever, and it didn't have the neutral feeling to it; this was now a weapon made to spill blood.
It gained a foot-and-a-half in length, and the blade was now very jagged, though it was still double-sided. The hilt had changed now, the cross-guard turning into a golden angel wing and an obsidian looking demon wing, the wrap was now black leather with red rings and a gold rivet between the evenly spaced rings, and the pommel was now a five inch blade that was seemingly held in place by two small wings like those on the cross-guard.
"Ready or not, Here I come!", Naruto shouted, revealing his new fangs. His prismatic eyes were filled with the bloodlust that few jounins could muster as he shot forward, moving faster then before.
"Now we're talking!", Zabuza shouted, bringing his zanbatou up.
His eyes widened when the impact threw him back a few feet, giving him barely enough time to alter the angle of his blade to block the crazed wielder. Wild swing after wild swing was thrown at the nukenin, making Zabuza question the wisdom of threatening the girl.
He pushed the teen back, taking a swing at his mid-section. To his surprise Naruto caught it with his right hand, though the force of the blow still sent him flying back into his allies.
Anko and Hinata jumped out of the way, knowing that if they helped that it would violate the rules. Naruto managed to get his feet to the ground and skidded to a stop, looking at his right hand in confusion. Red liquid was pooled in his palm and dripped to the ground, despite the fact that the cut had healed.
He brought it up to his face and let his tongue dip into the liquid, bringing it back in with a half confused smirk.
"I'm bleeding... blood?", He said quietly, his eyes widening and his mouth widening in a vicious smile. "I'm Bleeding Blood!"
"Has he lost it?", Anko asked Hinata as her student started laughing like a maniac.
"He said that whatever a wielder bleeds is their element... so Naruto's element is-"
"Blood!", Naruto shouted psychotically, the blood in his hand forming a dagger. It lacked detail, but it looked wickedly sharp as he held it in a reverse grip in his right hand as he held the new Chronicle sword in his left.
He shot off towards Zabuza, remembering Grey's words. He didn't need to hit Zabuza with a lethal blow, he just needed to make him bleed. Drops to daggers.
He lashed out with the Chronicle sword, locking blades with Zabuza. He brought the dagger around and went for Zabuza's sword arm, though the older ninja saw the maneuver and jumped back to avoid losing the use of his arm.
Naruto jumped after him, swinging the Chronicle sword in a broad arc. Zabuza brought up his zanbatou to block it, surprised when the force of it pushed him with the arc. His eyes widened as he watched Naruto bring his other arm back, spinning the dagger into a throwing position.
He jumped back as Naruto threw the dagger, though as soon as it left his hand it lost it's form and hit Zabuza's leg with all the force of a water balloon... full of blood.
"Well... shit.", Naruto said. That meant that he had to be in contact with the blood to control it.
"Don't you space out on me!", Zabuza shouted, snapping Naruto from his thoughts in time to see the massive blade of Kubikiri Houchou heading for him.
"Shit!", he swore as he jumped over the blade, knowing he was vulnerable for a few seconds. Zabuza let the momentum carry the blade out of his way as he moved forward and planted his elbow into Naruto's gut, both winding him and throwing him back a few feet.
Zabuza still let the momentum carry the sword, spinning himself around to catch it and bring it up above his head. Naruto's eye widened and he rolled out of the way as the zanbatou came crashing down where he hand been a moment before.
He quickly got to his feet and swung the chronicle sword at Zabuza while his blade was stuck in the ground. The Nukenin's response was to front flip out of the way, tearing Kubikiri Houchou from the cement in the process. He jumped about twenty feet away to put some space between Naruto and himself.
"Dodge this!", Naruto shouted, gripping the jagged blade of the chronicle sword with his right hand and, in an unsheathing motion, tore his hand down it, covering the blade in blood. The wound healed near instantly, but Naruto didn't care as he gripped the sword with both hands and summoned forth a torrent of energy from his center.
Zabuza had already turned to see Naruto cut his hand, and by the time he was swinging Zabuza had Kubikiri at the ready.
"Crimson!"
Naruto watched as the blood flew to the edge of the blade, tearing a crimson arc in the air the instantly flew at the nukenin.
Zabuza slammed Kubikiri into the ground, broadside to Naruto, and crouched behind the blade in a way that none of him was exposed. When the wave hit the sword, everybody knew.
The shockwave almost knocked Anko off her feet, her use of chakra to anchor herself being the only thing that kept her from landing on her ass like the heiress beside her or Haku across the bridge.
"Damn.", Zabuza swore under his breath as he got up, tearing his zanbatou from the cement, noting with slight shock that Kubikiri had a crack in it where the wave hit it, along with a fair amount of blood.
"That's no good... the wave didn't carry nearly as much power as it should have... it was all discharged in the shockwave...", Naruto said calmly, in a little annoyed. "Let's try again..."
In a flash the blade was coated in crimson blood once more. But instead of launching it then, Naruto got a smirk.
"What the hell are you grinning about?", Zabuza asked, making a note to dodge the next one.
"Your sword will break if I hit it with another Crimson.", Naruto said calmly, though the smirk was turning psychotic. "That wouldn't be a problem normally... but you've never faced someone like me. Can you keep up?"
Naruto felt in within him now, the strong flow of energy throughout his body. He started to focus it around his body, bringing forth the flowing feeling of air. Soon enough he had the winds kicking up on the bridge, but he was oddly unaffected by the small gusts.
Then, he was gone.
Zabuza's eyes widened as he felt the boy's presence behind him, knowing he had been moving at high-jounin-level speeds. He rolled to the side, feeling the air rush by him as a sword passed over him.
He swung Kubikiri while he was still crouched down, trying to take the teen's legs out. It cut only air though, but this time his eyes easily followed the boy. Instead of going for a back attack, he appeared to Zabuza's left, right behind Kubikiri.
"Crimson!", Naruto shouted, swinging viciously.
Zabuza matched Naruto's previous speeds, appearing out of the line of fire from the cutting wave. He watched from the corner of his eye as it sailed over the rails of the bridge and turned back into normal blood about thirty feet out.
"Damn. I was hoping that would kill you.", Naruto said, irritated. He couldn't keep up the wind any more, meaning he was back to his normal speed. Also, the Crimsons weren't as strong as they were when he sent the one after Grey Wolf, and they were taking up a massive amount of energy for a blunt blow; the one that went at Grey was razor sharp.
"Oh trust me, I don't die that easy. Besides, this is the most fun I've had in-"
"Zabuza-sama! Gato is here, and he brought his mercenaries!", Haku shouted, jumping over to her master with her senbon at the ready. The nukenin looked at the rat-like man standing in front of a small army.
"Gato, what the hell do you think you're doing?", he asked, eyes narrowed. The short man laughed and tapped his cane on the ground.
"Business. I've been waiting for you two to tire each other out, or kill each other. You see, for the same price I'm paying you, I can hire all of these mercenaries and then some. So, I have them kill you, then let them ransack the town. They get paid, I keep the money I was going to pay you, and wave will never rebel again.", he said arrogantly. Then he spied Hinata and Anko, saying the words that would seal his fate. "Leave the Purple haired sluts alive. They look like screamers."
Zabuza almost buckled under the sudden pressure of Naruto's killing intent. He looked to the younger swordsman and was shocked to see the air visibly distorted around him. He watched as the boy coated the blade in his blood once again, noting that the blood was much more plentiful this time.
"Weep for the earth that the blood of the sinful taints, Crimson!"
This time there was a difference in the red wave. As it tore through the air it literally roared, a section in the middle extending further ahead of the wave, taking on a rough shape as the rest turned into wings. He had turned it into a roaring dragon.
Gato had started running as soon as the killing intent started, weaving through the sea of mercenaries. When he got behind the mass of hired arms, he turned in time to see all but the last few lines be torn in half by the red wave, though it ended up turning into a tidal wave of blood that smashed into the rest, carrying them off.
Zabuza looked at the teen in a new light as he walked forward, each step cutting through the silence of the bridge. As he approached the puddles of blood, they seemed to follow him, surrounding him and moving the corpses out of his way.
He got to the edge of the bridge and looked down at the small man, hanging onto a piece of re-bar for dear life.
"P-please spare me! I-I can give you anything you want!", Gato pleaded. Naruto looked down on him with cold eyes.
"You declared that you were going to rape the woman I love. I'm going to kill you.", He said coldly. He pulled his left arm back, the chronicle sword in hand, before plunging the blade forward. It went straight through Gato, completely missing his vitals. Naruto then lifted the man with the sword and threw him onto the bridge, right into the center of the blood pool.
He clutched the stab wound and cried in pain, not having the sense to run.
Zabuza and the others watched as Naruto went to the edge of the pool and planted both of his palms in the crimson liquid.
"Agony.", He said, not blinking as thin spires of blood shot up and tore the man to shreds.
When he removed his hands the spires fell, leaving the mutilated corpse to rot. He walked around the pool, noting that the blood stayed in place as he walked off towards his sensei and girlfriend. On the way, he stopped by Zabuza.
"Our fight is over. Your contract is moot now; we are no longer enemies.", he said calmly, starting to feel the drain of the battle.
"Rematch.", Zabuza said simply as Naruto continued walking.
"When the bridge is done and we are both healed. Try anything before then and I will kill you."
"You're welcome to try.", Zabuza challenged.
Naruto stopped halfway between Hinata and Zabuza, turning slightly to look at the nukenin from the corner of his eye. Zabuza immediately felt the pressure of his ungodly killer intent, like he had a demon staring at him.
"I am going to spend some time with my girlfriend. Afterwards, Tazuna will finish his bridge. Then we can have the rematch, and not a moment sooner.", he growled out, focusing his killing intent on Zabuza. When he was sure the point was across he stopped the flow and turned back to his allies.
Anko was proud of her student... if a little wary. While that had been incredibly cool, and an impressive display of what he was capable of, it had also been wholly disturbing for the same reasons.
Hinata was silent as Naruto approached, though the soft smile and relieved look on her face spoke volumes for the both of them.
"Blood is very difficult to get out of clothes.", He said innocently, his face getting a softer look as he held his hands palm up for the heiress to see. She smiled and stepped between his arms, wrapping her arms around him.
"You can just hug me back later.", she said as she buried her face into the crook of his neck.
Anko turned her eyes to Zabuza and his apprentice to find them gone from the bridge. She didn't know if that was a good thing or not, but he wasn't getting paid to stick around. If he really wanted a fight, he would wait for Naruto.
"Come on. We need to head back to the house and make sure that the family is alright. We don't know if Gato sent mercenaries.", She said, using her "sensei" voice. Hinata hesitantly detached herself from Naruto and nodded, stepping away from her boyfriend. "Are you going to be alright? That was some serious carnage for a genin to handle.", Anko asked, looking to Naruto.
"I'm sore, and out of my energy. Beyond that... I'm thrilled that I know what my element is and glad that I'm still alive. If you're referring to emotional strain... I'm feeling a rush... and a fair amount of self-righteousness for having killed Gato.", He said happily, glad to have Hinata near him.
Anko shook her head, now thoroughly convinced that he wasn't human. Still, that didn't mean he was a bad person... just a semi-bloodthirsty one.
(On the way back to Tazuna's house, roughly ten minutes later)
The three of them were on guard when Naruto said he smelt blood, though reassured when he said that it didn't smell like Kurenai or Shino.
"You know what they smell like?", Anko asked, eyebrow raised. Naruto didn't look at her as he answered.
"My senses are very... acute. Hinata told me that mentioning that I have your scents memorized it might be considered an invasion of personal space. I also have your heartbeats memorized, though Shino's is difficult to hear over his colony, which also makes a distinctive noise.", he said, eyes scanning the area.
"And what exactly do I smell like?", she pressed, wondering out of pure curiosity.
"You smell like you. Everyone is a menagerie of scents based on daily activities, or nightly activities. Still curious?", he asked. Anko and Kurenai hadn't told Shino and Hinata of their relationship, and if Naruto answered her question then it wouldn't take much to riddle it out.
"Go ahead.", she said, realizing too late what he meant. Her eyes widen as he started.
"Mainly earthen smells, though the scent of Dango is there as well. Kurenai-sensei has a more... flowery scent, which is on you as well, just as your scent is on her.", he said simply.
Hinata wasn't nearly as innocent minded as some pegged her to be, and wide eyes looked to her sensei in surprise.
"A-Anko-sensei? You and Kurenai-sensei...?", she asked, not quite being able to wrap her mind around it. She didn't have a problem personally, but she had been raised fairly strictly on "proper" relationships.
"Yes, we're... together. Is that going to be a problem?", she asked, sending a little killing intent her way.
"N-no.", she stuttered out, surprised that she would use KI on her.
"Calm down Anko-sensei, Hinata isn't as, how shall I say, strict as the rest of the Hyuuga clan. If she can love me despite the fact that I'm not a human, she won't change her opinion of you just because of sexual preference. Tolerance is an art she is skilled at.", he said with an odd grin(Gin from Bleach).
It was a little awkward as they walked on, though what Naruto had said had eased much of the tension.
"How do you think Shino will take it?", Anko asked, quieter then normal.
"Well enough. If it bothers him then he won't let it show.", Hinata answered, equally quiet.
The three were silent as they came upon the house, each of them tensing up a little when they saw a few dead mercenaries outside.
Anko took the lead and opened the door, jumping out of the way when a kunai flew out of the house. She looked back, startled to find that Naruto had caught it, though he caught it by the blade and a little fresh blood dripped down.
"Anko!", Kurenai said, ashamed that she had thrown a kunai at her lover. She rushed out the door and made sure that no one had been hit, though she did a double take when she saw Naruto. "Naruto? What happened to you?"
"I'm a Blood Elemental. Is everyone alive?", he asked, stepping forward. "Oh, and here's your kunai."
She took it from him, noting the blood that stained his hands.
"Tazuna and his family are fine. One of the mercenaries gave Shino a shallow cut on his bicep, but he's more concerned with his first kill. Unfortunately he isn't taking it as well as you did Naruto.", she said, "I take it you beat Zabuza?"
"It was a draw at best; Gato came with a horde of mercenaries. The little fucker declared that he was going to kill us and ransack wave, but he would leave Hinata and Anko alive to rape. He and his forces are dead, and Zabuza requested a rematch.", he said. Kurenai was a little surprised to hear him swear so viciously, but she was even more shocked to hear that a small force of mercenaries had been killed.
"I guess Shino isn't the only one worried about their first kill.", she said, looking at Hinata. Anko put her hand on her lover's shoulder, shaking her head.
"Naruto killed all of them with one technique. He killed Gato separately, but it was all him. I'm actually surprised he's still standing.", she said, casting a glance to the Crimson-haired swordsman. Kurenai's eyes widened, her mouth hanging open a little.
"I wouldn't dwell on it. I still have Zabuza's rematch to consider.", Naruto said as he walked past them into the house. Hinata gave a small bow to Kurenai before following him in.
"What happened?", Kurenai asked, still a little shocked.
"I don't know exactly, but if he's this strong as a genin, imagine the tank he'll be as a jounin.", she said, leading her lover into the house.
Kurenai almost shuddered at the thought.
The three of them walked into the house, still on guard. They seriously doubted that they would be getting any sleep that night, not knowing if more mercenaries would come.
"Oh thank goodness, you're all alright!", Tsunami said upon seeing the rest of team eight, letting out a sigh of relief.
"It takes more then that to kill us.", Naruto said, sinking into the armchair that Grey Wolf had left. He was beginning to feel that drain from having used that much energy, the feeling foreign to him. Perhaps he would have to start fighting stronger opponents to get used to it...
Anko almost laughed at that; sure, she and Kurenai had fought tougher battles, but hearing that coming from the genin that just fought an A-ranked missing ninja to a technical draw was funny.
"How are you feeling Shino?", Anko asked, sitting down on the couch beside the bug user.
"I think I am done throwing up. I feel terrible otherwise.", Shino said, still looking a little pale. Almost hesitantly, because he had heard the rest of his team talking outside, he looked at Naruto and asked a question that he knew he would regret. "Naruto-san... how do you cope so well?"
"Shino, I am not human. Do not take this the wrong way, but would you feel a terrible amount of remorse for having killed a dog or a cat?", he said, eyes closed. He sighed when he felt the discomfort that the answer had caused and opened his eyes. "Perhaps that was not the best explanation to comfort you, but I answered you truthfully. If you wish to have a way to justify their deaths, if you hadn't killed them, they would have killed you and the family."
"Psycho in battle, but at least you can half-way justify a death.", Anko joked as Hinata sat down in a chair beside the armchair. Naruto scoffed.
"It's not my fault that I enjoy the feeling of my sword tearing through flesh, the drain of energy the Crimsons take, the sight of a tidal wave of blood roaring towards my enemies...", Naruto said, going on to a few more things as his eyes glazed over a little and his lips curved into a vicious smile. After a moment his eyes snapped shut and his entire expression went from bloodthirsty to neutral in a split second. "On second thought, I might just be psychotic."
Naruto opened his eyes once more, though his face stayed neutral. He straightened himself in the chair and rolled his shoulders, trying to figure out if he should even remotely hide that fact that he loved killing. Or maybe he just liked blood; killing people did provide a massive amount of blood.
"Indeed it does. Personally I just fought for the adrenaline.", Nacaro said as if remembering some great battle.
"Blood is a very powerful element Naruto, especially when you fight things with blood in their veins.", Cyrus said, proud of the new Blood elemental.
"How so? I mean Crimson is awe-inspiring, but I haven't felt anything else.", Naruto thought to his spirits as his team spoke.
"Don't forget how you killed Gato. Agony... I like that.", Jaxter said, wondering what else the boy was capable of.
"What we mean is that Blood is one of the fusion elements we told you about, but it's a little more versatile then what most would think at first.", Saiya explained, having taken a moment to whack Jaxter upside the head. "The most common combination use is Darkness and Water, resulting in offensive abilities like Crimson and Agony. However, as blood is also required for life, it is also a combination of Light and Water, resulting in healing abilities. Light, when taken in this context, refers more to the soul then actual photomancy. Some consider it a combination of Earth and Water, as they are the two most powerful healing elements. Something few people realize is that Blood Elementals aren't limited to one combination; it's all within their grasp, though it's a matter of practice and desire."
"So... I can heal as well as I can kill?"
"Yes, and that's why your regeneration is so accelerated now. Don't get overly confident though; Blood isn't a defensive element. You have to concentrate to use any healing beyond your regeneration, and it takes centuries of training to form blunt objects with blood... or at least ones that are solid enough for defensive purposes. Sharp edges are easy, but it takes large amounts of energy to throw them.", a silken voice said from the corner of Naruto's mind.
"And another one joins the peanut gallery."
"Now that's no way to greet a lady.", the voice said, sounding annoyed. "I'm Scarlet, a veteran Blood weilder. I've been practicing for three-hundred-and-ninety years, and I can barely make a two foot shield from blood. Trust me kid, stick to killing them before they kill you."
"The Scarlet? My my, never thought you would show up again.", Grey Wolf said.
Naruto facepalmed, knowing this wouldn't end well.
"I thought it smelled like wet dog in here.", Scarlet said, agitation evident in her voice.
"Naruto, are you alright?", Hinata asked, putting a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"The voices in my head are about to start fighting.", he said, hand still covering his face.
"Well if I get liquid on me, that smell follows. If you wouldn't cum so much, we wouldn't have this problem.", was the bemused reply from the Chronomancer.
"Wow the impacts might actually knock me out of the chair.", Naruto mused as Killing Intent filled his head.
"You're the one who always comes to me, and the last time we had a go was a century ago; your scent isn't my fault.", was Scarlet's weak defense. "I can't help but wonder why the hell you decided to show up now."
"What can I say? I'm a wolf, and therefore attracted to bitches."
WHAM!
Naruto didn't know what the hell happened, but one moment he had been in the chair, perfectly fine, and out of nowhere he felt a sudden and massive pain in his forehead. Next thing he knew, he was face down on the floor, wondering how the fuck he got there.
"Naruto-kun! Are you alright?", Hinata asked, kneeling by her boyfriend.
"Got a new spirit. She hit Grey Wolf so hard I flew forward.", was the dazed reply as he picked himself up. "How does that saying go? Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn?"
"Yes...", Anko said, slightly worried about the boy. He had suddenly flown a good four feet from a sitting postion.
"For some reason... I don't think Grey has heard that.", Naruto said as he listened to the rant that Scarlet was going on, noting that she was still wailing on Grey by the sound of it.
For a moment, he almost pitied the bastard.
Almost.
(Four Days later, Bridge)
Tazuna had cracked open several bottles of sake for his workers as they stared at the finished bridge, knowing that their tough times were about to be over. Tsunami stood by her father while Inari stood silently, having nothing to say. The tears that streaked the boy's face and the smile that he bore spoke volumes though.
"Finally. I guess we can head back now.", Kurenai said, ready to get back to Konoha and take a nice long, hot, relaxing bath... with Anko.
"Perhaps.", Naruto said, ready to fight. He was glad he had rearranged a few things about himself though; it might make both traveling and fighting a little easier. His hair had apparently grown a fair bit when he unlocked his element, though he had only noticed when he took a shower that night that the crimson hair fell to just above his arse. In response, he had tied it back, though it seemed to spike wildly. Two bangs also lined his face (think Fox-tail hairstyle from WoW).
Also, due to the increased length of the chronicle sword, he now wore it diagonally across his back with the hilt above his right shoulder. The weird part was that he didn't need the sheath now, as the sword stuck to his back like it was glued until he wanted to fight with it.
"Can we please just forget about Zabuza? I don't want to lose you...", Hinata said quietly to her boyfriend. Naruto turned to her and smiled before enveloping her in a hug. "I'll take that as a no.", she said as she returned the hug.
"Don't worry about me; I love you too much to die now.", he said lovingly, stroking her hair.
"Well doesn't that just make you wanna puke?", a voice called out from behind the pair.
All those present whipped their heads around to look at the source, finding Zabuza standing a few meters away with his zanbatou in hand. Beside him stood a nervous-looking Haku, without her mask.
"And here I was hoping you had forgotten.", Naruto said calmly, giving Hinata one last squeeze before letting go to face Zabuza. "I suppose one can rarely get what one desires though."
"I don't know about that; I get my rematch, and that's just what I wanted.", Zabuza said, resting Kubikiri Houchou on his shoulder.
Naruto pulled the chronicle sword from his back and gripped it in his left hand, wondering what the odd look in Zabuza's eyes was.
"What are the rules then? Sword techniques only?", he asked, getting ready to coat the blade in his blood.
"That, and there are two new stipulations. First of all this is a fight to the death-"
"Then I have already won. I have a very fast rate of regeneration, and if blood touches the wound then it's almost instantaneous. Blood also increases the severity of the wound that I can regenerate; this fight is futile.", Naruto said, skipping the fact that it could take up to five minutes to regenerate a limb, and he would eventually run out of blood.
"Then we'll move on to the second stipulation, and this only applies if you beat me.", Zabuza said seriously, taking his zanbatou off of his shoulder and pointing it at the young wielder. "If you can beat me... you must take on Haku as your apprentice."
"Zabuza-sama...", Haku said, speechless. She couldn't fathom why he would ask Naruto to take her as an apprentice... unless...
"Why? I'm only a genin, and you are of technical jounin rank; surely she would do better under your tutelage.", Naruto said simply, wondering what he was getting at. Zabuza sighed and let the sword lower a little.
"Haku has been with me since she was a child; living the life of a missing ninja under a former swordsman. I haven't been able to train in years; I don't know how I've been able to keep up the level of strength I have, but the last run in with hunter nins made me think.", Zabuza paused for a moment, closing his eyes in thought. Then they snapped open as Kubikiri was once more parallel with the ground. "Haku is like a daughter to me, and I won't see her dead because of my own lack of strength. If you prove stronger them me, then you must take her as your apprentice so she can continue to grow."
"...Very well. Prepare yourself Momochi Zabuza.", Naruto said, dragging the chronicle sword across his right palm.
There was silence as everyone gave the two a wide berth, knowing not to get between the two. The tension only rose as the two stood still, having a staring contest while blasting ki at each other. Then, just when things seemed like they couldn't get any more tense...
"Crimson!/ Mist Cutter!"
The red wave impacted with the white one, seeming to battle for a moment before they canceled each other out, leaving water and blood all over the area.
They didn't give the other a chance to recover, both charging through the liquid to lock blades.
"You were holding back before.", Naruto grunted out, having to use all of his strength to hold off the nukenin.
"You were too.", was the only reply as Zabuza put all his strength behind his sword.
The two were at a standstill for what seemed like an eternity, though the two were two were two engrossed in a staring contest to see that the point of contact between their swords was starting to glow red with heat and sparks flew liberally.
"Zabuza, have you heard the saying that anyone can beat anyone? Luck and coincidence can compensate for skill in some fights.", Naruto said, voice showing strain. "How do you know that won't happen here? If I win by luck, then what's the point of Haku becoming my apprentice?"
"It doesn't matter. You can hold me at bay, and you're still a genin. You have years to grow and learn... she'll be better off with you.", he grunted, starting to feel the heat from the swords.
"...I'll do my best.", Naruto said, hair hiding his eyes for a moment.
"tch, so sure you're going to win?"
"Yes."
With that, Naruto jerked his sword to the left, tearing through the steel of Kubikiri Hochou. Time seemed to slow down as the blade hit the floor, though the hilt stayed right in Zabuza's hand.
Before he could react, Naruto brought the sword back a little... before plunging it forward, straight through the center of Zabuza's chest.
"Thank you, for fighting me.", He said, looking Zabuza in the eyes as they stood there. He took a step back, pulling the sword from the ninja.
He seemed to be able to stand for a moment, but after a few seconds he fell backwards, hitting the cement unceremoniously.
"Zabuza-sama!", Haku shouted, dashing over to her master's side. Naruto looked at the display and couldn't help but feel a tug at his heart. "Come on, j-just hang in there... please. You've had worse..."
"No I haven't Haku.", Zabuza said weakly, blood staining the bandages around his face. "You are like a daughter to me, and I want nothing more then your safety,(coughs up a bit of blood)... Naruto-san is a better choice in that regard..."
"Zabuza-sama...", Haku pleaded, tears flowing freely. She jumped when she saw someone kneel on the other side of her dying master, and her eyes quickly narrowed when she saw it was Naruto.
"I did not wish it to come to this.", he said sincerely, looking Haku in the eyes. He let his close before extending his hand so it rested over the hole in Zabuza's chest. When he opened them, they had a look of seriousness to them. "If you interfere, this may kill him."
"What the hell(Coughs up more blood)... are you doing?", Zabuza asked weakly.
"Reverser", he said, making a clawed shape with his hand and twisting it above the hole. Zabuza's eyes widened and a roar of agony flew from the blood soaked bandages, and Haku almost grabbed her senbon; she saw what was happening though, and it shocked her into stillness.
Zabuza's wound was healing at an incredible pace, and the blood the lie on his chest moved back in, as morbid as that was. Soon, Naruto pulled his hand away, and Zabuza was left swearing and covered in a light layer of sweat, but alive. His eyes drifted closed after a moment though, causing Haku to start shaking him lightly.
"He's unconscious, not dead, and he needs the rest.", Naruto said, standing and taking a few steps back to hide his fatigue. Reverser felt like it took roughly four times the energy of a Crimson or an Agony.
"...Thank you, Naruto-sama.", Haku said, remembering Zabuza's wish.
"Don't call me that; As soon as Zabuza wakes up, I need to talk to him about both of the bets we made.", Naruto replied, putting the Chronicle sword back on his back.
"Naruto-kun!", Hinata shouted as she ran over and wrapped her arms around him in a relieved embrace, muttering how worried she was, how proud she was, how happy she was, and several threats regarding his lack of a self-preservation instinct.
"I love you too, Hinata-chan.", he said, cutting her off as he returned the embrace. She sighed, a sort of mix of joy and relief, as she let her head rest against his chest, enjoying the warmth. "Tazuna-san, I'm going to have to requisition your guest bedroom; Zabuza needs to rest, and I need to speak with him once he wakes up."
Hinata knew by his tone that he had a plan, so she just ignored the part of her that wanted to ask if he had lost it, and went back to enjoying the embrace. Luckily for her curiosity, Anko wasn't so silent.
"Have you lost your mind? We're talking about the A-class nuke nin that's tried to kill us on three separate occasions!", she shouted, walking over with the rest of the team.
"No, he tried to kill all of us once. He tried to kill me the other two times, remember?", he asked as though it was obvious. Anko's eye started twitching dangerously, and Kurenai caught it in time for her to cut her lover off.
"What she means is, why would you want him in Tazuna's house after all that?", she asked, a hand on Anko's shoulder to calm her down.
"I think I know; if I may take a stab at understanding your mind, Naruto-san?", Shino asked, getting a nod from the wielder. "The first wager was, in essence, the loser became the subordinate of the winner. The had fought each other to a draw, which can be taken two ways: Either the bet's off, or they consider each other equal allies. The second bet was made to assure Haku's continued growth in a safe environment; Naruto won, and Konaha is a decidedly safe environment.", he explained, looking at Naruto. "Right so far?"
"I'm getting too easy to read. Tch, troublesome facial expressions.", Naruto said, though no one could tell if he was joking or not.
"Anyway, if taken in the right way, Naruto and Zabuza are now allies and Haku is to follow Naruto to Konaha. Zabuza was supposed to die from this, and with him alive, Naruto intends to convince him to join Konaha with Haku, who will have to join anyway. In short, Naruto has technically gotten Konaha two new allies.", Shino said, smirking behind his collar. Anko and Kurenai looked a little surprised, as did Hinata; all three were looking at the wielder with surprised looks.
"Manipulating rules and people is fun.", he said, a fox-like smile on his face. Quite frankly, his team didn't know whether to be glad about that, or be wary.
(Next day, Road back to Konaha)
"Remind me never to make a deal with you.", Zabuza said, walking beside the crimson-haired wielder.
"At least you're alive, and you won't have to worry about hunter ninja.", Naruto replied, taking another look at the chronicle sword; he felt like he was missing something about it.
"As a swordsman without a sword, I hardly feel alive.", he said, looking at the two pieces of Kubikiri Houchou in his hands.
"I told you, I know a master smith who can fix it.", Naruto said, resting the sword on his back. "If it's metal, Nacaro can fix it."
"I still think you're insane.", Anko groaned, wondering what possessed the boy to bring the nukenin with them. Sure, enlisting a former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist was a boon not to be over looked, but traveling with someone who had tried to kill Kurenai and herself just didn't sit well with the purple-haired kunoichi.
"No, I'm the last sane person on the face of the earth.", he said happily, grinning like a fox.
"Doesn't that make you insane?", Shino asked, eyebrow raised.
"No, I'm sane; everyone else is insane. However, since insanity is the norm, it becomes the standard of "sane". Since I am perfectly sane, and as such different from the Insanity of Normality, I am labeled insane.", he said cheerfully, like his explanation made sense.
"So... you think I'm insane?", Hinata asked, confused. Naruto put an arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek.
"Yes, but you pull it off quite beautifully.", he replied, smiling. She sighed and leaned into him, knowing it was a compliment, if a little twisted.
Naruto's thoughts were far from joyful as he walked along, remembering Grey Wolf's warning regarding Hinata's lifespan. He didn't know what he was supposed to do to prevent it, or reverse it if the Chronomancer's words were to be trusted, and he hid his worries under a smile.
Regardless of future uncertainties, he decided to enjoy the present. He could worry about beating the Reaper tomorrow.
Sorry for the Shorter-then-Normal chapter, But I was running out of steam and I didn't want to ruin the quality. Still, 31 pages isn't bad.
I'm really sorry that I didn't show Naruto's transformations, but I just couldn't get them to work into the story; To compensate, I gave Naruto his element. Originally it was going to be ice, but I wanted something with little-to-no defensive abilities, and I went with Blood; Fast regeneration, but no active defenses.
If the relationships seem a little off or wrong, then I'm sorry. I'm having a hell of a time with the plots for ALL of my stories, and I don't always get the little things right. Also, as you may have noticed, Shino wasn't getting many lines and I tried to give him some more here.
Next chapter will start in Konaha, and a little more about the rest of the Rookie Nine will be revealed.
Ja Ne, My Freaky Darlings.
