Another chapter, as promised. I didn't get the time to reply to the reviews so I'm doing it now-
LincDawg: Thanks... I'm going to focusing this chapter on Zabuza. So, Enjoy. Let me know how if you like it.
TigrezzTail: I'm glad you like it. I'm pretty sure Zabuza was surprised too. :-)
Maybe2Morrow: In my opinion, Zabuza is a person who communicates with fights, like Naruto. I also thought about an actual hunter nin saying all that but I didn't see a hunter nin standing still and listening to Naruto's monologue. By the way, about the Lady, you're right. :-) As promised 10 points to you. Also, I'll PM you the link to the artwork before I post the next chapter as a bonus so you get a sneak peek. :-D
Shadow-Arashi: Thank you... Your words have really helped motivate me to work harder...
SinOfDisaster: I know, right? Although he died soon aftr in the manga, I have always been curious what would have happened if he hadn't...
rivereagles999: Thank you... If you find any errors in the story, please point them out so I can better my work... Constructive criticism is always welcome. :-)
darkhuntressxir: Damn right he is!
Guest reviewer: I know that many people use Zabuza as a neccessary side kick to use Haku in their stories, but Zabuza plays a crucial role in mine. So, if you are a Zabuza fan, this one is right for you. :-)
serialkellar: Ahhh... about that.. unfortunately that will happen eventually. as that is neccessary for my plot, BUT that is quite some time away, so I hope you will continue to read the story.. Don't worry, he won't take crap from people.
BalancedHex1232: Thank you for your support. These motivate me to work better. :-)
fanficreader71: Thank you for your continued reviews and support. I hope you find this one to your liking as well.
Simgr101: Thank you for your review. I must say, I really look forward to hearing from you after I post any chapters. You are my favorite reviewer. Thank you for your suggestions and encouragement.
Cloudy Momochi: Heheh.. Thanks.
Tahere-Ravenword: Thanks... I hope my story manages to keep your interest .
Faeryl36: I'm glad you see that way too. I hope you continue to like this story.
Now, Here it is... the next one.
Please review, it makes me happy!
Chapter 6 : Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū
Naruto and Haku ran side by side, behind Zabuza. After Zabuza had returned with them to base a month ago, They had moved from the Earth country to a new place, the Land of Sugarcane. Here, after three weeks, they had been informed that a client wanted to approach them for a mission. The mission had been a simple one. He had wanted his uncle assassinated. His uncle had killed his parents when he was a child to take over the family fortune. Usually, a mission of this level would have been assigned to a chuunin level ninja in the group, but Zabuza had taken this mission himself and had allowed both the boys to accompany him.
Zabuza had told Naruto to run as fast as he could in order to see the progress in his speed. Naruto had managed to increase his speed, but it was still a long way off from Haku's. They had reached their destination in three days, with Naruto trying to go as fast as his body allowed him. Zabuza had nodded satisfied. Naruto's speed was increasing gradually.
As Zabuza had left to complete the assassination, he had told both boys to run around the perimeter of the town to do speed training. He had given Naruto some weights to wear on his legs and arms. After the mission had been completed, Zabuza had returned and after day's rest, told them to follow him as he took off in a different direction than their way back, Naruto's weights still on.
After a while, curiosity got the better of Naruto and he asked, " Ne-ne Zabuza-sensei, where are we going?"
Zabuza didn't bother looking back and replied, "Someplace where I need to get some things to make you a better ninja."
Naruto almost burst with excitement at this knowledge. He bombarded Zabuza with questions until Zabuza threatened to tie and gag him for the rest of the way. Finally, they reached a small town.
"Stick close to me, both of you. This is a town that is famous for its lawlessness. This village lies in a contested land between the land of Flowers and the land of Cotton, neither country has a shinobi village, just a few separate shinobi clans so they can't deal with this town. This makes it a haven for nukenin. Many will attack you if you even look at them wrong and I am not in the mood to save you from them."
"Hai, Zabuza-sama."
"Where are we going, sensei?"
"To see an old acquaintance of mine. Now shut up."
The three of them walked on as Naruto and Haku looked around them. Even the streets of the town were filled with shinobi with different headbands. Many had symbols that Naruto had never seen. Naruto was very interested and wanted to ask questions but he refrained as he caught Zabuza-sensei's frown. Naruto bumped into Zabuza as the man stopped but the boy continued forward.
"Watch it, gaki" Zabuza growled at the boy.
"Sorry-sorry, I was too busy looking around and I didn't notice you had stopped, sensei." Naruto said as he grinned. He glanced at the window where a 'CLOSED' sign was displayed. Zabuza disregarded the sign as he tried the door. It was open .Zabuza grinned as he entered the little shop. As soon as he had entered, a kunai flew towards him. Zabuza stopped it by inserting his finger in the ring at the end of the handle. No sooner had he done this when a lilac blur dropped from above and slashed a tanto towards his head. Zabuza used the kunai he had caught to put up a small defense as he launched himself into the air, twisting to swing his leg to the head of the lilac figure who ducked and let the leg pass over the head. Both figures jumped back to opposite corners of the shop. The other figure threw a round of shuriken at Zabuza. Zabuza deflected them all, but didn't retaliate.
Naruto, who had followed his sensei into the shop stood with his mouth open as he saw that the figure who had attacked his sensei was, in fact-
"A Girl?" Naruto said, stating the obvious. The woman in the lilac kimono glanced at the boy and then back at Zabuza. Naruto was impressed that his sensei knew such a pretty woman. The woman had a dark violet shade of hair, some of which she had fixed in a very pretty hair clutch on the top of her head and the rest flew down her shoulders in waves.
"Well-well. If it isn't the Demon of the Mist himself. To what do I owe the pleasure?" the woman drawled slowly.
Zabuza scowled as he let his kunai come down. "I just came to take what I left with you long ago. Where is it?"
The woman's eyes widened as she looked at Zabuza. "Are you serious? " She asked. As Zabuza nodded, she said, "I never thought this day would come."
"A week ago, neither did I. But it has. So, once again I say this; Where is it?" Zabuza said to the woman.
"In a safe place." The woman answered as she looked at the two boys standing in the doorway. She lowered her tanto as well. "Come inside, and shut the door."
Both boys walked in and Haku closed the door behind him. The woman walked into a doorway and motioned them to follow her. All three followed her into what turned out to be a sitting room of sorts. It had a small table in the middle and cushions were placed around it.
"Sit." She said as she moved into an adjoining kitchen. Naruto and Haku sat down as they heard utensils being displaced. Zabuza remained standing. In a minute or so, the woman returned with four steaming cups of tea and some small snacks.
"So, which one of them is the unfortunate one?" she asked as she sat down as well. Zabuza did not bother to answer.
"Who is what, sensei?" Naruto asked, interested. "And who are you?"
The woman looked at the blonde with the strange clan markers who called the feared man his sensei. "An old friend of your sensei's, gaki."
"Cool. I've never met any of sensei's friends before." Naruto chirruped happily as he picked up a few snacks and stuffed his mouth.
"That's because I don't have any." Zabuza glared at the woman who smiled back at him.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto- dattebayo." Naruto said as raised his hand as if he was in a classroom.
"And I'm Haku. Nice to meet you." Haku said softly as he bowed slightly to the woman.
The woman turned to them and nodded as she said, "I'm Hozuki Yuna. Nice to meet you too."
"Ne-ne Yuna-chan, who is unfortunate?" Naruto asked as he took another handful of snacks. All that running had increased his appetite.
Yuna smiled at the boy and nodded towards Zabuza as she said, "That is what I'm asking your sensei, gaki."
"There is no one." Zabuza said as he narrowed his eyes at the woman, trying to shut her up. "I'm just here to take something that is mine. It doesn't mean anything."
Yuna leaned onto the table and supported her chin in her palms. She looked at Zabuza meditatively.
"What?" Zabuza growled.
"If it didn't mean anything, you wouldn't be here. The very fact that you want it back is evidence that you have decided."
"I haven't." Zabuza glared at the woman. The woman realized that she had been staring a little disbelievingly and looked away before Zabuza took offense. Picking a fight with the Demon of the mist wasn't on her to-do list.
"AAHHHHH!"
Both grown-ups turned their head to look at a very hassled blonde who was tearing his hair out. "I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, DATTEBAYO. IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!"
Yuna chuckled and Zabuza sighed. Yuna looked back at Zabuza and said, "Just tell me that it isn't him."
Zabuza said nothing as he continued to look at Naruto. It made Yuna's face become a bit serious. "It is him, isn't it?"
"Maybe." Zabuza said finally.
"WHAT? WHAT? WHAT – DATTEBAYO?" Naruto almost burst a vein.
"Calm down, gaki." Yuna said to Naruto and pushed the plate of snacks towards the blonde. "Here, have some more."
"But I want to know." Naruto whined. He still picked up a fistful of snacks though, he was hungry after all.
"Fine, Fine. I'll tell you." Yuna said as she sighed and looked at the blonde. "You're sensei is here for a sword that he left with me many years ago."
Naruto took in this information and frowned. "But, why? He already has a kick ass sword, why does he want another one?" Naruto asked.
Yuna smiled at the boy as Zabuza sighed again. "You are quite the curious one aren't you, gaki?"
Naruto smiled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head. "Heh-Heh. I guess."
"Before answering that question, I must ask you one of mine." Yuna chuckled at the boy's response. "What do you know about the Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū?"
Naruto looked at the woman in surprise. He had heard something like that before. He tilted his head to a side and crossed his arms across his chest as he tried to concentrate. After a short while, he shook his head.
"Nope, I don't remember." Naruto declared, causing Haku to face palm. The boy had told the blonde about their sensei many times.
Zabuza shook his head as Yuna chuckled at the reaction of the other two ninja. She looked at the blonde who was again smiling sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. It was a habit it seemed.
"Well, then I'll need to tell you about it first, gaki. Sit up and listen closely." She said. Naruto instantly sat up and paid attention. He had a feeling this was something he did not want to forget. Slowly, Yuna began.
"During the era of the clans, before the hidden village system was established, three clans existed in the water country, which raised exceptional swordsmen- The Hozuki clan, The Hoshigaki clan and The Hokizumi clan. These clans were always at odds with each other, claiming that their clan's swordsmen were the best. During the founding of the Mist, each of these clans were sent invitations to join. Each of the clan was opposed to the idea of joining the village with their enemy. All three clans were formidable and would have been valuable additions to the village, so the man who would later become Shodai Mizukage decided on a plan." Yuna told Naruto. Even Haku listened as this was a story he had not heard before. Zabuza-sama was not known to be a great conversationalist. Whatever the boy had found out, he had pieced together from what he had learned from the other mist ninja in the group. Naruto listened, engrossed.
"He asked for a peaceful meeting with the heads of all the three clans. In that meeting, he proposed a tournament. A tournament to decide the best swordsmen, irrespective of the clans. Each clan head boasted that their ninja were the best and agreed. According to the plan, in six months, the tournament would take place, coinciding with the inauguration of Kirigakure no Satō, when many leaders of countries and clans would be present. Each clan would make two swords for the tournament using their own clan's forgers, with no two swords being the same. This would be testament to their knowledge of sword forging and kenjutsu. One sword would be made by all three clans together. This was meant to be a testament to their versatility, to be able to make a sword in conjunction with other masters. However, no participating swordsman was allowed to even see or hear the properties of the swords as it would give them an unfair advantage over the others who were not from the three clans." Yuna continued. Naruto was so enthralled that he didn't even bother to nod now.
"The Hokizumi clan forged the Nuibari and the Kabutowari. The Hoshigaki clan forged the Hiramekarei and the Shibuki. The Hozuki clan forged the Kiba and the Kubikiribōchō. The sword that all three clans forged together was the great sword Samehada. These swords were made by the greatest masters of the age. They used many a Hijutsu and Kinjutsu in the making of these swords. As these swords were different and more powerful than regular swords, these swords were given the name: Tenken." Yuna continued. Zabuza also came and sat down next to his students. He had heard this story before from his own master, but he enjoyed the history of his sword, so he listened again as well.
"In the tournament, the swordsmen were allowed to bring their own personal swords and the Tenken were kept in the middle of the arena, where anyone could pick them up. The reason behind this was that only those who could properly wield the Tenken they had never used before and survive against swordsmen who had practiced for years with their swords, would be the best. The tournament was long and bloody. Many died, but it was the price paid to create history. The actual result is not relevant, but in the end, those seven who had won were given the title of Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū,i.e The Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of the Mist. Since then, the wielder of each of the swords has chosen a disciple and trained him to carry on the blade to the next generation." Yuna smiled at Naruto whose blue eyes were shining. "Your sensei was trained by my father to become the next of the Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū."
"Wow." Naruto exclaimed as he rocked in his cushion in excitement. "I always knew that sensei was awesome, but this is even more amazing." He turned to Zabuza and said, "Why didn't anybody tell us that you were a part of this super cool team of elite swordsmen, sensei?"
Zabuza felt his hand itch as Haku interrupted. "Actually, Naruto-kun, I did tell you, only not in such an interesting way. Obviously you do not remember." He smiled at his friend.
"Is that so?" Naruto rubbed his head and grinned. "I'm sorry, but I really do not remember."
"It's okay Naruto-kun. I do not mind." Haku returned a smile to his friend.
Yuna smiled at the older boy's response. She guessed it was a boon that the blonde had a friend who had the patience of Rikudo Sennin himself. It was a miracle that Zabuza hadn't killed this one yet. She turned and saw Zabuza clenching and unclenching his fist. Well, maybe he still may. Zabuza felt her gaze and looked to her.
"What?"
Yuna smiled and said, "Nothing, it's just that you have learned to be more patient."
Zabuza didn't bother to comment.
"But Yuna-chan, you still haven't answered my question." Naruto interrupted the grown-ups.
Yuna glanced at the blonde. For all the buffoonery, the brat was sharp. It really hadn't been her purpose to distract him but she wouldn't have been surprised if he had been. He was a little kid, all kids loved stories on old legends.
"Your right, gaki, I haven't. I'm getting to it now. Have patience." Yuna said to the energetic boy.
"You sound just like Iruka-sensei." Naruto grinned at the woman.
"Whose Iruka-sensei?" Yuna asked. She wondered if Zabuza had picked up some new followers over the years. Then she noticed that the boy had lost the light in his eyes as he fell silent. It looked like a sensitive subject. Perhaps this 'Iruka' guy had died.
"He was my teacher at the academy." Naruto answered softly.
"What academy?" She didn't remember any Iruka in the mist academy, but then she had been gone for a long while. Almost as long as Zabuza. The boy's answer managed to shock her.
"Konoha Ninja Academy." Naruto replied, getting a little of his shine back.
Yuna turned swiftly to Zabuza, but he sent her a 'Not now, later' look and she refrained from asking anything then.
"So, anyways, why does sensei need another sword if he has the awesome and strong Kubikiribōchō?" Naruto persisted.
Yuna again noticed the blonde's attention to what he wanted to know, in spite of the fact that he just gave off the clown vibes.
"Yeah, yeah gaki, I'm getting to it. You were the one who interrupted last time." Yuna scolded Naruto, who just blinked. "So, where was I? Yes, Each wielder of the sword chooses a successor. Since these blades are different from normal swords, it is useless to teach their disciples using normal swords. So, after the mist village was formed, the masters who had forged the original swords, forged another, smaller set of six swords, one for each except the Samehada, as that sword chooses its wielder by itself. These swords weren't the same as the Tenken, but were similar enough that they would allow the disciple to begin his training and progress until his master let him practice with the real Tenken. These swords were called Deshi no Ken- The Disciple's Sword. Your sensei left the Kubikiribōchō's Deshi no Ken with me when he left the Mist village. It seems he wants it back. Does that answer your question, gaki?"
"Yeah it does." Naruto grinned happily and he resumed eating the snacks. Yuna waited for a few seconds but the blonde kept eating. Finally, her patience snapped and she asked, "Well, aren't you curious?"
"COO' us bouuaat?" Naruto said, his mouth stuffed with salted pork pieces. He quickly swallowed and said, "Sorry. I meant, curious about what?" Naruto looked at the woman as Yuna made a bemused expression. Perhaps she had been too quick to judge him to be sharp.
"Well, about the fact that if your sensei decided to come all the way here for the Deshi no Ken, he must be thinking of taking a disciple." Yuna explained.
Naruto's eyes widened as the information he had heard was processed. He turned to look at Zabuza and then back at Yuna. "Of course! How could I not think that. I am so stupid." He said as he held his head in his hands.
Zabuza snorted and said, "You can say that again."
"Hey!" Naruto defended his pride.
"You said it yourself, gaki." Zabuza threw back at the blonde. Naruto considered it and said, "I take it back, then."
"Oho!" Zabuza said as grabbed hold of Naruto's head. "What happened to 'I swear on my pain that I will never go back on my word', eh gaki?"
Naruto was surprised as he asked, "How do you know about that, sensei?"
Yuna saw a small flash of self-admonition pass through Zabuza's face before he smirked and replied, "The hunter was gloating about how he knocked you out right after you made a declaration like that." He lied smoothly. Yuna could see clearly that Zabuza was not being truthful. Another thing that she would ask him when they were alone.
"Ne-ne sensei, are you going to take a disciple?" Naruto asked his sensei. Zabuza considered the question for e few moments before he said, "I'm not sure. Maybe. If I find someone worthy enough." Zabuza said as he smirked inwardly. He knew what the blonde's reaction would me.
True enough, Naruto jumped up, almost knocking the table aside. He raised his hand and did small jumps as he said excitedly, "Ooh me,me,me!" Naruto continued to bounce as Zabuza and the others tried to keep a straight face, "Pick me, pick me. I want to be a disciple."
Zabuza regarded him with a frown as he said, " Why you, gaki? You can't even focus you chakra without hand seals."
Naruto said defensively, "I can do it with half seal now. Haku says that I'll be able to do it in a few more days."
Zabuza gave him a scary grin and said, "Maybe I should ask Haku to become my disciple, then. After all, he is fast and strong. He has a kekkei-genkai."
Normally, Haku would have refused this offer. Swords were not his style, but right now, he could see what Zabuza-sama was trying to do. So, instead, he said, "I will be honored to be your disciple, Zabuza-sama."
"Oi, no fair. He has trained longer than me. If I trained like him, I would be even stronger, dattebayo." Naruto said as he looked between Haku and Zabuza. Haku had to try very hard to control his laughter. It was another thing he had noticed. He had been laughing a lot more after Naruto's arrival. So had Zabuza-sama.
Zabuza looked at the blonde's challenging glare. He leaned back into a relaxed pose as he said flippantly, "All talk, boy."
"No, dattebayo. I mean it." Naruto argued back, folding his arms over his chest.
Zabuza leaned a little forward and said in a low voice, "Prove it."
Naruto's face showed clearly that he was a little surprised.
"Um- How?" Naruto looked at his sensei and at his friend.
"Kirigakure no jutsu is a basic technique known to all of the mist shinobi. Many of Kubikiribōchō's attacks require the mist. If you can learn and do this jutsu in three days, I might consider you for the position." Zabuza leaned back. Yuna looked at the bandaged ninja in surprise. If she had heard correctly, the blonde had barely begun his shinobi training. There was no way that the boy could do the jutsu in three days.
"FINE!" Naruto yelled as he pointed his finger to his teacher. "I'll do it in two days, then you'll see how awesome I am and you'll have to make me your disciple."
Zabuza scoffed. "Yeah right." Then he turned serious as he said to Naruto, "But if you fail, I will never let you be my disciple, no matter how strong you get in the future. Do you understand?"
"Damn right I do." Naruto made a comical pose as he brought his hands to his waist and puffed out his chest. He beckoned his friend. "Come on Haku, let's begin."
"There is a small water garden in my back yard where you can practice." Yuna said and Naruto turned to her with eager eyes. He quickly bounded to her and gave her a quick hug, "Thank you, Yuna-chan", before dashing out.
After both boys had left and were out of earshot, Yuna turned to Zabuza.
"So, what's his story?"
Zabuza didn't pretend to not understand. He settled into a more comfortable position on the floor and stretched one of his leg out until he was half lying- half sitting.
"He ran away from his village. He was an orphan and a disliked one at that, for whatever reasons. He played a small prank on his academy teacher, some other guy than this Iruka character, to avenge some unfair treatment and the guy lost it. Went all psycho on the brat's ass. Tried to fry him with a Katon jutsu. The kid was scared and he legged it into Earth country. Haku found him passed out in the middle of the grass fields. Convinced me to take the boy with us and tend to him until he was up and about."
Yuna listened as she saw some familiarity in the boy's life and the life of the man sitting before her. She nodded for him to continue.
"When he woke up after two days, Haku and him got talking. Turns out the kid wanted to become a shinobi. Haku managed to talk me into taking him in." Zabuza lied to protect Naruto's status as a jinchuuriki. Yuna accepted his story without any questions. However, she did ask one unrelated question.
"Considering all that, don't you think the condition you set up for him is too harsh? He is just beginning his shinobi training isn't he? What will you do when he fails? For that is what will happen. There is no way that he can do it." Yuna asked Zabuza, her face a mixture of worry and curiosity.
"That's what you said for the task your father set for me." Zabuza reminded her.
Yuna made a face as she remembered. She tried to smack him upside the head but he leaned back to avoid the blow even though she didn't complete her motion. She stopped as she realized what she was doing and looked at Zabuza. Zabuza frowned as he saw the small fear in her eyes as she looked away.
"You almost lost your arms trying to do that. It was a miracle you were able to continue to be shinobi after that."
Zabuza let his head back and laughed. The sound would have made many a genin and chuunin wet their pants. Yuna, however was not pleased. "Miracles don't happen again and again."
Zabuza stopped laughing and looked at Yuna. Yuna was shocked to see the solemn expression in Zabuza's eyes. She had never seen the Demon of the mist with such an expression.
"If it were someone else, I wouldn't expect anything either, but it is Naruto we are talking about. The boy is like me, in some respects. He knows the pain of loneliness. He has felt in his heart, the burning anger that just wants to burn everything in its path." Zabuza said with candor. Yuna had already known of his past, so he didn't feel the need to be emo about it.
Yuna had been privy to Zabuza's past as during his training under her father, Zabuza had stayed in the small shed in their garden ever since he had been thirteen until he moved out at the age of seventeen. She had found later that this had been an upgrade in accommodations for the little boy that every one called names like demon and killer after the incident in the genin exams. Behind his back, of course. No one had dared to say it to his face anymore.
But, to say that Yuna was surprised would be an understatement. Never, in her many years with Zabuza and her memory, had Zabuza ever talked about his life. Zabuza was always cold, distant, angry and cruel. Even when he had tried to be nice to his master's daughter when he was younger, he had an empty look in his eyes. After he had gotten older, Zabuza had completely become what he had been called ever since he was a child, a Demon.
"He thirsts for acknowledgement. He understands the only way to get that is to be strong. He would jump in the burning pits of hell before he gives up trying to gain recognition. Either that or burn the world around him to form his own hell." Zabuza continued.
"Like you." Yuna said. She even managed to surprise herself as the words left her mouth. She would never have dared to say these words normally, but she could sense that Zabuza wouldn't react.
"Yes." Zabuza said as he reached up to undo his Hitai-ate. He sunk lower to the floor and lay down. "He will do it in two days, just like he said. If he doesn't, then he is not the man I think he is. Just you wait."
It was already three hours since Naruto had started trying to master the Kirigakure no jutsu. There was still no progress.
"DAMN IT!" Naruto cursed loudly as he couldn't manage to even feel the moisture in the water garden. Haku sighed at his friend's frustration. He walked over to Naruto's side and sat down next to him.
"You must be calm to perform this jutsu Naruto-kun. The water element is an easy element to use if you concentrate hard enough." Haku advised his friend. "You must feel your chakra mixing with the water in the garden."
"I know all that, dattebayo. But I can't feel my chakra as soon as it leaves my body." Naruto complained. Naruto huffed and fell back onto the ground and raised his arms above his head. "This is as far as I can feel my chakra." He extended his arms completely in front of him. " As soon as it crosses this distance, I can't follow it anymore."
Haku nodded as he understood the boy's problem. Naruto had barely begun to feel chakra in his own body. Naruto had managed a unique form of henge where he layered his chakra inside his body rather than outside it to change it physically rather than layer an illusion over himself. It may have been because of his inability to use genjutsu or because he still couldn't draw chakra out of his body. Likewise, he still hadn't perfected his Kawarimi jutsu. Another use of Kawarimi was that it taught the ninja to spread out their chakra outwards to mark the object they were going to replace themselves with.
"Perhaps we are going about this wrong, Naruto-kun." Haku offered as he too lay down next to Naruto. "We are trying to walk before we have learned to crawl."
Naruto made a confused face. "I can walk just fine, Haku. It's this jutsu that I'm having trouble with."
Haku chuckled. "It is a way of saying something Naruto-kun. I am not talking about actually walking and crawling."
"What are you saying, then? I don't understand." Naruto was still confused.
"Tell me Naruto-kun. Why didn't you start learning Kawarimi before last week?" Haku folded his hands behind his head and gazed at the evening clouds.
"What good would that be? I couldn't even mold chakra, how could I do Kawarimi?" Naruto asked his friend. He couldn't understand where Haku was going with this.
"Exactly Naruto-kun. Molding chakra was like crawling for a little baby. Until he learns to crawl, he cannot walk." Haku explained.
Naruto understood as he said, "And Kawarimi is walking. Until I learned chakra molding, I couldn't have done Kawarimi, no matter how hard I tried."
"Yes."
"So you are trying to say that I need to master Kawarimi to do Kirigakure no jutsu?" Naruto turned to look at his friend beside him. Haku smiled as he nodded his head.
"You see Naruto-kun, Kirigakure no jutsu doesn't use any hand seals. It just focuses the chakra extended from the body to manipulate the moisture in the air or in the surroundings to condense and form a mist. That is why the better you are at handling your spiritual energy, the better the mist is formed. This jutsu relies on your focus and ability to manipulate your chakra outside of your body." Haku explained to the blonde. "And Kawarimi jutsu is based on reaching out with your chakra to an object to mark it and then replace yourself with it by exchanging places. This jutsu will allow you to extend your chakra to some distance outside your body."
Naruto thought for a minute before grinning and exclaiming.
"Let's start then, Haku. I'll finish it by tonight."
Haku smiled at the blonde's conviction and energy as Naruto jumped up and brought his hand together to form the Ram seal.
Soon, Naruto began exchanging positions with Haku. After a while, Haku would move farther. Whenever he did this, Naruto wouldn't be able to replace with him for quite a while. It was night by the time Naruto could successfully swap places with Haku from anywhere in the back yard.
Yuna watched the blonde work himself to exhaustion, a fire burning in his eyes. She had originally come to call the boys in for dinner but on seeing Naruto trying so hard, had stopped to watch. That had been over twenty minutes ago. She felt someone approaching her from behind. She didn't react because she recognized it to be Zabuza. Without turning, she said.
"He sure tries hard enough."
Zabuza grunted. "That's the way he learns. Through his body."
"I don't think I should interrupt them." Yuna mused.
"Just leave something on the table for them. They'll come in if they are hungry." Zabuza said, turning. He went back into the house.
Yuna stood on the steps to watch as the boys celebrated the blonde's progress. She had to agree with Zabuza. Maybe the kid could do it after all. She watched that they were ready to begin again as the black haired boy explained the blonde how to focus on the water in her garden.
"Extend your chakra into the water, as if you were about to replace yourself with it using Kawarimi. Now, in using Kawarimi, you use a very less amount of chakra. But, this time try pouring your chakra into the water and concentrate on it. Feel it mix with the water. Once you manage to do that, we will try condensing it. Now start."
"Okay." Naruto grinned and sat down. He formed the Ram seal and started to concentrate. Yuna turned back to go in as she knew that there would be no progress for quite a while. Although Haku had made it sound easy, it was difficult in the beginning. The chakra easily broke off into small lumps in the water and was difficult to focus on. Later on it became as easy as breathing, but for beginners, it was the most difficult step in Kirigakure no jutsu.
Meanwhile, true to Yuna's prediction, Naruto was having trouble trying to mix his chakra with the water. As soon as he poured his chakra into the water, the chakra started to move without his control and he lost connection with it. Naruto persevered. At midnight, he began to be able to stop chakra from breaking off if he concentrated very hard, but if he did that he couldn't mix his chakra. Naruto decided to ask for help. He turned around to look for Haku and found him asleep on the veranda. Naruto felt guilty as he remembered that the boy had been up late with him for the past two days.
I guess I'll just try harder. I'll ask him in the morning. Naruto returned to his practice. From a window, Zabuza watched the boy make the Ram seal again.
It was five in the morning when Haku woke up. The first thing he noticed was that Naruto was sitting in the exact same spot he had been when Haku had decided to close his eyes for a second. Haku rubbed his eyes as he sat up, taking in the fact that he had slept the whole night. He had been pretty tired. He stood up and walked up to his friend. Naruto was focusing so hard that he didn't even sense Haku beside him and thus, when Haku tapped his shoulder, he jumped a foot in the air.
"AAAGGHHHHH!"
"It's me Naruto-kun ." Haku quickly told the boy. Naruto took in a breath of relief.
"You scared me, Haku. Don't sneak up on people like that." Naruto sat back down.
"I didn't sneak up on you. You were merely too focused on your task to notice me."
"Oh. I guess that makes sense." Naruto grinned.
"So, how are you faring?" Haku asked.
Naruto grinned as he looked up to the black haired boy, "I can stop my chakra from breaking off now. I can follow my chakra throughout the water garden now without losing any of it."
Haku's eyes widened as he saw the faint blue glow in the water. The garden was by no means small. To be able to follow chakra in such a vast network, Haku glanced at his friend. Naruto was still grinning happily.
"I managed to follow my chakra without concentrating too hard around three in the morning. I didn't know the next step so I stated to see how far I could go. Around a few minutes ago I finally followed my chakra in the entire garden. That was what I was doing when you scared me." Naruto told Haku.
"Why didn't you wake me when you completed the first stage?" Haku asked.
"You were sleeping so peacefully, so I decided to practice until you woke up." Naruto rubbed the back of his head.
"Why didn't you sleep for a while as well?"
"I can't. I only have two days to show Zabuza-sensei that I am worthy to be his disciple." Naruto shook his head. He had a fire in his eyes as he stood up. "Let's start the next phase Haku."
Haku was amazed at Naruto's stamina. The boy had always shown great stamina but to be able to mold chakra throughout the night and be ready for more. What kind of chakra reserves did the blonde have?
"Very well, Naruto-kun." Haku splashed his face with some water from the garden and straightened up. "Now that you have managed to mix your chakra in the water without losing it, concentrate on the chakra and try to raise it out of the water with a little water still clinging to it. This chakra will spread in the surrounding to form a mist. The better you control the chakra, the better your mist is."
Naruto nodded and he closed his eyes and started to concentrate. Out of the corner of his eyes, Haku saw a curtain shift back a little. Haku smiled to himself. It seems Zabuza-sama was awake as well. Haku formed a half seal and he vanished in a swirl. He appeared next to the window.
"Good morning, Zabuza-sama."
"Hmpphh"
Haku waited.
"How's he doing?" Haku heard Zabuza say, after a while.
"Quite well, in fact. He spent the whole night practicing." Haku informed his teacher. He then added as an afterthought, "He can spread his chakra into the entire garden. He has been doing it all night."
Zabuza heard the slight questioning tone in Haku's voice.
"He has the deepest reserves I have seen." Zabuza said to the boy. "It could be because of his beast, or it could be because of genetics. If I had to guess, I'd say it was both, if he is a genuine Uzumaki. They were known for their life force and great chakra along with their sealing arts."
Haku nodded.
They watched as the water surface barely shimmered before Naruto stopped concentrating with a gasp. Haku returned to Naruto's side.
"It's too hard." Naruto panted, sweat dropping from his brows.
Zabuza saw Haku trying to find the fault in the blonde's jutsu. He let the curtain fall as he went inside. He went back to the room Yuna had given him and the boys, even though they hadn't spent any time in it. He picked up the scroll that stored the Deshi no Ken. Yuna had given it to him last night. She had kept it in a special dimensional lock scroll. That was why Zabuza hadn't been able to summon the scroll using the seal on his arms. He hadn't wanted to come here. Seeing her again brought up memories that Zabuza would rather forget. He glanced at the wall beyond which Yuna must be sleeping. Zabuza picked up the scroll and decided to go out into the town to find someone to cheer up his mood. Nothing like beating up some punks to get the day going.
Zabuza grinned as he leapt out of the window.
It was ten in the morning when Zabuza sat near a pile of ninja, some groaning, some passed out. He was copying the entries from their bingo book into his own. After he had left the village, the only way of updating the bingo book was to look into the bingo books of newer missing nins or the ones who hunted for bounty. While there was a feeling of camaraderie amongst most missing nin, Zabuza disliked punks who went around behaving like they were the biggest badasses around. So, he thought it his duty to teach them a lesson in humility and probably in survival. It was good for them to realize that they weren't as good as they thought they were. It just might save them from getting killed by Hunter nin that they would foolishly underestimate while overestimating themselves. If Zabuza took all their money in return, it was still a good deal for them. At least he left them were alive, which was more than that can be said for Hunter nin.
Zabuza had been pleased to hear that the Mist had increased the bounty on his head by a quarter of a million ryo. Another new mist nukenin had told him that things were starting to look bad for the fourth Mizukage after the beginning of the regime of the new Mizu Daimyo. Of his fellow swordsmen, Hoshigaki Kisame had left too, albeit in much more style than Zabuza had managed. He had killed the previous Daimyo that had been just a puppet in the Mizukage's hands. Zabuza was a bit disgruntled to notice that Kisame had been ranked as a S-rank, unlike Zabuza, who was ranked A-rank. Perhaps I should have killed the bloody Daimyo instead of going after a God- damned Jinchuuriki Kage.
He finished the last bingo book before tossing it into the pile of ninja next to him.
"Well then boys. Until next time." He grinned spookily at them and vanished.
When Zabuza reached Yuna's shop, he noticed the slight haze surrounding it. He walked in to find Yuna in an irritated mood. She rounded up on Zabuza as soon as he entered.
"YOU…You and your damn brats. How am I supposed to do business if no one can see my shop?"
"Stop ranting, woman. What happened ?" Zabuza frowned at the violet haired woman.
"Your student is what happened." Yuna huffed. She gestured him to follow her as she turned her sign to 'CLOSED'.
"Where are they?"
"The long haired one is training and the blonde is passed out in the yard. See for yourself."
Zabuza walked into the backyard to find it shrouded in a heavy haze, with Haku going through his kata and Naruto lying limp on the verandah. What truly caught his attention was the fact that almost all of the water in the water garden had vanished.
"Oh, and by the way, you better refill my garden before you leave. I don't want to spend the next week doing water jutsu to get it back the way it was." Yuna prodded him in the ribs.
"No way!" Zabuza looked on, shocked as he tried to find words.
"The gaki," Yuna pointed at the limp form of Naruto, "somehow managed to turn the entire water into a mist." The woman informed the mist nukenin. "There I was, just opening my shop when suddenly, a heavy mist started to roll out of the backyard. It covered THREE freaking houses. On EACH side. And the ENTIRE street in front of my shop. I had to listen to complaints from my cranky old neighbor who just loves to go on and on about how things were done in his days. My best customer ran into the pole in front on my shop. Another rammed into him as he was leaving the shop. I had to give them both a discount. Finally, I had to pay some guy to use wind techniques to blow the damn mist away before someone died or broke my shop's windows trying to come in." Yuna glared at the blonde. "Then as I came in to give him a piece of my mind, he just kneels over. I had to pick him up and bring him onto the verandah. He would have caught a cold on the moist ground."
Zabuza went over to his new disciple and nudged him with his foot.
"Hmmm….. No Sakura-chan… Hee hee….. Jiji will find out…. Hhmmmmm….hee hee. It tickles, Sakura-chan. We souldn't be doing this." Naruto rolled over.
"What the hell is he dreaming about?" Yuna exclaimed, her ears going red. "How old is he?"
Zabuza watched Yuna as the heat slowly made its way up to her cheeks.
"Old enough, it seems." Zabuza said, amused. "Come on, let's go for drinks."
"Why?"
"Celebrating me taking on an apprentice."
"It's ten in the morning."
"So what? Plenty of people drink in the morning."
"But my shop-"
"You've already closed it."
Yuna tried to think up another reason, but failed.
"Fine."
Zabuza turned to Haku and called him over. The boy obediently came to his sensei. Zabuza took out the scroll of Deshi no ken and tossed it to Haku.
"When he wakes up, give this to him. Tell him to keep practicing the Kirigakure jutsu today. I'll treat both of you to dinner tonight, so make sure you don't over exert yourself."
Haku smiled as he caught the scroll. "He'll want ramen."
"He vaporized an entire water garden into mist. He can eat whatever he wants."
Yuna waited as Zabuza gave the long haired boy instructions. If anyone had ever told her that The demon of the Bloody Mist, Zabuza would be treating two kids to dinner, she would have wet herself while laughing herself silly on the floor. Yet here he was, turning back to her to go drinking with her after doing exactly that.
"What was that all about?" Yuna asked as they made their way to the nearest bar.
"I treat them once in a while." Zabuza replied shortly. "A few days after the brat joined, he almost drove the Demon brothers to insanity whining about how he couldn't have ramen anymore. So, I treated him to the noodles to shut him up. I had almost forgotten about the thing, until a month later, he said that it was Haku's turn to decide the food. So to stop him from starting about it, I treated them again. It just kind of became a thing after that."
Yuna chuckled as they reached the bar.
"What?" he asked, frowning.
"Only thinking that if the people in the mist knew that you were treating kids to dinner just to shut them up, they'd have an apoplexy. " Yuna chuckled.
She ordered sake for both of them. They drank a little for hours, remembering and talking about their days in the mist village, until they reached the topic why Zabuza had to leave the village.
"You shouldn't have tried, you know. The Yondaime* wouldn't have gone after you if you had left it well alone." Yuna said softly.
"And let the murder of my master, your father go un-avenged? No. He must- he will pay for that." Zabuza growled as he downed another saucer of warm sake. "Master was the only one who ever showed me kindness. I would have fought an army at his command."
"I know." Yuna commented. "He always looked at you as a son he never had." She looked at the man sitting next to her, swirling his sake cup. "When he became clan leader after his brother's death he wanted an heir to carry on his line. After my mother's passing, he didn't want to marry again. Kami knows enough women would have swooned at his feet had he asked them. Sure, my cousin, Mangetsu, was turning into a fine Shinobi and would have become clan leader, but my father wished it could have been his own bloodline. That's why he pushed you towards me." She said taking another sip from her sake cup. "You were the wielder of Kubikiribōchō, even if the first one who wasn't a Hozuki, the clan couldn't oppose the marriage. You were a swordsman of proven worth, and that was all that mattered."
"Yet you refused when I asked." Zabuza said softly. Yuna continued to gaze at her sake.
"You had become so very cruel, Zabuza." Yuna said after a while. "You took joy in the killings. You scared me. The hate in your eyes when you watched anyone except my father chilled me to the bone. Every time you were near me, I was terrified. I only managed to refuse because my father was in the other room, probably listening. Even when you entered the shop yesterday, I thought you had probably come to kill me. I barely managed to speak at all. If it hadn't been for the the two boys being a distraction, I probably would have turned and ran. The orange jumpsuit managed to calm me down a bit."
Zabuza frowned as he heard this. "I would never hurt you, Yuna."
Yuna smiled. "The you now, probably wouldn't. But ask yourself, Zabuza, three years ago, when you ran, if I attacked you with a tanto, wouldn't you have cut me down without a second thought?"
Zabuza said nothing and chose to ask the bartender for another bottle of sake.
"See? You've changed, Zabuza. If you were this man when you had asked, I could never have refused." Yuna smiled.
"It's the brat." Zabuza spoke. "He brings out the best in everyone. Even those who don't interact with him directly." he sighed. "I've had less cases of the group's infighting ever since he came. His optimism affects everyone."
Zabuza made an angry face and his fist tightened. "I don't know how he does it. How does he remain happy in spite of everything?"
Yuna slid her hand over Zabuza's, looking at him questioningly.
"There is something I haven't told you about the boy." Zabuza said, still tense. "He is a like the Yondaime."
Yuna's eyes widened as she understood what Zabuza was saying.
"He is a jinchuu-?"
"Shhh…" Zabuza warned.
Yuna stopped speaking but looked at Zabuza with wide eyes.
"Yeah. He used to think that he was the beast, in sealed form. His village hated him, shunned him. Yet he remains the happiest child I have ever met. I didn't really think of him as anything other than a tool I would use to bring down Yagura. I didn't even care if he died doing it. That changed when we had a conversation."
"He told me or rather, who he believed to be a hunter nin that he understood me." Zabuza downed another saucer. Yuna didn't understand. "Remember I told you last night that I pretended to attack them as a hunter nin?"
Yuna nodded.
"I tried to demotivate them by saying that I had run away, leaving them to die." Zabuza smiled as he remembered. "He said it was a load of crap. Said that I would be back and kick my hunter nin ass into the ground, because apparently, awesome doesn't even begin to describe me."
Yuna smiled as she imagined the loudmouthed brat yelling it loudly.
"He said he believed in me. I asked him why." Zabuza took a swig.
"He said that he understood me because he had felt the same pain of loneliness in his village. The same anger, that made him want to burn down the ones who looked down on him, who whispered as he passed." Zabuza kept swirling his saucer, but did not take a sip. "I told him about why they call me the Demon. I told him that I had killed many people who had no reason to die. He said that monsters aren't born, they are made. He said that he could have as easily have chosen the same path I had, if it hadn't been for some people who showed him kindness and understanding. It seems the Hokage and he had a special relationship, almost like a grandson-grandfather relationship. The Iruka guy he was talking about earlier, and a few kids who became his friends, were all that kept him sane on days when his mind screamed at him in the quiet."
Yuna listened as she saw that Zabuza deep in thought. It seemed that Zabuza was jumping from his own experiences to Naruto's story interchangeably. Her hold on his hand tightened as her eyes began to water. No one should have to feel what the boy and Zabuza had felt. Zabuza noticed her hand grasping his more tightly and this seemed to bring him out of his reverie.
"He said that he will make sure that I was never alone again. He would follow me to hell even." Zabuza sighed. "I knocked them out after this. While I was trying to take them back, I released the henge and he regained consciousness for a few moments. He wasn't even surprised to see me there. He had believed with all his heart that I would come for them. How can I remain a heartless demon after that, Yuna?" Zabuza turned to his companion. He saw Yuna was crying.
"Hey, what's up with you?" Zabuza grunted and Yuna swatted at his shoulder before pulling him into her arms. Zabuza didn't push back, he let them be. After a while, he mentioned that they should probably head back.
They walked back in silence, each contemplating what had been said by the other.
"Zabuza." Yuna said as they reached her shop.
"Hmmm?"
"Would you consider asking me again?" Yuna asked.
Zabuza sighed and said, "No."
Yuna stiffened for a moment. Then she said, "I understand. My father is no more, so you don't need to follow his instructions."
Zabuza stopped and he grabbed her arm to stop her as she reached for the door. He turned her so that she was facing him. "You little fool." He growled. "You think I asked you to marry me because your father made me?"
Yuna nodded.
"Granted I would have, if he had told me to, but he never did. He didn't say anything other than make it clear that he wouldn't mind if I did ask. You were the only girl who didn't look at me like I was a freak. You never stared at my teeth or avoided me on the streets. I always thought that you were the only bearable girl in the mist village. The very thing that I even thought about you should make it clear that I liked you. I asked you because I didn't see any other woman as my wife but you."
"Then why?" Yuna asked, tearing up again.
"Because I can't ask you to be a part of my life as a nukenin." Zabuza sighed. "You didn't run away. You resigned your commission as a shinobi of the mist. But if you come with me, you will be in danger from the Hunter nin. Lately, the mist has been sending their better ones. I can't ask you to put yourself in danger for my selfish reasons."
"Even if I want to?"
"Even then. But I promise, when I settle down, after Yagura is dead, I will come for you."
Yuna nodded. She reached out for his face and pulled down the bandages. Slowly, she stood on her toes and brought her face closer to his. Then she did something she had dreamed of doing ever since she was a fifteen year old girl.
She kissed Zabuza.
It was heaven, that is until-
"OH MY GOD! WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?"
Both of them jumped and turned to see Haku and Naruto inside the shop, looking at them from the window. Haku had his face averted, ears red. Naruto was looking at them aghast. He was pointing at them. Yuna jumped away from Zabuza as he quickly rewrapped his face. Yuna felt the heat rush to her cheeks.
She looked at Naruto and it was impossible not to laugh. The boy looked like his whole world had shattered. Then Yuna felt an immense amount of gratitude for the boy. He had changed the man she had always loved. He had come as Zabuza's savior from the darkness.
Yuna opened the door and went inside. She dropped to her knees in front of Naruto and pulled him into a hug. He was surprised but didn't ask anything. He just stood and wrapped his arms around her. Perhaps he understood that she needed it or probably he was so starved of hugs that he took all that he got. For the third time, Yuna started crying. This certainly got the blonde's attention.
"Hey What happened?" Naruto asked, looking at the other men for guidance. His gaze rested on Zabuza for a minute as something clicked in his mind.
"I'm sure Zabuza-sensei didn't mean whatever mean thing he said." Naruto tried to soothe Yuna. "He just likes to be mean to look scary. Don't cry."
"Hey!" Zabuza growled.
However, this stopped Yuna's sobs as she started laughing.
"What are you guys doing in the shop?"
"Haku decided that we should stop for the day. So, we came in to watch the stuff you had in the shop." Naruto explained. Yuna nodded as she stood up. Naruto looked up to Zabuza and smiled and said one word. Ok, more like yelled.
"RAMEN!"
Yuna Laughed and Haku smiled as Zabuza shook his head in resignation. "Fine."
Thus, the group of four left the shop in search of a worthy Ramen stand for the disciple of the Demon of the Mist.
Naruto scampered happily with Haku in the front. The two grown-ups followed at a more sedate pace. Yuna looked at the two children and asked, "Why didn't you tell him that he isn't officially a disciple yet?"
Zabuza glanced at the orange blur as well before replying, "We can do the ceremony tomorrow. I'll let him enjoy today. The memory of tonight will help him bear the pain tomorrow."
Yuna nodded and they followed the children into a Ramen Stand.
Translations:
*Yondaime Mizukage. The people of the mist will call him just the Yondaime, instead of Yondaime Mizukage.
Yagura= 4th Mizukage
So... How was it? Would you believe me that when I started this wasn't what I had in mind? Initially, Yuna was supposed to be an old man with a small part, almost no dialogues. Then she turned into an old woman with a few more lines. THEN,she became what you guys read. I didn't even have to think much, she pretty much wrote herself. As for Zabuza's past and the backstory for the Seven Swordsmen, I hope it was satisfactory. I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Some of you may say I'm a softie at heart, so sue me but I am. I have seen enough crap in real life to want to write it in fiction as well.
Anyways, I hope you guys liked it.
Please Review and make a hard working Author Happy :-)