Naurto The Great Kunoichi Part 7

Zabuza lay on a bed, her wounds bandaged. Her apprentice, partner and all-around henchperson Haku stood by her side.

"It was a close call there." The missing-nin stated. "If it had gone on longer, I might have seriously died. I suppose I should thank you, Haku."

"There is no need." The masked ninja replied. "I was just glad to be of service, Zabuza-sama. However, I feel I should tell you that you were being watched."

"I know. Those three.... I don't trust 'em. I think we should keep an eye on them." She groaned in apin. "Do you have anything to help my wounds heal faster?"

Haku bowed. "I shall see what I can find." The masked person left the room.

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Gatou read his accounts, as well as reports on various business deals and goings on. He looked up when Yarou entered.

"Why didn't you assist Zabuza?" He asked irritably.

Yarou made a look of mock surprise. "Why sir! I assure you, I would've helped out had I known that Zabuza was going to have some trouble. As it stood, I had fought she was in control there. It's a good thing Haku has better eyes than yours truly."

Gatou smirked. "That's your excuse? Don't forget, Yarou-san, that I know about the Akatsuki. I'm sure quite a few villages, including the Five Great Villages, would like to know of your group's activities."

The dwarf gasped as the man reappeared behind him, a clawed gauntlet at his throat. The possibly gender-confused man grinned. It was like the grin of a tiger as it was about to rip out the throat of its prey.

"And you should keep in mind, Gatou-san, that you should reserve your threats for when you know the situation. The Akatsuki and my organisation are two seperate entities. In fact, I couldn't care less about what those losers do, as long as it doesn't interfere with my goals."

"But, the cloaks--"

Yarou grinned wider. "A story for another day, my good man. Just remember, you've got nothing on me. So, don't try to irritate me, or we shall see how good your threats do ya."

Gatou visibly relaxed when the non-Akatsuki member had left.

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"Inari, your grandfather's home!"

Inari perked up. He had missed his grandfather terribly since he had left to get help from one of the Great Villages. He ran out of the house, eager to see his grandfather's return.

He stopped. He saw his grandfather, clad as ever in a black T-shirt, grey pants and a sunshade-hat. Beside him walked four girls. The shortest was a girl with short blonde hair that made her look like a boy, and she wore an orange vest (But nothing underneath it) and orange pants. She was talking cheerfully to a girl with long pink hair and a dark red dress. Next to her was another blonde girl, whose hair was longer than the first's and done up in a ponytail. She wore a dark blue or purple shirt and short skirt. Behind them stood a woman with long white hair done up in ponytails, wearing a dark green vest over a black T-shirt with long black pants. Her face was covered up by a black mask, and she wore a headband-looking thing over her left eye.

'Who are these people?' Inari thought.

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Tazuna introduced everyone to his daughter and his grandson, Inari. Inari stared at Naruto, but being careful to hide behind his mother. Naruto was a bit confused by this. She didn't THINK she looked scary, nor did she believe that she had done anything to offend the boy, so why did he stare at her like that?

She shrugged. Kids.

"So, what's up with that guy who attacked Zabuza?" Ino asked her sensei.

"Well," Kakashi began, "he wore an ANBU mask. The ANBU are a special black ops devision, and perform greater espionage than a regular ninja. They take on high level missions, and answer directly to the Hokage. They also ar echarged with the task of ensuring a village's secrets. Example, if someone left the village and became a missing-nin, then the ANBU would track him down, take him out, and dispose of the body so noone would learn their secrets."

Sakura turned green. "Sounds awful."

"Such is the life of a ninja." The Jounin shrugged. "Sometimes it is not pleasant."

"The ANBU are trained to know the body, and are able to paralyse a person without killing them. However, no matter what, that guy was too young to be in the ANBU."

Kakashi nodded. "You're right, Naru-chan. Plus, there was something a little off about him."

"Which you probably saw with your Sharingan." The tomboy smirked.

"And I know how you could tell." Kakashi returned.

"But how could you know?" Sakura asked, almost pleading, getting up from her seat. "That guy's dead. He just HAS to be, right?"

The Jounin and the blonde tomboy glared at the pink-tressed girl, who sat back down, pale.

The table was silent and morose, but then Inari ran over to Naruto.

"Hey!" He said to her, blushing, grabbing her sleeve. "What's your name?"

"N-Naruto Uzumaki." She replied, taken aback.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Not really."

"Then it's settled!" The boy exclaimed, grinning. "I will be your boyfriend."

Kakashi, Ino and Tazuna spat in surprise, grossing out Sakura and annoying Inari's mom. After, they had been eating, rather than drinking.

Naruto was stunned, shocked by the boy's statement.

'H-how am I to win Sakura-chan's heart NOW!?'

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They ninja now stood in the nearby forest, Kakashi standing before her students.

"Now," she began, "is the time for training. Since we're dealing with a strong opponent, I feel it is time to teach you all a new technique."

"What is it?" Ino asked.

"I want you," the white-haired woman said, gesturing over to a bunch of trees, "to walk up the sides of these trees, without using you hands. When you reach the highest you can go, mark it with your kunai, and try to get higher than that."

"How are going to do that!?" Sakura yelled out.

"It's a basic technique." Naruto explained. "It allows the user to walk up walls and on water, and can also be used to strengthen ones chakra reserves as well as the control of ones chakra. With enough practice, it can even be used to strangthen ones abilities. It's quite handy, especially when fighting on a large body of water, like we'll be doing."

Kakashi nodded, smiling. "Correct, Naruto-chan. I must say, you are shaping up to be a surprisingly good student. Now, begin!"

And so, the training had begun.

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After they were done for the day, Naruto had gone tog et some herbs for Inari's mom to use in her cooking. She was glad for it, not wanting to risk a moment with INARI. She was already freaked out enough as it was.

She stopped, gazing over at the cute looking, long-haired girlin the pink kimono.

"Hi." She greeted.

The girl turned, and smiled shyly.

"Hello, and who might you be?"

"Naruto Uzumaki. And you are...?"

"Haku. ....Just Haku."

Naruto noted that the cute girl was picking up some herbs. "And why are you out here, all alone?"

"A traveling partner or mine had gotten hurt in a fight, and I'm grabbing some herbs to help in her recovery."

The blonde nodded in understanding. "She must be very special to ya."

"She is. She is all I have....without her, I am nothing."

Naruto sighed. "I know the feeling. There's this girl I like, but she doesn't know how I feel at all. Not only that, but she's interested in this GUY. But, even I never get her, I would do ANYTHING to protect her."

Haku nodded. "As would I. However, I doubt you would be willing to go as far as I have done for the sake of the one I hold dear."

Naruto nodded, and looked down at the other girl's handiwork. "Need some help?"

"If you would be so kind, I wouldn't mind some assistance." She admitted.

And so, Naruto helped pick some herbs for her new friend.

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Naruto was extremely shocked when, after completing their task, Haku revealed her, well his, secret.

Damn it! WHat was with her and guys today!? And why was a GUY cuter than Sakura!? And why was he dressed like a girl anyway!?

Naruto fainted when Haku gave her a kiss on the cheek, prompting a giggle from the cross-dresser.

"What a cute reaction."

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"Boss," Kusotore whispered, "that's the enemy."

"Indeed." Yarou agreed. "It seems that Ha-kun has taken a liking to the fox-girl. We could use this to our advantage." His lipstic covered mouth broke out into a shark-like grin.

Oh, yes, things were looking up.

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Sorry for the delays. Internet problems, writers block and general unmotivation stopped my progress. Hope you didn't wait too long!

So yeah, I have fleshed out the current appearances of our cast. I changed Naruto's look to seperate her from her canon self. And more and more, she is turning out to be a smart, super Naruto! How do ya guys like this characterization?

Also, who do you think should get together with who? Just curious.

I thought it would be funny if Inari fell for Naruto, and so I followed that course. Of course, nothing will come of it. Naruto is a total lesbian, not ifs, ands or buts about it. Besides, he's too young.

And, after much confusion and frequently asked questions, I finally reveal the surprise: Yarou, Jinchuriki and Kusotore are NOT Akatsuki members. In fact, they're something far more dangerous. Of course, I think I already gave this away, but who cares? And I love how scared Gatou is of Yarou. Hey, that rhymes!

How do ya like my OC villains? They'll get their own, seperate fic after I'm done here. Wait until you see them in action.

I hope ya enjoyed it, and please comment!