The Younger Sister of Kakashi Hatake
Chapter Six: Zabuza Returns, Haku Appears
"Tree Climbing?!" Naruto and Sakura yelled.
"Yeah." Kakashi replied.
"What kind of training is that?" Sakura asked.
"It sounds boring." Naruto added.
"This isn't normal tree climbing." Kakashi told them. "You'll be climbing without using your hands."
"Sounds like fun!" Naruto yelled.
"How?" Sakura asked as Sasuke had the same questioning look on his face.
"Watch." Kakashi said as he walked towards a tree. I watched as he gathered his chakra and placed a foot on the tree. He was soon walking up the trunk of the tree and was walking upside down on a nearby branch. "Understand now?"
"How did he…" Sakura started.
"He gathered chakra to the base of his feet. That's how he's doing it." I said; which caused everyone to look at me. "Right, Kakashi sensei?"
"Right, Kazumi." Kakashi answered.
"Kazumi!" Naruto and Sakura yelled. Naruto quickly rush towards me and stopped once he was standing right in front of me.
"Kazumi-chan! Are you all right?" he asks.
"Don't worry, Naruto. I'm fine. Thanks for asking though." I assured him as I sent him a smile.
"Wait a minute!" Sakura yelled, causing everyone to look at her. "How is learning how to climb a tree going to make us stronger?"
"To teach us proper chakra control and to increase our stamina." I answered. "It helps us learn how to channel chakra to a specific point. Plus, the bottom of your feet is the hardest point to properly channel and gather your chakra."
"Correct again. Now enough lecturing about it. This is something that you'll have to learn with your bodies." Kakashi said as he threw four kunai knives at our feet. "Use the kunai to mark how high you make it up and try to beat that until you have reached the top of the tree. Also gathering momentum can help. So a running start should do the trick."
"Right." we all said together.
We all took the kunai knives and started running. I got a good ways up before I lost my footing. I quickly mark the trunk, jumped down and landed safely on the ground. I glanced over and saw that I got a slight bit higher than Sasuke, who in turn beat Naruto. But I glanced around and didn't see Sakura.
"Hey! This is too easy."
We all looked up to see Sakura sitting on a branch at the top of the tree. I should have known that she would make it up to the top. After all, she is the smartest of the group. Or so she thought. I quickly got back up and ran forward. For the rest of the day, Naruto, Sasuke and I continued training. Well we actually went in early to eat but came right back out to train more.
Six hours later…
"Phew, I think I'll call it a night for now." Naruto said. "Kazumi-chan, are you coming in?"
"Yeah, I'll be in soon, Naruto." I told him.
I watched as Naruto and Sasuke entering the house. I just sat underneath a tree and stared at the crescent moon that glowed in the dark night sky. I was thinking about calling it a night and start back tomorrow morning with Naruto and Sasuke. I knew I shouldn't strain myself. That was definitely a bad idea.
"Hmm? Kazumi, you're still up?" I quickly looked up to see Kakashi. He slowly walked over and took a seat next to me. I was wondering why he was still up. "I figured you would be asleep by now."
"Yeah, I know. I was about to call it a night anyway." I told him. "So, how are you feeling?"
"I'm getting there." he said with a chuckle. "There's nothing to worry about, all right, Imouto."
"Yeah, right. That's easy for you to say, Onii-chan." I told him. "By the way, once you're fully healed, I owe you one good strike to that head of yours."
"Hmm? Why is that?" he asked.
"Your mission isn't to prove how brave you are! It's to save the bridge builder. Stay on mission." I told him, repeating exactly what he told us early today. "Tell me how the heck we were to stay on mission with you in trouble? After all, you're the one who taught us about leaving a comrade behind is worse than trash."
"Yeah, that's right. I did." He said as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"And to be honest, I rather be trash than to leave you behind." I told him. As I looked at him, my expression softened. "Besides, I could ever leave you behind like that. You're my brother after all."
"I know you wouldn't. Because there's no way I would leave you behind." He replied. "But I'll admit; I'm glad that you and the others stood up to fight. You worked together and we were able to survive that encounter."
"Yeah, you're right. And I'm glad to hear that." I said as I jumped back to my feet. "Now then, we should turn in. We both need to rest, you especially. I know for a fact that you're not back to full strength yet."
"Yeah, I know." He admitted.
I extended both my hands out and took a hold of his arm. I used all my strength to pull him back to his feet. We quietly entered the house and entered our separate rooms. Kakashi shared with Naruto and Sasuke while I shared with Sakura. Within minutes, I was out of it.
One week later…
Sakura, Sasuke, Kakashi and I ate breakfast and went to the building site with Tazuna. Naruto didn't join us. He was still fast asleep, obviously tired from training himself to the point of extreme exhaustion. While we stood there, keeping an eye out for any threats, the area suddenly changes as dense fog suddenly appears around the bridge. To make things worse, it began to thicken.
"Something's wrong, seriously wrong. Where did this fog come from all of a sudden?" I asked.
"I'm not sure, but someone has to be behind this." Sasuke stated.
"Yeah you're right and I have a feeling I know who's responsible for this. But the question is; where are they?" I said.
We stood there in silence as the mist continued to thicken. Sasuke, Sakura and I quickly got into formation to protect Tazuna. Before long, we were all surrounded by clones of Zabuza. Sasuke and I were both shaking as we stared at our opponents.
"Look at that. The boy and the young girl are both shaking again. How pathetic." Zabuza stated.
"We aren't shaking because we're frightened." I started.
"We're shaking from excitement." Sasuke finished.
"Sasuke, Kazumi, go for it." Kakashi sensei instructed.
Without any trouble, Sasuke and I were able to successfully defeat all the water clones. We landed right back in our spots and quickly all of the clones transformed back into small pools of water around us. While we stood there, the real Zabuza finally appeared, and he wasn't alone. With him was the same kid from before. He was still wearing that ANBU mask.
"Zabuza" I growled.
"But, I thought he was dead." Sakura stated.
"Apparently that wasn't the case. That ANBU officer lied to us." Sasuke stated.
"Well, well, well, look what we have here. It's nice to see you all again. Are you ready to die?" Zabuza asks. "Haku, why don't you go and keep the brats busy while the grown-ups play." Zabuza told him.
"Yes, of course, Zabuza." He answered.
Haku quickly disappeared and went right after us. Sasuke and I quickly responded and went on the offensive as well. Meanwhile, Sakura stayed back to protect Tazuna. We went back and forth, as we were both able to block Haku's attacks. But suddenly Haku began using his hand signs. Before we knew it, we were both surrounded by ice mirrors.
"What the, mirrors made of ice." I said.
"Ugh, what is he up to?" Sasuke asked.
"I don't know, but keep your guard up." I told him.
"This attack will be the end of the both of you." Haku said. "Now, I will show you my true speed and power. You won't be able to stop me."
"Sasuke! Kazumi!" Kakashi yelled as he proceeds towards us.
"I don't think so Kakashi. Remember, I am your opponent." Zabuza said as he stopped him.
"Zabuza." Kakashi growled.
"Heh, your brats are dead. That technique Haku is using will kill them and there is nothing you can do to help them." Zabuza told him.
"Get out of my way Zabuza, right now." Kakashi told him.
"Heh, I think not." He answered.
As Sasuke and I stood there inside the ice mirror arena, we kept a close eye on Haku as he entered the ice. We were both standing ready for what he had in store for us. We saw Haku move slightly as he held the needles in his hands. Before we knew it, we were both struck with several hundred needles as they flew pass us. We were being ambushed and were forced to crouch low to the ground. As we tried to protect ourselves, I peeped to my right to see Sasuke struggling to protect himself.
"I have to do something and fast." I thought.
I quickly moved over to Sasuke and pushed him closer to the ground, while I stood over him; protecting him a little. I slowly brought my hands from over me and quickly started using my own hand signs. It was difficult to focus on that and trying not to allow any of Haku's needles to strike a vital point. It took longer than I thought but I was able to perform the hand signs correctly.
"Wind Style, Wind Barrier Jutsu!" I yelled.
Quickly a whirlwind of wind surrounded Sasuke and I as it blocked off the senbons that were aimed right for us. Haku soon stopped the attack, seeing that he wasn't going to be able to pierce through the strong wind attack. As soon as he did, a shuriken came from nowhere and hit Haku's mask, causing him to fall out of the mirror. Our eyes widened as a huge cloud of smoke appeared beside Haku's mirror technique. It could only be one person.
"That idiot…" Sasuke mumbled.
I stopped my wind attack once I saw that the senbon attack had suddenly come to a stop. I soon fell down to one knee and looked to see Naruto had appeared. A small smirk appeared on my face once I saw my teammate.
"About time, Naruto." I said quietly. Taking advantage of the enemy's distraction, Sasuke quickly took out a kunai and threw it at Haku. The boy simply inclined his head backwards, avoiding the weapon. Sasuke curse under his breath.
"I didn't forget about you two." Haku said. "I would have liked for you to just lie there quietly, but I guess I can't expect that. Very well. I'll finish the match with you first." Haku turned away from Naruto and walked towards the mirrors.
"H-Hey!" Naruto complained, not wanting to be ignored.
"Naruto-kun, I'll deal with you later." And with that Haku entered the ice mirror again. Sasuke and I were soon surrounded by several images Haku that appeared inside the mirrors.
"We might have a chance if we attack from inside and Naruto from the outside." Sasuke whispered to me. I just nodded in agreement.
"Hey, I came to help you!" Naruto declared appearing in front of us. Sasuke and I stared at Naruto with 'please-tell-me-he-really-didn't-just-jump-in-here -with-us' looks.
"Hey, you two all right? What's with the faces?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke growled in frustration, "You idiot! If you're a ninja you should be more careful!"
"What's with that attitude? I came to help you!" Naruto justified.
"If you come into the mirrors as well- Damn it. Forget it." Sasuke snapped.
"Idiot? What do you mean by that?" Naruto asked.
Now that Naruto was inside, he was trapped inside with us. So the inside/outside attack was thrown out the window. But now a new question caught my attention. Was there any way for us to destroy these ice mirrors?
"We… We have to get rid of those mirrors." I told them.
"I know, but what can we do?" Sasuke asks.
"I have an idea." Naruto yells.
All of a sudden, Naruto rushes towards Haku, attempting to smash one of the ice mirrors. Just as he was about to attack, Haku jumps out of one of the mirrors and goes straight for Naruto. I saw about five needles aiming for him, so I quickly rushed over and got Naruto out of the way. Even though I was able to get him out the way in time, Haku was able to strike me twice in the leg. I landed carefully and sat Naruto back down on the ground.
"Damn it Naruto, what were you thinking?" Sasuke yelled. "Kazumi, are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. He just got me in the leg." I told him.
"Hmm, even though I was able to hit her, she still moved at an incredible speed." Haku thought.
"Hey, look out!" I cried.
Several needles flew towards us but we were able to avoid them in time. Haku was soon able to hit us all at once, send us flying back a little. As we slowly got up, Haku rushes towards us once more but this time he struck Naruto, sending him farther back from us.
"Naruto!" Sasuke and I yelled.
"Now's my chance." Haku whispered.
Haku quickly exits his mirror and pushes his attack on Naruto. However, Sasuke was able to make it to Naruto in time. He took the hit and was able to throw Haku towards me. I was able to injure Haku with a strong side kick, sending him colliding into one of his mirrors. Haku quickly went back into the mirrors once he got back to his feet. I then turned my attention back onto Sasuke and Naruto.
"Sa….Sasuke?" Naruto said.
"You always have to get in the way Naruto. You, you are such a loser." Sasuke told him.
"But why, why did you protect me?" Naruto asks.
"I don't know why. My body just moved on its own." He told him.
I just sat where I was and saw how Sasuke was standing in front of Naruto in a protective manner. As I looked, I saw Sasuke starting to fall. Naruto quickly sat up fast enough and was able to catch him before he could hit the ground. I quickly got up and rushed over towards them both.
"Sasuke!" I yelled.
"Ha, not so fast." Haku yelled at me.
Before I could get any closer to either Sasuke or Naruto, I had to stop dead in my tracks and jump back to avoid the needles that were coming towards me. I knew I had to continue this fight and I had to protect both of my teammates. I quickly turned back around and resumed my battle with Haku. While I was continuing fighting, Naruto was still holding Sasuke. I dodged and avoided his needles but I was able to steal a glance at the two. Sasuke had yet to move and I knew that Haku would soon target Naruto. I had to do something or else we were finished.