Chapter 6: Friend or Foe?
Naruto watched Kakashi sleep. He huddled his legs to his chest and sighed. The door slide open and he looked up to find Sakura and Sasuke. He gave a small smile and continued to watch his sensei. Ramen was beside Naruto lying down in sorrow. Sasuke actually sick of the silence went to tap Naruto. Naruto jumped and looked at Sasuke. "What?" Sasuke wondered why Naruto responded so calmly. Sakura was worried and spoke, "Hey, Naruto? Are you okay? You seem quiet." Naruto laughed softly, "Of course I'm quiet. Did you think I'm not human? I can't be happy all the time." Sasuke sat next to him, "You know dobe, Kakashi-sensei will be fine. Cheer up, you're making Ramen depressed." Naruto smiled a little more, "Heh, I know Kakashi will be fine. I was just thinking about other things." Before Sasuke could respond, Kakashi stirred and got up.
"Wow, I feel like a boulder dropped on my head." Kakashi looked to see two pissed off faces and one blank gaze. "Naruto? Do you need to tell me something?" asked Kakashi seeing the look on Naruto. "Hmm? Oh, I was just thinking. He's alive isn't he?" asked Naruto. Kakashi was stunned, "Yeah. That's why I'll be training you while he isn't here." Sakura looked confused, "Who?" Sasuke turned to her and said, "Zabuza."
"Hey kit. Covering up? Need help?" I need to knock teme out while I fight Haku! Grr! I can't let Zabuza get hit either! "Hello? You're a Kazama? Blood limit?" That's dangerous! Besides can I afford getting hit? Aren't you weak? "… You won't die." Naruto subconsciously rubbed his shoulder were Sasuke once hit him.
"Naruto? Does your shoulder hurt? Or is it a lung?" asked Kakashi seeing him rub. Naruto shook no, "Can we move on? To the training grounds!" Everyone freaked at his sudden perkiness but accepted it.
Somewhere in the forest, Kakashi was staring at his students before smiling, "We are going to climb… TREES!" Everyone's face flautered. After the demonstration, the genin took off. Sasuke tried but because he gave off too much chakra, he flipped and landed on the ground to not fall off the tree.
Naruto panicked because he knew how to do it, so after one second, he cut off his chakra. Damn, I fell on purpose! That hurt!
Soon a kunai hit the ground. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto all looked up to see Sakura smiling from up high on a branch. Kakashi grinned beneath his mask, "Well, it seems the female of the group got this trick down." Sasuke gripped his hand into a fist. Naruto twitched at the comment. Bastard! I'll show you feminine! Ramen yipped. "Now kit, calm down. That man has ichi ichi paridise!" Naruto glared at Ramen as he walked back into Kakashi's lap and read along with Kakashi. I'll kills those perverts!
Sakura got back down sadly. I thought Sasuke-kun would be impressed. Damn! I think I just made him angry! Sakura looked to see Naruto waving and he came over. "Hey, Sakura-chan! You were great! Um, can you help me with the technique?" Sasuke glanced over to see his team mates but shrugged and went to practice. Sakura raised a brow.
Maybe I should help him. He was always nice to me. "CHA! He worships us! Maybe if Sasuke-kun sees us help Naruto, he'll want our help too!" Sakura smiled and nodded.
Days past and Sakura went to guard Tazuna with Ramen while Kakashi was no where to be found during the day. Sasuke and Naruto were competing. Aww, crap. So many bruises! What baka invented my mask? Sasuke was sweating like Naruto. He saw the kunai marks up the tree and saw Naruto was catching up to him. Damn! How does he keep doing that? He's catching up so fast!
Naruto thought too. Okay this time I'll go all the way. No holding back. "Hey dobe." "GWAH!" screamed Naruto as he fell, again. "Teme! I almost had it! What do you want?!" Sasuke turned and Naruto got curious. Sasuke whispered fast but Naruto caught it, "What did Sakura tell you before?" Naruto grinned. I'm gonna mess with him.
"Oh, Sakura-chan? Why do you care? Do you like her? She did seem really nicer than normal." Sasuke twitched, "I don't like her! I thought she gave you advise on this!" Naruto grinned wider, "So the great Uchiha Sasuke needs help?" Sasuke glared, "No, forget you! I'll do this on my own." Naruto looked down, "You didn't let me finish. Yes, you can achieve this on your own, but you'll do it quicker with help and you'll feel better about it. Nothing to be ashamed about." Sasuke raised a brow, but turned to smirk seeing he got what he wanted. Naruto got up and touched his arm and hooked his leg with Sasuke's own.
"What are you doing?!" growled Sasuke. Naruto sighed and fixed his position, "Helping. You'll concentrate better in this position. You're lucky I'm telling you this. It's a better way to draw chakra. Barely any Konoha ninja know this." Naruto sighed louder seeing as he got the Uchiha pride back into him. Sasuke blushed lightly but it went away within seconds. Naruto was holding his hands to fix his seals to gather chakra.
Soon, Naruto and Sasuke were at the top. "Naruto- huff- let's- huff- go back…" breathed Sasuke. "Right!" barked Naruto. When they were down, Naruto limped a little. Sasuke saw Naruto struggle and said, "Dobe." Naruto blushed at the fact Sasuke was helping him by letting Naruto lean on him as they walked back to the house.
Sakura was losing her patience, "I swear Kakashi, if those two picked up your tardy habits, I'll murder you!" Then, the door opened. There was Sasuke helping Naruto. Sakura got angry, "Where were you baka?!" She tried to hit his head but Sasuke leaned back and she missed. Sasuke smirked mouthing 'You owe me' Naruto nodded and laughed, "Being bitchy today, Sakura-chan? I mean it isn't like you to pick on the tired." Sakura was red and retreated back to the table. Naruto quickly glared at the winking Kakashi. Kakashi held his hands up, "I was only going to say the married couple is finally back!" That does it! Naruto tried to move but fell down on his bottom bringing Sasuke with him. "Che, dobe!"
Everyone was laughing at the scene, but they were interrupted by a kid yelling, "Why do you try so hard? Gatou and his men will only end up killing you!" Naruto stood up slowly, flinching with each step. "Maybe kid, but it's better than being what you are! Coward! Your father was a hero! You don't deserve to be his son! Stop whining and do something about it! You're not the worst off! Remember that there is always someone that has it worse!" yelled Naruto. He ran out the door, but he stopped before the door, "I have yet to meet that person. You, however, just met one." He continued running off. Sakura stood up but Kakashi pushed her down, "He needs time to cool off." They heard growling. Ramen got to Sasuke who was shocked on the floor. He grabbed Sasuke's kunai and impaled himself. Sasuke yelled, "Hey! That's-" Ramen disappeared in a poof. Kakashi's sweat dropped, "How… odd?" Kakashi then left to talk with Inari.
"KIT! YOU HAVE TO CALM DOWN!" Why!? Those bastards know nothing! I'm all alone with this responsibility of saving the future! Damn it! Why couldn't you let me die! The Kyuubi panicked to see his kit in distress. I have to do something! The Kyuubi decided to knock out all her senses while she was overexerting herself on hitting the tree.
Hikari stopped and fell unconscious.
A boy was walking in the woods to the herbs when he spotted a familiar girl sleeping. He couldn't quite place it, but this girl had some aura of hope to her. She's pretty. He went to wake her up, "Hey wake up! If you stay here, you could catch a cold." The girl woke up and yawned, "Haku?" The boy flinched.
The girl opened her eyes which widened. Shit! Haku stuttered, "You know who I am? Those eyes! You're that boy!" Hikari grabbed the boy before he ran, "WAIT! I'll explain! Please stay." She made puppy-dog eyes and he sighed to sit beside her. She giggled and changed into Naruto. "Well, I'm not Naruto. I'm in disguise and only Kakashi-sensei knows who I am from the group. You can tell Zabuza but only if he can keep a secret. As for my name, I'm Hikari Uzumaki Kazama!" She went on explaining things to Haku and Haku told his story back. She giggled occasionally and Haku smiled back.
Naruto stared, "Okay, Gatou WILL betray you. I want Zabuza and you to not work for him. You won't have to convince him, leave that to me. Play it out exactly as you would've okay?" Haku stared back, "Why would you do this for us?" Naruto looked down and gave a small smile, "I once promised a friend, that if given another chance, another time, another life, we could have been friends. I'm just fulfilling it!" Haku looked confused. A friend? Hikari huh? Interesting.
"Oi, dobe! Forgot breakfast time?" yelled out Sasuke. Haku looked between the girl and boy. He smiled and left. Naruto scratched the back of his head and laughed, "Heh!" Sasuke looked back, "Who was that?" Naruto got up and was walking with Sasuke back, "Worrywart. It was a friend." Naruto laughed softly. Sasuke raised a brow, "What?" Naruto shook his head, "Nothing really. Thanks for caring." The last part was quite but Sasuke heard it. Naruto ran up ahead and Sasuke gave a small smile behind his back.
Naruto woke up to the sound of screaming. He ran downstairs to find Inari and his mom being harassed by Gatou's thugs. He knocks them out and gives Inari a thumbs up, "See? I'm a great ninja! Also, you were very brave looking after your mom." Naruto ran off to the bridge.
Kakashi was eyeing from Sasuke's battle with Haku to his battle with Zabuza. When is that brat coming! Sasuke can't handle him alone. Suddenly, as if his prayers were answered, Naruto flies out of nowhere. "Aww! This is too hard! Maybe I should've read the scrolls!" Kakashi's eyes widen. That's my sensei's blood limit! She really is a Kazama! But it's only activated in an extremely emotional period. I heard Arashi once say that people of his clan died trying to activate it. The person goes too fast and out of control with raging emotions. Poor Hikari.
Everyone was busy and didn't notice that Naruto was already next to Sasuke. "Hey Sasuke!" yelled Naruto. Nonetheless, Sasuke was scared shitless, "WTF?! Dobe! You totally ruined my plan! Che! Nevermind!" Naruto smirked, "Sho! Ni! Kitsune no HAI!" The seals to summon Ramen were up a level and out came Kyuubi level two!
"Yo! Finally I can talk!" growled Ramen. Sasuke was stunned, "Ramen?" Ramen barked, "Hell yea! It feels so good to not be small!" Sasuke stared at the creature before him. The fox stood at 5ft on all fours and was 7ft long! He's 10ft on his hind legs. What was more was that Ramen didn't have one tail but four. Sasuke turned to Naruto who was panting.
"Alright, Ramen. Listen to Sasuke, I need to rest a minute while dodging," said Naruto before he backed away. Behind Sasuke and Ramen, Naruto nodded to Haku. Haku shifted and attacked both Sasuke and Naruto. Ramen was fast and only got a few hits. With level two, the fox will poof away from a fatal wound or from chakra depletion. Naruto made a kage bushin to sneak out and knock out Tazuna and Sakura so they won't see what will happen.
Ramen pretended to be exhausted and lay down panting and seem injured. Naruto was weak already from using his blood limit, summoning level two Kyuubi and still saving some for the next part of the plan. Naruto was falling to rest a little just as a senbon needle came at him. Sasuke took the hit and temporarily stunned Haku. Sasuke fell and Naruto caught him.
Naruto shakily asked, "Why? Why did you do it?" Sasuke coughed and said, "I don't know. My body just moved on its own. You. Don't let your dreams die." Sasuke 'died'. Naruto had glossy eyes. He got out of his henge and was herself once again. She whispered, "Sasuke." She hugged him and put him down gently. She said, "Ramen, remove his senbons and keep him warm. My scream should be a hint for your part to play in." Hikari got up and with blinding speed, knocked Haku out cold. Haku was stunned. How did she know he wasn't dead? How did she know I didn't betray her?
Hikari ears perked up to hear birds chirping. That was her cue. For the last time that day, she used her blood limit and stood in front of Zabuza. Kakashi was scared. He couldn't stop his chidori. He looked up at Hikari who had fear, pride, and happiness in her eyes. Kakashi closed his eyes.
A loud scream was heard throughout the town.
Kakashi saw his student fall. His sensei's only child. He looked at his hand. It was covered in her blood. He broke down to cry.
Zabuza was shocked. This was the girl Haku told me about? Did she just die to save me? Fool. Yet, maybe not?
Zabuza and Kakashi turned to see a large fox come out of the clearing mist. On his back was Sasuke and Haku. They were both alive but knocked out. The fox dropped them nearby Kakashi and spoke, "Yo! How's Hikari? That hit must have hurt, oh wait it did. Heh, she has a new record surviving chidoris. What is that, like her third fatal wound from that jutsu?" Kakashi blinked, "Kyuubi-san?" The fox barked, "The one and only in level two! Oi, Zabuza! You said you were a demon. You sure lying to REAL demons is a good idea?"
Zabuza was frightened, "You're the Kyuubi no Yoko? I thought the fourth killed him." The fox hacked, "Yeah right! Like that baka could do anything right! His kit is no different! Hmm, I believe her fatal wound is gone. Now it's a bruise. Although, she did get a tail from this experience. Aww, I'm so proud of my kit!" Kakashi twitched. My sensei wasn't THAT much of a baka. What does the Kyuubi mean by one tail? Oh! She's alive! That baka scared me! Zabuza was thinking other thoughts. The brat is a demon? Oh shit! On the other hand, all the fox does is talk and talk and talk…
"Mou, Kakashi- sensei! That hurt!" moaned Hikari as she held her head. She looked at everyone staring at her funny. Tousan? Why are they looking at me like that? "Congrats my kit! You have fox ears and no human ears along with one fluffly tail." Hikari touched her head and felt ears twitch. She squealed and a golden tail came closer. She coughed remembering that less fatal wounds heal slower. She henged into Naruto and fainted from chakra depletion. Zabuza said, "Weird kid. Don't worry Kyuubi-sama, I won't tell."
The fox nodded, "Everyone should be waking up. Hikari is weaker than normal because she wanted everyone safe. A mob of Gatou's should come here soon to finish you. The offer for you becoming Konoha ninja with Haku still stand. Anytime, just mention Hikari to the Sandaime. Hatake and Umino are the only other two that know of her secret. Haku and you now join the group. Now if you excuse me, I have a kit to keep warm."
Kakashi left to check on Sasuke, Sakura and Tazuna. Zabuza went to check on Haku. Ramen went to Naruto to be used as a pillow and blanket.
"Well, isn't this a pretty scene. So much for Demon of the Bloody Mist. I'll finish you off now. You are no longer needed," said Gatou. Zabuza couldn't believe the fox and brat were right. He wanted to kill that man. Sakura and Tazuna stirred while Sasuke was just getting up.
Sasuke looked around. Kakashi and Zabuza were killing off Gatou's mob. Sakura was helping Tazuna up. Haku was slowly getting up and also analyzing the situation. Sasuke found Naruto lying on Ramen. He limped there and fell on his knees near Ramen's head. The fox looked at him, "Sasuke, you are not well. Relax your sensei will take care of everything. If you would like, you may rest on me as well." Sasuke nodded and leaned against Ramen watching the battle. What happened? I thought I was dead. The needles are out of me. Naruto? What exactly did he do? Why was Sakura and Tazuna knocked out? I need answers!
Gatou died and the mob was stirred. Kakashi and Zabuza created clones and the villagers came as well. The villagers shouted, "Hooray! Gatou is gone!" Haku limped to Zabuza, "Zabuza-san, what do you think of the offer?" Zabuza looked at the sky, "When Uzumaki wakes up, tell him that I owe him one. Haku and I won't go now, but someday. The fox told us the offer always stands. I hope he keeps his word." Kakashi smiled, "I'll tell Naruto that. And yes, Konoha could always use ninja like you. Anytime."
Haku and Zabuza ran off the bridge and into the forest. Zabuza thought one last thing of this adventure. Uzumaki eh? Interesting kid. I hope you keep your word kid.
Sakura saw Sasuke leaning against a large fox. She ran over, "Sasuke-kun! You were so cool!" Sasuke glared, "You were knocked out the whole time." Sakura covered it up, "But you're always so cool, Sasuke-kun!" Sasuke mentally slapped his head. "You'll wake up Naruto!" whispered Sasuke harshly. Sakura looked confused, "Since when do you care?" Sasuke growled, "Since he's my team mate."
"Oi! Shut up both of you!" growled Ramen. Sakura squeaked, "Who are you? You can talk?!" Sasuke smirked, "That's Ramen." Sakura shivered. The fox grinned, "Heh, I'm not so cute and chibi now huh? That's why I'm with the Uchiha, he doesn't find me utterly adorable! I'M VICIOUS!" Sasuke tried to bite back a laugh. So, he hates being cute? "Mnm.." said Naruto as he stirred. Suddenly, Ramen purred calming Naruto down and into sleep again. Sakura shut up in fear.
Kakashi finished talking to the villagers and he went over to his team, "How's Naruto?" Ramen got up grabbing Naruto with two of his tails and Sasuke in the other two. He put them on his back and walked over to Kakashi. "He's fine after a good long rest. He used a little too much chakra at once," said Ramen as he started to walk back. Sasuke held on to Ramen's fur, "Ramen? What happened back there?" Ramen went faster, "Naruto was angry and thought you died. I thought he was going to become an avenger. But, before he gave the hunter-nin the death blow, he stopped. He said revenge won't get you back. I couldn't see after that because of the mist."
Sasuke stared at the sleeping form in front of him. Naruto did that for me?
Kakashi was beginning to worry. The bridge is done but Naruto was still sleeping. Ramen was beside Naruto. However, in Hikari's mind, she was quite busy.
"Yo! Kit! I think that's enough training. My chakra is back and Kakashi is starting to worry." Hikari huffed as she stared at her father's cage. She concentrated and woke up to worried faces.
"Hiya! What did I miss?!" laughed Naruto as he saw Kakashi with a stressed face. Ramen poofed away which made Sakura jump. "You got hurt pretty badly! You were out for a few days. We're going to Konoha and thank god Kakashi-sensei doesn't have to carry you!" Naruto sighed as he got up. He went past the frozen Kakashi. He was reaching for the door handle when the door opened. Sasuke looked to see the dobe awake. Naruto was staring right back.
Naruto walked past him. Sasuke curled his fist and said, "Dobe." Naruto smirked behind his back, "Teme." Naruto turned around, "I need fresh air. I'll be waiting at the bridge." Sasuke raised a brow. Didn't I just get fresh air?
The team of four were waving goodbye and Naruto promised to see them again. Inari's mother giggled, "So, what are you naming the bridge." Tazuna looked ahead at the ninja, "The Great Naruto Bridge. After the boy who gave us hope." The daughter laughed, "that's sounds promising. The bridge won't ever fall down."