Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Naruto is the property of Masashi Kishimoto

Zabuza's Seven

Chapter 7: What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Having completed his negotiations with Tazuna, Zabuza returned to his secret base to check on Haku and Naruto. Entering the makeshift infirmary, he came upon a strange sight.

His apprentice was on one side of the room, sitting in a chair and staring at an apparently interesting part of the floor. Haku's back was turned to Naruto, and his face was red, presumably from exhaustion related to using his bloodline to keep Naruto's fever down.

As for Naruto himself, Zabuza was surprised to see him awake, and in some sort of stupor. The boy's face was red as well, most likely from his fever. His face also seemed to be stuck in a look of shock and confusion.

Naruto was sitting upright, with his legs pulled against his chest and his arms hugging them close while keeping a bed sheet wrapped around him.

'I don't know what happened while I was gone, but I'm guessing I missed something really funny.' Zabuza thought to himself, regarding the situation.

Clearing his throat, he gained Haku's attention, who was avoiding looking at Naruto, who maintained his current pose.

"Haku," Zabuza addressed his apprentice, "Since Naruto's awake now, why don't you get him some clothes to wear."

"Yes sir." Haku answered.

He then bowed to his master, and made a quick exit, never looking at Naruto once.

'Yup, I definitely missed something good. Oh well, I have a feeling I might not have wanted to see what happened anyway.'

Zabuza then turned his attention towards Naruto. Seeing the boy was still shell shocked, and naked, he decided to wait for Haku to return.

'He would probably feel more comfortable fully dressed. Hmm, I've got a weird feeling now.'

Haku still had not returned. Zabuza began to worry.

'Wait a minute, does Haku even have any clothes that would fit Naruto? For that matter, does Haku even have any clothes a normal boy would wear?'

At that point, Zabuza realized that neither of them actually bothered to obtain any new clothes for Naruto. They merely assumed he would wear Haku's for now.

'Now that I think about it, Haku's battle kimono is the most masculine clothing he has, and it's too big for Naruto. Well, this should be good for a laugh then.'

Eventually, Haku returned, and Zabuza now knew the boy was quite embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, I tried to find something in Naruto's size, but this is the best I could do."

Haku, still red from embarrassment, handed Zabuza the clothes he picked out for Naruto. Zabuza chuckled at the selection, and passed them to Naruto, along with a pair of slippers.

"Here's something for you to wear. I'll take you to the washroom so you can change and take care of anything else. Don't bother complaining about the clothes either, it's that or nothing." Zabuza said to Naruto.

He expected some shouts of indignation from Naruto, but the boy surprised Zabuza by accepting them without complaint.

'He must still be in a state of shock. That's not surprising considering his circumstances.'

Wrapping the bed sheet around himself, and putting on the slippers, he allowed Zabuza to escort him to the base's washroom.

"Haku, I managed to find some instant ramen among the freight on Gato's ships. Why don't you prepare some for Naruto?"

"Yes sir, I'll get right on it." Haku answered, then left for his new task.

Zabuza and Haku both knew Naruto loved ramen, and hoped it would cheer him up. Taking a close look at the boy's face, Zabuza noted his expression pick up a bit. Naruto's lips curled slightly into a partial smile.

'That's good, hopefully he will feel better after a good meal.'

They reached the facilities, which Naruto entered. Zabuza remained outside, awaiting his exit.

'I wonder how he'll react to his new look?' Zabuza wondered.

A moment later, a thumping noise could be heard from the washroom.

'Well that answers that.'

ZzZzZzZ

Inside the base's facilities, Naruto was slowly getting over his shock. He set the wardrobe Haku provided for him down on the closed toiled lid, having already made use of it. That was when Naruto finally took a good look at the offered wardrobe, and cursed under his breath.

'I should have known that's what he'd get for me. Oh well, it's not like I'll have to dress like a girl all the time now. I'll get some new clothes soon, with lots of…orange…'

Naruto's thoughts trailed off as the memory of his nightmares flashed through his mind.

'Did I really just wear a lot of orange so people would notice me? Do I just really like the colour? Or is there a deeper meaning that even I don't realize?'

Unsure of how to feel now, Naruto settled on getting dressed in what was provided for him.

'Why does Haku only have girl's clothes? Does he wear them as a disguise, or does he like how he looks in them?'

Naruto shook his head as images of Haku in his pink kimono appeared in his mind.

'Bad thoughts, bad thoughts, he's a guy, I shouldn't think about how pretty he looks.'

Looking through the clothing he was given, Naruto was pleased to find a pair of boxers in his size.

'I was worried Haku wore girl's underwear too. I wonder if these belong to him.'

Naruto threw the blanket he had draped himself in off and put on the boxers, ignoring the implications of wearing another boy's underwear. He also put on a pair of white socks, although it took him some time to figure out he was supposed to put them on his feet.

The next item of clothing Naruto was reluctant to wear. At first, he had glared at it so hard it might set on fire, which he might have been hoping for. Knowing he had no other choice, Naruto eventually donned the attire Haku picked out for him.

'This is humiliating. I bet Haku did this on purpose. He's trying to turn me into his dress-up doll. The first chance I get, I'm getting some new clothes.'

Again the nightmare like visions of a young boy clad in a blindingly bright orange jumpsuit flashed in Naruto's head, and he once again shook his head to banish them.

'How long is this going to keep happening to me? Am I going to relive the memories of my nightmares every time something reminds me of them?'

The washroom walls gave no response, not that Naruto expected one.

Sighing, Naruto put on the final article of clothing, a red belt. All that was left now was a red wig. Curious about why he would need one when he had a full head of hair, Naruto finally looked at his reflection in the washroom's mirror, and promptly fainted.

ZzZzZzZ

Elsewhere Haku was in the base's kitchen, cooking the ramen Zabuza brought in for Naruto.

'I hope he likes it, and feels better. After a week of being unconscious and on an IV drip he must be hungry.'

In addition to the instant ramen, Haku was also cooking various meats and vegetables to add to it.

'The ramen itself has some value for it's carbohydrates, but more protein, calcium, as well as other vitamins would be good for Naruto. I hope I can convince him to change his diet. Hatake did say many others have tried and failed before.'

Haku knew what it was like to be a starving orphan living off the street, and suspected Naruto did so as well.

'I wonder, from what I've heard Naruto was close to a father/daughter duo that ran a ramen stand he went to a lot. Does he really like ramen, or was it the company he enjoyed? Regardless, ramen is a comfort food for him, so hopefully he'll enjoy it.'

Humming a happy tune, Haku continued to cook for his master and Naruto, who he hoped would become like a little brother to him.

ZzZzZzZ

Back in the washroom, Naruto had just pulled himself off the floor to take another look at his reflection. Gazing into the mirror, he was not even sure it was really him he was looking at.

'My hair is so short now, and my whiskers are gone. What happened to me?'

Naruto's hair was only a few millimetres long, equivalent to a week's worth of growth. It would be several months before it was back to it's old length.

'That explains why I would need the wig.'

Raising his hand to feel the stubble of his newly grown hair, Naruto noted it's feel.

'It's prickly and feels funny.'

Naruto then put on the wig, and checked his reflection.

'Huh, it's like looking at someone who could have been my sister.'

With the red wig and loss of his birthmarks, Naruto really did look like a girl. Unbeknownst to him, he looked just like a young Uzumaki Kushina.

Although Naruto had his father's hair and eye colour, his facial structure was closer to that of his mother. With the red wig, the resemblance was quite noticeable.

'I guess it's not bad. Too long though. It doesn't look like me. Then again, I don't feel like myself either. I don't even know how I should feel, or who I am anymore.'

Again the nightmare visions flashed in Naruto's mind.

'If that's going to happen every time I think of what I used to be like, maybe I should change. How do I do that?'

The visions flared again, but this time they were of the happy memories where Haku helped Naruto through his childhood.

'My life would have been so much better if Haku, or anyone at all had just taken a moment out of their own lives to help me. Why didn't anybody do that?'

As the visions continued to assault Naruto's mind, he continued to fight back against them.

'Haku said he'd do anything to help me now, and I believe him. He's known the same pain I did, so he can help me better then anyone.'

The visions slowly receded as Naruto's strengthened resolve fought them down. Collapsing on his hands and knees, Naruto began panting from mental exhaustion. After a minute, he was breathing normally. Sitting with his legs up against his chest, Naruto began collecting his thoughts.

'I wouldn't have been able to beat those nightmares if it wasn't for Haku's help. He seems to want to look out for me, so what does that make us now?'

Naruto did not realize it, but he and Haku were developing a sibling bond, and Naruto was in the role of the younger brother. Haku would always be there to protect him and take care of him as only a family member could do.

'All I know is, he's been nicer to me then anyone else I know. I want to stay with him now, but he's Zabuza's apprentice. Does this mean I'll have to join them, and abandon my old home?'

For a moment, Naruto was worried the nightmare visions would flash again, but he was safe.

'I'd hate for that to happen every time something reminded me of the Hidden Leaf Village. Still, now that I think about it, my life there wasn't that great. It wasn't bad, but could it have been better?'

Naruto would get the answer to that question soon enough.

'I need to know what's happened since I woke up. Then I'll know what to do.'

Naruto's stomach then chose that moment to start grumbling, reminding him he had not eaten in a week.

'Heh heh, I should get something to eat first. I hope Haku is a good chef, instant ramen is good, but not as good as the ramen from Ichiraku.'

Feeling saddened that he may never have ramen from his safe haven again, Naruto hoped that wherever he went next, there would always be good ramen nearby.

Getting up off the floor, Naruto adjusted his clothing, and proceeded to exit the washroom.

ZzZzZzZ

While Naruto was excited about having a home cooked meal, sort of, inside his mindscape, Naruto's tenant was in a fierce mood.

'Naruto's will is getting stronger.' The Nine-Tailed Fox Demon thought.

'The bond between him and the ice user is powerful. Should anything happen to that bond though, Naruto's will to live would become weaker then ever.'

The fox was much like Naruto. He was cunning, and never gave up.

'For now things are working fine. Naruto is suppressing my limited influence on his mind, but someday he will need my power again. When that time comes, I'll entrench myself into his psyche. Once that happens, I will eventually gain my freedom.'

The most likely way for the fox to gain his freedom would require Naruto's death, much like Naruto's supposed death gained him his freedom from his bonds to the Hidden Leaf Village. A dead ninja can not be marked down as a missing ninja.

'For now, Naruto will grow in power. Someday, he'll want, or need my power as well. When that time comes, we will fight, I will win, and then I'll kill him and gain what I deserve, my freedom!'

The fox then let out a roar, for all the good it did him. Unable to inflict any harm to his host, the fox settled for resting once more.

'Someday Naruto, your time will come, someday.'

ZzZzZzZ

After quite some time, Naruto revealed himself, and his new look.

If it was not for Zabuza's years of experience keeping his emotions concealed from his enemies, he would have burst out in laughter. Naruto was now wearing the clothes Haku picked out for him.

What amused Zabuza so much was that Haku was a cross-dresser, and aside from his ninja gear, only owned girl's clothes. Thus Naruto, who was definitely a male, came out of the washroom wearing a kimono that was very similar to Haku's, which was actually one of the standard uniforms for Mist Shinobi.

Said kimono consisted of a red shirt and skirt with a green jacket held closed by a red belt. The look was completed by a red wig, as Naruto's own hair had not grown much. Overall, Naruto looked like a young and pretty girl.

Naruto was almost okay with his new attire, but seeing Zabuza, an experienced ninja, struggle to keep from laughing at him, brought back his indignation in full force.

"Don't…say…a…word." Growled out Naruto, red faced in anger once more, finding no humour in being forced to dress like a girl.

Zabuza, wishing he had a camera, gestured for Naruto to follow him to the base's kitchen, where Haku was preparing their meal.

As they made their way there, Naruto's anger slowly dissipated as the aroma of ramen assaulted his senses. Soon enough, they were seated at a small table in a room adjacent to the kitchen.

His irritation over being forced to wear a dress nearly forgotten, Naruto eagerly awaited his first meal in over a week. Zabuza could hear the boy's stomach growling, and thought he even saw Naruto begin to drool.

It was not too much longer before Haku exited the kitchen with a serving cart covered in steaming hot bowls of different types of ramen. Naruto was now clearly eyeing the food, with a hungry look. Zabuza was glad to see his spirit's lifting in the presence of his favourite food.

'Hopefully this will sate his hunger, and relax him. The better we make him feel, the more co-operative he will be.'

Haku set some of the bowls on the table, and described them.

"I heard you like miso ramen with pork, so I added some to the instant miso flavoured ramen. Cooking the meat is what kept me so long. I also prepared beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetable ramen." Haku explained, while seemingly adding the last variety as an after thought.

Naruto examined each bowl, unsure of where to begin. Naruto was quick to dismiss the vegetable bowl at first, but the memory of his nightmares and the fox's words were fresh in his mind.

'I've made a lot of bad choices in my life. I'm not sure whether this next one is another bad choice or not.'

Sighing deeply, Naruto prepared himself for what he thought was to be his greatest challenge.

'I have to do this. I'm not going to like it, but there's going to be a lot of things I'm not going to like doing in my life.'

Naruto then reluctantly reached out and took a bowl of the vegetable ramen. Sucking in a deep breath, he took a pair of chopsticks in hand and began to eat away.

Zabuza and Haku watched in amazement as Naruto ate his most hated food along with his most beloved meal. He quickly gathered the noodles into a ball which he ate in one gulp, then drank away the remaining broth, grudgingly chewing the boiled vegetables that accompanied it.

"Well," Zabuza said after a moment, "that was both unexpected and disgusting."

Naruto had a slightly sour expression on his face. He poured himself a glass of cold water from a pitcher and quickly drank it, hoping to wash away the vegetables after taste. Seeing Haku and Zabuza were still curious about his first choice, he offered them an explanation.

"I always hated vegetables. A few people I knew always tried to get me to eat them."

Naruto had a brief memory of Kakashi dropping by his apartment with a basket of them, but quickly dismissed it.

"Lately I've realized there's a lot of things about me I need to change if I want to become a better person. If I want to be stronger, I'll need to start eating better. I still don't like it, but it's time I grew up and accepted that I can't always do whatever I want."

Zabuza accepted Naruto's statement, though Haku was a bit put off as it seemed that Naruto did not like his cooking. That was quickly changed, as the three of them began eating the remaining ramen. Naruto complimented Haku's cooking, saying it was the best instant ramen he ever had. Haku found that statement odd.

'He ate his ramen so fast I'm surprised he could even taste it. It's almost as if he was trying to avoid tasting it, and consumed it in the fastest manner possible. I wonder how he developed a habit like that?'

Continuing to watch Naruto eat while having some shrimp ramen, Haku was reminded of his time on the streets.

'I was only four years old when master Zabuza found me, so I can't remember much of it. I seem to recall food was scarce, and there was much competition for it. I had to eat what I found fast if I did not want to lose it.'

Taking a bite of shrimp, Haku found it tasty, but felt the ramen was bland. Naruto did not seem to mind, and inhaled his servings.

'Does he have an enhanced sense of taste? That might explain why he seems to enjoy ramen so much.'

While Haku was thinking, Naruto finished another bowl.

'I'll worry about it more later, when I can try feeding Naruto a better variety of dishes.'

Soon Naruto had his fill, and was content. If someone were to ask him to betray his village, he was happy enough that he just may go along with the request. As it turned out, that was exactly what Zabuza and Haku were going to do.

Naruto let out a sigh of relief, slumped down in his chair, and started rubbing his belly. Taking this as a sign of contentment and relaxation, Zabuza prepared to address Naruto, and give him a proposition that would change his life. Before doing that though, he wanted answers to some troubling questions.

"Naruto," Zabuza said, getting his attention, "I'm sure you would like to learn what has happened since the day of the battle on the bridge."

Zabuza was worried reminding Naruto of that day would bring up unpleasant memories for him, but Naruto, who's attention was focused on Zabuza, remained content.

'Either he's gotten over the trauma, or he's just feeling too good after eating all that ramen to feel bad.' Zabuza thought.

Relieved that Naruto was not upset, Zabuza continued his proposition.

"There is much Haku and I would like to know about you as well. So here is my offer. We will inform you of the current events, if you inform us of what we want to know about you. After that, we shall decide what happens to you next."

Feeling quite relaxed, Naruto thought over the offer, and accepted it.

ZzZzZzZ

It was now late at night. Naruto lay on the roof of the base, gazing up at the stars, reflecting back on the recent changes in his life, starting with the outcome of the battle on the bridge.

'I'm glad no one else died, except Gato, but he had it coming. Wave Country will be much better off now with the bridge finished and Zabuza offering aid.'

Thinking of the bridge brought a smile to his face.

'It's really cool that they named it after me. I can't wait to see it! It's just too bad I can't reveal myself to Tazuna and his family.'

Thinking of them reminded Naruto of Zabuza's warning.

'The Hidden Leaf Village thinks I'm dead now. If they find out I'm still alive, who knows what will happen to me.'

The nightmare visions did not return, but Naruto still found it painful to think of his former home, and the handful of people who would miss him.

'I can only think of seven people that might miss me, and I wasn't even that close to them. I've bonded more with Haku, and he's been nicer to me then they have.'

Thinking of Haku reminded Naruto of how the he reacted to learning of Naruto's childhood. Unknown to Naruto, said ice user had quietly sat down next to him.

'I had always kept my problems to myself, but telling Haku all of them made me feel better.'

Naruto then began to have a flashback to the proceedings that occurred after dinner.

ZzZzZzZ

Zabuza was the one who informed Naruto of the events after the battle on the bridge, but Haku was the one to ask Naruto about his life, while Zabuza stayed off to the side.

As Naruto shared details of his past, he tried to keep the painful memories to himself, not wanting others to worry about him. Haku would have none of that, and made Naruto open up. Soon he was revealing thoughts and feelings he had never realized he had.

When Naruto started to share what he had learned in the academy, as a member of team seven, Zabuza took that time to speak up.

The former swordsman of the Mist clued-up Naruto to his wasted potential, and shared with him how he could have turned out if he was a Mist ninja, or was one of Zabuza's apprentices, before offering Naruto the opportunity to become one.

Naruto was taken aback by that. Looking at Haku for advice, it was clear what he wanted Naruto's decision to be.

As Naruto shared the details of his childhood, Haku's empathy for him started to return. Soon he had pulled Naruto into a hug, and still had not let go, telling Naruto if he felt like crying, he could do so. Naruto did not, but appreciated the gesture. He did not admit it, as it was obvious, but Naruto was rarely ever offered a hug, and enjoyed every one he got.

Thinking it over, Naruto knew his old life in the Hidden Leaf Village was over. He had a chance for a new beginning now, with someone who could be like an older brother to him, and a new master who would bring out his full potential.

Naruto decided to accept the offer. Haku, overjoyed, began squeezing Naruto tight and talking about how much fun they would have going clothes shopping.

Zabuza informed Naruto that until they had a doctor perform a check-up on him, he would have to focus on his studies to boost his intelligence. After that, he would be trained into exhaustion.

For a moment, Naruto regretted his decision. The evil gleam in Zabuza's eye and Haku asking Naruto what size he was did not help.

ZzZzZzZ

'Yeah, my life is sure to be different now. I wonder what will happen next?' Naruto thought as he lay on the roof.

Next to him, Haku was silently observing his new companion, and came to a conclusion.

'Naruto's situational awareness is non-existent. I'll have to work with him on it.'

"Hello!" Haku shouted out to Naruto.

Naruto, completely flabbergasted, jumped up in surprise. Putting a hand to his chest and breathing deeply, he called out Haku.

"Haku, what the hell?"

"It's getting late." Haku said sweetly, showing no reaction to Naruto's startled jump. "You should get some rest now. Tomorrow will be an important day."

Naruto, although upset with Haku, knew he was concerned about him, and decided to go along with him. Before doing that, there were a few things Naruto needed to know.

"Hey, Haku?"

"Yes?"

"Is there any ramen left? I wouldn't mind having some for breakfast."

Haku shook his head.

"No, we ate it all earlier."

For a moment, Naruto was in despair.

'What have I gotten myself into?'

Apparently between being impaled to death only to be burned and buried alive upon revival, mind-raped by a demon sealed inside you, declared dead by your former homeland, having to dress like a girl and not having ramen, the last item was the worst to Naruto.

Deciding to find some ramen first chance he got, Naruto asked Haku the other question he had.

"One more thing. Why do you dress like a girl?"

Haku blinked, put on a smile, and answered Naruto.

"I like how nice I look in women's clothing."

Naruto did not know what to say about that.

"You're a weird guy Haku." Naruto finally replied.

"I know." Haku said, not offended in the least. "Seriously though, you want to know?" Haku asked, a bit more serious now.

"Yeah, why is it?"

"Most people think I'm too pretty to be a boy and refuse to believe otherwise. Sometimes it's easier to play to their beliefs and expectations, in order to exploit them later."

"Huh?" Naruto asked, not getting it.

"You'll understand in time." Haku said as he got up and went back inside.

Getting up himself, Naruto then followed Haku back down into the base. Haku showed Naruto to a private bedroom, at Naruto's insistence.

ZzZzZzZ

Author's Notes: As of May 11, 2011 I revised this chapter to cut back on some of the controversial content. Hopefully it'll be better received now.

Naruto's new clothes are just Haku's hand me downs. They look the same as Haku's battle kimono, but in red and green.

If anyone is turned off by Naruto's new wardrobe, it does have a purpose. Naruto will be meeting his future love interest soon, and it will affect their meeting. Also, unless someone knew Uzumaki Kushina they definitely wouldn't recognize him now.

Without his whiskers he also doesn't need a mask. If someone knew Naruto was alive and was seeking him, they would be looking for someone concealing their face to hide them.

A lot of stories give Naruto an advanced sense of smell despite no canon evidence of him having one. I think I'm the first to suggest he has an enhanced sense of taste to explain why he likes ramen so much.