Declaimer: I own nothing in this fanfic, but my created characters they abilities and Jutsu and that is about all I own "Goes to corner and starts crying"
Writing: Italic: thought, Bold: Bijuu or summoning speaking.
"Whenever you cross swords with an enemy you must not think of cutting him either strongly or weakly; just think of cutting and killing him." -Unknown
"I have a rendezvous with death, at some disputed barricade, but maybe you should take my hand and led me into his dark land and close my eyes and quench my breath. I have a rendezvous with death and I to my pledging word am true I shall not fail that rendezvous."-Gears of War 2 trailer
Kakashi awoke to the sound of grunts of pain. As he looked outside he saw the teams back at the training exercise. Kakashi found himself smiling as he stood grabbed his flak jacket and began to walk outside. The effect was almost immediate. The moment Kakashi stepped out the door everyone stopped what they were doing. "I see everyone is having fun," Kakashi joked as he stepped towards the Genin. Kakashi looked around with a confused expression until he turned his gaze to Kurenai. "Where is Tazuna?"
Kurenai looked towards the hill that had a figure silhouetted by the risen sun. "He said he likes the view." Kurenai watched as Kakashi made his way up too Tazuna. Tazuna heard the approaching footsteps and turned to see Kakashi.
"It's almost done."
Kakashi looked out and saw the bridge near completed. Kakashi looked down at Tazuna and saw the old man's proud smile. "You're doing a good thing," Kakashi finally stated getting a solemn nod from the bridge-builder. "When you head out my team will escort and provide protection. Kurenai's team is going to stay behind and protect your family." Tazuna nodded his head still wearing his smile. Kakashi turned from the sight and headed back down the hill leaving Tazuna too his thoughts. As Kakashi was walking down the hill Kurenai stood waiting for him.
"So what's the plan," Kurenai questioned? "Gato will make a move to kill Tazuna today." Kakashi nodded his head while casting a glance towards the Genin.
"My team will escort Tazuna," Kakashi answered back receiving a questioning look from Kurenai. "Your team will stay behind and watch over his family. The reason being is that Zabuza is most likely going to be at that bridge." Kurenai nodded her head knowing that her team, despite working well together, wouldn't be able to take on Zabuza. Kakashi turned just in time to catch Tazuna grabbing his tools and hosting them on his back. Team 7 watched as Kakashi motioned them to follow as he followed Tazuna. Kurenai gestured her team into the house leaving Kakashi to protect Tazuna.
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As they approached the bridge Kakashi knew something was amiss. A thick mist had moved over the area as the bridge came into sight. The first thing they saw was the prone forms of Tazuna's helpers. Tazuna rushed to the sides of each of them and checked too make sure they were alright. Team 7 however knew what was about to happen. Everyone flinched as they heard the laughter. "Looks like we meet again," The mist parted slightly to reveal Zabuza and Haku next to him. Zabuza looked around the area with a puzzled expression. "Doukaku isn't here… yet." Zabuza put more emphasis on the last word as he hefted his sword off his back. Haku didn't move, but her eyes followed every twitch the group made. Kakashi made the first move. Zabuza smirked as he brought his blade in front of him blocking Kakashi's kunai blade. Haku ran towards Tazuna in a flash of speed with senbon already out, but she was forced away by a kick from Sasuke.
"Sakura, Sai, Sasuke," Kakashi shouted out! "I want you guys to guard Tazuna!" The Genin in question gave Kakashi a nod each; as they made a wall in front of Tazuna. Haku kept her distance as she stood up. Sasuke had a look of eagerness as he crouched into a low stance. Sai pulled out his scroll and was already drawing animals on it. Sakura pulled out her kunai and got ready for battle. Haku narrowed her eyes as Sasuke vanished before reappearing behind her. As Haku turned around Sasuke's leg connected to her ribs. Haku buckled her legs too keep from skidding backwards. Sasuke glared down at her as she grabbed his leg. Kakshi turned around too see Haku begin to weave seals with one hand. "What?" Haku stomped her foot splashing water into the air.
"Suiton: Sensatsu Suishō (Water Release: Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death)," Sasuke looked around as the water around them turned into needles. Sasuke glared at Haku as the needles began their descent, but before they hit a black tendril of ink wrapped around Sasuke mid-section. Haku looked towards the source to see Sai staring back. The ink suddenly lurched backwards pulling Sasuke with it. Haku looked towards the water needles and released her Jutsu making the needles explode; showering the area in a light shower. Sasuke stood up the moment he touched the ground, but found himself restrained by Sai's ink.
"Let me go!"
All Sasuke got out of his outburst was Sai narrowing his eyes. "We need too work together," Sasuke glared at Sai as the ink slowly dripped down his body. "We have a better chance of beating her if we attack at the same time." Sasuke's glare eased up as he saw reason behind Sai's words. Sai turned too Sakura with a smile on his face. "Sakura stay here just in case she gets through." Sakura nodded her head and watched as Sai and Sasuke walked towards Haku.
Sasuke suddenly had a smirk on his face as he dropped into a stance. "Just stay out of my way," Sasuke warned. Dust jumped into the air as the two charged Haku, but as the two closed the distance they noticed something strange; it was getting colder.
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Kakashi kicked Zabuza away avoiding his blade at the same time. As Kakashi landed on the ground he looked back towards Sasuke and Sai. Kakashi's ear twitched as he heard the sound of the air whistling around something. Metal meet metal as Kakashi blocked Zabuza's strike. "Your worry will soon be over," Zabuza's words echoed through Kakashi with an eerie meaning. "Haku is about to get serious." That is when Kakashi felt the chill. Kakashi shoved Zabuza away as he jumped backwards getting distance from the swordsman. The ground shook a little as Zabuza stabbed the blade into the bridge. Kakashi brought his blade in a defensive stance ready for Zabuza's attack, but the man just flicked a finger behind Kakashi. Kakashi turned his head slightly to see what Zabuza just pointed at. The kunai in Kakashi's hand dropped at what he saw. Sasuke and Sai were both inside a dome made out of ice mirrors.
"Does she have…?"
"A Kekkei Genkai," Zabuza finished with a smirk. "Yes, and let me you tell you this; those two are going to die." Before Kakashi knew it Zabuza was standing in front of him with the sword an inch of Kakashi's chest. "Don't get any ideas; if you move in their direction I'll kill the bridge-builder in a second." Kakashi's eye narrowed as Zabuza placed the blade back on his shouder. Kakashi stole one last glance towards his students, before charging Zabuza.
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To say Sasuke was angry would be an understatement. Nothing Sasuke did could melt or break the sheets of ice surrounding Sai and him. All around the two trapped Genin were images of Haku. "There is no escape," Haku's voice echoed around them. "Just give up." Sasuke growled as he jumped towards the nearest mirror only for him to have senbon thrown at his legs. Sasuke fell to the ground in a heap. Sai made a move to draw, but stopped when a senbon was embedded into his scroll. "Please just give up." Sai showed no emotion as he laid his scroll on the ground. Sasuke attempted to get up, but was stopped by Sai.
"We can't beat her," Sai warned as he eased Sasuke back down. "She has the upper hand." Sasuke pushed Sai away as he stood up. Sai watched as Sasuke yanked the senbon out of his leg with a dangerous smirk on his face. Just as Sai reached for Sasuke; he charged the mirrors again. The area was suddenly filled with a blinding light as Sasuke and Sai were attacked once more. As Sasuke fell to the ground Sai caught a glimpse of the Uchiha's smile.
"I can almost see it."
Sai's eyes narrowed in confusion as he turned to Haku's reflection to see that the bottom of her clothing was torn. Sai turned and looked at Sasuke's clenched fist to see the torn garment. Sasuke slowly staggered too his feet dropping the cloth. "Amazing is this his Sharingan."
"Next time I'm going force you out of those mirrors!" Sasuke shouted out with anger in his voice. Next thing everyone else knew a giant wave of water appeared in the center of the ice dome. Kakashi and Zabuza stopped in mid-lunge as they felt the familiar chakra hit them. As the wave subsided two forms could be made out.
"I hope we're not tardy to the party," A voice echoed as the rest of the water was blasted away. "Because I can't stand being late to a fight." Naruto and Suigetsu both stood in front of Sasuke and Sai wearing smiles. Kakashi looked at Naruto and saw he was still wearing the same flak jacket, but took the liberty of replacing his torn sleeve with a new one. "Suigetsu get those two out of here." Suigetsu nodded his head as his body began to turn into water. Haku narrowed her eyes behind her mask as Naruto stood in front of the mirror she was hiding in. Naruto leaned forward, his face an inch away from the ice. Naruto's smile never faltered as his eyes looked into Haku's. Before, Haku could react Naruto punched the ice mirror creating spider cracks along its surface. Out of instinct Haku jumped into the mirror right above her original place.
"He knew," Haku thought in shock. "He knew exactly where I was." Then Naruto turned his gaze up to Haku.
"Now, now," Naruto said with a sigh. "I'm I going to have to come up there and get you." Haku gritted her teeth as she began her attack. Naruto's eyes narrowed in amusement as the dome was filled with white light. Just as Haku began her assault Naruto in a blink of an eye grabbed her by her wrist. Zabuza couldn't believe what he just saw. The twinkle of amusement never left Naruto's eyes as he released Haku. "You're confused." The statement knocked Haku out of her shock as she disappeared back into another mirror. "Allow me to explain. You see I can sense you, but I'm not talking about your chakra. I'm talking about your emotions or more to the point your negative emotions." Kakashi couldn't believe what he had just heard. No sensor-nin was good enough to sense people through their emotions. Then it hit him. Naruto was the host for the Kyubi a creature of pure malice; that also could sense people's negative emotions.
"Did Naruto gain that ability?"
Naruto looked away from Haku and saw Suigetsu nod at him as he laid the struggling Sasuke and Sai on the ground. "Now I have busy to deal with," Just as Naruto turned around Haku made her move. She reappeared behind Naruto throwing senbon at his back, but never hit their target.
"Sorry," Suigetsu spoke as he dropped the senbon. "But I'm your opponent." Haku jumped back as she watched Naruto exit the dome of ice. Zabuza grinned under his mask as Naruto approached him.
"Now, where were we?" Naruto questioned as he pulled out his kunai.
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Hinata slowly rotated her head scanning the area with her Byakugan. As Hinata turned her gaze into the west tree line she saw something puzzling. "Kurenai-sensei!" Kurenai ran too Hinata as she pointed towards the disturbance. What Kurenai saw puzzled the Jonin, but it also put her on alert. The Jonin approached the figures as silently as possible, but as she turned on them she realized it wasn't needed. The two men where lying against the trees with blank eyes. Right away Kurenai knew they were trapped in a very powerful Genjutsu. Hinata waited at the door until Kurenai nodded her head that it was safe. Hinata walked towards Kurenai only to stop at the sight of the men. "Are they…?"
Kurenai shook her head as she stood up with a sad expression in her eyes. "They died by a very powerful Genjutsu ," Her response shocked Hinata. "Whoever put this on them knew exactly what they were doing." Kurenai gently closed the men's eyes as she scanned the area. Hinata did the same, but trembled at the sight. Kurenai saw Hinata sweat a little. "What's wrong?"
"Two giant chakra sources," Hinata replied as she swallowed hard. "They're heading straight for the bridge." Kurenai narrowed her eyes at that statement. After deactivating her Byakugan Hinata turned to her sensei. "What do we do now?"
"I want you too tell Kiba and Shino to stay here," Kurenai stated slowly as she turned towards the bridge. "I will be back as soon as I can." Hinata felt like arguing, but knew it was pointless. Hinata watched as Kurenai jumped away as she returned to the house.
"So what happened," Kiba questioned as Hinata sat down and began to explain? As Hinata finished she could tell Kiba was angry at being left behind, but Shino remained as silent as ever. "I can't believe she left like that!" Tsunami smiled at the Genin as she sat drinks down for them.
"She's just worried about you."
Kiba's anger seemed to dissipate slightly at Tsunami's words. "I know that," Kiba finally replied as he sat down. "But judging from what Hinata told us. Those chakra signatures only spell out bad news." Shino nodded his head as Hinata looked out the window.
XXX
Naruto was smiling ear to ear as he blocked another strike from Zabuza. Zabuza went for another swing with his blade, but was forced to evade a kunai thrown by Kakashi. As Kakashi landed next too Naruto Zabuza had his sword on his back. "Kirigakure no Jutsu," Zabuza announced as the mist began to thicken until Naruto and Kakashi couldn't see anything. All they could hear was their own breathing. "This is where it gets fun." Zabuza's voice rang through the mist. Kakashi pulled out a kunai as he revealed his Sharingan, but Naruto continued to gaze around. Just as Kakashi was about to speak to Naruto, he did something Kakashi didn't expect. Naruto slammed his glowing palm of chakra onto the ground. Kakashi watched as a single seal appeared on the ground, but quickly expanded until it was a twenty-foot wide square. "What are you up too, boy?" Naruto just smiled as the seals began to glow with chakra until they shot upwards into a giant barrier.
"A little gift from my brothers," Naruto answered as he created his wind blade. "It's a simple barrier, but it'll stay together long enough for us to finish." Naruto waited for Zabuza's response, but again could only hear Kakashi and his own breathing. Just as Naruto thought Zabuza was trying to sneak up on them he heard the chuckle. It was almost too soft too heard, but it was there.
"So you are trying to separate me from the bridge-builder."
Naruto didn't respond he just kept on grinning. Kakashi looked down at the blond Jinchuriki with a smile his face. "Good job," Naruto nodded his head as he leveled his blade of wind.
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Sasuke wasn't happy about Suigetsu dragging him out of his fight. He tried on multiple occasions to get back into the fight, but was stopped by Sai wrapping him in black ink. "We can't beat them." Was Sai said to the angry Uchiha. Sakura was relived that her teammates were okay, but now her worry extended to the people who helped them. That kid who turned his body into water was fighting Haku, and Naruto was fighting Zabuza with Kakashi. Sai looked at Sakura and saw the worry on her face. "Don't worry they'll be fine." Sakura turned and saw Sai with a confident smile on his face.
"Oh, if that isn't cute," A sleazy voice spoke up behind the group. The team turned towards the voice to see Gato with a huge group of mercenaries behind him.
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Suigetsu jumped back just as Haku released a barrage of ice shards aimed at him. Despite being on the defensive Suigetsu was enjoying the fight. Haku on the other hand was slowly losing chakra. "Whenever he dodges he turns into water," Haku thought as she threw more shards of ice at the water nin. "The next time I will have to use that to my advantage." Suigetsu narrowed his eyes as he charged Haku. Just as Suigetsu swung his sword at Haku, she threw her senbon at Suigetsu's eyes. Out of reflex Sugetsu reverted his body into water, but just as his body was turning back Haku placed her hand into Suigetsu chest.
"What are you doing," Suigetsu questioned as Haku frowned sadly under her mask?
"I'm sorry."
Suigetsu was confused until he felt a chilly sensation spread throughout his body. He looked down to see a layer of ice already forming over his body. "Damn," Suigetsu growled as his body was frozen solid. Haku gently pulled her hand out of Suigetsu's chest and looked towards Tazuna, only to stop moving at what she saw. Gato was standing next to Tazuna with Team 7 restrained. "Hello," Gato said in a voice that betrayed his plan. "Where is your master?" All of a sudden the area shook as a small explosion caught everyone's attention. They all looked towards the glowing barrier; only to see it shatter. As the mist cleared three figures broke through the fog. Naruto and Kakashi clothing was torn and ripped, but Kakashi was the only sporting any sort of injury. Zabuza had one arm hanging limp on his left side and sported a gash that went down his eye.
Haku then did the one thing she shouldn't have; she turned her back on Gato. "Zabuza-sama!" Zabuza turned just in time to see a brave mercenary run up too Haku and place something on her back. Haku turned on a dime and froze the man in place, but suddenly collapsed. "What-." Gato quickly silenced anything she was about to say by hitting her with his cane.
"I have plenty of resources, girl," Gato growled in anger. "I paid no expense to deal with you two." Gato glanced up to a now angered Zabuza, but just as Zabuza took a step forward a blade was pressed against Haku's neck. Zabuza stopped despite everything something Naruto didn't miss. Gato couldn't keep the smile off his face. "I've brought many different sealing tags in order to keep you two under… control." Tazuna's hand twitched towards the hammer on his belt, but received the blunt end of a spear in his gut for it. Kakashi looked towards his students as they looked at the blades pressed against their skin. The only one not in angry was Naruto, in fact he was smiling. Gato's eyes narrowed at Naruto. "What's funny so funny?" Naruto shrugged as he pointed towards Suigetsu in his ice tomb.
"Ask him."
Naruto's cryptic message angered Gato further as he pressed the blade harder against Haku. "Stop with the riddles," Gato shouted in anger! A hand was suddenly placed on Gato's shoulder silencing the man. Gato turned his head slowly towards the hand's owner only too see Suigetsu staring back at him.
"It wasn't a riddle," Suigetsu smiled down at Gato. Before anyone could react Suigetsu blade pierced Gato's lift shoulder forcing him to drop his blade. Suigetsu turned his head to Team 7 as he threw Gato at the mercenaries holding them. All, but one mercenary was hit. He quickly drew his sword back and went for the kill on Sai, but found his blade unable to move. He looked up to see the glaring eyes of Kakashi. Kakashi grabbed the man by his shirt and threw him off the bridge, before going to work freeing his team. All the while Naruto had taken the liberty of taking the tag off of Haku. After asking Haku was she okay Naruto stalked towards Gato. Naruto looked down at the cowering man with the same smile as before. Gato looked around for his mercenaries, but found they had all fled.
"Please," Gato begged. "I'll pay you anything you want." Naruto shook his head as he pointed to Zabuza.
"I'm not the one you should be begging too."
Gato watched in horror as Zabuza dropped his sword in exchange for a kunai. Each step Zabuza took Gato felt death walk towards him. With a scream of fear Gato went to flee, but stopped when Zabuza appeared in front of him. Before he could say a word Zabuza plunged the kunai deep into Gato's chest. Blood poured out of Gato's mouth, but before a drop could hit the bridge, Zabuza tossed the man over the side. Naruto sat crouched on the side of the bridge as he watched Gato's corpse hit the water. "Is everyone okay," Kakashi asked? Naruto stood up and walked towards Suigetsu patting him on the shoulder.
"Nice work," Naruto commented with a smile. "I wouldn't have thrown Gato, but still can't argue with results." Naruto glanced towards a struggling Haku and went too help, but in a split-second was forced to duck underneath Zabuza's blade. Naruto's smile was replaced with a look of rage. In a display of speed Naruto pulled out a kunai just in time to block Zabuza's next attack. Naruto jumped back to avoid Zabuza's next swing, but saw Kakashi appear behind the swordsman. Zabuza turned just in time to see Kakashi swing the blade of a kunai aimed at his back.
"This is the end of you," Kakashi commented in a dead voice. Blood splattered across the ground, but it didn't belong to Zabuza. Kakashi stared wide-eye at the newest target of his attack; Naruto. Naruto managed to get place his hand in the direct line of impact of Kakashi's kunai. Zabuza was about to bring his blade up when Naruto twisted his body and gave both Kakashi and Zabuza chakra enhanced kicks. The two Jonins were sent skidding back from the force of the attacks. Naruto glared at the two with nothing sort of pure hatred.
"We are done fighting," Naruto announced with a voice leaving no room for argument. Naruto walked over to the shocked Haku and held out his hand. Haku reached forward cautiously as Naruto gently helped her up. Naruto looked down at his hand and smiled as the wound completely vanished. "With Gato gone Haku and Zabuza is no longer our enemy." To prove his point Naruto turned his back on Zabuza, but stopped when he felt the amount of killer intent coming from the other side of the bridge. Everyone looked at Naruto with concern as he actually started to shake slightly. "Instead, we should be worried about them." Naruto turned his head around and saw two figures walking towards them. One of them was taller then the other and had a giant sword with a skull on its handle. The other one had bells on his straw hat, but that was where the differences stopped. They both had straw hats and wore black robes with red clouds on them. Zabuza and Suigetsu took on look at the bigger of the two and responded accordingly. Suigetsu turned his body into water; Zabuza, despite himself, put his body in front of Haku.
"Look at that," The bigger one said as he took off his hat, revealing a blue-skinned man with a shark-like appearance. "It's nice to meet you again, Zabuza and Suigetsu." The two sneered at the man with a burning hatred in their eyes. "Is there anyone you want to say hello too, Itachi." Sasuke froze solid as he looked up at the second man whose eyes burned with the Sharingan. Itachi took in the area as he removed his hat.
"Hello," Itachi's eyes burned straight at Sasuke whose shock was now replaced with rage. "Little brother."
I finally had a chance to fix the missing-nin part in 'The Return' so now I can focus more on the battle with Itachi and Kisame in the next chapter or two. Anyway hope you all enjoyed.
