Chapter 7: Showdown in Tree Town, an Explosive Climax!

It was a rather one sided battle. The majority of Gato's forces were laying siege to Tsunami's house, meaning only a select few were guarding the base, and they never stood a chance against an entire army of Kitsunes, although one soldier had taken down five Bunshin Kitsunes before being defeated by the original.

"Tedious," Kitsune yawned. "Hardly worth the effort." He staggered forwards. 'Damn…I guess the pill's effects wore off. How much longer till I can use your Chakra?'

'So…tired…five more minutes…' The sound of snoring echoed in his thoughts.

"Well aren't you helpful." Kitsune growled.

"Yo, Kitsune," Kiba walked up to Kitsune, his face pale white.

"What is it?"

"You should see this." Kiba lead the way to the central building. "In here."

"Wait, I can sense something," Kitsune frowned. "A ritual has been performed inside, have you been inside?"

"Yeah," Kiba scowled, "I felt all uneasy, but I thought that was due to the guy in there."

"The guy?" Kitsune scowled beneath his mask.

"Yeah…he is…well in pieces." Kiba paled.

"I scared him that much?" Kitsune shook his head.
"I was being literal. He has been cut into pieces, and he is still alive! Some sick bastard cut off all of his limbs and his head, but used some weird Chakra field to keep him alive!"

"That would be the ritual." Kitsune shivered. "Kiba, get Tazuna and everyone then leave. Immediately."

"Do you know who did that?" Kiba didn't like Kitsune's tone. He usually sounded either bored or excited. Now he sounded terrified.

"Kitsune…if it is who you think…can you win?" Kiba asked, fearing the answer.

"Kiba…" Kitsune reached up and removed his mask, handing it to Kiba. "I don't stand a chance. Even with my Red Chakra, I would be brutally slaughtered. Last time we thought, I was lucky to escape with my life. At the moment, I am tired and without my Red Chakra, yet if I do not engage her, she will kill you and Tazuna and Shino and everyone I aim to protect. She will not sleep; she will not rest until she has had her fight with me."

"Naruto?" Kiba blinked as the unmasked Kitsune faced him. The whiskers were still there and his blue eyes were present, but rather than the cheerful spirit they held when they were younger, now they held a sort of world weary look to them. That and there were several small scars littering Naruto's face, made Kiba wonder if it really was the same Naruto he had once known.

"Tell everyone I'm sorry." Naruto smiled weakly, drew his katana and walked into the central building.

"Oh gods…" Kiba turned to see Shino escorting Tazuna. "We have to get Kakashi-sensei!"

"Is that Kitsune's mask?" Shino asked.

"Kitsune is going to try and buy us some time, he was scared damn it!" Kiba ran a hand through his hair. "We need to get reinforcements quickly!"

"Hai," Shino nodded, "You find the others, and I'll escort Tazuna and his family home.

Inside the building, Naruto was trying his best not to throw up. The body had been skilfully cut into several segments, with the foul Ritual keeping all the organs, which were on a table opposite the head, functioning so that the recipient of the torture could see how his internal organs worked. The head turned to face Naruto, with tears in his eyes.

"Please end this! I hired a monster! She and her disciple betrayed us, killing most of our men! Please help me!"

"I will," Naruto nodded and walked over to the table, picking up the man's brain. "I will make this as painless as possible." Conjuring some of his chakra into a rotating sphere, Naruto used the one useful technique he had learnt from Ero-Sennin. "Rasengan!" The rotating orb tore the brain into microscopic fragments, and the head slowly sagged. The Chakra field winked and faded away.

"Where are you? I know it's you. You always were a sadistic murderer."

There was the sound of footsteps and Naruto span around. Walking towards him was a girl, no older than himself. On her back was a katana, with the same colours as Naruto's. She wore a black trench coat, with nothing but bandages underneath. She smiled like a little child, looking at Naruto with wide bright blue eyes.

"Ah, Naru-chan! It has been far too long, my pupil."

Zabuza screeched to a halt as an insanely heaving Killing Intent struck the group. "Oh shit…"

"Is that?" Haku started.

"Yes," Zabuza nodded. "She's back."

"Who?" Kakashi stopped behind Zabuza.

"The Devil Incarnate. She is the one who is responsible for Naruto's lack of mercy to his enemies. She taught him how to fight using a Katana, but in her tribe, the only way you can become a master, is by killing the master who trained you. Even with his Red Chakra, Naruto was unable to harm her in sparring, no matter what wounds she received, she would carry on oblivious." Zabuza shook his head. "It is said anyone who has seen her fight is dead, except Naruto."

"And when he fought her…" Haku's voice trailed off.

"He appeared in our camp, bleeding heavily, half dead. Most of his bones were visible through his flesh and his legs were completely shattered. He had crawled away from the fight and passed out when he reached our campsite." Zabuza shook his head, "He was out cold for three months. Two of those were spent in a death like coma."

"So…Kitsune is far stronger now, he can defeat her." Sasuke shrugged.

"This woman," Zabuza continued, "Was seen the next day, completely unharmed. She had completely torn through Naruto's defences, Red Chakra and all, without taking so much as a scratch. Naruto said none of his attacks could reach her, it was if there was some kind of wall blocking his attacks."

"What was this woman's name?" Kakashi noted the fact they had been avoiding naming her and reached into his pocket for the Bingo Book.

"Ranoko." Zabuza glanced at Kakashi, "Don't bother searching for her in there. No-one who knows how dangerous she really is has survived except Naruto. All me and Haku know is what Naruto told us."

"So…what do we do?" Haku asked.

"What do you think?" Zabuza growled, "We get in there, get Naruto and then run as fast as we can in the opposite direction."

"So…even the Demon of the Mist fears this woman?" Kakashi shivered. "I am not looking forward to this fight…"

"She is less a woman and more a destructive force of nature," Haku whispered.

Zabuza starting running again, now he had a sense of urgency that was previously absent. Haku was sticking close to him, checking her weapons as she ran. Sasuke and Kakashi followed keeping the same distance as before.

"What's the plan?" Sasuke turned to Kakashi.

"Remember what I told you all when you passed the bell test?"

"Ninjas who don't follow the rules are trash, but ninjas who abandon their team mates are even worse," Sasuke stated.

"Correct," Kakashi nodded, Sharingan eye at the ready. "We are going to save Naruto."

"Juubun Benkai," Ranoko grinned as the furious Kaze Yari attacks from Naruto simply deflected from her, apparently hitting an invisible wall. The Room they had been in was destroyed a long time ago, and they were now simply fighting in the forest below, although with the rate they were destroying the trees, how long it would remain a forest was time in hours you could fit on one hand.

"Damn, I hate that technique." Naruto growled as he avoided the rebounds.

"As when we fought last time, you lack a purpose to fight. Without a purpose, you will die here." Ranoko chuckled and brought her katana around in an arc, "Wareru Jigen." An almost invisible wave of Chakra issued out in a 360 degree arc, reducing everything in its path to splinters, narrowly missing Naruto who leapt out of the way of the attack.

"Damn it, you never used that last time we fought!" Naruto grumbled.

"I have improved since then, unfortunately, it appears you didn't Naru-chan." Ranoko shook her head sadly. "Such a shame, I thought you had some potential. It appears all you have is the coward's ability to stay alive."

"Katon: Ryuujin Yuusen!" Naruto rapidly formed hand and thousands of small beads of fire appeared and charged towards Ranoko.

"Juubun Benkai," Ranoko grinned as her invisible wall blocked the projectiles, but looked surprised as they exploded, causing her minor burns. "Oh me, oh my! This is new! Naru-chan has learnt something!"

"Doton: Resshin!" Naruto roared as he struck the floor, causing the earth to shatter and explode. The disturbance caused Ranoko to launch herself into the air to avoid being thrown or struck by the debris of the explosion.

"Oh me oh my! Little Naru-chan has been working hard!" Ranoko giggled as she landed in a tree. "I didn't know you could use Earth-based attacks."

"Damn, I had hoped that would have at least injured you," Naruto stood up nursing the fist he had punched the floor with.

"You were always better than me with ninjutsu; unfortunately I am far superior with Kenjutsu." Ranoko grinned and brought her blade around in another arc. "Wareru Jigen," She called out and watched gleefully as Naruto tried to evade the invisible attack.

"Fuuton: Dai Kamaitachi!" Naruto swung his katana around and sent a blade of wind towards Ranoko, who deflected it with her Katana.

"Oh me oh my! That could have hurt if it had hit me!" Ranoko looked offended. "I guess I too will have to get serious."

"Katon: Dai Endan!" Naruto sheathed his sword and quickly formed the hand seals launching a fire ball at Ranoko, who sent it flying away with a quick slash of her blade.

"Oh me oh my!" Ranoko frowned. "More Fire techniques? They won't work any better than your wind ones!"

"Damn it!" Naruto growled. 'Kyuubi, I need your help!'

'I don't want to go to school…ten more minutes…'

'Oh for crying out loud!' Naruto scowled, of all the times for Kyuubi to start acting like a little child.

"Dai Wareru Jigen!" Ranoko grinned as she twirled around.

"Oh…" Naruto frowned. Rather than the arc, the strange, nearly invisible attack was now a whirlwind shape. Focusing all the Chakra he could spare, he managed to evade the attack, although now he was low on Chakra, whereas Ranoko appeared completely fine.

"Is this it?" Ranoko looked disappointed, "I guess I will have to end our little game now."

'Sorry Haku…but I guess I've got to do this,' "Maneru Haku!"

"Argh!" Haku fell to her knees, clutching her neck.

"What is it?" Zabuza noted the red glow on Haku's neck. "Oh shit…Naruto's in trouble…"

"How can you tell?" Kakashi frowned.

"That is the Mating Mark of the Kyuubi, given by Kyuubi to Haku to allow her to defend herself. However, it works both ways. Just as she can leech Naruto's chakra to charge herself, he can call on hers to boost his own. However unlike Haku's ability to drain, Naruto's has no range. So long as Haku wears the mark, the transfer can go ahead. But unlike a simple Chakra exchange, this method also transfers Bloodline powers temporarily. That is what causes the extreme pain to the target." Zabuza picked Haku up as they continued running towards Gato's base. "That's why Naruto never uses it unless he has no choice."

"We'd better hurry then," Kakashi and Sasuke followed Zabuza.

"Hyouton: Aisa Yari Buriza-do," Naruto started forming the hand seals and released the Jutsu. The water in the air crystallised into thousands of ice spears, all of which pointed towards Ranoko for a few moments before they screamed towards her with unerring accuracy from all directions.

"Juubun Benkai!" Ranoko shattered the spears attacking her from the front, although all those attacking from behind pierced her in vital organs.

"So your Juubun Benkai only protects in 180 Degrees." Naruto grinned.

"You can smile all you want, Naru-chan. That was neither your ability nor bloodline, so I know you are empty and are using that strange leach power again." Ranoko had witnessed this in training before, so it was no major shock to Naruto that she knew his technique. "Do you remember the damage you did to that poor girl?" Naruto did, when he returned, Haku was pale and bleeding at the neck, from the Mating Mark. It took several days for her to fully recover.

"I have pierced your lungs, heart and stomach. You can't have much longer left." Naruto smiled slightly. Her death would be a relief.

"Trivial wounds," Ranoko giggled and pulled the bloodied Ice Shards from her body, licking her own blood of them, while Naruto froze in fear.

"How…even you need a heart to live!" Naruto growled.

"I am beyond human," Ranoko giggled again as her flesh healed itself. "Want to try that again?"

"Damn…" Naruto was in trouble. He couldn't use that Jutsu again without badly injuring Haku, and had no other sources of Chakra.

'That was a nice nap…oh; I see you are in trouble.'

'Finally!' Naruto grinned and called upon Kyuubi's chakra, the red glow slowly surrounding his body.

"Oh, so you can call upon the Red Chakra. That is good." Ranoko smiled. "Now we can fight properly but I doubt you will be able to harm me. You lack a motive to fight so will probably not last long."

"By myself, no." Naruto admitted. "But I have reinforcements on the way!" He bit his thumb and yelled, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

"Summoning?" Ranoko grinned. "You are full of tricks."

"What is it now?" A woman with long red hair, fox ears and two red tails stood before Naruto, wearing a White Kimono. She appeared unarmed and uninterested.

"I need your help Kyuubi-hime," Naruto nodded at Ranoko.

"Tch, must I always protect you mate?" Kyuubi chuckled to herself and turned to face the one who would threaten her container. "This is the source of your problems? A little girl?"

"I pierced her through almost every vital organ, and she just regenerated as if nothing had happened!" Naruto defended himself, "I guess we have to completely obliterate her in one hit. To actually kill her."

"Oh, I see." Kyuubi nodded. "We shall see how good your regeneration is."

"How much power am I at?" Naruto asked as he had Kyuubi stood side by side.

"Hmm…you are at about…0.5% of your usual levels. You can possibly manage one of our combos, but that would be without the Kyuubi-Chou-Dai-Rasengan."

"Ah." Naruto scowled. That was their strongest combined technique and would have guaranteed victory, but unlike the Rasengan, it was slow and cumbersome, so required the target to be immobilised before it could effectively be used. Immobilising Ranoko seemed damn near impossible, she just instantly recovered from and attack she received.

He sensed a projectile inbound from deeper in the forest and snatched it out of the air. It was his mask.

"Yahoo!" Kiba landed beside Naruto, "The cavalry has arrived!"

"Kiba!" Naruto put his mask on, "What the hell are you doing? I told you to flee and fulfil the mission! The rules are simple, the mission takes priority!"

"Ninja who don't follow the rules are trash, but those who abandon their team mates are worse than trash!" Kiba grinned.

"Wow…that's quite deep for you Kiba."

"That's because it's Kakashi-sensei's line," Sasuke grumbled as he landed beside the now masked Kitsune, "I see you are in trouble again, Dobe."

"Ah shut up Sasuke-teme," Kitsune growled.

"Checkmate," Sasuke smiled, "Only one Dobe ever referred to me as such, Naruto."

"Huh?" Kitsune frowned.

"He figured it out himself." Kakashi commented as he landed besides Kyuubi.

"Not that it was that hard, Haku and I tried to make it as easy as possible." Zabuza and Haku landed beside Kakashi.

"I am glad to see you are well, Naruto-kun." Haku landed in front of Naruto. "It has been too long, Kyuubi-sama."

"Haku." Kyuubi nodded to her rival.

"Kyuubi?" Kakashi repeated then glanced at the women he was stood beside. "You are Kyuubi? The demon that attacked Konoha?"

"Got a problem with that?" Kyuubi glared at the Cyclops.

"Not at all," Kakashi held up his hands in a sign of peace. "I was just wondering."

"How the hell did the dobe get the Kyuubi to fight for him?" Sasuke sighed.

"I ask myself the same question time and time again." Kyuubi grinned, "But aren't we forgetting something?"

"Oh right," Kakashi scanned the area. "Excuse me, miss, have you seen a…" Kakashi paused. "What does Ranoko look like?" He asked Zabuza.

"That's her," Zabuza nodded at the smiling girl.

"Ah," Kakashi nodded, "Never mind."

"More people to play with? Oh me oh my, this will be such fun!" Ranoko beamed.

"Everyone, keep her occupied, me and Kyuubi-hime have a plan, but we need her distracted," Kitsune whispered.

"Hai," The others nodded and surrounded Ranoko.

"Oh me oh my," Ranoko span around. Her style was suited to facing one opponent. When facing multiple ones surrounding her, most of her defensive techniques became useless and she would not be able to focus on close combat with one target, as that would leave her opponent to attack from someone else. True her Wareru Jigen was designed to eradicate armies, but against swift moving targets it became little more than a distraction. The Dai version was more suited to this situation, but while she was rotating, she was vulnerable to attack. 'This is going to be really fun!' she thought to herself.

"Katon: Endan!" Sasuke launched his assault first. Even though he was weak on Chakra, he wanted to test himself, to push himself past his limits.

"Juubun Benkai," Ranoko grinned and watched as the fireball harmlessly hit the invisible wall.

"She is using a wall of wind to defend herself!" Kakashi called, "This wind wall covers her front 180 Degrees, so we have to attack from behind!"

"Oh me oh my," Ranoko smiled, "That is a Sharingan you are using! I want it!"

"Katon: Goukakyuu No Jutsu!" Sasuke wasn't done just yet, while she was facing Kakashi, he released another flame Jutsu. The large fireball roared towards Ranoko's back.

"Oh me oh my!" Ranoko ignored Sasuke's attack allowing it to strike her.

"Got her!" Sasuke grinned. 'Hah! I beat her, which is more than that dobe can say.'

"This is too troublesome!" Ranoko ignored the fact she was on fire.

"What?" Sasuke blinked, "How is she still standing?"

"I pierced most of her vital organs, and she just regenerated." Kitsune sighed. He and Kyuubi were forming the hand seals that they needed to use their final technique.

"Juujin Bunshin!" Kiba yelled after feeding a soldier pill to Akamaru, who turned into a more feral version of himself. "Let's do this Akamaru!"

Kiba and the transformed Akamaru charged in and got several attacks against Ranoko, but as with Sasuke she simply ignored them, focusing purely on Kakashi and his Sharingan eye.

"Damn it!" Sasuke drew his Kunai and charged towards Ranoko.

"You have the potential for the Sharingan." Ranoko snapped around to face Sasuke and lashed out at him, sword cleaving his kunai and heading straight for his throat, when the world stopped. He stepped out of the way of the attack as the Kyuubi Houyou released the final burst of Chakra it had stored.

"That was an impressive burst of speed." Ranoko grinned.

"Damn!" Sasuke felt his eyes burning.

"Oh no," Kakashi stepped between Sasuke and Ranoko. "What is going on?"

"My eyes damn it!" Sasuke clutched at them.

"Ah," Kitsune looked up. "It appears that the Kyuubi Houyou is trying to force Sasuke's Sharingan to activate."

"How come?" Kakashi frowned.

"I have studied the Red Chakra and know how to manipulate it. Naru-chan placed no protection on his seal, so any one could manipulate the Red Chakra if they knew how. I have no need for him until he has the Sharingan, and then I will kill him and take his eyes." Ranoko giggled, "It will be like an early Birthday present!"

"Damn." Sasuke tried to see but blood was seeping from his eyes.

"This may hurt you know, but after I kill you it will all be over!" Ranoko giggled.

"Now!" Kitsune and Kyuubi finished their hand seals. Each held a large version of the Rasengan.

"Dai Rasengan (Great Rasengan)!" Kitsune held up his bright blue sphere.

"Kyuubi Chou Rasengan! (Kyuubi Super Rasengan)" Kyuubi held her blood red sphere.

"Merge!" they both yelled and combined their Rasengan attacks, the blue chakra and the red chakra slowly merging together.

"Kyuubi Chou Dai Rasengan (Kyuubi Super Great Rasengan, Naruto named it)!" They both yelled and heaved the attack towards Ranoko. The impossibly huge Chakra ball slowly made its way towards Ranoko. The attack itself was 10 feet wide, and the nins all leapt away from Ranoko to stay clear of it.

"That is without a doubt a slow technique…" Kiba frowned. It was currently travelling at less than walking pace.

"My eyes…" Sasuke looked up, "They have stopped hurting…" He could see the Chakra of Naruto's attack.

"And there are my precious Sharingan eyes!" Ranoko chuckled, seeing the red eyes and the single comma shapes.

"Come and get them," Sasuke dived between Ranoko and the giant Rasengan. 'I hope she really is as single-minded as I think.'

"Mine!" She leapt towards Sasuke who dived out of the way, "Huh? Oh me oh my!" she yelled as she collided with the giant sphere.

"EVERYBODY LEG IT!" Kitsune yelled as he raced away, quickly followed by the others.

Kurenai sighed as they finished cleaning the house.

"Hey, we're home!" Inari grinned as he walked in. "You ninja guys are awesome! I mean, I thought you were all going to be killed, but the fact you busted in their all like POW, and then kicked all those goons into next week…" Inari had been completely overwhelmed by Shino's skill and had been inspired to become a hero.

"I think my son is trying to say thank you." Tsunami turned to Shino, who nodded politely.

"It was our pleasure." Shino smiled slightly,

"And I thought bugs were weird, but after what you did to that one guy…I want to be a bug wielding ninja hero, just like you!"

"Thanks," Shino nodded, "But to be like me you must be calm and rational, and always protect your hive."

"Hive?" Inari blinked.

"I meant your family," Shino clarified.

"You guys are back?" Kurenai stated the obvious. "How is Kitsune?"

"In a life and death struggle last I heard," Shino calmly stated, "He will probably be back soon."

"Shino, it is good to see you." Hinata and Sakura smiled from the table they were sat at.

"May I ask why there is all that red paint splattered in the forest?" Tazuna asked.

"Erm…that is not red paint." Konan stood up, "I was forced to deal with the small force in the forest to stop them attacking this house."

"Ah," Shino turned to Konan, "I do not believe I have had the pleasure of meeting you. My name is Shino Aburame."

"Konan, ex-mercenary, currently searching for Naruto Uzumaki." Konan bowed.

"Naruto Uzumaki," Shino nodded and turned to Hinata, "It appears you have an ally in your search, Hinata."

"Yeah," Hinata nodded. "I suppose so."

Shino sat down and helped himself to some biscuits while Tazuna talked to Kurenai.

"Well, the room looks nice and clean," Tsunami smiled, "I guess you guys decided to clean up since you had nothing better to do."

"Something like that," Sakura grinned. It had taken hours to clean up all the blood. They had made it look as if nothing had ever happened. Sakura had put 100% effort into cleaning that…

There was an explosion and the room shook, causing a vase to fall and smash.

"I'll clean that up," Sakura smiled. 'Damn it! I spent forever cleaning the damn thing and it just broke, how could this get worse?'

She was answered by several singed nins crashing through the wall.

"What the…Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura blinked.

"You dobe!" Sasuke growled as he staggered to his feet, "Why didn't you tell me that attack would explode!"

"I was mixing two completely different Chakras! I thought it would be obvious that the result would be unstable!" Kitsune adjusted his mask as he stood up.

'Ouch…You destroyed my physical body! I'll have to wait a week before I can be summoned again! I knew I shouldn't have let you use that technique,' Kyuubi whined.

"Ouch…" Haku grumbled, "Where is Zabuza-sama?"

"He was at the other end of the blast to you; he was probably sent the other way." Kakashi covered his Sharingan eye. "Next time you use that attack, give me time to get into the next country."

"It's still a work in progress." Kitsune chuckled and turned to face Tsunami, "Sorry about your wall, my attack backfired a little."

"It is alright Kitsune-kun, after you saved our lives, it is no major concern." Tsunami smiled at Kitsune.

"Good job Kakashi-sensei knew that cushioning Jutsu." Kiba grinned, "Else we could have died!"

"Oh, before I forget; Kiba and Sasuke, I need to have a word with you, in private." Kitsune jerked his head indicating he wanted them outside.

"Alright!" Kiba grinned and followed Sasuke and Kitsune out of the building. They walked for a while until Kitsune removed his mask.

"Right, now I know you two both know my real identity; I ask that you don't tell anyone alright?"

"Fine by me," Kiba looked at Naruto seriously, "So long as you promise to tell Hinata."

"I will do, just not right now," Naruto promised.

"I never said right now; just make sure you tell her before anybody else, alright?"

"I'll try, how about you Sasuke?" Naruto turned to the Uchiha, who had deactivated his Sharingan. Kiba headed back to the house.

"I will keep this secret under one condition."

"I'll spar with you and help teach you new Jutsu etc." Naruto rolled his eyes.

"That was not the condition, although I will take you up on that offer. My condition is this," Sasuke looked deadly serious, "I want you to…be my rival."

"Huh?" Naruto frowned.

"I want you to be someone who I can count on to help me become stronger to…" Sasuke trailed off.

"Kill Itachi?" Naruto filled in. "Kakashi told me of your avenger persona."

"I…don't know…I want to know why he killed everyone. Part of me refuses to believe that the kind brother I once had could do such a thing. I want strength to face him but to kill him would be a waste of my time…" Sasuke looked away, "I don't want any more blood of my family to be shed. Not without understanding the situation first."

"I think you have proved yourself worthy of this," Naruto reached into a pocket and pulled out a scroll. "This holds some of the more advanced Uchiha Jutsu. It was entrusted to me to give to you when you proved you are capable. In that fight you showed the ability to rapidly think of a solution to my attacks short comings and just now you showed you are developing emotionally as well." Naruto grinned his fox like grin, "I wonder if I should stop calling you Sasuke-teme."

"Who entrusted this to you?" Sasuke asked.

"That would be telling," Naruto chuckled, "And I don't squeal. I will protect my precious people, even if it is from another one of my precious people"

"Ah…" Sasuke chuckled too as he realised what Naruto was saying, and the two quickly burst out laughing. Not for any reason but more to release all the pent up emotions the two had faced in their lives. It was laugh or cry, and they were both too proud to cry in front of the other one.

"So…does this mean I am one of your precious people?" Sasuke asked.

"Hmm…well I've trained you, watched you fight and tried to keep you alive, I guess your kind of like an annoying little brother." Naruto grinned and replaced his mask.

"Charmed, I'm sure." Sasuke shook his head and lead the way back. "Though I wouldn't mind having you for a brother."

"Huh?" Kitsune stopped.

"Unlike Itachi, I would have been compared favourably to you." Sasuke grinned, "Dobe."

"Whatever," Kitsune chuckled as the two made their way back to the house.

The bridge's construction was finished, under the watchful eyes of the Shinobi, although with Gato's death, it was apparent no-one else cared enough to send a force to destroy the bridge. Kitsune was relieved at this. He had never thought that he would have survived that confrontation with Ranoko, seeing as how their last battle had ended.

'But that time you fought alone, Mate. This time, you have allies.'

'What's this? The Kyuubi lecturing me on the importance of friends?'

'Well…I feel stronger for having you mate.'

'And I for having you.' Kitsune smiled as he watched the opening ceremony. He and the other Shinobi had been invited to watch the unveiling as honoured heroes.

"But what shall we call the bridge?" Tazuna asked the assembled group.

"How about the Wave Bridge of Freedom?" someone in the crowd suggested.

"No! We need a name that symbolises the very essence of freedom and bravery that built this bridge!" Tazuna grinned.

"How about the Shino Bridge?" Inari suggested.

"Hmm…" Tazuna shook his head, "It has something, but not the something we are looking for."

"The Kitsune Bridge?" Sasuke suggested, earning an elbow to the ribs from the aforementioned.

"Hmm…" Tazuna frowned, "Naming it after an S-class mercenary renown for causing many deaths is not fitting for such a glorious construction! No offence intended," Tazuna added to Kitsune.

"None taken," Kitsune bowed politely.

"What we need is a name that inspires courage and hope!" Tazuna noted Hinata holding her hand up, "Yes Miss Kunoichi?"

"How about Naruto Uzumaki Bridge?" Hinata suggested.

"Ah! Uzumaki as in Whirlwind…I guess that does fit considering the location!" Tazuna nodded, with choruses of agreement from the crowd.

"Naruto Uzumaki?" Kitsune shook his head, "These guys don't even know who he is."

"And you do?" Hinata looked up.

"A little," Kitsune replied enigmatically, "although with what other people tell me about him, I wonder if I know him at all."

"Then we are agreed! This shall be called the Great Naruto Bridge!" Tazuna announced as all the villagers cheered.

"Well, I suppose we should get back home." Kakashi smiled, "Where is Haku?"

"…" Kitsune glanced towards the forest, "She went to see if she could find Zabuza. I'll go check on her."

"I'll do it," Kurenai placed a hand on Kitsune's shoulders. "She might need a girl to girl talk."

"If you're sure." Kitsune shrugged. He was hoping to have some time with Haku later.

"I am going to release her," Kakashi sighed. "As much as having a servant would be a neat change, I guess it's cruel."

"How honourable of you," Kitsune replied.

"It is, isn't it?" Kakashi smiled. "I see you have returned, Haku."

"I couldn't find any sign of him," Haku replied sadly, "All there was is the crater caused by Kitsune-kun's attack."

"I'm sure he's alive." Kitsune glanced around. "And I will prove it." He cleared his throat. "BELIEVE IT!"

Nothing happened.

"Ah," Kitsune scratched the back of his head.

"He didn't…" Haku started before a volley of kunai pinned Kitsune to the bridge. There was a note attached to one of them.

'Kitsune,

Take care of Haku, else I will kill you.

Oh, and don't worry about me.

I am going to be wandering around for a while

Maybe we will meet again.

Zabuza.

P.S DON'T SAY THAT EVER AGAIN!'

"He's fine," Haku smiled on reading the note.

"Glad to hear it," Kurenai smiled. 'I sure as hell hope he doesn't want a rematch.'

"Well Team Kakashi, Team Kurenai, let's take it home!" Kiba barked.

"What a dobe." Sasuke grumbled as he followed Kakashi and Kurenai.

"I thought I was the dobe." Kitsune chuckled as he set off walking.

"You're promoted to not entirely a dobe." Sasuke shrugged.

"Well you're promoted Sasuke-not-exactly-a-teme." Kitsune grinned.

"Boys…they can never get alone can they?" Sakura sighed as she, Shino and Hinata walked along. "Except you Shino, you are the most level-headed male I have ever met."

"They always have to be the leaders of the hive," Shino observed. "Both Kitsune and Sasuke that is."

"True," Hinata smiled, "I find it exhilarating. They are just like how brothers should be."

"Hinata…" Sakura started.

"Yes?"

"Can you use Byakugan to see through Kitsune's mask?"

"No…I tried but there is some kind of Chakra shield that my Byakugan can't penetrate." Hinata admitted.

"So…been checking Kitsune out huh? What would poor Naruto think?"

"I wasn't…I mean I wouldn't betray Naruto that way!" Hinata squeaked, blushing red.

Sakura shook her head and laughed as the Shinobi began their trek back home, for some much deserved rest and relaxation.

In the forest, a young male, wearing a black cloak and a headband with the symbol of the Mist Village with a deep gash across it, approached the new crater and sighed.
"Master?" He called in a bored fashion. "I know you're alive."

"The little git has found something to fight for," Ranoko chuckled as she stood up. All of her wounds had completely healed. "He had been training well." She stood naked until the male handed her a black robe, much like his own.

"Will you be avenging yourself, Master?"

"Nah," Ranoko grinned. "I had fun maybe another time we can have a rematch, but for now I'll leave him alone but if you want to prove your worth to me, you'll have to beat him one day."

"Hardly worth the effort," The male shrugged and followed his master. All in all, things could be worse. So what if his master was invincible? He had no desire to replace her anyway. He could handle being her disciple so long as he was fed and clothed.

The two walked away from Crater.

"I want a pony!" Ranoko exclaimed.

"How tedious…" The male sighed.

And that's the end of that chapter and the end of the Wave Arc! I had a fair bit of fun inventing a few techniques for Naruto and Ranoko here and particularly liked the Kyuubi Naruto team up, although whether you guys liked it or not will determine if I ever use it again.

For those of you who wonder why Naruto gave Kiba the mask, it was simply to show that he had no faith in his chances of surviving the battle, and wanted Kiba to know who he really was. The Mask was supposed to be taken as a warning that Kitsune had been defeated, but Kiba decided to gather reinforcements rather than flee.