The next day, all of the genin were supposed to be on bridge watch duty. There was two problems with that, Naruto was nowhere to be found, and if someone attacked, why would you leave a few genin to protect the bridge?

"So Tazuna, any idea when this bridge is going to be completed?"

"Well there's still a few feet until we get to the end, so probably today or tomorrow"

"I guess that's logical…but what are we supposed to do?"

Sasuke didn't answer, so I guess Araya felt the need to say something.

"I'll tell you what I'm going to do, I'm going to go get some lunch and take a nap, see you guys later"

She just walked off the bridge, but would be back soon enough. It was just Sasuke and I, sitting there, alone on the edge of the bridge in an awkward silence.

"So I guess I owe you one from the other day"

"It was nothing, I was just making sure the mission would go well"

"Of course…I was just trying to start a conversation and what do you do? Block it completely, the conversation's just hit a brick wall, I hope you're happy"

"You're the one who isn't very interesting to talk to"

"I'm sorry I don't know you enough to know what the hell you want to talk about!"

"How about what you did yesterday, you're just as rash as Naruto"

"Ignoring that comment, you weren't much help either! Kakashi did all the work"

"He's a jounin, he can take care of himself. You don't even qualify to be a genin"

"I dare you to say that to my face"

He turned to look at me, "You don't qualify to be a genin"

"Ok I've had enough of this"

I grabbed his shirt and was about to punch him, when we lost our balance and went tumbling over the railing from the bridge. He grabbed my hand and the edge of the bridge, but he lost his grip on the bridge and we fell into the water. I had never mentioned this to anyone besides my sister, but I'm deathly afraid of water and cannot swim, so I was having fun in the water. I flailed around, trying desperately to keep my head above the water. Right when I just stopped trying, Sasuke must have noticed, coming over and wrapped one arm around my stomach, keeping me afloat in the water, but I still took in a bit of water every now and again.

"Calm down, I've got you, you'll be fine"

I felt really embarrassed, I didn't want anyone to find out. I guess that wasn't the only feeling I had…I think I was blushing when he first got me on his arm, he was such a strong swimmer and was fast even while carrying me…what am I saying! This was the annoying guy I always bickered with, none of those kinds of feelings were allowed! Not for him…not now…He got us back onto the bridge and set me down on my back. I could breathe, but it was encumbered.

"So are you alright?"

"Ya…I think so"

"You should have told me you couldn't swim, I would have reacted faster"

"It's not something I tell people…thanks a lot for your help…I don't know what I would have done"

"Don't worry about it, you can always call me if you need help"

"So I guess I owe you two now huh?"

"Only if you're keeping score"

"Sorry for all that"

"I shouldn't have said anything…Either way, we need to get back to guarding the bridge, who knows what could've gone on while we were dawdling"

"Dawdling!?"

"Just come on"

Dawdling??? Really? What the heck was his problem! I nearly drown in some random straight and he considers it dawdling! The nerve! Anyway, a couple of hours later, Araya got back and to my dismay, it started getting foggy.

"What's with the fog? It was sunny a few minutes ago"

"I don't like the look of this, where's Tazuna"

"Over here! Fog in this area is quite rare"

Once again there was a kunai flying right by my head, this time it was and his friend the tracking ninja. They were, of course, there to kill the bridge builder and we had to stop them.

"You guys take Haku, I can deal with Zabuza until Kakashi comes"

"Naoki you can't possibly take him on by yourself"

"Just go, I'll get you guys if I need help"

So it was just me against Zabuza, this was going to be fun. He had water style ninjutsu and a meat cleaver for a sword, yay…He was big and slow in his movements, so dodging him wasn't that hard. The others were stuck in some sort of ice dome, which I could not figure out to save my life. Hmm, maybe his slow movements could give me an advantage here. I ran towards the ice dome, Zabuza right in step, then I jumped onto the highest panel of ice. His sword rammed against it and bounced off, giving his whole body a shock, but it didn't even get close to shattering the ice. I jumped off and ran to the very edge of the bridge.

"Alright Haku, now!"

"Wait what?"

Before I could even process what he said, there were probably twenty or so ice needles in my back and through my arm. I brought my arm back, attempting a rasengan, maybe this time I would be able to hold it the whole time. I actually nailed him and he flew straight off of the bridge, onto the mainland. I turned around and ran back to Haku and the others.

"I bought a few minutes at least, how can I help?", I said while taking out needles from my flesh.

"You can help by breaking the mirrors"

"Thanks for giving me the impossible job"

I got on top of the dome again, but this time slipped and fell through one of the cracks in the structure.

"Smooth, that helps us a ton"

"Shut up"

I got up and more needles came flying at me. I was able to dodge some of them, but most were deep in my skin. Kakashi was now taking over keeping Zabuza occupied…since I guess I can't take on a jounin. Araya helped me get some of the needles out, but I was rearing to go.

"Wait just a few minutes, these wounds could open mo-"

I already jumped back into the center of the fight.

"You're one of the most stubborn people I've ever met!"

"That's not saying much, you don't know that many people"

Suddenly, Naruto came sliding into our little sphere of friendship.

"Naruto you could have helped more from the outside!"

"I figured you guys needed some help from the best ninja ever!"

"Hey best ninja ever, duck"

I dove and managed to get him out of harm's way, not so much for me.

"No don't worry about me, a few more holes won't do anything…"

"I have a great idea!"

"What is it now?"

"Let's all attack the same mirror!"

"We did that already…"

"We need to slow down time to see these stupid things. Araya, can you get the 'best ninja ever' and get out of the circle, I'll cover you"

"Sure thing"

She dragged him out of the circle as Sasuke and I distracted Haku.

"Great, now you know what to do"

I jumped towards the panel we were aiming at, but was intercepted by Haku who had me by the neck.

"Sasuke…go now"

I hit Haku back into one of his mirrors, as Sasuke and Araya got through one of the other mirrors. This was going to take forever. He came right back and shoved me to the side, without any warning.

"What the hell was that for?"

"You aren't paying attention"

He glanced back for a second and I saw red in his eyes. I figured I was imagining things, so I just got back up.

"I really have no plan now"

"Distract Haku, I can hit him"

"We've tried that already, it doesn't work"

"Just do it"

I got up and followed Haku around his mirrors, making sure his eyes never left me. Sasuke actually nailed him with a fire style ninjutsu, making him fall to the ground. Since Araya and Naruto were nowhere to be found, Sasuke and I handled finishing off Haku. That was a long and agonizing fight. Soon after, Zabuza was taken care of as well, so technically we were done with our mission. Since the Bridge Builder should have been very grateful, we all stayed at his house one last night.

"Ow ow ow, Araya you're a horrible medical ninja"

"Just hold still, you have a lot of cuts that insist on bleeding profusely!!"

"Oh I guess I should say this, thanks Sasuke, I don't think I would have been able to do that on my own", I said, looking over at Kakashi and Naruto who were both nodding. I glared at them, since they were the ones who made me say it.

"I know they put you up to that, it's all for the good of the mission"

"Once again I hear that from you, I don't know why I even bother anymore"

"C'mon guys! Let's all get to bed, we'll be back in the village by tomorrow afternoon!"

I declined the most wonderful medical ninja in the world's treatment and just went upstairs for some much needed rest.