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

Zabuza's Seven

Chapter 9: When Tomboy Meets Girly-Boy

Using his natural charisma, and some fake passports, Zabuza managed to pass the checkpoint and enter Hot Spring Country with Naruto and Haku. The two boys, who for now were disguised as girls, were riding in the back of the wagon that Zabuza acquired.

When Naruto asked Haku why it was needed, he explained it was to enhance their cover as travelling merchants. Civilians would not be able to use sealing scrolls, thus they needed the wagon to carry the "goods" they were planning on selling.

Not to mention, as civilian girls, he and Naruto, or Chisato and Asuka as they were now known, would not be able to walk long distances most merchants did. Therefore, they would need alternate means of travel. Plus, riding in a wagon was fun.

Eventually, they made it to a hot spring resort town where they were supposed to meet up with Kimimaro and the Demon Brothers before joining Mist's rebellion forces. Zabuza decided it would be a good place for Kimimaro to rest after spending several days in Snow Country, and give his men time to unwind.

They dropped off their wagon in a secure location, taking the valuables with them. Zabuza kept the Decapitating Carving Knife sealed in a scroll, custom designed for the blade itself.

Zabuza, Naruto and Haku then entered the hotel where they would meet the rest of the team. Looking around the lobby, Zabuza appeared calm, but Haku could tell he was uneasy.

Since nothing was happening, Naruto asked Haku what was wrong.

"What's going on?" Naruto whispered to Haku.

"I don't know," Haku whispered back, "but master Zabuza seems worried. I believe it's because neither Kimimaro or the Demon Brothers are waiting to meet us."

While Haku spoke to Naruto, Zabuza approached the clerk at the desk.

"Excuse me, my name is Gorou Sano. I'm supposed to meet my nephew, Kudou Kouji, is he here?"

Kudou Kouji was Kimimaro's alias. He should have left a message with the bellhop informing him that if anyone matching Zabuza's description, and named Sano asked for him, to direct them to his room.

"Ah yes, he's had a room reserved for the past week. Oddly, he hasn't left his room for quite some time. His only visitors have been two rather strange fellows. Anyway, he's been expecting you for some time. Here's a spare key for his room, the number's on the tag."

Zabuza, knowing the strange men must have been Gozu and Meizu, the Demon Brothers, thanked the bellhop for his assistance. Gesturing to Haku and Naruto, his apprentices, old and new, followed him to meet with their fellow apprentice.

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Inside one of the hotel rooms, Kimimaro lay prone on a bed. He was clad only in a pair of grey pants, and a wet towel covered his forehead. From his pale complexion, haggard breaths, and obvious fatigue, he was clearly ill.

Gozu and Meizu stood watch over him, unsure of his condition.

"Is he getting any better?" Gozu asked his brother.

"I don't think so. It's hard to tell with him though." Meizu replied.

Both were worried. They knew Kimimaro was very strong, but felt for him to succumb to death through an illness would be devastating for their group. Zabuza, who would most likely be upset at losing a valuable tool might take his anger out on them. Haku would be upset about losing a comrade, and neither Gozu or Meizu knew how that would affect his psyche.

As for Kimimaro, should he live through his ordeal, knowing he was weak and left vulnerable might affect his pride, confidence, and even Zabuza's faith in him. Kimimaro and Haku saw themselves as tools, and were willing to die if they became to be of no use to Zabuza. Such was their devotion to the man they considered their saviour.

A pounding at the door broke Gozu and Meizu from their thoughts. Soon, a voice bellowed out, sending shivers down their spines.

"Kimimaro!" Zabuza called out. They were in a private suite, so no other guests at the hotel would hear them. "You better open this door right now and tell me what the hell is going on!"

Fearing Zabuza's wrath, Gozu quickly opened the door, allowing Zabuza entry. Their leader stormed into the room, followed by what appeared to be two young girls. Gozu recognized one of them as Haku, but was unsure of the other.

The redhead, who seemed nervous, stayed by Haku's side, apparently following his lead. The brothers, knowing better then to question their leader, did not inquire as to the girl's identity.

Upon entering the room, Zabuza and Haku's eye's scanned the area, each searching for something, or someone in particular. Zabuza soon found Kimimaro and went to his side. Haku, seeing his master attending to Kimimaro, gestured to his companion.

"Let's stay back for now." Haku whispered to Naruto. "Master Zabuza seems upset. It would be best if we kept silent for now."

Haku and Naruto then moved to a corner of the room, keeping out of sight. While they made themselves scarce, Zabuza was judging Kimimaro's condition.

'He doesn't seem to have been injured. He might have been infected by some disease while using his sword. It does carry such a risk.'

Kimimaro's sword was called Blood Drinker. It was a long broadsword, or a broad longsword, that was dark red in colour. It can absorb the blood of those it cuts, using it to restore the vitality of it's wielder. The properties of it were based off of Zabuza and Kisame's own swords.

The problem was that it altered it's wielder's fighting style. Instead of killing or wounding your opponent in the most efficient manner, Blood Drinker encouraged it's wielder's to do so in the bloodiest manner possible.

Normally this would not be a problem for Kimimaro, or any Mist ninja. Trained as swordsmen from a young age, and growing up in a cold climate, Mist ninja learned to avoid getting their clothes wet or bloody. Wet clothes could lead to hypothermia, and bloody clothes were ruined.

It was considered a mark of skill among Mist ninja to be able to slaughter a large number of enemies without letting a single drop of their blood stain your clothes.

What made Kimimaro different was his bloodline limit. If he was forced to fight an opponent powerful enough to force him not only to use his sword for recovery, but also his own bloodline, he might have been exposed to foreign poisons.

Poison use was not uncommon among Mist ninjas, due to their assassination skills. The ones who used poisons usually had an immunity to them. However this also made them a carrier to them.

Should anyone have a poison users blood make contact with an open wound, or in Kimimaro's case, an opening where a bone was removed, they may become infected by a deadly poison.

In Zabuza's mind, that was the worst case scenario. Knowing neither he or Haku were knowledgeable enough of medicine to help Kimimaro, the Demon Brothers would have already checked if he was poisoned, and that Naruto still needed to see a doctor, Zabuza decided to find one.

"Alright, listen up." Zabuza called out to his loyal minions. "Gozu, Meizu, you two and I will search for a doctor. Haku, Naruto, you two stay here and guard Kimimaro. If there's anything you think you can do for him, do it."

Having given out his orders, Zabuza left the room, the Demon Brothers following him. Haku and Naruto then went over to Kimimaro's side.

"So this is Kimimaro." Naruto stated.

Haku did not reply, but checked Kimimaro's vitals using his limited medical knowledge. Soon enough, he was finished.

"There isn't much I can do for him." Haku said with a sigh. "The best I can do is use my bloodline to keep his fever down."

Pulling out and opening a water bottle, Haku began to cover Kimimaro's exposed flesh with a layer of water, just like he did with Naruto, who was unusually silent.

"Is something wrong?" Haku asked Naruto.

"I was just remembering," Naruto replied, "not long ago I was the one who was like this. If it wasn't for you, I might still be suffering from those nightmares, or even worse…"

Naruto trailed off at that point, not willing to imagine what he would have done to end his torment.

"Anyway," he continued in his trademark nervous pose, "it's kind of awkward for me, but I want to thank you again for everything you've done for me."

Haku merely smiled at him.

"It's no problem. You're like a little brother to me. I would do anything for you."

The two of them remained in a comfortable silence for a moment, until Naruto spoke up again.

"Hey, can you tell me again how you and Kimimaro joined Zabuza?"

"Well," Haku started, "it all began over ten years ago…"

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In another part of the town, an elderly looking doctor was treating the victims of a recent epidemic in the area. They were contained in a makeshift quarantine tent. He and his apprentice were wearing hazmat suits to keep them from being infected.

While the doctor did his best to treat the victims, his young apprentice was doing their best to calm them, who seemed to be suffering greatly.

'So much despair, I can almost feel the darkness in the air.' The doctor thought to himself.

The seemingly good doctor was broken from his thoughts as his apprentice called out to him.

"Master Shinno, there's somebody here to see you."

The doctor, now known as Shinno, nodded at his apprentice.

"Thank you Amaru, I'll meet with them now. Stay here and continue observing the patients."

Shinno's apprentice, Amaru, resumed their bedside duties as Shinno left to meet their visitor.

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Still disguised as a merchant, Zabuza stood before Shinno. The doctor had removed his hazmat suit earlier, and now wore a simple pair of blue pants, shirt, and a red, sleeveless vest.

"What can I do for you?" Shinno asked Zabuza.

"I'm in need of a doctor, and I heard you were in the area, and came highly recommended."

"That may be true, but surely one of the local doctors would suffice your needs? Why come to me for help?"

"I prefer my business be kept, discreet. Should you accept my offer, I'm sure you'll find it rewarding as well."

Shinno understood Zabuza's hidden message. He did not want any medical records kept, and would pay handsomely for discretion.

"Ah, in that case, just what can I do for you?"

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Zabuza and Shinno now stood inside Kimimaro's hotel suite. The doctor had just finished his diagnosis of Kimimaro.

"Well, how is he?" Zabuza asked Shinno ,while mentally preparing for the worst, knowing of the recent epidemic.

"He has the flu." Shinno replied.

Zabuza blinked, and tried to come up with a coherent response.

"What?" Is all he said instead.

"Due to his unique physiology, he seems to be having trouble fighting it. No worries though, he should be fine in a few days. I can leave some medicine that will help him."

Zabuza was relieved that Kimimaro only had a flu, though he would not admit to himself exactly why he felt so.

"Alright then," Shinno spoke, "who's the other boy who needs a check-up?"

Zabuza gestured for Naruto to come over. Once he did so, Shinno began checking Naruto's vital stats. As he did so, his thoughts took a dark tone.

'This, boy…, he appears to contain a vast amount of dark chakra, I can sense it within him. I thought it would take years to come across this much. With him, I can complete my ambition immediately.'

Finished with his sinister thoughts, and Naruto's examination, Shinno addressed Zabuza.

"The boy is in perfect health. Whatever you have planned for him, he will be able to deal with it."

Naruto was quite relieved to have obtained a bill of clean health. Zabuza was as well, though again, he would not admit to himself why.

"Here's your payment." Zabuza said, handing Shinno some money, no longer needing his services.

Shinno took the payment and left, no one realizing what he was planning.

"Everyone listen up." Zabuza said, getting his subordinates attention. "We will remain here for now, until Kimimaro recovers."

He then looked over at the Demon Brothers.

"Gozu, Meizu, I'll need you to run some errands for me. Here's a list of what I need done."

The Demon Brothers nodded in reply. Taking the list, they committed it to memory, destroyed it, and set out on their appointed tasks. Zabuza then addressed his first apprentice.

"Haku, I'm sure now that you know Kimimaro will be fine, and Naruto's in perfect health, you'll want to resume training with your sword. Find a secluded spot to practice, I'll send Naruto to you later. Speaking of whom…"

Zabuza pulled out a roll of bills and tossed it to Naruto.

"Go buy some new clothes, then find Haku and continue working with him. Consider tracking him down part of your training."

Naruto, slightly upset Zabuza did not want to train him yet, but guessing he wanted to personally keep watch over Kimimaro, gladly accepted the funds and left to finally find something to wear that would not make him look like a girl.

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Excited that he would at last be wearing pants, and underwear that belonged to him, Naruto was merrily bounding down the street to find a clothing store, which did not help his image at all. At the moment though, he may not have cared.

'I wonder if I can find anything orange? Not too much though, maybe just a little, with some blue, or black…'

This time, Naruto did not have another flash of the nightmare visions. They had not returned since he accepted the offer of becoming Zabuza's third apprentice. Although he no longer suffered from them, they seemed to have left a lasting impression on him. He had acknowledged his faults, and was willing to correct them.

So caught up was Naruto in his joyous mood that he did not even notice someone in his path, and collided with that person, knocking the both of them into a mud puddle.

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Amaru was feeling down. The victims of the epidemic were numerous, and many would not survive. Shinno was working on a cure for their disease, while the best Amaru could do was ease their suffering. At the moment, Shinno had sent Amaru out on an errand, as he needed time alone to work on a special project.

'I wonder if I should go to one of the public hot spring? That might make feel better. They only have mixed springs here though. Should I go to one anyway? I wish I had some sort of sign telling me what to do.'

Not paying attention to the immediate surroundings, Amaru then collided with someone and fell into a mud puddle.

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"Ow, that hurt." Naruto said, getting up from his messy fall.

'My clothes are all dirty now. At least I didn't lose my wig.'

Said wig was actually held on quite tight by a special solvent.

'I wonder what I ran into?'

Looking around where he fell, Naruto noticed someone next to him, who was also getting up. The two of them then pushed themselves upright, and awkwardly stood in front of each other.

Both their faces were covered in a light layer of mud, so it was hard to tell if either was embarrassed. For a moment, they stood in silence, taking in the other's appearance.

'I hope he's okay. Haku's right, I do need to be more aware of my surroundings.' Thought Naruto.

' Great, I just knocked another girl into some mud. I hope she doesn't start crying and make me pay for a new dress.' Thought Amaru.

"Sorry." They said together at last, apologizing for their collision.

"Hey, are you alright?" Naruto asked the stranger.

"Uh, yeah, I'm okay." They replied.

"That's good. Oh, I'm Asuka, it's nice to meet you."

In his embarrassment over the situation, Naruto used his alias without realizing it.

"I'm Amaru. Umm, your clothes look pretty dirty now. Are you okay with that?"

Naruto looked down at his attire, which was now covered in mud.

"Huh, oh yeah, no it's okay. I was just out to get some new ones anyway."

Amaru inwardly sighed.

'I should have known.'

Knowing she was partly responsible for their unfortunate situation, Amaru decided to help Naruto out.

"I was just thinking of going to a hot spring. We could wash up there while they launder our clothes. I'd help you get some new ones too if you needed it."

Naruto, having little fashion sense, and not seeing a problem going to a public hot spring with another boy, as if it was not socially acceptable then they would not exist, decided to accept the offer.

"Okay then, let's go find one."

"They only have mixed bathing springs around here, so we'll have to find one with some privacy. I don't want any perverts spying on me." Amaru said.

Naruto briefly wondered why a boy would not want a girl spying on him.

'I guess girls can be perverts too. I don't think want a girl watching me all the time and having bad thoughts about me.'

"I hate perverts too. Don't worry, I won't let any find us."

Amaru was relieved by Naruto's statement. Brushing off as much dirt and mud as they could, the two of them headed off for to find an appropriate hot spring.

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Once Naruto and Amaru arrived at the hot springs, they changed out of their dirty clothes and briefly washed up in the showers, completely separately. Thus neither learned the other's true gender under entering the hot spring, which they believed to be empty, and removing their towels.

Naruto and Amaru stared at each other for a moment, both turning as red as their hair, before exclaiming the obvious.

"You're a boy!" Amaru shouted.

"You're a girl!" Naruto shouted back.

Amaru, still very red, but now from anger, did something that under the circumstances, was completely reasonable.

"Pervert!" She shouted at Naruto.

Amaru then splashed him with the very hot water. It did not hurt Naruto, much, but gave her a distraction to slip away. His skin stinging from the hot water, Naruto tried to figure out what just happened to him.

'Amaru was a girl all along, and I just saw her…'

Naruto was then jostled from his thoughts by a slap on his back.

"That was smooth kid." Said the stranger. "Pretending to be a girl to see one naked. Too bad it didn't work out."

Naruto, both embarrassed that the stranger thought he was trying to trick Amaru, and that he failed to notice his presence, took in the man's appearance.

'Huh, long white hair, red lines on his face, a wart on his nose, why do I feel like I should know who he is?'

Shaking his head, Naruto let some of his immature side slip out.

"I didn't do it on purpose! I thought she was a boy!" Naruto said in his defence. "She was dressed like one." he added with a pout while crossing his arms.

The elderly man sensed the boy was uncomfortable, and tried to make some small talk.

"So, what's your name kid? I'm Jiraiya by the way."

Naruto moved to one side of the spring while the man, identified as Jiraiya sat across from him. He then sighed, and explained his situation to Jiraiya.

"I'm an orphan. I don't have a name."

It was true. Naruto was an orphan, and Uzumaki Naruto was dead to the world.

"I was recently taken in by a boy and his guardian. He thinks of me like a little brother to him, which is nice, except he likes dressing like a girl."

The thought that he sprung Haku's trap never occurred to Naruto.

"He suggested I call myself Shippo, or Asuka if I want people to think I'm a girl."

Naruto probably should not be telling Jiraiya this, but something told him he could trust the older man. As he told his story, Jiraiya nodded along.

"Well," Jiraiya said at last, "what you have is a unique opportunity. Most people don't get to choose their names, and get stuck with rather odd ones. Right now, you can be whoever you want to be."

Naruto accepted that.

'I guess that's true. I was used to being Uzumaki Naruto though. What do I call myself now?'

"How do I come up with a good name for myself?" Naruto asked.

Jiraiya put his hand under his chin in a thinking pose, and held it for a moment, before snapping his fingers in triumph.

"I've got it. Tell me kid, are you an avid reader?"

Naruto's snort told Jiraiya all he needed to know.

"Well, I myself happen to be an acclaimed author." Jiraiya stated, not revealing what he wrote to his young companion. "While writing comes easy for me, one of the hardest problems I have is coming up with names for my characters."

Naruto merely nodded at Jiraiya's admission, not knowing where this was going.

"Anyway, a while back I had just come up with a great idea for my first book. The only thing I needed was the name for my main character. I thought about it for some time, but couldn't come up with a good name. So rather then worry about it more, I went back to eating my ramen."

Naruto's attention perked up at this point.

"I was just about to have some of it when I noticed a fishcake in the bowl. That's when I came up with the name for my character."

Naruto was left dumbstruck.

"What kind of a name is fishcake?" He asked Jiraiya, unaware that many people had the same thought when they heard his name.

"Not fishcake dummy, Naruto! Naruto means fishcake, and maelstrom too, but most people think of fishcake first."

The boy who used to call himself Naruto was even more dumbstruck.

"Tell you what, come with me." Jiraiya said, motioning for Naruto to follow him out of the hot spring.

Soon enough, they were back outside, and dressed in their normal clothes, or normal for Jiraiya anyway. Naruto noted they both wore red and green, and Jiraiya's accessories as well.

'He must be a ninja. That scroll is big, he must have a lot stored in it. I've never seen a forehead protector like his either. I wonder what village he's from?'

While Naruto was pondering Jiraiya's affiliation, the older man was looking through his backpack.

"Where is it? I know there's a copy here somewhere. Ah, here it is!"

Jiraiya then pulled out a book.

"This is the book I was telling you about."

He then pulled out a pen, and signed it.

"Here's it's yours now. I even autographed it for you."

Jiraiya handed the book to Naruto, who silently read it's title.

'Tales of a Gutsy Ninja.'

"Go ahead and read it. I'm sure you'll like it. Who knows, maybe Naruto would be a good name for you. If not, well, I'm sure something will come to you in time."

Naruto started at the book, actually considering reading it.

"I have to go now. If you ever figure out who you are, let me know, and I'll add a dedication as well."

Just as he was about to leave, Jiraiya stopped suddenly.

"Oh yeah, one more thing."

He then rummaged through his backpack, before taking out a familiar frog purse and handing it to Naruto.

"I noticed you had a lot of money on you. It's a good thing it wasn't ruined or lost. You should keep it in this. It belonged to someone else, but you'll need it now more then he will."

Naruto was rendered speechless. He thought his old coin purse was lost with his old life. He did not care how Jiraiya came to have it in his possession, but was ecstatic to have it back in his. Just when he was about to thank Jiraiya for returning it to him, he noticed the man was gone.

'Where did he go?' Naruto wondered.

Looking around, Naruto saw no trace of Jiraiya. Strangely saddened by his departure, Naruto put his new book into an inner pocket, vowing to read it later. He then filled Gama-chan with the money Zabuza gave him, and set out to empty it once more.

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Auhtor's Notes: TheKyuubi27 was the only experienced writer who offered to be a beta, so I'd like to thank him for his help.

The title of this chapter is based off the phrase "when boy meets girl."

I was going to reveal the abilities of Haku's sword here, but I'll save it for later, during the next big fight. It should be clear who it will be against.

I hope everyone likes my choice for Naruto's pairing. I had Amaru in mind for as long as I've had the idea for this story. I hope her meeting with Naruto also explains why I kept him dressed like a girl all this time.