Chapter 8: Land of Waves
Kakashi woke up a few hours later.
"Sensei, you're all right," Shio exclaimed.
"I'm fine Shio," Kakashi said. "I just collapsed from chakra exhaustion. Where are we?"
"We're at Tazuna's place." Shio said. "The others are in the living room."
Kakashi got up and almost crumbled from his injured leg. Shio gave him a crutch, which Kakashi took gratefully. They made their way to the living room. Itachi, Sasuke, and Sakura were there along with Tazuna and a young woman.
"Ah, you're awake," Tazuna said. "I'm glad to see you're all right."
"Nothing to worry about," Kakashi said. "I'll be fine in a few days."
"Thank you so much for protecting my father," the woman said.
"This is my daughter, Tsunami," Tazuna said.
"Father told me that a hunter nin killed Zabuza," Tsunami said.
"That wasn't a hunter nin," Itachi cut in.
"What," Tsunami asked confused.
"That wasn't a hunter nin," Itachi repeated. "And Zabuza is not dead."
"What do you mean?" Tazuna asked.
"Hunter nin, after killing their target, dispose of the body immediately afterwards, no matter what. It is what they are trained to do." Itachi said. "This one took Zabuza's body. Also, the hunter nin used senbon. Senbon is not a very effective weapon to use for assassination, but if aimed in the correct spot, it can make the target seem as if they were killed. Zabuza is still alive and that hunter nin is most likely working with him. They will be back as soon as Zabuza recovers."
"In that case, we'll have to pick up your training," Kakashi said, looking at the three genin.
They stood in a clearing.
"Have you three learned the tree walking exercise?" Kakashi asked.
"I've been trying to do it," Shio said. "But because I have so much chakra, it is really hard to control how much chakra I focus on my feet."
"Then this will be a good opportunity for you to work on perfecting it," Kakashi said. "This exercise will give you greater control over your chakra so you don't exhaust yourself too quickly. It is a skill that every ninja should master."
"Itachi mentioned it to me once," Sasuke said.
"That's better than nothing. I will demonstrate it then," Kakashi said.
Kakashi walked up to a tree and began walking up it like he was on the ground. He stopped when he was upside down, looking down at them.
"That's so cool," Shio exclaimed.
"You need to focus the right amount of chakra on the soles of your feet so they stick to the tree. Too much chakra and you will split the tree; too little and you will fall," Kakashi said.
Sasuke and Shio began working on it, but both were focusing too much chakra on their feet. They heard a cry of triumph from Sakura.
"I did it," Sakura exclaimed.
They looked up to see Sakura standing on a branch high above them.
"Well done Sakura," Kakashi said. "You have exceptionally good chakra control."
Sakura smiled at the praise.
"Since you've mastered tree walking, you can go back to the house and help Itachi guard Tazuna." Kakashi said. "I'll work with Shio and Sasuke."
"Right," Sakura said.
Sakura walked down the tree and walked back to the tree. Shio tried again but ended up falling.
"Damn it," she exclaimed.
"Don't get frustrated over this; it is a hard concept," Kakashi said. "Shio, since you have two supplies of large chakra to worry about, it will be harder for you to master control over your chakra. Be patient; it will come to you in time."
Shio growled in frustration.
"What am I doing wrong?" she exclaimed.
Sasuke and Kakashi had gone back in. Sasuke had just barely figured out how much chakra to use but was almost ready to collapse from exhaustion. Shio had decided to stay behind to continue training.
"Don't stay out too long. You don't want to collapse from chakra exhaustion," Kakashi had told her.
"I'll go back when I get this," Shio said out loud.
There were soft footsteps nearby. Shio looked over to see a young woman in a pretty pale pink sleeveless kimono with a black choker around her neck. The woman was picking herbs. She had long black hair, dark brown eyes, and pale skin. Her figure was slender and lithe.
"Oh hello," the woman said. "I didn't realize someone was here."
"Oh no, it's fine," Shio said. "I wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings Miss."
The woman blinked before chucking lightly.
"I'm actually male," she said.
Shio choked.
"W-what," she exclaimed.
The young woman-no man smiled.
"I was born male, but I am often mistaken for female," he said. "My name is Haku."
"S-sorry," Shio exclaimed. "I'm Shio, Shio Namikaze."
"It is nice to meet you Shio," Haku said. "May I ask what you are doing?"
"I'm training," Shio claimed. "I'm a kunoichi!"
She pointed to her forehead protector. Haku looked at it.
"I see," he said. "You are from Konoha?"
"Yeah," Shio said, nodding. "So what are the herbs for?"
She pointed to the basket of herbs. Haku looked down.
"They're for someone I care about. He was hurt badly. These herbs will help heal him," Haku said.
"You must really care for this person," Shio said.
"Yes," Haku said. "He means everything to me. I would do anything to help him."
Haku looked at Shio curiously.
"You seem to have been hurt by someone you care deeply about as well. I can see it in your eyes," he said. "It is someone very close to you."
Shio sighed.
"My brother," she said hesitantly. "He is a nukenin."
"I see," Haku said. "Why would he defect?"
"I don't know," Shio said. "He told us it was to show his true power, but he's not that kind of person. I don't believe he did it for power."
"Perhaps you don't want to believe it," Haku said. "It is possible he's been hiding his true self and this was his way to revealing it to your village."
"No, I know he didn't do it for power," Shio exclaimed. "He's just not one to crave power. I have to believe that!"
Haku touched her shoulder.
"One day, you will find out the truth," he said. "One day, you will meet your brother again, whether he is your enemy or your ally. But whatever his reason is, you must be prepared. That is what it means to be a ninja."
"You sure know a lot about ninjas Haku," Shio said.
"I know several ninjas," Haku said.
Haku smiled warmly.
"I can tell you love your brother very much." He said. "You look up to him a lot, don't you?"
Shio nodded.
"He's a prodigy. He became genin at age five!" she exclaimed.
Shio sighed sadly.
"But the village doesn't acknowledge him," she said. "He's been neglected by everyone except for our parents and close friends because of me. It's my fault he betrayed my village."
Haku took her hand and squeezed it in a soothing way.
"Do not lose hope Shio," he said. "Despite being a nukenin now, your brother sounds like a good man. I have a feeling he didn't betray your village for a silly reason like showing off his true power, but again, you must prepared to know the truth. You already knew what he was capable of, right?"
Shio nodded, looking at the ground. Haku lifted her chin up.
"Keep your chin up and don't lose hope," he said. "Your brother will come back to you one day, and when that day comes, for sure he will tell you the truth."
Shio smiled.
"Thank you Haku," she said. "You're a good person."
Haku bowed his head.
"I must be getting back now," he said.
"Right, you need to take care of your most precious person," Shio said.
Haku picked up his basket.
"I wish you luck with your brother Shio," he said.
"Bye Haku," Shio exclaimed, waving. "I hope we meet again one day!"
Shio turned and ran back to the house. Haku watched her go, his smile disappearing. His expression turned mournful.
"That day is coming sooner than you expect Shio Namikaze," Haku said quietly. "If we had met under any other circumstance, I think we would've been good friends."
Haku turned and walked away.
