I was proven wrong. A few people have actually told me that they have read fanfics where Naruto is teamed up with Ino and/or Chouji. So...... I really need to branch out more in my searches for stories.

Anyways, here is the next installment of Wizard of Kitsune, and the beginning of the ever popular Wave Arc.

RS: The one with Haku and Zabuza?

LR: Yep.

Arashen: Nice

Elroth: So, what will I get to do?

LR: You'll see. You all will see, when the time comes.

DNHLR: When are you going to write the NaruHina goodness?

LR: Keep whining, and I'll postpone it until the end of the story!

*DNHLR zips lips close, and sits in the corner.*

LR: (sighs) I promise that the beginning of the romantic relation is not entirely that far off. But you have to wait still. All right?

*DNHLR nods. DLTLR looks at LR.*

DLTLR: Ummmmm........ so, are you going to do something with Tayuya?

LR: (glares at him) You bug me about Tayuya, and she dies in the Chuunin arc. Understand?

*DLTLR nods vigorously. DHGLR opens mouth*

LR: THEY'LL DIE AT THE HANDS OF LORD VOLDEMORT!

*DHGLR claps hands over mouth*

LR: Good. We have an understanding.

Disclaimer: I finally have them under control. Sorry if it looked a little extreme. I don't own Naruto, or Lord of the Rings

Chapter 9

The Wave Begins

A dark figure was stalking through the bushes and grass on the forest floor. It's fangs glistened in the sparse sunlight the flitted down through the trees. Muscles rippled under it's fur, as it stealthily moved on four legs. It's slitted eyes surveyed it's surroundings, as it's pointed ears twitched to every new sound.

Above the figure, in a tree, a blond ninja in black and green clothing placed a hand to the ear piece of his wireless radio. "This is Wizard. I have the target in sight."

"This is Silence. I see it as well."

"This is Graceful. I'm in position."

Several feet away, a woman in a white and red dressed nodded. "When ready, initiate the plan."

Naruto nodded, before jumping down behind the figure. An orange striped cat hissed at him, running off in one direction. A wall of bugs rose in front of it, as Shino appeared from behind a tree. The cat hissed at him, as it turned in another direction. Hinata appeared, and crouched down, her arms open wide, as she spoke softly to the cat. The cat ran to her, and leapt up on her shoulders, before settling down, with a meow. Hinata scratched it behind the ears, as Naruto, Shino, and Kurenai approached. Kurenai looked the cat over.

"Bow behind ear, and the collar says Tora. This is him. All right team, let's take him in."

At the Hokage's office, Hinata handed the cat over to his owner, who happened to be the Fire Daimyo's wife. She took the cat, and nearly crushed it to death in a bone crushing hug. All of Team 8, Iruka, and Sarutobi winced at the sight of the hug. As the happy woman, and unhappy cat left, Sarutobi looked over the missions in front of him.

"Well, your team is doing exceptional work. You've been able to complete more D-ranked missions than any other team so far."

Naruto nodded, before voicing a thought he was having. "Hokage-sama? I was wondering, what is the bare minimum of D-ranked missions a genin team must perform, before they can go on a C-ranked mission?"

Sarutobi looked up in slight surprise. "Well, the minimum is usually set at 25 missions. In the two and a half months since your graduation, you have completed over 30. Why do you ask?"

Naruto sighed. "I know this may seem selfish, and I certainly don't speak for anyone else on my team. But I find these D-ranked missions rather tiresome, and boring. I know they are to help us develop teamwork, but ours was all ready exceptional during our genin test. And in the time since then, it has become nearly flawless. I at least believe me and my teammates are ready for more."

Hinata glowed with pride at Naruto's words, while Shino merely nodded. "I agree with Naruto-san. These missions are becoming more of a hindrance to our growth as a team." Hinata nodded as well.

Sarutobi smiled, and held up a hand to stop Iruka, who was about to lecture them on the ranking of missions, and how they weren't ready for more. "Truth be told, I believe you three are right. What do you think, Kurenai? Are they ready?"

Kurenai smiled at her team. "They took the words right out of my mouth. Their more than ready. Especially with me and Elroth with them."

Sarutobi nodded. "Then I have a C-ranked mission for you. Nothing too serious. A simple escort mission, to the Land of Waves. Iruka, show the client in."

Iruka nodded, and went and opened a door on the side of the room. In walked an old, beared man, wearing peasant clothing, and reeking heavily of sake. "What's this? I pay for an escort, and get a bunch of kids?"

Hinata looked down a little, while Shino's eyebrow merely twitched slightly. Naruto smiled at the man. "I can assure you that we are more than just kids. Each of us are well trained ninja apprentices, and our jounin-sensei is a skilled kunoichi. You don't have anything to fear." Then the smile was gone, and his eyes turned to ice. "Unless you insult my teammates again. Then you should fear me."

The old man gulped, dropping his sake bottle. Suddenly, Naruto's eyes and face returned to normal, and he smiled at the man again. The old man took a deep breath, and introduced himself. "I am Tazuna, a master bridge builder. I expect you all to escort me home, even if it means giving up your lives."

Kurenai nodded. "Alright team. Go home, get packed up, and meet me back at the gate in half an hour. Naruto, you'll get Elroth?"

"Of course." With that, the three genin disappeared, while Tazuna left the room. Kurenai turned to Sarutobi.

"I think something is off with that Tazuna person. Could you keep another team on standby, just in case?" Sarutobi nodded.

"I'll have Team 7 on standby. Their not that far behind your team in missions, so they should be up for it." Kurenai nodded, before turning to go.

Naruto entered the Namikaze estate, heading towards the training dojo. There, Elroth was busy sparring with Lily. Naruto smiled as he approached.

"Elroth! We have a mission. A real one." Elroth turned.

"Really? What's the mission?"

"Escort, to the Land of Waves. I'd say about a week, maybe more." Elroth nodded, while Lily pouted.

"What about me?" Naruto just smiled.

"Sorry nee-chan. Besides, you got to help us with those gardening D-ranked missions. Tell you what. If I ever go on vacation, you're coming along."

Lily nodded, as Naruto and Elroth packed weapons and supplies for the trip. They headed up to the door, where Naruto and Lily hugged. "Be careful, little brother."

Naruto nodded, as he and Elroth left. They headed off to the gate, where they met up with Kurenai and Tazuna. A few minutes later, Hinata and Shino joined them. With a nod from Kurenai, they headed off.

Unknown to them, Sasuke Uchiha was watching them leave. He was silently fuming. How dare those losers get to leave the village on a mission! I should have been the first genin to get a mission outside the village. He turned away, intent on talking to Kakashi about this.

Naruto sighed happily, as he, Shino, and Hinata walked together up front. It had been a long time since he had left the village, and truth be told, he actually preferred the forest outside the village, to the village itself. But he was happy with his friends, and that, he certainly would never trade for anything. The three of them talked, while Elroth slipped silently through the trees, and Kurenai walked behind Tazuna, who was busy drinking himself into another bottle.

Ahead in the road, a puddle of water lay in the middle of the road. Naruto glanced at it, knowing something was up.

It hasn't rained in the past week, and the day is too hot for a puddle to exist. Genjutsu? He glanced towards Shino, who gave a tiny nod. Hinata caught on, and discreetly activated her doujutsu.

Behind them, Kurenai noticed the genjutsu, and that her three students had picked up on it. In the trees, Elroth stopped, and readied his bow.

The group passed the puddle, as if nothing was wrong. When they were a few feet, a pair of heads emerged from it. Both had long black hair, and head bands with four lines on them. One had a single horn coming off his, while the other had two. Each had a air mask over their face.

The two suddenly leapt from the puddle, revealing themselves. The one horn had a dark blue cloak on, and a metal claw gauntlet on his right arm. The other had grey and brown camouflage pants and shirt, with a grey tunic over it, and a similar gauntlet on his left arm. The one horned landed on the two horned's back, before leaping off, a chain extending from his gauntlet to the other's. He tried to wrap it around Kurenai, only for an arrow to nail one of the chain links, and bury itself in a tree. The two ninjas were yanked back. They struggled, before releasing the chain from their gauntlets. They rushed forward, seeing the blond kid with a straight sword in hand, bugs pouring from the other boy, and the girl standing in front of their target. The woman was also facing them, running through some hand signs. She suddenly vanished, and the one horned stiffened, looking above him, as a tree wrapped around him. Kurenai appeared above him, growing from the tree.

The two horned ninja turned, only to find Naruto in front of him. "You're mine."

"Don't get cocky, kid." the ninja lunged at him with the claws, only to be blocked by the sword. He jumped back, trying to kick at Naruto, only to be blocked. Suddenly, an arm circled his neck, and held him place, while bugs suddenly swarmed him. He felt his chakra being drained, and he slowly fell unconscious.

The one horn watched, as Kurenai held the knife up, ready to stab him. Then she reversed it, and knocked him out with the hilt. He fell over unconscious, as Kurenai ended the genjutsu. She nodded as she looked the group over. Elroth still had the two horned ninja in a headlock, as Shino's bugs swarmed off him. Hinata lowered her guard, while Naruto scanned the woods. "I don't see anything."

Kurenai nodded. "Good work, all of you. Tazuna..... I think we have a problem here. See, we were told about dealing with bandits, hence the C-rank for the mission. Why are there two missing nin of chuunin rank here?" She crossed her arms, tapping one foot on the ground. Tazuna looked uncomfortable.

"Well..... I-." He suddenly found himself pressed against a tree, with Kurenai's kunai pressed against his throat.

"This is my first team. These genin's life are under my care, and they could have died here, because you lied. Now, unless you have a damn good reason, I think I can persuade the Hokage that you were leading us into a trap, and needed to be dealt with."

Suddenly, a gloved hand gently pulled her knife away. Naruto looked at Kurenai. "Kurenai-sensei, let's give him a chance, okay?" Naruto turned to Tazuna. "Please, explain."

Tazuna closed his eyes. "I couldn't afford a higher rank. My home, in the Land of Waves, is destitute. A multi-billionaire named Gato has plundered our village, and taken control of the shipping of our land. And the only hope for our village..... is my bridge. With it, we won't need to worry about Gato anymore."

Hinata nodded. "So, that means you are in Gato's way for completely controlling your country."

Tazuna nodded. "No one in our land dares to stop him. Not since...... not since one man was publically executed."

Kurenai took a step back, slightly ashamed. "I'm sorry for over reacting. However, this mission has taken an unexpected turn. My team is genin, with one chuunin, and me. We just faced two chuunin, the famed 'Demon Brothers' of Kiri. Next time, it could be worse."

Tazuna lowered his head. "I understand. I'll go ahead, and take my chances. I'm just worried about my daughter, and grandson. I hope Gato doesn't go after them."

Naruto turned to the others, before looking at Kurenai. "Sensei, I can't speak for anyone else. But, it's obvious these people need out help. I'm going to keep going."

Shino sighed. "While it is not a logical choice...... I stand by my friends, and comrades, no matter what. I will be going with Naruto."

Hinata nodded. "These people need us. I cannot turn away from someone in need of aid."

Elroth smiled, as he came over. "Don't think you're going anywhere with out me. I'm supposed to protect you, Naruto. No matter what."

Kurenai looked at all of them. "I don't know whether to be proud of all of you, or think you're all crazy. I'll decide when this is over." With that, she gave a whistle. A hawk fluttered down, and landed on a branch. Kurenai nodded to the two unconscious chuunin. "Secure them to the tree, and remove their weapons. We'll leave them for the ANBU."

Kurenai wrote out a message to the Hokage, and secured it to the hawk, which flew away. Kurenai turned to her team. "I've sent word to the Hokage. He'll send a back up team after us, with a squad of ANBU. With any luck, the back up team will catch up by nightfall. Now let's get going."

They immediately headed off, with Elroth re-entering the tree line.

They kept going, until night began to fall. They stopped, and got off the road, where they came to a clearing. Hinata scanned with her Byakugan, before nodding. "It's clear."

Kurenai smiled. "All right. Let's set up camp. Naruto, firewood. Elroth, hunting. Shino and Hinata, let's get this clearing roomy for the night."

They had set up camp, and gotten a fire going, when four figures appeared in the clearing. Naruto just sighed, as he recognized the figures.

"I guess you losers couldn't handle things on your own." Sasuke said with a smirk. Kiba just grumbled, brushing past Sasuke, and setting his pack down.

"Hey guys. What's the problem?" He asked, sitting down. Naruto nodded.

"We had a pair of chuunin attack. Me, Shino, and Elroth took one down easy, while Kurenai-sensei knocked the other out. You probably saw them."

Kiba nodded. "Nice work."

"Tch, I could have taken one by myself, dobe." Sasuke said. He half expected Sakura to back him up. When she didn't, he glanced at her. She was looking down, before going over, and setting her bag down. Sasuke was a little intrigued by this change.

Kakashi just came over to Kurenai, and sat down. "So, how's the team holding up?"

Kurenai gave him a small, superior smile. "Their doing incredible. Their teamwork is the best, and each are showing their strengths. Shino is the strategist, Naruto is the powerhouse and leader, Hinata is the medic and scout, and Elroth is the stealthy assassin. How's your team?"

Kakashi was silent for a moment. "Their all right. Sasuke is the powerhouse, and keeps trying to be the leader. Kiba is the scout, but he also tries to be the leader. They keep pushing each other to show the other up. And Sakura is showing good chakra control. She could be a good medic, or genjutsu user. Wanna make a deal?"

"What kind of deal?" Kurenai asked softly. Kakashi just smirked behind his mask.

"Well, as I pointed out in the meeting, you can't teach Naruto ninjutsu. And I can't really teach Sakura genjutsu like you could. So, how about we train each other's students?"

Kurenai was about to answer, when Elroth interrupted. "Naruto doesn't need to be taught ninjutsu. He all ready knows over twenty ninjutsus of at least D to C rank. He's working on a few B-ranked all ready. And he has an A-ranked almost completely done, while he all ready has Shadow Clones down easy."

Both Kurenai and Kakashi just stared at him. Elroth smiled. "You should be getting your camp set up, Kakashi."

Kakashi just growled, as Elroth moved away. He turned to Kurenai, who shrugged.

"I was going to say it would have been a good idea. I didn't even know he knew that many ninjutsu's. Well, I'll gladly help Sakura if you want me too."

Kakashi sighed, before nodding. "Fine. I'll take first watch, with Naruto."

Kurenai nodded, and headed to Sakura. The pink haired girl looked up, and smiled as she bowed her head. "Kurenai-sensei."

"Sakura. I'm told you have incredible chakra control."

Sakura nodded, then looked a little hesitant. "Well, it's only because I have such low chakra reserves."

Kurenai sighed. "You were a fangirl?" Sakura just nodded.

"I'm trying to get better. I want to be stronger." Kurenai just smiled.

"Don't worry. I understand. I actually...... was kinda a fangirl once too. But never mind. Here." She handed Sakura a scroll. "This is a training regime, for kunoichi's. It should help. When you have more chakra, come see me about genjutsu." With that, she turned and left. Sakura looked at the scroll, and nodded to herself. She glanced over at Sasuke.

She was still determined to become stronger. But her reason why was beginning to falter. More and more, she was seeing tings about Sasuke that she hadn't notice before. She was starting to wonder if he was even worth all the wasted years.

A few hours later, Naruto and Kakashi were sitting by the fire. Naruto sighed, as he sat back, and looked at the stars. "Their beautiful."

Kakashi nodded. "I remember, one of my old teammates would watch them every night. I never took the time."

"Is that why you want me on your team so bad? Because I remind you of him?" Kakashi looked at Naruto, a little sheepish. Naruto sighed. "Kakashi, you are a famous, and skilled ninja. But you live too much in the past. You shouldn't forget those close to you, who have died. But you shouldn't let your life be dictated by it. You need to move on, and live the life they would want you to live."

Kakashi just looked at the boy, and for a moment, he saw his sensei sitting there. He shook his head slightly, before smiling. "Well, that's easier said then done." Naruto just sighed.

"Maybe, but is anything worth doing easy?" Kakashi shook his head, before he leaned back, and watched the stars as well. "They are beautiful."

In a Unknown Location

A short man with spiky, dull blond hair, and sunglasses tapped his cane on the ground. "Your 'Demon Brothers failed. The bridge builder has ninja bodyguards. What do you intend to do?"

The man he was yelling at just sat on the couch in front of him. He was a pale skinned man, with short, spiky hair, and cruel grey eyes. He wore a Kirk headband slightly twisted to the side, and bandages around his mouth like a face mask. He had on cow patterned pants, and leg warmers. "Relax. I'll take care of him, personally."

"You better! I don't want to have wasted all that money on you, only to find out you're not worth it." Suddenly, a huge blade was pointed right at Gato's face. The blade was very big, both in length, and width from the cutting edge to the back edge. There was a hole in the middle of the blade, near the front, and another along the cutting edge near the hilt. The sword had a long handle.

"Do you forget who I am? They won't be able to stop me."

Gato took a nervous step back. "Fine. I leave it to you then." with that, he left, along with the two samurai thugs who guarded him. The man put his sword aside.

"We have work to do. Be ready."

A feminine voice came out of the darkness of the room. "Yes, Zabuza-sama."

Two days later

The two teams headed down the path. They had just left the boat, which had to make two trips for all those present. It had been nerve wracking, but they had made it through. Ahead of them, they could see a small river. Tazuna smiled.

"My home is a few hours away. Won't be long now." Everyone nodded, but some of them were still tense, and ready for anything. Suddenly, Kiba threw a kunai into the tree line. Sakura went over, and found a scared white rabbit, with the kunai lodged above it's head. She started to berate Kiba, as she picked the bunny up, and petted it. Kakashi, Kurenai, Naruto, and Elroth (from his hiding spot), al looked at the bunny.

It's white, but it's fur should be brown in summer. This rabbit was kept in doors. Which means..... "EVERYONE DOWN!" rang out three voices. Naruto grabbed Hinata, Kakashi grabbed Tazuna, Kurenai grabbed Sakura, and Sasuke and Kiba dropped to the ground on their own. A huge sword came spinning in, and cleaved through the air where the group had been. It slammed into a tree, where a figure appeared on it. Everyone got to their feet, as Kakashi glared at the man.

"Zabuza Momoichi, the 'Demon' of Kiri." The figure chuckled.

"Kakashi Hatake, the famed' Copy Cat' ninja. An honor to meet you. And who are you?" Zabuza asked, his eyes shifting towards Kurenai. Kurenai just pulled a kunai out.

"None of your business."

"Oooooohhhhhh, feisty. Now, do you want to hand the bridge builder over?" Kakashi drew his own kunai, before reaching up, and pulling his headband up above his left eye. It opened to reveal a red eye, with three red tomoes around the pupil. Sasuke started, while Kyuubi mentally contacted Naruto.

"That's Sharingan. That eye is the doujutsu of the Uchiha clan." Naruto suddenly looked at Kakashi with new interest.

If I'm going to face Madara Uchiha, I need to know what the Sharingan can do.

Zabuza smirked under his mask. "Ah, the famed Sharingan. I'm honored you are using it against me." With that, he disappeared with hi sword, reappearing on the ground, with his sword sheathed on his back. Sakura looked confused.

"What's the Sharingan?" Sasuke just looked at her, before explaining.

"The Sharingan is the kekkai genkai of the Uchiha clan. It's a powerful doujutsu."

Kyuubi snarled in Naruto's head. "What he failed to mention is that it is an evil creation of Morgoth's. The information I gathered during my searches told me of how Madara and the Uchiha were a family of the Hyuuga branch family. Morgoth fed off the grief and fury they suffered under, and used it. He used what little power he had, along with the dormant power from the elvish DNA in Hyuuga's, to warp the Byakugan into the Sharingan. In thanks, Madara housed Morgoth in him, until he could transfer him into something else." Naruto just nodded.

So the Sharingan is of Morgoth's creation. No wonder Sasuke has such a dark taint to him.

Zabuza smirked, before closing his eyes. One hand formed a half tora sign in front of him, while the other was held above his head.

"Ninja Art, Hidden Mist Jutsu!" With that, a thick mist formed, obscuring Zabuza from few. Kakashi looked back at the genin.

"Manji formation. Protect the bridge builder!" Sasuke's team nodded, and formed into a three point triangle to the sides and front of Tazuna. Team 8 however, adopted a different formation. Shino stood between Naruto, who had both sword and staff out, and Hinata, who had a kunai in hand, and her Byakugan activated. Shino let out a stream of bugs, which flew off into the mist.

Zabuza's voice echoed from the mist. "There are eight points that I can hit, to instantly kill you. The question is, which one for which person?"

"Be careful everyone. Zabuza is a master of the silent kill. If he gets you, you'll be dead before you even know what happened."

Zabuza chuckled, before a massive wave of killer intent rolled through the mist. All the genin were struck, and reacted to it differently.

Sakura nearly fell to her knees from it. Kiba and Hinata both gasped as they hunched over, the dread feeling washing over them. Shino was shaking, his stoic nature cracking under the feel of it. Sasuke was shaking like a leaf in a whirlwind, as he clutched his kunai. He slowly pointed it at his stomach, intending to end his life, until a new feeling washed over him, and the other genin. He turned to see Naruto, his aura flaring around him.

"I do not fear you!" Naruto shouted, as his aura blasted outward, clearing the mist around them, and cancelling Zabuza's KI. Everyone stared at Naruto in amazement, as he stood resolute, and firm. "I will not let you harm my comrades, or Tazuna!"

Zabuza watched the blond boy in amazement. He's different. His chakra output feels almost as strong as a jounin. And there is something else about him.

Kakashi just watched Naruto in awe. It's almost like seeing sensei alive again.

Zabuza growled. "It doesn't matter, kid. You've failed!" He yelled, as he appeared in the center of team seven's formation. He swung his blade around, only to be stopped by a sword and staff. He saw Naruto standing there, while the one that had been with the group poofed into smoke.

"I never fail." Suddenly, a kunai stuck into Zabuza's stomach. But it bled water, before he turned into a puddle of water, leaving Kakashi standing there with his kunai, and Zabuza appearing behind him.

"Water Clone." Zabuza said, as he cut through Kakashi. However, Kakashi turned into water as well, as Kakashi appeared behind him, with a knife at his throat.

"This ends now."

Zabuza just chuckled. "You used the boy as a distraction, and replaced yourself with a Water Clone. Clever," suddenly, Zabuza disappeared, and reappeared behind Kakashi, "but not clever enough!" He shouted, as he swung his cleaving sword for Kakashi's head. Kakashi barely ducked under it, only for a figure to leap over him, and kick Zabuza in the face. Zabuza fell back, as Elroth stood in front of him, sword drawn.

"Why don't you pick on someone who can match you, weapon for weapon." He said, as he gripped his sword with both hands. Kakashi just stared at him.

"Elroth, he's too dangerous!"

Zabuza chuckled. "Listen to him, boy. You can't match me."

Elroth didn't back down. "You, and me. Swords only. No ninjutsu, or anything else. What do you say?"

Zabuza chuckled. "Fine. I'll send you to your funeral!" He charged forward, swinging his sword down. Elroth parried it to one side, swinging his blade around quickly to slash Zabuza at his neck. Zabuza leaned back, brining his sword back up. He spun around again, only to be stopped by the sword, crossed with a long knife in an "X" formation. Elroth pushed off, swinging with his sword, as he sheathed the knife. Zabuza jumped back.

"You know what you're doing with that sword. I'll give you that." He brought his sword up, and tried to slam it down on Elroth, only for the young man to dodge to the side, then run up the flat of the blade, and deliver a roundhouse kick to Zabuza, knocking him into the water. Zabuza got up, growling in anger.

"SCREW THIS! Water Style, Water Dragon Jutsu!" A huge water dragon arose, only to be countered by a second one. Kakashi stood on the water, his hands in the same hand sign Zabuza was holding. The two starred at each other, not noticing Naruto near by, holding his staff while chanting under his breath.

Zabuza and Kakashi circled each other, before Kakashi copied Zabuza's movements. He's copying my moves, almost like-

"-I can read your mind?"

He's got that-

"-killer look in his eye."

"Shut up, you damn parrot!" Zabuza started to run through hand signs. Kakashi was copying him, but stopped, as he saw something behind Zabuza. He jumped away, as Zabuza turned to the sound of roaring water, and strangely, the sound of horses. What he saw almost made his heart stop.

A huge wave of water was heading for him. But amongst the spray of the wave were giant horses made of water. The whole thing came crashing down on Zabuza, and splashed into the far bank. As the water receded, Zabuza was seen against a tree. Suddenly, four kunai pierced his arms and legs, and Kakashi appeared on a branch above him. He looked up at him.

"Could you see the future?"

Kakashi held up a kunai. "Yes. I saw, and still see.... your death."

Suddenly, two senbon needles pierced Zabuza in the neck. He gurgled out one last breath, and slumped over. Kakashi turned, to see a figure on another branch nearby. The figure wore a green and brown battle kimono, with a white Hunter Nin mask decorated with a couple of red swirl stripes, and the four lines of a the Kiri symbol. The figure had black hair, most of it done in a bun, with two braids on either side of the mask.

"Thank you for taking care of him for me. I've been tracking him for months." The figure spoke, in a low voice, that could be mistaken for a girl or boys. Kakashi landed next to Zabuza, and checked his pulse.

"Dead." The figure nodded, as it landed next to Zabuza.

"I must destroy the body. Farewell, and again, thank you." With that, the hunter nin picked Zabuza up, and disappeared. Kakashi lowered his head band over one eye, while the others came across the much shallower and narrower river. Naruto was being supported by Shino, as that last move had taken a lot from him. Kakashi turned to all of them.

"Well, let's get going." He turned, only to fall over. Naruto cursed, as Sasuke and Elroth quickly picked Kakashi up. Kurenai looked him over, before sighing.

"He's just suffering from chakra exhaustion. We'll have to carry him to Tazuna's house."

Meanwhile, in a different section of woods, the hunter nin laid Zabuza out, and pulled out a tool pouch, which was unrolled. The figure took out a pair of medical pliers, and reached towards the senbon needles in his neck, only for Zabuza to gasp awake, and grab the hand with the tool.

"Stay away from me with that." He said, as he struggled to sit up. The figure sighed as the mask was removed, revealing a young teenage girl, about fifteen years old.

(A/N: I know Haku was a boy, but I prefer girl Haku. She's more fun to write.)

"I need to remove the needles." Zabuza answered by yanking them out himself, only to fall over in pain. The girl sighed, as Zabuza looked at her with a glare.

"Sometimes, I think you're sadistic, Haku."

"Forgive me, Zabuza-sama. But I was ensuring your safety. Now, you need to rest, for a week, because you didn't let me take them out." She said, in a somewhat reproachful tone. Zabuza just sighed.

"Fine. Just get me back to base."

Haku nodded, as she picked Zabuza up, and disappeared.

Wave Arc One is complete. Wave Arc Two currently under work. (Blasted fanfiction black out gave me some extra time on my hands.

If any of you recognized the move Naruto pulled off to take Zabuza down, let me know.

Please review, with your input, likes, and complaints/criticisms.

P.S. Did anyone see the Jeopardy where the $1,000 question under Yahoo Searches (or something like that) involved Naruto? The question was What is Naruto? I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO BEEN ON THE SHOW THEN! Especially since no one answered it.