Hello~ I'm back with a new chapter! Haven't done anything with this story in a long time! I promise I have a outline now, though, so it will have an actual ending and not just drop off.

Naruto Haku

Normal 12 15

Now 7 15

Memory 4 (10) 12

Should this be Naruto x Zabuza?

loretta537- they will be! It had just helped with Sasuke's superiority complex and will soon completely destroy it. Sakura... I don't have a reason yet.

Last time

Naruto looked at him expectantly. "Well? What are you waiting for? Get on." Tazuna did as he was told and cautiously stepped onto the solid chakra platform.

They reached the sea shore in just under an hour. And waited for another three for the rest of team 7.

Sasuke's face when they caught up was just perfect. Anyone could tell he was pissed. Like, really pissed.

Chap. 11

"How?" He hissed out. Naruto made his face completely serious and everyone expected something that was amazing. Until he said -

"Ninja." Everyone deadpanned, though Kakashi had a smile on his face for some reason - not that anyone could see it.

"Well, we'd better get going now." Naruto said. "We still have a ways to go, ne?"

"That's true, but who's this? I don't remember leaving with an old man…" Kakashi said, staring at the drunkard questioningly.

"Who, this guy? He's Tazuna." Naruto said, briefly. Everyone waited for a more detailed explanation before Tazuna finally just told his story himself, glancing at Naruto from time to time. Obviously, any ninja taller than a ten year old scared him, even without their pointy sharp weapons out.

"So you must be our 'informant' than. And you don't even have to pay! Isn't that great?" Kakashi said, sounding bored but actually trying to put some emotion in his voice. Either way, it made Tazuna happy.

"That's true! Well!" He said with renewed vigor "Lets get to my island than! I've got a bridge to build!" Sakura smiled with him and Naruto jumped up and down comically before shouting-

"LETS GO!" Then Naruto ran out, onto the water. And didn't look back until he was already a mile out. So he didn't notice no one else was following him. And had to come back.

Well, what a waste of energy.

"What the heck!" He shouted when he re-arrived at the shore.

"Ma, Naruto, these two" Kakashi pointed at the other genin "don't know how to run on water yet." Naruto pouted for a moment before drifting into thought. His eyes squinted before opening wide and lighting up.

Idea!

"Zabuza-sama, something's coming." Haku said, pointing out to the water they could see from their hideout. "It's on the water." He said, not mentioning anything else, like the trail of water being spit out behind it. Or that it wasn't a boat. Or anything else that could have been even a little important to his master. Zabuza was smart enough to figure everything out for himself.

"I see. Haku, get prepared. We have visitors soon." He let open a hidden grin. Kubikiribōchō would taste blood soon.

"Hai, Zabuza-sama." Haku gave a curt nod before turning to walk to his room.

"One more thing, Haku. Stay hidden. I want to see what these people can do. They seem interesting." Haku paused in his walk for a moment, before agreeing silently and continuing his movement. Zabuza looked out the window thoughtfully. Judging by the form of transport and the amount of people that were held on the object, the wielder had a large amount of chakra.

"Things just might get interesting." He said to the empty room before grinning wickedly. "Very interesting."

I know that jutsu… But how would it be him…? I doubt he joined Kirigakure! If anything, it would be Konohagakure, and even that is a stretch. But what would shinobi from Konoha come here? Could it be the bridge builder paid for assistance? If that's true, they don't have to kill Zabuza-sama, just protect the bridge builder. If this is what it is, I may be able to convince Zabuza-sama to abandon this job. Oh, I haven't seen Naru-chan in such a long time. I wonder how he's doing…

Flashback

It had been half a year of Haku traveling with his new companion, Zabuza. They had visited many places, taking on jobs and growing stronger - well, Haku grew stronger. There was a job that Zabuza wanted to take alone, most likely having to do with letting out steam from having to take care of a child. Because of this down time for Haku, he decided to explore the village they were staying at. Stopping outside of a shop with a large amount commotion, Haku looked in.

On the stool within the shop was a young boy with bright yellow hair. He looked extra thin for a child, more so than the normal child you would come across in the street. And yet, here he was, eating an impossible amount of raman. There were already seven bowls stacked up, and the boy wasn't even slowing down in the least. The manager seemed suspicious of the boy, obviously doubting the child's promise of money. Not that anyone could blame him.

Deciding to stay for awhile, if only to pass the time, Haku watched the child eat three more bowls before he gave a satisfied sigh.

"Thank you, mister! That was a great meal!" He said, reaching into his pocket to grab something - most likely money. Searching through a little pouch, he blinked a few times before rubbing the back of his head. "Ano… how much will this cost? 'Cause anything more than 40 ryo is too much for me…" The man growled at his customer.

"You'll just have to find a way to pay off what you owe, then. I don't care how you do it." And with a sneer, the man turned away.

Haku, who was witnessing all of this with a curious expression, walked over to the boy.

"If you would like, I could lend you some money. In exchange, I would like you to entertain me." He said with a smile on his face. The people within the shop didn't spare them even a glance at the request.

The boy studied Haku's face for a moment before his eyes lit up. "Okay! Sorry that you have to pay so much… but I'll do my best to keep you entertained!" He said, a beaming smile lighting up the area.

"Good." Haku stated, turning to the waiter and calling him over to collect payment.

"What would you like to do? Wanna play?" He asked curiously.

"Sure, I just would like some company. My master has left for a little while, and I have nothing to do. What would you like to do?" A small smile graced Haku's face.

"Well, first, I would like to know your name! Oh, and my name is Uzumaki Naruto!" Haku giggled.

"Well Naruto, my name is Haku. If you don't mind, I would like to ask you some things." With approval from Naruto, Haku began his questioning. "How old are you, exactly?" Naruto seemed to concentrate on his answer.

"Um… either four or ten… I always get confused with this question." He grinned sheepishly with one hand behind his head. Haku seemed confused by the answer, but let it go.

"Okay, well, where are your parents?"

"I don't have any! My village was attacked the day I was born, so they both died." He answered cheerfully. As Naruto excited movements continued, Haku observed the boy. He wasn't depressed when talking about why he was all alone. He didn't seem afraid of death, and didn't hate it either. The boy seemed to have a good understanding of the world, even at the age of four. And yet, he did act like a normal four year old. How that happens, Haku did not know.

"Are we just gonna sit here, or go play!" Naruto dragged Haku off to the open field next to the town and they began a game of tag. At first, Haku continuously won without much effort, but Naruto began to learn to evade Haku. He also began to speed up his running, making it more difficult for Haku. Soon enough, Haku was actually trying to catch Naruto. He was still winning their game, but it was getting harder and much more fun.

A little over an hour later, Naruto dropped to the ground and curled up to sleep. Haku giggled at the cute little boy before picking him up.

"Master won't be home for a little while. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me taking care of this boy, anyways." Haku said, thinking out loud. "My place it is, then."

Flashback end

During the week that Zabuza was gone, Naruto and Haku grew close together. In all truth, there was a good chance Naruto was the reason Haku was still soft. The thought of harming someone who may still be innocent, who might act like the young boy, stopped him from killing any children and even some adults.

I hope it's little Naru-chan! He's around seven now, I believe.

"Haku! Let's go! They're about to reach the shore."

"Coming, Zabuza-sama." Haku returned to his normal expression and tone of voice. Can't have Zabuza getting suspicious.

Please tell me what you think about this story in general.