Maiden of Chaos and Hope

by HALO-ODSTgirl104

The one where Wendy ends up reborn in the Elemental Nations after sacrificing herself for her brothers and becomes a shinobi out of necessity and joins Team 7. She will become one of the strongest that there has ever been, will be unlike anyone has ever seen. How will her presence change fate? OP!BAMF!Wendy Warning: Bashing

10. Chapter 10: Mission to Wave PT II

WARNING: Usual Warnings Apply.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO PM ME OR LEAVE IT IN A REVIEW!

This chapter was inspired partly by the Fairy Tail OST A New Adventure and Fairy Tail's Main Theme! I totally recommend listening to OST's when reading fanfiction!

ANYWAY, prepare for feels and battles!

CHAPTER 10: Mission to Wave, Part II

This was originally one chapter but I had to split it into two after it started nearing 20,000 words. Oops, my bad. Not. Ha, I like writing long chapters even though they can get tedious. I hate short chapters. It's a practically a necessity for me to have long chapters and I feel like the readers appreciate it more.

Let me tell you, the Wave Arc goes for like twenty freaking episodes! I forgot they were so damn many! I watch one and I think it's going to be done but no! I can only imagine how many there'll be for the Chunin Exams!

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-XxX-xXx-XxX

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"All right," Kakashi called, hands loosely closed around the crutches that had been forced on him. "Training starts now."

Team Seven stood before Kakashi, each interested to hear what their sensei had in store.

Kakashi smiled slightly under his mask but he remained in his usual casual countenance. "It goes without saying that you've all gone beyond typical Genin training in various shinobi arts from Chakra Control, Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Bukijutsu and much more, not to mention formed a foundation of understanding of these arts, something that Genin don't typically obtain until they're well into their career as a shinobi." Kakashi praised and he stared amusedly as his Genin brightened at his words even though in a part of him still wondered whether he was doing enough as a Sensei.

He could still remember the day that he had met them clearly, could still remember the way that they reminded him so starkly of what his team could have been.

Naruto's eyes had burned brightly with the Will of Fire and it was almost as if he was staring at his Sensei again but at the same time, it was clear that Naruto was forging his own path in the world and that Sasuke and Asuka would be there every step of the way.

"My team is going to become greater than the Sannin and even the Swordsmen of the Mist." Naruto had said with a tone of such surety that had astounded Kakashi and really didn't leave much room for doubt, even though his mind reasoned that such a task would be a lofty feat indeed.

Sasuke had worried and surprised him as it seemed like Team Seven was prone to. Considering the trauma and the horrific events that he had endured, Sasuke was significantly more adjusted than Kakashi and even the Hokage could have anticipated. It was true for Naruto as well and it was astounding that the hostility that he faced on behalf of the village hadn't pushed him over the edge. It was all due to Asuka's interference and Naruto's presence that instead of a sullen boy driven by hatred, there was a boy still prone to silence but no longer seemed to carry an immense anger towards the world. Sasuke wasn't driven by revenge but instead by the need to find answers.

"My team will become the strongest and together they'll help me find the answers I've been seeking." Sasuke said intently, his boring gaze daring Kakashi to contradict him.

What answers he wanted to find was beyond Kakashi and the questions related to those answers even more so, but he had a hunch that it had to do with the Uchiha Clan. What else could it be?

And then there was Asuka… an unexpected anomaly that held an air of serenity and hidden strength that drew people to her like a moth to a flame. Asuka was almost like Naruto in the way that she held an attractive charisma but she held a mending touch that could heal souls, something that Kakashi was beginning to see with his own eyes and something that he personally never thought possible, something that he never thought would apply to him.

"I have the best friends I could ask for and a team that will become a force to be reckoned with in the Elemental Nations." She said softly, eyes alight with fondness and a smile on her face that could have lit up a room.

Really, Kakashi never in all his years thought that he'd have a team like the one he had now and he couldn't help but be reminded time and time again of the burning determination and protectiveness that rose in him like a ferocious wolf each time he gazed at them. They're my students, he affirmed in his mind. I will make their dreams come true, no matter what it takes and no one will stand in our way.

"Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked quietly, eyebrows furrowed worriedly as he watched his teacher fall silent.

Kakashi drove himself back to the present and was met by the stares of his three Genin. "Hm? My bad, I was lost on the road of life for a moment." He said with the utmost seriousness.

Sasuke looked like he was done with the world and Naruto looked ready to follow. Asuka however, merely giggled at her sensei's antics.

"I swear─" Sasuke mumbled under his breath and eyebrow twitching in annoyance.

"In all seriousness," Kakashi continued as he leaned against the trunk of the tree. "You three have already mastered Tree Walking and Water Walking way before I got to you. You've all managed to delve into nature transformation and I'm assuming you've all learned your chakra natures by now." Kakashi raised an expectant eyebrow.

"Yup!" Naruto said with an unforgiving grin. "We found out in a long time ago."

"We all found out our elemental affinities, but we never restricted ourselves to them either." Sasuke informed Kakashi, who's eyebrows rose a little higher. "I have a Lightning and Fire affinity. Asuka has Lightning and Water affinity and Moron has an affinity for Wind and Earth."

All elements?! Kakashi thought a tad incredulously. "And what else have you all done exactly?"

"Well," Asuka smiled, "we've done a lot Kakahsi-sensei. We all started training pretty intensely during the Academy and we only got better by training together atop of what we did individually."

"Kenjutsu, Ninjutsu, Chakra Transformation, Chakra Control, Fuinjutsu, Bukijutsu─" Sasuke shrugged. "We did a lot of things."

"Not to mention our physical training like speed, endurance, strength─" Naruto took off his bracer and showed Kakashi his bands that doubled as chakra weights. "See?"

Kakashi did see and really, it kind of displeased him that they managed to learn a lot on their own. But there's still more that I can teach them at least… "Well then," Kakashi sighed, steadfastly ignoring the cloud of depression over his head. "I guess I'll teach you something new."

"What are you going to teach us Kakashi-sensei?" Asuka asked curiously.

Kakashi frowned as he pondered what exactly he could teach them. They could learn new ninjutsu… they have the reserves to learn higher ranked ninjutsu, as well as the intelligence and tenacity to master them in such a short amount time, not to mention with the leverage that clones afford them… I can even introduce them to trap and barrier making. I know Naruto would excel in those… but can they be trusted with that power? If the others were here they'd think I'm crazy for teaching Genin the way that I am… but if it prepares them, if it allows them to live to see the light of another day, I could care less. Kakashi decided.

"We don't have much time." Kakashi said after a moment. "Zabuza will come back for revenge and we need to be ready for when he does. In the meanwhile, however, I'll be teaching you all new ninjutsu as well as introduce you to the art of trap and barrier making." Kakashi straightened as he gazed at them intently and his face seemed to darken with his seriousness. "I'll trust you all to act responsively." He said, his warning carrying through as he saw his Genin glance at each other. "Are you ready?"

Sasuke nodded firmly, as did Naruto and Asuka.

"We're ready when you are Kakashi-sensei." Asuka affirmed.

-xXx-xXx-xXx-

Hidden deep in the forest, an unusual looking building was found. It was bereft of persons except for a small few but what few that could be found, were unusual beings. They were thugs and crooks alike but there two certain beings that were stronger than all.

Inside a room, a figure lay prone on a bed. One Momochi Zabuza found himself on bedrest and unable to move due to the temporary death like state that he had found himself earlier. His companion, Haku, was watching over him dutifully. There was a comfortable silence, one that they were long used to but that silence was broken when the door creaked open.

A small balding, bloated short man walked in dressed in high end clothing. There was a derisive smirk on his face and the arrogant swagger that he walked with never failed to anger Haku though he hid it expertly with a blank mask.

"Some Jounin." Gato mocked, his samurai bodyguards flanking him as he walked in. "The unbeatable shinobi was beaten!" Gato scoffed. "Demon of the Hidden Mist… more like Coward of the Hidden Mist!"

Haku stood slowly and he didn't react when he heard swords being drawn. He remained carefully relaxed as he heard Gato's approaching footsteps.

"Alright, tell me what the hell happened Zabuza." Gato demanded as he came to a stop by Zabuza's bedside. "And don't play dead, I know that you can talk." Gato made a move to approach Zabuza with a hand outstretched but before he could do that, his hand was taken hold in a crushing iron grip.

Haku had a murderous look in his eyes that made Gato pale drastically and give an unwanted sound of pain. "Keep your filthy hands off of him!" Haku hissed, the threat clear as his hold tightened to painful proportions.

Gato tried to shrug away but he couldn't and he yelped in pain. "Stop!"

The samurai bodyguards tried stepped in to defend their employer but the difference of power between them and the young shinobi was very clear. They charged forward with swords drawn and battle cries on their lips but they sported a look of fear as Haku effortlessly blocked both their attacks with his bare hands.

That's impossible! The thug thought, his heart pounding nervously in his chest and fear mounting as he saw the look of rage in the shinobi's eyes that contrasted sharply with his seemingly innocent visage.

"Don't push me." Haku said lowly, threateningly. "I'm in a really foul mood." Haku threw them aside without a second thought, uncaring of Gato's gritted teeth and rising anger.

"One chance! That's it! If you fail, I'll cut you off and there'll be no one left to cover for you!" Gato threatened and he growled as his threat didn't so much as earn him a glance from the shinobi. He turned away and walked out. "Let's go." He bit out and his bodyguards followed loyally.

"That wasn't necessary Haku." Zabuza said after a moment, his hand tight around a kunai. He had been a second away from slitting the damn tycoon's throat, mission be damned.

"Perhaps." Haku replied softly as he dragged the chair close to the bed and sat down, intent on resuming his guard over Zabuza. "It's too early to take out Gato. He's still our best cover. The murders would just draw the attention of Kirigakure's Oinin Butai. Then they'd be after us again… What we need right now is restraint." Haku reasoned.

Zabuza sighed, begrudgingly admitting defeat. "Right."

"Get some rest, Zabuza-sama."

-XxX-XxX-xXx-

Asuka found herself guarding Tazuna and watching a scant few villagers work on the bridge. Asuka thought that there should have been more people participating for the bridge but considering the circumstances, she wasn't so surprised. The threat that Gato held over the village was very much felt. She could see it in the barely hidden look of fear in the eyes of the villagers and it made her sad, made her angry.

Tazuna, however, was fiercely determined and seeing him now, she almost couldn't connect him to the drunkard she had first saw him as. He was effectively commanding and directing every bridge worker to speedily build the bridge. The sooner the bridge was finished the better.

She had seen the truth to Tazuna's words for her own eyes.

"They just sent you?" Tazuna asked her.

Asuka nodded as she smiled at the bridge builder. "Yes." She answered. "Naruto and Sasuke are patrolling the surrounding area and they're laying down traps in case something happens and so we can be warned. Kakashi-sensei is resting in the meanwhile. He needs all of his energy for the battle against Zabuza."

Tazuna glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, impressed. "Really?" He said as he moved around planks of wood across the bridge. "That's impressive for brats like you." He said jokingly and he gave a small laugh at the pout on Asuka's face. He ruffled her hair good naturedly. "Don't sweat it kid. I'm just messing with you. If it hadn't been for you guys, I'd be dead… so thank you."

Asuka ran a hand through her hair as she tried to fix the mess Tazuna made. "You don't have to thank─"

Tazuna shook his head in disagreement. "If it wasn't for Team Seven, we wouldn't have been able to continue building the bridge. If it wasn't for Team Seven, Inari and Tsunami would have lost another precious person." Tazuna said seriously as he stopped in front of Asuka. "I know that our struggle against Zabuza isn't over but I have faith in Team Seven."

Asuka grinned. "Thank you, Tazuna-san!" She said genuinely. "We won't let you down!" She promised because they wouldn't let Tazuna down. They wouldn't fail the mission if it was the last thing they did.

"Tazuna, I need to talk to you." A voice called out and both Tazuna and Asuka turned to see one of the bridge workers approach them with a somber look on their face.

"Hm?"

"I've been thinking a lot over the bridge and I've decided… I want out."

"What?!" Tazuna yelled, anger clear on his face. "Now you're going to quit?! Just like that?"

"I stayed because of our friendship Tazuna but I'm putting my life on the line every day that I stay!" The worker, Giichi, tried to reason. "Gato and his thugs will show up eventually and they won't show any mercy! It's better to get out of this while we're still alive."

Tazuna reared back and he seemed like he was a split second from punching the man. "I can't believe─"

"How can you say that?!" Asuka interfered, her hands clenched into fists. Asuka couldn't believe what she was hearing. Were they just going to give up now? Were they going to give into their fear?

The man looked at her with wide eyes and a confused look on his face. "What?" Giichi shook his head, "Little girl, grownups are talking─" He said quietly and in a tone that adults often took when scolding children.

It infuriated Asuka. She was many things but a child she was not. Does he not see that I'm a shinobi or is he that blind? Asuka fumed inwardly as she tried to calm herself. "You can't just give up on Tazuna-san now! Look at how far you've gotten!" She motioned with a hand to the bridge. "Do you know what you're doing by leaving?" Asuka said as she stomped ever so much closer. "Do you?!"

"Uh," The man looked at Tazuna, bewildered and not at all knowing what to say. Tazuna however offered no help but was instead looking at Giichi expectantly.

"Answer her." Tazuna said, his face cold and unforgiving. It was important that they finish the bridge. If they didn't…

"You're resigning to your fate! The only thing that giving up is going to do is show that you're a coward! At least if you die on the bridge it would be because you died trying to make a better future for Nami no Kuni!"

The man gaped at her and other villagers were staring and whispering amongst themselves. "I don't ─ I'm not ─" The man floundered, and he couldn't even give a proper reply.

"Our island is poor." Tazuna said in a matter of fact tone as he motioned to his surroundings with his hands. "And it will stay that way until this bridge is completed and it connects us to the mainland!" Tazuna bit out, anger surging through him at the thought of simply giving up when they were so close to their goal. "Commerce, trade and hope! That's what we're building here!" Tazuna said passionately.

"There's not going to be much hope if we're all dead!" Giichi said pessimistically.

Tazuna scoffed and he chose to turn away as he placed a calming hand on Asuka's shoulder. "It's noon." He said gruffly. "It's time for lunch." He announced and he walked away, Asuka following silently behind him. Tazuna glanced around him and seeing the lingering workers, he scowled. "What are you all looking at? Get back to work!" He barked and they all scattered immedietly, sensing his ire and anger. He made to leave but before he did, he paused. "Giichi," he said.

Giichi startled and he looked at Tazuna but the other man didn't even turn to face him.

"Don't bother to come back." Tazuna said with a tone of finality.

Asuka watched as the man walked away and she scowled as she saw the warring looks on many of the workers faces. They're hesitating and wavering. Asuka realized and she clenched her fists as she surveyed the bridge. There was still much to do and they were hurrying as fast as possible with the threat of Zabuza and Gato looming over them but it wasn't enough. There simply weren't enough workers.

In that case─ Asuka made a hand seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" She called out as there was an explosion of smoke and many turned, including Tazuna, startled. The smoke dissipated a moment later, revealing a small army of clones. Asuka stared determinedly towards Tazuna. "Tazuna-san!" She called. "Tell me how we can help!"

Tazuna stared at her dumbfounded. "I─ uh─ what?" He stuttered. He never considered the possibility─

Asuka merely smiled. "These are Shadow Clones." She informed as she motioned to the neat rows of Shadow Clones, similar to Zabuza's Water Clones. "They can help you finish the bridge faster Tazuna-san if you would just give them instructions what to do and I can make more if necessary."

Shadow Clones? Tazuna didn't know a lot about shinobi but never had he been more grateful to be in the presence of one.

"They're all clones of me with their own personality and everything. It's like as if you're talking to me." Asuka continued. "Not to mention, they're much resilient than your workers but a good, hard hit can dispel them. They also have a good deal of strength, so they could do some of the heavy lifting if necessary."

Tazuna's mind slowly processed her words but then a moment later, he grinned like a maniac as he realized the possibilities. He gave a resounding laugh as he rushed forward, gripping Asuka and spinning her through the air and earning a sound of surprise from Asuka. "Little girl, you're a genius!" He said excitedly as he put her down and rushed over to the clones, already barking out orders with new enthusiasm. Thank god for shinobi magic!

The clones went to work with smiles on their faces and the bridge was taken over by a sea blue as they scattered all over the bridge, assisting the baffled workers and giving them a much needed break.

From the sidelines, Asuka smiled softly and watched for a few moments before she too went to work and resumed her guard over Tazuna.

They all worked dutifully and with renewed vigor until the sun was nearly setting and low in the sky. Tazuna had praised and thanked the remaining bridge workers for their hard work before dismissing them.

Asuka had carefully dispelled her clones, mindful over the possible backlash from memories.

Soon, both Tazuna and Asuka were leaving the bridge and walking through the village at the end of the day. It was the first time that she was really seeing the village with her own eyes and she could see the harsh truth of Tazuna's words immedietly.

As she walked closely to Tazuna, she could spy the somber faces of the people walking through the streets, each looking as if their purpose in life has been all but lost.

"Tazuna-san…" Asuka said softly, "where are we going?"

Tazuna glanced at her. "I have to pick up some things for dinner." He answered.

Asuka nodded simply and she fell quiet as she decided to take in her surroundings and what she found, she didn't like. There were beggars in the street, each looking gaunt and tired, seeming to hope desperately for a bit of goodness but it was all for naught. Children were huddled in dark, dirty corners looking all too weary at world for their age. Their eyes were bereft of the innocent spark that young children wielded, their skin and clothes were dirty and generally reflected what the state of the destitute village has brought upon everyone.

"Thief!" A voice called out and Asuka turned her head to see a child running with a villager running after him for a few short moments before giving up and he glared angrily. The villager pointed an accusing finger at the back of the disappearing child and shouted once again, "Thief!"

Because of Gato's control he's all but stripped them of their hope, of their dignity as human beings! And then… and then they're forced to obey his word because they're so deep in their fear… Asuka thought as she gazed around her.

"Here we are." Tazuna said gruffly as he stepped into a store that looked far from what a grocery was supposed to be.

"Welcome." A raspy voice greeted them and Asuka could hardly believe her eyes. The shelves were caked heavily with dust and other shelves were broken down. The air was stale and the paint was peeling from the walls. What produce remained were in bits and pieces and hardly enough to fill one entirely at all.

No wonder everyone looks hungry. There's hardly enough food to feed a single family! Asuka fumed as she carefully took into memory every single unforgiveable effect from Gato's actions. Gato's responsible for this… Asuka thought as she saw Tazuna buy his produce. I'll remember this Gato! She promised.

Asuka sighed quietly but she stiffened as she sensed someone behind her and she turned swiftly and expertly caught a hand that was a few inches away from touching her person. She scowled at the man who had a nervous look on his face as Asuka's grip turned crushing.

"What are you doing?" Asuka questioned, in no way amused. Given the poor state of the village, she wasn't surprised that crime was abundantly high given the circumstances. The villagers may have had no choice but to turn on each other, had no choice but to believe in the words of 'every man for himself'.

"Wait!" The man hurried to answer. "It's not what you think!" Seeing the unimpressed look on Asuka's face, he quickly elaborated. "I wasn't going for you, I was going for your bag!" He pointed to the black bag strapped to her back. "That's all I swear!" He promised.

Asuka frowned. "What were you going for my bag for?" She asked. She had been prepared to kick the man into the next century when she had sensed him behind her. She had thought that he was a pervert and was more than ready to hit the man… but she was sure that a single hit would be more than enough to be devastating to the civilian's fragile body.

"I ─ er, never mind!" The man shouted as he twisted away from Asuka's iron grip and Asuka let the man go. She didn't want to have to deal with the man right now when there were other things that took higher priority.

Both Tazuna and Asuka continued their way outside, both somber and more determined to finish the bridge. They had to stop again however, as they were once again accosted, this time by a boy with a smile full of innocence despite his haggard appearance, and his tiny hands were outstretched towards Asuka.

"Please?" He begged, his wide blue eyes boring into Asuka and the Sky Dragon Slayer could practically feel her heart tear in two from sadness and rage. Rage because of the immense damage that Gato has done to the country and sadness for the innocents that were caught in the crossfire. "Please?" He begged again, toothy smile still in place.

Asuka frowned sadly and she took what food she had in her bag, which wasn't much really. All she had was a ration bar, a few pieces of candy and a few pieces of fruit. She didn't exactly pack a feast because the journey to Wave was short and they usually hunted for their game.

She handed it all over to the child who looked astonished at the sheer amount of food that she gave him and he took it with reverent hands. "Here," Asuka said softly, "Be sure to be safe, okay?" She advised.

The child looked at her surprised before nodding rapidly and running off. "Thank you!" He shouted over his shoulder, his arms laden with his newly acquired 'treasure'.

"This is how it's been since Gato's taken over." Tazuna said grimly as he and Asuka stared after the child. "The children suffer and the adults are too afraid to stand up to him. They've lost all hope and that's why we have to finish the bridge." Tazuna glanced to the shinobi and despite it all, he had a smile on his face. "But if you help us again the way you did today, I'm sure that we'll be able to finish the bridge in no time, and in the process, restore commerce, restore the spirit of our people!" He said passionately, drawing a fierce look of determination from the blue haired girl. "When the bridge is finished, people will start to believe again."

"You're right Tazuna-san." Asuka nodded, "that's why we're going to win against Zabuza and remove Gato's control from Nami no Kuni."

Tazuna smirked. "Before today, I wouldn't have had such high hopes." Tazuna tugged at his hat with a free hand, casting a dark shadow across his face. "But I've seen your actions and despite it all, I have faith that your team is going to help Nami no Kuni pull through."

Asuka stilled for a moment before she nodded. "Un!"

They went home with resolution burning in their eyes and hope in their hearts. There was a new era dawning for Nami no Kuni and it would begin with Gato's downfall and no amount of money or power would stop that.

-xXx-XxX-xXx-

Meanwhile in the forest, both Naruto and Sasuke found themselves staring at one of the weirdest looking buildings ever in the middle of the forest from where they were hidden in the foliage of a tall tree.

"What the hell?!" Naruto said incredulously.

"That," Sasuke motioned to the building with a pale hand, "is the saddest excuse for a hideout that I've ever seen." Not that he's seen many mind you, but he knew enough that a hideout was supposed to be just that, hidden.

What they saw before them was an eyesore that resembled more a cocoon of some sort surrounded by trees. They could see what looked like Gato's men through one of the windows and both Naruto and Sasuke took it in with a critical eye.

"I sense at least a dozen signatures." Sasuke muttered. "None of them feel like Zabuza or that Hunter Nin. They all seem… civilian." Sasuke realized and he seemed to be proven correct as a man walked out, bare chested and covered with tattoos and a sword strapped to his hip. "That's what Inari's afraid of?" Sasuke said incredulously.

Naruto resisted the urge to laugh lest he give away their position. "I hardly doubt they'll be a challenge." He noted. "There doesn't seem to be much security around here either."

"That's not a surprise." Sasuke said as his mind flashed back to what Tazuna had told them so far. "Nami no Kuni doesn't have its own shinobi so there's no one to keep things like this in check and with how ruthless Gato's proven himself to be, no one would dare oppose him. There's no need for security when you have an entire country* under your control."

"That's stupid." Naruto deadpanned. "He got too comfortable." Naruto stayed silent for a moment before he glanced to his teammate as an idea popped into his head. "Hey, do you want to break in?" Naruto grinned mischievously.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the suggestion and he tilted his head to the side slightly, as if contemplating, and a moment later he nodded. "Screw it. Let's go." Sasuke muttered before making sure to hide his chakra as much as he could.

Naruto did the same as he and Sasuke stealthily made their way down to the building and they stuck to it easily with chakra.

It was stupidly easy to gain access. All they had to do was open a damn window after making sure there were no traps or seals of any sort ─ of which they thanked Kakashi for his training and teaching them what to look out for ─ and no one in the hallways. They stuck to the ceiling and their steps were utterly silent and after making sure that they were completely alone, jumped down.

There wasn't much of a need to speak. He and Naruto could communicate with the slightest of gestures. They traversed the winding hallways quickly and they opened doors one after another. They were lucky in that all of the signatures that they could sense were congregated in one area. Why that was, they weren't sure nor did they care.

Many of the rooms were empty and some served as bedrooms. Other rooms, they found, held interesting items.

"An armory?" Naruto said as he gazed at the weapons mounted on walls and racks with awe and his hands twitched at his sides. He really wanted to take as many weapons as he could as there were many that caught his eye and just with a glance, he could tell that Sasuke thought the same.

There were katana, tantos, naginata, shuriken, kunai, tessen, bo staffs and so much more. There were even a few bisento(s).

But was even more interesting were the shelves of scrolls lining the walls.

"These are jutsu." Naruto said reverently as he gained a closer look. I want them all, Naruto thought determinedly. "Suiton, Raiton, Katon, Doton, Fuuton; they're all here!"

"And that's not all." Sasuke grabbed a scroll off a shelf as he turned to Naruto. "These are Summoning Scrolls."

Naruto turned to him immedietly and true to his words, there was a Summoning Scroll in Sasuke's hands. It was the Sabretooth Summoning Contract and as Naruto turned his gaze to the shelf where Sasuke retrieved it, he could see that there were more. One in particular caught his eye. It looked very, very old and there was a mess of seals that prevented one from opening it but it was clear to him that it was the Fox Summoning Contract.

"There is no way I hell that I'm leaving this here." Naruto growled as he took out said scroll and placed one of his own in place. "Are you taking that one with you?" Naruto nodded to the scroll in Sasuke's hand.

Sasuke debated for a moment before he nodded and began taking all of the contracts ─ Hawk, Sabretooth, Seahorse, Bear, Badger ─ and sealing them away in a scroll. His hands went through hand seals swiftly and with a few muttered words, Sasuke placed a carefully crafted genjutsu with some aid of the Sharingan to make sure the details were exactly the same.

"It'd be best to take what we want after we deal with Gato and Zabuza." Sasuke suggested. "That way we won't have to worry."

Naruto nodded in agreement. They would return. "Genjutsu?" Naruto inquired.

Sasuke nodded. "That should keep them from noticing anything for a while but with what I've seen so far, I'd be surprised if they even notice. Besides, I doubt any of these fools would even be considered for a contract." Sasuke went over the contracts in his mind again and he already had an idea of the one he wanted. "Asuka should get one but I feel like none of these fit her." He said aloud, a frown on his face.

"What were they?" Naruto asked interestedly as he kept the Fox Summoning Contract close to him and put it away. Maybe Asuka would like to sign it too? After he figured out the mess of seals of course. He'd have to consult Kurama. He was sure that the fox could help him.

"Hawk, Seahorse, Bear, Badger and Sabretooth." Sasuke replied as they moved on to the next room.

"Which one are you interested in?"

Sasuke debated for a moment but he had already chosen when he had picked it up. "The Sabretooth Summoning Contract." He replied. The Uchiha Clan had held a Cat Summoning Contract but they weren't for battle. They were better suited for messages and the sort. It felt right to have the Sabretooth Contract in his hand.

"We'll find something for Asuka-chan, Sasuke." Naruto fiddled with a lock carefully before disarming the half assed seals that were laid on a door with ease. It was an insult to Fuinjutsu, seriously. It was evident that whoever placed them had little to no knowledge. He opened the door and ducked in with Sasuke following suit. "If anything, she could use Kuchinoyose no Jutsu and be Reverse Summoned and sign a contract with whoever she meets."

"Doesn't that mean she'd be a danger though? Without a contract, you won't be sure what you'd be getting and since Summons are in a different realm altogether, then that would mean she'd be stranded."

"But Asuka-chan's strong." Naruto reasoned. "Besides, who wouldn't want her as a Summoner?" Maybe that was his bias talking but hey, Asuka was definitely worthy of Summoning Contract.

Sasuke smirked but he said nothing and instead he paid attention to the veritable room of gold before him. There were literal small mountains of gold covering the floor, as wells as countless sparkling jewels, from diamonds, emeralds and sapphires and there was money stacked nearly to ceiling.

"What the fuck?" Naruto gaped. "Where the hell does a civilian get this much money? There's no way that all of this is from Nami alone."

Sasuke frowned grimly. "Gato is a crook but he's also a business tycoon. He's not that stupid. If he was, then he wouldn't have come as far as he had now."

Naruto scowled before turning to Sasuke. "We should take a quick look at the rest of the building and go. It's not good to linger." He advised. "But there's no way we're not coming back for this money Sasuke."

Sasuke looked at the blond, faintly amused. "Isn't it for Wave?"

"We'll take some it Sasuke and save the majority for Wave. Geeze, don't be such a selfish bastard man." Naruto teased as he ducked from the kick that the Uchiha threw at him.

They made their way through the building via ceiling once again. Most of the rooms they encountered were empty and many held beds, most likely for the thugs that Gato hired. There was also a kitchen, an office that had yielded some information such as business plans, ledgers, and more. Aside from that there wasn't much more.

They had also gotten a brief glance at thugs and they could tell that Inari was right. Gato had hired a small army and with the amount of money he had it was no surprise but clearly the man was a cheap bastard as his army didn't look fit to fight against a single Jounin.

That wasn't surprising considering that that alone was all that would be needed. Gato had dried Nami of all of it's money and left its people in poverty. There was no way that they could afford to retaliate themselves or even hire others to do so in their stead. Tazuna had barely enough for a C-Rank but whatever Genin Team that he would have received would have died with the Demon Brothers, Genin as they were. The Jounin would have needed to fight against two Chunin and protect the Genin and Tazuna. It wouldn't have been a good situation at all but what Gato hadn't counted on was a Genin team like Team Seven.

Sasuke and Naruto easily made their way out and soon they were bounding their way back to their team.

-XxX-xXx-XxX-

Naruto found himself in a clearing, sound asleep and well away from everyone. There were scrolls and paper littered across the ground, stained black with ink and drawing that at first glance made absolutely no sense, and that in second glance, still made no sense unless one dabbled in the arts of Fuinjutsu. Sasuke wasn't far from him and he too was sound asleep and was looking a but rough around the edges. Asuka was high in a tree branch, savoring the cool breeze and the shade that it had afforded her.

She was covered in dirt and scratches but she remained oblivious to it all as she closed the world away from her and focused on her wells of magic and chakra. She was trying to further understand the relationship between her chakra and magic as she wanted to take her training to a new level. She was finishing on a project she was working on regarding a jutsu she had created but she was well on her way on another. Ideas bombarded her mind day and night and she really wanted to create an arsenal of jutsu that would aid her in the future in addition to what she's learned so far but that aside, Asuka has been working on regaining the discipline over her Sky Dragon Slayer Magic and expanding that as well. She wanted to create new Dragon Slayer spells, wanted to recreate a few of her brother's spells with chakra as a way to honor them and their legacy and so much more. She was determined to make it happen. She wanted to reach heights never before seen and she knew she would with her team right there for every step of the way.

Asuka, Naruto and Sasuke had all left in the middle of the night after Tazuna had finished his story. It was certainly a sorrowful tale but Naruto and Sasuke had already made up their minds. You had to take ahold of your destiny with your own hands. You can't rely on someone else to do it for you. Asuka had been the one to push them, the one who had opened a pathway to a better life but Naruto and Sasuke had been the ones that gathered the strength to walk it.

Asuka opened her eyes as she sensed an approaching presence and the sound of silent footsteps filled her ears. She turned and was met with the sight of one of the most beautiful girls that she's ever seen. Long brown hair shined under the morning sun and framed a face that she was sure to remember for a long time to come. Wide brown eyes, skin as pale as snow, a slender frame hidden in a pink kimono… despite it all, Asuka couldn't help but blush and mentally slap herself. Get ahold of yourself Asuka!

She gathered herself and she debated internally as she noticed that the girl hadn't noticed her in the trees. For some reason, the scent of the girl before her seemed oddly familiar to her and it nagged at her mind, but for the life of her, couldn't quite put a hand on it. She decided to watch instead what the girl would do and she would interfere if necessary but she also knew that her teammates were perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. Besides, she couldn't sense any ill intention from the girl at all.

She watched as the girl set aside her basket and gazed at the boys with curious eyes and Asuka smiled as the girl hesitantly gently shook both of their shoulders.

"You'll catch a cold if you sleep here. Wake up." She said softly, her voice melodious and oddly deep. Haku was almost tempted to just wrap his hands around their throats. He could kill them and just be over it but… it just wasn't who he was. He couldn't kill them.

Sasuke and Naruto woke in an instant. They both saw the same thing; a girl gazing down at them with a worried gaze and a face haloed by the bright morning light.

Despite it all, Sasuke couldn't help the slight flush that crept up his cheeks as he sat up and tried to gather his composure in front of a girl who he had to grudgingly admit was… beautiful. Still, despite it all, he braced himself for the inevitable despicable behavior that most girls displayed towards him and he couldn't help but be slightly confused as the girl merely smiled towards them and sat back.

Naruto was flustered as well and it was evident in the way his cheeks flushed red with color and looked away from the stranger that had awoken them. Naruto rubbed at the back of his head with a hand in a nervous manner and he couldn't help but scowl as the sound of laughter echoed in his mind.

"Uh," Naruto said ever so eloquently.

In the trees, Asuka couldn't help but giggle at the sight of her flustered teammates as she noticed oddities in the… girl. The girl was certainly beautiful and she seemed to be around her age, but she noticed that the girl was oddly flat chested, her voice though soft was deep, added to the fact that 'her' scent told her that she was a male… a really, really pretty one but a male nonetheless.

Sasuke twitched slightly but he regained his composure with a deep breath. "Thank you for waking us." He said calmly as he glanced at his teammate. "What are you doing here?" He asked bluntly.

The girl merely smiled, not at all bothered. "I'm gathering herbs." She answered.

"Herbs?" Naruto said, an eyebrow raised. "For medicine?" Naruto guessed. He knew that Asuka gathered herbs of her own for their medicinal and poisonous properties. She dabbled a lot in the medicinal area and he knew that she made creams and poultices of her own that were each effective to different degrees and the ways that they could be used was astounding.

Haku was inwardly surprised but he still remained on guard. He hadn't forgotten the display of strength that they had made against Zabuza. They had actually forced the man to be serious, something that he noted still grated at Zabuza. "Yes… It's for a friend."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged glances before shrugging. "Do you want help?" Naruto inquired, "We're not doing much."

Haku smiled. "That would be very kind of you."

And so they did as they said and they helped Haku gather herbs once they were shown which one they were looking for. It was very easy to find them as they littered the forest ground in abundance.

"You start work early, huh sis?" Naruto commented.

"I like to work early because its calming." Haku said as he gently pulled the herbs by their stems and placed it in the basket that was rapidly being filled. "I didn't expect to find someone so here so early and this deep in the woods." Haku glanced towards them and he saw the Uchiha shrug idly.

"We were training." He answered vaguely, though not impolitely. He had fully expected the same deplorable behavior that various girls displayed in his presence. He was surprised that the girl before him hadn't.

"Judging by your headband, you are shinobi." Haku observed, "Correct?"

Both Sasuke and Naruto nodded. There was no use denying it when it was obvious.

"Does that mean you're training for something dangerous?" Haku asked curiously. He genuinely wanted to know their answer. He wanted to know if they had a reason to fight.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the question. "Of course." He answered. "The life of a shinobi is dangerous, even for Geinin… although, not a lot of people understand that, particularly civilians. The life of a shinobi is often fleeting and less than glorious."

Naruto nodded in agreement as he picked plucked the plants from their stems, one after another. "That's why we need to train so we can become stronger. By becoming stronger, it means that we're just one more step away from accomplishing our goals. It means we do more than survive."

Haku glanced at them with wide eyes and hidden shock as he pondered their words and his mind flashed back to their battle against Zabuza. They seem to understand more than most, Zabuza-sama… We were wrong to underestimate them. "You both seem very strong now. Isn't that enough?"

Naruto scoffed, though not unkindly. "We'll always need to get stronger and keep practicing but that's because of our dream." Naruto smirked with all the confidence of someone imbued with fierce determination.

"Your dream?" Haku murmured.

"To become the greatest shinobi in all of the Elemental Countries with my team, so strong that we become the ultimate challenge to surpass."

Sasuke nodded along his words, naturally.

Haku opened his mouth for a moment and then closed it as his mind ran over their words. They say it with such confidence… "So you're not doing this for yourselves or a certain person? Do you really believe that you accomplish such a task?" Haku questioned with no small amount of incredulity. It would have seemed like a tall wish from anyone else, foolish and childish but the way that they said it with such conviction… it honestly struck something within. What was my dream? Haku wondered, Before Zabuza-sama? What was it? Did I even have one?

Naruto pondered over her words as he could see that she genuinely seemed to be confounded by their words and actions but that was fine. A lot of people didn't know that that was their goal but he figured that would be their natural reaction.

A lot of people would think that the goal we set ourselves is impossible, Sasuke mused. But we'll show them soon enough.

"Of course." Asuka interrupted, her voice rang through the clearing, as she watched the three snap towards her direction in her hidden little corner high in the shadow of the trees. She jumped down smoothly and walked towards them, greeting the newcomer with a kind smile on her face. "It's nice to meet you!" Asuka said cheerfully as she bowed in greeting to the other.

How did I not notice her? Haku wondered with faint alarm as he decidedly kept a cool face as he stared at the cheerful girl before him. He remembered clearly her aptitude with ninjutsu as well as her keen strength that had left deep bruises on Zabuza. He never would have expected it from a girl like her. Royal blue hair, warm golden eyes, and dressed cutely yet practical in fashionable shinobi wear that made her look like a warrior princess. I never would have expected such ferocity from a girl like her… but then again, no one ever expects me either. Haku thought a tad darkly and with faint amusement.

"Our goal may seem lofty but it is one that we decided for ourselves and one that we will accomplish together." Asuka said softly. "It is a long journey but I have the utmost confidence that we will succeed in our mission."

"… They are precious to you?"

Asuka nodded as she sat moved to sit in front of 'her'. She savored the morning breeze and the feeling of the warm sunlight on her skin for a few minute moments before answering Haku. "They are. When you have something to protect, something precious to you…" Asuka's smile turned into something more akin to a beautiful grin that made the other three stare, "then it just makes you that much stronger! Your precious people are what motivates one to fight, what drives us to move on further beyond our limits! Don't you agree?"

Haku's mind could only flashback to a darker time when he had been nothing but a street rat, scavenging day and night and struggling to survive day after wretched day. He remembered the cold nights, could remember the way his father had so brutally killed his mother, could remember how he had nothing in his name, not even a purpose until Zabuza had stumbled across him. Zabuza had given him a purpose, had given him strength and for that, Haku would always be indebted to Zabuza.

"When a person has something precious that they want to protect, then that is when they genuinely become strong." Haku agreed somewhat somberly.

I'll protect you with my life, all of you. Kakashi's words flashed through the Konoha shinobi's minds collectively.

"I know exactly what your saying." Naruto murmured.

Haku gathered his basket as he idly patted away the imaginary dirt away from his kimono. "Thank you for helping me." Haku said kindly and genuinely. "You will get strong. Very strong. All of you." Haku glanced to each of them and he could almost see the power hidden in their gaze. Haku turned away from them as he began to leave and he waved over his shoulder. "Goodbye… we'll meet again sometime."

The Konoha shinobi gazed at her back as she retreated and they sat straighter as they saw her pause without looking back.

"Oh, by the way, I'm a boy." Haku said bluntly, a smile tugging at his lips as he heard the kunoichi burst into laughter and he almost wanted to look back but he continued on his way instead.

Asuka could practically see Naruto's and Sasuke's minds come into a crashing halt and she couldn't help but laugh harder at their shared look of shock.

"What?!" Naruto's yell disturbed the quiet peace and many startled birds were sent into the air with sounds of indignation.

-xXx-xXx-xXx-

Night had fallen and Asuka and Tazuna had returned from their day at the bridge. Tazuna had handed Tsunami his bounty from the little grocery run and Tsunami had turned the meager supplies into a feast with Asuka's aid. Asuka had offered to help Tsunami with the food and though at first Tsunami had insisted that they were guests and that she didn't need to do chores atop their mission, she had relented to Asuka's insistence. In reality, Tsunami was grateful for Asuka's help. Running the household by herself and looking after Inari took a lot of work and she could never ask her father for help, not when he was working relentlessly on trying to finish the bridge and build them a better future.

"Heh, this is amazing!" Tazuna praised as he bit into the savory food that had been offered to him. "We haven't had so many people at the table in such a long time!" It had been a long time. The house had never been so lively since Gato arrived to Wave… since Kaiza passed away. It made him happy to hear the sound of so many voices in his home.

Team Seven was enjoying the dinner as well after a day of hard work. Sasuke and Naruto had continued to train while Asuka had been guarding Tazuna. She would have continued to train as well but she had volunteered because she knew the importance of Tazuna's mission. That, and she knew that her training could wait a little longer because she was already so close to accomplishing her new quota of training. Naruto and Sasuke had offered to make clones to continue their training and accompany her but Asuka had insisted that they continue on their own.

All through dinner, however, Asuka had noticed that Inari kept glancing at a picture on the wall. It was a family photo that looked aged and frayed, but the most unusual aspect was the fact that it was torn in a corner. It was obvious that someone was missing from the picture and Asuka wondered who but she kept her thoughts to herself out of respect.

The dinner had been a great and lively affair, if one could disregard the dark glares that Inari kept sending towards the shinobi. They had all pretended that they didn't notice but Naruto was a few seconds away from throttling the kid and Sasuke was quickly losing patience.

"Is there something wrong Inari-san?" Asuka asked as she nursed a cup of tea in her hand. "You seem… upset about something, maybe we can help?" She said kindly.

Tazuna was well aware of Inari's actions and he stilled at Asuka's questions, as had Tsunami.

The shinobi didn't miss the tension that fell across the table as Inari remained silent and stormed out without a word, all while slamming the door behind him.

"Inari where are you going?" Tsunami demanded as she followed after him.

There was a heavy silence that fell across the table before Tazuna sighed. "I'm sorry that about that. Inari has been… going through tough time. We all have but he's been taking it the hardest." Tazuna nodded his head towards the picture on the wall. "I'm sure you all noticed Inari glance at the picture?"

The shinobi nodded.

"That was Tsunami's husband, Kaiza." Tazuna smiled sadly. "He was once regarded as a hero all across Wave…."

"A hero?" Kakashi said interestedly. Maybe it'd reveal a bit of history on Nami and how things got to the point that they did.

Tazuna nodded. "Kaiza wasn't Inari's father, he had came into our family much later. He brought so much happiness to our family. He and Inari were very close but all of that ended the day that everything changed, the day when he was killed." Tazuna began to explain the events that had lead to Inari's sullen demeanor and his hatred of heroes. He told them of Inari's first encounter with Kaiza, of how Inari had been inspired by Kaiza and his courage.

"If you care about something, keep trying. Protect it with both arms. Never give in!"

"His name was Kaiza, a simple fisherman who had come here from another land to follow his dreams. After that, Inari and Kaiza were inseparable and the boy had never known his real father so you can imagine what it meant to have Kaiza in his life. He looked up to him, followed in his footsteps like a real father and son. Kaiza spent more and more time with us until one day he just naturally became a member of our family."

Team Seven listened intently to Tazuna's words.

Tazuna told him of how Kaiza had become a greater symbol of courage, of how he had stepped up and endangered his well being to protect the village and those he cared about when the floodwaters had threatened to wipe out the lower district of the village. "From that time on, Kaiza was considered a hero in this land. He taught us all the meaning of courage and Inari was so proud to be his son. But it wasn't long after that Gato showed up." Tazuna continued his story and told them of Gato's terrible actions, of how he couldn't have a local hero interfere with his plans and so Gato had removed him, had executed him for his defiance. "Since then Inari's changed, as did Tsunami and all of our people." Tazuna sighed somberly and he took a deep drink of his sake.

Team Seven had exchanged glances when Tazuna finished but they didn't press the man. It was clear he was still grieving and was in distress. They decided to retire not long after.

The next day, Team Seven later returned to Tsunami's house after another day of intensive training. They were dirty and worn after the fact but it didn't lessen the sense of accomplishment they garnered from completing the tasks that their sensei put before them. Seeing the small smile on their sensei's face was only an added bonus.

They were all gathered around the table with Tazuna's small family once again along with their Sensei, all preparing to begin their much appreciated dinner.

"You've all managed to complete all of the tasks I've set before you." Kakashi started as his Genin snapped to attention at the sound of his voice. "Since you've all managed to make headway in your training, starting tomorrow both Naruto and Sasuke are bodyguards for Tazuna." The Jounin turned to Asuka. "You'll be guarding Tsunami-san, Asuka-chan."

They all nodded understandably and it was then that they all dug into their dinner with the sound of light conversation in the air and the clink of cutlery. It was when they were all about finished that Tazuna made an announcement.

"In just few mere days, the bridge will be finished." Tazuna informed in a pleased tone and he shot a grateful look to the blue haired shinobi. "Your Shadow Clones helped speed up the process quite a bit Asuka-chan and for that I'm deeply grateful. In fact, I must thank you all." Tazuna nodded towards the rest of the Konoha Shinobi.

"It was no problem Tazuna-san." Asuka said as she fidgeted slightly at his praise. "We were only doing our jobs."

"Nonetheless, you have my thanks." Tazuna insisted.

"You've all been doing great but you still need to be careful." Tsunami warned as she placed a warning hand on Tazuna's shoulder. "The danger isn't over yet."

Tazuna blinked and his mood turned into something more serious. "I've been meaning to ask but I haven't had the chance until now. Why did you protect me even after you found out that I lied?" Tazuna asked curiously as he turned his gaze to the Konoha shinobi.

"Those who stray from the path of justice have no courage but under the wing of a strong leader, cowardice cannot survive." Kakashi answered smoothly as Tazuna and Tsunami stared at him in confusion.

"Huh?" Tsumani uttered.

Kakashi-sensei is so cool! Naruto thought admirably. I'm pretty sure that he's stronger than all the other Jounin Sensei's… although I'm sure they all individually have their strong points.

"That was a quote from the First Hokage." Kakashi elaborated.

"Ah." Tazuna murmured as he thought over Kakashi's words. 'Under the wings of a strong leader cowardice cannot survive', eh? I understand now. Kaiza was a hero. We all looked up to him and we hailed him as a leader because of it and under his actions, we learned the true meaning of courage. "You couldn't be more right, Hatake." Tazuna mused aloud.

Kakashi merely nodded.

Unfortunately, Kakashi's words didn't spark understanding in Inari like it did for his grandfather. No, instead it brought back unrest as memories of his supposedly strong father. He remembered the way that he had promised Inari to always be there, how he told him to protect what he loved with both arms, to have courage and never give up but in the end, Kaiza ended up dead anyway. Kaiza betrayed his promise and to that, Inari found unforgiveable and he couldn't find it in him to forgive the man, so entrenched in his anger and grief was he and as he stared at the smiling faces of the supposedly strong 'shinobi', it only served to amplify it.

'If you cherish something protect it with both arms! Inari, don't cry…'

He didn't even notice the tears running down his face as he was more focused on his anger. "But why?"

The comfortable conversation at the table came at an end as they noticed Inari's unease.

"Hm?" Naruto looked away from his food as he payed half attention to Inari's words. "What'd you say?"

Inari's hands slammed atop the table as he glared at the shinobi with anger and disdain in his eyes that only inspired apathetic faces from the male shinobi and a frown from Asuka. "All of this training is just a waste of time! Gato has an entire army! He'll be beat you down and destroy you! All of the things you're doing… all that training, all of those plans! They don't mean anything! The strong always win and the weak always lose!" Inari bit out bitterly, oblivious to the sorrowful look that his grandfather gave him.

Naruto scoffed. "Speak for yourself kid, its different for us. You got that?" Naruto went back to eating hoping to go back to eating in peace but it was sadly for naught.

"Why don't you be quiet! Just looking at all of you makes me sick! You don't know anything about this country, you're just butting in! Always laughing and playing around─ You don't know what it's like to suffer and be treated like dirt!"

At this, all of Team Seven collectively stiffened. Sasuke's and Naruto's faces darkened with anger and Asuka carefully placed her cup of tea on the table as she tried to reason with herself that Inari was just a child and that he was merely going through a hard time.

"Are you even listening to yourself?" Sasuke interrupted as he glared at the Inari. Child or not, he didn't have tolerance for such foolishness or disrespect, especially when it concerned those close to him. "You keep on whining about Gato, how he's so damn strong and how he can't be defeated─ How would you know? You don't even have the strength to stand up for yourself. You're nothing but a coward." Sasuke could hardly care how cold he seemed. He wasn't about to take back his words and he had to admit, there was a part of him that took satisfaction at the shock on Inari's face.

…Don't know what it's like to suffer? Oh, Inari-san, if you only knew. You're lucky to even have a family that cares about you. Naruto and I never had the pleasure of knowing what the love of a parent feels like and yet here you are─ Asuka didn't say anything. She found that she didn't even want to. Instead she stood and took her plates and placed them in the sink and politely excused herself.

Without a second thought both Sasuke and Naruto followed, leaving Kakashi alone with Tazuna and his family.

Asuka went to their designated room and she sat down on one of the futons and she smiled slightly as Sasuke and Naruto sat before her, forming a sort of circle.

"Inari is very cynical for a brat." Naruto muttered as he idly pulled out his stacks of paper and ink and began the tedious process of making multiples. Inari, you damn brat. You can't even begin to comprehend the meaning of suffering, Naruto inwardly seethed.

Sasuke sighed as he nodded.

"We can't be too hard on him." Asuka tried to reason.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "The things he said were uncalled for." He pointed out.

Asuka nodded. "They were, but Inari doesn't know us." She reasoned as she flopped back onto the futon. "Besides, we should just forget what he said. We have more important things to focus on." She turned her gaze to Naruto who had a growing stack of seals at his side. "Why don't you use clones?" She suggested as Sasuke turned to Naruto and they saw him twitch for a moment before the blond began muttering darkly under his breath.

Sasuke smirked. "Moron."

"Bastard." Naruto threw back.

"Do you guys ever wonder how the other teams are doing?" Asuka asked suddenly as it occurred to her that they haven't seen any of the other Genin in a long time.

"We haven't seen them since we became Genin and we passed the Bell Test." Naruto mused. "But I mean, we have been busy. We had training, both individually and as a team, then we had our missions, and then we had even more training─"

Asuka smiled sheepishly. "Maybe we should go see how the others are doing when we get back." She suggested. "We could go to Akimichi's?"

Sasuke merely nodded as he too layed on the futon. "We should take every precaution tomorrow. I have a feeling that Zabuza might be on the move quicker than we thought."

Naruto eyed his still form. "You're not worried, are you?"

Sasuke scoffed. "Of course not, you idiot."

Asuka hummed softly as she tugged at the ends of her hair. At least its gotten longer, she mused idly. Her hair reached past her shoulders and was growing faster than she'd initially assumed. She attuned it to her chakra and magic. "I don't think it'll be too bad." She said. "If anything, it'll be exciting."

Both Naruto and Sasuke glanced at her.

"You've got that right Asuka-chan." Naruto agreed. "We'll prove Inari wrong and that that Gato bastard isn't as powerful as he thinks he is!"

Sasuke had a small smile on his face but it just occurred to him, that they forgot to tell Asuka and Kakashi what they had found when they were patrolling the forest. "Asuka," Sasuke said, gaining her attention as well as Naruto's, "we forgot to tell you and Kakashi-sensei, but I'm pretty sure we found Gato's hideout."

Asuka sat up as Naruto's widened with realization and he snapped his fingers. "That's right!" He grinned brightly as he remembered. "It's the most obvious thing in the damn forest, Asuka-chan. Let me tell you, it can't hide anything for shit and the it's the weirdest looking thing that I've ever seen."

Sasuke nodded along Naruto's words. It was then however, that Kakashi walked in looking a bit harried but otherwise fine.

"Kakashi-sensei." Asuka greeted.

Kakashi nodded towards them and Kakashi sat down a bit next to them. The Jounin glanced at the seals beside Naruto with faint surprise but he had somewhat expected it. It was natural that Naruto be talented with Fuinjutsu. It was in his blood after all.

Enough about that. There's other matters to attend to, Kakashi thought as he looked at his Genin. They didn't seem at all bothered by Inari's words. "I came to check up on you lot." Kakashi informed. "You shouldn't concern yourself with Inari's words."

Naruto went to reassure their sensei. "We're not Kakashi-sensei. Honestly, it's sort of understandable now that we think about it and we had gotten a bit… angry," Naruto said as he glanced at his teammates for a moment, "but Inari didn't know any better and he is a civilian after all. They take things differently than we do."

Kakashi gave a silent relieved sigh as Asuka and Sasuke nodded along his words. "I'm glad you see it that way Naruto." Once again, their Academy profile is proven drastically wrong.

"We have better things to talk about Kakashi-sensei." Sasuke interrupted. "Like Gato's hideout."

Kakashi paused for a moment before his eyes narrowed. "Gato's hideout? You found it?"

Sasuke nodded. "When we were patrolling." He nodded towards Naruto. "It wasn't much of a hideout and from what we saw, there were more than a dozen signatures, all of them civilian."

Kakashi nodded and motioned for them to continue, which Naruto did.

"We went in." Naruto immedietly began.

Of course, Kakashi mentally sighed.

Seeing the look on Kakashi's face, Naruto grinned widely. "We were really carefully Kakashi-sensei, don't worry. We only went in after making sure that that there wasn't a threat to us," of which Gato's army was not "and we just investigated it a bit."

"Gato's hideout mainly serves as a sort of bunker to his hired help." Sasuke continued. "Most of the rooms were for them. They don't seem much of a threat. They're mercenaries but they're also very crude. I don't think Gato spent more than they had to."

Asuka listened intently to their words. "So they're not very much skilled." She deduced.

Sasuke nodded. "They don't seem to have any shinobi training at all. All of them are civilians and not much of a threat against us but against the people of wave they would be enough, especially considering that they have no shinobi of their own and taking account the current affairs…" Sasuke trailed off as Kakashi nodded understandably.

"Anything else?" This might be their first infiltration mission, unofficial though it was. Kakashi was proud. Really, he was. I bet Gai's students haven't gotten this far. Kakashi didn't take up Gai on most of their competitions but he wasn't about to pass up an opportunity like this.

Say what you want, Jounin Sensei(s) were competitive about their teams.

"The most significant findings were the Armory Room, the Treasury Room and Gato's office. As you can guess, the Armory Room was filed with weapons. Quality ones too. That wasn't just it however, they also had an entire wall of scrolls that had elemental ninjutsu and summons."

Kakashi sat straighter. "Summons?"

Sasuke nodded as he unsealed the scroll that held the summoning contracts. "We weren't going to leave them there." Sasuke said a tad challengingly.

Well, Kakashi mused, Gato wouldn't have acquired them legally and I certainly don't think that he'll be able to use them anytime soon. "I doubt he has any use for them Sasuke but if anyone asks… they belong to you guys. Say they were gifts or something or anything else as long as its believable." Kakashi advised casually in a lackadaisical tone.

Asuka couldn't help but smile as she surveyed the scrolls. "Did you get one Sasuke-kun? Naruto-kun?" She asked. They were an interesting array certainly but…

Sasuke nodded. "The Sabretooth Summons." He didn't mention the Fox Summoning Contract. He only would if Naruto did first as he knew how him having it would be interpreted by others in a negative light considering the he's the Jinchuriki of the Kyubi. He trusted Kakashi but this was Naruto's secret. Maybe we should talk about this later on, about letting Kakashi-sensei know about what we're doing regarding that.

"We got these for you Asuka-chan but I don't know if you'll like them." Naruto frowned.

Asuka shook her head. "I'm grateful but I don't think that they fit me."

"Are you sure?" Sasuke asked, a bit hesitant. "Do you want to sign the Sabretooth Contract?" He offered.

Asuka giggled. "It's okay Sasuke-kun, it's fine. I think the Sabretooth Tigers would fit you better than me. I was considering summons and I'm sure I'll get one eventually."

Kakashi sniffed dramatically, "My genin are so cute."

Naruto wasn't the only one who rolled their eyes.

Sasuke continued, feeling a lot more relieved. "The Treasury Room was filled with literal mountains of gold," at the skeptical looks from Asuka and Kakashi, he motioned to Naruto who nodded, "jewels and a ton of cash. It's most likely what he took from Nami and what he gained from his business. As for Gato's office, it didn't have much aside from a few of his business plans like trading deals and ledgers."

"Good job you two." Kakashi praised. "We'll deal with that after we deal with Zabuza and complete the bridge. For now, you should all rest. We have a long day ahead of us." He stood and idly patted away the imaginary dust from his pants.

"What about you Kakashi-sensei?" Asuka asked.

"I have someone to speak to." Kakashi waved a hand over his shoulder in goodbye as he walked out.

When night fell, Kakashi found himself out on the deck and staring at Inari's still form whom was staring out to sea with a sorrowful gaze. He made his steps deliberately loud and Inari turned to stare solemnly at the shinobi.

"Can I talk to you?" Kakashi asked somewhat awkwardly but he still retained his outwardly calm demeanor. He didn't know how to comfort anyone, shinobi or civilian but he knew that he needed to make things clear. He couldn't let things end the way that they had even though a part of him had been angry at the child, which was of course, irrational because Inari didn't know any better.

Inari didn't say anything as he returned to stare out at the sea.

"They can be a little harsh," Kakashi started, "but they don't hate you. Your grandfather told us what happened, about your father." Kakashi paused for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts to best explain what he was trying to say. "You don't know this but they're all orphans."

This garnered Inari's attention but even then, he didn't turn away from the sea as he tried to seem like he wasn't listening.

"Asuka was an orphan all of her life and so was Naruto. Both of them know what its like to grow up without parents and what it's like to be alone… and neither of them even know who their parents are. As for Sasuke… he lost his entire family." In Naruto's case, it never failed to inspire guilt in Kakashi but he had been ordered to secrecy by the Council, something that he's always resented but at least he had been able to look after Naruto as best he could from the shadows. I might need to change that. Naruto doesn't deserve to be kept in the dark about his legacy… I'll need to speak to Sandaime-sama as soon as possible…

Inari's eyes widened in shock at what he heard. What?

Kakashi continued. "Naruto didn't have a single friend in the village and in the aftermath of losing his entire family, Sasuke closed himself off to everybody. Asuka was… different. She always wore a smile on her face and she went through every day one step at a time, Naruto never cried or gave up despite his circumstances and Sasuke became stronger through his pain and later on they all became even stronger through the bond they shared. They're all very unique and their pasts aren't very happy compared to others and even though they're all young, they all know what it means to be strong. Like your father did."

Inari glanced at the man before looking away as he mused over his words.

"I think they know better than us about what you're going through. As cruel as it sounded… They've probably told themselves that a thousand times before they decided that the tears weren't worth it and took matters into their own hands."

Inari decided that perhaps, he had been too rash.

-xXx-XxX-xXx-

Asuka was up early in the morning with her team. She went through her usual morning routine with swiftness. She was a little tired and a bit angry at Inari for his words but she had forgiven him as she knew that she couldn't blame Inari for what he went through. Talking with Naruto and Sasuke had helped at least.

She could hear her team downstairs and she hummed softly under her breath as she finished getting ready and tied her hair back in a high ponytail with a black ribbon. She headed downstairs where she was greeted by the savory smells of breakfast. She took her usual seat and greeted everyone, even Inari who had looked a little taken aback and remorseful.

"We'll be guarding you today, Tazuna-san." Kakashi reminded. "Asuka-chan will stay here and guard Tsunami-san and be on the look out for anything suspicious. If all goes well the bridge should reach its completion by today." Kakashi looked towards Tazuna for confirmation on the bridge and was satisfied when Tazuna nodded in agreement.

"Please be careful Tou-san." Tsunami said as she hugged her father.

Tazuna merely smiled. "Don't worry so much Tsunami! I have very capable shinobi guarding me!"

"Nonetheless." Tsunami sighed.

Soon enough, Asuka, Tsunami and Inari found themselves waving goodbye as Tazuna was escorted to the bridge with Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke as his bodyguards. Tsunami stared after them even when they disappeared from her sight but she was startled when she felt a hand touch hers.

"Let's go inside, Tsunami-san." Asuka suggested. "I'll make you some tea."

"Oh," Tsunami blinked, "You don't have to do that! You're a guest!"

"I insist, Tsunami-san. Even you have to rest every once in a while. You should spend some time with Inari while I handle everything else, okay?"

Tsunami was going to protest but she sighed instead in defeat. She hadn't been able to spend much time with Inari in a while and what time she did was weighed down with grief for Kaiza. She couldn't help but hope that maybe it'd be different this time.

"Come, Inari." Tsumani offered her hand to Inari and she smiled as Inari hesitantly took her hand. "Thank you so much Asuka-chan." Tsunami said sincerely.

Asuka smiled. "It's no problem Tsunami-san."

Tsumani went off on her own to spend time with Inari and Asuka began her mission of tidying up the house for Tsunami. With the use of her clones, Asuka greatly cut down the time it would have taken and by the end, the house was spotless. When she finished Asuka dispelled her clones and she instead stuck close to Tsunami and began to truly take her watch instead of a clone.

It wasn't long that trouble found them however and Asuka stiffened as she sensed foreign presences outside Tsunami's home. "Someone's here." She murmured to herself and Asuka formed clones to protect Tsunami as she made to go outside.

Tsunami and Inari glanced at her in confusion and seeing her somber demeanor, they stiffened and they held expressions of fear. "Is something wrong? Did something happen?" Tsunami asked worriedly as she clutched Inari close to her.

Asuka paused in her steps and she glanced at the woman from the corner of her eye. "Don't worry." Asuka reassured. "Someone's here, but I won't let anything happen to you and Inari. Just make sure to stay here under the watch of my clones, understood?"

Tsunami nodded and watched worriedly. It was then that she noticed how silence had fallen over her home and she could hear the faint sounds of footsteps.

Inari could only stare as Asuka left without making nary a sound and as her clones stayed eerily still like statues but they seemed ready to spring into action in any moment.

Asuka made her way out of the house and she easily found her opponents. Sasuke's and Naruto's observations were proven correct as she saw her enemies. There were two men, each looking like delinquents with their menacing stares and cliché tattoos. They both carried katana by their sides and the smirks on their faces promised less than desirable intentions.

"Heh," One of the mercs smirked. He was dark skinned with oddly styled brown hair and his chest was bare for the world to see. His face also held tattoos in the shape of black, winding lines. There were also a few scars on his torso and face, adding on to an image that would intimidate any civilian villager. "So this is that bitch Tsunami's house, huh?"

"Easy." The other warned. He had light colored hair hidden under a beanie, a purple-gray jacket and tattoos under his eyes. "Gato said he wanted Tsunami. Don't go off doing other things right now."

"Gato promised us a good deal of money. There's no way we're no going to fail." The other said arrogantly.

From her spot in the rafters, Asuka frowned. I think this has gone on long enough, she thought decidedly. Asuka rolled her shoulders idly and she took in a deep breath, savoring the taste of air tinged with the ocean breeze. She exhaled and then, she moved.

The thugs were about to make their move as the darker skinned one was about to cut through the thin walls of Tsunami's home to enter but before he could do that, he was sent careening back and he made a sound of pain as his ribs throbbed with a great ferocity.

"Toga!" The other exclaimed and he turned to Asuka with a snarl. "You bitch!" He unsheathed his sword just as the other, Toga began to stand up with a groan.

Asuka stood away from them with a serene smile on her face. "I should warn you right now." She said softly. "Leave before you regret not doing so."

The purple haired man laughed derisively. "You think you can beat us, you brat? You got a lucky hit in but it's not going to happen again!"

Asuka didn't say anything and instead she turned her head to slightly to the side as she noticed Toga move behind her and grin at her with a smile full of teeth. She realized that perhaps he was trying to intimidate her but she could only feel amusement at it all and it was evident by the small amused tilt of her lips.

Gato's men didn't miss this and it only served to incite their anger once again.

"Why don't you run along little girl," Toga spit out, "We got business to deal with so if you don't want to end up in the bottom of the damn ocean, you best get out of our way!"

Asuka's smile widened and in response, she lifted a hand and she motioned them towards her. "You can try, but I can guarantee that you'll fail. Tsunami-san and her son are under my protection and I won't allow you to hurt them." She warned.

The thugs didn't bother anymore and instead they swiped their swords towards her in what seemed like an effort to cut off her head but Asuka smoothly leaned back. They charged at her like rampaging bulls, loud and with clouded, rage filled minds.

It was clear to her that their mastery of the sword was a joke and Asuka proved it by stopping their swords with a single hand.

The two looked at her incredulously and at the swords in a stupefied manner.

"What─" Toga stuttered.

"I warned you, didn't I?" Asuka murmured and it a flex of her hand, the cheap steel warped easily under her hands and the swords clattered to the floor. Asuka didn't take the moment to see the look on the faces of Gato's men and instead decided to end the one-sided fight quickly. There would at least be more of a challenge against Zabuza and the fake Hunter-Nin.

All it took was a punch to the gut and a hit to the nerves and soon enough, both men fell into an unconscious heap on the floor. She was quick to tie them up with sharp wire. They'd be dealt with soon enough. If they somehow managed to find their way out of the bindings, then the hit she dealt them would be enough of hindrance to make sure they didn't get far. Fleeing with a bruised torso and broken ribs would be hard for a mercenary with rudimentary training less than a Genin.

From a window, Inari had watched Asuka fight. The way she was so relaxed and moved blew his mind. He never thought that someone could have such confidence, especially when all he had ever known was pain and fright. Seeing her brought back the words Team Seven's sensei had imparted to him after his outburst with great clarity.

'I think they know better than us about what you're going through. As cruel as it sounded… They've probably told themselves that a thousand times before they decided that the tears weren't worth it and took matters into their own hands.'

Inari was sure he'd never forget those words for the rest of his life.

Asuka turned away from the heap on the floor and went inside to check on Tsunami and Inari. She found them clutching at each other with worry and surprise written on their faces but were otherwise fine. Her clones still there after all.

"Are you okay Asuka-san?" Tsunami asked worriedly. "We saw everything through the window! You're not hurt, are you?" Tsunami's dark eyes roved over Asuka in search for wounds but she didn't find any outward signs and she hadn't seen her get injured but she never knew with shinobi. They had powers well beyond her understanding and she knew that not everything was external.

Inari, meanwhile, had a look of amazement on his face. He was staring at Asuka with wide eyes. She took them down as if it was nothing! She never even froze… she wasn't afraid at all. Unlike… unlike me.

"Thank you for your concern Tsunami-san, but I'm fine." Asuka said a tad bashfully as she blushed slightly and rubbed the back of her head with a free hand. "They weren't much of a challenge but their presence means that Gato and Zabuza have made their move." Asuka informed.

"Does that mean you're going to the bridge?" Tsunami asked with worry in her voice.

Asuka nodded firmly. "Yes. I need to return to my team as fast as possible. My clones will protect you while I'm gone."

Tsunami nodded in understanding. "Be careful." Tsunami warned. She knew it was probably a needless warning but Asuka still looked much like a child to her. The thought of such young children fighting against beings like Zabuza and challenging tyrants like Gato frightened her but she could see the determination in her gaze and the unwavering spirit of strength in her eyes. Asuka looked like a child but she had the power than one.

So this is the strength of a shinobi… Tsunami thought, awed.

Asuka began to leave but before she did, she turned to Inari. "You were brave Inari. Be proud of that." She said sincerely and she smiled at the look of confusion on the young boy's face.

"What?" Inari blurted.

Asuka's grin widened. "You didn't cry." She laughed and Asuka left a moment later.

Inari blinked as he stared after her with surprise as he touched his face and his face was dry. She's right! Inari thought, I didn't─ I don't feel afraid anymore. Inari breathed out slowly and he blinked. "She showed me that heroes really do exist." Inari murmured to himself.

"I hope I'm not too late." Asuka murmured as the world around her as she sped toward the direction of the bridge. Dealing with Gato's men hadn't taken long or much effort but she knew that she needed to hurry to her team's side. She wasn't too worried, however. She knew that Naruto and Sasuke were more capable than others realized and her sensei was one of the best shinobi that Konoha had to offer.

The chances of failure were minimal.

---

-xXx-xXx-xXx-

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R NAMI NO KUNI/ LAND OF WAVES: I get confused with the terms Country and Nation so I'm not sure which applies to the Land of Waves but I'm sure it's one of them. But it hardly matters.

CHUNIN EXAMS ARE COMING UPPP!

As for Kurama's chakra, don't worry I have a plan for that! It'll get introduced soon enough.

REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

ALSO, is there anything you want to see in the Chunnin Exams? I'm a bit curious to know… I have my own surprises planned for the Chunnin Exams and I am excited to see the reactions admittedly. By the way, I just CRINGED so hard rewatching the episodes because ugh.

NOTE: To be edited at a later date because honestly, this chapter could use some work. Ugh. I tried!

ALSO, REVIEW, REVIEW AND THANK YOU!

TBC

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