DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN NARUTO OR ANYONE ELSE!
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Before long, the team and Tazuna arrived at the village that he called home. Much to their dismay, the stories he had been telling them were true. A majority of the businesses had gone under, and the ones that were there, didn't have much to choose from, if anything at all. One of the things that caught Naruto, Hinata, and Shino's eyes were the people sitting on the sides of the streets. They were holding signs which said they would work for food, shelter, money… Anything basically.
"Here we are!" Tazuna said as they came to a house on the edge of town. "Home sweet home! You kids'll love it here. Tsunami is a great cook, she can make just about anything!"
"Any thing?" Naruto asked.
"Yep!" Tazuna replied.
"Even ramen?!" Naruto shouted getting more excited.
"The best there ever was!" Tazuna replied.
"NOW WE'RE TALKING!" Naruto shouted back. "WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? LET'S GO!"
Tazuna and Naruto raced a head to the house. Hinata, Shino, and Kurenai all sighed before following the two. Tazuna smiled as he swung the door to his house open. He took his hat off and placed it on a hat rack, along with kicking his sandals and dropping his backpack off at the door. Naruto and the others followed suit with their sandals.
"Tsunami!" Tazuna shouted. "I'm home!"
"Hi, oto-san!" Tsunami called. She walked down the stairs and threw her arms around the old man's neck. "Did you have a nice trip back from Konoha?"
"Heh… Well, it was an eventful one to say the least." Tazuna replied.
"What do you mean?" she asked back.
"Just a few ninja attacks, that's all." Tazuna said. "Trying to do the usual."
"The usual?" Kurenai asked. "You've been attacked more than once?"
"Ever since my oto-san and his workers started to build the bridge, Gato and his thugs have been attacking them and the bridge on a regular basis. The bridge is a threat to his rule over the village, so he's doing whatever it takes to stop it…" Tsunami explained.
"Enough shop talk though. You kids are to rest!" Tazuna said. "Tsunami why don't you show them to the guest room while I get myself settled back in?"
"Sure…" she sighed. "Come along."
Tsunami led the others up the stairs and into a small room in the back of the house. She apologized for the size, but Kurenai assured her that it was more than large enough for them. The others dropped their backpacks and began to lay out their sleeping bags for the night, when Hinata suddenly got everyone's attention.
"Ano… Sensei?" she called. "I've been thinking…"
"What's up, Hinata?" Naruto asked.
"It was about the shinobi hunter that showed up during the fight with Zabuza." Hinata said. "I understand his desire to want to keep their methods a secret, but…"
"Yes, I see it now…" Kurenai said. "I can't believe I missed this."
"What is it, Kurenai-sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Shinobi hunters who are in charge of body disposal, destroy the corpse of the killed target right on the spot, without a moment's delay." Kurenai explained. "So how did he dispose of Zabuza's body?"
"How should I know?" Naruto asked.
"Exactly…" Kurenai said. "The thing is, he only needed to bring back the head to show that he finished the job… Also, there's the fact of the items he used to kill Zabuza, senbon acupuncture needles…"
"What about them?" Naruto asked.
"Those needles are very deadly if they hit a vital spot." Kurenai explained. "However, if they don't the mortality rate is surprisingly low. Remember that they were also originally designed to be medical tools. Shinobi hunters, and all members of any village's corpse disposal unit, must have a thorough and intimate knowledge of the human body, in both mental and physical aspects. It would be incredibly simple for them to put someone in a near death state."
"In other words, there is a chance that Zabuza is alive and well?" Shino asked.
"Yes…" Hinata said. Everyone turned to look at the girl. "When the boy was taking Zabuza's body away, I was able to get a good look at his chakra systems with my Byakugan… It was still flowing…"
"So, there is no doubt that Zabuza is alive." Kurenai said. "And the shinobi hunter is probably in league with him."
"So what do we do?" Hinata asked.
"We agreed to only escort Tazuna back to the village." Kurenai said.
"We can't just leave him high and dry though!" Naruto argued.
"Indeed…" Shino said. "Even if we got Tazuna to town safely, the mission would still feel like a failure if he were to die shortly after getting there…"
"In other words, you want to protect him through the bridge building?" Kurenai asked.
"Of course!" Naruto said.
"Alright… But we'll have to get some training in." Kurenai said. "I could tell in the last fight that Zabuza was fighting with all he had…"
"What kind of training?" Hinata asked.
"I think some advanced chakra training would be for the best." Kurenai said. "We'll go over the details about it tomorrow. For tonight, let's rest."
The team agreed. Soon, dinner came, and they all went down to eat. Naruto was ecstatic to find a steaming hot bowl of miso ramen waiting on them. Quickly, he grabbed his chopsticks and began to gobble the bowl, along with Tazuna who ate almost as fast he did. After dinner, Tsunami served some tea, which was when Kurenai decided to tell Tazuna what the others decided earlier.
"Tazuna-san, Gato and his men are interfering with your bridge being built and such, correct?" Kurenai asked.
"Y-yeah…" Tazuna said. "What's it matter to you guys though? I mean, you're going back to Konoha after tonight, right?"
"Not exactly…" Kurenai said. "Seems our mission to guard you has been extended until you build the bridge."
"I appreciate the offer, but this village can't afford that." Tazuna said.
"Consider it a mission of morals…" Kurenai replied. "We'll do this for free."
"What about your village?" Tazuna asked.
"Don't worry about that." Kurenai said. "Do you accept our offer?"
"Sure… You guys proved to be a reliable lot in getting me here." Tazuna said.
"Alright!" Naruto shouted. "This is gonna be fun!"
The next day soon came, and Naruto and the team found themselves in the forest on the outskirts of the village. There was a small lake nearby in the center, is where Kurenai decided to hold the team's meeting at. Naruto yawned as it was early in the morning.
"Alright, it's time to get this training started." Kurenai said. "I assume you all have the basic grip on chakra control. From what I understand, the Hyuuga teach it at an early age to help with control of the Byakugan, and the Aburame teach it as well to aid with the controlling of their insects. I also know that Anko taught it to Naruto to help him learn some of his jutsu. However, your current level of chakra control is no where near perfect. So we're going to work on another level of it."
"Another level?" Hinata asked.
"Yes, we're going to practice walking on water." Kurenai said.
"Walking on water?" Naruto asked. "You and the eyebrowless freak were doing that when you were fighting each other yesterday, right?"
"Correct." Kurenai said. "In a way, this kind of an advanced form of tree climbing. The basic difference being the amount of chakra you have to force down to the soles of your feet. If you use too much, or not enough, you'll be sent under."
"Ano… Can you show us how to do it?" Hinata asked.
"Of course." Kurenai replied. She gracefully walked out onto the water and stood in the direct center of it. Hinata activated her Byakugan to get a better look at Kurenai's chakra. The genjutsu mistress smiled. "Sorry, Hinata, but seeing as how our chakra outputs are different, you'll need to use a different amount than I do."
Hinata nodded and deactivated her Byakugan. She then slowly began to walk out on to the water, only to fall under shortly after stepping out. Naruto tried next he stepped out onto the water only for a wave to form and send him flying back to the shore. Shino was the next to try. He made it out to the water, and while he had some difficulty keeping his balance, he basically managed to keep above the water.
"Alright… Naruto, you used to much chakra. Hinata you didn't use enough. A basic hint is that it takes a just a bit more than it does for you to do your tree walking… Or maybe a bit less, it more or less depends on the person. Shino, you've got the basic hang of it. Just try to adjust your chakra output a bit more, and you've got down the basics." Kurenai explained.
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"You really let those ninja do a number on you." a boy said as he finished changing the wrapping an arm in bandages. "Had I not interfered when I did, they may have killed you, Zabuza-sama."
"Shut up, Haku…" Zabuza replied as he retracted his arm from the boy. "Everyone slips up now and then. The woman and brats just got lucky, that's all."
"Still you should be more careful now." Haku said. "I highly doubt that they went back to their homeland after escorting the old man home. Also, there still is the matter of Gato and his men."
"Only a technicality." Zabuza said. "Once I have the means to complete my main goal, the pig and his blind followers are done for."
"Big words for a demon who can't even defend himself." a voice said.
"Gato… What do you want?" Zabuza asked.
"Checking in to see if the rumors were true." Gato said. "I had heard that the famous Demon of the Mist was beaten by a bunch of brats, and I hoped it was just a lie."
"Is there a reason you're here?" Zabuza asked.
"Only to make an offer…" Gato said.
"An offer?" Haku asked.
"Yes, an offer." Gato replied. "I want you to kill Tazuna in three days, as well as the ninja brats that are protecting him."
"Why should I risk my neck out for the likes of you?" Zabuza asked.
"I think you're forgetting your position." Gato replied. He snapped his fingers and two swordsmen walked into the room where they were. "In your current position, you don't have the strength to do anything. You were barely able to escape with your life last time, you should count yourself lucky."
As if practiced, both swordsmen grabbed their blades and charged straight for Zabuza. They prepared to impale him with their swords, only for Haku to intercept them. He had managed to steal both swords from them, and now held them up against their throats.
"Touch one hair on his head and I will kill you both…" he said.
"Tch…" Gato grunted as he walked out. "Come on… Think it over, Zabuza… You and the boy are tough, but not tough enough to kill all of our men…"
"What do we do?" Haku asked.
"For now, we play be his rules… Besides, I can't have my reputation going downhill like this." Zabuza sighed.
"Zabuza-sama, I need to go gather some more, herbs for your ointments. Will you be alright while I'm gone?" Haku asked. He pulled his hair out of its bun, allowing his hair to fall well past his shoulder blades.
"Go on, kid." Zabuza replied. "I can handle myself for a bit."
Haku nodded and he quickly changed his clothes, from his brown pants and blue robe into a long pink kimono of sorts. He grabbed a nearby basket and bid Zabuza farewell as he stepped out to go about his business. The sun was just beginning to rise over the tips of the trees that surrounded the forest where the herbs grew. As he made his way towards the area where he harvested them, he came across three bodies that were sitting by the water's edge.
"I think we're finally getting this down." Naruto said.
"You're getting this down." Shino replied as he walked on top of the water over to where Hinata and Naruto rested. "Hinata and I both had the basics down a while ago."
"You never let up, do you?" Naruto asked. He stuck his tongue out at Shino who simply arched his eyebrows in return before adjusting his sunglasses.
"I think you're doing good, Naruto-kun." Hinata said.
"I knew I could count on you, Hinata!" Naruto shouted. He threw his arms around his adopted sister who giggled at his antics.
"It seems we aren't alone…" Shino interrupted. He turned and looked up at the approaching Haku, as did Naruto and Hinata.
"I'm sorry if I interrupted anything." Haku said. "I'm only here to collect a few medical herbs, after which I'll be on my way."
"Medical herbs?" Naruto asked. "Why?"
"Call it a hobby of mine." Haku replied.
"We could help if you want, right guys?" Naruto asked.
Shino gave an impartial shrug while Hinata smiled and nodded. The four of them set down to work on collecting the herbs. They were gathering quite an armful together. Haku thanked them for their help, and decided to make small talk to pass the time.
"So, what are you three doing out here at this time of the morning?" Haku asked.
"Just some light training." Shino said before Naruto could respond.
"Any particular reason?" Haku asked.
"So we get stronger, of course!" Naruto said. "We need to get stronger so we can fight at our best!"
"I see, I take it by your headbands that you're all ninja?" Haku asked.
"Yep!" Naruto replied.
"That's good…" Haku said as he smiled at Naruto's antics. They continued to collect herbs for a few more minutes, before Shino looked up at Haku and arched an eyebrow. Haku smiled as they finished putting the last of the herbs into the basket.
"Being a ninja sounds like a dangerous career." Haku said. "I bet there have been plenty of dangers and threats you all have faced."
"Well… Yeah, I guess…" Naruto replied.
"Tell me, do you have anyone precious in your life?" Haku asked.
"Precious?" Hinata asked back.
"People that you would do anything to protect." Haku replied.
"Yeah… Naruto said. "I got a handful I consider to be that way."
"That's good…" Haku responded. "I think, that when people protect something truly precious to them, they can become as strong as they want to be."
Naruto paused for one brief moment. He smiled as he thought back to the night when he became a Genin. The thought of when his oka-san was giving her life to protect him, which in turn gave him the power he needed to defeat Mizuki and save her life.
"Yeah…" Naruto said. "I know all about that!"
"I see…" Haku took his basket and stood up. "I think you will all grow stronger. I hope to meet you all again one day."
"Wait…" Shino called. Haku stopped and turned back to look at the bug ninja. "So… Has Zabuza made a full recovery?" he asked.
"W-what?" Haku said as he nearly dropped his basket that had the herbs in it.
"Shino, what are you talking about?!" Naruto asked.
"My insects recognize the chakra he ever so lightly emits." Shino replied. "This is the shinobi hunter who took Zabuza away from the fight before we could finish him off."
"You… You were the ones who did that to Zabuza-sama?" Haku asked. He quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of senbon needles.
"Our actions were in self-defense." Shino said. "He attacked first, we responded."
"So wait, you mean these herbs we just sat here gathering were for that eyebrowless freak?!" Naruto asked.
"Probably." Shino replied.
"Is there a problem here?" Kurenai asked as she walked out of the trees.
"No…" Haku said as he picked up his basket and began to walk off. "I was just leaving." The four of them watched him go out of sight. Kurenai smiled and looked over at Shino who nodded.
"That more or less proves our suspicions about Zabuza and the shinobi hunter…" Kurenai said. "Now all that's left to do is wait."
"How do we know when he'll come back?" Hinata asked.
"I left a female insect on his body before he left." Shino replied. "They have a slightly different aura about them then most insects do, so we'll know when we see him again."
"At any rate, let's resume training." Kurenai said. "I know that you all have the basics of water walking down…"
The time seemed to fly by. Building on the bridge went better than ever. Without one attack from Gato or his men in three days. The guard duty on the bridge shifted to where the Genin assisting Kurenai would switch out with one of the others every three hours. The two Genin who weren't at the bridge continued to practice their water walking, which after the first day was expanded into sparing while standing on the water. This was a bit more complicated since the chakra they were using to stay afloat on the water was now being distributed else where.
"Change in plans today, everyone." Kurenai said as the team finished their breakfast. "Today we're all going to go the bridge to oversee the building."
"Why the change?" Hinata asked.
"Well, you've all been training hard these past few days, so I felt you could use a slight break. That's all." Kurenai explained.
The team said their goodbyes to Tsunami and headed off to the bridge with Tazuna. It was a warm, sunny day. The three Genin were happy with the progress they made in their training, and honestly didn't mind taking a day off from the training. They engaged in small talk along the way, until suddenly, Tazuna came to a complete stop when they reached the bridge, which the others did too. Scattered across the bridge were the bodies of various men who helped Tazuna build the bridge. A few of them were alive, but most were not as lucky.
"What… What happened?" Naruto asked.
"Looks like Hinata was right…" Shino said as a thick fog began to set over the bridge. "He survived."
"It's good to see you again, beautiful." an eerie voice echoed out across the bridge. "I see you've brought all three of those brats along with you too. Look, the little blonde kid is shaking in fear…" From out of the mist jumped an army of Zabuza, each one smiling in anticipation.
"You couldn't be more wrong, asshole." Naruto said with a grin. "I'm shaking in anticipation for a rematch."
"Go ahead and have some fun, Naruto." Kurenai replied.
The clone army of Zabuza began to take of towards the group that they surround, as Naruto took off with a kunai in hand. Soon water splashed around the bridge, in the places where the clones once stood. Shino turned his head to left.
"They're here." he said.
Sure enough, the others turned to see both Zabuza and Haku standing there waiting on them. The biggest difference from their previous encounter during the first confrontation, was that Haku did not where his mask this time. Seeing as how the others knew who he was thanks to Shino, there was no longer a need to hide behind it. Zabuza smirked as he began to walk forward.
"Good to see you all again." Zabuza said. "I missed you all so much, I was hoping to have the chance to play with you again. I even brought my friend along for the ride."
"Looks like you were right, Shino." Naruto said. "He is the shinobi hunter from the other day. Stand back, everyone. I'll--"
"No…" Hinata said as she stepped forward. "Let me, please." she said.
The others were surprised to see normally quiet and shy Hinata step forward. That was, until Naruto remembered the attack that the two mist ninjas launched on the team when the escort mission had began. Hinata was the one that suddenly found herself unable to move, or try to fight back. She hated herself for that… She wanted to change herself from the Hinata that froze up when trouble started. Naruto smiled and nodded.
"Give him hell, Hinata-chan." Naruto said.
"Right!" she replied back. She activated her Byakugan and stepped forward taking a kunai in her hands in the process.
"Haku, would you care to do the honors?" Zabuza asked.
"Yes…" Haku replied.
In a flash, Haku disappeared and reappeared in front of Hinata. He swung around with a senbon needle in his hand, which was instantly deflected by the kunai in her hand. Haku swung back around and attack again, this time locking with the kunai, causing both to be stuck in a deadlock.
"Just as I thought…" Kurenai thought. "He's fast, but with Hinata's Byakugan, she's able to keep up just fine. It was probably for the best that she chose herself to fight first…"
"I must say, you're very good." Haku said. "Originally, I didn't want to kill you, but since you are the ones responsible for Zabuza's injuries that he suffered earlier, I think I can let that slide this once."
"You don't know what your getting yourself into." Naruto said from the sidelines. "Hinata-chan isn't any push over!"
"That maybe, but she can only keep up with me for so long." Haku said. "Plus I've laid ground for two attacks now."
"Two attacks?" Hinata asked.
"Yes, first there's water splashed all around the field from where your blonde friend went through all of Zabuza-sama's clones. Second, I've trapped one of your hands in parrying this move, which leaves only one hand to defend yourself with." Haku said.
Haku began to fly through a series of hand signs, but the most alarming thing about them was the fact that he was doing it all with one hand. The water began to rise off the ground and harden into ice. Hinata's eyes widened as all of the needles aimed and crashed down right where she was standing. Haku's eyes widened as Hinata was no longer where the needles hit, but rather, she was right behind Haku, and managed to slam him in the back with her palm. Haku caught his balance as he began to fall, and spun around, and struck at Hinata with his senbon needle. Hinata managed to dodge the blow thanks to her Byakugan, and struck at Haku again, this time striking him in the chest and sending him flying back towards Zabuza.
"This is the best you can do?" Zabuza asked Haku. "Not a very good start for someone who wants to kill the ones who hurt me in battle."
Haku rose to his feet and began to make several hand signs. Suddenly, the water around Hinata rose to the air and began to take shape into rectangles. In fact, upon further investigation, Hinata realized that they were in fact mirrors of sorts. Haku quickly ran to one of the mirrors and climbed inside. Imagine Hinata's surprise, when Haku appeared inside of every single one of the mirrors that surrounded her. This caused her to lose her concentration, as well as her Byakugan to deactivate.
"Hinata…" Kurenai whispered. She began to run straight for the mirrors, only to be cut by Zabuza.
"Now now…" Zabuza said. "Let's allow our kids to play together, while you and I do the same…"
"Mirrors… What is he planning to do with them?" Hinata thought.
"If you thought you were fast before…" Haku said. "Allow me to show you what true speed is."
Suddenly a barrage of senbon needles exploded through the mirrors. Hinata's screams could be heard as all of them began to skim or pierce her. Naruto's eyes widened at the sounds that the girl was making. Kurenai was equally pissed.
"Not so fast…" Zabuza said. "If you go to her, then I'll kill the other two behind you."
"Two?" Kurenai thought. "Who's missing?!"
"YOU BASTARD!!!" a familiar voice rang out.
Everyone's eyes snapped over to the mirrors just in time to see Naruto toss a kunai straight into them at a rapid speed. Haku was knocked clear out of the mirrors and Naruto ran inside of the dome to see if Hinata was ok.
"Naruto-kun… Don't think I'm not grateful, but…" Hinta began.
"But?" Naruto replied.
"But now you're both trapped in my attack…" Haku said as he reappeared in the mirrors.
"Oh, please!" Naruto shouted. "These mirrors were made out of water. When you hardened them, they became ice. Your little trick is full of holes, just you watch!" Naruto made several hand signs. He blaze of fire shot out of his mouth and straight at the mirrors. To both Naruto and Hinata's surprise both mirrors remained the exact same. "What the hell?!" Naruto shouted. "Fire is supposed to melt ice!"
"Do you honestly believe that my jutsu would fall to such an attack?" Haku asked. "Now… Let me show you a real attack."
Haku flicked his wrist outward as a barrage of needles began to fly forth. Kurenai couldn't tell what had happened, nor could Shino or Tazuna. All they heard where the pained screams of both Naruto and Hinata fill the air. One thing was for certain, things were definitely looking bad…
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OK, I decided to split the chapter up into two, meaning that the Wave Arc will end in the next chapter. You'll notice Inari doesn't appear in this chapter, and that's mainly because I never did like him, and I really don't care for the Arc much, with the exception of Haku and Zabuza. I've also decided to open a new poll! I've been receiving many questions about who will be Naruto's eventual mate. I really wanna pair him with two girls, however I will settle for one girl only. Also, I haven't decided who yet, for the most part. The picks are below, so please pick one that you like:
Ino
Tenten
Temari
Ino and Tenten
Tenten and Temari
Ino and Temari
Read, review, and vote, and I will see you next chapter!