Chapter Eight

Takara's POV

"Okay, I leave Naruto in your hands. He's psuhed his body to the limit, overdoing it, as usual. So he might not be able to move today at all," I overhear Kakashi-sensei say from the open upstairs window.

"What about you? You're still recovering youself," Tsunami says.

"Why? Do I look wobblely?" He laughs, "I'll be okay."

"Come on," Tazuna grumbles, "Let's go."

I growl to myself and slam the window shut. Masaru-sensei, Ichirou, and Daichi left about an hour ago. Now Kakashi-sensei, Sakura, and Sasuke are leaving. They left Naruto behind for the same reason Masaru-sensei left me behind: because we've exerted ourselves too much during training. Ninjas do that all the time! That's what makes them strong.

If there is one thing I hate, it's being cooped up all day. Everyone is gone besides Tsunami, Inari, a snoring Naruto, and me.

I sighed and walked downstairs. If there's one thing I agree with Kakashi-sensei over, it's that Naruto needs his rest.

I find Tsunami in the kitchen making breakfast. It seems like that's all she does because whenever I see her, she's cooking.

She turns when she hears me enter and smiles brightly. "Oh, Takara, good morning. I'm afraid I just started breakfast. It won't be done for awhile."

I wave her off. "Don't worry about it. I was just coming down here because I couldn't stand moping around in the bedrooms anymore. I think I'll just grab Naruto when he wakes up and we'll go into town to get something since we're not allowed to 'strain ourselves,'" I say, quoting Masaru-sensei. I roll my eyes. How old to they think we are? Four?

Tsunami gives me a thankful look and goes back to cooking.

"Actually," I begin to walk towards her, "I can help you with making breakfast since I have nothing else to do?"

"That would be great. Thank you," she says.

I laugh and stop before the counter. "No problem. But I have to admit, I don't cook much at home so you might have to tell me what to do."

She laughs, "Sure. For now, just cut this." She hands me something that looks very similar to a loaf of bread and I begin to cut it.

With both of us working together, we get breakfast done in about fifteen minutes.

"Here," she hands my a plate with a small portion of food. I open my mouth to remind her that Naruto and I were going to go into town, but she waved me off. "It's the least I can do for you helping me out. Here," She hands me another plate with food. "You can take this up to Naruto. I'm sure he must be starving."

I laugh and thank her as she begins to start the dishes. I turn and am about to start up the stairs, but Naruto appears at the top, looking dazed and confused as to where everyone was. He was still in his pajamas.

"Takara!" He shouts when he sees me. He races down the stairs. "Where is everybody!? They left me!"

I set the plates down on the table and cross my arms. "Ya, well it wasn't an accident. They thought you've 'exerted yourself too much', so you and I are taking a break today."

He stares at me like I just told him cats live underwater. "Take a break? A break!? Who do they think we are!? Ninjas don't take breaks!"

I throw my arms up. "That's what I said! Masaru-sensei, Ichirou, and Daichi left for training about an hour and a half ago. Kakashi-sensei, Sakura, and Sasuke left to accompany Tazuna to the bridge about thirty minutes ago."

He growls and runs back upstairs. I follow, causing Tsunami to yell, "You forgot your food!"

"I knew it! They ditched me!" Naruto starts to quickly change and I turn around, giving him his privacy.

"So you're going to follwo them?" I ask as I follow Naruto back down the stairs.

"You bet! See ya!" He yells at Tsunami and we both run out the door.

"But your food!"

"Sorry!" I call back. If Naruto was going to get some action, so was I. Sue me for wanting to fight, or in this case, be on lookout.

"They could have woken me up!" Naruto growls as we face through the treetops.

"They still wouldn't have taken you with them," I tell him, dodging a branch.

"Ya, well, I would've made them-" Naruto suddenly starts on a branch.

"What?" I ask, stopping myself. "Naruto, what is it?"

"The boar," he points behind me.

I turn and sure enough, on the forest floor is a boar. But it's dead. Lots of messy cuts are all over it. I narrow my eyes, trying to get a better look. Those cuts don't look like they were made from animals. They're too big. Someone must've killed it. But why? For fun? But who would have a weapon like that?

I look back at Naruto and he nods. We dash off into the trees.

(SKIP)

We show up outside of Tazuna's house right as to goons are about to cut Inari's head clean off with a sword.

Naruto quickly does a substitution jutsu and I sweep Inari up, right as their swords swing in the area that Inari's head was in. Naruto sneaks up behind them and grabs an unconscious Tsunami.

"A substitution jutsu!?" The shorter one with silver hair exclaims.

"The woman? She's gone!" The taller one with the eye patch says.

I raise an eyebrow, unimpressed. So far, I can't tell who's the smartest of the bunch.

"Sorry I'm a little late," Naruto says, placing Tsunami down in front of a frightening Inari.

"Huh? Who's that!?" Mister eye patch guy turns around.

"But, you know, hero's usually show up at the last minute," Naruto grins.

Inari looks up at both of us in wonder. "Naruto, Takara, it's you."

"Who else?" Naruto replies. "Inari, you did great. When you charges, they forgot about your mom for a minutes, giving me an opening. Takara grabbed you."

Inari looks up at me and I grin at him, "Don't worry. We're gonna beat the leaving daylights out of these phonies."

"But how did you two know these Samurai guys were coming here?" Inari asks.

"It was all Naruto," I tell Inari, "In the forest, he found a boar that had been attacked. And we saw that the trees were all cut up too, like someone had been practicing with a sword of something."

Naruto nods and continues, "Ya. And the cuts lead back towards the house, so I followed them here."

Inari looks at Naruto in shock. "That was really smart."

I laugh. "Ya, who knew Naruto would put all those pieces together," I joke, causing him to pout.

"Takara...don't take away my glory," he groans.

"Blah, blah," Mister eye patch mumbles, "It's two of those puny ninja brats Tazuna hired. But I don't remember Lord Zabuza mentioning this one." He narrows his eyes at me.

"Get 'em," the shorter one says simply.

"Ya."

I grin as the charge at us, their swords drawn. Ya, keep coming you idiots. Naruto and I excel in close range attacks.

"They're coming!" Inari cries out. Naruto and I exchange glances.

I channel chakra into my feet and dart off, showing up behind Mister eye patch. Naruto is going to take the shorty.

"Hey, what-?" Mister eye patch's eyes widen when he realizes I'm suddenly behind him. He doesn't have time to react though, because my foot's already slamming into his jaw, causing him to stumble back.

I can't help the cocky smirk on my face when he splits out blood. Oh geez, I'm turning into Sasuke.

"Hm, so you're a little better than I expected. But don't think you'll catch me off guard again, you little brat!" He spits, regaining his balance.

I relax when I see something behide him. I cross my arms and shrug. "Sure. No problem."

He furrows his brows and steps forward. "Listen kid, I don't know what your-"

But next thing you know, one of Naruto's clones kicks him forward. He falls right in front of me and I punch him across the face for good measure. Yep, he's definately out.

I look over to find that the real Naruto has taken down the other guy too. I grin at him and he gives me a thumbs up.

"You guys did it!" Inari exclaims.

"What? Do you think we couldn't?" I ask

"Ya! Believe it!" Naruto laughs.

Inair laughs back, "That was so excellent! Like real ninja!"

"You twerp. I am a real ninja. That's what I've been telling you."

They laugh at each other. "Um, you guys," I interupt, "Maybe we should die these guys up on something and get Tsunami inside?"

"Oh, right!" Naruto says.

"I think we have some rope inside," Inair says.

I nod and go inside to find some while Naruto stays out there with Tsunami and Inari. I finally find some spare rope in a closest and tiw the two up. Then we put them on a boat and send them to who knows where. That was Naruto's idea.

"Naruto, these guys being sent here to take Tsunami, it couldn't have been a coincidence," I tell him after we set Tsunami down in her bed.

"That's what I was thinking," he agrees.

"Right. They were Zabuza's goons. Since they attacked now, that must mean..." I trail off, waiting for Naruto to figure it out.

"That must mean that Zabuza is attacking now too!" His eyes widen when he realizes it. "Tazuna! They're at the bridge with Kakashi-sensei, Sakura, and Sasuke! We need to go and help!"

I nod and Naruto turns to Inari. "We need to go and help out friends," he explains. "You need to stay here."

"You're going up against Gato all alone aren't you?" Inari asks.

Naruto smiles and ruffles Inari's hair. "Don't worry," is all he says. "If anyone comes that isn't us, hit them with, umm..." Naruto looks around and then at me. I shrug. What are you going to do. It's not like you can give him a ninja tool? "...uhh, here." He hands Inari a frying pan and I giggle.

"You guys are really going?"

I nod, "We need to help out friends."

"That's right! You're in charge now kid."

And with that, Naruto and I run off. The bridge is all the way through the town. But we should be able to get them in less than ten minutes at this speed. I can't help but think about how the others are doing. If all those people we ran into on our 'mission' are on the bridge, it would be tough for Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi-sensei to fight them all off. They're out numbered.

And what about Masaru-sensei, Ichirou, and Daichi? I completely forgot about them. If Zabuza did send someone after them too, they'll be able to defend themselves. I'm sure of it. But guessing by what Mister eye patch said back there about not knowing me, Zabuza doesn't know there's two teams here. He just knows about Kakashi-sensei's. If we play our cards right, we might be able to get this with a sneak attack.

I stop at the bank of the ocean, infront of a huge cloud of...fog?

"What is this?"

Naruto stops next to me. "It's Zabuza's Hidden Mist Jutsu."

I growl in annoyance. "So he's going to make us fight him blind?"

Naruto nods, "Lets go. Our friends are in there." I nod and am about to jump off, but Naruto grabs my arm. "We're going in blind. Be careful, Takara. I mean it."

"You too," I say as we head into the mist. I plant myself on the outside of the side of the bridge, using chakra to keep myself up.

He's acting so...grown-up. Maybe Kakashi-sensei was right when he sid Naruto has matured the most.

I take back that thought as soon as Naruto jumps right into the battle, turning everyone's attention towards him. I actually facepalm. That dork! They didn't know we were here until he did that! And I literally just told him to be safe and he does this! At least they still don't know about me.

"Naruto Uzumaki, is here! Ya, believe it!" He grins as soon as the smoke clears. Guess he has a thing for dramatic entrances. "Ha! Now that I'm here, everything will be alright!"

"Naruto!" Sakura calls out happily. I guess they did need backup.

"You know how in stories, the hero usually shows up at the last minute and then kicks butt? Well that's what I'm going to do right now! Believe it!" He shouts, pointing at them.

As I suspected, everyone is giving him annoyed looks. Even his own teammates.

"Alright! You're history! Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yells, preforming a hand sign. But before he can finish it, Zabuza throws four shuriken at him.

"No!" I hear Kakashi-sensei yell. "Naruto! Move!"

My heart stops as Naruto just stands there.

The person with the mask that I recognize as Haku deflecst them with senbon. What is he doing? Aren't they on the same team. Thank god he did that though. Naruto froze.

"Huh?" Everyone gasps, including me.

"They didn't get him," Sakura says.

"Their weapons cancelled each othe out. Amazing. Not that's what I call lucky, I think."

"What do you think you're doing, Naruto!? Are you crazy!?" Sakura shouts.

"This is a battle not a talent show," Kakashi-sensei scolds, "Don't let your opponents see your jutsu!"

I've never seen him this serious. This battle must be the real thing.

"Uhhhh..." Naruto stutters.

"The shinobi's art is deception. Always keep the enemy guessing. Even when executing a single jutsu, one must distract their opponent's attention. Catch them off balance and outmaneuver them. You just turn yourself into a human target when you enter a battle like that," Naruto's sensei says.

Naruto screams and holds his head. "Ahhhh! I'm sorry! I was just trying to rescue everybody!"

Zabuza suddenly narrowd his eyes and turns on one of his teammates. "Haku, what are you doing?"

"Zabuza, this boy...," he says, referring to Naruto, "..let me fight him my own way. Please?"

Naruto clenches his fists and takes a step forward. "Bring it on."

"Hmm, so you want me to bring this to you? Is that is, Haku?" Zabuza says. "As usually, you're too soft."

"Forgive me."

He was right, though. He countered the shuriken when he senbon because they would've hit Naruto and killed him. And he's been fighting Sasuke for awhile now, toying with him. He could hav easily finished him off already, but Sasuke only has scratches. Nothing life-threatening. What's he playing at?

"I'm warning you! One way or another, I'm going to rip off that mask and take you apart!" Naruto threatens.

No, Naruto. You can't. His chakra levels are incredible. He's way stronger that you. You'll just get hurt.

I quickly asses the battle zone. As of right now, it looks like it's three against three. Or it will be. Sakura is staying back to guard Tazuna. Sasuke is fighting Haku right now and I'm assuming Haku seems to have the upper hand due to the amount of injuries Sasuke has. Kakashi-sensei seems to have his hands full with Zabuza. There's another guy, and judging be how chill he is by standin so close to Zabuza, I'm guessing he's the enemy too. He's the guy that was carrying Zabuza that one time when we ran into Haku and them on the way here. His name was Etsuko. I haven't seen him fight, but if he's half as good as Zabuza, then we're in trouble.

We need help, I realize and without a second thought, I get ready to run off to find Masaru-sensei and the others. But as soon as I turn to push off, that man, Etsuko, appears right in front of me.

My eyes widen. He was so fast I didn't even have time to react to his chakra presence. And how did he know I was here. He must be a sensory ninja too. I flip backwards onto the bridge right as his fist drives into the spot my head was just in. His fist breaks straight through the side of the bridge.

My eyes widen again. This guy is fast and strong. I blanch.

"Oh, look who decided to join us. Another one of those brats who claims to be a ninja. I haven't seen this one yet," Zabuza muzes.

I freeze as I realize that my cover is blown. I'm in the middle of the bridge and everyone's attention is on me.

"Takara!" Naruto cried out and I gritted my teeth, staring at Etsuko.

"No! Let her go. This is between my team and yours. She has nothing to do with it," Kakashi-sensei tried to reason.

"The ninja world is unfair Kakashi. Besides, this way it will be more fun. Etsuko!"

The enemy ninja nods and suddenly disappears. But I keep my eyes on his chakra signature so I know vaguely where he is.

My eyes widen and I put my arms up in front of me just in time to block his attack. I skid backwards, but stay on my feet. There's no doubting he's fast. Faster than me.

"Well it looks like this one might be a sensory ninja. Some skill, no doubt, but still annoying. Etsuko, take care of her. I'll deal with Kakashi and Haku will get the other brats," Zabuza growls.

Kakashi-sensei makes a move towards me, but Zabuza cuts him off. "Your battle is with me Kakashi."

Kakashi-sensei narrows his visible eye, glaring at Zabuza. "This is an unfair fight and you know it."

Zabuza laughs, "Who said anything about fair. If these brats really want to become ninjas, then this is what they need."

I wasn't able to catch anything else because Etsuko lunged at me. I dodged his attack again, but barely. I took a deep breathe and urged myself to calm down. I've been training with Masaru-sensei for a week, which might not have been forever, but at least it was something. I cannot freeze again like I did whenever we were traveling here. If I want to be the best ninja some day, I need to start acting like it.

I spin around as I recognize his chakra behind me and send a kick his way. He blocks it with one of his arms, leaving that side of his body completely defenseless. I aim a fist to the side of his stomach, but he catches it with his other hand and I freeze. He's completely defensless now that his two hands are holding my foot and hand, but so am I because he has the leverage.

I push off of him right as he makes a move to pull me towards him. His long fingernails scratch me, drawing blood on my wrist and ankle. I glower at him.

He speacilizes in everything I do, except better judging by his amount of chakra. He's going to be a hard opponent to beat. I'm going to have to keep messing with him here and there to test him out. I need to find something that I'm better at than him. If I do, maybe I can attack him with that and catch him off guard long enough to get rid of him. He's not using his full power yet and I'm not looking forward to when he does.

He doesn't waste anytime in heading towards me again. He's bigger, stronger, smarter, faster, and has more chakra. What do I have that he doesn't?

This time, he tries a different tactic and throws six kunai at me. I dodge all of them and then turn, ready to counter whatever attack he throws at me, but he''s gone.

"Where did he go!?" I hear Naruto yell.

I coudl still sense his chakra, but I couldn't pin point it. It was like...it was everywhere. Was I stuck in his genjutsu? And he couldn't have left. He's fast, but not that fast. His chakra was in the air and the bridge. The bridge was crawling in it.

Then, right before I figured it out, Kakashi-sensei yelled, "Takara! Move!"

But it was too late. A hand came through the bridge, grabbing on to my ankle and pulling me through the bridge. I gasped and I suddenly felt so much lighter. My hair was flying up, tanlging in front of my face and the bottom of the bridge was getting farther and farther away.

"Takara!" Naruto yelled in alarm over the side of the bridge.

He dropped me, I realized. He pulled me through the bridge from the bottom and dropped me.

I looked behind me and saw the water was getting closer and closer.

No. I can't fall. This can't be over. But how do I get back up? And so quickly?

My mind immediately flashed to the jutsu Masaru-sensei taught me about a week ago. It's not or never, I thought.

I brought my hands together to make the handsigns. "Water Style: Water Whip Jutsu!" I shout, slinging my hand towards the bottom of the bridge.

A slim string of water came from my hand to the bridge, latching on. It stopped me in midair, only a few feet from the water.

I stayed there, my mouth agape. It worked. It actually worked. When Masaru-sensei hears this, he's going to be so-. I stopped my train of thought when I rememebered the situation I was in.

I need to get back up there and show them that I'm not as easy to get rid of as they think.

I yank back on the water whip, causing me to fly back up towards the others. I release the jutsu when I get close enough and flip over the side, standing on the bridge.

I grin and everyone looks surprised to see me, which, makes me a bit disappointed. I mean, did they have no faith in me whatsoever?

Zabuza growls, "Seems like you're more than a pain than I thought. Time to finish you off. You know what to do, Etsuko."

Etsuko nods and sits dow, closing his eyes.. My eyes widen and I look around to see that everyone else is surprised too. Who sits down in the middle of a battle?!

He mutters something and I take a step forward, "Uhh..."

His eyes flash open and he pushes his palms out towards me. "Hemmorosorbi!"

I freeze mid-step. My body's heavy. And hot. I was shaking. Everything felt on fire. I let out a strangled scream and fell to my knees.

"Stop it!" Naruto yells. "Leave her be!"

"Zabuza! Enough!" Kakashi-sensei yells.

"This is Hrai clan's kekkei genkai," Zabuza explains, ignoring Kakashi-sensei, "They're the only clan in the Hidden Mist that specialize in water and fire style. Usually, kunoichi are born with one and then later learn a second, or if they're lucky, a third. But from the moment they're born, they've taught water and fire style due to their unique kekkei genkai. But I haven't even gotten to the best part, the kekkei genkai requires both styles: fire and water. The user can control either style and use the other to manipulate their opponent in some way. For example, as he is doing now, he is controlling the water in her body with his water style and is using fire style to hurt her. Essentially, he's boiling her from the inside out. It's very effective. But of course, he couldn't have done it if she hadn't shed blood."

Of course! When he scratched me!

I scream again and fall flat against the hard pavement. Now that makes sense. My blood...it feels like it's ripping me apart from the inside. Even though this has only been going on for a few moments, my body screams in protest. It hurts so bad. I'm literally on fire inside of my body.

"Zabuza!" Kakashi-sensei yells again. He starts to make his way over to stop Etsuko, but Zabuza throws his hand out.

"You go after him, I go after the bridge builder. You know the rule, Kakashi."

I see Kakashi freeze, debating on what to do. He can't sweep in and save me and ignore the mission.

It's okay, I want to say. But I can't seem to make anythng come out of my mouth besides screams.

"Takara! No!" I hear Naruto cry from the other side of me. Haku is keeping him there, while trapping Sasuke in his Ice Mirrors. And Sakura is protecting Tazuna.

As much as I want to get up and fight, I just can't seem to find the strength. I'm guessing my muscles would feel like noodles if I could even feel at all. Everything hurts too much. My vision is blurring and my hearing is going in and out. I still hear my heartbeat loud in my ears, but it hurts, like everything else. I can't feel my toes or fingers anymore. For all I know, I could be dead already.

But I'm not ready to die. I don't want to.

Miraculously, the pain dulls, then it stops all together. Am I dead? I open my eyes and still see the dark pavement of the bridge. No. Did they think I was dead and suddenly stop the jutsu?

A pair of arms suddenly scoops me up and I cry out in pain. My body is still a little bit sensitive. I feel myself being set down against something and I open my eyes to see a familar looking face.

"Hey there, Takara. Don't worry, we're here now."

I small, relieved smile overtakes my face. Talk about perfect timing. They just saved my life.

"Daichi," I say right as my body shuts down from exhaustion.

Okay, I felt like that was a really crappy chapter. But between you and me, this part is actually my least favorite part, so I'm just kinda trying to get through it. They finally met Zabuza and stuff so ya. My favorite part in the Chunin Exams, which comes after this. In about two or three chapter, they'll be back at the village. Anyways, please read, favorite, and review!