Author looks down at 'non-rabid' chibis of Akatsuki Members: "Chibi Kisame… goggle eyes I… love… CHIBI KISAME!!! (Author hugs chibi Kisame) this makes all those threats null and void (continues to squeeze chibi Kisame). Since I'm in such a good mood now, I'll do those thank you now. Many Big Thanks go out to Wait.What, Hiei's-Dark-Little-Phoenix, fennecfox03 and Incarne009. (Author still hugging chibi Kisame) Thank you everyone for your reviews, I love seeing them in my inbox… umm, Incarnate009… (looks down at chibi)… I don't think you're going to be getting Kisame back in the condition you sent him in… (shakes unconscious chibi)…
PS – as for the sequel I threaten not to do last time… well I decided to scrap the idea and come up with a Ronouri Kenshi X Naruto crossover, featuring Zi and another Kunoichi with a very familiar family name. If you want to know more, go to my profile and look under possible projects. She'll be the first one there, as is her background.
Okay, enough of me… Enjoy!
Chapter Ten
"That had to be one of the best days of my life," I laughed to myself. Thinking of that day always made me feel happy… even though the next month was… was…
I wiped a stray tear from my eye. It was hard to believe that I got so attached to that Demon of a man. It wasn't so hard to believe that I was so attached to that innocent boy.
"Haku…," I whispered.
……
"Sweet dumplings and tea, one of my favorite snacks," I cheerfully ate the dumplings.
It was a steamy afternoon and I decided to stop and grab a quick snack (literally). I, in all the excitement, forgot that I didn't have any money and therefore couldn't pay for anything. So for the last two days, I've had to steal food, which I felt guilty about, and sleep in the forest at night, which I didn't mind. Of course my guilt went away when I thought of Zabuza's face when I last saw him…
"Oh yeah… Zabuza… he's going to kill me when I show up," my cheeks turned red.
I had never actually kicked a man in the balls before; at the academy, the female instructors always told us to use that particular maneuver as a last resort.
"I don't know if that was a last resort, but it was the first thing I could think of," I leaned up against tree trunk, "then again, I can't argue with the results."
With a smile still on my face, I dreamily looked down at the passing people beneath my perch. They walked by, going on with their lives. Some were smiling, others were laughing, couples whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears and still more just seemed to content with their lives. I wish I could experience the same things they were, just a normal life, just normal problems… maybe even, I looked down at a couple, maybe even love…
"…normally I wouldn't go for a girl like you… too fragile… but I could use some…" Zabuza's word echoed through my head.
I shutter, oh josh, that was a horrible moment. To think that he would even assume that I would give myself to him… YUCK! He has another thing coming to him…, I started to snicker, then again, I already gave it to him.
I continued to giggle as I got up from my wooden perch and brushed off the dumpling crumbs. Though the day was hot and humid, it still was nice enough to enjoy my alone time. Too bad I only have a few more hours of it… and possible a few more hours to live. With a small smile on my face, I started to jump through the tree tops.
Four hours later…
"Wow, I guess this place was a lot further than I thought," I wiped a few drops of sweat from my brow. "If I remember correctly, it should only be just west of here," I scratched my head, "If I remember correctly."
Swish… swish…
Hmm… they're still following me; I peered out of the corner of my eye for moment.
I had noticed that several ninja were following since this morning and I was trying to either lose them or confuse them. So far, I think I was just annoying them. Either way, I was going to keep going in circles until they either leave me alone or showed themselves.
I don't know how long I can keep going in circles, but I hope they make their move soon…
Crack…
Here we go, I thought as I pulled out my gensens.
Jumping off the branch, I barely avoided several kunai. I countered with throwing my own at the places I thought they might be hiding.
"GAA!" "Oomph!" two of my five targets screamed out.
That first one sounds hurt pretty badly, but it could be a trick, I thought as I pulled out my gensens.
"Obviously, I know you're here," I called out, "show yourselves and tell me what you want."
There was not single sound or movement. Nothing answered my challenge and then I knew what I was dealing with.
"Alright already, I know you're from the Village Hidden in the Mist and it's obvious to me that you're after Zabuza. You're following me because you think that I'm going to lead you to him… ha… you're wrong," a small smile formed on my face, "I'm not going back to that prevented, pig headed, asshole of a ninja. I decided to run from him and go on my own nin-path. So sorry that you wasted your time," I bowed my head.
Swish…
Another kunai flew pass my head, this time cutting my right cheek.
"Nice try Cloud Ninja," a voice echoed, "but we know you're on your way to meet up with him right now. Although I don't blame you for not wanting to show yourself to him, especially after doing what you did…"
Shit… where they watching Zabuza the whole time… then why are they…
"So you couldn't follow Zabuza's group," I sneered, "pfft… how pathetic. You have to follow a little kunoichi like me in order to get to your true target. Some Tracker Ninjas you are."
There was still no movement… they're good… not losing their tempers, that is, I thought as I looked around.
"You're no ordinary little kunoichi," the voice came again, "no… you're a very special kunoichi. As our little Bingo Book says, you are Byunai Zi from the Village Hidden in the Clouds; a ninja with deadly accuracy and even deadly Justus. It also says," the voice started to laugh, "that your village is extremely interested in finding you… something about your large amount of chakra… is our Bingo Book correct?"
"Hmph… unfortunately yeah, it is up to date," I smiled, "and unfortunately for you, that means that you're going to die!"
I pulled out my gensens just in time to block several kunai; these guys were not playing around. I jumped from the tree branch and started to concentrate my chakra in my gensens.
I don't know if it's the greatest time to test out my new technique, but I need something that can get these guys out of hiding, I silently thought as I started to extend threads of chakra from my weapons.
"What type of justu is that," I heard one of them whisper.
"A new type of Thunder Style," I sneered, "it's going to be the last thing you see."
Shit, I'm starting to sound like Zabuza…
As I fell from my jump, I started to twirl around, hoping that my extended chakra would either hit or force the ninjas from their place. Leaves and branches whirl around me as I made my descent to the ground. Lightly landing, I noticed that one of Tracker Ninjas had been struck by my whip like attack.
"Grab her before she can attack again," the voice called out its invisible comrades.
A ninja appeared behind me, but I knew how to take care of him.
"Earth Style: Phantom Fissure…" I whispered.
Large rocks started to protrude from the ground; the Tracker Ninja tried to jump out of the way, but he was soon pinned between two rocks. Another ninja appear just as the other became immobile, but I quickly whipped my tendrils of chakra and caught him off guard. My 'lightning whips', as Haku designated them, wrapped around his body, the tail end landing directly on his chest, right were his heart would be, instantly killing him.
Huh… what do you know, Haku was completely right, I looked down at my electric whips, with enough power and if it hits the right spot… it is extremely deadly… thank you Haku for your advice.
"She's a lot more dangerous than the Book indicated," one of the remaining ninjas hissed as they appeared all around me.
Hmm… five… I thought there were only five to begin with… "Guess I miscounted," I said out loud.
"Never underestimate ninjas from the Village Hidden in the Mist," one, whom I assumed was the leader of the group, growled.
"I wasn't underestimating your skills… just how many of you there were," I shrugged my shoulders, "but from what I've seen of your abilities… I'm… well, not very impressed."
Thought I couldn't see their faces, I could tell that I had deeply offended them. I could hear them gritting their teeth and tighten their fists in rage.
"Listen to me child," the leader spoke up again, "if you tell us were Zabuza is heading, we will leave you in peace and not tell you Village were you are… though I'm sure that they already know."
After retracting my whips, I put one of my gensens up to my chin and thought for a moment. "I have a hunch that you already told them where I was… since Syaoran found me so easily… it usually took him about a year or two to find me… instead it only took him about eight months… hmm… I wonder…"
"Hey I thought that Syaoran guy said that she lost her memory," one whispered to the other.
"Ha ha… I did," I opened my gensen, "but thanks to the latest events… my memory is back and better than ever."
They started towards their weapons and I readied mine. I didn't know which one would attack first or if they would all come at me from all sides, either way I had to be ready for anything.
Whoosh… one of them went running past me with a kunai, but I was able to jump out of the way.
Whoosh, whoosh… two more tried the same thing; their attacks missed as well.
These guys are Jonin level ninja… even above that, they shouldn't be missing like this, I thought as I dodged another attack. That's when I saw it, a single shimmer from metal wires. Oh shit! They were setting up a trap the whole time, I quickly brought up my hand to my throat just in to avoid being choked.
"I see you figured out our little plan," the leader said as her pulled tighter on metal wire.
The other four ninjas started to pull on their wires as well. They had managed to immobilize my entire body without me even noticing… until it was too late.
"You could have made this easy on yourself and just given up that Ass of a ninja. We would have left you alone and gone and preformed our jobs as Tracker Ninjas."
"What… about Haku," I choked out.
"He is very special… we'll take his body back to examine his Kekkei Genkai," I could tell he was excited by that notion.
"Well too bad… you won't get… won't get the chance," I said as I tried to loosen the metal wires.
"Why is that," he didn't sound threatened.
"Because like water," I started to build up my charka, "metal conducts ele... ACK!"
I couldn't finish my sentence because the leader had punched me in the chest with such force; I could have sworn that he was going to pierce through to my heart. My body went limb and rested on his fist.
Crack!… cough… blood splattered on the ground…
"Sounds like I broke your ribs," he snickered.
"You… you… cough," I tried to speak, but it hurt too badly.
He pulled away, allowing me to fall to the ground. I only had enough energy to turn my head to look at his approaching feet. The sound of a kunai being pulled out of a pouch could be heard as he approached.
I'm going down like this, I yelled at myself, how could I go out like this?! I thought I would at least live past 21… I haven't even had my first drink…
Poof… another pair of feet appeared next to the first.
"Whisper, whisper," another voice started to talk.
"Is that so," the leader sounded interested, "you three come with me; the other squad found Zabuza's group and are trying to eliminate them now."
"Za… bu… za, Ha… ku…," I manage to get out.
"Don't worry, you'll be seeing them soon enough. Finish her," he commanded the remaining ninja.
His feet disappeared along with others. From my left, I could hear the approach of the remaining ninja.
"You're so weak," Zabuza's voice echoed in my head, "you don't deserve to live if you're going down like this."
No… no… "I'm not dying like this," I yelled as I jumped up.
The ninja jumped back in surprise, but it was too late for him. I concentrated my chakra and released it one powerful blow, "Raiden's Wrath…"
Only a charred body remained when the light faded from my attack.
"Maybe I shouldn't have done that," I staggered for a moment.
The pain in my chest surged through my body, causing me to collapse to the ground.
He really must have broken my ribs or at least bruise them badly, I thought as I tried to get back up, I have to go help them… I have to go help Haku… I'm not going to let him get hurt… not like… like Ye…
'You can do it Zi, I know you can,' a familiar voice enter my head, 'don't give up sister. You are so strong, you have to go now and save Zabuza… he's not doing to well… I know you know what would happen to Haku if the person he looks up to and respects die…
"He would die…," I stood up, "thanks Ye… thanks for looking out for me."
With every ounce of energy I had, I started to chase after the other ninjas. There were no tracks to follow and I soon lost my way through the woods.
"I've got… I've got to help them… but where… where did they," I asked out loud, "wait… I know…"
I began to concentrate my chakra once again, but not to attack, but to find. I started pushing my chakra outside my body and into the woods themselves. I could feel the energies of different creatures of the forest, but I could find where the ninjas where.
Come on Zi, I cheered myself on.
Suddenly, I felt at least five different chakras that were beginning used at an alarming rate.
I turn my head in the direction I felt the chakras, "there!"
I'm coming where you want me or not… where I want to or not…
Zabuza whipped around his Zanbato trying to hit as many Tracker-Nins he could, but where ever he swung the ninjas always seemed just out of reach. They were running circles around him and he couldn't take down any of them.
Why can't I get them, he cursed at himself, and where's Haku and the Demon Brothers… where's that girl…
Zabuza jumped back in time to avoid the aerial attack and quick brought his large sword around to catch the ninja off guard. The Zanbato cut through his body like it was nothing. However, instead of blood spraying everywhere, water dropped down into a puddle.
"A water doppelganger!" Zabuza yelled out in surprised.
Whoosh… several kunai went flying past the still stunned Zabuza.
He tumbled and landed with a hard thud as a metal mesh net entrapped him. He tried to rip it open, but the harder he tried the tighter the net seemed to get.
"Do you like it Zabuza?" one of the Tracker-Nin walked up to him, "it's kind of like quicksand, the more you struggle the tighter it gets… until it crushes you."
"I know you have a smirk on your face under that mask," Zabuza continued to struggle, "but I'm going to rip it off your face!"
The ninjas stepped back for a moment, believing that he could actually get out, but soon started towards him again.
DAMN IT ALL, he could only curse in his head on since the net was now crushing his chest.
Thwack… thud…
"What in the… ARG!" another ninja fell to the ground, dead from a single wound to the head.
Haku?! Zabuza looked around to see where the attack originated.
To his surprise, he saw a barely standing Zi, shakily holding a kunai. She was holding her chest and with every labored breath, she seemed closer to death.
Looks like the Trackers found her first, Zabuza thought as he tried to get to his kunai.
"Can't Naga kill a little girl," the leader was annoyed.
"No... puff… but I can sure kill him," she lifted her head slowly, "your next… cough."
She fell to the ground, coughing up blood. She was in obvious pain from whatever the Tracker-Nins. The leader of the squad walked over to the barely breathing girl and lifted her head so he could look at her face.
"Come to see his finally moments, how sweet," he taunted, "you two must be involved. No one would ever put this much effort just to save a boss or even a friend."
"You shouldn't have said that," Zabuza said with a smile on his face.
"Why not? Is she going to … ACK!" Zi kunai went straight through his chin.
She quietly pulled the kunai out of the still moving body and got up. An all too familiar look was on her face and Zabuza knew that the Tracker Ninjas had seen their last sunrise. She threw her kunai at such a fast, Zabuza could barely keep is eyes on it. Apparently neither could the other ninjas; they were soon lying on the ground, a single hole going through their chest, right where their hearts would be. They fell to the ground, a pool of blood forming under their lifeless bodies.
"Nice shot," Zabuza muttered, "but if you're done, could you get me out of this?!"
He looked up at Zi, but she was just standing there.
"Girl? Girl," Zabuza called out again, "ZI?!"
With his finally call she shook her head, like as if she was waking from a dream, and started to walk towards him. She quietly pulled out a kunai and began to cut the metal net. Only after cutting a few key wires, Zabuza was able to break free from the net.
"You're not so bad," Zabuza said as he pulled the rest of the net off.
Zi remained silent.
"Zi… are you still alive," Zabuza looked down at the kneeling girl.
"It's strange," she whispered, "for a moment there, I thought you actually care about me," she lift her head slowly.
There was a small smile on her face, like she was happy that Zabuza called out her name. Her smile faded as she started to fall over, either passing out or possibly dying. Zabuza caught her before she hit the ground and cradled her in his arms.
"Lord Zabuza?! Where are You?" the familiar voice of Haku rang out through the forest.
"Over here Haku! Come quickly," Zabuza yelled in the direction Haku's voice originated from.
"Zabuza are you ok," Haku appeared.
"Those Tracker are no match for me, but," he looked down at Zi, "she didn't fare to well."
Haku took Zi's wrist to feel for a pulse, "she's still alive, but not for long if we don't get her some medical attention soon."
Gato's place most likely has some sort of infirmary… it has to…, Zabuza thought quietly.
"Lord Zabuza," Haku broke his thoughts, "what are we going to do?"
"We're heading to Gato's anyway," Zabuza sounded calm, "he has to have some sort of hospital for his men, right?"
Haku nodded, "of course."
"Let's go," Zabuza started towards the hidden forest retreat.
"What about the Demon Brothers," Haku asked as he followed him.
"I'm sure they're fine," Zabuza assure him, "like me they won't go down so easily."
Haku smiled for a moment, but it soon faded into concern when he looked at Zi's limp body.
"Don't worry Haku," Zabuza looked over at him, "I'm sure that she won't let herself die after all she's been through."
At least I hope she doesn't…