AN: Alas, Naruto is still not for sale, so I cannot buy it... Enjoy this chapter!

-demonicnargles

"Speech"

thought / talking in mind

"Demon speech"

Demon thought / talking in mind

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Kakashi sighed.

Yesterday, Tazuna had admitted, after a few glares, that he had known that there might be ninja after him, but that his village could not afford a class B mission, so the deception had been necessary. Kakashi had decided to proceed with the mission, after Tazuna guilted him into it by saying that they could leave a poor old man to fend for himself if they wished.

Kakashi sighed again. It was bad enough that they had to be on the lookout for ninja, but did Naruto plan to run around like a squirrel on speed for the entire mission? To be sure, it could possibly prevent an ambush. But more likely, Naruto would be ambushed while he sprinted around in the woods.

Then again, Kakashi didn't want Naruto to go back to running in circles around the group. Not only was it annoying, but Naruto kicked up dust, so that there was always a cloud of dust around them. And it disturbed Tazuna, who thought that no normal kid should have that much energy.

"Naruto."

Said boy rushed from the forest and stopped next to Kakashi. He fell into step with the jounin, asking, "What is it, Kakashi-sensei?"

"Naruto, I know that this may be boring, and that you might have excess energy, but you need to contain yourself. We might need that energy should we run into any more ninja."

"But Kakashi-sensei-"

"No buts. Just stop."

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Kyuubi was pissed. Not only was he on an extra-long mission where he might run into people who might be able to kill him, but he wasn't allowed to train, either!

You know, you sounded like a whiny brat back there.

And he had to put up with sarcastic comments from his host, who seemed more cheerful than Kyuubi could remember.

I am a demon, not some human you can joke about! If I had my body, I would rip you limb from limb! There wouldn't be enough of you left to fill a jewelry box!

Kyuubi and Naruto had gotten used to each other, more or less. Naruto would offer advice on human things, and pointed out things that Kyuubi may have overlooked. Kyuubi had never learned how to read emotions from tones and expressions, and, though he saw little point in it, agreed to listen to whatever advice Naruto thought of from time to time.

They were working on a system to work together in combat. Kyuubi would pay attention to a single target, while Naruto would watch the surroundings from his vantage in his own mind. They had only tested it out once, during the short time they had engaged the Demon Brothers. AN: For anyone who doesn't know, those were the two ninja from the last chapter. It seemed to work okay, but they would keep training, if they ever got the chance.

When there was nothing to do, as seemed to happen often on this mission, Naruto would tease Kyuubi, who would respond with venom. This seemed to amuse Naruto, who would continue teasing. Kyuubi didn't actually mind Naruto so much, and usually responded only to try and defend his dignity as a powerful demon.

But you don't have a body, do you? You have to borrow mine.

Step inside my cage, and then we'll see if you still have your annoying sense of humor.

Actually, I'm just fine from out here.

"Get down!"

Kyuubi crouched low to the ground as a huge sword flew overhead and embedded itself into a tree on the other side of the clearing. A man jumped onto the sword. He was dressed in light blue, baggy pants, dark brown shoes, and wrapping around his hands and lower face.

Kakashi was fully alert, though he didn't betray his anxiety on the outside. "Zabuza, demon of the mist."

The genin and Tazuna stood up. "Who's Zabuza?" Sakura asked.

"He's a missing-nin from the Hidden Mist. You three, guard Tazuna. I'll handle Zabuza."

"How noble. The great copy-nin will protect his brats."

Suddenly Zabuza appeared next to Tazuna.

We're still not fast enough! We've been training this whole time and I can't even see him move!

'This whole time' hasn't even been two weeks. Good grief.

"Try and protect them from this!" Zabuza swung his sword. Or tried to, only to discover that Kakashi was holding on to it. Sakura pulled Tazuna away while Sasuke and Kyuubi took positions around Kakashi and Zabuza.

The genin watched in awe as the two fought, seemingly tireless. Zabuza skept swinging his mammoth sword like it had no weight, but Kakashi always dodged it like the sword was moving through molasses. Kakashi lashed out with kunai, which were either blocked with the sword, or wasted on a water clone. Neither could land a good blow on the other.

Suddenly, Zabuza leapt onto a tree branch. "I'll let you go this time, but that bridge will not be built! If you continue, I won't go so easy on you next time!" Zabuza rushed into the nearby forest.

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The group arrived at Tazuna's house without further incident, late the next evening. They ate with Tazuna, his daughter, Tsunami, and, for a time, her son, Inari. Inari stormed off in the middle of the meal, declaring that they were all going to die.

After Sasuke refused to go for a walk with her, Sakura retired for the night. Sasuke went to bed soon after.

Kyuubi went to his cot and listened to the sounds in the house. When he was sure that everyone was asleep, he snuck out of the house to train. Because he had missed out on training in the last two days, he decided to do things a little different. Fighting shadow clones while sprinting though the forest. It would have to be taijutsu-only, because the sound of techiniques or the clang of kunai might have been heard back in the house.

Kyuubi trained until the horizon began to light up. He hurried back to the house, and feigned sleep until Sasuke came to wake him.

"Hey dobe, get up. We have to guard Tazuna at the bridge today."

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Kyuubi sprinted around the bridge. Sasuke had, in vain, tried to convince him to lie in hiding and watch for the Zabuza. In the end, Sasuke took it upon himself to watch around the shore, leaving Naruto to guard the edge of the bridge.

Hours passed. The two genin ate lunch together in silence, before returning to their posts. A fog began to creep around the bridge. Sasuke thought nothing of it until he heard a man laughing right behind him.

"Kakashi can't protect you now, brat."

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Naruto was sprinting around the edge of the bridge in the mist when he heard someone land beside him, and saw a dark shape keeping pace with him as he ran. He stopped and faced the figure.

"I do not wish to hurt you, but Zabuza-san cannot allow this bridge to be finished."

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End of chapter. Please review!