Anko was woken just before daybreak by a massive surge of chakra. She ran out into the hall as Kakashi did. "What happening?"
"I don't know, but it's Naruto's chakra!" They ran into the boys' room to find Naruto sweating profusely and turning in his bed, the power coming off of him in waves. Sasuke was also awake and staring at the blonde. "All of this over a nightmare? What the hell could he be dreaming about?"
Slowly the power began to recede and Naruto stopped moving, his whisker marks shirking back to normal, but the sweat continued pouring off of him in buckets. "We'll have to wait till he wakes up to find out, because there is no way I'm waking him up. Sasuke, go check on Tazuna and his family, make sure they're alright." He slowly got up and left the room and as he did so, a white fox came through the window and sniff Naruto before curling up on his chest.
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Naruto looked up at Kyuubi in his fox form. "WHAT THE HELL KIT?"
"It was Orochimaru. He killed them all, everyone I care about and I couldn't do anything to stop him."
"YOU NEED TO WAKE UP NOW KIT, THEY ALL FELT THE CHAKRA EMINATING FROM YOU. YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT HAPPENED."
"Only Anko will understand."
"THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THE OTHERS."
Naruto made his way out of his mind, which no longer looked like a sewer, but empty hallways. He opened his eyes to see Anko and Kakashi standing over him and a weight on his chest. It yipped happily and licked his face. "Just because you came up here doesn't mean you get anything better than the others. Besides, you're suppose to be doing something right now." It whimpered and went back out the window. Naruto sat up and looked at the two jonin.
"Mind telling us what the fuck was with the surge of chakra?"
"A bad dream."
"I know you better than that brat, it would have had to be pretty damn twisted to affect you that badly."
"All the more reason not to talk about it." He stood up and moved to the window. "I won't let it come true." He turned back to them. "You're going to have to take guard duty by yourself Anko, I'm going to train today." He jumped out the window and used Shunshin before touching the ground. He appeared in the same place he spoke with Haku the night before, but this time there was a needle pinning a note to a tree. He easily pulled it from the tree and read the note.
I'm sorry Naruto, he wouldn't listen and ordered me to kill you the next time I saw you. Please don't come looking for me again.
'What a fool, he's going to throw his life away for the sake of his petty pride.'
'ALL CREATURES HAVE PRIDE KIT.'
'Yeah, but most know when to shallow it. Fuck it, I have to tell them he's alive now, but I don't have to say I know who Haku is.' He tosses the note into the air and shot a small fireball at it, in seconds it was gone. He pocketed the needle. And pulled out both Yondaime's scroll and the storage scroll containing the materials he needed. He unrolled Yondaime's scroll. 'Let's see here, a filled balloon, using the first and second steps, but trying not to pop it and creating a shell around the chakra.' "First I'm suppose to pop them now I'm not, what the hell?"
He blew up one of the balloons and held it in his right hand. Taking a deep breath, he started spinning his chakra and filling the empty space with more. He added more and more until the balloon exploded. 'So that's the breaking point.' "This is getting boring, time to get some help." He created ten clones, each blew up a balloon and used his experiences to tell them what to do. One by one they slowly got the chakra amount right, but none were able to make a shell around the spinning chakra.
'Maybe the balloon is in the way Kit. Just to be safe, have one of your clones try to do the same step without the balloon.'
Naruto dismissed all but the one clone who attempted it. Without the balloon, the energy was erratic, but the clone managed to do the first two steps before the energy exploded, taking the clone with it. 'Surround the chakra with more chakra. Hmm.' He made another clone. "Try making the a hallow ball of chakra before trying the steps." The clone nodded and moved away.
The clone successfully made the hallow sphere, but when he started the second step, the shell crack and it exploded. Naruto sighed and made another. "Put more chakra into the shell." This one too moved away before starting. This kept up for over an hour before Naruto had to rest. He drank from the creek and caught some fish for breakfast. "This is a real pain in the ass."
He finished eating and made another clone. "I want you to make a shell that is thin, but strong. In other words, make a thick shell, and then compress it to be paper-thin. Got it?" The clone nodded and walked away. Where it made a half an inch thick sphere and then forced it to become thinner. "Good, now try to do the steps." The clone nodded again and started to spin the chakra, which blocked from view the fact the chakra was filling the center as well. The clone closed its eyes and looked away, but after a few moments it looked back at the stable ball and smiled.
"Good job, you did it. Do you want to see what it can do?" The clone nodded and struck the ball against a tree. It drilled a hole through it and the clone turned away happy. The tree suddenly fell and crushed the clone. "Ouch, that would have hurt." The clones knowledge came to Naruto, including what it was like to be crushed by a tree. "Yep, definitely would have hurt." He created several more clones and set them to the task of speeding up the creation process. While they did that, he went into the forest looking for what he needed to test a new idea.
After an hour, he limped back to the clearing. He went out on to the water and sat down with his legs crossed, hands together and his eyes closed. (Kind of like Shikamaru does.) He silently sat there, listening to everything around him, when he felt Kakashi rushing towards him. He quickly dismissed the clones without ever moving and waited until Kakashi was almost right next to him. "What do you want Kakashi, I'm busy."
"I want to know the reason behind the chakra surge this morning."
"I told you, it was a horrible nightmare, one I will not discuss."
"Anko said it was your chakra, but it felt a little like Kyuubi's, why?"
"Because Kyuubi is seal inside of me, some of his chakra is always mixed with mine. That is also why I heal so rapidly." Kakashi watched the boy the whole time with the Sharingan open, Naruto hadn't moved anything but his mouth during that time. "You really should cover that Kakashi, it will only drain your chakra. Trust me, you'll need it when Zabuza shows up again. The hunter-nin was here watching me not long ago, they didn't even try to hide their chakra this time. It was far beyond even Zabuza's. They even gave me a gift." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the needle, showed it to him, and put it back.
"Why didn't you go after them?"
"I barely beat Zabuza, and I just told you that this person is stronger than him. I would have stood a small chance at beating them if it wasn't for the fact that most of my chakra's gone. Either they suck at sense chakra levels, or they want to fight me at full strength because they left shortly after."
"We have to warn the others, you tell Anko and I'll tell Sasuke."
Naruto stood up and vanished in flames. Kakashi was right behind in a swirl of leaves. Naruto appeared right beside Anko. "We have a problem, Zabuza is alive and the hunter-nin is stronger than him."
"How do you know?"
"The hunter-nin was watching me train, they weren't even trying to suppress their chakra. I might have trouble fighting them."
"Did they do anything?"
"They threw a single needle." He pulled in from his pocket again. "Then they left, if it weren't for the fact that most of my chakra's gone, I would have fought them."
"Do the others know?"
"Kakashi went to tell Sasuke." She gave him a funny look. "He showed up soon after they left wanting to know about this morning."
"If you told him, you damn well better tell me."
"I didn't tell him, and the only reason I didn't say anything this morning is because I don't trust him. At least not the way I do you and the old man."
"While I agree that you shouldn't tell him everything, he should at least know what you're capable of. Though I disagree, he considered a genius and he's also Yondaime's student."
"All the more reason not to tell him."
"Why not?"
"Before we left, I went to the old man and asked if he knew any jutsu that didn't require hand signs. He let me borrow a scroll that contained the only one he knew of, Yondaime's Rasengan. He told me not to use it in front of anyone unless absolutely necessary or if he said so. It would cause a riot."
"Why do you need a jutsu that needs no hand signs?"
"Didn't I tell you?" She shook her head. He looked to see that Tazuna was out of earshot. "Because I'm half demon, I have a demon form. While I'm in it, I can't use jutsu that require hand sign because I won't have hands. The old man made me promise the same thing about it as Rasengan."
"So you can transform right now?"
"No, the first time I do, it's out of necessity. After that I can whenever I want."
"Tazuna wanted to go home soon anyway, so make some clones to keep an eye out, I have to talk to you in private." He nodded and made some clones. "Tazuna, the brat and I have to go check something strange noises, the clones will be here to protect you." The old man nodded as they walked away towards the land. "Why would the Hokage let you borrow that scroll?"
"I let him in on a little secret that would get his paperwork done faster." He was scratching the back of his neck. She glared at him. "Shadows clones are like mine, when they disappear the user gets the knowledge. I told him and said that he could get his work done faster and still know everything that it was about."
Her glare became amused. "No shit? I'll have to try that. My paperwork's always backed up, thanks kid."
"See, that's how he reacted. I'm surprised he didn't think of it sooner though."
"He didn't use that jutsu very often, but I'm sure he will now."
"Maybe he'll get some of his strength back, sitting behind that desk for so many years shrunk his chakra reserves."
"You'd be surprised, he may not look it, but he still got plenty of fight in him."
"You don't have to tell me, I still remember the last time he sent someone to go see Ibiki." Naruto shuddered. "The bastard tried so hard to get away only to run right into a mud wall box."
"I remember him, he kept mumbling to himself about the walls dripping. He gave the least amount of fun out of all the ones that were sent our way because of you. And a surprising amount had never even met you. They just said the wrong thing to the wrong person."
"Let's go get Tazuna and get him home." The walk back went by fast and as they approached, the same white fox sat in the walkway.
"I think this one likes you kid."
"She trying to impress me so she can get something better than the others." He crouched down next to the fox. "Anything happen while I was away?"
It nodded and yipped a couple times. "Fine, I'll take care of it."
"What is it?"
"It's nothing serious, something spooked one of my foxes and he's having a hard time getting it to leave. It's probably a wild fox or raccoon. I'll be inside as soon as I scare it off." Naruto walked off with the fox and Tazuna and Anko went inside. The white fox started yipping while trying to keep up with Naruto. "How could it be talking, you said it was an animal, and why would it be wearing clothes." Naruto went around the house till he found a red fox that was growling at a bush and Naruto could smell it. "A dog." He shook his head. "Pakkun come out, I know it's you."
A pug in a blue kimono like coat stuck its head out of the bush. "Do I know you?"
"No, but I know Kakashi. Why are you bothering my foxes?"
"I was told to help keep watch over the house."
"No offense to you, but these foxes have done a fine job thus far and though I'm sure you are equally adept, they have a great sense of smell and I can easily pick up their chakra signals. Kakashi may not trust them, but I am certain that they won't let me down."
"Alright, but he's not going to like this" Pakkun disappeared in a cloud of smoke and the red fox nodded before going back to its hiding place. The white one yawned and nuzzled Naruto's leg before running off too.
He went inside and glared at Kakashi. "My foxes are perfectly capable of doing their job, they don't need you to send out Pakkun."
"He is my best tracker, he a has better sense of smell than any of my other ones."
"In case you haven't noticed, foxes and dogs don't get along very well. Neither one of them was paying attention to what they were supposed to be doing. But at least Pakkun has a brain unlike you, he left when I asked him."
"You have no right to ask him to do anything."
"If I didn't, he wouldn't have listened. You're just lucky that these ones are only kits, if they had been adults, he wouldn't have been out there as long as he was. They won't let me down, so don't interfere with them." He walked right back out the door.
"What the hell is your problem with him Kakashi? Sure he humiliated you, but still."
"Today he said that someone was watching him, and that they weren't hiding their chakra, but when I was heading out there, I didn't sense anyone else but him."
"You may have sensed the other person, you know how well Naruto can suppress his chakra."
"Maybe, but I think he's hiding something."
"Of course he is, he told you so yesterday when you tried to pick a fight with him. He also said that he hides nothing from me, so if it was anything that affected this mission, I would tell you, otherwise it's between a student and his instructor." Kakashi didn't respond, he just stood up and went upstairs. 'You'd better not be hiding anything from me kid.'
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Naruto was lying on the roof staring up into the sky. "I should have killed him instead of just taking that damn book." 'Damn that Zabuza, why couldn't he just take the damn offer and leave?'
'The same reason you don't just leave, you don't like to lose and are so stubborn you make mules seem obedient by comparison.'
'I don't see how he would have lost from it, not having to watch your back everywhere you go, starting over somewhere, have a family.'
'Maybe those things don't interest him. Haku said he wanted greatness, if his reputation is so great that Anko and Kakashi know of it, then he's making a name for himself with the blood of his victims. Killing either of them would raise him high into the ranks of the missing-nin.'
'You would think that having the title of the Demon of the Hidden Mist, being one of the Kiri no Shinobigatana Nananin Shu, and being one of the very few people to ever escape the Hidden Mist would be enough for him.'
'You should find out why he has that title, it may reveal something interesting about him. Anko or Kakashi might know.'
'It could be interesting to learn about him before he dies.' Naruto tried to stand, but his legs gave out and he fell back. 'Another tail I take it?'
'Yes it is, that's your third, you keep growing at this rate and you'll take my sister's title before long.'
'I'm not sure they would let me. From what you said, there are many who didn't approve of my mother, so they won't approve of me.'
'They won't have a choice, our law sates that the strongest of the clan leads. My sister declared you were part of the clan when you met her, and that can only be revoked if you were to kill another of the clan. Only demons can kill demons, despite what some may think.'
'Then I don't have to worry, I would never do that.'
'Good, now either go ask about Zabuza, or get some sleep, the coming storm is approaching fast.'
'I'm going to bed, I used too much chakra with the Rasengan today.'
'Good night Kit, hopefully there won't be a repeat of this morning.'
'I hope not, I couldn't bare to see it again.' He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. When he woke up, it was still dark and he could feel the slight raise in chakra from one of the foxes. He used Shunshin to appear next to it. The fox lowered its chakra level and yipped. "Are you sure?" It nodded. "Alright." He turned around, and as he walked, it yipped again and his eyes went wide.
Anko had felt the chakra too and rushed over to him. "What is it?"
"It's nothing, someone walked within his range, but wasn't heading this way and was out of range soon after."
"Alright, I'll see you in the morning."
"I'm going to stay up a bit longer just to be sure."
"Just be sure to sleep, we're all going to go to the bridge from now on since we know he's alive."
"I will. Sleep well Hebi-hime." She smiled and walked back inside. He quickly masked his chakra and burst into flames. He appeared where the fox had lost the scent and moved in the direction they were heading. 'Why are you so close by Haku?'
'Why follow her Kit, she said she would kill you the next time she saw you.'
'No, she said she was ordered to, not that she would. Besides, if she came this close there must be a reason why she did.'
'She could be luring you into a trap. I know I won't be able to stop you, just be careful Kit.'
'I will.' He continued to move until he felt a tiny flicker of her chakra just ahead of him. He walked the rest of the way, his senses alert for anything as he stepped in to the clearing. The moon shined down illuminating everything, but he didn't see her. He stuck his hands into his pockets, his right grabbing the needle. His whole body tensed when he felt something come up under his arms and rest on his shoulders while something warm pressed against his back.
"Naruto, you must go home to Konoha. I don't want to see you die."
"You know I won't, so why ask?"
"The same reason I asked Zabuza not to try again, hope that you would listen."
"Haku, you know I care about you, but my cousin is among my teammates and I could never forgive myself if something happened."
"I care for you as well, but I swore my life to Zabuza. Please take your team and leave." The grip on his arms moved to his stomach and he turned around in her embrace. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.
"Even if I wanted to go, I could never convince them to. I don't understand why you would give your life to Zabuza, but I understand if you don't want me to know."
"You should know. He saved me, after I killed my father I wandered through villages living on the streets. One day he found me, and instead of being scared of my abilities, he wanted and accepted them. He gave me a purpose and took me in when no one else would."
He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. "I'll have to thank him for that." He leans down to kiss her, but she pulls away.
"I'm sorry Naruto, but I can't."
"It's alright Haku, I understand.
"No you don't. I really want to be able to do those kinds of things with you, but if I do, it will be that much more painful when we meet on the battlefield."
"If I kill Gato, will Zabuza finish the job regardless?"
"I can't see why he would. But you won't have the time, he's planning on attacking the bridge tomorrow."
"Then I'll do it tonight. I'll bring his head to the bridge."
"He won't be easy to find, none of his thugs use chakra."
"Damn, that causes a problem. My foxes can't even track him if they don't know which scent to follow."
"I'm sorry Naruto, I can't be of help in this. He came to our hide out, we never went to his."
"It's alright Haku, I'll can cover a lot of ground in a small time. I will find him."
He started to leave, but Haku grabbed his arm. "I have to tell you something, I'm pretty sure it won't matter, but I need to know if you feel the same afterwards."
"Haku, whatever it is, couldn't be any worse than having the Kyuubi sealed in me and could never make me feel any less for you. I will love you no matter what as you have me even though you know about Kyuubi." She released his arm and he turned to face her. "When this is over, would you return to Konoha with me?"
"I would love to, but you know as well as I do that you may not find Gato in time."
"Yes I know that, but that doesn't mean I can't hope and pray that I do. I don't want to lose you."
"Please be careful, Gato is merciless and has a small army at his beck and call."
"I will, one way or another, it will end tomorrow, I just hope it's in our favor."
"As do I." Naruto left the clearing making hand signs. The sound of one person running turned into the sound of hundreds. Day was breaking and Naruto was no closer to locating Gato. "Damn it, why is luck never on my side?"
'It has been on occasion, you met Haku didn't you?'
'Fine, you got me there. I can't keep looking, the others will wonder where I am if I don't get back soon.' "I'm sorry Haku, I failed." He used Shunshin to appear on the roof next to his swords. 'I still can get some sleep before they come to get me.' He laid down and was asleep the instant his eyes closed.