Chapter 11: Hermit

Kro appears elsewhere, further within the village as opposed to the training grounds but no where near home as well. Again he uses the roof tops, not bothering with traversing the normal way and dealing with scornful stares hidden behind wary glances. Where could the little bastard be? Him being at the Academy while Kro was away made looking for him much easier. But now that he's a true Shinobi himself, he could be anywhere. Other than on a mission of course, what with the third Chunin Exam coming up. Sighing, Kro lets his mind wander to the months that have passed them all by.

It's been three- maybe four, he hasn't really been counting- months since the mission to Nami no Kuni. As expected, Zabuza was still alive and well, perfectly healed from his last battle with Kakashi. And also as predicted, that little Hunter Nin that was apparently a good little boy and sided with Kiri, was a fraud- Zabuza's own tool for battle. It took little time for Sasuke and Naruto to charge the enemy child, Haku, the battle escalating to interesting heights what with Haku's Kekkei Genkai being put to good use. The kid had obvious talent that Zabuza polished to a fine jewel of power. Kakashi and the Nuke Ninja also clashed, where as Kro had remained where he was- relaxing on one of the bridge's railings. It was not his mission that Zabuza had come forth to stop- then again he didn't know about Kro's mission. That was the whole point of it being secret. None the less, the vampire watched through the thick chakra made fog as the two older Shinobi tried to rip one another's hearts out like two lions battling for position as king of a pride. He hadn't ever seen Kakashi in battle, having never been on a mission with him due to obvious ranking differences….The Scarecrow was rather decent a fighter, Kro even now has to give him that. War has made him into a machine who could turn on and off the 'kill' switch it seems. But seeing as the man still couldn't hold a candle up to the vampire himself, well he wasn't that good of a machine. More like a prototype.

He had been getting bored when suddenly he himself was attacked by something- or rather someone. As it turned out, it was another werewolf, but that one was different. Kro doesn't remember his name, but he most certainly did ask for it- after all, the guy had succeeded in surprise attacking him and slamming him into the bottom of the river below. What a splash that had made. Kro couldn't tell that the guy was a werewolf at first, seeing as he only had something akin to fur gloves covering his fingers up to his mid-forearms and long pointed claws perfect for murder. He also had a tail, but his ears were just tapered instead of wolven. The had a human body, legs and all, but he obviously wasn't some sort of distorted half breed- how Kro even knew that, he still doesn't know as neither his darkness nor his light had taught him about such creatures. They talked a little, with the werewolf damning him for being still alive. Which honestly made no sense but Kro didn't question it- a lot of people damn him for still being alive in general be they enemy or 'ally'. What was really interesting is that this wolf man could control his chakra, as opposed to the other two who focused on brute strength and speed. It made the battle between Kro and the new enemy far more intense than the last two had been, with Kro being reminded what it was like to drown. Or as close to drowning as he can get, what with not actually needing to breathe, and therefore the water in his lungs not stopping his existence.

As the battle drew on, the wolf man started to get more and more upset. Something about Kro having not been so strong in the past- which meant that at some point in time in his unknown history he had met this beast and fought against him. Or perhaps even with. It had honestly surprised him to the very core of his being that someone knew him from before his time in the dark- let alone with the light in that cave. It meant that he didn't just spawn, but actually had a past story. It made him honesty curious about himself for the first time in many many years. And then he went on to calling Kro names of all things. Different from the names- bastard, asshole, the whole nine yards- he had been calling him before. He called him Rege Sânge(Blood King) and Niciun Suflet(No Soul), though Kro hadn't a single clue as to what those names were. They weren't of the language he spoke, but it was obvious to Kro since then that the werewolf had to have come from a different continent. A place where Kro had apparently been but doesn't remember. Kro contemplated on not killing the wolf man, considering his connection with his past, however he was in the way of the mission getting done and that couldn't be had. Of course, he could have killed and drank the werewolf dry of blood for both a meal and his knowledge, but the vampire deemed it not important enough compared to what he needed done. So after some more fighting on top of the pissed off river, he had managed to pull out the wolf's heart and literally feed it to him as a goodbye present. He found pleasure in watching silver eyes dim from being star-like to that of a very old piece of silverware dulled with time.

After killing Mr. Wolf, Kro joined Team Seven on the bridge again only to find Haku dead, his body dangling off of Kakashi's hand that had been shoved through the boy's chest. A definite kill blow that made Kro raise a brow. He could smell ozone lingering in the air, a scent given off after lightning strikes and thus leading him to believe that Kakashi had used a lightning based jutsu. The scorched hole in the boy's chest supported Kro's theory. Who knew he knew one of those? Kro didn't bother to keep tabs on Kakashi, not respecting him- or anyone save maybe Naruto- enough to take note of his known jutsu. He does know that the silver haired man is in the bingo book, but he's never looked him up due to disinterest.

FLASHBACK

Kro was honestly surprised when Naruto started to violently, verbally, lash out at Zabuza for not defending Haku's dead body upon being beaten by Gato. The older blond can still remember the boy's words to this day. How could they not when they were so passionate? "So he was just a tool to you? Something to be thrown away?! How could you?!" And despite Kakashi's insistence that there was no need, that it wasn't his place, the boy continued. "Haku lived for you! He gave everything up just to make you happy! I know how he feels," Naruto had said, "I have someone just like you to raise me! But the difference is, Kro-nii would never use me as a tool! Because he lets himself care about me- even when he doesn't give a damn about anyone else! I know for a fact that he would rampage the moment I died, because I would die for him just like Haku did for you! But no, you just mourn the loss of some….Some weapon! Like you can get another at a weapons shop anywhere! Well guess what buddy, you can't!" Naruto's deep blue eyes began to sweat, big fat tears shamelessly flopping onto the ground like rain. "I can understand wanting to control your emotions, because that's what Shinobi are supposed to do! They're supposed to be mindless, emotionless killing machines with no remorse! But you know what?! Shinobi aren't machines! We're human! We're supposed to have emotions! We're supposed to laugh when we're happy, and cry when we're sad, and get angry. Only the strongest Shinobi can understand that, and freely show these emotions without letting them control them- that's what I believe! But….You...You just act like nothing is wrong. You lock it all up!…...If I become strong….Will I do that too? Will I fail at becoming truly strong, just another emotionless drone?! I don't want that! I'd rather be the weakest person on the face of the planet before I become like you!"

If Kro were human, he was certain that he would have been touched to the core by Naruto's words. As it stood, they had given him goose bumps, something that before then had never happened before. So, at the very least the words touched him a little. Like hands on his shoulders, supporting him, or perhaps a child's palms touching his own. He had watched as Zabuza relented, truly embraced by Naruto's willful words, and borrowed a kunai from the boy with tears streaking his face. He attacked Gato and his men full force, kunai in his mouth as the battle with Kakashi left his arms useless. Gato had retreated into the protection of mobsters, each fighting and mostly failing to harm the Nuke Ninja. Some had managed to impale him with spears, but Zabuza kept on cutting a path to the enemy.

However, Kro wasn't so sentimental as to let Zabuza take the glory of killing a human bastard. So, just as the dark skinned man could lob off Gato's with one final thrust of his borrowed blade, Kro appeared and used his own to take the head of the tycoon, forcing Zabuza to a halt. They stared at one another, Kro up right and pushing Gato's body into the river, his head dangling in his hand by his hair. Zabuza, hunched over with weapons stuck in his back, body visibly exhausted. Kro's eyes drifted to Team Seven, seeing them watching the fight but with the mob closing in their visual was lessening. Kro remembers well what he had told the man. "You're looking for redemption, aren't you? I can give that to you…..Momochi Zabuza". He walked forward, however the screaming of the mob was annoying. So he created a clone and let it dirty its hands for him, swiftly making dog shit out of the humans that dared to interrupt his last minute plans. He watched as his clone approached Team Seven for a moment, and distracted him as Kro himself pulled out the swords and spears from Zabuza's back, ignoring his grunts and muffled cries of pain. "You want to apologize to Haku, live on for him in thanks for giving his life up for you. I can give you that; I can heal you, bring you from where you are- the brink of death".

"Who the hell are you?"

"A potential ally," Kro had answered simply, "Do you want redemption or not? I guarantee your survival". A lie; he had never done what he planned on doing before. There was a good chance that Zabuza would die.

"I'd rather go to Hell to repent," Zabuza bubbled through a blood filled mouth, the red liquid mixing with saliva as it drools to the ground below.

"And if Haku were alive?" Kro insists, mind finding information there as his clone made another and dispersed itself to relay this knowledge. "My clone says that Kakashi had managed to only hit a lung; the boy is bleeding out, but if you take my offer, I will save you and the boy".

Zabuza's blurring eyes shifted to over his hunched shoulder, to the boy with a pool of blood under him. Haku is alive…? It would make sense for him to seem dead if Kakashi had hit a lung in stead. It would also attest to Kakashi's control even when shocked. He looked back to the tall blond in front of him, wanting to know before death who this man was. "Who are you?"

"Shishaue Kro," the vampire answered simply.

"The man the brat was talking about," Zabuza blearily remembered.

Kro nodded, and watched as Zabuza fell to his knees, far too weak to stand. He seemed on literally his last legs, death nearly taking him. If Kro truly wanted this man…..He would have to work swiftly. "If you vow your loyalty to me and me alone, I assure your survival of this day. As well as Haku's. What do you say? Do we have a deal?"

He looked like the devil to Zabuza. Not literally- the blond was actually incredibly beautiful, not some oni as the devil was said to be- but in terms of offering such an impossible deal. But the former Kiri Shinobi had no choice; he dared not to take up the chance to let Haku survive, and start anew with the boy even if it meant he'd have to swear loyalty to this being. He wanted Haku to be happy. "…..I'll take your deal," he relented at last, "I swear my loyalty, and Haku's, to you. We're forever in your debt". It was for Haku, he kept on telling himself. For the sake of Haku, he was willing to become a slave if that's what this loyalty meant.

"Good choice," Kro praised blandly, his golden orbs gleaming brilliantly. He didn't realize that the sun he stood against made him seem like something omnipotent, only those hues of his visible from his silhouette. He stooped to a knee and bit his wrist, breaking veins and pressing his flesh to Zabuza's mouth. "Drink," he ordered- the man obeyed although hesitant at first. He pulled away, his flesh healing swiftly as soon as the man had taken two large gulps of the iron flavored, red dyed, water-like substance. Kro waited to see what would happen- it was nearly instantaneous. The dark skinned warrior gasped in pain and surprise, his body jolting as the skin in his back and the muscles in his arms began to tend to themselves rapidly. Far faster than any human could perceive. The pain was not intense, it did not bring forth a cry of absolute horror as his body healed, but it did hurt. It felt like each wound that had been made was being reopened before healing- like he was stabbed again in each spot a second time before the pain faded. The process left Zabuza grounded and panting, energy spent still despite the healing. Kro took note of this- that healing one's wounds does not restore energy, and seemingly takes more of it away. He then looks further along the bridge, finding his clone walking with Team Seven to talk to the child trash Inari whom had brought a small army civilians in an attempt to protect their home. Kro wasn't impressed but he was happy for the distraction.

The vampire then shouldered Zabuza, his body limp and heavy but obviously awake as he grunted and protested weakly. The puddle under Haku's 'dead' body had grown. He really was going to die rather soon, despite it having only been a few moments. An impaled lung is a slow yet also swift death. Dropping his new ally's body to the ground none too gently, he repeated the action he did with Zabuza, biting his wrist and forcing blood down the kid's throat. The ability of his life liquid kicked in as soon as it hit Haku's gullet, causing the kid to gasp in agony. Certainly a lightning strike to the lung is incredibly painful before the numbness washes over them. The boy's stiff limbs flail, however Kro is swift to cover his mouth to muffle the scream of pain. He watches with something akin to awe as his blood works its magic, forcing the skin to stitch back together and recreate organ tissue at a rapid pace, ridding the new lung of its own blood at the same time. Seeing this made him feel almost god like, however he knew he was no such thing. God, or Kami, does not exist. Not to Kro. When the boy stopped flailing and breath came from him easily, another two clones were created, one for each subordinate.

"Take them somewhere secret," he told his clones, and then swiftly took his chance to replace the one with Team Seven. He was careful also to make two more clones and have them henge into Zabuza and Haku themselves, their 'dead' bodies on the ground as though he didn't do anything that would be worth investigation. He was confident that he would not be figured out even by Kakashi's or Sasuke's Sharingan- both were too exhausted and useless anyways.

FLASHBACK END

Kro pulls himself from the memory, finding no reason to mentally recap what had gone on. After the mission to Nami no Kuni, Sarutobi was certain to send him on a series of missions to keep him away from Naruto. Apparently Kakashi was certain to mention Kro's actions to the Bastard, and said man didn't approve of them. Not that Kro really remembers being all that bad, but no matter. He was in and out of the village for the past three to four months since, and only today has he returned. As soon as he got back though, his aim being Naruto to see how he was doing, another Anbu told him to report to the Ass and receive yet another mission. That was where he had come from a few hours ago.

Kro finds himself along another edge of the Village. This portion of the village has a small stream and a good amount of trees along it. A simple relaxation place really. Never the less, he tilts his head when he spots a fleck of orange between all of the green and brown around him. His nose searches for the boy's scent, but doesn't find it. Odd. What he does find scent wise is one that isn't completely familiar. Being as old as he is, he's smelled thousands of scents in the past, and does so every day. It doesn't surprise him that he doesn't really recognize this one. Bypassing a tree, he finds his lips turning into a deep frown, golden orbs earning themselves flecks of displeased red and his shoulders tensing. What the hell is that dick doing here? He's acting like he had never left, perfectly friendly with the boy as though he had never left. It doesn't look like Naruto knows that the man is his God Father, which is good, but the fact that the Sanin is there is not. He doesn't like the asshole who left Naruto to suffer.

"Meat sack," he finally calls out, pushing off of the tree he had been leaning on. The Sanin is teaching his charge how to walk on water it seems. Tch. However he finds pleasure in watching Naruto's proverbally perk at the sound of his voice, his ocean blues widening in surprise and joy as his head whips in his direction. Kro offers the child a smirk, how ever it is only visible in his eyes as his lips remain turned down. Jiraiya of the Sanin doesn't need to know that Kro is in fact fond of Naruto. All he needs to think is that Kro finds him to be an amusing toy. He notes that Naruto's clothing and body are soaked. It doesn't explain why there was no scent trail, but it does explain why there is no scent coming directly off of him.

Naruto had been working hard on the water walking exercise, succeeding much faster after the old pervert jabbed him in the stomach with his fingers. He felt more balanced and much more at ease internally than he did before. He doesn't know what that Ero Senin did, but he's grateful. However, upon hearing a voice he had been hoping to hear ever since it was announced he'd be going to the Third Exam and getting a month to prepare for it, he stops from stepping onto the water and whips his head around to spot the vampire. He grins, spotting his older brother figure with ease and darting to him with a, "Kro-nii! You're back!" and a welcoming hug that is returned with a metallic pat to his head. He was hoping for a hug back, and the fact that he hadn't gotten one since the one in Nami no Kuni is a little disappointing. But he can understand Kro not wanting to give away any sign of weakness in public. He's a monster; he has a reputation to up hold.

The one left out of the short reunion stands to the side, stock still. He was informed by his Sensei that Naruto and Kro had grown rather close. However, to see it like this is….Daunting. It's like watching a younger sibling greet their favorite brother after a long day. And he cannot completely lie and say the two look nothing alike. With their similar hair, it's easy to mistake the two as at the very least siblings let alone the comfort that comes off of the other two. Jiraiya, unknown to Kro, has seen the results of his past work. The destroyed villages, the carnage of people of all ages strewn about. Some with blood, some without. He's done extensive research on the beast patting young Naruto's head, the metal palm seemingly as gentle as a flesh one. For a moment, he thinks he sees Minato standing in Kro's place, patting a beaming Naruto on the head and smiling ever so gently. However, Jiraiya can only see the smirk in the monster's eyes and nothing more. The Toad Sage had only ever spoken to Kro once, and that was during his departure from the village to take care of his spy network. Kro didn't seem to care that he was leaving, however now as they meet gray with gold the old man feels a sense of pure dislike. But Jiraiya can't give away that he knows Kro, and even sees from where he is the tint of red to those yellow hues. "Oi, Gaki, is that your brother? Why isn't he training you?"

Naruto turns, releasing his favorite person and facing the old man that was kind enough to start teaching him. "Yea! This is Kro-nii. He's been away on Anbu missions for a while now," he introduces and turns back to the larger blond, "Kro-nii, this Ero-sennin; he was teaching me how to walk on water when you showed up".

Kro does not incline his head in respect, nor dip it in awe. Rather, he harshly stares the old man down. Wonderful, another old bastard to deal with. Just what Kro needs. "Jiraiya no Sannin," he greets blandly, "Is Naruto succeeding in water walking then?" To just teach the boy such a simple task…..Kro will have to up his training. To be honest they hadn't trained together in quite some time. What with Kro's Anbu missions, Naurto's own team training and then his missions as well. He will be the first to admit that Sarutobi has been doing a good job at keeping them separate. However, no longer. He takes his hand from Naruto's hair, opting for letting them both dangle uselessly at his sides.

Jiraiya jerks his head in the direction of the water, "See for yourself. Kid, get back to practicing. You're not gonna get it down if you slack too much".

Naruto blinks before nodding, "Right!" and jogging back to the water, half naked as can be.

As Naruto focuses on getting his chakra to work with him, Jiraiya and Kro stand far from one another, identical masks of seriousness on their faces as they watch the boy. They're not so far that Jiraiya cannot hear Kro, however, allowing them to converse. "You've been watching over him this whole time?"

"Unlike you," Kro throws out bluntly, watching Naruto's foot slip into the water and getting wet again. This fully breaks his concentration, and causes the boy to fall in completely with a startled cry. "I've been training him since before the Academy. He's the way he is because of me".

This causes the snow haired hermit to narrow his eyes, "You're turning him into something he isn't meant to be".

"I'm not turning him into a monster, aho," Kro returns, goldens never leaving the boy's frame, "I'm watching him grow into something interesting. Something unpredictable. And if he wants me to, someone unstoppable".

"That would be where the monster part comes in. I won't allow you to turn him in to one of your kind," Jiraiya returns ruthlessly. He vows it. He failed Minato in leaving Naruto all alone, but hopefully he can redeem himself by protecting the boy from the beast that he's taken a strong liking to.

Kro grunts, "Are you deaf? I'm not planning on turning him into a vampire. He's far more interesting as a human," he insists. "But I will be taking him from your useless hands".