The Final Chapter of the Land of Waves Arc, after that, things will start to change more starting with a brand new arc


I own nothing except the stuff I made up! Some Characters by FreeLancer1989 special thanks to him for editing


A Demon's Tears

Inari ran as fast as he could his feet pounding on the ground. "Naruto and the others are fighting risking their lives while the rest of us do nothing we've gotta fight too!" he shouted running down the dock.

"Uncle Gichi! Uncle Gichi, help!" Inari shouted pounding on the door of Tazuna's former friend. "Hurry come to the Bridge with me we don't have to hide any longer!" he said invigorated with something that no one in the Land of Waves had felt in a long time…courage. "If we all fight together we can finally take Gato down I know we can!" He looked at the knob and reached for it but it locked.

"No Inari, I've given up fighting." Gichi said from behind the door. "Fighting is for heroes…like your father…." he muttered, "Isn't one dead hero enough?" Gichi asked the words stinging Inari a little. "What will more fighting bring us more fallen heroes and more regrets? No Inari my heart is already full of enough regrets….for a life time." Inari looked around at the down trodden worn land houses and boats falling into disrepair but all he did was clench his fist.

"Well I don't want to live a life of regrets either! And that's why we've gotta fight!" Inari said remembering his father's words. "I know you care about everyone in the village, Mom Grandpa and everyone that's why we have to fight!" he looked at the knob…nothing. "All my life I've been a coward. But now I know that hiding and crying from the things we're afraid of doesn't make them go away!" he said turning away after a few seconds and leaving. Gichi growled in regret there was one more but what could he do. He suddenly heard Inari's voice ring out again.

"Hurry come to the bridge!" he shouted Gichi's eyes widening in shock as his wife who was quietly listening to the events spoke at last. "Our little Inari has become a man. And you dear are you sure you want to send him off all on his own?" Gichi sighed eyes watering.

Inari kept yelling and screaming begging for people to come to the bridge and fight eventually he was exhausted and a little bit dejected. "What do I do now? No one will even open their doors to listen…." He remembered what Naruto told him in that moment.

"because you are brave…."

"Well then if no one else will help…." Inari thought to himself running for home.

X X X

"RAIKIRI!" Kakashi shouted charging the electrified Chakra in his hands glaring at Zabuza. "I will not allow you to kill Tazuna! He's a brave man with a noble dream! This Bridge he's building is the hope of this people! You're like a disease you attack one and infect all and you don't care. That is not the way of the Shinobi!" Kakashi growled.

"You're right I don't care about these useless little people and their petty little dreams what do they matter to me! I have a dream of my own!"

"But to have a Dream you need to have a future. And you don't your future is all used up Zabuza!" Kakashi growled.

Naruto and his clones looked up in surprise. "Hey I'm starting to see again!" one of them said.

"It looks like this blasted fog is finally lifting." Tazuna added.

"Look over there, they're facing off!" Another Naruto said pointing in front of them. There were two figures in the mist facing each other down. One looked bigger than the other, "Which one's Kakashi sensei?"

"Hey one of them is moving!" The real Naruto stated as a figure rushed through the Fog at the other.

Kakashi glared at Zabuza who couldn't do anything his eyes wide.

X X X

Tears streamed down his face as Riku turned, and with an almost strangled scream, he went in for the kill… yet Haku didn't attempt to fight back. They both could hear the heartbeats of each other as the inevitable came. It only made Riku run faster and Haku more accepting.

"Yes, hold fast to your dreams…strike true…" Haku said closing his eyes as Riku ran closer and closer. However something caught his senses as Riku was about to strike he saw Haku ready to grab his arm and startling Riku.

"You…" Riku stared, stunned

"Sorry, change of plans. I'm not ready to die just yet." He said doing his single handed hand signs and disappearing.

"Where did -?!" Riku looked around, when he suddenly heard a loud electric crackling noise and turned to it… just in time to see Kakashi with a hand like a blade of electricity stab towards Zabuza. Everyone stared in shock as blood splattered everywhere on an ice mirror, on the ground, and on Kakashi and Zabuza... both of whom stared in utter disbelief as Kakashi's hand tore through Haku's chest and punched out the boy's back. Haku coughed up even more blood, gasping out Zabuza's name as he grabbed Kakashi's arm

X X X

"Don't be ridiculous you are not going to the Bridge all by yourself!" Tsunami scolded. But Inari merely pulled on his sandals.

"I have to go by myself because none of the others will go with me." Inari replied simply. He had tied a pot to his head and had pulled a quiver on his back with a cross bow at his side. Tsunami's look softened. "I have no choice."

"You shouldn't go at all." She said. "Stop this, your just a kid what can you do?!" she said making Inari stop at the door.

"You're right I am just a kid. But, I'm a kid who knows how to stand and fight. I'm my father's kid!" he said turning to her and grinning. She suddenly gasped seeing her husband for a second before he turned back to the door.

"Kaiza…" He opened the door. "No Inari wait!" she cried he opened the door to find shadows looming over him with weapons.

X X X

"Isn't that the boy in the mask?" Tazuna asked in shock Naruto stared in horror.

"So my future is all used up?" Zabuza said laughing, "wrong again Kakashi!"

"The boy threw himself in front of my attack! He saved your worthless life!" Kakashi growled.

"Heh….well done Haku…" Zabuza sneered under the wrappings on his face. Kakashi growled as Zabuza let out a roar and went for his sword.

"He'll hack through the boy to get to me!?" Kakashi gasped in his thoughts.

"I knew I had found a treasure when I found you boy! You've not only given me my own life but Kakashi's as well!" He snarled viciously with glee in his thoughts as Kakashi tried to pull away from Haku.

Naruto and Riku gasped as the blade swung, but Kakashi held on to Haku and jumped away. Naruto gasped as Kakashi landed and pulled his arm free from the boy in the mask, only for the blond shinobi to recognize him as the one from the forest in the kimono.

"It… was him…?" Naruto stared dumbfounded, "It was him the whole time?!"

Riku watched Kakashi fight Zabuza but almost immediately looked away, he felt tired… drained… all the anger and fury that had fueled him mere moments ago was gone, replaced with sadness and guilt. He walked over to Kiki falling to his knees and holding her close and crying.

Zabuza laughed at this, "Not bad with a corpse in your arms." He sneered.

"Why you…!" Naruto snarled.

"NO! Naruto stay out of this, you too Riku! This is my battle!" Kakashi yelled sensing the other boy's presence. He looked at the lifeless boy and closed his eyes, then stood to fight.

"Wait Kiki!" Naruto gasped. He instantly grabbed Tazuna's arm trying to pull him along. "Come on come on, we've gotta find Kiki ya know!"

"Alright, alright don't be so pushy! I'll take you to them!" Tazuna replied as they raced towards Riku's position.

"Naruto…." Kakashi muttered sadly.

"Kakashi!" Zabuza shouted rushing at him. "I'd stay focused if I were you!" he went to swing but Kakashi swung landing a kick in the face, knocking him back with a groan of pain.

The two raced towards Riku and gasped at the sight. Riku was holding Kiki close tears flowing freely down his face, sobbing loudly.

"No…." Naruto muttered in disbelief, "It can't be….Kiki" he felt tears come to his eyes as well, but he didn't want to cry he shut his eyes and hung his head. Tazuna lowered his head and looked away as Naruto had his eyes on his team mates, unable to take his eyes off them.

"Go on Naruto, you don't have to be brave on my account go ahead and let your feelings out it's alright." Tazuna said softly.

Naruto opened his eyes letting them fill with tears, his heart breaking for his teammates. A couple of them leaked out as he spoke quietly. "I made a promise ya know, that I wouldn't freeze and leave my friends to fend for themselves, ever again. Here I was ready to fight and I still couldn't save Kiki. I was ready to fight, I was fighting and I couldn't do anything to help Riku and Kiki….I was here!" he said choking back a sob. "And she still died." he said holding back a sob as more tears fell.

"To place such an unbearably burden on the shoulders of young children, if that's the way the Shinobi….you can have it." Tazuna said solemnly in his thoughts.

He turned to Riku, feeling guilty over this whole thing and what had happened to poor Kiki. He walked to sobbing boy and placed a hand on his shoulder, he thought they should at least take the needles out of Kiki. But Riku tighten his grip on the girl and jerked away from Tazuna. "Don't touch her!" he wanted to yell louder but his throat half choked his words. "Don'tcha touch her!" he said tears falling, his sharingan flashing at him. Tazuna stepped back as Riku continued to sob.

X X X

Zabuza clashed with Kakashi who had managed to imbed a couple of Kunai in his arms. He panted exhausted but Kakashi glared standing up straight despite everything he showed no signs of Fatigue he didn't even talk he was done talking rage burned in his eyes at Zabuza.

"Why? Why can't I keep up with him!?" Zabuza growled in his thoughts. He lunged at Kakashi who merely backhanded him, knocking him away. One arm hung limply as he was using the other to swing his blade now. With a scream he ran at Kakashi who merely punched him away. He stood on his feet Kakashi merely returned with another punch and knocked Zabuza back with the back of his fist. It made Zabuza spin around his sword cutting into the cement.

"I'll split you in half!" Zabuza roared as he rushed at Kakashi slashing at him but he dodged when he rose his blade to bring it back down Kakashi had disappeared and reappeared behind him; Then grabbed him by the neck.

"Look at you," Kakashi finally spoke. "You're falling apart. I knew you wouldn't be able to handle the long haul."

"What did you say!?" Zabuza snarled.

"You have no idea what real strength is!" Kakashi said simply. Gato had suddenly appeared on the bridge unsurprised by the sight.

"Well, well so this is how it ends huh?" he chuckled as Kakashi spun Kunai in his hands then held two aiming for his neck.

"It's over Zabuza." He said thrusting his arm. But Zabuza countered swinging his sword forcing Kakashi to alter his trajectory and stab him in the other arm and jump away as Zabuza lost the use of both arms now. His sword, skid across the ground sparks flying and hit the side of the bridge alerting Naruto and Zabuza who rushed up to see what happened.

"Now both of your arms are useless what now? You can't even make hand signs." Kakashi mocked. They were alerted to a chuckle from Gato making everyone notice their presence.

"He did quite the job on ya didn't he Zabuza? You look like yesterday's Sashimi. I must say I'm disappointed…" he said darkly.

Zabuza turned from the edge of the bridge and looked at Gato slightly confused, "Gato, what is this? What are you doing here and who are those thugs you brought with you?" He said noting the many thugs with weapons drawn.

"Well you see there's been a slight change in plans." Gato replied with a sneer. "According to the new plan, you die right here on this bridge?"

"What?" Zabuza muttered.

"You're too expensive, so I'm taking you off the pay roll. But these thugs combined are worth something too so if you could slaughter a few of them before they take you down I'd appreciate it." Gato said with a sick grin on his face. "Think you can manage that, Demon Ninja of the Hidden Mist?" He added in a condescending tone. He laughed. "Look at you you're about as demonic as a wet Kitten." He said laughing his goons laughing alongside him.

"There's so many of them, one Rogue Ninja was bad enough…" Naruto said fearfully in his thoughts staring in shock.

"Sorry Kakashi, it would seem our fight is over. Since I am no longer in Gato's employ, I don't have a reason to go after Tazuna anymore."

"Yeah I suppose you're right…" Kakashi agreed as the two stared down Gato and his thugs, their leader walking up to Haku's body.

"That reminds me…" he said looking over it and reflecting back on a week ago. Kakashi, Zabuza and Naruto could see a cast on his arm. "You little punk, you grabbed and broke my arm!" he said growling before smiling his sick grin again. "I've been meaning to repay you for that…" he said putting all his might into a Kick in his body Naruto gasped in horror as the two Jounin just watched. "Heh, I only wish he was alive to feel it."

"GET AWAAAAAYYYYY!" Naruto shouted, racing at Gato. "GET AWAY FROM HIM YOU SCUM!"

"Hey stop!" Kakashi said quickly grabbing him and pulling him back. "Use your head!" Kakashi growled making Naruto back down but the anger was still in his eyes.

"Well what about you Zabuza?! You gonna let him do that?!" Naruto shouted.

"Shut up kid, Haku's dead, what does it matter?" Zabuza replied.

"WHAT?! So you're okay with watching him get treated like a Dog!? You and Haku were together for years! Doesn't that mean anything!?" Naruto shouted.

"You don't understand the way of Shinobi," Zabuza replied. "I used him just as Gato used me. Now it's over, his usefulness is at an end. The loss of strength and his skill, that means something to me; but the boy….nothing."

"If you really mean that you're an even bigger bastard than I thought!" Naruto spat.

"Okay that's enough," Kakashi said putting a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Calm down Naruto he's not the enemy. Not right now."

Naruto whacked off Kakashi's arm. "Shut up! As far as I'm concerned he's still our enemy!" Naruto shouted pointing an accusatory finger at Zabuza. "Grrrrr…." He growled shaking in rage. "You ungrateful….after everything he did for you! Haku loved you!" Naruto shouted reflecting back on Haku's words in the forest.

"Is there….someone who's precious to you?"

"You were the most important thing in the world to him!" Naruto shouted.

"For me there is only one person who matters. And my purpose is to protect and serve him and that purpose is what gives me strength."

"He loved you more than anything and he meant nothing to you, nothing at all?!" Naruto asked "While he was sacrificing everything to you, you never felt anything for him!?" he said his voice wavering as he thought about the ice mirrors and Riku and Kiki fighting inside it he killed his teammate for Zabuza.

"I never wanted to become Shinobi… I don't want to kill you. But if you come at me….I will destroy my kind heart and become a true Shinobi…"

Naruto eyes watering welling with tears as he thought about Haku giving his life for Zabuza who showed no despair about it. "And if I become stronger will I be as cold hearted as you are?! He threw his life away and for what for you and your dream!?"

"I want only to make his dream come true. That is my dream."

"You never let him have a dream of his own! But he didn't care."

"I was happy…"

"And you toss him aside like he was nothing, a broken tool?" Naruto sobbed, "That's so wrong!"

There was a silence but then….

"You talk too much…" Zabuza said slightly choked. Naruto looked up, suddenly heard tears hit the cement…from Zabuza, who raised his head to the sky slightly. "Just stop talking…"

Naruto sniffed wiping his face with his sleeve. Tazuna and Kakashi silently watched. "While he fought your comrades, his heart was breaking in two. Haku was always too soft and too kind, he felt pain and sorrow. And now curse him I feel them too…" He said biting into the wrappings and tearing them off to Gato's surprise, revealing shark like teeth. "Even we Shinobi are human, no matter how hard we try to escape that simple fact…we fail…Boy, give me your Kunai."

Naruto nodded and silently tossing it to him. Memories of Haku flashing in his mind, Zabuza grabbed it in his teeth rushing at Gato, who yelped in fear and turned to run. "Enough already do it! Do it now! Kill them all!" He said rushing to the back of the crowd the men sneered excitedly.

"Alright," said one.

"He must be out of his mind!" said another as Zabuza charged. "He's armless and barely alive!" The one who had spoke was instantly cut down by the attack as were several others. A Few more rushed to attack but Zabuza dodged them all as they shouted he slit the throat of another taking a spear to the back as he charged at Gato who was cornered at the unfinished bridge. The crime boss gaped in horror as Zabuza cut a bloody path through his thugs, despite at least four bladed weapons sticking out of his back. He screamed, the shriek becoming choked as Zabuza, stabbed him in the chest, Gato coughed up blood. Zabuza was grinning but soon Gato's men were stabbing in in the back making him lose the Kunai for a second, embedded in Gato's chest, but he held on as he stumbled away from the men with many weapons and spears in his back.

"If you want to join your friend….so badly…" Gato coughed, "then go ahead, but you're not taking….me with you…not this time…..you crazy….fool"

"No…" Zabuza muttered, "Where Haku has gone, I cannot follow…." He said slowly turning to Gato.

"Stay back, stay back!" Gato gasped fearfully but Zabuza got right into his face with a sick look on his face.

"No my friend, it's the other place we're going you and me GATO!" Zabuza said with a grin his shark like teeth glistening in the light horrifying the man. "I can't think of a more fitting destination for a demon Ninja can you?" Zabuza asked smirking. "I'm told there are many demons down there of all shapes and sizes! Ohhh yess!" he said sadistically "I should fit right in, you on the other hand Gato…well I fear you're in for a very long and painful eternity!" pulling the kunai out with his teeth, Zabuza slash up Gato's stomach and chest. The last thing Gato saw was Zabuza's murderous eyes as the demon of the mist decapitated the crime boss, his lifeless corpse falling at Zabuza's feet, and his severed head landing amidst his thugs.

Everyone watched silently in shock. Zabuza looked at them they gasped in utter horror, some dropping their weapons and wanting to run for their lives from this demon… but his wounds seemed to finally take their toll as the bloody kunai fell from his mouth and he collapsed onto the cold stone of the bridge.

"Haku…" he groaned in pain. He looked up seeing Haku in his casual floral Kimono looking back at him. "So this is…goodbye….at last….not once did I ever thank you Haku…forgive me for that…"

Naruto moved his head. "Don't turn away…" Kakashi said solemnly. Naruto looked at him. "This is how the life of a man who lived a difficult life ends." Kakashi said to him.

X X X

Bathump…..bathump…..bathump…..bathump…..

"Am I alive…or…is this..." There were muffled sounds reaching her ears slowly but surely they cleared… Kiki slowly opened her eyes feeling tears falling on her seeing the source above her. Riku sobbing hard over her, he still had needles in him but he didn't seem to notice

"Ri…ku…" Kiki's voice coughed breaking through the tears and sadness. Riku opened his eyes and looked down.

"Kiki…?" he said in disbelief. Then smiled tears of joy falling down.

She nodded smiling. "I'm sorry…I really thought…"

Riku pulled her into a hug, crying into her shoulder. "Oh thank-"he choked, "I thought you were dead!"

"Riku…that hurts…" Kiki said quietly.

"Sorry…" Riku said easing his grip. "It's just, I thought..." he wipes his eyes again "Never mind...I'm just so glad you're alive." He said, "You're one of my best friends... I don't know what I'd have done if you'd really..." Kiki pushed herself up. "No don't move…here…" he said picking her up. "I got you."

"What happened to that guy in the mask? How are Naruto and Kakashi doing?" Kiki asked as Riku moved towards the others.

"I think we've won so far…and that guy…he threw himself in the way for Zabuza…" Riku replied.

"What? Why would he do that?" Kiki asked.

"I have no idea…" Riku muttered as he made his way to Naruto and Tazuna. Naruto turned and saw Kiki looking at him. Naruto smiled brightly.

"You're alive! Tazuna, Kakashi sensei, Kiki's alive believe it!" he said happily, tears of joy running down his own face.

Tazuna took off his glasses and wipes his eyes. "So everything turned out right after all…"

Kiki smiled herself, looking at Haku. "He never meant too…from the very beginning, I'm not sure why but…"

"We're alive…" Riku said letting one last tear fall.

"Well, will wonders, never cease… amazing." Kakashi sighed.

One of the thugs suddenly tapped the ground with their weapons. "Hey!" they shouted catching the attention of Naruto, Riku and Kakashi. "Don't go getting to comfortable now."

"Who's gonna pay us now that Gato's gone?" Asked one in a purple mask, "we're not going anywhere empty handed."

"So we'll be heading to that village to see what they have for us!" said the lead thug making them cheer.

"Not good…" Kakashi growled.

"Come on Kakashi sensei you've gotta have a Jutsu to deal with these losers!" Naruto said turning to him.

"Not right now, I've used up too much of my Chakra…" Kakashi admitted.

"Alright get em boys!" the leader shouted as they charged at the Ninja an arrow was shot and landed between them. They looked back.

"You forgot one thing!" Gichi said standing there with the towns folk Tsunami and Inari who had shot the arrow. "If you want this town you've gotta go through us first!"

"YEAAAAHHHH!" the towns folk shouted armed with hard hats, garden tools, and any weapons they could find.

"Inari!" Naruto shouted in glee.

Inari giggled and rubbed his nose. "Heroes usually show up late ya know." Tazuna's eyes welled with tears seeing his grandson both laugh and smile. And that courage had once again found its way into his fellow villager's hearts. "They've all come, the village…" he quietly sobbed.

Naruto smirked. "No way am I gonna miss out on all the fun. Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A good two dozen of Naruto's suddenly appeared. Kakashi hummed as he watched the thugs get a little scared.

"Hmm I might have just enough Chakra to help you out. Shadow clone Jutsu-Kakashi style!" Kakashi said as they all appeared lining up behind the Naruto. The thugs yelped in fear now as the Kakashi's glared them down. "Well, still want to fight?"

"Let's get outta here!" one of them shouted as they turned tail and running back to the boat clamoring to get on it some falling off or just jumping off the bridge in general.

The villagers followed and watched as the boat sped away. "Victory!" Inari shouted as the villagers cheered Tazuna watching with tears in his eyes. Zabuza watching as well, feeling his life fading then a pair of feet stopped in front of him.

"Sounds like it's over…" Zabuza muttered quietly.

"Yeah," Kakashi gruffly replied.

"Kakashi….I have a favor….before I go…take me to him…I need to see him one last time…" Zabuza said quietly.

Kakashi pulled his headband over his Sharingan looking at Zabuza with sadness. "Sure…." he said pulling the weapons from his back and laying him on his back. Everyone watched quietly as he picked Zabuza up and carried him. Suddenly snow began to fall as Tazuna and Inari looked up as did Naruto, Kiki and Riku.

"Impossible…" said Gichi.

"Snowing at this time of year?" another villager muttered.

"Haku…are you crying?" Zabuza asked in his own mind as he watched the snow. Kakashi finally reaching Haku laid Zabuza down gently. "Thank you…Kakashi…." he said looking at Haku, "You were always at my side, the least I could do is be by yours at the end. "I know it's not possible but…" he said lifting his arm with the last of his strength and caressing Haku's face. "I wish I could go where you were going…how I wish….I could… Haku…"he said with his last breath, as sunlight burst through in bits shining down on them.

"Remember what he said…" Riku muttered as Naruto wept. "Where he came from it was always snowing…" Naruto nodded letting out a sob.

"Of course…" Kakashi agreed. "His spirit was as pure as the snow…Maybe you can join him there Zabuza…maybe you can…."

X X X

They had buried Zabuza and Haku at a hill overlooking the land of waves. Both simple wooden crosses with flower wreaths and Zabuza's sword planted in the ground behind it. "Is that really the way Kakashi sensei?" Kiki asked.

"Huh?" Kakashi asked.

"To use and be used as tools?" Kiki asked as Riku and Naruto looked up at him.

"Shinobi are always tools in the hands of Destiny, no point wondering whether it's right or wrong. It just is it's the same in the Village of the Leaves." Kakashi replied simply.

"Well if you ask me if that's the Ninja way something's out of whack! Is that why we go through all this training to end up like them!?" Naruto asked.

"What is the point of that?!" Riku added.

"Well…" Kakashi sighed not having an answer. "It's a question without an answer and that is something we ninja have to deal with every day, like Zabuza and the kid."

Naruto looked to the sun. "Okay! I've just come to a decision he said alerting them, from now on I'm going to find my own Ninja way! A way that's straight and true! One with no regrets! I'll follow the way of Naruto!"

"Huh?" Kakash iasked

"The way of Riku!" Riku said nodding holding his hand up.

"The way of Kiki!" She added happily making Kakashi chuckle at them.

X X X

A full two weeks later, everyone's wounds were healed and the bridge was finally complete. "We could have never finished the bridge without you." Tazuna said gratefully. "I can't tell you how much we're going to miss you."

"You be careful now." Tsunami added.

"Thank you for everything." Kakashi replied.

"Now, now don't get all choked up, we'll be back to visit soon." Naruto assured.

"Y…you promise you will?" Inari asked tearing up a little.

"Yeah, promise and ya know Inari," Naruto said tearing up himself. "There's nothing wrong with crying right now. If you want to cry go right ahead."

"Who says I want to cry? And if there's nothing wrong why don't you do it?" Inari sobbed.

"No you first…" Naruto said as they stared at each other unwilling to break. "oh forget it!" he groaned turning away Inari held out a hand for them but they were still three feet from each other bawling their eyes out as Riku and Kiki sweat-dropped.

"It was all his doing. That boy made you stronger Inari and you in turn made us Stronger. It's thanks to that boy that we were able to finish this bridge and travel it to place we've never known a place where we found our courage. A place, where we can make our Dreams come true."

"Hey speaking of the bridge now that it's finished shouldn't we name it?"

"Yes", Tazuna said, "and I know the perfect name. The Great Naruto Bridge."

Gichi chuckled. "You sure about that name Tazuna?"

Tazuna chuckled. "It's a name that brought us good luck it'll do the same for the bridge. I think this bridge will stand for a long, long time. Perhaps it'll even been famous one day. The name Naruto known throughout the world that would be something wouldn't it?" he said as Inari wiped his eyes watching them go.

X X X

"When we get home, I'm gonna have Mom cook me up a whole bunch of ramen to celebrate mission accomplished. And I can't wait to tell Konahamaru all about my adventures, the kid's gonna worship me!" Naruto said as Riku looked ahead quietly.

"Riku, you've been awful quiet." Kiki said, "Something wrong?"

Riku blushed, "I'm sorry."

"Why?" Kiki asked surprised as they walked. "I'm fine, really."

"I know it's just…All that stuff I said." He muttered looking really embarrassed as he looked away.

"It happens to everyone, especially when you're really close to them." Kakashi said catching the attention of his students. "You two were friends before you became team 7, right? So it makes sense you'd react like that on your first real mission like this. I've seen it plenty of times. So there's no need to be so embarrassed." He said smiling under his mask.

"Uhhh, thanks…" Riku said blushing even harder. Naruto got close to Riku eyeing him slyly. "Shut up Naruto!" he shouted as the blond ninja laughed and ran ahead. Kakashi sighed, making his way forward at a slightly faster pace as Kiki got next to Riku.

"Uhh, hey again...Kiki" He said, sounding more than a little embarrassed.

"Thanks for worrying about me Riku, I'm glad I have a friend like you." she said, planting a light, almost playful kiss on the cheek, "Come on they're getting ahead of us!" she said rushing forward.

"Uhh right!" Riku said standing a little ridged. They both ran to catch up, Riku now red as a cherry and Kiki blushing a little herself as they headed home to Konoha.


Sweet Sweet ending in more ways than one!


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