AN: I know, I know, kinda late… but hey I wrote some one-shots…go check them out, especially Forced Insanity, good chance I might base some of that into this…Also this chapter is a serious section with a dash of humor. The below section is serious, but next section…snicker… So onto the story…

"There is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child."

- Henry Ward Beecher, 1813-1887

Chapter 3: Introductions bring Insight

Part 1 – Family…

Haku walked through the village carrying the bags of groceries and other supplies he had picked up. After seeing the responses of the elders to the information he had given the Uchiha brat, and Zabuza's face when he had returned from meeting with them; disappearing for a bit seemed the best. Zabuza's meeting had continued way into dawn, and at the start of this new day, Haku was not sure he wanted to be the first thing his Shishou saw. He knew he shouldn't have lost his temper, but the Uchiha brat was so annoying. He felt an incredible urge to just beat sense into the kid, but he should have known better than to let that particular information out.

The elders had somehow gotten the Uchiha out of the room and refused to discuss anything with the genin, but they had issued a few questions to Haku before dismissing him as well. He knew Zabuza had probably been put through the wringer on that piece of information, but how had they not known? He and Zabuza had always assumed that the Sandaime Mizukage must have come from Konoha originally, was that a mistake?

Haku shook his head to clear the thoughts; Zabuza-sama would tell him what he needed to know when he was ready. Probably after the headache he had left him. Haku looked around and realized he was near the Ramen stand that Naruto liked and thought to stop to eat. He had been getting the layout of the village all morning, and shopping for supplies for the apartment they had all morning and most of the afternoon. His stomach suggested it was way past time for a small meal. Surely there had to be other food stands around near by?

After a few moments he located a small dango stand, and he stopped to sit at one of the outside tables. Placing an order for tea and dango he settled in to watch the villagers and shinobi of Konoha walk by. He noticed that a large portion of the civilians had a feel of ex-shinobi about them.

"Excuse me," a soft voice said. Haku looked up at a man with his hair pulled back and a scar on his nose standing before him.

"Yes," Haku asked focusing on the man. Something about him was strangely familiar.

"Would you be Haku?" Haku's eyes narrowed for just a moment, before he calmed. Nodding his head, he waited to see what the man would say. "My name is Umino Iruka; one of my students described you, Konohamaru?"

Haku nodded again in curiosity, Naruto's sensei that he cares much for, "Yes, I met him yesterday with Naruto-kun."

"May I join you?" the man in front of him had a pleasant feel to his chakra, and his stance screamed not dangerous, but still Haku watched him before nodding slightly.

As the chuunin sat, Haku's food was brought out, and the scarred man ordered some a plate of dango and tea for himself.

"I am sorry to interrupt you but I was slightly concerned, from what I heard from Konohamaru yesterday," the teacher began.

"How so?" Haku wanted to hear why this man had sought him out before answering questions.

"Many reasons, Konohamaru seemed very excited by some things said between Naruto, Sasuke and yourself. He was also a little aggravated about Sasuke almost attacking his teammate and that Sasuke had been shouting that you and your master didn't belong in Konoha. I fear that with other rumors I have heard I was a little concerned."

Haku watched the man closely, and realized that the teacher in front of him was worried about Naruto more than anything else. Naruto had described the man as very important to him, and Haku had gotten the feeling that Naruto saw this Iruka as a father figure. Watching the chuunin, he realized that the feeling was mutual.

"I am afraid that Sasuke-san became agitated when he realized that Naruto-kun had been in the academy since he was six years old. When I tried to get him to back off from things Naruto did not seem interested in talking about he turned his aggression on me. I may have said some things that upset the boy even more. I do apologize if your students were upset by what they heard, I can speak to them later if you prefer?"

Iruka nodded and sat back to study the teenager in front of him. "May I ask what these things were?"

"I am sorry, but I have not been cleared yet to release that information by the Hokage or my master, perhaps if they allow it at a later date. I should not have told Sasuke-kun, but he was," Haku paused, "Well I guess he managed to irritate me. His behavior towards a comrade was not acceptable, especially in front of impressionable children. I should have handled it better."

Iruka nodded and watched Haku, "If I may ask are you free to tell who you and your master are, and why you are in the village?"

Haku smiles softly, "My master is Momochi Zabuza, ex-Kiri Nin, as for why we are here; we are currently in the process of finalizing our negotiations for joining the village. As I am not in the bingo books like my Shishou I have already been cleared for joining the village, pending some classes and assessment test, Zabuza-sama is still working out his entrance."

Haku controlled the urge to giggle at the look on the chuunin's face. The horror and confusion blatant for all to see; but slowly he controlled his expression. "If I may ask how did you meet Naruto?"

Haku nodded again as the chuunin's food was brought out. Taking a small sip of tea he waited for the server to leave. "Zabuza-sama and I met Team Seven by chance on their last mission. We decided, based on Naruto's description of Konoha to come here. The Hokage was kind enough to allow us entrance to discuss terms for joining the village," watching the man closely, "we have already moved into a nice apartment next to Naruto-kun."

Haku watched as this news seemed to concern the chuunin. He wondered how long before then man ran off, his obvious worry for Naruto apparent in every action. He was slightly shocked when the chuunin suddenly changed tactics, and instead of trying to leave started to ask him questions about himself and the events yesterday, prior to the fight.

* § *

Umino Iruka was considered by most an average chuunin, excellent teacher, and rather inconspicuous. He preferred it that way. Very few knew that to become a teacher at the academy you had to pass many test on skill and knowledge, and be of a certain level. Teachers at the academy were always chuunin who were on track to becoming jounin, not tokubetsu jounin, but full jounin. You had to be well rounded, not specialized, yet weak enough that the village could spare you from continuous standard missions. Most of the teachers were talented enough that if they chose they could be accepted into one of the ANBU divisions.

Iruka was one such teacher. After all you didn't trust any old ninja to teach the basics of being a shinobi to the next generations. Iruka himself, if he chose would probably be able to pass his jounin exams at his current level. He chose to stay at the academy for many reasons, the simplest being that he enjoyed teaching and found it suited him. When he had started at the academy it had been a calming assignment for his skill level after a few years of heavy missions. By the time Uzumaki Naruto had been transferred into his class, he had truly begun to enjoy teaching, and had considered staying as long as the Shinobi council would allow it. After his admirable teaching of a student who most academy teachers had actively sought to sabotage, the council had decided that he was a teacher that they had no desire to re-assign. Although he was being pulled more and more into working at the Hokage Tower for mission assignment, he knew it was the Shinobi council's way of studying him for a higher position at the academy. After all, with what happened with Mizuki, they were very concerned about who was running the academy.

As the unobtrusive academy teacher, Iruka had been able to study many of the students who graduated from the academy, and he was ashamed to say that his last graduating class was one he favor above all others. He also knew it was in part because that was Naruto's class. The young Jinchuuriki has wormed his way into his heart and he felt an overpowering need to protect the kid. Something about the Naruto he had seen since that incident in the woods had allowed him to see how fragile the boy really was, and it struck a strong cord in Iruka, one that he had every intention of following. Naruto was like a little brother to him, perhaps even more, he would not allow anyone to hurt him like he had been that night ever again, if he could help it.

When he had heard about the two ninjas who had returned with Naruto to the village, he had been mildly concerned. Unable to locate Hatake Kakashi to ask about it, he had decided to wait and see. When Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon had told him about the fight between Sasuke, Naruto and this unknown Nin Haku, he had been even more concerned. First off anyone who could make Sasuke act as the children described was a curiosity. His defense of Naruto and the lessons he had given the trio had enticed him to seek out more information. Knowing he couldn't get it from Sasuke or Naruto, and Hatake was missing, he decided to seek out the young man known as Haku.

What he got was not what he was expecting. Haku was a young androgynous teenager, probably fifteen or sixteen years of age, who's every moment screamed out ninja to anyone who knew what to look for. His calm and kind nature hid it very well, but Iruka could sense that the young man sitting across from him was a trained assassin. Part of him wanted to scream that this teen should not be anywhere near Naruto, but at the same time his instincts were saying to wait. He kept subtly watching the signs given off by the ninja in front of him, small that they were.

He is descended from a shinobi clan, an old one to, he thought, although I really have to wonder what it is about the older ninja clans that they all look so, dare I say, girly? Yes, Haku could easily be mistaken for a girl, if you didn't know what to look for. But you would also have to look closely to see that his slender boy was pure muscle, and not strength built muscle, but for speed and flexibility that came from years of proper breeding. His chakra was smooth without any fluctuations and he excluded a calm presence, hiding the danger that the boy was.

It was for these reasons that Iruka didn't run immediately off to the Hokage's tower or to find Hatake. Instead he decided to talk to the teen in front of him. Iruka had always been able to observe and see the truth behind people, a gift from his years as an orphan after the Kyuubi attack. He had known that Nara Shikamaru was smarter than anyone else in the class. He had known that Haruno Sakura, while intelligent, was not quite ready to be a ninja. He had known that Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto, regardless of having the most potential in his graduating class, were not ready to be ninja due to their emotional status. He had also known that they would still become a team as they would not be healed in a classroom, and he worried over it.

So Iruka sat and listened, asked questions and came to conclusions about the teen in front of him. He was obsessively loyal to his teacher, Zabuza. He was realistic to the way of the ninja world, but still maintained a hopefulness that the world could change. He was built and raised to be nothing but a ninja, but if life had given him a choice he would not have chosen this path. Something in the past has scarred the teen, yet he had recovered from it somehow. He honestly also cared for Naruto, and that surprised Iruka more than anything.

While he pondered these things while having small talk with Haku, he also wondered what it was about the boy that was nagging at his mind. Something was telling him that the boy in front of him was like someone else, and he had no idea who. He knew it would come to him, but for now, he would try and see what had set Sasuke off yesterday.

"You seem so easygoing; I still can't understand what set off Sasuke yesterday. I know the boy has a violent temper, but it usually takes a lot to set it off," he said shaking his head in confusion. "Normally it is only mention of his older brother that would make him confrontational."

Iruka saw the slight tensing, and knew he had figured it out. So Haku knows Itachi somehow, I think that I should stop for now.

"Don't worry Haku-san, I have no desire to question it further, I know you don't wish to speak about it," Iruka said, seeing the unease of the boy in front of him. "Well this conversation has been enjoyable, but I fear I must go. I hope we can do this again?"

Haku nodded and stood, "It was most enjoyable. I hope we can speak again."

Nodding, the two left, both to report to others what they had discovered and to ask questions racing in their minds.

* § *

"Hokage-sama will see you now, Umino-san," the Hokage's secretary said to the chuunin sitting to the side of him.

Standing up, Iruka nodded to the secretary and walked towards the door that led to Sandaime's office. Knocking softly, he opened the door to move inside. Coming to attention before the Hokage's desk, he waited to be acknowledged.

"Ah Iruka, I was wondering when you would show up. Please, sit, this may take a while," the aging Hokage said, quietly activating some silencing seals to guarantee privacy.

"Thank you for seeing me, Hokage-sama. I assume that you are aware of why I am here?"

"Hai. Iruka, much was decided, but I assure you I have not gone insane. But if you would indulge me, your thoughts on this matter would be appreciated. Even Ibiki has noted that you seem to be a very perceptive individual. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he decides to speak to you himself, or offer you a position in his department."

Iruka blushed slightly at the praise and bowed his head slightly.

"From what I can ascertain, at some point during the mission in Wave, Naruto and the rest of his team met up with one Momochi Zabuza and his apprentice. I know no other details but that now Momochi Zabuza and his apprentice Haku are becoming shinobi of Konoha and that they are being granted unlimited access to Naruto," seeing the silent nod from the Sandaime, Iruka continued on.

"Since Team Seven's return to the village I have heard very interesting stories about this Haku and his master. Some from Teuchi of Ichikaru Ramen," seeing the questioning look, he elaborated. "It appears after giving a show of his ramen eating abilities; (cough) Momochi sent Haku and Naruto off, while he questioned Teuchi on what he was 'drugging' Naruto's ramen with. He was concerned and only seemed to ease up when he was informed that it was the special vitamins that you provided personally to Teuchi-san. Both Teuchi and Ayame were impressed with the way the two nins handled Naruto and seemed to ease him."

"I see I was not aware of that. Those two are very perceptive," Sandaime said, breathing out some smoke from his pipe. "Continue."

"I next tried to locate other members of Team Seven, Sasuke seemed to have buried himself in his clan training fields, Sakura was at her parents' home and Hatake-san was MIA. On this note, I decided to wait. The next day I heard from your grandson and his friends about a slight altercation on a training field. I am sure you heard about it, but what struck me as interesting where the following. The teenager Haku was given a favorable review from all three children and I think it was not just admiration for a powerful nin, but from the way the boy handled them, both, in his 'playing' with Naruto and the trio; but also in his willingness to help them train for the academy.

"I found it interesting that this Haku noted some problems with Naruto, ones I myself had never noticed, and that this lead to a fight between Sasuke who had at sometime joined them, the trio, Haku and Naruto. I am told that it was the first time that Haku was unkind around them, as he was extremely annoyed by the young Uchiha, and that it was his constant attacks on Naruto that lead to certain information being stated. I am sure you are aware of this, and it was in fact Haku that told the children not to speak of it if possible, hence why I am not sure what said information was, and sent them home before he chased after Sasuke with Naruto in tow."

"Yes, the ANBU told me he was very calm in the situation, having gained back his slight loss of control almost immediately. They were very impressed."

Iruka nodded again before continuing, "Today I decided to try again to find the members of Team Seven, and I did not search for Naruto, but could not locate Sasuke or Sakura. I saw Hatake, but as he was with several ANBU members I did not interrupt. By chance I did find Haku. He appeared to have been picking up supplies; I followed discretely for a bit, till I saw him settle for some food. At this point I decided to introduce myself. We had a very interesting conversation, and that is when I felt it was best to come see you sir. I know I may be speaking above myself, but I am concerned about Naruto. Although Haku's interest and care of Naruto seemed genuine, his loyalty is to Zabuza, and from what little I know he is a bloodthirsty shinobi of Kiri, a missing nin to be precise."

The silence in the room was only interrupted by the slight puffing of the Hokage's pipe. After a few moments the Hokage spoke up.

"I am glad to see you have come to care for Naruto so much Iruka, it pleases this old man," he finally said into the silence. "If you are interested in knowing more and possibly helping in keeping an eye on the situation, please let me know. I can then provide you with more information, at least after I let Ibiki, who is outside in."

Iruka watched his leader silently. Naruto's face during the Mizuki incident a few months ago and his face yesterday when he mentioned a new friend popped into Iruka's head. Finally he nodded, "Yes Hokage-sama, I would be willing to assist as needed. '

Nodding the old man pushed a button on his desk, and the door opened to reveal one Morino Ibiki standing outside. The man nodded to the Hokage before stepping inside to sit down next to Iruka before nodding at him. The head of T&I was silent as he waited for the Hokage to speak, but Iruka could feel his occasional subtle glances at the chuunin next to him.

"Ibiki, Iruka-san as you know recently spoke with young Haku, and he has also agreed to assist us on monitoring the situation, I felt we could use him as the teacher assigned to bring Haku and later Momochi up to date on Konoha laws and such?"

Ibiki smiled softly, more a smirk than anything before he turned to the chuunin. "That is more than acceptable. I have been planning to gain your permission to have Umino-san assist. I have found that his analysis of his ex-students to be very detailed and accurate. The insight in them was very useful to me and I have even been considering speaking to the council about that change over to a new counselor of academy students before the next final exams to be possibly him," Iruka looked confused at the two men.

"Perhaps I should explain Iruka, as you know we usually have a 'counselor' who speaks to the final year academy students before they can take the exams? That person is usually a member of the Information department, which T&I are apart of; they create the first draft of the psychology of the new genin which is placed into the files maintained by ANBU. Recently we have not been getting the best results from these tests, as most of the students have not been comfortable speaking with them. You have placed notes on students for classes you managed for a few days which have been very insightful and your analysis of your own students was beyond anything that they had put together. Ibiki after reading your notes on Team 7 decided to speak with Nara-san about recruiting you as their contact at the Academy."

"Hokage-sama…I-I-I, I had no idea-"

"Before you would be given this, the departments usually like to have a 'test' of abilities. I believe that you could be of assistance to Ibiki who is the monitor for Zabuza and Haku joining the village and it could be considered your 'test' for the position. That is if you are interested?"

Swallowing Iruka looked between the two men watching him. "Hai, I accept the challenge Hokage-sama."

"Good, Ibiki if you would please bring Iruka current on the situation."

Ibiki nodded before beginning to speak. "Team Seven was sent on a C-rank mission that turned out to be an A-rank. The mission Team Seven was on dictated protecting a bridge builder whom Momochi Zabuza had been hired to assassinate. During the mission, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto and Fabuki Haku were caught in a three way fight. At some point Uchiha Sasuke was knocked unconscious and Uzumaki Naruto accessed the Kyuubi's chakra for the first time. By chance when this occurred a strange situation happened. Fabuki Haku, who contains the Hyouton Bloodline, had his abilities active at that time and some how his chakra and Uzumaki's meshed creating a chakra bond.

"The forming of the bond caused the fighting between Zabuza and Kakashi to come to a halt, as both went to check on their students. At this time Zabuza found out he was double crossed. Kakashi and Zabuza working together took out Gatou and his army of hired thugs and retired back to the bridge builder's home. Over the remaining days of the mission Zabuza kept an eye on his student who became very close to Uzumaki. Based on conversations Zabuza sent a request to join Konoha to the Hokage. In this request he stated the chakra bond existed and could not be broken. That he knew Uzumaki to be Jinchuuriki, and that he was willing to trade information for entrance into the village for him to watch over his student and Uzumaki."

"Will I be able to review these reports?" Iruka interrupted. His mind was disturbed by all the information being thrown at him, but he needed to focus.

"Hai, after this we can go to my office for you to review the files. Upon entrance to the village Zabuza and Haku met with Hokage-sama and the two elders of the Shinobi council Homaru and Koharu. Based on the conversations it was agreed that Haku would be given a three month review period, and Hyuuga Hiashi was made his guardian for the Clan Council, as a Kekkei Genkai wielding shinobi. Zabuza-san will be under a three month watching period and a three month review period. The position that I would request you for is the lessons on Konoha laws and history that they must be made aware of. During those times I would want reports on them, much as you would a student of yours."

Iruka nodded, and looked up to the Hokage.

"I know this is confusing Iruka, but I have met Zabuza myself, and Haku-kun. They are more then they appear and possibly the best thing that may have happened to Naruto."

"Hai Hokage-sama," Iruka stood with Ibiki who bowed to the leader and lead Iruka away.

* § *

Sarutobi looked out the window to the Hokage monument. He stared at the fourth face and smiled softly.

"Ah Minato, your son is gaining supporters left and right. I wonder is that your charisma or Kushina-chan's?"

* § *

Iruka looked up from the files that he had been reading. Many of them had been pushed to the side; he guessed those were of the information 'traded' for entry into the village. What he had read so far was disturbing on many levels. A few questions popped into his head, and after a moment of contemplation, he braved to ask them.

"Ibiki-san, if I may I have a few questions?" Iruka started off.

"Hai, and if possible tonight I would appreciate your thoughts on what you have read and your conversation with the boy Haku," Ibiki responded looking up from his own files.

"First, if I may what did Haku tell Sasuke that set him off, the reaction is just not normal for him, even mentioning his brother," Iruka stated sitting back.

Ibiki watched his quietly, as if beating answering, finally with a sigh, "He said that the current Mizukage is an Uchiha; that Itachi sought asylum in Kiri, and that whoever this Uchiha was, Itachi was bowing to his wishes. Anko seems to think that the news hit Sasuke harder because Haku has many similarities to Itachi."

Iruka thought on his time with Haku, and on some old memories he had of the Uchiha traitor. "I can see it," he muttered.

"See what?"

"Similarities that Sasuke would see in Haku-kun," seeing the look in Ibiki's eyes he continued. "Haku is a prodigy by all accounts, and has achieved a level of power, that to Sasuke's eyes is similar to Itachi. From what I remember of the few missions I had gone on with Itachi back then, Haku carries himself in a similar way. Oh, he comes off more effeminate than the androgynous attitude of Itachi, but the deadly movement of a trained assassin, the hidden humor behind soft spoken words. To Sasuke it might be like seeing the Itachi he worshiped versus the one he now seeks to kill. "

"Huh," Ibiki grunted, very similar to Anko's thoughts.

"You might want to have someone watch Sasuke; he is not the most stable individual. Something like this might either calm him or set him off. Hard to tell," Iruka said closing the files he had been reading.

"Who are you going to set to become Haku and Zabuza's first contacts?" Iruka asked.

"I am unsure on Haku, but for Zabuza I thought Namiashi Raido, Gekko Hayate and possibly Anko," Ibiki looked at the chuunin, "Any thoughts on Haku? You did speak with him earlier."

"Hmmm, try Kamizuki Izumo, Hagane Kotetsu and perhaps have Shiranui Genma."

"Why those three?"

"Izumo and Kotetsu are rather neutral when it comes to Naruto; also they are very friendly but not easily manipulated. They might 'loosen' him up. Genma is a friend of Raido who is often with him, and their shared fondness for senbon could start friendly talks while Zabuza is talking with Raido. Plus, Haku could use an 'adult' who is less severe, and while Genma is older than him, I think Haku might get along better with older rather than younger."

Ibiki nodded. "Come, lets introduce you to Zabuza," he got up to lead the chuunin to where Zabuza was currently meeting with Inoichi.

* § *

Zabuza could feel a new chakra signature outside the room he was in. After the fiasco yesterday the ANBU officer he was working with seemed interested in focusing as much as possible about the Mizukage. Not that Zabuza minded too much. The bastard who had taken control of Kiri needed to be destroyed. If Leaf wanted to go after him Zabuza would aid in any way possible. Still he had wanted to hold that information for later. He really wanted them to focus on Orochimaru and the rumors he had heard about some freaks wearing black cloaks with red clouds. Oh well, time for that later.

"I think that we have covered enough for now. Some more questions may pop up, but only after several others sort through it all," the blond in front of him paused to watch him closely. "I must say Zabuza; you really have collected useful information. Most missing-nin I've had contact with don't bother acquiring this much information."

Zabuza smirked through the bandages on his face at the blond. "They also don't survive long. I was an ANBU Captain, a member of the Seven Swordsmen, and had plans for my future. Only the weak lay down after a first failure. My goals may have altered slightly, but they still exist." Seeing the questioning look, "I guess seeing what this village is like, only drives me more to fix Kiri. It may not be fixed in my life, but some day."

Inoichi laughed.

Zabuza turned slightly as the door opened to bring in the man from yesterday, Ibiki. He kept his face smooth, as he knew this one was much more dangerous. He was too much like Zabuza himself to let his guard down.

"Zabuza, if you don't mind I wanted to introduce you to one of the academy teachers. He has agreed to work with Haku and yourself in learning the 'history' and rules of Konoha."

Zabuza looked behind Ibiki to see a rather unassuming chuunin with a large scar covering his nose. He smiled in a friendly way. Even though his posture portrayed a slight hint of hidden nervousness, Zabuza was wary. In Kiri the academy teachers had been ex-ANBU, he highly doubted weak ninja taught at Konoha's own academy. He stood to greet the man in front of him.

He watched as a hand was held out to him, with a sheepish grin. "Hello my name is Umino Iruka," he said.

Zabuza's eyes narrowed, the name seemed familiar. As he reached forward, the name came to mind. Iruka-sensei, the gaki's teacher! "Umino-san, it's a pleasure to meet you, the gaki talks about you a lot."

He felt the slight tensing of the chuunin, before his body went calm. Suddenly the man in front of him was no longer giving off a nervous feel. "I am very fond of Naruto myself. I hope we can get a long," the chuunin stated. He kept eye contact with the Kiri Nin, and his eyes spoke volumes. Hurt Naruto and I will hurt you more.

Zabuza nodded his head in understanding. Following Ibiki and Iruka out of the room, he walked with them through the slight maze of the office building. He caught a small glance out a window and saw that it was late in the afternoon. With what happened yesterday, he and Haku hadn't managed to take Naruto to exercise this morning. Thinking on what he would try to accomplish tomorrow, he turned to the two shinobi next to him.

"If I may ask, without my sword I feel strangely naked. I am sure you can understand. Would there be any problems with me obtaining a new sword and perhaps some other weapons?" he asked them.

The two came to a stop and Ibiki watched him with narrowed eyes. "No, if I might suggest let Iruka walk you back to your apartment. Iruka, show him where the better shinobi equipment stores are," with a nod from the chuunin, Ibiki turned back into the building.

Watching the interrogator leave, Zabuza turned curiously to the chuunin in front of him. "Did I miss something?" he asked.

The chuunin watched him before sighing. "We have a multitude of stores for shinobi supplies in the village. Some cater to the clans only, some are used by mostly genin, some by chuunin and the ones Ibiki wishes me to show you are the older ones controlled by the shinobi council. The reason being, that unfortunately many of the businesses are controlled by the merchant and general villagers. The materials they provide are based on what they think shinobi need versus what we really use. They tend to have loose lips, and a tendency to favor some shinobi over others and discriminate against others."

Zabuza thought on it, and grit his teeth. "I take it that they go after the gaki and any who favor him?" he saw the slight grimace and nod. "The places you can show me?"

"They are run by retired shinobi or those who have run stores since the founding of the village. The materials they sell are top notch, better priced and they keep their mouths shut. I have tried to take Naruto to the stores, but he tends to be wary of buying his supplies for himself. He usually has someone in his apartment buy for him, or he goes to the main stores that other academy students tell him about. Unfortunately except for clan kids in the academy, most by from the wrong stores; this has lead to him being with a mixture of proper and improper equipment."

"So you want me to shop their so I can take him?" at Iruka's nod he laughed. "I was actually looking for a place to get a new sword for me, set up accounts for Haku and me to trade old weapons for new, and get the gaki properly outfitted. His weapons are unsuited to him, and honestly I am beginning to wonder if he is color blind."

He stopped to see the chuunin staring at him with an odd look on his face. He turned fully around to look at the chuunin.

"You plan to get Naruto out of the jumpsuit?" he asked in a strangled voice, "Out of the orange?"

Zabuza nodded, curious as to what was bothering the scarred chuunin.

"When? Because I have to see this?" he said holding back a strangled laugh.

Zabuza felt a chill down his back. Yesterday he had felt this when the ANBU had given him a purse to buy the blonde's Ramen, now he felt an even bigger chill. Something told him that tomorrow was going to give him a massive headache.

Edited by Beta: Treyvoni Fox 5/25/09