Questions Answered:
Artemis1922: Yes, this story is going to be mostly cannon. Like in "Raising a Raven," there will be a lot of changes in the plotline, but most of it will correlate with the manga/anime.
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"Ookay," Kakashi adressed Tsunami as they all stood on the dock the next morning. "I leave Naruto in your hands. He's pushed his body to the limit, overdoing it as usual. So, he may not be able to move today at all."
"What about you, you're still recovering yourself," Tsunami pointed out.
"Why, do I look wobbly?" Kakashi teased. He laughed softly. "I'll be okay."
"Come on," the bridgemaster grunted. "Let's go."
Kichirou followed the rest of the team, his brow furrowed in thought.
"You're awfully quiet," Sasuke prodded.
Kichirou started as he was drawn from the recesses of his mind. "Just thinking," he replied. He still couldn't get Naruto's words from the night before out of his head.
"Well, don't let it distract you from the mission."
Kichirou nodded in reply and tuned his focus to what was going on around them. With any luck the bridge would be finished soon and they could return home. Hopefully nothing worse would happen before then.
..
"Hold on, what is this?" Tazuna yelled as they reached the bridge.
Kichirou skidded to a halt at the scene. The bridgebuilder's men were scattered across the bridge, unconscious.
"What happened," Tazuna cried out. "Someone was here! Someone got to them!"
Images of the massacre swept through Kichirou's head, causing a wave of dizziness to sweep through him.
As the group looked on, a mist began to roll in. Kichirou's mouth went dry at the realization.
Zabuza.
"Sasuke, Sakura, Kichirou!" Kakashi shouted. "Get ready!"
They formed a pentagon formation. Kunais were drawn as the genin took defensive stances. The enemy was here.
"I knew he was still alive," Kakashi said. "He just couldn't wait for round two."
"Kakashi sensei," Sakura stated. "It's Zabuza, isn't it? This is his hidden mist jutsu!"
Kichirou licked his dry lips and tightened his grip on his kunai knife. "Don't worry. We can handle him," he tried to reassure the pink haired genin.
"Sorry I kept you waiting, Kakashi," a familiar voice rasped. "I see you've still got those brats with you." There was a chuckle. "That one's still trembling," Zabuza's voice gloated. "Pitiful."
Kichirou's heart sank as he saw that Sasuke's hands were indeed shaking. "Please don't lose it now, Sasuke," he whispered into the wind.
Then they appeared. Seven Zabuza's, all with swords drawn.
Sasuke's eyes widened as one appeared in front of him, and then he smiled.
The Zabuza clone gave a start of slight astonishment at the genin's reaction.
"I'm trembling with... excitement," Sasuke said arrogantly.
Kichirou let out a breath of relief. Looking to his twin, he drew courage from Sasuke's resolve. Once again he felt reassured that victory was possible.
"Go on, Sasuke," Kakashi encouraged.
How his twin did it Kichirou didn't know, but within seconds all seven clones exploded into puddles of water. Kichirou smiled at his brother's skill. "Nice job, Sasuke," he said softly.
"Ooh, so you could see they were water clones, huh?" Zabuza's voice taunted. "The brat's improving." This time the real Zabuza stepped forward, followed by the boy who had rescued him earlier. "Looks like you've got a rival, Haku."
"So it seems," Haku answered with the serenity of a mountain view in the sunset.
"Well, well," Kakashi said calmly. "So I had it right. It was all an act."
"An act?" Kichirou questioned.
"With a cute little mask," Kakashi stated.
"Huh?" Sakura shrieked.
"Big phony," Sasuke scoffed. "Huh!"
"So that part about him trying to protect his ninja village was completely false!" Tazuna said.
"They looked pretty chummy to me," Kakashi confirmed. "I'd say they'd been pulling scams like that for a pretty long time."
"He's got some nerve facing us again after pulling that trick!" Sakura accused.
"And hiding behind a mask," Kakashi continued, his derisive tone evident. "Who does he think he's fooling?"
Kichirou smiled. "Speak for yourself, Sensei."
Kakahi gave him a dirty look at the joke.
"That's it," Sasuke stated. "I'm taking him out."
Sakura gasped as Sasuke continued. "Who does he think he's fooling? Hiding behind that mask like some sort of clown."
"Sasuke," Sakura squealed. "You're so cool!"
Kichirou winced. Even on the eve of battle, Sakura still continued to speak of how much she admired her crush.
In that instant Haku struck. Running out, the kid begain spinning wildly, creating a whirlwind. Sasuke smiled and drew two kunai, holding them in front of him.
Kichirou wanted to help, but as always he held back. This was Sasuke's fight. He wouldn't get in the way.
Haku's hand shot out, but Sasuke was just as fast. Kunai grated against throwing needle as both boys tried to gain the upper advantage.
"Sakura, cover Tazuna, and stay close to me," Kakashi ordered as Sasuke and Haku fenced with the short weapons. "Kichirou, you too. Let Sasuke handle this."
Kichirou watched in awe as Sasuke and Haku spun around and fought. Both used excellent form and precision, and their swiftness was astounding.
"We want the bridgebuilder, not you," Haku said softly. "If you back down now, I won't have to kill you."
"Save it," Sasuke smiled.
"You're making a mistake," the kid warned. "You won't be able to keep up with my speed. I've gained two key advantages."
"Yeah?" Sasuke asked warily. "What are they?"
"First," Haku pointed out, "We're surrounded by water. Second, I've blocked one of your hands. Therefore, you only have one free hand to defend yourself." The kid raised a hand to his face and began creating a series of hand motions.
Kichirou frowned in concern. What kind of technique could be done with only one hand? He had never seen anything like that before.
"Secret jutsu, a thousand needles of death," Haku announced as he stomped his foot on the ground.
"Sasuke!" Sakura shouted in concern as a the water surrounding them turned into thousands of ice needles.
Kichirou gasped and started forward, only to be held back by Kakashi.
"Leave it alone," the jonin ordered. "He can handle this."
Sasuke, for his part, appeared calm as the needles sped towards him. Abruptly he leapt into the air, allowing the needles to miss him completely. Instantly he reacted with his own attack, and Haku leapt back several paces to avoid a number of shuriken that launched out one by one.
"You're not as fast as you think," Sasuke jabbed as he appeared behind Haku. "From this point on, you'll be the one defending against my attacks." His next series of moves ended with him kicking Haku across the pavement. Haku landed at an astounded Zabuza's feet with a sickening thump.
"Thought you were quicker, huh?" Sasuke gloated. "Now what else are you wrong about?"
"Watch it Sasuke," Kichirou muttered. "He's got to have something else up his sleeve."
Sakura glanced at Kichirou in worry when she heard his words.
"You made a big mistake insulting these ninja and calling them brats," Kakashi called to Zabuza. "That's just guarenteed to bring out Sasuke's attitude. He's the best young fighter of the Hidden Leaf Village," Kakashi continued. "And Sakura here is our sharpest mind."
Sakura squeaked out of nervous pride.
"And Kichirou... ," Kakashi considered. "Hm. Let's just say he's the master of hidden talents."
Kichirou closed his eyes and wished he were a thousand miles away.
"Last but not least," Kakashi continued, "Our number one, hyperactive, knuckle-head ninja... is Naruto Uzamaki."
Zabuza laughed, a cold sound that sent a shudder down Kichirou's spine.
"Hm," he grunted as he addressed the boy next to him. "Haku, if we keep going on like this, we'll be the victims instead of them. Get on it!"
"Right," Haku asnwered. Blue chakra flared around him like indigo flames.
"What's that?" Sasuke questioned, dropping into a ready position.
"I'm sorry it's come to this," Haku responded.
"The air," Kichirou heard Sasuke mutter, "It's so cold."
Standing behind Sasuke, Kichirou caught sight of the technique first. "Sasuke, look out!" he shouted as a pane of ice formed behind his twin. His warning came too late.
"Secret jutsu!" Haku said as panes of ice surrounded Sasuke. "Crystal ice mirrors!"
Kichirou watched in morbid fascination as Haku stepped into one of the mirrors. It was as though the ice absorbed him, leaving only a reflection. The reflection quickly spread to the other mirrors until the images surrounded Sasuke.
Kakashi growled and started running towards the mirrors, Kichirou on his heels.
"Stay back!" Kakashi ordered. "I'll deal with this!"
Before the Jonin could reach the mirrors, however, Zabuza appeared in front of him.
"If you enter this fight," the rogue ninja challenged, "You fight me."
His next words sent a cold wave down Kichirou's spine. "You boy has no chance against that jutsu. He's finished."
Kichirou's eyes widened as a handful of throwing needle appeared in the hand of each of the Haku reflections. They whizzed down, and the screams began.
"Sasuke!" Kichirou gave a ragged shout as the needles ripped through his brother's skin and clothing. Sasuke's kunai flew from his hand and landed blade down at Sakura's feet. He was hunched over now, trying to protect his head.
"Just try to help him, and I'll kill the other three in a heartbeat!" Zabuza threatened Kakashi.
"I'm sorry," Sakura said softly to the bridgebuilder. "I can't stay with you. Forgive me."
"I understand," Tazuna answered. "Go now."
"No, wait - !" Kichirou started to shout.
Sakura leaped in the air and threw the kunai knife towards the ice mirrors. "Take this!"
Haku's hand shot out and grabbed it. Sasuke's hand remained outstretched, the hope dying from his eyes. He collapsed on the floor, his face and body bleeding from numerous cuts and shallow puncture wounds.
"He caught it!" Sakura cried.
Kichirou growled, the sound turning animalistic as the Voice channeled its anger into his own. "Stay back!" he ordered Sakura as he ran forward.
Just before reaching the mirrors he skidded to a halt. A shuriken flew out and hit Haku's mask, knocking him from the mirror. There was an explosion behind them, and Kichirou had a feeling he knew what had happened.
Haku stood up, a scratch across his mask. "Number one, hyperactive, knucklehead ninja."
"Naruto Uzamaki is here!" the blonde genin announced as the smoke cleared away. "Believe it! Hah! Now that I'm here, everything will be okay!"
Kichirou groaned as Naruto continued to shout. "You know how in the stories the hero usually show up at the last minute and then wins the day? Well that's what I'm going to do right now!"
"Would you stop yammering and do something!" Kichirou shouted in frustration.
"All right, all right!" Naruto's shouted as put his hands together. "Shadow clone jutsu!"
"No!" Zabuza's voice called out as he threw a handful of shuriken towards the Uzamaki.
"Naruto, move!" Kakashi yelled.
Haku's hand suddenly shot out, several throwing needles towards Naruto. They clashed with the shuriken, stopping them before they could reach their target. Kichirou's eyes widened. Haku had saved Naruto's life? But why?
"What are you doing, are you crazy?" Sakura berated Naruto.
"This is a battle, not a talent show!" Kakashi shouted. "Don't let your oponent see your jutsu!"
"Aaah!" Naruto shouted as Kakashi continued to scold him in the background. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to rescue everybody!"
Kichirou took advantage of the conversation and continued running until he was behind the mirrors. Naruto wasn't entirely failing in his attempts to help. Without realizing it, the blonde was providing the perfect distraction for Kichirou to sneak by unnoticed.
"Haku, what are you doing?" Zabuza growled.
"Zabuza," the kid answered. "This boy... let me fight him my own way. Please."
"Bring it on," Naruto challenged.
Zabuza humphed. "So you want me to leave this to you, is that it, Haku? As usual," he continued as Haku didn't answer, "you're too soft."
"Forgive me," Haku said.
"I'm warning you," Naruto said in fury. "One way or another I'm going to rip off that mask and take you apart!"
"Don't even think about it," Zabuza warned Kakashi as the Sensei started to move. "You know the score, Kakashi. If you go after Haku, I go after the bridgebuilder."
Kichirou saw Kakashi's eyes stray back to Tazuna, then look around more concerned like as he noticed that one of his students had disappeared. Peeking around the back of the ice mirrors, Kichirou gave a quick wave to indicate that he was all right.
"Relax, Kakashi," Zabuza said in an cold voice. "Sit back and enjoy the show. Let's see how they do, one on one."
"That mask," Naruto realized as he addressed Haku, "And that story! You were with Zabuza all along!"
Kichirou ignored the blond genin's remarks as he studied the ice structure. Sasuke caught sight of him and edged backwards.
"Some warrior accept defeat gracefully," Kichirou ducked as Haku turned to address Sasuke. "They know when they beaten. Others do not. So be it. Let us finish our battle then, to the death!"
Kichirou's eyes widened. If Haku spotted him there would be no chance to help Sasuke. He was running out of time. Sasuke had turned back to face Haku, and Kichirou jumped to his feet as he tried to find a weakness in the smooth glass
"Hey, where are you going?" Naruto shouted as Haku began to enter the mirror.
"It's all right, Naruto," Haku said. "We'll have our fight next."
Abruptly Haku's reflection vanished. Sasuke looked around in confusion as he tried to spot the masked shinobi.
"I'm behind you," Haku told a shaken Sasuke as he appeared in front of Kichirou.
Sasuke drew in a sharp breath and whirled around. Kichirou thrust his fist into his palm and Sasuke nodded. Before Haku could turn, Kichirou flipped his kunai knife and thrust it into the mirror. Sasuke had no weapon, but he slammed his fist into the other side. Haku twisted away from Kichirou's knife, but was unable to avoid Sasuke's blow. With a grunt the masked shinobi started to fall from the mirror, but he caught himself in time and vanished into the higher regions. He panted heavily as he looked down at the twin ninjas.
"Hey, I snuck in here to save you!"
Kichirou's jaw dropped and Sasuke whirled around as Naruto appeared in the circle of mirrors.
"Pretty cool move, huh, Sasuke?" Naruto bragged, not taking note of the furious glare he was recieving.
Sasuke growled in frustration. "You are a complete loser!" he accused. "You're a shinobi! Think before you move!"
"What's your problem?" Naruto shot back. "I came in here to help you!"
"Naruto! If we're both inside here..." Sasuke growled again. "Forget it! I've had it with your stunts!"
"And I've had it with your attitude! Believe it!" Naruto retaliated.
Kichirou groaned. "Naruto, what are you - "
Just then something slammed into him from behind. Kichirou shouted as a burst of pain erupted near the top of his spine. He was thrown forwards into the mirror, feeling it shatter under his weight. His head reeling, Kichirou tumbled into the enclosed section and slid into the opposite wall. Through glazed eyes he saw Zabuza's furious glare just before a new mirror replaced the broken one. Then there was a splash of water as Zabuza's clone melted into the ground.
"Kichirou!" Sasuke shouted as he ran to his twin's side.
"Kichirou! Are you okay?" Naruto echoed.
"It was foolish to attack me," Haku said calmly. "Zabuza was not pleased that he had to come to my aid. You are proving to be more troublesome than I thought."
Sasuke glared up at Haku, then turned back to Kichirou. "Are you all right?" he asked again.
Kichirou glared up at the masked shinobi and stumbled to his feet. "I'm fine," he told Sasuke as he wiped a smear of blood from a cut on his chin.
"I suppose I have no choice now but to finish all three of you," Haku said with a sigh.
"Not yet, you won't," Sasuke responded. "I'm going to destroy these mirrors right now!"
Kichirou's quick eye caught the symbols of the clan's fire jutsu. Quickly he followed Sasuke's example and blew a plume of flame towards the mirrors. Twin walls of fire lapped at the circle of ice, but when it was over scarcely a drop had melted. Kichirou stepped back in confusion.
"THAT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AT ALL!" Naruto shouted as he jumped up.
"You'll need much more heat than that to melt this ice," Haku replied as he drew his needles once more.
Kichirou put his arm up just in time to protect his eyes as a white glare filled his vision. Sharp bursts of pain lanced across his body as the needles flashed through the air. He could hear Sasuke and Naruto's cries match his own, and knew that his teammates hadn't been spared from the attack.
"Where is he?" Naruto demanded as the barrage died down. "Where is the needle attack coming at us from? Are they clones?"
"Will you stop playing around and ACT YOUR AGE!" the Voice shouted in Kichirou's mind. "This is no time to play anonimous hero!"
"We've got to find the real one," Naruto told the Uchiha twins. "Which one is it?"
"Look into every mirror as hard as you like," Haku answered. "You will never learn the secret."
"Oh, yeah?" Naruto shouted, "Shadow clone jutsu!"
"No, don't!" Sasuke warned.
Kichirou watched as a host of Naruto's clones launched themselves at the mirrors. The Voice yelled at him again, and suddenly his sharingan activated of its own accord. Kichirou nearly switched it off again, then stopped as he realized that he could finally make out the slightest blur of Haku's movements.
"NOW do you finally understand?"
Kichirou nodded, even though he knew the Voice was only in his head.
"These mirrors only reflect my image," Haku explained as the last of Naruto's clones fell, "Allowing me to transport myself at light speed. Through my eyes, you appear to be moving in slow motion."
Naruto was panting heavily by now. "I couldn't break through," he admitted. "So what? He's not going to stop me! I'm not giving up and I'm not gonna lose here! Cause I have a dream and nothing's gonna take it away from me! Someday I'll be respected in my village, that's my dream! To be the greatest Hokage!"
Kichirou listened in amazement to Naruto's words. He knew what Naruto was to the others. When Kichirou was younger his parents had warned him and Sasuke against dealing with the 'fox child.' After the massacre Kichirou had forgotten their words for a time, relishing the companionship of another child who had lost his parents. Sasuke was always too moody to talk to, and Naruto had proved to be a treasured friend.
As time had gone on, Kichirou had withdrawn from everyone, Naruto included. Despite everything, though, he had never fully turned his back on his teammate. He knew Naruto's struggles, his pranks, and his drives, but never before had Kichirou seen such courage from the genin. Naruto had gone through rejection and failure time and time again, and yet had become stronger despite it all.
"Maybe you should take an example from the fox-brat, dobe!"
Haku's soft voice cut off the sarcasm from the Voice. "It was not my desire to be a shinobi. It's painful. I don't want to kill you, but if you advance, I'll have no choice. Then I will kill the kindness in my own heart, and fulfill the shinobi way."
"You're wrong," Kichirou said in a gravely tone. Sasuke and Naruto looked to him in surprise.
"What did you say?" Haku asked.
Kichirou rose to his feet, his sharingan a pure, blood red disk in each eye. "You're wrong," he repeated. "The shinobi way is a path of honor. A life dedicated to returning justice where it has been destroyed." His voice rose to a ragged shout. "What honor is there in there in the wasted slaughter of countless people?"
Haku was silent a moment. "It is not for honor or justice that I fight. I fight for my dream, to protect the one thing closest to me. You should understand of all people. I can see it in the way you fight to defend your brother. That is the way it is with me. I do this to protect the one I care about most. His dream is my dream, and I will do what it takes to make it fulfilled. This bridge will be the battlefield where our dreams will collide. Do not blame me for what actions I must take to protect the one precious to me. If I have to, I will act and take your lives!"
"So be it," Kichirou muttered as he raised his arms in a defensive stance. Voice purred inside of him, releasing crackling tendrils of energy at the thrill of battle. Kichirou ignored the anger and let it flow past him. He would fight in his own way.
"Then do so," the Voice chuckled. "I shall wait and watch your true self emerge... Itachi's brother." It faded into the distance, disappearing into the recesses of Kichirou's mind.
Itachi's brother. The words sent a surge of panic through Kichirou but he fought it down. He had to be strong like Sasuke and Naruto. Either they or Haku would emerge alive from this battle, and Kichirou would not allow his team to die from his weakness. As much as he wanted to hide his true abilities from the world, Kichirou knew he had no choice. He would continue Itachi's legacy, and fight with every ounce of genius he had.
Activating his sharingan fully, Kichirou let the duo tomoes twirl into his eyes. It was not fully developed, but already Haku's movements were slower. Naruto chose that moment to attack once more, and for the first time Kichirou caught sight of Haku's technique.
The masked shinobi darted from mirror to mirror, his movements so swift that even Kichirou's sharingan could had difficulty keeping up. One by one Naruto's clones burst into clouds of smoke as another deadly barrage of needles rained down. Kichirou had hesitated too long in studying Haku's jutsu, and he fell back as hundreds of needles pierced his flesh. The attack was shorter this time, and Kichirou gasped for breath as Naruto crashed onto the floor.
"How is he doing that?" Naruto demanded.
"He's jumping from mirror to mirror," Kichirou observed. "It's so fast he seems to be everywhere at the same time."
"Huh? How'd you know that?" Naruto asked as he turned to Kichirou. "Whoah! What happened to your eyes?"
Haku and Sasuke turned at Naruto's exclamation. Sasuke's eyes were wide in astonishment, and Kichirou carefully avoided looking at his brother. He didn't know whether Sasuke would be angry or not, but he feared that whatever he saw in his twin's expression might shatter his confidence completely.
"It's my kekai genkai," Kichirou told Naruto simply. "There's no time to explain right now."
"I see," Haku commented. "That does change things." He lifted a handful of needles in the air as the mirrors began to shine once more. "It looks like I'll have to kill you first."
"Move!"
Kichirou dashed to the side as the needles flew towards him. He had no time to plot out his own offense. Haku's movements were both swift and deadly and Kichirou could barely avoid the worst blows. Around him Naruto's clones attacked once more, giving Haku enough distraction to keep him from demolishing the youngest Uchiha. One shot got past Kichirou's guard and he felt a searing agony as three needles buried themselves deeply in his shin. He fell to the ground, gasping at the pain.
"I told you to back down," Haku lectured in his calm manner. "You gave me no choice."
Sasuke's concerned gaze was fixed on Kichirou, and the younger Uchiha nodded that he would be fine. The cuts stung, and the needles in his leg would definately hamper his movements, but he would live.
Sasuke immediately took control of the situation. "Kichirou, do what you can to distract Haku, but be careful. You'll be no help to us if you're dead. Naruto, can you do that again?"
"Huh, of course!" Naruto replied. "Nothing can stop me again, believe it!"
"Don't overdo it," Kichirou warned as he noted that Naruto appeared to be exhausted from his clone jutsu.
The mirrors lit up again as Haku prepared his next move. Kichirou rolled to his feet and got ready to dodge.
"Naruto, run for it!" Sasuke ordered. "Get out of here and attack from the outside! Hurry!"
"Uh, all right, you got it!" the blond genin answered.
"You cannot escape," Haku insisted, his concentration switching between the three genin.
Naruto kept running. "You can't keep me here!"
A blast of light threw him back, but the Naruto got up and ran again. Kichirou ignored the sharp stabbing sensation in his leg as he launched himself at the other side. This time Sasuke added a plan of his own as his fingers flashed like lightning and formulated the signs of the Uchiha fire jutsu.
Kichirou scooped up several fallen needles with his left hand and used them to block Haku's weapons. As he did so he saw one of Sasuke's fireballs streak towards Haku. The masked shinobi evaded it, this time spearing a needle into Sasuke's shoulder and throwing Naruto into the center once more. Kichirou landed lightly to the ground as the assault halted momentarily.
"I couldn't get past him," Naruto growled.
"That was good," Sasuke grunted. "Kichirou, can you and Naruto do it one more time?"
"Yeah, let's do it!" Naruto answered.
Kichirou nodded. "I'm ready."
Simutaneously all three of them charged towards opposite ends of the mirrors.
"This time you'll stay down!" Haku hissed as he threw a needle that pierced just below Sasuke's knee.
Kichirou felt something slam into his back and the sensation of fire burned through his left shoulder. Kichirou groaned as he noted that Haku must have realized he was left handed. Naturally the masked shinobi had aimed there first. Meanwhile, Sasuke and Naruto's shouts of pain rang out as they, too, were thrown back once more.
Just then a scream of terror split the air. Kichirou's face turned white as a sheet as he remembered that Sakura had been left alone. What was Zabuza doing to her?
"Sakura... she's in trouble." Naruto struggled to get up. "I'll bust us out of here," he said in a weak voice. He smiled. "I'll fake 'em out."
"You've exhausted my patience," Haku said coldly.
Naruto began running at the ice walls, then flipped backwards and charged from another direction. Kichirou watched in intermingled fascination and horror as Haku followed the genin with ease.
"Naruto, behind you!" Sasuke shouted a warning. He was too late, and with a cry Naruto fell backwards, another handful of needles piercing his chest.
"Naruto!" Kichirou shouted in horror.
"Your chance of escaping my house of mirrors... is zero," Haku said. "That is absolute."
Sasuke ran to Naruto's side. "Naruto, are you able to get up?"
The blond genin grunted.
"Try not to use any more chakra," Sasuke cautioned. "That's only going to help him now."
"I know, Sasuke, I know!" Naruto answered before he collapsed onto the ground.
Kichirou clutched his left arm as he stumbled to his feet. The needles were deeply imbedded right next to his shoulder blade. He was lucky they hadn't hit anything serious. Sucking in a sharp breath at the movement, Kichirou switched the needles from his left hand to his right. He could still block with his other arm, but it wouldn't be as easy.
"Looking for a counter attack?" Haku questioned as he watched Sasuke and Kichirou stand. "I'll save you the trouble."
Kichirou and Sasuke instinctively drew back to back as the elder twin grabbed a needle from the ground. Together they managed to block the rain of throwing needles. As soon as the last fell to the ground, Sasuke collapsed to one knee.
"Get up, loser!" he berated Naruto. "We've gotta team up!"
Naruto sat up. "I know what we have to do. Believe it, Sasuke!"
Another barrage of needles came. Kichirou blocked most of them as Sasuke took care of the rest. As he moved Sasuke neatly shoved Naruto to the side to miss another handful of the deadly weapons. Both Uchihas were both slowing down, though, as the blood loss and chakra drain began to take effect.
Abruptly Haku disappeared.
"Where did he go? How could he just vanish?" Sasuke looked around wildly. "Naruto, you'd better not pass out again! Come on, let's go! I can't keep protecting you like this!"
"Well, then don't!" Naruto answered. "I never asked for your help!" He promptly fell unconscious.
Kichirou ran to the genin's side and shook him gently, trying to wake Naruto without aggravating the genin's puncture wounds.
"You can't revive him," Haku's voice spoke. Kichirou looked up to see the masked shinobi positioned in the top mirror. "He's reached his limits." Haku chuckled softly.
Sasuke tossed a throwing needle at the kid but it was knocked aside without effort.
"You have excellent moves," Haku continued as he moved from mirror to mirror. "Your attacks are very skillful."
He threw out another handful of needles, which Sasuke and Kichirou dodged with some difficulty. "But you've reached your limits as well."
Kichirou's eyes widened as he tried to keep up with Haku's constant change in position as the masked shinobi continued to speak. "Motor functions, reflexes, judgement, your abilities are weakening slowly but surely. Now, you are finished!"
The attack was faster than lightning. In one swift movement Sasuke grabbed Naruto and dodged to the side. Kichirou had been swerving to protect the blonde genin, but he stopped short when Sasuke moved with nearly equal speed. He could only be moving that fast if...
Sharingan eyes blazed red as Sasuke put Naruto down. Kichirou drew in a sharp breath as he saw that his brother's kekai genkai had finally developed. It was still weaker than his own, with two tomoes in the left eye and only one in the right, but it was there.
Haku's gaze shifted between Sasuke and Kichirou. Suddenly he left the mirror, speeding towards Naruto.
Kichirou drew in a sharp breath at the unexpected move. Sasuke was instantly streaking to stop the attack, but fear jolted through Kichirou as he realized Haku's intent. The shinobi wasn't aiming for Naruto.
"Sasuke, no!" Kichirou shouted as he ran to intercept his brother. Not Sasuke! He couldn't lose his twin as well!
There was a roar of fury inside his mind as Kichirou leapt forward. Sasuke was swift, but Kichirou's sharingan was more developed.
Haku was even faster.