I do not own Naruto or Venom/Carnage

AN. First off I have to thank all my reviewers. 100 reviews Thank You. When I started this fic it was mostly to tell a story that was In my head. The overwhelmingly positive and helpful reviews you have all given have helped me immensely. Especially those of you who went out of your way to point out my mistakes.

Also be to sure to check out Whitedragon17 new eragon/naruto crossver its epic. And on that note Psudocode Samurai latest chapter is just as good, in layman's terms its a

Queen of the damned-ish/Naruto crossover.

oOo

A wash of life of and heat

Strength sharp and brilliant

and once more

Purpose Goals

Targets...

Chapter 13. Re-Birth

Cold Fire. It was the only way to describe the chakra that was battering at his senses. The boy next to him exuded chakra the way a furnace exuded heat. It burned. The sensation was not unlike standing next to a raging bonfire.

And yet.

He felt cold. Like a wedge of ice had been driven through his chest. A strange feeling welled up from within him, it too felt cold.

It was a moment before he recognized it.

Fear.

Years. It had been years since he'd felt fear. Not since he killed every member of his class and earned the title 'Demon of the Mist.'

It welled up from the deepest darkest depths of his soul.

But.

Now wasn't a time for fear. Or sadness. Or even rage.

Now.

Now was a killing time.

Beneath his mask his lips pulled back into a sharp predatory grin. Sharpened teeth snarled in a hunters grin. Zabuza tightened his grip on his sword focusing his will and chakra on his blade. With every beat of his heart chakra pulsed into the ancient star metal blade. Head-Taker. Eldest of the 7 mist blades. Forged from metal not of this world. Crafted in a time of death and war. Forged to bring death and dissolution to the enemies of the mist village. A thousand year blade, first among the great blades of the Seven swordsmen. Alone among the seven it had no great power, no mystic arts simply a blade nothing more and nothing less. Its weight was a warm solid presence at his side.

Banishing his emotions he focused harder, calling for even more strength. There was no reason to hold back anymore. A plan formed in his mind. He would attack and do nothing else. No defense of any kind. That he would die was a certainty, that he was going to take Gato with him. Also a certainty. He took comfort that at least one person would mourn Haku, at least if the young man next to him was any indication. For a brief instant he savored a string of memories nestled deep within his heart. Shining beads on a necklace of life and loss.

Haku walking beside him. Sparring in the moonlight with his friend, sparks dancing around them like fireflies. A meal shared in silence, a few more each as treasured as the last. Once more he called for strength.

And something answered.

Hanging from the hilt of his sword a red pearl pulsed in time with his heart. Like a magnet it snapped to his wrist with a meaty thunk. Like a bright malignant jewel it sat on his wrist surrounded by a growing filigree of alien spirals and whorls. Once more he felt the hot slick rush of adrenaline pounding through his veins. With a liquid sigh strength flowed into his body wrapping around his mind and body like a layer of armor.

His already impressive muscles swelled and veins bulged under his skin. His eyes turned into blank white pools as his vision expanded and sharpened. The red chakra pouring off the boy swirled around him like a warm wind. It no longer felt cold.

With a last mental shake he banished the last of his doubts. Ahead of him Gato's mercenaries shifted nervously. 150 180 200 220. He silently counted before stopping in disgust. He only needed to kill one. Next to him he could feel the boy's presence. And his hunger. It called to him, a mirror to his own. The raw red need for blood and black mass of tentacles hanging from the boys left side whipped the air frantically as if looking for something. Where one or two touched the ground they pawed frantically at the stones. One touched his side briefly before flinching away violently. Its touch was a pulsing heavy one but not wet despite its slick look.

He focused again. Behind him he could sense two, no three people. Inconsequential. His mind whispered.

The silence on the bridge was deafening. Naruto's awakening had shocked everyone but Zabuza into stunned paralysis. Naruto and Zabuza stood silently squared off against Gato's thug's and killers. Zabuza settled into a ready stance sword held low behind him. Besides him Naruto shifted restlessly like a dog on a leash. He crouched low his clawed hand resting on the bridge his other arm's tentacles held off to ones side where they whipped around with a life of their own. But for the moment there was peace.

A moment that was balanced on a knife's edge.

oOo

Oh no. Its awake. The Kyubi. Kakashi thought as his mind tried to process what his eyes were trying to tell him. Naruto a was bleeding hole from which chakra poured, next to him Zabuza was a flickering shape, one second a black void the next a real solid presence. Please not again. How do I stop this?

oOo

And then it happened.

"It's just a trick!" Gato shouted. "An illusion! Kill Them!" No one moved. "Fine." he snarled. "Six times the reward for whoever brings me their heads!" A cheer roared out from his men and they charged. So did Naruto and Zabuza. Zabuza's long blade striking sparks from the stone bridge on his opposite side Naruto's tentacles chewed through the stone with equal ease.

oOo

Yelling war cries Gato's men thundered across the expanse of the stone bridge, their blood lust, fear and rage a palpable thing that swept out before them in wash of heat and human stink.

The two sides met in clash of blood and bone and rage.

Roaring Zabuza swept his blade in a huge horizontal arc smashing through the hastily raised weapons of the first rank of men. Severing hands, amputating limbs and cutting in half those unlucky enough to be ahead of their brethren. The huge blade sprayed blood in crimson fan over the bridge even as he pushed forward through a carpet of still twitching limbs and guts. The copper tang of blood hung thickly in the air, mixed with the stench of feces and ruptured organs, as the dead men voided their bowels as they died. Following immediately under the arc of the blade came Naruto his red cloak and mismatched limbs promising death. Though unarmed he was just as dangerous, he smashed first one fist then his other straight through the wooden breast plate of his first enemy. Screaming in fury he pulled his arms apart and tore the man into two, upper and lower halves connected only by a thin rope of intestines and organs. Tossing both halves behind him he advanced forward. Blood pounding in his ears he poured his rage and sorrow into his arms and painted the world red with pain.

oOo

The barest flicker of chakra distracted Kakashi from Naruto. The girl. She's Alive! Taking a look back he spotted Tazuna and Sasuke a few dozen feet away. Sasuke was leaning heavily on Tazuna his eyes glazed with pain and confusion. "Tazuna get yourselves out of here!" Without sparing another glance backwards he rushed forwards over the bridge. Maybe she can stop them. If I can keep her from dieing. If I can her bring her to them.

Reaching the girl he turned her over. Touching her throat gently he felt for a pulse. There. Weak, so weak. Working quickly despite his wounds he pulled the knife out of her back. Placing his hands over the wound they began to glow a soft green light. Feeling dizzy he gritted his teeth and kept his mind on the healing jutsu, and blocked out everything else. Please live. I need you to stop him. I can't do it alone. He begged silently.

Stepping ahead of Naruto Zabuza swung his blade in a brutal figure eight sending three more men screaming to their deaths, a broken spear dangling from his side. The red pearl stuck to his arm glowing brightly he continued his reckless assault leaving himself open again and again as he focused on nothing but attacking, and more and more wounds appeared on his flesh.

Side by side the two clove a road of red ruin through the packed mass of men. Screams tore through the early morning air, hoarse and distorted by pain. Even as limbs and great scarlet arcs of blood showered the bridge the screams continued. The bridges rain gutters flowed with blood and other less identifiable fluids.

Screaming as Naruto ripped his arm off, a bandit jabbed a dagger at Naruto with his free hand. Snarling Naruto bit down on the offending limb and ripped it off at the wrist. Tossing the dying man aside he shoved the hand knife and all through the throat of the next man where it exploded out his back in a shower of gore. As he did so the tentacles on his other arm lashed out and tore the face from another enemy leaving a screaming skull headed man to fall to the ground in agony.

Standing in the back Gato felt something hit his cheek, lifting his hand to his face it came away wet. He rubbed his fingertips together examining the red stain. Even as his mind tried to process this bit of information more red drops began to fall on his hands and face. Its raining blood Squealing in fright he pushed the men beside him out in front of him.

"Fight them damn you! Fight, if I die you won't get paid." He screamed his voice high with fright.

Despite his yells more and more of his men began to turn and run. First one then another tried to run only to be cut down by their neighbors as they too tried to flee. A few dozen slipping and clawing on the blood that now ran ankle deep on the bridge tried to run past the two enraged ninja. Only a few made it, the others were smashed into a red mist or cut to pieces by Naruto or Zabuza.

Choking on the overpowering smell of blood, vomit and other bodily fluids Gato tried to claw his way under the bodies of some of the fallen. His only though was that of escape. Crawling on his hands and knees, his heartbeat drowning out all other noise he focused desperately on the boat that had taken them all here. It was right there in front of him only a few feet away.

"No stop!" he cried in panic as a few of the surviving mercenaries cast off from the pier. They rowed desperately with the intensity that only fear could bring. "You fools wait!" Behind him he could hear screams and heavy chopping sounds like a butcher working in a market.

Skidding to a stop Zabuza smashed in the skull of one the fleeing thugs with the hilt of his blade and in the same motion drove it through the back of another as he was trying to crawl away, sparks flew as the blade continued through the man and buried itself in the stone. Zabuza let go of the blade leaving it quivering in the mans back.

Covered in wounds Zabuza began to move his hands into seals. His blank gaze was fixed on the fleeing boat, ahead of him Naruto continued to butcher Gato's remaining guards. With a final flourish he finished his jutsu pouring ever last bit of chakra he had into it.

"Water Style: Water Dragon!" With an enormous splash a blue dragon exploded out of the water and arced over the bridge, its massive flanks streaked with red from the blood now pouring from the bridge. Pausing for a second it towered over the bridge before rushing off towards the fleeing boat. The few men who were on the boat only had a moment to scream before they were dragged underwater or crushed by the massive weight of the dragon.

As he watched the boat get smashed to pieces Gato's world crashed around him along with any lest shred of hope he might have had.

A sudden shocking numbness took his breath away. Looking down he gingerly touched the huge blade that had suddenly appeared in his chest. He began to scream as the blade slashed downward cutting his body in half from the chest down. As he fell he tried to look behind him one last time. It was with crystal clarity and endless fear that he watched a red covered claw come closer.

And closer...

oOo

Dropping Gato's head Naruto turned to Zabuza who was leaning heavily on his sword.. The red cloak that had enveloped and protected him swirling around him. "Its over now right?" he asked.

"Aye boy." Zabuza croaked out.

"Good." with a final pulse the chakra cloak around him disappeared. He let the pain wash over him and he fell to his knees. Black goo began to drip down his side. Slowly then faster and faster the black mass on his sides and face fell from his body. Where the goo hit the ground it evaporated into black mist. Soon only black streaks on his arm and cheeks were the only evidence of its passing. The black streaks pulsed gently as Naruto levered himself back up to his feet.

His whole body ached and his left side felt raw to the touch. The brush of his clothes stinging the skin on his left side. Still he was alive, but not well.

"Boy." Zabuza's deep voice jarred him out of his thought's.

"Yeah" Naruto looked up towards Zabuza and gasped. The big man was covered in wounds, most of which still bled freely. But his face was calm and a gentle smile tugged at his eyes. Zabuza leaned on his sword even now blood ran down the side of the blade.

"Id like to see her face one last time," He spoke quietly. "I could use some help walking."

"Sure." Walking over to Zabuza he got his shoulders under one of his arms. Together the two made their way back the way they came, into the morning mist.

"Boy"

"Yeah?"

"If you can promise you'll bury Haku somewhere nice, somewhere with flowers. She loved flowers."

oOo

"Hey can you hear me?" Tapping the girl on the cheek Kakashi leaned against the side of the bridge, his vest and undershirt soaked in sweat and his hair hung limply. He had done his best poured healing chakra into the girl like water, but by the time he came out of his healing trance he could no longer sense the Kyubi's chakra. The possibilities were too painful to contemplate at the moment so he focused on the girl. He had done the best he could he wasn't a medic nin, the rest was up to her.

She coughed once, her eyes opening and darting back and forth wildly. As her gaze focused on him her pupils contracted in fear. She brought up her hands to start a jutsu but Kakashi stopped her with one hand. "Calm down. There's no reason for us to fight anymore."

"Where's Zabuza?" Her voice was unsteady and more than a little frightened.

His face hardening Kakashi took a moment to choose his words. "I'm not sure... He and Naruto took after Gato." He took a moment to lever up the girl next to him.

"Are they OK?" She asked frantically.

"Relax. Those two won't die so easy. How do you feel?" He motioned with one hand towards her chest.

"Gato stabbed me." She stated as she placed a hand on her chest. "Did you save me? Why?"

"Yes. As to why. Do you even have to ask?" He murmured as he leaned back against the bridge's stone railing, legs stretched out in front of him.

"I don't understand?" Haku asked again.

"They're Ninja from Konohagakure Girl. They don't abandon people." A loud voice called out to their right. Walking side by side Tazuna and Sasuke staggered over to them. Sasuke was limping but otherwise he looked fine. Though he did grimace from time to time. "Not even when they should." Tazuna continued a proud smile on his face. "So are we friends now?"

"Well since Gato isn't paying them anymore we have no more reason to fight. I'm not sure about the friends bit." Kakashi drawled out as he lifted the girl into a seating position next to him. "But are you the girl Naruto's been dating in town?" He wheedled. For the moment he pushed some of his worry aside. But then he felt it. A gentle tickle in the back of his mind that tugged at his attention. It was a chakra signature, a very familiar signature. It was weak but it was there. A smile spread across his face under his mask.

Haku turned a very pretty shade of red, impressive considering that she had been bleeding out a few short minutes before. As her ears reddened she could hear amused chuckles from the two older men. Leaning on Tazuna Sasuke frowned for a moment before a small smile crossed his lips.

Fucking Naruto. Doesn't he know the meaning of the word enemy. But he was smiling.

"So Kakashi what happens now?" Tazuna asked.

"I don't know. But why don't we ask them." Kakashi pointed off to his left.

Shuffling through the fog a large lumpy shape came slowly into view.

It was Naruto and Zabuza. Blood covered, wounded and limping but alive.

oOo

"Zabuza! Naruto!" Haku's glad shout cut across the early morning air. Straightening up as best she could she waved to the two, next to her so did Kakashi. Naruto and Zabuza shared equally dumbfounded looks of shared shock and relief. Naruto's lips stretched into a wide grin of relief. "Haku!" He shouted back and rushed forward. Stepping out from under Zabuza he caused the big man to fall forward. As Zabuza fell he lashed out with his arm to grab onto something anything. That anything was Naruto. The two fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

Rolling onto his back Zabuza smiled at the dark haired girl sitting next to Sharingan no Kakashi and the old man they've been sent to kill. At the same instant the sun chose to break through the mist bathing their group in warm soft light. The sheer absurdity of the situation struck him particularly hard. A strangled cough left his lips before deepening into full blown laughter. It rang over the bridge in waves. Sitting next to Haku Kakashi looked around as well, before he too burst into laughter.

"What's so funny?" Naruto asked indignantly as he sat up and looked back and forth between the two.

"Leave it be Boy." Zabuza choked out between laughs. "I won't be needing that promise anymore. Now help me up. Haku's waiting for us."

oOo

AN: Thanks to my Beta's Whitedragon17 and Psudocode Samurai, without whose help and inspiration this story would never have gotten off the ground. Both are amazing authors and I highly recommend all of their fics. And thanks to all my reviewers.

AAN: If you think I made a mistake or have a suggestion or an idea, Please PM me or leave it in a review.

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