Ch 14

Don't own Naruto and I have a long note or you today.

Notes: Don't be afraid to call Naruto, Sasuke, or Nasuke we all know who you're talking about and if you want to refer to the other Sasuke then say original Sasuke. Naruto does not have all of Sasuke's personality, it's still the same Naruto who is in control, just a bit more controlled…and still a little goofy, in a mature way. This is for the people who think Ami should receive that precious person speech and I guess I sort of agreed with them in the end, so yeah, hope it was ok since I reworded it a bit. Sorry if this chapter went kinda fast, I don't really want to describe the whole village scene.

Reviews help, any kind of reviews Also, Zabuza doesn't know Haku is a girl…just remember that.

"I don't know Sasuke," Kakashi and the group were gathered in the guest room Kakashi stayed in.

Sasuke had just finished telling his team and sensei what had just occurred and it left Kakashi in a delicate position as his decision affected the outcome.

"You should have woken me up…" Ami grumbled, folding her arms and sitting up against the wall next to Sakura.

Sasuke just glanced at her before looking back at Kakashi who was deep in thought.

"Listen," Kakashi was sitting in the front of the three students who waited patiently for his answer "It's not up to me; I'm going to have to send a report to the Hokage about this." He thought about it, "Tazuna will finish in a few more days so we have to send the message right away."

Standing up, Kakashi soon left to prepare the note as the team patiently waited for their sensei to return.

"So let me get this strait," Ami faced Sasuke and stared hard, "You met the nin..."

"Haku," Sasuke correctingly supplied to Ami's annoyance.

"You met 'Haku', chatted, and then suggested the idea…why?" Ami waited for an answer. Sakura paid rapt attention, she too wondered what occurred between him and the hunter nin.

Instead of answering, he asked them, "What do you think when I say, precious person?" He looked at each one of them, waiting for a reply.

Their heads flinched back at the sudden question, each unsure what he was asking. The question was so sudden, what does this have to do with it? Ami and Sakura looked at each other in confusion before actually pondering on the words.

"Umm," Sakura was the first to reply, "When I think of a precious person…I think of a person you can love." Her cheeks were blushing as she stared down on the wooden floor, "A person you can stay with, no matter what."

Sasuke tilted his head as if thoughtful, "really now," he smiled at her as she nodded, Sasuke then turned to face Ami as she seemed to be in a deep thought.

Ami had listened to Sakura's answer…love? She never knew the meaning of the word, maybe something like a crush of some sort? But, she did agree with Sakura though, about how a precious person is someone you can always go to, no matter what. Already, she had a few in her mind, while potentials continued to populate the list.

Something is missing though, what was Sasuke getting at? A precious person, what is a precious person? Who's Sasuke's precious person?

She looked up at him; his eyes were staring right at hers while they stayed silent for a while.

"That's what me and Haku had talked about," Sasuke had broken the silence as Sakura and Ami started to understand, he was testing them.

"So, what does Haku think of a precious person?" Sakura asked as Ami stayed quiet but listened intently to his answer.

Sasuke smiled before launching into his explanation. He explained to them the meaning of a precious person; how they are someone you cherish, someone you would protect, someone you could grow strong for; continuing He told them how he lived his life following this purpose then told them how Haku had given him the words to explain it. Haku had also lived believing you could grow stronger for having a precious person, she believed the same things he had and not only that, but she didn't want to fight them. He explained part of her life, explaining how they always had to escape the hunter nins that trailed after them, how they were tired of all these missions.

Then Sasuke said it, his face was sad in thought, "I consider her one of my precious person and I can't watch her get hurt."

He looked at each one as his eyes softened, "I consider you guys, my precious people too."

Ami and Sakura stared wide eyes at Sasuke as they felt a blush rising. They understood now, understood the meaning. Ami thought again, her mind racing as she too followed this path. She did have precious people in her life, people who have been with her through thick and thin, and people who she knows now as friends. The group remained quiet as Sakura and Ami looked elsewhere, wondering what they could say to that.

Sasuke grinned, watching them understand and knowing Haku a little bit more.

Kakashi had chosen that time to walk in, he heard the little speech behind the door and he was even more impressed with the maturity level of Sasuke. Sometimes he wondered how old Sasuke really was …sometimes…

"I've sent the scroll," Kakashi received the attention of his students, "We should receive a message by tonight or tomorrow morning."

"How did you send it Kakashi sensei?" Sakura had asked a bit curious as it then dawned on Ami also.

"Yeah, how did you send it?" Ami also asked.

"That…"Kakashi had his finger pointed up in lecture mode, "…is a secret…" they face fell to the floor as Sasuke chuckled, he knew how he did it, there was a summoning tattoo on one of his shoulders that summoned a messenger bird, it could easily find its way to Konoha no matter the location; a lot of Anbu had them.

They spent the rest of the time debriefing the situation. Tazuna would continue to work as one of them would guard him during those times. The schedule, Sakura, then Ami, then Sasuke…until Kakashi is fully healed.

They split up, resuming their training or helping complete a task around the house. Everything was settled, they knew what to do. They could only wait for the news, wait for the Hokage's instructions.

...Gato's main operations building…

Haku stood near the bed, next to Zabuza who rested. She had just finished explaining the offer Sasuke had made with her as Zabuza reflected her words in silence.

"No Haku," Zabuza answered as Haku had a sinking feeling.

"This just sounds too suspicious to me…plus, it wouldn't work out," Zabuza watched the boy slightly sag his shoulders.

Lifting his arm up, Zabuza clenched his fist, in and out, "I'm almost healed, just a few more days until we face them again…will you be able to handle the genins?" Zabuza stared at the boy as his face became indifferent.

"Yes Zabuza sir," Haku's face was neutral, "I am your tool…I will obey." Haku bowed, leaving the room as Zabuza stared back at the retreating form.

'Haku…' Zabuza lay on the bed, staring up at the roof, 'We are ninjas and we are tools. Your emotions are interfering with your ability to fight.'

Zabuza thought in silent contemplation, 'After this, after we collect our money…I'll take you somewhere, somewhere you can enjoy.' A small hidden smile appeared on his face. The years had made him soft, he denied it all he wanted but he cared deeply for the boy…he would be lying to himself if he said that the boy was only a tool.

Haku closed the door, deep in thought. Even though Zabuza disagreed, she didn't want to press on. Zabuza had taken her in, who was she to question him?

Walking down the hall in Gato's main building the bandits departed from her path, each knew how deadly this ninja was.

"I'm sorry Sasuke," she spoke quietly heading towards the mist fields, "I will fight you, it's what my precious person wants." Silent tears were shed for her friend, Sasuke had promised but she knew he couldn't keep it, she knew it was too good…but just for that one moment with the boy, she felt at peace, she felt safe and excited at those words. 'His face was so kind when he said them,' she thought as she exited the building, 'he really meant those words, he believed in them… but one of us will die Sasuke, the next time we meet. I just hope…' she didn't finish the words, just shaking her head before disappearing.

Hokage tower…

It was night when The Third Hokage received a letter from his assistant. Carefully reading the words from Kakashi, his eyes widened at the news.

'This is officially an A class mission,' he set down the paper, deep in thought, 'what they are asking, I don't know if I can allow this. The girl Haku, maybe I might be able to convince the council but Zabuza…I can't without starting a war.'

Sarutobi pinched the area between his brows as he sighed, 'decisions like these are always hard to make.'

He reached for a scroll and for some ink as he wrote down the orders, 'It's odd though, Kakashi didn't request for any additional help…I wonder what he's thinking.' Sarutobi finished writing the reply as he sealed it and placed it on the bird.

"Fly safe my friend," he spoke to the bird as it squawked in reply and left his building.

'I need to make sure this doesn't happen again,' Sarutobi sat down in his desk, deeply worried for the team as he planned on making sure mission scrolls would be investigated before they are accepted.

…Night time, team 7…

The team met each other at dinner and surprisingly, Inari had stayed quiet tonight. They had ate their meal and prepared to rest for the next day.

Setting up their bed mats again, they each changed separately before going to their mat. Sasuke was the last one as he turned off the lights before lying on his mat between the two girls. He calmly looked up at the ceiling as he lay on his back. He could feel himself starting to tremble in anticipation; the meeting day was quickly approaching as the situation sunk in, he was actually changing things…he just hoped it would be enough as the letter everyone was expecting from the Hokage would determine the outcome of what was to come. Slowly, he closed his eyes as he soothed his muscles…he needed his rest, to calm his nerves for when this all plays out.

Sakura and Ami had watched as Sasuke started trembling as he stared into the ceiling, deep in thought.

Each one worried for their friend, wondering what had him so worried. They knew Sasuke well enough to figure out that he might be blaming himself again; he might be worrying over these things too much, as if the pressure of this situation was his fault.

Sakura thought back about what Sasuke had said about precious people, what it meant to him. She felt great just knowing he considered her one and she considered him one as well…'maybe even more if I'm lucky.'

HELL YEAH CHA!! Her inner self roared out loud from an imaginary bed squeezing a Sasuke doll.

She grinned at the fan girl moment before resting.

Ami started to twitch in irritation just watching Sasuke, she knew he was over protecting them again and she grew irritated. 'I can protect my-self thank you,' she remembered that night Sasuke had told them how worried he was about them and how they agreed he shouldn't do that again…but he's doing it again.

But thinking back to the speech today, she couldn't really blame him any-more. Sasuke considered this Haku a precious person but they were on opposite sides…how would this work if they had to fight each other? Yeah, she could imagine herself growing worried over that.

Ami glanced at Sasuke again; he had finally closed his eyes to sleep as her eyes lingered on his peaceful form. 'I consider you a precious person Sasuke,' she thought to her team, 'we all do.'

She remembered back to her academy days, with her best friends Hinata and Sasuke. They've grown together and lived through the academy, they always did things in a group as friends but when Hinata had to leave because of her father, she could always count on Sasuke when she needed company…they were both orphans. 'I guess I'm just worried for you Sasuke…we all are,' she turned to the other side as she felt her eyes start to droop, "you shouldn't worry so much…Sasuke." She silently spoke before resting herself.

The night was calm and peaceful for the sleepers as they each dwelled in to their dreams.

As morning had arrived, the group had awoken in silence, gathered their things and went down to meet their sensei who was already sitting on the table, waving a good morning to his students.

"Sensei, any news?" Sakura had asked once they each had taken a seat. Tsunami had already prepared a meal as she served each one of them; they thanked her in return.

Kakashi looked at them seriously, "This situation is a delicate one, Haku is an unknown ninja that might have a chance in earning the approval of the council but Zabuza…"

Kakashi paused letting the situation sink in, "He has committed treason against his own Mizukage and for whatever reason it may be, he is wanted by his village. He will have less of a chance in joining our village."

The group sank once they heard this, it made the fight seem inevitable but Kakashi continued, "But, the Hokage stated that they have a chance to present themselves to the council and if it doesn't go well, they have is word that they could leave without being harm."

Breakfast was a quiet affair afterwards, the news that sunk in was not quite what they were suspecting.

When the team was finishing their meal, Sasuke had sighed before speaking, "I think they still have a chance." The group looked at him, "Whatever happens now…it's up to them."

Sasuke stood up, and gave Kakashi a grateful smile before cleaning his dishes and leaving outside.

'Out of the whole group,' Kakashi thought as he watched the boy, 'I think this news impacted him the most…'

The rest of the day was carried out doing tasks they had planned the day before, Kakashi was almost back to full strength and so was Sasuke. Just a few more days until they finish the bridge and just a few more days until the final confrontation; it had the whole group nervous as they either stood guard or trained for the final meeting.

The days past by for the group slowly as the bridge was nearly finished, the night before they were to escort Tazuna to watch them complete the building, Inari had spoken up again, but this time it was different.

"Will you guys still go to battle?" Inari had asked the silent question.

The team had turned to look at him; some a bit questionably while others indifferent.

Ami responded a bit aggresive, "Yes we will, you have a problem with that?"

Inari looked at her sadly as Ami was taken back in surprise, "But you'll die…"

"No we won't," that was Ami's confident reply as Inari shook his head, "Just watch, we'll save this place from Gato…he won't get away with this."

"Like a hero," it was more of a statement than a question as Ami nodded, "heroes don't exist, this is the real world you can't expect to defeat a whole army by yourselves…it's more foolish."

Sasuke chuckled in thought as the rest looked at him confusedly.

"Whats so funny," Inari started becoming upset, "you think this is all a game…you can all die out there!"

Sasuke just smiled back at him, "No, this just reminds me of something," at the enquiring look he continued explaining, "I heard once that, people call you crazy when you choose to fight against all odds, and they call you a lunatic when you die," the group listened to the words as Sasuke seemed to be lost in thought, "…but when you succeed, they call you a hero…" Sasuke chuckled again as he spoke a bit humorously, "I guess we're all crazy then." He gave the boy a feral grin.

"Better start believing in heroes Inari," Ami had a grin of her own as she looked away from Sasuke, "you're looking at them."

The nins in the room felt the thickness that had been plaguing them these past few days disappear, as they had visibly straighten up…tomorrow would decide the outcome of life or death, it would decide the outcome for this village.

Inari just looked saddened at the thought, remembering the last hero of this village, his father had died against all odds…did anyone think of him as a lunatic?, "I stopped believing that heroes could never die, that nothing would happen to them…" Inari stood up from his chair and started leaving to his room as the inhabitants of the room watched. Inari stopped before going up the stairs; he gave them one last look, as if he wouldn't see them again, and spoke in a calm voice, "good luck," before leaving.

Ami looked at the boy in sadness before rising up from her chair and heading out.

"Where are you going Ami?" Sakura had asked as Sasuke and Kakashi quietly finished their meals, already they knew what she would do.

"I'm going to prove to him that heroes still exist," Ami answered with determination etched in each word before exiting.

As dinner ended, they retired to their rooms as Sasuke flexed parts of his body. His gravity seal weighed him down as much as Lee's own but tomorrow he would need to release a few blocks. Tomorrow, they would wake up early and check their equipment for the confrontation that they all knew was coming.

Next chapter will resolve the whole mission to wave: Will they join or will they leave...?