Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter twenty one: Blades versus Ice

"It is possible to obtain Naruto without a fight. We simply have to plan for it correctly. The most important things we have to watch out for, is that they do not follow us back to the base or we'll be in real trouble. So here's the plan: We will infiltrate the base and you will automatically use you blood limit while I on the other hand, will grab Naruto fighting as little as possible. You will be the main distraction. Don't consider this a fight, because if it was, then death would be involved. Our goal here is to get Naruto and to escape safely, not to wage a war. Once I have Naruto, we will both leave the base and split off into two different directions. I will place Naruto's body where we just fought a few hours ago, and you will take a huge detour and pick him up and drop him off behind a boulder exactly two miles north of that. Then you must go straight to the base. Anybody following you after that amount of time will be killed off if they're dumb enough to venture inside our base. I will take an even longer detour and head for that boulder where I will pick Naruto up and take a second detour and head back to the base after that." Haku explained. "This plan is very crucial so don't mess it up or our leader will kill you."

"Are you sure you can outrun them for that long?" Saru asked.

"I've had years of experience of doing this Saru, please do not question my plan. I can outrun them for weeks if I really needed to. But the Akatsuki is in very bad condition at this current point in time. So chances are they are not trying to extract Naruto's demon just yet. That will make it even easier on us, don't forget this plan and make sure you drop Naruto's body off exactly where I told you. Are you sure you can outrun them?" Haku asked.

Saru smiled, "I'm sure. I've practiced my speed and endurance for so long that I have no doubts about this."

"Very well then, let's begin. Go!" Haku shouted as they both ran into the Akatsuki's base. "It's probably unguarded because they had no time to set up any traps after they got back." Haku explained.

Sure enough, there was the Akatsuki; all of them had been rid of Kyu's Jutsu that he had placed on them. However they were all completely exhausted and were discussing the future of their organization.

"Akuma was our leader, but he was taken out completely!" Itachi said. "Listen, I know we are an organization composed of S rank criminals, but that other organization is definitely something else. They can't be human."

"How can it be that Akuma was taken down so easily?" Hidan asked with a worried tone.

"We don't know but what Itachi says is true. Akuma was found pinned to a tree trunk with his very own sword. The ten of us only fought three of them, and we had two casualties. The shape shifter that we fought was extremely skilled as well. I couldn't have taken him out without Itachi." Hinata confirmed.

"The important issues at hand are: first we must get ourselves in place again. Just because the other organization is stronger than us, doesn't mean that we can't continue our plans." Kisame began.

"He's right." Kakuzu agreed. "We need to get organized, and we do that by selecting a new leader; someone with experience."

"I believe I can fill that part out." Sasori jumped in. "I have always been the best among us."

"Don't even try to say that!" Mihniopaksu shouted. "You are probably among the worst. You only have experience but you lack intelligence and skill. I believe Itachi should lead us."

The rest of the Akatsuki members began to agree.

Itachi shook his head in disagreement saying, "No, I cannot lead us. My sharingan is not what it used to be."

"Itachi, this is not your choice, if you are elected then you must take Akuma's place." Hinata said.

"She's right." Kisame replied after.

"Very well, I will-" Itachi was interrupted as Haku and Saru jumped inside.

"Sorry to rain on your little dispute but we came here for Naruto." Haku said.

"The hell you'll take him I'll-" Hidan stopped speaking as a small ball of light went through his chest and sent him to his knees in pain screaming.

"This isn't a game; you are in no positions to refuse. You may have us out numbered but we have you not only out skilled but we are not tired as well." Saru said very seriously creating another light ball in each of his rocky hands.

Haku had no problem slipping out of the way between the small battle that was occurring. He also had no trouble finding the unconscious Naruto. Once obtained, Haku ran back and shouted, "Saru! I have him let's go!"

Haku exited the base and Saru followed suit taking a different direction this time.

"It's ok!" Itachi said to all the other Akatsuki members. "Let them go, it's a trap for us anyways. They are heading back to their base and we can't risk our lives for the Kyubbi. We will obtain its power some other time. For now we must concentrate on resting and setting up traps for the entrance to the base."

---

Haku picked up Naruto from behind the boulder just like the plan had said. In a way he was proud of Saru for being able to follow orders correctly on such short notice. Naruto on the other hand, was beginning to wake up. Haku laid him down on the ground so Naruto could catch his breath and figure out what was going on.

Naruto opened his eyes and looked around. After finally noticing Haku he asked, "Who are you?"

"My name is Haku and I am here to rescue you." Haku lied. "I saved your life from the Akatsuki. You should be grateful. Your body is still too weak to move so I'll be carrying you from here on. I just thought you might want to rest so that's why I stopped."

"Why are you doing this?" Naruto asked.

"Because, I have somebody very special to me that I have hopes to see again." Haku said. "I had to save you so I could get closer to doing that."

"Who would that be?" Naruto asked again.

"His name is Zabuza. He looked after me for so long and now he's frozen. I need to revive him back. He is my hope for the future." Haku answered.

"You're from that organization aren't you? I can tell from your cloak." Naruto said.

"Yes I am. I am from the Shouten, the most powerful organization in the world. And you are from the Akatsuki raised with them since you were thirteen. But recently you have not felt like you belonged so you left them and now they are out to get you. I have done my research." Haku said.

They began to have small talk, eventually leading up to no lies, everything was out in the open.

"What does everybody want with me?" Naruto asked as tears rolled down his cheeks. "I've always been a tool and nothing more to anyone. I only have one last person left alive that I care about and I don't even know where he is. On top of that, you're taking me back to your organization where I will probably die."

Haku couldn't help but feel pity for Naruto. But sadly, there was nothing he could do because in the end, Kyu would get his way and that was that. "Things are going to happen so fast, that the world is going to change so much. For better or for worse I do not know, but I don't think there is a force on earth that can stop our leader. Not after he has obtained your power. I don't know if I should give you up to him. This decision could leave the world in chaos. On the other hand if I didn't go back then they would find me and kill me and then get your power then torture you and then kill you and everybody you know for such disobedience. I suppose there is nothing I can do to prevent this. I will be taking you back now. We've been talking for about three hours now." Haku sighed.

"You won't be taking him anywhere." A familiar voice appeared. Haku turned around to see Hinata with her sword looking fully recuperated.

"I have to. You don't understand, it's not that I want to, but I must out of loyalty. I'm sorry but you can't have him." Haku said standing up and stepping in front of Naruto blocking Hinata's way.

"You may be a member of the Shouten, but I will defeat you and bring back Naruto at all costs! His demon must be extracted. I too, do this of loyalty, I pledge my life to the Akatsuki and I don't plan to disappoint them. Hand over Naruto now and I will let you live." Hinata threatened.

"I can sense you chakra level rising to an incredible level, one of the biggest I've ever seen; but it won't work against me. I am a master at chakra control." Haku said. "If you start this fight, I won't stop until you are dead, even if you are a girl. I already said I won't let you take him, so I'm asking you now, please listen to me. Go back, and tell them you couldn't find him. It's better than losing your life." Haku said standing tall.

"Don't fight her." Naruto said tiredly. "She is stronger than you think. She has an unlimited amount of potential; every fight makes her so much stronger."

"Have faith in me. I am not as weak as I am peaceful. The warrior within me is not to be underestimated." Haku explained.

"Step aside." Hinata said through gritted teeth as she clenched her sword tightly.

"No." Haku said.

"Very well, then so be it. You shall die in this battle, but don't forget that I gave you this choice!" Hinata said rushing at Haku with her new sword that Bushi had gave her in her previous fight.

---

Kiran sat on a small rock inside the base very pensive and silent. He stared into nothingness as Eight entered the room to sit by him. Kagai had finally fixed Eight's body so that he was returned completely back to normal.

"What are you thinking about?" Eight asked. "Is it about your brother?"

Kiran said nothing.

"I keep thinking about the battle as well. I fought the famous Itachi with the Mangekyou sharingan and a teenage girl with a sword. It's amazing how their teamwork covered each other's weaknesses. That girl was much stronger than I thought. I went easy on them, and she pulled off a move so strong that it was able to slice me in half. Can you imagine? She was able to cut through my metallic skeleton. Next time I fight her, I won't be going so easy." Eight said. "How did your fight go?"

"I keep asking myself if it was right to kill him." Kiran said sighing. "Now I'm the only one left of our clan. He had more potential than me. But I trained harder and for many more years; that is the reason why I was able to achieve my ultimate form. He was not so close to unlocking it but he wasn't too far off either. Maybe I should have let him live so then when we fought again we could-" Kiran was interrupted by Eight.

"What's done is done. There is no point dwelling on the past anymore. To be a great shinobi you must sacrifice many things. Dwelling on the past is one of them. The past is there to remind you of your mistakes, so that way you won't have to make them again. The past is there so you can visit your memories in the middle of the night, and be proud of what you've lived, of how you've lived, not regret what you've done. He was your brother, but the Shouten is your family now and will be forever. Kyu is proud of what you did; I can see it in his eyes and face. I know that deep down he is extremely happy that your loyalty to him is greater than your loyalty to your brother. I don't think he will ever question you again because you went on with it and killed Akuma when you could have let him escape without anyone knowing. You made a decision back there, and I know that it was the right one." Eight said patting Kiran on the back.

"I hope that you are right." Kiran said. "Where is our leader now?"

"He's in the chamber looking at his body. He's probably reminiscing or something." Eight replied.

"Things are going to go much faster now aren't they?" Kiran asked. "It seems Kyu is really planning to take action after all these years of waiting. I think that seeing the new threats that have arrived have caused him to rush things."

"Threats? Like what?"

"Like the Akatsuki. Now that we have killed off a couple of their members, they are sure to be aggravated by this. I believe that Akuma was the leader as well. So this will definitely cause some chaos between them. They will try to take us down because we are a threat to them as well. They are trying to capture as many demons as they can so they can use their power for something. That poses a threat to us because Naruto has the Kyubbi inside him. They want to take it our, and that would spoil all our plans." Kiran explained. "Also there is Orochimaru and his spies. I know he has many but you can never be to sure. We must be careful of him because we do not know what he is planning."

"Then why don't we simply take them all out?" Eight asked.

"Because that would be foolish. We could jeopardize everything we have worked for just because of that. Kyu thinks with his head, not with his passion for blood. He is a smart and worthy leader. As I said before, things are going to move fast at this point. We can only hope that the wind tosses the rag our way."

---

Swish! Hinata's sword managed to slice Haku's cloak as he dashed away from her strike. Amazingly, the rip the made in his large black cloak healed itself up instantly.

"That was a close one. If I had stayed a little longer then I would not be alive this very moment. I really do suppose you are going to try to kill me." Haku said.

Hinata didn't wait for Haku to say anything else; she dashed at him like a piece of gum on a shoe. However her hundreds of attempts to strike him were useless since he was dodging them with extreme caution. She didn't even get to pierce his cloak again. After a few minutes of chasing Haku around, she stopped to take a breather. She stood there gripping her sword with both hands, breathing heavily as she glared into her opponent's eyes with fury.

Haku on the other hand was panting just as much. "So you really are serious about this fight. Then I better get serious as well." Just as he said that, his cloak dispersed and reformed it self into a large black square blanket behind him.

"What is that?" Hinata asked.

"This is not a cloak as you thought it was. It is composed of thousands of poisonous needles that I can control with my chakra. Every single time my cloak moved, even with the wind, was me controlling it to fool you all along. So you see, I control this cloak all the time, therefore my chakra control is beyond that of most shinobi. That is how my cloak was able to heal itself once you cut it. You on the other hand are left-handed. I can tell by the way you grip your sword's hilt tighter with your left. Your footwork is also excellent just like your graceful sword techniques. However I have studied all of them, so there's not much of a chance that any of those regular blows will be able to hit me. My needles also work as a shield so it is in a sort of sense an ultimate protection. Be careful not to get poked by one of these because a single one of them will kill you within a few hours. So imagine how fast I can kill you with all of them. The beginning of a fight is always analysis; you should know that if you were a skilled fighter." Haku said.

"Why would you tell me this? It seems to me like you're giving away all your secrets to win." Hinata said.

"I am merely giving you a heads up of what you are dealing with. If I didn't then you'd be dead this instant, and that wouldn't be much of a fight now would it?" Haku explained.

With that, they were at it again. Hinata was still attempting to cut Haku while this time trying to dodge the needles that came at her from time to time. Haku had so many open spots that he could strike her, but it was as if he was going easy on her, having fun. This of course, only made Hinata more furious than she already was. It allowed her to swing faster and stronger, but even then Haku kept up.

"I'm going to have to step it up this time." Hinata said. "Kage Bunshin!" Suddenly, a sword appeared in her right hand so now she was holding two of them. But that was not all; there were two swords that crossed each other attached to her back by a leather belt that had also appeared. She was definitely prepared this time.

"Tei Katana!" Hinata shouted swinging both her swords vertically towards Haku. There was a slightly visible wind that sped straight for Haku. Amazingly though, the wind disappeared when it got five feet from hitting Haku's body as if nothing had ever occurred. "How?" Hinata screamed.

"It seems you are too inexperienced to understand. You apparently didn't listen to me when I explained my needles. You are supposed to look underneath the underneath. I am not going to tell you why your Jutsu failed. I am going to tell you that it will never work against me and that you are going to have to figure out for yourself why that is. Come, let us begin this battle." Haku said.

---

"Where is Haku?" Kagai asked as Saru arrived to the base panting. Luckily he had not been followed so he managed to arrive back safely.

"Haku's plan was to take a detour so he could lose the Akatsuki incase they chased us. He has Naruto's body and should be back soon." Saru said.

"Good. I'm glad you came back already because our leader has just arranged a new mission for your training." Kagai said.

"Oh? What would that be?" Saru asked inquisitively.

"He wants you to steal the sacred Jutsu scrolls from the sand village. According to any village, this would be a very high S rank mission so it will not be easy. Another obstacle set up for you is that you must do this on your own. You can be sure that the Kazekage there will not let you get away without a fight. If you end up fighting the Kazekage and a few members of ANBU, then you got lucky. The worst that could happen is that every single shinobi in the village teams up against you, in which case you will die. But you pledged your life for this organization, so you must complete this mission." Kagai explained.

"If I am to fight him, is there anything I should know about the Kazekage?" Saru asked.

"Well he is a jinchuuriki or demon vessel as we like to call it that carries the one-tailed demon Shukaku. His name is Gaara of the sand. There are a few things that we do know about him that may help you in your battle against him. First is that he can control any sand around him by mixing it with chakra, second is that he carries a gourd of sand on his back that aids him in battle as well. He uses his sand as an absolute defense by surrounding himself in a large sphere that is very tough to break; he also can use his sand as an offensive attack to surround your body and crush you leaving you completely useless for life or dead. We also did obtain a piece of information that relates to the Akatsuki. A few years ago they sent Naruto to capture him during the Chunnin exams. The attempt failed and caused a great big stir in all the countries. However after all these years, the leaf and sand village have become allies once again. So do not be surprised if allies from the leaf show up to aid them. As I said before, this is a high S class mission so do not underestimate anything there. Steal the scrolls and get back to the base without anyone on your trail. That is all." Kagai said.

"When do I leave?"

"Now." Kagai said dismissing Saru from his sight. Saru was obedient and fled from the base quickly heading toward the sand village in his new black cloak. He did feel a little scared as well as eager to fight since he was going alone.

"I have been able to defeat an experienced Hokage so I should be able to take down a young Kazekage if I try my best. I can't take this lightly; I need to see my brother again." Saru said to himself.

---

Anything and everything Hinata tried against Haku was no use at all. He was too fast, even for her. He was way smarter and had much more battle experience, she was beginning to doubt if she could ever win. But the sad truth was that she could not back down anymore, it was too late; she had to carry on this fight to either live or die.

So far she had made no progress as to figure out why none of her Jutsu's were working against her opponent. No matter how much she thought, she couldn't come up with a solution. Haku seemed to know where she would strike every single time. She was now extremely exhausted from the battle, but she had to continue on.

Haku on the other hand had barely begun to sweat. He was panting as well from all the dodging he was doing. He hadn't laid a single finger on his opponent even though the battle could have been over already if he had chosen to.

"I am honestly tired of this. I'm sorry Hinata, but I'm going to have to end this. Demonic ice mirrors!" Haku shouted as he formed a unique hand seal. Suddenly, the air became cold, and the wind became sharp; mirrors made of ice began to form around Hinata. The ice took rectangular shapes the ultimately formed a dome around Hinata. Haku was somehow in one of the mirrors of the many around her.

"This is my clan's blood limit. It has been a while since I was forced to use it. I simply am using it now to show you how much you still need to beat me. Prepare to feel pain." Haku said as he suddenly disappeared and reappeared in a different mirror on the opposite side. In doing this, Hinata fell back as she felt a force slam into her face and send her down to the floor. She looked back at Haku in the different mirror. "These mirrors allow me to travel within them with such speed, that human eyes cannot follow them. I simply appear to them as a blur but what I am doing is punching you every time I move from mirror to mirror. The next time won't be a punch but a stab."

Hinata was now completely alert as well as furious from being toyed with so much. She hadn't been taking this battle lightly but apparently Haku had; this in turn only infuriated Hinata to the maximum. Her adrenaline pumped through her veins that she could tell what was going on all around her. This time, she was ready for Haku.

Swoosh! Haku switched mirrors in attempt to stab Hinata with a needle he pulled out of his long hair. His attempt failed as Hinata dodged it completely. "It's Amazing that you were able to do that." Haku complimented Hinata.

Hinata didn't wait around to listen to her opponent. The first chance she got, she ran to the nearest mirror and struck it the hardest she could with her sword. Haku laughed as nothing happened. "This isn't regular ice; it's going to take way more than that to stop it. But it seems that all of your Jutsu's have not been working lately. Apparently, you have not figured it out yet. Since you're about to die, I will tell you. The first strike that you took against me, you managed to cut my cloak. The whole truth is that I let you do that. I did that in order so that I could attach as many needles as possible to the blade of your sword without them being noticeable. Since you hold the sharp part of the sword outwards like a regular sword fighter does in order to cut, you didn't notice the needles stuck to it since you were only able to see the back of your sword. Since they were attached I was able to even control where your sword would strike without you knowing you sword even changed the course you intended it to go. My needles were able to slightly change the location of where you would have regularly struck your sword. It was a very inconspicuous technique and it worked after all. I told you in the beginning remember? You must look underneath the underneath."

Hinata was speechless. Such wit was used with such a simple weapon. Haku really was above her level, and it was now that she realized it. "So it seems I will have to go all out in order to take Naruto away." Hinata said. However the situation was that, she didn't even care about retrieving Naruto anymore. Her passion and loyalty went all to focusing on the battle. Nothing else mattered. What she couldn't understand was why Haku was risking his life in the first place for someone he didn't really even know. That was what confused her most of all.

She had one plan left to defeat Haku and get her out of the situation she was in. She could feel her chakra level rising to new heights, now was the time to win.

She raised her sword high in the air with the point tilting straight upwards as she said, "Shidenissen no Jutsu!" The Jutsu was quick; lightning appeared and struck down close to Hinata's body. Before the lightning bolt could hit the ground she swung her sword with as much force as she could saying, "Bushi no Jutsu!!!"

The force of the technique caused the orange glow of power to mix with the lightning that was coming down. They joined together to form an ultimate strike flying towards the ice mirror that Haku was in. The new technique shattered Haku's ice mirror and sent him flying to the ground near Naruto covered in his own blood. Hinata had no more energy but she was strong enough to keep awake. The ice mirrors disappeared instantly and she rushed over to her dying opponent.

There lay Haku, who only wanted one thing: to see his master Zabuza again. But that would never happen since he took his last breaths so say, "A battle well fought, and an opponent completely worthy. Take Naruto, you earned the right to claim him."

Hinata was just about to lift the blond boy's body until she felt a sharp pain surge throughout her entire body. Suddenly she felt cold and began to perspire greatly. Her whole body felt weak and in pain, she even had a headache.

Haku smiled showing his bloody mouth. "So you are starting to feel the poison huh? It was when you felt that I punched you in the face. What you didn't notice was that I stuck a needle into your neck. The poison has probably already gotten into your bloodstream and is killing you as we speak. You will die within half an hour a cold and painful death. I don't mean to be so cold-hearted, but I cannot simply allow you to jeopardize my mission. You should hurry and get back to your base if you have any hopes of living. Forget about carrying Naruto because in a few minutes you won't even be able to walk yourself. Hope for your sake that the Akatsuki can save you before it's too late. Goodbye Hinata. Again, I don't mean to be cold-hearted, but I cannot allow for you to take him no matter what." With that Haku laid his head back and breathed no more.

Naruto's eyes began to tear. "Why are so many people dying because of me? What does everybody want with me?"

Hinata couldn't wait around to hear him out; she could only dash off towards the base in hopes that she would make it.

Naruto was now mostly fine and rested, he was still weak but he would manage to get around after this. He didn't have to sit alone crying for too long, because soon enough, an unexpected guest showed up.

"I never thought I would see you sitting on the floor looking like a helpless person." Sasuke said looking down at Naruto.

Naruto stood up facing Sasuke as he wiped his tears from his face. Sasuke was taller than him, and he had been training with Orochimaru for three years. "I thought the next time that I saw you, that you would be thanking me." Naruto said.

"I do thank you, and I will show you now how much I've improved. I've surpassed even you Naruto." Sasuke said standing tall. He was wearing a white shirt that had the Uchiha symbol on the back. He wore dark pants and he had a sword in its sheath behind him tied to his waist. He slowly unsheathed his sword and held it in his left hand.

"How would you know if you've surpassed me?" Naruto asked. "We have never even fought."

"I can now tell how strong a person is by simply looking at them for a few minutes. And I can tell you now, that I am stronger." Sasuke said getting ready to fight.

"Don't get so cocky. I am not even fully rested." Naruto said. "But if this is what you want then don't expect me to hold back on you. After all I did show you how to get this strong; and now you want to kill me? I'm not going to let this pass."

"Naruto, you don't have a choice to even go easy on me. You cannot afford that here, go all out, or you will die faster than I want you to." Sasuke said.

"It doesn't matter what you say, all what matters is what you do. Prove what you so proudly say; show me how much you have become." Naruto said standing tall.

Voom, voom, voom, voom! Naruto was amazed at the speed Sasuke swung his sword. It caught him off guard so much that he barely had time to block. He managed to block every single slice but tripped over himself in the process. He fell flat on his bottom looking up at Sasuke who had been able to give Naruto a small cut across his chest.

Sasuke only smiled; he gave no time for Naruto to recuperate. Voom, voom, voom!!! Naruto dashed out of the way as Sasuke attempted to end Naruto there.

"This is just the beginning!" Sasuke said chasing after him. Sasuke swung his sword vertically attempting to decapitate Naruto who ducked dodging the swing. Sasuke, already anticipating the move drove his knee upwards towards Naruto's sinking head.

Naruto was not well rested, but his reflects were just as good as ever; he blocked Sasuke's knee with one hand and blocked Sasuke's fist coming at him from the side with the other hand. Naruto pushed off of Sasuke flying back a few feet panting. Sasuke was completely fine. Before Naruto could react, Sasuke was behind him in no time. It was then that Sasuke grabbed the end of Naruto's long hair pulling his head backwards so Sasuke could speak in his ear.

"You're a dead man." Sasuke whispered with a smirk on his face.

Naruto whipped out a kunai and sliced the back of his hair off in order to escape Sasuke's grasp.

"Well, well, well. It appears that you gave yourself a haircut." Sasuke said chucking a little.

Naruto now looked as he did three years ago before his training. However his facial features had matured by a lot and his height had grown. He was a few inches taller than Sasuke.

"As I said before, I can already tell that you are no match for me." Sasuke said.

"Alright fine." Naruto said. "I will kill you." With that Naruto's face became as serious as death as he glared a sharp glare at his opponent. He was now taking the battle seriously after realizing that his life really was in jeopardy if he didn't try.

Authors Note: Hey guys this is chapter twenty one for you I hoped you like it. For those of you still reading, please review this. I want to know that you're still here. Your reviews are my motivation so please…motivate me. I'm honestly not sure how much sooner the next chapter will come out. Until next time!