Chapter 22 Clear Days

Inari quietly snuck a peek at Zabuza's huge blade leaning against the wall.

"Hey, Kid. That's dangerous." Zabuza said gruffly.

Inari eeped and backed off quickly.

Zabuza and Haku had been awkwardly invited to stay at Tazuna's house. They were currently eating dinner peacefully but there was an unspoken tension surrounding Sasuke, Kiba and Haku.

Both boys were rather miffed at having been saved by Naruto's timely intervention and were raring for a rematch. Haku had apologized for trying to kill them but had been awkwardly waved off.

Surprisingly enough Kakashi and Zabuza hit it off as pretty great friends. They were now joking around over how much work it was to train a brat from a small child to seasoned Shinobi and swapping teaching tips. Naruto laughed awkwardly in the corner. He badly wanted to join in but no one would get where he was coming from.

"So… Zabuza…" Kakashi began, "What are you planning on doing next?"

Zabuza put down the cup of tea he had been drinking from and stared at it. "I think I'm going to return to Kiri. Now that you've given us half of what you found in Gato's base I have enough to start funding the rebellion back in Kiri."

"Oh, so that's why you were working for a man like Gato?" Naruto asked. 'No wonder his headband isn't slashed like a typical nuke nin, he still considers himself a loyal Kiri shinobi.' Minato thought.

"Indeed. Short and bad tempered slug, I would have never taken a contract from him if I didn't need the money."

Haku chuckled in the corner along with Zabuza as he thought about how he had originally broken Gato's arm. The man deserved a lot more than a broken arm. Zabuza was merciful in ending his life so quickly and cleanly.

Naruto perked up hearing Haku laugh, he suddenly remembered a small tidbit Kiba mentioned about their fight.

"Hey Haku-san? Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did, but please go ahead." Haku replied.

"Kiba mentioned that you were able to perform one handed seals, is that part of your Kekkei Genkai or can anyone learn to do it?"

"Ah! What a good question. I learned by myself how to use my Kekkei Genkai and experimented with different hand seals until i could perform jutsu with one hand. Half of it is discovering the right seals to use with one hand and the other half is high chakra control. I'm sure anyone could learn how to mold chakra with one hand if they discovered the correct seals after all."

Minato rubbed his chin deep in thought, "Hoh, is that so?"

"Hey why don't more people use one handed seals?" Kiba asked.

"I'm sure most people don't know you can do one handed seals. The theory behind sealless jutsu is to reduce the number of hand seals you require until you can perform it seallessly, but I haven't heard of one handed seals until today. The half ram is commonly used, but only for simple E-ranked jutsu." Naruto explained, "I will have to study this topic a bit more when we get back…"

Sasuke imagined casting the great fireball jutsu with one hand. He would be eager to learn such a technique if Naruto could figure out one handed seals.

Minato himself preferred sealless jutsus, it was part of the reason he had developed the Rasengan without the use of hand seals to mold chakra. The Hiraishin and Rasengan were both sealless and he had spent effort in learning how to do various E-ranks without seals too. One handed seals would benefit his fighting style greatly.

"Sasuke-San may I speak with you outside?" Haku asked rather abruptly.

"Huh? Um. Alright…" Sasuke stood and followed Haku out of the room.

Haku leaned against the side of Tzauna's house casually as Sasuke walked up to him.

"I wanted to speak with you… because I feel we are similar in many ways…"

Sasuke tilted his head but didn't say anything in response.

Haku sighed, hesitated and then began, "Once I was precious. I belonged to… Parents. I was born in a snowy little village in Kirigakure. I was happy, my parents were good, kind people. But something happened just as I was getting old enough to notice the world around me…"

"What happened?" Asked Sasuke crossing his arms.

Haku looked down at the ground forlornly, "My father killed my mother… And tried to kill me."

Sasuke started but didn't respond.

"You might know that Kiri has been the scene of generations of non-stop war between those with Kekkei Genkai and those who don't. Kekkei Genkai holders were condemned as the harbingers of doom. After the wars those who possessed a bloodline were hunted and were only able to survive by hiding the very existence of their skills. Exposure meant certain death. I'm sure you must know of the pain of which I speak. We are special. We are powerful. And we are feared.

Sasuke turned to face the side, he couldn't bear to look at Haku. He had lived a cushy life in Konoha until his brother had… True the Uchiha were feared, but they were respected in equal measure. He hadn't yet experienced what Haku spoke of.

"My father learned that my mother came from such a clan… And before I even realized what I was about to do. My father died by my hand…" Haku continued. "It came to me then. I was forced to accept that… the most painful thing in this world… Was aspecting that I was alone in this world. Superfluous. Unwanted. Shunned.

Sasuke clenched his fists and grit his teeth. He imagined if he were the sole survivor of that night he might have felt the same.

"Zabuza-sama adopted me knowing I came from a Kekkei Genkai clan. The very thing that made everyone else hate me. He didn't just overlook it. He cherished it. He wanted it!" Haku teared up. "It made me so happy!"

"Why are you telling me this?" Sasuke snapped.

"I feel that you can understand me. That you can relate, yes? So… Sasuke-san. May we be friends?"

Sasuke turned back to Haku, "...Fine…" he said. Blushing slightly and shoving his hands into his pockets.

Haku smiled happily, "Thank you very much Sasuke-san." He stretched a hand out to Sasuke to shake, Sasuke scratched his head awkwardly and took Haku's hand and shook it.

Naruto who had been around the corner of Tazuna's house with Zabuza smiled at Zabuza wryly, "You should tell him how you really feel about him you know?" He whispered. "I can tell, you care about him much more than just as a simple weapon."

Zabuza huffed and put his hand on Naruto's face and shoved him away.

Several days later Team Seven bid goodbye to Zabuza and Haku. Haku waved happily at the team as they left and Kakashi and Zabuza bumped arms. Haku seemed much cheerier than several aye before when they left and he stuck close to Zabuza as they walked away.

"I liked it better when they were trying to kill you guys. That was much more entertaining. There was tension."

'Aw, Kurama. You don't mean that do you?'

"Of course I do. What am I supposed to do with your soft human emotions? Give me more fighting to enjoy."

'Hahahaha!'

When Team seven was about to depart as well Inari sniffled to himself as they all said their goodbyes.

"Thanks to you four-" Akamaru barked furiously, "Ah, five haha, our bridge has finally been completed. It's going to be awfully dull around here when you leave though…

"We've enjoyed your hospitality." Kakashi said bowing slightly.

"We'll come by to visit some time in the future!" Kiba said lacing his fingers behind his head happily.

Naruto smiled softly at the family and waved as they walked away.

Sasuke grunted and turned his back on them without looking back. He was still thinking on Haku's words. And the blossoming friendship between them. Haku had promised to find some way to keep in touch.

"Kakashi-sensei… Do you think those two were right about Shinobi being emotionless tools?" Sasuke asked.

Kakashi held his chin, "A Shinobi shouldn't be concerned with a reason for their existence… It is merely important that we exist as a tool for homeland to use in whatever way they need. That's as true for us in Konoha as it is for ninja anywhere else." Kakashi answered.

"Do you really think that way Kakashi sensei?"

"Well… No. Shinobi will always live with that ideal bubbling beneath the surface of our minds, disturbing us. Like it did with Zabuza and Haku."

"Hey guys wanna get some ramen together when we get back?" Naruto asked.

"Hn."

"Sure why not?"

"Arf! Arf!"

"Hahah! You said it Akamaru!"

"Sensei would you like to come as well?"

"Maa… maybe after the mission report."

Inari watched with tears trailing down his face as the team walked away. He turned to his grandpa who patted him on the head.

"Grandpa?"

"That team has touched the hearts of all the people in the city. They've carried us all to hope and courage. And speaking of bridges we still need to name this one!"

"How about the Team Seven bridge or the bridge of hope gramps?"

"Hohhh, not bad Inari! Our bridge will become super famous as a symbol of hope and endurance! Or that's what I hope at least! Ahahah!"

Inari and his family slowly lost sight of the team as they walked off into the distance.

"...That concludes my report, Hokage-sama." Kakshi lowered the paper he was reading off of.

The Hokage closed his mouth and awkwardly cleaned the spilled ash from his pipe off of his robes. He then refilled his pipe and took a puff, sighing heavily. This Wave business was giving him a headache even though it had brought many boons to Konoha. Konoha now had stable trading with the Land of Waves and a monopoly over the shipping business. This was all very fine and good but it meant mountains of paperwork for him.

"Very good Kakashi, though you should have requested backup for this mission immediately. Next time I will not be so lenient. But to think that he has mastered both of the Fourth's signature jutsus… Naruto is truly an incredible child…"

"Yes. I would like to recommend my team to take the Chuunin exams soon as well."

"I see. Perhaps he will even make Chuunin on his first try."

"Perhaps."

"Very well. Kakashi you are dismissed, let me think more on this. Thank you for your hard work."

"Hai."

Minato ate a simple breakfast of eggs and toast as he thought about what he would accomplish that day. He would have to add additional levels to his resistance seals to keep training. He would have to study one handed resistance seals. He would have to plan a trip to Uzushio.

He chewed despondently and closed his eyes thoughtfully. There was so much to do… But not as much stuff to do as when he had been Hokage. Minato perked up again. Hiruzen that poor bastard. The paper work after the Wave mission must be awful. He wondered if the old Kage knew he could use shadow clones for paperwork…

Sarutobi Hiruzen sneezed on his next trade deal agreement with the Daimyo of Wave. He suddenly had the unexplained urge to strangle someone.

Either way Minato had to start the day soon. And if he was not mistaken, the Chuunin exams would be beginning soon. He wondered if Kakashi would recommend his team for it. They barely even had enough missions completed to participate in the first place.

Minato shrugged to himself. He would see in the team meeting later he supposed.

Kiba arrived last to their customary meeting point on the bridge and the trio of genin settled in on the bridge to wait for their Sensei. There was an awkward air around the team now that they had discovered that Kakashi had sent Naruto on a tentative assassination mission. Naruto was hard pressed to figure out if they were upset about being left out, or upset at not being deemed ready to kill just yet. He tried asking about it but both Kiba and Sasuke brushed him off. He sat in silence for a while thinking about why they would be mad. Finally Minato had an epiphany.

"Are you two mad that Kakashi-sensei and I didn't tell you about the decoy mission?"

"Of course!" Pouted Kiba.

"What do you think, loser?" Sasuke shot at Naruto.

"Ah I see. I apologize. I promise it won't happen again in the future."

"It better not. Weren't we supposed to be a team?" Huffed Sasuke.

"Yeah! I mean what's with not trusting us? Huh?" Kiba said stamping his foot.

"Sorry, sorry, guys I swear it won't happen again."

They reluctantly forgave him but still maintained a pissy attitude that Minato could only deal with for a while.

Surprisingly enough the Kakashi was only an hour late as opposed to his usual three hours. Though, Akamaru still scolded him for coming late with a bad excuse by barking furiously.

Kiba pounced on Kakashi the moment he showed up, "Hey Kakashi-sensei! Any new missions for team seven? All we've been getting are crappy chores! Anything more exciting?"

"Nahh… Not today… But who knows! Maybe we'll get something different soon!" Kakashi eye smiled at Kiba who had instantly deflated.

Team seven spent the rest of the day performing menial chores such as weeding, picking up litter, and walking pets. Minato had turned off his brain for the day and was working on mostly auto pilot due to the boring chores. He gossiped absently with Kurama over the village's treatment of him recently. It seemed that the general consensus of him was a cold indifference now, as opposed to previously when people went out of their way to antagonize him. He still needed to wear a henge to buy things if he wanted anything at a fair price.

By the end of the day the boys were thoroughly worn out from long dull chores. Minato was panting from the strain of increasing his resistance seals to level 11. The other boys were curious as to why Naruto seemed so tired by the end of the day but chalked it up to him overworking.

Kakashi patted an exhausted Naruto on the head. "Mm… teamwork recently seems to have improved… Good job you three."

The genin smiled tiredly at their sensei when a hawk flew overhead screeching. Kakashi looked up curiously and then dismissed his genin with a lazy wave of his hand. "We'll call it a day now. Ive got to hand in my report on today's missions."

Sasuke quickly turned around, "I'm going home."

Kiba shouted after him as he left, "Hey wait! I was going to challenge you to a race! Hey wait up!" Kiba was forced to chase after Sasuke as he left the area.

Kakashi vanished in a shunshin and soon Naruto was left all alone in the street. Naruto looked around for a bit before he shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. He could take it slow today he supposed.

He started walking down the street absently thinking of ways to discover the correct single hand signs for various jutsu he knew of. He detected three small presences following after him as he walked. One of the presences felt terribly familiar…

He turned to see a rather realistic looking rock with eye holes cut into it following after him.

"Konohamaru? You know rocks don't have eye holes right?"

"Haha! As expected of boss!"

The rock exploded into three clouds of differently colored smoke. When the cloud of smoke cleared three children were coughing on the ground.

"Ugh. Too much gunpowder." Konohamaru said wiping his eyes.

The children gathered themselves. Naruto didn't recognize the young girl and boy tagging along with Konohamaru. The girl had bright orange hair tied in two large pigtails and faintly blushing cheeks. The boy seemed to have a perpetually dripping nose with large round glasses and a tired expression. All three children were wearing sleeveless hoodies of various colors over their own unique fashion styles. Minato smiled a bit. Awww…They were copying him.

"Aww are you guys copying me?"

"Yeah boss!" Konohamaru chirped he pointed at the girl "This Moegi" then he pointed at the shy looking boy "and Udon! You're our idol right? We're copying the style you used to wear!"

Minato ruffled Konohamaru's hair slightly. "Aw. Thats real flattering of you. So what did you need today Konohamaru?"

"Can you play ninja with us?" Konohamaru implored

"Oh pretty please?" Asked Moegi

"Come play…" Said Udon sniffing slightly.

"Oh sure why not! I have nothing else to do anyways!"

"What's a ninja doing 'playing ninja?'" A voice suddenly said.

Naruto turned to find Sakura standing there with a condescending expression on her face. She had her hands on her hips and her style of dress had changed dramatically. She now wore a modest two piece light brown kimono set with a green obi and blue hitai-ate that held back her hair.

"Oh Sakura-san, it's been awhile. How have you been?"

"I've been 'great' thanks. Where's Sasuke?"

"Hey boss who's the girl!?" Konohamaru asked loudly

"Ah she was a classmate of mine."

"Oh makes sense that she's not your girlfriend. She's too ugly and her forehead's too big to be boss's significant other."

Sakura cracked her knuckles. "Excuse me? What did you say you little twerp?" She had on a blankly smiling face but the aura leaking out of her was considerably intimidating.

Konohamaru meeped and turned to run.

"Come back here you little brat!" Sakura shouted chasing after the child immediately.

The child turned a corner quickly and crashed into someone. Shouts of pain and anger came around the corner as Minato, Moegi, and Udon hurried to catch up to the duo.

Naruto turned the corner to find Konohamaru being held up by the neck by an unknown Suna Shinobi.

The unknown ninja was dressed in all black with purple face paint and a large bandage wrapped bundle on his back. He was with a blonde kunoichi who was dressed in a light purple battle dress with a large battle fan strapped to her back.

"That hurt snotface!" The black dressed Shinobi said.

"Knock it off, you're gonna get us in trouble." The girl said.

Sakura trembled a bit bringing her arms close to her body, "It was my fault, I was fooling around…"

Naruto calmly stepped up, "Please put him down, that's the Hokage's grandson you're manhandling."

The Shinobi scoffed, "This brat? Really? I don't believe it."

The girl spoke up, "Do you really want to test it, Kankuro?"

"Aw Temari, I'm just having a bit of fun before the strict one gets here, that's all…"

"Please put him down sir. His ANBU guards won't be pleased with you. I'm sure you wouldn't want to cause an incident."

"I won't be held responsible for this." Temari remarked stepping away from Kankuro.

Kankuro dropped Konohamaru roughly. "Fine then. I'll believe you for now."

"What are you guys doing in our village?" A voice called out. Naruto looked up at a tree and spotted Sasuke bouncing a rock up and down in his hand.

Sakura squealed. It was Sasuke! He was so cool!

Temari stepped up. "We're here for the Chuunin exams."

Naruto suddenly detected a large chakra presence appear in the tree on the other side of Sasuke. This new presence feel like blood lust incarnate. He'd never felt anything quite like it before. Kurama stirred in his seal all of a sudden.

"Shukaku…"

"Shukaku? The sand spirit? Is there another Jinchurriki here?'

"Yes. That blasted Tanuki's stench is all over that kid."

Suddenly a new voice entered the conversation. "Temari, Kankuro. What are you doing?"

A red headed genin with a giant gourd strapped to his back spoke.

The two Suna Shinobi began sweating as Sasuke started and stared intently at the redhead.

'N-nothing Gaara. We were just exploring, you know?"

"Have you forgotten why we came here? We are not here for leisure."

"H-hai Gaara." Kankuro stuttered.

"We're really sorry okay Gaara?" Temari said.

Gaara turned to Naruto, "Sorry about them."

He disappeared in a shunshin and reappeared between Temari and Kankuro.

"I know we're a little early… but we didn't come here to play around. Let's go."

Sasuke shunshined in front of Naruto's group and spoke up, "You there. What's your name?"

Gaara stared evenly back, "Sabaku no Gaara at your service."

Sasuke smirked, "Uchiha Sasuke." He replied.

Naruto watched the interaction with some trepidation, what was Suna doing sending their Jinchuuriki to Konoha for the Chuunin exams for? This whole meeting reeked of the word 'troublesome'. Additionally he had sensed three presences behind him up in a tree who had not revealed themselves yet. He shot the tree a wary look as he left with the children.