Three Years Ago

It's been a long day. After arriving at Tazuna's house, they set up a perimeter, and Naruto summoned Urushi, Guruko, Shiba and Akino to patrol. Four of them are overkill, the odds of Zabuza attempting another attack today are basically zero. But better safe than sorry.

They sat down with Sensei. Tazuna remained in the room as well, though his daughter soon left.

They started brainstorming. First about their own part in the fight. As it turns out, they did good for the most part. Sensei laid all they did right. Then he pointed out all they can improve on, and he even gave them a rough estimate on how long it would take for their training to bear fruit.

They're going to train like mad to ensure that they're never outclassed like this again. But that's for later. Right now they have other worries.

The Demon of the Hidden Mist. More specifically, his actions during the fight.

They don't make any sense. Why announce his presence like that and give up the element of surprise? Why toy around with them? Looking back, he was basically fooling around until Sensei used the Wood Release. So was Sensei, but Sensei explained that he was following Zabuza's lead in order to gather more information. And because he was trying to keep his bloodline hidden, though that obviously didn't work out.

Sasuke still can't believe that Yamato-sensei is a Senju. Oh, Sensei told them that he doesn't know who his parents are, but him having the Wood Release means he's related by blood somehow.

Sensei stepping up his game forced Zabuza to get serious as well. But the question remains. Why wasn't he serious from the start? He's a master of the Silent Killing Technique, he could have taken out Tazuna before they even knew he was there. Or he could have attacked them full force from the start, forcing Sensei to concentrate on protecting them and leaving Tazuna an easy target.

Zabuza didn't do that. The opposite. They were able to repel all of his attacks with what in hindsight was way too much ease.

There's only one explanation that makes sense. Zabuza didn't want to kill Tazuna.

Why? He made no secret of the fact that he was hired by Gato to do exactly that. Him sparing Tazuna makes no sense at all.

They brainstorm a lot about why Zabuza could have acted like this. It would have been a lot easier if Ino was here, but they have to make do.

The realization that they need to learn how to do this without her is really painful.

Eventually, they come to the conclusion that Zabuza must be trying to drive up the price for killing Tazuna. He wanted to fail now to make it seem like the mission was harder than expected, meaning it will be more expensive than expected.

Sensei compliments them on their conclusion. Then he reveals that there are several other reasons possible.

Zabuza is rumored to be working with the Mist Rebellion. That definitely wasn't in Kakashi's bingo books. Normal, the Rebellion has survived this long exactly because no one knows much about it. But if Zabuza is part of the Rebellion, that changes his motivations. He might not have taken the mission for himself, he could have taken it for the Rebellion. So what could the Mist Rebellion want with Gato? Money? Still a possibility, Gato is one of the wealthiest men in the world. Sensei says it's more likely that the Rebellion wants to use Gato's shipping company to move around unseen, though. The Land of Water is made of islands. It can't be easy for the Rebellion to move around undetected. Gato's shipping company would allow them to smuggle themselves around without notice.

Or maybe Zabuza isn't doing this mission of his free will at all. Maybe Gato has something on him. Or on the Rebellion. Unlikely, but they don't have enough information to rule it out.

The essence of their conclusion is still the most likely outcome, though. Zabuza probably isn't satisfied with whatever agreement he has with Gato, and he's trying to force Gato to adjust it in his favor, either in money or in services. This is not just the most likely conclusion, it's the most desired one as well. Why?

Because if they're wrong, the odds of Tazuna surviving are pretty much zero. Zabuza is known for stealth assassinations. Sensei finishes his analysis with a blunt statement that if Zabuza decides to utilize that as his strategy, he won't be able to protect Tazuna. That's really uncomfortable to hear.

It's a lot more uncomfortable for Tazuna. He'd been following their conversation with a familiar mix of disbelief and horror, though it's a lot stronger than what Mari sometimes shows. But at that last, he goes even paler than he already was and takes a long drink of his sake. Understandable. But his odds aren't quite as bad as he thinks they are. Sensei explains that, if they're right and Zabuza does indeed want to change the agreement, Zabuza will probably stage another open confrontation. Putting on another show for Gato, though this one won't end with him retreating. Sensei can then take him out for real.

Of course, instead of adjusting the agreement by way of open confrontation, Zabuza might sabotage Gato instead and blame it on them. Sasuke really hopes he won't do that, though. He also really hopes that Zabuza needs a second confrontation to get what he wants, and didn't get everything he needed with this one.

Judging from how Tazuna looks when he brings that up, Tazuna really hopes so too.

Sensei writes down a message, to inform Konoha of the changed circumstances. When he's finished, Naruto summons Pakkun. Kakashi will get the message when he summons Pakkun later tonight. The Demon Brothers were chunin, elevating this to a B-rank mission. Risky but doable for a team of genin and their jounin teacher.

The Demon of the Hidden Mist is another matter. His presence turns this into an A-rank mission. Even without adding in that he has a partner of unknown strength. Well, partly unknown. Sensei knows that Zabuza's partner possesses the Ice Release and is skilled at using it. He used it to occupy Sensei long enough for Zabuza to get away.

So yeah, an A-rank mission. Not something a genin team can handle. Sasuke would have thought they could if asked even a day before, but Zabuza's fight with Sensei showed just how outclassed they are. The Killing Intent alone was leagues above anything the teachers at the academy ever prepared them for. It was even above what Yamato-sensei prepared them for.

They need help.

"I can't pay you," Tazuna says, miserable. Sasuke shifts his weight, uncomfortable for a different reason than before. Tazuna told them about the situation in Wave on the way here. It isn't a good one. Hiring ninja isn't cheap, a C-rank was all they could afford. If the Hokage decides to abort the mission instead of sending back-up...

"You can pay us later," Naruto says like it should be obvious, giving Tazuna a bright smile.

"The bridge is going to fix things and bring in business again," Sakura says, aimed at Sensei instead of Tazuna. "It'll be better for Konoha in the long run."

Sensei gives Naruto and Sakura his signature unreadable look. Then he turns his gaze towards him.

"We agreed to take this mission. Abandoning it would make Konoha look bad," he says. He wants to stay and help as well. But as their pranks on Iruka have taught them, it's important to have a good story ready when you're doing something you aren't supposed to.

Sensei's unreadable looks makes way for a smile. Approving of their decision. Sasuke relaxes.

Tazuna kind of looks like he wants to cry.

Sensei adds something to the message before giving it to Pakkun.

"Boss isn't going to like this," Pakkun says like they don't already know that.

"Neither do I," Yamato-sensei says, and then he pulls a face that makes him snort. Naruto and Sakura laugh as well. When they first met Yamato-sensei, they thought that Sensei was incapable of anything other than being serious. By now, they've learned that they were wrong. Sensei has a big sense of humor.

Pakkun dispels himself, and the conversation turns towards what they should do to keep Tazuna safe. They've already set up a parameter, and the pack is patrolling. The pack won't be able to do that all the time, though. Not together like this. They need to sleep after all. There's also the fact that Kakashi is using them to guard Mari and Obito, meaning Naruto is limited to five at most. Still, five means they have enough manpower to set up shifts and have at least one out at all times. That means Sensei can always accompany Tazuna to the bridge without leaving the house... not unguarded, the three of them are still ninja, even if they're only genin. But Sensei is a jounin, and each of the pack are high chunin.

They work out a schedule. The pack will keep watch over the house, while Sensei will guard the bridge. Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura will be alternating between them, their primary objective being to get Tazuna and his family out of danger in case of an attack.

It feels like a very shoddy plan. Nowhere near enough to protect Tazuna and his family from Zabuza. Only Sensei can do that. But Gato has hirelings and mercenaries under his command too. Now that's something they can protect Tazuna and his family from. Especially with help from the pack.

It doesn't solve the problem of them being horribly outclassed.

Here's to hoping Zabuza will decide to stage a confrontation instead of working from the shadows.

"It's useless."

The sullen remark comes from Tazuna's grandson, who came down while they were planning. Unlike Tazuna's daughter, they haven't met him yet.

Judging from the gloomy look he's giving them, they didn't miss out on not meeting him.

"Inari," Tazuna says with surprise, the only one who hadn't noticed him until he spoke. Civilians are weird like that.

Tazuna waves his grandson over.

"Come say hello. These are the ninja who saved Grandpa."

His grandson, Inari, doesn't say hello. Instead he keeps giving them a gloomy look.

"You're all going to die."

How cheerful.

"No we're not," Naruto returns with a frown. Insulted by Inari's behavior. Confused by it too.

"Yes you are," Inari says with all the certainty of a little kid. "You can't beat Gato, he's too strong. You should leave. If you don't, you'll die."

What a load of crap.

"We aren't leaving!" Naruto yells, just as annoyed as he is by Inari's gloom and doom.

"Didn't you hear me? Gato's too strong!" Inari yells back, because why not have this turn into a shouting match?

Naruto leaps to his feet, no longer just annoyed but starting to get pissed off.

"Then we'll just get stronger!"

Exactly.

"Giving up is no way to do things!"

It isn't. If you give up, nothing changes. If you give up, you lose what you love.

Naruto gives Inari the look that means nothing is going to stand in his way.

"We're going to keep your grandfather safe and get this bridge build. We're going to make things better. I promise."

Well. If Naruto turned it into a promise, giving up is even less of an option than it already was.

Inari scoffs.

"What do you think you are, a hero? There's no such thing as heroes."

Naruto is incredibly insulted. Sakura is too.

"You're being really rude, you know," she says. Inari looks at her like she's an idiot and goes back upstairs without another word. What a jerk.

"Sorry," Tazuna says, and he doesn't look angry about his grandson's behavior. Just tired. "People have suffered a lot ever since Gato took over. Inari is no exception."

"We're helping you," Sakura says, as unimpressed by Tazuna's excuse as he and Naruto are. "The least he can do is show some gratitude."

Tazuna gives her a glare but the anger fades as fast as it appears. He lets out another long sigh.

"Inari didn't used to be like this," he says, wistful. Then he launches into a sob story about how Inari's father figure was killed by Gato. How tragic.

Naruto and Sakura, however, melt like the idiots they are. He rolls his eyes.

"He's a whiny kid," he says, having even less sympathy for Inari than he already did. Inari loses his family, and instead of working to get rid of the man who did it, he just gives up? Great way of honoring his father figure.

"Wow, way to be a bastard, bastard."

Because of course the idiot and his bleeding heart come to the kid's defense.

"Yeah, that's out of line, Sasuke," Sakura says, frowning at him. "You of all people–"

"Don't you dare," he snaps, unable to believe the nerve of her. He would never dishonor his family like this.

Sakura scowls, still convinced she's in the right. He glares harder, warning her to keep her mouth shut about things she has no right to speak of. Sakura scrunches her nose in the way that means she might open her mouth anyway, but then she gets up and goes upstairs. Intending to comfort the whiny kid. Unbelievable.

Naruto hesitates, torn between staying with him or following Sakura. He rolls his eyes and jerks his head towards the stairs. The idiot is overreacting. He doesn't need to be babied just because Sakura was way out of line.

Naruto hesitates a moment longer before running after Sakura. But not before giving him a tight hug. Which, okay, that does make him feel a little better. A lot better, actually.

Yamato-sensei observes the proceedings with his usual calm air, giving no sign of what he's thinking. Sasuke appreciates that. He feels kind of weird. He doesn't want to know if he looks weird as well.

Tazuna looks miserable as he watches Naruto go. He lets out a deep sigh and takes another drink. Then he pulls himself together. Not acting like a whiny kid, unlike his grandson.

"You'll protect Inari and Tsunami?" he asks him, serious. Sasuke scowls, but then he remembers that Tazuna is their client. He forces himself to sound calm.

"We will." No matter how annoying the kid is.

Tazuna slumps with relief. Sasuke doesn't remind him that, aside from Yamato-sensei, all of them would be minced meat within seconds of facing Zabuza again. That's not something Tazuna needs to hear right now.

They're going to train like hell after this mission is over. They'll start during this mission actually, but given that they don't know when Zabuza will strike again, learning a new technique is too risky. But he and Naruto are definitely practicing their water walking. Against a mist ninja, being able to fight well on water is an absolute must. Sakura and her absurd control don't need as much practice as they do, but light sparring on water will be good for her as well.

That's for tomorrow, though. Tonight, they're going to rest as much as they can.

It's been a long day after all.

AN: Yay, finally updated A Family! With content I had languishing on my laptop since last year. But I haven't been able to finish this chapter yet, and for that reason I decided to split the previous 2 into several chapters. That way I could add what I already have instead of struggling to finish the 25k monster that would have been the 3rd chapter.

Hope you enjoyed! And if you did, maybe leave a comment? Did you enjoy the snark fest that is team 7? Like how awesome Yamato is at being a teacher? Anyone glad I updated despite it being shorter chapters now?