AN: In case it isn't obvious this is not a female Haku story. Haku is a boy like in canon, and he's a couple of years older than Naruto so for the first half of this story any romance will be awkward and budding, and it will mostly take a back seat.
Also at the advice of one of the reviews I fixed the formatting of the prologue to make it easier to read, I'll be double checking chapters before uploading them from now on so the story should be easier to read. To answer that same review all events I skimmed over should be considered same to canon, which will happen less now that the story is properly starting.
Kakashi had explained the situation to Sasuke and Sakura, then explained further details that Haku had not been aware of. Getting a foriegn shinobi to immigrate into Konohagakure no Sato would not be easy. The biggest issue was truly the matter of Haku's training, although he had acted as a missing nin he'd never gone through official Kirigakure shinobi training or been processed through them, and he'd maintained discretion while working with Zabuza. An unknown like Haku entering a hidden village full of shinobi was asking for trouble unless he tried to join them, and Konoha wasn't exactly known for snatching up random ninja from across the world outside of war time. Since there wasn't a war applying for refugee status would be difficult, but due to Kirigakure performing purges and his own Kekkei Genkai it was probably his best chance. The downside of refugee status was that if any spies obtained information about his refugee status or Kirigakure found out some other way it was likely they might risk war to come after him, so it was likely his appeal for refuge would be denied.
Haku himself was kneeling next to an unconscious Naruto the day after the battle, changing the younger boys bandages and holding his upper body slightly off the ground to do so. The hyoton user couldn't stifle a gasp at what he saw. Kakashi had changed the bandages just last night, yet the scabbing of the injury was almost complete. Haku cleaned the wound with a cloth and a bucket of hot water, assuming for the moment that Kakashi had performed some iryo ninjutsu to get Naruto up and moving sooner, but this assumption was floored as Haku watched the injury mend even as he cleaned it. The young ninja had never heard of iryo ninjutsu that continued to work without chakra and wondered at the wound. He noticed Naruto stirring and wasn't sure if he should even reapply the bandages, the wound wouldn't fully close for a bit but it had already fully stopped bleeding, and ripping bits of cloth from the wound every time he changed bandages would only irritate the injury. Haku decided to bind the wound later, after it scabbed over more and the scab had dried to protect the healing flesh from ripping away by being rubbed against clothing.
Naruto opened his eyes and looked confused, "What? Haku?" he asked, trying to remember what had happened.
"Your friend, Sasuke Uchiha, is alive. I am sorry for decieving you." Haku said, bowing and sounding truly regretful. Naruto just looked more confused before his eyes widened in recognition and he shot up out of Haku's surprised grip,
"Sasuke is-!" the blonde started, only to wince and reach for his shoulder, looking surprised at the nasty but healing wound. Haku was shocked Naruto even had the energy to move, he'd used plenty of kage bunshin during their fight. Haku wondered if it had anything to do with that red chakra but put his questions away for now.
"The Uchiha is fine, please take it easy." Haku told Naruto, putting the bloodied cloth in the bucket of water next to them, "I'm amazed you're even alive, I'd heard having large amounts of chakra tends to grant a shinobi more endurance, but I've never seen someone take a hit like that and actually recover." he explained, wondering if Naruto had some kind of Kekkei Genkai of his own.
"Well, Naruto is an Uzumaki." both boys turned to the door at Kakashi's words, "Their bodies naturally recover by expending chakra, and Naruto has chakra to spare." Kakashi explained briefly, surprising Naruto who hadn't known that at all. Haku noted the surprise on the face of the younger ninja.
"What happened?" Naruto asked,
"You jumped in front of an A rank assassination jutsu." Kakashi said bluntly, Naruto looked taken aback, "After this, Gato showed up with an army and started mocking and taunting Zabuza Momochi. As it turns out Gato never intended to pay the missing nin at all, with his job null and void the battle between us and Zabuza ended." Kakashi continued, "Zabuza Momochi also requested something of me, and I told Sasuke and Sakura already." he added, causing Haku to look down, attempting to hide the sorry and unshed tears, "Zabuza Momochi requested that any mention of an accomplice be left out of the mission report. Also this is Haku, who may be attempting to immigrate to Konohagakure no Sato, you seem to know each other already." the jonin continued, the last part sounding accusatory. When Naruto made no attempt to defend himself Kakashi moved to leave, "Well, Haku has been watching over you and offered to change your bandages, I won't be far." the cyclopian scarecrow finished as he left the room.
Naruto looked at Haku, still apparently confused. Haku didn't look up but did draw a kunai by the blade, holding the handle out towards Naruto.
"This is yours." Haku said and Naruto narrowed his eyes, crossing his legs and shifting his right arm into his lap to rest his shoulder as he reached out to accept the handle with his left hand. Haku let go of the kunai and dropped his hands into his own lap, still refusing to lift his gaze to meet Naruto's. Soon enough Naruto was staring at Haku, wondering if the older boy, and he had to remind himself that Haku was a boy, would ask Naruto to kill him again. Naruto hoped not, and was glad Sasuke was alive.
Haku was surprised he hadn't been searched for weapons before being allowed to watch over Naruto, but assumed the Konoha jonin was just keeping an eye on him.
Soon the silence became awkward to Naruto, "Uh, are you going to be okay?" he asked Haku, not sure what else to say really. It didn't seem to be the right thing as Haku tensed up, but it did get the boy to lift his gaze and finally meet Naruto's concerned eyes with his own shocked ones.
"You took an assassination jutsu, and you're asking if I am okay?" Haku asked, truly baffled by Naruto. Outside of line of sight Kakashi wasn't sure whether to be proud of Naruto's empathy or concerned about his mental state.
"Well yeah, you heard Kakashi-sensei, I'll be fine." Naruto said bluntly, "I didn't know I could heal like that though, it doesn't seem as cool as your ice or that Sharingan thing." he continued, looking at his wound and learning then that he could watch the injury shut in real time.
Haku was unsure how to respond, surprised that Naruto thought his power was cool. The only person who ever liked his power was Zabuza and he'd called it useful. Most people considered it scary, dangerous, or worth killing him over, and it was even more flattering that Naruto had put it on the same pedestal as one of the legendary dojutsu of Konoha. Eventually Haku determined how to respond to the question Naruto had actually asked, "I think I will be fine." he said in a sad tone, it still felt like Zabuza had tossed him aside but the way Zabuza and Kakashi were wording things and Naruto himself made the boy feel a bit better about it.
"Oh good! So you're coming back to the village with us?" Naruto asked,
"I suppose I will try. I am unsure how I should go about such things. A foreigner with existing ninja training trying to immigrate into a hidden village is just asking for trouble." Haku answered, about to start listing his options,
"I'm sure I can convince Hokage-jiji to let you in!" Naruto interrupted, surprising Haku not just with his desire to get Haku into his village, but with the way he referred to the legendary Sandaime Hokage as a grandpa instead of a lord.
"Jiji?" Haku asked, beginning to suspect that Naruto may not just desire to be Hokage, it could be he was being groomed for it or desired the position out of familial duty,
"Yeah, he's nice to me and I've known him since I was a kid so I call him that. I'll just explain that you're my new friend so he lets you into the village!" Naruto said, almost convincing Haku that it really would just be that easy. Haku did also register that Naruto was in a position to refer to the leader of the village with the kind of honorific reserved for grandfathers despite apparently not actually being related. Lastly Haku registered that Naruto was already calling him friend, but wasn't sure what to think of that development.
"I don't think it's quite that simple. A Kage must consider the entire village, even if you vouch for me I am an unknown and I doubt I can hide my training from an entire hidden village." Haku began, "It would probably be better if I begged refugee status, so they know of my cursed blood." he explained, looking down again.
"Don't call it that!" Naruto exclaimed, surprising Haku into looking up again, "I don't care if you have to be a refugee or whatever, but your blood doesn't make you less of a person. I will get you into the village, I'm going to be Hokage so I'll need to protect everyone in the village one day anyway, so you have to live there too!" the blonde explained and Haku simply blinked as he tried to process the logic behind Naruto's words.
"What?" Haku asked, he thought he got it but still couldn't make sense of why Naruto would mean what he was thinking,
"You said that people are strongest when they protect people precious to them, right?" Naruto asked. Despite those not being Haku's exact words he nodded, since it was basically the same sentiment, "Well then you have to live in Konohagakure no Sato so I can be stronger when I'm Hokage and protecting it!" Naruto explained again and Haku's brain skipped over a step as he contemplated what Naruto was saying. On the third mental run through of Naruto's words it actually clicked that Naruto not only thought that protecting a village meant protecting every single person in said village, but Naruto wanted Haku to be one of the people in said village because Haku was already important to Naruto.
"You want me-?" Haku began to ask,
"Yes!" Naruto interrupted with conviction. Haku widened his eyes, he wasn't sure if Naruto was answering the question as he had heard it or anticipated the end of the question, but how it sounded made Haku flush and look down.
"Then, I shall help you achieve your dream, Naruto-kun." Haku said after deciding not to ask the younger boy for further clarification, and Naruto grinned because he could hear Haku's smile in his voice.
Soon enough Naruto was bandaged back up and went downstairs, followed by Haku, and saw Sasuke and Sakura sitting at the table.
"How are you already up! Why are you letting him walk around!" Sakura shouted, the first one to notice them and still shaken up from the hit she'd seen Naruto take. Sakura was smart, she knew almost anyone should have died from the hole that had been put in Naruto.
"Kakashi-sensei said I'll be fine!" Naruto answered, "He also said that Uzumaki heal by expending chakra! How cool is that! I'm unstoppable!" the excited blonde bragged with a laugh.
"I didn't know Uzumaki had a Kekkei Genkai." Sasuke spoke up, confused by this new information.
"Well it's not actually a Kekkei Genkai." Kakashi answered, coming down the stairs after Naruto and Haku.
"It sounds like a recovery jutsu to me." Sasuke responded,
"Yeah, there's no way I'd be up and walking around by now without assistance." Sakura agreed with Sasuke eagerly.
"Well there aren't any Uzumaki left to my knowledge, Naruto's the only one in Konohagakure no Sato, so I guess you can call it whatever you want." Kakashi told them, "Anyway Sakura why aren't you watching the bridge? Sasuke needs his rest so guard duty is on you for a bit." he changed the subject.
"Tazuna-san came back for lunch, and he invited some of his new workers." Sakura explained, "Then they got drunk and Tsunami tossed them out, so Tazuna-san is washing up to get back to work." she finished, looking exasperated.
Kakashi just laughed, "Well, the tyrant lording over the land is slain, so the village is probably in high spirits." the man tried to placate Sakura by excusing their behaviour.
"You bet we're in super high spirits!" Tazuna called out, coming from down the hall, "Don't worry, we'll be done with the bridge in a couple of weeks, now that the whole town is in on the super bridge project and we're eager to get this done. Without Gato's super stupid taxes people can afford more food too!" Tazuna explained happily, pulling on his tools and making for the door. Sakura stood up to follow him, glancing reluctantly back at Sasuke as she went.
"So, how did the dead last actually beat you?" Sasuke asked Haku once they'd gone, taking in the visible responses as he did. Kakashi glanced at them without giving much away, Naruto took offense if the way he tensed up was any indication, and Haku shivered with fear. Haku's response interested Sasuke the most.
"I'm not actually sure." Haku asked, remembering the red chakra and looking at Naruto to see if he'd have a response. Kakashi remembered the feeling of the malevolent chakra of the kitsune and watched to see what Haku and Naruto would say about it.
"I'm just that good!" Naruto bragged, hiding what he didn't want to reveal with bravado. Sasuke snorted which earned him a glare.
"What was that red chakra?" Haku asked curiosly, "Another Uzumaki thing?" he guessed, looking to Kakashi to see if the oldest ninja in the room had a response. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at that, wondering if Naruto knew some kind of katon jutsu.
"Oh! That? That was, uh, yeah, something to do with Uzumaki, right Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked, clearly uncertain. Now all eyes were on Kakashi.
"Nope, not a clue!" Kakashi answered with a grin, deciding to mess with Naruto a little, but also to tease Sasuke and because he wasn't technically allowed to say the actual reason. It was supposed to be a village secret after all.
"Some new Kekkei Genkai then?" Haku pondered, "Your eyes turned red, and those marks on your cheeks seemed to turn thicker. I swear you even had claws. You got much stronger and faster, you broke my mirrors with your fist." the hyoton ninja said. Sasuke frowned, since it sounded like a more intense version of the Inuzuka clan Hiden jutsu. Sasuke briefly wondered if Naruto was a mix of Uzumaki and Inuzuka, but Kiba had never shown much familiarity to Naruto in the academy, besides skipping class together with Shikamaru and Choji occasionally when they were younger, and the Inuzuka Hiden jutsu weren't Kekkei Genkai either. Sasuke didn't think Kiba would have taught Naruto his clans Hiden jutsu either.
"I wouldn't worry about it." Kakashi said, causing Sasuke to narrow his eyes at the man.
"Yeah, probably nothing!" Naruto agreed quickly, but was much worse at lying than Kakashi and it was obvious to all that Naruto did not like this subject.
"You do know what it was." Sasuke accused the blonde,
"No!" Naruto lied,
"You suck at lying dead last, just come out with it." Sasuke demanded, "If it's some kind of Hiden it's not like I'll ask you to teach it to me." the Uchiha added, wondering if that was the issue.
"It's not even something I can teach you, idiot!" Naruto shot back, angering Sasuke,
"Well I don't even know what the hell it is!" Sasuke responded,
"Alright that's enough, Sasuke. Naruto clearly doesn't want to talk about it." Kakashi interrupted smoothly,
"You know what it is too then?" Sasuke asked, turning his gaze back to Kakashi and narrowing his eyes to look for any kind of tell. Kakashi didn't respond.
"Naruto-kun, whatever it is I will not change my mind about helping you." Haku said, attempting to calm Naruto down and also growing curious as to what this was.
Naruto took a few breaths to calm himself, "Alright. You want to know, Sasuke?" he asked, "Do you know what happened the day I was born?"
Sasuke frowned at that, trying to remember Naruto's birthday, "What does the Yondaime Hokage killing the Kyubi no Kitsune have to do with this?" he asked, pretty sure the fact the two events shared a date was the only reason he even knew the blonde boys birthday.
"You can't kill them." Naruto responded. Haku's eyes widened as the pieces clicked into place.
"Jinchuriki." Haku whispered in surprise. Sasuke and Kakashi both looked at him, Kakashi to gauge his response and Sasuke confused at the word.
"The Biju can only be sealed, never killed, and adult chakra networks can't survive the process." Naruto continued, this time Sasuke's eyes widened in recognition,
"You?" Sasuke asked suddenly, "The Kyubi was sealed in you?" he clarified his question, still processing what that would actually mean.
"So that red chakra, that's why it looked like a fox for a moment." Haku said, "No wonder. That chakra must have enhanced your healing, and as soon as you stopped being angry all the intensity was gone." he continued, looking at Naruto with shock as Naruto stood there and looked down to avoid meeting anyones gaze.
Sasuke was surprised and concerned, but he could tell that revealing this information bothered Naruto, "That explains it, no way a dead last could do better than me without monster level assistance." he jibed to snap Naruto out of it,
"What was that!? I'll kick your ass without that damn kitsune helping!" Naruto shot back, his melancholy replaced by anger in an instant. Sasuke just scoffed, glad despite himself to have Naruto back to somewhat normal.
"Well that's all well and good." Kakashi interrupted, "But Naruto just revealed an S class secret." he said, looming over the blonde boy, who gulped at that since he'd actually forgotten in the moment,
"Hey isn't it my secret anyway?" the blonde asked, backing away from Kakashi who was giving off a scary aura to intimidate the boy,
"The secret concerns you, but it isn't exactly yours to give. Telling Sasuke is one thing, but Haku isn't even a member of Konohagakure, and either way is against the Sandaime Hokage's law." Kakashi explained, continuing to loom over Naruto until Haku leaped between them,
"I won't tell anyone!" Haku interrupted, understanding the implications of giving away an S class secret and hurrying to defend Naruto from punishment,
"I knew something was up, and I'm the one who needled it out of him." Sasuke piped up, "Besides, I'll keep it quiet too." he added.
Kakashi's grin was visible even under his mask from the way his visible eye crinkled, "Oh good! Well I'll go check on Saukra then." the man said, dropping the scary act and leaving while whistling, hands in his pockets. Sasuke and Haku both sighed.
"Thanks." Naruto said quietly, he was happy both of them had defended him despite knowing about the Kyubi but still nervous about what they thought of him now.
Sasuke frowned, "Damn, how long until I can get back to training?" he suddenly asked Haku, "I thought I had the lead over Naruto, only to find out he's got the power of a Chakra no Bakemono? I might have him beat in skill by miles, clearly, but I can't have him overtaking me with raw power by so much or it won't matter." he explained, putting down Naruto's skills to get the blonde to stop being such a downer. It worked since Naruto suddenly looked up with an offended and angry expression.
"It'll be a week, I'm sorry." Haku said, suddenly aware that the two boys were genin. He wasn't even sure what rank to put them in, but assumed C rank. Individual genin being C rank was uncommon according to Zabuza, but not exactly rare. Sometimes a ninja gained power before being considered mature or skilled enough to lead other squads. Knowing what he knew of Konohagure no Sato's ninja academy, he figured that couldn't be the case unless Naruto and Sasuke graduated early.
"Great." Sasuke groused, reaching up to rub his bandaged neck while glaring at Haku who had caused the injury.
"Hah! Well I heal fast, so I'll start training way before you, then you'll be the one who gets outpaced, asshole!" Naruto exclaimed, pointing at Sasuke while grinning widely.
"It'll take you a lot more than two weeks of remedial training to catch up to me, dead last." Sasuke retorted, switching his glare from Haku to Naruto in an instant, but he hadn't missed the guilty look in Haku's eyes.
"We'll see about that! Haku will help train me to get way better than you!" Naruto shot back, "Right?" he asked Haku, suddenly looking nervous.
"I said I would help you achieve your dream, Naruto-kun. I would be honored to teach you some of what I know." Haku said with a smile and a bow that embarrassed the blonde, "After your shoulder is better." he added, reminding Naruto that while he was swiftly recovering, he was injured too. Sasuke switched from a glare to a frown as he looked between Haku and Naruto, but shrugged and turned away from the conversation after deciding Naruto probably wouldn't catch up fully anyway and that at least if Naruto got more skilled he'd be more use the next time they had to fight someone like Haku.
The Uchiha didn't want to think about it, but he knew the only reason he was alive was because Haku didn't have it in him to kill an opponent he could defeat with non-lethal power, and he didn't like that Haku had the skill to defeat him without lethal intent.
After a days rest Naruto and Haku were walking out towards one of the beaches near the bridge. Despite the explanation for Naruto's recovery speed Haku was still shocked that by morning Naruto was out of the bandages with only scar tissue remaining and insisting that he would be ready for training after breakfast. Haku knew of iryo ninjutsu, unfortunately without anyone to teach him he didn't know how to perform any, so he and Zabuza had relied on basic first aid and wilderness survival skills, but he knew what Zabuza could teach him about iryo ninjutsu so he knew that the kind of recovery ability the Uzumaki had must cost a lot of chakra. Naruto was technically still healing and he wanted to train.
Kakashi hadn't said no during breakfast, but he hadn't really responded at all. He merely told Sakura to watch Sasuke and that he would be on guard duty until lunch time when he would switch with Sakura. The man had just left Naruto to his own devices and Haku didn't exactly have the heart to tell Naruto that training should wait if his sensei wasn't going to interrupt. Haku really had to wonder at the recovery of Uzumaki. Any kind of physical training would potentially go by faster if Naruto worked hard at it.
"So what are you teaching me? Some kind of cool kenjutsu? How to turn water into an awesome sword? Suiryudan no Jutsu?" Naruto asked, following Haku down to the beach as he tried to guess.
"Physical training should be held off for now I think." Haku answered, "Besides, my taijutsu and kenjutsu aren't actually the best, I'm really not that strong so I mostly rely on speed to use shurikenjutsu and ninjutsu." he explained.
"So you're going to teach me ninjutsu?" Naruto asked hopefully, since shurikenjutsu was technically a physical activity.
"Well, yes. I mostly only know suiton ninjutsu however, and I don't know what your affinity is." Haku said, hoping for Naruto to expand on that,
"What's an affinity?" Naruto asked, not expanding on that.
"Naruto-kun, you're aware of Seishitsu Henka?" Haku asked, stopping just short of the water in surprise when Naruto shook his head, "Oh, well, there are Five Basic Natures, corresponding to five elements. Many ninjutsu fall under these elements, Suiton, Katon, Futon, Raiton, and Doton. Most peoples chakra have an affinity towards one element, because of my blood I have dual affinity to Suiton and Futon, allowing me to combine the two elements to create Hyoton." he explained,
"So I can't use suiton unless my affinity is suiton?" Naruto frowned,
"Well no, you can, some powerful ninja are even known for learning multiple, or even all five, basic elements without the use of a Kekkei Genkai." Haku assured,
"Great! So you'll teach me some super cool Suiton no Jutsu?" Naruto asked, looking excited,
"Naruto-kun please let me explain. While it is possible, ninjutsu outside of your affinity are harder to learn as well as costing more chakra, and it is generally better to learn some Seishitsu Henka before learning such ninjutsu." Haku began, "Practicing with such ninjutsu will teach you the basics, but it will be slow going." the boy lectured, "I've never even learned any Futon no Jutsu due to Zabuza-san not knowing any to teach me, my Hyoton was borderline instinctual and most of the ninjutsu I have had to create from scratch without true instruction." he tried to placate.
"Wow Haku, you must be a genius!" Naruto praised, causing the older shinobi to blush, "But I don't really know my affinity, and you said I could get the basics down anyway, so I'll just work hard to learn them all." he said with determination.
Haku nodded and stepped out into the shallows of the water, "Then I shall try to teach you Kirigakure no Jutsu, it's practically an academy basic in Kiri and should get you into the basics of Suiton. Plus being able to bring cover with you that seems like a natural phenomena is good for infiltration and stealth missions." he said, encouraging Naruto to step into the water with him, it was shallow enough to only make their feet wet where he stood.
Naruto followed the older boy, "The hand seals for this ninjutsu are ox, snake, and then ram. Try to push your chakra into the water as you mold it." Haku instructed, demonstrating the hand seals slowly and then watching Naruto practice.
As Naruto attempted the jutsu Haku took note of two things, first that Naruto had terrible chakra control and second that Naruto had a lot of chakra. It was visible as he molded it and splashed the water around with an expulsion of chakra. Some of it did turn to mist to his credit, but it was still not a good first try and Naruto clearly knew that much. Haku had to wonder if Naruto even realized just the sheer amount of chakra he was expending just attempting this D rank ninjutsu.
An hour later Naruto was still trying under the instruction of Haku, although most of the instruction as this point was, "Please use less chakra." from the older boy who had become drenched over the hour even though he had stepped out of the water to allow Naruto to practice. He had intended to provide a demonstration if Naruto had failed, but while the fervor Naruto tackled training with was admirable, it had also splashed Haku relentlessly.
Naruto continued practicing until around lunch when Haku interrupted, "Naruto-kun, we should head back for now."
"What? But I still haven't got it!" Naruto complained, wanting to continue and not wanting to admit he was getting tired.
"A short break for lunch then, but it seems your affinity is not towards Suiton so please do not expect to learn it in a day." Haku warned, "You are still recovering after all, light training with food breaks will allow you to make more progress for now." he tried to bargain. Naruto didn't look happy with it, but he agreed.
After lunch Naruto continued practicing Kirigakure no Jutsu, and continued to practice until the day the bridge was finished, out of his team only Kakashi noticed, and kept quiet to avoid Sasuke bothering him for instruction on ninjutsu.
With Gato dead the people of Nami no Kuni were no longer afraid, and with prices on materials and food down and spirits up, the bridge didn't take much longer to finish. Haku could tell Naruto was annoyed he hadn't yet learned the ninjutsu, but his chakra control was slowly getting better. Tazuna and his family, as well as the people of Nami, were at the bridge to see off the ninja team that had saved their land. Haku thought it was quite like a story from a children's book.
"Thank you, you super shinobi really saved us." Tazuna said sincerely, bowing to Kakashi and his team. Haku looked down, guilty for standing near Naruto while the man gave group praise but feeling it would be improper to step away now.
"Just doing our job." Kakashi responded glibly, waving off the praise with seemingly practiced ease.
"Hah! It may have been a job, but I'm seriously super grateful." the bridge builder told them, "But, this is super sad." he added.
"Don't worry, we'll come visit." Naruto said happily.
"You better." Inari said, trembling from suppressing the urge to cry.
"Inari, you're sad right? It's alright to cry!" Naruto said, grinning to hide his own eyes watering up.
"I'm not going to cry! You can cry too!" Inari retorted.
"Fine." Naruto said flatly, turning around to hide the tears streaming down his face as Inari started crying. Sakura thought they were like twins and was embarrassed to have such a childish team mate.
Team 7 left for home, Haku following them. "That boy changed Inari's heart, and Inari changed the peoples hearts." Tazuna remarked, "That boy gave us the courage to actually finish this bridge. Oh yeah, we still need to name this bridge." he continued,
"I have the perfect name for it." Inari spoke up, "The Great Naruto Bridge!" he exclaimed. The people of Nami no Kuni agreed, and Tazuna named the bridge.
On the road back to Konohagakure no Sato, Naruto was telling Haku all about the village, well mostly just about how Iruka-sensei was nice for buying him ramen, that Ichiraku Ramen was the best ramen ever, and that Konohamaru would be jealous of Naruto's adventure. Haku wasn't sure anyone would be jealous of the part where Naruto was hit by an A rank assassination jutsu but didn't want to spoil the excited mood the blonde boy was in. Haku did learn that Naruto really was close to the Hokage when it was revealed that Konohamaru was his grandson. It did make sense, since Naruto was apparently the Kyubi Jinchuriki and it would be dangerous for anyone besides the Kage or someone of similar power to look over the one who contained a biju.
From what Haku knew Jinchuriki were usually regarded as living weapons, so Naruto's kindness and cheerful outlook was rather surprising. Haku also had noticed that Naruto's training seemed stunted, he didn't learn particularly slowly and worked hard yet his taijutsu was sloppy. The chakra control issue made sense, and with his reserves the kage bunshin was perfect for him. Yet Naruto seemed woefully under trained, and quickly corrected mistakes with Haku's watchful instruction. The boy was even learning to adopt some of Haku's taijutsu style, which he'd learned from Zabuza. Haku could only surmise that the boy had been sabotaged, but why sabotage a weapon for your own village? Haku decided he'd ask this 'Iruka-sensei' if he ever got the chance, since he got the impression Kakashi wasn't involved until recently, and while the boy had only recently learned to walk up sheer surfaces with chakra he'd apparently learned it with his team mates so their team probably wasn't long out of the academy.
"I can't wait to get back and get some Ichiraku Ramen." Naruto was talking about ramen again, much to Sakura's annoyance, Kakashi and Sasuke's indifference, and Haku's smiling amusement, "You're probably going to love it Haku-chan." the blonde boy continued and Haku halted in place, smile giving way to surprise as he wondered if Naruto had already forgotten. Kakashi and Sasuke stopped to raise an eyebrow at Naruto and Sakura was looking at Naruto in pure confusion. A moment later Naruto stopped too, clearly wondering what was wrong.
"Naruto-kun, you remember I'm a boy?" Haku asked,
"Of course I remember you're a boy, Haku-cha-" Naruto began and halted as he finally realized which honorific he'd used.
"Oh good, I was worried you'd forgotten." Haku said with a shaky smile, trying not to laugh at Naruto's blush.
"I knew you didn't get pushed back in graduation." Sasuke suddenly said, which caused Sakura's brain to hit the brakes as she remembered the event Sasuke was referencing,
"What? I did too!" Naruto shouted, "Also I don't want to remember that, why do you!?" the blonde ranted, trying to use anger to hide his embarrassment.
"Pushed?" Haku asked, turning to Sakura for some kind of explanation,
"Don't ask." Sakura answered, covering her face with her hands. At this point both Sasuke and Naruto had stopped talking, their argument stunted by the fact neither wanted to actually discuss the incident so they were just glaring at each other.
Kakashi raised a finger, "Oh!" he said, his eye crinkling giving away the wide grin hidden beneath his mask, "Naruto likes pretty boys." he said, having found the correct words to embarrass everyone.
Sasuke took offence to being called a pretty boy, Haku blushed as he realized the implications of that, Sakura was angry because she was usually the object of Naruto's affections so Kakashi had technically called her a pretty boy too, and Naruto was red in the face with anger and embarrassment.
"No! I like girls! Haku just looks really girly!" Naruto defended which just caused Haku to blush even more and look down in embarrassment. Haku knew he did look girly but still.
"Oh, so it's just Haku you like?" Kakashi asked, clearly thoroughly enjoying this, much to his teams horror.
"No! I mean, yeah I like Haku but not like that even if he is prettier than Sakura!" Naruto tried to explain as he just dug deeper into his hole.
"What!?" Sakura screeched, even Sasuke palmed his face, embarrassed for Naruto's stupidity at this point.
"I mean-" Naruto started to attempt to dig himself deeper but Haku gathered his willpower and rescued the blonde boy from his own words, swiftly clamping hands over the boys mouth,
"Naruto-kun please stop talking." Haku said, struggling to keep his tone even.
"Ah, young love." Kakashi said, turning back to his book and continuing down the path as Haku and Naruto both flushed. Sasuke shook his head and followed after Kakashi. Sakura looked like she really wanted to punch Naruto, but after some deep breaths turned away and stormed after them.
After a few moments Haku released Naruto, "Aw man, Sakura's going to think I'm gay." Naruto said, and Haku just sighed,
"You only have yourself to blame for that impression, Naruto-kun." Haku said simply.
"Does this mean I shouldn't call you Haku-chan?" Naruto asked and Haku blushed again,
"That is, uh, people would get the wrong idea but I do not mind." Haku said quietly, hoping the others wouldn't hear, he really hoped Kakashi's giggle was due to the book. Haku glanced at Naruto and noticed that while the boy was still embarrassed, he had a mischievious grin that indicated he'd noticed Haku was embarrassed.
"Great, let's not get left behind then Haku-chan." Naruto said, moving to catch up with the others as Haku barely stopped his jaw from dropping in surprise and his blush deepened.
"Kakashi Hatake, you are one of my finest jonin." Hiruzen said, gazing at the man with a stern look, "You have fought for this village from a young age and I personally know the depths of your loyalty. Which is why I am willing to overlook that you have brought a foreign shinobi with clear signs of Kirikagure no Sato training if you explain yourself."
"Hey come on old timer, Haku-chan is nice and he wants to live here and help protect his new home, right Haku-chan." Naruto interrupted with a grin, Sakura glared at Naruto wondering how could he be so stupid as to interrupt while Sasuke was just baffled that this was who was becoming his rival. Haku could scarecly believe Naruto actually spoke to the Sandaime Hokage like that and just shivered as the man's gaze moved over him. Hiruzen himself was just wondering at Naruto referring to Haku with a suffix reserved for girls and a male pronoun.
"Well, Haku?" Hiruzen asked after a moment and the boy realized the man wanted him to answer Naruto's question.
"Oh, Yes!" Haku suddenly exclaimed, "I would like to humbly request to live in your village in refuge from a hostile home." he explained in a more subdued tone and with a bow, still shaken up by Naruto getting away with speaking to the Kage like that.
"Hostile home?" Hiruzen asked, putting his hands together beneath his chin.
"I lived in Mizu no Kuni, I bear the Hyoton Kekkei Genkai. I recieved enough instruction to survive on my own from a sympathetic shinobi, but due to purges against those who bear Kekkei Genkai I have no love for my homeland, and seek a home where I will be safe from such persecution." Haku explained on request.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and glanced at Naruto and Kakashi, "Well, accepting a refugee from a nation we are at peace with could upset such peace. Although we in Konohagakure no Sato tend to regard our clans with powerful Kekkei Genkai in high prestige, this is more due to their backgrounds in founding our village." the Sandaime explained, "However," he continued before Naruto could interrupt again, "should one of my ninja sponsor you, I will allow-" Naruto refused to not interrupt,
"I'll do it!" the genin volunteered, happy to help.
Hiruzen considered finishing what he was about to say but decided it would do no harm and Naruto could stand to learn to take responsibility for his words, "Very well then." he said with a smile, judging from the way Kakashi was amused he guessed there would be no harm in it, "Haku, do you accept." he asked, wondering if the boy would ask for further clarification or understood already what was happening,
"I accept his sponsorship." Haku responded, the smile seemed genuine so he was hopeful.
"Then I shall accept, congratulations on becoming the vassal of Naruto Uzumaki and being accepted as an apprentice genin." Hiruzen said with a smile, causing Kakashi to chuckle.
"Vassal?" Naruto asked,
"Isn't that a clan thing?" Sakura asked,
"Any shinobi can take vassals, it's just only clans usually bother." Sasuke explained, he was Uchiha after all.
"Most people generally don't want to be the vassal of one ninja." Kakashi added.
"As your vassal, Haku is effectively under your command, and not just in military matters." Hiruzan began, "Effectively you have mutual obligation, you are expected to be responsible for Haku and in exchange he is expected to do as you say."
"So it's practice for when I'm Hokage!" Naruto exclaimed, surprisingly confident in the idea. Haku wasn't sure how to feel about that, Kakashi and the Hokage could tell the boys had no idea what they'd agreed to.
"I suppose it is." Hiruzen agreed with Naruto with a chuckle, "The people down the hall will have the forms you need to fill out for claiming a vassal, Kakashi, you stay and give the rest of the report, the rest of you are dismissed." Sasuke left with Sakura trailing behind asking him for a date, and Naruto went down the hall followed by Haku to fill out the paperwork.
"Well, Kakashi?" Hiruzen asked when they were gone.
"Haku is no threat to the village I think, he latched onto Naruto quite quickly." Kakashi explained, "It seems he had a rough life, so Naruto being the little ball of sunshine and niceness seems to make it easier on the kid. Also that vassal stunt will probably help him too." he continued at Hiruzen's raised eyebrow.
"Used to taking orders?" Hiruzen asked.
"Something like that, but there shouldn't be a conflict of loyalty." Kakashi answered.
The Hokage frowned, "You aren't going to explain it, are you?"
"I'm afraid there is nothing more to add to the report." Kakashi answered, he knew that the Sandaime would guess that the sympathetic shinobi Haku had mentioned was Zabuza, so he was relieved when Hiruzen decided to trust his judgement and dismissed him.