So here it is the last chapter of the wave arc. It is very, very long, but should finish wave arc up at last, never realised how annoying this arc actually was lol. Alas my internet is nonexistent at the moment, takes a while to fix, very annoying.
ThunderNinjaBird – who's that? I'm quite interested to know. InARealPickle – did you get my message?
Marie – I love Asuma and was crying for days after the manga and the anime one of the last episodes I watched. But I don't know if I'll write that far and if I do I don't know what I will do about Asuma. He and Shikimaru are my favourite characters. I adore Kakashi too lol.
animelava – yeah it is lol. But Sakura's a b***h in the series, most of the time.
dementia-notAhumanBeing - I love your favourite part.
Theia Pallas – aww I love writing Ko, he's sweet and so similar to Naruto lol. I suppose if you really wanted I could write a bit about Ko's first day at the academy.
TigrezzTail – thank you it's more fun now as I have more free reign before the series picks up again.
alia00, Narutoenthusiast, Datu824, Sousie, InARealPickle, Darkryus, SullenFaythe, DarkRavie, xdevil-childx and guests thank you and glad that you all enjoyed it.
Oh and sorry it's so long, I think I just blitzed it when writing this chapter.
Please enjoy it, lol.
Thank you for the alerts and reviews.
Naruto = flash back
'Naruto' is thoughts/thinking
"Naruto" signing/sign language
"Naruto" speaking.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just some DVDs and games.
Chapter 18 Frenemies
The sun shone through the clouds onto the group assembled on the porch.
"Thanks for looking after Naruto I was a little worried when I couldn't wake him this morning." Kakashi spoke with slight worry in his voice.
"Don't worry about Naruto he's in safe hands." Tsunami assured Kakashi.
"Okay let's super go." Tazuna began walking away followed by Sakura and Sasuke.
"Bye". They waved.
(Line)
A boat containing two lone figures bobbed on the still water underneath the bridge. The bridge looked as though it was reaching out for the shoreline in the distance. A radio crackled as they waited. The taller of the two figures had a broad sword resting casually on his shoulder.
Gatou sat on a comfy sofa in his hideout, with the windows behind him open wide letting in the morning air a body guard in a suit stood off to his right side hands clasped in front of him. Reclining back Gatou spoke into the radio set at his ear. "Is the ambush ready?"
Zabuza dropped his radio set to the bottom of the boat Gatou screaming out of it – Hey Zabuza are you listening! Hey! -
"Shall we go Haku?" Zabuza invited.
Haku placed his mask on and nodded.
(Line)
Naruto's eyes snapped open changing from sapphire to his normal azure he sat up slowly, the bed sheets pooling in his lap. The door slid open to reveal Tsunami entering with a tray she stopped when she realised he was awake.
"You're awake? We were a little worried when we couldn't wake you earlier."
"Is that breakfast?" Naruto's head inclined. "So have they gone to the bridge without me then?" he asked so innocently that Tsunami was reminded just how young Naruto really was.
"Umm yes they have. Are you well enough to join them?" Tsunami placed the tray down next to him and sat down on her knees.
"Of course. I'm sorry I worried you." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Thank you breakfast." he smiled pulling the tray over to him. Nodding Tsunami stood and left the room.
Naruto ate the breakfast slowly he was waiting for something, he could feel it. Something was happening. Getting dressed he grabbed his scarf pulling it over his head and buried the lower half of his face in it as he chuckled to himself. He tied his forehead protector on his forehead and his face steeled. It was beginning.
(Line)
Tazuna and team 7 arrived at the bridge where they found the remaining workers out cold on the far end of the bridge. Tazuna in shock ran over to his workers trying to rouse them, he found one who was still awake but injured badly, he cradled him in his lap.
"What happened here?"
"A monster!" he croaked out before he too joined his fellow works in unconsciousness.
Kakashi tensed 'can it be...'
(Line)
Gatou's bodyguards stood on the peer around Tazuna's house they smirked as they listened to the conversation inside neither occupant knew they were there.
(Line)
A thick rolling mist descended around the bridge. Kakashi's head turned recognising the mist for what it truly was. Quickly Team 7 moved around Tazuna protecting him. "Here they come." Kakashi called. Sasuke spun a kunai in to his hand, Sakura opened her pouch hand poised to pull out a weapon, while Kakashi's hand hovered at his back pouch and his right held out in front of him two fingers pointed up.
'So he is alive. And he's already here.' Kakashi summarised.
"This is... ...isn't this the hidden mist technique?" Sakura stuttered in apprehension
"He's here then?" Sasuke smirked as his body began to shake
-long time no see Kakashi. Still with those brats I see. Oh look he's shaking again poor kid. - A dozen Zabuza's appeared surrounding the group each in a different menacing pose. Sasuke smirked.
"I'm shaking from excitement."
Zabuza frowned in annoyance.
"Do it Sasuke." Kakashi smiled relaxing his pose.
Sasuke pulled out a second kunai and in quick succession went round each of the water clones and slashed and sliced them till he was returning back to his position in the formation and then with a swish the clones all collapsed into water creating puddles around them, this was all done in a few seconds showing his speed. You can't fool me was thought smugly.
"Hmm he saw through the water clones." Zabuza dissipated the mist to reveal himself and Haku stood nearest to Tazuna but with plenty of distance between themselves, "The brat's grown." He turned to Haku. "It looks like you've got a rival here Haku."
Haku's hunter mask gleamed suddenly. "Indeed it does."
"So he does have an accomplice." Kakashi stated breaking the tension that was building.
"Where is Naruto Uzumaki?" Haku stepped forward.
'They know Naruto' they couldn't believe that Haku knew Naruto.
"He's the one who kept you quiet these last couple of days?" Zabuza commented. "Hmmp he really struck a chord with you Haku don't get soft on me now." he reprimanded
"Of course."
"How do you know Naruto?" Sakura's curiosity got the better of her then.
"We met in a clearing once in the early morning, I believe he said he was training." his mask titled
"That was you?" Sasuke's shock shook his normal composure. "You look like a girl." he smirked. "I'll fight him, tricking us with that stupid act, I hate bastards like him!"
"Awesome you're so cool Sasuke." Sakura cheered
'She's far to hung up on him.' Kakashi's mind wandered back to that ever present topic.
"You know that water clones only have 1/10th of the original user's strength. Still that's very impressive for you." Haku pressed.
"But we have gained the first advantage. Go!" he ordered. Haku in response disappeared in a swirl of snow and appeared in front of Sasuke senbon in hand and swinging towards Sasuke.
(Line)
The two body guards smashed through the wall of the house, scattering wood and dust everywhere. Turning in alarm Tsunami found herself confronted with two sword wielding men.
"You Tazuna's daughter? You're coming with us!" Zori ordered.
Inari was washing his hands when he heard the shrill scream of his mother, he called out to her before he could stop himself, coming out of the doorway he saw two men advancing on his mother with two swords and their table on its side smashed in two.
"Don't come! Run away!" Tsunami screamed.
"Should we take him too?" Waraji asked.
"We only need one hostage" Zori answered.
'Hostage' a shiver of fear ran down Inari's spine as he tried to hide behind the doorway.
"Then should I kill him" Waraji laughed.
"WAIT!" the two men turned. "If you touch that child I will bite my tongue and kill myself. You want a hostage right?" Tsunami said with resolve.
"Hmm thank your mum kid" Zori smirked.
"Damn I wanted to cut something" Waraji moaned.
"Shut it you cut up a load of stuff. Let's hurry and take her." Inari huddled in the bathroom tears pouring down his face. He pulled his legs up to his chest hugging them tight. 'Mum I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I'm a weak kid so I can't protect you'. He remembered what Naruto said suddenly. 'You can't spend your life crying.' His tears stopped as he remembered more 'Precious people are worth dying for!' 'Naruto may understand your feelings better than anyone else.' Naruto had decided to become stronger. Kaiza had said, 'For something that is precious to you, no matter how tough or sad you must try and try and even if you lose your life protect it with these two arms.' that meant his mum. He looked at his hands, and then stood up brushing away his tears with his arm he had a new resolve in his eyes. The ninja were incredible, his family were cool and Naruto and his dad were strong. He would be too.
"Hehe look at that lovely skin makes me want to cut it." Waraji moaned.
"Walk faster!" Zori scowled back at him.
"WAIT!" Inari called standing his ground.
All three adults turned in confusion.
"INARI!"
"It's that kid." Zori was slightly confused.
"Get... GET AWAY FROM MY MUM!" he screamed and charged with his head down at the two assailants.
"Stupid kid. Cut him." Zori smirked at Waraji.
"Yes!" Waraji crowed.
"INARI!" Tsunami screamed in terror.
Only nothing happened, opening their eyes the saw Naruto stood in front of Inari, kunais pushing back against the blades. He looked over his shoulder to make sure Inari wasn't hurt, then pushed away from the swords and in a flash appeared underneath Zori's chin and performed an uppercut sending the younger flying over a startled Tsunami. Ducking he spun on his hand, now kunai free and kicked Waraji upwards sending him flying into Zori. He moved behind the two men and knocked them out as they tried to get up from where they had fallen.
He helped Tsunami out of her bonds making sure she was unharmed before he turned to Inari.
"Nice work Inari. I wanted to see what you'd do before I rescued your mum. I'm impressed." He smiled kindly "I'm sorry for yesterday I didn't mean to upset you." he rubbed the bridge of his nose in embarrassment. "But it obviously pushed you in the right direction." He ruffled Inari's hair. "You're getting stronger." he smiled, Inari started to tear up.
"Damn it I promised I wasn't going to cry anymore. You don't cry."
"I do cry, when I'm sad mostly but I also cry when I'm happy. It's okay to cry when you're happy." Naruto reassured smiling a genuine gentle smile, "Well that's them taken care of I better head to the bridge if they attacked here they probably attacked the bridge too." he stated tying up the two bodyguards. "I can count on you here right?" he asked Inari.
Inari nodded and wiped his tears away "Yup." Nodding Naruto turned and leapt up into the trees in a flash of gold and blue.
(Line)
Sasuke and Haku clashed together kunai meeting senbon needle. The others stood and watched the two adult ninja contemplating their young charges.
Zabuza was amused that the brat could keep up with Haku, but where was the blonde, he would be a problem. He was very sure of it.
"Sakura! Step in front of Tazuna and don't leave my side. We'll let Sasuke handle him." He looked to see Sakura's nodded response.
"I don't want to kill you, but you won't stand down will you?" Haku asked.
"Don't be foolish." Sasuke smirked.
"I see. But you won't be able to keep up with my speed next time. Plus I've already gained two advantages."
"Two advantages?"
"The first is the water on the ground." Sasuke's eyes wondered briefly to the puddles surrounding them. "The second is that I have occupied one of your arms. You will now only be able to run from my attacks". Haku's free hand then began flashing through hand signs at incredible speed.
'What? With one hand!' Sasuke thought shocked.
'I've never seen that before.' Kakashi began to panic.
"Special jutsu flying water needles." His hand stopped on the final sign.
The water surrounding them flew up into the air forming thousands of needles.
'Doesn't want to kill can that be true.' Zabuza pondered.
Sasuke shut his eyes in concentration, his free hand coming to rest in front of his face he closed his eyes in concentration. His eyes snapped open "To the legs." as he shot up into the air above the needles. And Haku pushed away back from the needles. He lost sight of Sasuke as he cleared the area of impact. He jumped back suddenly as three shuriken were aimed in a row one after the other at where he would have been. He ducked as three flew over his head one hitting the railing behind him and toppling into the water below.
"You're pretty slow." Haku found Sasuke stood behind him with a smirk spread across his face, kunai in front of his face. "From now on you will only be able to run from my attacks." He mimicked.
Sasuke now had two kunai in his hands as he brought his hands back before swinging them round he gave enough time for Haku to bring his arm to block the first kunai. Sasuke his arm still blocked by Haku's twisted his wrist slightly and threw the kunai in his hand at Haku. Who had to duck to avoid the sharp pointy object only to have a leg coming right towards him. He didn't realise how fast Sasuke was.
Haku was knocked back by Sasuke's kick; he straightened out his fall so that he landed crouched in front of Zabuza.
"Looks like I have the advantage in speed." Sasuke smirked straightening up.
"I can't have you underestimating my team by calling them 'brats'. Sasuke is the Leaf village's number one rookie. Sakura is the brightest in the village. And Naruto..."
"Is underestimated by all of you." Zabuza stated his eyebrow arched.
"He lets you think what you want; he's just waiting for you to see him with your eyes open. There's an intensity in his eyes which I can't explain." Haku's masked face looked beyond the other ninja.
'It almost sounds like he respects Naruto.' Kakashi assessed.
'This Naruto must be something for Haku to speak up about him. But I'm getting antsy.'
"Haku do you realise? At this rate we'll be driven back."
"Yeah. We can't have that..." Haku started to glow briefly as he gathered chakra.
'What's this chill?' Sasuke became nervous.
Haku performed a hand seal and the water around Sasuke started to rise up forming a solid mass.
- Special Jutsu Demonic Ice Mirrors! -
Sasuke was now stood inside a dome of twenty one solid ice walls. Twelve on ground level, with eight above them angled toward the ground and the final one at the top facing the ground. Kakashi and Sakura looked on in amazement, as Haku walked up to the now solid ice walls and stepped into one. Inside the dome he appeared in all the mirrors surrounding Sasuke.
"Damn it!" Kakashi darted forward. Only to be blocked by Zabuza.
"Hey your opponent is me. Against that jutsu he's finished. You shouldn't have underestimated us." Zabuza smirked.
Back inside the dome Sasuke stood wondering what he was in, realising that they were in fact mirrors. Haku started taunting then.
"Well shall I begin? I'll show you my real speed." Haku pulled out a senbon. Sasuke was hit in his left shoulder he cried out in pain. Then suddenly he was assaulted from everywhere at once and he screamed out in pain.
Kakashi on the outside panicked shouting out Sasuke's name.
"If you get by me I'll kill those two." Zabuza smirked
"Damn!" Kakashi was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"Sasuke!" Sakura shouted panic stricken
- AWWW! -
"Tazuna. I'm sorry I'm going to leave you for a moment." Sakura had a determined look in her eyes.
"Yeah. Go!"
Sakura dashed forward pulling out a kunai as she moved; she threw it through the gap in the mirrors calling out Sasuke's name. It flew straight towards Haku who grabbed it by its handle with the blade still facing him. Sakura couldn't believe that he had blocked it. Haku was partially out of the mirror and didn't see the shuriken that was sailing through the gap in the mirrors behind. He was struck just as he registered the projectile. He fell out the safety of his domes landing face down outside.
Kakashi, Zabuza and Sakura wondered who had joined the fight.
'He's finally decided to join in then.' Haku assumed as he looked over to where the projectile had come from.
'That idiot... showing off...' Sasuke started to pull himself up from the ground.
A cloud of smoke was all that was left from where the shuriken had originated. Naruto stepped forward then walking from behind Tazuna and Sakura to stand next to them.
"I'm sorry we had to meet this way again Haku, I had hoped it wouldn't come down to this." Naruto's eyes changed from azure to cobalt as he spoke his face never smiling.
'That's Naruto? No wonder he's made Haku jumpy I can feel the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. Can they really not see him for what he is?' Zabuza thought.
Naruto stopped just behind Zabuza. "What makes you think if you got past Kakashi, that I'd let you anywhere near them." Naruto said his eyes full of steely determination.
Haku stood his head bowed as Naruto continued walking past everyone so that he was almost in front of him. He remembered what Naruto said 'So I can become stronger and protect my precious people'.
Zabuza infuriated at Naruto threw Shuriken after him as Kakashi not realising what was happening looked on in desperation. Naruto kept walking as Haku threw senbon towards him. He walked calmly on as the senbon knocked out the shuriken behind him, causing all the projectiles to clatter to the floor. Everyone was shocked at the reaction of the masked boy.
"Haku what is this?" Zabuza was confused.
"Zabuza... These kids... Please let me fight them my way."
"So you don't want me to interfere, Haku? You're as soft as always..."
'Soft. He's right. Attacking with needles, yet not aiming them at high damage areas. Is he trying not to kill me? But what's this jutsu? Having clones in the mirrors all throwing needles...
No it's too fast for that. I can't even see where they are coming from, and if it isn't bushin jutsu then why mirrors? These mirrors serve some kind of purpose in this attack. Well with me on the inside, and Naruto attacking from the outside we might just do this.' Sasuke concluded.
"Not wanting to kill doesn't make you soft. It just shows you have a heart, compassion. Killing should always be the last resort if you can't incapacitate someone." Naruto spoke calmly as he waited for the next move.
Kakashi was stuck. 'what to do what to do. If I go to them then Tazuna will be in danger, but I can't just leave them. If I use shadow clone, he'll just stop me with his water clone. I'll just waste chakra.
Haku climbed back into the mirrors as Naruto invited him to continue. Sasuke watched as Haku appeared in the mirror in front of him, he started to pull out a kunai as Haku called out from behind him. Sasuke's face started to bleed as a fresh cut appeared on his cheek. He began a series of hand seals, 'if these mirrors are made of ice, then...' he just said fire technique when he was assaulted again. Landing on his bum he pulled himself up.
"Trying to follow me with your eyes is impossible. You will never be able to catch me." Haku taunted again. He then leant out of the outside of his mirrors releasing a volley of senbon towards Tazuna and Sakura. Naruto shot after them reaching Sakura and pulling her back to Tazuna he released her and pivoted on his foot with kunai drawn he deflected the senbon flying towards him.
'How fast is he? I didn't see him over take anything.' Zabuza thought as he watched out of the corner of his eye.
Naruto made a clone leaving it with Sakura and Tazuna then returned to his position outside the dome.
"Sasuke it's not clones he's using the mirrors as a way to transport." Naruto shouted to his team mate.
"Yes I am. From my point of view, you seem to be moving in slow motion." Haku confirmed.
Kakashi finally clicked. "For that kid to master a jutsu like that..."
Zabuza started to laugh.
"Jutsu like that?" Sakura asked confused.
"It's an advanced bloodline." Naruto stated.
"A deep blood lineage... superior genealogy..." Kakashi theorised.
"What?" Sakura asked confused.
"It's a jutsu passed down by your ancestors." Naruto supplied.
"You could compare it to my sharigan. Even I couldn't copy it. It's impossible to defeat."
"But you can keep up with it. Sasuke you need to unlock yours then we can defeat this thing together." Naruto encouraged stood on the outside of the dome. "Then we'll be able to complete our dreams together". Naruto smirked.
'Dreams?' Haku paused as he remembered how he and Zabuza met.
Zabuza was stood above a small child dressed in rags with a chained collar around his neck.
"What an unfortunate child." Zabuza kneeled down to Haku's level. "A brat like you is not wanted by anyone... you will die with neither freedom nor dreams."
"You have the same eyes as me." Haku smiled up at Zabuza causing him to stare in shock at the child before him.
"Becoming a true shinobi is difficult for me." Haku spoke addressing both boys "If possible; I don't want to have to kill you. Nor want you to kill me, but if you come at me... I can destroy my kind heart with a blade and become a true shinobi. This bridge is the place where we fight to connect to our dreams, me, for my dream, and you for your dreams. Please don't hate me. I want to protect someone precious to me, to work for that person, to fight for that person. To make that person's dreams come true. That is my dream. For that, I can become a shinobi. I can kill you." Haku's very heart poured out in his speech.
"I understand Haku; I won't hate you for following your dreams." Naruto sympathised.
"Sasuke! Naruto! Don't lose to that guy!" Sakura shouted her encouragement and belief.
"No Sakura. Don't egg them on." Kakashi admonished.
"Huh?"
"Even if they could somehow defeat that technique they cannot beat that boy."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked unsure.
Zabuza began laughing again.
"They don't yet have the strength to destroy their hearts and kill another person. That young man knows the true pain of being a shinobi." Kakashi stated hope draining from his words.
"A real shinobi can't be created in a peaceful village like yours, because you can't gain the most important thing, the experience of killing." Zabuza concluded mockingly.
"Then what can we do Sensei?" she was scared now.
Kakashi's hand twitched. He raised his hand to his head band ready to lift it up. "Sorry but I'm going to end this instantly."
"Hehe Sharigan again? Is that the only thing you can do?"
"Sharigan!" Sakura replied happily.
Zabuza shot forwards then Kakashi's hand still resting on his head band. Zabuza pulled a kunai from his rear pouch and brought it forwards as he struck Kakashi. Blood hit the floor as the kunai impacted Kakashi's hand.
"You asked if it's all I can do, but you are afraid of the sharigan Zabuza." Kakashi's hand had the kunai pushed through the centre of it.
"Hehe. A shinobi's supreme technique is not something that should be showed to the opponent over and over."
"You should feel honoured. You're the only person to see it twice. And there won't be a third time."
"Hehe. Even if you defeat me, you can't win against Haku."
'Is that masked boy really that strong?' Sakura's panic stricken thoughts began to emerge.
"Ever since he was a little kid I taught him all kinds of fighting skills. Even facing the greatest adversity, he succeeded. Without a heart, nor fear of death. A fighting machine known as shinobi. And his jutsu surpass even mine. The terrifying ability of an advanced bloodline. I gained a high quality tool for myself. Unlike that scrap that follow you around." Zabuza pulled the kunai from Kakashi's hand.
Zabuza was then knocked flying as Naruto kicked him across the bridge.
"Shinobi aren't tools to be used and thrown away when they're worn. They are people with their own will and dreams." Naruto snapped. "Shinobi fight for a reason and I know Haku's!" Naruto's eyes flashed a steel blue as he stood where Zabuza once was. There was a scream from the dome as Haku assaulted Sasuke again.
"You better help him before I kill him." Haku's voice sounded full of steel.
Naruto stepped away from the two jounin. "I already know how to help him."
Kakashi's hand was still hovering over his headband he was shocked at how fast Naruto had moved and the words that he said. Evidently so was Zabuza as he slowly got to his feet.
Shaking his head clear of thoughts of Naruto, Kakashi raised his head band to finally reveal the sharigan. "There's nothing as boring as a man's bragging. Let's get this started!"
"Hold on for a second." Zabuza returned to his position in front of Kakashi casting a glance over his shoulder as he did so "I'll use your own words and brag about one more thing. The last time you said this to me. Hehe. I've been waiting a while for the chance to use this line." Tazuna, Sakura and Kakashi waited to see what he would say. "'I'll tell you this. The same jutsu won't work on me twice.' Wasn't it?" Kakashi looked annoyed.
"I have already seen through the trivial system of that eye. In the previous fight, I wasn't just getting beat like an idiot. I had Haku hiding in the background examining every aspect. Haku is also bright. By seeing a technique once, he can usually come up with a way to defeat it." His hand had now moved into a hand seal. "Ninpou Hidden Mist no Jutsu."
The mist started to surround the two jounin; it became so thick that Zabuza disappeared in front of Kakashi's eyes.
(Line)
In the dome Sasuke was getting annoyed by Naruto. Yeah he was on the outside throwing shuriken causing Haku to change direction but it wasn't like he was getting hit all the time.
"There must be a limit to his chakra, he is already slowly..." Haku began to move again, Sasuke was slowly making progress keeping up with where Haku was, but still got a senbon through his knee. There was a breeze suddenly running from the outside.
Naruto had tried to cut through a mirror from the outside. He figured that ice jutsu was a combination of water and wind jutsu, he knew a few wind based jutsu if he could overload the wind in the combined jutsu then perhaps the mirrors would crack.
(Line)
"Sakura protect Tazuna." Kakashi ordered his remaining student.
'Yeah believe in Sasuke and worry about my own job.' Her confidence began to build.
"Don't worry Sakura we can handle this." Naruto's clone encouraged her smirking slightly.
"What's this super thick mist? You can't see anything!" Tazuna began to panic.
"This enemy is serious! Stay near us Tazuna!" Sakura spoke confidence sounding in her voice.
"Okay Sakura. Hey how strong is this clone thing of yours anyway Naruto?" Tazuna asked.
"Strong enough to lend Sakura a hand." He answered grip tightening around his kunai.
Kakashi stared straight up. 'This mist is too thick. Zabuza shouldn't be able to see anything either.' His head turned as he heard something flying. He found several shuriken flying towards him; quickly he had two kunai in hand and deflected the shuriken as they came closer to him.
"Impressive that you blocked those. Sharigan Kakashi." Zabuza spoke from behind an off guard Kakashi. "But the next time you see me will be the end of everything."
'His eyes are closed!'
"You have overrated your sharigan too much." Zabuza faded into the mist.
"What?" Kakashi became alarmed.
"Hehehe" Zabuza had completely disappeared now.
- You acted as if you knew everything." Zabuza referred back to their first battle. "But that prediction was wrong. Kakashi, you can neither read my mind nor see the future. The sharigan is simply a trick that makes your opponent think that you can. -
Zabuza's voice echoed around Kakashi.
- It's basically an eye technique involving hypnotism and an attention for detail. By using those two abilities together, you can progress from copying the body to copying the mind to copying the jutsu. This is the dance that makes it seem like you can see the future.-
Their first fight flashed through Kakashi's mind as Zabuza continued to talk.
- First with that keen eye you copy my movements and shake my mind. Once I am confused you are able to figure out what I'll say and can become me. And then... -
- Once my worry and confusion reaches its peak, you attack with a clever trick. Through hypnotic gen-jutsu, you suggest what seal I should perform. And then simply copy that. So the answer is simple. First, with this mist I make that keen eye of yours useless. -
Kakashi blocked with his arms as he was hit and knocked back. 'Damn! Not being able to see slows down my reactions.' He skidded back on his hands and feet a kunai dug into the ground to stop his movement backwards.
- Hehe... And if I keep my eyes closed I remove the chance of being hypnotized. -
"But why? Then you can't see anything either." Kakashi questioned the mist.
- Have you forgotten? -
"What?" Kakashi began to rise from his crouched position.
- That I am a genius at silent killing, taking down the enemy by just their sound. -
'Damn it. I'm worried about Sasuke and Naruto too. It's been a long time since I've been in a battle under such dangerous conditions'. Kakashi took a deep breath and relaxed, he thought about what Zabuza would go after? 'Oh no!' he spun round to where Tazuna was last seen.
Behind Tazuna, Zabuza began to appear stepping from the mist, he reached for his sword handle as Kakashi rushed towards them. Sakura and Tazuna spun round in alarm, as Naruto's clone with kunai drawn moved behind Tazuna.
Kakashi appeared in front of Naruto his arms stretched out to the side protecting those behind him, as Zabuza swung his sword from his back.
"TOO LATE!" his swords momentum continued forward.
"KYAA!"
(Line)
'That was Sakura's voice! What happened what's Kakashi doing?' Sasuke started to become concerned.
"Zabuza and Kakashi have started fighting." Naruto explained from outside the dome. "Zabuza's used that mist jutsu again, so I can't see anything from here. Should I come in yet?"
"No I can't look after you too!" Sasuke snapped. 'This is bad, I must do something. But my eyes are getting used to it.' Sasuke stood slowly.
'I'm aiming for critical areas yet he keeps dodging. He seems to be slowly learning to follow my movements.' Haku stared out from his mirrors. 'This boy can see something. And Naruto is letting him, he's trying to distract me be destroying my mirrors from the outside but he's letting this boy learn my movements. Dodging all my attacks at the last second... spectacular movement.'
"You move well. But this time I'll stop you." Haku produced more needles. Sasuke looked on in panic before gaining control of his emotions. He calmed himself down and concentrated. His eyes began to change from onyx to red with a black ring in the middle. He jumped to the side rolling away from Haku as he exited and re-entered mirrors.
'He saw it no way!' Haku was shocked.
Sasuke pulled himself up into a standing position. Both eyes had now turned red with a black circle in the middle however his left eye had one comma like mar at the top of the ring while his right eye had two comma like marks at a diagonal from each other.
'Those eyes! It can't be! Sharigan?' What a kid. It's not complete, but to awaken to that ability during battle..."
"You are...
You are also from an advanced bloodline."
'Just a little bit. But I can see!' Sasuke's eyes spun slowly.
Naruto smirked at last Sasuke had caught up to Haku. He created a clone and slipped inside the dome leaving his doppelganger outside.
"An Uchiha, yeah he is."
"You didn't mention that when we met."
"Why should I?" Naruto countered.
"Then I can't fight for much longer. My jutsu uses up a lot of chakra, there's a limit on how long I can keep up this speed. Most likely the longer this fight goes the better you will be able to read my movements... if your eyes are starting to catch me then..."
'Attacking him head on could be dangerous. But if I attack Naruto. Yes that'll do' Haku calculated.
"This is the end!" Haku shot out of the mirror aiming straight at the newly entered Naruto.
Sasuke turned, 'What Naruto? Damn! Please make it in time!' Sasuke shot towards Naruto who had just landed in the dome.
(Line)
Blood splattered between Kakashi's feet as he held his chest. Zabuza's sword had blood on the edge running down to drop off on to the ground. Kakashi let out a moan as he clutched at his wound.
"Kakashi sensei!" Sakura screamed.
"You were too slow Kakashi. Did your desire to save these brats cloud your mind and make the mist even thicker? Even with that impressive eye your ability to read my movements is dimming. Hehehe. Let me enjoy this more, Kakashi. I want more fun as I return the favour. Don't worry about the brats; Haku has probably killed them by now. Plus I'm about to send you to the same place as them. You can apologise to them in the next world for lacking the strength to protect them." Zabuza moved his sword ready to begin his next attack, he began laughing again.
"Sadistic much" Naruto spoke smugly from behind Zabuza. "Do you really think Haku could kill me when I'm the one who's caused him to lose his cool?" Naruto smirked. "Besides do you really think you'd be able to defeat Kakashi so easily." he ducked as Zabuza's sword swung at his head.
"Sasuke won't be defeated by a guy like that so easily! Naruto too!" Sakura poured her hope out.
"Exactly" Kakashi agreed. "I can handle this Naruto." Naruto returned to his spot beside Sakura.
"I'm not carrying you again." Naruto whispered mischievously.
Kakashi's resolve renewed he carried on "I believe in their strength. Naruto's determination and Sasuke is the offspring of the leaf's most outstanding clan."
"You mean?"
"Yeah. His name is Sasuke Uchiha. A genius ninja with the advanced blood of the Uchiha clan running through his veins."
"An offspring of that tragic clan." He summoned the mist again "No wonder he's improved so quickly." He was swallowed by the mist "But that's the same for Haku. Nobody has ever defeated that special jutsu."
"He disappeared again." Sakura murmured.
"Stay here. I guess I should end this fight too." Kakashi fell forward onto his hand gathering his breath.
"Huh? Oh yeah." Sakura and Tazuna watched as Kakashi took off into the mist.
"Can you hear me Zabuza? You seem to think I survived in this world with only the sharigan. I am a former member of the Anbu. What kind of ninja I used to be..." He moved his hand away from the slice in his vest. "Not just copying. I'll show you my own jutsu."
(Line)
Naruto stood shocked still with Sasuke in front of him he looked past Sasuke to see Haku lying on the floor in front of his mirrors. He looked back at Sasuke as he coughed up some blood; Sasuke was stood with needles sticking out of him from all angles.
"Geez all you ever do is get in the way."
Naruto's eyes widened "I'm sorry you got hit because of me. Wait... did you save me? Why?" Naruto asked shocked at the level of compassion it took for Sasuke to do something like that.
"How should I know?" Sasuke exhaled "I hated you."
"But that doesn't explain why? Why would you..."
"I don't know. My body just moved on its own. You should have stayed on the outside. Idiot." Sasuke's body gave out on him and he collapsed back into Naruto's arms.
"I'm sorry I was just waiting till you could keep up with Haku, I knew you'd get there." Naruto's eyes softened to cornflower blue as he held Sasuke.
"That man, my brother. I told myself I wouldn't die until I killed him. Don't die also." Sasuke's eyes closed. Naruto's eyes watered briefly. He'd never caused a comrade to jump in front of him and save his ass before. He never wanted that to happen again. His eyes returned to a steel blue with a tinge of red on the outside bleeding into the middle.
"He landed a blow on me and without flinching died to protect you. To protect a precious person knowing it was a trap, he was able to still jump in. He is a shinobi that deserves respect. Is this the first death of a friend? This is the way of the shinobi." Haku got up and retreated to his mirrors.
"Shut up." He spoke to Haku. "I hated you too." He spoke to Sasuke. Naruto carefully laid Sasuke down. "You didn't kill him. You still can't bring yourself to kill. You used me as a target to take out Sasuke. Even though I'm the one you're scared of and you can't figure out why." Naruto's chakra began to flare a battle between blue and red waged as it formed around him.
"What is that? Why are their two colours?" Haku began to worry.
Naruto's chakra spiked as a fox head shimmered around him before the blue chakra won the battle and consumed the red chakra.
"That's impossible for the chakra to change like this! And such evil chakra! What are you Naruto?"
(Line)
Kakashi and Zabuza both stopped suddenly feeling the presence of another chakra source.
"Is that Zabuza?" 'No! That terrible chakra... It can't be!' Kakashi's thoughts were of pure terror.
'What's this chakra? Something's not right. Kakashi? No it's too strong to be his?" Zabuza scanned around.
'Naruto! This is bad could the...' "Seal have broken?" he relaxed as the terrible chakra dissipated "This feeling!" 'It's alright it hasn't completely broken. But the seal is weakening and the nine-tail's chakra is bursting out' he pulled a scroll out from vest, flipping it up in the air with his other hand he stuck his thumb into his wound on his chest coating it with blood, he then caught the scroll and flared it open running his blood covered thumb along it from the rolled up bit to the end.
'There's still time if I do it now!' the scroll flapped in the area around his face. "Zabuza can you hear me. Neither of has time to waste. This might not suit your style, but let's end the fun." He released the scroll allowing it to roll up and spin in the air. "And finish this now!" he performed hand seals and caught the scroll while still in his seal.
- Hmph. Sounds interesting what can you do in this situation? Kakashi show me! -
(Line)
"So Haku, how about we end this game?" Naruto spoke from outside the dome, he switched with the clone he left out there as his chakra flared briefly again. Naruto in the dome went through several hands seals he'd seen Sasuke do many times before he took a deep breath and exhaled. "Grand Fireball Jutsu!" as a huge fireball sprang from his mouth.
"You can't melt this ice with that level of fire." Haku looked on senbon poised.
While on the outside Naruto pulled out his chakra blade he pushed his chakra into the blade and jumped forwards as the blade glowed imbued with his wind based chakra mixed with the demon chakra he was holding at bay.
Haku sensed the killer intent from outside the dome and moved out the way of the fireball he flung his senbon needles at Naruto's back, only to be caught by the wrist and held fast as he tried to remove Naruto's death like grip, he struggled and realised he couldn't get free returning his gaze back up he was hit square in the mask as Naruto kunai in hand punched him with such force he was sent flying back.
Naruto's chakra blade hit the mirrors and carried on going straight through as he landed back on the ground the mirrors in front of him sliced open while the rest shattered at the intensity of the chakra.
Haku flew back straight through where his mirrors used to be, he skidded along the ground as he landed his mask cracked, he stood to his feet as the pieces of his ice mirrors twinkled down and Naruto, his clone dispersed, rushed forwards chakra blade held backwards glowing blue once more.
'Zabuza. I cannot defeat this boy.' Naruto's hand thrust forward as Haku's masked cracked and fell tinkling from his face. Blood was leaking from the corners of his mouth as he thought of Zabuza. His mask finally hit the floor followed by a drop of blood. Naruto's fist clenched around the blade as he stopped inches away from Haku's face. His fist quivered as his knuckles became white.
"Why did you stop? I killed your precious friend yet you cannot kill me?" Haku pushed Naruto verbally.
Naruto looked back at Sasuke. Naruto hit Haku in the side of the face with the hilt of his blade "I told you once you didn't kill him, you can't". He spoke down to Haku as he landed on the ground his cheek cut and blood pouring from his mouth.
"Do you remember I said I wouldn't I won't question why you're with Zabuza, well now I want to know." Naruto's eyes still held that deadly resolve.
"I had people very dear to me a long time ago. My parents. I was born in a small snowy village in the country of mist. I was happy my parents were very kind people. But when I grew up and began to learn the ways of the world something happened."
"What?" Naruto asked steeling himself for the answer.
"This blood" he wiped the blood from his mouth. He looked at Naruto. "My father killed my mother then, he tried to kill me."
"Why?"
"The country of mist had had endless civil wars, and those with 'advanced blood' came to be hated."
"People with special abilities like you?"
"Yes. Because of these abilities clans with such special bloodlines were used as weapons in countless battles. As a result, these blood clans were blamed for bringing misfortune and war to the country. After the wars, these clans had to hide the truth about their own blood for those whose secret was discovered only death awaited. That young man must have also experienced much hardship; those with special abilities are often feared." He turned his head looking to Sasuke.
"Actually he his quite revered because of his clan although after the incident they were a bit more careful of him." Naruto interrupted. "I suppose different countries treat people differently."
"Yes I suppose they do. My mother was from one of these blood lines, my father discovered this. When I realised what I had, I had killed him my own father! At the time I thought of myself as...
No I had no choice but to think that and I realised the most painful thing." Naruto inclined his head.
"In this world I am a person unwanted."
"So that's why." Naruto concluded. "That's why he's your most precious person."
"Zabuza took me in knowing I was a person of advanced bloodline. This blood that everyone hated... he desired it..." he remembered what Zabuza had said back then.
From today on your blood is mine. Follow me!
Haku began to cry. "I was so happy."
They stood on a cliff overlooking a city shrouded in mist. "Haku unfortunately from today I am abandoning this country. But one day I shall return and take control of this land! But what I need is not consolation of encouragement... what I really need is..."
"I know. Please don't worry. I am Zabuza's weapon. Please keep me by your side as your tool."
"Heh good kid".
'I'm sorry Zabuza. I was unable to become the weapon you sought.' "Naruto, please kill me."
(Line)
Kakashi's hands went through the hand seals boar, dog, bird, monkey and ram as he held onto the scroll he slammed his hands with the scroll onto the ground.
"Ninpou summon earth tracking fang jutsu!"
- Hmph whatever you do is useless you can't figure out where I am. But I know exactly where you are Kakashi; you are trapped by my jutsu. -
Zabuza held his seal his eyes still closed. The ground beneath his feet began to rumble suddenly the ground flew up into the air as he was grabbed from below by dogs he had a tanned furred with a white strip starting on his head and going down to his muzzle. He wore sunglasses and a blue vest and a Konoha forehead protector around his neck biting his right leg. Another tanned dog with a white snout long and dark brown ears and whisker like marks, this one also wearing a blue vest and a forehead protector on his head.
As these two pinned his legs six more dogs came flying out of the ground at him.
"What's that sound?" Tazuna asked. Naruto's clone disappeared suddenly.
"Naruto!" Sakura shouted kunai held in front of her.
"If eyes and ears don't work then just use your nose" Kakashi quipped.
Zabuza now had all the dogs biting down on him. He had a dog on his inner right thigh; this one had light grey fur with a white underside and a black crest on his head like a Mohawk. He also had a vest and his forehead protector as a collar, and bandages on his front legs. On his left outer thigh was another tan coloured dog which had long brown ears and brown socks on his paws. It had a kanji printed on its head and dark rings around his eyes. He wore the vest and headband collar combo.
On his right was a white and light brown furred dog with long spiky tufts of hair on its head he wore his head band as a collar and wore a blue vest. There was a greyhoundish dog that was brown with a white snout and underside who had bandages around his head and neck attached to his sword.
A giant bulldog was attached to his left shoulder with its paws holding down his arms. This one had a spiked collar and his headband was worn on his left front leg, with bandages wrapped around his front legs. And finally a small pug with brown fur and darker brown snout and ears. He had a bandage on his right front paw and his forehead protector was sat on the very top of his head.
"That's what happens when you have your eyes shut in the mist. This summoning is especially for tracking down an opponent." Kakashi spoke as the mist disappeared revealing Zabuza to him. "The reason I purposely let my blood spill twice was for this. These are my cute Nin dogs. Your weapons are soaked with the scent of my blood. Their sense of smell exceeds that of all other dogs, you are the one trapped in my jutsu."
"Ungh."
"The mist has cleared your future is death."
"My future is death? I'm sick of your bullshit!"
"Don't be foolish there's nothing you can do in this situation, your death is certain." The two shinobi stared at each other, one pinned by dogs the other with mismatched eyes. "Zabuza you went too far. Your ambition was too great. You abandoned the country of mist and became a missing nin; your story reached even the hidden leaf village, your attempted coup'd etat and your attempt at assassinating the mizukage both failed. You needed money for revenge, and you also needed to avoid the hunter nins that's probably when you attached yourself to scum like Gatou." Kakashi spoke as he went through the hands seals ox, rabbit and monkey, his right hand which he held suddenly started to glow and crackle as lightning formed around it.
His hand became heavy as he held it with his other in between his legs the intensity of the chakra in his hand sparked out as larger bolts of lightning.
"What?" Zabuza's voice quivered ever so slightly. 'Enough chakra that it's visible in his hand!'
"You are too dangerous. Tazuna, who you're trying to kill, is this country's "courage" the bridge he seeks to build is this country's "hope", your ambition sacrifices many people that's not what a shinobi should do."
"I don't give a damn. I fight for my own ideals and that shall continue!"
"I'll ask once more."
"Hmm?"
"Surrender." Zabuza shook his head as best he could what with being held still by the dogs, "Your future is death".
(Line)
"Please hurry and kill me."
"Is being strong the only reason for you to be alive? You're not a tool Haku, and you were never too soft." Naruto gripped his blade tighter in his hand.
"The day we met in the forest I felt that we were alike, you should understand."
"Yeah me too." Naruto brought his blade level. "If we'd met under different circumstances we might have become friends." and ran forwards.
"Thank you."
(Line)
"Hey the super thick mist is starting to clear." Tazuna squinted. Sakura peered out and could just make out two figures, which looked like they were staring at each other. "I can't see very well."
"Which one is Kakashi sensei? Oh! HE'S MOVING!"
(Line)
Naruto and Haku heard the shrill sound of a thousand birds chirping both realised what was happening "I'm sorry Naruto, I can't die yet." as Haku made a hand seal and disappeared. Naruto shot off to where he knew Haku to be.
(Line)
The air around Kakashi crackled as he sprang forward, Zabuza's eyes widened as the dogs all looked on awaiting the final blow.
"KYAA"
"What happened?" Tazuna called as the mist seemed to implode.
(Line)
Blood flew backwards, Zabuza was splattered and suddenly free as the dogs holding him disappeared. The scroll that had summoned them stuck with senbon needles. Covered in blood Kakashi's eyes widen suddenly as Haku stood in front of Zabuza, Kakashi's arm run straight through him. Zabuza stood behind and covered in Haku's blood was wide eyed.
Tazuna and Sakura could now see clearly and in shock Sakura covered her mouth at the dreadful site in front of them.
Naruto skidded to a stop as Haku gurgled out blood.
"Zabuza." he spluttered as he grabbed the prone Kakashi's arm.
"My future is death? Heh you're wrong again Kakashi."
(Line)
Inari ran through the city he stopped heavily at a door and banged on it franticly.
"GIICHI! OPEN UP! COME TO THE BRIDGE WITH ME! THIS TIME IF WE ALL GO TOGETHER WE CAN DEFEAT GATOUS MEN!"
"I'm sorry Inari. We don't want to fight anymore. Even your father, the man called a hero is no longer here. If we fight there will be sacrifices we don't want to lose anything precious again. Nobody wants to do anything they'd regret."
"I don't want to have any regrets either. That's why we have to fight." He remembered his dad "I love my mum, my grandpa, you Giichi and everyone in this city." He was met with silence "NOW I KNOW YOU, CAN'T PROTECT ANYTHING BY BEING A CRY BABY!" He turned stomping off down the stairs.
Inside the house Giichi leant against the door his wife at the table pouring tea.
"Inari has become a man, are you really going to let him go alone?" she spoke without looking up at her husband.
(line)
"YOU CAN'T GO TO THE BRIDGE ALONE!" Tsunami shouted as Inari pulled on his sandals on his feet, a metal hat on his head and a crossbow on his back.
"I went throughout the city, but no one wants to come I have no choice."
"BUT!" her hands were on her hips "you are still a child!" she turned as Inari made his way past the boarded up hole in their wall.
"I'm still a kid but I know what it means to fight. Because I'm my father's son." He stepped through the door.
"WAIT!" he stopped in shock.
(Line)
"Is that the masked boy? Tazuna asked as they watched the scene in front of them. Haku gripped Kakashi's hand tightly with both his hands. 'He jumped in to protect Zabuza.' Kakashi couldn't believe it. Zabuza began to sober up and started to laugh.
"Good job Haku."
'This boy is already dead' Kakashi looked at Haku's serene face as the death grip on his arm wouldn't release. Zabuza grabbed his sword and began to swing the ascent of the arc would cut clean through both Haku and Kakashi.
"Kakashi sensei!" Sakura panicked
"I sure picked up something useful! Giving me this final chance!" Zabuza swung his blade.
Kakashi grabbed Haku and plunged them both backwards as Zabuza's swing pulled suddenly stopping his blade; turning back he found Naruto's blade hooked through the hole in his. Kakashi removed his hand from Haku's body and laid it down carefully, calmly he closed Haku's eyes.
"Naruto stay out of it this is my fight!" Kakashi commanded.
"Naruto you're alright!" Sakura waved over at Naruto, who glanced up briefly as his blade glowed blue illuminating Zabuza's blade. "Huh? Where's Sasuke?" she asked hope in her voice. Naruto inclined his head backwards as Zabuza kicked out at him from under the blades.
Jumping back Naruto landed in a crouch. "He's hurt but not dead, Haku couldn't kill him." Naruto spoke as Sakura trembled.
Kakashi watched the interaction between his two students; he looked up when Zabuza charged at him.
"KAKASHI! THIS IS NO TIME FOR SIGHT SEEING!"
Kakashi kicked Zabuza in the gut as he reached his and Haku's position; he knocked the air from Zabuza's lungs as he sent him back.
Sakura trembled; Tazuna looked down at the pink haired girl who had stood by his side throughout the battle. "I'll go with you, then you won't be breaking your sensei's order." He took her hand in his as she nodded. They dashed past Naruto to the shattered remains of the ice dome where the porcupine like body of Sasuke lay. Tazuna looked away as he realised just what it was that these young kids went through as ninja.
Sakura knelt and touched Sasuke's face tenderly. "He's cold, this isn't an illusion."
"Don't mind me it's best to let it out and cry." He spoke solemnly.
"I...I always scored 100% on the ninja academy exams." Tazuna was a little taken back as Sakura continued to speak "I memorised over 100 shinobi sayings. I always wrote the correct answers, on one day's test this question appeared. "Write down shinobi saying #25" I wrote down the answer as usual. "No matter what situation a shinobi must keep emotions on the inside. You must make the mission your top priority and you must possess a heart that never shows tears."." tears began falling down her face landing with a patter on Sasuke's pale skinned face.
Naruto glanced behind him as he watched Kakashi decimate Zabuza.
"Why can't I keep up with him?" Zabuza leant heavily on his sword Kunai sticking out of his arms haphazardly. "damn it!" he charged at Kakashi who back handed him with a closed fist, slowly his momentum Zabuza went to swing his sword again, Kakashi stepped back as it came towards him, in a poof of smoke he appeared behind Zabuza grabbing the back of his neck in his hand.
"You can't beat me in your current state."
"What?"
"You haven't noticed."
Naruto looked past the two jounin suddenly, "Hehe so what's going on."
Kakashi spun two kunai into his hand. "This is good bye devil." He plunged the two kunai forwards; Zabuza swiped his sword backwards causing Kakashi to plunge the kunai into bicep of Zabuza's right sword wielding arm. Kakashi spun away as the sword fell following him. Blood dripped down from Zabuza's now limp second arm.
"Now both arms are useless you can't even perform a seal." Kakashi crouched behind Zabuza who moaned in pain.
"Ooh you're getting your ass kicked." A cane hit the ground "How disappointing."
The ninja looked up to see a small man with sunglasses and his arm in bandages accompanied by a band of mercenaries.
"Gatou, why are you here? And what's with all these men?"
'That's Gatou' Kakashi and Naruto concluded quickly.
"Hehehe the plan has changed, well actually I planned to do this from the beginning. Zabuza I'm going to have you killed here."
"What?"
"I never planned on paying you any money, hiring a normal ninja from the village is expensive and they may betray me, and so I get missing nins who are easy to take care of afterwards. I have the ninjas battle each other and once they're weakened I kill them off with numbers. It doesn't cost me anything, good don't you think?" He was smug as he reiterated his plan. "The only problem in the plan was you, Zabuza, the devil of the hidden mist? What a joke if you ask me, hehe, you're just a cute baby devil."
-We can easily kill you now!- the band of mercenaries called.
Naruto's blade glowed brighter, he forgot it was in his hand actually but it still reacted to his emotions.
"Kakashi, I'm sorry this fight is over. Now that I have no reason to go after Tazuna, I have no reason to fight you."
"You're right."
"Oh yeah." Gatou walked over to Haku's body "I owe this one." the two jounin watched his movements "You squeezed my arm until it broke." he tapped Haku with his foot "Heh." He kicked Haku in the face "He's dead." Naruto shot forwards then a blur of gold, navy and blue chakra streaking after him, Kakashi reached for him but Naruto continued on, he knocked Gatou away from Haku's prone form.
"he only broke your arm but touch him again and I'll show you a real cute baby devil." his blade shone as he held it in front of his face, his eyes now a deep slate grey. Gatou scurried back creating distance from the blonde haired boy.
"You were his friend!" Naruto turned his attention to Zabuza.
"Shut up kid he's already dead."
" don't you feel anything at ALL? You were always together. He loved you! He loved you that much he was willing for you to use him as a tool. He died for you, how can you feel nothing at all. His dream was to be useful to you, even if that meant just as a tool! You were precious to him, that's what made him strong, fighting for those who are precious to you is what makes you strong! That's why he was more than you can ever be! How can you feel nothing for him! If you won't do anything then I will!"
"You don't need to say anymore." Zabuza was struck by his memories of Haku of everything they had gone through together. Tears started to leak from his eyes as Naruto ripped into him. Naruto looked back as Kakashi watched the interaction sombrely.
"Naruto, it pained him to have to fight you, that's why he didn't kill your friend. Haku fought not only for me but he fought for you guys as well." He ripped the bandages around his face. "He was too kind. I'm glad I got to face you guys in the end. I see why Haku was hesitant about you, you may be right, a shinobi isn't just a human who puts aside their emotions to become a tool they are people too. I've lost..." the tears fell from his face. "Let me burrow a kunai!"
Naruto twirled a kunai towards Zabuza while still defending Haku's fallen body. Zabuza grabbed the weapon in his mouth and gripped it tightly; he dashed off flying past Naruto as Gatou fearing him retreat towards his horde of men.
"THAT'S ENOUGH KILL THEM!" Gatou ran through the horde.
-Sure thing-
-One badly injured ninja against these numbers?-
-You think you can win?-
The horde was silent suddenly as the charging Zabuza released chakra behind him to create the form of a devil scaring the hardened horde. Gatou had made his way through to the back of the horde and feeling bold and turned round smirk firmly in place.
Zabuza waded through the horde slashing left, right and centre creating a path through the crowd which was swallowed up as the men not in his direct route filled in the gaps he created. They all fell as he made his way to Gatou the blood dripping from the kunai as he burst through the final two men blocking his route to Gatou. He sprinted straight into Gatou blade extended. He had multiple swords sticking out from his body as the men tried to stop his attack. He pushed harder as three more men pushed their swords into him calling out for him to "die already".
"I... if you want to go to the same place as your friend then go..." Gatou spat blood.
"Unfortunately, I don't plan on going to the same place as Haku."
"Wha... what? You won't survive."
"Heh. You and I together ARE GOING TO HELL!" He pulled the kunai from Gatou's body and pulled back. "Even the unremarkable devil of the hidden mist can die and become a real devil in hell!" He swiped at Gatou landing behind him. "this will be fun! We'll have plenty of time to see if I'm a baby devil down in hell!" Zabuza shouted as Gatou's head flew from his body landing amongst his men and rolling away. His body fell back as Zabuza turned around.
The men screamed in terror, but Zabuza's wounds were too much 'this is goodbye Haku, thank you for everything. I'm sorry' he fell face down. The men along with Kakashi and Naruto looked on.
"The end of a man who lived a difficult life." Kakashi uttered.
Black was all he could see his heart thumped once, he wondered if he had died,
He thought he could hear someone calling his name, Sakura it sounded like Sakura, am I, I'm a.
"Sakura you're heavy" Sasuke gasped out as he returned to the world. He looked up dimly at Tazuna's shocked face and Sakura's tearful one looking down at him.
"SASUKE! Sasuke! Sasuke!" her tears started again.
"Sakura, that hurts." Sasuke started to sit up.
"Sorry." she sniffled.
"What about Naruto? And that masked kid?" He pushed up from the ground.
"Don't move! Naruto is fine! And that masked kid is dead."
"What? Dead? Did Naruto kill him?" Sasuke couldn't believe his ears.
"N-no I'm not sure but he protected Zabuza."
"I see."
"I had faith in you. It's impressive that you prevented attacks to your critical areas!"
"No. I didn't." He looked up to where Haku lay.
"Naruto! Sasuke's alright! HE's alive!"
"I did tell you." Naruto relaxed slightly as he returned his gaze to the horde of people in front of him.
"I've been worried but Sasuke is also alright, that's great." Kakashi turned to speak to Naruto who was still looking past him.
-Hey! Hey! Hey! You guys are too at ease! - A mercenary thumped the base of his weapon down.
- DAMN NINJAS. YOU KILLED OUR MEAL TICKET!-
-YOU GUYS ARE DEAD!-
- NOW WE'RE GONNA PILLAGE THIS CITY AND TAKE ANYTHING OF VALUE-
-YEAH YEAH-
-LETS BEGIN-
"Damn this is bad."
"Do you have enough chakra left to do anything about them?" Naruto asked.
"After the lightning edge, summoning, and sharigan I've used a lot of chakra." Kakashi moaned.
A bolt flew past them and embedded itself in the bridge causing the horde to stop. Team 7 and Tazuna looked behind them to see Inari at the head of a huge weapon wielding crowd.
"IF YOU COME ANY FURTHER ONTO OUR ISLAND THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY WILL STOP YOU WITH EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT!" Inari held his empty crossbow still aimed out at the horde.
Tazuna looked up to see Inari leading the crowd. "Inari." he started to tear up "you."
"A hero shows up at the last second right?" he smiled. Naruto looked between the citizens and the horde he placed his hands together in a cross formation and created four clones, which caused the horde to falter. 'Well I can do that.' Kakashi guessed as he too made the cross hand seal and created a lot more clones, which did scare the mercenaries.
"So you want some of this?" Kakashi called out.
-no we don't! Let's get ouuta here!- they turned tail and retreated onto their boat which was located at the end of the bridge with a little walkway keeping the boat attached, when the final thug kicked off causing the boat to move away. The citizens rejoiced.
They released their clones in a cloud of smoke, Kakashi walked over to the dying form of Zabuza.
"It looks like it's over Kakashi."
"Yes."
"Kakashi I have a request."
"What is it?" Kakashi's hand hovered over his head band.
"I want to see his face." Zabuza turned his head.
Kakashi slid his head band over his eye "Sure."
Naruto looked up as Kakashi crouched down and cradled Zabuza's body.
"It's snowing."
-Snow at this time of year?-
'Haku are you crying?' Zabuza mused.
"Thanks Kakashi." Zabuza croaked as Kakashi laid him down so that he was facing Haku. 'You have always been by my side.' he reached out a hand 'I'd like to be by your side at the end.' his hand tenderly cradled Haku's face. "If I could... I'd like to... go to the same place... as you..." Zabuza held Haku's face as the snow continued to fall and a lone snow flake landed on the corner of Haku's eye it melted when it met his warm skin and fell almost as though he was crying.
"He was born in a snowy village." Naruto finally put his chakra blade away as his eyes dimmed to a moist glaucous blue.
"I see. He was a boy as pure as the snow." Kakashi bowed his head. 'You will be able to go Zabuza together.' The bridge became silent after that.
(Line)
Team 7 stood in front of two graves with Zabuza's sword positioned behind one. Each grave had an offering of food and a bouquet of flower as well as a wreathe of flowers around the wooden cross which were the graves of Haku and Zabuza.
"Sensei were those two right about ninjas? I mean." Sakura asked as she stepped away from the markers
"Yes a ninja isn't supposed to pursue his own goals, becoming the country's tool is most important, but Naruto was right too we ninja aren't just tools we have our own wills and hearts."
"Being a tool will only get you so far you need real heart to succeed in this life as without heart we are nothing." Naruto stated walking away. Kakashi watched after Naruto astounded at the amount of knowledge and growth he displayed.
(Line)
Team 7 were stood at the end of the now completed bridge with Tazuna, his family and the rest of the village there to send them off. Naruto was having a whispered conversation with Tazuna when they were finished they shook hands and Naruto returned to his team.
"What was that about? Naruto?" Sakura whispered.
"Nothing to worry about Sakura." Naruto spoke from the corner of his mouth.
"Thanks to you we've completed the bridge but this is super sad." Tazuna who was the reason the ninja were here in the first place began.
"Thank you for everything." Kakashi was polite as he eye smiled.
"Don't worry. We'll come to visit." Naruto smiled.
Tazuna placed his hand in Inari's hair. "You better" Inari began to tear up.
"You really changed your village Inari, your father would be so proud of you." Naruto placed a hand on Inari's shoulder.
Inari burst into tears and flung himself at Naruto clinging to his waist. Smiling serenely Naruto hugged Inari back. "I'm glad to have met you." He pulled away from the hug and walked away with his team.
Inari had streams of tears gushing down his face as his new hero figure left to return home.
"That boy changed Inari's heart... and Inari changed the people's hearts that boy gave us a bridge to "hope" called "Courage"."
-bridge, oh yeah... we need to name this bridge-
-Well I have a super perfect name for this bridge-
-oh? What is it?-
They all watched as the shinobi walked further and further away. Tazuna's eyes travelled to the young blonde boy on the end.
- How about the Great Naruto Bridge?-
-Hehe that's a good name-
"When we get back I'm going to find Konohamaru and Iruka sensei and tell them about the people we encountered here." Naruto walked along with Kakashi.
"Hey, Sasuke, how about a date when we get back?" Sakura asked as she walked along side Sasuke.
"No thanks." Sasuke shoved his hands in his pockets.
"B-but" She started off on one of her triads.
- You sure about that name? - Kakashi looked down at Naruto and let out a sigh as Sakura started pestering Sasuke again.
-Hehe this name is in hope that this bridge will never crumble and will one day become a super famous bridge who's name is known throughout the world.-
Well that's the end of that arc, now on to more fun times.
This is it folks last chapter for a while. I will write on my profile when I plan to post the next chapter hopefully I will have a few ready too. Sorry for the breaks in updating but please bear with me.
I am trying to get a few chapters done before I post anything now, so yeah I'm getting there =D
On chapter 21 yay. Still ¬_¬
Please review and let me know what you think. Don't forget favourite parts please.
Thank you very much.
PS I've started the Harry Potter fic.