A New Nindo

Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto I would be rich, I don't. If I did own it I wouldn't be counting my pennies like the pauper I am. I have begun to borrow jutsus from another author, specifically Tokehgecko who has given me their permission. I will point out which jutsus I borrowed in the author's notes at the end of chapter. For more information on the jutsus I borrowed from the author visit TokehGecko's There Where When is Now, Book series. This story does not reflect the ability of any authors I borrowed from. In other words if my story sucks it's not their fault, it's mine. This version of the Naruto story belongs to me; most of the characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Summary: What if you died? What if it was a mistake? What if you were given a chance to step out of your normal everyday life and become hero? I'd grab the chance. This is my story.

I will use techniques from Shadow Skill, Street Fighter, and Shura no Toki/Mon. Even though it may seem like Naruto has a lot of techniques it doesn't mean he's godlike, Sharingan Kakashi is suppose to have copied over a 1,000 jutsus and he isn't stronger than a sannin, he's only a top jounin. He's also below Itachi and Orochimaru. So I think that Naruto's large arsenal provides versatility not necessarily power.

Story is in 1st person but is meant to include other character's thoughts and views, a hybrid mix of 1st and 3rd person view. It may be confusing I apologize this is just the way I want to write the story. I started out writing it this way and it kinda stuck with me. Thank you for your understanding.

Will repeat important statements at the end of chapter.

Author's Notes:

1) Italics include my thoughts as well as other characters' thoughts. Bold is for the Kyuubi's thoughts.

2) Haku is a girl!

3) No Yaoi

4) Secret Jutsu list is on my Author's Profile

5) All character bio info is taken from Naurtofan(dot)com.

6) For pairings please vote for Itachi/Tsume/Kurenai/Anko and Kakashi/Kurenai/OC

Now vote for Shikamaru/Temari or Shikamaru/Ino

Tsume is a name I made up for Kiba's sister.

7) Neji and Hinata are close friends and act as siblings. Not romantic for now. Can change depending on people's reviews/votes.

Reviews:

Virgil: Sorry I missed your thing about the Hyuugas and the Fist of the North Star. Yes there is a little something about that in my fanfic but it won't appear for a while. It will happen after the Chuunin Exam. I don't want to reveal it too soon and its killing me I can't show off Neji's moves yet. Just a side note I've only seen the movie about Fist of the North Star I haven't seen the series. Thanks for your reviews. I appreciate you putting your thoughts into your reviews.

As for Lee, I can't say shit about what I'm giving him either. I really want to tell everyone and show off his moves, you'll have to wait for until after the Chuunin Exams to see him shine. I've got awesome moves for him. Many of which Naruto will give to him from his anime watching. That should narrow down your search, since Lee can't use chakra. If you guess correctly on what I was going to give him please email me your answer do not put it in the review, because I don't want anyone to know.

As for Uchiha Suiren, Sauke and Itachi's little sister, she's a little young to do anything but she will appear in the next chapter. She will play a huge part after the Chuunin Exam and her "team" will play a huge part later. I can't tell you who her team is. If you guess, answer in an email, not in review. I don't want to give it away.

As for the Hyuuga situation I haven't touched very much on that. Neji, Hinata, Hanamori, and Hanabi get along but the hate still exists. It's just that Hinata truly cares about all members of the Clan and the Branch House sees that. They don't have particular feelings about Hanabi yet. How the Branch views Hinata will happen later.

For Rasengan, I'd prefer you email it to me so people don't find out before it's used. I'll definitely give you credit. I didn't get enough votes for Rasengan level 4-5 so I won't use it this chapter. It actually works out better for me this way, you'll see.

Please review as much as you want. I don't mind, I appreciate your thoughts. Feel free to email (email on author's profile) me any suggestions if you run out of chapters to review.

Anonymous: Thanks for the ideas. I really liked them and will try to work them in to the fanfic. They are very interesting ideas the ones you proposed. I'm flattered you think that I'm on par with some of those fanfics you read because those are some of my favorites. Thanks for the review.

Taijutsu: I haven't seen much of Ranma ½, I played the game a few times but other than that, sorry. If you email (email on author's profile) me some info about these techniques you mentioned or name the episode numbers they appear in then I'll try to incorporate them. I can't say anything until I see them since I'm not familiar with them.

I know what "Now" is about but I haven't read it. I usually only pick up my manga at Suncoast. I've seen "Now" at an anime expo but I didn't buy it. Tell me about it and I may buy it online and think about incorporating it.

Bam Dasher: You'll see one of Naruto's sword techniques but I'll save some for later. Speaking of sword techniques who else should I give some to? Cough… Tenten… Cough…

Whiteknight: Glad to see I'm not the only person reading manga from Viz. You're right about the finger thing. I'd been bored lately a little with the past few volumes and was thinking "WHAT?" when I read that in this volume of Rebirth.

As for the red Chidori I don't know what fanfic you were talking about. If you go to Baka-updates(dot)com I think they have a wallpaper with Sasuke's chidori blurred. It was then that I got the idea for making chidori look more fire-like than lightning.

Glad you approve of Itachi and Anko, that's what the majority seems to be voting for.

Edengrave: I haven't had Sandaime retire yet. His time to well… he's got something special in store for himself. Remember the Chuunin Exam will happen but how it will happen… You'll have to read and find out.

Itachi is a little weaker than a Sannin because he doesn't have Magekyo Sharingan but he is definitely above Kakashi right now. When he fights… ooops… I'll make him seem Sannin level.

As for summoning I think that you're right. We can understand all those assumptions by watching Naruto and Gamabunta interact.

As for the Streetfighter moves… Thank you so much. I remember it being Tatsumaki something but forgot the rest. I recognize the names and kinda remember the techniques you listed. I don't completely remember them so if you could email me the details to the techniques or I'll just look for a faq on them.

For the censored technique of Akuma I remember it from Marvel vs. Capcom? Anyways I remember seeing it but never really understanding what it was specifically. I mean I knew it was a short range one hit sure kill thing that Akuma did after his little moonwalk thing.

Thanks a lot for all the info it is really helpful, can you tell me where you got all this info or is it just from experience playing the Streetfighter games? I haven't played many Streetfighter games lately. The last I remember was Streetfighter Alpha 2. Feel free to email (email on Author's Profile) any more suggestions.

Blackhood: Thanks for the review, if I can't make the threeway work you will definitely see Naruto and Haku's teamwork and relationship grow.

Meheeners: Haha, thanks for your review and the Omake. It was very enjoyable.

Bunch-o-Nuts: Thanks for the review. I'm glad I gave you something to do during your spare time. I will have her (Uchiha Suiren) appear later, she's only a child now so she can't do much. She'll reappear next chapter.

RudraDragoon: Thanks for the little info on Bakuretsu/Bakuhatsu Kage Bunshin. Bakuhatsu means explosion and Bakuretsu means exploding. I actually preferred Bakuhatsu over the other and that's why I wrote it that way.

Hiiro and Angelica: I think you're the second reviewer to say that. Yeah I know that Kazama Arashi is the popular name floating around but I felt Kazuma Arashi sounded better. Oh well. I'll probably change it back to Kazama in the future. He won't be mentioned much so it's not a big deal.

Blazer-6: Yeah I understand what you're saying but since I'm putting myself in Naruto's shoes I don't want to "rock the boat." That may be why you feel the fluff between Naruto and Haku is boring. I'll try to make it more interesting. I also understand the marriage view approach.

I love the ideas you proposed for the threeway plausibility. I was thinking similar thoughts but they were all over the place. I like yours since they are more thought out. For Tenten I had something planned for her, similar to what you were thinking but not quite. Thanks for sharing your ideas. If you have anymore you're free to email (email on author's profile) me. Thanks for your helpful review.

Ranma Hibiki: You won't be disappointed, it's not an OC. Oops, maybe I shouldn't have said that.

Joekool: Thanks for the info, it's too late in the story for me to change it but thanks anyway.

Cobra-100: Like I said if there is a Harem situation it will have the Tenchi series or Love Hina feel to it. Girls all around but not much actually happening except for him and Haku.

Soul Ice: Thanks I'll watch Flame of Recca when I have the chance, I've seen only about half the episodes.

Kaba-chan: I think I already thanked you but thanks again for telling me about Fei-Long's kick

I'm glad you liked my attempt at humor. Sakura is still weak but the point is that she's trying to improve herself.

Zabuza's tool will be strong how strong? You'll see.

Pairings as always are up in the air. Too early for me to do anything about them. Plus the Hyuuga children are a little young.

Chocobaby: Sakura won't get much action because she's still training to be a medic-nin, she'll really shine soon though.

As for Temari, I've got new moves for her too but I don't know if I should show them off yet because they're a little overkill or not what you would use against a "friendly" nation in a Chuunin Exam.

Animewatcher: Tsunade will find out but I don't intend for Naruto… well you'll read and find out. I don't know about the autograph. It would freak me out to find out my mother figure read pornos. I'll think about it. Thanks for your review.

Ninfan: Naruto's words won't be forgotten. If they are you can be sure Naruto will make Gaara remember. I hope you like that chapter as well as this one. Thanks for the review.

Rhythmic: Yeah I know. I try to fix things but it's a little hard when spell/grammar check picks up every jutsu or foreign word. Thanks for the review and your support.

Night-Owl123: People might or might now find out. You'll have to wait and see. Thanks for the review.

Tombadgerlock: Zabuza's tool is the bloodline user. Thanks for your review.

Dragon Man 180: Zabuza's tool seems non human but it is human. You'll have to wait and see but you will find out a lot on who she is. Keep up the good work on your fanfic too, Naruto the Kitsune Hanyou is awesome. Thanks for your review.

Chapter 12: Bloody Memories and Showdown at the Bridge

Author's Note: I'm not satisfied with how some parts of this chapter were done so I may change or update some of them in the next few days. I was just trying to crank it out fast because I promised you guys I'd get it out this weekend. I think this is my longest chapter yet 44 pages, 37 ½ pages if you discount the reviews and author's notes. Please Enjoy!

We entered Tazuna's humble abode and Tsunami greeted us. She seemed like a kind, gentle woman.

Not at all like some of the psychos (cough Sakura cough Ino cough) around me.

We easily found a room for Kakashi, so we set his lazy ass down and went down to eat. Haku and I took turns watching over him with Sakura, so we could further instruct her medic training. Sasuke did what he did best, brood. No I'm serious, not that I really cared.

Even though I had become friends (somewhat) with Sasuke it was still hard being around him, you always had to watch what you said. He always reacted one of two ways annoyed or intrigued. I don't know which one was worse. Annoyed meant he rejected your presence, and intrigued meant he wouldn't leave you alone till he got some answers. I actually preferred the former because I couldn't trust the bastard with my secrets. Since only a select group of people knew about Kyuubi I wasn't about to go tell Akatsuki or any other psychos like Orochimaru.

Sakura's progress was impressive she soaked all the information up like a sponge and copied down notes dutifully. I gave her a pat on the head when she did well like a little puppy. Surprisingly she seemed happy when I did. I guess it was because she could sense my genuine happiness for her. But all good things must come to an end.

"You're all going to die!" shouted Inari.

Everyone was really tense and the real/other Naruto would have said something like call him a coward. I didn't feel like crushing the boy, well not right now anyways because I was eating the combined cooking of Haku and Tsunami. I don't know how Tsunami's cooking was but I knew Haku's.

So I merely brushed him off, "Well everyone's gonna die someday so what does it matter."

"Naruto…" seethed Sakura and Haku.

I could tell they wanted me to take this boy seriously.

"You can't beat Gatou and his men!" he shouted.

You want serious? I'll give you serious.

"Watch me, I drag his punk ass through the middle of town," I said between bites.

"You're just a kid what can you do?" Inari said as his hands slammed down on the table.

I wouldn't normally be mad but his little outburst had caused the food to spill onto the shaky wooden table.

"Listen here brat!" I said, with dead serious eyes. "I don't care what happened to you to make you a wuss. You're right I may die but atleast I won't crying my eyes out begging for mercy."

My voice dropped, "There are a lot of things worse than death. Just because you've led a sheltered life don't assume you know shit about me."

"Naruto," pleaded Sakura.

"Shut up. You need to listen too Sakura. What this brat said is true, there's a significant chance we could die against Gatou all because Gramps made a screw up in the paper work and made his little spiel on the boat. Maybe you can't understand Inari, the reason I'm here. But that's because I'm a man and you're only a child."

"Shut up shut up, shut the hell up, you don't know anything," he shouted as he ran out crying.

Everyone else was wondering what had gotten into me, where did the calm and composed Naruto go?

I guess I was reminiscing about the time my parents died and I couldn't understand why I was alone in a strange place, an orphanage. Part of me was pissed at Inari. I remembered his "dad" from the anime. He was a brave man. Inari hadn't picked up any of those qualities yet. He didn't have any balls at all. I remember when I was his age I had already stopped crying for my parents to come get me. To come comfort me in the cold lonely nights. To tell me the bullies wouldn't hurt me anymore. To tell me everything would be alright. I was a little jealous of Inari because he had his grandfather and mother while I had no one when I was growing up in the other world.

Part of me was pissed at myself because I knew what Inari was feeling but I couldn't feel pity for him because it wasn't what he needed. It wasn't what I needed when I was younger than him.

Tsunami finished telling the rest of my team about Inari's "dad." I wasn't listening because I already knew.

I found him outside by the dock edge, still crying.

"What's with the tears?" I asked as I laid against the wall.

He seemed surprised, since he didn't hear me come up behind him.

"Your mom told us about your dad, what were you expecting my pity?"

He looked pissed at me.

"Hey! Are you gonna run away? That's not something your dad would do."

"What the hell do you know?"

My hand reached out for him and he cringed back, he was afraid I'd strike him. Instead I pulled off his cap and ruffled his hair.

"Your dad was a strong man, a brave man. He knew what it meant to protect things precious to you."

"He still died."

"No he's dying right now."

Inari looked up at me.

"At least his spirit is. His brave spirit is crying because this town has lost its backbone, its will."

"But I don't want to die! I know… I know it… but…" he said between sobs.

His small hands were trying to stop the rivers coming out of his eyes.

"Its okay if you want to cry but they're being wasted. That's not what you should be doing."

"What should I do then?"

"I don't know, that's something only you can answer. It can't be something that someone has forced on you. Otherwise it's not of your own free will."

He sat there in silence as I got up to leave.

"You know everyone's afraid of death Inari, there's no shame in that. Real strength comes from over coming that fear. Courage…"

"Courage?"

"Yeah courage will make you strong and when you have it you'll know what to do. Then you'll be just like your dad."

I looked over my shoulder.

"Wouldn't that be cool?"

I left him alone and Inari stared at the stars thinking about his dad and how his life was before him. How much it reflected his cowardly life after his dad's death.

I was a coward before I met him. I abandoned my first friend, a puppy. I didn't have any courage then and I don't have any now. I always depended on Dad because I felt safe. Can I find courage? I felt Dad would make things right but that was the wrong kind of thinking all along. Isn't that right Naruto-niichan…

Inari silently stared at the direction I had left.

At Tazuna's House…

"What?" I asked.

Haku was standing there waiting for me.

"I'm very proud of you," she said with a smile.

"Geez, does everyone know about my pep talk?"

She shook her head.

"Just me."

"Good."

I followed her back into the house and went to sleep.

The Next Day…

Lo and behold Kakashi was up. He lazily stared at us.

"Oh everyone's here? Good we can start training then," said Kakashi.

"What do you mean Kakashi-sensei?" asked Sakura.

"I mean training for when Zabuza comes back."

He said it so nonchalantly that it pissed me off. I could hear jaws drop, everyone else besides Haku.

"What do you mean sense?" asked Sasuke.

"I mean Zabuza isn't dead. The Hunter-nin who came for him was probably an accomplice."

"Why didn't you stop her then?" asked a slightly annoyed Sasuke.

"In case you didn't notice Sasuke I wasn't in my best condition."

Sasuke hid his embarrassment in his collar.

"How do you know he was alive?" asked Tazuna.

The old man seemed scared, for good reason. Egos aside, I sure as hell didn't want to take on a guy like Zabuza by myself.

"The Hunter-Nin struck him with senbon. It is very hard to kill someone with senbon unless you are very skilled. Even then it is strange for a Hunter-Nin to use such a weak weapon. Also the Hunter-Nin took his body."

Everyone else looked confused.

"Hunter-Nins only need the heads of the missing-nins they hunt. They're suppose to burn the body on site…"

"But she didn't," finished Sakura.

"Zabuza will be back in two weeks if we're lucky."

"Lucky?" asked Sakura.

"Yes, we need that time to train. I will have recovered by then but in the mean time you guys need to get stronger too. So that it will be possible for you guys to back me up," he said, smiling under his mask.

Sakura beamed at the chance and Sasuke hmphed.

"If you give me a second to get ready I'll be down in a second," said Kakashi.

The others left the room with the exception of myself and Haku.

"Something wrong Naruto?" he asked.

"I think we have a third problem," I said. "Years ago Zabuza tried to kidnap Haku and used her as his tool."

Kakashi glanced at Haku who was sitting next to me.

"I see, but…"

"Let me finish, in the battle yesterday he said that he found a replacement. I saw him with my Jigan and it looked like he had some kind of bloodline limit."

Kakashi was silent.

"You two will have to train extremely hard," he said after a few moments. "Sasuke and Sakura could improve quite a bit in two weeks but I don't think they'll improve as much as you two will. You should work on your teamwork and try to find strategies to eliminate one of our enemies as quickly as possible. I'll handle Zabuza."

"Okay."

"Hai."

Kakashi left to train Sakura and Sasuke while Haku and I went on our way. Unfortunately we wouldn't be training first. We had something more important to do.

Haku's Old Home…

"Tadaima, Kaasan, Tousan."

Haku stepped through her house. The ice that she had killed her father and the murderers with had long since melted. It had been years after all. She went about cleaning up the house, for whatever reason. I had no clue but I helped her anyway. She shot me a soft, sad smile. I wanted to hug her, hold her, but I settled for cupping her face with my left hand. She leaned into it. My left hand went for my Raijin no Ken when I felt a chakra signature. Haku noticed and we stepped out of the house, calmly.

I noticed where the signature was coming from as I held onto Haku. I led her to the signature and was surprised at what we found.

It was a person praying in front of two tombstones. The person turned and got up slowly when they felt us.

I couldn't tell whether or not it was a man or a woman. The face was so beautiful but the person didn't seem to have any feminine qualities.

"Haku is that you?" the person asked.

"Yes how do you know me?" asked an alert Haku.

However she was quickly disarmed as was I by this person's… tears?

"It's been so long, you don't remember me?"

"No I'm sorry."

"I'm your aunt Yukigi."

"My aunt?"

"You're a woman?"

I noticed for the first time how similar Haku and this woman was. They had the same raven black hair and chocolate colored eyes. However this woman's eyes were much more aged. Back to the feminine qualities she did have a slender figure but she didn't have… breasts…

God I am such a perv.

"What?" she seemed confused by my question. "Haha, I gues I don't really seem like a woman with my short hair and this."

She pointed to her chest and I was a little confused until she opened her kimono. Haku's hand darted in front of my bulging eyes. After a few awkward moments of silence she lowered her hand. It wasn't anything to see, she had taped her breasts to her chest with bandages.

"Why are you hiding the fact you're a woman?" I asked curiously.

"Wave country, no, the world isn't very safe for a woman traveling alone," she said with a smile.

She turned her full attention to Haku while I thought about things.

Could it be that Haku was a girl in the anime but masqueraded as boy because she didn't want to be taken advantage of? Now that I think of it after what those men did to her mom… I wouldn't blame her. I'd do the same thing. Although I probably won't ever be able to understand that kind of fear because I'm a man.

Haku and her aunt conversed like old friends but I was still a little tense. Why?

Kyuubi?

Yeah its her.

So she is the Hunter-Nin.

I had seen the depth of her chakra and it was off the scale, almost on par with Kakashi and Zabuza but still less than. I didn't see her sword with her.

Should I take her? No not with Haku here and not with the way she's feeling.

Yukigi, her name was. She told Haku of her travels and Haku told her about her own life.

"You have to see it sometime Haku-chan, the Plains Country is beautiful with green hillsides for as far as the eye can see. It's so nice to just lie down under the sun on a clear day with a refreshing breeze and the cool grass under you. You can see pure white mountains that seem picture perfect underneath the cloud

At the beginning it seemed as if she was trying to convince Haku to come with her by making her interested by her travels. I could see why, Zabuza probably still wanted her bloodline, but why? He had Yukigi.

"You look so much like my sister, your mother," she said.

They got around to talking about bloodlines and that's when I heard it.

"I don't think I got much of the Suisho Clan blood in me. The bloodline limit actually appeared in few members, it was just that our family was known for its usage of water and ice jutsus," she explained.

That's why she was trying to convince Haku to come with her. Yukigi's blood was too weak to use the bloodline limit. What surprised me was what Haku did next.

"I'm not very strong with it either Aunt Yukigi," Haku said.

She manipulated a little of the nearby water into needles but seemed to struggle.

"I can manipulate it well enough but I don't have the stamina for it, so I can't use it much," Haku said.

Why was she lying? Unless…

Yukigi bid us fair well and promised to come back tomorrow. Haku waved her off with a bright smile before falling into my arms.

"It's her isn't it?" it wasn't really a question, it was more of a statement.

I didn't know how to answer that so I went with the truth because Haku liked truth and she would have a better chance of surviving if I told her the truth. I didn't want her to freeze up if she had to fight her aunt.

"Yeah it's her."

We spent the next half an hour in silence. We just stood there with her in my arms. I hardly noticed how cold it was.

"We should go," she slipped from my arms.

I pulled her back, "We don't have to do anything, we can stay a little longer. You know, for your parents or something..."

She looked at me and smiled then she went to her parents' graves and prayed. I didn't really pay attention because I felt it was private, a moment between her and her parents. I did hear my name come up but couldn't make out anything. I felt a little tug on my side and there she was. She led me over to her parents' graves.

"Kaasan, Tousan, this is Naurto," she said. "He's my um my boyfriend."

Even now she found the time to blush. I guess I should be happy that she doesn't seem too shaken by her aunt's appearance.

"Yeah um, I'm her boyfriend," I said in an awkward manner.

I had never visited my girlfriend's parents before. It was a strange and somewhat fearful feeling even though they were dead.

"I promise I'll take good care of her."

Geez, now it sounds like I'm asking for their blessing.

I could tell that our awkward conversation with her parents was affecting her in the same way as it was me. So we left after saying our goodbyes to them.

Now onto training, I had picked up a couple of methods and one of them was from Itachi.

"I can't believe I'm doing this!" I said from my position.

I was standing upside down on a kunai. Not only did I have to protect my fingers on the kunai tip with chakra I also had to balance myself without falling. Sweat was slowly dripping down the side of my face and along my chin.

Haku was meditating near the water. Every now and then the water would shift and form shapes before dissolving. She seemed to be at peace with herself and the world. Totally calm, as if the water show in front of her hadn't been caused by her.

I sensed a presence nearby and stopped my training. I motioned to Haku who came out of her trance. I relaxed when I saw who's chakra signature it was with my Jigan.

"Sakura what are you doing?" I asked.

She came out of the forest are and into the clearing where we were.

"Is that you Naruto, Haku-sempai?"

"Yes Sakura-san," said Haku. "What brings you here Sakura?"

"I just finished climbing a tree so I'm taking a break."

"How many times did you climb it?" I asked.

"Only once but I climbed it to the top."

"How do you feel?"

"A little tired but not exhausted. I can hardly believe how many times Sasuke-kun can keep climbing after falling down. It's like his chakra is endless."

"Sakura you're exhausted so your training isn't over," I said.

"What do you mean?"

"Climbing trees is meant to improve your chakra control as well as your reserves. You need to work until you can barely move."

"Ehhh?"

A look from me and Haku told her otherwise.

Naruto and Haku-sempai are right, I have to take being a kunoichi seriously, but its so painful.

When we went back to the house Sasuke came in after we had already started eating. Sakura already had his meal ready for him. At this point I couldn't tell if it was common courtesy or her crush. I suppose the fact I couldn't tell was a good sign. At least she was taking her training seriously.

Sasuke seemed tired and his body was covered in bruises, his clothes dirt and leaves.

"Where were you guys?" he asked gruffly.

I couldn't tell if it was because he was tired from training or if it was just how he was. He was scarfing down his food quickly and loudly. Sakura was a little put off by this.

"We were training," I said.

"Why weren't you… training… with us?" he asked between bites and gulps.

"We've already finished tree climbing Uchiha-san," said Haku with a polite smile.

It seemed like Haku couldn't stand his eating either. If only the crowd could see him now, Uchiha Sasuke eating in an uncivilized manner.

Sasuke didn't say anything after that he only left for training, slamming the door behind him.

Why am I so weak? Haku and Naruto already finished and Sakura's control is much better than mine. How come I'm always last, I'm an Uchiha for God's sake.

Sasuke punched a tree with as much force as he could in order to vent his anger. His pain made his fist numb but his feelings of anger and jealousy returned quickly.

The Next Day…

"Naruto, Haku, you two will take turns guarding Tazuna while the others train, okay?" instructed Kakashi.

"I understand."

"Hai."

"Good."

I went first because I wanted Haku to rest. She seemed tired, mentally and physically from training and meeting her aunt.

"Let's go Jiji (old man)," I said to Tazuna.

"Coming brat," he replied.

"Have a good day," said Tsunami.

"Bye," said Inari.

I was surprised at Inari's proclamation but responded calmly, "Later."

I went to the bridge with Tazuna and decided I'd help out I created a dozen Kage Bunshin and had them use Henge to transform into various people. It wasn't because I wanted to trick anyone it was because using two jutsus in conjunction with one another exhausted much more chakra that if I had used them separately. Depending on the techniques used it wasn't 1+1 equals 2, usually it was more like 1+1 equals 3 or more. Combining jutsus was harder than you'd think.

While I stood nearby Tazuna I saw him talking to one of the workers.

"I just can't do this anymore Tazuna," said the worker.

"Just a little longer, this bridge will be done and Gatou can't touch us. Come on it will revive Wave Country."

"I'm sorry," he said and he was off.

Tazuna's shoulders slumped and he sighed.

"Looks like someone quit?"

"Heh, that's okay I've got you and your tricks to make up for them brat," he said, trying to hide his sadness.

"They're just cowards Tazuna-san from what I see you're the only one really putting in an effort to change Wave Country for the better. No one else seems to have any balls."

"It can't be helped, they have to think about there families."

I had a lot more I could have said but didn't. It was because I could tell he would continue defend his workers even if they had deserted him.

On our way home we stopped off for some groceries. Wave Country was doing a lot worse than I thought. There was a huge amount of homeless and starving. I could also tell how bad it was when I went into the grocery store. The produce was terribly small and some of them were shriveled or rotting. It made me appreciate every meal I had here more. I felt something and turned around to see a thief try to steal from a woman. I grabbed his hand and he glared at me.

"What do you think you're doin'?" he asked gruffly.

I stared into his eyes.

"You don't want to do this," I said in a monotone voice.

"I don't," he said as his eyes glazed over.

"You won't commit crimes anymore."

"I won't do this shit anymore."

"You want to go home and rethink your life."

"I want to go home and rethink about my life and stuff."

As he walked off Tazuna stepped up behind me.

"Whoa, what did you just do?" he asked, clearly amazed.

"I just showed him a better path in life," I said.

I didn't turn around so Tazuna couldn't see my Jigan activated. I could now hypnotize people with weaker wills than my own.

The Force is strong in you young Padawan.

Thank you Master Jedi.

Actually it's quite impressive how far you've come in mastering the Jigan, you still haven't cleared the hardest part yet but your progress is astounding.

Thank Obi wan.

Alright you can shut up now. I'm gonna go watch some anime now.

Now that our relationship was much better my mind no longer looked like a sewer. In fact I learned that the mindscape was actually formed by both Kyuubi and my feelings. It would only change if our feelings both changed. Now the mindscape looked like the inside of a home except it was all out in a grassy hillside. Sprawled out on the grass were couches, a fridge, a table, book cases, and televisions.

Kyuubi used the television to watch things I had seen in my life. He was very easily amused by them and the huge amount of anime I had watched. The book case mostly contained all the manga I had read, an impressive amount as well. Aside from that I found out he had been reading various writings that Tamano had "procured" for him from the library of the Heavenly Sages. She also got him some videos for him, where from and what they were I didn't know.

On our way home a girl grabbed the edge of my jacket. She looked pathetic and I couldn't help but pity her so I gave her a good amount of money rolled up tightly and put it in her fist.

"Shhh, keep it safe, that's a lot of money."

"Uh, Oniichan will be pleased."

"Oniichan?"

"Um," she nodded. "Oniichan works late on the bridge because Kaachan and Touchan aren't here anymore."

My eyes widened before I ruffled her hair.

"Don't worry the bridge will be finished soon, and you and your oniichan will be able to spend more time together."

"Really?"

"Yeah really."

I looked over my shoulder at Tazuna.

"Oi Jiji," I called out. "Think you can make it home in one piece?"

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow but his face softened when he saw the little girl, "Sure thing kid."

I slightly smiled and took the kid home. When I got there her brother was frantically looking for her. The guy seemed to about my age. He was really relieved when he saw me bringing home his sister. I noticed their home was large but not furnished. The building was stable but kinda gloomy or not homely. He thanked me and I went on my way.

They'll be able to put that money to good use…

"Oniichan look at what the nice boy gave me?" asked the bright little girl.

"What is it?" he asked slightly amused.

She unrolled her fist and he dropped his jaw.

At Tazuna's House…

"Welcome back Naruto," greeted Sakura.

"Thanks Sakura, where's Haku?" I asked.

"She's cooking dinner with Tsunami-san."

As we sat down at dinner I noticed the absence of Sasuke but didn't think much about it.

He's probably abusing his body by climbing that tree again.

Halfway through I noticed Inari wasn't eating much. I put a full bowl of ramen in front of him.

"Just because your brave doesn't mean you can do anything on an empty stomach."

Everyone but Haku looked ready to say something but they were surprised by Inari.

"I know Naruto-niichan," he said.

He began eating with renewed vigor and I was reminded of a little brat back in Konoha.

"Achoo," sneezed Konohamaru.

"Are you okay Konohamaru-chan?" asked Moegi.

"I think you're coming down with a cold," said Udon.

Two Weeks Later…

"Shit why didn't anyone wake me up?" I shouted.

I ran downstairs and didn't think anything was wrong when I saw no one at the breakfast table. I suddenly remembered everything when I saw a cut up boar.

"Detour," I said as I patted the pour boar's head.

It was knocked out but not dead. I soon came upon what I was looking for but waited.

Tsunami was being dragged by her long hair by one of two samurai thugs. Inari was struggling to stay still.

"Don't come here Inari go hone!" Tsunami cried.

"Kaachan!" he cried.

Naruto-niichan taught me what it means to be a man. He was right there are a lot of things worse than death. I couldn't live with myself if I let something happen to mom. Forget about my feelings, mom's what's important now.

"Ahh," shouted Inari as he charged.

"Stupid brat," muttered Thug 1 as he turned to cut Inari.

Instead he met only air.

"What the?" asked a confused Thug 2.

"Good job Inari," I congratulated.

Thug 2 looked at his shoulder where a log was and noticed Tsunami was behind me, a safe distance from him.

"Why you!"

"Let's get him."

I turned to face them.

"Naruto-niichan!"

"It's all over kid!"

My Raijin no Ken met both of their samurai katanas.

"Some fancy sword ain't gonna save you kid."

I looked at him like he was a dumbass, "Are you an idiot?"

With a burst of chakra I electrocuted them, anime style.

"They are idiots," I said as they crumpled to the ground.

I turned back to Inari who was crying now.

"Hey hey, men don't cry after they've just kicked ass," I said. "I'm proud of you Inari, you protected your mom, someone precious to you."

He looked at me with tears.

I pointed my thumb over my shoulder at the crispy critters twitching on the floor.

"Take care of them will you?"

At the bridge…

"Everyone protect Tazuna," said Kakashi.

All Genin obeyed. Tazuna was still trying to get over the grizzly scene of all his workers sprawled out on the bridge when the heavy mist rolled in.

"It won't go like last time Kakashi?" said Zabuza as he formed a dozen Mizu Bunshin.

"Sasuke take care of it."

"Hmph."

Sasuke moved into action swiftly cutting down all the clones.

"Ohh, he's grown a little," taunted Zabuza.

Sasuke wasn't deterred. He could feel the power inside him, he knew he had grown significantly even if it had only been two weeks.

This power… I'm getting closer to my ambition!

Kakashi didn't notice the evil smirk that crossed Sasuke's face.

"It looks like I'll have to get serious Zabuza," said the Hunter-Nin.

"I'm ready," said a cocky Sasuke.

"Are you?" said the Hunter-Nin.

In an instant the Hunter-Nin had locked blades with Sasuke, who was being pushed back. Up close Sasuke could tell it was a woman. He noticed that she only had one hand on her blade.

What the hell? I'm being pushed back by a woman! I can't lose here!

Sasuke was suddenly kicked into the air. He fell over the side of the bridge.

Shit! Her Taijutsu is strong like Zabuza's, I didn't even see it!

Sasuke landed in the water and frantically began to swim to shore until he noticed the Hunter-Nin was standing on the water. Suddenly he saw a flash of light and the next thing he knew his arm was riddled with senbon, now his arm was paralyzed and he could barely swim to shore.

"Shit!" he cried.

He tried to swim away but suddenly felt a burning sensation across his back. He flipped over in pain and his blood mixed with the water. He noticed the Hunter-Nin standing right above him. His blood on her blade, and even though he couldn't see her face he was sure that she was smirking. The fear of seeing an enemy run at you while you can only crawl away was immensely terrifying.

"Suikodan no Jutsu," cried Haku.

The stream of water caused the Hunter-Nin to jump away. Suddenly he was lifted up and over the water. He looked up, confused, to see Haku holding him by his arms. She too was running on water.

What the hell? Haku can run on water too?

"Suikodan no Jutsu," shouted the Hunter-Nin.

A wave of slammed into them and washed them onto shore. Sasuke wasn't so lucky. He slammed his back into a bed of rocks.

"Arghh!" he coughed blood before fading into unconsciousness.

Dammit! Why… why am I… so weak…

Haku got up slowly as she turned to face the Hunter-Nin.

"Hmm, I expected more from you."

Haku smirked and burst into water.

Swoosh!

Several senbon knock off the Hunter-Nin's mask. It fell into the water and sank into the bottom of the sea.

"Don't worry you'll get even more than that," said Haku as she burst out from underwater.

Yukigi turned to look at Haku, the force of the senbon had scratched her cheek and bleeding.

"You'll have to do better than that Haku-chan."

"Suiryuudan no Jutsu!"

Yukigi was shocked but couldn't afford to feel it as she prepared her own hand seals.

"Suiryuudan no Jutsu!"

The dragons collided and like with Kakashi and Zabuza they fought one another. Their snake like bodies bashing each other, struggling to get a bite of the other, before they both exploded.

After the water battle passed Yukigi and Haku stared at one another. Yukigi was smiling, Haku was scowling.

"Now now, Haku-chan, girls shouldn't have such scary faces."

Haku performed hand seals that Yukigi had seen all her life but hadn't been able to do.

"Hijutsu Makyou Hyoushou!"

Steams of cold air shot up all around Yukigi and slowly condensed into mirrors of ice. The water beneath Yukigi became a small island of ice. Haku jumped up and melted into one of the mirrors. When she appeared on the mirror Haku still had a scowling face.

Impressive that this girl can control one of the Suisho Clan's secret jutsus at such a young age…

"I guess I can expect something good from you after all…" smirked Yukigi.

On the Bridge…

Kakashi's POV…

How unlucky, I decided to let Naruto sleep in because I thought Zabuza would actually need a few more days to recover.

The mist became too thick to see anything.

I'm worried about Haku and Sasuke, that Hunter-Nin seemed… different…

"Worried about your brats Kakashi?" asked Zabuza.

"Not really," I answered, feeling the opposite on the inside. "Sasuke is from Konoha's most feared clan."

I tapped my left eye.

"You mean…" said Zabuza slightly alarmed.

"Yes, the Uchiha Clan," I said. "Not to mention Sakura is a promising medic-nin, she can look after Tazuna. As for Haku she's also from an advanced bloodline, but you already knew that."

I didn't hear a response so I continued.

"I know you've met Naruto too, Scarface," I taunted.

I honestly felt some kind of pride knowing I was the teacher of someone so skilled. Naruto had managed to scar Zabuza at such a young age. It could have been a fluke but still the gaps in their strengths should have been more than enough for Zabuza to win.

"Yeah, tell me about him, you seem eager to brag about the other brats…"

"Oh well you'll be surprised."

"Really?"

"Naruto's mother is Tsunade-sama, one of Konoha's Sannin."

I couldn't see it but Zabuza was nostalgically flexing his jaw.

Dammit, I knew she wasn't an ordinary woman…

"Naruto's rookie of the year, a genius of hardwork."

"But he's not here."

I could tell Zabuza was silently laughing at me.

"Kakashi-sensei!" shouted a voice.

Hearing that voice assured me everything would be alright. My student would back up Haku and Sasuke while I dealt with the biggest threat, Zabuza. I was sure the three of them could handle the Hunter-Nin.

"Take care of him," said Zabuza.

I whipped my head into the direction of the voice.

Shit! I forgot Naruto mentioned a third party member.

"Hai, Zabuza-sama."

I tried tracking him but found the mist too thick, besides I could tell if I moved Zabuza would kill Sakura and Tazuna who were several yards behind me.

"Oh by the way Kakashi, the one I just sent after your brat has a bloodline limit as well…"

"What!" I muttered harshly under my breath.

"And the woman facing your brats with bloodlines is also a former member of one of the Mist's Seven Swordsmen!"

Shit, things just got worse. Haku, Sasuke, Naruto…

End Kakashi's POV…

Naruto's POV…

Why isn't Kakashi-sensei answering me? Did something happen? Shit this fog… It'd be useless to call out to anyone else, I'd just be giving myself away and distracting my teammates from their duties. Haku…

I turned on my Jigan and saw chakra signatures as clear as day. I saw several signatures far on the other side of the bridge while several were in the water.

Is that Haku's Makyou Hyoushou? Whew… there's no way she'll lose now that she's trapped her enemy like that. But maybe it's her aunt, she might not be able to beat her…

Suddenly I saw a chakra signature appear beneath my blind spot.

"Whoa!"

It took a swipe at me and I jumped over its blade which was filled with… chakra? That explained why I could see it but did that mean this person used chakra blades as well?

Suddenly several small projectiles flew towards me filled with chakra, they looked like bullets?

I turned on Shinsoku and deflected each of them with my Raijin no Ken.

"You're pretty fast," said the figure in front of me.

I couldn't help but think it sounded familiar. Suddenly it was beside me. I rolled down and away.

"Not only are your movements fast but your reactions are quite fast," it said.

If only I could see this person's face, but I could only see chakra, I couldn't even tell if I was standing on the bridge or the road. With Jigan I could only see chakra, very clearly but nothing else. I suppose it was better than nothing, well better than the Sharingan since I could see through the mist.

"Shinsoku, a jutsu which allows me to increase my reaction speed and movements exponentially," I said.

I tried not to turn my head as I saw the figure walked around me. I didn't want the person to know I could see them.

"I see," said the figure from behind me.

It slowly moved closer, coming to my right side. It didn't say anything as it raised its chakra blade above its head.

Right where I want you.

NOW Kit!

"Shoryuken!"

My burning fist slammed straight into the figure's chin, propelling it up into the air like Lee's Kage Buyou. No even higher. Shoryuken didn't cause very much initial damage, it was meant to stun the enemy and cause concussive damage from the flames. I hadn't been able to make it more effective yet. I would definitely do that in the future. Like Lee's Kage Buyou it set my enemies up for my own personal combo.

Now for…

"Tatsumakisenpuukyaku!"

I slammed my right leg into the figure's stunned body and continued to rotate my body and kick it several more times. I ended with my right foot in its gut and lifted my left left leg above its head to finish it off.

"Shienkyaku!"

I slammed my left leg that was burning down on its head. The force propelled me up and the figure down into the gound.

"Enryuu Rendan (Blazing Draon Combo)!"

My combo was done and I couldn't help but feel some pride. The figure was embedded in the ground and the flames had begun pushing away the mist. I landed on the ground but couldn't help but feel apprehensive and think…

What was that strange feeling I felt when I kicked him?

Then I saw the absolute impossible, it got up. Even Lee was knocked out by that combo and that was saying a lot. Okay so maybe Lee had been having a good day and decided to generously be my punching bag after a game of janken (paper, rock, scissors). I still don't know why he wanted to do it that way, probably had something to do with Gai. That's besides the point this person got up slowly as if it hadn't even felt it.

Wait maybe I'm imagining things, it could be stunned from the combo.

I moved in for the kill.

"Sword!"

My leg slammed right into its chest but I saw weird chakra bulge out from its chest and meet my leg. It was almost as if jaws came out of his chest to block my leg.

"What?"

I quickly jumped back a step and came again.

"Tomahawk!" I cried as I thrust my feet at his face.

Once again he stumbled backwards but didn't fall. I moved back again.

What's going on? Sword is a slow but extremely powerful roundhouse kick, Tomahawk is less powerful but quicker, it uses both feet to attack an enemy in a single unified kick. So why does this guy act like it didn't faze him and what's with that chakra that seemed to bulge from his body and cushion the blows. Why did it feel weird with my Enryuu Rendani when I made contact with his body? Wait it couldn't be…

"You seem confused…"

I saw the mist part and saw the figure's black shroud burn away and fall to the ground. I saw that part of its, no his flesh had been burnt too. It seemed like he was heavily burned as I could see his bones where the flesh had burned away. I had done some damage but all my confidence faded when I looked at more of his features. A lot of the flesh under his chin had burned away but he acted like it was nothing.

Oh great, flush my confidence down the drain would you. This can't get worse.

The mist cleared some more and I was greeted with a familiar set of light gray hair and green eyes.

Now I understand what the strange chakra was coming from his "sword," "bullets," and his body. Me and my big mouth, this just got worse.

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, your name?" I asked formally.

Just crush all my hopes why don't you?

"Kaguya Kimimaro," he answered.

Damn…

End Naruto's POV…

Haku's POV…

Why does she look so confident even though she's trapped? She knows this is a high level jutsu of the Suisho clan.

I threw several senbon at her which she defelcted with her sword. She was definitely good.

"Then how about this," I cried.

I merged myself with all of my ice mirrors and readied my senbon/flying needles. I noticed she still seemed confident but her posture was no longer relaxed. I didn't take much note of it so I launched all of my needles, but she blocked with a wave of water? The water had seeped in from the gaps between my mirrors since I had frozen the floor as well. All I saw was her drawing her sword.

I don't understand she didn't use any hand seals, even if her bloodline was strong it should be impossible to control such a huge wave of water without any hand gestures.

"You seem confused, Haku-chan," she said as the water fell. "Allow me to demonstrate the power of one of the Mist's Seven Swordsmen."

She raised her sword high above her head?

She brought her sword down swiftly and a huge wave of water slammed into my mirrors below me to the left. The water came from outside and ploughed straight through my mirrors.

"What incredible force to break the ice mirrors which were composed of my chakra hardening the water," I commented softly.

I saw her speed towards the opening.

"I won't let you get away!"

But it was too late, she had escaped.

"Her speed is above my own… Even in these ice mirrors which propel me to the other mirrors at incredible speeds to add to my own movement."

"Haku-chan, look at this well for I shall show you the strength of this katana," she said.

There's something about that sword.

"Cry out Murasame!" she yelled.

It looked like a large amount of chakra had gathered around the blade but I could tell it was actually very little. All of a sudden a small tidal wave slammed into my remaining mirrors.

"Ahhh!" I cried as I was thrown through the air.

My Demonic Ice Mirrors were… destroyed?

"Haku-chan Murasame is a blade which manipulates water," Yukigi said. "Obviously you can see the advantage to using a blade like this where there is water is abundant. It only takes a fractional amount of chakra to manipulate the water. Not to mention it can create water easily from my chakra. That is why even when there is no water available Murasame will 'cry out tears'."

"Ughh!" I moaned.

I could feel my left shoulder felt dislocated and a few of my ribs were broken from her small tidal wave.

This is a Jounin…

"I'll admit you're impressive, to control such a jutsu at such a young age you had to have worked extremely hard on it. However because of your inexperience you haven't completely mastered it yet. If you had I would have had a much harder time breaking through your mirrors. You need experience otherwise you won't be able to maintain the necessary chakra to reinforce your mirrors continuously."

She advanced slowly while I thought of my options.

"You're too gentle Haku-chan, you weren't aiming for critical areas when I was trapped in your jutsu. You didn't capitalize on your advantage and gave me time to recover between attacks."

I can't die here.

"Uhhh," I couged more blood.

"In battle you need to be a heartless killer otherwise you'll lose and your ideals and goals will amount to nothing. I can give myself entirely to Zabuza's cause. That's how I'm able to turn into a true ninja. What about you? What about Naruto? Kimimaro should be finishing him off right now. He has a bloodline that is impossible to beat. No normal ninja will be able to defeat him."

Naruto…

End Haku's POV…

Naruto's POV…

Shit, I remember Zabuza and Haku meeting Kimimaro as a child in the anime. I guess because he didn't have Haku that he picked up Kimimaro. Dammit what can I do? Most of my jutsus are close range and my few long ranged ones are only chuunin level. He's demonstrated that he's mastered his clan's bloodline. Also he doesn't seem sick like in the anime, maybe it's because he doesn't have the curse seal to erode his body? He seems like he can use his bloodline with more strain to his body than in the anime.

"Teshi sendan (Finger Drill Bullet)!"

It didn't work the first time so… Shit!

The bones were coming at me even faster than before. I didn't have any time to be a Jedi and deflect them with my Raijin no Ken. I gained distance and tried to jump or dodge them as a whole volley, I couldn't be cocky and take them one at a time. I landed and took a chance to breathe when he appeared in front of me. He was moving a lot faster than before.

"Tsubaki no Mai!" he cried as he let loose a series of stabs.

Hmph, that's not enough.

"Issen Ryu Satsujinken: Shiden no Mai (Flash Style Sword Killing Technique: Dance of Sword Falshes)!" I countered.

What is this movement?

Kimimaro was assaulted by a barrage of countless stabs from me. There were so many that he could barely hold his bone sword until it was knocked out of his hands by one of my blows.

Why can't I read his movements? Why do his attacks appear as flashes and after images? Sometimes it seems like I'm being stabbed in mutltiple locations at the same time. They can't all be real.

"Haaa!" I cried.

I pooled all my blades together and struck him for one final blow. Kimimaro was tossed back by them a good distance, and this time he did fall.

"Huff huff," I breathed heavily.

"Ughh…" groaned Kimimaro as he struggled to get up.

When he did stand up blood dripped from his mouth.

"What was that move?" he asked. "I was attacked multiple times from different locations on my body."

"Shiden no Mai," I answered. "It combines with aspects of Kage Bunshin to create dozens upon dozens of blades to attack my enemy that's why it seemed like you were being attacked at the same time from different locations. Good Taijutsu specialists like yourself can block strikes to any area of your body but it's impossible to block multiple strikes."

"I'll admit your attack hit me but…" he said.

I noticed once again that I could see his bones under the flesh that had been torn away.

"My bone masks protected me from all your attacks ever since your combo…"

But some did get through surprisingly, Uzumaki Naruto. Your form needs work but your speed… The only reason any of your attacks was able to even touch me was because your movements exceeded my expectations.

"You are an impressive ninja, and that is why I will finish you with my strongest jutsu."

Is this what I think it is?

Kimimaro reached for his back and pulled out his spine with his right hand.

Oh no fucking way!

"Tessenka no Mai!" he cried.

"Tendril," he said as he used his spine as a whip to entrap me.

I dashed back but misjudged its length. Before my very eyes his spine extended. His bones stretched, connected only by the nerve tissue inside of it. It wrapped around me and I put my guard up in a futile attempt to block it.

"Flower."

I saw a huge bone grow out of his left arm, it looked like a spear.

"This is the end for you," he said as he dashed towards me and pulled on his whip like spine.

End Naruto POV…

Haku's POV…

"Did you know this sword was made to counter the Suisho Clan's kenjutsu?" Yukigi asked as she advanced on Haku's floating form.

"Naruto won't loose," I said, trying hard to breath.

"What?"

"Naruto is special."

"What do you mean? He has a bloodline limit?"

I laughed. "No, Naruto is more special than that man he's fighting. More than Kakashi or Zabuza. More than you or me…"

I took a deep breath, even though it was painful.

"He won't loose."

Yukigi looked down at me with what was it? Pity?

"It doesn't matter, you won't live to see the outcome," she said as she raised her sword high above her head.

Up until now I had kept my hands behind my back, underwater to stay afloat and…

"Sensatsu Suisho…"

Yukigi's eyes widened before jumping high in the air. Still my needles followed her which she deflected with blasts of water from her katana.

"You're just delaying the inevitable, Haku-chan."

"Hyouton: Hyouryudan (Ice element: Ice Dragon Blast)!" I cried.

A snake like dragon spiraled towards Yukigi.

Oh, she can use the ice elements of the Suisho Clan? Impressive, it's such a waste that she has to die.

"Suiton: Suijinheki!" countered Yukigi.

A wall of water rose up to protect Yukigi on all sides from my attack.

Chance! I don't have much chakra left… or much time…

Yukigi stood behind her water barrier which had turned to ice.

What should I do know, I'm somewhat trapped. Oh I know what I'll do.

Yukigi began to form hand seals.

"I'm sorry Haku-chan, I wish we had met under different circumstances…" Yukigi whispered.

Naruto-kun, if nothing else I have to prevent this woman from fighting him. I can't loose here!

Yukigi didn't even notice the significant drop in the water level beneath her feet. She did notice the huge amount of chakra coming her way.

"What is this? She should be out of chakra… I guess this is her last stand…" mumbled Yukigi.

She felt the force collide with the frozen barrier around her.

"It's useless Haku-chan, it's impossible for you to break with your current jutsus…"

Suddenly the ice barrier cracked!

"What?"

"Hyah!" I cried as I broke through the barrier.

Yukigi raised her sword at the last second, just in time to block… my sword!

"This is…" stood a bewildered Yukigi.

I pushed her back and continued with my swing.

I, one of the Seven Swordsmen can't push this little girl back?

"Ahh!" screamed Yukigi as she flew back from Haku's blow. "It can't be… that sword is…

"Mizuchi," I finished as I held the blade up.

My sword looked like a blade of ice with water frozen inside of it. However the water inside looked like it was still moving. Although the water looked frozen, it didn't seem to have any frost on it. The blade was a little longer than a normal blade, and certainly wider. A segment of the blade near the edge was missing tip of the blade seemed like a smooth straight hook.

(Author's Notes: Think of the blue sword that Tidus is carrying on the box of Final Fantasy X)

"This is the height of the Suisho Clan's bloodline limit, the kenjutsu that they were so famous for that you pointed out…"

Yukigi though over her words:

"Did you know this sword (Murasame) was made to counter the Suisho Clan's kenjutsu?"

"Mizuchi is a blade of water created by gathering tons (literal metric units) of water together and condensing it into a single blade hardened by my chakra…"

Yukigi thought about the significant drop in the river's water level that she felt earlier.

It can't be true… this girl… Even though the bloodline appears in a good number of members of the Suisho Clan the ultimate technique Mizuchi is recorded as being mastered by only one person in every several generations… So young and yet so…

"You are definitely strong Haku-chan, you are definitely the pride of the Suisho Clan, a true genius," Yukigi said. "Forgive me for taking you lightly, I will now put my all into defeating you."

I saw the immense amount of chakra gathered in her blade flare up. It almost looked like blue flames, her chakra.

"Like you said, Murasame was made in the image of the pride of the Suisho Clan, Mizuchi," I said as I dropped down and put my sword to the side in a stance. "I won't loose to some cheap imitation."

Silence… We were both thinking how to defeat the other. Planning and battling in out in our minds. I was truly calm.

A leaf drifted down the sky and touched the water.

Both of our eyes shot up at each other and we moved in unison.

Clash!

My water and her chakra collided and sprayed from our blades. The forces of our two attacks tearing at one another liked raged beasts.

Naruto!

BOOM!

I could feel her blade in my right shoulder this time, blood flowing slowly, but freely.

"I'm sorry Naruto-kun…" I said as I fell and faded into unconsciousness.

I didn't even hear the words Yukigi spoke next.

She looked down and saw Mizuchi in the side of her stomach, the blade melting and dripping with her own blood.

"Don't be sorry Haku-chan, there's no reason for you to be…" Yukigi said "you've won…"

She then collapsed and fell into the water with me.

End Haku's POV…

Naruto's POV…

I saw Kimimaro pause as did I.

Haku!

Kimimaro looked at the water where the chakra came from

That immense amount of chakra was Yukigi-san?

I stared in the same direction.

Haku-chan…

I wanted to scream, to cry, because I couldn't feel her chakra!

Kyuubi!

I'm sorry… I don't know…

Fuck! Shit! Goddamit!

I wanted to die right then and there. I couldn't help but hope maybe I was wrong, maybe she wasn't dead, but…

"Haku-chan…" I whispered between tear clenched eyes.

Kimimaro turned to look at me.

"Was that other source of chakra this 'Haku?' " he asked.

What… what is this feeling of dread?

"Raaa!" I roared like a beast with my head to the sky.

It was as if I was blaming the heavens and everyone around me. Maybe that wasn't far from the truth.

Kimimaro was shocked by my outburst but even more by what I did next. Kyuubi's chakra burst from my body and blew away his whip-like spine and shattered it.

What… what is this fearsome chakra?

My whisker marks darkened and my eyes reddened and turned into slits.

Is this chakra?No chakra can't move like that. There's so much that I can even see it.

My fingers and nails became claw-like.

Is he a monster?

I rushed forward and he tried to stab me with his "flower."

"Too slow!" I cried as I grabbed the base of that arm and broke it.

"Ahh!" Kimimaro cried in pain as the "flower" disappeared along with his concentration.

Impossible…My bones…to break my bones is no easy feat…

I'd love to tell you how I kicked his ass but nothing can sum it up better than saying I laid the smack down on him.

I encircled him getting a good chance to break more of his bones as I took out my grief on his body. I could tell he was in pain. His body seemed okay on the outside, not many broken bones. His body was rock hard. However that didn't account for the internal damage he was feeling from the force of my strikes that hit his already broken bones and wounded organs.

Kimimaro could barely stand as he numbly stared at me.

I can't beat him…

"Rasengan!" I cried as I buried the ball of swirling energy in his chest, right above his heart.

Is this it?

As I embedded my Rasengan in him I felt a flicker of something. It was enough to cause my concentration to fade and the Rasengan exploded outward. Much of the destructive power was lost and it simply blew Kimimaro across the bridge like a rag doll.

I left Kimimaro's limp body and dashed off.

End Naruto's POV…

Kakashi's POV…

That explosion of chakra was Haku and the Hunter-Nin, that burst of chakra seemed almost evil, that was Naruto. I guess Naruto felt Haku's chakra fade and that set him off. At least Naruto's regained control for now.

I stared at Zabuza who was caught by my dogs. With Raikiri in my hand I stared at this man who didn't fear death.

"This is it Zabuza, your desires, your ambitions, they all end here."

"Hmph, bring it on Kakashi."

A voice cut through the darkness.

"Ah, what do we have here? Useless bunch of ninjas," said a small man named, Gatou.

In front of him an army of thugs.

Great… as if fighting Zabuza wasn't exhausting enough.

End Kakashi's POV…

Someone's POV…

My face… it's wet?

I looked up and saw Naruto crying, probably for me.

Naruto-kun…

"I was so scared," he whispered.

"I'm sorry Naruto-kun," I replied. "What happened?"

"I fed you a blood replenishing pill mouth to mouth because you couldn't swallow it on your own. Did I mention they taste like crap?"

I smiled.

"I closed up your wounds and fixed your bones, but you shouldn't move because they need time to recover."

"Thank you," I whispered hoarsely.

It was easy to breath now but my throat was dry.

"I thought you died."

"I'm sorry…"

There were so many things I wanted to say to him, but couldn't find the words. There were so many things I wished I had done, but never did. Standing in the face of death really made one re-evaluate their life.

"What about my aunt?"

"Her wounds are serious, she looks might not make it…"

"I see… Naruto-kun, I… Please…"

"Shhh… I understand, rest now, I'll take care of everything."

As I drifted off to sleep I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to have Naruto. He understood that I didn't want to kill Yukigi. I wanted to thank the heavens because I believed there was someone up their blessing me with this gift known as Uzumaki Naruto…

End Haku's POV…

Naruto's POV…

Okay so everyone was healed and bandaged up and I was ready to watch Kakashi kick Zabuza's ass. Unfortunately they stopped fighting. Fortunately there was a guy I wanted to kill even more than Zabuza.

"Is that Gatou?" I asked.

"Yes," answered Kakashi. "What about the others Naruto?"

I looked at him, "Haku and Sasuke are alright" I turned to Zabuza, "So are Yukigi and Kimimaro."

Zabuza looked surprised that I would treat the enemy. Kakashi didn't seem fazed at all.

"Good job Naruto," he said. "Leave the rest to me."

"Hmph," snorted Gatou. "I'll pay triple the money for the man that kills Zabuza."

"Really?"

"You heard him boys."

"Yeah!"

I looked at these thugs and couldn't help but feel sorry for them.

"Kakashi-sensei since there's no reason for us to fight with Zabuza and his group should we team up with them?"

"That's a good idea Naruto," said Kakashi with his eyes closed in that stupid grin behind his mask.

I looked at Zabuza who looked at me.

"Just don't get in my way."

I nodded.

Swoosh…

An arrow landed in front of the advancing men. I looked at the source and wasn't dissappointed.

"Yo, Inari!" I shouted with a wave.

"Heh heh," he grinned. "Naruto-niichan, we're here to save the day!"

I smiled back before turning to the thugs.

"Kakashi-sense, Zabuza-san, do you mind if I start things off?"

They looked at each other and some unspoken words were understood. They back away a few steps. I bit my thumb and showed off one of my favorite moves.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" I cried as I put my hand on the ground where smoke erupted.

When the smoke cleared I was standing on a frog, about as big as me. It was smoking a pipe like Gamabunta. He had a wooden keg of oil on his back and a dark blue jacket with the kanji for fire on it.

"Gamasuu, give me some oil?

"Osu," he replied as he took out his pipe and puffed up his chest.

As he spewed out oil I finished my hand seals.

"Katon: Gamayu Endan!"

My flame ignited the oil and set the thugs in front on fire. After that I plopped down on top of Gamasuu's head, he gave a little pat.

"Let's go Zabuza," said Kakashi.

"Right," said Zabuza.

A Week Later…

I was sitting on the edge of the finished bridge's railing. I felt Kimimaro come up behind me. He wasn't trying to hide his presence so I didn't do anything. His chest was bandaged but most of the injury from my incomplete Rasengan had been healed or fixed by me.

I was a little proud of myself being able to use all three steps of Rasengan against him.

Only five more levels to go…

"Why didn't you kill me?" he asked.

"Honestly, I got distracted," I replied.

There wasn't any hint of sarcasm in my voice. I was being as honest as possible. It was a little strange having Zabuza and his group living nearby while we tended their wounds. At least Sakura got some good experience out of it.

"You should have killed me."

"Why?"

"Zabuza-sama doesn't need a useless tool."

I punched him. He seemed surprised.

"Are you done feeling sorry for yourself?"

He wiped his bloody lip as he got up.

"You're not a useless. I'm not going to comment on that being a tool because that's your decision. If Zabuza didn't want you around he would say so. Unless you think you know better than Zabuza himself?"

He raised an eyebrow at me, clearly a little irritated but seeing my logic.

"If you're worried about being useful then why don't you start training. Unless you feel that when you fought me you were at the height of your capacity? Well do you?"

"No."

"Good."

I returned to my spot on the ledge and Kimimaro joined me after a few moments.

"When I'm stronger I'd like to have a fight with you again."

He didn't look at me when he said it, and I didn't look at him when I replied.

"Sure, I look forward to it."

At Tazuna's House…

"Here drink this."

"Thank you Haku-chan."

"It's no problem Yukigi-obasan."

Yukigi was sitting up in her bed as she drank the soup Haku had prepared for you. Haku's wounds had healed faster and Yukigi wasn't too far behind. It was probably because I nearly exhausted all my chakra on Haku's condition whenever I recovered and did it again. My ijutsu were so good that she barely had any scars. The only scar she had was a small, thin one on her right shoulder where Murasame cut her.

They sat in silence.

"Thank you for saving me Haku-chan."

"No no, it wasn't me, I just asked Naruto-kun and he saved you."

"Hmm, you told me you merely hinted, you didn't even say anything and Naruto knew what you wanted. Ah yes I have to thank Naruto-kun somehow. It was a very pleasant way to wake up."

Haku nearly stumbled as she picked up the dishes.

"It's so kawaii, you and Naruto," commented on Yukigi as she raised a hand to her cheek in a dreamy but ladylike manner.

Haku blushed.

"Is it… the same for you and… Zabuza-san?" she asked.

Yukigi's manners didn't falter nor did she show any discomfort towards that question.

She simply answered offhandedly, "Who knows?"

She's avoiding the issue, I wanted to know… hmph…

Downstairs…

"Should you be acting so calmly Kakashi," asked an annoyed Zabuza as he watched Kakashi read his perverted book across the table.

"It doesn't matter, Gatou is no more and you have no reason to go after Tazuna since the bridge is done. Besides if you really wanted to you would have done it already."

"Here you go," said Tsunami as she set breakfast before Kakashi and Zabuza.

"Thank you," they both said as they looked at their bacon and eggs.

"Are you going to report us," asked Zabuza as he got ready to eat.

"Report who?" asked Kakashi stupidly.

Zabuza shook his head before asking.

"Where did you get that copy?"

Kakashi peered up from his book and said, "Naruto is Hikaru-sama."

Zabuza's eyes bulged, "Can you get me a copy of the limited edition?"

In another bedroom…

"Are you okay Sasuke-kun?" asked Sakura as she finished wrapping the bandages around his waist.

Surprisingly Sakura wasn't going gaga over a half naked Sasuke. Either she was genuine concerned or she was taking her medic-nin training seriously. Sasuke was a little surprised too.

"Ah," he replied and Sakura left his room.

Why couldn't I do anything?Damn, why am I so weak? Naruto and Haku are stronger than me! I have to become stronger no matter what!

He lied down on his bed and thought similar thoughts.

A few days later…

The seven of us decided to leave, the Demon Brothers were surprised to see Zabuza with us. We were surprised that the Demon Brothers hadn't been picked up by ANBU.

Kakashi lazily stared at them.

I've got to have a talk with Hokage-sama about ANBU when I get back… just as soon as I finished reading this. Hehe…

"Thank you again Hikaru-sama," said Zabuza as he nodded to me and prepared to leave.

Yukigi checked Zabuza's wounds and he acted annoyed, "I'm not a child woman."

The lack of anger in his tone told me he didn't really mind. I wondered if he had his bandages off if I would see a blush on his face.

"Bye now, be safe Haku-chan," said Yukigi as she hugged Haku.

"I will, you too Yukigi-obasan," replied Haku.

"Till next time," said Kimimaro.

"Yeah, we'll see you later," I said as I extended my hand.

Kimimaro looked a little shocked and I swear I saw the ghost of a smile grace his lips as he shook my hand.

Sakura and Sasuke were still getting ready to leave so they weren't here yet.

"Kid," Zabuza said as he stopped in his tracks. "I once said ninja that weren't in my book from my days as a member of Mist's ANBU weren't worth my time."

I stared somewhat confused.

He took out his book and opened up a new page, "I never got your name…"

My eyes widened.

Was Zabuza acknowledging my strength?

"Uzumaki Naruto, future Sannin of Konoha."

"Hm," Zabuza wrote down. "And Suisho Haku?"

"Yes," replied Haku.

He closed his book and looked at us one last time before disappearing with his group. Yukigi shot one last smile at us.

"Be good you two."

When Sakura and Sasuke came up to us the bridge workers and their families came up to wave us off. We felt good like heroes.

"It's okay you can cry Inari," I said.

"No, I won't cry," he said, trying to keep his tears back. "You can cry if you want Naruto-niichan."

I smiled at him and ruffled his hair.

Wait a sec am I getting teary eyed? Flush it down, flush it down, step on it, hold it in, this is your hero moment… your chance to be cool… that's much better.

"Ah just something in my eye, sand," I said rubbing my irritated eye.

"Bye everyone," I said with a big wave and then we were off with Haku by my side.

I didn't even notice Sasuke's sour mood.

When we were out of earshot…

"I just thought of a good name for this bridge," said Tazuna as he placed his hand on Inari's head.

Inari was still crying and sniffling.

I have to be cool like Naruto-niichan, yosh!

"The Great Naruto Bridge!" he said.

Tsunami stifled a giggle and smiled, "That's perfect."

She came around her grandfather's side and hugged Inari. The three of them watched us disappear with different thoughts.

Thank you Konoha, thank you Naruto…

You've given Inari, no us our courage back…

Courage…

With Naruto Gang…

"Naruto-kun?" asked Haku.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"How did you heal Yukigi-obasan after me?"

Damn, I was hoping she wouldn't ask that…Yukigi's got soft lips…not as soft as Haku's but…

"Naruto-kun?" asked Haku, her voice a little higher.

I didn't turn around because I saw the shadows of her demonic aura looming over me. I knew Haku wouldn't understand my actions were necessary so I didn't bother to reply. I only sweated in fear. My impending doom became all the more clearer when everyone cautiously stepped away from Haku and I.

Oh shit…

Tsuzuku…

Author's Notes: Next time on A New Nindo, we return to Konoha and I hang out with the guys. But my fun is cut short when another escort mission comes in. Don't worry my revenge on Kakashi will be long and painful. This time we're going to the Village of Hidden Waterfall with Shibuki. How will Sasuke and Sakura's training affect their performance? How will I deal with things this time? Find out in Chapter 13: What it means to be a Hero.

First off I'd like to point out the reason Sasuke got his ass handed to him. It's because in the anime Haku didn't really want to kill them so Haku picked them apart slowly. This time around it is a Jounin and she has no qualms about killing people.

First off this fanfic might not be for Sasuke-lovers because I'm still a little pissed at how the Battle of the Valley of the End turned out. Not to mention I just don't like Sasuke's attitude over all. Sasuke won't be a total bastard and he will have character (good or bad?). All his actions will have reasoning and you'll get insight into his mind at one point, not too soon.

Sasuke did not have a chance to awaken his Sharingan.

The fights probably looked like they lacked tactics that's because it's hard to use tactics when you fight against someone one on one and the enemy is prepared. Probably my fights will look more straightforward with more action in the future, I don't know.

Reviewers have pointed out that Rasengan has 8 levels. I remember reading that it had 8 levels somewhere too. Does anyone have any idea where it says so in the manga? I think I read it had 8 levels on Narutofan(dot)com but I don't know where in the manga/anime. Please someone tell me where.

I feel that it is very important to point out I didn't just feel like leaving Zabuza, Kimimaro, Yukigi, and the Demon Brothers alive because I felt like it. It has a lot to do with the future. My second arc that takes place in wave country makes Zabuza and co.'s existence vital. Teasers on author's profile.

By the way

Shoryuken-ryu and ken's rising dragon fist

Tatsumakisenpuukyaku-ryu and ken's hurricane kick

Shienkyaku-fei long's kick that lights his leg on fire

Are the names of Streetfighter's (the video game's) techniques. Any Streetfighter fan should recognize atleast the first two.

As for the healing part I was referring to Naruto feeding Yukigi a blood replenishment pill, by mouth to mouth. In case you didn't get that. One reviewer pointed out it was unclear.