Naruto Fan Fiction!

Adventure! SI-OC!

(Title)

"A Song for Them"

A/N: This took longer than I'd hoped, yet just as long as I expected. Life had some business with me this last week.

A question of 'Shipping' well, I've been putting this off but it's come up a lot these last few weeks and I think you guys are just too cute with your pairings! But I suppose I should be frank.

This is not a 'romance' story as most of you have guessed. I can say now with certainty that there will be no dating among the pre-teens, 'specially when Sora considers herself a grown woman surrounded by children and the adults still consider her to be a child.

That being said... I am a hopeless romantic in my heart of hearts! There will be romance but, sadly, not for a very, very, very long time. Like, not until the End. Sora's life will just become way too complicated for that stuff. Good news is, there isn't a chosen pairing yet! I have no idea who it'll be! There will probably be a poll at some point, I dunno.

Enjoy the chapter, I hope it was worth the wait.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own 'Naruto' or any of the cannon characters! Own? What do I own? I own nothing.

WARNING! RATED M! Violence and blood. Probably cursing for good measure. And mind games!

Breaking Waves Arc,

Chapter Sixteen: "Back-up Plan"

"When something goes wrong in your life, just yell 'PLOT TWIST!' and move on." -Anon E. Muss

Typical.

It's fudging typical.

We left our Hero behind to sleep in and-and they show up! Why did I not see this coming? I've seen and read just about every plot twist ever so WHY!?

You should be ASHAMED of yourself, Sky-girl. Terra said with mock disapproval. I rolled my eyes at her as I gripped my readied kunai tighter, preparing for an attack. Kakashi and Tazuna were on my sides and Sasuke was at my back. Watching for the first sign of Zabuza and Haku.

As soon as we neared the bridge, I'd sensed that something was wrong. I've become familiar with the morning crew's chakra signatures over this last week, their size and general feeling. So I knew that their chakra was dangerously low, even by civilian standards.

That's how I knew Zabuza and Haku were already waiting for us.

That, and the giant dead-zone of Quiet and Heavy chakra mist that surrounded the bridge on all sides. I'd think it was regular mist if not for the fact it was just soaked in chakra.

Kakashi-sensei was the first to notice me stop and ask me what was wrong. I told him exactly what I'd sensed. His expression turned grim and his body language became serious, he then explained the situation to Tazuna and Sasuke.

"Sora, Sasuke, you'll escort Tazuna-san back to the house and protect him there with Naruto. I'm going to engage with Zabuza." Scarecrow ordered in a way that left no room for argument. A protest was, nevertheless, on my fingertips but the bridge builder had beat me to it.

"W-Wait! What about the others?! She said they're still alive, right?" He turned to me for confirmation and I nodded. By some miracle, yes, they were still alive. "Then they're in danger, we can't leave them!"

"We were hired to protect you. If you die, then the bridge will never be finished and Gatō gets exactly what he wants." Kakashi makes a good point, has logic backing him. Not unexpected but still annoying.

Tazuna grimaced but he steadied himself and didn't relent. "I won't leave them behind."

Scarecrow stared the other man down. He wasn't about to make a promise he didn't know he could keep. After a long minute he sighed with resignation, whatever he saw in Tazuna's expression convinced him that the man wasn't about to leave his men behind.

"Fine. Stay on alert." He ordered Sasuke and I.

Then we walked onto the bridge. There were five workers that are assigned the early morning shift, they make sure all the equipment is in working order -there had been a sabotage attempt once before- and that there is enough building materials for the day.

When they came into sight Tazuna tried to run over to the one I recognized as Naowi-san, but Duckie's stepped in his path, stopping him from leaving our side. We each took up defensive positions. I glanced over and Sasuke was actually shaking with excitement. His chakra was hyped up and he was practically bouncing on his feet.

Naruto's been rubbing off on him it seems.

Zabuza's raspy voice echoed through the air though I could only sense the mist, not the man. "Long time no see, Kakashi. I see you're still with those brats. He's shaking again... poor kid."

Then we were surrounded on every side. One, two, three... seven. He created seven water clones, now that is a more respectable number than one.

Are you secretly a masochist? Terra asked 'innocently'.

'Shut up!'

I'm serious, this is something we need to talk about! You know I'll still love you no matter what, right?

She was trying so hard not to laugh right now.

"Sasuke." Scarecrow was eye-smiling now, "Do it."

Duckie smirked and enhanced the muscles in his legs with chakra, then he danced through the clones, kunai in each hand. He literally finished with a pose at the end. His head bowed and his arms spread out behind him.

I was so going to tease him about that later.

The mist cleared slightly and there was Momochi standing alongside a smaller, masked figure. Zabuza murmured something to the masked figure beside him, he then raised his voice. "Looks like a rival has appeared... eh, Haku?"

And there he was, his Cold chakra was muted again. "Yes, Zabuza-sama."

Hey? Question.

'Hm?'

Do you think Zabuza is about to 'incapacitate' your butt, little miss Sensor?

'Uhh...' That was a really good question.

Haku more than likely told him about me. I mean, why wouldn't he tell Zabuza about me? I'm just some random girl he met and Zabuza is currently his only reason for living. The mist was already up before we even got anywhere near so... he most probably already told him.

So we're screwed then?

'Yeah... that's probably a good assumption.'

And you're completely unfazed by that life-threatening fact. Terra pointed out flatly, and, yup. She's right, I'm just excited to get this over with. ...why? Why am I the only sane one here?

'We'll be fine.' I dismissed. I stole a glance to the side and I met Scarecrow's eye. Well, so long as everything goes according to plan, then there shouldn't be any worries.

Scarecrow signed, 'Is that him?'

He's asking about Haku. 'Yes.' I replied.

Of course I told Kakashi about Haku's visits. It not only confirmed the suspicion that Zabuza might be alive, but not telling him would put the boys at more risk than necessary. It's the same reason Haku told Zabuza that I'm a sensor. And it would just make it that much harder to disable these two without Kakashi's help. This is for his own good really.

Duckie hadn't paid any attention to Sensei and I's little exchange when he spoke up. "I'll fight him."

Bloodied and riddled with senbon.

An inch.

I quickly flush those images out of my mind, I then stuffed those thoughts into my 'Not thinking about it' box to be buried under the sand.

That wasn't going to happen this time. I'm not going to let it.

Then he muttered mostly to himself. "...tricking us with that stupid act. I hate bastards like that the most."

Oh. There is actual anger and frustration in his chakra right now. Hah... hah... Craaap.

We didn't tell Naruto or Sasuke about the plan.

He's gonna be pissed with me later, isn't he?

Haku was talking to Zabuza but I couldn't hear his soft murmurs from here. I could hear what Zabuza said next though. "Haku. You know what to do."

Then the Yuki boy blurred from sight and-

-I heard his sandal scrape against the cement and felt his chakra before I saw him-

-He was moving towards me, senbon in hand-

-The world was slowing before my eyes-

-I slid my foot back into a stronger stance and raised my kunai-

-Haku was swinging at me-

There was a clash of metal as his senbon collided against my kunai. Sparks flew.

He was strong -that's to be expected- but he wasn't strong enough to overpower me, which was a bit unexpected. He's older and better trained but funnily enough, from this close I tell that I had the bigger frame of us. I was slightly more muscular than the Yuki boy, allowing me to hold against him strength-wise. I was stronger than I thought...

Cool!

"I told you before, didn't I?" Haku leaned his head forward. "Zabuza-sama prefers to remove the Sensors first."

I couldn't react fast enough to avoid his kick.

His leg swung up and-PAIN! The air rushed out of my lungs as I got knocked off my feet. Haku had put so much power behind it I actually came up off the ground. There was a moment of weightlessness before I hit hard, cold stone.

FUrDerFijeMAhda-ha-HAA! That HURTS! My chest hurts so bad-I-CAN'T-BREATHE-I think he broke something! -BREATHE- I thought I heard Duckie call my name but I was too busy coughing up a glob of blood. It hit the stone with a gross 'splat!'.

Crap!

I haven't been kicked like that since... since... Yeah, since Kabuto's 'lesson' on the human rib cage. Okay, so, not broken. This isn't what broken feels like, I know what broken feels like. Fractured ribs at the most, I can live with that.

This? This is nothing!

...still can't breathe.

"Sora!" Duckie? That was Duckie's voice. When did my face get on the ground?

With great effort, I lifted my head off the ground and looked blearily up at the grumpiest little Uchiha who was now standing in between me and the Yuki boy. From the corner of his eye, onyx orbs were looking at me with... concern!

'Aw, he does care!' I felt a silly smile make it's way onto my face.

Did you hit your head too? Terra asked, rudely I might add. Ow, ow, ow owwww! I can breathe again but it hurts!

She may have a point though... it's hard to focus with all the pain right now. I can't even read Duckie's chakra to find out why he's scowling now. Honestly, the boy is prone to serious mood swings.

Oh, wait. I think I might know why. My mouth tastes like pennies. My teeth are probably covered in blood, yikes. That must've not been a pretty sight. I spit again, it's still red.

Sasuke turned his attention back towards Haku. "I'm your opponent."

Haku's voice was quiet. "I don't want to have to kill you. But you won't stand down, will you?"

The Yuki boy was still looking at me.

My first reaction had Terra in a fit. Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't you-I pushed myself onto my knees and when I looked back up at Haku, I was grinning again.

I gave him a thumbs-up.

He moved.

Duckie intercepted him this time.

Sasuke swung a kunai at Haku, Haku prepared to block with his senbon but Sasuke threw it right before they could impact. The Yuki boy ducked the flying kunai and Sasuke's foot hit the ground, changing his momentum as he began swinging his other leg. Just as Haku touched the ground Sasuke's foot connected with his head, the Yuki boy flew from the force of the blow and skid to a stop by Zabuza.

"Looks like I have the advantage in speed." Duckie said cockily. Oooh, arrogant. Much too soon to claim that.

"I can't have you underestimating my team by calling them brats. Sasuke is the Leaf Village's Number One Rookie." Scarecrow sounded disinterested but his boasting said otherwise. "Sora is our foremost expert on Barrier Ninjutsu." That's so sweet but not accurate whatsoever! The Barrier Squad still won't trade notes with me. "And the other one is our Number One Hyperactive, Knuckleheaded Ninja."

I was practically blushing with pride at my teachers false praise when Momochi started chuckling in that creepy way he does so well. "Do you hear that Haku? Haha, at this rate we'll be driven back!"

"Yeah..." Haku's voice sounded resigned. "We can't have that."

It was getting really cold right about now.

"Sora, Tazuna-san, get the civilians out of the way." Scarecrow's ordered. Yes, we have to do that. Shallow breaths. I pushed myself into a crouch and shakily stood on my feet, turning away from Duckie. He could handle this by himself for a minute.

I motioned Tazuna to follow me and Kakashi-sensei stayed still, ready to stop Zabuza from moving at any moment. I carefully had an arm cradling my chest as we moved as fast as I could towards Souko-san first. The bridge-builder offered me an arm to lean on that I was sorely tempted to take, but I declined anyway. I was supposed to be strong here.

Hey... wanna hear a song?

Tazuna and I started moving the unconscious workers to one location so I could put up the barrier. 'Actually, no. Not reall-'

'You're as cold as ICE~ Willin' to sacrifice our lo-'

'Stop! This is supposed to be a Very Serious Situation!'

Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting to do this!? Terra cried and I rolled my eyes, really not in the mood for this.

We placed the last worker down in the pile and I moved Tazuna to stand inside of where I was going to raise the barrier walls, so I wouldn't have to worry about him while I continue with the rest of the plan.

I mean... Momochi could try and take down the wall, but this formula was Hatake Kakashi tested and approved. Plus he would have to get past my Sensei in the first place. Which, not happening.

In the background I heard a shout of, "Demonic Ice Mirrors!" that I tried really hard to ignore.

Taking shallow and still pained breaths, I kneeled down and reached into my holster to pulled out my scroll. I sprawled it across the ground and I frowned when I looked back up at the pile and saw that the measurements would be too small. I'd have to make some adjustments first.

It was cold. I could barely breathe. Every measurement needed to be exact.

'Ice, Ice baby~'

'Oh kami... I can't believe that I thought I actually missed you!'

Terra sighed irritably. Sky-girl, you have two bruised and possibly fractured ribs. You need good distraction from the pain or you won't be able to think clearly and this whole plan'll all go to heck in handbasket.

Okay. So, she has a point.

'...just don't go overboard.' I semi-pleaded.

What to do... what to do... OH! I'VE GOT IT!

Fast paced drums started going off in my head.

'Do-Do-Do-Doooo~'

'Oh nooo...' I pricked my thumb with a kunai and I started writing. 'Do-Do-Do-Doooo~'

'I really can't believe you. I an so glad no one else can hear you right now.' Ten feet in width all around. Eight in height. 'Where have all the good men gone-and where are all the gods?'

'You are so ridiculous!' Taking in account the parameters of the Base character, don't break it's rules. 'Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?'

'Could you have picked something a little less dramatic? No. Stupid question.' I folded my hands into seals. Snake, Horse, Boar. Adding just the required amount of Physical and Mental. 'Isn't there a whi-i-ite knight upon a fiery steed?! Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I NE-E-ED!'

I raised the barrier.

'I NEED A HER-O! I'm holdin' out for a Hero 'till the end of the night! He's gotta be strong~ And he's gotta fast~ And he's gotta be fresh from the fight-'

"GAAAHH!"

Sasuke.

The barrier was up, Tazuna and the other men were safe. It was time to deal with the Kiri ninja. I stood and turned towards the Ice Mirrors. As my eyes scanned the dangerous jutsu, I spared an idle thought for how beautiful the mirrors looked as my hand reached into my weapons holster and pulled out a Flashbang kunai.

This part was going to go the somewhat the same as Before.

Naruto is coming, I know it. I couldn't sense a fudging thing with all this constant pain but I knew he was coming. I had to create an opening for him when he got here.

I believed he was coming.

I believed in my Hero.

As I ran towards them, I sighted the distance and threw. I have no idea what Sakura was aiming for Before but I was just hoping Haku would catch it in a show off-y fashion this time as well.

It arched through the air and just as it was about to enter the walls of ice, Haku leaned out from the closest mirror and-he deflected it with his weapon and my kunai went over the side of the bridge instead.

...well, pooh.

I gave the Yuki boy a disgruntled look for doing something other than I expected of him as there was a muted 'pop' and a flash of light over the side of the bridge. He didn't seem very impressed as he stared coolly back at me.

Then something whizzed through the air and his head snapped to the side. He fell out of the mirror and I smiled because that meant...

There was a giant puff of smoke, and I mean giant, -what, did he use all his smoke bombs for that entrance?- and when the smoke cleared everyone could see...

The Hero was posing.

Why do they make it so easy to tease them?

"Uzumaki Naruto has finally arrived, dattebayo! Now that I'm here everything will be fine!" My best friend proclaimed loudly, a froggy band-aid still on his cheek from last night. "The main character of a story usually shows up in these types of situations and instantly kicks the enemy's ass!"

Grinning, I raised my hands to sign and-my breath caught as Kakashi shouted a curse as shuriken flew towards Naruto. My heart had stilled for a moment before Haku intercepted the shuriken with his ice.

Zabuza turned towards his apprentice, when he spoke he didn't sound too pleased. "Haku, what is this?"

The Yuki boy was facing away from him. "Zabuza-sama... these kids, please let me fight them my way."

"...so you don't want me to interfere... you're soft as always." Momochi said. There wasn't disappointment in his tone but...

Of course while these two were talking, no one else paid any mind to the Uzumaki boy who had crept his way behind the Ice mirrors. Not even Sasuke, who was sitting next to him.

"You moron!" Oh, now he's noticed. "If you're a Shinobi then use your head! Why did you come inside the mirrors!? Damn it, I don't care anymore! You're an Idiot!"

The blonde bristled with indignation. "What did you say 'ttebayo!? I come to save you and this is what I get!?"

I sighed, an exasperated smile on my face.

That's my boys.

As Haku stepped back into the ice and Scarecrow stared down Zabuza, I cautiously made my way to the nearest side wall. I took out a kunai and sliced open my palm, wincing slightly at the pain. This was going to take a good chunk out of my chakra reserve.

I dragged my bloody hand across the pictures of black waves and the unseen ink below it.

Now I just had to wait for my opening.

There was a movement of air from behind me.

I didn't -couldn't- sense him.

必要 Need

There are sounds of fighting outside the ice! What's happened?!

I know Sora didn't stay inside her barrier even though she's already been injured, so that means she's vulnerable to an attack from Momochi, one that she won't have a chance of avoiding. What is Kakashi doing!?

Damn it! This is bad. My body is filled with senbon -I feel like a damn pincushion- and Naruto isn't better off, he's on the ground and his eyes are closed. I have to do something. At least my eyes are getting used to his speed.

"You move well. But this time I'll stop you." Tch. Not gonna happen. I hear Naruto pushing himself to his hands and knees. I'm watching the other guy carefully, his arm raised-he's coming!

Calm down... concentrate and see through it!

Now! I grabbed Naruto and rolled out of the way of his attack. When I looked back at the guy, all I could see was red.

My eyes were burning in my skull.

Everything was tinted red now. The world was... slower, clearer by just a little bit, but I could see!

So... this is power of the Sharingan.

The masked guy stared talking about bloodlines or something but I was focusing on his body movements. Trying to anticipate his next attack, I couldn't afford to be distracted right now.

"This is the end!" He shouted before he moved again, towards-What!? Towards Naruto!? Damn!

My body moved on it's own.

I hated the Idiot. So why was I running to him? Naruto is a complete moron, he's loud and obnoxious always shouting and trying to pick fights with me-he pisses me off like nobody else! He's nothing but a loser with a goal that he'll never be able to achieve.

...Please make it in time!

I lifted my kunai and braced myself as I ran. I tracked his speed with my Sharingan but my body couldn't keep up with my eyes-

-won't be able to move Naruto in time-

-I stood in front of the Idiot, I'd take the attack-

-That guy was coming at us incredibly fast, he had his weapons raised, he was going to-

-his mask shattered against the barrier wall.

Wait. What?

I blinked dumbly as the Ice guy groaned in pain and confusion from where he was sprawled out on the ground. There was a wall around him now. I could see it clear as day with my Sharingan active. There was a wall of blue-green chakra surrounding the gu-the hell?

He's a girl!?

No. That's not important right now.

How is there a barrier up? I don't even see Sora any-she's crouching outside of the mirrors, her hands flat on the ground with her chakra spreading out from her fingertips.

There's fresh blood on her face.

The chakra was powering the barrier from nowhere. It wasn't just around her hands, her chakra was everywhere along the bridge. My eyes tracked her handwriting along every wall and railing, under the black ink drawings of waves were lines and lines of characters that make up her barrier scroll, except this was on a completely different level. How did I not see this before!? When did she even have time to do all this?

I look back at my teammate more closely, with my Sharingan I could see every detail about her just like if I was reading a book. Each of her breaths were strained and she was putting a large amount of her chakra into the barrier. Her barrier scroll was already in use, protecting the builders, she was keeping this one up manually by continually pumping chakra into it.

It would only last as long as she would.

"Sora-chan!" Naruto cheered. So he was still alive. "How'd you do that 'ttebayo?" His grin disappeared when he noticed the blood covering her, he then scrambled to his feet and ran over to her side.

I scoffed. Oh sure, now he can move.

Sora folded her hands into the Ram seal and stood up shakily, fingers trembling slightly, her breaths were as shallow as they were strained. So she was hurt worse than she's letting on with that silly grin, and that blood on her face... I can still hear fighting outside.

"Sora-chan! What happened to you 'ttebayo!? You're bleeding!" The girl gave him an unimpressed look as she carefully moved her hands to take out a senbon that was sticking out of his arm still. Naruto moved his own hand and touched the blood on her cheek, it smeared off.

'Not mine.' She signed with a grimace. Where's Kakashi? She'd be upset if something happened to him.

"Whut is this? A... barri'r? Buh you huve no s'roll." It was the ice guy -girl? Whatever. Him- that asked, his voice sounding nasally.

I turned back to him and found out why. His nose was broken and there were streams of blood running down his face now. He'd been going at full speed when Sora raised the wall, that thing was definitely broken.

I found a vindictive satisfaction in that as I started to pull out the senbon in my limbs. Sora continued doing the same for the Idiot, he'd probably kill himself on accident.

"HEY! You're that guy from the other day 'ttebayo!" So Naruto has-what? Now that I look again... yeah, it is that guy from the forest, isn't it? So he's been watching us.

Sora got Naruto's attention and signed for him to translate for her, he grinned when she finished, "Sora-chan doesn't need one 'ttebayo."

"When did you have time to do all this anyway?" I asked. Sora and Naruto turned and ended up just... staring at me. I frown. After it went on for a minute I became irritated. "What is it?"

Sora pointed at her eyes... ah. That's right, they wouldn't know about the Sharingan. Naruto pointed a finger in my face and shouted. "AH! YOU HAVE EYES JUST LIKE KAKASHI-SENSEI!"

Wrong. My eye twitched. Can he not be so loud and annoying for once!? "The Sharingan is a special dōjutsu kekkei genkai that can only be awakened by a member of the Uchiha clan... tch, idiot."

He started scowling at me, "Hey! Just because I don't know what a 'dujutsu' thing is, doesn't mean I'm an idiot 'ttebayo! If anything you-"

"Ehcuse me."

We all turned out attention back to the guy trapped in the barrier. Right. He's so quiet I actually forgot he was there. I actually forgot our enemy was standing right there! That's so unlike me, that's more like something the Idiot would do.

Did, by the look of surprise on his face.

"Oh yeah..." Naruto scratched his head and turned to look at Sora, "What do we do about him, 'ttebayo? Kakashi-sensei told us not to get in between him and that Brow-less freak again and we've finished our fight sooo...?"

'CRACK!'

Well, he fixed his nose. He spoke coldly. "You haven't finished the fight yet."

"No. It's finished." I say confidently. Sora might not look it, but even I have to admit she knows how to make a very hard wall. I still remember the hours we all spent throwing everything we had at it, until even Kakashi had to pull out some high-level jutsu to make sure it would hold up in a fight.

I would've complained about it being a waste of my time but at least Kakashi had been telling us how to do the most damage as efficiently as we could the whole time. Most likely so we wouldn't waste his time.

That, and it wasn't more damned running.

"There are people who make this mistake. Not killing their enemy because of pity, letting them leave with just their lives."

What the hell? Is he actually criticizing us for not-

"Can you understand not having a dream? To not be needed by anyone?" His eyes were as cold as the air. "The pain of simply living?"

...'to not be needed by anyone'?

I suddenly felt cold. I clenched my jaw and ignored the memories that begin to flash through my mind with practiced ease. It was only the ice still around us, that's why it was cold.

There was something in Naruto's eyes when he spoke, he was frowning. "What are you saying?"

The guy then... smiled? It wasn't a cruel smile, but it was... sad. "Zabuza-sama has no need for a weak Shinobi... you have taken away my reason for existing."

What? That's so- "Stupid. We're not going to kill you. There would be no point." I told him irritably. "Stop being so dramatic, you lost one fight."

He looked at me with dull, empty eyes. "This was the only fight I have ever lost."

"And so what? That means you should die?" I challenged. That's so... stupid! It's one thing to be killed during a battle, while fighting, but to want to be executed because he lost once?

"I told you... Zabuza-sama has no need for a weak tool. I am nothing to him now... I would rather die than be nothing again."

"Wha... why for a guy like that... he's a bad guy who takes money from a criminal! Is that brow-less freak really the only person important to you!?" Naruto shouted. So he didn't understand this guy's logic either? I look over and see Sora's face is hard, her jaw and fists were clenched. She looks pissed and confused. Good, it wasn't just me then.

"...I had people dear to me... a very long time ago. Parents."

Then he told us his story. The civil war in Mist, the hunting of people with kekkei genkai, about the hate and fear towards anyone that was different then the rest.

I... I was young, but I remember the looks the KMPF used to get when I would tag along with Midoka-Obaa and Shiroi-san during one of their patrols. They were the only ones that would ever let me come along with them. The looks had never lasted for a moment but I... I could sometimes see them out of the corner of my eye, when they ignored me because I was young. I'd never understood why the KMPF officers would get those looks.

The guy looked directly at me. "You also have experienced hardship. Those with special abilities often do."

I felt cold again. And not because of the ice.

"My Mother was from one of these bloodlines. My Father discovered this... and... before I realized what I had done, I had killed him... my own Father!" He closed his eyes, a look of pain passing over his face. "And at that time I thought of myself as... no. I had no choice but to think that. I realized the most painful thing..."

"...the most painful thing?" Naruto asked when he trailed off. His voice was thick.

He opened his eyes again, they were cold. "That in this world, I am a person who is unwanted."

Un... wanted?

I was cold.

Why was it so damned cold!?

A warm hand enveloped my wrist. My eyes snap up to see Sora had moved to stand next to me now, she was still watching the Ice guy closely.

I... I don't know why but... I felt calmer all of a sudden. I hadn't even noticed my fists were trembling before.

The guy began crying, yet, he was smiling again.

"This blood that everyone hated... he desired it... I was so happy!" When he opened his eyes again, they were... pleading. "If you really want to show me mercy, then please, save me from becoming nothing again... please... kill me."

He... he was really serious.

Sora let go of my wrist but the warmth stayed, she began walking and signing furiously. I had to activate my Sharingan -when did it go off?- to understand what she was saying.

'-Stupid! You want to throw your life away? No one can be an emotionless tool, everyone has feelings and cares about something! Even Peach Soil -Momochi?- cares! He cares about you, I know he does!'

Naruto translated for her, looking a bit unsure. "She says no one can't not have emotions 'ttebayo. Even the brow-less guy. She says that she knows he cares about you."

The guy slowly shook his head. "You do not know Zabuza-sama as I do, Sora-san. He only cares for his dream, to change the Kirigakure of now and to make it better. He only wants me for my strength and I am no longer of use to him now that I have been defeated."

'You're wrong!' She was right in front the barrier now, her eyes were watering. She looked frustrated. 'Momochi cares about you just like you care about him. Everyone has someone that cares about them! No matter who you are or where you come from, there will always be at least one person who cares about you even if you don't realize it!'

Thoughts of a bento on my doorstep every morning and a woman without a name come to my mind. Every day always with a silly note wishing me a good luck for the day or something.

"Sasuke. Don't worry. I'll protect you guys even if it kills me." Kakashi was smiling calmingly at me. "I won't allow my comrades to die."

Naruto... He... was holding out a piece of paper out towards me. Even after we fought he still gave it to me.

My wrist was still warm.

My body moved on it's own.

Naruto voice, suddenly cheerful, brought me out of my thoughts. "Yeah, dattebayo! Sora-chan's right! If you care about that guy that much then he's gotta care about you too!"

Haku was frowning, "I thought you were like me. You should be able to understand... Please. I'm sorry that you will have to stain your hands."

Sora was scowling when she did a sign I didn't recognize, Naruto's eyes widened. "...Sora-chan!" He whispered.

The Idiot actually looked shocked. What'd she say?

'I won't apologize for my language.'

I guess the guy had a pretty good guess as to what she meant because his frown deepened. "If you won't do this... then I have no choice but to force your hand. I've already lost, Zabuza-sama will never take me back after today."

He raised his hand and folded it into a one-handed seal and the mirrors melted around us and formed a lot of water needles, all floating in the air, aimed directly at us. Shit! Naruto and Sora won't be fast enough to avoid it!

"...I'm sorry."

Before anything could happen, a bright white-blue light and chakra sprung up from the Fuinjutsu and that guy started to convulse, his body began jerking around and-'Taser' I realized that this was that taser thing that Sora is always going on about.

When the light faded that guy collapsed on the ground. Muscles twitching and very unconscious.

Sora wasn't smiling.

She looked...

I decided that the Idiot may have a point about not pissing her off too much.

"He... he really wants to die, doesn't he?" Naruto looked to Sora. Her face was grim and her lips were pressed into a hard line as she looked down at our unconscious prisoner. When she didn't answer him, Naruto's eyebrows furrowed and he hung his head. I look back at the Ice guy.

Well, now what are going to do with him? At this rate if we let him go he'll either try and kill us or end up killing himself. I frowned. Neither sounded like good options.

In the background I could hear the sounds of Kakashi's fight still going on. I suppose we should just wait for-

"...I'll make him say it, dattebayo." What does that mea-Naruto just ran off towards Kakashi's and Zabuza's battle!

"Where are you going you Idiot!?" I shout after him.

He either didn't hear me or he ignored me. Knowing the idiot, it's probably the latter. "Damn it, he's going to get himself killed!" I tell Sora who's... kneeling on the ground with her eyes closed and her hands folded into the Bird seal.

"What are-"

"Zabuza-sama!" Wait, it's that guy? But he's...

There was a sound of an impact and something hitting the ground.

When I turned around I saw it.

Haku was standing in-between Momochi and another guy, someone I didn't recognize.

Haku had a spear through his chest.

There was a lot of blood.

下に Underneath

Haku's body was lying there now.

There was a man standing over him.

I could see it from where I was kneeling, focusing and mixing my chakra. Kneading it. Infusing it.

I hadn't planned this.

Too late now. Focus.

Haku's face was covered in drying blood from his broken nose, his mouth was slightly parted, his dark-brown eyes were dull and half-lidded.

There was a spear through his chest.

I could see it.

"HAKU!"

Naruto's cry. He sounded distressed.

I'm so sorry.

Concentrate.

Yes. Concentrate.

Mold it. Shape it. Guide it.

I could see it.

The man had a generic and easily forgettable face, his features were reminiscent of a Wave country native. His clothes were nothing fancy but he was better dressed than the average Wave citizen. I'd seen him once before when I was out buying lemons.

I had thought the spear looked painfully uninteresting.

The air became saturated with Killer Intent as Zabuza followed Naruto's line of sight. He looked fairly calm on the outside, Kakashi hadn't wounded him too badly yet. His chakra was like a maelstrom on the inside.

Zabuza was going to kill the man.

But it was too late. The man had torn his spear from Haku's bloodied chest and ran. Ran towards the unfinished end of the bridge where Gatō and gang were suppose to show up, disappearing into the mist.

Breathe. Keep breathing through the pain.

Zabuza willed his mist to clear, once it was gone everyone could see that at the end of the bridge there was a horde of armed men with slightly surprised looks on their faces. There was a small, greedy looking man at the front who seemed a bit shocked to have been found prematurely.

Gatō then.

There was a ringing in my ears now. I was running out of chakra, I'd already gone far past any level considered to be 'safe'. I know I'm not going to last much longer now.

Please... please be worth it.

Gatō said something about Haku, something cruel probably, that set Naruto off. He started shouting but the ringing got louder, it was like standing next to a waterfall now.

Zabuza told Naruto something and now my friend was yelling at Peaches -Momo, get it? Ha!- but I could only catch bits of what was being said. All of my attention was split completely in half, same with my chakra.

Something wet and warm was trailing over my lips.

Not long now...

Sasuke was standing in front of me. Wow, my sight had gotten really blurry. He grabbed my shoulders and his mouth was moving but I couldn't hear him. I was trying to listen for something else. There was a sharp pain in my head now.

Just a little more... a little longer...

The edges of my vision were going black and then I finally heard Zabuza's hoarse voice over the white noise.

"Kid, shut up. You don't... need to say anymore."

And the Demon cried.

The Hero did it.

My chakra was completely exhausted and my body turned to jelly. Duckie caught me before I hit the ground. The last thing I saw was an expression of panic on his face that looked funnier than it probably should've been.

I passed out and the Genjustu faded with me.

忠誠 Loyalty

"HE THREW AWAY HIS LIFE FOR YOU!" I scream because I don't understand! Haku loved this asshole with his whole heart and this guy can actually say Haku was NOTHING to him!? Nothing but a tool!? There are people who actually believe that crap!?

I can still see him smiling and crying. "...I was so happy!" he'd told us!

I'm crying now. I know I told Inari that it's okay to cry when you're happy b-but... who'll cry for Haku? He was all alone with no one who cared about him... Now he's dead and no one will ever even care!

"Without his own dream... to die as a tool... that's... just too sad..."

Why? Why would this happen? Haku was nice, he didn't deserve to die like that!

"Kid, shut up. You don't... need to say anymore." I look up and I see... he... he's crying too?

If he was crying then did that mean...?

"Kid... it pained him to have to fight you. Haku fought not only for me... he fought for you guys too." The guy lowered his head, still crying. "He was too kind..."

Zabuza looked so sad now. He wouldn't be sad if... if he didn't love Haku too, right?

"...I'm glad I got to face you guys." His voice was quiet. "Yeah kid... you may be right... a Shinobi is still a human... we may not be able to become emotionless tools."

When he looked back up it was to glare at the short asshole who said nasty stuff about Haku, I think it's that Gatō bastard who's ruining everyone's lives here. Zabuza's eyes were scary and dark as he pointed his huge sword at him.

"You... I'm going to take your fucking head off for talking about Haku that way."

The short asshole looked like he just crapped his pants.

"Sora! Sora, wake up!" What? Was that Sasuke? What's happened to Sora-chan!? When I turn back to them, it felt like my stomach fell through the floor.

Sora-chan was on the ground and wouldn't wake up. Even with Sasuke shaking her! I run as fast as I can towards them past Kakashi-sensei and through the mist that was going away and then I pass somebody who was gaping at Zabuza with wide eyes who... that... looks just like...

"...Zabuza-sama?"

My head snapped around-"HAKU!? YOU'RE ALIVE!?"

喜び Delight

When I came to, the first thing I noticed was the smell.

It was a subtle but nice smell. Very comforting.

It reminded me a lot of home, of the Hashirama trees around Yusewaki park, or the community gardens on the south-western side of the Housing District. I once heard from a traveling merchant that fresh-cut Hashirama trees have a smell that is a remarkable mix in between sandalwood and lemon with a hint of something like... magic.

I had quite liked that description.

I nuzzled my face closer to the smell and found warm, thinly-clothed skin pressed against my cheek.

It was then I noticed that there were large, gloved hands holding onto my thighs and my arms were wrapped broad, tense shoulders. I had a pretty good guess then as to who was carrying me piggyback.

I wrapped my arms tighter around the collar of Kakashi's flak jacket. I could breathe semi-normally again but my chest still hurt if I inhaled too deeply, in addition to that, my head feels like it's going to explode.

Even with all that, being so close to him allowed me to read his White-Hot chakra without any effort on my part.

Satisfaction with a good amount of affectionate pride.

So everything went okay then. He would be feeling a lot worse if a fifteen year-old boy would've really died. At least, I hope so.

I couldn't sense anything beyond the two of us at the moment so I would just have to trust in Scarecrow's sense of morality and justice. Considering it was the Kakashi of now, I felt pretty good about that.

I was still a bit miffed at my silver-haired teacher for abandoning the plan mid-way and engaging with Zabuza after Naruto had joined the fray, he had gotten himself unnecessarily hurt when Peaches came to chop my head off.

But... I ended up forgiving him for obvious reasons.

Besides, everything turned out okay in the end.

...everything is okay.

I sighed contently.

Kakashi's muscle twitched under my cheek, minutely.

...?

Curious, I cracked open my eyes. Bright, bright, bright-too bright! My eyes adjusted after a painful moment and I could see... it's sunset now. I'd been unconscious the whole day? Mental sigh...

I also see Tazuna walking in the front of us, and out of the corner of my eye I could barely see vibrant blonde walking alongside midnight brunette. Naruto was talking loudly to Sasuke about how he stopped the thugs that came to kidnap Tsunami-san -I panicked for only a moment- making excited hand gestures the whole time.

Both were covered head-to-toe in bandages. No needles anywhere in sight.

I sighed with relief this time.

Scarecrow twitched again.

Wait... is he...?

I blew on his ear on purpose.

"...I'll drop you." He murmured.

I relented and settled for resting my pounding head against his warm neck again, very happy with the new knowledge that Kakashi is ticklish behind his ear. My eyes drooped halfway closed, I was so tired. Being low on chakra sucks fudgicles.

Scarecrow's chakra was both amused and slightly annoyed with me, in a fond, exasperated way. He kept his voice quiet as he spoke. "You did good today."

I beamed tiredly and squeezed his shoulders in thanks.

"After you almost killed yourself via chakra exhaustion," He pointedly paused to glare at me from the corner of his eye, but there was no real heat. Because, really, who was he to criticize me? "Zabuza and his apprentice ended up joining us for a temporary truce when Gatō and his men showed up to betray them. Gatō and a lot of mercenaries died, then the whole country showed up with pitchforks and frying pans and scared off the survivors."

Well okay. So, happy ending?

"I'm fairly sure our new friends are instigating a very hostile takeover over their former employer's company and holdings right about now."

Oh. Well... Peaches did want to get paid, so I guess that's not too surprising. I do have to have to wonder what kind of business sense the professional assassin has? Hm. Well, not my problem anymore. They both walked off that bridge alive and that's all I wanted out of today.

"That Genjutsu you cast..." He started slowly, his chakra took on a neutral but curious feeling. "it was very convincing. If it wasn't for my Sharingan I don't think I would of been able to tell if it was a illusion in all that mist. You weaved your chakra in right alongside Zabuza's, he never even noticed until it was over." Kakashi praised quietly.

It felt natural... slipping my chakra in, mixing and shaping it.

"I didn't know you'd gotten that good."

Neither did I.

It surprised me, how very real it looked at the time.

Haku's whole death had been a Genjutsu. The actual Yuki boy had been safely tucked away and mostly unconscious in the barrier while I 'killed' him.

The original plan had been to trap him and Zabuza in the barrier array I'd created over the last week, but... that didn't work out so well. Peaches had come to chop off my head for trying to interfere with Haku's battle when I was getting ready to make quick-time measurements in my head -which is very hard, by the way- and Kakashi narrowly saved me from losing a couple pounds of vital weight.

I learned today that it is very trying to save someone who didn't think they needed saving.

The Genjutsu had been a spur of the moment thing. A last ditch effort to save Zabuza, thus, saving Haku. Because there really isn't one without the other, and hasn't been for a while now.

After the Hero ran off to Talk-no-jutsu some sense into Peaches, I scrambled to think of someway to help. Zabuza is obviously not the kind of guy who'll say 'I love you' to somebody as long as either party still draws breath, so, I had to give some... encouragement, of sorts.

I helped the only way I knew how.

I hadn't planned it.

But... it all worked out in the end. It was worth it.

Wasn't it?

-HeHadASpearThoughHisChest-

-NarutoCried-I'mSoSorry-

Deep breath.

Naruto turned around, almost as if he sensed me awake, I saw bright cerulean blue orbs widen and then a sunshine grin broke across his whiskered face.

"Sora-chan, you're awake! OHHHH! You won't BELIEVE what happened after you passed out, dattebayo! So after-" My best friend began to retell the whole adventure to me and I felt a smile curve my lips as he practically beamed with happiness.

Scarecrow was watching and listening with fondness, a slightly prominent curve in his cheek telling me he was smiling.

Duckie rolled his eyes when our teammate began to exaggerate about his parts in the fight. He did not hesitate to knock him down a few pegs.

Yeah...

...it was worth it.

Breaking Waves Arc,

Chapter Sixteen: "Back-up Plan"

END

A/N: I'm such an ass.

How many of you thought that exact same thing? Did any of you guys think I actually killed Haku? These past few weeks not one person said that I should kill Haku! A few didn't give a damn about Zabuza -which I found funny, poor Peaches- but everyone wanted Haku to live! So here you go~

Wow! I've got plans for like, ALL the fillers you guys mentioned and more! I don't think you guys will be disappointed! So, a very heartfelt Thank You to all those that read and to those that reviewed! xenocanaan, Outcast001, Vixeonea, duchessliz, Girl-luvs-manga, DiabolicalGenius1, Yuki Suou, Dareth, Mikado X Goddess, Dark Rose Charm, ReadingnerdOtaku, TheSunAndMoon4321, joebob323, trynmailme, and Guest's 1&2!

You guys are amazing and your words do me wonders.

And how did you like Terra's song selection there? I'm been dying to do that for weeks now. This wasn't too silly was it? With the songs and breaking of Haku's pretty face and the discovery of Kakashi's scent and that he's ticklish. Oh, and Zabuza's new nickname. Peaches.

Oh, who am I kidding? Sora is getting out-of-hand. It's a real struggle.

I don't think I have the power to stop her anymore.

...help.

Author Question!

"If you could save anyone in the Narutoverse, who would it be?"

Obito. Obito-Obito-Obito! If it wasn't too obvious, I love Obito. His story is so tragic and compelling-I KNOW that's there's Itachi -and I wuv the weasel too- but... AGHH! Why can I only save ONE!? Stupid Author Question!

Wuv yew all... 'till next time~

-Nanami