The Avarice Prince: Hello mates. The Prince here and I have….ANOTHER CHAPTER! HE JUST RELEASED ONE YESTERDAY! DAMN IT, WHERE IS MY NEW CHAPTER?!

Oath: O-Or mine…

United Triplets: Or ours!

Reaper: I could use the vacation honestly…

Hellfire: Tch.

The Avarice Prince: Damn Shoto-fighter. I outta….Anyways, surprise chapter for you good people so with that all said….I can't believe he decided to do another chapter to this so quickly so let's get into it.

Ansatsuken
Chapter Seven: Brown eyes in the Village of Wave

[THEME OF WAVE:
FRONTIER VILLAGE FROM LEGEND OF THE DRAGOONS]

It had been three days since the battle Naruto and Kakashi had with Zabuza and Team 7 were now at Tazuna's home in Wave. When the team had first arrived, Naruto was aghast at the sight of the village.

It looked so rundown and ravaged but what truly broke his heart was to see people look so beaten down. So while Kakashi was down and out from their battle with Zabuza, Naruto summoned several clones to fish at the river while he summoned more clones to assist both himself and Tazuna with the bridge.

"Naruto, these clones have been a Kami-send," Tazuna said with a wide smile. "As have you. You didn't have to do this but the work is very appreciative."

Naruto sat down the pickaxe and wiped the sweat off his brow, his upper GI now hung around his waist to reveal his slight defined muscular upper body but there were a faint amount of scars on his skin as well.

He had long since taken off his black shirt, which hung on the railing of the bridge, to let it air out due to the amount of sweat that soaked it.

Naruto offered a small grin and said "Anytime Old man. Anything to help bring some hope back to this place."

Tazuina's smile dimmed slightly as his gaze turned serious. "This village is a sad sight, isn't it?" He questioned.

"It is…" Naruto admitted softly. "But that's only temporary. Once we finish this bridge and hopefully stop this Gatō asshole then this place will look better than ever and I will make sure of it."

Tazuna eyed him for a moment. "Tell me something kid. For the last three days you've been here helping us. I know that the original mission was to watch over me so why help us like this?"

Naruto sat down on some cement blocks and sighed a bit. "The minute I walked to this village, I could see how defeated everyone looks. I just want to make the people here smile again and if building this bridge and stopping that Gatō jerk is the way to do it, then damn it, I'll do it."

Tazuna's eyes softened at Naruto's words and responded to them with "Those words…It is eerie to hear them."

Naruto looked to Tazuna and asked "What do you mean?"

Tazuna shook his head and said "That's for another time kiddo. Go take a break, you've earned it."

Naruto watched Tazuna walk off with a frown on his face. There was something in the older man's eyes that spoke of a hidden sadness but Naruto decided that when the man was ready, he would tell him.

Naruto stood up and stretched out before his stomach growled loud enough for some of the construction workers to turn and look at him in confusion. He gave a wide grin before he felt someone watching him.

He turned his head to the far left and in the distance, his eyes caught a long, black haired girl observing him. He had noticed her a few times out of the corner of his eyes ever since he arrived. At first, he thought it was just a girl who had a relative here but after spotting her in places where it was just him, he realized she was watching him.

But anytime he would approach, she would disappear on him.

But why watch him?

"Hey Naruto!" Sakura's voice yelled, which prompted him to turn around briefly to acknowledge the girl with a smile but when glanced back, the girl was gone once again.

He would find out who she was one day.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei wants to meet with us," Sakura said with a smile.

Naruto nodded and flagged over a clone of his and said "Tell the Old man that I'm going to meet with my sensei. I'll be back to help soon."

"Gotcha Boss!" The clone said with a salute, which made Naruto smile, before the clone ran off.

"It's so weird that you speak to your clones like that…" Sakura commented.

"Like what?" Naruto asked.

"Like they're real people and you're their boss," Sakura said.

"Yeah, I thought so too but after a while, you get used to it," Naruto said with a smile as the two began to walk away.

"Here are my three baby chicks," Kakashi teased as Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura stood before him as he rested in bed, his chakra exhaustion still weighing heavily on him. "Thank you for joining me today out of your busy schedules," he added dryly.

"The only one busy was the dope on that bridge, wasting time as usual…" Sasuke replied with a cold tone in his voice.

Kakashi sighed.

He had noticed it just before he had passed out from chakra exhaustion but he had hoped he had imagined the angered look on Sasuke's face.

It was obvious to him that Sasuke needed the power to kill his older brother and to see Naruto, who was admittedly weaker than Sasuke, take his first kill and then stand his ground against Zabuza must have been a heavy dose of jealousy that was shot into the young Uchiha.

He would need to find a way to curb that.

"Be nice Sasuke-kun," Sakura admonished with a frown. "Naruto is only helping the villagers here…You see their circumstances."

If there was one thing Kakashi was proud of, it was Sakura's attitude change when it came to Naruto. Kakashi had noticed that Naruto was going down that spiral that many new shinobi went through after their first kill but before he could talk to him, Sakura had done so and it seemed to change them both for the better.

Sasuke hummed in response but remained silent.

"Anyways, the reason I gathered you three here is because of simple reason and that is to talk about Zabuza and what to do when we see him again," Kakashi told them, which stunned the trio of Genin.

[THEME OF INTRIGUE:
LLYOD'S THEME FROM LEGEND OF THE DRAGOON]

"Zabuza…Isn't he dead?" Sakura questioned.

"Yeah, we saw that Hunter-nin kill him," Sasuke said.

Naruto nodded in agreement.

"That we did…Except for two things," Kakashi began. "One, the weapon that the Hunter-nin used was senbon. They are mostly used to incapacitate and not kill and two, when a Hunter-nin slays their target, they are to remove the head and place it in a scroll then burn the remains. Afterwards, they would then take the sealed head back to their village."

"Yeah, that's what you did after the Demon Brothers," Sasuke said.

Naruto flinched at the memory, which caused Kakashi to give an apologetic smile to Naruto.

"Exactly, this Hunter-nin, used a weapon that could not kill and took the body instead of slicing off the head and burning the remains…Which means that Zabuza is alive and he has an accomplice so we all must remain on guard," Kakashi said.

The Genin nodded.

"Now since I am still very weak, Naruto, mind summoning some clones for me? I want to teach you guys a few things…"

[THEME OF WAVE (NIGHT):
TOGETHER IN PEACE WITH YOU FROM LEGEND OF THE DRAGOONS]

Night had fallen in the village of Wave and Naruto sat on the ground with disgruntled look on his face. After revealing that Zabuza was alive and had a partner, Kakashi had showed Naruto and his teammates how to tree walk.

Sakura managed to get the tree walking exercise down in the first try but Kakashi had made her continue to increase her reserves while Naruto and Sasuke struggled with it for the majority of the day.

It was so bad that Sasuke had to ask for advice from Sakura to figure out how to do it but after a while, Naruto was the only one left in the forest to try to get this tree walking done and learned but similar to the Hadoken, he was unable to focus enough to get it right.

Naruto sat on the ground with an annoyed expression on his face. What in the world was wrong with him?

Perhaps mediation was in order?

Naruto grimaced a bit at the thought.

He had meditated earlier to try and clear his head when he started the blasted tree walking exercise.

Maybe he just needed a break.

With a sigh, Naruto leaned back on the tree and glanced at the stars above and soon found himself dozing off.

[THEME OF HAKU:
SHANA'S THEME FROM LEGEND OF THE DRAGOONS]

Twenty minutes passed when he heard a gentle voice murmur into his ear "Excuse me, you're sitting on the herbs I need."

Naruto's eyes opened in alarm and looking back at him were the warmest, kindest brown eyes he had ever seen in his entire life.

"O-Oh…" Naruto stammered before he swallowed nervously. "Sorry," he apologized as he stood up.

The girl let out a small smile, her pale cheeks flushing red as she looked away.

Naruto was entranced by the sight.

"That is quite alright. I felt so bad to disturb you but I really needed them," the girl explained softly before she gazed at him, her cheeks reddening. "Your eyes…They are beautiful up close…I was unware of this…"

"Up close?" Naruto questioned.

It was then he took a good look at her.

She had long black hair and pale skin with a dark colored choker around her neck. She wore a pink, sleeveless kimono, with pale red edges and decorated with small plum-coloured swirls that went to her ankles. Around her waist was a simple white obi tied in a bow, and she wore a pair of light brown sandals with dark straps.

"I-I've been watching since you arrived here," The girl admitted.

"Ah! So you're the spy," Naruto teased with shining blue eyes. "I didn't realize I had such a beautiful one too."

Haku giggled softly with a smile that made Naruto's heart flutter. "I am flattered. Truly," she replied sweetly.

"So um…Why were you following me?" Naruto asked her.

"I had never seen someone like you before and I wanted to get a closer look but," She paused as she glanced down at the ground, embarrassed. "I was a little hesitant because I didn't know what to say…So I would leave."

"Ah, okay," Naruto said with a nod. "Well, here I am, all ready for you to get a good look at," Naruto told her as he spread out his arms with an inviting smile. "So now that you've got me, you said you were collecting herbs?"

The girl nodded.

"Great. I was taking a break from training, um. If you'd like, I can help you find the plants that you want."

"Would you?" She asked, seemingly not expecting the help.

"Of course. That's what a shinobi does. They help those in need and for me, if that brings a smile to your face, it makes me feel that I'm doing something right," Naruto told her.

The girl flushed again but nodded and replied "Then Shinobi-san, I will request your assistance in finding some herbs."

"Great. But call me Naruto. That's my name after all," Naruto said as he held out a hand.

"My name is Haku and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Haku replied as she placed her hand in his.

Her hand was so soft compared to his own.

The two exchanged a glance before they looked away, their cheeks red. "Well, let's look for those herbs, yeah?" Naruto suggested.

Haku nodded and for the next hour, Haku led Naruto around the forest to collect the plants she needed. "So tell me about yourself Haku," Naruto said as he held up an herb for her to inspect.

She nodded with a smile, which Naruto returned as he placed the herb in her basket. "There is not much to tell," Haku admitted. "I lived in this village for a few years now, helping as much as I can. Bringing medicine to those who need it but before, I used to be a flower girl."

"That's very nice of you," Naruto told her. "I'm sure with that asshole Gatō and his goons roaming about, they aren't making life easier for anyone."

"Yeah…" Haku replied with a distant tone before she asked in a stronger voice "You said you were a shinobi right?"

"Ayup. I'm a shinobi of Konoha," Naruto replied as he placed another herb in the basket.

"That must be an interesting life," Haku said to him.

"Nah, it's mostly D-Ranks like saving cats from trees or yard work or some other boring thing," Naruto said. "Admittedly, it's nothing like I thought it would be…"

"What did you think it would be?" Haku asked as she placed an herb in the basket.

Naruto paused for a moment. "Well…I thought it would be high-paced and exciting missions like saving princesses, fighting super villains and eventually, gaining the respect of those that shunned me for so long…You know, being a hero to the world…Instead it was just chores…" Naruto answered before he drifted off into thought.

"I hated it for so long and each meaningless task was pissing me off but then I met someone. I was on the mission to capture a hellion of a cat," Naruto began. "I was being lazy about it because one, I was so sick and tired of these missions and two, I hated that cat."

Haku giggled.

"But during that search, I found a cabin with an old man in there. He was dying and I tried to help him but he refused it…And so I stayed. I couldn't leave him alone to die…He was…" Naruto felt tears begin to build in his eyes at the memory. "He was the first one to ever really acknowledge me. Everyone in my village, besides four to five people, hate me for something I never deserved but he saw me for me…"

He looked away from Haku and glanced at the sky. "He was so grateful that I stayed with him when he died that he gave his most prized possession, something I still don't feel I deserve and I told him as such. You know what he said in response? He said that I had a good heart and it was a heart that he could trust and he thanked me for being with him on his last day and he died…With a smile…"

Naruto felt tears fall down his eyes after recounting the story but when he felt a hand grasp his, he looked to see the sad expression on Haku's face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you sad," Naruto said.

"I'm sad that it hurts you, Naruto-san," Haku responded softly.

"But it shouldn't…I mean, because of him, the outlook I had one these missions changed…I realized that each mission is important to the ones that grant it. Even something as simple as walking a dog, while it annoys me, it could mean the world to that person…And so because of that, I realized that bringing a smile to the faces of those I help makes it worth it."

Haku stared at him for a long time before a gentle smile formed on her face. "That is…Amazing how you put that…" she told him.

Naruto was distracted by the smile and barely caught what she had said so when he did, he blushed sheepishly. "Ah, well…Don't tell anyone else. They'd think I've gotten soft."

The two laughed before Naruto's stomach growled. "Whoops…I should go get something to eat…I think Tsunami-san said dinner would be around this time."

"Oh…Then I should get going," Haku said.

"Hey, why don't you join me?" Naruto suggested. "I…I kind of liked talking to you and I don't want to stop that yet."

"Oh," Haku said, clearly flattered by his invite. "I-I couldn't tonight. I must get these herbs back."

"Oh…Okay," Naruto said with a hint of disappointment.

"But how about tomorrow?" Haku quickly suggested. "I find myself not wanting to not talk to you either…"

Naruto grinned. "Alright…Meet me back here tomorrow."

Haku nodded and even though the departed, Naruto felt as if he was floating on air.

He had made a new friend.

The Avarice Prince: And that surprise chapter has ended. Fuck…I don't know what the plan with this version of Haku is but I…I actually want her…Ahem, I mean, Now as you guys have probably noticed, Kurenai has been booted from the story tags. That goodie-goodie is gone.

Ruby-Eyed Queen: You are taking too much pleasure in Kurenai being dismissed. Not everyone is like you, dear prince. Some may have liked this pairing.

The Avarice Prince: *slightly ashamed* I know Kyūbi-sensei and admittedly, I do like her but she's too uptight and that grates on my nerves. I kind of wish she was part of my harem in my fic so I can take the stick out of her ass but I think a lot of folks would riot if she was added. Also, having three of the four Ice Queens is more than enough for me.

Now before people riot on this choice, there is a good reason. There is three (technically 4 due to Haku) storylines for the women in Naruto's life and as the good Captain worked through the storyline he did have for Kurenai, he realized there was one woman who was already everything he needed Kurenai to be.

GUREN.

Guren was the perfect woman for what the Captain needed as a pairing for Ansatsuken and not to mention, there were so many avenues he could take with her versus Kurenai so now, it's time for another (And almost final) update to Naruto's pairings.

Ruby-Eyed Queen: PAIRING UPDATE!

Naruto/Hinata/Tayuya/Guren/?

Lee/Ino/Yakumo

Kakashi/Hanare/Anko (No one really wanted to see Samui with Kakashi. That's surprising since they both are mellow and relaxed but for Kakashi to have these two…Interesting….)

Kiba/Kin

Neji/Karin

Chōji/Karui

Gaara/Matsuri (Someone pointed this one out and it sounded like a better idea)

Sasuke/Tenten (If Tenten loses to Samui…And yes, the Captain is doing this if she loses and I am excited to see it.)

Shikamaru/Temari

Shino/Suzumebachi

Sakura/Fū…

The Avarice Prince: Wait, Kyūbi-sensei…what is that last one?

Ruby-Eyed Queen: You can read. It may be due to not wanting to always pair Sasuke/Sakura and to add something more to Sakura's character I suppose. Though I am curious how that will work out.

Same with Sasuke/Tenten if she loses to Samui. For those that wanted Kurenai and Naruto…Well, you guys will get it sometime soon with that another Naruto fic. *wink* I think that is all. Time to depart for now.