-1Chapter 9: A Night in Lights
Naruto was walking down a road. On each side were a row of cherry blossom trees. They were each pastel pinks. Their pedals fell on the road, creating a carpet of flowers. With each step he took his heart beated a little faster. Then he saw a figure at the end of the road.
The falling pedals made it hard to see. A gentle breeze moved them ever so slightly, revealing a young girl in a kimono. Her hair was tied and pinned back. It's pink color mached the flowers. Sakura stood there looking up at Naruto. He smiled back and was making his way to her when...
"Naruto," he was being shaken, "Naruto, Naruto! Get up!" He sat up, worried about why he was waken all of sudden.
"Huh? What is it? What's wrong?" Sakura was sitting in front of him. She had her hands on her hips. She sighed and rolled her eyes.
"You fell asleep on watch. How long were you out?" Pakun came up beside him and stared at him. The sun was right in Naruto's face. He looked around. Kakahsi was packing up. The fire had been doused, and the tent taken down.
Naruto rubbed his eyes, "I don't know. Sakura-chan your hair is a mess."
"Speak for yourself," she scoffed. Then she rumaged around in her bag for a while then pulled out a brush. "Well I... guess we... ought to get going. Kakashi-sensei is already packed up." She said while battling the many tangles in her hair. "Here, you should comb yours as well." This time Sakura pulled out a heavy duty comb.
Naruto sighed. 'So I can't bring my handheld game, but Sakura-chan can bring fifty different brushes.' But he thought twice about arguing and started brushing his blonde head. He found many interesting things that got stuck in his hair. For instance: a twig, a large beetle, some leaves, little dirt, and the usual you would expect after spending a night on the bare ground.
xxxXxXxxx
The smell of cooking made his mouth water. Haku hadn't eaten in a whole two days. gurgle His stomach wouldn't stop begging for food. Haku finally decided to open his eyes. What he saw was unexpected.
A young girl was leaning over a stove. On the stove was pot. A small table was set for two. Haku was laying on a bed in the corner of a room. The room was small. A table sat in the center, a stove under a window with a wash tub. There were two sliding doors. One at the front of the room, and one at the back.
Haku's head hurt. He rubbed it as he sat up. The girl heard him and turned around. "Oh, good, your awake. You scared me for a bit there. I thought you had been really hurt or something..." her thougth trailed off as she bowed her head in embarressement. "What's your name? I'll tell you mine! I'm Chei Nakamuru. My friends call me Chei, instead of my first name because it's easier. So do you have a name? Not talking yet huh? Well that's okay, I can talk enough for both of us-" Just then, and to Haku's releif, the door slid open.
An older looking women came in. She looked similar to the Nakamuru. They both had deep brown eyes, and flowing, silky black hair. Nakamuru's was covering her shoulders, while the other woman's was tied back. She smiled at Haku. She dipped a laddle into the pot that was over the stove and filled a bowl with something steaming. "So your up. Well you looking good. Here, eat this," She beant down and gave him the bowl.
In it was a porridge. The porridge was thick and had cinnamon in it. Haku let the steam carry the smell to his nose. "It smells good," he whispered. The older lady smiled and stood back up. Next she poored some of the porridge into the bowls on the table.
"Well, I'm hope you like it. Eat up all of it. Your thin, and that's not good. Got to get meat on them bones." Haku saw them sit down and start eating. 'Might as well try it. Have to be polite.' He took a spoonful and gently blew away the steam. He hadn't noticed it before, but his hands were trembling just a little.
The porridge was hot going down his throat, but it felt good. His stomach greeted it with even more growling and rumbling. Forgeting his manners, he ate it quick. Every spoonful being more filling than the last. Nakamuru looked over at him and giggled. Haku blushed, not realizing how hungry he exactly was.
"Arigato for your hospitality." Haku saw that his bowl was empty. He burped and covered his mouth in embarressment. "Excuse me." He lowered his head. Now that his stomach was full, sleep didn't seem so far away. Before he could stop it, the room was growing dark, the voices melded together. Then nothing.
xxxXxXxxx
"Over there! I see it a town!" Naruto jumped up and down. He forgot that Pakun was in his arms.
"Oi, Naruto settled down. We need Pakun in good health," Kakahsi said holding the eratic boy by the shoulder. Sakura took Pakun from Naruto. She craddled the little dog in her arms. Pakun sighed. He wasn't use to being pampered. 'I can endore it a little longer' he thought.
Naruto sighed, he once again wished he were a little dog that Sakura could hold. But what had gotten him excited caught his attention again. There was a town over the hill. That meant a break. The three shinobi had been running for hours, until now. What made Naruto even more excited was that a festival was going on in town. Naruto had a full purse. He pulled out the fat frog and smiled while holding it in the air.
Sakura looked at him then at the village. Her face brightened at the thought of having some fun, and shopping! Carefully she held the sleeping Pakun in one hand and looked for her own purse in the other.
Kakashi sighed. 'I guess we have to stop for them to have some fun.' "You guys enjoy the festival, while I get us a hotel room. Sakura-chan, you can put Pakun down. He's not asleep and the dog does have four legs."
Sakura saw one of Pakun's eyes looking at Kakahsi tiredly. Sakura lowered the little dog to the ground. Pakun trotted beside her. He had taken a liking to the girl.
As they got closer to the town they could here music and the crowds moving around. People laughed and talked loudly. Everyone sounded happy. They were at the gates when Naruto saw a food stand and took off. Sakura went to find something to eat as well. Pakun stayed with Kakahsi. Kakashi meant a room to sleep in, and most likely some food and water for him.
Kakashi headed down the streets searching the buildings for an inn. He found a nice looking inn that had two coi pounds in the front. Much different from the others. He would easily find it again. The lady at the desk looked bored. She was balancing a chopstick on her nose. Kakahsi cleared his throat.
She was caught off gaurd. The chopstick fell to the ground and she immeadiately started fixing her hair and shirt. "Hi! Ummm... Welcome to the Twin Coi Inn. Would you like a room for the night?"
"Yes, we have two others with us." The girl stared at Pakun. Her eyes wide.
"The-the dog just spoke. Or maybe too much sake?" She felt her forehead. Kakashi smiled under his mask. She couldn't be more than 16. "Ok, well that's fine. Will you like two seperate rooms."
Kakashi pondered for a minute, "Well it would make it easier on Sakura, and Pakun could stay with her for protection. Yes two rooms will be fine."
"Okay, all I need are your names and the number of nights you will be staying." She sat up straight and folded her arms. Now she was acting more like her age. Kakashi told her the names, but he wasn't sure on the nights. Pakun answered for him. "Two nights," he turned to Kakashi, "Haku is close by, he's injured. I think we can find him. And this gives Naruto time to settle down a bit." Kakashi nodded. The girl knew this meant ok, no matter how stranged it seemed.
xxx
Naruto ordered two bowls of ramen. He wanted good food. Not some dumplings cooked over a fire. 'They weren't even cooked all the way through. Lucky Kakahsi-sensei. He got out of it.' "Arigato!" Naruto grabbed his soup and sat on a bench. It was good to have the noodles running down his throat. "Mmmmm... So good." He sat there for a bit after finishing the bowls in record time. That's when he noticed Sakura further down the road.
An older boy was talking to her. He reached out and put a hand on her elbow. She pulled away, her face a little frightened.
xxx
Sakura took a look at all kinds of stands. Masks, foods, toys, jewlery, all kinds of merchandise. Then she saw a place with medical herbs. 'I should restock my supplies too.' She took a look at the different herbs and selected three. After paying the person in charge she moved on.
A certain stall took her eye. It was selling porcelin animals. Sakura saw a pair of cats. They were cheaper than the others. "They're so cute! Is this really the price?"
"I wouldn't lie to such a lovely young lady. You want them?" Sakura shook her head. She pulled out her purse. It was a simple tan with dark beads around the top and full of money. The man at the stall wrapped and bagged the small cats. He was careful not to break them. "Here you go. Be careful now, they're the last little cats I have." He smiled and chuckled a little.
Sakura said arigato and started to walk down the street. Then she noticed a boy following her. He had a light brown hair, and dark green eyes. His face was enough to get a girl's attention. Sakura turned around and stopped him in mid step.
"Wow, you are pretty," he said finishing his last step. Sakura blushed fromt he strangers comment.
"Arigato, did you want something?" She waited for his answer. Expecting it to be some stupid request. But he was amazingly charming and polite.
"Just to get lost in your beauty. If you don't mind, I'd like to get to know you. Your out of town right?"
Sakura nodded, 'What's he up to?' "I'm from the Hidden Leaf Village. I'm guessing you live here. What's your name?"
"I'm Yori. Just Yori."
"Well then I'll be Sakura, just Sakura if you please." They both laughed. Then they started to talk about other things. Sakura was starting to like the boy. He was nice. "So how long have you lived here?"
"All my life. Want me to show you around tonight?" He reached out to her. Sakura wasn't sure his intension, so she pulled away.
"No thank you I'm fine. Maybe I'll see you before I leave town, it was nice meeting you goodbye." Sakura turned around to leave. Yori grabbed her arm and turned her back to him. Then he pulled her in close before Sakura could react.
She was scared and all kinds of thoughts ran through her mind. Yori put on a grin that said nothing but trouble. All of it had been an act. Sakura had her strength. She should use it! But her body wouldn't budge, frozen with fear and shock. "Come on home with me," he pulled her even closer. This time something was coming for him.
Crack, wamp, and pow All three sounds joined together as a fist hit Yori's lower jaw. Naruto stood in his place as Yori went flying into a stand. Naruto was breathing with anger. His chest was puffed out and his arms were on the side of his body, hands clenched in fists.
Sakura was starttled by the turn of events, but grateful to Naruto. "Naruto!" was all she managed to say. He turned to Sakura and smiled. Happy she was okay. "Arigato!"
But Yori wasn't done yet. He pulled himself together and ran toward Naruto. Now it was Sakura's turn. She stepped in front of him and belted him in the gut. He went flying all the way down the street. When he finally landed, he bent over in pain and threw up. Sakura smiled.
"Leave it to a girl to take care of scum like you!" Sakura and Naruto turned and walked away from the seen.
xxx
Kakashi saw Naruto and Sakura walking together down a road. The sun had set and street lights were just coming on. Well at least it would save him the trouble of tracking them down. Pakun was in his room eating the food Kakashi had bought.
Kakashi jumped over rooves to Naruto and Sakura. He landed in front of them. "Well you two look like you had a good time. How was the festival?" Sakura and Naruto looked at each other. Thinking if they should tell him what happened. No, he didn't need to worry.
"We had fun. I found a wonderful ramen place!" Naruto said while patting his stomach. Sakura smiled. She pulled out the papaer bag which held her little cats.
"I got these. The last ones." She held up two purple and blue siamese cats. "They're so unique, I love them."
"That's it?"
"Well we had some fun, with games, and watched a little fight." Sakura smiled. Naruto did as well. What had happened tonight was over. Now they could relax, they were strong enough to keep away any one in this village.
Kakashi rubbed his head. They were hiding something from him. Oh well, "Let me take you to your rooms. Sakura-chan, your with Pakun in a single room. I'm more concerned with him getting hurt rather than you." She took it as a compliment, as it was intened. "Naruto, you're with me." He showed his students to the hotel. The girl was still there. Only this time she was doodling on some paper.
"Oh, Kakashi-san! Thank you for showing me the way. To think I was too young to drink! Are these your students you were talking about? Hi, I'm Nana Mizuki. If you need anything then just ask me." They young girl had a smile on. But it was obvious she was bored. Kakashi decided he would help.
"We aren't tired yet. Would you like to come to the festival with us. I hear they are expose to have a firework show in the park tonight, and since we are knew here..." He was cut off.
"Oh really? I would love to! Hold on! I'll get changed out of my uniform!" Mizuki ran behind a curtain.
xxxXxXxxx
"Sis, do you think he's alright?" Nakamuru said staring at Haku. "He's been sleeping all day." The older girl walked over to Nakamuru.
"Nakamuru, he'll be fine. Don't worry. Remeber he was passed out and injured when we found him. Obviously he hasn't slept in a while, and he hasn't eaten." She patted her little sister on the head.
Nakamuru was still concerned for Haku. "Well yeah that may be true, but don't you think he should wake up by now, Yuzuki?" Yuzuki just rolled her eyes at her little sister. She was concerning herself too much with the strange boy.
Nakamuru just shrugged and sat at the table. Dinner was set. A plate was made for Haku and set on the stove to keep it warm. They were having rice balls, dumplings, and some pork. It wasn't much, but it was what they had on hand. Nakamurur had never mastered the chopsticks, so she usually went about picking food off her plate with her fingers. Yuzuki careful, and delicately, ate her food with the chopsticks. Her parents had taught her manners and made sure that she mastered them.
Haku could smell the food again. His eyes felt heavy, and his head didn't want to raise. But he couldn't just sleep all day. Especially if he was still being pursued. Haku made an effort to wake up. When he did, Nakamuru was staring in his face.
"You feeling okay? Say who's Zabuza?" Haku was caught by surprise. How did she know Zabuza?
He bowed his head not wanting to answer, not knowing how to answer. She shrugged. "Well then at least tell me your name, so I don't have to keep calling you, 'you'. Okay?"
Haku Sighed. It would be nicer for them to know his name. "Haku," he mumbled. "My name is Haku. And Zabuza, Zabuza was someone very close to me."
"Oh, like your dad or brother? I had a brother once, a dad and mom too. But they aren't with us anymore."
"What happened?"
Nakamuru fiddled with some lose strings that were on the blanket. "One day, while my parents were in town, a group of rouge shinobi attacked. My older brother fought them off. He wanted to protect us. But they were very skilled. They grabbed most of our posestions and left. We came out of hiding to find brother bleeding to death. We got him to a docotor, but he had already lost too much blood. Then three months later, our catched fire. Mother and father were stuck inside." Nakamuru's usually cheery look faded away. She was so young already. How old was she when that happened?
Haku thought it only fair that he tell him about Zabuza. They both felt pity and understanding towards each other. Nakamuru sat next to Haku and leaned against the wall. "I guess we're both stuck in the same place."
They sat in silence for a while. Then Yuzuki brought over a plate of food for Haku, "Here, eat. You need some meat on those bones. Nakamuru why the long face?"
"Haku, that's his name, lost his friend Zabuza. Unlike us, he was put through a lot more. The people who killed Zabuza, thought they had killed Haku, so he was burried alive!" Nakamuru's hands shot in the air. "Wouldn't be horrible if you were burried alive, then you found your friend buried, dead, beside you?" Her arms went back down and she leaned against the wall again.
Yuzuki gasped and looked surprised. "How awful, surely these people are no good." She sat at the table holding a cup of tea in her hand. "Come, let's have some tea." Nakamuru convinced Haku to have some. The two teens were becoming friends. Haku took his place at the table, as did Nakamuru. The tea was hot and soothing.
The stars were out, and the crikets gave the atmosphere a peaceful feeling. 'I wish Haku can stay with us.' Thought Nakamuru.
xxxXxXxxx
Mizuki came out from behind the curtain. Dressed in a silk kimono, with a beautiful coi design in it. Her hair was pinned back, and she had put some rosey read lipstick on. "So how do I look?" She spun around. Sakura, knowing it would be embarressing for the boys to answer, replied herself.
"You look wonderful!" That put a smile on Mizuki's face. "Shall we go? You lead the way." Mizuki walked over to them, her face was briliant and she couldn't stop smiling.
"Is it ok if I grabbed my brother? He would probably like to come." The three shinobi shook there head yes. By the way she was acting they knew she didn't get out much. "Alright! Don't worry our house is by the park, I'll pick him up on the way." The foursome started walking down the streets. Mizuki lead the way, her face still glowing in the lights.
They came to a small two story house. It was white, they think, with a red roof. Mizuki went inside. They heard another voice, some footsteps and then Mizuki came outside. A boy was following her. His face was down so they couldn't see him.
"Well here he is. He got in a fight today, so he's a little beat up. Don't be rude, show my friends your face so I can introduce you." The boy lifted his face, and at the same time, Naruto and him pointed at each other and yelled..."
"YOU!" Yori had a black eye and a fat lip. Yori turned to his sister, Naruto turned to his sensei, "Why do we have to go with him? He's no good!" Both the sister and the sensei sighed.
"Naruto, did something happen between you and this boy?" Naruto shifted his feet and Kakashi's question. 'Should I tell him or let the matter go?' Luckily Sakura answered for him.
"More like something between me and Yori. You see Yori was talking to me when he grabbed me and pulled me close. Foolish me, a shinobi, didn't react in time and then I was scared stiff, literally. So Naruto gave Yori a PUNCH! and sent him FLYING across the street into a stand! CRASH!" Sakura put her hands in a fist and under her chin. Recalling how naruto had come to her rescue. "But Yori acted stupid again and came charging at him, so I belted him in the gut and he went off again, this time much further. That's it."
Kakashi's one visible eye widned, 'So that's what they werent' telling me! Oh no, more trouble.' "Your right to fight back, and Yori shouldn't have gone after you Sakura-san. But next time just get away after the first punch." Kakashi rubbed his head again, his eye closed. "I'm sorry if they hurt him a little too much."
Mizuki smiled at Kakashi, "No, I should be sorry for his behavior," she glared at Yori, "It's about time someone taught him a lesson."
That was that and they started walking again. Sakura ignored Yori, Naruto and him were stuck in a death stare. Kakashi and Mizuki saw this and placed themselves inbetween the two. They had to switch several times until everyone was walking in this order. Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, Mizuki, and then Yori.
xxx
When they got to the park many people were already there. Sitting on the grass with their blankets and food. Naruto picked an excellent spot. Not too many people, and they would be able to see the fireworks a lot better. He sat down next to Sakura. Kakashi and Mizuki sat next to each other in order to seperate Yori from Sakura, and especially from Naruto who was still staring at him.
Kakashi sighed. "Naruto, Sakura, here's some money, go bring back some food. I don't care what it is I'm not eating. How about you, Mizuki? Yori?" Mizuki didn't care what they got for her, as long as it was edible. Yore wanted some rice balls and dumplings. Kakashi knew how much Naruto ate, so he pulled out some more money and handed it to his students.
Sakura and Naruto walked off into the crowd. All kinds of stands were selling food. They had gotten everyones oroders except Naruto's. He was still waiting for them to fix all that ramen. All of a sudden Naruto felt a pain in his cheek. "Ow, Sakura-chan, why did you hit me?"
"Don't scare me like that! You brushed something up against my leg, not what was it?" Naruto looked confused. Sakura realized he was innocent. He was standing too far away. So they looked down. "Pakun? I thought you were staying at the hotel tonight?"
"Kakashi wanted to know if I would come, I said maybe. It was five minutes and I got lonely and bored. I didn't know it was so boring here. Oi, Naruto, get me some chips."
"I don't think dogs should have chips," Naruto said. Pakun jumped up on his shoulder.
"I'm a nin-dog. I can have whatever I want. Besides if you get me some I'll let you touch my pads. They're firm and bouncy." He held his paw in fronto of Naruto's face.
"No thanks, but I'll get the chips!" After they had everything they headed back to the place where everyone was waiting.
xxxX(two hours ago)Xxxx
Nakamuru was brushing her hair. Yuzuki was ready to go. "Here Haku, brush yours." Yuzuki threw him a brush. Haku had been walking around surveying the house. Through the front sliding door was of course the road that lead to the village. Through the other was a wash room. Outside of the washroom was a garden that was fenced in. There was a small chicken fence too. Where three hens and a rooster lived.
There was festival in town. Nakamuru had convinced her sister to take them to see the Fireworks display. They don't go into to town much anyomore so this was a treat. "Oooh! I can't wait!" Nakamuru was basically jumping up and down with joy. Haku smiled. It was good to be around people again.
xxxXxXxxx
Everyone took there food. Kakahsi saw Pakun and was surprised. Pakun didn't like doing too much. So why follow him all this way. Pakun jumped on Kakashi's shoulder. He whispered something in Kakahsi's ear, Kakahsi got up and started to walk away. "I'll be back."
When they were out of earshot of the group they started talking again, "You're sure Haku's here?"
"I saw him, and most importantly I smelled him. He's with two young girls."
"It's alright, they arent' in danger. Haku is only after Naruto and myself." Kakashi leaned against a fence. He coulnd't tell Naruto what was going on, Naruto would just race after him and cause trouble without thinking. It was too dangerous to fight near a large group of people like this. "Keep an eye, or nose, on him. If he leaves the group before the show ends tell me. Don't let him know your there." Kakashi walked back to spot.
Sakura noticed Pakun wasn't with him. "Kakashi-sensei, where is Pakun?" Sakura's question broke his chain of thought.
"Hmm? Who? Oh, Pakun went to do something..." He went back to thinking. Sakura was curious what was with her sensei. Oh well, might as well enjoy the show. But right before it started, Kakashi stood up again. This time he walked away, out of sight. Sakura leaned over to tell Naruto, but before she say anything a large crack erupted from the sky.
The whole feild was covered in color as the fireworks began. Naruto stared up at them. He smiled, the display was beautiful. Sakura decided to enjoy the fireworks and worry later. Blues, reds, greens, and all others, lit the sky in an array of color, beauty, and fire. Naruto thought it was amazing.
His face lit up even more with each firework that went off.
xxx
Kakashi found Pakun again. Right across from Pakun was Haku. About 20 yards away. Kakashi whispered to Pakun that his job was done, he could go back now. Pakun sighed in releif. Being away this long tired him out. In a puff of smoke he was gone. Kakashi used the transforming jutsu and disguiesed himself as an older man. He watched and waited. Haku didn't move from his spot. Kakashi noticed that Haku's face seemed happy as he watched the fireworks. Occasionally one of the girls, probably the younger one, would lean over and talk with Haku.
xxxXxXxxx
Haku felt someone watching him. Nakamuru had just finished saying which firework she thought was prettier. Haku turned around and saw an elderly man, staring intently at him. He didn't want to draw attention so he turned to the fireworks. 'Only a citazan.' But then Haku remebered the transforming jutsu. He wasn't going to take any chances. He leaned over to Nakamuru and said that he was going to walk a little.
"Oh, can I come?"
"No, I want to be alone for a bit," he strolled off. Nakamuru didn't believe that. So she followed him. But far enough behind.
Haku strolled up to the old man and as he passed he said something. "I know who you are, let's take this away from these innocent people." The old man followed him out of the park and into the woods.
When they reached a clearing, Kakahsi canceled the jutsu and became himself. Haku turned around and stared at him. "Haku, I don't want to hurt you. But you have to stop with this revenge thing. Gato's men killed Zabuza, not us." Haku scowled at the words.
"I will listen no more to your lies. Gato's men weren't even at the bridge that day," Haku bowed his head. Kakashi was a tough opponet. If he wanted to succeed then he would have to be more careful and quicker than last time.
Nakamuru, followed Haku into the woods. There she saw him standing apart from an older man dressed in black, with unruly silver hair. She listened to what they were talking about and gasped. 'Is this one of people who killed Haku's friend!'
The atmosphere was getting thick. Kakashi was ready. Haku's face and heart filled with anger. He needed ony a few words to send him off the top.
xxxX(right after Kakashi leaves)Xxxx
"Naruto, let's follow Kakahsi-sensei. Something doesn't seem right. And where did Pakun go?" Naruto listened to Sakura. He was interested too. Before he hadn't noticed that his sensei had left. Following him might be a good idea.
xxxXxXxxx
Haku pulled out his needles, ready to fight. Kakashi pulled out his kunai. This was going to be a long battle.
Haku smiled, "Let us begin!"
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Hope you like ths chapter. It's the longest one. The chapters are going to start being long like this one. I can get more into one, and you can get more out of one. Next chapter coming soon...
Author's note: Chei Nakamuru- this is the person who does Sakara's voice in the Japanese version
Nana Mizuki- does Hinata's voice in the Jap. version
Read on...
