Kakashi had Naruto and Sasuke checked into the hospital. Much to Sasuke's displeasure, he and Naruto shared the same room. Sasuke was bandaged up really good. Naruto was just hooked up to a mental stabilizer to treat the effects of Malhavoc's jutsu. Kakashi and Sakura decided to leave and let them have their rest for the night. They left the hospital, against Sakura's own personal wishes and went to the princess's manor at the edge of the village.
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"Why do I have to be here with you idiot?" Sasuke started with his normal, yet constant badgering of Naruto
"..."
" You look like an idiot. You smell like an idiot. For goodness sake your making the room smell like idiot" Sasuke said with hopes of annoying Naruto.
"..."Naruto still said nothing.
Sasuke confused, took a long hard look at the blond teammate across from him. He was used to Naruto retaliated immediately. He knew something was wrong if Naruto of all people didn't fight back.
"...Hey...idiots are dependable. They always seem to come through when it counts." Sasuke was in his own way trying to acknowledge that Naruto actually was tough and a valuable asset to the team.
"...Zzzzz..." the snoring was apparent as to why Naruto had no response
"He has the nerve to sleep while I insult him, damn annoying little piece of..." he was interrupted from continuing on when the doctor came in.
Doctor Mizhrahi had just walked through the door, prepared to do some preliminary testing on his two young patients.
"How are we feeling this evening?" The doctor said
"...Zzzzzzzz" Naruto still knocked out, sleeping like a baby, snoring like a beast
"Fine" Sasuke being short and to the point
Well, I'll have to run some tests on both of you. I need to understand the full extent of the damage both of you took. Of course, this might include a couple of needles from time to time.
" I could care less doctor. Just be glad the idiot over there is asleep. I'm not in the mood to hear babies cry right now."
The doctor chuckled a little and continued on with his examination of the two young ninjas.
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Meanwhile, Kakashi and Sakura continued to make their way to the princess's manor. Kakashi figured he'd make sure she was ok. He had a gut feeling that Malhavoc wasn't exactly done with them. And that somehow, Malhavoc was working with someone very powerful. Even worse, someone that knew the village of Konoha and its ninjas very well. Sakura wasn't too pleased about going, but she couldn't really refuse.
"Well we better make sure everything is well with our little princess, then we can get some rooms for the night since Naruto and Sasuke are at the hospital."
"Sensei, let's just get this over with." Sakura sighed, not wanting to see Morrigan in the least.
"Tired are we?" Kakashi questioned
"You could say that"
The two made their way to the front gate, then to the door. Kakashi had rung the bell.
"You know Sensei, I think I'm..." just before Sakura could turn and walk away the door opened.
"Good evening Princess, we don't mean to bother you. We just wanted to make sure you were well, ok." Kakashi was on point
"How thoughtful" the princess said as she smiled at Kakashi and Sakura
"Please come in" she had invited them into her home
Kakashi and Sakura were looking all around. They were never in somewhere so lavish. There was expensive looking artwork everywhere. Not to mention the floors were made of perfectly stained hardwood. Not a plank out of place.
"Princess, just out of curiosity, why did you answer the door? Don't you have butlers and maids?" Kakashi was a bit curious indeed.
"Well...yes. But I decided to be a bit more independent. Blondie taught me a bit about self reliance. Some things can rub off on me to. Right Sakura?" she winked at Sakura
"Hmph" Was Sakura's only sentiment of replying
Sakura gave her a mean glare, not saying a word to her. She just continued walking with Morrigan and Kakashi
Inner Sakura
"What makes her think she can compete with me? Naruto's longed for me for how many years now?...wait a minute...why am I desiring to compete for Naruto's attention anyway? Hell, I want Sasuke..."
She told her self that. But she had a strange feeling come over her when she thought that. It felt wrong. She decided to find a way to get her mind off of the subject.
"So princess, now that we know you're fine, we should be on our way, right Kakashi Sensei?" Sakura wanted out as soon as possible.
"Nonsense, you all saved me from those rogue ninjas. Besides, I would feel safer if you were to stay the night" Morrigan insisted.
"Are you sure about this? We aren't here to impose." Kakashi wasn't the type to intrude on others.
"I'd be insulted if you didn't stay. And I bet my father has stuff around here that you would enjoy. He and my mother aren't here right now, but I don't think they would mind my saviors staying around." The princess gave Kakashi a pleasant smile of approval.
"Well, if it's ok with you, then that's just fine by me"
"Make yourself at home. There are servants all around the manor. If you need anything, they'd be more than happy to help."
Kakashi took the princess up on her offer and began wandering aimlessly around the manor.
"Well, how are they?" Morringan asked with Kakashi gone to who knows where in the manor
"Sasuke and Naruto are fine I guess. We won't know until tomorrow about their conditions"
"I hope my blondie sweetheart is all right..." Morrigan said with worry
"HE'S NOT YOUR SWEETHEART, HE'S MI... Naruto will be fine. He always pulls through" Sakura almost let her jealousy out in full.
"HE'S YOUR WHAT?" Princess Morrigan returned the angry sentiments
Inner Sakura
"Honestly, what IS he to me?...I admit I do care about the dork. But I love Sasuke...I KNOW I love Sasuke."
"I'm sorry princess. I didn't mean to shout. I...I'm just worried about him." Sakura had apologized
"...I'm sorry to Sakura. Say, wanna go check on them?" Morrigan propositioned
"Do you know what kind of trouble we'll get in" Sakura said worried
"Look, do you want to see them or not?"
"Of course I want to see Naruto-kun. Dammit lets go" Sakura hadn't realized what she had just said.
"Uh I said THEM not NARUTO" the princess tried to get Sakura to realize what she had said
"I know what I said, I want to see Sasuke-kun" Sakura replied totally unaware
"Um NO! You said Naruto-kun" Morrigan corrected her.
"I KNOW WHAT I SAID BECAUSE I WAS THERE WHEN I SAID IT!" Sakura yelled in annoyance.
"Anyway...we should sneak out at about midnight. Hopefully your Sensei will still be giving himself a tour of the manor and too busy to notice."
"And what about the servants?" Sakura wondered
"I'll take care of that" Morrigan said in assurance
"It may be best if we leave from the rooftops and break into the hospital from the roof door." Sakura suggested.
"Agreed. Meet me in my room and we'll make our move from there."
Sakura and Morrigan made an agreement and parted was until the time when they would begin on their way to the hospital.
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Meanwhile, Kakashi after walking around taking in all the sights, found his way to Morrigan's father's study. At first, he hesitated to go in. But he figured if the princess said it was ok, then there would be no problem.
"Well let's take a look at what kinds of books are in here. You can always judge a man by the literature he keeps." Kakashi pardoned himself as he went in.
"WOAH! Now THAT is what I'm talking about." Kakashi said as he saw all of the "literature"
"Jiraiya would be in awe of this collection. Old man, I don't know ya, but you're an honest man." Kakashi exclaimed as he began working his way through the mounds of "books."
Thump thump thump. Kakashi heard thumping on the roof
"Hmmm...must be rats. Oh well, back to viewing of the "collection.." Kakashi disregarded the sounds on the roof and continued on with his viewing.
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The thumping was indeed non other than Sakura and Morrigan. They were hoping from rooftop to rooftop. They kept up a decently fast pace until they reached the hospital. Sakura was amazed that Morrigan was able to keep up
"I didn't think you'd be able to move at my pace" Sakura said with somewhat respect
"Don't get things twisted. I can take care of myself" Morrigan playfully stuck her tongue out at Sakura.
The two made their way through the roof window of the hospital and began searching for the room Sasuke and Naruto were in.
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Konoha Strict Correctional Facility, as prison formerly known as the Special Ninja Felony Prison.
A dreadful, dreary place where only the most vicious ninja criminals resided. Carrying out their sentences, many became even more violent than when they'd first been incarcerated. Despite the normal security and safeguard, this place was indeed lawless. Rather than being run by a warden, the lawless domain was ruled by a single prisoner. This man kept his figure in darkness. Some say he was the king of all renegade ninjas. Anyone who dared oppose him met terrible fates. Some worse than death. A frightening figure to say the least. A vicious warrior, shrouded in darkness which Malhavoc reported to.
"Malhavoc, if you reason is anything short of good, I'll be claiming your life for letting princess Morrigan escape." The dark unknown proclaimed
"Master, forgive me. I allowed her to escape to serve a higher purpose."
"You're beginning to insight my anger Malhavoc. What is this better purpose" The dark figure said with irritation evident in his voice.
"Your old village, Konoha sent a team of ninjas to retrieve the princess from us."
"AND?" Malhavoc was one second away from having his life taken away
"Master, it was Kakashi and the fox demon kid you told us about a while back. There were also two others with them. They looked to be around the same age as the fox child." Malhavoc said swiftly, making sure not to enrage his master any more than he already was.
"...the nine tailed fox...Naruto Uzumaki...well well well...this IS quite the development. How did you think this would assist in MY overall agenda? The dark figure said with is anger now subsided.
"The power of the fox demon is legendary. The power of the fox demon in fact, is the original foundation for my demon century jutsu. I know its power well. Capturing the fox demon and bringing him to our way of 'thinking' will eventually benefit our cause." Malhavoc explained rather well
"There is solidity in your words. In that case, I have another mission for you bloodluster soldier. Are you ready?" the figure grinned.
"Always!" Malhavoc stood at the ready
" I want you to 'test' Naruto's abilities. See how far along his strength has become. You will have a partner."
"I'm more than competent alone. I don't need..." Malhavoc was cut off
"Are you contradicting me?" The figure cut Malhavoc off
"Of course not master. My apologies" Malhavoc tilted his head downward to show respect.
"Take this bit of my chakra with you. You'll find that this certain 'someone' is a legend in his own right" The figure tossed a vile of concentrated chakra to Malhavoc
"Put it on remains of a certain man. He'll be looking forward to 'reuniting' with Naruto and Kakashi. You will find the remains in the village of the mist. Now go" the figure sent Malhavoc on his way.
Malhavoc went on his way. He was very suspicious of the chakra essence his superior gave him. It had an ominous familiarity to it. He couldn't quite place why, but he knew it was very important to him.
"Who does he think I am? Some damn amateur? I need nobody's help. And damn straight I don't need the services of some freakin undead. Dead meaning he was already beaten once. Damn loser!" Malhavoc said to himself as he went on the village hidden in the mist. He made his way into the village unnoticed. The mist's ninjas were good. Malhavoc was simply better than they were. He made it to the village peak without so much as a twitch of sound. He stood over the grave of the man he would soon be reviving.
"You better be as strong as I've heard, bastard. If you're even the slightest bit of a weakling, I'm putting you right back in the grave.
Malhavoc released the chakra onto the grave as he was ordered. He stood over the grave for a few minutes, awaiting for the body to be revived.
"Ha! That's how weak you are? Even powerful chakra like this can't bring your pathetic corpse back to the plain of the living"
Malhavoc began to turn his back and walk away. He heard a light rumbling in the ground. It was slight, but it was significant enough for him to turn his head toward the grave one last time.
"Pathetic am I?" A deep, rasp voice called out
A huge figured arose from its grave. Standing 6'6, and muscled all over. Buried with the sword in which assisted in creating his vicious legacy, the zweihander.
"Wanna test how 'pathetic' I am?" the demonic figure said with ready and confidence
"I don't fight weak opponents. Get some signs of life first, then get back to me." Malhavoc said with equal confidence.
"Cowards, I can't stand them"
"ANYWAY, you've been propositioned to work with me on a little 'mission' to test someone. Malhavoc said
"First off, I work alone. And second, nobody propositions me"
"I couldn't agree more. I'd like nothing more than to put you back whence you came. But our boss has other plans"
"OUR boss? I have no boss" the giant figure said in authority.
"What's been given...can be just as easily taken away." Malhavoc had pretty much reminded him that he'd just been revived
The figure looked at his body, slowly healing from all the wounds and holes from being dead, thanks to the chakra given to his body
"Hmmm...I see." The figure replied now beginning to understand the situation that had befallen him.
"Come on, we have work to do" Malhavoc ordered as the figure followed
They walked to their destination as equals. It was an uneasy alliance, but an alliance nonetheless. And a very powerful one at that. If not for their relevant disgust and disrespect for each other, they could even be the most dangerous duo to exist.
" Who's our target?" the figure demanded an answer.
"Someone that you know well, Naruto Uzumaki. His seemingly teacher and two other kids about the target's age are more than likely with them."
The figure grinned heavily at the chance for revenge. Without Malhavoc even saying the others, he already knew who they were. He was aching for the chance to have their blood on his hands. A goal that eluded him the last time they'd met.
"So, what do I call you? Dead man walking?" Malhavoc asked.
The figure gave a most sinister snare
"You can all me Zabuza, demon of the hidden mist"
Zabuza and Malhavoc went along their way. The hunt was on...
To be continued...
Note: Yes I know Zabusa shouldn't want vengeance on team 7 and that he was actually buried in the land of waves. It will be revealed as to why the change in later chapters.