Hello... to the Guest, refer to chapter 2. I stated in the 'author's note' that they graduate from the academy at 16. I basically moved up their ages instead of letting them be in cannon age. So yes, Shippuden age.

XXX

Zabuza grinned, "Yo, Kirito."

The blacksmith stared at the man, "So you were alive, Zabuza."

The man chuckled, "Sorry about that, I didn't mean to do that. We'll continue our duel now."

Kirito smirked, "Really? Then I feel honored, to be able to continue our duel. Who are your friends?"

Kuradeel stepped forward, "My name is Kuradeel."

The man's eyes landed on Asuna, "Oh, Zabuza, you don't mind if I take that long haired cutie?"

The swordsman grinned, "I don't mind, as long as you don't get in my way. Haku, get the builder."

Gin smiled, "Then, I'll take the black haired girl."

Raiga chuckled, "So, I'll have to take Kakashi and the woman. Fine by me."

As they said that, Kakashi sighed, "I guess that's it, Hikari, you protect Tazuna."

Yugao looked at Sinon, "You provide support for everyone, okay?"

The archer nodded as she drew her bow. With that, everyone charged their respective opponents as Haku went to kill Tazuna, with Hikari standing in his way.

With Asuna, the girl glared at the man who leered at her. Kuradeel smirked, "I'm gonna enjoy playing with your cute body."

Asuna glared at the man as she drew her rapier, "The feeling is not mutual."

Kuradeel laughed, "Let's dance, shall we?"

The man drew his broadsword and charged the girl. As he swung his blade, Asuna dodged the slash easily and aimed a stab at his abdomen.

The man twisted his body and dodged the stab before he kicked Asuna away. The girl regained her footing and charged the man. As soon as she entered striking range, Asuna jumped up and came down sending stabs at the man.

Kuradeel raised his sword to block the stabs. The man was surprised as Asuna landed right in front of him, under his blade and thrust her sword at him.

Kuradeel gripped his sword and pulled down hard, only to cut a log in half. The man cursed, 'Kawarimi?! Where did the log even come from?!'

He turned to see Asuna with her rapier poised to strike. The man turned and slammed his blade onto the ground, but failed to hit his target as Asuna quickly spun around him and kicked him in the back.

Kuradeel growled in pain as he felt like his back shattered. The man stumbled forward as he reached for his back like an old man.

Kuradeel growled, "Forget about playing with you, I'm gonna butcher that pretty face of yours!"

The man turned and raised his sword up high and swung it down. Asuna saw it coming and leaned to the right, dodging the earth shattering slash before she thrust her blade forward.

This time, her stab landed as she pierced through the right side of his waist, through his kidney and everything. The man yelled in pain as Asuna took out her blade and leaped away just in time to dodge Kuradeel's wild flailing.

Asuna felt relieved, the man's strong swings and long range had made it hard for her to get close. But now that she had injured his waist, which was a vital part for swings like his, Kuradeel's movements were heavily restricted and she could move in easily.

The girl then glared at the man and rushed in. Kuradeel tried to dodge any slashes she would give, but what happened next was not what he expected.

Instead of stabbing him, Asuna raised her left leg and gave a painful kick to the man's crotch. The kick was so hard, Kuradeel's eyes rolled up as he fell to the ground.

Asuna huffed before she gave him another kick that knocked him unconscious. Then, a huge explosion drew her attention. Asuna thought, 'Hikari-chan!'

At the same time with Suguha, the girl held her katana as she faced the smiling man. Gin smiled, "So, how good are you with that sword?"

Suguha stared at the man, "How knows? Would you like to find out?"

Gin chuckled, "Why not? But, that little archer there, I guess I'll kill her later."

The man charged forward and swung his tanto at the girl. Suguha responded by parrying his blade away before she went to give him a slash to the abdomen.

But before she could, Gin pulled his sword down and pointed the tip of his tanto at Suguha. The girl felt danger and quickly leaned her body to the left as the blade extended, barely cutting through her clothes.

Suguha quickly leaped away as she held her Tempest in a defensive position. Gin chuckled, "Nice instincts, a second later and you would have died."

Suguha glared at him, "What is that sword?"

Gin chuckled, "Now that would be telling, but I'm feeling a bit generous today, so... I'll tell you."

The man then pointed his sword at Suguha and the blade extended again. This time, Suguha was prepared as she raised her sword up to block the slash.

The silver haired man spoke, "This is a little project I did when I heard of the Kusanagi's powers. I tried to replicate that power and this is it. Do you know what the Kusanagi can do?"

Suguha stared at the man, "The Kusanagi is said to be able to cut through diamond. But, your sword doesn't seem to be able to do that."

Gin laughed, "My girl, that's just one part of it. The Kusanagi can extend to untold reach, this is what my sword can do."

Gin's tanto extended to the length of a katana, "So, let's see how you handle it?"

But before he could move, Sinon released several arrows that made him block. Gin sighed, "You're really annoying me."

The man pointed his blade at Sinon and willed it to extend. But Suguha was there to block the stab, "You're fight is with me."

The man swung his blade, and when it reached a certain angle, it suddenly extended. Suguha's eyes widened as she leaned down backwards to avoid the slash, the blade only a few inches from her eyes.

Suguha got up and glared at the man as he clapped, "Nice, but... can you dodge this?!"

The man thrust his sword forward and the blade extended. Suguha leaned to the right and swung her blade down, locking it to the ground. Sinon took the chance and lodged several arrows in Gin's shoulders.

The girl then charged forward, pulling her blade as she pushed against Gin's sword, causing sparks to fly out. The man was surprised as Suguha closed the distance between them quickly.

The girl pulled her blade upwards in an attempt to behead the man. But Gin was ready and retracted his blade, blocking the katana easily. The man grinned as he grunted in pain, "Not bad, but surely you can do more."

Suguha pushed Gin away and threw a handful of shuriken and kunai at him. The girl quickly threw her sword up lightly and flashed through handseals, her eyes moving to Sinon who nodded, "Futon: Daitoppa!"

She blew out a huge gust of wind that enhanced the flying projectiles as she grabbed her sword and charged forward. Gin's eyes widened as he tried to block the kunai and shuriken but failed to block all of them as several of the projectiles pierced through his body. Then the archer released her arrows.

Gin grunted as the wind jutsu struck him full force while the arrows hit his thigh and arms before he raised his sword to block the girl's strike. Suguha pushed against the man's sword hard before she channeled wind chakra into the Tempest, increasing its sharpness as it started to chip through Gin's sword.

The man tried to pull away but Suguha just pushed forward, further cracking the sword before it totally shattered into pieces.

The man cursed as he leaped away and dodged the slash, pulling the arrows out of his arms and legs, "I guess I got a little too careless."

Suguha huffed, "Then you should have taken me more seriously, but its all over."

Gin chuckled, "Don't count me out yet, I can fight just fine without a sword."

The man whipped out a kunai as he held it in reverse grip. He blurred towards Suguha and slashed with the kunai. The girl barely blocked the slash before Gin kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying. Suguha thought, 'Fast.'

Gin chuckled as Suguha stood up, "I never did like to fight like a normal swordsman. That honor shit disgusted me. Fighting dirty and effectively fits me more, especially if I can gut my enemies and rip them to shreds. But, I don't think I should do that to your pretty body."

Suguha and Sinon glared at him as the black haired girl said, "You're sick."

Gin laughed, "Its part of the job! We're shinobi, not samurai, girl!"

The man appeared beside the girl and tried to stab her with his kunai. But Sinon was ready and released three arrows that prevented him from hitting Suguha.

Suguha reacted quickly by dodging the stab and swung her blade at him, causing him to jump back. Suguha said coldly, "Its time to end this."

The girl channeled her chakra through her whole body as she charged forward. Suguha thought, 'I still can't use Yugao-sensei's technique, but I can improvise.'

The girl channeled wind chakra as she sent two gusts of wind from both sides towards Gin. She then swung her blade once more as she sent a wave of wind at the man from the middle. She then jumped up and came down with a slash.

Sinon decided to help her sister-in-all-but-blood and released several more arrows.

Gin saw this and blocked the slash from Suguha. But he didn't notice the wind blades and the arrows coming at him and the gusts of air shredded his clothes and skin while the arrows pierced his waist and shoulder, causing blood to bleed out.

The man had been weakened from Suguha's previous attacks and Sinon's arrows, with the girl's strength, Gin's knees buckled as Suguha pushed down.

The man grinned, "I really messed up, you're far from just a gennin, but the again, that archer there was really troublesome."

Suguha didn't reply as she pushed Gin one more time, making him stumble backwards as she swung the blade, beheading the man in a flawless stroke. Then, the girl realized she had just killed a person before a huge explosion drew their attention.

At the same time the fights started, Kakashi and Yugao were facing Raiga with his Kiba blades. Kakashi was holding his tanto while Yugao held her katana.

Raiga grinned, "So, Sharingan no Kakashi and a female jounin, I'm honored."

Kakashi just stared at the man, "Enough with the trash talk, let's do this the professional way."

Yugao stayed silent as the two slowly moved to flank the man. Raiga held his blades with one pointed at each of his opponents, "True. But to be honest, I don't think I'll last long, if you are as strong as Kakashi."

Yugao glared at Raiga, "One way to find out."

The two Konoha jounin then charged the man in unison. Kakashi swung his tanto while Yugao swung her katana at the swordsman.

Raiga raised both swords and blocked the two attacks before they leaped away as lightning crackled along his swords. The man grinned as Kakashi coated his own tanto with lightning chakra while Yugao coated her sword with wind chakra.

Raiga smirked as he held his stance. The man knew if he attacked either of them, the other would attack him from behind. So he did the next best thing, he waited on defense.

The two Konoha Jounin knew full well Raiga could only fight on defense for now and they were planning their next move. Kakashi and Yugao shared a subtle nod and charged forward again.

Kakashi let go of his tanto, surprising Raiga, as he flashed through handseals, "Raikiri!"

Yugao made two Kage Bunshin as she leaped up, "Mikazuki no Mai!"

Raiga tch'd as he was sealed off from moving, Yugao's technique had surrounded him and he couldn't possibly dodge Kakashi's jutsu.

So the man did the next best thing, he stabbed the Kiba swords into the ground, "Come, lightning!"

The swords unleashed a barrier of electricity that destroyed the two clones and sent Yugao flying. Kakashi's Raikiri pierced through the barrier, but Raiga was ready and jumped away before the man could stab him.

Raiga laughed, "Not a bad combination attack. But, I won't go down so easily."

Kakashi picked up his tanto and stared at the man, "I see, then, I guess I have to get serious. Just now, my Raikiri wasn't fully powered since I wasn't using my Sharingan. But the next one will be different."

The man pulled up his headband to reveal the Sharingan, spinning wildly, "Here we go, Yugao!"

Before they could move, the bridge shook violently as an explosion erupted, a foul chakra released into the air. Kakashi and Yugao looked at the direction in worry.

Raiga smirked and yelled, "Is it time for you to worry?!"

The man channeled chakra through his blades and swung them, sending waves of electicity at both of them. The two Konoha jounin jumped up and avoided the blast before Kakashi spoke, "Raiga-san, sorry but I don't have enough time here."

Yugao nodded as she made two clones. Kakashi bit his thumb and flashed through handseals, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

With a cloud of smoke, several dogs charged forward as Yugao and her clones rushed in. In an instant, Raiga found himself without his arms and restrained by the dogs.

The man growled in pain as his arms dropped to the ground. Kakashi went through handseals as lightning crackled around his palms, "Kurosuki Raiga, you were very unlucky, having chosen to face the two of us. Your life ends here."

The swordsman closed his eyes as Kakashi's lightning clad arm pierced through his heart, killing the man.

At the same time the fights started, Kirito faced Zabuza, each of them holding their respective swords. Zabuza spoke, "So, those are your swords."

Kirito nodded, "Elucidator and Dark Repulsor, I forged them myself."

Zabuza grinned, "Ho, you did a very good job. Your skills are on par with blacksmiths from Tetsu no Kuni then, if you can forge such swords."

Kirito chuckled, "Maybe, maybe not. So, everyone else is starting, shall we continue our duel?"

Zabuza nodded, "Yeah, let's go."

The two took their stances and charged each other. Zabuza swung his blade horizontally as Kirito swung both blades downwards.

The two swordsmen clashed blades, pushing against each other as hard as they could. Zabuza chuckled, "I see, I can feel the difference in strength. So this is your real strength."

Kirito grinned, "You too!"

They pushed each other away before Kirito crossed his arms, "Gale Slicer!"

The swords glowed light blue as Kirito dashed forward, sending a cross horizontal slash at Zabuza. The speed at which Kirito used to charge surprised the swordsman as he barely had time to dodge the incoming attack.

Zabuza quickly regained his balance and filled his sword with chakra. The nuke nin then swung his blade at Kirito. The blacksmith responded by using another skill.

Kirito swung both swords from the right to the left as they glowed white. The blades clashed as the two men are pushed backwards from the clash.

Zabuza smirked, "As I thought, you really are a worthy opponent."

Kirito grinned as he charged and swung his Elucidator as it clashed against the zanbatou. He then leaped away and placed the sword at waist level as it glowed bright pale blue.

Kirito then charged forward and thrust the blade at Zabuza, "Rage Spike!"

Zabuza tilted his head as the blade passed by, grazing his cheek, allowing blood to ooze out. Kirito grinned, "First blood."

Zabuza smirked, "That means nothing when I draw the last."

Kirito pulled away as Zabuza swung his Kubikiribocho to cleave the blacksmith in half.

Then, before anyone could do anything, a huge explosion erupted as a foul chakra filled the air. Kirito's eyes widened as he could guess what was happening.

The teen turned his head towards the explosion before he jumped up to dodge a slash from Zabuza. The man yelled, "Pay attention!"

Kirito narrowed his eyes as he clashed blades with the man, 'I need to finish it soon.'

The teen pushed Zabuza away and spun, the blade glowing light green, "End Revolver!"

The man was forced to jump away as Kirito charged him again. This time, Kirito's blades glowed a darker shade of green, "Cygnus Onslaught!"

The heavy cross-shaped slash broke Zabuza's sword in half as the man stumbled back. Kirito spoke, "Sorry, Zabuza, but I have to finish it now."

Kirito took a stance as both blades glowed light blue. Then he charged.

Earlier, with Hikari, the girl faced the fake hunter nin, glaring at him. The blonde said, "I'm not letting you kill Tazuna-san."

Haku nodded, "I know, unfortunately, that means we must fight."

Hikari readied herself, drawing a pair of kunai as Haku drew a handful of senbon. The masked Haku then blurred towards Hikari, slashing at the girl as Hikari blocked it with her kunai.

Hikari then quickly spun and back-kicked Haku away. The hunter nin quickly regained balance and rushed towards Hikari.

She parried a slash from Haku and swung her kunai at him. The teen blocked her attacks easily as he slowly backed away. Haku then flashed through handseals, "Suiton: Sensatsu Suisho!"

A thousand water needles formed around them, all aimed at Hikari. The girl cursed as she quickly flashed through handseals, "Doton: Domu!"

An earth dome rose around her as the needles shot at her, piercing the dome, slowly melting it. Haku thought, 'Not a bad decision, but it still changes nothing.'

The dome started to fall as Hikari flashed through handseals. Then, the dome fell and Hikari charged at Haku, lightning crackling in her palms as she yelled, "Chidori!"

Haku's eyes widened as he leaped away to dodge the attack. He could feel the chakra radiating from the jutsu and was shocked to see such a jutsu.

The teen's eyes narrowed, "Hikari-san, its time to end this. Look around, you're at a disadvantage."

Hikari skidded to a stop as her Chidori faded. She then noticed the ground was wet, with puddles all around. Haku started to flash through handseals, "Water is my forté, we are surrounded by water, not counting the water below the bridge."

Hikari glared at the masked teen, "Even so, I cannot just simply give up."

Haku nodded, "So be it. Hikari-san, let me show you, my kekkei genkai."

The teen flashed through handseals, "Hijutsu: Makyou Hyousho!"

In an instant, Hikari and Haku were surrounded by dozens of ice mirrors. Hikari became wary of the ice mirrors as she asked, "By the way, how did you know my name? I never told you."

Haku stared at the girl, "If you want to find out, break my mask. And the only to do that, is to defeat me."

Hikari nodded, "Very well, I'll just defeat you."

Haku then backed a few steps towards his mirrors, "A good resolve, but, can you even hit me, if you can't see me?"

He stepped into the mirror as his image appeared in all the images. Haku's voice came from all directions, "This is my strongest jutsu, even Zabuza-sama couldn't defeat it, how will you stand against it, Hikari-san?"

Hikari just glared at the images around her as she drew her kunai. Haku sighed, 'A defensive position, I guess she's not stupid enough to attack head on. Then I'll just have to make the first move.'

The reflections all readied their senbon. The girl thought, 'They don't look like clones, maybe there's only one of them. If I can just figure out where the original is.'

Hikari crossed her fingers, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

In an instant, 50 clones appeared around her and charged the mirrors. Haku spoke, "Not a bad strategy, but its useless."

The reflections all threw their senbon. In that instant, all the clones dispersed as the senbon hit the clones. Hikari cursed, 'They came from everywhere, I couldn't see a thing. I'm gonna have to get out first.'

Haku stood in one of his mirrors as he looked down at the smoke screen the clones caused.

Then he noticed movement and saw Hikari trying to leave the ice dome. He threw a handful of senbon towards her and it pierced the back of her thigh.

Hikari gritted her teeth in pain and quickly threw her kunai in that direction, charging it with electricity as she did. Haku's eyes widened in surprise as he threw senbon at the kunai.

The senbon didn't stop the kunai. The knife sliced through the ice and grazed Haku's mask despite being in the ice. The feminine boy stared at Hikari who took out the senbon on her legs.

Haku spoke, "I'm impressed. You figured out where I was. But, there won't be a next time."

Hikari grinned, "Is that so? I won't let you get out of that block."

Haku tilted his head, "Are you sure?"

Hikari flashed through handseals, "Oh I'm sure, Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! Chidori!"

A dozen clones appeared as the girl's hand was covered in lightning. The girl then charged forward, with the clones shielding her. Hikari covered the distance quickly and slammed her arm into the ice block.

Her eyes widened as the reflection faded. The girl's eyes widened in pain as several senbon lodged into her back. She quickly pulled out her arm and held her kunai in defense position.

Haku spoke, "Normally, that would have been a sound strategy, but, you see, my speed is simply too fast."

Three senbon lodged into Hikari's left arm as Haku spoke, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell you."

Another few senbon lodged into Hikari's right arm as she gasped in pain. Haku continued, "What I'm doing, is not clones, nor is it genjutsu."

Five senbon pierced through Hikari's legs as she fell to one knee. Haku said,"I am using pure speed, to enter and exit my mirrors quickly."

Another few senbon pierced Hikari's forearms, making her wince in pain as Haku continued, "My speed is too fast for you to perceive normally."

Four senbon came from the left and the back as they pierced through the girl's skin. Haku said sadly, "I really don't want to kill you, please surrender, Hikari-san."

Hikari glared at the mirrors, "To hell with that. I cannot just give up here, I haven't become Hokage, and Kirito-kun, despite not being a ninja, is fighting Zabuza out there. I can't afford to give up here."

Haku sighed as he thought, 'I guess we really are similar, Hikari-san. If only we met in a different way.'

Haku spoke coldly, "I see. Then, just die."

The masked teen drew a handful of senbon, and in an instant, Hikari was covered in senbon all over as she gritted her teeth in pain. Haku spoke, "It's over."

Haku moved to finish her, but before he could draw senbon, a voice yelled, "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!"

A huge fireball slammed into the mirror dome as a figure landed in front of the girl. Hikari said in pain and surprise, "Sasuke? What are you doing here?"

The Uchiha looked at her, "I'm here to fight. Two thugs came for Tazuna's family, and he is coming to finish everyone off."

(Flashback earlier)

Sasuke and Sakura were sitting idly as they watched Tsunami and Inari clean the house.

Then, they heard a loud voice, "Hey bro, you think we should do this politely or the Waraji way?"

Another voice replied, "Who cares? Just knock down the damn door."

The first voice sighed, "Fine."

Sasuke looked at Tsunami and Inari who kept silent. He then looked at Sakura who nodded as they moved to the door.

Then, as soon as the door opened, the two gennin moved.

A few moments later, the two thugs found themselves tied up in front of the house. Sasuke asked, "Tell me, who sent you?"

The first thug huffed, "Who else?"

Sasuke glared at the thug and kicked him over, placing his feet on his head, "Answer the question."

The thug growled, "Gato. He sent us to capture that woman and her child!"

Sakura asked, "Why?"

The other thug shrugged, "Something about killing everyone on the bridge and see them despair or something."

Sasuke looked at Sakura, "Sakura, can you handle this? I'm gonna tell them."

Sakura nodded as the Uchiha left the area.

(Flashback end)

Hikari glared at the last Uchiha, "Then why did you come into the dome? You could have attacked from the outside."

Sasuke grunted, "I am an Uchiha, attacking from behind is not my style."

Hikari thought, 'Not his style my ass.'

Sasuke then looked at her in the eye, "Besides, I cannot just let you die."

If Kirito had said that, she would have been happy. If any other man or guy said that, she would have felt flattered. But when Sasuke said it, she just wanted to puke. But regardless, the girl didn't say or show anything.

Having said that, Sasuke turned to face one of the mirrors. Sasuke glared at the mirror, "Fake hunter nin, I shall take your life."

Haku sighed, "You're in the way."

As Sasuke charged forward, Haku drew his senbon and threw. In an instant, Sasuke was covered in needles as he fell to the ground in pain.

The Uchiha grunted as he struggled to stand up. Haku sighed, "You are an idiot. If you attacked me from the outside, with an attack powerful enough, you could have won."

Haku drew his senbon, "But, you came in. And that will be your last mistake."

The masked ninja threw the needles, and at that moment, everything around Sasuke slowed down. The Uchiha could see the needles coming and dodged them.

The emo blinked, "What was that? Everything slowed down."

Haku blinked, "Oh, you dodged it. But, it won't happen again."

Haku threw his senbon, and like before, Sasuke saw them coming and dodged them. Hikari noticed that Haku wasn't attacking from everywhere, instead from several points, then she saw Sasuke's eyes.

The girl said, gaining their attention, "Sasuke, your eyes."

Sasuke turned to looked at Hikari as her words hit him, "My eyes, that means... yeah, my Sharingan has activated. I am invincible!"

He turned to glare at Haku, his Sharingan spinning wildly, albeit with only one tomoe, "With my Sharingan, I will defeat you!"

Haku tilted his head, "Try it."

Sasuke charged the mirrors and flashed through handseals, "Katon: Housenka no Jutsu!"

He spat a dozen fireballs and hid shuriken in them. Haku didn't bother to do anything as the fireballs and shuriken bounced off the mirrors harmlessly.

The masked nin spoke, "Is that it?"

Sasuke growled and flashed through another set of handseals, "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!"

He blew a massive fireball that slammed against one of the mirrors. Haku spoke from behind him, "Not bad, but, still not enough."

The Uchiha grunted as he felt several kunai pierce his back. Haku then threw several senbon that pierced Sasuke's legs, causing him to kneel.

The masked teen spoke, "Well, I guess I will deal with you later. I was dealing with Hikari-san first after all."

The masked nin looked at Hikari who was struggling to stand, "I guess you didn't take the mask off, a pity really, Hikari-san."

The feminine guy drew senbon and threw. But before the senbon could reach her, Sasuke appeared in front of Hikari as the senbon lodged into his neck.

Hikari's eyes widened as the last Uchiha fell to the ground limp. Hikari painfully moved to him and saw that he wasn't breathing.

Haku asked, "Is this the first time you lost someone? Its painful, isn't it? That is what happens when we are too weak, Hikari-san. At the end, if we're weak, we won't be able to protect anyone."

In that instant, Hikari saw Kirito in Sasuke's place. Haku's words resonated in her mind as her breathing rate started to increase. Then, she heard a deep growl, "Do you want power?"

Hikari thought, 'Power?'

The voice seemed to nod, "Yeah, power to kill the bastard in front if you. I can give you that power."

Hikari thought, 'Power... to protect Kirito-kun, to protect Asuna-chan, Suguha-chan and Sinon-chan?'

The voice nodded, "Of course. I can help you."

Hikari nodded, 'Okay.'

The voice nodded, "Good, have fun, girl."

Hikari's eyes widened as she felt a large amount of chakra enter her. It wasn't like anything she felt before, it burned, it felt angry, and it felt powerful.

Hikari's eyes turned red as they became slitted. Her whisker marks deepened as her nails sharpened into claws. The girl roared as she went into a primal stance.

Haku's eyes widened as he felt fear enter him. He could see the red chakra flowing out of her as it formed the shape of an animal, with ears and a tail.

Then she glared straight at him, Haku thought, 'She knows!'

The girl vanished and appeared in front of him, lightning crackling in her hands as she growled, "Chidori!"

Haku barely had time to dodge the attack as the attack shattered the mirror he was in. The masked ninja cursed as he quickly went for another mirror.

Then, as soon as he entered the mirror, Hikari roared as nine chains shot out of her back, piercing the mirrors and dragging Haku onto the floor.

Haku gasped as Hikari appeared in front of him and gave him a hard punch to the mask. The mask shattered and fell to the ground as Haku was sent flying away.

As Haku slowly got up, Hikari's eyes widened, "H-haku-san?"

Haku wiped the blood off his mouth as Hikari asked, "Why?"

Haku stayed silent as Hikari yelled, "Why is it you?!"

Haku stared at the girl straight in the eye, "Its because like you, I also have someone I want to protect."

Hikari clenched her fists, "Do you know what Gato is doing to these people?"

Haku nodded, "I know, that's why I was planning to get Zabuza-sama to kill Gato we killed the bridge builder. Regardless, we need money."

Hikari glared at the feminine boy, "Then, you could have just worked with us, we could have taken down Gato, and you get your money!"

Haku blinked, "Maybe, maybe not. But, I have no intention to fight you anymore. I'll tell Zabuza-sama to stop fighting. The other people who came with us, are... dead."

Haku then said, "By the way, he is not dead."

Hikari was confused, "What do you mean?"

Haku's eyes widened as he saw Kirito and Zabuza, "Sorry, Hikari-san, but I have to go. Zabuza-sama needs me, just pull out the needles."

Hikari blinked, "Eh?"

Haku then took off as Hikari chased behind, and the next thing that happened shocked her to the core.

Back with Kirito and Zabuza, a while after Hikari activated the Kyuubi's chakra, Kirito pushed Zabuza away.

The blacksmith tch'd, "Zabuza, I'll end it here, with this skill!"

He took a pose as his swords glowed light blue. He spoke, "Star Burst Stream."

Kirito then charged. He swung the Elucidator to right horizontally, clashing against Zabuza's sword as it staggered the man. Kirito then gave an uppercut slash with the Dark Repulsor before he spun around.

Then holding both swords, Kirito swung them to the right as he continued to spin, leaving a huge gash on Zabuza's chest. He repeated the action once more before he swung both blades downwards, leaving an X-shaped wound.

Using the momentum, Kirito pulled both swords up, leaving a second X-shaped wound on Zabuza as the man grunted in pain.

He then threw two opposite-directional diagonal slashes, the Dark Repulsor slashing down-left while the Elucidator slashing up-right.

Zabuza gritted his teeth in pain as he swung his Kubikiribocho in attempt to stop Kirito.

But the blacksmith was ready, he lifted both swords up, turning away from Zabuza and dodged the attack before he held both swords in reverse grip. Kirito then slashed downwards, leaving yet another cross-shaped wound on Zabuza.

Zabuza yelled in pain as he swung his sword again. But Kirito saw it coming and spun, parrying the sword away and leaving another gash on Zabuza.

Quickly holding in swords in forward grip again, Kirito swung his blades down again in a cross before pulling them back, leaving two more X-shaped slashes on the man.

Kirito then swung the Elucidator diagonally from the top right and spun, swinging the Dark Repulsor and left a horizontal slash on the man.

Kirito then pulled both swords up, leaving two vertical slashes on Zabuza before he pulled them down again, leaving the same wounds again.

Kirito then spun and slashed Zabuza with the Dark Repulsor diagonally. Zabuza roared in pain as Kirito thrust his Elucidator forward.

This time, Zabuza used the Kubikiribocho to block the attack, causing the sword to fly away as a result. But Kirito wasn't done, he roared as he thrust the Dark Repulsor forward, aiming for Zabuza's chest.

Then, before he could pierce the man, Haku suddenly appeared in front of them and took the attack. Hikari yelled, "Kirito-kun, no!"

But it was too late, the Dark Repulsor pierced through the feminine guy's chest as Haku spat out blood. Zabuza's eyes widened, "Haku, what are you doing?"

The boy painfully turned and smiled at his master, "Zabuza-sama, thank god, I made it."

Kirito pulled his sword out in shock as Haku fell to the floor. Hikari screamed, "Haku!"

The girl ran to the wounded guy as he coughed out blood. Hikari said frantically, "Haku, why did you?!"

Haku chuckled, "I had to protect Zabuza-sama. Sorry, Hikari-san, I guess I won't be able to help you save the village."

Zabuza stared at his protégé, "Haku, that was a foolish thing to do."

The boy smiled, "I know, Zabuza-sama. But I got to save you, just like you saved me."

Zabuza said nothing as Haku looked at Hikari one more time, "Protect your loved ones, Hikari-san, you will become strong."

With that, the light faded from his eyes. Hikari stared at the lifeless eyes of the boy, "No!"

Zabuza stared at Hikari, "Why are you getting so worked up? He was your enemy."

The Uzumaki glared at him, "He cared for you! Haku was willing to do anything for you, doesn't that mean anything?"

Zabuza stared at her coldly, "He was my tool, I was his master, nothing more, nothing less."

Hikari glared at the man as tears rolled down her cheeks, "He cared for you, like you were his father! He died for you!"

Zabuza clenched his fists as tears started to flow, "I know. Please, just stop."

Hikari's eyes widened slightly as she saw him cry. Kakashi, Yugao, Asuna, Sinon and Suguha just stared at them somberly as they reached them just to see Kirito's sword pierce through Haku.

Then, before anyone could say or do anything, they heard the sound of clapping.

A short fat man walked out of the mist and spoke, "Well well well, that was quite the drama, if I do say so myself."

The man frowned, "It makes me want to puke."

Zabuza growled, "Gato."

XXX

Done. So before you guys ask, Hikari is strong yes. But her perception of speed is still slow compared to Haku. That's why she lost. So review please. The next chapter will be the death of Gato and so on, with the visit to the ruins of Uzu no Kuni.

List of sword skills:

Gale Slicer

Rage Spike

Cygnus Onslaughy

End Revolver

Starbursy Stream