A/N: Masashi Kishimoto owns Naruto. Not me. I only own Shirayuki. I forgot to mention this in the first chapter. This is my latest story. If you read what I have posted already and are waiting for me to update it. I will as soon as I get the inspiration to write the chapter that needs to written. Have some faith in me please? And as always read and review please. Also, Sasuke is going to seem OOC at times. Italics are thoughts. "Italics" is Inner Sakura. Bold is Sound effects.

Chapter Seven: Shirayuki fights Zabuza

The fog was thick as Team Seven sat in the boat with Tazuna. Shira leaned against Sasuke as she tried to get some sleep. She had tired herself out with the coughing fits and was hoping that she wouldn't have any while they were on the boat. The motor wasn't being used since they were trying to basically sneak into the Land of Waves and her coughing fits were loud at times.

"Sasuke how is she?" Kakashi asked the Uchiha as he glanced at the young Nara. Sasuke looked at Kakashi before looking down at his friend.

"She's resting… The coughing fits wear her out and the fact she was coughing up blood worries me…" Sasuke stated as he took Shira's hand and rubbed it gently causing the brunette to stir before settling back down some. Kakashi nodded his head before looking back towards the front of the boat where Naruto was sitting.

"I'm okay… just… trying to not cough." Shira's voice replied softly as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. "What a drag… it's so cloudy that you can barely see anything."

"We should see the bridge soon." The driver stated as Naruto glanced back at Shira, happy to see that she was awake even though she looked a bit pale. "The Wave country is at the base of the bridge."

"WOW! It's huge!" Naruto exclaimed loudly while everyone else sighed at the blonde and his loud mouth antics.

"Hey be quiet!" The driver softly exclaimed at Naruto. "Why do you think we are hiding in the mist and not using the engine? We'll be in deep trouble if Gato finds us." Shira closed her eyes again and tried to get some more sleep so she wouldn't cough again later. Before the group had reached the dock where the boat they were currently in had been residing, Tazuna explained who was after him. Sasuke had been carrying Shira on his back since she had coughed up blood when they were attacked by the two Chunin from Kirigakure. Tazuna guilt tripped them into continuing the C-ranked mission that had now become a B-rank mission.
"Shira…" Sasuke trailed off as he looked at her. He was worried as hell about her. Shira opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile, her energy still low from earlier.

"I'm okay for now. Just wake me up when we get to land so I can walk." Shira said to him, knowing he would. Sasuke nodded his head and wrapped an arm around her to hold her close.

"We'll be there soon." The driver announced as they started to go towards a tunnel. "Tazuna, even though it seems we haven't been detected yet, just as a precaution we'll take the route that has vegetation. It will make it harder for the enemies to spot us."

"Thanks." Tazuna thanked the driver as they went into a tunnel. Sasuke kept his arm wrapped around Shira as they went. It was obvious to Tazuna and Kakashi that Shirayuki Nara was special to the Uchiha boy. Once they reached the other end of the tunnel they were greeted with a beautiful sight.
"Wow." Naruto breathed as he looked around. Sasuke looked around as well before looking down at Shira.

"Yuki, wake up. You will love this view." Sasuke said to her as he gently shook her. Shira opened her eyes and took in the sight.

"Wow." Shira echoed Naruto, causing the blonde to look back at her with a smile as Sasuke shook his head in amusement.
"Shira! You're awake!" Naruto cheered slightly as the brunette looked at him and nodded. Shira couldn't help but smile as Naruto turned his attention back to the view as the boat neared a dock. Once they all got out of the boat, Sasuke helping Shira out so she didn't fall, did the driver talk.

"This is where I stop." The driver told them, causing Shira to roll her eyes. "Good bye, and good luck."

"Thanks again." Tazuna stated before they all turned and started walking down the dock that would take them to the path that would lead towards the town Tazuna lived in. "Okay… Get me home safely." He then demanded once they started walking towards a forest. Kakashi sighed before voicing that they would.

If we get attacked again… it will not be a Chunin level but a Jonin. Kakashi thought as he watched Shirayuki as she and Naruto talked, Sasuke by her side like usual. I don't think Shira will be able to handle an attack from someone at a Jonin level. Her coughing worries me terribly as well. Kakashi watched as Naruto and Shira fell silent in their conversation as the blonde and Sasuke were now starting their own competition. Shira cocked an eye brow as Naruto and Sasuke soon started walking faster trying to be in front of each other. Soon Naruto was throwing his shuriken at simple noises.

"Naruto… you really shouldn't throw those aimlessly… you could hit someone." Shira told him as Kakashi said the same thing almost. Kakashi noticed something was off the minute Naruto threw another kunai in a different direction. Walking over to where the blonde's kunai went, Kakashi saw a rabbit shaking in fear as Sakura gasped at what she saw once she came over.

"Naruto, look what you did!" Sakura scolded the blonde as he hugged the pure white rabbit and cuddled him. Kakashi was deep in thought that he didn't notice Shira come walk up beside him until she spoke.
"That's a snow rabbit right?" Shirayuki asked as she watched the blonde. Kakashi jumped slightly as he looked down at the girl.

"Yeah." Kakashi stated as he frowned looking back at Naruto as Sakura continued to scold him. I didn't even hear Shira walk up next to me… I wonder if she is used to concealing the sounds of her footsteps from her time on the Nara lands with the deer the clan raises. Kakashi thought as Shira frowned as well.

"They are only white in the winter to avoid predators… why would that one be white if it was a wild rabbit?" She asked as the two of them walked towards Naruto. Kakashi had ruffled her hair gently as he thought and searched the surroundings. A sound suddenly caught Kakashi's attention and made him look over his shoulder.

"Everyone get down!" He shouted. Soon all six of them hit the ground just as a large sword suddenly came flying right at them. Kakashi made sure that Shira was covered as Sasuke pushed Tazuna down and Sakura did with Naruto. As the sword embedded its self into a tree, a man with bandages over his face and a bare torso was looking down at them.

"Well well. If it isn't Kirigakure's missing nin Zabuza Momichi." Kakashi stated as he stuck a hand out to stop Naruto as the blonde started to charge. "All of you stay back. This guy is at a whole different level."

"Shira…" Sasuke said her name as she looked over at him. Shira quickly nodded her head and moved so she was next to him. Kakashi dropped the bag he was carrying and his hand moved up to his forehead protector that covered his left eye.

"It will be hard unless I use this…" He trailed off as he gripped the underside of his forehead protector.

"So, you're Sharingan Kakashi." Zabuza stated as he looked down at the group of six. He took in the sight and noticed that the brunette that was near the black-haired boy was glaring at him with a look that would have sent shivers down his spine if he allowed it to. "Sorry but the old man is mine." Sasuke and Shira both looked surprised at the mention of a sharingan and looked at the silver haired Jonin, Shira even forgetting the glare she was giving Zabuza.

"Surround and protect Tazuna. Don't enter this fight. That's the teamwork you will do here." Kakashi ordered, causing the four genin to look at him surprised at him even more. "Zabuza first, we fight." Kakashi the pulled up his forehead protector to reveal the iris of his left eye was blood red with three black tomes surrounding the pupil.

"Ah… I get to see the famous Sharingan eye." Zabuza commented as he turned around so that he was looking directly at them instead of over his shoulder. "I'm honored."

"Sharingan, sharingan." Naruto shouted as he turned to look at Kakashi. "What the hell is that?!" the blonde demanded as Shira looked at Sasuke.

"Sharingan… It is said that some have the ability in their eyes to read and defeat all types of Genjutsu, Taijutsu, and Ninjutsu." Sasuke started as he looked down at the ground. His eyes showed that he was off in the distance slightly.

"The Sharingan is one of the types of pupils that gives you this power." Shira added as Sasuke glanced back at her. She knew about the Sharingan thanks to her and Sasuke hanging out so much as children. "But, that's not the only ability the Sharingan has." Shira said as Naruto looked at her confused.

"They're right. But that's not all. What's even scarier is that you can copy your opponents techniques once you see them." Zabuza stated as he noticed that the brunette who was talking about the Sharingan was once again looking at him with a glare. I wonder what this girl is thinking by glaring at me…. Zabuza thought as he started to chuckle. "When I was a member of Kirigakure's assassin team, I kept a handbook. It included information of you. And this is what it said, 'The man who copied over a thousand jutsu, 'Copy Shinobi Kakashi'." Zabuza said while Kakashi looked up at him.

"Sasuke…" Shira said his name softly as she let out a light cough. She couldn't believe that now of all times, she was starting to have a coughing fit. Sasuke turned to look at her with concern on his face as Shira coughed lightly again. Sakura and Naruto both looked at the brunette as well as she started to cough more, each one a little harder than the one before.

"Shira, I need you to breathe slowly through your nose, and try not to cough. I know it's going to be hard for you, but please try to hold it in for now." Kakashi said as he glanced back at the girl. He was worried about her as well since the coughing could get so bad that she coughed blood up. He tossed back a water bottle that he was carrying to Sasuke. "Sasuke, have her drink a small amount of water."

What is going on? The sharingan is a special physical condition that only appears in a few members of the Uchiha clan... Sasuke thought as he gave Shira a small amount of water while watching Kakashi. Could he be…? Sasuke questioned as he looked at the brunette next to him. "Shira?"

"I'll be okay… I'm trying to keep the coughing back." Shira told Sasuke as she looked up at him.

"Lets end this talk. I have to kill the old man." Zabuza stated as he watched the brunette. There is something off about that girl… Something I don't like. Zabuza stated as he watched how the raven-haired boy stood protectively by the girl while she struggled with not coughing.

"Like hell you will." Shira spat out as she glared at the rouge nin while she and the others got into a manji formation surrounding Tazuna behind Kakashi. Kakashi looked back at Shira and couldn't help but shake his head.

"You have a mouth on you girl." Zabuza stated before he pulled his sword out of the tree. He really didn't understand how the brunette could mouth off to him and not be afraid. "I see that I will have to beat you first Kakashi. And do something with that brunette girl with you." Zabuza said as he landed on the water that the group had passed by earlier. Sasuke moved slightly so he was closer to Shira. He did not like the way Zabuza said about having to do something about her.

"He's on the water!" Shira and Naruto called out at the same time as they noticed Zabuza had a hand in the air with a hand infront of his face with a seal for a jutsu.

"Hidden Mist Jutsu." Zabuza said as he raised his chakra, creating a mist that surrounded the entire area and everyone there.

"I can't see…" Shira muttered as she closed her eyes to get herself under control. She could feel the fear rising up inside her and had to dispel it before it got to out of control.

"He will come after me first." Kakashi stated as he kept facing where Zabuza last was. "Zabuza Momichi was a member of Kirigakure. He specialized in silent killing." Shira shuddered as she heard what Kakashi was saying. She blocked out as Kakashi explained that his sharingan would not be able to fully stop him and to stay on guard.

"Eight spots." Zabuza's voice rang out in the mist as it grew thicker. "Heart, Liver, Lungs, Kidneys, Jugular, Larynx, Spine, Subclavian Artery. Which one should I choose first?"

I feel like I can't breathe. One shallow breath, one movement of the eye is enough to draw his attack. Sasuke thought as he started to shake. He could feel the fear running through his body. Its suffocating. If it goes on like this, I'll go insane. I can't protect Shira from anything… I promised her I would… I can't though. If I move to protect her… I will draw the attack… Sasuke thought as he put his free hand on the kunai he was holding.

"Sasuke!" Kakashi called out to him, bring Sasuke out of his stupor. Sasuke looked up at his sensei just as Shira looked over at him. "Calm down. I'll protect you with my life. All of you." Kakashi looked back at them and gave a closed eye smile. "I won't allow my comrades to die."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Zabuza's voice came out of the mist as he appeared in front of the bridge builder, behind the four genin. While Kakashi moved towards them, Zabuza swung his sword, catching Shira in the side. Kakashi soon appeared infront of the girl and stabbed Zabuza with a kunai while gently pushing Shira away.

"Shira!" Sasuke shouted her name as he moved over to her. He could see her holding her side and was worried about her. Shira looked at him and gave a weak smile.

"I'm okay. We have to stop him though. It's a water clone." Shira stated as the Zabuza disappeared in front of them into a puddle of water. Naruto called out to Kakashi warning him that Zabuza was behind him.

"Shira… you never cease to amaze me you know that. Now let me look at your side." Sasuke said as he gently pulled her hand away from her side. Seeing the cut Sasuke growled as he let go of Shira's hand to let her cover it again. They both turned to watch as Kakashi was kicked into the water.

What? This water is heavy… I need to end this fast and look at Shira. The way Sasuke looked when he saw the wound, it can't be good. Kakashi thought as he pulled himself on to the water only to be trapped by Zabuza in a water prison. Zabuza made a water clone to go after the genin and bridge builder.

I have to find a way to get Kakashi-sensei out of that water prison… My shadow possession jutsu won't work with there being no shadows to control… Shira thought as she vaguely listened to Zabuza as he started talking about how they were not real shinobi yet. Shira had enough of his words and drew a kunai before running at him.

"Shira! Stop!" Kakashi yelled out as he watched the brunette get slammed to the ground by the Zabuza clone and have a foot pressed on to her chest.

"You have guts girl. I'll give you that. But you were foolish to think you could take on me." Zabuza growled as he put pressure onto Shira's chest, causing her eyes to widen.

If I don't get his foot off of me, I will be crushed or a coughing attack worse than any I have ever had will appear… Shira thought as she could hear Sasuke shouting her name.