A/N: Hey guys! This one is a long one. 0.0 So enjoy, and thanks for sticking around. Thanks for the love. I'm going to look for my scanner tonight so I can start uploading photos. I really want to start doing that. I might make the next chapter or the one after it a chapter basically describing Ellainna and whatnot since you don't know too much about her. We'll see.
Onward to the chapter!
"Well, well..." Kakashi said smugly. "So I had it right. It was all an act..."
"An act," Zabuza asked.
"With a cute little mask."
"Big phony," Sasuke taunted.
"So I guess being a tracker ninja protecting his village was bull," Tazuna said.
"They look pretty chummy to me," Kakashi pointed out. "I say they've been pulling these kinds of scams for a long time."
"He's got some nerve facing us again after that trick," Sakura said shrilly.
"And hiding behind a mask? Who does he think he's fooling," Kakashi said.
"Speak for yourself, Sensei," Sakura chuckled.
Sasuke announced that he was going to take Haku on and win. "Who does he think he's fooling? Hiding behind that mask like a clown?"
Sakura cheered Sasuke on, agreeing with him about the absurdity of Haku's mask. Kakashi took offense that Sakura denounced him but praised Sasuke for the same comment but ignored her mostly.
Haku and Zabuza convened to determine how they were going to battle the Leaf ninja, impressed by Sasuke's skill. Zabuza told Haku to hurry and attack, as the water clones were an opening for him to use. Haku heeded his instructions and whirlwind'd over to Sasuke. Sasuke, already on guard, raised his kunai defensively and smirked, preparing for battle.
Haku came at Sasuke with a senbon, and Sasuke expertly blocked it with his kunai. They power played with each other for a moment, pushing back and forth, before each tried to get an attack in. They blocked each other's attacks, however, and this continued on.
Sensing that Zabuza was onto something, Kakashi barked out orders to his team.
"Sakura, Ellainna, you two guard Tazuna and don't move far from me. Let Sasuke handle this."
Sakura obeyed and got in front of Tazuna, a kunai in her hand.
"Don't have to tell me twice," Ellainna said and she brought up the rear of Tazuna, her sword still tightly clenched in her hand.
Haku and Sasuke's fight continued on. Haku tried to talk Sasuke out of fighting him, but forever bold and arrogant, Sasuke declined. Haku began performing a jutsu one handed, catching the Leaf ninja off guard, especially Kakashi. Haku stamped into the water left from Zabuza's destroyed water clones after he completed his hand signs, causing it to float in midair. Sakura worriedly called out to Sasuke, unsure of what was about to happen. The water Haku launched into the air turned into thousands of sharp ice senbons. The senbons flew towards Sasuke! Sasuke used his tree climbing training to focus his chakra to his feet, launching himself into the air and dodging the attack. The force of the launch forced Haku to leap back for protection. Sasuke tossed shuriken at Haku, making him backstep even more. Suddenly, Sasuke was behind Haku.
"You're not as fast as you think," Sasuke taunted confidently.
He and Haku began fighting again, Sasuke appearing to easily have the upper hand. He managed to land a heavy kick on Haku and sent him flying back to Zabuza's feet.
"Thought you were quicker, hunh? What else are you wrong about?"
Kakashi lectured Zabuza on his inaccurate description of his team as 'brats' and bragged on each of them.
Haku recovered from Sasuke's attack and Zabuza lectured him on holding back. Haku took his words to heart and unleashed a powerful jutsu. The water on the bridge turned into a round dome of ice mirrors, trapping Sasuke inside it. Haku disappeared inside them and suddenly, he was in every mirror all at once. Kakashi, worried about his pupil fighting in unknown territory, raced after to help him. Zabuza quickly cut him off and informed him that he was going to be his opponent, not Haku.
A flurry of senbons flew out of the mirrors surrounding Sasuke and hit him, one after the other. His team could only look on in worry, unable to go save him. Sakura pointlessly called out to him as his blood splattered from his wounds. The senbons were being launched so fast, they were able to knock the kunai out Sasuke's hand. His kunai launched into the air and landed at Sakura's feet.
Zabuza threatened Kakashi, advising him not to leave his pupils open to his onslaught by trying to save Sasuke. They'd be done for if Kakashi didn't keep him at bay. Sakura, thinking she could help Sasuke, told Tazuna she couldn't stay and protect him. Tazuna gave her his blessing and she grabbed Sasuke's discarded kunai and threw it to him.
"No! Idiot," Ellainna called out.
Haku partially left the ice mirror and grabbed it, stopping it from reaching its intended target. Sasuke, having a momentary reprieve from the senbon onslaught, collapsed onto his hands and knees. He hunched over, reeling from the pain her was in from his wounds.
"He-he caught it," Sakura said incredulously.
"Of course he did," Ellainna growled angrily. "What did you think would happen?! You'd throw a knife and save the day?! DO YOUR JOB!"
Suddenly, a shuriken flew in from out of nowhere and hit Haku. It injured him and caused him to fall completely out of the mirror. He sat up just as a puff of smoke appeared next to his ice fortress. It dissipated to reveal Naruto!
"Naruto Uzumaki, is here," he announced proudly. "Believe it!"
Ellainna deadpanned at Naruto's over eagerness, but was thankful for his appearance. He was going to save Sasuke.
"Now that I'm here, everything will be alright!"
Tazuna and Sakura cheerfully cheered Naruto's arrival. Naruto began to proudly brag about his skills before preparing to fight Haku.
"Shadow clone jutsu!"
Naruto made the hand sign to perform the jutsu, but stopped just shy of creating them. Zabuza had threw shuriken in his direction. Kakashi called out to warn him, but Haku threw senbon to stop them from reaching their target. This shocked everyone, Zabuza included. Sakura and Kakashi chastised Naruto for his reckless tactics in the fight. Naruto apologizes and momentarily freaks out at his lack of skill at deception.
Zabuza angrily asked Haku what he was doing. Haku in turn told Zabuza to leave Naruto to him; he was his opponent and he wanted to take him down himself. Naruto challenged Haku and Zabuza relented, only to insult Haku and see if he had the metal to really take them down. Naruto proclaimed his assured victory in battle. Kakashi, however, doubted that and considered his options. Zabuza, sensing he was cooking up a plan, stepped in front of him.
"Don't even think about it," he said. "You know what happens if you go after Haku: I get the bridge builder. And the girls too." Zabuza chuckled menacingly, knowing he had Kakashi in a bind. "Relax Kakashi. Enjoy the show. Let's see how they do, one on one."
Naruto chided Haku for working with Zabuza and trying to trick them otherwise. Haku, surprisingly, apologized and explained why he did it. Sasuke, thinking he had a leg up on a distracted opponent, sent a kunai flying at Haku. Unfortunately for him, Haku easily dodged it.
"I haven't forgotten about you," Haku said. "Not for an instant."
Naruto looked in the direction the kunai came from and seemed to just notice the ice dome and his teammate inside of it. Haku commented on how relentless he was to not give up and accept defeat.
"Fine. I'll put an end to you first."
Naruto demanded Haku fight him then and there and he declined as he reentered his ice mirrors. Sasuke stood up, prepared to defend himself once more. Haku easily began his senbon onslaught once more, knocking Sasuke to his feet. His team looked on in worry. Naruto tried to anamyze what was happening but quickly found he could not. Sasuke tried as well, trying to determine his next move to get a leg up in the fight but could not think of one. He was stuck for the time being. Kakashi tried to alert Naruto and Sasuke on the best tactic to win the battle against Haku but Naruto, being an idiot, rushed right in to the ice chamber Haku had made. Sasuke was now hopeful that they could win if they worked together.
"Yo! I snuck in here to save you," Naruto whispered to Sasuke. "Pretty cool move, hunh, Sasuke?"
Sasuke growled in anger, surprised his teammate could be so clueless.
"Naruto! Did you not hear a word Kakashi just said," Ellainna shouted angrily. Sakura was rendered speechless at Naruto's lack of tact and Kakashi deadpanned.
"You are a complete loser," Sasuke shouted. "You are a shinobi! Think carefully before you move!"
"What the heck is your problem," Naruto shouted back furiously. "You should thank me for coming in here to help you."
"Naruto, if we're both inside here..." Sasuke began before growling in frustration. "Forget it! I've HAD IT with your mistakes."
"And I've had it with your attitude! Believe it!"
Sasuke stood and proclaimed that he was going to destroy the mirrors. He performed his Fire Style Fireball jutsu but it didn't seem to affect the mirrors at all. Naruto stated just as much annoyed. Haku informed them that his flames weren't nearly hot enough to melt his ice. He then proceeded to launch another senbon attack on Sasuke and Naruto. They crashed to their feet and tried to determine how to beat Haku's jutsu. Haku flatly informed them that there was no way to see through his justu, no way to beat it. Naruto challenged his assertion and charged at the mirrors using his Shadow Clone Jutsu. Haku made quick work of dispatching all the clones and sending Naruto crashing back down to the ground.
Haku then explained to them how his jutsu worked and why he's able to move so quickly. Kakashi then came to the realization that Haku's jutsu was a Kekkei Genkai! Zabuza chuckled as Kakashi explained to a clueless Sakura what a Kekkei Genkai was. Kakashi couldn't copy it, nobody could destroy it.
Naruto made a speech about how he wasn't going to lose in his battle because he had hopes and dreams; he had something to live for. Haku responded that he would have to kill them if they continued fighting because his dream was to protect Zabuza, help him live his life, and achieve his dreams. He would fight them with everything he had because of his dream just like they are for theirs.
Sakura tried to encourage the boys in their fight against Haku but Kakashi ordered her not to. He informed her that even if they overcame the task of breaking his jutsu, they would be incapable of defeating him in battle. Sakura asked him incredulously how he came to that conclusion.
"They have the drive to win, but they don't have the instinct to kill," Kakashi answered. "That boy is something else; a different breed. He lives for pain; thrives on it."
"Exactly," Zabuza said, chuckling. "Your village has become complacent. Your trainees never learned the most important lesson of all: to kill the feelings in their own heart; to crush an opponent mercilessly; to destroy with no emotion of regret."
"But, then," Sakura started. "Sensei, what are we gonna do? Please tell us!"
Kakashi took stock of his options and decided the best way to deal with the threat is to fight Zabuza head on, again, and hope he can defeat him and save his pupils. Zabuza laughed and mocked Kakashi for using his Sharingan again before he charged at him with a kunai in hand.
Ellainna blinked and everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. He friends were stuck in a trap getting cut to ribbons and her sensei was being charged at by a separate enemy. She saw a glint of light and noticed the blade in his hand. She reached out futilely and called out to her sensei. Her movements seemed slow and sluggish, her voice slurred and unlike the one she remembered. This voice was full of fear, pain, and anxiety. She watched as Zabuza raised his blade, slowly getting closer and closer to Kakashi. The blade made contact with Kakashi's free hand. He had been stabbed in his right hand protecting his Sharingan eye.
Ellainna bit her lip hard anxiously and it seemed to bring time back to regular speed. She heard Sakura cry out in shock and concern. She saw the blood drip from Kakashi's hand. Her face felt moist. She thought it was the fog. She went to wipe it and realized it was tears. She had tears running down her face. She scolded herself for letting her emotions get the better of her again. She pinched herself to snap back out of her head and come up with a game plan. She wasn't going to let herself sit in the back uselessly anymore. She was going to help this time around, guaranteed.
Zabuza and Kakashi insulted each other back and forth before the former began bragging on his successful training of Haku. He explained how he came to be the shinobi he was and the immense skills he possessed, rivaling even his own. Unfortunately, he couldn't say the same for Kakashi's pupils.
Inside the ice dome, Naruto tried his Shadow Clone attack once more, despite Sasuke's recommendation not to. Haku took care of his clones again but this time also attacked Sasuke some more with his senbon. Sasuke, however, started to be able to track Haku's movements in and out his mirrors as he attacked. Naruto stood back up and tried his Shadow Clones again. Sasuke kicked some water into the air to test out his theory again. As Haku attacked the both of them, Sasuke analyzed Haku's movements and determined a new plan of attack.
"Sakura," Ellainna said coldly. "Hello? Come back over here! What are you doing?"
"Oh, right!"
Sakura took her place by Tazuna again and redrew her kunai, staying on her defense. Zabuza again bragged about Haku and his assured victory over Naruto and Sasuke. Kakashi told him to shove it and get ready to fight. Kakashi lifted his headband to reveal his Sharingan again and Zabuza announced there was another thing they didn't know that he wanted to brag about. He claimed to have purposefully thrown their previous match to let Haku analyze their fight so that he could devise a way to combat him. He performed his Hidden Mist Jutsu and disappeared, just like their previous fight. Ellainna tried to reassure Tazuna that he was in safe hands, but she wasn't sure how well it worked.
"Stay close to us. We're watching over you," she said.
"Got it!"
Ellainna weighed her options. Should she help the boys or Kakashi? Naruto and Sasuke were strong opponents and it was two against one. However, Naruto wasn't the smartest page in the book and Haku was just as skilled, probably more so. Kakashi had defeated Zabuza before in the past and he was a capable ninja no doubt. He's Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan Eye of course! But, this wasn't any fun of the mill opponent either. It was Zabuza Momochi of the Demon Mist. He was an opponent whose strength rivaled Kakashi's and he just claimed to have thrown their earlier fight. Was he stronger than he previously let on? She bit her lip again in indecision. She didn't know what to do.
Back in the ice fortress, Haku vowed to quickly defeat Naruto and Sasuke soon to help Zabuza fight Kakashi. Naruto once again performed his Shadow Clone jutsu and attacked the mirrors. When Haku left his mirror to attack Naruto, Sasuke was prepared with his Fireball jutsu and aimed it at him. This caught Haku off guard. He was just barely able to dodge it and reenter a mirror before resuming his attack on Naruto and his clones. Haku reproached himself for taking so long to defeat Naruto and Sasuke. He was letting Zabuza down. As Haku dispelled more clones, Sasuke did his best to trace his movements and aimed his fireball jutsu once more. Haku was able to dodge the brunt of it, but the hem of his pants was burned. Sasuke smirked as he was able to land a hit and his devised plan was working.
Haku considered it a fluke that Sasuke was able to see him. The human eye isn't supposed to keep up with his speed. Sasuke asked Naruto if he was okay and could still fight. Of course Naruto had a bunch of energy left and said as much, despite starting to be worn out. Sasuke directed Naruto to try and leave the ice fortress to draw Haku out of his mirror. It worked and Sasuke attempted to hit him again with his fireball jutsu. Haku anticipated this and dodged it. He threw a senbon at Sasuke's shoulder and landed in front of Naruto. He kicked him back into the middle of the fortress and reentered his mirror. Naruto stated that he couldn't get through but Sasuke praised Naruto for getting close. Sasuke told him to try again and while Naruto ran one way, Sasuke ran the other, trying another tactic. Haku, growing impatient at their persistence, attacked Naruto and Sasuke with senbon to cripple them from moving again.
Meanwhile, Kakashi looked around in the mist for Zabuza, doubtful that the increased thickness was visible even for Zabuza. Shuriken were launched in his direction and although he couldn't see them, he did hear them. He was able to block them efficiently. However, it was just a diversion as Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi. Kakashi turned around to face him and saw that his eyes were closed. While Kakashi tried to determine why he was purposefully blinding himself, Zabuza bragged about his plan to combat the Sharingan. If Kakashi can't see his movements and Zabuza can't be mesmerized by his eye, the his Sharingan won't work. Suddenly, Kakashi was attacked through the fog. He blocked it but was sent backwards, surprised that an unexpected blow was able to land. The mist was slowing him down. Kakashi closed his eyes as well, trying to sense Zabuza and determine what his next attack would be and where it would come from. Then it dawned on him: Tazuna! He considered warning Sakura, Ellainna, and Tazuna but decided not to. What if Zabuza heard him and realized he knew? He instead raced over to where he remembered them last standing.
Zabuza appeared behind the girls and Tazuna, poised to attack. Ellainna, facing that way, held her ground. She lifted her sword up in defense, ready for an attack, when Kakashi appeared in front of her. Sakura and Tazuna looked back as Zabuza charged, shocked Zabuza was there. Ellainna blinked her eyes in surprise.
"Kakashi...?"
"You're too late," Zabuza said, charging with his sword.
Kakashi took the attack, a gash now along his chest. Sakura screamed in shock and Ellainna steeled herself. She didn't have time to worry and fuss. There were enemy ninja and they had to be taken down. If Kakashi wasn't worrying, neither should she.
Kakashi applied pressure to his wound with his right hand.
"You were late Kakashi," Zabuza taunted. "You let your concern for those little punks cloud your mind, adding further to the fog that already hinders your Sharingan."
He went on to tease Kakashi's inability to rely on the Sharingan and how doomed they seemed to be. He lifted his sword and disappeared into the fog once more. Kakashi's breathing had become ragged and Ellainna wanted so desperately to treat Kakashi's wound. However, she reasoned that if he could hold out until Zabuza was taken down, it would be fine. If Kakashi wasn't worried, she wouldn't worry.
Sakura steeled herself too for Naruto and Sasuke's wellbeing. She told herself that they would be okay and Kakashi agreed with her.
"I believe in their abilities," Kakashi said. "I have faith in them."
Zabuza let the fog clear a bit so that he was now slightly visible, prompting Kakashi to charge him.
"Sakura, Ellainna, stay here with the bridge builder," he commanded.
"Right," Sakura agreed.
"Oh sure," Ellainna mumbled sarcastically. She didn't intend to heed that direction at all.
She ran after Kakashi and stood side by side with him when he stopped.
"What are you doing? Get back to the bridge builder," Kakashi barked at her.
"No, I think-"
"I don't care! You're the best shot we have at protecting him right now! You're a skilled ninja with some experience-"
"Exactly! So the two of us shouldn't have a problem taking Zabuza out so we can help Naruto and Sasuke."
Ellainna looked up at Kakashi defiantly but before he could order her back to her post, they both felt Zabuza's presence. He was coming towards them. Kakashi stood protectively in front of Ellainna but right before Zabuza's attack landed, Ellainna was in front of him. She had blocked his sword with her own. The blade lied flat against Zabuza's edge and Ellainna put her hand on her blade for extra defense.
"I can't let you have all the fun, Kakashi," she said.
Zabuza chuckled at her.
"So you think you've got the brass to fight me, hunh?"
Ellainna winked confidently at him. "I know I do."
She kicked him away and slashed him with her sword. Being a water clone, it dispensed into water.
"Ellainna," Kakashi called out worriedly.
But it was too late. The real Zabuza was behind her and grabbed her. He turned to face Kakashi and taunted him, chuckling in his victory.
"You should've kept your student on a tighter leash, Kakashi. Now watch her die!"
Zabuza twisted Ellainna's head, snapping her neck.
"No," Kakashi cried, reaching out pointlessly. But before he could do anything else, 'Ellainna' poofed into a log. It was a substitution.
"What," Zabuza cried incredulously.
He looked up as the real Ellainna was coming down, her sword pointed straight down, aimed at him. He leapt backwards out of the way and Ellainna landed on the bridge instead. Kakashi watched in awe of his pupil. Maybe she did know what she was doing after all. Zabuza charged at her, his sword drawn once more, and she charged back at him, both her swords drawn now. When Zabuza made to swing his sword, Ellainna dropped to her knees and slid. She arched her body back so she was closer to the ground and held her swords up in an 'X'. As she slid between Zabuza's legs, she sliced his thighs. Unfortunately, this didn't faze him enough to stun him like she had hoped. He quickly spun around and kicked her back towards Kakashi. She rolled to lessen the damage and Kakashi knelt down, catching her by her shoulders.
Ellainna leaned into Kakashi's embrace as Zabuza chuckled, disappearing again.
"This one's good, Kakashi. But not good enough," Zabuza said.
Ellainna took a beat to look up at Kakashi before they both stood up, preparing for Zabuza's next attack.
Back at the fight with Haku, Sasuke heard Sakura's scream and wondered what was happening. Naruto wondered too and that snapped Sasuke's attention back to his own battle. He determined that the only way he could go help her was to finish his fight first. Naruto, struggling to stand, proclaimed he would break them free and help them win. Sasuke watched him in amazement at his determination. Naruto channeled some of the chakra he had left and charged at an opening once more, hoping to lure Haku out for Sasuke. When Haku appeared in the mirror next to him, he changed tactics and ran towards more openings, Haku following him all the while.
"Naruto, behind you," Sasuke bellowed.
Naruto turned around just in time for Haku to throw some senbon at him, knocking him to the ground.
"Your chance of escaping my house of mirrors is zero," Haku stated.
Sasuke ran to Naruto and inquired about his strength. Naruto tried to feebly reassure him and Sasuke instructed him not to use anymore chakra. Realizing that his current plan wasn't working, Sasuke tried to weigh his options and come up with a new plan. Haku tried to dissuade Sasuke from trying to think of a new strategy as he threw more senbon at him. Sasuke picked up a discarded one and used it to deflect the ones coming towards him. This shocked Haku as no one had ever been able to do that before. Sasuke fell weakly to his knees and called out to Naruto, trying to rouse him into fighting once more. Naruto struggled to stand again to help. As Haku launched another senbon attack, Sasuke expertly deflected and evaded his onslaught. He was even able to help Naruto not get hit. But he couldn't avoid every attack. Some senbon got through. Sasuke threw the senbon in his hand to see if it would go through the mirror and attack Haku. Unfortunately, it did not and just bounced off the surface. Haku praised Sasuke for his skill and talents but informed him that he would not win as he had reached his limits and could not go on much longer.
Sasuke pushed himself to read Haku's movements. He was able to anticipate and avoid an attack, grabbing Naruto as well. It was then that Sasuke had unlocked his Sharingan. Seeing this, Haku knew he had to end the battle quickly. The jutsu he was using and the speed he was maintaining took a lot of chakra and the longer the battle took, the more Sasuke could use the Sharingan to read his movements. He knew, however, that the best way to get to Sasuke was to attack Naruto. Haku emerged from the mirror and immediately went for Naruto. Sasuke was prepared for a head on attack so he was surprised by this tactic. He infused chakra in his feet to increase his speed to try and save Naruto.
Naruto awoke from his unconscious state to see Sasuke standing over Haku. He assumed that the battle was won and over, and praised Sasuke. When Sasuke struggled to speak, Naruto realized something wrong; Sasuke was significantly injured. He was full of more senbon than Naruto remembered from before he passed out. He was leaking blood profusely. Sasuke struggled to insult Naruto, calling him a loser. Naruto asked Sasuke why he saved him.
"I...don't...know," he said weakly. "I...just did."
Naruto, confused still, lashed out at Sasuke for sacrificing himself for Naruto. Sasuke strained himself to call Naruto a loser one more time before he collapsed on the ground. He couldn't go on much longer. Naruto reached out and caught Sasuke before he hit the ground. Delirious and on the brink of death, Sasuke confided in Naruto his life's biggest dream.
"He's still out there," he said painfully. "My brother...I promised myself...I'd live long enough...to kill him."
He reached out to Naruto and weakly told him not to let his own dream die before his hand dropped and he passed out. The pain was too much for his body. Naruto laid Sasuke gently on the ground. He was in pain, no longer able to keep going. He was losing blood and out of chakra. His strength faltered and he couldn't push his body anymore. Naruto gawked at Sasuke, momentarily in shock and sadness as his comrade teetered on the brink of death.
Haku, now standing, was in awe of the way Sasuke defended his comrade in spite of the harm that it caused him. He revered Sasuke as an opponent worthy of his honor and respect.
"Is this the first time you have seen a friend die in battle," Haku asked Naruto indifferently. "It is the way of the shinobi."
He reentered his mirror as Naruto told him vehemently to shut up.
"You'll pay for this," Naruto said fiercely. Suddenly, the mirrors started to give off mist and steam. Red chakra seemed to flow and swirl dangerously around Naruto. He began to undergo a transformation. His eyes turned red and cat like, his whiskers on his cheek became more defined, his nails became claws, and his teeth became fangs.
"I'm gonna...KILL you."
Naruto growled angrily as his grimace became even darker and his hair more ferocious. The senbon that were stuck in his body shot out and his wounds healed over. He was crouching on his hands and knees, ready to pounce on his opponent. Haku watched in worry as he noticed that Naruto was now not the same opponent he was once facing. Naruto then charged at him and he threw senbon in defense. Naruto growled and his chakra radiated from him and disintegrated the senbon. Shocked, Haku switched mirrors to avoid the attack. He sensed Naruto's chakra and power growing each second and tried to finish the battle by throwing senbon at him. They struck their target but Naruto unleashed more of his red chakra and they too disintegrated. The wind coming from the chakra made Haku brace himself, which left him open to Naruto's next attack. He leapt towards Haku's mirror and punched it, instantly shattering it. Haku, thinking he now had a leg up on Naruto, emerged from one of the shards of the ice and aimed a bundle of senbon at Naruto. Naruto, however, easily moved out of the way, causing Haku to crash into the ground. He tried to escape to the mirrors but Naruto easily grabbed his arm and yanked him around. Naruto's release of chakra is just ever flowing and releasing. The power behind his chakra started cracking and breaking the mirrors. As Haku tried to maintain his jutsu, Naruto reared back and punched Haku square in the face.
Haku was knocked through his ice mirrors and rolled some feet away. His mask instantly shattered and his jutsu broke. Naruto's release of chakra seemed to slow down but he was still in bloodlust. He charged after Haku, poised to punch him again when he stopped himself. He recognized his face! It was the boy he had met in the woods earlier that week. Haku inquired why Naruto hesitated in his attack. Naruto growled while he struggled internally before proceeding to punch Haku anyway. He fell to the ground, weakened and with a lack of drive to fight any longer. Knowing that Naruto hadn't put his all into the hit, Haku encouraged Naruto to not hesitate. He tried to get a rise out of Naruto by insulting his devotion to his fallen comrade. Haku explained to Naruto his life story and how he came to his one purpose. Deciding that he was no longer useful in that regard, he asked Naruto to kill him. Naruto tried to dissuade Haku from believing himself to be anything but a tool. Haku explained to Naruto why he felt the way he did and why he wasn't going to change his mind.
Over by Kakashi, everyone could feel Naruto's chakra emanating menacingly. It confused Zabuza but worried Kakashi. This mean that Naruto's seal holding in the Nine Tailed Fox was loose. It may not be broken, but leaving it too long would endanger everyone. He needed to do something, and soon. Kakashi pulled a scroll out and opened it slightly. He took some blood from his wound in his chest and ran it across the scroll. He taunted Zabuza, hoping to goad him into attacking, while he used the scroll to for summoning. Ellainna watched Kakashi, transfixed on what he was doing. Zabuza called Kakashi out, wondering if he could back up his claim.
"Ninja Art Summoning, Earth Style: Fanged Pursuit Jutsu!"
Cracks began emanating through the ground from where Kakashi had laid it against the floor.
"I don't know why you bothered," Zabuza said. "You can't find me. But I can find you."
Ellainna stood guardedly by Kakashi's side, waiting silently for any hint to where Zabuza could be.
"Blindly falling into my trap, you disappoint me," Zabuza spoke again. "I think you're right. It is time to end this."
Suddenly, however, dogs began to burrow out of the ground next to Zabuza and attacked him. They had him pinned to the spot with their bites. He couldn't move. Ellainna heard dog barks and looked up at Kakashi in confusion. He stood, gave her a thumbs up, and smile, though she couldn't see that part, to reassure her.
"It's okay now," he said to her before turning to Zabuza's general direction and explaining his Summoning jutsu to him. Ellainna was amazed, she had never even heard of this jutsu before.
"You see, I let you cut me. I let you get past my guard. Your weapons now have my scent on them, leading them right to you."
The fog cleared up a bit and Ellainna could see Zabuza, rendered motionless by the ninja hounds. Zabuza and Kakashi traded insults back and forth before Kakashi announced that he was going to finish him off not with his Sharingan but his own jutsu.
"Stand back," He whispered to Ellainna. She nodded and stepped away, watching Kakashi in awe as he made several hand signs to perform his jutsu. Suddenly, his chakra swirled around him and turned into a ball of lightening in his hand.
"Lightening Blade!"
Kakashi charged towards Zabuza to end him once and for all. At the last second, I mirror appeared in front of Zabuza and Haku stepped out of it, managing to throw senbon at Kakashi's summoning scroll before taking the hit for Zabuza. The ninja hounds holding him disappeared and Zabuza looked down at Haku in shock. Kakashi was surprised as well as Ellainna, who fell to her knees in despair. Haku grabbed Kakashi's hand with as much strength he could muster and weakly said Zabuza's name. Now that the fog had mostly lifted, everyone could see across the bridge. Naruto was able to see the scene between Zabuza, Haku, and Kakashi. He raced over but stopped when he could clearly make out what happened. Zabuza praised Haku for saving him before he charged to attack Kakashi while he was immobile. Haku's grip was too tight on Kakashi's wrist. He wasn't going anywhere. Ellainna rushed over to block Zabuza's sword, this time using both hers crossed like an 'X'. Zabuza's sword collided with hers and she held him there while Kakashi grabbed Haku's body and leapt backwards out of the way. Zabuza chuckled menacingly as Kakashi laid Haku's body on the ground. Ellainna struggled under the weight of Zabuza's sword. She cursed herself for sliding in between on her knees instead of running over so she could stand and have better footing.
"You'll pay for that," Naruto yelled, clenching his fists.
"No," Kakashi commanded. "Stay out of this, Naruto." He already had one pupil who disobeyed his orders, endangering herself. He didn't need another. He gently laid Haku down on the ground and closed his eyes.
"You too, Ellainna. This is my battle. Zabuza's mine."
"Kakashi-"
"I mean it."
"No, seriously, Kakashi. I can't move."
Ellainna looked back at Kakashi and stuck her tongue out.
"Looks like you're gonna have to save me."
Kakashi didn't have time to rejoice (or brood, he wasn't too sure yet) that her normal annoying attitude was back because they were in the middle of a fight.
With the fog cleared up, Sakura could see Naruto and called out to him, waving. She asked him where Sasuke was and Naruto hesitated to answer. He didn't know what to tell her. He looked away and held back tears, grinding his teeth instead.
Zabuza put more weight on his sword so that Ellainna was leaning back further before he jumped over her and charged at Kakashi.
"I'd stay focused if I were you, Kakashi!"
Kakashi pushed off on his hands and kicked Zabuza away. He charged after Zabuza and began tag teaming him with Ellainna.
Tazuna looked to Sakura with pity in his eyes and offered to walk with her over to Sasuke's body so that she could make peace with him and wouldn't be disobeying Kakashi. She accepted his offer and grasped his hand as they ran over to Sasuke. Naruto stayed where he stood, mourning his comrade. When Sakura reached Sasuke, she was shocked to see him so injured. Tazuna was equally upset, and turned his head away, unable to bear to see such a young kid have fallen. Sakura crouched down beside Sasuke and tried to hold her tears back. She touched his cheek and noted how cold he felt. Tazuna encouraged her to let herself mourn and feel her pain. Sakura gently caressed Sasuke's face as she spoke to him. It was her way of mourning. Halfway through, she started to cry and found that she couldn't stop.
Ellainna heard Sakura's sobs and stopped in her tracks.
No...
Kakashi and Zabuza clashed nearby her, but she didn't notice.
Sasuke...?
She felt like she was in a daze, a dream, and slowly walked to where Sakura and Tazuna were. She saw Sasuke's body and felt her stomach wrench and fold in on itself. She dropped her swords and fell to her knees at his feet. She let her tears fall silently as she berated herself for not coming to help him.
I was a few feet away. I could've helped. I should've...And now he's gone. Now he...And I never...I always...
Back at the only fight still going on, Kakashi threw kunai at Zabuza. They landed them in his left arm and Zabuza fell to his knees, out of breath and weak. He leaned on his sword to keep from falling over, wondering why he was having such a hard time. He raced to Kakashi but was easily swatted away with a punch to the face. Zabuza struggled to breath as he tried to stand but Kakashi hit him again. Of course, this only angered Zabuza more and he charged, brandishing his sword recklessly. Kakashi easily dodged his attacks one after another before getting behind Zabuza.
"Look at you, you're falling apart," he teased. "I knew you didn't have what it takes for the long haul. You have no idea what real strength is."
Kakashi grabbed two more kunai and prepared to deliver the killing blow to his opponent. Zabuza tried to go on the attack and swing his sword at Kakashi. Kakashi was able to dodge it but had to stab Zabuza in his arms instead of his original target.
Zabuza's sword flew across the bridge, his arms now no longer capable of wielding it.
"Now both of your arms are useless. What now," Kakashi taunted. "You can't even make hand signs."
"Well, well," came a voice across the bridge.
Kakashi and Naruto looked over to see a squat man in a nice suit and round pointdexter glasses standing with a cane in front of him. His left forearm was bandaged thickly and his hair was styled wildly behind him, the color was fading. He had what looked like an army of men behind him, all brandishing a weapon of some sort.
"He certainly did a job on you, Zabuza. You look like yesterday's Sashimi. I must say I'm disappointed."
Zabuza turned and faced Gato, questioning him why he was there with all of his hired cronies.
"Why are you here? And who are these thugs you've brought with you?!"
"Well, you see, there's been a slight change in plan," Gato responded. "You die right here on this bridge, Zabuza. You're too expensive so I'm taking you off the payroll. Of course, these men cost something as well so if you could slaughter a few of them before they take you down, I'd appreciate it."
Gato continued to mock and jeer Zabuza, throwing insult after insult and the men behind him laughing along. Naruto was surprised by the sheer vast number of men behind Gato. Ellainna, having heard the booming laughter, looked up and was surprised to see a huge gang of men down the bridge. She slowly stood up, grabbing her swords, and rushed over to Kakashi. She got down on her knees so that she was eye level with him and looked at him, worry and sorrow filling her eyes. She cursed herself for not being able to stop her flow of tears from falling. She didn't like to be weak.
"What are we going to do," she asked him softly.
Kakashi, against his better judgement, caressed Ellainna's cheek, gently wiping her tears away with his thumb.
"We'll fight," he responded just as soft but with firmness in his tone.
Ellainna stepped closer to Kakashi. "That's not what I meant."
"I know..."
Ellainna leaned in towards Kakashi, ready to allow herself to mourn and seek solace when Zabuza spoke. She jumped in shock, remembering she was on a battlefield, and moved back. She sat on her heels and avoided eye contact with Kakashi. She hung her head low; her tears had finally stopped.
"Well, Kakashi," Zabuza began. "It would seem our fight is at an end. Since I'm no longer in Gato's employ, Tazuna is safe, and we have no quarrel."
Kakashi removed his hand from Ellainna's face, listening to his better judgement.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right."
Gato walked over to Haku's body and began kicking it. He was angry about his injured arm and felt like a big man now that Haku wasn't able to defend himself. Ellainna jerked, not expecting anything so savage to happen. Kakashi and Zabuza looked at Gato darkly. Naruto gasped and charged at Gato.
"Get away," he yelled angrily.
Kakashi grabbed Naruto and chastised him for being reckless and not thinking.
"Well, what about you, Zabuza," Naruto goaded. "You gonna let him do that?"
"Be quiet, fool. Haku's dead. What does it matter?"
"What? You mean you can just stand there and let him get treated like a dog?! You and Haku were together for years, doesn't that mean anything?"
"You don't understand the way of shinobi. I merely used him, just as Gato used me. Now it's over. His usefulness is at an end."
"If you mean that, you're a bigger rat than I thought."
Kakashi gently touched Naruto's shoulder. "Okay, that's enough. Calm down, Naruto. He's not the enemy. Not right now."
Naruto shoved Kakashi's hand away. "Arrrgh! Shut up! As far as I'm concerned, he's enemy number one!"
Naruto pointed at Zabuza angrily, who just stared at Naruto calmly.
"Why you? After everything he did for you! Haku lived for you! You were the most important thing in the world to him and meant nothing to you?! Nothing at all?!"
Naruto continued on his rant while remembering Haku and how hard he fought to keep Zabuza from harm. Zabuza silently stood there listening to Naruto. Naruto started crying halfway through his speech and Ellainna held hers back. She resisted the urge to turn to Kakashi again for comfort. She couldn't get distracted, nor let him. They had to keep their wits about them or they wouldn't make it off the battlefield either.
"Hey, kid," Zabuza said to Naruto. "You talk too much." He had teared up too and couldn't stop them from rolling down his face. He was trying to be strong so he didn't have to deal with the pain of losing Haku but after Naruto's speech, he couldn't hold back.
"Your words cut deep...deeper than any blade...While he fought you, his heart was breaking in two. Haku was always too soft, too kind. He felt pain and compassion and curse him; I feel them too."
Zabuza removed the bandages covering the lower half of his face with his mouth before demanding a kunai from Naruto. Naruto tossed him one and he caught it with his mouth. Knowing how skilled Zabuza was, Gato ran hurriedly into the crowd and ordered his thugs to kill him. They cheered, happy to get some action. Zabuza growled and smirked as he charged into the crowd. The man in front questioned his motives as it was 1,000 to one but didn't even have a chance to take another breathe. Zabuza sliced him and a few more of his buddies in a second. He ran through the gang of men, taking them down as he went. They tried to take him on but it wasn't easy. He had his sights set on Gato and he wasn't going to go down without him going first.
Zabuza successfully broke through the crowd and rushed at Gato, who looked on in fear. He knew what was coming. He knew it was the end. Zabuza plunged the kunai in Gato's chest before a multitude of weapons was plunged into his back. Gato called him crazy and foolish for sacrificing himself to accomplish a vendetta.
"If you're so eager to go join your friend, fine!...But you won't be taking me with you!"
"Unfortunately, I won't be going to the same place as Haku...Where he's going, I cannot follow."
Zabuza painfully stood up and walked over to Gato. Afraid, Gato demanded Zabuza stay back and retreated backwards. Zabuza assured Gato that they both weren't going to heaven. He told him where they were going, Zabuza would fit in as there were more people like him, but that Gato would spend an eternity in fear and pain. He grabbed a kunai from his arm with his mouth and slashed at Gato repeatedly, sending him into the water below. The gang of men, Naruto, Kakashi, and Ellainna all watched in silence. When Zabuza turned around, the men gasped in fear and stepped away, making way for him to walk. He tried to walk towards Haku but collapsed to his knees before he could get there.
"Haku..." he spoke weakly. "So...this is...goodbye...not once did I...thank you...Haku...forgive me for that."
With that, he fell face forward on the ground. Naruto turned away in anger and sadness. This was how it ends for them, and it was sad.
"Don't turn away," Kakashi said. "When you live like a warrior, this is how it ends."
Ellainna sniffled and bit her lip to stop tears from falling. She had forgotten for a brief second about Sasuke and Kakashi's sentiment drudged up the truth for her. Kakashi tentatively reached out and touched her back. He awkwardly rubbed her back soothingly in circles and Ellainna's faced grew hot, but she adamantly looked straight ahead. She didn't want to look at him. She'd break.
Sasuke slowly opened his eyes and took in his surroundings.
Am I alive?...I am...
He saw the sky. And he heard something faint. It sounded like...a girl. She was talking. No...crying...And it was getting louder. He looked down and saw Sakura laying across his stomach, crying.
"Sakura...It's hard to breathe with you on top of me."
Sakura looked up in alarm. Sasuke was awake!
"Sasuke?"
She started to gasp in shock and joy. Sasuke was awake!
"Tazuna! He's alive! He's alive!"
Ellainna whipped around and rose to her feet.
"Sasuke...?"
Sakura hugged Sasuke, crying profusely, and he complained about the pain he was in.
Tears streamed down Ellainna's face, but this time in joy. Sasuke was alive! She dropped her weapons and ran over to where he was lying on the ground. Tazuna had tears welling in his eyes as well but he wiped them away.
As Ellainna ran over, Sasuke sat up, though still in pain. Sakura tried to advise him otherwise but he ignored her. Ellainna fell to her knees in front of Sasuke, pushing Sakura out of the way. She grabbed Sasuke's face and held it up, taking him in. She was still in shock. Sasuke was okay. She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a hug.
"I thought...I thought you were gone," she whispered, tears running down her face. "I thought..."
Sasuke, at first surprised, wrapped his arms around Ellainna's lower back and hugged her too.
"I know," he whispered back. "I'm okay."
Ellainna pulled back and held Sasuke's face again. She grinned widely and Sasuke smiled back at her.
"How's Naruto," he asked. "And what happened to that guy in the mask?"
"Naruto's just fine," Sakura answered, not too happy that Ellainna had shoved her away. "But that guy in the mask...he's dead."
"Dead?! But how?! Did Naruto do it?!"
Ellainna dropped her hands from his face and shook her head solemnly, no longer smiling.
"No, I came in late," Sakura answered. "I'm not sure what happened. He was protecting Zabuza."
Ellainna looked solemn and nodded shrugged her shoulders in agreement with Sakura. They looked over the bridge at where Haku's body laid. Sakura stood and called Naruto over. Sasuke tried to stand and Ellainna fought the urge to help him. She knew he'd want to do it himself. Naruto turned around and was shocked but relieved to see Sasuke. Sasuke didn't look in Naruto's direction (that pride of his) but waved at him. Naruto smiled and teared up, but then remembered how skilled Haku was and wondered how Sasuke hadn't died from his injuries. Then he remembered what Zabuza said, how Haku never wanted to kill them, and realized that must have been it. He was being merciful.
Kakashi, still crouching, looked over at Sasuke and marveled how he was still alive.
"Well, well, will wonders never cease...amazing."
There was a clanging noise and everyone looked up at the gang of men still standing that Gato had hired.
"Hey! Yoo hoo! Don't go getting too comfortable! This party isn't over yet! Now that Gato's gone, who's gonna pay us? No way we're gonna leave here empty handed. I guess we'll just hafta hit that village and see what they've got for us."
The men all cheered and Kakashi noted how it wasn't looking too good.
"Come on Kakashi-sensei," Naruto urged. "You must have a jutsu that can take care of this bunch of losers!"
"No. Not right now. I used too much of my chakra."
"Get 'em, boys," one of the thugs yelled.
Ellainna smirked and tugged on her gloves.
"Oh goodie. I have a lot of pent up frustration I need to let out. I can take it out on these guys."
The men charged and Ellainna did too towards her discarded swords. Before she made it two steps, an arrow came out of nowhere and landed at the gang's feet. Everyone turned around to see Inari, Tsunami, and the rest of the villagers standing there, weapons drawn.
"There's one little thing you're forgetting about," a voice called out from somewhere in the crowd. "Before you set one foot in our village, you'll have to go through all of us."
The villagers all cheered and brandished their weapons, fully prepared to defend their village. They were tired of being pushed around and being bullied. Ellainna cheered happily for them, jumping happily in the air as she continued towards her swords.
Inari laughed and proclaimed, "Heroes usually show up at the last minute, ya know?"
Tazuna had tears well up in his eyes, prideful of his village finally taking a stand for themselves and their town. The gang of men looked on worriedly and Naruto made some shadow clones, not wanting to be left out.
"I might have just enough chakra to help you out," Kakashi said. "Shadow clone jutsu! Kakashi style!"
Ellainna stopped in her tracks and began drooling. There were now thousands of Kakashi clones on the bridge.
"That's a thousand butts I can grab," she said pevertedly. She forgot all about the ensuing fight as her imagination ran wild.
"You still wanna fight," all the Kakashi clones said.
The men all yelled and ran to the boat they arrived on. They struggled to all get on and as it took off. Most of them fell into the water. The Kakashi clones stood by the bridge to watch them leave and all the villagers cheered in triumph.
"Victory," Inari yelled.
Tazuna looked around in joy and pride in his fellow villagers. Kakashi walked to Zabuza, who had not died yet it seemed, and asked him for a favor now that it was all over.
"What is it?"
"Take me to him. Before I go, I need to see him one last time."
Kakashi replaced his headband over his eye. "Sure."
Naruto and Kakashi's clones disappeared, much to Ellainna's chagrin. She comically fell to the ground and cried. Naruto noticed Kakashi removing the weapons from Zabuza's back. He lifted him up and gently walked him over to Haku's body where he laid him down gently. It began snowing, which surprised the villagers. It normally doesn't snow that time of year. This caught Ellainna's attention and she looked over from her spot on the ground to see Kakashi carrying Zabuza and laying him down with Haku.
Zabuza thanked Kakashi for his help as he walked away, giving them some privacy. Zabuza said his last piece to Haku, expressing his appreciation for having him in his life despite not having deserved his company. He painfully raised his hand to caress Haku's face and expressed how he wished that he could join him in Heaven.
His last breath had Haku's name on his lips. Naruto was in tears, mentioning how Haku told him he came from a place that snowed all the time. Kakashi speculated aloud that maybe Zabuza did join Haku after all.
After everyone took a breather to relax and rejoice in the defeat of the long-lasting looming threat that was over their heads, they all dispersed into their own thing. The bridge workers all began working on the bridge again, the rest of the villagers went home to tend to it and boast about their bravery, and Team 7 had a special mission as Kakashi called it. All except Sasuke anyway, who was taken back to Tazuna's house by other villagers on a stretcher so he could be looked after and heal.
Sakura was ordered to find/buy the nicest flowers she could and make two crowns out of them. Kakashi picked up Zabuza and had Naruto carry Haku. He told Ellainna to follow them after she gathered a few supplies. She nodded obediently and Kakashi led Naruto to a cliff on the outskirts of town. He laid Zabuza down and Naruto followed suit with Haku.
"Kakashi-sensei, what are we doing here," Naruto asked.
"We're burying them," Ellainna answered, appearing behind Kakashi with four shovels in hand.
"Correct," Kakashi said. He tried to give Naruto a lesson on common courtesy and respect for his fellow shinobi, whether they were from the same village or not, but it went right over his head. Kakashi sighed in annoyance and gave up. He handed Naruto a shovel and the three of them dug shallow graves for Haku and Zabuza. By the time Sakura had shown up with the blue flower crowns, they had already buried the bodies and Ellainna had made wooden crosses to mark the plots with. Sakura took them and gently hung them on the crosses. Then, everyone bowed as Kakashi said a little prayer for Haku and Zabuza.
By the time they headed back towards Tazuna's house, it was sunset. Ellainna hurriedly mentioned that she had something to do in town and disappeared before anyone could object to her departure. By the time she had returned, it was dark outside, Tazuna had long returned home from his day of work, and almost everyone was asleep.
She stumbled around in the dark, stubbing her toe repeatedly as she failed horribly at sneaking in. A light flicked on in another room and she looked at the doorway and saw Tazuna standing there. He was leaning against the wall and had an almost empty bottle of Sake in one hand and a half full bottle in the other. He offered Ellainna the half full bottle despite her already obviously drunken state and she cheerfully accepted it. She guzzled it as she followed after Tazuna, turning the light back off as she went.
Tazuna reclined on the couch in the living room and Ellainna stood in the entryway, enjoying her liquor.
"So, just tell me the truth," Tazuna said, pointing his now empty bottle at her. "You're that girl from that night, aren't you?"
Ellainna set her also now empty bottle upright by her feet and walked over to Tazuna. She straddled Tazuna's lap and pulled his face into hers, kissing him briefly. The she pulled away and whispered in his ear.
"You tell me."
She turned to get back off his lap but Tazuna pulled her in close to him, moved her hair to one shoulder, and began nibbling on her neck. Ellainna arched her back in pleasure and leaned into him. She loved the attention she could get from men, especially older ones. She enjoyed how she could have them wrapped around her finger. All she had to do was bat her lashes and whisper in their ears; flash a smile and blush; or even just wink at them from across the room and they were like putty. She could get anything she wanted with a smile and wink. And yet...
Tazuna kissed his way up from Ellainna's neck to the corner of her lips and she pulled away, sighing. Tazuna rested his hands on Ellainna's hips and chuckled.
"I take you're not staying the night tonight either?"
Ellainna shook her head and got off his lap.
"I never do."
She turned to walk towards the stairs up to the room she had been resting in the past few days. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and addressed him before she climbed the stairs and went to bed.
"Good night...Thanks for the Sake."
Ellainna laid in bed, unable to stop thinking long enough to fall asleep. Even with the liquor clouding her mind, she couldn't stop worrying. Sasuke almost died. He was almost gone. And he never got to...She shook her head, trying to clear it, only for thoughts of Kakashi to come flooding in. Kakashi was...different. She didn't feel like she had to wink and smile and play games around him, nor did she really want to. And it was so easy for her to be herself in his presence. She could be as silly or serious or strong-willed as she pleased and he wouldn't look at her any different. She didn't understand why he was different. She just knew he was. She didn't want these feelings for him to expand but they did anyway. She didn't understand why she was so drawn to him, and she didn't want to be. Why couldn't she 'be drawn' to Sasuke. That would make her life significantly easier. Maybe she could give him the happily ever after he wants and he wouldn't chase after a perilous dream. Maybe she'd be enough of a dream for him.
She nodded her head as though making a decision. Sasuke was safe. Sasuke was comfortable and familiar. She knew Sasuke, she understood Sasuke, she could see something with Sasuke. Yes, Sasuke was the logical choice. Maybe if she put her attention on Sasuke, this silly affection she had for Kakashi would die down and dissipate. She turned on her side and smile, thinking she had solved a grueling puzzle. She closed her eyes and was finally able to rest.
Sasuke, Naruto, and Kakashi were all on bed rest until further notice as Tsunami and Sakura helped to nurse them back to health. Ellainna tried to help too but was still feeling the effects of the sake she drunk the previous night and was more of a bother than a help.
After they were bandaged up, Kakashi held a meeting as they decided what to do next.
"So, team," Kakashi began. "Good job on the bridge. You all survived!"
His joke didn't go over so well with his team. They all grimaced except Ellainna who giggled from the corner she was sitting in. She hiccupped and swayed and teetered drunkenly.
"Anyway, we've got to stay here until Tazuna finishes the bridge but that's good news because we've got to recuperate."
Ellainna nodded off in her little corner as her comrades continued to discuss things.
The men of team 7 found things to do to keep busy as they healed from their injuries the next few days while Sakura and Ellainna took charge of keeping an eye on Tazuna. The rest of the bridge building and guard watching went off without a hitch. The town seemed happier, more fruitful, and more prosperous than when they had initially arrived. Everything wasn't perfect or immediately fixed, but it was definitely a better quality of life than when Team 7 arrived.
The afternoon before they left, team 7 found themselves at Zabuza and Haku's gravesites, visiting one last time. Sakura inquired if that was the kind of life that she and her fellow comrades had to look forward to as they grew older and became more skilled and capable shinobi. Kakashi reasoned why Zabuza and Haku weren't fully faulty in their way of thinking. It was even that way in the Leaf Village. Sasuke and Naruto challenged him why it was that way.
"It's a question without an answer. And one we have to face every day of our lives. Like Zabuza. And the Kid."
Naruto thought on what Kakashi said and concluded that he was going to do something different.
"I'm finding my own Ninja Way! A way that's true and straight and without any regrets. From now on, I'm following the way of Naruto!"
Kakashi chuckled warmly and Ellainna cheered.
"I wanna follow that way too," She said, encouraging Naruto and being silly. She stepped out like she was doing a lunge and pumped her fist in the air. Naruto cheered right back and they began talking amongst themselves.
After dinner that night, Sasuke went outside to clear his mind. He was lucky to be alive. He was glad he was alive. He sat down and looked up at the night sky pensively. He paid no mind when the door slid open and Ellainna sat beside him. She pulled her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms around them.
"Whatcha thinking about," she asked.
Sasuke shrugged. "I almost died...I think that calls for a bit of reflection."
Ellainna leaned back and looked at Sasuke. "Yeah...How are you feeling? You okay?"
Sasuke shrugged again but didn't answer this time.
"You," he asked, still looking at the night sky. Ellainna tenderly put her hand over Sasuke's and looked at the sky, trying to pretend it wasn't a big deal. However, Sasuke looked at Ellainna, confused.
He opened his mouth to say something but Ellainna beat him to the punch.
"Don't read into it. It's not a big deal."
Sasuke grinned, realizing what was going on. "No...Say it."
There's nothing to say. Just...enjoy life," Ellainna chuckled.
"Sure there is."
"No there isn't."
Sasuke laced his fingers into hers. "if you're doing this, you have to actually say it, Ellainna."
Ellainna rolled her eyes and looked at Sasuke. She opened her mouth to say what was on her mind but decided against it at the last minute. Her cheeks grew hot and her face grew beet red.
"Nope! Can't! Sorry!."
She hopped up and rushed off back inside the house. Sasuke chuckled at her and went back to enjoying the cool night before trekking off to bed.
With the bridge now finished, it was time for Team 7 to end their mission and return home. They woke up and packed their things as swiftly as they could. Ellainna went to the boys' room looking for Sasuke. Naruto had already packed up and was complaining loudly for everyone to hurry up. Sakura, not wanting to miss a moment to scold and demean Naruto, was standing outside with him doing just that. Kakashi was still packing his things when Ellainna entered the room so she made a face and stuck her tongue out at him.
"You guys are so slow," she said, leaning against the door way. "Let's go. Hurry, hurry."
She clapped her hands to reiterate her point and both Sasuke and Kakashi chuckled quietly at her. Kakashi finished packing first and walked out the room. He pat her on the head as he passed by and went outside with Naruto and Sakura.
Sasuke finished soon after and walked up to Ellainna. She leaned out to make sure no one else was in the house and then shut the door.
"Look..." she said as she looked around in defiance. "I don't really talk about my feelings."
"Right," Sasuke responded.
"So..."
"Yes?"
Ellainna pointed her finger at Sasuke and loudly proclaimed, "You almost died! You..."
She hugged him tightly and buried her face in his shoulder. "I thought...I thought I lost you. You were hurt and..."
Sasuke rubbed Ellainna's back soothingly.
"It made me realize...I didn't...I'm not...I don't want to lose you. Okay?
She looked up him contentiously.
"Happy? I spilled my guts for you."
Sasuke chuckled and kissed her forehead.
"Yes."
Ellainna stood up and turned on her heel. "Good. You better appreciate it. It's not happening again."
She opened the door and walked out, Sasuke following behind her. She turned to him and said, "I don't do that for everybody." She turned back forward and Sasuke chuckled again. They met with the rest of their team and they all took off towards the bridge.
As they prepared to leave, the entire village came to wish Team 7 farewell. Tazuna thanked them for their help and Tsunami wished them safe travels. Kakashi thanked the village for their generous hospitality. Naruto reassured Tazuna that they'd come back to visit them and Inari teared up.
"You swear, Naruto?"
Naruto started to tear up as well. "Of course. You know, Inari, it's alright to cry if you want. There's nothing wrong with that. Go for it."
Inari's nose ran a little, but he held fast to not letting his tears fall. "Who says I wanna cry? Anyway, if there's nothing wrong with it, then why don't you cry?"
"No, you first," Naruto said, straining himself.
They tried to play macho man and stared at each other, waiting for the other to break.
"Oh forget it," Naruto cried, turning his back. They both began to cry waterfalls. Ellainna started laughing and Team 7 walked off towards home. As they walked across the bridge, Ellainna linked her arm around Sasuke's and snaked it down to hold his hand. He smirked and put their hands in his pocket so it wasn't immediately obvious.
"As soon as we get back, I'm gonna let Iruka-sensei fix me up a whole mess of ramen to celebrate a mission accomplished," Naruto exclaimed happily. "Oh! And just wait 'til I tell Konohamaru about all my adventures! The kid's gonna worship me!"
Ellainna twirled her finger on Sasuke's shoulder affectionately. He looked at her and smiled and she stuck her tongue out and giggled.
"Oh, hey," Sakura said.
"Yeah," Naruto asked expectantly.
"Not you, Naruto. Sasuke! When we get back, you wanna go out and do something together?"
Ellainna pinched Sasuke and he bit his tongue to keep from laughing. He considered for a split-second taking Sakura up on her offer to bother Ellainna but quickly decided against it. He didn't want to deal with the handful that is Sakura.
"Uh, I don't think so. Thanks."
Sakura stopped, dejected, and solemnly said, "Oh. Okay."
Naruto stopped too, attempting to cheer her up and earn brownie points. "Sakura, I'd do something with you if you want."
"What?!" Sakura grabbed Naruto by his jacket and shook him angrily. "Hey, that was a private conversation! Beat it!"
Sakura punched Naruto over the bridge and he went flying into the water below.
"Then next time try not having your private conversation from across the bridge, idiot," Ellainna said as Kakashi sighed in exasperation.
"Oh, yeah," Sakura said.
Ellainna sighed as she thought about how long the trip back home would be but reveled in the relaxation she was going to enjoy when they got there. Ellainna leaned against Sasuke and sighed again, this time in joy. The mission was a success and they were all coming out of it alive. Maybe she'd get used to being on a team after all.