Lionheart: Chapter 11 is now ready. Thanks for all the reviews once again, even if there weren't that many.

Summary: In the Land of Waves, the three Genin of team seven have just survived an assault by one of the seven legendary mist Shinobi…Zabuza Momochi, demon of the mist. In a weakened condition, Sasuke carries an unconscious Kakashi, and a considerably wounded Naruto towards Tazuna's house. What awaits them…? DUN!

Forest of Chakra! A Time of Learning

A hazy image of a room appeared, slowly coming into focus. Attempting to move, Kakashi suddenly groaned. He could feel weak and he knew his chakra was low. 'Ugh, I think I overdid it with my Sharingan.' Kakashi suddenly heard footsteps coming. Shifting his eyes downward, he saw a young woman approaching him. She looked to e in her twenties.

"Waking up huh? Are you alright?" Her tone was one of irritation, but Kakashi could see the faint concern in her eyes. She was obviously worried, concluded Kakashi.

"I've been better," admitted Kakashi, with a small chuckle. "It'll be a week," he began struggling to sit up, "before I can move…normally." He said the last part with a small amount of discomfort." The lady in front of him sighed, "See, it's better if you don't move, so just lie down."

Kakashi nodded and fell onto his back. "Yeah, you're right." Sudden footsteps could be heard and Sakura peeked her head around the door. "Sensei, are you all right? We've all been worried." Kakashi eyed her. "Listen Sensei, I know the Sharingan is amazing and everything, but if it puts so much strain on you…well, maybe you shouldn't use it." "Sorry," was Kakashi's brief reply.

Sakura's feet shuffled around a bit, and her hands were behind her back. She obviously wanted to say something. "What is it, Sakura," asked Kakashi. "Is it Naruto or Sasuke? Where are they anyway?"

Sakura gulped. "Well, Sasuke managed to get both of you back all right, but he soon collapsed afterwards and he hasn't woken up since. And Naruto…well he still has that huge gash on his stomach, although it looks like he's going to make a full recovery. They're both in the other room right now." Tazuna grinned, "Well, we shouldn't have to worry too much. I doubted that boy, but he's all right. I mean you guys managed to defeat one of the most dangerous and elite ninja, so we should be safe for awhile."

"Hm," pondered Kakashi, aloud, "Well, I'm not too worried about them. Both of them have exceeded all expectations I had for them. I'm sure they will be fine, but that boy from the elite tracking ninja of the hidden village of mists. I could tell he was one y the mask he wore. Only the most elite Shinobi are permitted to wear those." Sakura looked up, "You mean that boy, who killed Zabuza, he's an elite ninja?" "Yes, he is."

"Well, what do they do? I mean, I know I've seen guys like that around our village, but usually they're guarding the Hokage or something." Kakashi nodded, "True, among their tasks, they must protect the current Hokage and other missions of the sort that involve being bodyguards. But…The ANBU Black Ops as they are called, also known as the Inferno Squad, have another more dangerous task. Even more dangerous than normal assassinations missions." Sakura, Tazuna, and his daughter all shuddered slightly as they listened.

"They're job is to hunt down rogue ninja, who've betrayed the village, and wipe out all traces of them. A ninja's body contains many secrets, chakra, ninjutsu, and medicines that were used on the body, in other words secrets of his village. That's why, it is the job of the ANBU to destroy all traces of the body, so their secrets remain safe. I say it's more dangerous than a normal assassination because most times, the rogue ninja are incredibly powerful and skilled ones. Like Zabuza." Sakura gulped, "Well, Sensei about that. You said the same thing Naruto told me and so we have come to believe that…"

Kakashi tensed, beginning to realize what his students must have thought of.

Meanwhile

Haku leaned over Zabuza's body and made to take off the bandages with some scissors. He was interrupted as Zabuza's eyes shot open and he grabbed Haku's hand. Ripping off the bandage, he shouted, "That's enough. I'll do it," he said.

Haku leaned back, giving him some room. "So…you've already come back to life." Zabuza grunted and coughed as he sat up slowly. He felt weak all over and his neck was numb. His eyes were bloodshot and he could feel something in his neck. Zabuza felt the pointed tip of the Senbon needle. "ARGH," he groaned in agony as he pulled one out, "Damnit, Haku, you're brutal."

Haku smirked, "You're the one that's brutal, Zabuza. Keep pulling it out like that, and you'll really be finished." Zabuza stared at Haku with one of annoyance, before pulling out the other needle. Finally feeling his neck again…somewhat…he turned to Haku. At first glance the only thing he saw was the mask.

"Hmph, how long are you planning to wear that fake mask? Take it off already," he commanded. Haku shrugged and removed the mask, while saying, "I have good memories of this mask, and plus, I needed it to get you away from Kakashi. You know I have intervened you would be dead now, just as I said it would happen." Zabuza scoffed, though he knew the boy was right.

"Fine, putting me in a temporary death state…Fine, but not through the pressure points in my neck." Zabuza covered his mouth with the bandage again, while glaring at Haku. "Brutal as usual, I think you enjoy it." Haku smiled again, "It was the only sure way, and I wouldn't want to mark up your flawless body. You'd complain about that even more," he said, with a blush.

Zabuza grunted as he tried to stand. "There's no point, Zabuza, your body will be numb for at least a week. But then again," she added with an afterthought, "If you are stubborn as always, it'll probably be half." "You're so innocent, and clever at the same time, a rare combination. That's why I keep you around." Haku shrugged, "I'm just a kid, what else do you expect"

To Haku's surprise, Zabuza did expect something. "Why didn't you just kill them all of them right there," muttered Zabuza. Haku paused, a blank stare in his eyes. "Weren't you the one who said you were going to take care of them all by yourself," said Haku evasively. "You're not answering the question." "I've already given you my answer, Zabuza…I want to fight those two on my own."

"Fine, whatever, just make sure you are just as brutal to them as you were to me." Haku smiled. Zabuza stared at it, shaking his head. He then looked down and thought about the battle. "I didn't think those two would be so strong…" Zabuza grasped his stomach. "Damned, brat, he almost stabbed me in my lung."

Haku grinned this time. "I told you, Zabuza." Zabuza grunted in disagreement. "You never told me they're tactics and abilities were those of jounin level. I was under the impression I was fighting one Jounin, two kids, and a worthless girl. I'm pretty sure, and I definitely know you saw it too, that I was fighting three Jounin level Shinobi."

Haku smiled, "Well…there was always the worthless girl you could have used to your advantage." "Oh yeah, try and kill the girl, while at the same time, fighting desperately to keep Kakashi caged, and those two little runts off my back. Real easy, let's see you try." Haku chuckled, but then became serious. "Will you be alright next time?" Zabuza sneered, "Next time, I'll see right through their Sharingan, and to even the fight a little, I'll bring some additional help."

"Just as long as you leave those two boys to me," said Haku. Zabuza shrugged, "Whatever."

Tazuna's House

Naruto interrupted their conversation, stumbling into the room. "NARUTO, what are you doing out of bed," exclaimed Sakura. However, she suddenly saw Sasuke, and she ran past Naruto. "Oh, Sasuke, you're okay."

Naruto twitched, while Kakashi and everyone else in the room sweat dropped. "Hi, Sakura," said Sasuke, emotionlessly. "So, Sakura, what were you saying Naruto said," interrupted Kakashi, trying to help Sasuke, who was beginning to look uncomfortable. Sakura turned in mid hug. "Hm? Oh, that…well." She stammered and blundered over her words.

"It's really stupid, sensei," said Sakura, finally. "Just tell me, Sakura." "Oh, I'll tell him," interrupted Naruto, to Sakura's relief. "Well, Kakashi Sensei, that guy that took Zabuza away was an ANBU tracker ninja right?" Kakashi's eyes narrowed somewhat, but he nodded, "Yes, what of it?" "Well, since ANBU don't want dead ninja to carry the secrets of a village don't they usually totally obliterate the ninja on the spot? You know…so there's no room for mistakes or accidents." Kakashi nodded, "I see what you mean now."

Sakura also realized what Naruto was implying. She gulped in terror. "So, does it mean that Zabuza is really…that he's…alive?" "Yes," said Sasuke, adding his two cents. Sakura and Tazuna both gulped. "But isn't this just a theory, we don't actually have any real proof, maybe that ninja didn't want to slaughter him in front of the kids' eyes," interrupted Tazuna. "No," said Kakashi, "Think about it. Like Naruto and I said, ANBU eliminate rogue ninja on the spot. Sakura, do you remember what that ninja did when he took Zabuza?"

Sakura frowned, "Well, I don't really know. He just disappeared with Zabuza's body, I guess taking it somewhere." "Exactly, but why? He should have worked on Zabuza right then and there. As quickly as possible. Why didn't he?" Sakura couldn't come up with a logical explanation.

"Think of the weapons he used now. Do you remember what they were?"

Sakura tried to recall what weapons were used, but couldn't. "Senbon needles," answered Naruto, "Not really an assassin's weapons." "Right, it doesn't add up," said Kakashi. "Senbon are very precise weapons. They can puncture deeply, but are rarely fatal unless they hit a vital spot, NOT in the neck. They're modified from medical needles like those used in acupuncture. Tracker ninja, like the one we saw are trained to know every detail of the body. Stopping the heart, while keeping the body alive is an easy matter for them."

Kakashi paused, and sat up. "Now, let's think this through. First, the tracker ninja carried Zabuza's body away, even though it's much heavier than he is. Second, he used senbon needles, which have a precise affect, but are rarely fatal. From these two factors we can conclude that the tracker ninja wasn't trying to destroy Zabuza, he was trying to save him!"

Tazuna grunted, "C'mon you're over thinking this aren't you?" Kakashi shook his head, "Encountering suspicion, the ninja prepares quickly, hesitation leads to disaster.

Every Shinobi knows this saying.

Tazuna snorted, "You saw the guy dead though, I mean you even said it yourself." "Wrong," said Kakashi, surprising everyone, "I said his heart stopped if you recalled. I never said he was dead." "But…his heart stopped, isn't that like dying?"

"True, it is, but what if the heart were to start beating again. Then he would come back to life." Tazuna scratched his head, confused. "I don't get it, how can a heart stop beating then start up again?" "Pressure points," answered Sasuke.

"Right," said Kakashi, "So, it means we will have to accept it. Zabuza is alive, and next time he will undoubtedly bring more ninja to fight us…to finish us once and for all." Nobody in the room spoke. Kakashi could see most of them were thinking, perhaps thinking about going home. "It's…" Before Kakashi could finish, Naruto shouted, "WHO CARES, SENSEI. WE'LL DEFEAT ANYTHING THAT COMES OUR WAY. Because we're a team," he said, softly."

Everyone gaped at Naruto. 'Naruto…,' thought Kakashi, in deep surprise. 'When did Naruto get so smart,' thought Sakura. 'What a kid,' thought Tazuna and his daughter. "Baka," said Sasuke. "Quiet down, brat. I teach you, I give you energy, I even gave you life, and you can't shut up for one moment."

Naruto nearly laughed when he saw everyone looking at him. "Sorry," he murmured. Kakashi laughed, "Well said, Naruto." Sasuke grinned, and Sakura smiled slightly. Kakashi nodded to himself; impressed by the way Naruto had dispelled everyone's fear. 'This kid is really something.'

"Wait, sensei," interrupted Sakura, "You said in that saying we have to prepare quickly. But how can we do that, if you can barely walk, and Naruto has a huge wound." "Oh, it's not that bad," interrupted, Naruto. He jumped up, but winced slightly, feeling the pain in his chest. Tsunami sighed. "Why don't you go and rest a little bit." Naruto began to complain and whine, but Kakashi silenced him, and he sat down.

"I agree," said Kakashi. "Sasuke, Naruto, when we're done talking here, I want you to go back to your rooms to rest." Sasuke twitched, while Naruto jumped up, ignoring the pain this time. "WHAT!" Kakashi sighed. There were just some things you couldn't stomp out of Naruto. "Anyway," said Kakashi, ignoring Naruto, who stood there, fuming, "In the meantime I will train Sakura."

"What, but sensei, what good is last minute training going to be? I mean you were barely able to defeat Zabuza, and that was with your Sharingan. We have to reasonable about this." "What! Are you trying to get us killed? CHA!"

Kakashi sighed, "Sakura! Why was I able to defeat Zabuza? Because you all helped me. You've grown, and Naruto!" Naruto looked up from his argument with Kyuubi about training. "Huh?" "You've grown the most," he said, with a wink. Naruto paused in the middle of thinking of a retort. 'Did Kakashi sensei just compliment me?' "You loser," interrupted Sasuke.

Sakura stared at Naruto. 'Well, it's true, Naruto has gotten stronger and more mature,' she thought. 'She nothing like that old prankster, he's actually starting to turn out like a real Shinobi. I wonder what happened with the old Naruto?' Naruto beamed, "Of course, I knew you would notice," boasted Naruto, "I'm just that great."

Sasuke and Kyuubi both gagged, while Sakura twitched, taking whatever she had thought about Naruto. Kakashi laughed, but was interrupted by a mean voice. "I don't believe you." Everyone turned to see a young boy, roughly Naruto's age and size. He had a sad looked to face, one full of sorrow. He had a white hat on and white shirt. "Who are you," asked Sakura.

"Ahh, Inari, where have you been," asked Tazuna, answering Sakura's question. "Welcome back, Grandpa," shouted the boy, Inari, and ran towards him. They embraced, while Tsunami scolded the boy. "Inari, that was very rude. These ninja helped your grandpa and brought him here safely." Tazuna laughed, "It's okay…it's okay, I'm rude to them too."

"Mom," shouted Inari, "Don't you see, these people are going to die. Gato and his men are going to come and find them and wipe them out," he whined. Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other, eyebrows raised. "What a brat," said Naruto. "Hmph, why don't you correct him, then loser?" "Why me?" shouted Naruto. "Better you than me," said Sasuke with a shrug.

Naruto sighed. "Look, kid," began Naruto. "This Gato guy, will never be able to defeat me, because I'm going to become Hokage one day." Inari scoffed, "Pfft, you're just an idiot with stupid ideas. If you want to survive why don't you go back to where you came from."

Naruto lost his head and started to approach, "WHAT'S THAT, BRAT! Sakura grabbed him, "NO! Naruto." Sasuke shook his head, 'Baka.' Inari sneered at them, before walking away. Tazuna raised a hand, "Wait, Inari, where are you going?" Inari shrugged as he opened the door, "To look at the ocean. I want to be alone." He shut the door rather forcefully, while Tazuna apologized.

"It's quite okay," said Kakashi. "Anyway, Naruto, Sasuke you two can go get some rest now." Naruto and Sasuke nodded, and disappeared behind the doorway. "Sakura," called Kakashi, "Why don't you get some rest too. We have a long day tomorrow." Sakura nodded, "Sure, sensei." She too, disappeared behind the door, while Kakashi laid down to rest.

Much later, Naruto awoke, staring at the sun outside the window. 'Still day, huh?' "Hey, Sasuke." Naruto got no answer, so he figured the Uchiha was still asleep. Meanwhile, he went off to the bathroom. On the way, he passed Inari's room. He figured the boy was crying in there. Sure enough, Naruto heard sobs as he passed the doorway. "No, daddy, no," bawled the kid, over his gasps for breath. Naruto thoughts flashed back to years ago, when he had been just like that, always wanting a parent. The two of them weren't so different. "Hey, brat," came Kyuubi's voice. "You should really talk to him you know." Naruto smiled. "Not yet, Kyuubi, not yet."

The Next Day

Kakashi walked towards the middle of a clearing on his crutches. Sakura followed him curiously, wondering what she would be doing.

"Alright, Sakura, if you didn't know…training begins now." Sakura sweat dropped, 'I figured that much,' she thought. "First, we will begin with…" Kakashi suddenly turned and looked upwards. Fearing something was there, Sakura turned and saw Naruto and Sasuke. Her eyes narrowed. "You guys…I thought I told you to stay in bed," said Kakashi, with a frown.

"Aww, sensei, we're okay, we want to train too." Kakashi sighed, "Fine, whatever, come down then. Wait right there on that log." The two Genin leapt down, from the branch they had been on, eager to train. "I told you getting caught was a good idea," bragged Naruto.Sasuke shrugged. "Never said it wasn't," argued Sasuke. Naruto tried to think of a reply, but couldn't, so he sat down on a log and watched Kakashi instruct Sakura. Sasuke landed beside him and sat down.

"Now, Sakura, to continue what I was saying let's go over a simple basic exercise, that will teach you control over your chakra." Sakura nodded, "So, what do I do?" "Hehe," chuckled Kakashi, walking over to a tree. "All you have to do…is climb a tree."

Sakura sweat dropped. "Climb a tree! Is that is?" Kakashi stared at her surprised, "Are you good at it?" Sakura laughed, "Here I'll show you sensei." Kakashi sat back and watched. Sakura rolled up her sleeves and wrapped her arms around the tree. "STOP!" Sakura released her hands in a hurry, startled.

"I forgot to tell you the one rule…no hands." Sakura's mouth dropped open, and her cheeks flushed, since she felt embarrassed she had gotten corrected in front of Sasuke. "You've got to be kidding me," she said. Kakashi chuckled, "Am I?" He placed his hands together a small amount of dirt and chakra began to move near his feet in an arc.

Kakashi then began walking towards a large oak tree, and much to Sakura's surprise placed his feet on it. He then put his other foot on and miraculously didn't fall of. He continued slowly walking up the trunk until he found a branch. He began walking along this thick branch to the point where he was upside down. "Straight up," said Sakura, unbelievable, "Using only his feet."

"You get the point," said Kakashi, "Anyway, you try. Focus your chakra toward the soles of your feet and have it connect with the tree. This is one way to apply the power of chakra."

"What about Naruto and Sasuke?" "Hm? Oh those two, will do something else, seeing as they probably won't be as good as you at this." While, Sakura's confidence went up, Naruto and Sasuke both twitched and their face darkened. 'Kakashi-Sensei,' they both thought, venomously.

"Wait, Sensei," called Sakura, suddenly, just as she reached the trunk of the tree. "This is a nice trick and all, but how dies it help me fight Zabuza?" "It's the only way to fight him, Sakura," said Kakashi. "That's the goal of this training. First, you'll learn to draw a precise amount of chakra to a precise point in your body. This is a difficult training, even for advanced ninja. And to make it more difficult, the bottoms of your feet are the most difficult place to focus chakra. The second point is to maintain chakra levels. When a ninja is focused in battle, it is very difficult to maintain chakra levels, which can lead to very deadly results. Therefore, maintaining chakra must become second nature to you…effortless. Do you get the picture now, Sakura? If you can master this, you'll be able to master any jutsu…well theoretically."

"Anyway," continued Kakashi, "I can talk all about this all day, but that won't further your skills. You need to apply this in training. So," said Kakashi, throwing a kunai to Sakura. "Use this to mark your progress as you make your way up the tree. You'll need to run at the tree so your momentum takes you as high as possible…that is until you get used to it."

Sakura nodded and picked up the kunai. She placed her hands together and then ran towards the tree. "She's going to make it," said Naruto. Sasuke nodded. They weren't disappointed as Sakura sped up the tree, flawlessly, and finished by sitting on the branch. "Hey this is fun," she called. Kakashi appeared surprised, "Well, it appears the female on our team excels at chakra control and maintaining it. Good work, Sakura."

"Hey, Sasuke, who don't you try it," shouted Sakura. Kakashi was about to object, but he decided against it. He wanted to check something first. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, though, after a nudge by Naruto decided to. He was bored anyway. Without making a hand sign, Sasuke focused the chakra to his feet, and began to walk up the tree. "This is so pointless. We did this for ten hours that first day." "Oi, nothing is pointless, brat," shouted Kyuubi, "That's it no new jutsu today."

As Sasuke climbed the tree, he began coming up with ways to kill Kyuubi, though sadly none of them turned out right. "Okay, Naruto you next," stated Kakashi, once Sasuke had made it up. Naruto, as Sasuke had done before him, focused his chakra easily and began to climb the tree. He made it up easily and then, all three Genin turned to Kakashi.

"Kakashi, what next, we mastered this exercise," stated Sakura. Kakashi sweat dropped. He had just realized that he hadn't expected Sakura to master the exercise so quickly. He quickly made an excuse. "True, but Sakura, I want you to have some more practice at it, before we continue. Stand upside down on this branch until we return. We shouldn't be too long." Sakura nodded, and Kakashi beckoned for Naruto and Sasuke to follow him.

They walked deeper into the forest, leaving Sakura to her training. Kakashi found a small shady area, under a large tree. He landed beside, and the two Genin followed suit. Kakashi got right down to business, "Now, Naruto…Sasuke. I want you two to tell me a little but more about yourselves."

Sasuke and Naruto exchanged glances. "Uh-oh," taunted Kyuubi. "W-what do you mean, Kakashi sensei. Didn't we do this the first day we met," asked Naruto. Kakashi, "Yes, but at that time I wasn't expecting my Genin to be able to single-handedly be able to fight on equal standings with an elite jounin. So let me ask you again," said Kakashi, this time a little more commandingly, "Tell me about yourselves, your abilities, and what you've been trying to hide."

Sasuke sighed. Naruto frowned, but figured there was no way out of this one. "Well, sensei, can you keep a promise first?" Kakashi frowned, "We'll see, depends on what you want me to promise." Naruto gulped, "Right, now the information we give. We need you to keep it quiet from everyone, especially the Hokage," said Naruto.

Kakashi became suspicious. "That's a big secret to keep. I can promise I won't reveal this to anyone except the Hokage and Sakura. Sakura, because she is your teammate and deserves to know, and the Hokage because he needs to know. Now, what do you have to say?"

Sasuke and Naruto sighed. They would have to trust his promise. Sasuke spoke first, telling of how they came from the future, by Kyuubi's means, and how the three were connected. At this point, Kakashi interrupted. "What? You're connected to Kyuubi?" "Yeah, we can talk to each other, and that's pretty much it."

Kakashi sat back, "I see, continue." Naruto continued from where Sasuke left off, explaining how they learned their jutsus from many different ninjas, most notably Jiriaya and Orochimaru, two of the legendary Sannins. Kakashi frowned, though he did not interrupt this time. "I see…so basically to sum this all up. Kyuubi saved you two after you died in the future. You were ANBU members, and you died after an elite ninja defeated you. During your time there you had collected numerous amounts of techniques from various ninjas around the world. So, now you're objective is to relive your land try not to die this time. However, this time, Kyuubi is mentally connected to both of you, so you can communicate together. Is that all?"

Naruto and Sasuke nodded, expecting Kakashi to yell at them. "Well, then, thank you for telling me, finally," said Kakashi, with a wink. "It certainly explains a lot of things you have shown me, especially how you two seem to be so close. Now there is one more thing I have to ask. Well…more like a request." Sasuke and Naruto gulped. "Yeah, sensei," asked Naruto?

"My request is, that anything you may know about the future, you keep to yourselves. I'm forbidding you to speak of any of it, unless it is something that you really wish me to know about that affects me or Konoha."

Naruto and Sasuke shifted again. Kakashi frowned "There's something isn't there?" "Well, Sensei, there is something, but we won't tell you yet, cause we're going to try and stop it." Kakashi smiled, "Alright, then, I'm placing a huge trust on you guys. Don't let me down."

Naruto and Sasuke nodded. "You're free to go," said Kakashi, "Rejoin, Sakura, and tell her I said you can return to the house." Naruto instantly left, but Sasuke stayed behind. "Kakashi, there's one other thing." Kakashi looked up. "About Orochimaru, he's planning to have me captured and is trying to use me as a host for a new body. He wants my Sharingan." Kakashi frowned, "Orochimaru?"

"Yes, he is the one who trained me in the art of snakes. I can summon snakes at will, and I can use powerful jutsu that might be considered forbidden." Kakashi chuckled, though he didn't find the situation funny at all. "Hrm, Sasuke, please don't tell me anymore. I don't want to jeapordize the future by all of this." And another things...well, let's not worry about that. Hurry up and return to your teammates." Sasuke nodded and vanished.

Kakashi immediately frowned. 'Orochimaru…so, you and Jiriaya are the reasons they are so strong. So, does that mean that they will …' Kakashi pushed the thoughts aside, he trusted his students with his life. He would never doubt then, and that was a promise to himself.

Lionheart: Well, as promised here's another chapter. Sorry I couldn't upload another. I should have another one up by Wednesday latest. Thanks for reading and please leave a reply.