Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Legend of Zelda.

Chapter two: Enter Demon of the Mist

Link missed Epona. He missed her company, he missed taking care of her every day and talking to her even if she couldn't answer back just to pass the time, but most of all Link missed riding her. Link wasn't a lazy person, in fact he was used to walking and even running long distances, but it was nice to be able to get farther, faster. He had found a path some six miles back and had walked a total of ten miles, which in his opinion was pretty good for a three-hour hike. However, if he had had Epona, he probably would have found a village by now. Link stretched his arms over his head and looked at the clouds above him. He wondered how his village was doing. Had Mito annoyed Saria to insanity yet with his crush? Was Malon training horses still? How were Princess Zelda and Impa getting along now that they had no Ganondorf to worry about? As Link was thinking he heard the sound of carefully, quiet footsteps. He waited for a few moments until the person sneaking up on him was close enough before quickly drawing his sword and turning to meet the intruder. His blade clashed loudly with another and soon him and his unknown adversary were trading blows.

Link looked carefully at the man he was fighting. He was tall and muscular and swung his giant blade skillfully, leaving no openings for Link to exploit. He wore dark grey pants and a blue leather strap across his chest, most likely to hold his sword. Small, black eyes bore into Link's own as they fought, but Link was unable to see the rest of his face due to the strips of cloth that hid it from view. Forcing the man to break a deadlock they had been in for some time, Link was able to get a few feet away and finally speak to his attacker.

"Can I help you?" Link asked in a painfully polite voice.

"This ain't no place for a noble's son boy, though I must thank you for at least givin' me a fight before I take your head!" The man replied with a mock bow.

"I can assure you sir that I am no more than a simple farm-hand. I currently have no money, nor any idea as to where I might be. I'm sorry to disappoint, though I am glad you think highly of my skills as a swordsman." Link said, trying to reassure the man that he had nothing of value.

"That so? Well it would be a waste to back down now! Show me what ya' got, farm boy!" He said as he rushed forward once more. Link was able to see the shark-like grin that adorned his face even through his cloth mask, before once more they were plunged into battle. Their blades met with loud metallic rings as they clashed and Link could feel sweat soaking his tunic. Suddenly the man disappeared from view and Link nearly faltered. Quickly listening to his instincts he ducked turned and brought his blade up once more to grind against his foe's. Link thanked the Goddesses that his battles with Ganondorf had prepared him for this. This man he fought was an even better swordsman than Ganondorf and Link had to wonder where he had trained. Link didn't have more than a moment to ponder this, though, as not seconds later he disappeared again and this time Link wasn't prepared for the dual attack that came at him. Quickly picking himself up from the base of the tree that he had been thrown against, Link looked towards the man he had been fighting.

"There are two of you." He managed to gasp out as he braced himself against the tree. Link had fought many battles but he had never been this injured by a single blow before! The man laughed at his surprise.

"Ya' never seen a bunshin b'fore? Ain't fought many ninja have you?"

"No, I have fought a few, but they were not as skilled as you." Link agreed. He knew he was in trouble now. That last blow had done more than wind him and though he had experience against multiple foes, he wasn't sure if he could take on two opponents of this man's skill.

"Your way better than I thought were you going to be, I'll give you that. You're probably the best swordsman I've fought outside of the Mist seven and you're just a kid. Given more training an' time ya' could be the best swordsman in the world." The stranger said throwing his giant blade over his shoulder, "Could use some endurance training that's for sure, if that lil' love tap hurt you so badly," his shark-like grin was back with a vengeance.

"Than you, but I still wish to know what it is you want from me. Were you merely testing my skills?" Link questioned trying to stand up straight and failing miserably. The man gave a dark chuckle at Link predicament.

"Not at first, no, But ya' got the right stuff. What's your name gaki?"

"Link," he replied, "and yours?"

"I'm called Zabuza, though I'm sometimes affectionately referred to as the Demon of the Hidden Mist." Link questioned the man's sanity, but gave a nod before collapsing at the base of the tree. Link really hoped the guy didn't want to fight anymore because he was pretty sure that he had a few broken ribs.

"I didn't screw ya' up too bad did I gaki? Wouldn't want ya' to die on me." Zabuza said sounding more amused than concerned.

"I have had worse injuries than a couple broken ribs. Give me a minute to rest and I shall fight you again if you wish." Link said desperately hoping that Zabuza would decline his offer. Said man laughed at his words.

"You couldn't fight even if ya' wanted to, but I'm glad ya' got pluck!" Link merely waved a hand at him as a reply before leaning his head back against the tree and closing his eyes. He hadn't been this tired since he had fought Ganondorf and had hoped he wouldn't have to go through that again, but apparently the Goddesses had a different plan. Once again Link asked himself if the Goddesses used him more for amusement. After Link had regained his breath he reached into his tunic for his ocarina. Zabuza, who had been suspiciously quiet the past couple minutes, sent him a questioning look. Link ignored him in favor of playing the Song of Healing. He quickly regained his strength and taking the instrument from his lips, placed it back in his bag.

"You used that flue thing to heal yourself?" Zabuza asked, looking a little surprised.

"An ocarina." Link said, "It's called an ocarina, yes, I played the Song of Healing. It is a melody passed down through my people and taught to all Hylian children. There are many such songs, but that was the one I was in need of." Link said cautiously.

"What other things can ya' do with it?" Came the interested question.

"I can call on certain beasts should I need their aid." Link said wondering if it was a good Idea to give him the information. "I can make the wind blow in a certain direction, make it rain, or even turn the night to day and vice versa. However, we are taught not to use our powers unless it is needed."

"Interesting." Came Zabuza's reply. "Is it a blood-limit?"

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"Is it something that only your people can do?" Zabuza clarified.

"Yes, humans are unable to tap into the ability."

"Your not human?" He asked surprised.

"No, I am Hylian. You can tell a Hylian from a human by the shape of their ears." Link said, somewhat amused by the man's surprise. "Our ears are pointed and our hearing and eyesight and much better."

"Huh, I hadn't noticed your ears b'fore." He replied staring at his ears with mild fascination. Link shifted, somewhat uncomfortably, under his gaze.

"What else can ya' do?" He asked.

"I can sing rather well." Link said teasingly. Zabuza snorted in amusement.

"Ain't got any other tricks then?"

"I'm afraid not." He replied. Before the conversation could continue however, a white blur dropped down from the trees above. Link was a little startled, but didn't show it, as Zabuza seemed to recognize the masked figure.

"The Demon Brothers have failed." Came the soft voice of the stranger.

"How?" Zabuza asked, eyes narrowing in displeasure.

"Hatake Kakashi led a group of genin to escort the bridge builder to Wave."

"I see."

"The Uchiha heir was with him and took out Meizu. The Copycat took out Gõzu." The Masked guy said. Link noticed that he spoke to Zabuza with respect and devotion. Link was a little lost on what they were talking about, but it was obvious that the thin, black haired youth was dedicated to Zabuza.

"It seems that we will have to part ways my pointy-eared friend, but don't think this will be the last you see of me. I plan to take you under my wing and teach ya' how to be a real swordsman." Zabuza said standing and throwing his large sword over a shoulder.

"For my sake I hope you never find me. I get the feeling your lessons would contain more pain than I wish to endure." Link stated. He was glad to see the somewhat insane man go, though he was glad that they had met. It would seem he had more training to do.

"Probably!" Zabuza laughed, "I'll see ya' later gaki," and with that he and his masked companion disappeared into the woods. Link let out a small sigh of relief and, standing, brushed off his tunic and continued in the direction he had been going before being interrupted. As he walked He wondered what else was in store for him in these new lands.