Sorry for the late update. I have been busy with work and getting ready for college D: Thank you all for reviewing! I hope you enjoy the next installment!
"Well, at least we didn't miss this." offered Naruto to his teammates as they waited for Tazuna and Kakashi to arrive to the meet point.
Sakura only rolled her eyes, "We're lucky that we got the mission." dismissed the girl as she adjusted her pack strap.
Sasuke looked up from a weaponry scroll he was reading, "I highly doubt that luck is going to do us any good. Sooner or later, we will miss something important."
Naruto gave a frustrated sigh, "I know we royally screwed up. But we need to make sure this doesn't happen again. Ever"
"How can we do that?" questioned Sakura "We barely, well I, barely remember what happened. It's been so long…"
Sasuke gave a small nod of agreement, "The only thing I recall was the time I left Konoha, and even that, is hazy at best."
Naruto just sighed and promptly dropped on to the ground. "We all have forgotten haven't we?" He was met with complete silence.
Half an hour later, Kakashi and Tazuna appeared and they were most definitely late. Naruto was clearly in no mood for an explanation, "So, Kakashi, what was it this time? Saving a child? Getting lost on the road to life? Reading that lecherous book of yours? Seeing a black cat and walking around?" fumed the blonde in annoyance.
The other two genin seemed to share similar opinions as the both only glared at their sensei.
Kakashi only shrugged, "Well since you seem to know me so well, I guess we can just skip the routine and go."
Tazuna only looked around in confusion before taking a swig from his bottle. Inwardly the old man could not help but wonder if he was going to get out of this alive.
It was a silent walk. The only things that could be heard were the crunching of feet stepping on dead leaves and gravel. Tazuna for the most part kept to himself and Kakashi gave nary a peep as he was too absorbed in his book. The three genin were surprisingly quiet as well, walking a head of the two adults.
However, even though it was a silent walk, the three genin were nowhere near as quiet internally. "I think there was an earlier incident before we met with Zabuza" thought Sakura, a small frown on her face. She could not recall what exactly.
"That would be?" asked Sasuke as he looked around for any signs of abnormalities.
"Ah! Maybe it's something normal that we ignored last time. How about a tree?" suggested Naruto
Sakura shot a withering glare at the blonde. Said blonde only shrugged, "I was just saying."
Suddenly, Sasuke honed his sights to the ground, "Wait, I think I know what it was. It was a puddle that they jumped out from. I remember Kakashi was minced right after he passed by it, well his clone was."
"Who were they again?" asked Naruto with a frown as he too began to recall the incident.
"The Demon Brothers, I believe," muttered Sakura.
Naruto furrowed his brows, "We need to be careful. I'm sure Kakashi will keep a close eye on Tazuna so that gives us more leeway to look around for any puddles."
Sasuke and Sakura gave a small nod. They had some business to take care of.
Meanwhile, Kakashi was in deep in thought. It was not about the book he held but his team. At first, Kakashi had simply dismissed that his genin were just really focused and determined kids. However as time passed, there would be moments when they acted more like teenagers or adults than kids. It was strange. They took training to a whole new level. They went at everything he tossed them with a refreshing vigor that he had long thought to be a thing of the past. Mind you they still had a lot of training to go through before they could even think of defeating him one on one.
Plus, the way they interacted. It was a strange phenomenon. Initially, when he tested them, he couldn't help but admire they way they conducted their plan working almost perfect tandem. It was as if they were one mind, each knowing when to go. Contrary to the reports, they seemed to be really close to each other, more than just mere classmates. But considering the fact that they were only placed together a while ago, it seemed impossible that they could develop such a tight knitted bond. It takes months if not years to create such a partnership.
Something else he noticed was that it always seem like there was a silent conversation going on; something that he was not aware of. There would always be certain lapses of silence that seemed strangely out of place. Like what was happening now. Kakashi could not help but wonder just what this team was hiding as he absently flipped to the next page of his book. Shaking his head Kakashi dove deeper into his beloved book and soon was giggling insanely. Everyone else made no comment but discreetly moved away.
Sakura and Sasuke moved up next to Naruto and they walked a bit farther. To anyone else, it would have seemed like they were scouting ahead of the group, but their faces told a different story. They needed to nail some targets. Naruto was first to notice it before give a small gesture towards what he saw. There was a small chakra pulse emanating from the small puddle. Kakashi who had noticed the trade in signals raised his brow but did not bother to stop them.
The pink-haired girl casually walked towards the puddle. Just as she passed the liquid, she plunged her fist straight into the ground creating a huge crash. Tazuna yelped in surprise at the sudden quake, whereas the rest of team 7 stood in a fighting stance, surrounding their client. Sakura backed up towards the group, body posed to fend off anything that might come out. But nothing happened. Kakashi frowned before shrugging, "False alarm; but nice job. Let's get moving."
Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto were confused… What in the world was going on? They were sure that the demon brothers were in that puddle. However, they all continued to walk, tense and guarded. This stance paid off as mere moments later, trouble appeared.
Sasuke looked to his side in time to see. "Duck!" he yelled before pulling Tazuna, who was the closest to him, down.
Everyone else dropped to the ground; they were just in time. A small distance in front of them was a humongous sword wedged deeply into a tree. Standing on the sword was a man whos lower face was wrapped with bandages. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" said the man, malice thick in his tone.
Kakashi cursed profusely in his mind. Why did it have to be him, of all people? He had a funny feeling that something bad was going to happen, but to this extreme? Why did those first missions always end up dangerous? Kakashi had seen this man in the bingo books and if he remembered correctly, this man was from Kirigakure, the "Demon of The Mist" Zabuza Momochi.
"What do they think they are doing…sending only kids and one adult." Zabuza sneered maliciously.
"What do you want?" demanded Kakashi as he eyed the man warily.
"I have a mission to complete. I suggest you all leave and let your client stay if you fear for your lives," replied the swordsman. With that said a mist slowly enveloped the whole area leaving a blank field.
Kakashi was worried…He was pretty sure that he could defeat Zabuza by himself, but he had a nagging feeling that there was something else amidst. Moments before, he had felt faint chakra signals, multiple ones. "And if I were to refuse?" asked Kakashi.
Zabuza smirked, "Well then, you just better hope they don't die."
"Why do you need him?" retorted Kakashi
Zabuza shook his head and smirked, "Now that would be telling" said Zabuza.
Kakashi glared "So be it. Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura! Protect Tazuna! I'll take care of Zabuza." ordered Kakashi. The three quickly complied, surrounding Tazuna. None of them showed any speck of panic; they simply waited for any signs attacks. Once again Kakashi was glad and surprised by the way they acted. At least they weren't incompetent like most genin were at this point, completely frozen.
"Are you trying to be funny Copycat Kakashi? Are you sure three genin will hold up against me?" sneered Zabuza through the mist.
Kakashi did not answer; instead he took the initiative, attacking the swordsman. As they traded blows, Zabuza was quick to make some seals, "Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu". Ten doppelgangers of the man appeared and ran straight for their targets.
Kakashi cursed as Zabuza blocked him from moving to help his students. Internally, Kakashi hoped that all their practice would pay off.
Meanwhile Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura got ready to face off the oncoming bunshin. "How bout best out of four?" suggested Naruto as he readied himself for the fight.
Sasuke smirked "Keep dreaming dobe."
"You two are such idiots," said Sakura with a sigh.
Tazuna looked at the kids in front of him in shock. Shouldn't they be more scared? The three were treating this like a game. Did they not realize just who they were up against?
Naruto gave a grin, "Start." Just as the bunshin approached them, the genin charged, various weapons in hand. The bunshin didn't stand a chance. Within minutes they were all annihilated.
"It's 4:3:3, my win!" said Naruto before smirking at his two team members. Said teammates were sporting various looks of annoyance. "You cheated didn't you? You used Kage bunshin." accused Sasuke with a glare.
Naruto shrugged "You never said I couldn't."
Sasuke made a rude gesture at the blonde. Sakura sighed and moved to stand near Tazuna, waiting for any other threats. Said man was a bit stunned by what he had just witnessed. Who were these genin?
The two adult ninjas stopped to watch the spectacle that was displayed. Zabuza was surprised. Not only did these brats defeat all his bunshin, but they were making it to a game. Clearly they were no ordinary kids. Meanwhile Kakashi gave a small internal sigh of relief.
"Those brats are something." Zabuza asked before launching in for another attack, catching the jonin unawares. Before Kakashi could react, he found himself encased in a bubble of water. Damn it!
Zabuza gave a piercing whistle. Team 7 looked to see their sensei captured and Zabuza smirking. Naruto and Sasuke traded looks were ready to attack when some things landed in front of them. Sebon needles! What in the- ?
The three looked at the needles in puzzlement. Three figures appeared, descending from the trees. 'It's the two guys we missed before. They must have been analyzing us and waiting. Haku is here as well so I guess there will be a change in plans. How will we do this?' asked Sakura as she readied herself for battle once more.
"Split them up. Naruto, you need to get Haku. Give him the offer." replied Sasuke.
Zabuza sneered, unaware of the talk that was happening, "I repeat once again, Hand over the old man. You are all out numbered."
Naruto smirked, "In your dreams."
Zabuza grinned through his bandages. "I like your spirits brats but I have a job to complete." With that said, the three ninjas in front of Team 7 sprang into action.
"Sakura, Defend the old guy! Sasuke go help Kakashi." barked Naruto, as the two Demon brothers headed straight for Tazuna. Sakura quickly moved to intercept the two Chunin.
Sasuke raced to Kakashi's aid, intent on breaking that bubble of liquid. In the meantime Naruto found himself fighting Haku. Suddenly, Naruto whispered a question that caused Haku to freeze in surprise. "Why are you working for a man like Gato, Haku? You know you will be betrayed. You know what kind of a bastard that man is."
Had Haku's mask been off, Naruto would have seen the shocked face of the needle specialist. Naruto took this opportunity to knock the ninja back with a chakra infused punch. With this done, Naruto took this time to briefly assess what was going on.
Sakura seemed to have no problem holding off the two brothers. Had he had the time, he would have laughed at how ridiculous it looked. The two grown men were fighting a girl half their size and not gaining an inch. He turned just in time to see a big ball of fire envelope Zabuza, courtesy of Sasuke. There was a faint shout of surprise. Naruto returned his sights to his current opponent who was staggering up.
"How do you know who I am?" rasped Haku.
"I have my sources. I know a whole lot of things about you and your mentor." said Naruto. "I have a proposal to make."
Behind his mask, Haku was intrigued. "And what is this proposal?"
Naruto looked at Haku before replying. "I know you guys are on the run, but what if I could give you an opportunity to start all over again? Think of it as a second chance."
Haku scoffed, "What in the world are you talking about? That is impossible."
"Oh, but it is highly possible," said Naruto. There was no hint of jest or trickery in his eyes.
Haku hesitated, obviously torn by the offer when Zabuza called a retreat.
"Well Haku, we will meet again. Think about it. Whether you want to tell Zabuza is completely up to you." said Naruto. The blonde acted as if they were having a normal everyday conversation. Haku made no reply, instead going to follow the injured Zabuza and demon brothers. They disappeared as quickly as they appeared.
"So, what do you think he's going to do?" Sakura asked Naruto. The girl looked a tad bit worn as she inspected and healed the cuts and scrapes she received.
Naruto shrugged "It went alright… I suppose. I'm pretty sure that he's going to consider," replied Naruto, a pensive expression on his face. "Are you alright?"
Sakura nodded, "I just underestimated them a little. I think Sasuke's in trouble though."
The two turned to see Kakashi talking to, more like interrogating, Sasuke a little way off. Kakashi looked at Sasuke as if he had seen him the first time while Sasuke's face showed clear discomfort. After a moment, Kakashi shook his head and walked over to Tazuna, "Tazuna…we have a lot to discuss. Why are there assassins after you, a bridge builder?" Tazuna who seemed to be still recovering from the battle sighed.
Sorry for the short chapter. Anyway feel free to comment and critique.