Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or any of the Naruto characters used in this fic. They all belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I only own any original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.
Chapter 4: To the Hidden Mist
A/N: Yagura, the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tailed Turtle, makes an appearance in this chapter. And if you don't know who Yagura is, or what he looks like, you should Google "Yagura Naruto," and click on the naruto wikia link. Anyway, it's assumed that Yagura is the Mizukage that Zabuza attempted to assassinate, which is pretty cool. :)
That was a nice little workout, Kaoru thought with a grin as she returned to the table. It's been a while since I got to do anything that fun. I wonder how Zabuza's gonna take the news. Maybe I'll finally get his respect at last!
Kaoru was quite proud of her accomplishment, and was eager to show her true colors in yet another battle. Hopefully, that time would come soon. It had been quite some time since she had been in a real fight, and she was itching to draw more blood.
"What're you so happy about?" Zabuza demanded when he returned to the bar. There were several shinobi on his heels, and all of them seemed to be in shock that the Demon of the Hidden Mist was towing around a kid like Kaoru.
Kaoru ignored the nasty glares they shot at her, giving Zabuza a shrug. "Well, I'll have you know that two douche bags decided it'd be fun to play 'games' with me, and--"
"Forget I asked," he said, assuming the worst. "I don't want to know what the hell you got yourself into."
Rolling her eyes, Kaoru grabbed him tightly by the arm. "You pervert!" she shot back. "I didn't do that kind of thing! They tried to manhandle me, so I kicked their asses and killed them. Duh!! Yeesh, you're such a perv!!"
The Demon grabbed her by the pack and dragged her out of the bar. "Good for you," he muttered sarcastically. "Now shut your mouth. We're leaving."
The group of shinobi, led by Zabuza and Kaoru, headed out of the village and into the forest, leaping through the trees until they reached a clearing. Several large trees obscured the sky from view, and the branches and bushes seemed as though they would serve as a temporary barrier while the group conducted their meeting. Having received a signal from their leader, five of the twelve shinobi began planting traps around the clearing, in case anyone unwanted visitors came along.
"Our objective," Zabuza said, "is to take out the Mizukage. Once we arrive, we take his head, and get out. When the government collapses, we'll be no more than a stone's throw away from restoring balance to the nation. Then, and only then, will we be free to construct an army of skilled shinobi to take down Konoha and the Land of Fire."
Kaoru smirked. "Good plan, but I think it's going to take more than fourteen shinobi to take down the Mizukage," she said, referring to the current number of their group. "After all, he is the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tailed beast. A man like Yagura won't die so easily."
One of the other shinobi, a blond man with a large scar over his left eye, and the right side of his mouth stitched up, sneered. "Shut your mouth, you impudent brat," he barked. "Do you even know who it is you're speaking to?"
Just looking at the man made Kaoru sick. His presence alone was enough to make her want to kill him. And there was no doubt in her mind that Zabuza would let it slide if she took the fool's life. And that only gave her another reason to want to kill him. But, she decided, to bide her time. Wait it out, let the loudmouthed fool make the first move. Then, and only then, would she teach him the true meaning of fear. He'd end up worse off than the Grass shinobi who had assaulted her at the bar.
The young ninja grinned, mocking the man who had called her out. "As a matter of fact, I do," she said nonchalantly. "But the question is... do you?"
"Foolish brat!" the man cried, taking hold of the katana strapped to his back. "You should learn to respect your elders, young lady. Otherwise, you'll find yourself within a world of hurt!"
The man leaped towards Kaoru, sword drawn and ready to strike at a moment's notice. Kaoru calmly stood her ground as she inspected her fingernails. She knew that Zabuza wouldn't let this man lay a hand on her, even if she was at fault here. After all, she had seen, in his eyes, the interest he had in her kekkei genkai. And with such a skilled ninja on his side, she knew that nothing would be able to harm her. Even if he didn't step in. With a smirk, Kaoru flipped out of the man's reach, egging him on with her laughter.
Eye burning with fury, he rushed her again, creating clones in a desperate attempt to distract her. Kaoru turned, kunai in hand, stabbing the man in the arm as he came up behind her with his katana. The clones dissipated, leaving Kaoru and her attacker in the midst of the group of rogue shinobi. The others watched the scuffle with curiosity; watching to see if Kaoru really stood a change against one of their own.
"You're going to die here," she said, staring into the man's good eye. "You stand no chance against me." Kaoru shoved a hand in front of the man's face. "Let me show you," she said as a bone protruded from her palm, "what true strength is."
With a growl, the man threw blood into Kaoru's eyes, blinding her temporarily as he attempted to make his final move.
"Enough, Kaito," the Demon said, swinging his sword at the man's throat. "In terms of authority, you have none, and as such, have no right to question anything this girl says."
With a growl, Kaito sheathed his katana, consenting to the Demon's leadership. "Of course," he spat, glowering at Kaoru with malice.
"Understand this," Zabuza growled to his followers. "My word is law. Should any of you so much as question or lay a hand on this child, you'll lose more than just your life. In any case, her life alone is worth more than yours." Kaoru felt the Demon's hand on her head. "You will treat her with the same respect you give to me. Is that understood?!"
Another shinobi, around Kaoru's age, snickered. "And if we don't?"
In the blink of an eye, the man's head had fallen to the ground, severed by the Demon's blade. "Any more stupid questions?"
0 -- 0 0 -- 0 0 -- 0
The mist rolled over the landscape, thick as blood, the wind carrying it across the village of the Hidden Mist. Children, of all ages, roamed the streets as they scoured for food and shelter. The constant prattle of excited Academy students could be heard through the dense fog as they went on with their lessons, and merchants and villagers bargained and haggled over prices. In the Village of the Hidden Mist, the people were poor, and, more often than not, lived under adverse conditions.
But that, at the moment, was irrelevant. For the past six years, he village had been expecting a war at any given moment, as the rogue shinobi, and Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi, still roamed free throughout the surrounding lands. And although the Land of Water was isolated from the other nations by the sea, it was known that nothing, not even the sea, would be enough to stop the Demon from returning to take the life of the village's kage.
"Lord Mizukage," Makoto Inoue said, falling into a bow. "I have terrible news."
Truly, Yagura had no interest in news and the like. He would only be satisfied once the Demon of his land had been extinguished from existence. But, try as he might, the rogue shinobi had escaped from Yagura's grasp time and time again, only to return. Sand-blond hair moved quietly with the wind as deep violet eyes stared out over the village.
"What is it, Makoto?" Yagura replied, maintaining his focus. It annoyed the kage to no end when he was interrupted, but his duties came before his own enjoyment. With a sigh, he turned to his advisor, meeting the young shinobi's gaze. "What news have you brought me?"
The dark-haired shinobi remained on one knee at the feet of his kage. "My Lord," he said, "we've just received word from our ANBU unit dispatched in the Hidden Waterfall Village. One of our captains has spotted Zabuza Momochi, and a small group of other traitors, just outside the village. All of the shinobi accompanying him have been identified, save for one: a young girl."
Yagura gave his adviser his undivided attention. "Is there any idea as to who this child may be?"
"It is only an assumption, my Lord, but yes. It is believed that this child is a direct descendant of the Kaguya clan. Her name is unknown, but, in a battle with two Grass ninja, she was seen using the Kaguya clan's legendary Shikotsumyaku ability."
The kage grinned. "So, our old friend has found himself another weapon, has he? Well then, it seems we shall need to separate them before they reach our village. Makoto, send word to the ANBU unit posted in the Hidden Waterfall Village. Inform them that they are to separate Zabuza from this child as soon as possible, and bring the child before me."
The shinobi bowed his head. "Yes, my Lord. Consider it done," he said, vanishing.
"You shall not have your way, Demon," Yagura muttered. "Only one of us can walk out of this unscathed... And I assure you, I shall not be the one to fall."
0 -- 0 0 -- 0 0 -- 0
Kaoru grinned. "You know," she said, turning to Kaito as the group sped through the forest, "even if you had managed to attack me, your blade never would have met its mark. After all, I'm far too strong for someone like you take down. You just don't know it yet."
"Foolish brat!" he snapped. "What makes you think you could possibly defeat me?! Your pathetic illusions didn't fool me for a second!"
The young ninja laughed, noting the irritated look in Zabuza's eyes. Just as she had planned. Kaoru's only reason for speaking to Kaito in the first place, was to get him to say something that would piss Zabuza off, thus resulting in Kaito getting his head taken off... Or something along those lines. It didn't really matter to her what happened to that loudmouth Kaito, as long as he couldn't open his mouth again.
"You've got it all wrong, Kaito. I don't think I can defeat you... I know I can. After all..." Kaoru shot off several bones from her fingers, lodging them in the bark of one of the trees. "I have the Kaguya clan's blood in my veins! You wouldn't last five minutes against me!"
The man's eyes narrowed. He couldn't believe the nerve of this brat. Egging him on like this, knowing that he'd respond to her challenges. "Stupid girl. There's no way you, or anyone for that matter, could have Kaguya blood. The clan was finally obliterated seven years ago, and cut down to a handful twelve years before that! So, don't start going off about possessing Kaguya blood. I already told you, you're not fooling anyone with illusions and lies like that," he said, referencing her display of Shikotsumyaku. "There's no way a brat like you could have Kaguya blood."
Let him think what he wants, Kaoru mused. That fool will regret his words in the end... Once we get to the Hidden Mist, I'll destroy him, and smear his blood on the walls! Him and anyone else who gets in my way!
Zabuza picked up on the bloodlust radiating from the young shinobi. It was enough to tell him that Kaito wouldn't last through the operation. He'd be dead the moment he set foot inside the village. The Demon grinned. It seemed that his decision to bring Kaoru along had been correct. Although she was causing trouble within the group, her abilities far surpassed the combined powers of his followers.
For the next three days, the group headed for the Land of Water, the hatred between Kaoru and Kaito growing all the while. The two seemed to compete over everything, and the rest of the group, save Zabuza, seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. Several scuffles ensured between the two each time they stopped to take rest. And Zabuza, who had grown tired of the ordeal, would have left Kaito to rot numerous times, had he not relinquished his claim on Kaito's life to Kaoru. On the third night of travel, the mass of shinobi, which had grown to a group of about fifty, entered the Hidden Mist Village, weapons and jutsu prepared to strike down all who stood in their way.
Without a word, the group scattered throughout the village to ensure that any ANBU black ops that might be posted around the village would be distracted from the chaos that would soon ensue within the Mizukage's mansion. As the shinobi scattered, Zabuza, and a handful of others, waited at the village gate for Kaoru, who had vanished into the forest with Kaito.
"Nothing to worry about," she said upon her return. Blood could be seen on her hands, even through the heavy mist that had descended upon the village. "That fool never knew what hit him."
"Once we're within the mansion, we scatter," Zabuza instructed. "Should you run across Yagura, give the signal, and stall him long enough for me to arrive. Understood? Now, move!"
0 -- 0 0 -- 0 0 -- 0
"Of all the places for Granny Tsunade to send us on a mission, it had to be this place," Naruto Uzumaki sighed as he trudged through the forest outside the Hidden Mist Village. "I don't wanna be here choking to death in this fog! I wanna be at Ichiraku with Iruka Sensei!"
Naruto sighed again. He was cold, tired, hungry, and his feet hurt like hell after walking around for almost three days. Even after taking one boat to the Land of Waves, and a second to reach the Land of Water, the teen was sincerely exhausted. He leaned against a nearby tree, whining and miming starvation as his comrades looked on.
The only female of the group, Sakura Haruno, scowled. She couldn't believe that Naruto was throwing a fit, now of all times, when they were supposed to be undercover. "Naruto," she scolded, "shut up! We're on a mission, and if you screw it up, I'm gonna strangle you!!"
"Now, now, children," their sensei, Kakashi Hatake, said. "No fighting. We don't want to blow our cover. Remember, our objective is to aid and protect the Mizukage. After all, Lady Tsudade did say that Lord Yagura feared an attempt on his life from a well-known assasin. Now then, Naruto, you take the left side, Sakura, you take the right. Sai, you'll cover me from behind. Now, let's--"
A scream came from Sakura's mouth as the group came across a mutilated corpse hanging from a tree. "K-Kakashi Sensei...!"
"It looks like they've been here," Sai said, swiftly investigating the corpse. The young shinobi dipped a couple of fingers in the fluid that leaked from the body, bringing the fingers close to his nose. He scowled, wiping the blood on the grass at his feet. "This is fresh blood, so there are only two options here. They're either within the village at this moment, or they're planning an attack. But the first being the more likely of the two. I suggest we move."
They're close, Kakashi thought, dashing through the trees towards the village.
"Naruto, Sakura, Sai! Let's move! We're almost there!"
0 -- 0 0 -- 0 0 -- 0
The darkened halls of the Mizukage's illustrious mansion were eerily quiet as the Demon crept through the corridors. Guards were nowhere in sight, and there was no sign of traps anywhere. The infiltration of the mansion had gone smoothly, but this odd silence was just too much. There was no way that a man like Yagura would call off all guards and traps without reason. It just wasn't like him. Moving silently, Zabuza continued his advance, searching every room he came across for any sign of his target. This time, Yagura wouldn't escape. He would die where he stood.
After having moved through two floors of the mansion, the Demon finally came across a small number of ANBU black ops patrolling a hallway with a single door located at the far end. Finally, something interesting was going to happen. As the mist continued to move along outside, the moon became visible for brief intervals, shining through the windows and skylight within the darkened hallway. The Demon smirked, knowing that it would be foolish to attempt to take on numerous black ops without a bit of a distraction first.
Weaving a number of hand signs, a group of seven water clones appeared, each armed with several explosive tags, kunai, and smoke bombs. The time had finally come. This was the moment he had waited seven years for. The clones rushed around the corner, each one targeting one of the black ops. Several shouts echoed through the hallway as the assault continued. At the first sign of a smoke bom, Zabuza rushed forward, blade drawn, and cut straight through his clones and the black ops members. Their damaged and bloodied bodies crumpled to the floor in a heap, giving Zabuza full access to Yagura's hiding place.
The Demon kicked the door in, his dark eyes scanning every inch of the room as he entered. "Who's hunting who?"
"It's been a long time... Demon," Yagura said as he dropped his cloaking jutsu. "I must say, I'm quite impressed. I really never thought you'd make it this far," he mocked, glowering fiercely at the assassin.
The Demon locked eyes with his prey, swinging his sword onto his shoulder with ease as he spoke. "This isn't the time for jokes, Yagura." he said, circling around the Mizukage. "I'm on a tight schedule, so let's make this quick, shall we? I'm a busy man, and I don't have nearly as much time to toy with you as I'd like."
Yagura grinned, his violet eyes flashing in the moonlight that came through the window. "Why, of course. But before we get to it, please allow me to speak. Your attempts at an ambush are admirable, and you might have caught me off guard if one of my ANBU squadrons hadn't caught sight of you in the Hidden Waterfall Village. Unfortunately, they lost track of you two days ago, which would explain why you're standing here now. But don't get too comfortable. For this is the last time we meet... I'm sorry to say, I'm taking you out... Demon!"
"If you really want to kill someone, Yagura, kill them. Don't stand around talking about it and exploiting your methods. It makes you seem weak, you know," Zabuza growled. "The time for talk is over. You're goind to die here!"
Having heard the sound of the paper bombs from the other side of the masion, Kaoru rushed through the halls, making it to the Demon's side as he swung his blade. The sound of singing steel echoed through the room, and Zabuza found himself face to face with a man he'd never expected to see again. The utterly naive bastard who'd foiled his attempts three years prior.
"Well, I'll be damned..." a familiar voice said. "I never thought I'd see your face again. To be perfectly honest, I thought you'd moved on."
The Demon scowled. "Kakashi Hatake... Are you still towing those no-talent brats around?" Zabuza laughed, taking note that Kakashi was alone as Kaoru circled the Konoha shinobi. "It's too bad, really. I was actually hoping that, if we ever met again, I'd have the pleasure of killing the fox boy. It's truly unfortunate that you've come here alone, Kakashi. As I've found a child more promising than even Haku... And now, you die!"
As Kaoru charged, she leaped up, firing off several rounds of bones at Kakashi, who dodged them with ease. "It won't be that easy," she snapped, pulling a bone sword from her palm. "You can't escape... my kekkei genkai!" There was a cry of pain as Kaoru's bone sword penetrated Kakashi's shoulder, blood spatter flying across the walls. "Now do you understand? You can't win!"
Pulling up the left side of his headband with his good hand, Kakashi's Sharingan began to spin as it analyzed Kaoru's movements. The young shinobi jumped back out of range, having anticipated Kakashi's attempt to stab her with a kunai knife. There was no time for the Konoha shinobi tend to his wounded shoulder, as either Kaoru or Zabuza could strike him at any given moment. From the corner of his eye, Kakashi saw the Demon move, catching Yagura by the throat with a powerful grip.
The Konoha shinobi turned his attention back to Kaoru, who had drawn a second bone sword from out of her arm. "I... can't believe this..." Kakashi gasped. "Your technique, it's... that of the Kaguya clan!"
"That's right," Kaoru said, acknowledging Kakashi's statement. "I'm the last direct descendant of the Kaguya clan: Kaoru Akiyama!"
A loud crash sounded, and Naruto flew like a wildman through the window, Sakura and Sai on his heels. "Kakashi Sensei!" Naruto shouted, eyes wide in surprise. It didn't seem possible that his sensei, wielder of the legendary Sharingan eye, could have sustained such a wound in a scuffle with a kid his own age. "Sakura, you take care of Kakashi Sensei! I'll handle this guy!"
Naruto flinched as a shuriken grazed the side of his face. "I'm not a boy," Kaoru hissed, flinging several more shuriken at him as she charged. "I'm a girl... who's gonna beat your ass into the ground!!"
Kaoru let loose a string of kunai knives and senbon needles, forcing Naruto to think on his feet. The young Konoha ninja summoned a large amount of chakra to his feet, enabling him to cling to the ceiling as the barrage of ninja weapos impaled the floor where he had previously been standing. Naruto turned toward Kaoru, who had now started her charge, bone swords poised and ready to slice him to ribbons.
Damn, Naruto thought. She's got the same power as that Kimimaro guy who took Sasuke away! Using her bones as weapons! But I can't give in... I can't die here! If I do... I'll never be able to rescue Sasuke!!
"Get back, Naruto!" Sai shouted, jumping up and intercepting Kaoru's blows with his own sword. "You protect the Mizukage! I'll handle this one..."
Naruto nodded turned to find a beaten and bloodied Yagura being held against the wall by Zabuza. "Now, what it you were saying about taking me out?" Zabuza growled, glowering at the trembling man. "Like I said before, you're going to--!"
Once again being forced to think on his feet, Naruto summoned his shadow clones to spin the chakra that had manifested in his right hand. "RASENGAN!!" Naruto cried as he charged at the Demon, his swirling chakra slamming into the wall as Zabuza evaded the attack. "Don't worry," Naruto said as Yagura slid down the wall. "I'll handle him!"
It's him! The Nine-Tails brat!
"You lousy creep!" Naruto screamed, glowering at the Demon. "After everything that's happened, you still don't get it! You're still taking innocent lives and dragging everyone into your stupid games! What you said after Haku died... you didn't mean any of it, did you?!"
Zabuza glowered at Naruto, wishing that the boy would just keep his mouth shut. "Stop your whining... Now, get out of the way, boy. Unless you want to die..."
"If anyone's gonna die here, it's you!" Naruto shot back angrily. "A scumbag like you doesn't deserve to be called a ninja!! I'm gonna take you down! And you'd better believe it!"
Yes, shocking, I know. For Naruto and his team to show up was quite the unexpected turn of events. I'm glad I was able to update twice today. :) Hope you guys enjoyed this. I'm getting excited already, thinking about what I'm gonna do next. Please keep reading, and review!