Drunken Waves of Ice

It had been a few weeks since my...experience. It left me changed. I couldn't completely trust my body no matter how much I thought I was in control of it. Apparently being made out of chakra doesn't change the nature of the body, of the cells that make up the body, and what makes up those cells. My structure was a perfect mix of human and fox. And somehow an even more powerful mixture.

I spent the next few days training, desperately trying to reaffirm that I had control over my body, but that effort was in vain. I knew in my heart that my body was in control, and my mind had little say in the matter. It did help take my mind off of it eventually though, so I still counted it as a win.

I went to the Hokage's office the day I started practicing to get the promised scroll. Something that I had been wanting to explore for a while. There were actually a few interesting techniques, but one caught my attention - Chi-Bunshin. Clones were definitely my favorite toy to play with. Shadow, Grass, Leaf, Tree, Vine, and now blood.

They were just like shadow clones in aspect, except that they were practically real. Requiring a blood donation - a drop would suffice - they could generate their own chakra, albeit at a slow rate, and when they die, it's a realistic death. The excess chakra is returned to the user with the memories, and they supposedly dissolve into blood over a few days time though. The only drawback is that the chakra added to a Chi-Bunshin to give it the visible form would stay with it, and slowly releasing in time - hence why it slowly dissolves.

Anyone with Uzumaki level reserves would be fine, but with my Bijuu levels, it doesn't even affect me. The greatest thing about them though is that there is an extension to the technique. Bakuha-Chi-Bunshin. The exploding blood clone. The technique is absolute genius. I had no doubt of the 2nd Hokage's abilities after reading this - He created the basic Hiraishin, Edo-Tensei, Kage-Bunshin, and the Bakuha-Chi-Bunshin.

Eventually Kakashi-sensei had enough of my absence and had me doing the dreaded D-Ranks again. Tora… Demon Cat from Hell. I never had an issue though - I had created a special seal specifically for Tora. I would surround him with some clones, create a barrier around him, and seal him into a scroll. I had tested the scroll several times on clones and insects, so I was sure it wouldn't kill the hell-cat.

The reaction for the returned cat was the best though. Jiji gave me an understanding nod, highly amused at my action, Iruka - for whatever reason he was here - was trying to teach me not to mistreat animals, while I was arguing about my own mistreatment from the damned animal. And the daimyo's wife was trying to figure out how her cat had fit into the scroll and get it out at the same time.

I swear it was safer in the scroll than out in the room...for us that is. How the hell it was able to scratch my sage-chakra infused kimono was far beyond me, and something I wanted to avoid after the first attempt at getting near it personally.

Then something happened. My clone that had been watching my target ever since he entered the village popped. My target was ready and had been waiting for a team to take on his mission. My clone had apparently waited far longer than he needed though before relieving itself.

Finally I had enough, or at least that's the image I displayed with my indignant pouty face. "Jiji! I want a real mission! The only thing that even counts is catching Tora! And even that's not a challenge since all I have to do is surround him, not to mention I can find him in moments… I swear he's a demon jiji, a real one... I should know" They paled as I looked down and muttered the last part, and looked towards the scroll Madam Shijimii was holding in apprehension. I couldn't help but giggle a little at their reaction.

Eventually the Hokage turned back toward me with a sigh, "Alright, you get your wish. Hatake Kakashi, you and your apprentice shall escort our client to the Land of Waves. Come in, please Tazuna-san!"

I couldn't help but feel a little giddy. I was going to get to meet Haku!

A tall elderly drunk man entered through the door. I couldn't help but hold my nose at his awful stench! "Urgh, you reek!" My high-pitched voice forced out.

"Well, aint you a lil ball of sunshin!" He slurred out. I knew he was bad, but wow.

"Better than drowning on my own words."

"At least I aint pretendin ta be a flower… or is it fox?"

I growled at him, which continued on for a few moments with everyone watching. Then I started giggling, and he started laughing, hard. "A real kitsune, ain't ya! So long as yer worth the money, I think we'll get along jus fine!" He couldn't help the slurring, I guess.

Everyone else was looking at me oddly, probably wondering how I could get along with someone I obviously dislike. Though it wasn't quite the case, I really didn't like him so far. But he did make me laugh, even if it was at my own reaction, so he couldn't be that bad, right?

"Alright you two, that's enough. We leave at 0800 tomorrow. Pack your things, and prepare for a month long trip."

"Hai, Kakashi-sensei!" I nodded enthusiastically. I really couldn't help it, Haku was waiting!

I had arrived just in time to spot the two men walking towards us at a steady pace. My slightly heeled feat ready to get moving. I was shifting back and forth in excitement, I had never left the village before. I had sent clones out exploring, but it wasn't the same.

"Move out?" I asked as the reached me. I received a nod in return, and turned on my feet to take point.

"So, what with da fox stuff on yeu?" I faltered a little, I hadn't actually expected him to ask about that.

"...They're a bloodline. I activated it when I was attacked as a child." I just nodded. 'At least he knows what a bloodline is'

"What's a bloodline?" I nearly face faulted. My trip up was noted by my shishou by giving a slight chuckle while reading his…orange...book… I started growling at him.

"Maa, maa, Naru-chan. I need some form of entertainment on such a long journey."

I gave an unsatisfied 'hmph' and answered Tazuna, "bloodlines, or rather a kekkei-genkai, a blood-limit if you will, is an ability given to a bloodline passed down in a family. I have several apparently. High-speed regeneration, resistance to poisons, extremely enhanced senses, and the visible oddities of my fox-like ears and tail along with a few other details. Kakashi has something as well, though that was given to him, I believe."

I was ignored on Kakashi's end. He was rather famous for it after all, and didn't think there was a need to expand further on his knowledge.

"So what you're telling me is you're special." I sighed at this.

"Yes... We're special. Shishou is one of the best you could get, and I am his apprentice."

I received a gruff nod, as if he was seemingly satisfied with an outstanding

Again, I sighed, just continuing our little trip. I decided to expand upon my seal for my clothing transformation as a way of keeping myself busy, wondering if I could get them all linked to shrink to a single ankle-cuff, rather than four. It was going to be a long week, despite enjoying the walk outside of the village.

Camping was much like I assumed it would be, separate bag, tents, campfire, and snoring smelly old men… Basically, it was hard to get to sleep without the comfort of my own bed, something I had grown to love with another person sleeping with me.

The few days of quiet were nice though. That was until I spotted a puddle… I had actually felt them in my senses a distance away watching us every once in a while, but I knew they wouldn't attack directly, more from fore-knowledge than experience.

I went on guard immediately. I knew shishou would be ready, though I didn't know if there would be any changes. But there was something I wanted to try…

As we passed the barrier, I stepped on top of it. This elicited a twitch from Kakashi, I noticed, but he didn't do more. Immediately after we passed, I felt them make their move, only to fall down the instant they left their puddle. My little fuuinjutsu trap I had set into the puddle had taken effect.

All three of us turned towards the noise, and shishou turned towards me with a raised eyebrow, which I replied to with a cheeky smile. "I think Tazuna forgot to mention something?"

We both turned to a gulping tazuna, a smile on my face, and sensei's trademark eye-smile. The old man was visibly sweating his tears.

"W-Wait! L-Let me e-e-explain! D-Don't kill me!" He thinks I killed the two nin on the ground?

"Please do," was sensei's only response.

I moved on to the two enemies I had forced down. They were trying to crawl away, and doing a terrible job at it. Even more so, they had yet to make a sound, even when the gravity trap had sprung on them, forcing ten times normal onto their bodies - I loved manipulating the natural effects of the planet.

I summoned a couple senbon from my palms, and threw them into a couple points in their bodies to put them to sleep. Knowing anatomy and the effects a simple needed could make was astounding - practicing on my wood and grass clones was probably not the best idea to test if I could accurately hit the points, however….

Released the trap, I tied the two up to a tree, pulling out my weapons, and letting them recover to coherence. All the while, sensei was interrogating the now-named Super-Bridge-Builder-Tazuna. Yeesh, what is it with old men and the word "Super".

I let Kakashi interrogate the wanted men as well. Not much was found out aside from others being after us. We didn't have enough time for a thorough interrogation.

"From the fact he lied to us, we have three choices available. We can leave him alone to go on alone to fend for himself, take him back with us to make a compromise with the land of waves and send a greater force, or we can continue and send a message requesting for backup."

I blinked a few times… 'backup? there was no backup from my memories...'

"Lets continue. I need a safe place to train something I have been unable to in Konoha anyways. This trip has multiple points of interest to me now. Saving their country is just another added."

He nodded, summoned pakkun, who looked at me intently before receiving his orders and taking them off to Konoha.

"I included details of these two missing-nin as well. Their reward shall be given to you, since you captured both."

I looked at him astonished. I hadn't known we were rewarded for capturing missing-nin. "I-I get their reward?!" I was excited, giddy, just plain happy. 'I'm getting real pay!'

"Of course, what do you think we did when you capture threats that are not part of the mission requirements? Threats that we receive monetary rewards for. Of course, you only get a percent of it, the rest goes to the village, but half is still a decent sum for a couple C-Rank missing-nin."

"YATTA! REAL PAY! REAL SPENDING MONEY!" I was actually jumping for joy at that, eliciting chuckles from my two elders, and groans from the captives.

"Well, lets get going! Maybe I can bag me another bounty!" My eagerness seemed to cheer them up.

So we continued on. We eventually got that boat ride through the mist, over the ocean. The bridge in the background was huge, and long. And it was nearly finished already.

We landed on the shore and I went on guard. I expanded my senses, something Kakashi picked up on. He had learned to trust my instincts. My emotional and sage senses combined provided an accurate sensing net.

We started walking inland, and I immediately picked up on two strong signatures. One was coldly flowing, the other was was warm yet solid like ice. It was an odd combination. They had to be Zabuza and Haku

"Sensei... Two signatures incoming. Jounin and chuunin levels."

I received a nod, and tazuna looked scared. I created four wood clones, and had them surround Tazuna. They immediately set up a very useful barrier - the Four VIolet Flames Barrier. It would keep Tazuna inside, the enemies outside, and Tazuna from accidentally messing with my clones to somehow dispel the barrier. I knew this jutsu was used against the 3rd, and it just made me want to learn it more. Both for myself, and to figure out how to get through it.

"W-what?! What are you doing!"

Tazuna probably couldn't help himself... "I am keeping you safe. No matter what happens out here, the enemy will be unable to penetrate that barrier. It can resist most A-Rank techniques easily. And you will be unable to leave it until my clones decide the situation has been resolved."

He nodded slowly in understanding. I muttered a small 'Kai' and released my resistance seal completely. I would need all my speed for this, since I don't have an extra person to help me. I could only hope Kakashi didn't get caught.

"Shishou, they're here." I could feel their presence, watching us.

"Come out! We know you're there!"

Predictably, Zabuza threw his zanbatou. It was actually aimed at Tazuna, like last time. Probably in hopes that the barrier was just for show. Probably thinking my size and age meant I wasn't strong enough to hold something of strength with only clones.

The sword bounced off with a loud scream coming from inside the barrier at the sight of the sword. It was caught by Zabuza who appeared in a swirl of water where his weapon would have landed.

"I see… Kakashi of the Sharingan, huh? Your runt is skilled."

That got an eye-smile from my sensei. "Indeed. I can only hope she catches up to her predecessor soon. Actually, it may have happened already, I don't even know her true skill level."

"Her predecessor? Hmph, like I'd know who that is. We are only here for the bridge builder. If you give him to me, I will spare your lives."

"Sorry. Zabuza, demon of the mist I presume? ...It's too bad. You will lose your head today if you plan to attack our client."

"Um, may I ask you something Zabuza san?"

The apparent Demon of the Mist just looked at me oddly, and released his Killing Intent. I shivered in response, but did nothing more. After a moment I shrugged it off. I didn't know if I was truly immortal, but I knew my clothes would protect me from most attacks, especially those without infused chakra - something Zabuza hasn't used to my knowledge.

"Impressive. She is as you said Kakashi, she has been trained well… What is your question, fox."

I blinked at the name, 'why do people keep calling me that? I know I am one, but still?!' - I was curious as to the type of person your own client is. From my knowledge of the lands here my clones have gathered, the biggest, rather the only real business, is Gato Shipping. And the rumors surrounding that scum of a man are repugnant. Hiring bodyguards to terrorize places, public executions, hiring expensive help only to kill them later to save himself a little earnings…"

That last part caught the fake demon a little off-guard. But he didn't respond the way I'd hopes. "Enough chat, will you live, or will you fight!" He growled out.

"...Negotiations have broken down," was Kakashi's answer, as he raised his hitai-ate to reveal his sharingan.

Immediately Zabuza and Kakashi were at each other, zanbatou against kunai. It was an impressive speed, nearly as fast as I had seen Gai going the few times I had watched him spar from afar. I could keep up if I pushed myself, but I had little actual experience at their speeds. I had been training at half-speed against Kakashi, only releasing my seal every week or two for a day in order to refamiliarize myself with my actual speed.

"Sensei! Stay off the water!" I yelled as a precaution, I didn't want him to fall for the trap Zabuza was obviously luring him towards. The enemy shot me a dirty glare filled with KI, but, again, I shrugged it off a moment, knowing he probably couldn't actually kill me... I was still shivering this time though.

I kept my senses open for Haku though. He was nearby. Eerily close actually, watching me intently. Probably ready to step in should I go for a kill-shot at his master. I kept myself on guard, and let my sleeves drop past my wrists. I flung my arms out, and pulled them together - hand-seal hidden from view. Immediately several dozen grass and wood clones formed, taking shape from the ground.

I could produce my techniques without hand-seals, my special chakra remembering the way it is used. However, when I needed more control over the technique, such as when I wanted to specify where they were created, and what type was where, the hand-seal helped me concentrate on the specifics, rather than the formation itself. I would get used to it eventually, but I wasn't used to using it in a real battle.

My clones sprouted into existence, surrounding the field, along with the two men. Haku had yet to move, something I had yet to understand. Maybe he thought his master was strong enough to handle me easily, even if there were a hundred.

They set about creating my specialized Hiraishin seals under their feet, hidden by the mist and grass. If I couldn't keep up in actual battle, even if only because of lack in experience, then I would just create an escape method - of course it was really for attacks.

I set my clones to go after Zabuza, providing Kakashi's with a slight relief. And possibly giving him a greater chance to deal damage. They twisted, and twirled around the kenjutsu user like flowers flowing through the wind, avoiding your fingertips attempting to catch it. A cartwheel over his blade here, a slap on the underside with a sleeve there to push it off course, they moved in sync - something I had forced myself to learn in my self training sessions - putting a bit of pressure on the man.

I kawarimi'd with a couple clones to make sure Haku didn't know where I was, and couldn't get in a sneak attack. My clones started getting hit as Zabuza started getting used to my movements. 'I guess when you're good, you can adjust with enough practice, even if the style is new to you'- I really didn't want to get hit personally, even if my clothes might deprive his sword of penetration, he would still leave pain and massive damage.

My clones started getting taken out faster and faster. The first few had managed to put a few bruises on his wrists, arms, and legs, but there wasn't any serious damage. I had wanted to avoid killing him, if at all possible. Eventually I was down to about ten clones, and I mentally communicated the order to stand down. They immediately followed through, jumping away from him in a circle.

"..haah, damn fox. Kakashi, was right, you are good. You're fast, and that style caught me off guard for a minute. What are your clothes made of? They sting…"

"...Plants. I made them by condensing fauna and flora. The innards of my clothing is condensed trees, vines, leave, and grass. It is covered with compressed flower petals on the inside, and flower petals, vines, and leaves on the outside for a little design. All formed with my special condensed chakra. It is also why I always smell so nice, hehe" I couldn't help but smile at my own words.

To his credit his expression didn't change. I could tell from his emotions that he was flabberghasted though. It's not like that's an ability you'll ever come across again after all.

"Shishou…? Mind if I end this now?"

Never taking his eyes off of his opponent, Kakashi nodded to me. He trusted my skills enough to give me the opportunity, something I couldn't help but have gratitude for. I had already positioned Zabuza into a decent position.

I signaled my clones to proceed, and five of them disappeared in a violet flash - something I had initially had as red - to surround Zabuza. Before the surprised man had a chance to even move, my clones had slapped their palms together, forming a complex seal, then pushed them to their front.

"Five Element Containment Barrier!" Was what he heard, as a dark grey barrier surrounded him and enclosed around the top - of course it extended underground in the same fashion, insuring the prevention of escape.

As soon as the barrier started forming, Haku, who had been watching the entire time, moved into action. Senbon flew through the air towards three of the five clones. They were too late however - the seal had been completed - and a captured Zabuza remained motionless in shock. After a moment, he tried swinging his sword into the barrier, but I pushed a decent amount of chakra into the field surrounding him. It would last through days of his pounding.

Haku moved into action fast. Instantly he was upon me. Or rather, he was upon the clone I had swapped with and allowed to talk in my place. The clone dissipated as it was supposedly knocked out, Ice already forming in the air in preparation for his next move - probably against Kakashi. However, I reappeared behind Haku with a my unsealed Tanto against his throat.

"Hello little hidden hunter…" I spoke into his ear. The ice around us fell to the ground instantly, showing his surrender.

"I see… I guess this is our end, master?"

"Indeed Haku. It seems our luck ran out against these two."

I sighed, as Kakashi pushed his hitai-ate back into place over his eye. I didn't want to kill these two. Sure Zabuza was a bit despicable, but he was just trying to live. And Haku had practically no choice. Something was strange however...

I sniffed the air, there were only two male scents… I sniffed haku.

"Naru-chan?" Kakashi let out a small perverted giggle at my actions. I just gave him a glaring glance and a small growl.

"She's female. Her immediate appearance is male, so I was making sure."

Everyone else's eyes opened at that. 'I guess they really were trying to hide it. They had even taken it to the grave since Naruto never figured it out'

"Shishou, can we make a deal with them…?" That got his attention

"I will hear you out, at least."

Better than a no. "I have no doubts Gato is involved in this. Right...?" She nodded confirmation. "So, we hold Zabuza hostage, and she helps us take out Gato. We take him out, and give them their supposed pay for the job, giving the rest of his fortune to the village, and a little bit extra for ourselves for increased mission rank. They walk away alive, paid, and happy. We walk away without a tyrannical being hovering over the village. And they can build their bridge in peace."

Zabuza was oddly quiet. Kakashi was silently thinking upon this. My thoughts were going on about something else entirely though, 'can I make ice as well? I can't even make wood, yet I can grow plants. Maybe he could help me with that though.'

"I'll do it, master," The fake-hunter replied.

Zabuza just gave an indignant nod. Kakashi just sighed.

"However, there is something I would like you to teach me. Haku-chan. Actually, first I want to know if that's your real name…?" Kakashi gave another little perverse giggle, something I was starting to grow to hate - him thinking about everything I do as perverse!

"...It's Yuki Hakura. As missing-nin we lead a dangerous life. As a female, I was taught the dangers from Zabuza-sama. In order to prevent possible defiling of his tool, I was to hide myself."

I nodded in complete understanding. Despite the way she said it, the way she is treated, the guy watches out for her.

I whispered in her ear, "it looks more like a father watching over his daughter to me. Maybe he sounds serious, and acts the way he does, but it seems he really cares for you if he goes out of his way to protect you. He could have just left you if it ever came to that, rather than making sure you stayed safe."

Despite her mask, I could tell she was blushing. She didn't reply, however. I released my blade from her neck, and resealed it into my palm's storage seal.

"The Yuki clan. Ice users. I wish to learn the way to combine elements from you. I have a natural affinity to life, especially plants. Yet, I am unable to perform actual creation of them - the mokuton."

"I will see if I can help."

"The barrier around Zabuza will last for a few weeks. Only I can remove it - it won't just disappear upon my death either, since it has formed and stabilized. He will stay here until the threat of Gato is removed. He can probably last three days safely, five and he might die. I suggest we do this within the first three days."

Kakashi took over from there, "I will do the assassination. There are probably bodyguards around the area, and it will most likely end up in a massacre. I do not wish you to experience something such as this so early on my cute little disciple."

I couldn't help but blush in embarrassment at the way he called me publicly. I bit my tongue to keep my indignant response in my mouth. But at least he cared enough to keep me from killing people for now.

"I will help, I know the location, and I have experienced such things before. My particular abilities may prove useful as well."

I blinked owlishly… 'I had hoped I could get the personalized training from her, and just have her tell sensei the location, well I can still practice THAT technique while here for now...'

"Understood. You will be my backup."

I guess he trusts her enough too.

"Zabuza-sama, I shall return upon completion of the mission." He nodded in return.

"I moved back to an unconscious bridge-builder. My clones removed the barrier, agreeing with the safety of the situation. Hakura-chan wouldn't remove the bridge-builder with her master as a hostage.

I create a shadow clone to follow, along with the rest of my clones. It could create more clones if needed. My plant clones would keep guard around the house for now. They were more durable than kage-bunshin, as such, they provided more protection.

"Shishou, I am going to find a place to train. My clone will relay orders if need be. This is something I have been meaning to learn since I first learned more about what I am. And definitely not something I can figure out in Konoha. Too much destruction could occur."

He looked confused, and wanted to deny me this, but shrugged. "Go ahead. Just be safe. If its as destructive as you say, make sure you're far removed from civilization. We wouldn't want them harmed or scared."

I took off immediately. I had wanted to learn these skills for so long, I couldn't wait anymore. I knew my clones could handle anything that came up - even an army of thug samurai. I flew through the trees, headed towards the other end of the island, where I couldn't feel a spec of human emotion.

After about fifteen minutes of full speed travel, I had reached my destination. Open waves, softly crashing against the shore. I made another clone to continue working on my clothing seal. I wanted to maximize the possibilities - along with the fact I wanted to get rid of the small moment where I am visibly naked before they unseal and cover me. They needed to reform with me rather than after I do - something much harder to achieve.

I sent it off towards an high open area, overlooking the shore. It would also cover sentinel tasks, and inform me of various other occurrences. Even something I'm doing wrong myself, possibly.

I mentally assigned myself orders. Half would work on adding wind element to a single rasengan two at a time, until they either run out of chakra, or blow themselves up. The clones would take the memories, and proceed on.

The other half would work on combining black and white chakra. My own Yin and Yang chakra. I know my rebirth was formed from only Yang chakra, but it seems my human chakra had a big influence on my creation. I still had Yin chakra, but my Yang was omnipresent. It was what seeped out, mostly. Yin did too, little by little, but my Yang was special apparently.

Myself, I worked with my chakra cloak. Working its forms with different chakra natures, including pure Yin or Yang - which was odd in itself when I managed

I formed a lightning cloak, which was different from the Raikage's. It didn't just speed up my body, or enhance my abilities, it actually affected my near surroundings. I could direct the lightning chakra - meaning I could form a chakra into specific shapes with my chakra cloak as the base. I could also redirect bursts of it into a specific direction - similar to lightning bolts.

I moved on to a wind cloak - something I didn't quite understand yet. It seemed that things just slide off of me when I use this. Wind was supposed to cut, right? So when I had something thrown at me, it would be redirected away from me. Though, if I compressed a bit of my cloak into a specific point, whatever hits that point would actually be cut - practically nothing could withstand a compressed wind chakra cloak cut.

Fire, I didn't want to try… Not only would I burn myself, but my clothes would just… Yea… Water acted similar to wind, and I could form whips with it, but I couldn't use it over my face. I didn't like choking on my own chakra water very much…

Earth actually condensed my chakra to a thin shell. It didn't actually turn to stone, strangely enough, but rather increased my durability, or rather my strength as for the purposes I had found for it. I preferred wind or water for protection, if I had need of it, since I'd rather have the attack flow off of me than take the brunt of it, but my clothes were plenty for that. Earth nature around my hands allowed me to do something similar to tsunade. It was as if it exploded upon contact. My earth chakra just redirected any inward force back outwards. So rather than any shock going through my system, it was expelled back outwards, using my full strength in every hit. I still felt the pressure on my limbs, but that was only my direct motion, and anything that would be pushed back unto me never was. The effects weren't amazingly powerful like Tsunade's were, but my damage nearly doubled in a direct physical blow.

I spent two days working on my techniques, waiting for orders from my clone. I had hunted and cooked my own food to survive, and I pulled fresh water from the ocean with my water manipulation.

I actually got down the Rasenshuriken, definitely the most powerful of the five elemental techniques, and managed the ability to throw it. Having near unlimited chakra was amazing! My tailed beast bomb came along much faster than the elemental rasen-jutsus. The ratio was a bit difficult to feel out, but I managed it. I never made it a very large version, however, since I didn't want to cause a commotion.

The biggest explosion happened about a kilometer off-shore, where my clones were practicing. She had forced double the power into it than necessary, and ended up with a massive bubble of chakra appearing in the distance, covering nearly half of the distance and blowing up most of the nearby clones. I was just glad I was having my clones work out the tailed beast ball. I only kept it to finger and palm sizes though - I wanted to be able to control the destruction.

Eventually though, I was able to form it myself, and shoot it out far into the distance. Something I took pleasure in. It was a definitive addition to my repertoire, along with the Rasenshuriken. The funny thing was that the less destructive technique was actually several times harder to manage and form.

The last thing I wanted to do, something I had seen a couple times yet unsure of the actual mechanics, was to form a tailed beast ball and shoot it in a directional beam. My clones morphed into a two-tailed fox, about the size of a normal adolescent sized fox - my favorite size for its mobility and stealth - along with all my clones. For this endeavor, my clones proved useful yet insufficient.

They could take the energy inside, but couldn't withstand the forces applied to the body. I had to make blood clones for this. And I needed plenty - so I sliced my palm with a tanto, quickly hidden back away, and followed the handsigns needed, applying the changes needed to form the jutsu, something my chakra would soon memorize.

Eventually, I had a dozen blood clones working this through, and it turned out quite simple. I just had to protect my innards with chakra, keeping the ball in shape until it reached the back, then it would deform, and push back out the way it came. The chakra protecting my body on the inside forcing the direction of the condensed destructive energy outward. The result was a small beam of energy that actually continued for miles over the ocean. And that was only a pet-sized version.

The massive amount of energy all this training required was astounding. Of course I had the energy for it - far more than enough. But I actually felt the dip in my reserves, something that I hardly felt lately, if at all.

Eventually, I felt the memories of a clone at Tazuna's house. My clone had set the little pipsqueak straight, though only after Gato was assassinated apparently… She had tried telling him the guy would not survive the next few days, and called him a coward for his actions. The little thing just kept shouting death until Kakashi returned with Haku to report success. The kid had his whole world turned over twice in just a year or two. He was just in stunned disbelief for the moment.

Kakashi had asked me to return now. So I headed back, jumping full speed through the treeline towards where my clone remembered the house. I arrived to see Hakura standing outside with a small bag. Immediately I created a clone to dispel, relieving the rest of my force. If gato was dead, and the missing-nin paid, nothing was going to bother us.

"So, we've finished the mission. I suppose I still need to teach you about combining elements?" I nodded eagerly. "Would it be agreeable to release my master before we start?" I thought for a second before nodding again.

"Unless my shishou requests otherwise, I see no issue. You no longer have an employer, nor a mission. You have been paid your dues, despite the failure on your part. We have no quarrel as far as I understand."

She nodded with a smile on her beautiful face, tears glistening in her eyes. 'She must really love the man.'

"Do you have an argument against the decision shishou?" I looked up into the tree behind us to see him wave his hand back and forth, suggesting he doesn't

I created a shadow clone to leave behind for Tazuna. She would explain the situation, and possibly provide a workforce to help him finish his bridge in record time. 'Might actually get a bridge named after me too… how embarrassing' I couldn't help the blush on my face at that thought. I wouldn't know until it's complete, but the chances were high.

We arrived to a meditating Zabuza. He looked up as we approached. "About time. I was starting to think I had been abandoned while you just took off with Haku." He gave me a pointed look at the last bit.

I snorted at that. The man actually thought I wanted to steal her from him.

"Gato is dead. You have been paid your dues for a successful mission, despite its obvious failure, and our agreement has nearly been fulfilled." Kakashi surmised.

"Nearly?!" Zabuza growled out.

Hakura nodded, "I have Gato's head as confirmation, along with compensation. The only part left is for me to teach Naruna-san how to combine elements, and hope she has the potential."

I walked over and released the barrier from Zabuza, carefully in case he renigs. The man didn't move, and continued in his current position, even has Haku pushed food in front of the man. He looked down, and accepted the food.

Haku came back over to me, and motioned for me to sit down. "I will explain how I form my element. We will take our leave afterwards."

And she did. It was quite different from what I expected. Apparently there is an amount of chakra needed of each time, and a total minimum required of each depending on the whats and hows. It actually got quite confusing, but apparently it's something that naturally comes to her.

She went on about how only Kekkei-Genkai's could form it, and hopefully I would tap into one since I had the apparent affinity, but I had honestly thrown that theory out the window long ago. The only person who truly understood chakra was the father of the beasts. Everyone else makes assumptions that only certain blood or being can do something. But my thoughts were more along the lines that practice makes perfect/ Blood just gives the map, while others have to map it out themselves.

With her explanation finished, and my nod of understanding, we let the two leave. I had a lot to think about. I formed water around my hand, feeling its damp coolness. I proceeded to do so with my other hand, using a little bit of what Haku taught me, adding some wind nature into the mix at the same time. Quite hard, but after the last few days of training, pulling off the Rasenshuriken with a single hand, I easily managed it. The water that formed on my hand turned frosty, and I could immediately tell my theory was correct - that or my special chakra was more special than I originally believed, there was no way to tell.

Kakashi was watching me intently as we walked along, he had said we should just move on and head back since the threat was taken care of, and my confirmation that the two missing-nin had long since left the area in the opposite direction of Tazuna's. I could feel his complete and utter astonished surprised as little ice crystals appeared over my left glove. His emotions were practically haywire at that. I could tell he didn't think it was possible, until that moment, but there it was - Ice.

I giggled as my senses picked up his turmoil, his face was frozen on me, and he had stopped walking. I just continued on ignoring him for more practice. 'I definitely have a lot to work on now. I have nearly every element at my fingertips to some degree, I can't wait to see where this takes me!'