Twelve Souls, One Way

Chapter 4: The Masquerade, Part I

Author: The Demonic Ninja 3

Beta Reader: featherdreams

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto! Or future references and scenes from My Sassy Girl

Summary: Haku has come back to life. Zabuza is still dead. Haku must find a way to resurrect Zabuza. To do this, he will accompanied by the most unusual companions…

Pairings: The first pairing of this story appear! It's ... NaruHinaKiba! ... ok not a pairing...but a love triangle...

Author's Notes:

I apologise for not updating in ages. I've been trying to update all my stories at the same time! So I put a priorities list on my profile page for my updates. I just have two more story left before I start my cycle again WOOT!

Another happy note! I got a BETA reader! YAY! Thank you featherdreams for editing my fic!

Thanks youz: I thank all my supportive reviewers!

Poll Results:

Majority of the people said no to the OC, so there will be no OC that will tag along with the group :D


"hmmm… looking good" smirked a milky-eyed teen. His vain appearance was reflected by his pampered mirror. A knock was heard at the door.

"Come in," said the teen.

The shoji door slid open to reveal a little girl. Well, she wasn't exactly a child anymore. She was already 16 years old, but her innocence made her look 12 years old.

"Ano… N-Neji-nii-sama, I b-brought your mask…"

Neji's eyes narrowed at the box Hinata was carrying and shrugged.

"Arigato Hinata-sama."

Hinata smiled as she analyzed her cousin's aristocratic appearance. Neji was wearing a royal blue kimono jacket. His dress pants consisted of an intricate white pattern on the side, and his shoes just completed the outfit.

"What are you smiling about Hinata? Is there something on my face?" Neji asked anxiously.

"N…nothing…" replied Hinata. It had been 3 years since her cousin had looked this proud of himself, so she doesn't want to spoil his mood.

"Eh? Why aren't you in your kimono? You know the masquerade IS in three hours…"

The heiress blushed. "I wanted t-to give you y-your mask first."

Neji sighed. "All right, but you should get dressed. No one wants the Hyuuga Heiress to look like a disaster waiting to happen right?"

Hinata nodded and tried to cover her growing smile as she exited the room. Neji stared at the black velvet mask and placed it on his face. His face became one of sorrow but he quickly shook his head.

"She would want me to be happy now…" Neji said to himself as he tried to cheer himself up. He fixed his hair one last time before leaving his room...


"SUGOI!" Kisame exclaimed, followed quickly by a fist to the head from Itachi. Haku was too filled with awe to do anything to Kisame, and… well Jiriya was doing what he does best when attractive members of the opposite gender were around…

The four misfits were currently at the front doors of the feudal lord's masquerade hall. All the guests were in some sort of single file line as a result of the tight ANBU security. Eventually, the four reached the front of the line. At the front door stood a female ANBU wearing a cat mask. Her violet coloured hair was tied in a strange ponytail. The ANBU spoke in a harsh tone that resembled one of a robot.

"Name?"

Jiriya chose that moment to snap back to reality and begin his ridiculous speech.

"A being so handsome,
so intelligent
and so powerful that it makes a bunny duck into the bushes.
The women can't help but be seduced by his beauty…
because that being is ME!"

The ANBU stared at him in annoyance.

"… A short, but ridiculous speech of an ego-inflated person, needing dire need of psychological help. Give me your name or leave."

"You still don't know me?"

"No."

"I am the great JIRIYA-SAMA!"

"Go insert the big puffs of blue smoke and some reiatsu around his body to make him look more powerful…" Kisame whispered to Haku and Itachi. They just looked at him with eyebrows raised.

"Oh, I see you on the list… do you have any guests with you?" The ANBU stated dully as she ticked Jiriya's name off the list.

Jiriya collapsed to the floor like an idiot.

"Women are getting bolder and blunter these days, aren't they?" Jiriya smiled enthusiastically as he motioned to kiss the back of the ANBU's hand but to only receive a resounding slap on his left cheek and a punch on his right.

"OW!" Jiriya yelled as he nursed his injured face.

"Now I will repeat the question again. Do you have any guests that are accompanied with you?" The ANBU remained in her robotic state even though small twitching marks were scene on her head. Her eyes were as zoned-out as before.

"Yes, my guests and loyal minions, the Sugahara Siblings!" Jiriya smiled enthusiastically but suddenly felt glares burning through his back. There was a sudden jolt backwards as Itachi and Kisame held Jiriya by his ears and towed him out of the ANBU's sight. Haku smiled sheepishly as he ran to join them, after muttering a quick apology to the annoyed ANBU.

"We're the Sugahara siblings, Ms. ANBU. We're Jiriya's guests." Haku yelled behind his shoulder as he ran to stop Itachi and Kisame from ruining Jiriya's face any further. His face now sported multiple of bruises on both his cheeks, a bruised right eye, and pinch marks all over his face.

"Let's rewind, shall we?" Haku smiled innocently as he pressed the rewind button on a remote that came out of nowhere.

Haku and company were standing in front of the ANBU guard, and Jiriya was sporting no bruises on his face at all.

"The name's Jiriya, and I brought along my guests, Sugahara Ryuu, Sugahara Riku and Sugahara Asuka." Jiriya said in a courtly fashion.

"Hmm… and which village or country are they from Jiriya-sama?"

"The Tea Country."

"Wakarimasu. You may now enter. Please enjoy the evening honored guests, and we hope everything is done to your satisfaction."

The ANBU bowed and opened the door to the Great Hall. The four slipped in quickly as the door slammed shut. Haku could hear the woman's voice through the door again as she asked for the name of the next person in line.

"Name?"


The banquet hall was gorgeous. There were portraits of celestial maidens, gods and heroes. It was also sparkling clean, screaming the message to all guests: "I'VE BEEN CLEANED RECENTLY"!

Tables were set in the back of the hall. The food had not yet arrived, but many distinguished guests were already there socializing. The music was calm and enchanting, but so much as to seem a bit eerie to Haku.

The four ninjas locked eyes with one another and muttered under their breaths.

"Mission Commence."

And they parted ways, dissolving into the crowds.


"This is AWESOME!" exclaimed Naruto as he ran around the banquet hall being everyone's loveable idiot that he is. A violet haired girl suddenly caught his eye.

"OI! HINATA-CHAN!"

The girl turned around and blushed a deep crimson colour.

"Konnichiwa Naruto-kun."

"Sugoi Hinata… you look kawaii today in that orange kimono that you're wearing…" Naruto could do nothing at all but drool.

"Honto ni? … Arigatou Naruto-kun…" Hinata replied, her face still the flaming colour of a tomato.

"Ne ne, you're cute all the time Hinata!" Naruto confessed as he saw steam starting to spout out of her ears.

"OH NO HINATA-CHAN! STEAM IS COMING OUT OF YOUR EARS!" Naruto panicked as he ran around in circles screaming like an idiot.

"Be quiet for once Naruto." Neji said calmly as he held Naruto by his head, stopping him from running around.

"Whoa Neji, what's with the getup? It's so… FORMAL!" Naruto observed thoughtfully as Neji put him back down on the ground opposite him.

"A masquerade is a formal gathering, is it not?"

Naruto pondered the new concept for a second, but didn't show any signs of understanding. He shrugged.

"Whatever! You don't mind if I go dance with Hinata, do you?" Naruto asked suspiciously, raising an eyebrow and trying his best to imitate Sherlock Holmes.

"Do I look like I mind?" Neji replied irritably. Naruto looked at Neji for a second.

"Who cares, she's mine for the evening." Naruto stuck out his tongue childishly as he took Hinata's hand in his and ran into the crowds with Hinata in tow.

"Neji-kun! You should find a dance partner as well!" Hinata yelled, or rather tried to yell but her voice got drained out by the loud ones of their guests.

"WHAT?" Neji yelled into the crowd, but Hinata had already disappeared.

Neji gulped as he saw his uncle manoeuvre through the crowds. He silently turned and walked in the opposite direction.

"Geez, what's up with him?" Naruto asked Hinata as they started to dance.

Hinata giggled. "Ever since the incident 3 years ago, father wanted Neji to move on and find a girlfriend, because he wanted him to socialize more. But for some really odd reason he keeps refusing, so for the past week, father was giving him lectures on why he should take this masquerade as an advantage and meet a girl. Of course nii-san would never do this, but to avoid father he will pretend to find a girlfriend... and do almost anything to get away from father."

Naruto raised an inquisitive eyebrow and shrugged. It wasn't like anything Hinata had just said had registered into his brain...


Haku slipped into the crowds, oblivious of the other guests. His focus was on finding his target: the ox –Hyuuga Neji. Itachi had stated that the boy had pearl white eyes (the Byakugan), long raven hair and was very blunt in speech.

Suddenly a group of people caught the missing ninja's attention. In the small group was Uzumaki Naruto and two Byakugan bearers.

"Is that boy the ox?" Haku questioned himself but as he was pondering for his answer, he was whisked away by an unknown force. The sudden urge of whipping a thousand shurikens had almost overcome him but when Haku noticed who the person was, he resisted himself.

' It's the target', Haku thought. 'Calm yourself, and think of a plan to get him to join your quest.' But when Haku had finally figured out what he was about to say, Neji was gone...


"You know, Hinata-chan, you look really cute in that orange kimono", smiled Naruto as the couple danced to the ethereal music.

"N..Naruto-kun, you've said that for the hundredth time today," Hinata replied nervously.

"Oh, but you look really pretty, and I wanted to EMPHASIZE it."

Hinata just blushed, when suddenly someone came running up to them.

"Oi! Naruto! Get your hands off Hinata!" yelled the teen as he pounced on Naruto, a big dog trailing behind him and barking a greeting to Hinata.

"Kiba-kun!" exclaimed Hinata in astonishment, which was followed by a bark from Akamaru.

"Hi Hinata, how are you tonight?" smiled Kiba as he pushed Naruto out of the way, making him land on his face.

Naruto scowled at him from the ground and was about to pull Kiba down onto the ground with him when a hand withheld him back.

"You shouldn't start a fight here Naruto."

"ERO-SENIN? What are YOU doing here?" Naruto yelled in his face as he got off the ground.

Jiriya punched Naruto in the head. "It's because I'M here that YOU'RE invited as well. Show some gratefulness for once, will you?"

Naruto crossed his arms and turned his back on his sensei. Kiba smirked and gave Naruto a smug look.

"Before someone gets seriously injured, we should make Hinata decide on who she wants to go out with tonight." Kiba stated wisely.

"K-Kiba-kun, weren't you on a mission with Akamaru?" Hinata questioned the pair.

"Yeah, but I finished it really early and came back an hour ago, so I was in time for the masquerade. Tsunade-sama's making me go on another one tomorrow though..."

"Ha, you look like a bird." laughed Naruto as he finally noticed Kiba's funky mask… which was covered with feathers.

"Wouldn't talk, you look like a fox." Replied Kiba. His eyes were locked in combat with Naruto's.

"Oh yeah, bird-brain, at least I'm cunning." Naruto retorted.

"Who said cunning's a good thing?" Kiba spat back but inside he was impressed at Naruto's quick responses.

"Bird brain!"

"Fox-Kit!"

"Bird brain."

"Fox-Kit!"

Jiriya sighed as he grabbed the scruff of Naruto's jacket and left the group, saying that he had to discuss something with him…


Itachi walked casually through the crowds, regretting ever to have entered the banquet. Girls were winking at him, some were waving, but he ignored them all. It wasn't his fault that Kazuki had made him a Phantom of the Opera costume which made him look mysteriously attractive. He had a dark black cloak with a white mask that covered half of his face.

"Damn Kazuki!" He thought as he scanned the crowd for his target, Yamanaka Ino.

Suddenly Itachi saw said target with a pink-haired kunoichi, in an elegant red dress. Ino was wearing a dark violet dress that perfectly matched her hair and eyes. Itachi took a deep breath and walked up behind Ino. The missing ninja tapped the blonde on the shoulder, and watched as the girl spun around and stared.

"Would you care for a dance?" Itachi proposed. Ino blushed, then nodded.

"May I ask what your name is?" Ino questioned as she danced with the "Phantom of the Opera".

"Sugahara Riku. And your name is Yamanaka Ino, am I correct?"

Ino blinked in astonishment. 'This person knows my name! WHAT A STALKER!' She fumed inwardly, but at the same time feeling an emotion akin to reverence.

"How did you come across my name?" She asked as she dreamily stared at her partner's face… half-face.

"Oh I saw you this afternoon. I believe you were the girl yelling at my sister Asuka."

Ino gasped. "Oh, I'm SO sorry. I didn't mean to yell at your sister. I was just… in a bad mood. I know that it's a lame excuse…" Ino felt awkward speaking so formally to 'Riku', but this guy was older than she was…

"You don't seem the type of lady who would yell people's heads off for no reason. I'm sure my sister understands, although she does tend to have a very fiery nature."

Ino attempted to swallow her fear. "Oh man, I was SO stupid in doing that. WHAT DO I DO?!"

But suddenly Itachi's suggestion broke through her confusion, and answered her prayer.

"Well, I'm sure she's more than happy to forgive you if you join her quest."

"REALLY?"

"I'm certain. Asuka needs a lot of help on this quest of hers, so if you volunteer to help, I'm sure she won't harm you. Normally when she wants to get back at someone, she tortures them until they die. And let me tell you, it's a VERY horrible death. But if you join her quest, you'll become her friend and ally, and I'm sure she wouldn't even think about revenge."

Ino thought for a moment and nodded.

"So how do I help her?"

"Just follow my lead, and we'll get to Asuka and discuss what will happen next."

"All right."

"You do promise to help no matter what happens, right?"

"Yeah…" Ino replied, but she began to have second thoughts.

'I don't even know this guy, and here I am binding myself to this sister of his with no way out! Why on earth am I so committed? Hey wait a second… this guy looks like someone I know…'

"Do I know you?" Ino questioned out of the blue.

"No, this is my first trip to the Konohagakure."

"Do you have any relatives here?"

"No, they all live in the Tea Country. Why the sudden interest in me?" Itachi asked.

"Oh nothing, you just look like someone I know…"

"I've heard that from quite a few villagers here…" Itachi started to reply, when suddenly someone yelled in exclamation, and made the whole banquet fall silent…


"AWESOME!" exclaimed Kisame. "There's crab, fish, beef, pork chops, lamb chops, lobster and everything that could make me drool!"

Kisame began running up and down the rows and rows of buffet tables, while shovelling food into his mouth. A few girls were giving him the 'Is he insane' look, while some other girls thought he was kind of cute. Kisame ignored them all. His main priority was FOOD!

Suddenly the missing ninja slammed into a teen.

"Sorry, my bad." He yelled as he continued his feasting marathon.

The teen just scowled, his pearl white eyes starring straight at the back of the man who knocked him down. He cursed a few times and continued to walk towards the Jell-o stalls.

Kisame almost felt like a stuffed turkey. Key word? Almost.

"Man I wonder how the others are doing?" He thought when he suddenly saw the chicken drumstick stall. There was only one left, and it looked juicy and crisp too. There was no doubt about it. Kisame eyed the drumstick in hunger, imagining a sign in front of it saying "For Kisame". He ran towards the stall like a madman.

Just as he grabbed for the tongs, he saw that he wasn't the only person eyeing the drumstick. A small midget boy was also holding the tongs. It was a kid with a pineapple hair cut. He had a chipped tooth and wore a long scarf.

"Get your hands off the tongs kid." Kisame snarled.

"You can't boss me around!" exclaimed the insolent boy.

"Oh yeah, well I was the one who reached for the tongs first."

"Oh yeah but I'm the one who GOT the tongs first. Do you even KNOW who I am?"

"Like I care twerp!"

"I am KONOHAMARU, the son of the third Hokage, for your big fat information." The boy said, sticking out his tongue to further emphasize his point.

"Oh yeah, well I'm Hoshigaki Kisame. An S-ranked renegade ninja of the Akatsuki, former member of the Seven Mist Sowrdsmen!"

Silence suddenly spread throughout the hall.

"Er… why is everyone so quiet all of a sudden?" Kisame looked around, loosening his grip on the tongs. Konohamaru smirked in victory as he quietly took the crispy drumstick and stealthily crawled out of the spotlight.

"That idiot, Kisame." Itachi muttered.

'NOOOOOO…' Haku thought-screamed.

"Great, all that hard work for nothing." Mumbled Jiriya.

All four of them were silent, as the rest of the people present in the hall, awaiting their impending doom.


End of Chapter!

WOOT! I finally finished the fourth chapter! I feel so proud :D

I went through the previous few chapter and did some editing. Nothing really much.

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Bad bad Kisame! You spoiled their plan!

Anyways!

Please,

Read and Review!

Thank you for reading Twelve Souls, One Way