Grim Reaper of Iwa

Chapter 2

"You fool! I should just kill you now!" Zabuza shouted at the blond known at Naruto Uzumaki. They had just escaped to the outskirts of Wave. Naruto had raided Gato's mansion and took all the valuables. He gave half of it to wave and gave the rest to the now enraged nukenin and his apprentice, Haku.

"I did it and there is nothing you can do to reverse what has been done." Naruto said with a glare before he took out a folder. "Besides, he was going to have you and Haku killed once you got the job done."

Zabuza stared at the blond former Konoha ninja, then he took the folder and flipped through it. What he saw pissed him off. "That bastard was going to sell my body to Kiri! UGH!" he grabbed his sword and sliced right through a tree in anger. He then stared at Naruto for moment.

Haku had told him of the blond's exploits with in Gato's mansion. He could honestly say he was a bit impressed, but he was already intrigued with the boy with his unusual maneuvers to get his old teacher out of the water prison. If he was to guess, he would say that the blond was not a normal genius by any means, but a battle genius! He could use that. Also, he silently thanked those mercs for shredding that god awful orange jacket. He needed to get this kid new clothes befitting a ninja. Not that orange crap. That line of thought made him pause. It was like he was already this kid's new teacher.

"I see your point brat, but what now? Are you going to go back to those Leaf nin?" Zabuza asked while Haku continued to stay quiet. Ugh…he hated that. Most of the time, Haku acted like a emotionless drone. It was fine of the battlefield but not in normal life. Was his training that bad? Ugh, he hoped the blond brat didn't go back to Konoha, Haku needed a friend.

Naruto scowled. "No, I bring nothing but pain to them." At Zabuza's questioning look, he continued. "I am Naruto Uzumaki. The son of the Fourth Hokage and third Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi."

Haku actually let loose some emotion at that. It was not fear or hatred. It was shock and hopefulness. Someone had been through pain like him…somewhat. He was sure Naruto had it worse but he just hoped they could bond over it.

Zabuza looked both shocked and skeptical about that. He was shocked that The Yellow Flash's brat was in front of him. The kid looked just like him, but the whisker makes were what made him look a bit different. Also…since when did Konoha have a Jinchuriki? Konoha for the most part never seemed like that had a Jinchuriki to start with! "I was not even aware of the first two."

"Not many would since the first one was the First Hokage' wife." Zabuza's eye twitched at that. "The second one was my mother, Kushina Uzumaki."

Zabuza had a mini heart attack at that. In front of him was not just the son of the Yellow Flash, but the Hot Blooded Habanero! Holy SHIT! That same chick who saved my ass when I was a kid? Dear god, this kid is a true ninja prodigy. I have got to get him on my side! "I see." The man said, trying to look calm. "What do you plan on doing now?"

"I…hadn't thought that far ahead yet." Naruto replied exasperatedly as he hung his head.

Zabuza actually chuckled at that. This kid was interesting. Not all that bright, but seemed to make anyone see the good in him. Konoha obliviously screwed up. He hit a freaking gold mine. It was said that Kushina could change the hearts of her enemies…sometimes. Man, this kid had it too if he was considering training the boy.

"Aright then kid. How about this, while I fully recover, I will teach you alongside Haku. I will make you into a competent Shinobi. Not an idiot who relies on luck alone. What do you say?"

"I'll do it." Naruto replied. The stories about this guy are a bit out there, but he was determined to get stronger…even if he had to take the Demon of the Mist as a Master.

Haku actually smiled at that. "Well, glad to see I am not alone in the training anymore."

"Yeah, so do I call you sempai now?" Naruto asked with a goofy grin.

Haku's smile grew. "I would not mind that. I am older than you after all."

Zabuza just let a small smirk grace his masked face as he watched the two interact.

XXX

A week later, the small group of nukenin were in a clearing. Zabuza felt that they were safe enough to begin training. Zabuza stared at Naruto intently. He had shown good skills when they fought off some idiot bandits, so he was sure Naruto had more tricks up his sleeves. One such trick was the two strange weapons the boy had at his sides. "Kid, I have got to ask, what is with those weapons?"

"Oh, I got these before leaving Wave. Apparently, they belonged to a ninja the Kyuubi used to run with before he was sealed with in Mito Uzumaki. The fox called him the Grim Reaper." Naruto said with a shrug.

Zabuza took a step back in shock. "Are you kidding me? You're a main line Uzumaki?"

"Huh?" Naruto asked.

Haku decided to help him on this. "Naruto-kun, he means that only the main family of the Uzumaki Clan can use those weapons. For the Grim Reaper was married into the main line and I think Mito was a daughter of his….or a granddaughter…I am not sure."

Before Naruto could really answer, the Kyuubi's voice spoke into his mind. "Yeah, I forgot to mention that. You had to be a descendent of the guy to be even allowed in the cave, but if you forced your way in…that atmosphere you felt would have killed you and I would not have been able to save you."

Oh now you tell me…ass. Naruto grumbled as he held head in annoyance. "Apparently I am the guy's descendent…otherwise I would have died."

"I see. So you just talked to the Kyuubi there as well. I wonder if I could teach you how to use its power….probably not." Zabuza mused. That would be a hard and dangerous task. Way too dangerous for him anyway. "Eh, we'll see what we can do. Now, tell about the weapons."

"Well, Kyuubi called this one the Claws of Hades. The hooks look like they have a strange yet dark power. The other is a Scythe called the Death Scythe. It feels like it has a dark power as well." Naruto commented.

"So…the legends were true." Zabuza said to himself. He really wanted the weapons for himself, but he was no fool. Only an Uzumaki could actually use those. "Right then, I will teach you how to use those weapons as well, but before that, here." He gave the blond a blank square piece of paper.

"What's this for?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It will tell us what type of chakra you have." Haku replied. "For example, I am an Ice user. So I have a high affinity for Wind and Water."

"Alright then." Naruto said with a shrug as he channeled chakra into it, the results surprising everyone. The paper gained multiple lines on it before splitting off. Then those pieces changed themselves. A third of the pieces became soggy, some of them burned up, and the rest had a strange reaction. They became dark and wispy.

"Interesting." Zabuza commented eyeing all the pieces, but mostly the strange ones. "It would seem you have a strong affinity to Wind while having smaller affinities for Water, Fire, and if I am correct, Darkness, caused by your interaction with the Death Weapons." Zabuza held the bridge of his nose. "This is going to be a lot of training…wait a second. Naruto, how many of those Shadow Clones can you make?"

"Uuuh. I don't know." Naruto replied with a shrug. "The most I ever made was about 500 when I had to beat Mizuki-teme for making me steal the forbidden scroll and almost killing Iruka-sensei. But hell, I wasn't even tired. The old man told me it took a lot of chakra, but I don't feel the affects."

Fucking gold mine! Screw you Konoha! Zabuza thought happily. Damn this kid was going to go far and maybe if they gained a lot more people and money, they could rejoin the Mist Rebels. He hoped Mei was ok…hell she could melt his balls off, so yeah, she was fine. "Fantastic. Let me tell you a secret about that jutsu. You can train with it because anything it learns, excluding physical aspects, you learn."

"ARGH! That would have so useful in the academy!" Naruto groaned, making Haku laugh and Zabuza to chuckle darkly.

"Alright kid, for the next month, we will be on the road a lot and so, we will be training a lot as well. Get ready for hell." Zabuza said with a glint in his eye and dark chuckle that made Naruto shiver.

XXX ( Not going into the training. Boring for me to read and even more to type)

"Careful. I heard Orochimaru of the Sannin has been in the area." Zabuza said seriously. They were currently in a land that bordered Rice, Fire, and Water.

"The hell is he doing here?" Naruto asked with annoyance. He had changed his attire in that month. With the money he had taken from Gato, Zabuza decided that Naruto needed new clothes as he was going to train an orange wearing fool.

The blond's attire now consisted of black steel toed combat boots, a pair of the black pants that had multiple pockets, and a black wife beater. He didn't feel like he needed a jacket or anything like that…yet. And with no head band, his hair was slightly covering his eyes. Speaking of hair, it was less unruly when longer as it clumped together in larger spikes. At times, it would seem that a spike was covering an eye.

"If you listened on in the conversations people have when we pass through villages and towns, you would know why, Naruto-kun." Haku kindly stated. However, Naruto knew enough about the boy now that he knew that Haku was insulting him. Haku seemed like a kind person and he kept that persona even when he would be degrading someone. It was nerve wrecking sometimes. "Word is, the man is recruiting people for Otogakure, an up and coming village that he is leading himself."

"Great…" Naruto replied as he eyed his best friend. Haku still wore the same battle attire and kept the Kiri Hunter mask, but he just wished that he would dress normal when they were in town. I mean, he had to pretend the boy was his older sister while in town!

"Correct Haku." Zabuza replied. "Just be careful just in case. I'd rather not fight the man if I can help it." The group was nearing a small village and unfortunately, since they were near Water Country, people seemed skittish around bloodline users. However, they came there for a reason. Zabuza had heard about a girl there that had a bloodline…and it was very unique to say the least. It sounded like something that belonged in Earth Country.

"Right." Naruto said. He didn't think he was ready to someone like a Sennin just yet. Sure he would fight to protect his new family as he saw them, but he would probably die. As they walked through the town, he thought about his training. Suffice to say, Zabuza was a fucking slaving driver.

While the man had his clones working on various Jutsu, Chakra Control excerises, and Elemental Manipulation, he had the original in Taijutsu training. The man noticed that Naruto had to decent Taijutsu Style, so he taught the boy a little of everything since he was a sword expert. And when not training his body, he was training with his weapons. How Zabuza even knew how to use a chained weapon was beyond him. When asked, he pawned it off to some guy in Iron Country...who ever that was. The scythe was just trial and error since it not a usual Shinobi weapon.

He was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he almost missed a commotion at the end of the street. Almost. They looked past the mob to see a girl on her knees with a rather large bump on her head. Someone must have hit her in the head. Naruto growled at that and by the look on Haku's currently unmasked face; he didn't like it as well.

Found her already…that was quick. Zabuza thought. "You two handle this, I am going to go and get a drink."

"Yeah whatever sensei. They should call you the Lazy Demon instead." Naruto growled. Haku was somewhat amused at their banter. He was used to it by now. Zabuza while a hard ass ninja, cared for the both of them like his own sons…he just didn't like showing it though.

"Just go and help the girl, brat!" Zabuza said as he walked away, waving them off.

"It looks like it could get worse Naruto-kun. We must hurry." Haku said as he looked back at the girl in worry. "Worry about Zabuza-sama later!"

"Right!" Naruto confirmed as he and Haku disappeared over to the girl a moment later via Body Flicker. "Leave her alone!"

"I won't like it, but we will kill you if you continue this foolishness." Haku replied in kind.

"Why are you defending this little witch?" a female village spat with vemon.

"I see no witch." Haku replied, making the girl eye him in shock.

"Yeah…all we see is a group of dumbasses picking on a girl." Naruto said.

"She has a bloodline! We are following Mist's example and killing her!"

"Fools." Naruto said while his hair over his eyes. He eyed Haku and nodded to the boy. Haku knew what that meant. They would have to apply a scare tactic they had recently developed with Naruto's death powers and Haku's ice. Naruto silently extended his scythe and showed these people that face.

As that was going on Haku was making the air temperature drop and ice was forming around them…mostly Naruto. The girl behind them was not affected, but she was shocked that random strangers were helping her of all people. Maybe there were good people in the world after all.

The crowd was silently freaking out at that two boys in front of them but Naruto had captured all their attention when he scythe started generating wisps of darkness that converged on to Naruto, seemingly making his skin fade away to show nothing but bleach white bones.

"You fools. You must have seen ninja before. They showed powers similar to the Bloodline users. No, you are just afraid, but you turn that hatred into a never ending cycle." Naruto said in a hollow voice. "Leave now or I will kill you."

"It's the Shinigami!" the random villager screamed before the crowd quickly dispersed in a panic.

The darkness left Naruto's form, making him revert back to normal. The feeling of dread in the air was now gone and the girl stared at him and Haku in awe, a little jealous of their power. The two boys turned around to take a look at the girl, taking in her features.

She had fair skin, dark eyes and shirt light blue hair which she kept in a spiky ponytail with long strands of hair framing her face. She wore a teal short kimono with a gray turtle neck and short sleeves with a jade-green rope belt around his waist, and red shorts, light purple wrist bands and navy blue sandals.

Haku smiled kindly. "Hello, I am Haku Yuki and this one is Naruto Uzumaki. Are you alright?"

The girl stared at Haku for a moment. While he seemed strong…he looked like a freaking girl! Well…his face did anyway. She then turned her head to the blond and smirked. He seemed like the stronger of the two and well, she wondered if that dead like state was a bloodline. Hell Haku could have the Ice Bloodline for all she knew. "Yes, I am. Thank you. My name is Guren Lagan." She paused for a moment and then asked. "Why are you here anyway? This village is pretty out of the way."

"Simple, our sensei heard about your unique bloodline and your situation." Naruto replied. "Hell is it similar to ours?"

"Your bloodline users as well?" Guren asked in shock.

"Sort of. I am an Ice user, which is bloodline from Kiri." Haku stated before eyeing Naruto, wondering if the blond would tell his secret.

Naruto smile as well. "Yeah, I am not a bloodline user. I am the Jinchuriki from Konoha."

Guren stared wide eyed at that two. They were people who understood her pain! And they were strong. She liked that. Yes she heard what Konoha did to their Jinchuriki. It was sad, but it connected them. "So, your sensei must pretty strong and level headed to deal with you and make you strong AND he is looking for another? I am your gal then."

Naruto and Haku looked at each other in amusement. This girl, despite the abuse, was pretty full of herself. "You hit the nail on the head kid." Zabuza's voice stated. Said man came up right behind them and put his hands on the boys' shoulders. "I have made them strong in my own way. However, they were already strong in their own right. I see that same strength in you Guren. Haku, my first apprentice was an orphan boy who had just killed his father during the bloodline purges and still retained his kind nature. Naruto, my second apprentice. He was treated as the thing he holds inside him and yet, he is still a goofy idiot who can change people's hearts."

Guren smiled at that. Sure, she knew who this man was and was entirely surprised at his behavior due to the rumors around the man. If what he said was true…then Naruto does have that power. "I accept." She said with full determination and a bit of smugness.

"Now there is you, Guren, my third apprentice. I can see that despite your own hardships, you have retained a bit of smugness and if I am not mistaken, a bit of vanity as well." Zabuza stated.

Guren blushed at that. "You could say that." Then she took on a smug look as he produced a pink crystal and looked at her own reflection. "But you do have to admit, I am pretty hot for a 15 year old."

Zabuza said nothing, a bit annoyed already. However, Naruto, being the smartass he is, stated, "I agree and while a beauty such as yourself is now a part of our group, maybe you can teach Haku here how to be a real girl."

Haku steamed at that. "What was that, Naruto-kun?"

"Well come one man, you dress like a girl, you have the looks of a girl, and I am pretty sure this beauty can help you be a girl." Naruto joked around with a big smile.

Guren was already seeing the team dynamic between these two and was intrigued. However, now came her personality into the mix. She sauntered up to the blond with a sly smile. "My, coming onto me already, eh blondie? While I admit mister girlie could use a few pointers, are you sure you want him as a true girl? You know, you could just have me."

Naruto froze, stuck in his own prank and with a slack jaw. Zabuza roared with laughter, glad that someone finally got him. Haku smiled kindly, but this time it seemed very creepy. "Well, she turned that on you pretty quick, didn't she?"

At Naruto's noncoherent blabber, Guren laughed. "Oh yeah, this will be fun! But don't worry blondie, I am not that into you. I actually think I could go for the girlie one."

"W-what?" Haku almost shouted, completely off guard.

Guren chuckled before walking to the exit of the village. "Don't just stand there boys, let's get a move on!"

At Naruto and Haku's gob smacked expressions, Zabuza smirked as he followed after the girl. "Oh yeah, you two are so screwed."

The two remained in place for a few seconds before they got out of their daze and ran after them. Their little group had gotten a hell of a lot more interesting.

XXX

Zabuza grimaced at the news he just heard while he and his students were eating at a restaurant a few villages over. It had been a day since they let and there was already bad news. He had been right about Orochimaru being in the area and it seemed that he was after Guren. However, since she was not there, the sick man destroyed the entire village before disappearing. Why are things never easy?

Oh well, it could not be helped. Now to focus on their training. He would have to help Guren develop her own techniques, just like he was doing to with Haku and his ice. Naruto, however, was another story. His Death jutsu was very interesting, but he needed more…variety to his attacks.

Nodding to himself, he addressed the kids. "Ok. Here is how training will go. Naruto, your clones will work on the next stage of elemental manipulation for your elements and work on some of the jutsu that Gato had in his private collection. Those are rightly yours since you killed him and blew up his place. However, I think it would be best if we branch out more. I want you to find something of Seals. Your family excelled in those and I am sure you can too."

Naruto smirked. "Aye captain of the Bloody Massacre!" He said with a goofy grin as he used his darkness to manipulate his saluting hand and eyes to go all dead like, scaring a few nearby customers.

"Knock it off dumbass!" Zabuza raged at Naruto as he whacked him upside the dead. "Now…on to Haku. I want you to work on your speed. If possible, work with Naruto in the Taijutsu department. He has good speed and enhance strength due to the fox. Also, we need to think up some more jutsu for you. Using the same thing over and over could make you predictable."

"Yes sir." Haku said respectfully.

"Guren, I think I can help you with your future jutsu. I knew a guy who could do something similar. We will have to work on that. We will also see about your Taijutsu. I also want toy try and teach you about poisons since Haku here is into the medical field as well. That way he have a few more bases covered." Zabuza ended.

"Sounds like a plan, big man." Guren replied.

"Good and Guren, just ask both boy's, my training is hell." Zabuza replied with an evil look that made the girl shiver.

XXX

Kakashi sighed as he looked at the memorial stone in sadness. His team had returned about a week ago and things…were not great at all. After finding out that Naruto was MIA, the Hokage was enraged, especially when Kakashi told him that Naruto confessed about the Kyuubi.

Now, imagine the elderly Hokage's surprise when he saw Kakashi's remaining students support Naruto and even go so far as to say they would bring back their friend and hero. Still, Naruto disappearance had proved how…dark the citizens on Konoha had gotten. They fell from grace many years ago with their arrogance in his eyes, but now, celebrating the loss of the Naruto was a new low, even for them. In his and Kakashi's eyes, Konoha had true fallen.

After that, the parents, with Naruto no longer there, spread word of Naruto's true condition and that created a rift within the village. The younger generation respected Naruto now more than ever and they resented the elder generation for what they did to Naruto. The rift widened even more when Sasuke and Sakura told people of Naruto's father. It wasn't just a generation thing after that. It was near panic for everyone.

The village looked to be at the brink of their first civil war all because of the Third Hokage's foolish decisions.

No, this did not bode well at all.

XXXXX

So yeah, that's the second chapter. I hope you liked the little pun i did with Guren's name.

Review!