The Atmosphere within Tazuna's home had relaxed considerably since the earlier incident between Naruto and Inari.
The leaf team was treated to Tsunami's cooking which earned glowing reviews from each of the Ninja especially Naruto who had asked for multiple servings.
As the evening turned to night each of the genin began to turn in for the night, knowing that tomorrow's exercises with Kakashi could consist of anything. The last to head to bed was Naruto. As he began to head for the stairs he saw Inari sitting on the bottom step.
"Inari?" Naruto asked studying the boy for a long moment.
"Naruto can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked as he looked up at the blonde it was clear he had been crying recently.
"Eh Sure what's wrong?" Naruto asked as he walked forward, before leaning on the railing of the stairs.
"I-I just wanted to say I'm sorry for earlier...I was wrong to say those things. Hinata told me how bad you had it growing up." He said quietly.
Naruto's eyes widened. "When did she tell you that?"
"Right after you left "
*Flashback*
Inari stood at the window watching as the loud mouthed idiot stormed away from the house heading towards the village.
"What does he know? he has no idea what he's talking about." Inari sniffed as he wiped his eyes.
A moment later a soft knock could be heard at his door. He sniffed and quickly dried his tears before he turned and walked to the door. Opening the door he saw the female ninja from earlier standing there fiddling nervously with her fingers.
"What do you want?" he snapped narrowing his eyes.
"Ano may I come in please? There's something I need to say" she said softly.
He almost considered slamming the door in her face but instead he backed away from the door. "Tch do whatever you want, but I'm not going to apologize to your friend. He's an idiot." he said as he turned walking back into his room.
Hinata walked silently into the room behind him before she found her voice again as she shut the door behind her.
"Ano you shouldn't talk about Naruto-kun that way. Your so upset with him, but I think he understands you more then you think, I just don't think you understand him." she said softly.
"Then why are you here? to lecture me?" Inari asked as he turned to glare at the girl.
"I want to help you understand him and then maybe you'll understand why he won't abandon this cause. Naruto has been alone since he was born, most of our village doesn't like Naruto, but he never let it keep him down he's always been such a strong person and those around him feel stronger as well." she said quietly as she allowed a small smile.
"W-why are you telling me this?" Inari asked in a much softer tone.
"Because I think Naruto's true strength doesn't come from his ability as a Ninja or his physical strength, but the will to never give up. He knows better the anyone that if you want something badly enough you hold on to that dream and fight for it. Inari your not going to win every battle, but I think true strength means rising when you fall and never giving in. I think you're capable of doing that as well" she said before falling silent.
Inari wiped his eyes before he simply stared at her.
"Y-you really think I can do something?" he asked weakly.
"I know you can..." she replied with a tender smile.
*End Flashback*
"She really said all of that?" Naruto asked before a small smile spread across his face.
Inari nodded.
"You know she's right...you're only incapable of doing something if that's what you believe, but I believe you can help bring change to your village" Naruto said sincerely.
Inari sniffed. "I-I'm so tired of crying.." he exclaimed.
Naruto smiled as he walked over and knelt down before placing a hand on Inari's shoulder. "Hey don't worry so much and keep in mind for the future...it's alright to cry when you're happy." he said .
Inari sniffed again before offering a weak smile in response. "Thanks for everything...I'm sorry about earlier." he said.
"Eh don't worry about it we're friends now...I should get to bed though or Kakashi-Sensei will kill me if I fall asleep during tomorrow's training" he said before offered another wave before he slipped passed Inari on the stairs.
"Oi I'll see you tomorrow Inari" he called as he reached the top of the landing and made his way into one of the small guest rooms before shutting the door behind him.
Naruto lay on top of Hinata in a field of wildflowers. Sweat dripped off his face as his cerulean blue eyes gazed deep into her beautiful lavender pools. "Your so beautiful Hinata-chan he said as he reached out and tucked a few stray blueblack hairs behind her ear before kissing her forehead softly.
Hinata's eyes sparkled in delight as she looked up at him. "Kiss me Naruto-kun" she breathed as she reached up and caressed his whiskered cheek.
Naruto leaned forward to capture her lips .
"Mmm Hinata" he said in delight only to feel the world around him fading, as he blinked his eyes he found himself laying on his back in the grassy field that he,Hinata, and and the rest of his team had arrived at hours earlier..
As he sat up he saw two girls standing next to him.
Hinata was blushing furiously as she fidgeted with her fingers, while the second girl whom Naruto didn't recognize was cradling a basket and offered him a friendly smile. The girl looked to be perhaps a year or two older then him and Hinata, she had long silky black hair, pale skin and large, dark brown eyes.
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Woah what happened and who are you miss?" he asked blinking his eyes.
"A-ano ...you fell after f-finishing the tree c-climbing with Sensei...He said you were fine just exhausted, but he a-asked me to w-wait here till you a-awoke"Hinata said softly still fidgeting slightly.
"Hehe yeah I probably overdid it and used too much chakra. At least with each others help it didn't take that long" he said laughing before he again scratched the back of his head.
Hinata giggled before she glanced over to the girl beside her. "Ano Naruto-kun this is Haku-san...I met her while she was picking herbs around here" she said softly.
Haku still had a small smile on her face as she bowed her head forward.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Naruto-san, Hinata here was telling me all about you and was even nice enough to help me pick some herbs, while waiting for you to wake up" she said.
Hinata blushed faintly while Naruto grinned widely.
"Yeah Hinata is the greatest! and it's nice to meet you too" he exclaimed happily before he stood up and began dusting his pants off.
Hinata began to resemble a tomato while Haku giggled at the blonde's energy.
"Soooo what are the herbs for anyways ?" he asked curiously.
Haku glanced down at her basket a moment before a sincere smile spread across her face. "These are for someone precious to me that is injured at the moment" she said softly.
Naruto's demeanor shifted slightly as he smiled. "Someone precious huh?" he asked almost in a whisper.
"Hai that person that you would do anything for without hesitation...you know that one person that means more to you then your entire life" she said thoughtfully.
Naruto and Hinata's eyes widened at her statement but both remained quiet.
"I think the two of you know that feeling well" she said before smiling fondly at the pair.
Both blushed furiously though both mentally acknowledging her words.
Haku giggled softly as she looked at the pair.
"It was a pleasure to meet both of you, but I should be getting back...it's getting late. Good luck with your training and be safe...I hope you both can protect what is most precious to you" she as she offered a final smile that almost seemed sad.
As Haku began to walk away Hinata hesitated a moment before running and catching up with the older girl. When she did the Haku turned raising an eyebrow.
Hinata finally spoke after a moment almost in a whisper.
"A-ano...Haku..p-please don't do t-this...we s-shouldn't have to f-fight" she said in a small voice.
Haku's eyes widened and she was about to reach for a weapon under her Kimono, but stopped as she kept her face composed.
"How did you know?" she asked softly.
"I-I saw it with my eyes...your chakra is the same as the Hunter Nin we saw a few days ago..." she said quietly.
Haku's body relaxed slightly though her gaze hardened slightly.
"Hinata...there is no avoiding what fate and Zabuza-sama intends for me. I hope that I don't have to fight you or Naruto, but if that day comes we will both be fighting for what is most precious to us" she said softly as she turned and without another word left Hinata standing there.
Hinata stood there with a concerned expression for several moments till she finally heard a voice that brought her out of her reverie.
"Oi earth to Hinata! " Naruto said as he waved his hand in front of her face.
Hinata blushed before responding.
"H-hai?" she asked.
Naruto just shook his head. "Come on Hinata, lets go back to Tazuna's house and eat! I'm famished" he cried before he grabbed her hand and began darting out of the field, through the village, and back towards Tazuna's house.
Early the next day Hinata and Naruto found themselves on the bridge watching Tazuna while Sasuke was to spend the day training with Kakashi one on one.
Hinata watched in wonder as Naruto and a horde of his clones began darting across the bridge assisting in anyway possible.
When they had arrived earlier Tazuna had learned that over half of his team previously working on the bridge had quit, most likely afraid of what Gato would do to them and their families.
Naruto had surprised the bridge builder with a solution to his shortage of man power.
Hinata leaned against the railing of the incomplete bridge as she watched with a small smile as the massive amount of clones worked diligently. She couldn't help but worry as she noticed the real Naruto standing off to the side of the bridge with a very spaced out look. It wasn't the first time she'd seen him space out lately and she had begun to worry about that their was something bothering him..
What Hinata didn't realize was that Naruto was actually in his mindscape standing before the Kyuubi's cage.
"Fox we need to talk."
The Kyuubi opened one of his large eyes as he stared at his host a moment. "I grow weary of these conversations. What do you want from me?"
Naruto hesitantly approached the cage as he stared up at the large Bijuu.
"Well I wanted to know more about your mate. I'm worried about Hinata."
The large fox huffed. "You fear for what will happen when the pale eyed one learns what she contains...or is it you fear that my mate will seek her freedom as I do." he grumbled.
Naruto expression was unreadable a moment, before he finally bowed his head. "A bit of both. Hinata has grown so much in the short amount of time we've been training, but she's gentle and kind. I don't want her to lose that part of herself."
The Kyuubi opened his other eye as he stared at his host a moment. "Fortunately you have little to fear. The Vixen, my mate has always sympathized more with your kind then I have. The bigger concern is whether or not the girl can remain in control with that much chakra at her disposal. As you already know...my chakra is much more intense then any mere humans is."
"You don't have to tell me. I nearly went on a rampage when I first felt it." he sighed.
"Well you've had your question now leave." growled the fox as he shut his eyes.
"Thanks fox." Naruto muttered, before he left his min scape to find a concerned Hinata starring at him her hands gripping his shoulders tightly.
"Oh sorry whats up do I have something on my face ?" he said before laughing sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head.
"N-naruto what's wrong...and don't t-tell me you were just spaced out" she whispered.
"I'm ok really Hinata-chan, sometimes I speak with the fox and I sort of enter this room in my mind where I can better speak with him." he explained.
"You can speak with the Kyuubi?" she asked her eyes widening.
"Yeah he's kind of a pain in the butt, but he's not so bad when you get use to him." he said as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Your s-sure your ok ?" she asked studying him closely.
"You betcha " he said forcing a smile for her.
She saw through his deception, but allowed a small smile to grace her lips.
"Come on you two let's get home...I bet by now my daughter is fixing dinner by now" Tazuna called before he strode past the duo.
As the pair began to follow after him Naruto's eyes were large and excited.
"Oh Boy I hope it's ramen" he cried earning a sweat drop from Tazuna and a giggle from Hinata.
'All this kid talks about is ramen' Tazuna thought shaking his head before laughing.
Several hours later Naruto lay against the roof starring at the moon and star streaked sky.
The day itself had been long and exhausting and the conversation he'd had with the Kyuubi only worried him more. He sighed as he put his hands behind his head.
His thoughts were interrupted by voice below he instantly recognized as Sasuke.
"Mind if I join you?"
Naruto looked down at his friend and grinned.
"Nah...come on up"he said.
"So what are you doing up here so late aren't you training one on one with Sensei tomorrow?" Sasuke asked as he landed a few feet from Naruto before leaning back assuming a similar position as the blonde.
"Eh I'll be fine,believe it or not I couldn't sleep and ...I've had a lot on my mind" he said in a subdued voice.
"Is this about what that kid said the other day ? " Sasuke asked as he looked over at the blonde.
"Inari ? Nah believe it or not things are fine now. No this about something else" Naruto admitted.
"So what is it?" Sasuke asked quirking a brow.
Naruto closed his eyes fighting a battle with himself.
"If it was only that easy..." he chuckled with no humor in his voice.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Blonde.
"Why can't it be ? Look we all have skeletons in our closet " he stated.
'Yeah but you don't have a giant fox in your closet' Naruto thought to himself before sighing.
"I wish it were that simple...I'll tell you some day Sasuke...just not now"
"Whatever you say Naruto...just remember you're the one who keeps preaching teamwork. " he grunted, before turning back towards the house, leaving the blonde to his thoughts.
The Next Several days passed without a single mishap, with each of the genin taking their turns training one on one with Kakashi while the other two watched the bridge builder.
Over the course of this time construction of the bridge continued as scheduled, of course benefiting greatly from an army of Shadow clones.
It wouldn't be much longer till the bridge was finished, with Kakashi fully recovered and having done as much training as possible the entire team decided to accompany Tazuna in the last few days, to ensure there was no incident before the bridge was finished.
Of course they had no idea that this was the very day the the Demon of the Mist would return...
"Oi Old man at the rate we've been going the last few days how much longer do you think it will be until the bridge is finished ?" Naruto asked folding his hands behind his head as he walked forward following behind the bridge builder as they made their way towards the bridge itself.
Tazuna snorted before he looked over his shoulder. "Well Kid..with that little trick of yours...I'd say maybe another couple of days. Then it'll be all over ...Gato's influence will be broken" he said a smiling spread across his aged face.
"Wooh we kick ass! No one will believe that we've already done our first A rank mission" Naruto cheered.
Sasuke just rolled his eyes, but smirked.
Kakashi was quiet as he walked. 'I don't it's going to be that simple.' he thought to himself.
As a precaution early that morning he had left Pakkun behind at Tazuna's, a decision he would later be thankful for. He knew with only a few days until the Bridge's completion Zabuza would have to strike soon. His instincts couldn't be any more right...
As the group reached the bridge they were greeted by a thick mist that obscured a good portion of the far side of the bridge. Screams were soon heard as silhouettes emerged from the mist. Several bridge workers began running in the direction of the approaching Ninja.
"Demons...there are demons in the mist" cried one of the men who just kept running never stopping once.
"This is it...Zabuza has returned." Kakashi stated as he clenched his fists.
"Sasuke get Tazuna back to his home this bridge is far too exposed for us to defend...Naruto...Hinata you're with me"
"Sensei this is stupid we should stay together" Sasuke stated as he began looking around the mist that was already spreading further down the bridge towards them.
"Sasuke I gave you an order...now move" he said before he pulled his headband up exposing his Sharingan.
"Fine." Sasuke growled
"You three better stay alive" Sasuke said before he grabbed Tazuna's arm and began pulling him away from the encroaching mist.
Naruto clenched his hands together as a few moments later the mist began to surround their current position. "Damn Cowards" he growled.
"Byakugan" Hinata cried.
"Hinata what can you see?" Kakashi asked.
"It's no good...I can only see partially through the mist...but my full vision is clouded..." she said before her eyes widened.
"Incoming from above" she yelled.
A volley of Senbon rained down between the group forcing each of them to leap apart from one another.
As Kakashi landed his peripheral caught a hint of movement, just in the nick of time he raised a kunai to block a giant full bladed sword.
"Huh...this seems familiar" Zabuza remarked as he stared eye to eye with Kakashi.
"Then I'm sure you remember how it ends" Kakakshi said as he kept his eyes focused on the man he was still in a gridlock with.
"Kakashi you should know better then that...a simple change in the battlefield can change everything" he remarked before kicked Kakashi in the chest forcing him backwards and further away from the two Genin.
"Take care of the other two pests" Zabuza barked as he strode forward towards Kakashi with a glint in his eye.
Naruto and Hinata were now again side by side, when another volley of senbon appeared out of the mist.
"Naruto-kun" Hinata cried as she pushed him out of the way taking a half dozen senbon into her right arm.
Naruto's eyes widened as his fist clenched as he got back to his feet just in time to see the Hunter Ninja they encountered before emerge from the mist.
"Hinata are you ok ?" he cried.
Hinata held her right arm as blood began to seep through her jacket.
"H-Hai it's not lethal" she said as she bit her lip as she pulled out the Senbon in quick succession, before removing her jacket and or at least what remained of it considering what had happened earlier in the mission. She was now left in a simple fishnet shirt and her arm was covered in blood.
Naruto began to see red as he glared at the Hunter Ninja.
"Why would you do this?" he screamed before he ran headlong attempting to punch Haku only to make contact with nothing but thin air.
"I do this...because I can be of use ...I may only be a tool...but as long as I am a valuable tool to Zabuza-Sama...then my existence means something" a voice whispered behind the pair.
As the pair turned to face Haku they would see a blur of handsigns before hearing her muffled voice cry.
"Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors "
As her voice faded away the pair found themselves surrounded by a dome of twenty-one floating mirrors. Each of the mirrors projecting Haku in them.
Naruto made his way right next to Hinata before he spoke in a frantic voice.
"Hinata what is this ? " he asked.
"I-I think this s-some sort of Kekkei Genkai.." she said as her eyes darted around closely examining each of the mirrors.
"You are correct...this is indeed my gift...my curse...my tool to serve Zabuza-Sama. This technique is unstoppable...I believe you will find your Byakugan is ineffective against me now"
"T-this is w-why h-he wanted you to fight me...h-he knew my Dojutsu w-would be rendered useless." Hinata breathed.
"Hinata-chan...it doesn't matter we'll get through this no matter what the odds are...believe it" he said.
Hinata looked shaken but nodded and seemed to visibly relax.
"Your will to protect each other is admirable...even commendable, but I wonder if your will to protect one another, is greater than my will to make Zabuza's dream a reality" Haku said as each of the reflections began to ready senbon in their hands.
"Please don't do this" Hinata begged.
"That isn't an option I wish it didn't have to come to this...but I will make Zabuza-Sama's dream a reality or die as his tool in the process." Haku said before releasing a volley of senbon from every direction.
While Hinata didn't have a heightened reaction time like the Sharingan, her vision made it easier to at least see where each series of Senbon was coming from. As several moments passed the pair avoided being skewered with Hinata's vision and Naruto's use of his Shadow clones, however for every volley a few senbons would make contact. While a single one wasn't much the senbon seemed endless where as the pairs endurance while resilient was not.
"Hinata-chan...we've got to find a chance to strike...if we stay on the defensive like this we're screwed..." he said gritting his teeth as several senbon caught his left leg.
"She keeps moving from one mirror to the next...our only chance to strike is when she's moving...but she's so fast I can barely see it" she said between breaths.
"Maybe we c-" Naruto started before he was interrupted.
"Naruto look out" Hinata cried as she shoved him out off the way a second time before twirling on heel to avoid the senbon.
As Naruto looked on in surprise he felt a scream catch in his throat as a single senbon flew from one of the mirrors behind Hinata...he was so sure she would see it in time...but he was dead wrong as it went into her neck and she fell forward limply. He ran to her side feeling tears running down his cheeks as he cradled her petite limp form.
"No No NO...why ?" He screamed as he stared into her lifeless face. Her eyes were closed,and he couldn't feel her breathing...as far as he could tell she was dead...
"You should be proud of her...she gave herself to protect what was most precious to her...there is no better way to die" Haku said pausing to watch the grieving blonde.
Naruto hands clenched as he bowed his head low.
His entire frame began to shake as fingernails became claws and his canines grew longer and longer till they hung out visible. A malevolent red chakra began to seep out from his body shrouding him completely. He sat Hinata down gently before he stood up to glare at Haku with crimson red eyes.
"I'm going to fucking Kill you"he screamed as he lunged forward and began swatting the mirrors with his claws destroying them as if they were nothing. Every time a mirror was destroyed one would soon take it's place.
"Kit you can have my power but you need to calm down...your attacking blindly" Kyuubi yelled from his mindscape.
His words and the ones that followed fell on deaf ears as the blonde who was in a rage only continued to swat and destroy mirror after mirror.
Series after series of wild attacks resulted in Naruto receiving more and more Senbon...in his current state he had taken several dozen and was still moving, but his body was far too weak and young at the moment to sustain much of the fox's chakra much less use it for very long. He finally collapsed to one knee as Senbon now riddled nearly his entire body. As the Foxes power withdrew from his body his anger turned to sadness as he felt himself unable to go on any further.
Haku seeing the fight was done finally emerged from one of the mirrors.
Naruto blinked back tears as he looked over at Hinata's still body.
"Hinata-chan I'm so sorry...so sorry that I couldn't protect you...forgive me." he gasped as he tensed as Haku stalked forward intent on finishing the fight once and for all.
"forgive me" the words seemed to echo in her head...the voice sounded so familiar. She took a breath for what seemed like the first time in an eternity and opened her eyes as she rose to her feet.
Hinata Hyuuga found herself in a giant marble stone chamber. In front of her stood a massive gate...she couldn't fathom it's purpose nor hers for being here in the first place.
"Am I dead?" she murmured to herself softly.
"Hardly little one" a feminine voice bellowed.
The source seemed to resonate from the gate. Hinata bit her lip nervously as she approached the gate to look see what lay inside...
Inside lay a massive fox like creature. The creature was a bright red color with nine long tails. However perhaps the most striking feature were the fox's eyes. They were such a contrast, in part gentle with the violet hue and yet fearsome with the predatorial slit in the middle.
Hinata's eyes widened as she stared at the creature for the longest moment, before speaking.
"W-who are you?...and where am I?" she said in such a weak voice.
"I have many names...The Nine Tailed Vixen...Queen of the Bijuu...for now you may call me Vixen, perhaps one day I will share with you my true name.." she said as she cocked her head to the side as her tails swished back and forth.
Hinata's eyes widened. She'd clearly heard of the Nine Tailed fox demons...and stories of other demons...but this was mind boggling for her.
"I-It's a p-pleasure to m-meet you your Majesty" she stuttered before bowing low.
"Well I've had many types of first greetings in the past...though none of them actually bowed to me" The large fox chuckled before shaking her head.
"I'm not as prideful or as stuck on formalities, as some. Vixen should suffice for now.."
"H-hai...Ano w-where are we ?" Hinata asked again fidgeting slightly.
The Fox demon studied her host a moment , wondering how well she would handle the information she was about to give her.
"We're in your Mind scape right now little one...I know this will be difficult for you to accept, but you much like Naruto are a Jinchuriki and I reside here within you. "
Hinata eyes widened as she seemed confused more than anything. "B-but if t-that's true...w-why haven't I ever been t-told...why am I not...t-treated like N-Naruto-kun ?"she asked as she lowered her gaze to the ground.
'This child is something else...she feels more guilty for not sharing more in the loud one's pain then being upset that she's a Jinchuriki.'
"Your burden is not as well known. Many among your clan know and that is why they treat you as they have. You are fortunate that the rest of your village does not know."
Hinata felt herself close to loosing it as she stared blankly for a long moment.
"Hinata I know this is difficult, but if you intend to do anything now is not the time to be weak."
Hinata's felt herself shake. "Haku...the bridge...we were fighting there...I have to help Naruto-kun...I can't lose him" she said as a look of determination crossed her face.
"Hinata...your body at the moment is taxed...I will lend you some of my energy...it will feel intoxicating and the power will feel like nothing you've ever experienced...but you mustn't let yourself lose control" she said.
"I-I understand...please Naruto-kun needs me" she said as she stared at the Vixen.
Sasuke had quickly guided Tazuna off the Bridge and back towards town.
However before the pair made it even halfway back to the village, Sasuke froze a moment as he sensed something.
"Get down" he yelled as he dropped to the ground just as a razor sharp chain passed over them.
As Sasuke leapt to his feet he saw a two cloaked figures standing about 5 yards away connected at their arms by a long chain.
"I've been itching to kill someone for weeks now" the one on the right said.
The one on the right shook his head. "You'll have excuse my brother...he is slightly unstable. This is Meizu and I am Gozu...we are known as the Demon brothers." he stated with a sense of pride in his voice.
Sasuke took a Taijutsu stance as he moved in front of Tazuna. "Sorry never heard of you...guess neither of you are of much consequence in the bingo book" he said before smirking.
Meizu growled as started to move forward only to find himself yanked back by his brother.
"Now Now Uchiha...we are only doing our jobs...we're not getting paid to kill you...only to eliminate the Bridge builder...so you can aside and your free to go...cross us and you will unfortunately die" Gozu said without any emotion in his voice.
Sasuke shook his head before moving closer to the Bridge builder.
"Well it looks like your going to have to work for your money this time" Sasuke stated.
"Fine don't say we didn't warn you" Gozu said.
"This is going to be fun" leered Meizu as he licked his lips as he looked at the pair before he and his brother prepared to lunge forward and attack.
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he rolled backwards and quickly formed a series of handsigns.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu" He called out as ball of fire whizzed through the hair crashing into the chain that connected the two brothers.
As the duo continued charging the Uchiha, they were caught off guard as the Raven haired Ninja began to charge forward at the same time.
Just as they were about to collide, Sasuke ducked at the last moment, before slamming a Kunai into the superheated chain shattering it into pieces and causing the two duo to recoil a moment, before gathering their bearings.
"Fucking brat.." Meizu grunted as he released the remaining bit of chain as he reached for a pair of tantos that were on his back.
Gozu said nothing as he silently unsheathed a Katana and took up a guarded stance.
"Don't underestimate him Meizu." Gozu warned.
Meizu spat. "To hell with that. He got lucky...he's only a bloody genin" he said as he sprang forward at Sasuke.
Sasuke narrowly dodged the first series of swings, taking a light cut across his cheek as he dodged backwards.
'This one is an idiot, but he still has more experience and I get the feeling the other one is even better...I need to finish this, before the other one gets involved.' Sasuke mused as he finally ducked under Meizu's next strikes, before kicking his legs out from under him. He followed through by placing his Kunai at the other man's throat only to hear the other brother's voice.
"Uchiha I would advise against that."
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he looked up to see Gozu holding Tazuna with his blade against the man's throat.
"You've been compromised. Release my brother or I will slit his throat."
Sasuke's expression was unreadable as he suddenly with a swift movement slit Meizu's throat, before rising to his feet.
Gozu stood there his expression a mixture of shock and horror. "You are no better then us. So be it." he said as he drew his blade against Tazuna's neck in a quick and violent motion till his head was no longer attached to his body.
Sasuke let out an unimpressed smirk. "It seems as if you are a bit better then your brother, but neither of you seem to have much affinity for Genjutsu."
Gozu eyes widened as he looked down to see no body or sign of the bridge builder.
"But when did you?..."
Sasuke offered a cocky grin. "When I initially dropped to the ground with the bridge builder I created the Genjutsu. You and your brother still saw him there when in reality he slipped past the both of you. You thought I was so focused on defeating you that I would be careless enough to leave such an opening?...no wonder I've never heard of either of you."
Gozu's expression twisted a bit as he gripped the Katana tighter. "Your death will not be quick. You will suffer." he said as he disappeared into a nearby puddle of water.
Sasuke's eyes widened as he looked around noticing that the ground was covered in water. 'Shit I shouldn't have taunted him. He could strike from any direction.'
He tensed as he turned on heel in time to roll backwards away from a vicious slash.
As he rolled he picked up the fallen demon brothers Tantos as he saw that Gozu was once more gone.
He took a deep breath to try and settle his nerves only to feel his throat catch as a splash came from behind him. The movement was so quick he barely registered it.
Sasuke turned avoiding the strike hitting his back only to take a shallow wound to the side.
He winced as he swung in the direction he'd seen Gozu only to meet air.
"I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am Uchiha. This will be your grave." Gozu's voice reverberated around the clearing.
Sasuke winced as he sensed Gozu once more too late, before taking a deep slash across his left calf nearly causing him to collapse.
The raven haired Uchiha gripped the Tantos in his hand till his knuckles grew white. 'I can't die like this. Not before my clan is avenged...before it can be reforged.'
"I refuse..." he said in a low voice.
Gozu's could be heard chuckling. "One of the most basic principles of being a Ninja is knowing your limits. In that regard you've failed. Now Die!"
The Demon brother once again emerged from one of the pools of water on the ground in a swift motion he brought his Katana down...
Even with his injury Sasuke turned quicker then before and intercepted the Katana with one of the Tantos. He flashed a smirk as he gazed up at the demon brother with his now awaken Sharingan.
"Impossible..." he breathed.
Sasuke in a swift motion put the tanto in his off hand through the Brother's chest, before relaxing a bit as the man staggered back and collapsed.
"I should thank you, now I'm one step closer." he winced as he turned away and in the direction of the bridge.
'I have to help them...Tazuna should be fine now.' he thought as he began to walk forward.
"WAIT" a small voice called.
Sasuke turned as he saw Inari approaching in the distance with at least a couple of hundred people tailing him.
'What is he doing? He's going to get these people killed.' Sasuke thought.
"I am sorry Naruto...for Hinata I will make this quick" Haku said as she raised her hand back preparing to throw a final volley of senbon when she froze as both her and Naruto looked over at Hinata as a powerful violet chakra began to pour out of her body. Hinata's eyes flew open as she rose to her feet. The senbon in her body were sent flying as her wounds began to heal almost instantly.
As the chakra continued to surround her body her features sharpened. Her fingernails became razor sharp claws, her eyes became more feral and the tint shifted from her normal lavender gaze to a more violet shade. As she was encased in the shroud of Chakra she disappeared in a flash before reappearing in front of Naruto.
"I won't let you lay another hand on Naruto-Kun"she stated in a confident voice.
"Hinata I don't know what you and Naruto are...but your determination is strong...it's time to see which of our wills are stronger" Haku declared.
The fight between Kakashi and Zabuza had been rather tame so far, both combatants had only engaged in quick skirmishes. Each pressing the other trying to discover a weakness that could be exploited.
"Well Kakashi you're pretty quick on your feet...but ultimately this fight is already mine" Zabuza stated as leaped from the Mist trying to catch Kakashi from behind and cut him in half. Instead of meeting flesh and bone the two handed sword only made contact with a piece of wood before snapping it in half.
"What makes you so sure of that ?" Kakashi said as he now stood directly behind Zabuza as he pressed the tip of a kunai to Zabuza's throat.
"It's simple...your going to lose on all fronts...the Uchiha boy and the Bridge builder will never make it back to the village, my associates will make sure of that. Then the other two children facing Haku were dead before the fight even started...despite my superior strength and experience even I wouldn't wish to fight Haku."he said.
Kakashi remained indifferent as he kept his voice level. "And what about you Zabuza? What are your odds in this fight?" he asked as he let the kunai dig into Zabuza throat only to watch as the man before dissipated into water.
'A water clone' he thought before he ducked just barely avoiding being decapitated before flipping backwards away from Zabuza.
Zabuza stood with his sword planted in the ground at the moment.
"As I said...this fight is already mine" he said with an air of confidence.
Kakashi was about to bite his thumb to prepare a summon but stopped dead in his tracks as he and Zabuza stared over in the direction of where Haku,Hinata, and Naruto were fighting.
'I sensed the Kyuubi's chakra just a few moments ago...this is the same kind of charka, but different...Hinata...I have to end this fight quickly, if Hinata or Naruto lose control, I need to stop them before they go too far' Kakashi thought before he turned his attention back to Zabuza.
"You leaf Ninja are certainly interesting...just who are those kids?" Zabuza asked as he pulled his sword from the ground and slung it over his shoulder.
Kakashi remained silent as he stared at Zabuza. 'Zabuza's no fool, I have to be careful one slip and this is all over' he thought.
Both of the Ninja's eyes darted away from one another when they saw a Nin Dog run in between them.
"Oi you both need to cool it" the dog said between pants.
"Pakkun ?" Kakashi asked raising a brow.
Zabuza just glared at the dog as he considered striking it down for interrupting them.
"There's something you both should hear...it's about Gato" Pakkun said between breaths.
Naruto's eyes widened as he stared at the Hinata that stood in front of him.
"H-Hinata is that really you?" Naruto asked in a hoarse voice as he struggled in vain to get to his feet.
"Hai Naruto-kun it's me...I now understand your burden, but you're no longer alone." she said as she looked over her shoulder her violet eyes softening as she looked at the boy she loved before she turned back to face Haku.
Naruto allowed a faint smile to reach his lips before he again tried to make his way back to his feet.
'Damnit...Fox can't you do something ?' he asked.
"Patience kit your body is still recovering from using my Chakra...Your wounds should began healing soon, but don't worry about Hinata and the Vixen...watch and see what they can do"
Naruto clenched his fist, but relaxed after a moment.
'Be careful Hinata-chan' he thought.
Hinata's eyes narrowed on Haku.
"I asked you to back down before...but now we do this the hard way" Hinata said as she took a deep breath as the Aura around her settled leaving her frame outlined in a pale violet glow.
"Prove your existence to me then Hinata..." she said simply as she reared her hand back and threw a series of Senbon Naruto.
Hinata arms blurred from sight as she used a quick succession of palm strikes to deflect the senbon away from Naruto.
She clenched her fist growling as her canines protruded further.
"Don't you dare try to hurt Naruto-kun" she snarled before she crouched on all fours, before disappearing in a flash.
Haku too late recognized the incoming juken strikes. Blow for blow her Juken strikes hit Haku's chakra points with deadly precision...with each following strike her attacks grew more and more aggressive before finally she stopped as she knocked the girl back into a mirror cracking it from the force, before she disappeared again.
"Hinata calm yourself...your losing yourself to the power...you have to harness it not let it control you" the Demoness urged.
However her pleas fell on deaf ears at the moment as the Heiress had become driven by instinct...instinct to protect Naruto..instinct to kill if need be...
Hinata was no longer using her Juken as she reappeared feet away from Haku and made a vicious swipe towards the Ninja's face. The Demonic Chakra around her flared as the 21 mirrors trapping them began to crack under the pressure...
Hinata's powerful claws and the force of her attack shattered half of Haku's mask and sent the girl flying backwards crashing through the mirror before she was sent sprawling for several feet,coming to a stop about thirty feet away.
The mirrors that had once trapped them came crashing downwards as Hinata stalked forward like a Lioness towards the unmoving, but barely breathing Haku.
"I won't let you ever threaten or harm Naruto again"she practically hissed as knelt down rearing her hand back as she prepared to bury her hand into Haku's chest.
"Do it Hinata...your will is stronger...I have failed to serve my Master...I'm not worthy to be his tool anymore"Haku choked out as she coughed up blood and her eyes rolled back in her head as she lost consciousness.
Hinata hesitated mid strike as her normal gentle nature clashed with her primal instincts and the influence of the chakra coursing through her at the moment. However before she could fight herself anymore she felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind, not forcefully,but gently.
"Hinata-chan..let go of your rage. You don't have to do this." Naruto whispered softly into her ear.
Hinata felt her arm shake slightly, however after several long moments she relaxed her body and slowly her chakra began to recede and with it her demonic features.
As the power receded, her mind felt clear, however the rest of her felt thoroughly exhausted, she felt her self go limp only to be held in place by Naruto, after a moment he slowly adjusted her as he gently laid her head in his lap.
"I-I'm s-so sorry N-naruto-kun" she breathed softly as she flushed slightly and tears filled her lavender eyes.
"Hinata-chan...you have nothing to be sorry for ...believe it" he said with a smile as he ran his fingers through her silky hair.
She looked up into his cerulean gaze and smiled slightly though a blush still tinted her cheeks. She hesitantly raised a hand up to his whiskered cheek.
'Now she's shy again ?...but this is real Hinata ' Naruto thought before smiling at her.
"A-ano N-Naruto-kun?"She said timidly as her fingertips still brushed against his cheek.
"H-hai Hinata-chan ?" he asked as he felt his heart began to race.
"I-I ..w-well I..."she floundered with her words as she looked down a moment before she took a breath. After a second she closed her eyes to steady herself, before she leaned up and grabbed either side of his face, She then slowly pressed her lips against his in a gentle, tender kiss that she hoped could convey what she was unable to say.
As their lips parted her eyes sparkled at she stared into his cerulean pools as he had once again given her the courage she needed.
"I l-love y-you N-naruto-kun" she managed weakly as her vision blurred slightly.
Naruto's eyes widened before softening as he hugged her tightly.
"And I you Hinata" he said softly.
She blushed again before her eyes fluttered as her strength left her as she went limp in his arms, even though she was unconscious a happy smile graced her lips.
'Rest Hinata-chan...this time I'll protect you' he thought as he cradled her in his arms.
"The dedication you two have for each other is admirable." Haku said in a weak voice.
Naruto slowly settled Hinata down, before rising to his feet. "We share a common bond." he said quietly as he eyed the injured hunter ninja.
"I can see that. Finish me I can't defend myself any longer and I've failed in my purpose." she said her tone tinged with regret.
Naruto flashed a tired grin. "Not a chance. I've failed more times then I can count. I always get back up and try again though. You're not a tool...you're a person you don't have to live this way anymore."
-Scene begins a few moments prior-
"Gato intends to betray you even as we speak he and his thugs are heading here to kill anyone who's left alive." Pakkun stated.
Zabuza growled as his knuckles grew white from gripping his sword so tightly.
"Thanks Fido...looks like I have to book Gato with a one way ticket to Hell" he said as he placed his sword on his back before crossing his arms.
Kakashi sighed in relief. "Well now that you know you've been betrayed, call off your Nin-" he started before a shattering sound could be heard in the distance though the source was covered by the Mist.
'Dammit that was Hinata...she's using more of the demon's chakra...this could be bad.' he thought to himself.
Zabuza dispelled the surrounding mist with a handsign after a few moments and the pair looked into the distance of the bridge only to see Haku and Hyuuga girl laying on the ground. The blonde was slowly rising to his feet.
He was about to go on the attack until he noticed the boy made no motion to attack Haku.
Wordlessly he strode forward only offering a passing glance at the blonde, before he picked Haku up, before throwing her over his shoulder.
"You leaf Ninja are something else..." He mused as he turned as a commotion could be heard from further down the bridge. Naruto,Kakashi and Zabuza could all see a large group of mercenaries with a short fat man stand in front of them with a fiendish look in his eyes
"Zabuza I should have known relying on your services was a mistake." the man said as he leaned on his cane.
"You've got a lot of nerve showing your face around here Gato..." Zabuza said as he reached behind his back gripping the handle of his sword.
"Nerve has little to do with it...I have money and man power not even you and those leaf Ninja can stand up to all of my men." he stated confidently.
"Well it's a good thing their not alone" a voice called from behind the group of thugs.
"Who said that?" Gato asked turning only to look horrified as a much larger group of villagers could be seen amassing behind his men. Standing at the front of the line was Inari and Sasuke.
"That'd be me Fatso!" Inari yelled.
"Oh this going to be fun..." Gozu laughed manically.
"Well would you like at that...looks like your luck has run out" Zabuza said as he brandished his sword before charging forward at Gato.
The fight was over before it even began as Gato's forces were quickly slain or took their chances by jumping into the sea.
As the last of the forces were routed Gato backed up until he was standing at the edge of the bridge as Zabuza stalked forward.
"Looks like you're out of men to hide behind" he laughed as he began dragging his blade on the ground as he moved forward.
"W-wait Z-zabuza it was just business...it was nothing personal. Let me make this up to you." he begged.
"I lost six men on this job for you...I'm sure they'll keep you company in Hell" he said as he stabbed his blade through Gato's midsection.
"Enjoy the vacation though...because when I come down there I'll show you why they call me the demon of the mist" he said before he wrenched his blade out of Gato's guts before kicking him off the bridge and into the sea below.
Thus ending Gato's reign over the Land of Waves.
Only a few days later the bridge was completed and life in The Land of Waves had already begun to change for the best. For the first time in years the village could breath a sigh of relief knowing Gato would never return.
Only hours after the battle on the bridge Zabuza had disappeared in the chaos with Haku without a word. Only time would tell if Team 7 would seen them again and if at that next meeting they would be friend or foe.
The group of Leaf Ninja now stood on the completed bridge offering their final farewells, or a better description was that Naruto was still talking as the others had already said their final goodbye ten minutes ago.
"Oi Inari take care of your mom and be strong" he yelled.
"Oh an-" he was cut off as Sasuke put him in a headlock and began dragging him down the bridge.
"Come on you idiot...I'd like to get somewhere before dark" he grunted as he pulled along the protesting blonde.
Hinata just giggled as she ran to catch up with her teammates.
As the Bridge builder Tazuna and Inari watched the retreating forms of the Konoha Ninja Inari spoke up.
"Hey Grandpa...what are we going to call the bridge now that it's complete ?" He asked as he turned to look at the old man.
Tazuna smiled as he turned to look at his grandson.
"I think we should name it after the person that inspired change here in the Wave...without his inspiration you would have never have gained the courage to lead our people to drive Gato's people from this land, without his help this bridge would not have been completed on time. I think we shall call it, The Great Naruto Bridge."
*Author Note*
Phew well that's another chapter done. I decided to make the demon brothers a bit more of a challenge then in canon. I hope I did a decent enough job with it. Also I decided to make Haku a girl. I hope that all in all it reads well. I had originally considered splitting this chapter into two chapters, but I decided I'd rather wrap up the Land of Waves with a larger chapter. Anyways thanks for reading and I'll see you all next time =)