Enjoy the story.
Chapter Eleven
Near the center of town team thirteen and Zabuza walked up to a two story building. Armed with a broom a teen swept the front porch. Tall and slender she kept her dark eyes on the ground. Long, black hair reached down to her back and framed her face. Her clothing consisted of a pink, sleeveless kimono with a black choker. Hearing footsteps, the young woman glanced up. A kind smile crossed her face.
"Good evening Master Zabuza," said the young woman. "I take it that your patrol went well."
"I'm only stopping by to drop off these four," said the swordsman. Gesturing with his head, he said, "They are our guests. Treat them well."
Bowing, the young woman said, "Good afternoon. I'm Haku."
"Silver Dollar," said the merchant as he bowed back. As he did so he took off his hat. "These young gentlemen and…"
Dashing forward, the blonde thrust a hand at his chest. "Naruto Mitarashi is the name. I'm the next Hokage."
A hand pulled the blonde back. Stepping forward, Fu offered a hand. "I'm Fu." Thrusting a thumb back, she added, "And the girl hanging back is Hinata." The heiress offered a polite smile while waving a hand. With a bit of confusion the young woman grabbed the hand. Once it was gripped the vertette shook it.
Withdrawing her hand, Haku looked to the retreating grass shinobi. "Have a good day," said the young woman with a smile. With a grunt Zabuza flickered away.
Haku escorted team thirteen into the building. "Downstairs is the living area," stated the brunette. Up a flight of stairs she led them to a hallway with five of doors in it. "These are the living quarters. Two of them are taken already. The four of you can divide the remaining three up."
"I can't sleep with a girl," stated Naruto with a grin.
Going into a room, Silver shouted back, "Fu is too old to sleep with me." Haku gave the vertette a confused expression which she shrugged off. Once the gang unpacked their things the young woman invited them down stairs for tea.
Team thirteen gathered around a small rectangular table. Sitting down on a pillow, the vertette scanned the room. Nothing about it was special. Just a kitchen merged with the dining area. In a corner of the room Haku placed a tea pot on top of a stove.
Yet as the vertette scanned the room she frowned. Bare white walls matched a white wooden floor and ceiling. White counters were cleaned and the sink was partly filled. Nothing about the room itself seemed wrong, but it felt plain.
"So Haku," said the merchant, "why do you keep referring to Zabuza as master? Are you his servant?"
"I do the majority of the chores around the house," stated Haku. "But no. I'm his…" Staring up at the roof, the young woman leaned against the roof.
"Daughter?" Hinata suggested.
"Son," stated Naruto.
"What?" asked Fu.
"He's a boy," said Naruto. With a slight blush, he added, "A pretty boy, but a boy none the less."
"Whiskers" said the vertette in warning tone.
"He's right," said a smiling Haku. "I'm a male."
Haku leaned back as the merchant appeared in front of him. Kneeling down to eye level, he scanned the boy over. The young man glanced to the genins. Getting shrugs, he crawled along the front of the oven, but the merchant followed. Taking a step back, the merchant rubbed a finger above his eyebrow.
"Mind taking off your clothes?" asked the merchant.
"Pardon?" asked Haku.
"Father," groaned Fu.
"What?" said the merchant, nothing but sincerity to be seen on his features. "I can't believe this is a boy until I see proof."
"I am," said Haku, "and I'm not taking my clothes off. Certainly not in front of a couple of girls."
With a wave of a hand, Silver said, "Well, they're going to see one eventually."
"What?" asked Fu. Hinata shrank down into herself while her face shined a new shade of red.
"Would you do it if they weren't here?"
"No!"
Whirling around the merchant threw a hand over his shoulder. "Fine. Leave me in the dark. Anyhow, about your relationship with Zabuza."
"I guess son would work, but if used loosely." A hiss behind Haku alerted him to the boiling water. After taking it off the stove he fetched tea bags and mugs. Setting the items in front of his guests, Haku poured water into the mugs.
"So are you a shinobi?" asked Naruto.
"I know a few skills," said Haku, "but I work at a shop in town."
"Which one," asked the merchant.
"Sarios weapons."
"Never mind then," said Silver with a wave. Once the tea seeped into the water Silver sipped on it. His genin followed suit, but Naruto took one sip, frowned at the drink, and set it down.
"Hey Haku," said the blonde. "Where can someone go out and train?"
"There are training fields within a cave system nearby," said their host. Sitting down, he picked up a cup and sipped on it. "But you're not allowed to leave the village."
"Come on," said the blonde. "I can't just sit around."
"Not all of us at least," said the merchant. "Haku, why not make an agreement? While three of us go to train one of us will stay behind. She will act as insurance."
"Silver!" shouted Naruto.
"Cool it Whiskers," said the vertette. "It's a fair trade and the Grass is an ally to the Leaf." Glancing to Hinata, she added, "Think you'll be okay staying behind?" That earned her a startled expression. "There are only two girls here. I'm a daughter of a merchant. You're the heir to the Hyuga. Which is the better hostage?" Nodding, the heiress stared into her tea.
"Will that work out?" asked the merchant.
Haku sipped on his tea. After a moment of silence, he said, "I will run it by our lord," said the host, "but it sounds good enough."
"Good to hear," said the merchant. "Then sometime this afternoon we'll go out to train. Hinata." The bluette looked his way. "Go find a well or bathtub. Your jutsu will work as long you've got plenty of water."
"Yes Mr. Silver," said Hinata with a small smile.
Kneeling over a dismembered corpse, Hitomi observed a fly suck away at a droplet of blood. Sighing, she stood up. "Something wrong?" asked a voice. Glancing over her shoulder, Hitomi gave Zabuza's lackey a blank stare. A reverberator covered his lower mouth while a grass shinobi headband adorned by a single horn protected his forehead. Only his black eyes and the skin around them could be seen. A rugged cloak partly hid the camouflage clothing underneath.
"Nothing's wrong Gozu," said Hitomi. "It's more or less a clear cut case."
The kunoichi stepped away from a medical shinobi. With great care he gathered the corpse and placed it onto a stretcher. Throughout the camp medical shinobi gathered other remains. Watching the medical team, Hitomi shook her head.
"It would appear that the Fury duo struck again," said another voice. Up in the trees a man who was the cutting image of Gozu perched. From his wild brown hair to his sandals he matched the other man. The absence of a cape and the two horns sporting from his headband kept him from being a clone.
"What have you found Meizu?" asked Hitomi.
"These were bandits alright," said Meizu. "Too many goods stolen with lack of papers. No doubt a band seeking easy gain."
"They are making us look bad again," said Gozu.
"We should have killed these fools' months ago," said Meizu. That received an absent nod.
"Spread out and search for signs of where our friends might have gone."
"Yes mistress," said the twins with a bow. Both flickered away.
Entangling her hands behind her back, the kunoichi walked over to a tent. "Enjoying your day off?" she asked the trees. A shadow fell upon her. Looking up, she rolled her eyes at Zabuza. "Your duel did some damage to your sense."
"If the rebels don't want to be found," said the former mist shinobi. "They're not going to be found." Stopping the flow of chakra to his feet, he fell to the ground and landed on his feet. "They proved that before."
"Yeah, yeah," said the kunoichi. "I don't need a lecture." In silence they started to walk. "So how long have they been a pain now? A year. Must be deja vu for someone like you. Kicked out your country due to rebelling against it and now the rebels are threatening your new home."
"Things are different here," said Zabuza. "Back home an unpopular leader was out of control. The country was splintered into numerous factions. These rebels are going up against a relatively well liked guy. In order to present a challenge they need to appeal to the people. How long do you think it will take news of this to get out?"
"Within a day or so," said Hitomi. "Another example of how Lord Goby "fails" at his duty. Though I doubt anyone will believe it. So, have any ideas why else this might happen?"
"What about the leaf shinobi?"
"What of them? A power play would not be in the Leaf's favor."
"But wasn't it convenient for them to be there right when I showed up? And that Buddha seems rather important. Has anyone confirmed their story?"
"Not yet," said Hitomi.
At that moment Gozo happened to appear at their side. Kneeling, he said, "I found more corpses."
"We'll have the medical team work on it," said Hitomi. "Gozu. Return to base to retrieve the Buddha. Take it to the nearby village and see if the shrine woman confirms Silver's story."
"Yes ma'am," said the underling before disappearing.
"Silver?" asked Zabuza.
"He's an idiot," said Hitomi, "but, as he would put it, a gentleman. If his story turns out to be true then we can ignore him."
"True enough," said Zabuza. "Though why do we need the Buddha to be there?"
"So the Grass can finish the job," said Hitomi with a chuckle. "It isn't right for shinobi of another village to carry out our affairs." Nodding in agreement, the duo continued on with their work.
At the northern edge of the village a gaping hole served as an entrance to a series of tunnels. Electric lighting allowed one see while strolling through. Each tunnel led to a dug out cavern capable of holding a small village. On one end of each cavern a series of posts stood in triangular formations.
One of the posts took a shuriken. "No," grumbled Naruto. Storming up to the post, he reclaimed his weapon. He walked thirty feet away from the target. In rapid motion he made hand signs. Teeth bit into his lips as the metal stabbed his hand.
Pulling the injured hand away, Naruto stared at it. The white cloth bandage was tainted red. "Naruto," called Silver. The fox hanyō looked to the merchant. In the middle of the field Fu sliced at the stone walls. Her blade skipped off hard stone, leaving the thinnest of marks.
Right behind her stood Silver yanking his blade from a stone pillar. "How many times have I told you? Keep the kunai steady in your hand or you'll stab yourself."
"I know," shouted Naruto.
Just give me a moment,said Kurama.
After saying a quick thank you the blonde returned to his work. Should be easy enough. Hold the shuriken in one hand while the other flashes signs. With a deep breath the blonde threw the shuriken. Under his breath he pronounced the jutsu.
In mid-air the shuriken split into three. Then out of nowhere a blade of wind knocked the three shuriken clean out of the air. The copies poofed away.
"What the hell!" shouted Naruto.
The vertette, holding her sword out, blinked in confusion. With an absent shrug, Fu said, "Perfect timing."
"No way." said Naruto. Storming over to Fu, he stated, "You did that on purpose."
"It was bad luck."
"Bad foresight for certain," said Silver.
"Sorry for aiming in the wrong direction," said Fu with a roll of the eyes. "Can I return to training?"
"After training with me," said the merchant. Getting into a boxers fighting stance, he bounced in place. "To work on nothing, but your jutsu is poor form. Come on now. I want both of you to attack me."
That earned him wary gazes. Putting on a kind smile, Silver said, "That an order."
"Okay Silver," said Naruto. "No holding back. Hit us with everything you've got.
Five minutes later
Pinned under a slab of rock Fu shoved her hands under her. With all her might she pulled herself forward only to flop down on her stomach. On top of the slab Silver chomped down on a lemon bar. At the top of his voice he sang a sing. Damn it Naruto, thought Fu. A genius as always.
Fine particles of dirt piled up on the far side of the room. An orange speck planted in it struggled to break free. Feet planted to either side of him the grounded blonde pushed back. The soil beneath him gave way. It kept giving way until Naruto's own weight ripped him free.
The yelling blonde tumbled down the hill. He came to a stop on his belly. Groans emitted from him. Placing a hand on the side of his head he pressed himself into a sitting position.
"You've died again my kiddies," said Silver. Gulping down the last bit of lemon bar, he leapt off of the slab. "Honestly, that skill sets isn't getting you anywhere."
"Just you wait," grumbled Naruto, "I'm going to…"
A loud ripping sound glued the words to his tongue. Looking down at himself, the redhead blushed. Large portions of his jacket and pants had been cut. The right side of his pants had been sliced completely off.
"Green boxers," said Fu. "Mind telling me where you get them?"
"What the hell?" shouted the blonde.
"I used my blade," said Silver with a bland expression. "It has the tendency to cut things."
"Why did you even use it?" shouted the blonde.
"Because you should always be ready for the unexpected. Those who are not are apt to die."
Propped on an arm the vertette rolled her eyes. "Nice to know. Now how about a little help over here?" Without looking Silver made hand signs with a single hand. A second slab of rock forced the first one upward.
"Take a quick breather," said Silver. "Then we return to training."
"Hello!" shouted Naruto, his arms outstretched. "My clothes are torn apart. I can't keep fighting like this."
"Then go get a change of clothing."
"Not unless you promise not to tear those apart."
Crossing his arms, Silver said, "Not happening."
"Then I want to buy a new set of clothing," said Naruto.
Silver shrug. "Go ahead. You've got thirty minutes. Shop around town and put together an outfit."
"Yes sir," said Naruto with a salute. That earned him a light bop on the head.
"Don't call me sir," said the merchant. Grumbling, Naruto darted off.
"Alright Fu," said the merchant. "Get ready for round two."
Sweeping dust from her shoulder, she grumbled, "Okay." Then she took a moment to interpret those words. "Wait, what?" By then a red blur zipped up to her with a sword drawn.