13

Two days later, by the time Kakashi woke up, Naruto already had Sasuke and Sakura up and training.

It was simple to do, really. All Naruto had to do was act supremely curious about how Kakashi and Zabuza were able to walk on water. He'd sat down in front of the little lagoon near Tazuna's house and made a big production of thinking, scratching his head, and rambling aloud. Finally, the idea wormed its way into Sakura's mind and she ran with it.

"It must have something to do with chakra!" she exclaimed. Naruto almost sighed aloud. It was an obvious conclusion. Hell, even he'd known it had something to do with chakra the first time he'd seen it. They were ninja for Kami's sake! When ninja could walk on water and regular villagers couldn't, what was the variable? But instead of saying this, he grinned.

"Yeah! They must make the chakra in their feet pull their feet to the surface they want to stand on." Naruto said. When the other two looked at him with raised eyebrows, he put on a face of indignation. Oops, had that been too fast for the village idiot? "What?" He said loudly. "I'm not an idiot!"

"Coulda fooled me!" came a voice from not far away. Naruto almost groaned in recognition. Inari, who sat on the porch of his home swinging his legs and watching them train, had been a stubborn little brat. And it seemed fate wasn't going to save Naruto's ears this time around either.

"What did you say?" He asked, affecting a pose of indignation. Internally, he winced. All too easily, he was falling back into his habit of acting. He'd done it with Sasuke, Sakura, and Konohamaru and now he was doing it with Inari. Damn it, but it was hard! He forced himself to settle down, not to act as he would have as a kid… as… what he was supposed to be now.

A nagging thought appeared in the back of his mind, but he pushed it away. He'd think about it later. At this, Inari's voice made its way into his ears.

"-Grandpa from Gato! What else could you be?" Inari asked semi-seriously, with an emphasis on the sarcasm of the question. Naruto could easily fill in the blanks in what he hadn't heard.

He sighed, which surprised Inari, who had evidently expected him to become angry, just like he had the first time around. But he wanted to do this differently, though with the same effect. He'd have to be a little harsh if he wanted to get the idea through the brat's thick skull a little more quickly.

"Do you want your grandfather to die?" He asked seriously.

"Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed. As he looked back at her, he saw Sasuke shake his head at her, telling her to be quiet. Naruto smiled slightly in thanks and turned back to business at hand.

Inari's eyes had widened, but then he started glaring, although he shook his head to give his answer.

"Then don't call the people protecting him idiots. Gato may have managed to kill your dad," Here Inari paled and he heard Sakura and Sasuke gasp. ", but Gato's power only extends to hiring goons."

"Yeah, well, one of those goons took down your sensei in there!" Inari pointed into the house and spat harshly. "And how do you know about that?" He shouted. He jumped off the porch, clenching his fists, but came no closer.

"I have sources. That might just go to show you how much of an idiot I am." Naruto continued. "Inari, you can't just give up on things changing. Ninja are stronger than you might think. We can take Gato down. The only reason our sensei got so beat up was because he took on a really strong rogue ninja all by himself. We'll be able to help him next time." Naruto didn't let on that he had reason to hope that there wouldn't be a next time.

Inari was silent for a good minute before he said anything else, and when he did, he was much calmer than he had been before. "We'll see. But I'll only take back calling you an idiot if you survive taking Gato down!" The last part was shouted to cover up embarrassment as Inari ran off to somewhere behind the house. Naruto smiled, knowing he'd gotten his message through the boy's head. It had been so much easier than last time, too.

"Damn, Dobe." Sasuke commented, surprising Naruto with the curse. The Uchiha had picked up a little of his bad language habits since they'd begun hanging out more often. "Since when were you so good with kids?"

"Since today, I guess." A harsh sigh was heard from behind them and they both turned to face Sakura, who was tapping her foot at them.

"So, when are we going to get back to figuring out how to walk on water?"

Naruto grinned at her and rubbed at the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, I suppose now would be a good time." He dodged a fist. "Alright, alright! If I was right about how it works," Which he was. "We should probably try it on something solid first, instead of something that moves around constantly."

He looked around, as if he was unsure about what to use for such a thing.

"How about one of these trees?" Sasuke suggested.

"Yeah! That'll work!" Naruto said happily. He marched into the woods to their right and found a good set of trees for Sasuke and Sakura to use. He stamped his foot against one of them and made a show of concentrating really hard, and then he lifted his other foot and let it stick to the trunk for a second to emphasize the unnaturalness of the position before he forced himself to stumble back.

"I did it! Did you guys see?" He grinned.

"What did you do?" Sasuke asked, somehow unsurprised at the fact that Naruto had gotten it on the first try, if only for a second. Naruto had gotten him used to it when they'd been training together, picking a taijutsu or something and making sure that Sasuke knew that he'd never done it before and then doing it on the first try, if not perfectly. That way Sasuke would have something to work for in his training and he wouldn't be too suspicious when Naruto could do something no other genin could. Naruto made sure Sasuke also knew that he trained on his own, though. Just as a precaution.

"I channeled my chakra to my feet. I thought of it as if it was glue that was sticking my feet to the tree, and it did!" Naruto answered. Really, he hadn't had to think of it that way for years, but that was the way the original Sakura had told him it worked, and Sasuke and Sakura were only genin after all.

"Good job, Naruto." came a voice from behind them at the edge of the clearing he had led Sasuke and Sakura to. Naruto turned around and smiled at Kakashi, but Sakura jumped and Sasuke even pulled a kunai from his belt. Naruto rose an eyebrow at the latter's reaction, but Sasuke put his kunai away and acted like he hadn't moved. He decided that he'd talk to Sasuke about it later. The reaction was a little over the top, even if he was still tense after the fight with Zabuza. He should have recognized Kakashi's voice before his reflexes kicked in. Anyway…

"Thanks, sensei!" He grinned. He was glad to see Kakashi up and well, if still on crutches. The pale Jounin hobbled into the light of the clearing with the grace of a cat and he came up behind Naruto to ruffle his hair. The motion was nostalgic to him. So much so, that he nearly missed Kakashi's words.

"-training. Naruto is right about the method for climbing trees, but it's a whole different matter to walk on water. Now, I'm actually still supposed to be in bed, but if you guys manage this trick, then I'll teach you how to walk on water before we leave."

"Really?" Sakura asked, excited about something other than Sasuke for once. Kakashi nodded solemnly. Both Sasuke and Sakura returned his nod seriously and turned to their trees to begin training. Naruto was about to do the same, but, as he moved, Kakashi called him out.

"Naruto, I need you to come with me to help guard Tazuna."

Naruto huffed, but followed his teacher with a small wave of farewell to his friends. Once they were a good ways away from the clearing, Kakashi stopped and plopped down against a large tree. After creating a clone to ensure they were alone, Naruto did the same.

"Are you alright, Kakashi?"

Kakashi nodded and sighed. "I'm never going to get used to someone less than half my age calling me by my given name, you know."

"I can stop if you want."

"No. If I let you call me that before, it means you earned my respect. I won't take that from you."

There was silence for a moment, before Naruto spoke again. "You're a good man. I never got the chance to tell you that before."

Kakashi looked curious. "What stopped you?"

"You died." Naruto said flatly. He looked up at Kakashi's expression and laughed for a moment. "Don't worry sensei. You were brought back to life, and you were still alive by the time that I left my time period. And after that, it was just, never a good time, I guess. It's hard to explain. One of these days, I'll sit down with a couple of people and explain everything. I just have to do a few things first."

"Aa. I guess I'll have to be content with that."

Naruto grinned at Kakashi's put-out expression. "So, what did you call me out for? Surely you can handle guard duty with all the clones I left at the house?"

"Well, I figured I'd give you that excuse you wanted so you could go talk to them." Kakashi didn't mention the names, but it was obvious who he was talking about. Naruto caught the way Kakashi pointedly ignored his comment about the clones, but he didn't blame the man. There was something inherently miserable about being in a weakened state when you're a ninja; it wasn't fun.

"Thanks sensei."

"Just get a move on, and be careful. We don't need to lose you yet." The Jounin said.

"Such little faith!" Naruto teased.

"Yeah, Yeah." Kakashi pulled himself to his feet and hobbled off again without a backwards glance. Naruto smirked and jumped into the trees. It was the fastest route to the clearing.

xXx

The moment he stepped into the clearing, a senbon needle flew at him. Naruto caught it easily and sent it back at his attacker. Haku jumped down into a spattering of sunlight, his bearing wary and cautious. His mask was still on.

"You can come out too, Zabuza. I will not move to attack either of you during our meeting." Naruto offered up. He could sense the injured man resting against a tree not far away from Haku, apparently there to check him and his offer out.

Naruto knew that they would be wary and distrustful of anything he said, but he decided that being straightforward would be the best deal he could think of. He wasn't sure about revealing his identity as a time-traveler yet, but he could at least tell them what he wanted from them.

"You're more than you seem, little ninja." Zabuza said gruffly, doing his best to disguise his limp but only managing to shuffle along about as well as Kakashi had only a little while before. He made his way from the shadows of the mid-morning woods to Haku's side and crossed his palms over the hilt of the overly large sword that he stuck straight in the ground in front of him.

"I'm sure the Demon Brothers thought that as well, as soon as I was done with them."

Zabuza made an odd expression as if he were trying to raise one of his nonexistent eyebrows.

"You killed the Demon Brothers?"

"No, no! I told the older brother that I'd let them go if he told me what I wanted. I may have threatened the little brother's well-being along the way, but I kept my word. They were fairly honorable about the whole deal, too. Normally people try to kill you when you tie them up to trees, but they just bowed and left." Naruto shrugged, not having to force the nonchalance to his bearing. "I guess you find some good eggs in the whole lot once in a while.

The nonexistent eyebrow had risen even further as Naruto rambled on. "I suppose you're trying to tell us that your word is good."

Naruto noted that Zabuza used the word 'us' instead of 'me', which meant that he thought of Haku and himself as a team, rather than what had gone on the first time around with him trying to use Haku as a tool. Perhaps this alternate timeline would make some things easier on him after all, but, then again, he had no desire to go and jinx himself. Naruto nodded in answer to Zabuza's question.

"In a way, yes. I'd rather you just trust me right off, but I don't think that's an option."

"What is this proposition you have for us?" Haku asked.

Ooh, pushy. Naruto thought to himself. Haku was definitely still protective of Zabuza.

"Well, I know you probably don't much care for you missing-nin status, correct?"

Haku nodded warily after exchanging a glance with Zabuza.

"Good. Now, I can't say anything for the other villages, but I can have your missing-nin status in the Fire country ignored. Keep in mind that I can't exactly have it rescinded, because that might just start a war of sorts, and your crimes still stand, but you'd be able to walk around without having to wear a henge all the time. No Fire country ninja would be allowed to attack you for your status in the bingo book."

Zabuza's eyes narrowed at him. "And what would we have to do in return?"

"The only thing that I would ask is that you bring no harm to any Fire country resident or any of my personal comrades, who I will point out to you if this agreement should work out, unless attacked first, and that you two become mine and the Hokage's personal go-to people for the ninja underworld. Anything you feel is out of place or threatening happening beneath the surface, you bring to my attention. And, of course, you become my comrades, which means my protection is extended to you and anyone you believes truly needs the protection."

"And why do you think we would need your protection?" Zabuza asked, seemingly thinking over the terms. The fact that he'd asked this question first meant that he would probably not object to any of the other terms. But even though he'd expected this question, he was truly becoming irritated with being underestimated. Did he truly look so weak that, even in the ninja world, where anything could be lethal, he could not be seen as dangerous?

"You know, Zabuza, I am getting tired of being underestimated." He said wearily.

"Oh, shut up, brat. I know you're strong for a genin, to have deflected my blade like that and to have snuck up on Haku, but how do you expect me to think you can protect me?"

"True enough." Naruto popped open the top button on his vest casually. "But if you knew enough about my situation, you wouldn't even think as much. Very recently, I've fought Kakashi to a standstill. And I still don't have my former capabilities back up to par."

Zabuza rolled his eyes at him and smirked. "With all that bragging one would think you wanted me to ask you for a demonstration."

Naruto smirked in return and nodded. "Only for you to allow me to flare my chakra for a moment without any negative reaction from you two. I won't flare it enough for someone to come looking, but just enough for you to see…what I've got up my sleeve, so to speak."

"…fine." Zabuza said slowly.

"Alright, then."

It all happened in a moment. Naruto looked Zabuza in the eyes and grinned, just as he brought the roiling turmoil of the Kyuubi's chakra to the surface of his skin. His eyes bled red and his teeth and nails sharpened to points. He looked positively feral, and then…It was gone. And his observers' eyes were wide. Naruto believed the only reason they hadn't stepped back was because they were both familiar with Zabuza's own, special type of demon. But his demonstration was ended and his purpose was served; there was now a small spark of belief in his strength.

"You're a demon. A real demon." Zabuza said slowly, then he grinned as well, matching Naruto's baring of teeth. "A Bijuu? How many tails?"

"Nine."

"And you can control its chakra already? How old are you? Twelve, thirteen?"
Naruto shook his head, moving his gaze to the ground. "No…It's a long story, and one I'll only tell if I'm sure you won't think I'm crazy." He moved to a spot about halfway between them and plopped down, crossing his legs in front of him. After a moment, Zabuza did the same, dragging his sword with him, probably eager to get his weight off his leg. Haku followed behind, but stayed standing. It didn't seem like it was because he distrusted Naruto that much, but rather that he was uncomfortable sitting in anyone's presence.

"And if you're sure you can trust us." Zabuza said wryly.

"Indeed."

"The way you word things makes you sound as if you're trying to play Shogi with half as many pieces as you should, Uzumaki-san." Haku said quietly.

Naruto started for a moment at the use of his name then laughed, remembering that it had been said a few times during the battle and that he'd actually introduced himself in his message to them. "Please call me Naruto. And, yes, it does seem like that. I'm planning and planning, but not everything is not working out exactly like it seems it should."

"Speaking of, it seems like we will have issues with this arrangement only too soon, if we agree to it, that is." Zabuza said casually. Naruto raised a blond eyebrow.

"You have my target. I am beholden to the person who hired me. I refuse to back out on a deal I have made. I am sure you will not just hand over the bridge-builder, and that creates a problem for both of us."

Naruto shook his head. He had almost been afraid that there was a problem more difficult to overcome, but this one could be solved easily.

"No, that isn't a problem."

"You can't mean to say that you will just hand over the bridge-builder." Zabuza said skeptically and with a bit of reproach in his voice.

"Oh, no. You have to understand me when I say that I don't go back on my word. I will not let harm befall Tazuna. However, you are not charged to be Gato's protector, are you?"

If Zabuza was surprised that Naruto knew who his contractor was, he didn't show it. The man shook his head.

"Good, then I will just get rid of him. If the money he offered you, which he isn't planning on giving you, by the way, is an issue, I'll just steal a safe of his or something and we'll be good, is that okay with you?"

Zabuza's eyes scrunched up in confusion for a moment. "What do you mean he isn't planning on giving me the money he promised me?"

"You haven't heard how he rounds up a bunch of thugs and takes out the people he hires that are a threat to him? Well, apparently, you're a threat. Man, if you took a contract from him without knowing about that, I wanna know why you're giving me such a hard time."

Zabuza looked amused, if not with a murderous twinge in his aura directed at Gato. "If what you say is true, then I should be more careful with my dealings with you. But you must surely realize that, until I know for sure, I can't betray my client."

"Of course. How about this? When you show up to take Tazuna, we will fight, but neither I nor Kakashi will fight with deadly force unless deadly force is shown. You won't have to worry about my other teammates; they shouldn't be able to bring wither of you serious harm right now. At some point, I know Gato will show up. He will send goons to Tazuna's home to kidnap his family and then he will come to 'finish you off'."

"You seem awfully certain about these things. What would happen should none of what you predict occur?" Haku asked.

Naruto shrugged. "It will. But should it not, then you are free to try and kill us and take Tazuna anyway." He had a plan to make sure it happened even if this timeline did not plan to make it easy for him.

"You know you don't talk like a child." Zabuza said suddenly, after a few moments of silence.

"I know."

"You aren't one, are you?"

Naruto smirked bitterly. "In some ways, I've never been one, in my entire life."

"Will you elaborate, if we agree to your conditions?" Naruto could sense that their talk was almost through.

"…yes, I think I will. Do you plan on adding any conditions of your own?"

"Maybe." Zabuza shrugged. "But your conditions seem good enough for me. We will speak more after the dealings with Gato and the bridge-builder are settled. It would be nice to have a safe place for a while."

"It's always good to have a safe place." Naruto said in agreement. He stood slowly, signaling the end of the conversation.

Zabuza stood as well, though more stiffly and carefully than Naruto had. He nodded at the blond, who reciprocated the gesture, then turned his back and began to walk away. Naruto's eyes widened. Either Zabuza trusted him enough not to turn on a possible business partner, the man was very, very confident in his abilities, or he was stupid. Not many ninja would turn their backs to a stranger. Naruto glanced at Haku, who was staring at him. The feminine looking boy gave a small bow and then followed after the older man.

Naruto sighed. Those two were going to be a handful.

xXx

"When do you want us to be at the bridge, Boss?" a voice said.

"Quarter past noon. The demon said he'd attack at noon, and the fight shouldn't last too long. By then, the demon and his brat should be worn down enough…"

The figure watching the proceedings from the dim shadows grinned, his whisker scars pulling back into a vulpine visage.

For once, something seemed to be going to plan, and he wouldn't even have to help it along its way.