Normal
"Talk"
Think
Technique/Inner Character
Demon Talk
Demon Think
I do not own Naruto or any Naruto characters, nor do I own any one-piece references or characters that are mentioned in this story. I do own any OC's displayed unless I say otherwise.
BEGIN
The wind blew softly as the three ninjas and civilian walked towards the bridge, Sakura shivered at the cold temperature. Wrapping her arms around herself she once again berated herself for leaving her jacket at the house, placing her hands together she desperately wished that Zabuza would not show up today. Unfortunately for her and her teammates the person who usually grants wishes was granting Orochimaru's wish that he would have an opportunity to kill the Kazekage.
ELSEWARE…
Six men stood facing each other above a gorge, the Kazekage and two of his strongest facing Orochimaru and two of his strongest. The leader of the hidden village in the sand spoke first,
"Normally I would face you with all of my strongest Shinobi after telling the elders I am going to fight you, but for some strange reason I felt compelled to fight you with only myself and two of my strongest, not tell anyone I am about to fight you and play fair" Orochimaru when hearing this almost leapt to the air in glee, his wish had been granted. Just goes to show that it rains on both the good and the bad.
Naruto Smiled contently as he woke up, stretching his legs he fell back in shock when he heard a scream, placing his ears on the door he waited to decide when to jump in and help.
BANG! CRASH! Naruto winced as he imagined what was happening in the kitchen, A young boys voice echoes through the house
"GET YOUR HANDS OF MY MUM!" a crash followed by some M rated swearing followed, Naruto smiled in amusement he didn't need to see to know what happened. Once Tsunami started whimpering Sanji made his move
"You no good whimpering son of a headless chicken, get your hand off of the precious Tsunami-chan. Naruto get off your lazy shitty ass and help her!" Naruto no longer able to stand the commotion rushed into the room, the state of the place was appalling, Naruto started to grow angry. His chakra started to spike, turning to the two goons responsible he screamed right in their faces,
"You dare make a kitchen become like this, I was just going to knock you out now I'm going to beat you senseless!" Needless to say the two men in question were never the same again.
Sakura silently screamed in horror when the bodies of several workers were splattered on the bridge, Turning to Tazuna she saw tears falling down his eyes. A sharp laugh made her head whip towards the half completed bridge, near the middle two figures began to fade into her view. She instantly recognized them both; the slight tensing of muscles alerted her to the fact that her crush and teacher recognized them as well. Gulping she prepared herself for the worst, what happened was not what she expected.
Naruto grinned at the young boy; turning to the two unconscious samurai he smirked,
"You did well Inari, you're a man now" Tears welled up in Inari's eyes threatening to spill, cursing he spoke,
"I swore I wasn't going to cry anymore" Naruto couldn't help but smile, placing his hand on his chest he turned to Inari,
"It's ok to cry, when your happy" Grinning a foxes grin he waved a final good bye and ran as fast as his legs could take him. All the while muttering in a mantra
'If those samurai attacked here, then the bridge…'
Sakura barely held back a whimper when 20 Zabuza's surrounded them,
'This is helpless' she thought to herself, a sudden image of Lee surrounded by 20 Naruto's sprang into her mind. Sasuke's next movements confirmed her thoughts as almost simultaneously all the water clones burst,
'I saw it, they were no wear near the speed that Naruto and Lee fought so I saw it' Hope began to spark in Sakura then it bursting into flame filling her very core,
'WE CAN WIN!'
Sasuke smirked, facing his two opponents. All the words missed as he focused on the idiot who hid his identity from the rest of them,
'I hate those like that the most, Itachi was one of them' When the masked Shinobi newly named Haku disappeared from his vision his eyes narrowed, moving his Kunai to the left a bit it collided with the senbon, a single thought prodding his mind,
'Naruto is faster than this idiot' a dance of death followed. To the normal eye Haku and Sasuke would mysteriously disappear only to appear again in a deadlock in a different position. To the trained shinobi's eye it was a different story…
Sasuke ducked as Haku flung several Senbon at his general location; flipping onto his hand he jumped backwards easily bypassing Haku and elbowing him in the stomach, following that he threw a couple of Shuriken and hoped for the best. Turning he cursed as his weapons were easily blocked, pushing chakra to his legs he had a momentary burst of speed and attempted to slash Haku with his Kunai. Expecting it blocked he prepared himself for the next move,
"Your good" His opponent taunted, or declared Sasuke couldn't decide which to make it, he decided taunted. Jumping they rushed at each other at maximum speed, just before they could collide Sasuke pushed more chakra to his feet and effectively disappeared from view, Haku's eyed widened in shock. His eyes narrowing he ducked as Sasuke slashed where his head used to be. Sasuke clearly had the advantage in speed.
'This speed, is nothing to Naruto's'
Kakashi faced Zabuza while simultaneously watching Sasuke's fight,
'You have come a long way kid' he smiled satisfied at the shocked look at Zabuza's face.
"Your Haku is nothing compared to my team" Kakashi taunted, while he expected Zabuza to perhaps attack in anger he sure didn't expect a long hard laugh,
"You haven't seen anything yet copycat" Kakashi turned from Zabuza to watch the fight again, hoping what Zabuza said was the result of pure desperation.
Sasuke again collided weapon to weapon with Haku, although Sasuke had a lot of speed it was almost as if Haku was used to actually be fighting at speeds countless times faster, it is almost as if he is somehow capable at fighting at the speed of light,
'Not possible, the only possible way that could happen was if he had some way to transport himself from one place to another possibly a mirror using his reflection. Luckily no such jutsu exists' Sasuke had no idea how close to the truth he was. Flipping backwards he clashed weapons again, after skidding backwards both he and Haku rushed towards each other. The sound of metal hitting metal surrounded the area, their weapons again hitting in a deadlock and Haku grew strangely serious,
"You have done well to surpass me at this stage, but I still have the advantage" Focusing on his left hand Haku began a series of one-handed seals. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock, the jutsu name was called out
"Sensatsu Suishou (Death by a Thousand Flying Water Needles)" All around him water began to turn to ice, rising into the air they transformed into sharp needles ready to puncture his skin, as one they rushed and attempted to slice him open. Pushing chakra to his legs he somehow managed to jump over the attacking needles and pushed to punch Haku while he was distracted, as the hit connected Sasuke thought
'Naruto wouldn't have needed to use chakra, how on earth did he get so strong without me noticing! If I'm not careful Naruto will be the one to kill Itachi not me!'
The sound of Fist on Flesh sounded again and again as Sasuke punched the flying Haku, adding a final kick he readied himself to finish it only for Haku to charge again. Cursing he ducked as Haku flew overhead, turning he met a horrid sight Haku was performing hand seals! Grabbing kunai and throwing them he cursed when they hit ice mirrors. The name of the jutsu sounded all around him confirming the fact that he was surrounded.
"Makiyo Hyoushou (Demonic Ice Mirrors), you are now in my trap"
Sasuke then let out a blood-curling scream; glancing all around his body he saw he was a pincushion. Instincts took over as he tried to get to the exit while reducing the amount the senbon that pierced his body; unfortunately it was a futile effort.
When Sasuke screamed Sakura feared the worst, in desperation she threw several Shuriken at the ice mirrors hoping they will be strong enough to break through. Unfortunately Haku stopped them, thinking fast she put chakra into her hands increasing the power and punched the ground. She winced as she felt her hands break, but the crakes that moved towards Zabuza tripping him allowing Kakashi to start attacking the new weakness in his guard made it worth it.
"Nooo! My Bridge!" Tazuna screamed, falling to the ground and crying at the lost hard work. Sakura sighed; it was just like him to only worry about the bridge not the life of her teammates. The sound of ice breaking on floor made her turn suddenly towards the ice mirrors. Naruto was there.
"ICE MIRRORS!" was Sanji's cry when Naruto landed on the bridge. He saw Sasuke trapped in the mirrors; throwing a single Shuriken at the masked Shinobi hitting him he created several shadow clones and destroyed the mirror between himself and Sasuke.
"Sasuke! Are you alright?" Naruto winced when Sasuke hit him over the head,
"You idiot! Why are you in here? Now we are both trapped!" Naruto's eyes widened, turning around he saw that the mirror he had just destroyed was replaced with a new one. Getting in the redleg ready stance he waited for a chance to attack again, suddenly senbon started raining form the sky. Naruto jumped backwards and ducked effectively dodging half of them, because of the mask they never saw Haku's eyes widen in surprise. Creating several Shadow clones they attempted to destroy a mirror each, only to be destroyed by senbon. Cursing Naruto landed next to Sasuke,
"Hey you, how do you think we are going to get out of this?" Naruto rudely asked Sasuke, Sasuke just shrugged of the rudeness and turned to the problem at hand.
"Keep trying to break the mirrors, I'm beginning to see him movements" Naruto nodded, creating kage bunshin he again attacked the mirrors. A cycle began; Naruto created Kage bunshin, Haku destroyed them and Sasuke began to see more and more of Haku. What none of the realized was that each time a kage bunshin was destroyed it would see a bit of the senbon-throwing arm before dieing. After each death each kage bunshin saw more of the senbon and the arm, as this was happening Naruto's eyes seemed to sparkle.
'I can see it!' both Naruto and Sasuke thought in unison, Dodging became easier and there reflexes hardened.
As the fight progressed, Haku began to notice that Naruto and Sasuke dodged more of his senbon. Clutching his robe after being burnt made him think
'What's Happening? Am I getting slower?' Passing another Kage bunshin, one that actually saw him confirmed the truth.
'No! There actually getting faster, I have to end this now' Pushing his chakra to the limit, he destroyed the kage bunshin and attacked Naruto.
The Senbon seemed to be in slow motion to Sasuke, he saw that they were in Naruto's blind spot. Pushing an even larger amount of chakra to his feet he managed to push Naruto out of the way. The result was getting hit all over the body, even in the neck. Falling to the ground he felt himself getting sleepy, His eyes barely open he spoke what he thought were his final words.
"I wanted to kill my brother more than anything, hehe. Don't go dieing on me now Naruto" Sasuke blacked out.
Naruto held Sasuke limp body in his arms; Naruto felt a loss larger than anything he had felt before. Sanji was Quiet, something that Naruto appreciated. Placing the body on the floor he felt the sadness replaced with an unexplainable rage, it was intoxicating and addictive. Red chakra pulsed around him, which was fed with the masked shinobi's words.
"I see that it is the first time you have lost a comrade. He was a true Shinobi"
Naruto grew angry, how dare that masked Shinobi downplay Sasuke's sacrifice. He could never understand what it meant! The feeling to have nothing, gain and then lose it. Blood red chakra began to flow from him, it covered Naruto and the manifestation of a grinning fox appeared for only a second.
It was no longer a battle… it had become a massacre. Haku stood no chance as each and every attack he could think of was foiled by pure chakra,
"What is this?" Was the desperate plea for answers; unfortunately none were to come as Naruto destroyed the mirrors with pure 'determination'. Naruto jumped and kicked Haku in the head making the masked Shinobi fly through the air. As Naruto was about to finish it he saw the mask break away and a familiar face stare back at him with blank eyes.
"Haku?" Naruto whispered in astonishment, landing on the ground he skidded to a halt while Haku landed head first into the cement 'CRACK'. The anger that fuelled the hate and anger evaporated, betrayal and confusion replaced it,
"Why?" Naruto asked while attempting to make sense of the situation. Haku picked himself of the floor and coughed up some blood; wiping his mouth he faced Naruto and readied his demand.
"Kill me Naruto, I am no longer of use to Zabuza-sama. You have taken away my reason of living" Naruto reeled back in shock, no longer of use? What could he mean? They were not taught in Shinobi School how to react to situations like this! Naruto needed and Demanded answers!
"Why? Why do you work willingly for a bastard like him?" Naruto couldn't understand. The look that passed Haku's face was one of sadness, although Naruto didn't know why he felt a weird sense of kinship for this person.
"When I was young I had other people dear to me, they were my parents. It was during the time of the bloodline persecution in the country of the mist. I lived in a snowy village, I was happy my parents were kind people. But then it happened, my mother discovered me using my bloodline to create ice, She told me to never do it again. Unfortunately my father saw me do it, gathering his friends they killed my mother and then tried to kill me. My bloodline activated against my will, causing me to kill them all. I ran, realizing I wasn't wanted. Now if someone were to appear that acknowledged or wanted you with all their heart would they become the most important person to you?" Naruto when hearing this understood it all, no more needed to be said,
"Its ok Haku, I understand" Haku looked at Naruto and smiled. Looking towards the one who killed Sasuke Naruto knew what he had to do. He mustn't be afraid, not anymore. Grabbing his kunai he charged.
Throwing the kunai he waited until it hit, then finished Haku off. Or would have if Haku hadn't grabbed Naruto, twisted him and whispered into Naruto's ear
"Zabuza-sama hasn't finished with me yet" Throwing Naruto backwards he ran at full speed towards the finishing battle between Zabuza and Kakashi, throwing his body between them.
The image that followed made Sakura vomit and Naruto gag; Haku had a hole in his chest, with Kakashi's arm fitted snugly inside. No thoughts of 'that was so cool' or 'thank goodness one is down' entered their heads at all, what they did think was
'Is that death?' or
'EWWW!' Haku dropped dead, no heart wrenching tears or stories to explain why he did, it just was. Sakura could never hope to understand as she was; it was the life of a ninja they neglected to tell her. Naruto couldn't help but picture himself in Haku's position protecting his precious ones.
Sakura's attention was only shortly on the death, it eventually focused on more important things, such as finding the 'love-of-her-and-every-female-in-her-year-group's life' Sasuke. He could not be found, like a landslide an awful thought crept into her mind. Turning to Naruto she hoped her fears would not be founded, once again it was not her day.
"Naruto, where is Sasuke-kun?" The object of her enquiry gulped, and turned his head towards a large lump of blood and clothes. Sakura's heart skipped a beat; she so wanted to go over to the body. Unfortunately wants and responsibilities warred in her mind, they reached a ceasefire when Tazuna spoke,
"I'll go with you, that way your not disobeying your Supervisor" Sakura smiled gratefully at the elderly man. Grabbing his hand she rushed as fast as she could (literally dragging Tazuna through the air amongst his protests) towards the body of Sasuke. Sliding to a halt she touched the body,
"It's cold" Her heat broke, it may have been shallow but she still cared for him. A slight part of her brain said she would have done the same for any of her teammates, including the idiot (That part drowned in sorrow). Feeling a comforting hand touch her shoulder she glanced at Tazuna, tears threatening to flow freely down her face.
"Don't worry, I wont tell anyone if you cry" Tazuna remarked hoping to comfort the grieving girl, as the tears flew Sakura whispered both to herself and for the client.
"I memorized over 100 Shinobi Sayings, I always wrote the correct answers. On one day's test the questions appeared, 'write down Shinobi saying #25' I wrote down the answer as usual 'No matter what the situation a Shinobi must keep emotions on the inside, you must make the mission your top priority, and you must poses a heart that never shows tears'" Tazuna looked at the ground sad,
'So this is the life of a Shinobi, its to harsh'
THE SAME TIME AS THE ABOVE
"He he, Great job Haku" Those words both made Naruto angry and sad, Looking towards the one who said them he prepared to kill the bastard. Kakashi beat him to it, grabbing two kunai he plunged them into both Zabuza's arms then stated the obvious for his students,
"Now both your arms are disabled," Zabuza grunted and glared at Kakashi, a comment made both men turn and glare at an intruder
"How Disappointing" a voice echoed around the bridge, the one who made the comment was the big-man himself; Gatou. Smirking, the confidence of one hundred men supporting him (mostly because that was how any people he had behind him) Gatou continued his rant,
"Not doing very well are you? Well no matter. I'll just do what I was always going to do. I will kill you here!" Zabuza's eyes widened, this was followed by an almost evil look. It would have helped if he wasn't limp in two arms and barely standing up, but you know what they say about the wounded predator… that is when it is most dangerous.
"Kakashi, we are no longer enemies" Kakashi nodded; turning to Naruto he noted the confused expression.
'Hmm, I'd tell him about it. Unfortunately now isn't the time'
Gato walked towards the Shinobi an arrogant and confident sneer fixed on his face. Looking towards the ground, he snarled as he saw the fallen body of Haku,
"Looks like my job is almost done already, this one broke my wrist" Kicking the body he began to laugh, although it came out more of a snort. This caused Naruto to glare as hard as he could, gripping his hands he growled. Seeing that Zabuza made no move at all towards Zabuza he yelled,
"Hey! Are you going to let him get away with that?"
Zabuza snorted,
"Shut up kid, Haku's already dead"
Naruto grew angry; this was Haku's precious person?
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! HAKU GAVE EVERYTHING UP FOR YOU! AND YOU REPAY HIM LIKE THIS?"
Again Zabuza snorted,
"In this world you either use or you are used. Just as Gatou used me I used Haku. All I wanted was his blood, I have no regrets"
This really irritated Naruto,
'That, that BASTARD'
WITHIN NARUTO'S MIND
A deep menacing laughed echoes around the room, causing the blond haired perverted cook to wake up,
"Oi, what's your problem shitty fox?" A laugh responded to the call,
"Its seems as though Naruto has finally learned the nature of Shinobi, maybe he will now finish the job us bijuu started and rid the world of them all" The large 9 tailed beast's nose twitched as it smelt cigarette smoke enter the cell. Turning he saw the man lean on the bars pondering.
"We will have to see fox"
OUTSIDE NARUTO'S MIND
"HE HE, HE LOVED YOU! So much he DIED! He loved you so much and you really feel nothing? Are we all suppose to be like that if we become strong? He gave up his own dreams to die as your tool, it's just really sad I…"
"Say no more kid" Naruto's heart felt rant was interrupted, looking up he saw the tears fall freely down Zabuza's face,
"I understand... it pained him to fight you. He was to kind; I… one such as me could never hope to understand. Give me a kunai" Naruto paused at such an odd request.
'Not suicidal is he?' seeing Zabuza's mouth waiting Naruto shrugged and threw the kunai. It was caught neatly,
"Shinobi are still human, we can't become emotionless tools. I understand this now, unfortunately its time to die" Kakashi nodded in agreement at Zabuza's spoken words. Turning he saw the last charge of the Demon of the mist.
Once it was finished a call removed them from the sadness,
"HEY SASUKE'S ALIVE!"
Later that evening…
Naruto turned towards Sasuke looking in the mirror. Sasuke had found this new fascination with changing the colour of his eyes, quite stupid really. Sighing he shifted his position on the couch and watched as Tsunami cooked a celebration dinner, his eyes widened suddenly…
"NO NO NO, you don't add the eggs yet Stirring clock wires several times first will mix it better, then add the water." Naruto screamed as fast as he could
"If you know how to cook so well, you do it!" was Tsunami's irritated reply,
"Fine I will"
"No, it's my turn" Kakashi smiled at the antics of the cooking fanatics, turned towards his book he started reading… at least until he was interrupted. Luckily the bridge was almost complete.
Two People a Man and his charge looked at the graves of two warriors,
"They made our graves ha?" the taller of the two said, turning away he beckoned for the smaller to follow him,
"But Zabuza-sama your sword" the smaller asked in confusion, Zabuza shrugged
"Leave it Haku, I need to use my other weapon anyway. Maybe my 'reincarnation' Suigetsu will get it. I don't care… as long as that stupid Mizukage gets what's coming to him"
END
A/N: The last part confused some people. Haku and Zabuza are alive, Although weather that will have any impact on the story I have yet to decide, if so it will be Haku focused, having an ice bloodline.
NEXT TIME: The Konohamaru Mystery Act 1: Gaara of the Sand.
Please Review and honesty is appreciated. Thanks, The great David