An: Thanks for all of the feedback and support. I'm glad to know this story is being so well received, your humble author S.o.t.A. Also, as to the question I received about the pairing in the story, I'd rather not say. I feel it is a little early to worry about that do to any pairings will be happening in the Shippuden time period. However, I will give a small peak into my mind about the subject of pairings by using a quote by Vince Vaughn in the movie Dodgeball, "I like to think there is somebody out there for everybody and sometimes there's two, that's what I call hitting the jackpot."
Disclaimer: Do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit.
Chapter 3: Demon's Ultimatum
Over nine months had passed since Naruto had joined up with Zabuza and Haku, the three of them where currently holed up in Tea Country. Zabuza lately had been having second thoughts about Naruto's usefulness. The reason for this was due to the jutsu that Naruto was currently practicing.
"Clone Jutsu," Naruto cried out. However, instead of the perfect replica that he was hoping for a sickly looking version of him was laying on the ground.
Zabuza sighed while saying, "Do it again." Internally he thought, "How did Heishiro-sensei deal with setbacks such as this?" In the end it didn't matter Zabuza was not the teacher that his sensei was. Also, he did not have any more time to waste on trying to train a defective weapon.
Making his decision he called out, "Naruto, come here." Naruto, who was looking at his latest failure with the clone jutsu, began walking towards Zabuza. He had grown a little in the past few months, and had been forced by Zabuza to forsake the color orange, for a gray and black version of the vest and pants he had on when they found him. He was also happier than he had ever been, while Zabuza was harsh to train for he had acknowledged him, which is why when Zabuza told him, "I can no longer use you," his world had been crushed.
"But why?" asked a stunned Naruto.
"I'm not going to waste more time training someone who apparently has no talent to be a ninja," Zabuza said bluntly.
"If this is about the clone jutsu…" Naruto began.
Only to be cut off by Zabuza, "It's not just your inability to make a functioning clone but your lack in all the basics jutsus I've taught you."
Haku taking Naruto's side said, "Naruto has mastered the henge jutsu and even created that variation of it."
Rubbing his hand over his forehead frustrated at once more being double teamed by the boys, which was another reason he sometimes regretted taking Naruto with them was that Haku would often come to the younger boys defense whenever he felt Zabuza was being too hard on him.
Zabuza wasn't about to be swayed this time though, "That jutsu is useless it would only work against a raging pervert, Haku."
At that moment in a hot springs in the Land of Fire the world's self proclaimed super pervert sneezed alerting the women that he was 'researching' to know they had an uninvited guest. Running away as fast as possible, the gallant Jiraiya only had enough time to wonder, before being overtaken by the mob of angry women, what sexy lady had been talking about him.
"Hey, it is not useless, and besides what about my taijutsu you said I've really improved at it," Naruto added.
"Yeah you have, but only a fool would be willing to enter a fight with a real shinobi without ninjutsu or genjutsu to back it up," Zabuza countered.
In Konoha a young boy with a magnificent pair of eyebrows sneezed, unfortunately he did so in the face of the young girl he was about to ask out. Needless to say she said no.
"Also, only a bigger fool would be willing to let you live with the idea that you could get by with only taijutsu."
Back in Konoha a man with even larger eyebrows sneezed causing him to lose a staring contest with his rival. Therefore, giving the edge in number of wins to his opponent and forcing him to obey his self imposed rule of doing a thousand laps around Kohona with a boulder on his back.
"Please Zabuza, give me another chance," Naruto begged, "I'll get it this time." With that being said Naruto forms the hand sign for the clone jutsu.
Stopping him Zabuza said, "If you haven't got it by now one last desperate attempt won't change anything."
"Then how about a different one," Naruto asked, "you said that there are different kinds of clone jutsu."
"There are but the one you can't do is the basis for all of them which is why you start with it," Zabuza said. However seeing both Naruto's begging face and Haku's look of disappointment he relents slightly.
"Fine," he said while digging in his pack. Pulling out a worn scroll he threw it at Naruto and said, "You have six hours to learn the water clone jutsu on this scroll. If you do it I'll continue to train you, however if you fail then you travel with us as far as the next town and then you get lost, understood."
Zabuza then explained the basics of the jutsu to him and told him to head down to the nearby stream. Looking at Haku who was a little happier that he gave Naruto another chance, but he warned Haku, "Don't get your hopes up. His inability to do the basic clone jutsu guarantees he isn't going to get that one."
Haku smiled as he said, I think he'll surprise you." With nothing left to be said he returned to his Hyouton practice. Shaking his head at Haku's optimism Zabuza walked over to a log and sat down. Whoever heard of someone being able to pull off the more advanced version of a technique while bombing the easier one?
Naruto after receiving the scroll headed down to the stream and when he was out of sight he stuck his tongue out at Zabuza thinking, "Stupid Zabuza, Ill show him, I'll have this jutsu mastered in half the time." Reaching the stream he sat down and began reading the instruction written in the scroll.
The past few months for Hinata had been especially trying. First, her mother had died while giving birth to her sister Hanabi this led into the second difficulty. Which was her father why always rather hard on her during training became even more so. However she wouldn't allow it to bring her down and instead used it to help build herself up. Even her father, whom never actually came out and said it, had to admit her Jyuuken form had improved considerably. These problems though were not what she was currently fixating on as she made her way to class.
With the start of the new school year she and Sakura had not been assigned to the same class except for the kunoichi classes all girls attended. She had asked Iruka-sensei why once after passing him in the hall. He had explained that as the years went on they may be assigned to the same class again; however the goal of the academy was to weed out those who did not have the necessary skills to be shinobi. Also, it was to see which groups of potential genin worked well together therefore they needed to try different class make-ups. These two things working in conjunction would determine the students who were put into her class until there were only twenty-seven remaining potential genin in her final year ready to graduate.
Before this year her and Sakura would play together and practice the lessons that Iruka-sensei had assigned. Both girls had been serious about becoming proud kunoichi of the Leaf; however as of late Sakura seemed to just go through the motions. Also, Sakura had told her that she and Ino were no longer friends due to their sharing a crush on Sasuke Uchiha. Sakura had then asked her if she had one on him to, but Hinata assured her that she didn't after all the boy she would of admitted to having one on was presumed dead. Besides, Hinata couldn't really understand what the big deal about Sasuke was, while good looking and happy enough, considering the few times she saw him in the company of his older brother, he was no Naruto.
Seeing her friend also walking to the academy Hinata called out, "Hey Sakura."
Sakura hearing her name turned to see Hinata waving as she quickly made her way towards her. Smiling she said, "Good morning, Hinata."
"Good morning," Hinata replied as they begin walking side by side to school.
"Are you ready for Namida-sensei's flower arranging contest?" Hinata asked.
"Yeah but we all know Ino-pig is going to win it," Sakura answered with another snide comment at her former friend's expense.
Hinata over the last few months had slowly lost her stutter as her confidence grew. Not to say that certain situations wouldn't bring it back out primarily when her father would rebuke her for sloppiness in her Gentle Fist form, however between her and Sakura it had long since disappeared. Therefore, Sakura wasn't too surprised to hear the mild rebuke as Hinata told her, "You shouldn't speak about Ino like that; maybe if you stopped then she would stop picking on your forehead."
This wasn't the first time that Hinata had tried to play peacemaker between Sakura and Ino. Sakura was a little sick of it though. Hinata just didn't understand what a woman in love had to do to ensure her happily ever after. So stopping to turn toward her friend she said, "I wouldn't expect you to understand Hinata after all your still pining after Naruto even if the village is better off without h…."
Slap
Sakura is surprised that all of the sudden she was no longer looking at Hinata that is until her cheek began to sting with the pain of the slap. Looking at Hinata her eyes widen in shock at the angry look that adorned the usually mellow girls face. Running over what she could have said to upset Hinata so, she cursed herself for letting slip what her mom would tell her every time she had brought up Naruto since he had gone missing. She wanted to apologize because the truth was she still wasn't sure what to think of him. However, noticing most of the adults' happiness at Naruto's disappearance, not to mention her own mothers, had an effect on her way of thinking. She was about to say she was wrong till the little voice that had been getting stronger as a result of Sakura hiding her true feelings in order to fit in with the other girls after Sasuke screamed, "Cha, who does this bitch think she is!" She is about to give voice to that opinion when Hinata cuts her off.
"I can't believe you would say such a thing Sakura we're only still here because of Naruto," Hinata said tears beginning to form at the corner of eyes.
Sakura thought," She's right," but angry at being slapped she said, "Face it Hinata, everyone agrees with me. I know you've noticed how the adults have been acting happier since he's been gone."
Actually shaking with rage at Sakura's words and afraid if she remains in her presence she will do something that will reflect poorly on the Hyuuga she yelled, "You're an ungrateful bitch, Sakura Haruno and I never want to speak to you again." Turning on her heel she resumed her walk to school.
Sakura was shocked that not only did the soft-spoken Hinata raise her voice to her, but also cussed at her. After watching Hinata disappear around the corner it finally sinked in that she has just driven away her only remaining friend. Tears forming in her own eyes she whispered weakly, "I'm sorry." She then began her own walk to school with her head down feeling far emptier than she was just a few minutes ago.
Zabuza had waited the six hours as promised and then went in search of Naruto. He found the little idiot a sleep on the bank of the stream. Irritated at the sleeping boy that after having been given a second chance he actually had the audacity to sleep instead of training like his future depended on it. Zabuza picked up Naruto and threw him into the water.
"Gah, what the hell did you that for," screamed Naruto as his head breaks the surface.
"This is what you do with the generous second chance I've given you sleep it away?" Zabuza questioned angrily.
Making his way to shore he said triumphantly, "What are you talking about? I had that jutsu nailed after the first hour."
"Talk is cheap, prove it" Zabuza demanded.
"Right," Naruto said while forming the hand seals then called out," Water Clone Jutsu."
Out on the stream a replica of Naruto formed but instead of the sickly ones Zabuza had gotten used to seeing this one looked perfect. Of course, that is till it fully formed and fell into the river due to the fact that Naruto hadn't learned water walking yet.
The clone made its way to shore grumbling about almost drowning until Naruto points out that it was made of water, therefore couldn't this sets off an argument between the two, which then degenerated into a fist fight.
Zabuza ignored the pair, too stunned at what he has just witnessed. The boy couldn't do the simple bunshin but could easily pull off a harder variation. Haku hearing all the ruckus made his way down to the stream and upon seeing the brawling Narutos smiled saying, "I knew you could do it Naruto." Laughing lightly at the pair of, "Believe it," he got in response.
Still trying to figure out how Naruto pulled it off he gives up and decided to have Naruto walk him through what he did to perform the jutsu.
Naruto began after dispelling his clone, "Well the scroll said that the jutsu required more chakra then the regular bunshin. But I really wasn't sure how much that was, so I started with the amount I was putting into the regular clone jutsu and once I got the hand signs right everything worked just fine."
"Wait," Zabuza said, "You were putting that much chakra into the regular bunshin jutsu, you idiot I told you only needed a small amount to make it work."
Naruto countered, "I can't get my chakra any smaller."
"Can't get it any smaller," Zabuza thought surprised, "Just how much chakra does he have?"
Aloud he said, "Naruto, I want you to make as many water clones as you can."
Naruto smiled at this after making the last sign and calling out the jutsu both Haku and Zabuza eyes widen at the site that unfolded before them. There are so many water clones of Naruto that the stream runs dry until more water showed up to fill in the amount missing. In unison they say, "Not bad huh?"
Zabuza simply began laughing, while it's true that water clones were more limited needing a water supply and only able to move a certain distance from the one whom cast the jutsu, if he could get this boy to learn say the shadow clone jutsu well Zabuza would practically have a one man army on his side. Kami surely had smiled on him when Haku had found the boy that was for damn sure.
Hinata was walking home after school still upset with what Sakura had said that morning. Although, she was wondering if she should apologize for slapping Sakura, while Hinata had meant what she said it didn't give her the right to hit her. To be honest her desire to apologize steamed from the fact that she missed her friends company and it had only been one day. Even though they didn't share the same regular class they would meet up at lunch to eat or pair up during certain kunoichi lessons that required a partner.
During lunch she had eaten alone and saw Sakura doing the same. Hinata had also noticed that when Sakura thought she wasn't looking she would glance over with a sad look on her face. Hinata had almost gone over to talk to her then, however remembering Sakura's words she decided that she wouldn't talk to her until Sakura took back what she said about Naruto.
So there she was heading to the Hyuuga compound for her afternoon training with her father when an article of clothing in a store window caught her eye. It was a jacket with a hood with some white fur trimmed around the base of it. However, what she absolutely adored about it was the color it was the same orange that Naruto used to wear. Deciding that she had to have it she went in and bought the merchant's entire stock in her size.
Leaving a very happy merchant considering he had bought jackets that color on a lark never expecting a loan Hyuuga would clean out most of his stock on the first day, Hinata for her part felt a little better. Also, she was glad that she had saved up her allowance and decided she would start wearing her new clothes tomorrow.
Walking home with what she could carry with the rest being delivered later. She decided that until Sakura apologizes that the two of them could no longer be friends. After all just because the rest of the village decided that Naruto's disappearance was good news the two of them owed him too much to ever think like that. Hinata walking faster, so she wouldn't be too late to practice, smiled about her finding another way to emulate Naruto.
Zabuza was walking back to their camp site after striking out finding work at the local meeting place, aka the bar. He was lost in thought at what he had found. Looking at the missing child flyer in his hand which contained the picture of one Naruto Uzumaki, apparently he wasn't as despised as he believed. However, this posed a problem for Zabuza especially after the display this morning. Before had he found this he would have simply contacted the office for missing children listed and collected any reward they had offered. But now, understanding what was holding Naruto back he knew the kid had the potential to even surpass Haku.
He could just not tell him, but if it ever came to light that Zabuza knew Kohona was looking for him he would lose whatever trust he had built with the boy. On the flip side, if Zabuza did tell Naruto and he decided to go back to his village he was in the same boat. Nearing camp he made up his mind to put such decisions off till later, however if he hadn't been so distracted by his moral dilemma he would of noticed that he had picked up a tail ever since leaving the bar.
The Kiri hunter-nin had not believed her luck when Zabuza walked past her in the bar, especially considering that he was the most wanted man in all of The Land of Water. He even rated higher than one Kisame Hoshigaki something most in her profession couldn't understand. Yes, Zabuza had attempted a coup d'état but he had failed; also his bingo book rating was only A-rank. Kisame on the other hand, had killed an important feudal lord and was S-ranked surely he was the bigger threat. Despite this almost no resource where sent after Kisame while the Hunter Division spent everything on the man hunt for Zabuza. However, such thoughts were for later. The only reason the hunter hadn't attacked him right away was most of her jutsus were water based, and she would need a good water supply for when she attacked. So she would follow the target until the opportune moment.
When Zabuza made it to camp he didn't see either of the boys, figuring they were down by the stream he made his way toward it. Seeing that Naruto was watching Haku practicing his Kekkei Genkai he made his presence known. Getting up Naruto made his way to Zabuza to see if they had any work. Just as he is about to reach him Zabuza tackled him to the ground as two kunai bury themselves where Naruto would have been.
Zabuza quickly rolled into a crouching position using the flat of his sword as a shield keeping it between them and the tree where the kunai knives had came from. Zabuza angrily called out, "You must be a big man to pick a kid as your first target."
Dropping from the trees is a Hunter-nin wearing a white mask that has red marking as well as the Kiri symbol etched into the forehead. The Hunter-nin said in a bland voice, "I'm not so foolish as to believe that these children you've surrounded yourself with are anything but trained weapons."
"So a Kiri hunter-nin has finally caught up to me, huh?" Zabuza said with a smirk. "The Hunter Division must be slipping, since I haven't seen any sign of you guys in over a year."
"Oh, were you in a hurry to die Demon of Mist," countered the Hunter.
"You're the one who's going down," screamed Naruto right into Zabuza's ear.
"Ah, shut up you idiot," Zabuza said bonking Naruto in the head with the hand not bracing the sword up. Looking over at Haku he gave him a hand sign to stay hidden behind the tree he had been using for cover.
"It appears your tool does not know when to be quiet," the Hunter commented after witnessing their interaction.
"You're the tool lady," Naruto countered.
However Zabuza simply replied, "He's a work in progress."
Grabbing Naruto around the midriff he jumped back to where Haku was hiding. "You two stay out of this understood," he ordered.
Walking back towards the hunter-nin with his blade on his shoulder he asked," You got a name?"
"None you would know, traitor."
"Well I guess you'll just haft to die nameless," Zabuza said.
With that said he launched himself at the hunter-nin who responded with a hail of kunai. Zabuza swated them out of the air closing the distance he then cuts the hunter in half only for the two pieces that hit the floor to turn into a split log.
From one of the trees on his left a dozen shuriken fly at him unable to deflect them all he was forced to retreat towards the stream. Landing on the water he made the necessary hand signs and said, "Water Style: Water Vortex Jutsu." In front of him a spinning funnel of water shoots out to hit the tree the shurikens came from blowing all the leaves off of it. When the jutsu ended the body of the hunter-nin, which was pinned to the trunk by the technique, began to fall to the forest floor it hits with a splash looking like a giant rain drop.
"Shit, water clone," thought Zabuza. He begins scanning the battlefield for any sign of his opponent. "She's a mid to long range type fighter apparently. I need to get her out into the open."
Calling her out he said, "What's the matter, they didn't teach you how to fight up close and personnel in the Hunter Division?"
"I am quite aware that the sword you carry is not just for show, traitor," the hunter countered. The hunter's voice seemed to be coming from everywhere preventing Zabuza from pinpointing her location. Out of the water four water drills raise up around a surprised Zabuza piercing his front and back as well as his sides.
"Zabuza," screamed Naruto. He broke free of Haku's grip running from the tree. A kunai shot out from where the Hunter-nin had been hiding. Naruto saw it and tried to reverse direction falling on his rear. However the Hunter-nin seemed to have expected this as the kunai is in line with imbedding itself in his head. Closing his eyes he missed a thin wall of ice forming in front of him.
'Thunk', was the noise it made as it buried itself into the ice. Naruto opened his eyes surprised dying didn't hurt only to see the kunai poking through the ice. The ice wall Haku made wasn't very strong still having a great deal to learn about his bloodline, but it id the job. Naruto looking at the blade only a foot away from having ended his life thought, "If it wasn't for Haku, I'd be dead." Shaken by this revelation he sat there not moving. Haku ran over to Naruto hauling him to his feet while saying," Come on."
Running to another tree opposite from where the kunai was launched from, Haku and Naruto crouch down together, with Haku's arms wrapped around the younger boy protectively. Naruto coming out of his shock said," Thanks Haku, but Zabuza…"
"It's ok Naruto, look at the stream." Haku replied calmly. Naruto did so in time to see Zabuza's floating body dissolve into water.
"A water clone!?" the Hunter thought, "When did he make it…of course, when I lost sight of him behind the water vortex."
Warning bells go off in her head. She quickly vacated the branch she was standing on. Zabuza, dropping from above, swung his sword downward through the spot an instant later cutting through the branch the hunter had been on. Both land on the forest floor, with the hunter-nin's back to the water. Moving his sword so that it was resting along his shoulder, "Looks like you're not going to be able to hide while firing off jutsu anymore and we both know you can't match me in a straight up fight," Zabuza said gloating.
"It seems I overestimated my ability to bring you to justice traitor. But we have your trail now it is only a matter of time," the hunter said.
"Only if you're alive to report to your superiors," Zabuza rebuked.
The hunter-nin quickly spun on her heel and dashed away over the stream with Zabuza in pursuit. Half-way across though a copy of the hunter, which she made before the fight to lay in ambush, sprung out of the water Zabuza acting quickly cuts it in half along the midsection. But the hunter-nin having reengaged after the distraction used the spilling water from the clone to trap him in the water prison jutsu. The hunter-nin was about to gloat when Zabuza turned into the split log she had used earlier for a substitution only with several exploding tags affixed to it.
Disengaging the jutsu she tried to clear the blast radius and succeeded partly. However the force of the blast lifted her and deposited her on the opposite side of the stream. Trying to force herself up she is pinned to the earth by The Executioner's Blade as Zabuza stabed her in the back. Removing the blade Zabuza picked up her corpse and carried it across the stream and layed it down near the two boys.
Kneeling down he pulled off the mask to see the glassy eyes of a young woman staring back at him. He began checking her person. Finding a bingo book he took it to review later he may find useful information about what the Hunter Division knows about his whereabouts. Also, he took the kunai and scrolls from her pouch, after all it wasn't like there are an abundance of ninja stores outside of the shinobi villages and the ones that do exist are almost sure to have people watching them to see who frequents them.
Haku stepped up with Naruto behind him. Haku looking sad asked, "Did you have to kill her?"
"It was either her or me," Zabuza answered without emotion, "and if she managed to kill me instead, you two would have followed."
Naruto in a weak voice asked," But couldn't you have just knocked her out and left her tied up?"
"For what purpose," Zabuza explained," she would have eventually escaped and tried to hunt us down again. Also, she would have made sure to have brought backup as well." Looking both boys in the eyes he continued, "This is the world we live in, it is cold and unforgiving and the price of failure is almost always death."
Haku nodded. He would have preferred to find a different way, especially due to the guilt he still felt at killing his father. But, that hunter-nin hadn't hesitated in trying to kill Naruto. If in order to protect his precious people he would have to harden his heart then he would. Kneeling down and picking up the hunter's mask he looked at it while thinking he may not be able to simple shut off his emotions, but he would take this mask as a symbol. For whenever he put it on he would behave as a shinobi should.
Naruto though was filled with doubts. He would have died today had Haku not been there. Was this what his life would be, simple killing until he himself was killed? No, he wouldn't accept that. Just because the shinobi world was screwed up didn't mean they couldn't try to make it better. He may not have the answers now, but he would find them eventually. Also he wondered if this was why Zabuza had threatened to abandon him. Did he see him as more than just some weapon? Was Zabuza concerned that if he didn't get stronger he would die? Zabuza liked to claim that he and Haku where nothing but weapons he was forging for his own ends. However, when Zabuza had called out to the hunter-nin after she had threw those kunai at him his voice had been filled with anger. He was so lost in thought that he almost missed as Zabuza simply rolled the corpse into the stream.
He asked, "What are you doing?"
"She may have sent a message to her superiors or other hunter-nin about our location before attacking, and if so then there may be some way of locating her that I may have missed while searching her belongings. This way if there is, the stream will carry her body away from us and will throw off pursuit," Zabuza answered.
"It just doesn't seem right," Naruto said watching the body float away.
"Get use to it," Zabuza told him while making his way back to camp, "if it was the other way around me and Haku would probably be ash and your body would be taken back to Kiri to be dissected."
Haku seeing Naruto's confusion at that statement answered the unasked question," They would have disposed of me and Zabuza to hide the secrets our bodies contain, Naruto."
"But why dissect me?" Naruto inquired.
"To discover the potential secrets your body contains." Haku replied. Missing the small grimace Naruto had at that statement. If they dissected him would they discover the secret of the red chakra, was it some sort of Kekkei Genkai? Whatever it was he still feared it, although not nearly as much as Haku and Zabuza learning about it and treating him like the villagers of the Leaf.
Haku beginning to follow Zabuza back to camp asked," Should we get ready to leave, Zabuza?"
Looking at the setting sun Zabuza replied, "We'll leave in the morning if she had help nearby she never would of attacked by herself."
In the morning Zabuza found Haku making breakfast, Naruto's belongings are packed and ready to go but there is no sign of the boy. "Where's Naruto?" he asked.
"He went down by the stream to think," Haku responded looking up from the food he is preparing. "I believe he is still upset about what happened yesterday."
Leaving camp Zabuza walked to the place where the fight happened and finds Naruto sitting with his knees curled up into his chest and his arms wrapped around them looking at the moving water.
"Hey, get back to camp for breakfast it's almost ready," Zabuza said but received no response. Annoyed at being ignored and deciding that if he wouldn't respond to the gentle way that he had harsher ways of getting his attention said, "Did you hear me, I said…"
"Was the reason you threatened to leave me behind because you were worried about me?" Naruto asked. The question had bothered him all night. Would he wake up one day only to find out Zabuza didn't need him and would be discarded like an old kunai? Or, was the reason Zabuza wanted to be sure that Naruto was going to be able to take care of himself if he wasn't around.
"I told you, you're a weapon that I will use," Zabuza responding as coldly as he can, "If a weapon is not capable of meeting its wielders expectations than it is discarded and you need to come to terms with that. For that is the truth for all shinobi, we 're used by our villages or employers and when it is expedient for them, they'll discard us for something of greater value." Reaching into a pocket for the flyer he found yesterday, he held it out to Naruto telling him to take it.
"What's this?" Naruto asked.
"It appears that the old man you keep talking about is looking for you," Zabuza answered. "If you find that this life is not for you then you should go back. It should be easy enough to get in touch with someone that will not alert that bastard of a teacher you had so you can return to the village and your friends will be safe."
"Also, I don't need a weapon that is going to get all emotional every time there is a…..umph!?" Zabuza tried to continue only for Naruto to spring to his feet and hug him around the waist. Confused and trying to pry the surprisingly strong boy off of him he said, "What the HELL do you think you're doing?"
Naruto not letting go answered smiling, "You're a big softie at heart. You try to sound all gruff and mean, but if you meant everything about me just being your weapon you'd never have given me the means to go home."
Being called soft by the knucklehead around his waist gave Zabuza the strength to pry the boy loose and lifting him over his head threw him into the water, only for the boy to remerge seconds later attempting to resume the hug. Zabuza responded to this by cutting him in half right down the middle with his sword.
"Hey," shouted Naruto," emerging a few feet from where he went into the water as the clone that was just killed by Zabuza dissolved, "How did you know that wasn't me?"
Zabuza said while smirking beneath his wraps, "I didn't."
Naruto smiled at the obvious lie. Forming over a hundred water clones he said to them, "All right guys it's time for Operation: Somebody needs a hug."
Haku having arrived to inform them that breakfast was ready, watched as Zabuza prepared himself for the onslaught and he grinned at the display. As water clones met their maker Haku wondered what his life would have been like if he had never met Naruto. There was no doubt the blonde boy added something to their group. A zest for life he figured, after all before Naruto he had simply been content to be needed. Now he wasn't so sure, especially considering that Naruto who was the same as him would never give up on his own dreams. While he had promised to help Zabuza achieve his ambition, he also still planned to return to Konoha and become Hokage. Yet Haku had no dreams of his own. Was he even truly alive if he had no ambition for the future? Seeing Zabuza dispose of the last clone and that the real Naruto was trapped under Zabuza's foot face down in the dirt Haku informed them that breakfast was ready. Watching as Naruto, having been let up by Zabuza, appeared to be happy, despite being wet and muddy, came to decide that while he may not have his own dreams for the moment, he would dedicate everything he had to helping his two precious people achieve theirs. And, who knows perhaps in the process discover one for himself.
Sakura was sitting by herself at lunch again feeling completely miserable. It had taken all her willpower not to cry several times yesterday after the argument with Hinata. When she finally made it home she allowed herself to let go as she ran upstairs to her room. Her mother having heard her came to see what was wrong. Sakura explained what happened and her mother assured her that she wasn't the one at fault. What she had said after all was true the village was better off without Naruto and besides Hinata didn't have the right to strike her over her opinion anyway. After convincing her mother not to tell Hinata's father she had asked to be left alone. The truth was despite what her mother said she still felt as if it was her fault. Also, she did miss having the blonde boy around. While they only really interacted on the day that the attack took place she had secretly enjoyed some of the pranks she had witness and missed his happy go lucky attitude. She then decided she would apologize to Hinata the next day at school.
However that proved to be harder than expected. Hinata had not taken her normal route to the academy that morning. With no classes together until her kunoichi class which was after lunch she had to wait until it was time to eat. Once her class had been dismissed for lunch she rushed outside since Hinata's class was closer to the courtyard she was usually there before her. Although when she got to the spot they used to eat at together, this was under the tree with the swing that Naruto used to eat, Hinata was nowhere to be found. Sad that Hinata was apparently avoiding her and not feeling right eating at their spot alone she moved back to where she ate yesterday.
Looking around the courtyard Sakura couldn't help but feel that being a young kunoichi in love was a lonely life. Except for the bully Ami who somehow still retained her two flunkies despite the fact that they also had crushes on Sasuke, all the other girls where sitting alone. Most of the boys had broken off into groups, there were some here or there who ate alone like the weird Aburame kid, although she expected that it was by choice since he seemed to eat quickly then spend the rest of lunch searching for bugs. To thinks just two days ago she used to think the fact that she still had a female friend put her above some of these other girls. However, upon reflection she supposed that may also have been due to the fact that Hinata did not share feelings for Sasuke.
With fifteen minutes before lunch ended Sakura noticed Hinata making her way to where they used to sit. She was holding a bag from Ichiraku having gone there for lunch. Sakura was surprised to see that Hinata was wearing a new jacket, which while in the same fashion as her white one was orange, also she was wearing her usual black pants and she presumed shirt which was covered by the jacket. Sakura almost wimped out but decided to go through with her apology, had she known how it would of turned out she would have stayed put.
Ami Fu, the academy bully, was having lunch with her usual lackeys Kasumi and Fuki. It wasn't that she liked either of them but they feared being on her bad side so that made them tolerable. To describe her she was pretty plain looking her most outstanding feature being her purple hair she keeps short except for a bang on the left side of her face that was longer than the rest. Her brown eyes narrowed with malice as she watched Sakura get up to make her way to Hinata. Sakura had been her favorite target to pick on before that pig Ino had stepped in. She still was angry about the time Ino made her think she had swallowed a poisonous flower. It had made her look weak as she ran to Namida-sensei only to find out there was no such thing as ninja wolfs bane. Unfortunately, even after Ino and Sakura had stopped being friends she still couldn't go back to picking on Sakura because of Hinata. While she wasn't afraid of the Hyuuga it was generally a bad idea to pick on a girl with the resources of a major clan at her beck and call.
She had been ecstatic when Fuki told her Hinata and Sakura were not talking, something the girl had overheard when Ino asked Sakura about what happened between her and Hinata. While the blonde and pink haired girls were feuding over who would posse Sasuke they still showed their concern for each other now and then. The last thing Ami wanted was for Hinata and Sakura to bury the hatchet unless it was in each other. The reason for this was due to the fact that pretty much every girl in their age group was targeting one boy. This led them to throw away their friendships with each other, and since there was power in numbers, which with her lackeys she had the numbers, it would allow her to be as big a terror as she wanted. Besides she needed to get even with Sakura for being the catalyst for the embarrassing situation Ino had put her in. She would even get to use the jutsu she was planning to use on Ino. So getting up she began walking up to Sakura and when she felt she was close enough acted like she tripped bumping into her almost knocking Sakura down.
"Hey, watch where you're going bitch," Ami yelled.
"You bumped into me dumbass," Sakura threw right back.
Not bothering to say anything Ami continued on her way picking a secluded spot where she could manipulate what was about to happen. Happy with a spot around the corner of the school but still close enough that she could use the jutsu she had convinced her father to teach her. Her father had been a genin during The Second Great Ninja War and having fought against Suna shinobi several times, her father had been left with a high opinion of their puppeteer forces. So he decided to create a puppet jutsu of his own except his would use living people. To do this he would affix chakra strings to whoever he wanted to control, but what was really impressive about the jutsu was its ability to control a person's speech and any jutsu they may have had. To do this required a small chakra needle that was placed at the brainstem of the person to be controlled and had a chakra string attached to it which ran to a similar needle in the controller's brainstem.
When she had bumped into Sakura she had easily placed the needle into the back of her neck. While not as advanced in the jutsu as her father, whom could control multiple opponents with just his the one thread connect to the needle in the neck, she would need both hands to control all of Sakura's motor functions as well as her vocal cords.
Sakura unaware she was about to be controlled made her way to Hinata. "Um… Hello Hinata," she said nervously.
"Sakura," Hinata replied calmly without emotion as she continues to eat her ramen which after putting on her new jacket she had craved all day.
"Well you see…well it's just…that's a nice jacket," Sakura said lamely really unsure about how to approach apologizing for the day before.
"Thank you," Hinata said standing up to meet Sakura's eyes while holding her ramen bowl.
"You bought it to remember Naruto, huh?" Sakura asked figuring it would be a good way to broach the subject. However, after finishing her sentence she feels a little jolt at the base of her skull and began to panic as she lost control of her body. "What's going on I can't move?" she thought with rising dread when she heard her voice say, "Well it's missing something."
"W-what's that?" Hinata asked a little guarded after seeing something pass through the pink haired-girl's jade eyes. If she didn't know her friend better she would say malice. Which was why she was caught flat footed when Sakura said," This," as she grabbed the ramen bowl from her and spilled its contents onto her new jacket.
Seeing this the other kids began pointing and laughing at Hinata bring on a level of shyness and embarrassment she hadn't felt in months. All she can do is ask, "W-w-why, Sakura?"
"Did you think I'd let you get away with slapping me?" Ami in Sakura's body said her voice cold and cruel. "Also, you deserve it for wanting to be like that loser Naruto. Let me guess you want to be Hokage too, like that moron kept going on about?" Ami knew this because she was in Hinata regular class this year and at the start of the school year their instructor had asked what their goals as shinobi were.
Deciding to put the nail in the coffin of the girls' friendship she said," As if a white eyed freak like you would ever be made Hokage." Hearing this and seeing the look of complete and utter betrayal that crossed Hinata's face, Sakura tried desperately to regain control of her body while thinking, "Please don't listen Hinata it isn't me."
Humiliated and crushed by Sakura's words Hinata can do nothing to stop the tears from coming to her eyes. Not trusting herself not to sound weak and defeated she simply fled the scene leaving behind a gloating Sakura with a victorious smirk.
As the bell rung signaling the end of the lunch period and with the entertainment over the children made their way into the building. Once the last one enters the building Ami disengaged the jutsu and Sakura having not moved from the tree fell to her knees like a puppet with its strings cut.
"My my Sakura, who knew you had such cruelty within you," said a smug Ami.
"It was you. You're the one who was controlling me," shouted Sakura as she launched herself at the girl only to receive a fist to the gut knocking the wind out of her as she fell to her hands and knees.
Smiling Ami simply said," Guilty as charged."
"I'll just tell Hinata…"
"Tell Hinata what?" Ami said cutting off the distraught girl. "That it wasn't you, that you where being controlled. Ha as if she'll believe you, besides what is your excuse for what happened yesterday? Are you going to tell her I was controlling you then too?"
"Why?" Sakura asked defeated.
"Well to get even of course," Ami answered enjoying the tears coming to Sakura's eyes.
Sakura sobbed, "I've never done anything to you."
"Maybe not directly and I really rather of used this jutsu on Ino, but it was worth it to drive a wedge between you and Hinata." Ami then stated, "After all they say paybacks a bitch," she then delivered a quick kick to Sakura's ribs," and I'm the bitch."
Taking her leave of the crying Sakura she thought with satisfaction, "Today was a good day."
Meanwhile for Mizuki the day was shaping up to be anything but good. He was not happy with the course his life had taken. After months of toiling as a genin he had finally pulled a C-ranks courier mission that would allow him out of the village without attracting undue attention as he was sure the Hokage's eyes were still on him, only to make it to Tanzaku Town to find no money waiting for him in his secret account. What was making his life almost unbearable though could be laid at the feet of one man, the Anbu Black Ops member Dog.
Mizuki was on his way to receive a mission from him now. The Anbu had seemed to have made it his life's mission to make Mizuki as miserable as possible without laying a hand on him. For instance, Dog had once had him clean out the Anbu headquarters' shower stalls with a toothbrush that looked suspiciously like his. Needless to say when he got home that night he threw his out despite it showing no sign of having been used for such a purpose.
Approaching training ground seven he caught site of the Anbu with his nose in a book that he was rarely seen without lately. Deciding to get this over with as quickly as possible he said, "What do you want Dog?"
"Ah Mizuki, right on time," Dog replied politely while closing his book.
"Can you explain what task it is that I have to perform today?" Mizuki snapped not in the mode for Dogs usual laidback attitude. "Perhaps you want me to cut all the grass in the training fields with a pair of scissors?"
"That's not a bad idea," Dog said the smile evident in his voice, "but not today. Today I thought you could help me with a little training."
"Don't you think taking on a mere genin is a little easy for an Anbu Black Ops member?" asked Mizuki a little worried at fighting the man.
"I don't think of you as a simple genin Mizuki," said dog, his voice hardening losing its previous cheer. "But, it isn't me you'll be facing," Dog said the merriment once more in his tone.
Making his way over to the Memorial Stone he placed an alarm clock on it and turning to Mizuki he said, "Here catch."
Mizuki snatches what was thrown out of the air and looking in his hand saw two bells. "And who will be trying to get these from me," he asked well aware of what the bell test is.
Cutting his finger, Dog said while making hand signs, "Summoning Jutsu."
Mizuki eyes widen at seeing all eight members of Dog's nin-dog pack. He was about to complain when Dog said in a bored tone, "The sun will set in a little over six hours, my pack has that long to get the bells from you. Are there any questions?"
S-s-shouldn't I be wearing some sort of padding?" Mizuki asked while eyeing the growling dogs' teeth and claws.
"Now now, padding will only slow you down. Think of it as incentive not to be caught," Dog said and despite having on his Anbu mask Mizuki can see his famous eye smile.
Reaching down Dog hit the top of the clock and said, "Now let's begin."
Six hours later Mizuki arrived at the memorial stone, thoroughly convinced that the dogs where solely after him not the bells, covered in scratches, bleeding, and with several severe bite marks. He sighed at hearing the alarm go off seconds later; he then fell to the ground in a heap panting. Dog looked up and closed his book, walking over to Mizuki as his pack lined up nearby. Dog noticed that Mizuki still had the bells with him and in an amused voice said, "Well done Mizuki. I'm glad I decided to test my nin-dogs today, after all if a mere genin can avoid them for so long then it is obvious they need more training."
"We'll try harder next time," the smallest of the dogs said and then they all disperse into smoke.
Already walking away Dog called over his shoulder while giving a dismissive wave, "Well until next time, Mizuki."
Lying there on the ground, while trying to work up the energy to go the hospital and have the worst of his injuries looked at Mizuki thought, "I wish he'd just go ahead and kill me."
After the impromptu training with water clones that morning Zabuza then had them pull up camp. They were going to head towards The Land of Rivers. Naruto was a little nervous about the journey due to if they went by land they would have to skirt the Land of Fire; however Zabuza informed him they were going to go by boat. After walking all day they were all sitting around a fire at the moment. Naruto was pulled from his thoughts when Zabuza said, "Naruto you never answered my question this morning, you could go back."
"Do you want me too?" Naruto asked a little worried at the answer he may get.
"That's your call. I just want to make sure before putting anymore effort in your training that you are whiling to live the life of a missing-nin, you got a taste of what is in store for us yesterday."
The truth was Naruto had been debating whether or not to go back all day although he had made up his mind a little while earlier. So to give his answer he said, while shaking his head no, "No, I'm going to stick with you." Seeing the surprise on Haku and Zabuza's faces he continued, "I gave you my word that I'd help you in your ambition. Besides, it would probably look good on my record that I helped to beat a Kage."
Zabuza satisfied with Naruto's decision said, "Well then we'll have to do something about your face. Now that we know Kohona is looking for you, those markings will make you easy to identify." Reaching into his backpack Zabuza pulled out some of the combat wraps that he used for his own face and tossed it to Naruto. "Here wrap this around your lower face."
Naruto attempted to do so but he had trouble doing it by himself so Haku went over and after tying the wraps up said; "Now you look like a little Zabuza."
Naruto smiled at the comparison, although you can only really tell by his eyes. While Zabuza frowned and said, "The brat looks nothing like me Haku."
Naruto stuck out his tongue at Zabuza which resulted in a wet spot appearing on the wraps where his mouth was. Zabuza ignored this and said, "Alright that's enough chit-chat for the night go to bed I want to be on a boat for River Country by sundown tomorrow." Both boys got up and went to their sleeping bags falling asleep shortly thereafter. Leaving Zabuza awake to think, he had been glad that Naruto decided to stay but also surprised. The life of a missing-nin was hard after all even Zabuza would have chosen to go back to Kirigakure if the option was on the table. The idea that the boy would stay because he gave something as trivial as his word was laughable, although it was also a little refreshing. He had been living so long with death and deception that Naruto at times seemed to be like a breath of fresh air. The only time he had ever felt anything remotely similar, was when he had been in Kiri and that had been with her.
However, thoughts of the happier times at the Hidden Mist Village and the woman he spent them with would have to wait. Right now he needed to come up with a plan of action for when they reached River Country. This heading to the local watering hole for work wasn't cutting it; he'd need to get in contact with someone who could set him up with the big paydays. So with thoughts of how to find such a person on his mind Zabuza settled into a comfortable position to get some sleep himself.