So here is chapter 4. I hope you like it! By the way, I have decided to put my answers to reviews (like questions or something) here...
They'll basically be here... right here...
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Chapter 4: Life on the road as a ninja
Its been three weeks since I decided to leave that wretched village behind and join Zabuza and Haku. During those couple of weeks, I've undergone some serious training under the instruction of both of them.
It was tough. No... that's putting it lightly. It was excruciatingly painful. Did they realize that I was only six years old!?... well, physically... I thought. Did they both have to endure through all of this training?
My body was so sore I found it challenging to even walk. My bones ached and cracked with every sorrowful step I took. But I put up with it all... I didn't want to be classified as a burden by the two people who cared for me and saved me from dying on the streets.
So, I feigned happiness and healthiness.
I found deception quite easy to master. And in this case, all I needed to do was plaster on a fake smile and change the tune in my voice.
According to Haku, I had surprised them both with my skills at deception. 'However, there was always room for improvement.' they said.
Haku says that a lot actually. Its what he believes in. He would give anything for Zabuza, even his own life. He's pushed his body to the limit so many times its uncanny.
Because Zabuza is precious to him I thought.
Well, that's what he had told me two weeks ago during my first sparring session anyway...
Flashback; Hazaki's POV
We had been walking for a while now. Traveling with rogue ninjas meant that we had to keep moving from place to place and try to keep a low profile. We would only spend about 1 or 2 days in the same area then move, unless we had a contract.
Zabuza had left us in a forest clearing while he went into a nearby town to collect some supplies for us. Food, Shuriken and other necessities.
Of course he had used a transformation Justu to appear as an hunched-back old man with a wooden cane to avoid detection. I tired to stifle my laughter as he walked away from us and headed to the town.
Once he was out of sight, I couldn't hold my laughter in any longer.
"Ahahah! I want to learn how to do that too!" I immediately stopped laughing when I noticed that Haku was looking at me strangely.
"S-sorry." I replied.
"Heh, it's okay, I guess" he said in a monotone voice.
Then we just stood there, not even looking at each other, in awkward silence. The wind started to gently breeze past us, causing the leaves to rustle. We both wanted to say something, but we didn't know what to say.
After what seemed like an eternity, Haku finally spoke up. "Would you like to do some sparring or training while we wait for Zabuza?"
A blush formed on my face... What did he mean? "Training...f-for what?" I asked.
Haku's eye started to twitch at my question. "To improve ourselves as ninjas. Wait-You mean that you have never done any ninja training before?" By the sound of his voice, you could tell he was annoyed and surprised.
I hung my head down in shame and spoke with tears threatening to fall out of the corners of my eyes. "I-I'm sorry... b-but no... I don't think I have."
Did I just become a burden? Is that what Haku thinks I am? A burden. A useless, helpless girl whom he saved from death on the streets? A weak girl?
I waited for him to say something cold and hurtful at me. I would be scolded for my stupidity. That's how it always was before. However it did not come... Then I noticed that he was slowly raising his hand above my head.
Is he going to hit me? All of the cruel memories of being hit in the past suddenly came flooding back to me. The punches hurt at first but soon, I just accepted them. But am I that useless to Haku and Zabuza, just like then? Am I just a person who everyone wants dead?
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists waiting for the impact. But, once again, it never came...
Instead Haku put his hand on my head and ruffled my hair a little.
"Huh?" I gasped. His hand retracted stiffly at the sound of my confused gasp.
"Uh, sorry. Its just Zabuza used to do this when I was feeling d-... I just know how your feeling."
I looked up at him with curious eyes. He was looking down at me with a sheepish smile on his face.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You probably feel like a useless thing, ready to be cast aside."
I looked down at my feet. How does he know this?
"Don't worry. I hadn't done any proper ninja training when Zabuza found me either. I was just an orphan on the streets, just like you. But he didn't think I was hopeless. Instead, he saw potential... Look at me now."
His story had given me a small, heart-warming feeling, filled with hope. "So, your gonna teach me how to be a ninja?" I asked.
"Of course we will! And you know, all of that training will pay off eventually. But its going to be hard."
I smiled. On that day I swore to try my hardest at training and to give it my all to become a great ninja! To not be a burden but... a hero. A hero to my friends.
"So, is that spar still up for offer?"
A smirk formed across Haku's lips "Yeah"
I landed flat on my butt, panting for air. Haku was, once again, standing triumphantly in front of me, his shadow looming over my face. After his little moment of glory, he became dead serious and looked at me with a blank expression. We had been training for three hours straight.
"You need to keep your guard up. Also, don't be afraid to attack me." he said bluntly.
"H-hey, *gasp* How can you keep winning... *pant pant* don't you ever get tired?" I asked Haku.
"Hmph, of course I do! I'm not a freak or something! Its just that I'm used to training like this."
At this, I began to laugh. Not a freak huh?
I smiled and looked up at Haku. "Hey Haku, can I ask you something?"
"Depends."
"Why do you want to be a ninja?" There was another gush of wind, followed by awkward silence again. Haku was looking out towards the trail that Zabuza had followed to reach the nearby town.
My question had clearly upset him in some way.
I spoke through a nervous, sorry voice. "I-Its just that I-" Haku cut me off with his unexpected answer.
"I don't want to be a ninja. It wasn't really my desire."
My eyes widened in shock. What did he mean? If you don't want something, why strive to achieve it?
He could see the clear confusion on my face as my mind began to ponder so many questions.
"I fight for someone who is precious to me", he continued, "I live for him, and I face death for him so that his dream may become reality. My dream is to become strong and protect that person no matter what. And for my dream to come true, I must embrace the ninja way and become a ninja."
I just stood there, staring at Haku. Does he really mean that?
"You already are genuinely strong." I said in a sympathetic voice. Haku seemed surprised by my statement. "If someone wants to become strong, not for themselves but for someone else, then they are already genuinely strong."
The tree leaves rustled in the silence.
"Isn't that right, Haku?"
A smile formed on his lips. "Yes, that's what I've noticed with people over the years. Who told you that?" he asked.
"I don't know.. It just sort of popped into my head-"
Just then, Haku threw a kunai at my feet. I jumped back in surprise.
"What the-"
"Even though what you said was true, a ninja must never be caught off guard. Always stay alert." he smirked.
I sighed. Its gonna be a long day of training.
After a little while longer, Zabuza came back and we continued on our trek.
On that day, I swore to extend myself beyond my abilities and to give it my all in training every day so that I would be strong enough to protect my friends... My family.
Haku and Zabuza.
My precious people.
And more importantly, on that day, Haku and I became friends.
So even if I was on brink of collapsing, I would try my hardest and never give up. I wanted to be like Haku, someone who will protect those important to them with all their strength no matter what. I wouldn't back down on this promise. I would protect them with my life.
"Hazaki?" Haku said snapping me out of my daze.
I looked up at him. "Yes Haku?"
"Did you just hear what we said?"
I sweat dropped. "Um, N-no I was..."
"In a daze." Haku finished.
"You need to pay attention. Not being active and not listening to your surroundings could result in a successful ambush." scolded Zabuza.
"I'm sorry, Zabuza."
"Make sure it doesn't happen again, Hazaki" he threatened.
"Yes, Zabuza." I replied shamefully. I hated being lectured, but I guess it was for my own benefit. At least its better than a direct punishment.
Haku let out a sigh. "So, did you hear anything that Zabuza said?"
I smiled sheepishly. "...No..."
"That doesn't matter right now. We've been assigned another contract from a client, a recon mission. We've been asked to gather more information about our target and note if he has any contact with another 'certain' subordinate. If they do meet, we are to kill them both."
"Um, Who is our target?" I asked.
"A man that goes by the name of Soziki Monachi." Zabuza stated.
"Soziki Monachi?"
"Yeah, he's a dealer at the black market. If there is a good deal somewhere, he would be there. He is known for stripping people of their money unfairly and scamming. I'm not surprised that someone wants him dead. Hes scum. We've been offered a large sum of money to complete this contract."
"So, who is the other person?" Haku asked.
"Someone by the name of Taigare Kizimane. He is another black market dealer. I guess someone doesn't want these two to meet."
I stayed silent. Taigare Kizimane and Soziki Monachi...interesting.
"What's our position in this mission?" Haku asked.
"Hmm." Zabuza began. "We need to know more about our targets and client before we plan anything. It would be wise to gather information on them first to see who they really are.."
"Sounds risky, not having a plan." I said.
"Not really, we've done worse in the past. We'll be fine" Haku reassured.
"O-okay..."
"Don't be troubled, little one. Soon you will learn these things and eventually become a great fighter like Haku."
"Okay...".
Zabuza and Haku talk as though they can see the future sometimes. But that's not possible... Do they... have faith in me?
I could feel my stomach lighten up as I thought this through. I felt so happy. I've never had someone think that I had a purpose. I was just neglected and tormented. Despised by my fellow townspeople, my neighbors, for... I don't really know. Everyone seemed to hate me. But...
I couldn't help but smile slightly as the warm sensation that began to flow through my whole body.
...I was wanted.
We discovered that our target was last seen in Shukuba Town, thanks to the little information we could gather from the streets of other villages. Shukuba Town is, according to Zabuza, located in the Land of Fire, a short distance travel from Konohagakure. Not that I know where that is...
Apparently, Shukuba Town has many hotels and inns, restaurants, bars, and brothels.
We were able to narrow it down to two different types of places where Soziki Monachi might be hiding in Shukuba Town. The first place, is in one of the plentiful luxury apartments in the town and the next is somewhere reclusive and shady.
"Alright," Zabuza said, breaking the silence. "Once we get there, I will go and scour around some of the apartments for information on where he might be staying. Haku, I want you to look for the other contact. We need to know his location."
"Right." Haku replied.
"You know what to do, right Haku?."
Haku nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, to ask around for information."
Zabuza nodded his head and continued. "And as for you, Hazaki."
My head began to raise as I looked at Zabuza. "Yes?"
"You are to search around for information on Soziki. Your best chance would be to look around for any places that seem out of the usual and look there."
I froze. I'm going by myself? For real? Yes!
"Our best bet will be that he is soaking up the sun and spending all of his money at some fancy inn, but just in case, I want you to look around a little at the least likeliest spots. If he knows someone is tracking him, he would most likely go to one of those places." He explained.
"Yes, Zabuza. You won't be disappointed." I replied.
"Good. There probably wouldn't be many places that fit that description, so it should be easy. Just remember both of you, if you see one of these men don't engage any contact." He pulled out a pice of folded paper and unfolded it. It had two pictures on it, one of a man with and another with
"Yes, Zabuza." Haku and I said in unison.
With the towns gates slowly appearing in the distance, I began to walk faster. I was so eager to explore this new village and to help out on the mission. This was, after all, my first mission.
There was about a 10 metres distance between Haku and Zabuza and me. They began to talk to each other but I drowned them out.
If it's a private conversation, I have nothing to do with it. It couldn't be something that important anyway. Now, where should I plan to look first...
Haku's POV
I looked forward to see Hazaki ahead of us. She seems pretty eager on doing something by herself
"She's growing." I said to Zabuza.
"Hmph, slowly. Your training must be paying off." he replied.
"She shows promise too."
"Yes she does. I think we should try and teach her how to control that kekkai genkai of her's soon too."
"I guess so."
"Tell me Haku, are you two friends"
It took me a little while to think about this question. It was so unlike Zabuza to care for these matters. But then again, there wasn't ever anyone else who could possibly be my friend in the first place, other than him.
Hazaki... we laugh together, joke together, care for each other and we support each other no matter what. We don't deliberately try to bring each other down and we respect each other. You are kind and friendly. I enjoy having someone like you around...
"Yes, yes we are." I said. It felt weird to say that. I had gone so long without a friend, other than Zabuza. It seemed...funny.
I noticed a small smile beginning to form under the bandages on Zabuza's face. A smile I've learnt to notice over the years. "Hmph."
We walked in silence for a bit until I felt a feeling of uneasiness inside of me.
"Zabuza, do you think she will be okay? By herself-"
"Like you said before, she is growing. She was able to survive on those cold, unforgivable streets by herself too, just like you did. And if anything bad happens to her, I'm sure you won't be far away." He added that last bit with a smirk.
I smiled. Yeah...I hope your right.
"But she still has a lot of training to go."
"How true" But at the very least, I can help her become stronger and better.
After all, she is my friend.
Author's Notes
Well, that's the end of another chapter. I really hope you liked it. This chapter was sort of a character building and friendship one with some back story thingy-mabobby.
Anyways, please review and tell me what you thought of the chapter. And as usual, helpful or constructive criticism is welcomed. Also if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask. I love reading reviews, and I take them all into account. :)And trust me, the next chapter will be more exciting and it will have more action in it too.
I'm really sorry if there are any grammar mistakes or what-not. I try to find them all but obviously, I don't.
Bye! And have a great time! :)