Disclaimer/ Warnings: From now on I will only post these on the first chapter. I don't want to fill up the chapters with these things and annoy you, the readers. Sound fair?
"Family Ties"
By: Beloved Shadow of Light
+ My Precious Family +
Konohagakure.
This village is pleasant with so many people and so much life. If Naruto-kun and Hidama-sama are from here, why would they want to leave? I decided not to question it as I lean back against the tree. I know Gaara is still with me, standing up among the branches hidden in the shadows. I can tell he's a bit restless, being in a new place with so many strange people, feeling their curious gazes upon us but where I sense the charka have learned to ignore them he becomes tense, ready to strike. Before I tell him to go explore the area I sense the charka of our hyper-active brother. At first I cannot see him but I have learned to be patient.
"Hey guys!!" I smile as I see him running down the street, leaving his team behind. Apparently they have just finished a mission as his teammates walk off and the jounin vanishes. Skidding to a stop he grins and adjusts his hitachi over his forehead, the sleeves of his bright orange jacket still rolled to his elbows. "Hey Haku-chan, Gaara!" I smile and listen as Gaara lands softly next to me.
"Okaasan and Zabuza-san are coming back today," he says simply. Gaara was always one to speak in as few words as possible but I do not mind. Naruto looks confuse so I decide to remind him.
"They left two days ago to meet their client about a bodyguard position. Remember, Naruto-kun?" I ask, lightly flicking my finger against his nose.
He makes a face and rubs at his nose. "Ouch. Oh yeah! I remember they got in a big fight about that. What time are they coming back?" he asks, linking his fingers together behind his head.
"Not sure, I think they said around dinner time. I do know they told us not to wait for them and to eat dinner, but tonight we're going to have a real dinner--that doesn't include ramen," I add quickly much to my brother's annoyance.
"You're no fun. Hey, how about barbeque? I heard about this great place."
Naruto-kun suggesting we try something other than ramen? Is the world coming to an end? Even Gaara looks surprise. Frowning I step closer and move the Hitachi up, pressing the inside of my wrist against his forehead. "What are you doing?" he asks.
"You don't have a fever. Are you sure you're not coming down with something?" I ask. I smile when he pulls back, pouting at me. He makes this cute face where he squints his eyes close and his lower lips sticks out in a childish pout. I can't help but smile and reaching out, pinch his whiskered cheeks. "Look Gaara-kun, doesn't he have the cutest baby face?" I ask, smiling at my brother. He gives me a strange look and walks off.
"H-Hey let go! Gaara, help me out!" Naruto tries to say but it's hard since I refuse to let go. Frowning he grabs my wrists, making me let go but I just smile as my body turns to water, falling to the ground in a puddle. He still falls for my Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu every time! "Come back here, Haku!"
"Catch me if you can!" I laugh, running past Gaara. Sure enough Naruto is running after me, saying that just for pinching his cheeks I had to pay for his meal. I don't think so! The game doesn't last very long as I heard a very familiar growling coming from my stomach. Naruto is out of breathe and Gaara doesn't look very happy. I just smile and he blushes ever so lightly. It truly is fun teasing my brothers!
"Aah… I'll get you later, Haku-chan," (I slightly frown as he stresses chan after my name) the blonde pants and looked up, slowly breaking out into a large grin. "We're here!" he says proudly as he stands before a building. I look up and sigh in relief. It is a barbeque restaurant with delicious smells coming out, making my stomach growl louder.
"I'm surprised you know about this place, Naru-kun," I say in slight amazement.
"Heh I didn't. Classmate of mine mentioned this place so I thought it might be alright. C'mon I'm starving!" he grins and runs inside. I blink as Gaara sighs.
"Figures," he mutters and follows him.
The restaurant is actually quite nice, though the atmosphere is a bit warmer than I'm used to but I don't complain. A waitress smiles and bows to us before leading us to a booth. There are many booths along the walls with several tables. I can see we're not the only ones about to enjoy a meal so this place must have a good business going. We sit and the waitress hands us some menus and asks what we would like to drink. Since it's warm we all decide to order some ice tea and looked over the given menus.
Naruto peers at his menu, wondering what to order. I just smile at that. He's only 12 but everything he's been through; traveling with Hidama-sama he still manages to regain that young child's innocent outlook of the world. I wish I could say the same for Gaara though. I fear we are the only people he knows he can trust, despite our blood being so different. One thing we have in common is we were both betrayed by our family a very long time ago.
Family…
How long has it been since that fateful day? Seven years? Or was it eight? I'm not sure but I rather not remember right now. I look at my menu and decide to go with some ribs. And just in time as a pretty lady dressed in a dark orange working kimono with a brown obi and a white cloth holding her hair back with a matching apron approaches our table with our drinks and a bowl of sembei.
"Welcome! I'm Keiko and I'll be your waitress today. Are you ready to order or would you like some more time?" she asks kindly.
"I'm ready," I say and look at my brothers. Gaara nods but Naruto is still peering at his menu.
"Not sure what I really want…" he mutters, chewing on his thumb.
"Our special today is grilled beef or chicken with Yakiniku Ichiban sauce with a serving of either white or fried rice. Or we also have grilled salmon with our zesty sesame sauce," she pointed out.
"Um… I'll think about it," he mutters and continued to peer at the menu.
"I'll take half an order of pork spareribs with a bowl of oden instead of rice," I tell her.
"An order of tempura, unagi with fried rice," Gaara says and sits back, closing his eyes.
Naruto looks over the menu before sighing. "Guess I'll take the chicken with Yakiniku Ichiban sauce and white rice."
Nodding she writes it all down and nods. "Alright it'll be out shortly." Bowing she left to give the orders to the chefs. We sit there talking, or rather listening as Naruto complain about his mission. He isn't satisfied with D-Ranked missions but that it what must be done. I listen with half an ear as my own mind starts to think back. Back when I first meet them.
As children chased one another, screaming in fun a pretty child with dark hair and eyes sat beneath a tree, petting his white rabbit he had named Yuki. Part of him wanted to join in the other children's fun but he couldn't. What if they found out about his blood line? He closed his eyes, hands never missing a beat as it stroked the silky fur of the small animal in his lap. It didn't matter though, he already had someone precious in his life.
"What's the big idea?!" a young voice demanded angrily. The dark haired one opened his eyes as several of the older boys surrounded a smaller boy who was sitting on the ground. The first thing to catch his attention was the brilliant blonde hair and expressive blue eyes that reflected anger.
"Go home to your mommy, brat. This is our turf," he smirked as his buddies laughed.
The blonde growled and quickly got to him feet, jumping up to grab the ball. "Get lost yourself! We were here first!" he yells.
He smirked and hauled him up by the front of his shirt, making them at just about eye level. "Make me!" The blonde hurricane growled and with a powerful kick for one his size, kicked the older boy right up and between his legs as hard as he could. Haku blinked and tried his best not to laugh at the look on the older boy's face as his face turned an interesting shade of red, letting the ball drop from his hands so he could clutch at his groin, dropping to the ground and curling up in a ball.
The blonde landed and huffed. "That's what you get for messing with me, teme!" he says proudly.
The other boys looked at him and scowled, thinking how this upstart had the gall to beat their leader like that. Lunging they tackled him to the ground, pinning his arms and legs down so they could beat him up. He didn't once cry out in pain, only grunted and cursed at them that he was going to kick their butts as soon as he got up. That's when he noticed what looked like sand creeping along the ground, inching towards the group like silent snakes. Moving swiftly they wrapped around two of the boys' ankles and without any warning, pulled them away.
"Help us!!" they shouted, clawing at the ground desperately as the sand dragged them away towards another boy. Where did he come from though? Had he been there the entire time? And what on earth was that behind him? Unknowing Haku clutched at his rabbit tighter, feeling a sense of fear filling his young heart. The look in the red head's eyes, it was almost like the same look his father had when he killed his mother, but he didn't have tears running down his face, silently asking for forgiveness-
"Gaara-kun!" A girl ran up and quickly embraced the boy from behind, clinging to him tightly. She looked like she was talking to him, not releasing him as sand wrapped around her arms yet she didn't budge as everyone watched. The sand stopped dragging the boys and released them, drawing back from them. Terrified the bullies got up and ran away, calling the boy a monster. The ones that had pinned the blonde were shocked but quickly ran off.
"That's right, you better run!!" the blonde yelled but snorted and ran to where the red-headed was. Nothing could be heard as they talked, worry evident in their eyes but slowly the boy--Gaara--nodded and looked up. His eyes were emotionless but he held the girl's hand tightly. She just smiled but it frowned as she looked around. The kids that had been playing in the game earlier had all run off, fear evident in their eyes but her silver-blue gaze looked where he was sitting. She blinked then smiled and waved to him.
Haku blinked but tentively, waved back. The boys with her noticed and looked. The red-head did nothing but the blonde looked and grinned, running towards him. The dark haired boy braced himself but the blonde stopped before him, grinning like--well, like an idiot.
"Wanna play with us?" he asked.
"..."
"C'mon it'll be fun! We need another player anyway. It can be girls vs. boys, so whadda ya say?"
It took him a moment to figure out what he said before giving him an answer. "I'm a boy."
The blonde blinked and squatted down to peer into his face. Their noses were barely touching that Haku found himself blushing. "... You're a really girly boy. But c'mon!" He grabbed his arm and hauled him up, dragging him towards the others. "You can be on my team then! Oh yeah, I'm Naruto!"
'Was it really that long ago?' I ask myself. It feels like so much longer but that's when I meet my brothers and sister for the first time. They accepted me right into their circle, treated me another person. We had so much fun and even when I told them what I had, they didn't fear me. I don't think I ever felt so loved.
"We're suppose to meet with the hokage tomorrow morning so I'm gonna demand we get something better!" Naruto tells us loudly and proudly, slamming his fist o the table hard enough to rattle the dishes. "Like a B-Class!"
"Are you sure you're ready for that?" I ask calmly, sipping my tea. Hmm a bit warm but silently I focus my charka and make it colder.
"Of course! I can take anyone down; once I prove how great I am I'll be hokage in no time!"
Gaara still says nothing but I can tell he's getting a bit tired of the same everyday speech. He continues to eat as I drink my tea. By the time we're finished we pay our bill and head home. I didn't want to say it but Gaara and I have had our own missions to accomplish, mostly lower ranks missions with the occasional and ultimately rare B-Ranked. Naruto is one of the genin of Konoha and as such must be apart of a team in order to accomplish any missions given to the village. Gaara and I are not tied to this village or any other, like Hidama-san. Actually, I was once part of another village in another country.
Kirigakure in Mizu no Kuni. My birthplace.
I am still unsure of the full reason why we left, but Zabuza-san told me that he wanted to come back and take over the country when he became stronger and he needed my help to do so. He had saved me life, given me a purpose, I couldn't say no. Now that I think about it, I can't help but feel that something is wrong. I don't have much time to dwell on it as we return home but we can hear an argument from one of the rooms. Removing our shoes at the foyer we move to one of the dens and silently listen in.
"I have a bad feeling about this man. Why is he seeking our help? Why not call upon a village, like Kirigakure?" It's Hidama and she sounds uncertain.
"Are you saying that those fools are better than me?" Zabuza-san sounds upset.
"If I was insulting your pride you would know that, fool. For a man who has a lot of money he has gone to great lengths in tracking us down to Konohagakure, giving us such a grand welcome once we arrived, then giving us so money just for thinking about taking his offer. Even you have to see something is wrong," she eplains. Who is this man she's talking about and why are they mentioning Kiri?
I can hear Zabura growl and something shatters. Peering closer through the slight opening in the door I see shards of a shattered glass lying on the floor in a small puddle of water. "Do not insult me, Hidama. All he asked of us as to protect him and make sure his goals are met. The Mizukage has never been a reliable man and apparently he knows that as well. Remember, I am still part of Kiri which binds me to Mizu."
"You claim to be a rogue yet your hitachi doesn't bear the slash mark of someone who has given up his village. Mizukage has not once sent any hunters after us even when you tried to kill him those years ago and failed. You work as a jounin for Konoha and you're partners with a mercenary that has no permanently ties to any village other than as an outside ally."
"What are you telling me?" he asks in an eerily calm voice.
"Once I have accepted a mission, I follow it to the end. However, if my client tries to betray me in anyway I hold the right to void the contract. That's why I always ask for the first half of the payment up front. If they cannot come up with the required amount then I take back my services." She pauses, briefly closing her eyes as she crosses her ars over her chst and opens her eyes once more. "I cannot break this contract since I have no strong evidence to back up why we shouldn't work for Gato, but once I do I will not change my mind."
Zabuza is silent but his body relaxes only a little bit. I can tell he's smirking. "Fine by me. Just don't become my enemy or I'll have to kill you."
She smirks and I shiver at the icy hardness in her eyes. "If an army couldn't kill me, what makes you think you can? By the way;" she waves her hand but the door we had been peering through slides open, causing Naruto and myself to fell into the room, "the boys are coming with us."
The following morning I wake up early so I'm the first to take a bath. As the water washes over me I an't help but wonder about today. There is something wrong with everything that is going on, I can feel is deep down inside. It's, like the feeling I had that one day when father didn't come home at the time he usually did, coming home with those we had once considered friends, each holding a weapon so they could forever be rid of most feared kekkei genkai, watching s the once pure snow was stained red-
I can hear a knock on my door. "Come in," I answer.
Hidama silently enters and nods to me. "You're up. Get your pack, we'll be eating our breakfast on the way to Kiri," she tells me. I merely nod. I stare at the door before reaching into a drawer and moving some clothes aside, pulled out a white porcelien mask with a red swirl. I add it to my pack before leaving my room.
Surprisingly enough Naruto is awake. Not completely awake but enough that he walks with us towards the village gate. For a moment I thought he was actually coming with us but I remember him saying he had to meet his team early this morning.
"Okaasan, be careful and come back in one piece," he tells Hidama-san. She smiles and hugs him tightly.
It was a long and tiring journey all the way from Hino to Kiri, more tiring than anything since we used just about every ounce of our chakra to make it there in a span of a few short hours. When we arrive in Kiri I can instantly tell by the sudden moisture level in the air; it's much heavier and damp. We decide to take a short break, eating soething light to keep our nergy up and replnish our levels before continuing.
The area is huge, surrounded by water but I frown. This office and area screams its worth but that's lso not it. Since we've arrived I've been feeling like there was someone watchin us, tking in our every moves. More than once I wanted to tell the others but I hold my tongue. Instead of making ourselves know we pause and Zabuza makes four water clones from the water, having them take our appearnce and orders them to enter through the front door.
"Haku, you and I are going to take a short-cut," he tells me. "Hidama and Gaara will guard our backs."
"Alright." Moving quietly and stealthfully we headed for the top, pausing now and then to peer into the empty offices until we reach the top. Be we go in though Zabuza has me ceate a water clone of myself as he creates one himself. I want to question why but I hopd my question we we enter the office, leaving the water clones outside.
"I see you accepted my offer," came the voice of an elderly man. The leather chair swivls around to face us and I instantly take a disliking to the seated man. He's short and doesn't seem to be in good shape, wearing a sharp suit with dark glasses hiding his eyes. There are two men sanding at either side of his massive desk but I still do not like him. Is this the same feeling Hidama received when she first meet him? I can feel his eyes and I strongly resisted the urge not to cringe. "Who's this?" he asks as if I'm not here.
"None of your business," Zabuza said quickly with anger. "He's with me."
"And what about that stunning creature that was with you last time? Has she betrayed you?" he asks with a smirk. "Or has she found someone better to accompany her?"
The doors fly open and Hidama enters, eyes cold and emotionless as she stops at my side and crosses her arms over her chest. "Don't even contnue your vile thoughts, Gato," she says in an icy tone that causes the men before us to flinch. I see no sign of Gaara but I keep quiet. "Before we get started I have a question for you."
"Ask away, my dear."
"Why did you not ask Kirigakure for assitance? It would have saved you money instead of tracking us all the way in Hino."
"Hidama," Zabuza growls but she ignores him.
"I have my reasons. And since you are here it must mean you accept my offer as a boyguard position. Maybe, something more..." Even with the dark glasses on I can tell he gaze is aking into account Hidama's pale form. I can see her shudder in disgust but she qickly masks it beore anyone could notice.
"You mentioned a bodyguard and wanting to get rid of someone. Who is our target?" she asks instead. Gato nods to one of the men and he hands Zabuza a folder.
"The man I want you to get rid of is Tanzuna, a master bridge builder here in Kiri. He wants to build a brige and he has turned down all my offers to stop his plans. The reason is the land he is using is my own private property but he still refuses to back down. He is a thorn in my side that I want removed, permanently."
"Sounds simple enough. Why the protection though?" Zabuza asks as he hands Hidama the file. I catch a glimspe of the photo of the man and see nothing extraordinary about him. He seems an ordinary, average man from a simple, common village.
"Word has it he send for an escort service of several ninjas from another village, some placed called Konoha. I try my hardest not to say or do anything. What are the chances of seeing him? "For all I know he could have hired those ninjas to come assassinate me. That's where you two come in."
The pale woman studies the file and from the corner of my eye I can see her frowning. I wonder what is going through her mind right now. Carefully folding the folder she tucks it in the inside pocket of her vest and nods to the business man. "Very well then." Pulling back she turns and walks past us, heading for the open doors. Zabuza slowly follows and I follow after him. So many questions in my mind I want to ask but I quell the urge.
Once outside Zabuza takes the lead and we follow quietly, entering a lush forest we follow him as he jumps into the trees. I turn to the woman who I've known for several years and open my mouth to ask her something but silently close my mouth. I know what it's like to hide your past from someone, and I'm afraid of the answers I may find out if I dare ask her about hers.
Heading deeper into the forest we arive a a strange home suspended among the branches and settled atop a very large and twist tree root with bridges made of rope and wood connecting the area to several surrounding thick trees. For all its sparse simplicity it's actually... nice. Zabuza lands at a balcony softly and walks inside just as we land as well. Hidama prepares to go in but I look around.
"Where's Gaara?" I ask outloud.
"Safe," she tells me.
"What are we going to do about this Tanzuna person and the nins from Konoha?" I ask quietly.
"I already have someone on the job. They'll get it done in no time," Zabuza answers.
" 'They'?" I ask.
"Two assassins I know from Kirigakure before I left. They'll get the job done for us."
"Getting lazy doesn't seem to be your style, Demon of the Mist," Hidama says fro her spot. I can't tell if she's being sarcastic with her back facing us. "And if they fail?"
"Then I'll deal with the bridge builder myself."
As we waited I went to the top of the cone-shaped house where a small balcony was wrapped around near the top. It has been so long since I left this place but even longer when I left my home. I command the water around me, piercing the falling leaves with thin silvers of ice all around me then follow it up by creating ice mirrors. My control has gotten so great I need only one hand to do most of the signs and even then I don't need to use them for my lesser attacks. This was the final gift my mother gave me before she died.
Zabuza-sama taught me all I needed to know in order to become a shinobi. Hidama-san taught me ho to hide away my emotions, to not lose myself in feelings. My siblings taught me how to care for others, how to laugh, have fun, and love. They are my precious people I would lay my life down for. I turn sharply and disappearing I appear in the large living room when I hear yelling.
Gato looks very upset as he yells at Zabuza who is still sitting on the sofa. Hidama is sitting on one of the sofa's arms but has her eyes closed. They don't appear to notice me but I listen in quietly.
"The Demon Brothers failed! I told you I want this matter dealt with!" he yells at the two adults. "I want Tazuna dead before that bridge of his is completed!"
"What do you expect? They were fighting the legendary Copy Ninja of Konoha, the Jounin known as Hatake Kakashi," Zabuza explains. The famed Copy-Nin? I've heard of him before but the name sounds so familiar, as if I've heard the name previously.
"I don't care who he is! If you had done your job right the bridge builder would be dead!" Before he could continue yelling at him the edge the large sword is pressed against his throat. Even from the distance the blade can slit his throat with the slightest of movement.
Zabuza smirks as he holds his sword steaily in one hand. "I'll deal with the jounin myself so don't lose your head. Been a while since I had a challenge, this is going to be fun."
Gato sallows much easier wen the sowrd is removed and he nods. "Just make sure it gets done this time," he retorts before leaving.
"Something does not feel right," Hidama speaks up from her position on the sofa. "If you don't mind I think I'll step this one out."
"Now who's getting lazy."
"Shut it, fool." Walking to the balcony she climbs onto the railing, balancing easily. "Try not to get yourselves killed." Silently she falls forward, heading towards the ground but we both can tell by her chakra level that she's alive and takes off. Zabuza says nothing and leaves with me following but not before taking my mask.
I stay quiet as we prepare to ambush this famed ninja and our target; Zabuza tells me to stay out of sight unless he says so but even from my hidden location I can see well what's going on. We wait and soon I can hear footsteps and people talking. I take a deep breahte and hold the needles tightly in my hand. I peer through the leaves as I hear Zabuza launch himself but my eyes widen even as his voice pierces the air.
"Mummy Man?!" Naruto calls out, the surprise evident on everyone's face, including my own.
"I told you not to call me that, brat!" he growls angrily. "What the hell are you doing in Mizu?"
"I'm on a mission. What does it look like I'm doing?" he yells at him. "Why are you here and where's everyone else?" I unconciously pull back as his blue gaze darts around the area, as if hoping he would see someone.
"Naruto, you know him?" a silver-haired man asks. I blink as I finally recognize his masked face. That's Naruto's teacher! But that would mean-
"Okaasan said she and everyone else had a mission, Kakashi-sensei. I overheard them talk about some guy called Gator or something." He whirls to Zabuza, face frowning. "What's going on?"
I watch the battle unfold from the safety of the bushes, mentally cringing as I watch Zabuza attack with such fierce determination. Sweet Naruto tries to talk to him but it's no use. I swallow the urge to cry out as he's attacked and sent tumbling into the dirt. Everything happens so fast before I know it Zabuza has Kakashi traped in his Souja Sousai no Jutsu while his Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu faces the team of young genins and their client. I know we each have our own missions, but I don't think I can do this! I know better than to let my emotions take the better of me but I can't help it. Zabuza is the man who saved my life but Naruto is the boy who taught me to live. Oh dear kami, what should I do?
"Suiton, Suiryuudan no Jutsu!"
"Suiton, Daibakufu no Jutsu!"
I wince as the torrent of water strikes him I have no choice but to step in. Standing from my hiding place I hold the senbon needles tightly, preparing myself. Once I have a clear shot I let them loose.
"…!" His eyes go wide and with a heavy sound he falls to the ground, eyes still open in shock as the needles I had just thrown glimmer from the side of his neck. I watch as Kakashi pauses before moving closer, kneeling down to check for any signs of life.
"He's dead," I hear him say.
"Zabuza-san…" I harden my heart from Naruto's mournful whisper and make myself known. With my mask in place, the coat upon my shoulders, I pull the hood up and jump down. I struggle to not do anything unusual but slowly make my way where the body laid.
"Arigato for taking him down," I tell him, glad the mask muffles my voice and that I'm far enough away that my brother cannot hear me.
"Who are you?" he asks.
"I cannot reveal my name to you but know that I am grateful." Moving to where the motionless man lay I kneel down and put one of his arms around my shoulders then pull him up. I had forgotten Zabuza is much heavier than myself but I manage and vanish from sight only to reappear in a clear far form the group. Laying the body down I look at him quietly. How could this happen?
"Didn't expect that now did you?" a female voice asks.
Hidama appears out of the shadows and gazes at Zabuza, her face void of any emotions as she slowly kneels next to him.
"No one suspected anything?" she asks.
"Iie. The genin didn't but I'm not so sure about the jounin," I answer, removing the heavy mask. "I knew that name Kakashi sounded familiar."
"We all did. I guess we should be grateful you got this one out of there when you had the chance." She pulls a kunai from her pocket, reaching down to cut the wrappings away from the corpse's face but her wrist is quickly caught as life slowly returns to the dark eyes.
His other hand comes up and moves the wrappings, allowing him to breathe easier. "I'm not dead yet," Zabuza gasps as he stares at up at the woman.
"Could have fooled me." Taking her hand back she places the weapon back in the small pouch as he sits up, watching as he removes the needles from his neck. "Do you really want to die today?"
He grunts and tosses the needle down. "There isn't anyone with the power to kill me," he grunts. That may be true but he is very weak right now.
"We need to get out of here," I say as I slowly stand.
"I agree."
Everything happens so fast that I'm still not sure of everything. What I do know is that this Gato, was the most power-hungry tyrant I have ever meet. I witnessed what he has done to the simple village and it broke my heart. The area looked like it was slowly being leeched away until there was nothing left. Even now I try hard not to remember everything but it's hard trying to void myself of all and every emotion. Even when I return Gato came back, demanding to know what happened. Needless to say he was not please and tried to strike at Zabuza even as he was still resting. Hidama shattered his arm and I proved I was no weakling, sending the men to leave us alone but something deep down inside told me this was not good.
By the time Zabuza is well enough to finish the mission, but Hidama does not want anything to do with such. Even I turned the offer down, saying I could not continue to follow such a heartless man like Gato. I never saw such a hurt look in Zabuza's eyes as he called us witless fools and left. Hidama said nothing but silently left, leaving me alone. I forced the tears back, telling myself I would not cry no matter how much I wanted to. Once I knew I was calm enough I packed what we brought and left the hide-out. I wasn't sure where to go but I knew it would be safe for me to stay in Mizu no Kuni. But things never go according to plan.
I was passing through the woods when I heard someone laughing. Curisoity got the better of me as I went to see what was going on but I made sure to stay hidden. What I found was the two men that had mistaken me for a girl a few days ago walking by. I watch from the safety of a tree as they walk by but their swords are covered in blood.
"Told you I could take it down with one swing!" the tattooed man grinned to his partner.
"You took too damn long, Waraji," the other man said as if bored but he, too, was smirking. "Hurry up, Gato wants us to get the old man's family."
"Yeah yeah I hear ya. Think he might let us have some fun with the girl?" he asks as he wipes his sword clean on the grass.
"I dunno. But I can't wait to get my hands on that little bitch that took our swords."
"Me too, Zori. But Gato said once the builder is dead we get to kill that ninja guy. Hell, maybe he'll let us me have that pale wench as part of my payment!"
"Like she'd look twice as your one-eyed, ugly mug!" Laughing the two leave but I make sure to stay hidden until I am certain they are gone. Hidama has been right the entire time, Gato was never planning on paying us, he was using us.
Oh kami… I must warn Zabuza!
Even as I ran as fast as I could I knew I wouldn't make it in time but still I persisted. I ignore a thick mist caused by the Kirigakure no Jutsu but as I arrive at the village I can feel a demonic charka building, the air becoming so hot its hard to breathe. The sight though, is enough to make my heart freeze in fear.
I can see the jounin holding his arm, blood pooling from his wounds onto the ground; the pink haired girl is guarding the bridge builder with a single kunai; Zabuza is injured but holding his long sword with both hands. They all have looks of shock on them that mirror my own. Closets to me is the still form of the Uchiha boy, the front of his shirt almost black with a pool of blood under him but Naruto, dear, sweet, innocent and playful Naruto… is standing over his teammate, his entire body glowing a fire red charka. I cannot see his face but I am filled with such an overwhelming sense of fear it almost chokes me. Howling with rage the charka swirls around him like an inferno, evaporating the rest of the mist, destroying any and all Mizu Bunshin no Jutsus on the bridge. Then--Then he lunges right at Zabuza! I have to stop him. I can't lose two of my precious people! I struggle to my feel to try and stop but I feel so heavy, my body refuses my commands. They're going to kill one another and no one is trying to stop them. A scream fills the air; it takes me a moment to realize it came from me.
"Y-YAMATO!!"
I don't know what I expected to happen or how anyone, much less myself, could stop them but something did answer my scream. Wait, let me rephrase that. Someone chose to answer my scream.
Hidama stood between the two clashing ninjas, arms outstretched on either side of her body. Her left hand was linked with Naruto's own hand, his charka burning at the unprotected skin and his claws dug into her skin, hard enough to draw blood. Her right armored hand was holding Zabuza back, the sword still clenched tightly within his hand. Finally getting to my feet I ran towards them, noticing how her arms seem to strain to keep the two from killing one another but before I could get too close she yells at me to stop.
"Everyone, stay where you are!" she commands behind clenched teeth.
"Hidama-san!" I cry out. How much longer can she hold out like this?
"You're going to get yourself killed!" Kakashi yells back.
"Let me handle this!" she yells her arms shaking as a bead of sweat roll down the side of her face. She slowly looks at Naruto, ignores the snarl as he tenses his other hand, ready to strike. "Come back to me, Kit." The snarls stop and the charka begins to fade but he refuses to give up. "C'mon kit… listen to my voice." I want to question why she keeps calling him that but I watch in amazement as the last of the charka fades. Slowly, Naruto's arm begins to relax and he silently drops to his knees. I watch as his shoulders shake in silent crying. I run towards him, dropping to embrace him tightly from behind. He turns to me, sobbing into my shoulder and I let him, holding him tightly.
Nodding Hidama looks at Zabuza directly in the eyes, refusing to let him go even now. "Is money worth so much that would kill an innocent man who's only crime is trying to bring hope back to village? If that's so… then you're no better than the Mizukage," she tells him coolly.
"Grrrr don't you compare me to him!" he shouts angrily. "That bastard never cared about anyone other than himself! Because of his past actions I lost the only person who ever mattered in my life!"
"What would she say if she could see you right now?"
Zabuza's eyes go wide and slowly, the sword drops from his hand. A moment later Hidama slowly releases his fist but doesn't move from her spot. "How… How did you know…"
"I'm very disappointed in you Zabuza, I expected more from the famed Demon of the Mist! You're more like a baby demon to me!" he taunts; the army of hired thugs behind him laugh and add their own insults.
Rage fills my heart as I glare at the man hatefully. "You never planned on paying any of us! That's why you didn't go to Kiri for help; you were using us to do your own dirty work for you!" I yell out for everyone on the bridge to hear. "Those two men I stopped before, I heard them in the woods. After Tazuna and everyone was killed, he was going to kill us."
"And you can't pay a dead man," Hidama says quietly. I nod silently.
Zabuza looks so angry but I can tell he can't stand on his own for much longer. "Hidama… give me your sword." I blink and look up at him.
She silently takes the sword from it's sheath and holds it out to him, hilt first. "Go down fighting," she says but lets him take the sword.
"Brat."
"…"
"Go check on that kid. Before he bleeds to death."
His blue eyes go wide as he stares up at the injured demon. "Nani?!"
"Gato… I'll kill you myself!!" With a hard set determination set in his eyes he charges directly at the business man. I can in astonishment as he charges through the army that suddenly surrounds him, piercing him with their spears and swords but he brutally cuts them down. I wince as a blade pierces his other shoulder but before he could drop the slim sword he tears off the wrappings of his mouth and holds the weapon right in his mouth. Even now he still fights with such ferocity I can feel my stomach churning.
Gato is screaming in terror, ordering the men to stop him but he's left wide open. "H-He's a monster… a true demon!!" is the last words we hear from Gato as Zabuza drives the katana into his stomach, tearing it wide open. He stumbles to the edge, holding his hands to his wounded stomach but his eyes widen (as do mine) as the Mist ninja spins tightly and with a single clean move, slices that man's head right off his shoulders. The bloodied head is the first to hit the icy waters below before the body slowly follows suit.
"Oh kami…" the girl behind me whispers. I feel the same way but I manage to hold my tongue. Getting to my feet I pull Naruto up but I can feel him trembling. We all watch as he turns to face us and I'm shocked to find tears coursing down his face. He slowly stumbles through the mass of shocked men, tears and blood mingling on his face, staining the wrappings as they hang loose around his neck. He's in so much pain, all those spears and swords and kami knows what else sticking out of his body. I watch as Hidama slowly goes to meet him, her face void of emotions but her eyes widen when he begins to fall forward. Everything seems to be happening in slow motion as she catches him, lowering him to the ground.
"Zabuza…" I say softly and the next thing I know is I'm running towards them, dropping at his side. I help in removing the weapons, trying to stop the blood flow but it's too much.
"H-Haku…" I look up and see that Zabuza is trying to reach out. I choke back a sob as I take one of his hands in my own.
"Don't talk, we-we need to get you to a hospital," I tell him but he laughs softly. He knows it, Hidama knows it, and now I know it. He's not going to survive.
"G-Gomen… I didn't want you, to suffer… like I did…" he tells me softly. "Tell the brat that, too…"
"I promise just don't talk anymore."
"Hidama… you were right…" It's so painful to hear him try and gasp for breathe. I can hear the men murmuring, saying that we had killed their meal ticket and they wanted us to pay. Pay? I clench my jaw so tightly I can feel my teeth starting to hurt. Gently laying Zabuza's hand down I stand and turn to face the men.
"You want the rest of your payment? Fine. Take this!" Quickly my hands flash through the hand seals. "Sensatsu Suishou!!" Around us the water takes form, turning into sharp slivers of ice. The men look confused but as several of them step forward I release the attack. Moving rapidly the slivers rise into the air and strike the men, their bodies twisting and jerking as they are impaled. Slowly the bridge is being coated in blood their blood but the others all stare in shock.
"Nothing is worth this!!" one of them yells and turns tail, running as far and as fast as he can. The others follow suit, running away but I don't care. My legs tremble and running to the edge of the bridge, I throw up everything in my stomach, the bile burning my throat it doesn't last long.
Everything is in complete ruins… everything…
"S-Sasuke-kun! You're alive!"
Slowly I look up and find myself smiling as the girl (I remember, her name is Sakura) hugs the dark haired boy much to his annoyance. Naruto is happy and is already yelling at Sasuke, calling him names and telling him not to be so stupid. Silently I look over at Hidama-
-and Zabuza who is slowly getting to his feet, cringing form the pain of numerous wounds over his body.
"I don't believe it… Slowly I get to my feet, heading towards them and stop before them. It's no genjutsu that I can tell. He's alive but, how could he survive such an ordeal? I look up at Hidama and I notice that she seems very tired. Did, did she heal him?
"Let's get out of here," she tells me. I can only nod and help her support Zabuza on the other side, slowly walking off the bridge. I look up when I hear the sound of many people running and for a moment I fear those men have come back but it's all the villagers, holding fishing spears, axes, other make-shift weapons. Tazuna's friends had finally arrived to protect their home, and all led by a young boy.
It took us several days to heal but so much changed in so little time. With Gato dead his company began to fall apart. Money that he had stolen from Kiri was being returned to them and they were going to rebuild their lives. In that time the bridge had finally been completed so it would only be a matter of time before other merchants could come and go. But some of the people were worried that those that had run away would be back but Gaara took care of them.
I still remember when he appeared before us one evening and calmly told us there would be no more worries about the thieves that Gato had hired. I almost asked him what he had meant by that but I noticed that he was covered in blood. I'd gotten my answer from that sight alone.
Naruto and his team had to stay for a few more days but Zabuza, Hidama, Gaara and I were heading back to Konoha, after we made a quick stop at Kirigakure. It felt nice to see my brother smile again; it felt good to laugh when he called Zabuza "Mummy Man"; it felt so good to be alive and well.
These are my precious people who I would do everything and anything to protect.
They… are my family.
Author's Notes: Oh wow. I've been at this chapter for like, going over 12 hours, maybe longer. I felt inspired to finish this and here it is! This chapter was done in Haku's POV. Yes the characters are OOC but this is kinda AU since their lives have been affected in different ways. I'm sure you all have a lot of unanswered questions but they will be answered as the chapters come out (on another note the girl that Haku noticed during his flashback IS NOT Temari. I'll explain who she is later). I've decided that there will be two more chapters of the characters POV before I leave the rest of the fic in 3rd person POV. Also, the original format has been edited a lot and so I have decided to not include the English names of the villages, land, or jutsus. I'll post a link where you can read about them later. So review!
sembei: Japanese rice crackers
unagi: grilled eel
oden: fish cake stew
tempura: fried food that is light and fresh-tasting rather than heavy and greasy; made by deep-frying vegetables, fish and shellfish
Yakiniku Ichiban: type of barbeque sauce
teme: bastard (basically what Naruto calls Sasuke)
kami: lord, or god
-sama: lordship/ladyship; prefix used after saying one's name
Konohagakure: Village Hidden Among Leaves
Kirigakure: Village Hidden in Mist
Mizu no Kuni: Land of Water
Mizukage: Water Shadow
Suiton, Suiryuudan no Jutsu: Water Release: Water Dragon Blast Technique
Suiton, Daibakufu no Jutsu: Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique
Yamate: Stop it
Sensatsu Suishou: Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death
genjutsu: illusion technique