Normal speech
Thought
Nine-tails/Other big voices
InnerSakura
A/N:
Disclaimer
I do not own Naruto in any way, shape, or form. This is merely for my, and hopefully everyone else's, enjoyment. Thank you!
Naruto got up immediately and tried to run out the door only to trip over himself…
Kakashi: If you're thinking of training, take the day off. You've already released too much chakra as it is. Anymore and you could die…
Naruto: I'm going to prove it… I'm going to prove that in this world… Heroes do exist!! *grabbing his staff and leaving out the door*
Land of Waves
The sixth day of training/Encounter forest……
The sun was coming up, shining on a sleeping Naruto. As Naruto lay there, he began to have nightmares of Zabuza and the masked Hunter-nin. He could hear Zabuza's evil laughter in the background as the masked Hunter-nin closed in on him. He came closer and closer until… he was right on him…
Back at Tazuna's house, it was evident that Naruto was not back yet. Breakfast was being served but there was still plenty for everyone…
Naruto was tossing and turning as his nightmare continued. A hand slowly inched its way towards him, until it was at his throat. Suddenly the hand reached out… and shook him awake.
"Wake up. You'll catch a cold sleeping in a place like this."
It was the sweetest wake up call Naruto had ever received. He opened his eyes to something entirely unexpected. He sat up and wiped his eyes thinking that what he was seeing couldn't be real…
Naruto: Who… Who are you?
Haku: I'm collecting a few of these plants, do you think that you could hand me that one there?
Naruto: Is this the one you want?
Naruto grabbed one of the surrounding flowers that he had been laying on and handed it to the girl, who was probably the prettiest one he'd seen by far.
Naruto: S-So… what do you want with this plant?
He continued to pick the remaining flowers as he saw the girl do the same.
Haku: It can be used as medicine. Thank you for your help…
Naruto: No problem. It's no trouble at all, I'm more than happy to help…
Naruto continued to coherently babble as his nervousness got the better of him. He finally got a hold of himself as his curiosity began to grow about this mysterious new girl…
Naruto: You sure are working early lady…
Haku didn't seem to be upset even the slightest bit about the fact that Naruto mistook him for a girl. He wasn't exactly going for that when he was getting ready this morning, but that just helped him conceal his true identity.
Haku: You too… What are you doing here at this time of the morning?
Naruto: Training!!! I have to get stronger… *flexing his muscles*
Haku: You… that forehead protector… could you possibly be a ninja?
Naruto: You noticed…?! Yeah, I'm a ninja.
Haku just smiled which caused Naruto blush slightly more than he had already been. Still smiling, Haku said…
Haku: You look very strong, so why are you training? *scooting a little closer*
Naruto blushed but then he spoke up…
Naruto: Even though I may look strong, I still want to become stronger! One day I'm going to become the best ninja in my village!! I'll make everyone acknowledge my strength!! And right now I need to prove something to someone…
Haku: Is it for someone else, or for you?
Naruto seemed to be confused by the question, but Haku couldn't help but find his expression a little funny. Hearing the laughter Naruto began to become a little upset.
Haku: Don't get mad… What I mean is… do you have someone who is important to you?
Naruto: Important to me…? Just what is she trying to say?... What do you mean?
Haku: When a person has something to protect that is important to them… that is when they can truly become strong.
Naruto started remembering how Kakashi had vowed not to let any of his comrades die and Tazuna's story. He then smiled and nodded. Seeing this caused Haku to do the same as well because Naruto evidently understood his point.
Haku stood up and packed his things to leave. As he was, he wanted to say one more thing to Naruto…
Haku: You'll become strong one day, I can tell. Let's meet again sometime…
Naruto: Sure thing…! *smiling and blushing* … Maybe before I leave I'll try and find you… uh… Hey… what's your name anyway?!
Haku just continued to walk off in the distance. Naruto figured that she just didn't hear him. It didn't really matter because if he wanted to find her, he'd just search for her chakra signature. A name would help make things easier though…
As he was thinking this, the girl was getting further and further away, and Sasuke was getting closer. He also noticed that Sasuke looked at her as she walked by, but continued in Naruto's direction.
Sasuke: What are you still doing out here? You missed breakfast you know.
Naruto: I was training when I met that cute girl…. I also saw the way that you looked at her. You showed her more attention than you have any other girl. Even more than Sakura, and she's on our team.
Sasuke simply ignored what Naruto had said so that he could get to some training of his own…
Naruto: … Hey Sasuke…
Sasuke: What…?
Naruto: … Do you think Sakura would get mad if I told her that I met a really pretty girl…?
Sasuke: Why would she care?
Naruto: … Because I made plans to meet her again…
Sakura: Where's Naruto?
She and Kakashi were walking through the woods on the way to their training area…
Kakashi: He left by himself again last night.
Sakura: He's keeps missing breakfast. Also, Sasuke goes off on a walk and doesn't come back…
Just then a kunai landed at their feet causing them to look up to where it came from. It was Naruto and he was now lying on the highest tree limb with a goofy smile on his face. He had just a few more feet until he was at the very top of the tree.
Sakura: Wow! He can already climb that high?
Naruto: WHAT DO YOU THINK?!! LOOK AT HOW HIGH I CAN CLIMB NOW!!!
Naruto then tried to standup but lost his balance and began to fall. Both Kakashi and Sakura were worried that if he fell from that height, then…
As it looked like it was going to be a nasty fall, Naruto managed to save himself and was now hanging upside down using only his feet. All was good… for about two seconds until he ran out of chakra and began plummeting towards the earth.
Sakura and Kakashi looked on in horror, but were relieved once again when Sasuke grabbed a hold of Naruto by his tail…
Sakura: Oh, what a relief! Sasuke you're the best!! It's a good thing you were here… otherwise that idiot would be a pancake!!
Kakashi: These guys are growing pretty well…
Naruto: Sa-… Sasuke… I… I'll… I'll kill you… *gritting his teeth*
Naruto looked like he was in real pain as he struggled just to say those few words before he passed out…
The next day, the seventh day of training……
Tazuna: I wanted to ask you this earlier but… Why are you still here when I lied about the mission?
Kakashi: To abandon your duty isn't very courageous. Below the courageous is nothing. Those are the words of the previous Hokage. That is the shinobi way. Shinobis don't move solely because of money. My body is about back to normal…
He was doing one finger push-ups with both Tazuna and Sakura on his back and he says that he is about back to normal. (Wish I could do that!)
It was now dinnertime and Naruto and Sasuke were just now making it back from their training…
Tazuna: Oh! You guys are finally back, but you look all worn out…
Naruto: Both… Both of us did it… We both made it to the top…
Both looked exhausted, but Naruto looked like he had nothing left to give as he struggled to heave out the words.
Kakashi: Ok! Starting tomorrow, you two can also help protect .
Tazuna mentioned that he was also tired because he was almost done with the bridge, so Tsunami told him and Naruto not to overdo it. This set her son, Inari, off…
"Why…Why?!! Why do you try so hard?!! No matter how hard you train you're no match for Gatou and his men! No matter what glorious claims you make, or how hard you work… when facing the strong, the weak will only get killed!!" Inari said as tears welled up in his eyes.
Naruto: Whatever kid… I'm not like you.
"I'd hate to be like you, you don't know anything about this country and yet you're so nosy!! What the hell do you know about me?!! I'm different from you… you're always clowning around and acting like a kid!! You don't know how hard life can be!" he screamed as the tears began to uncontrollably stream down his face.
This caused Naruto's attitude to change completely…
Naruto: So it's ok for you to pose as the star of a tragedy and cry all day?! You just keep on crying you idiot! You little sissy!!
It was silent as everyone, especially Inari, were speechless…
Sakura: Naruto! Don't you think you've said enough?!
Naruto didn't give any kind of response as he walked away…
Later that night……
Inari was sitting alone outside when Kakashi came up and asked to join him.
Kakashi: Naruto didn't mean any harm with what he said. Sometimes he just doesn't use his head…. Your grandfather told us about your dad… Like you, Naruto also grew up without a father… Actually, he's never really known his parents or had a single friend. The truth is, he's had a rougher past than you, but I've never seen him once cry or complain. He's always… trying to get people to acknowledge him… for that dream he'd risk his life at any time. He's probably sick and tired of crying…. He knows what it really means to be strong… just like your father. Naruto may understand your feelings better than anyone. He doesn't seem to be able to not be concerned about you.
Next morning……
Kakashi and his squad, excluding Naruto, headed out to the construction site along with Tazuna. They left Naruto in Tsunami's care as he continued to sleep.
Sakura: Kakashi sensei, is it alright to leave Naruto here? He's gonna be pretty mad that we left without him…
Kakashi: He pushed his body to the limit, so I don't think that he'll be moving today.
As Kakashi and the others neared their destination, there was a knock at the door of Tazuna's house…
Kakashi's group arrived at the site to see a horrific scene. Everyone was laid out, either unconscious or dead. Upon further investigation Kakashi came to the realization that…
Kakashi: This mist…Zabuza! Get ready, here they come…!
With the word, Sasuke and Sakura prepared themselves.
Zabuza: Long time no see Kakashi… I see you're still with those brats. And what's this… the boy's still shaking… poor kid…
Before anything else could be said, Kakashi's group was surrounded on all sides by many Zabuzas.
Sasuke: … Hmph… I'm shaking from excitement!!
Kakashi: Go ahead Sasuke…!
In an instant Sasuke managed to defeat every Zabuza there, revealing them all to be nothing more than water clones.
Zabuza: Hmm... He saw through the water clones. That brat has grown. It looks like you have yourself a rival Haku…
Kakashi: Looks like my suspicion was right… The kid with the mask… he's obviously Zabuza's comrade, standing there next to him and all…
Sakura: He should stop hiding behind that mask and face us!!
Sasuke: I'll fight him. Tricking us with that stupid act… I hate guys like that the most!
Sakura: Huh?... Oh, you're so cool Sasuke-kun!!
Haku: …. An impressive young man… Even though the water clones only have 1/10th the strength of the original… still very impressive…
Zabuza: But we've already gained the advantage… Go, show them Haku!
Haku disappeared in a whirlwind and attacked Sasuke. Fortunately, Sasuke was able to counter and was now in locked in a struggle with Haku…
Tsunami answered the door to see two men standing there…
"Are you that Tazuna's daughter?" one of the men asked.
Tsunami was unsure of what to do. Two dangerous looking men were at her door asking for her…
"Sorry, but you're coming with us," the man in the hat and coat continued.
Inari was washing his hands when he heard his mother scream. He ran to see what the matter was and noticed the one of the two brutes roughly handling his mother…
The one in the coat mentioned that they only needed one hostage, so the shirtless guy began to unsheathe his sword. He had the intention of killing the little brat but was stopped by Tsunami. She said that she would kill herself if they harmed Inari. This was a lucky break…
As they left with his mother in tow, Inari bawled uncontrollably spouting how weak he was for not being able to stop them. When they were gone, Inari remembered the words of Naruto and Kakashi. This enabled him to pull himself together and go after his mother's captors…
He soon caught up to them at the docks and commanded that they return his mother. He charged right for them as if he had no sense or some kind of way to win. The two hooligans drew their swords and slashed away. When they were done, to their surprise they had cut up a log. It was obviously the work of a ninja… one that was right behind them with both their victim and hostage…
Naruto: Sorry for being so late, but I overslept. Besides… heroes usually show up at the last second. *he looked at Inari* … You did a great job Inari!! Thanks to you distracting them I was able to save your mom.
"Well, if it isn't one of the loser ninjas Tazuna hired," one of them said as they prepared to attack.
Naruto stood up and took his staff from the holster on his back. Suddenly, the two goons attacked…
Naruto put his staff to his side and tossed two shuriken at his attackers only for them to block them. The hooligans were now confident that they had the situation in their control, but…. it was taken away as two Narutos swept them off of their feet in one quick motion using their staffs.
In what seemed like forever, the two floated in the air before… the third Naruto drilled one in the gut using his staff before turning on the other, using the staff like a bat. Both were sent skipping across the water before sinking to the bottom…
Naruto turned to Inari and gave a great big smile. He also apologized for the day before saying that he didn't know that Inari was that strong and left for the bridge.
Sasuke and Haku were still in their struggle to see who was superior, trading attack after attack…
Zabuza: So… that kid can keep up with Haku at that speed.
Kakashi and Zabuza continued to watch on as the two fought…
Haku: I don't want to have to kill you… but you won't stand down, will you?
Sasuke just smirked…
Haku: I see… but you won't be able to keep up with my speed the next time. Plus, I've already gained two advantages. The first is the water on the ground. And the second is that I have occupied one of your arms. You will now only be able to run from my attacks…
He then lifted his left hand and began flipping through hand signs to everyone's surprise. He finished and stomped his foot on the ground…
Haku: "Special Jutsu: Flying Water Needles!!"
The water on the ground rose into the air surrounding them and began to take the form of needles. As they flew at Sasuke from every direction, he focused his chakra to his legs…
When it was over Haku noticed that Sasuke was no longer there and retreated to a safer distance. Unfortunately, a shower of shuriken followed soon after. He managed to dodge but was met by Sasuke…
Sasuke: You're pretty slow… From now on, you'll be running from my attacks.
Sasuke attacked with a slice attack but it was blocked. Sasuke then changed it from a slice to a toss as he flung his kunai with it narrowly avoided…
As Haku ducked to the ground he was then met with a kick from Sasuke, sending him backwards. Zabuza was more than surprised to see that Haku had lost in speed.
Sasuke: Looks like I have the advantage in speed.
Kakashi: I can't have you underestimating my team by calling them "brats". Sasuke is Konoha's #1 rookie, Sakura is the brightest in the village, and the other is…. the #1 Hyper-active, knucklehead in the village…
Elsewhere, as Kakashi was saying these Naruto for unknown reasons sneezed and nearly crashed into a tree…
Zabuza: Heh heh heh… Haku, do you realize…? At this rate we'll be driven back…
Haku: Yeah…. We can't have that, now can we…
Sasuke: What's this chill?
Haku stood up and concentrated his chakra. Without warning, the water on the ground began to rise once again…
Haku: "Special Jutsu: Demonic Ice Mirrors"!!
Sasuke was now surrounded by a dome of mirrors. Haku simply stepped forward and into one of these mirrors and appeared on every single one. Kakashi and his team were surprised. He had never seen anything like it. Fearing the worst, he made a beeline for Sasuke only to be stopped by Zabuza…
Zabuza: Hey now… your opponent… is me. Against that jutsu, the kid's finished…
Haku: Well… shall we begin? I'll show you… my real speed…
Suddenly, Sasuke was caught in a barrage of needles. The only thing he could do was cover himself and hope that it would be over soon.
Hearing Sasuke's screams of agony, Kakashi didn't know what to do. If he tried to help him, Zabuza would slaughter Sakura and Tazuna. But if he didn't then Sasuke would surely die. What a predicament!
Sakura couldn't stand it. The more she heard Sasuke scream, the more she felt sick to her stomach. She wanted to rush in and save him, help him… at least shield him from the attacks, but she couldn't leave 's side…
Sakura: … I'm sorry… but I'm going to have to leave your side for a little while…
He simply nodded in agreement. Sakura ran a few steps toward the dome of mirrors and tossed a kunai hoping that she could give Sasuke a means of defense. However, it failed as Haku intercepted the kunai.
Sakura: Oh no! I botched it...
Just then, a shuriken flew out of nowhere and blasted Haku in the mask, knocking him from his mirror.
Sakura: Who…?!
Sasuke: That idiot…
Haku: Is that…the #1 hyper-active knuckleheaded ninja?!
A surprise attack momentarily saves Sasuke...
Next chapter: The beast unleashed...!