AN: I do not own Naruto in any way shape or form, it all belongs to Kishimoto-dono

Chapter 6

The small boat that held the crowded teams and builder slowly pulled into a small grove that allowed the party to depart. After all had left the boat and quietly checked the surrounding area for any signs of enemies, the boat left with the ninjas heading in the direction of Tazuna's home.

Almost immediately on the trail, Naruto and Kiba sensed something in one of the bushes off the trail and Naruto threw one of his shuriken into the nearby shrub.

Upon retrieving his weapon and to look for the source of the disturbance, Naruto found only one startled white rabbit. Naturally Ino started to berate Naruto for his hasty action. "Naruto, why would try to startle and try to kill that rabbit. Sasuke would have waited until he new for certain what was back there."

"Ino despite what you may think about me, I knew that there wasn't a rabbit back there when I tossed my shuriken."

"Ino think about this, snow rabbits aren't white in the summer are they? They turn brown to blend in better" Kakashi stated "Everyone be on the lookout even more take nothing for granted if you sense something alert everyone to the disturbance. Kiba you and Hinata have to expand your senses to the limits."

Just as Kakashi gave the orders, Hinata saw something with her Byakugan flying at them from behind. "EVERYBODY GET DOWN!" At once all obeyed her without question when a giant sword flew over head barely missing heads. As the blade sunk into the tree with a twang, pieces of Kakashi's hair floated down a new ninja landed on the giant blade.

"Well, well if it isn't Momochi Zabuza, I guess that I should thank you for saving me some money from having to visit the barber shop next week" Kakashi said with a smirk.

"Old friend of yours" Kurenai asked slyly hoping to gain information on the new opponent for herself and the two Genin teams.

"In a manner of speaking, Copycat Kakashi and I have fought a couple of times to draws and he has been one of my best opponents over the years. What is our record at now?"

"I believe that I am ahead of you at the moment 7 – 5, but I guess that I am about to make it 8 – 5. Teams 7 and 8 form around Tazuna, this man is a former swordsman of the Mist Shinobi, to much for you to handle but should be just right for me and Kurenai."

"Ah, so this is the Genjutsu mistress of the Leaf Village. It is an honor to finally meet after having read so much about you in the Bingo Book. For now I will not worry about your students but I will in bit out of respect for you two."

"We are honored but, you have no need to worry about them since you won't be able to move after our fight" Kakashi replied as he pulled up his forehead protector revealing his secret eye, the Sharingan.

'What is with his eye? It's has three comma's on it for some reason. I better remember to ask about that.' Naruto thought.

"Any stakes other than the usual this time," Kakashi asked.

"Sure, loser must go without the mask for one month and Icha Icha for two months," Zabuza smirked in reply.

"Surely you're joking!"

"Of course I'm not, and don't call me Shirley." Zabuza answered

"Don't forget that I am here to gentlemen." Kurenai jumped into the conversation, straining the word gentlemen considering the discussion of the adult literature.

The genin could not believe what was going on. Their senseis were being friendly with the man trying to kill the one they were to protect. Shouldn't they have just started the fight already?

"What say we get down to the fun part boys. Let's dance."