A/N: Okay, sorry it took so long. I am really good at procrastinating. Really good. Most of my commentary will be in the later authors note. So without further ado, I present you the loved Battle of the Bridge.
Standing right behind Sasuke was Naruto, only he was holding something against his leg. "Naruto." Sasuke growled out. "Stay out of this. This is my fight!"
"It is no longer your fight Sasuke" Naruto said in the same dead voice as Haku. "If you do not step down, I'll have to make you."
"HA!" laughed Sasuke. "Then what! Your going to fight him! The idea is laughable! What could you possibly do agains-" Sasuke had started to belittle, only for his new eyes to roll back in his head as he fell down in a slump unconscious. Haku stood right behind him with his arm crossed, showing that Sasuke had been chopped in the back of the neck.
"Thank you." Naruto said in a polite, yet dead tone.
"No problem." replied Haku in the same dead tone as Naruto. "He was really quite annoying."
"Can I please ask you two questions?" Naruto asked.
"Yes you may, though it does not mean I will answer them."
Naruto nodded, since it was reasonable, before asking "Are you an ex-hunter nin, or simply a fake?"
"Based off of the wording of the question, along with the name you had given us upon our first encounter, I presume you are the former?"
"You have still left my first question unanswered."
"I see. So you are the famed 'Kit'. I am sad to say that I am of the latter option."
"That's a pity. Oh well. May I ask you my second question now?"
"Of course."
"May I please have your word that you will not harm Sasuke in any way, shape, or form more than he is currently. I would like to fight you all out, without the hindrance of watching out for my teammate. Though he may not be as useless anymore since he now has the sharingan. After all, that is why I waited so long to step in."
"Yes, I too would enjoy the prospect of fighting all out. You have my word. Now may I have a question?"
"It's only fair."
"Who is precious to you?"
"I don't follow."
"Do you have a precious person you would do anything for? Not out of duty, but of love. You have been an ANBU since a young age, I simply wonder if you were allowed to love."
"Yes I have someone. Though I wasn't supposed to."
"Then it appears you know what true strength is. At least in my opinion, that is. I believe true strength comes from the need to protect something that is worth giving your life."
"I can believe that."
"I am pleased that Leaf shinobi know what it means to be strong. Now, let us fight.
"Finally. Hell, I'll give you ten seconds to get back into that mirror of your's." he then pulled the hand he had against his leg up to reveal a customized fox ANBU mask with red markings on it, and three whisker marks on each cheek. He slid the mask on before saying "This is for when I must kill. Not even my teammates have seen this yet."
"You underestimate me." Haku replied while he slowly walked towards his mirror. Once he was in he said "It surprises me, how one could underestimate me like this when he is constantly underestimated."
"I'm not underestimating you. I fully believe you could kill me. That's why I want you in that mirror. I want to see the technique and then see if I can counteract it."
"Regardless, it won't help you. No one has ever survived."
"There's a first time for everything." was the response he gave with some humor in his voice before a hail of 27 senbon rained down on him.
He flipped out of the way, though seven nicked him and three had impaled him. Not in vital points, or nerve clusters for that matter, but it stung nonetheless. He blocked the pain with sheer willpower as he continued to dodge the senbon that came from different angles while thinking of a way out of his current predicament.
"Let's see…" he thought. "I doubt he's using instant teleportation. There would still be at least a half second in-between the senbon. Damn-it! There has to be something to this!"
This went on for a while before Haku got bored. Naruto was littered with 63 senbon all over his body, with his mask broken off long ago, before Haku shouted out "You still haven't figured it out? And I thought the Leaf had some of the smartest ninja." he taunted. "Though I do guess this would daunt anybody. This jutsu is not a teleportation jutsu." Naruto didn't express his shock, but Haku could feel it none the less. "It is a speed enhancement jutsu. I can move to any of these mirrors at the speed of light."
"I see." said Naruto as a plan started to form in his head. "So If I break a mirror the jutsu ends, because the link is broken, correct?"
"In theory, yes. But the water around us has been constantly condensing to add ice to the mirrors. When, we started, the ice was four inches thick. Now, they are at least two feet. I highly doubt anyone who has less raw strength then Tsunade Senju can break these mirrors."
Naruto's form of answer was a direct one. Naruto ran from his spot near the center to the closest mirror. Once he got close he pulled his fist back and threw a punch with all his strength and momentum behind it.
"Shit!" Naruto exclaimed in his head as he staggered back, revealing four bloody knuckles. "That hurts!"
"You only serve to prove my point." taunted Haku.
"Awwww, shaddup! I'll think of something." Naruto responded while trying to mask his pain. But the irritation was clear as day.
"Maybe you need more motivation." Haku said in a thoughtful tone. "Perhaps if we raise the stakes? But that won't work, it's already life or death. That just leaves anger I suppose."
"And how do you plan to make me angry?"
"Do you value your comrade's life?"
"I don't like where this is going." Naruto replied as he silently tensed.
"Should I take that as a yes?"
"Make of it what you want."
"Then I'll take it as a no. So you wouldn't mind if I did this, would you?" Haku said in a contemplative manner as he threw five senbon from Naruto's right.
"No," Naruto replied with sarcasm deep in his voice and an eye-roll. "I really don't mind you attacking me nearly as much as some other people."
"You might not mind, but what about your teammate?" was all Haku said as he pointed beyond Naruto to the prone figure of Sasuke Uchiha.
Naruto turned to look at his teammate, only to see something he never expected too see as a 'genin'.
There was Sasuke, lying on the ground. Nothing new. Except for two senbon. There were two new senbon trapped in Sasuke's body.
The senbon were embedded deep into his throat.
Naruto just stood there, quivering at the sight with his bangs covering his eyes.
"I'm sorry." Haku said from behind his mirrors with a hint of sadness in his voice as he watched the two boys. "But killing is part of the ninja life. You of all people should understand that. Or is it that this is the first time you have seen a comrade die?"
"No, I have seen a comrade die. I've even had to kill one. I will never forget the look on Newt's face when I rammed my blade through his heart to drive off the possession of that rouge Yamanaka. I doubt you have had to do that."
"I can't say that I have. But why do you seem so angry then?"
"Because you have done something I could never forgive."
Naruto whipped his head up to reveal his once cerulean eyes were now a blood red. But these were not the Sharingan. His eyes had no tome in them. Instead, he had a slit for a pupil in the middle of those eyes. Eyes filled with his anger and hate.
Haku was barely able to wrench his gaze from Naruto's eyes and look the rest of him over.
His hair had grown wilder, it was bristling like the fur of an angered animal. His canines had extended into that of a predator. His finger nails had elongated and sharpened leaving claws that were ready to rip Haku to shreds. His whisker shaped birth marks had also gotten undeniably darker, for before you could barely see them against his skin. But now they were far darker along with far easier to see.
Naruto then stated in a demonic voice "You broke your word. And for that, I'll never forgive you."
Haku only had time to wonder "What have I done?" before Naruto let loose a blood curdling howl.
*While Naruto was shaking*
Naruto was now currently in the sewer like recessions of his mind. He was standing on top of about three inches of water. Naruto just sighed before picking a direction and just started walking aimlessly. He knew he would automatically go to his destination.
As he reached the end of the tunnel he was walking in, he came to a large cavern. On the other side of a cavern was a gigantic cage that was at least half a mile wide and had bars that were at least six feet wide and apart. The only thing that seemed to be keeping the cage shut was a small sheet of paper, about 4x11, with the kanji for seal on it.
The difference though about this time that was different about all the other times he had been there was there was a GIGANTIC FOX WITH NINE TAILS SLAMMING AGAINST THE CAGE!
"Hey fox!" Naruto called out while giving a nonchalant wave. "The seal hasn't weakened in the past 12 years, and it isn't starting to now either."
"Shut it with the snarky comments and use my power!" the fox roared with rage in it's demonic voice.
"Wow, I don't think I've seen anyone so happy to pay rent."
"I said shut it with the snarky comments! You will use my power!"
"That's funny. I thought the landlord decided when the rent was due."
"This isn't my rent! Consider it, let's see now… A charity! Yes! To pay back that damned brat for breaking his oath!"
"Wow, I thought you, of all people, would be cool with that. After all, don't demons break oaths all the time."
"Fool!" the fox roared with renewed rage. "There is honor among thieves, errrrr, demons. I, the Kyuubi, will not be dishonored like this! Use my power!"
Naruto's face grew serious. "Let's test that fact shall we? If I use your power, will you promise to not take over?"
"Yes, yes! I promise, I swear it! Please, just let us regain our honor!"
"Alright, lend me your power."
A red, bubbling mass soon started oozing out of the bars. As it inched closer, Naruto steeled himself for what would soon happen. As soon as the mass made contact, Naruto let out a blood curdling howl and let the mass envelop him.
*Back in the real world*
As Naruto let out his Howl, a red mass began to form around him. It started at his feet, then worked it's way up. As it passed the senbon, it violently shot them out.
"What is this?" Haku thought, alarmed. "Is this chakra? But chakra is supposed to be invisible! I can clearly see this! And what is this feeling. This substance sends out such an oppressive feeling!"
When the substance had finished enveloping Naruto, it looked like a shroud with two long ears and a tail. And with a flick of said tail, a pulse was sent out. One that shattered the mirrors into the tiniest of fragments. Haku was just barely quick enough to step out of the current mirror he was in before being shattered with it.
"So," Naruto mused to himself "Looks like Kyuubi kept his word. And now, as retribution for you breaking your oath, I'm going to kill you."
"You are welcomed to try, but-" suddenly Haku froze, before starting again "I'm sorry, but it appears you can't. It appears my master has one final wish for me. So long it's been a pleasure to fight someone of our caliber." and with that, Haku disappeared with a puff of smoke.
"Bastard!" Naruto roared. "Where are you!"
Then, probably due to lack of concentration by Zabuza, the mist began to lighten. This allowed Naruto a better view of his surroundings. Sakura was fine, physically at least. She was staring at Sasuke with a look of horror on her face. This would probably the first and last time Naruto thanked her for being a fan girl.
Naruto then turned his gaze to Kakashi and Zabuza. Zabuza was trapped by several ninja hounds biting into him at various places and keeping him immobile. Kakashi was standing with his arm extended, lightening shooting off of it, and his sharingan exposed. His hand was currently embedded into Haku's heart.
Ready to complete the mission, Naruto started heading over to the two living and one dead shinobi. As Naruto neared, he could hear the two men's conversation pick up once the shock was gone.
"That was…" Kakashi started at a slow pace, still shocked by what had happened "For a lack of a better term, the most bizarre thing I've seen yet. Not many people give their lives like that."
"Ahhh," Zabuza sighed "Haku was one of a kind. Literally. He will be missed."
"So the demon does have a heart."
"No, don't me me wrong. The kid was a very useful tool. Probably the best ever. It'd be a bitch to replace him. But it looks like I'll have to now, after all, he is but a broken tool."
Naruto snapped. He was a tool to the village. He knew that. He had been a tool once he started to take missions at six. He was glad he could protect his village. But the life of a tool is hard. You work ceaselessly with high expectations surrounding you. And if you don't meet those expectations you are but a broken tool, to be cast aside. While he did not know the boy long, he knew he did not deserve this life. Hell, he was innocent. He had clearly shown he never wanted to take a life. It was not his fault he was brought into the shinobi system. People with bloodline traits were often pressured to become ninja. Naruto may not have been able to protect him in life, but he would try to help ease his soul after death. He would let him know someone cared.
"Don't you treat him like that!" Naruto screamed. This when Zabuza finally seemed to notice him.
"Yagura!"
Naruto charged right past Zabuza with his clawed hand extended at his side. After the pass Naruto slowed down, and was able to stop about fifteen feet away from him. As he came to a stop, Zabuza's back exploded in a shower of blood. If you where to clean off the blood, there would be five deep claw marks with burns around them running across his back horizontally. Maybe a shirt would have helped.
As Zabuza collapsed on his hands and knees, Naruto turned and shouted "You can't cast him aside like that! That boy gave his life for you! And you would just throw his sacrifice away? He was not a tool! He was a human being who gave his life to you, not out of training, but of compassion. He drew upon you for true strength!"
humphed before replying "You know kid, for an ANBU, you really don't understand the shinobi system. Ninjas are to be tools with no emotions. Wether they be tools for a village or a private contractor, they are tools none the less." Zabuza then hacked up some blood, which turned his face wraps a light red. "Shit that's gross."
"Then it's a stupid system! A boy should be able to love somebody and be able to show his compassion! He looked up to you as something, and all you did was consider him a tool! Your a heartless monster!"
"Your wrong." Zabuza wheezed. "When I found him on the streets of the hidden mist village, I half considered killing him to spare his misery. But the kid convinced me otherwise, and actually talked me into letting him be my apprentice. At first I considered him a tool." Zabuza wheezed a bit more. "Now I look at him as the son I never had."
Before anyone could say anything, a clapping could be heard from across the bridge. The three living ninja looked to see who was dumb enough to enter a mini-war zone. Turns out it was a small, fat man who was dressed in an expensive-looking suit and was clearly balding. What little hair that made up the ring around his head was spiked up, probably to add around four inches. He wore designer sunglasses that hid his beady little eyes, and only needed to rest on his nose to stay in place. He was walking toward the ninja while clapping his hands, though it looked somewhat painful since one arm was in a sling.
"Good work, my dear friends."
"You have friends?" was the smart-ass response of Naruto
"Would his mother ever call him dear?" Zabuza taunted, liking now a little more the way this was going.
"Shut up you two! I don't have to take this!"
"Last guy I knew who thought like that is over there." was all Naruto said as he pointed to Sasuke.
The man paled before trying to say calmly "Wha-whatever. Anyway, I'm here to terminate our contract Zabuza."
"No chance in hell Gatō." was Zabuza's response. "I need the money more than ever now."
"Then it looks like I'll have to do this." Gatō said with mock sorrow as a group of at least 150 thugs climbed over the edge. "Did you know Zabuza," Gatō said with a knowing smirk "That all these men cost the same as your paycheck? Much better deal don't you think?"
"Depends if you're going for quantity or quality."
"With enough, quantity can do a quality job."
"Really now? Let's test this as I rip your head from your neck." with this, Zabuza tried to get up, only to be pushed down by Naruto and getting a severe burn in the process. "Damn-it brat! What the hell do you think your doing!"
"Same could be said to you. Let me handle the thugs. You can have Gatō."
"Whatever. As long as i get Gatō in the end. But I can't wield my sword. Can I have som-" but before Zabuza could finish, three kunai knives fell in front of his face.
"Wait for the right moment. I'll take care of this."
"Fools!" Gatō screamed as he started running back. "Kill them! Kill them all!"
As the thugs started charging Naruto simply relaxed and put his right hand up, so that his pointer and middle finger was up while his thumb held down the pinky and ring fingers. "Hidden mist jutsu." was all Naruto said before a thick fog started pouring in. The thugs stopped to while wondering what was going on.
"Wait?" Zabuza pondered. "Isn't the kid with the sharingan dead? How the hell did this brat learn my jutsu!"
"Oh shit." Kakashi thought. "Okay… Mental check list of teammates. Sasuke: dead. Sakura: weeping over Sasuke's dead body. Tazuna: near Sakura. Good. No one on our side knows what the hell is going on." and with that Kakashi visibly relaxed.
As the fog became thicker Kakashi eventually lost track of his teammates. It was once the mist was so thick you couldn't your feet that the screams started.
"Heh. Looks like there is a new demon of the bloody mist for after I die. The villagthis den in the mist is gonna be pissed when I name him my successor." Zabuza thought playfully. "Now, where's that scum bag? Stretch out my senses… There! Heh, brat even cleared a pretty strait path too. Damn his senses are good." and with that Zabuza ripped of his bandages with one hand while picking up the kunai in another. Zabuza placed a kunai in each hand and in his mouth before he started his charge through the mist, jumping over any bodies in his way.
Finally he caught up to Gatō, but trailed behind to give Gatō false hope.
"Ha!" Gatō exclaimed mentally in triumph. "I'm actually running a way from a ninja, and living!"
The victory dance in Gatō's head however was cut short when Zabuza decided to make himself known and appear right in front of Gatō's face, kunai in mouth and all. Gatō did the one logical thing he could do in this situation.
He screamed an incredibly girlish scream while falling on his but.
"Well," Zabuza taunted somehow with the kunai in his mouth. "looks like my time is up. I'm bleed'n out, and I don't have much longer to live. Maybe a couple of seconds at best."
"Phew!"
"So I'm a gonna take as many people as I can to hell with me before I go. Oh look." a wolffish smile worked it's way onto Zabuza's mouth, revealing his pointed teeth. "There's only one."
"SHIT!" was the last thought Gatō had before his head was pinched between the two kunai in Zabuza's hands.
"It's done." was Zabuza's thought before collapsing on the ground wheezing.
A couple of seconds later, the mist let up. This revealing a Naruto without the Kyuubi cloak standing among 150 utterly destroyed bodies. It also revealed Kakashi, who along with Naruto, started walking towards Zabuza.
As they got closer they could hear Zabuza wheeze out "Please, let me see it. I want to see his face. I want a nice memory while I'm in hell."
Kakashi nodded, before gently lifting Zabuza up bridal style. As Kakashi set him down next to Haku, Naruto lifted up the boys mask, revealing a feminine face with a small smile and already closed eyes
"Haku." Zabuza wheezed. "I know that I'm going strait to hell for all the wrongs I've done. And I better not find you there. You don't deserve it. You were innocent. I just pray now that they'll let me visit you. So long. And brat." Naruto pointed to himself. "Yes you smartass. Your the new demon of the bloody mist. Use that jutsu well anup uphold my honor when using that name. Now, can I have my sword?"
Kakashi went and picked it in two hands, straining under the weight. How Zabuza had wielded this one-handed in their fight earlier was a mystery to him. As Zabuza got a grip his sword he took in one last shuddering breath before muttering
"Thank you. All of you. I hope I never see you again." and it is with those words that Zabuza closed his eyes.
As he and Kakashi bowed their heads in respect Naruto muttered "And another great ninja passes on. Rest in peace. Both of you."
A/N: Well, glad that's over and done with. Damn that was a long chapter. Phew. Props if you can find the linkin park song title in there. And in advance, I'm not going to shift strait back to the Leaf after this. There is at least one chaptert left in this arc, along with a transition filler chapter. Please review, I put alot of work into this chapter. I tried to stay as close to the manga as I could, while trying to write a half-decent fight scene. And I most likely failed. Please review. It would hurt not to get alot of reviews after this. THN out!