Chapter 22

Haku could not be defeated. A broken tool was a useless tool. Slowly water began to rise, condensing and freezing, forming plates of ice that formed a circle, Haku, Tomo and Sakaki found within.

"Now Kimura, you can see the strength a youngster can possess."

"Just because you can do a neat party trick, it doesn't mean you've won. Freezing water may be difficult but it isn't a sign of a champion" said Tomo proudly.

Sakaki paused. Did she really just say freezing water was difficult?

"Hey answer me!" said Tomo. "You like to think you're so special don't you, you like to…eugh!" trailed off the girl as Haku suddenly stepped up to, and climbed into one of the ice mirrors. Slowly with a look of complete shock Tomo turned to Sakaki and slowly pointed at the ice, where the figure had now vanished, instead a 2d image on the ice.

"D-did that guy just climb into one of those things?" asked Tomo.

Sakaki nodded slowly and slowly pinched herself. Was this real?

"Ack a witch!" cried out Tomo. "However an expert ninja like me is always prepared!" said the girl, holding up a knife. She watched in surprise as a needle flew out and struck the knife, knocking it beyond the mirrors. She stood dumbfounded for a few seconds, looking at her now empty hand.

"Huh?"

"I am afraid you will have to do better then that" said Haku.

"Don't worry, I'm just getting warmed up!" said Tomo pointing at one of the mirrors. "I'm not beaten…yet" she continued, adding the last word quietly. "You ready Sakaki?"

Well not really… "I guess so."

Tomo nodded. "That's good enough for me! Lets get this guy and then beat the freak with no eyebrows!"

That guy can still hear you Tomo…

"He should be right there" said Tomo pointing, running towards a mirror and watching as the image vanished from sight. She cried out in pain and started rubbing furiously. "That guy threw a needle into my butt!" she said angrily. She slowly pulled it out, groaning. Sakaki backed away in horror. Blood was on that needle!

"Ouch it stings!" said Tomo. "Ok let's get this guy again" said Tomo making a fist. "We can do it!"

"Sure" said Sakaki, none too confident.

Tomo rushed forwards, jumping up as she gripped hold of a spare kunai knife. Sakaki started to run, but stopped in surprise when she saw the brief flashes above her head. As she looked forwards again, Tomo fell to the ground, groaning as needles stuck out of her. Horrified Sakaki stepped back.

"A-are you ok Tomo?" she asked.

"It's gonna take more then that!" said Tomo flicking away the needles. Ow that hurt. She turned back to one of the mirrors.

"Wait Tomo!" said Sakaki holding up her hand and surprising herself by shouting out. Tomo slowly turned and smiled.

"Don't worry, I'll be ok Sakaki." She twiddled the knife between her fingers again, before taking hold of it and charging again. She briefly saw something rush in front of her, and then she felt piercing pain as needles dug into her skin. She fell down to the floor, gripping them as several spots of pain tweaked across her body.

Outside of the ice mirror prison Zabuza stood with a grin on his powerfully built face. "Soon those two Genin will be destroyed Kimura. And if you go to help them, the other girl and Keeler are dead. I'll make up my mind on the fat one when the time comes."

Kimura growled and turned his attention back to the ice prison.

Tomo stood back up to her feet, rubbing her brow. She turned to Sakaki and stuck up a thumb, grinning slightly. However from where Sakaki stood, she could see Tomo's legs shaking as the girl tried to stand tall. Tomo nodded slightly, Sakaki returning the gesture. With a faint movement Sakaki attempted one of the few offensive attacks she possessed, surprising Tomo by releasing a sudden burst of hot flames. However the ice mirrors still stood, completely unharmed by the heat.

"That won't do anything" came the response of Haku's voice. "That won't harm the ice at all."

"Is this guy really beginning to annoy you now Sakaki?" asked Tomo. Sakaki nodded slightly. "Then let's stop him!"

"Will you not give up?" asked Haku.

"Never! I'll keep on trying!" said Tomo, now panting slightly. "I have to!"

"This isn't a game young ninja. If you do not stop I will kill you."

"I'm not scared!" said Tomo, her shaking hand picking the knife up from the floor. "I'm not scared of you!"

"So be it."

Sakaki stood and unleashed another volley of fire, Tomo leaping through it, only for Haku to vanish from the mirror he had been in previously. A needle slashed across Tomo's face, narrowly missing her eye. Ten dug deep into her shoulder. Groaning she gripped the top of the ice, feeling intense cold in one hand, before kicking herself away. She let go of her knife, shocked into submission as several sharp needles ripped into her. Now she was falling, falling down through the flames…hitting the ground with a powerful thud. Now she was prone, couldn't move as pain shot across her body.

"You should have given up" said the voice.

Tomo closed her eyes and listened as a faint gasp was emitted. She slowly opened her eyes to see the back of Sakaki. Confused she pushed herself up with one hand. Sakaki was still, standing in front of her.

"W-what are you doing S-Sakaki?" asked Tomo as blood slowly trickled down her chin.

Sakaki shook slightly, and then took a step backwards, falling to the floor. Tomo looked in disbelief at the number of sharp needles that had pierced Sakaki, running from her stomach to her neck. Five stuck awkwardly from the neck, Sakaki looking up tearfully as Tomo leant over her.

"Why?" asked Tomo. "Why for me?"

"…Friend."

"You- you didn't have…"

Feebly Sakaki took hold of Tomo's hand. "L-live." Slowly the hand fell away as Sakaki's eyes closed. Tomo closed her eyes and leant down as tears fell onto Sakaki. She was still a moment before her head slowly rose.

Her eyes opened.

--

Beneath the glasses Kimura's eyes widened in shock. What was this powerful new force he felt? It was strangely familiar…no. No it couldn't be that. It felt like the Demon Fox spirit. That couldn't be allowed to be released…was it all over? No…no Tomo still seemed to have some form of control. Kimura looked up, straight into Zabuza's eyes.

"Let's finish this huh?" he suggested.

"Very well then Kimura. Please wait for me on the other side, I'll be there one day" said Zabuza, slowly stepping back into the forming mist. "And I must warn you, you won't have another chance. You cannot see me. You won't hear me. And you won't be able to use that eyes hypnotic like effect on me."

Kimura groaned. This guy liked talking a lot.

He moved backwards. Just where was this man? He paused. There would be no guarantee of Zabuza attacking him first. The assassin had a job to do, and the target was out in the open. He turned as he heard a faint yell, and found himself running without even realizing.

Moving through the mist he stopped as he found Osaka standing, a faint drip of blood running down her forehead.

"Osaka? What happened?"

"That guy came. I had to block his attack, but I got hit on the head. I should have been focusing more shouldn't I?" she asked.

"No, no you did well" said Kimura as he spotted Keeler and Nakasone quivering behind Osaka.

"Thank you Kimura sensei" said Osaka nodding her head.

Kimura slowly turned. The yell from Keeler would have given the position away so Zabuza would have left. But where would the man be? He couldn't see anything in this mist.

"Kimura sensei!" called out Osaka as the sword swung through the mist.

--

Tomo stood up and ripped the needles out of her, the wounds slowly healing already. Her lips moved up over her gums, baring her teeth as she snarled in anger. Her eyes widened, becoming bloodshot as more blood passed into them. She took a step forwards, veins on her arms bulging as she studied the glass mirrors furiously. An odd orange and golden light surrounded her, shocking Haku- a visual representation of the girl's chakra. Where had this power come from?

Tomo stood tall and watched the needles approaching, holding up one hand and not even grimacing as they dug into her open palm. She ripped them out and with a yell held her arms out, yelling…howling…as the light became more concentrated and suddenly surrounded the area. Cracks spread throughout the ice mirrors, which then shattered, falling to the ground. Haku now stood upon the ground. Tomo was still, panting as she passed her tongue over her teeth, which now seemed much sharper. She paused, ignoring all sound as she fixated upon the masked figure. She snarled inhumanly.

Haku took hold of a fresh batch of his specialized weapons, but watched as Tomo charged towards him. She jumped into the air and her foot struck his stomach powerfully, knocking the boy back. She jumped up, spinning through the air as she kicked him twice before landing on the ground. She delivered an uppercut into his stomach, lifting him off the floor as her face appeared a manic frenzy, spittle flying out of her mouth as she bared her teeth, more an animal then a human. Her fist smacked into his mask, knocking him back as it slowly cracked open.

He pushed himself up off of the floor and looked into the girl's eyes. The frenzied look had vanished. The anger remained, but not the fury. She caught him with a punch. Nowhere as near as powerful.

"What is wrong?"

"You're just a boy. You're younger then me!" said Tomo.

"But why do you stop? That last attack was much weaker."

"I can't kill you!" said Tomo. The fury had vanished from her. She just couldn't end this life.

"But then there is no victor. All that remains is a broken tool and a broken girl. I have failed. Finish me."

"But!"

"Finish me. Please kill me, I am useless. I have failed my master. If I cannot give him what he needs, I cannot do anything. Now kill me please!"

Tomo stood, trying to comprehend. Kill, don't kill? Finish him, destroy a life. He wants me to but… What should I do? She yelled out and delivered a knee straight to Haku's crotch, the boy collapsing to the floor.

"Let's just call it a draw" said Tomo shrugging and running to Sakaki. Please be alive!

Haku rested upon the floor. He had failed…no there was still one more thing to do.

--

Kimura stepped forwards as blood trickled down onto the floor. The other were safe, he was ok- the wound just stung like a git. He quickly pulled out a wrapped scroll.

"You're slow Kimura."

"Not quite." Who's covered with my blood? He unwrapped the scroll and jabbed his finger into the wound, then smearing the scroll with his blood. He pulled it back shut, and began the series of hand signs.

"Let's see if you're quick enough to beat man's true companion."

In the mist Zabuza stood, wondering if Kimura had lost it. He glanced down as the floor shook, and watched in surprise as Dog's smashed up through the ground, several biting down on him. As his blood began to spill on the floor, a shadow appeared in the mist.

Tomo leant down over Sakaki. Behind her Haku had disappeared.

Zabuza yelled out and slashed with his free arm, Kimura avoiding the attack and raking his knife down the muscular arm. Zabuza watched in surprise as it fell uselessly by his side.

"Do you give up Zabuza?"

Growling the assassin shook off one of the dogs, striking out with his uninjured arm. However Kimura's speed surprised him, the man now behind him. Kimura let out tut-tut and dug the knife into Zabuza's shoulder.

"Well now you're unarmed" said Kimura.

"You're a terrible joker. Finish this then. Or do you not have the talents to do that?"

Kimura walked around the man, stopping in front of him.

"I have one talent" said Kimura coldly, holding up his hand as lightning crackled from it. Zabuza didn't close his eyes as Kimura struck.

SPLAT!

Kimura looked in surprise- his hand had ripped through the shoulder of the boy- who he recognized. Blood dripped down from his hand. Zabuza smiled thinly and moved forwards, striking out with the arm that had a knife in the shoulder. Haku fell to the floor as Kimura jumped back.

"Didn't do a good job there" said Kimura, slashing down, ripping into the arm. "But I don't make that type of mistake usually."

Zabuza growled as both arms hung down uselessly. Haku slowly stood up, his shirt bloodstained. He went to move forwards, when he stopped suddenly, trying to look at the arrow that had pierced his throat. He looked across at Zabuza and muttered the word sorry. Zabuza stood watching as the boy fell to the floor.

"Sorry to interrupt" said Harima. "But there's a man we want dead."

Zabuza stood unmoving. "I was working on that."

"And what a brilliant job. You're disabled, your little friend is dead. Boys, kill Keeler."

Kimura rushed forwards, trying to intercept the men, feeling weary and exhausted. He blocked blows, but two ran by him towards Osaka.

"Stay back" said the girl, holding up her knife.

One of the men grinned. "I'll run you through with my sword bitch." He jabbed the sword forwards, the man suddenly vanishing from view as a shape obscured Osaka's view. Keeler stood in front of her, sword sticking through him. He gripped it and pulled it out of the man's grasp. Slowly he turned, Osaka looking down in surprise.

"Not for me" he muttered as he slumped to the floor. He slowly pulled the sword out and handed it to Nakasone, who gripped it. He turned to Osaka.

"Dear girl, may I fight by your side?" he asked.

"What?"

"Let's beat these people."

Osaka nodded, Nakasone yelling out as his sword ripped through the disarmed mans shoulder. Osaka closed her eyes as she let go of her knife, and opened them to find the other man on the floor.

Zabuza merely stood as men surrounded him and Kimura. Harima stood a safe distance away.

"Well I see I've managed to get the job done. Finish them men."

Tomo gently rested Sakaki's head on the floor and ran, leaping above the men and joining Kimura.

"So what's the plan?"

"I was going to distract them while you escape."

"Ooops" said Tomo. She turned as Zabuza merely stood. The man said nothing, didn't even move. "Where's that guy?" asked Tomo, "The boy?"

"Haku."

"Huh?"

"His name is Haku" said Zabuza. "And he has gone to a place I cannot." Tomo was shocked to see a tear trailing down the killers face. "I wish to fight one last time, alongside you- worthy allies. Child, please place a kunai in my mouth."

In shock Tomo slowly held up the knife, Zabuza gripping it with his teeth. Standing tall, he stood above the others, and looked straight at Harima. Slashing out, he ripped through the enclosing circle, towards the man who feebly held up a sword. With a quick head movement he tore off the man's arm, sword falling to the floor.

"Zabuza…please!" He screamed as the knife dug into his neck, as his head was partially ripped from his body. Blood spurted once, covering Zabuza's face. Slowly he turned towards the young girl ninja and her teacher. He charged, slashing through men as swords dug into his body. Many screamed and dropped their weapons, running away as companions died.

Finally Zabuza came to a stop, slumping down to his knees, swords and weapons sticking out of his stomach and back. A few remained, but Tomo and Kimura produced clones, scaring the spooked men away. And so silence fell across the group as Osaka and Nakasone tried to help Keeler and Zabuza looked up at the two- teacher and student. As Keeler died, Zabuza opened his mouth.

"Y-you are better then I said."

"Thanks, that means a lot" said Kimura.

"Could- could I be placed next to Haku one last time Kimura?" Kimura nodded and walked across to the boy, picking him up and placing him by the man. "T-than…"

"Where's Sakaki?" asked Osaka, slowly walking across to the group.

"S-she's dead" said Tomo, Kimura looking at her in surprise. Osaka paused in disbelief and then ran to Sakaki, as fast as she could. She leant down in shock, looking at the tall girl. Finally she stood up and waved.

"If she's dead, why does she have a pulse?" asked Osaka.

"Did you bother checking for that?" asked Kimura.

"Whoops."

--

The group of four waved to Nakasone who waved back with a genuine smile on his face. He nodded and slowly turned away, tears running down his face as he walked towards his home. He'd miss those crazy people.

Sakaki, supported by a stick and Tomo slowly limped around as they headed towards an inn. Nakasone had given them the village payment, money for the best inn in the region (to rest for a few days) and a little bit of money for the girls and Kimura to enjoy.

Kimura had sworn them to secrecy. Slowly they stepped towards the inn.

"We did it didn't we!" said Tomo joyously. Osaka nodded slightly.

"Now who wants alcohol?" joked Kimura.

"Me!" said Tomo sticking the arm that didn't support Sakaki up in the air. Kimura groaned slightly.

"I'm not actually getting you alcohol."

"Oh, why not?!"