Surprise! I actually got another chapter out in less then a month! OMG! I am so excited to get started on the Chunin Exam Arc so hopefully that will keep me going for awhile cause a lot of things are going to happen and a lot of things will be revealed. Please enjoy this abnormally long chapter of mine. (I really wanted to get this arc wrapped up so that's why it's so long.)

"I'm gonna kill you." Naruto stated but his voice was deeper and rough, a polar opposite of his usual happy higher pitched voice. Naruto ran towards Haku on all fours with his teeth bared like an animal.

'Those eyes. This is no longer a child.' Haku thought as he threw needles at Naruto. Naruto let out a roar of chakra that canceled out the needles. When Naruto reached him Haku disappeared, making Naruto skid to a stop, and reappeared in a mirror behind Naruto's field of vision.

'His chakra is growing stronger by the second. I have to attack full force.' Haku thought as he reflected his image to all of his mirrors. Naruto was hit full force with needles, sticking out of his body like before, but Naruto released another wave of chakra. Forcing the needles out of his body and making Haku lose his focus, his image no longer being reflected. While Haku was recovering Naruto came straight towards him and shattered his mirror with his fist. As the shards flew into the air Haku appeared out of one of them, right above Naruto who was on all fours, and launched his needles. Naruto seemed to know where he was because he easily spun out of the way unharmed. Haku quickly tried to run to a mirror, since his attack failed, but Naruto gripped his arm like a vice; almost to the point of breaking Haku's arm.

'What is this child?!' Haku thought with fear.

Naruto gathered chakra in his free hand and punched Haku on the face. Haku flew backwards, going through one of his mirrors, and rolled along the ground until he eventually stopped. His mask shattered as his ice dome of mirrors fell down like raindrops. Haku slowly stood up as Naruto ran towards him about to end him.

'Zabuza. I have failed you I am no match for this boy. Please forgive me.' Haku's mask lay in pieces on the ground before him. Naruto stood there in front of him with his fist an inch away from Haku's face. He was no longer a vicious animal craving for blood; he was the sleeping boy Haku had stumbled upon in the forest.

"So that guy in the woods was you?" Naruto asked.

"Why don't you strike? Didn't you vow to avenge your comrades death by killing me or was that an empty promise?" Naruto looked back at Sasuke and Akina trying to find the anger he had felt but he couldn't do it. Naruto let out a frustrated well as he punched Haku in the face making him stumble and fall to the ground. Haku coughed up some blood slowly stood up again.

"That won't do you are holding back. How do you expect to keep your vow when that was all the strength you can put in to it? It seems as though they don't mean as much to you as you pretend. To show mercy to your enemies when you have the opportunity to strike them down is not compassion. What is your purpose then? You will be of no use to anyone and have no reason for living, You will only exist day after day with the pain of knowing you're not wanted by anyone."

"Well speak for yourself." Naruto yelled at him.

"Are you blind I am speaking of myself. After this day I am no longer of use to Zabuza."

"Why devote your life to a scum who doesn't know the meaning of friendship. If he's really the only person you can depend on then that's the sorriest thing I have ever heard!"

"At one time there were others I cared for, my mother and father. I was born in a small farm village in the Land of Water where it was always snowing. My parents were poor farmers and we had tough times but we were content with the simple life. My parents were good to each other and very kind to me but one day everything changed. Something that had happened long before I was even born changed everything."

"What do you mean? What happened that changed everything?" Naruto asked.

"My father killed my mother. A long time ago there was a war in my homeland, one that was full death and hatred. Hatred directed towards the fighters because most of them possessed a special trait a kekkai genkai. Once the war was over anyone who possessed a kekkai genkai was feared and thought that they would only bring upon another war. Which is how the slaughter began of anyone who had a special trait. Many families who possessed kekkai genkai disbanded and went into hiding fearing that their blood would lead to their death. I'm sure if you were to look into that boy's memories I'm sure you would have found it; the cruelty of people towards things they don't understand." Haku looked passed Naruto and looked straight at Sasuke. Naruto followed his gaze and understood what he meant.

"One day I was outside with my mother as she was hanging up the laundry. My father had gone into town to get supplies for planting. I was simply playing in a small pond we had and as I gathered water in my hands it transformed into a little sphere that I could shape anyway I wanted. I had never done anything like that and I was so excited to show my mother. But when she saw it I saw fear in her eyes. For years my mother had successfully hid the lineage of her blood and when she married my father she thought she would live the rest of her days in peace without worry. She hit me and yelled at me to never do it again but she immediately apologized and began to cry. She told me that we would be okay and that my father can never know what happened but it was too late. My father had come home earlier than expected and he saw what I did. The next day while my mother and I was home alone my father came home but he had other local farmer men with him. My father killed my mother and then tried to kill me."

"That's so horrible." Naruto whispered.

"I was able to get away but I had never felt so empty in my life; my mother and father were both dead, It wasn't until I began to live off of the streets did I realize I no longer had a purpose I mattered to no one."

'This guy. He's just like me in a way.' Naruto thought.

"Why is it you want to become Hokage so badly? It's because you want all eyes of your village to look at you and think of you as a great ninja. You see it's through the eyes of others do our means have any true meaning. When no one sees you or avoid looking at you it's as if you don't even exist. When Zabuza looked at me he didn't look at me with fear or hate he didn't shun me for my strangeness. Even though my abilities were just what he wanted he gave me a purpose again. With him I was happy. I'm sorry that I have failed you Zabuza. I am like a broken weapon who is of no use to you anymore." Haku whispered the last part to himself. He walked closer to Naruto until he was standing a foot away from him. Naruto backed away a few steps wondering if Haku was going to attack him. But Haku's eyes were so dull and lifeless that Naruto became more concerned.

"Naruto. Kill me."

Kakashi stood still in the mist as he pulled a scroll out of an outside pocket on his vest. As he unraveled the scroll he wiped his thumb along the wound on his chest gathering blood.

'I need to hurry up. Even though the seal is loosened Naruto can still cause a lot of damage to everyone here.' Kakashi thought.

"Why don't we speed this along Zabuza. We're both busy people here. Lets end this already. " He wiped his bloodied thumb along the inside of the scroll and rolled the scroll back up. He performed a few hand signs before slamming the scroll on the ground with a lot of force.

"Ninja Art! Earth Style: Fang Pursuit Jutsu!" Symbols poured out of the sides of the scroll and seemed to infiltrate underneath the concrete.

"I don't understand why you would perform a jutsu when you can't even find me but I can find you. Blindly falling into my trap you disappoint me Kakashi. But you're right let's end this." Zabuza said as he stood still with his eyes still closed. He quickly opened his eyes when the ground beneath him began to shake. Looking down a dog digs out of the ground and bites at his feet but Zabuza quickly lift his foot up, dodging the bite. But more dogs jump out of the ground and dig their fangs into his body holding him still. They were holding him by his legs, arms and a giant dog was hanging on his back while biting into his left shoulder.

"What the hell is that noise?" Tazuna exclaimed as the barks and snarls of the dogs roared through the air.

"I'm not exactly sure I want to know." Sakura whispered in fear.

"You see if I couldn't see you I would have to smell you out. That was a summoning I was calling forth my ninja hounds, they can track a scent anywhere. Earlier I let you get past my guard I wanted you to cut me. It's the scent of my blood on your blade that lead them straight to you. Blindly falling into my trap you disappoint me Zabuza." Kakashi explained tauntingly. As Kakashi spoke the mist started to lift and Kakashi could see Zabuza's hunched over form.

"Ah the mist is finally clearing and you know what I see? Your death."

"Tough talk Kakashi! Do you mean to talk me to death?" Zabuza yelled out in frustration.

"In a way yes. Right now my hounds are just playing with you. One word from me and they will tear you apart. Poor Zabuza see where your ambitions got you. You were always pushing things too far. It began with your failed Mizukage assassination attempt and your plan of coup' de tat. You were forced to leave your country with the few followers you had and your country's tracker ninjas hot on your tail. You became a rogue ninja whose name became known even in the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Now you're crazy enough to try it again but to do that you need money. So you stooped so low that you became a hired thug for a swine like Gato. All right Zabuza enough talk its time to finish but it won't be with Sharingan or imitations of some other ninja's trick. No I am going to show you my own jutsu." Kakashi performed a few hand signs and held his right hand in front of him. Chakra gathered in the palm of his hand in the form of electricity; the sparks striking the ground around him in a circle.

"Lightning Blade!"

'His chakra is so strong that it's visible! He holds it in his hand.' Zabuza thought in disbelief.

"I won't allow you to kill Tazuna. He's a good man with a noble dream. The bridge he is building is the hope for this land and its entire people. You're like a disease by infecting one you infect all and you don't even care. That is not the way of shinobi."

"That's right I don't care! Why should I care these pathetic people and their stupid little dreams? Why should they matter to me? I have a dream of my own."

"Yes but to have a dream you need to have a future and you don't. Your future is all used up Zabuza."

"Go on. Why do you hesitate? Kill me." Haku begged Naruto. Naruto shook his head while backing away and clenched his fists.

"That's the craziest thing I have ever heard. I mean he treats you as a slave. You're a human being not some weapon he can toss aside whenever he wants. How can you care about someone like that?" Haku didn't talk for a moment and kept his eyes looking down.

"It's for that very reason. Does it seem that strange to you?" Haku asked.

"Well yeah. A little." Naruto responded.

"Zabuza had given me reason and purpose when he found me but now it is gone. So stop hesitating and kill me. Show me the mighty warrior you wanted to become." Haku taunted at him.

"Do you really believe that that's all there is; fighting and killing until the last man is standing? There is much more to being shinobi than that. And there are other ways to show your strength than beating someone in battle." For a moment both were silent as Haku finally looked Naruto in the eyes with than exhaustion and defeat. He held a sense of satisfaction and content.

"I had a feeling about you ever since we met in the woods. We're a lot alike. I'm sure you understand what I mean. I'm just sorry that it is your hands that must be tainted by my unworthy blood." Haku had been ready for this moment for a long time now and he is ready to face what must come. Naruto was still torn about doing this even though Sasuke and Akina were lying on the ground behind him. He understood Haku's struggles by his own and the feelings he felt.

"You're sure about this? You're positive that this is the only way?" Naruto asked with uncertainty.

"Yes." Naruto looked away from him as he pulled a kunai out of his holster.

"It's strange to think that if we had met at another time and place that maybe we could have been friends." Naruto used his rage and sadness he still felt to propel him forward.

'Yes Naruto. Hold on tight to your dreams.' Haku thought as he watched Naruto run towards him before closing his eyes.

"This is for Sasuke and Akina because they also had dreams!" Naruto yelled out, mostly to reassure what he was doing.

'Thank you Naruto.'

"Finally I think this damn fog is lifting." Tazuna remarked.

"Look they're standing still like they're squaring off." Sakura observed and in the distance there were two shadowy figures standing across from each other.

"I still can't see a damn thing." Tazuna said squinting to see who was who.

"Now which one of them is Kakashi-sensei? Wait! One of them is moving." One of the shadow figures moved toward the other figure who was standing completely still.

Haku stood still waiting for the pain of Naruto's kunai when he felt that something was wrong.

'Zabuza!'

Naruto was about to stab him when Haku grabbed his wrist, stopping his attack.

"I'm sorry Naruto but there's been a change in plan." Haku began to perform hand signs using his one free hand.

"Wait! What's going on?" Naruto yelled utterly confused.

"I'm not ready to die yet." Haku said before he disappeared before Naruto's eyes.

Zabuza watched as Kakashi ran towards him, the lightning in his hand sizzling with energy and for the first time Zabuza feared this was the end for him.

'Is this really the end?'

Kakashi raised his lightning blade and striked. He could feel his hand penetrate through the warm cavity of the heart, the blade going through and out the back. Blood immediately rushed out and splattered everything; the ground Kakashi, and the ice mirror. Neither Kakashi nor Zabuza could believe what they were seeing right in front of them. Kakashi was looking straight into the eyes of Haku with his hand penetrating his heart instead of Zabuza's. The dogs that were clamped tightly onto Zabuza disappeared in puffs of smoke, the scroll lying nearby penetrated by Senbon needles. When the Kakashi's attack died down Haku lowered his head and closed his eyes from the pain. His hand clamped onto Kakashi's arm, which was inside of him, like a vice. Kakashi thought he was going to break it. Naruto looked around for Haku and saw three figures not far from him. When he ran towards them he stopped and couldn't believe the sight he was seeing.

"Z-Za..b-bu..za" With his last breath Haku held strong onto Kakashi and allowed death to take him.

"So my future is all used up, huh Kakashi? Looks like you're wrong again. I knew I found a treasure when I found you boy!" Zabuza reached for his sword and brought it around to slice both Kakashi and Haku.

'He'd cut right through the boy to take me down?' Kakashi quickly pulled Haku into his arms and back flipped out of the way of Zabuza's attack.

"Not bad for having a corpse in your arms Kakashi." Zabuza taunted without a care that that corpse belonged to his long-time companion. Kakashi ignored him and gently laid Haku's body on the ground as if he was a sleeping child being put to bed. Haku's eyes were wide open but they were glazed over from death. Kakashi did the respectful thing and closed them gently truly revealing how innocent Haku appeared to be.

"You'll pay for that!" Naruto yelled running towards Zabuza.

"No Naruto! This is my fight I'll deal with him." Kakashi said with a hard edge in his voice. Naruto stopped but his anger was still there in his eyes.

"Hey Naruto over here! You guys are all right. Hey what's wrong? Where is Sasuke and Akina anyway!?" Sakura yelled out to Naruto. Naruto was shocked, because he forgot about for a second, and then a tidal wave and guilt and sadness forced him to cringe and look away from her. He couldn't bear to tell her that they were both gone but it seems his reaction gave her his answer instead.

"N-no. It can't be." Sakura whispered. Kakashi had been listening as well and the feelings of guilt and anger washed over him. He was angry with himself for not better protecting the students he had vowed to protect with his life.

"Kakashi! I'd stay focus if I were you." Zabuza yelled as he ran towards him, his sword positioned to strike. Kakashi countered by balancing his weight on his hands and kicked Zabuza in his jaw.

"Let me take you to them Sakura. As long as we stay together you won't be disobeying your sensei's orders." Tazuna said, wanting to give some comfort to this girl.

"T-Thank you Mr. T-Tazuna." Sakura said, her voice trembling. She slipped her hand into Tazuna's and ran past the battle between Kakashi and Zabuza. Both of them past Naruto, who didn't raise his head to look at Sakura, and kept running. Naruto wanted to follow her and give her comfort but he couldn't look at the bodies of his teammates.

As Sakura approached the site she stopped a foot away from them and let out a sob. In the leaf village they hardly saw acts of violence or death and to see her comrades look like this brought Sakura to her knees. Tazuna looked away from the tragic site of young life being taken away too soon. Sakura reached for both Sasuke's and Akina's hand and held them tightly in hers.

"Their hands are so cold. This isn't one of his genjutsu tricks."

"It's ok Sakura. There is no need to be brave in front of me. Go ahead and let your feelings go."

"I was the best. I aced every test at the academy. I was the perfect student. Did you know there are more than 100 principles of shinobi conduct? I memorized all of them. I used to love it when they tested us on them because it gave me a chance to prove how smart I was to everyone. I remember this one exam where they asked us to explain the 25th principle and I got it right of course. A shinobi never shows his feelings no matter what the circumstance is. Feelings are a weakness that only cloud your judgment and sense of duty." The dam of feelings Sakura had holding the entire time she spoke burst open and her cries filled the silence of the mist. Her tears rushing down her face and onto the hands of her teammates She cried out for the boy she wanted to give her heart and soul to and the teammate she had just started to bond with.

'To put such an immense burden on a young girl's shoulders. If that's the shinobi way you can have it.' Tazuna thought as tears spilled from his eyes. As Sakura's wails reached Naruto's ears he clutched his chest and tried not to fall on his knees and cry with her.

The loss of his students renewed Kakashi's strength as he easily beat Zabuza around and rendered his left arm useless. Zabuza was kneeling down on his left knee, panting hard, and his right arm was barely able to hold up his sword.

'Why? Why can't I keep up with him?' Zabuza thought angered that he was brought to such a state. Kakashi stood across from him standing tall with an air of calmness and he wasn't exhausted as he should have been. Zabuza let out a cry of frustration and ran towards Kakashi to strike him. Kakashi calmly stood there and closed his eyes. When Zabuza came close enough Kakashi raised his fist and backhanded Zabuza across the face. Zabuza gasped out in pain as he was pushed back his sword scraping against the ground like nails on a chalkboard.

"I'll split you in half!" Zabuza yelled out in rage. He swung his sword at Kakashi, who easily dodged the attack, and tried to attack him again but Kakashi disappeared. Zabuza froze when he felt a hand grip the back of his neck.

"Look at you you're falling a part. I knew you didn't have what it takes for the long haul."

"What did you say?"

"You have no idea what real strength is." Kakashi spun two kunai around his fingers before grasping them firmly in his hand.

"Game over Zabuza you lose." Kakashi aimed his kunai straight at Zabuza's last working arm. Zabuza saw what Kakashi was doing and tried to stop him by twisting his sword around to attack him. But Zabuza reacted too slowly. Both kunai tore into his arm forcing him to lose his grip on his sword. Kakashi dodged the sword as it skidded away from them on the ground.

"Now both of your arms are useless you can't even make hand signs. What now Zabuza?" Kakashi remarked at him.

The sound of footsteps cut Zabuza off anything Zabuza was about to say. At the uncompleted end of the bridge stood a small man in business suit with both of his hands resting on a cane.

"Looks like he did quite a number on you eh, Zabuza. You look like yesterday's sashimi. I have to say I'm disappointed." Behind the small man a few dozen thugs, all prepared with weapons and evil intent in their eyes, laughed at his joke.

"Gato? What's the meaning of all this? Why are you here with these thugs?" Zabuza asked completely confused.

'So this guy is Gato?' Naruto thought, thinking he would be a little bigger.

"Well you see there has been a slight change of plan. The new plan is that you die right here on this bridge." Gato said with a dark smile.

"What did you say?" Zabuza asked with wide eyes and disbelief, turning his back to Kakashi.

"That's right. You're too expensive so I've decided to take you off the payroll. Even so these thugs that I brought with me did cost me a little something so if you can manage to slaughter a few of them I'd appreciate it. Think you handle this 'Demon of the Hidden Mist'? Ha you look about as demonic as a wet kitten." All of the thugs behind Gato laughed again and Zabuza wished he could his arms to strangle the life out of all of them.

'There's so many of them. How are we gonna handle them when we could barely handle one rogue ninja.' Naruto thought.

"Well, well Kakashi. It seems our battle is done. Since I am no longer in Gato's employment Tazuna is safe. We have no quarrel."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right." Kakashi said with slight apprehension, trying to analyze the best way to get rid of the thugs. Gato stepped forward and stopped in front of Haku's body.

"Oh yeah that reminds me. You nearly broke my arm you little punk and I've been meaning to repay you for that." Gato kicked Haku's face. Naruto gasped in shock and rage at the action.

"Too bad he wasn't alive to feel that." Gato said with no remorse while poking Haku's face with his cane.

"Get away! Get away from him you scum!" Naruto threatened Gato as he ran towards him. Kakashi quickly grabbed a hold of Naruto, before he could pass him, before he got himself killed.

"Stop it Naruto. Use your head." Naruto struggled out of Kakashi's hold and turned to Zabuza, who was still facing Gato.

"Well what about you Zabuza? Are you just going to stand there and let him do that?"

"Be quiet you fool. What does it matter Haku is dead?" There was no emotion in Zabuza's voice and he didn't feel anything at that moment.

"So you can just stand there and watch him get treated like a dog? You and Haku were together for years doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"You don't understand the way of shinobi. I simply used Haku just as Gato used me; his usefulness is over. The loss of his strength and skill meant something to me but the boy is nothing."

"If you really mean that then you're an even bigger rat than I thought!"

"Okay Naruto that's enough. He's not the enemy at the moment." Kakashi trying to diffuse the situation but Naruto continued on in his tirade.

"Shut up! As far as I'm concerned he's still enemy number one! You ungrateful monster. After everything he did for you Haku lived for you. You were the most important thing to him and yet he meant nothing to you at all. While he sacrificed everything he had for you he never asked for anything in return from you. If I became stronger does that mean I'll become as cold hearted as you are? He threw his life away from you and his dream. You never let him have a dream of his own but he didn't care. And you're just going to throw him away like some broken tool; that is just so wrong." Tears were rushing down Naruto's face hallway through his rant. The pity and sadness he felt towards Haku was too much since they both had so much in common.

"You talk too much kid." Naruto looked up at Zabuza and watched as tears fell from his eyes.

"Your words cut deep, deeper than any blade. While he fought you his heart was breaking in two. You see Haku was always too kind and too soft. He felt pain and sorrow and curse him I feel them too. But I feel content that this is the way it ends." Zabuza used his mouth to tear a part the bandages around his face. Everyone was silent as they looked at the face of the 'Demon Mist' ninja.

"Well cat got your tongue? Are you so surprised to find out that I'm human? Even shinobi are human no matter how hard we deny that fact we will always fail. Well at least I have failed. Boy, give me your kunai." Naruto was startled that Zabuza asked him for his kunai but he simply pulled a kunai from his holster.

"Here." Naruto tossed the kunai into the air and Zabuza caught it with his teeth. Images of his travels flashed through his mind as he raced towards Gato.

"Ah! Th-that's enough! Kill him now!" Gato ordered as he pushed his way back to the end of the bridge, where his boat was waiting. The crowd of thugs laughed with glee as they thought that Zabuza wouldn't be able to take any of them down in his condition.

"He's out of his mind. One against all of us? He's just asking to die." One of the men in the front commented but he fell down with his right side cut open a second later. Zabuza passed through them like water passing through two rocks, fast and dangerous. He sliced as many as he could and dodged many of their weapons. But he was greatly overpowered and he grunted in pain as he felt weapons embed themselves in his back. Gato stood at the edge of the bridge waiting for someone to tell him when Zabuza was dead. Gato screamed in fear when Zabuza broke through the last of them and ran straight to him.

"He's-s th-the devil!" Gato cried out. When Zabuza closed the distance he jabbed the kunai as far into Gato's chest as he could. Zabuza lost grip on the kunai, as more weapons were being thrusted into his body. Zabuza stumbled away from Gato but he still stood; Gato was grippingly his would tight, the kunai still inside of him, as blood spilled out of his mouth.

"If you're so eager to join your friend then go ahead but you're not taking me with you."

"Uh-uh. I won't be joining Haku where he has gone I can't follow." Gato jumped in fear as Zabuza looked at him and began to walk towards him. All of the thugs were paralyzed where they stood not wanting to die by the demonic ninja.

"S-stay back." He begged but Zabuza continued to walk to him until they were face-to-face and their noses were almost touching. Zabuza's eyes had a psychotic look in them and when he smiled Gato got a good view at his sharp teeth.

"No my friend it's the other place we're going to. You and me both Gato! I can't think of a more fitting destination for a demon ninja can you? I've heard there are all kinds of demons down there in all shapes and sizes. Oh yes I should fit right in but you on the other hand Gato. I fear you're in for a long and painful eternity!" Zabuza reached down and used his mouth to rip the kunai out of Gato's chest. Gato let out gargled gasps of pain as Zabuza stabbed him a few more times in his chest and finally ended it by slicing his throat. Gato's body tipped backwards and his body fell into the water below. Zabuza let the kunai fall to the ground as he turned around. The thugs all jumped away from him when he looked at them and they made a path for him back to Haku. Zabuza struggled to walk to Haku but the pain of the weapons was getting to him and his vision was getting very blurry. Halfway there his legs gave out on him and Zabuza fell on his knees, his eyes were still on Haku.

"Haku. So this is good-bye at last. Not once did I ever thank you Haku. Please forgive me for that." Zabuza said as he fell on his face. He swore that he saw Haku standing before him in one of his kimonos with a smile on his face. It was silent as everyone looked at Zabuza, the 'Demon of the Hidden Mist', lying on the ground defeated. Naruto turned his eyes away from the site but Kakashi stopped him.

"Don't look away. When you live your life like a warrior this is how it ends." Kakashi simply stared at the scene before him with no emotion in his eyes but underneath that mask he held a respect for the sword master.

Everything was so dark and his chest ached as if someone had punched him. His hand also felt very warm than the rest of his body and wet for some reason. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked a few times to adjust to the light. He looked at his hand and saw that Sakura was gripping it and crying her eyes out.

"S-Sakura let go o-of my hand." Sakura whipped her head to look at Sasuke's face to see if this wasn't a trick. When she saw his eyes looking at her in confusion and exhaustion she smiled and threw herself on his chest.

"Oh Sasuke! You're alive! Tazuna he's alive!" Sasuke grunted in pain at Sakura's weight on his chest and immediately tried to push her off.

"Sakura stop that hurts." Sakura quickly pulled back but she was still smiling as her tears became joyful. Tazuna looked at him in surprise and wiped a few tears away from his eyes with his tissue.

"Simply amazing." Sakura helped Sasuke sit up since he was struggling and wouldn't have asked her for her help. Sasuke rubbed his head as he tried to remember what happened before he blacked out.

'Akina!' Sasuke looked around him and his eyes stopped on Akina who was still in the same position he left her in. Sakura saw his gaze and immediately her joy was pushed aside by sadness. She didn't know what to say to ease the hurt she knows he must be feeling, seeing Akina like that when he was okay.

Sasuke used two fingers and pressed them to Akina's neck, ignoring her cold temperature, and tried to look for a pulse. His eyes hardened and Sakura was scared of what his reaction would be.

'This must remind him of his family.' Sakura thought with pity. Sasuke stayed still for a few moments before grabbing Akina's shoulder and roughly shaking it.

"Wake up Akina! Get the hell up now!" Sasuke yelled in her ear.

"Sasuke stop! What are you doing she's- Ah!" Sakura had reached out to stop Sasuke but she squealed in surprise when Akina's hand reached up and covered Sasuke's mouth. Tazuna also yelled put in surprise when Akina suddenly moved her hand. Sasuke immediately stopped as he watched her eyes gently open, only halfway, but it was enough for Sasuke to see that she wasn't gone.

"You're making my headache worse." Akina mumbled barely loud enough for them to heal. Her hand fell down from Sasuke's mouth and she closed her eyes again but Sasuke shook her again to make sure she wouldn't fall asleep on them.

"Oh Akina you're alive! Naruto! Sensei look they're both okay. Sasuke and Akina are alive!" Naruto and Kakashi whipped their heads to look and saw Sasuke and Sakura supporting Akina into a sitting position. Naruto had tears in his eyes again at the sight of teammates alive even though they weren't in the best of shape.

"I'm tired." Akina mumbled as she leaned against Sasuke for support and because her back was aching.

"You're not allowed to sleep with a head wound like that. You have to stay awake." Sasuke explained as he helped Sakura remove the needles from her back and then his body.

"But how?" Naruto but then he remembered what Zabuza said earlier.

'While he fought you his heart was breaking in two. You see Haku was always too kind and too soft.'

"Will wonders never cease? Amazing." Kakashi said happy that he didn't lose his students after all.

"Hey! Don't forget about us now." A thug called out, tapping his weapon on the ground. Everyone turned their heads to the rest group of lowlifes they had, momentarily, forgot about.

"Yeah now that Gato is gone who's gonna pay us?" Another asked with murmurs of agreement from others.

"There's no way we're leaving this place empty-handed so I guess we'll just have to hit up that village and see what they got Who's with me?" The rest of them yelled out their agreement and what they planned to do when they reached the village.

"This isn't good." Kakashi said as he tried to think of something he could do.

"Come one Kakashi-sensei you got to have something up your sleeve to beat this bunch of losers." Naruto hoped as he turned to Kakashi.

"I used up to much of my chakra already. I have nothing right now."

"Lets get them boys!" Shouted the guy who spoke up the first time. All of them ran towards the group of ninja with their weapons raised but an arrow appeared from the sky and landed in front of the large group. Everyone turned around towards the area where the arrow came and was met with a good site. All of the men from the village, including Tsunami, had gathered with farming and construction tools as weapons with looks of determination on their faces. Inari stood proudly in front holding a crossbow with a helmet on his head.

"There's one thing you're forgetting about. Before you step one foot in our village you have to go through us!" Shouted the man Akina and Sakura recognized as Giichi. All of the men roared in agreement and the sight of his people gathered together with the spirit of fight, the same one Kaiza had, it brought so much joy to Tazuna's heart.

"They've all come. The whole village."

"Hey Inari!" Naruto called out with happiness.

"Heroes usually show up at the last minute you know!" Inari said with such confidence and happiness the group had never seen before. The group of thugs started to look worried and scared as they compared the number of villagers to their own.

'There's no way I'm missing out on all the fun!' Naruto thought as he performed his usual hand sign.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Despite his low chakra Naruto was able to make four clones of himself.

"I think I have enough chakra to help you out. " Kakashi said as he performed the same hand sign.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu! Kakashi Style!" About 30 clones of Kakashi appeared and the group of thugs backed away with fear.

"Okay still want to fight?" All of Kakashi's clones asked. All of the thugs ran to Gato's boat while screaming 'No!' or 'No thanks!' They were scrambling over each other to get back on the boat and some even fell into the water.

"Victory!" Inari screamed out and all of the villagers yelled in triumph. As the crowd continued to cheer Kakashi walked over to Zabuza and saw that he was still alive.

"Sounds like it's over." Zabuza said but his voice was weak.

"Yeah it is." Kakashi answered.

"Kakashi can you do me a favor? I want to see him one last time, before I go." Zabuza asked looking into his eyes. Kakashi slid his headband back over his Sharingan and gave him a smile.

"Sure." The cheering died down as everyone watched as Kakashi pulled the weapons out of Zabuza's body and carried him over to Haku. As Kakashi carried him small white flurries fell from the sky.

"It's impossible." One of the villagers said.

"Snow at this time of year?" Said another.

'Is that you Haku? Are you weeping?' Zabuza thought as he stared at the snow falling. Kakashi gently set Zabuza down next to Haku.

"Thank you Kakashi." Kakashi didn't respond as he walked back to stand next to Naruto.

"You have always been by my side. The least I can do is be by yours at the end." Zabuza said as he struggled to lift his arm up to Haku's face. He placed his hand on the side of Haku's face, remembering all of the years they had been together.

"I know it cannot be but I wish I could follow you to where you have gone. How I wish I could join you there Haku." Zabuza stopped breathing and hoped that the gods would hear his plea and have mercy on him.

"He told that where he came from it was snowing all of the time." Naruto said as he wiped the tears from his face.

"Of course his spirit was as pure as the snow." Kakashi remarked and it seemed fitting.

"You never know Zabuza maybe you will join him there. Who's to say?"

3 days later…

Team 7 stood in front of two graves, which overlooked the small village below, as the sun began to rise. Zabuza's sword rested against his marker and Haku's sash was wrapped around his. Both markers had flower wreaths Sakura had made that symbolized peace. In the three days since the battle everyone had made a full recovery even though it should have taken Akina a little bit longer for her head to heal.

"Is this it Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked while kneeling in front of the graves.

"What do you mean?"

"Is this the way of the ninja; to use and be used like tools?"

"All shinobi are tools in the hands of destiny. There's no point in wondering if it's right or wrong it just is. It's the same in the Village Hidden in the Leaves."

"Well if you ask me if that's what being a ninja is all about then something's out of order. Is that the reason we go through all of this training to end up like them?" Naruto said turning away from the graves.

"What's the reason for that?" Sasuke asked. Akina didn't have anything to say on this subject because she knew there would never be a justified answer for what they are and what they do.

"Hm. Well, it's a question without an answer and we ninja have to deal with that everyday of our lives. Like Zabuza and the kid." Everyone was silent for a few minutes before Naruto spoke up.

"Okay I've made a decision."

"A decision about what?" Akina asked for all of them.

"From now on I'm gonna find my own ninja way. One that is straight and true without any regrets. From now on I'm following the way of Naruto!" Akina wasn't shocked to hear this coming from him and she laughed with everyone else at Naruto's unwavering optimism for his future.

Later that morning…

Team 7 and the whole village gathered at the completed bridge that will bring much needed assistance to this land.

"We could never have finished the bridge without you. We can't tell you how much we're going to miss you." Tazuna said.

"Please be careful on your way home." Tsunami said with her motherly tone.

"Thank you for everything." Kakashi said.

"Now don't you get all choked up. We'll be back to visit you soon." Naruto said but Inari started to get tears in his eyes.

"You swear you will?" Inari asked trying to hold back his tears that only made Naruto try to hide his.

"You know Inari it's ok to cry if you want. There's nothing wrong with that go for it." Akina was standing next to Naruto and was trying hard not to laugh at their silliness.

"Who said I wanted to cry? If there's nothing wrong then why don't you go ahead and cry?"

"Now you first." Naruto and Inari stared into each other's eyes, waiting for the other to cry first, until Naruto turned around and said, "Forget it!" Both boys cried and Akina couldn't help but smile at them.

'Boys are so pathetic.' Sakura thought unamused. The villagers watched as Team & said their last goodbyes and headed across the bridge.

"It was all his doing. That boy made you stronger Inari and you in turn made us stronger. It was thanks to that boy we were able to build a bridge to a world we have never known. A place where we found our courage. A place where we found our dreams." Tazuna said with respect for the boy he had considered stupid and useless when he first met him.

"Speaking of the bridge shouldn't we name it?" Said Giichi.

"Yes of course. We'll call it 'The Great Naruto Bridge'." This made Tsunami laugh.

"That's a very good name." She said.

"Ah I can't wait to head back to the village and have Iruka buy me some Ichiraku Ramen. Akina you should come too! And just wait to tell Konohamaru about all of my adventures, the kid is going to worship me!" Naruto yelled out.

"Hey Sasuke wanna hang out together when we get back to the village." Sakura asked.

"I don't think so but thanks." He replied.

"Oh okay." Sakura mumbled with rejection.

"Hey Sakura when we get back maybe we can hang out together instead?" Naruto asked desperately.

"What! That was a private conversation Naruto beat it!" Sakura grabbed Naruto by the collar and threw him far away from her.

"Hey sensei how many years are we going be a team together?" Akina asked and Kakashi looked at her with amusement in his eye.

"Who's to say Akina? We could be together for a looong time."

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that." Which only made him laugh.

Yes! It is the end of this arc. As always please let me know what you like/dislike and if anything seems to flow wrong I apologize because I try to incorporate new things while trying to keep the story straight. Have a good day! Also next chapter I will probably start from Akina's POV but I will see how that goes.