Declaimer: I own nothing in this fanfic, but my created characters they abilities and Jutsu and that is about all I own "Goes to corner and starts crying"
Writing: Italic: thought, Bold: Bijuu or summoning speaking.
"I suppose it is only to be expected. You have my pity. There is no such thing as "truth" or "lies" in this world; there never has been. There is only plain, hard facts. And yet, all beings who exist in this world take only those "facts" that are convenient to them, and take them to be the "truth". They do so because they know no other way to live. However, for those powerless beings that make up the majority of this world it is those "facts" that are inconvenient for their own self-affirmation that make up the real "truth." - Aizen Sousuke
"Why do I have to fight with such a strong guy? I envied the weak ones. The souls of everyone in our group of friends wasted away and disappeared just from being around us. From loneliness we divided our soul in two. We don't know which was the original, or maybe it was neither of us. It's just that there was no other way to escape from the loneliness. I envied the weak ones. If you're weak, then you can gather in as large a group as you want. I want to become weak and if that's not possible, then I at least want to make friends that are as strong as me." - starrk (bleach)
Before, you all begin I have one thing to share with you... Haku is a girl in this fic.
Everyone was sitting on the small boat, but all eyes were on Kakashi. Ever since Doukaku revealed himself to be Naruto Uzumaki he hadn't said a word to anyone. Kurenai also couldn't help, but feel worried for the leader of Team 7. Kurenai of course knew why Kakashi was acting the way he was. Ever since Naruto's disappearance he never quite forgave himself and now he had to watch Naruto disappear once more. Kurenai couldn't help, but think back to Naruto's reappearance.
XXX
Flashback
Everyone stared up at the blond boy with whisker marks on his face and silted blue eyes with shock. Kakashi took an involuntary step forward as he stared up at his sensei's son. Naruto continued to smile as he lend against Suigetsu for support. "I can't wait for us to meet once again," Naruto and Suigetsu turned to leave when someone yelled out for him to stop. Naruto turned to see the source of the voice; Kakashi. Naruto tilted his head to the side in confusion as Kakashi continued to stare up at him. "Yes, what do you need?"
"Are you really Naruto?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Last time I checked I was," Naruto answered back smartly. "Why do you want to know?" Kakashi, even with his mask, everyone could tell he was smiling ear to ear.
"You look exactly like him," This statement shocked everyone as Kakashi looked at Naruto with a lone tear shining in his eye. "You look exactly like your father." Naruto's eyes went wide for a second before he relaxed and smiled down at Kakashi.
"Now I remember why your name sounded familiar," Naruto stated plainly confusing Kakashi. "My father was your squad's sensei." To say Kakashi was shocked would be an understatement. Everyone was sharing looks of confusion as the two had their conversation. The only one not out of the loop was Kurenai. "You look distressed Kakashi." Kakashi snapped out of his stupor and saw Naruto still smiling down at him.
"I'm just wondering how you knew that," Kakashi stated with a sad face, but still had a smile on it.
Naruto chuckled as water began to surround Suigetsu and him. "That is a tale for another time," Kakashi cursed realizing what Naruto and Suigetsu were about to do. "Farewell, for now Kakashi Hatake." Kakashi reached the branch Naruto and Suigetsu were sitting on a second after they vanished leaving behind a grief stricken Kakashi and confused Genin.
XXX
"Kakashi-sensei," Kakashi looked up into the worried face of Sakura. "Are you feeling okay?" Kakashi just eye smiled at his student as he laid his back into the boat and closed his eye. Sakura looked back at the others and saw they also had the same worried expressions. Kurenai waved Sakura back to her seat as she scooted over to Kakashi.
"You need to snap out of it," Kurenai cautioned with a calm, but firm tone. "I know that it must hurt, but you have to get over it for your team's sake." Kakashi opened his eye a little and leveled it with her eyes. Kakashi chuckled as he crossed his arms and looked out towards the water.
"I know," Kakashi finally said with a sad tone in his voice. "But it's disappointing to know that he slipped out of my hands twice now." Kurenai placed a reassuring hand on the Jonin's shoulder. Kakashi looked at her and gave her an eye smile as he stood up. Kakashi looked at everyone on the boat as they stared up at him. "You all did well." The squads gave each other a look of pure confusion as Kakashi continued. "You all tried to preserve the mission, but you also didn't abandon you team." Kakashi turned his eye toward his team and smiled under his mask. "Some of you already know how I feel about people who abandon your team for the sake of the mission." Tazuna listened as Kakashi continued his speech and what they were going to do once they reached Tazuna's home. They hit land just as Kakashi finished allowing the teams to get their first glimpse of Tazuna's village. Everyone stared around in shock at what they saw. Buildings were in near ruin, people looked more like they were about to collapse, but the most striking thing was everyone had small smiles on their faces. The teams stepped on the island and looked around at everything.
"Why are they so happy?"
Tazuna walked past Sakura as he smiled at his village. "Because everyone here has hope," Tazuna explained with the same smile on his face as everyone else. "This is our home and no matter how it looks it will always be our home." Tazuna began to lead the team to his home, but as they neared the house a strange smell filled the air. The teams all ran towards the home expecting to find it burning down. What they saw instead surprised them even more. A calm fire was outside roasting tiny pieces of meat. "That's odd." Tazuna looked around as he approached his home, only for the door to open and reveal woman wearing an apron.
"Father your back," The woman shouted wrapping her arms around the old man's neck. "You're just in time for dinner." Tsunami announced as she turned the meat a little.
"How did you know I was coming back today?"
Tsunami smiled as she turned back to the cooking meat. "I just had a hunch," Tsunami continued to turn the meat with a smile on her face. "So who are our guests?" Tazuna began to introduce the Konoha squads. Almost everyone gave a nod of their heads, except for Sasuke who only grunted. "Well, if everyone takes a seat inside I'll get the food ready." Everyone left to the house leaving Tsunami to fix the meal. The group sat down and saw a small boy enter the room with a gloom expression on his face.
"This is my grandchild, Inari." Tazuna gave the boy a light pat on his back earning him a small smile. Everyone smiled at the small child, but all he did was give each of them a small glare and a frown to go with it. "Inari, what is it?"
"They are all going to die."
The boy turned and left the room with that disturbing message leaving everyone speechless. Tazuna began to sputter out apologies for his grandchild's words. "What's wrong with him," Kakashi finally asked?
"He lost his step-father," Everyone turned and saw a sad looking Tsunami. "Gato doesn't like heroes; he hates anything that gives us hope." Tsunami sat the plate of meat on the table, but nobody went to get any. "Gato made an example out of Kaiza, but even though he was in pain and about to die he never stopped smiling." Tsunami wiped a tear out of her eye as she looked at the Konoha group in front of her. "This bridge is our only hope; if Gato stops its construction then our village will die."
"That won't happen," Kakashi announced as he stood up. "We will make sure the bridge is finished." Tazuna watched as all the ninja all nodded their heads with smiles on their faces. Kurenai looked at Kakashi with confusion on her face. "I know our mission was to escort you, but I don't think the Hokage will mind if we stay a day or two." Tazuna jumped too his feet in a flash with tears in his eyes.
"I won't rest until this bridge is built," Tazuna proclaimed with gusto. "It will be built to a glorious form." Tsunami smiled at her father's happiness, but hiding in the shadows Inari sat with tears in his eyes.
XXX
Kakashi lead the Konoha Genin outside to the tree line. "Okay until the bridge is finished you guys are going to train," Kakashi looked at everyone seeing he had their attention. "Your first exercise is to climb these trees, but without the use of your hands." Everyone began to protest; except for Hinata who realized what they were about to do.
"And how exactly do you plan we do that," Came Kiba's irritated voice which earned him a smack by Kurenai?
Kakashi sighed as he walked towards the tree behind him. Kakashi stopped long enough to add the chakra to his feet and begin his trek up the tree. Most of the Genin looked at Kakashi in shock as he stood upside down "smiling" down at them. "Now, with that," Kakashi released his chakra and fell to the ground, only to spin at the last second on land on his feet. "I want you all to pick a tree and try to walk up it using only your chakra. Oh, and one more thing mark the place you reached before you fall with a kunai." Everyone nodded and began to try the exercise. Right from the start Kakashi watched as almost everyone fell to the ground or cracked the bark of the tree. Kakashi shook his head, but noticed three of the Genin were gone.
"Kakashi is this good enough," Kakashi looked up and saw looking down at everyone was Hinata, below her was Sakura, and then third was Sai. Kakashi had to admit he knew Hinata would've done fine with the exercise, but the two that surprised him was Sakura and Sai. All the other Genin were left with mixed emotions, some were happy for the three, but others were left with a jealous feeling. "Do you want us to continue Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura let out a sigh as she collapsed on the branch she was sitting on. Kakashi chuckled as he waved for the three to come down.
"No, you three have done enough today."
"So what do you want us to do," Sai questioned as he pulled out a drawing book?
"Well, first we are going to help Tazuna pick up some stuff needed for the bridge," Kakashi stated as he crossed his arms as he had a thoughtful look on his face. "Then, you are going to return here to help the ones who need improvement." The three nodded their heads and followed the Jonin towards the house.
XXX
Tazuna left the store with the needed supplies as he nodded towards Kakashi. Kakashi moved his head a little and Sakura, Hinata, and Sai all joined up with him. Hinata was walking next to Kakashi when she ran into a pretty girl in a kimono. "I'm sorry," Hinata looked up and saw the girl was just smiling at her.
"No problem at all," She left with that carrying a wicker basket. Kakashi's lone eye narrowed as the girl went past. Tazuna also had a confused look on his face, but he just continued to walk.
"Something tells me we're going have some problems," Kakashi thought as he continued to walk with the Genin.
XXX
Haku continued on to the forest, but gave little looks back. "I didn't think I would see them," Haku mumbled to herself as she continued on to her destination. Haku smiled as she found what she was looking for. She bent down and began to pick the herbs up, but never heard the approaching shadows. Haku stiffened as she felt someone grab her by the shoulders.
"You need to be more aware of your surroundings," The voice whispered into her ear as the person released her. She watched as the two moved in front of her. "So how is Zabuza?" Haku gently grabbed the senbon hiding in her kimono as her eyes narrowed. The figure lifted his hands in a submissive gesture as he took of his hood. Haku's eyes widened as she looked at Naruto. "I take it Zabuza told you about me." Naruto reached down and picked a green plant that had bluish spots on it. Naruto gently folded the plant as he wrapped it up. "Give him a couple of these." Naruto handed her the plant, but she refused to touch it. Naruto gave a smile that remained Haku of a fox sizing up its prey. "Look, why would I hurt Zabuza. Unlike, most people who would want him dead; I actually want to fight him again." Haku kept her eyes on the boy as she gently took the plant away from him. Naruto continued to smile as he stood up to his full height. "Now, be sure to give Zabuza my best." Naruto turned away from Haku and walked off with Suigetsu right behind him.
"Are you sure it's wise having Zabuza back to full strength?" Naruto just smiled even bigger as he walked back into the forest leaving Haku behind.
XXX
Zabuza opened his eyes as Haku walked in with a weary smile. "How are you Zabuza-sama," Haku questioned?
"How do you think I am," Zabuza answered back harshly? "I feel like my body is melting, my muscles hurt, and I can barely see." Haku nodded her head solemnly as she pulled out the bowl holding the crushed herbs including the herb Naruto gave her. Zabuza looked at the green liquid causing him too squirm a little as the foul smell hit his nose. "What is that?"
Haku smiled at Zabuza's worried expression. "It's going to make you better," Haku reassured her smile still on her face. "Trust me." Zabuza narrowed his eyes at Haku, but gently sipped the liquid until he drained it all. Zabuza allowed his back to rest on the bed with his eyes closed. Haku sat on the chair just as the door opened to reveal Gato flanked by two bodyguards. Gato strolled in the room ignoring the glares he was receiving from Haku.
"So it was true," Gato stated with a disgusted tone in his voice. "Gekizai, the demon brothers, and the great Zabuza were defeated by mere children." Gato made a move to touch Zabuza, but found his wrist in a bone crunching grip of Haku. Gato looked up at he girl only to see two icy pits staring right back at him.
"Scum like you don't deserve to touch him," Haku growled this out with almost a death threat in every word. Gato tried to wench his arm free, but only got Haku to increase her grip until she heard a bone crack. The guards decided to act on that moment, but before they could even draw their blades, they found senbon being placed against their necks. "I would really rethink that idea if you want to live." The two gently released their swords as they placed their hands to their sides.
"Enough!" Haku looked at the sound of the voice to find Gato standing back up with a sneer on his face. "When Zabuza is awake tell him that I expect the bridge-builder dead before this week is up!" Gato turned to the door and left with his bodyguards. Haku continued to glare at the door as she turned around to see Zabuza loosen his grip on his kunai. Haku smiled as she sat down next to him and waited to see if he improved.
XXX
Itachi sat on the dock over looking a lake with zero emotion in his eyes. Footsteps brought Itachi back to the waking world as he turned to see his partner; Kisame grinning down at him. "What are you doing here," Kisame questioned, but Itachi simply turned his gaze back to the water? Kisame sighed as he sat down on the dock as well still grinning.
"What do you want?"
Kisame let out a laugh as he stretched. "I don't want anything," This got Itachi's attention. "Our grand leader wants to talk too the both of us." Itachi nodded solemnly already knowing what it was about. Itachi stood up along with Kisame as they made the trek back to the hideout. The two entered the darkened cave with only a faint glow guiding them. As they entered the spacious opening a ghostly image greeted them. Itachi gave a slight tilt of his head, but Kisame just continued to smile.
"Zetsu has located the Kyubi's Jinchuriki," Pein announced as he looked at the two. "He is in Nami no Kuni." Itachi and Kisame nodded their heads as they walked out of the cave leaving the image to fade into nothing. Kisame was all smiles even when the ground began to move up. Itachi narrowed his eyes as Zetsu made his appearance.
"I'm here to give you a fair warning."
Kisame brushed past the plant man with a bloodlust flowing through his eyes. "I don't care," Kisame spoke. "I just want to fight this punk and get it over with." Kisame walked off leaving Itachi alone with the plant.
"What is it," Itachi asked with a slight irritated tone in his voice? "I have other things too do then talk to you."
"Yes, well I thought you would like to know this," Zetsu paused waiting to see Itachi's reaction, but getting nothing from the stoic Uchiha. "I felt your brother's chakra as well." Itachi's eyes barely lifted, but for the most part he didn't move. Zetsu gave a nod of his head as he began to sink underground. "I thought you would like to know." Itachi glared at the plant as he vanished. Itachi looked towards his partner only to see him waiting impatiently.
XXX
Kakashi smiled as he saw everyone begin to get a better grip on their chakra control. Shino being from the Aburame clan didn't have much chakra to spare, because of their special relationship. Sasuke was steadily getting better and better with each try. Kiba was right below Sasuke, but wasn't any closer in closing the gap between them. Kakashi let the teams continue for a couple more hours; before allowing them to walk to the house to rest. Kurenai walked towards Kakashi with a smile on her face. "Today has been very productive," Kakashi nodded his head in agreement.
"I've been meaning to ask this for awhile," Kurenai gave Kakashi a confused glance as he smiled at her. "How are you and Asuma doing?" Kurenai couldn't stop the blush on her face from showing up as Kakashi vanished with a chuckle. Kakashi appeared in front of the house and entered without any further delay. As Kakashi entered the home he saw everyone looking at a bingo book. "What's going on?" Hinata picked the book up and offered Kakashi the book. Kakashi took the book from Hinata and looked at the page. Kakashi's lone eye widened as he read a page on Naruto's alias; Doukaku. "C-Rank, wanted for assisting the escape of Kinkaku and Ginkaku from Kumogakure forces, futon user, approach with caution." Kakashi stopped reading after that, not quite believing what he just read. Kumo was making Naruto out to be a monster without self-resistant. Kakashi closed the book and dropped it to the ground. Everyone watched as the sliver haired ninja left them.
XXX
Kakashi was sitting on the hill looking at a picture of his team, but mostly at Minato. Kakashi was feeling many different emotions, but mostly guilt. "I'm sorry sensei," Kakashi managed to croak out as a tear fell out of his eye. "I failed to protect Naruto and now he is-." Kakashi stopped not being able to finish the sentence. Kakashi sat there until a giant shadow fell over him. Kakashi turned around to see everyone staring at him. Kakashi sighed as he stood up putting the photo away. "I know I've been distraught during the past couple of days, but-." Kakashi stopped as everyone grabbed a part of his body and dragged him back to the house.
"You need to rest," Kurenai answered bluntly leaving no room for argument. Kakashi looked at everyone's face and saw smiles. Kakashi chuckled slightly.
"I've been an idiot," This caused everyone to stop. "I shouldn't be feeling bad about what I couldn't do. I should be focused on what I can do." Kakashi looked at his team and Kurenai's team with his trademark eye smile. "And one of those things is bringing Naruto back to Konoha, before Kumo can get him." Everyone nodded their heads happy to have Kakashi back to normal again. The group made their way towards the house for rest for whatever was waiting for them tomorrow.
XXX
Naruto nodded his head from his spot on the tree above where Kakashi was. Naruto was about to make his way down when Suigetsu appeared next too him. "Is everything ready?" Naruto didn't bother looking at Suigetsu, but was still smiling.
"Yes," Suigetsu stated with certainty in his voice. "The tags have been set up exactly where you told me to place them." Naruto nodded his head as he stood up and jumped down from the tree. "But what if Zabuza attacks them somewhere else?" Naruto chuckled at Suigetsu's comment.
"Because the bridge is the perfect place to attack," Naruto finished with a gleam in his blue eyes. "Besides where else can you get an ocean view?" This statement caused the two to laugh as they walked away to get ready for the battle ahead.
Well, this is not my usually forte, but I wanted to focus on Kakashi's feeling about losing Naruto and then realizing Naruto was wanted by someone else. Anyway I think it turned out pretty well. Oh, and I know Naruto does seem to be a little bit more cunning and manipulative, but you have to think he's lived with Kinkaku and Ginkaku. So some of those traits where bound to rub off on him. One more thing guys what would you like Naruto to have the toad summoning contract or something different, and if so what would you like. What is next is the battle on the bridge.