A/N: Our story continues! I know I've made Naruto wimpy. My excuse against the Demon Brothers, well if a self-confident Naruto froze in that fight, why wouldn't a shy Naruto? Every other time, well I guess I got carried away. My bad. (Thanks Louis Romero for bringing that to my attention) Don't worry, he'll be kicking butt very soon. Don't forget to review and tell your friends.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 7 Not Gonna Run Away

"I wish to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."

Hiashi face remained stoic as ever. But on the inside, he was quite surprised. In fact, this was the last thing he expected. "I was unaware of such a close relationship you and my daughter." His voice remained emotionless, hiding his shock as well as any desire to either accept or decline.

'Ok, here comes the hard part.' Sasuke thought. "Unfortunatly, I haven't had the pleasure as of yet. However, I believe such a union would be favorable to both our clans."

"Really? Please explain."

"The feud between our clans has gone on for generations. However, fate has given us a chance to fix that. Despite how atrocious the actions of Itachi in murdering the entire Uchiha Clan..." Sasuke stopped in order to mantain his composure as he thought back to that night. Hiashi saw the anger in the boy and could not fault him for it. After all, the Hyūga Head still felt the pain of losing his wife and twin brother. Sasuke lost his entire family, and at the hands of his own brother. Sasuke took a another moment to suppress his hate as he continued. "As I was saying, Itachi's crimes have given me the chance to fix the Uchiha Clan's mistakes. Specifically with the Hyūga."

"Oh? And what mistake would that be?"

Swallowing his pride, Sasuke replied, "We Uchiha considered ourselves superior to your clan because of our Sharingan. Unlike my ancestors, however, I am not blind to the power of the Byakugan. In fact, I'd say it rivals that of the Sharingan. If our two clans had cooperated, I dare say we'd be more feared than the Ino-Shika-Cho."

Once again, the Last Uchiha managed to shock Hiashi. Never in his wildest dream did he ever think he'd hear an Uchiha acknoledge another kekkei genkei, especially the Byakugan. And he could not argue that the combined strenght of both the Uchiha and the Hyūga would be unmatched and held some appeal to him. 'I don't see any deception in him. Could he be serious?'

Of course Sasuke wasn't. It made him sick to his stomache, saying the Hyūga and their Byakugan were on par with the Uchiha and their Sharingan. Sure, he thought the Byakugan had its uses, otherwise he wouldn't bother with trying to get Hinata. However, 'There's no way their eyes could ever match the power of the Uchiha!' But he needed to convince the Hyūga that he thought otherwise, and once the Uchiha were reborn and stronger then ever, he'd cut ties with the Hyūga. Luckely, Sasuke was an expert at keeping a straight face, except when the subject of his brother came up. He gave no sign of his deception.

"And I'm sure people would love to hear how the Hyūga helped restore a near extinct clan like the Uchiha." Sasuke added, hoping to play on the Hyūga Clan's vanity.

"I'm guessing there's more to this than building close bonds between our two clans." Hiashi said. While he believed Sasuke's words, he thought there was more to this.

Sasuke was hesistent to answer, wanting to keep his theory a secret. However, Hiashi's uneasy gaze made him spill the beans. "I admit, I have a theory. It's possible that the child of a Hyūga and an Uchiha may result in a new kekkei genkai, one that combines the power of the Byakugan and the Sharingan."

"And if not?" Hiashi was also curious whether such a thing was possible. However, there was always a chance that the offspring of such a union would only carry one clan's eyes.

"If they possess the Byakugan, the Hyūga Clan would be given all rights on the child. Of couse, if a child inherited the Sharingan. All rights go to the Uchiha."

"And if your theory proves right?"

"Then the Hyūga and Uchiha Clans would both possess possibly the most powerful bloodline. Just to be clear, I don't intend to use your daughter merely to prove my theory. I truely possess feelings for your daughter."

Hiashi thought about this for a good while. The Uchiha boy showed no signs of deception in his eyes, and he did make some valid point. Helping the Uchiha would increase the Hyūga Clan's popularity around the village and perhaps attract some powerful allies. Plus Sasuke was held in high opinion in the village. And it would keep Hinata away from Naruto. As clan head, he'd be foolish to turn the boy down.

However...

"Sasuke Uchiha, while you do make many good points, I must decline your proposal. While I have no reason to doubt you, I'm afraid that my daughter does not share your feelings. Should this change and she agrees to such a union, I believe I would approve." 'As good as this sounds, I am a father. I cannot decide who my daughter marries. Though I have no intention of letting her stay with Uzumaki. So while I won't marry her off, I may have to take drastic measures.'

"I understand. Thank you for your time." The Last Uchiha bowed and left. Inside, Sasuke was furious. 'Damn it! I thought that would work! I'll figure some else out latter. I've wasted enough time. I need to focus on getting stronger so I can kill Itachi.'
-

Zabuza moved away from the young Uzumaki when Kurenai threw a kunai at him. As the rogue ninja moved to retrieve his sword, Kurenai yelled to her team. "Team 8, Manji formation! Protect the bridge builder! I'll deal with Zabuza."

As the team moved into formation, Kiba tried to argue. "Sensei, let us help."

"NO! This guy is nothing like those other two." Kurenai answered as Zabuza pulled his sword out of the tree. "He was a member of the Mist ANBU, and one the the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"You forgot a master of the silent killing," Zabuza added. "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu!" The mist rolled in and thickened until he was completely out of sight.

"W-where'd he go?" Naruto said nervously.

Naruto's question was answered when Zabuza appeared behind Tazuna, his large sword ready to end his life when a kunai was thrown by Kurenai and hit the swordsman right between the eyes. However, instead of blood, water flowed out of the wound. When the rest of the body turned liquid, Kurenai realised it was a water clone and turned around just in time to see Zabuza swing his sword horizontally.

Kurenai bent back to avoid being sliced in half by the large blade and kick up at the mist ninja's chin. As the swordsman reeled back from the impact, Kurenai started the handsigns for a genjutsu, but Zabuza recovered was on her before she could complete them, swinging his sword.

'He won't give me time to perform a genjutsu, so I'll have to use a quick ninjutsu.' Flipping back to get some space, she once again started another series of handsigns, shorter than the last. Finishing before Zabuza could stop her, she unleashed the jutsu. "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Kurenai launched a barrage of small fireballs at her opponent. Zabuza managed to dodge most of them. The last on he blocked with his sword before retreating into the mist.

The Leaf Jonin let out a wave of chakra from her body in order to move the mist and found Zabuza on her right swinging his sword diagonally from his left. Kurenai dodged by leaping back, but Zabuza realised his blade and sent a punch at Kurenai's gut. She twisted around the punch and sent a right hook at his head. Zabuza caught it and kick Kurenai into a lake.

As she broke through the surface, she notice the water was unusally heavy. Zabuza moved quickly on top of the water and behind Kurenai. "I have you now. Water Prison Jutsu!"

A second later Kurenai was trapped in a sphere of water. She tried to move but couldn't. "This prison may be made of water, but it's harder than steel," Zabuza explained. "You won't be able to move at all."

Kurenai's eyes widened as she realised she was at the mercy of her enemy. 'Damn it! I underestimated him! And after what I said about him.'

"Now, to deal with the bridge builder. Water Clone Jutsu!" Water rose up and took the form of Zabuza.

When the real Zabuza saw the surprised looks on the young genin, he said, "Hmph, you think your real ninja just because of your headbands, because you passed some class? True ninja are the ones who've stood at Death's door so many times it's like a second home. The ones who've killed so many times, it doesn't even faze them. To call a bunch of upstarts like you ninja is a joke."

"Take Tazuna and run!" Kurenai shouted. "He needs to remain in contact with the sphere to keep me trapped, and water clones can only be a short distance away from the original. You can get away from him."

The three genin looked at their sensei, then at their opponent. Kiba and Hinata nodded at each other and Kiba said, "No."

"What? I'm giving you a direct order! He's too strong for the three of you!"

"You're right sensei, we're no match for him alone." Hinata said. "Which is why we have to fight him now. Even if we got away, if he managed to beat you, he'd find us and kill us. So me and Kiba are going to save you." She turn to her blond friend. "Naruto, you take Tazuna away from here so Zabuza doesn't target him during the fight."

Naruto nodded slowly then took Tazuna away into the forest. The water clone made no effort to stop them. "Well, I guess you two are my opponents now," the clone said. He pointed at Hinata. "By your eyes, I'm guessing your a Hyūga. Too bad your life ends here, I would have loved to fight you when you're older, when your a challenge." He turned his attention to Kiba. "And the marks on your face and the mutt by you side tell me your from the Inuzuka Clan. I don't know who that blond kid was, but I'll be sure to get 'aquainted' with him soon enough."

"Byakugan!"

Hinata activated her bloodline, the veins around her eyes bulging. She dropped into her clan's Gentle Fist stance.

"You ready Akamaru?" When Akamaru barked in agreement, Kiba pulled out two foodpills and tossed one to his partner. Once Akamaru swallowed the pill, his fur turned red. Kiba ate the other and performed one of his clan's techniques.

"Ninja Art of Beast Mimicry: All-Fours Jutsu!"

Kiba's body underwent a minor alteration. His nails turned to claws, his teeth resembled that of a canine, and his eyes grew wild, his pupils slited. As he positioned himself on all fours, Akamaru jumped on his back and Kiba performed another jutsu.

"Man-Beast Clone!"

In a puff of smoke, in Akamaru's place was another Kiba, in the same canine-like state.

Kurenai continued to shout, hoping to get through to her two most stubborn students as well as the nin-dog, but to no avail. And as the three combatants charged at Zabuza, she could only pray that they survive this encounter.
-

Naruto took Tazuna only a short distance away before looking back. His friends were risking their lives while he was running. True, he had been told to get the bridge builder out of there, but Naruto still felt like he was running away. A part of him wanted to run back, to protect his precious people and fight with them.

But Naruto was afraid, terrified of the missing nin. Zabuza was joinin level and a former ANBU, with years of experience and training. Naruto was a genin who barely passed the graduation test, had only about two to three years of real training (since no one helped him prior to meeting Hinata), and never won in his spars with Kiba, Hinata, and Choji. This was his first real mission and in his first fight as a ninja, he froze in fear. Would this time be any different? Would he just be a burden and get his friends killed? Or himself?

'I don't wanna die, not anymore. But... I have to go back. I can't keep running away, relieing on others protect me.' Naruto reached up and touched his forehead protector, given to him by Iruka. He traced the leaf symbol. 'I'm a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf. I can't be afraid anymore!'

Naruto stopped and Tazuna gave the boy a confused look. Before he could inquire why he stopped Naruto spoke, doing his best not to stutter. "Tazuna, please hide h-here." He pointed to the thick bushes on his left. "I'm sorry to leave you, b-but..." before he could finish the old bridge builder raised his hand.

"I understand. You friends are in trouble and its my fault. If I hadn't hid important facts when I asked for help, none of them would be in danger. While I do wish you'd take me home now, I won't be a burden any longer. Just make sure you save your sensei and come back alive. I still need protection and I'm not ready to die yet." Naruto was surprised but thanked him and left to return to his team, leaving behind two shadow clones just in case. He arrived at the edge of the clearing and spotted his friends.

It did not look good.

Both Kiba and Hinata were panting. Kiba had a cut on his left cheek just over his face mark. Hinata seemed to have fared better, having no cuts. However, she was holding her stomache, telling Naruto she suffered a strong hit in the gut. Akamaru was on the ground, once again in his puppy form. He was covered in water and unconcious, but otherwise alright.

"If that's all you got, then you've wasted my time." The real Zabuza said, stilled positioned behind Kurenai to keep her in his jutsu.

Once again, Naruto froze as images of the villagers entered his mind once agains. He was almost gave in to his fear. 'No. No. Not again! I won't be weak!' Shaking his head in order to clear it of the memories, his hand slipped into his pouch.
-

Zabuza watched as his clone got ready to deal with the two genin once again. Their dog was taken out when he attacked from above and was washed away into a tree when the clone jump back to avoid Kiba and Hinata's attack and launched a water jutsu from his mouth. And though eventually they managed to hit and dispel his clone, he simplily made another before either two could recover.

Zabuza was so focused on the two, he didn't notice the shuriken until it cut his right cheek. He was surprised to find his blood when he felt that area, and from the look on Kurenai's face, so was she.

'What? How? Those two brats were too busy with my clone to attack me directly. And I've been watching them the whole time.' He looked at his prisoner. 'And she's still trapped. So who?' Zabuza looked around until he spotted an orange spot at the edge of the clearing.

Naruto sighed. His aim was off so he only scratched his cheek. 'Have to remember to practice more.'

"No point in hiding anymore. I know where you are. What kind of ninja wears such bright clothing?" Zabuza shouted.

Naruto gasped. He felt the urge to run away, but instead revealed himself. And approached his teammates.

"Finally grew a spine." Naruto ignored this. Right now the voice in his head was not what he needed to worry about.

"Naruto?! What are you doing here? Why aren't you with Tazuna?" Kurenai screamed. It was bad enough Kiba and Hinata refused to flee, but now Naruto was sticking his neck out.

"H-he's safe. A-and he's n-not alone." Naruto answered, suprising Zabuza. He figured he'd make it seem like they had more allies. Besides, since Zabuza didn't know what he could do, he could still surprise.

"Not that I'm unhappy to have your help, but you shouldn't have come back." Hinata was worried. They weren't doing too well, with Akamaru unconcious and both Kiba and herself getting their butts kicked. They needed a plan, or it was only a matter of time until one of them was seriously injured or worse.

And Hinata couldn't live with herself if something happened to the boy she grew to care for.

However, luck was on their side at the moment. "I-I have a plan." Leaning close he whispered the details.

Zabuza waited patiently. He figured since they were mere genin they wouldn't pose any threat to him. And while he was curious as to who else was guarding the old man, he doubted whoever he, she, or they were will be too much trouble.

"Ready?" Naruto's teammates nodded. "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Lots of smoke puffed and lingered for about 5 seconds, and roughly a hundred Narutos stood in front of the clone.

"So, you know how to make shadow clones. And quite a great many at that. I'll admit, that's impressive for a genin," the clone Zabuza remarked as the army charged. "But it's not enough."

Despite the advantage of number, the Naruto clones were no match for Zabuza's water clone. He managed to dodge and counter each blow, and sometime would take out a number of them with his sword. Their numbers decreased dramatically. Kiba used his tunneling fang, but the clone dodged and Kiba ended up hitting three Narutos before Zabuza elbowed the back of his head.

However, though most of the clones attacked the fake, about 20 of them charged at the real Zabuza. 'Using numbers to get by my clone. Not bad kid.' However, since Naruto had yet to learn the water walking technique, they had to jump at Zabuza. Using a kunai, the Zabuza managed to deflect incoming projectiles and hold off the clone while keeping his left hand in the water sphere.

One Naruto was launch high in the air and came down on Zabuza's kunai with his own, while a second Naruto launched a third Naruto at him. Because he was busy blocking the first Naruto, Zabuza considered taking the blow. However when he saw the third Naruto pull his left arm back, his eyes widened. 'So that's their game. No choice! Have to dodge!'

Zabuza pulled his arm out from his jutsu and dodged as Naruto thrusted his palm forward and managed to land a glancing blow to the side before landing in the water with the other Naruto. But instead of two Narutos surfacing, it was Naruto and Hinata!

'So, the Hyūga girl used the transformation when the smoke was up and hid among the clones, then waited for an opening to strike. Clever. My fault for letting my guard down.' Zabuza thought as he held his side.

The moment Kurenai was released, she had two kunai in hand. The one in her left she threw at the water clone as it slashed through the last of the shadow clones. The kunai struck true at the back of the head.

Still bothered by the damage to his side, Zabuza just barely manage to parry Kurenai attempt to stab him. He countered, but Kurenai twisted around him and swiped at the back of his neck. The mist shinobi jumped forward and turned toward her.

"It's still not enough! Without your genjutsu, your nothing! And there's no way I'm letting you put me in one! Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu!"

A large, liquid votex was formed, and water was shot out and hit the Leaf jonin. Everything in its path was devastated, leaving trees either torn or uprooted. The jutsu created large ripples in the lake. Naruto and Hinata had to struggle keep there heads above water.

When the jutsu ended and the water receded back into the lake, there was no sign of Kurenai. The two genin managed to swim back to land and rejoin their comrade, but then they noticed Zabuza walking towards them.

"Well, that takes care of that," he said. "Now..."

Shortly after his feet hit the ground, Zabuza felt the ground below him shift and morph. 'What the... An earth style jutsu?' A tree sprouted from the ground behind him, its branches wrapped around him. He struggled, but to no avail when Kurenai came halfway out of the tree and stabbed his sholders. 'No. A genjutsu!' "But when..."

"When you jumped away I dropped my kunai performed the handsigns. The moment you looked back at me you were caught in my genjutsu." She pulled out another kunai. That's twice you've underestimated your opponent. Your fate is sealed demon!" She positioned her weapon to stab him in the neck...

When two senbon stabbed him in the neck. The genjutsu broken, Zabuza's body fell to the ground.

"Indeed, his fate was seal the moment he went rouge." The four leaf nin turned to look at the newcomer standing on a branch, surprise evident on there faces. "I must thank you Leaf shinobi. I've been tracking him down for a long time now, but if it weren't for you, I never would have gotten the opening I needed to finish the job."

Kurenai studied the newcomer. "Judging by your mask, I'd say your a tracking ninja."

"Yes, I'm an elite member of the tracking unit, and my job was to eliminate Zabuza Momochi. Again, you have my thanks." The newcomer jumped down and approached Zabuza's body, slinging it over his sholders. "I will dispose of the corpse. Farewell." And then he disappeared.

Kiba ran over to were Akamaru was. "Akamaru! Buddy, come on speak to me!" he shout as he held his best friend. The little puppy stired and barked.

"I-is he ok?" Naruto asked.

Kiba did a quick examination. He wasn't a vet like his sister, but from the looks of things, Akamaru didn't suffer any serious injuries. "Yeah, he's fine. Probably the shock knocked him out, but there are no signs of any serious or permanent damage."

"Good." Hinata turned to the blond. "Nice plan, by the way. And I can't believe you made so many clones! That must take a lot of chakra."

Naruto blushed at her acknoledgement. "T-thanks, but it w-was nothing. Y-you were the one t-that managed to land a b-blow on him. A-and I c-could tell it did some d-damage."

"Yeah, I'm great, aren't I?" Hinata smiled and rubbed the back of her head with her right hand. "But don't sell yourself short. I had an opening because of you. So start giving yourself some credit. I swear sometimes your just too modest."

"T-thanks. That's n-nice to hear, ya know."

"Hey what about me?" Kiba whined. "I took out the clone, remember?"

"You mean the three Naruto clones?"

"What, no! And that wasn't my fault! I was taking about the first water clone we fought. I clawed at his back? Ringing any bells?"

"Hmmmm?" Hinata pretended to think about it. "Nope, no bells ringing here."

"Aw come on!" Hinata just laughed and Naruto couldn't help but snicker.

Kurenai was catching her breathe. The fight took more out of her then she realised. She approached her team and spoke. "Alright you three, enough chattering. Naruto, where did you leave Tazuna?"

Naruto pointed to where he had left previously. "I-in some bushes o-over that way. He's n-not alone. I l-left two clones with him."

"Good." Kurenai took a look at Hinata and Naruto and noticed how wet they were. "Take off your jackets. They're soaking wet and you'll catch a cold wearing them."

Naruto immediatly took his jacket off, revealing a light orange T-shirt with the kanji for fire in red. Hinata, however, was hesitent to remove her large cream-colored jacket. "Eh, don't worry about me sensei. I'll be fine."

"Hinata, we don't know what else Gato may throw at us. We can't afford to take risk."

Hinata sighed and did as she was told. She was wearing a plain black shirt that didn't show off that much. But it did show she matured better than others her age.

Naruto blushed a bit and looked away to avoid staring. Kiba couldn't help but let out a wolf-whistle. The two females rolled their eyes. 'Every single time,' Hinata thought. 'This is why I wear that large jacket.'

Kiba leaned toward Naruto and whispered, "If you don't ask her out soon, I will."

Naruto was about to reaction when a noise came from the branch behind them. They turned around to see the one-eye'd jonin from the Leaf. Kakashi looked at the state of Team 8, then at the damage to the landscape.

"Did I miss something?"
-

Naruto: Late as usual, Kakashi-sensei.

Kakashi: Well, from what I read, you guys handled yourselves quite well.

Hinata: YES! FATHER SAID NO!

Hiashi: Thank God.

Alpha: Yep. Your still free to date Naruto. Course I doubt an arranged marrige would stop you.

Sasuke: Wait, if you were going make him say no, why add it.

Alpha: I may hate the idea of SasuHina (No offence to those that are a fan, but I personally can't stand the idea) but I do like the idea of you hitting on Hinata, just that you never get her. I mean Hinata was the only girl in your class who wasn't crazy about you, she has a cool kekkei genkai, is a nice girl, and is pretty cute.

Hinata: Oh, um, thank you.

Naruto: Hey, don't hit on her.

Alpha: I'm not hitting on her. Just complementing.

Naruto: Whatever, I'm keeping my eye on you.

Kakashi: So what about me?

Alpha: What about you?

Kakashi: Do I get a girl?

Alpha: Maybe, maybe not.

Kakashi: That didn't tell me anything.

Naruto: Guess the shoe is on the other foot.

Kakashi: Huh?

Alpha: Anyway, have to get writing.