A/N: The battle is over. Haku lives and Zabuza has fallen, taking Gato with him. A bit more time in the Land of Waves and then it's back home. The Chunin Exams Arc will start soon and the Rinnegan will reappear by the end of the exams. I know you guys want it, but I have plans. So please be a little more patient. As always, remember to review. I enjoy reading feedback. Oh, and tell your friends.
Chapter 11: Meeting and Aftermath
Kurenai had recently awoken and was about to leave in search of Tsunami and Inari when Kiba arrived with Tazuna in tow. Behind them, a few villagers were moving the tied up Waraji and Zōri. Kurenai blinked, wondering what happened and asked Kiba where Kakashi and Hinata were. He and Tazuna told her about Zabuza's appearance, Hinata's fight with Haku, and how Kakashi told them to leave. Kurenai was shocked and started to run to the bridge when a crowd arrived. With them was Kakashi carrying an Naruto. One of the villager carried Hinata and another with Haku. Kurenai looked to Kakashi, who smiled through his mask, letting her know her genin were fine. Kurenai let go the breathe she didn't know she was holding.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Kiba shouted. "That's guy was with Zabuza!"
"I'll explain later, just know he's not our enemy anymore." Kakashi told him.
"Well, what about Zabuza himself?" Kiba asked. "You killed him, right?"
"Zabuza's dead, yes." Kakashi gave Kurenai a look that said 'We need to talk.' Kiba mumbled about missing everything.
Naruto, Hinata, and Haku were put to bed to recover. Haku was the first to awake and was given an ice pack for his eye. He tried to get up, but Tsunami won't let him. She insisted he wait in bed and wait for the doctor to arrive and treat his injuries. Haku protested, saying they shouldn't bother since he helped Zabuza try and kill her father, but Tsunami wouldn't hear it. Kakashi explain to her what he knew of Haku's situation.
Hinata woke up next and instantly asked Kurenai about Naruto. She assured the young girl he was fine, just exhausted. Hinata was relied to hear that, but when she started to get up, Kurenai insisted she stay in bed. Hinata huffed but eventually did as she was told. Kurenai got up and when to speak with Kakashi.
Kakashi watch Naruto, who had yet to stir. 'Guess this must be an aftereffect of using the 9-Tails chakra for the first time, and for quite a bit.'
Kurenai walked in. "Hinata's awake, and Tsunami tells me Haku's up too."
"And Kiba?"
"I sent him with Tazuna, just in case Gato's thugs want revenge. Inari went too so he can help finish the bridge. Tsunami is downstairs in the kitchen. Now tell me, what on earth happened while I was out!"
"I still can't believe two thugs got the best of you." Kakashi chuckled.
"Don't change the subject! Besides, they were former samurai and caught me off guard with that syringe." she defended.
"Well, I guess the most important thing is that Naruto used it's chakra." Kurenai gasped and Kakashi explained what happen. Hinata being struck down, Naruto transforming, Zabuza's actions at the end.
"This isn't good. As shinobi, our lives our full of danger. If what you say is true, then if something happens to Hinata, Naruto may inadvertently release his tenent."
"Not just Hinata," Kakashi said sadly. "While his reaction probably wouldn't be as extreme, he may lose himself should anyone he care for dies. You, Kiba, Iruka, everyone close to him. Remember, he's been alone for so long." Kakashi looked at the young blond. There were times he wish he'd done more for him. But he was too afraid. He lost everyone close to him, and if he lost his sensei son too...
'Where am I?' Naruto looked around. It looked like a sewer and he was ankle deep in water. 'Wait, this is the place from one of my dreams."
"This way, child." It was the same voice he heard from time to time. And while Naruto didn't know if he could trust it, especially if it was who he thought it was.
'But I don't know where else to go.' He followed the voice toward a larger room. On the other end was a large cage with a seal tag on it. It was too dark to see into, but Naruto felt a presence in there, a powerful one.
"Closer, kit," the voice beckoned. Hesitantly, Naruto slowed moved closer to the cage. Suddenly, two red eyes glowed in the darkness of the cage. "Hee hee hee, what a frail little human." It moved closer into the light until it was visible. A red-orange fox with nine tails.
Were this not Naruto's mind, he would have fainted. Instead, he's eyes widened and he stumbled back, falling on his rear. "Y-y-you, y-your…"
"Yes, young kit, I am the Nine-Tailed Fox, the being whose been sealed inside of you since the day of your birth." Naruto started breathing heavily. "Get up! I'm stuck inside you, so at least try and act tough. Pathetic,"
"S-sorry," Naruto said softly as he stood, his knees shaking. The giant fox shook his head. "Um, w-why am I h-here? W-what do y-you w-want?"
"OUT!" he roared. "But since that's not gonna happen, to make sure you live."
"Y-you wanna h-help m-me?" Naruto asked, surprised and confused.
"Let me make this clear. This is not for you, it's for me. You die, you take me with you. And while it's true we tailed beasts reform, the process puts us in a state much like death. We hear nothing, see nothing, feel nothing. And a part of who we are is lost." The Nine-Tails looked away. "We may not die, but the process makes us wish we were."
"S-so," Naruto started, "h-how are y-you gonna help?" He wasn't sure if he could trust the demon, but it would hurt to listen, right?
"Healing like I have all your life. Why you still care for those humans despite what they've done to you I'll never understand. I'll be able to speak to you, even when you're not here. And since I've lived since the time of Old Man Six Paths, I have years of experience. So when I chose to give you advice, you better listen."
"W-wait, y-you've meet t-the Sage?"
"Yes,"
"T-then, c-could you m-maybe…"
"No, I will not teach you how to use the Rinnegan." 'Especially considering how you acquired it.' The Nine-Tails thought as he remember what happen to Naruto years ago. 'Besides, if he knew how to use them, he may not need my power. And I need him to use my chakra to weaken this accursed seal.' "Like I said, I'm only helping simply because I don't want to go through reforming. In fact, were it not for the Fourth Hokage's seal, I'd kill you right now." That made Naruto shiver. "So while I'll make sure you don't die, your own strength is your responsibility. My help will only come from life or death situations, nothing more, unless I feel like it. So don't ask, I help when I choose."
Naruto sighed. The Third Hokage made the Rinnegan sound really powerful. With it he could protect Hinata and all his friends. 'All my friends.' Naruto thought happily, 'Almost three years ago, I couldn't say that.' "O-ok, t-thank you."
The Nine-Tails was surprised to hear that. None of his other containers ever thanked him for anything, not even Mito. And it felt weird. "Just wake up. Oh, but before you go, don't tell anyone else we can speak to each other."
"W-why?"
"You don't wanna freak people out do you?" The Nine-Tails said. "The people who care about you while knowing about me only do so because they believe in the Fourth's seal. They're already gonna be cautious after your little episode back on the bridge, no need to make it worse."
"E-episode? W-what are you t-talking about? What h-happened at the b-bridge?" But the Nine-Tails retreated into his cage and thing went black.
"Hey, I think he's waking up," Kurenai said as she saw the young blond begin to stir.
"I'll tell Hinata then check on Kiba and Tazuna over at the bridge," Kakashi said as made his to the door, stumbling a bit.
"The only thing you're doing is getting some rest! You're worn out too." Kurenai ordered. "I'll check on Kiba myself when I'm done here."
"Fine, I just tell Hinata, then catch up on my reading." Kurenai rolled her eyes as he left, knowing exactly what it was he planned on reading.
"K-Kurenai-sensei?" Naruto said opening his eyes. "What h-happened?"
"Well, what's the last thing you remember?" Kurenai asked.
Naruto thought for a moment. "H-Haku, the h-hunter nin w-working with Zabuza, had us i-in his j-jutsu and…" Naruto's eyes widened as he remembered what happened next. "Hinata! Where is she? Is she alright?" Naruto asked, panicked.
"Calm down! She's alright. She woke up a little while ago." Kurenai quickly to calm him down. It worked.
"Thank God. A-anyway, after t-that, I r-remember seeing r-red and then I b-blacked out."
Kurenai was relieved that he didn't remember anything else. She didn't think he was ready yet to learn how vulnerable he was to the fox. It could lead to doubt himself. She decided to wait until either his self-esteem was better, or they found someone to properly teach him to use that power. "From what Kakashi told me, Haku managed to knock you out too before running out of chakra. Kakashi and Zabuza fought each other until Gato showed up attempting to betray Zabuza. So Kakashi and Zabuza worked together and killed Gato and a number of his thugs. Inari also brought some of the villagers to help. But Zabuza was gravely injured and before he died, asked Kakashi to bring Haku home with us."
Naruto nodded, but as Kurenai left to join Kiba at the bridge, he heard the Nine-Tails speak. "She lies. The cyclops Hatake told her what really happened, and the two of them fabricated this lie in a belief that they are protecting you. If you want the truth, speak to the ice user. You should be able to tomorrow."
'Huh? W-why Haku?"
"You'll find out."
Kurenai arrived at the bridge and was surprised at how many people were there. A lot of able-bodied villagers were helping with the construction, while those who were too young or too old were doing their part by bringing food and refreshments. Kiba kept a lookout with Akamaru for any thugs looking for revenge, but also helped with construction from time to time. It seemed everyone's spirits were up.
"Ah, Miss Yūhi." Tazuna looked away from his work, Inari next to him. "We should be done within the week. Then you can go home. I've already sent someone to discuss payment with your Hokage. I'm a man of my word. Err, most of the time," he added when she gave him a funny look.
"That's good. I'm glad to see everyone so happy but I need to discuss something with a couple of the villagers. Privately."
"It's about Naruto, isn't it? And what happened to him back there?" Inari said.
"Kakashi told us and the other genin it was a genjutsu, an illusion. Kiba believed bought it, but not us. This is one of your ninja secrets."
Kurenai looked at the two of them with a frown. "So, where do you stand?"
Tazuna and Inari looked at each other and nodded. "Naruto saved me and my mom. He restored my faith in heroes."
"People were freaked out, mind you. But I know for a fact that everyone in this land will always welcomed him here and he'll be praised as a hero. After all, thanks to him and you guys, the Land of Waves is free and can prosper once more."
"We won't treat him like your village did." Kurenai looked at him funny. "Um, H-Hinata told me a few things about him after I said some mean things to him."
Kurenai smiled. These were good people, especially now that they weren't oppressed by a greedy crime lord. "Just make sure you keep what you know a secret." The two nodded and Kurenai asked how she could help.
"I'm sorry for my aggressions and treachery." Haku said to everyone with a low bow, fighting the pain he left doing so. His wounds were mostly healed, including his nose and eye, but his ribs were still mending and his chest hurt. They were currently outside the house. "I do not expect you to forgive me soon or even ever, but…"
Hinata interrupted him. "Just be sure to make it up to us when it counts." Though a part of her was still angry at what he did to her and more importantly to Naruto, she was willing to him a chance.
"What she said," Kiba agreed and both Naruto and Akamaru nodded. Yuki was held in Naruto's arms.
Tsunami elbowed her father. "sighs I guess I can look past you trying to kill me."
"And it's not like you really did anything," Inari added. "Gato's thugs were the ones who killed and harassed the people of this village.
Haku smiled. They may not how completely forgiven him, but they were willing to give her a chance. "Thank you. I promise I won't let you down."
Then they heard snickering and looked to see it coming from Kurenai and Kakashi. "I'm sorry I missed it. Good thing you took a picture."
"Finally got it developed yesterday. And I've got copies."
"What photo are you talking about?" Hinata asked. Kurenai gave her a devious smile and reveal it to be a photo of Naruto and Hinata sleeping together against a tree, leaning on each other. Both blushed red. "You took a picture of us?" she yelled in disbelief.
"Can I have it?" Inari asked. He was too young to understand exactly the interest of that pic, but it bugged Hinata, so he thought he'd have a little fun. Kurenai nodded and handed him the pic. Naruto's face got brighter and brighter red. (His hair may not be Uzumaki red, but in this fic, his face makes up for it.)
"Give… Me… That… Photo!" Hinata growled. Inari stuck his tongue out and ran as Hinata chased him.
"Hey, give it here Inari!" Kiba shouted wanting to join the fun as he ran past Hinata and found himself next to Inari. Inari gave him the photo and they separated.
Hinata started chasing him. "Kiba Inuzuka, you give me that or I'll…" she started shouting threats which Kiba ignored. The two of them played keep away, secretly passing the photo to each other whenever Hinata got too close. The adults watched with amusement, none noticing the disappearance of two in all the merriment..
Haku walked up to the wooden cross that marked Zabuza's grave. Next to it was his Executioner's Blade, jabbed into the ground. "Hello, Zabuza. These Hidden Leaf shinobi have forgiven me and are willing to accept me. Kakashi intends on keeping his promise to you.
They're a bit strange, but I think I'll be happy with them." Haku took a moment to fight back the tears forming in his eyes. "You told me to make my own dream. I'm still not entirely sure what it is, But I'll make one, I swear." Haku felt a presence behind him and turned his head, slowly drawing his senbon just in case.
But when his eyes found the intruder to be Naruto, he put them back. "S-sorry, d-didn't mean to i-interrupt."
"It's fine," Haku said as he turned around to face the blond. "I was pretty much done anyway. Was there something you needed of me?"
"W-well uh…" Naruto pondered how to approach this. "C-could you tell me w-what happened... a-after you k-knock Hinata unconscious."
Haku quickly hide his shock. "Um, didn't your sensei tell you?"
"K-Kurenai-sensei talked t-to me. B-but I don't t-think she w-was being c-completely truthful." Naruto stepped forward a bit. "W-what really happened? W-were you r-really hurt by Gato's t-thug after y-you ran out of c-chakra?"
Haku sighed. "You won't like it," he warned. "After, um mistaking Hinata's condition, you were enraged and started to release this red chakra."
'Red chakra?' Naruto thought.
"It felt… terrifying." Haku admitted with a shiver at the memory. "My attacks stopped working and I was overpowered. I'm still recovering from the injuries you gave me," Haku said as he rubbed his chest. "You acted like a different person." That scared Naruto. "You were about to finish me off, and I closed my eyes, accepting my fate. Then…" He turn away as tears formed in his eyes. "Then Zabuza, took the blow for me. He saved me and told me I was like his son." Haku stopped trying to stop it and let the tears flow free.
Naruto immediately felt guilty. "I'm sorry," he said, quietly, but Haku heard.
After managing to stem the flow of tears, Haku spoke. "I'm angry. Angry that Zabuza's dead, angry that you killed him." Naruto lowered his head, feeling ashamed. "But I do not hate you. I cannot hate you. How could I, when I tried to do the same to you." He turned around and walked toward Naruto. "That why I can look at you and see you as a comrade," he said with a smile.
Naruto was glad that Haku didn't hate him, though he still felt guilty, and he didn't like hearing that he lost control of himself. 'What if I lose control in front of Hinata? What if she learns about the fox and hates me or worse, I hurt her? Or someone else I care about?' "T-thank you, Haku. I w-wish I c-could explain, but…"
"I already know," he said, shocking Naruto. "I guessed it shortly after you unleashed that power. You are not the only demon container. All the major villages have at least one, or so Zabuza told me. In fact, the current Mizukage is one."
"S-someone like m-me became Kage?" Naruto asked, hope filling him that he had a chance too.
Haku nodded. 'It may not be a good idea to tell him the role he's played in some of the Mist's more unsavory activities.' "As I was saying, before Zabuza died, he asked, or rather insisted, that he kill Gato himself. I don't know much after that, only that he killed Gato and that it wasn't until you heard that Hinata was alive that the demon's power receded. Or so I was told. I lost consciousness after telling Kakashi that she may still be alive."
Naruto nodded, thankful that he knew the truth but terrified at what he had done. What he was capable of with the fox's chakra, and Haku could see this. "Please, don't lose faith in yourself. After all, you were able to suppress it when you needed to." Haku looked away and off into to the distance. "Whether you like it or not, this power is as much a part of you as my blood. Even if you quit being a shinobi, it will never go away. All you can do is your best to stay in control." Haku walked away.
"Just to be clear, I won't give you my power whenever you ask. Only when your life is in danger." 'As much as I want to leave this infernal prison, I'm not gonna give this brat my power all willy nilly, even just to weaken the seal. Besides, it would draw the attention of their Hokage and that student of his.'
'I d-don't really w-want to g-give you c-control of my b-body.'
"I don't control you, not necessarily. My influence is in my chakra, so when you draw on my power, you also draw on my hatred and your own."
'B-but I don't…'
"Do you really believe you have no hatred? After the life you've had? The beating, the looks, the resentment? You've merely pushed it into a corner of your mind, but it's there, I can feel it. All that hate for everyone who's wronged you, who's hurt you. And you cannot get rid of it. It a part of you."
'I… see. T-thanks, I guess.' The fox still found it bizarre that the boy would thank him, but chalked it up to habit, rather than true gratitude.
"Do you really have to leave now?" Inari whined. Since the battle, he had apologised for his behavior beforehand and actually got close with them. But now the bridge was finished and everyone healed up. It was time to go home.
"Fraid so," Hinata said.
"B-but um, we can visit, r-right sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Sure, one day we could come here on vacation," Kurenai said.
"Or we'll come to you," Tsunami pitched in, which brought a smile to Inari's face. It fell temporarily when his mother told him not today.
\ "See ya squirt," Kiba said, messing with his hair.
"We'll see each other again. Don't you worry." Hinata said, giving the boy a hug, which he returned.
"Y-yeah, I'm l-looking forward to it." Naruto said.
"Thanks again, Naruto," Inari said with a smile as he hugged him.
Naruto felt a bit embarrassed. "I, I didn't do i-it alone. E-everyone else h-helped. Sensei, Kiba, Hinata, and Kakashi-sensei all d-did more than me."
Inari shook his head. "You the reason I can believe in heroes again."
"Haku, hurry up." Kakashi shouted before turning toward Team 8. "As nice as it is with you guys, I need to get back to my team. I'm sure they've learned tree climbing by now, and I need to help Sasuke activate his Sharingan."
"Alright, I'm ready." Haku came out dressed in the pink kimono he wore when he met Naruto in the forest. Those who were not there were surprised.
"For though who now feel unsure, I am a boy." Haku said with a sigh. 'I don't look that much like a girl.'
Team 8 and company finished saying their goodbyes and left for the journey back to their village. Meanwhile, Tazuna contemplated the name of his bridge. "How about, the Great Tazuna Bridge?"
His daughter and grandson looked at him and shook their heads. "I like the Great Naruto Bridge."
"Yeah, me too," Tsunami agreed.
On the road, Kiba decided to ask Haku something. "Say Haku, are you, you know, into the same team?"
Haku didn't understand what Kiba was asking so he turned to Hinata, who translated. "Are you into guys or girls?"
Haku though for a moment. "No clue. Thing like that were not on my mind while I was with Zabuza. Guess I'll find out when we get to your village."
Alpha: To be gay, or not to be gay. That is the question. Translation, should I make Haku gay and if so, with who? I already know a girl to pair him up with, but if you guys want him with a guy, I'll do it. I don't really mind.
Sasuke: Is it because…
Alpha: Nah, I like women. I just don't care about other people.
Naruto: What! How could you not care about people?!
Alpha: That's not what I meant! Let me rephrase that. I don't care out stuff like if they're gay or foreign or their skin color… things like that.
Naruto: Oh.
Alpha: Anyway, there's no poll for this, just send a review and please, if you don't want gay, please just say so politely.
Sasuke: Why are you asking anyway?
Alpha: Just thought I would, no real reason. Oh, by the way, if yes, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kiba are off limits. Naruto 'cause well, this is NaruHina, as is every fic of mine.(See profile) Sasuke, 'cause he's a jerk in this story, and I have plans for Kiba. Something noncanon. But you can ask for other characters, or ask me to make a minor OC. In other news, my poll is finished and the majority of you, 15 to 13, have voted that I make a Runaway version of the Sound Village.
Orochimaru: Hmm, sounds interesting.
Alpha:Ummmm…
Orochimaru: Don't worry, the "villains" of the series such as myself won't hurt you. Or steal your body, Sasuke. Here at least.
Alpha: Good to know. I've only met former villains turned good at the last minute.
Orochimaru: I look forward to reading that story. Farewell. (Leaves)
Alpha: That dude is freaky.
Naruto: Agreed.
Sasuke: Try training with him.
Naruto: I saw you gave Kurama
Alpha: Well, gotta go.
