Chapter 23: Battle on the Bridge Part 1

Okay, I need to get somethings off my chest before I start the chapter and I apologize because it is more than likely going to sound like I'm whining.

I'm not seeing a lot of support for the blinding Zabuza and Haku idea. Admittedly, I wasn't crazy about the idea either, but is that really the worst idea anyone has come up with when putting their own spin on that fight?

Don't get me wrong, I think it was a crappy idea and I am pretty pissed off that I couldn't think of anything better. I do however stand by my reasoning on the idea. I do believe that Zabuza and Haku's eyes would most likely be adjusted for low levels of light, I also believe that those of you who said that they could and would be able to compensate are right. Don't worry, I won't use that idea, at least I don't plan to anymore.

Also, does anyone know when Mei became Mizukage? I received a review saying that Mei did not become Mizukage until long after Zabuza and Haku died. I don't know if the guy was trying to be rude or if I'm being too sensitive, it's probably the latter, but the wording made it sound snarky to me. I just get that feeling when people start out sentences with the words "I'm sure that by now...". None of the data I pulled up said anything one way or the other. In fact the best I info I could find said: Terumī Mei "…is the Fifth Mizukage (五代目水影, Godaime Mizukage; Literally meaning "Fifth Water Shadow") of Kirigakure. She became Mizukage in recent years, after the dreadful reign of Yagura ended, and has worked tirelessly to recreate diplomatic relations with other villages, as well as reform internal policies," (Narutopedia). As far as the story is concerned it doesn't really matter that much but I would like to know just for the sake of knowing.

Okay, I'm done complaining, for anyone who decided to stay throughout my complaining I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

Training Ground 8 in Konoha

"Hyah, ha!" Hinata yelled as she struck the training posts. She had to keep busy or else she would worry about Naruto. She had decided to train with the technique that she had used to defeat Miyanagi everyday after team training. While powerful it took a great deal out of her muscles, currently she could only use it for less than a minute before it would hurt to move. Besides that and its effects being similar to Interdiction, Hinata was not sure what else her ethereal claws could do.

"Nee-sama those are amazing!" a quiet but excited female voice said.

"Hanabi-chan, wha-what brings the two of you out to the training grounds?" Hinata asked surprised at seeing her sister at Team 8's training ground.

"I came to tell you it is time for dinner," Hanabi explained. And I've been worried about you, the little Hyuuga thought.

"Oh thank you, but you didn't need to trouble yourself," Hinata said as she and Hanabi made their way to the Hyuuga Compound.

"I wanted to Nee-sama, you've been distracted and both Otou-sama and I have been worried," Hanabi responded.

"It's nothing really, or at least I hope it is," Hinata said.

"What is it?" Hanabi asked.

"I've just been worried about Naruto-kun, my team and Team 10 got back from our missions a while ago but Team 7 still isn't back," Hinata explained.

"What was the mission?" Hanabi asked.

"His team was supposed to escort a man back to his home in Wave, but Naruto-kun thought there was more to it. I think they may have run into trouble," Hinata said, terrified at the thought.

"Is Naruto-san weak?" Hanabi asked.

"No, he's the strongest person I know," Hinata said.

"Then he should be alright, shouldn't he? I've only met Naruto-san once but he seemed like he had a lot of faith in you, shouldn't you extend the same curtesy to him?" Hanabi asked.

"You're right, Hanabi-chan," Hinata said.

"Yeah, I mean if he's going to be your husband then you should have faith in his abilities, right?" Hanabi asked playfully.

"Hanabi-chan!" Hinata yelled as her face turned crimson. She's right though, Naruto-kun will be alright. I just need to have faith that he knows what he's doing, she thought.

Back in Wave

"I sure hope you know what the hell you're doing," Kurama remarked.

Glad you have so much faith in me, Kurama, Naruto thought sarcastically as he made his way back to Tazuna's house. When Naruto pointed out the cut up trees and the dead wild boar, Team 7's warning bells went off; no animal would leave a boar intact like that. Expecting the worst Kakashi suggested that someone should head back to check on Tsunami and Inari. Naruto volunteered to do it, believing that he would find out something that would convince Zabuza and Haku to turn on Gatō.

For Tsunami, the day had started out like any other: get up; make breakfast; see her father off; and so on. So it came as a great surprise when two thugs, the same two that killed Kaiza, cut through her wall.

"You're Tazuna's daughter, right? You're coming with us," one thug said. He was a light-skinned man with bluish-white hair, black eyes, and was wearing a dark purple hat on this head.

Memories of what this man and his partner did to Kaiza left Tsunami paralyzed with fear.

"Hey Zōri, wasn't she married to that guy who thought he could stop the boss?" the second thug asked. This one was a man of tall stature, wearing an eye-patch over his right eye, and had brown hair which was parted three ways, finishing in a topknot.

"I think you're right Waraji. It must be hard seeing the men who killed her husband right in front of her," Zōri said cruelly.

"It's a shame we have to take her alive, I enjoy watching the pretty ones bleed to death," Waraji said sounding disappointed.

That statement snapped Tsunami out of her fear-induced daze and caused her to let out a scream, "Kyaa!" As soon as the sound left her mouth she regreted it, she knew no one but Inari would hear it and she did not want to put her son in danger.

Waraji, who was looking for something to slice up noticed that Tsunami's scream had attracted Inari. "Hey, there's a kid," he said to his partner.

"Kaa-san!" Inari yelled as he looked into the room and saw the men who had killed Kaiza now had his mother.

"Inari, run!" Tsunami commanded.

"Should we take him too?" Waraji asked, although he hoped that the answer was no.

"We only need one hostage," Zōri responded.

"Does that mean I can kill him?" Waraji asked excitedly. Without waiting for an answer he made his way over to Inari.

As Inari backed away from the blood-thirsty man he heard his mother's voice call out, "Wait!"

As all eyes returned to her, Tsunami continued, "If you touch my son I'll bite my tongue and kill myself. You do want a hostage right?"

"Heh, thank your mom, kid," Zōri said.

"Shit, I wanted to cut something," Waraji lamented.

"Give it a rest, you cut a bunch of shit up on the way here," Zōri said as he and Waraji led Tsunami out of the house.

As the men left with his mother Inari fell to his knees. I'm sorry Kaa-san, I'm so sorry. I'm a weak kid so I can't protect you. I'm- I'm scared, Inari thought. It was then that Inari remembered Naruto and Kaiza's words:

"You can't always avoid something just because it's hard."

"If it is truly precious, even if you lose your life, you must protect it with these two arms."

Finding his courage after all this time Inari ran out of the house to confront the men who had his mother.

"Walk faster dammit," Zōri told Tsunami. They hadn't gotten very far thanks to Tsunami dragging her feet.

"Can I cut her just a little bit?" Waraji asked.

"For the last time, NO!" Zōri shouted.

It was at that moment that Inari came out of the house and said, "Let my Kaa-san go!"

"Inari, run!" a terrified Tsunami yelled.

"Oh, this should be good. What are you gonna do if we don't?" Waraji asked half-amused and half-hopeful. Amused that the boy thought he could do anything and hopeful that he would get to spill some blood.

Instead of answering, Inari charged at the two. In response the duo knocked out Tsunami and made to slash Inari to pieces. They didn't get halfway to Inari when they felt a sharp pain and had their world go dark. Two of Naruto's bunshins had used Interdiction to knock Waraji and Zōri unconscious while the real one brought Tsunami over to the now stunned Inari.

"Inari, you showed some real courage just now, you should be proud," Naruto said.

After the initial shock had worn off Inari noticed that despite his relief that he and his mother were safe, tears were running down his cheeks. As soon as he noticed, Inari tried to hide his faces.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked.

"You must think I'm a wuss; everything is alright and here I am crying," Inari said.

"Inari, it's okay to cry when you're happy. And there is nothing wrong with crying when things you're sad and frustrated. But crying won't solve your problem and I think you've finally realized that, Kaiza would be proud," Naruto said.

After a few deep breaths Inari calmed down and his tears stopped. He then turned to Naruto and asked, "How did you know to come back here?"

"Dumb and dumber over there left a trail of cut up trees and a dead wild boar. Although, I think the whole team wanted to check on you two, we just needed an excuse," Naruto explained. Hoping that he could get more information about the kidnappers, Naruto asked, "These guys work for Gatō, right?"

"Yeah, they're his personal guards. They're the ones who killed Otou-san," Inari told the blond genin.

"Really, then let's see what they can tell us," Naruto said.

"They're unconscious though," Inari pointed out.

"That's fine, I have other ways of getting information," Naruto said as his arms turned transparent. He swiped at Waraji and Zōri and perused through their memories. He managed to find what he was hoping for, but realized that he had to hurry. "Inari help me tie thes idiots up, I need to get back to the bridge as soon as I can."

"What's wrong?" Inari asked.

"Gatō is getting a large group of thugs together to attack the bridge. He's gonna wait until the fight is over, hoping that whatever the outcome the winner will be too tired to fight back," Naruto explained as he and Inari tfinished tying up Waraji and Zōri.

"Not good," Inari said simply.

"The good news is I think I can get Zabuza and Haku to turn on Gatō with this information. With any luck Gatō won't be a problem for Wave or anywhere else after this," Naruto said trying to be positive.

"Good luck," Inari called as Naruto left.

At the Bridge

"Wha-what happened here?" Tazuna asked as he saw his remaining workers scattered around the bridge, barely alive.

"Monster, mo-monster," was all one man managed to get out before a heavy mist set in.

Shit, they're here already, Kakashi thought.

Before anyone could make a move they were surrounded by Zabuza's Mizu bunshins. These were quickly dispatched by Sasuke, something that didn't go unnoticed by Zabuza.

"In two weeks you go from trying to kill yourself to get away from us to taking out my bunshins like it was an everyday thing, color me impressed," Zabuza said.

Sasuke did not exactly appreciate Zabuza bringing that up but kept quiet.

Taking a look around Zabuza noticed something else, "Where's the blond kid; shame I was hoping to kill him for what happened to my sword."

"Shame you won't get the chance," Kakashi said. He then ordered, "Sasuke, you deal with Haku; Sakura protect Tazuna; leave Zabuza to me." I'm sorry Naruto, we can't wait anymore, Kakashi silently apologized, truth be told, he didn't want to kill Zabuza or Haku either.

"Got it," the genin responded as they got into position.

Sasuke vs. Haku

"If it's any consolation I'm sorry that it has to be this way," Haku said.

"Why are you apologizing, I'm the one whose gonna win," Sasuke responded.

"Is that so?" Haku asked as he threw his senbon and disappeared.

Sasuke brought out a kunai to deflect the senbon and activated his Sharingan in an effort to track Haku's movements. Since Haku wasn't creating the mist, Sasuke could pick out Haku among the mist laced with Zabuza's chakra but Haku's speed still made it a difficult to follow him.

Sensing something behind him, Sasuke turned, dodged the senbon, and grabbed Haku's arm. "Shame, you can't use jutsu while I've got your arm," Sasuke said, thinking he had won.

"Can't I?" Haku asked rhetorically. With one hand Haku went through a series of hand signs and called out, "Sensatsu Suishō."

Sasuke had no choice but to let go, but he managed to get behind Haku and attack. Before Haku could react a fist connected with his jaw.

"Haku, you need to step it up," Zabuza called over as soon as Haku got to his feet. It didn't go unnoticed by anyone that he didn't sound nervous.

"Of course," Haku responded as he made a strange hand sign and called out, "Makyō Hyōshō!" As soon as the words left his mouth mirrors started to form around Sasuke, trapping him.

"Shit," was all Sasuke said. Dobe, I think I might need your help, he thought.

Sorry that took so long. And I'm sorry that it was short, but I think this event warrants being two chapters long.

I don't know if Hanabi is OOC or not, she's a character that sees a great deal more love in fanfics then in canon, but let me know if you think I did alright. I tried to make her a combination or Rom and Ram from Hyperdimension Neptunia.

I hope I didn't make Sasuke sound arrogant at the end, I meant for him to sound like a kid who may be very good at what he does but is quickly finding out that even he has a lot to learn.

Any way I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.