Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Neither do I own Ultimate Naruto. Both belong to the universal owner of words known simply as Language.
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Ultimate Naruto
Chapter Fourteen
The Cursor Two
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Opening theme: Niggaz in Paris (Watch the throne)
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"Smile!"
"Hey, wait a..."
But the redhead hadn't given him a chance - the shutter of her camera sliding open and allowing a flash to course through.
"Aww, not bad", she said, scrutinizing the image on her phone, "But you coulda done a little better."
Haku sighed, reaching for the offending device causing Kyuubi to dance around his arm. The young girl placed it in her jean pocket; out of his reach, and stuck her tongue out at him.
"Come on", she said, grabbing his arm, "You haven't shown me around the marketplace yet!"
"I still don't think that's a good idea", Haku began, but he relented when the vivacious redhead pulled him forward, along the murky streets of Wave.
The long-haired boy had already explained earlier that Nami no kuni was divided into two districts. The smaller of which was the Government area; home to all those who could still earn a living despite the current economic conditions. Basically, it housed the like of Government officials, educated men and entreprenuers who somehow managed to still keep above the poverty line. Tazuna's home was one of these and though the houses were all well kept and averagely maintained, Kyuubi could still sense the lingering feel of desolation that hung around.
For one; the workers there seemed to have a frazzled mein about them, keeping the windows up in the beat-up cars they rode. She barely even saw other teenagers milling about.
Two; it had to be just plain weird just how quiet the Wave could be. Not even the voices of school children could be heard anywhere around.
After an hour of sightseeing and browsing through a few stores; most of which sold local trinkets and other paraphernelia (she'd bought a handful), Kyuubi had asked to be taken to the other district of Wave. The bad part.
Haku had paled immediately.
The second district was by far the largest, housing the majority of Nami no kuni's population and all of its unemployed denizens. It was a gutter; an utter mess. A slum of all slums, of which the country was popular for. A place for low-lives, thieves, rapists and beggars - even far worse than the well-concealed projects still available in downtown Konoha.
Haku had vehemently declined venturing anywhere near there so they had come to a truce, and instead settled for visiting the Satoshi marketplace, the only one in the whole of Wave. Kyuubi checked her bag of souivenirs; wondering if there was anything she could pick for her teammates.
"You never showed me where you live, Haku", she teased.
The boy only raised an eyebrow, "Are you always this eager on a first date?"
A slender eyebrow was raised in anger but then she noticed he was teasing too and settled for a small blush. Two could play that game after all.
"I see. So you take this as a date, ne Haku?", she asked coyly.
The boy spluttered, knowing now that he was wandering treacherous grounds.
"Er... I'm n-not s-sure... I-I don't kno... Er..."
Kyuubi smirked at his predicament.
They were soon at the marketplace and the two teens settled into a companionable silence as they trudged through its stalls. The market was empty sans a few people milling about causing the redhead to wrinkle her nose.
"Where's everybody?"
For there were only a handful of stalls functioning; selling fresh fish, groceries and vegetables. The others were either closed or selling rotten goods, none of which appealed exactly to her tastes.
Haku sighed, "Satoshi has been like this for a long time. The Wave used to be a place of commerce, fishery and trade but ever since Gato got here, everything depreciated. The fishermen are not allowed to fish like they used to, our trading routes are blocked so there is little foreign exchange, and the government officials are all sufficiently bribed, ensuring that they turn a blind eye to all the suffering. The few working stores here sell local products at outrageous prices or expensive imported products already packaged and prepared. Combined with the high rate of inflation, you can understand why more every day fall into the abject circle of poverty."
His eyes were huge and sad as he spoke this, striken with grief and remorse. Kyuubi touched his arm impulsively, somehow able to understand his pain.
"I'm sorry, you must really be sick of all this. But I have faith in Tazuna-san. He's going to complete that bridge and when he does, we are going to push that Gato person out of this country!", she growled fiercely.
If any, Haku's visage grew even sadder.
"I hope so, too", he said eventually, "Let's check out these shops. You just might see some stuff you'd like."
The two walked ahead, ignoring calls from markerters around. Kyuubi purchased a few other items including fruits and vegetables she thought Tsunami might like. All these she placed in her backpack.
Haku raised an eyebrow.
"Sealing jutsu", she mouthed to him, "The bag's actually bigger than it looks."
They were just passing by an alleyway when a large man jumped out at them, grabbing the redhead bruisefully by the arm.
"What's th'at ya gat in yer bag, girlie?", he sneered; showing dirty, blackened teeth. Kyuubi cringed; a reaction the man mistook for fear. He produced a jack-knife.
"Unles' ya want yer pretty skin turning ther same color as yer hair, I suggest yer don' scream, little girl."
The market people had stilled at the altercation, no one really willing to render any help but all, too eager to watch the outcome of this incident.
Haku; who had noticed the slight attention Kyuubi's backpack had garnered from the hoodlums they passed, slipped subtly into a defensive stance, but the redhead just growled, levelling the man with an irritated glare.
"You didn't just touch me, you filthy bastard!"
"Huh?"
"Take that!"
The teenage boy could only shudder violently as blood cascaded all around the alley way. The thug; already missing some teeth, couldn't help but collapse in shock as a whole row of dentition was knocked clean from his mouth. He crumpled at Kyuubi's feet; gazing up at the triumphant girl who simply looked pleased at her handiwork.
The market people just shrugged and went back to their work. Wave was a strange place, after all.
"You're something else, you know", Haku said, a small smile playing on his lips.
Kyuubi grinned back, "I try."
"Come on, let's leave this place. I'll take you to the bridge so you can see how far along it is."
As they turned away, a second hand again grabbed Kyuubi's arm. The girl turned sharply, well ready to lash out at her attacker, only to come to face with a little girl.
The child was dirty, ragged and pale, with eyes so wide, it was like gazing into stars. She held out her palms in an all too familiar gesture. One which pulled at Kyuubi's heart to see on one so young.
"Can I have some sweets, Onee-chan?", she asked in a small voice, gone raw with hunger.
Kyuubi knelt, her palm exxtending to cover that of the girl's.
"Hai. Of course."
It didn't take long before she had emptied her bag, loading the girl's tiny arms with all the fruit and vegetables she'd bought. She watched fondly as the girl beamed and thanked her before wobbling away awkwardly with her prize, towards a similar group of kids oo whom she'd share her bounty with. The redhead felt a pang of hurt at the sight, followed sharply by a severe loathing towards Gato, his henchmen and all that he stood for. She brushed her hair and wiped her eyes, turning slightly towards her companion.
"It seems we might have to re-shop again, ne Haku?"
But the boy stood rooted the spot, his eyes focused on something only he could see, a pained look on his face.
"Haku?"
He bolted back to reality, mumbling a timid apology before moving forward once again. Kyuubi followed silently, understanding that there was more to him than she previously thought. She'd have to ask him more about his past later and find out what had caused the great sorrow he felt everytime he saw suffering.
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Despite Kakashi telling him to stand down, Sasuke didn't bother easing the scarlet hue blinking in his right eye. He glanced warily at his teacher, subtly scanning for any signs of trickery or deception until Kakashi muttered,
"I'm the real deal, Sasuke. Not genjutsu. Switch off your sharingan, you know why..."
The Uchiha scowled at his mentor before redirecting the chakra away from his eyes. His head throbbed in pain.
'Damn.'
Kakashi looked at the blue-haired boy, who was still in a defensive stance; glaring unsurely at them.
"I assure you, we mean no harm. We are simply mercenaries of the Oniwabanshu... that and I think it'll be best if you come with us."
The boy didn't lower his sword, "W-who are you? And how do you know my teammates' names? Speak now!"
The jonin deftly ignored the first question - "Hmm, how do I know of your teammates? Interesting observation, isn't it?" - and it seemed, also the second.
He didn't wait to see the boy's reaction because he turned abruptly, lazily limping back towards the house. Sasuke glared briefly at the teenager before smirking and following after his sensei.
It was a while but the boy finally sheathed his sword and followed though at a much more sedated pace.
"What do you wish to tell me?", he asked yet again.
Kakashi just gestured towards his ear and didn't say a word until they had reached the Dozuki home. He pushed open the gate and led them into the house, allowing them to get settled in the dining. Tsunami was busy in the kitchen.
"Where's Tazuna-san?", he asked.
"Oh", the matron replied, popping her head through the doorway, "Since you ordered him to take the day off, I sent him up to his bedroom. Is something wrong?", she added, glancing unsurely at the standing stranger.
"Maa, not really. But it might do him some good if he were to be here."
The matron nodded then disappeared into the hall.
The blue-haired boy opened his mouth to speak again but Kakashi silenced him, pointing towards a chair. He pouted a bit but eventually sat down.
"Who are you?", the jonin began, eyes glinting like frozen steel.
"W-who are y-you?", the boy fired back.
"I'm Hatake Kakashi and this is Uchiha Sasuke. Now, answer me."
"Masa Chojuro", the boy grudgingly replied, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Obviously, you're an ANBU of the Sekihotai. What is your relation to the demon of the Mist?"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow incredulously. 'This guy was an ANBU agent? No freaking way! He had almost kicked his ass back there had sensei not intervened!'
He snorted and let his thoughts out loud, "Some ANBU alright; getting his ass handed to him by a single genin."
Chojuro frowned briefly before turning to Kakashi, "I have no relation to Zabuza. My team and I were returning from a mission when we got intelligence on his current whereabouts. We were sent after him and we lost contact upon arriving here."
"Then you failed. Your teammates are dead."
"What gives you the right...?"
"I battled Zabuza some days ago", the jonin explained patiently, "After he was defeated, two ANBU appeared out of nowhere to take him into custody. Their names were Yomura Yasahara and Hatoshi Konji."
Chojuro's face brightened, "Then it means they live."
"No. Their uniforms were loose and some sizes too big, unlike the form-fitting gear black ops usually don. That, and, the Sekihotai Ansastsu brigade are renowned for their immense brutality, they do not capture their missing-nin alive."
"What are you trying to say?"
Kakashi sighed, "Clearly, you're not a full-fledged operative yet, Chojuro. Your senpais are dead. The two I met at the docks were definitely impostors."
"And when did you figure all of this out, Kakashi?", Sasuke asked sceptically, although he had a prickling feeling his sensei was right. The jonin ever was anything else.
"I had my suspicions even then but since we were all depleted, there was nothing to be done. If those two were anything even close to ANBU level, the battle would have gone south pretty fast. Chojuro's claims have just happened to confirm those suspicions for me."
The ANBU trainee, meanwhile, was oddly still, eyes glazed in thought, "T-then why are you here? Did the Oniwaban send you after the Mist demon too?"
"No. Zabuza was hired by a mogul to assassinate my client. I was hoping you could spare some information on him and his associates in exchange for the update on your deceased teammates."
Chojuro looked up angrily, "They're not dead!", but then he resigned himself and heaved a small sigh.
"I'm not a fully registered member of the ANBU brigade yet but I am still privy to some information. Zabuza is wanted for the attempted..."
"...assassination of your Mizukage. I know that."
"Good. Then it's important to know also that he doesn't travel alone. He's amassed a small band over the years. The demon brothers, for one, are in his employ, along with the Mizukage's former personal physician and a man we killed last year; Hozuki Mangetsu, who was the mastermind behind the entire plot."
The silver-haired jonin nodded, "The demon brothers are in ANBU custody as we speak, courtesy of the Oniwabanshu. It is safe to assume that he has only two accomplices left then. Who is the last one?"
Chojuro sighed, "I... don't know. Intelligence has it that Zabuza is always accompanied by a masked accomplice, reports of which describe her as a woman. She's extremely skilled; proficient in the senbon arts and some unique brand of ninjutsu. Rumours have it that she once decimated an entire ANBU platoon single-handedly. As long as she is by Zabuza's side, he cannot be apprehended."
Sasuke briefly flashed back to the bridge and the manner in which one of the pseudo-ANBU had attacked Zabuza. He grimaced. 'So, all that was just some ruse?'
They looked up when they haired Tazuna plop down the stairs.
"What'stamatter, Kakashi?", then he noticed the blue-haired boy and frowned, "Who's this? I'm not feeding any loafers today!"
The jonin pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered, "They're here", before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Tazuna, Tsunami, Chojuro and Sasuke all looked at the scene in surprise. Kage bunshin?
Moments later, the original Kakashi and Naruto walked through the front door.
"The fuck is this?", the blonde asked, staring anxiously at the faces before him, "Some kinda slumber party?"
"What's going on?", Tazuna asked, blinking in surprise, "Why did you just disappear and appear again?"
Kakashi scratched the back of his head, "Hmm, maybe it'd be best if we all sit down for a little while."
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Kyuubi was thumbing through all the pictures she'd captured as she peacefully strode alongside Haku. She wasn't too sure about it before but now she'd confirmed within herself.
Wave was indeed a beautiful town.
Or could be, if that Gato rat was flushed out of it.
They had incredible landmarks and the air was pretty good, not to mention the various merchandise sold around the island. It was unbelievable that the people were willing to give all of that up just because of the stratagems of a madman.
They walked up to the Dozuki home where Kyuubi replaced her phone in her pockets and turned to smile charmingly at the boy beside her.
"Thanks, Haku. It was fun. I had a great time."
He gave her a small smile, enough to make the redhead grin at him and grasp his hand.
"I'm glad you liked it, Kyuubi-san. I enjoyed your company too. Maybe we should do this some other time?"
"Maybe", she purred.
Still grinning madly, she pushed open the door, only to come up front to a small gathering, all bearing sombre expressions on their faces. A slender eyebrow immediately shot up.
"Come over here, Kyuubi", Kakashi gestured, "This concerns you too."
"Wrong time?", Haku asked.
Kyuubi smiled apologetically before joining her team at the table. The long-haired boy bade goodbye to the Dozukis then excused himself.
Sitting beside Tsunami, the redhead gazed evenly at her sensei, practically ignoring Naruto's scrutinizing glare.
"This is Chojuro, Kyuubi", Kakashi began, gesturing to the new face among them. The boy raised his hand in greeting, a small blush dusting his cheeks.
"He's a rookie ANBU operative and he brings news that Zabuza is still very much alive and well, kicking, and that those two ANBU from earlier are actually accomplices of his..."
"What? How?", she yelled, shock coursing through her veins. The battle at the docks had taken a toll on the entire team three (more so on her than she ever wanted to admit) and she wasn't exactly willing to witness it ever again.
But her teammates didn't mirror her alarm, a reaction that proved she was definitely the last to hear of this worrisome news. She cast a condescending glare at her sensei and asked, "You've known this all along, haven't you?", only to get an eye-smile in return.
Kyuubi frowned. Stupid bastard.
"Well then, what's the plan?", she growled, "Do we have an idea where he is? Are we just going to hide or do we try and maybe launch an attack? What are we going to do?"
"We do nothing."
Kakashi's short quip stunned her off her rocker, "WHAT?"
The jonin's decision didn't waver, "Absolutely nothing. We go on like everything's alright."
"BUT...!"
"Trust me, I've tried", Naruto stated grumpily, "We should be out there whooping some ass! But noooo. Let mean ol' sensei hear none of that."
Their teacher skillfully ignored the barb.
"Tazuna-san", he said, turning towards the engineer, "You will be resuming construction tomorrow. The bridge wouldn't build itself and it would be pointless as it is to keep you from your occupation any longer."
"About damn time!", Tazuna huffed.
"E-excuse m-me, K-kakashi-san", Tsunami interjected, "If this killer is still alive, wouldn't it best if we restricted my father strictly to his home..."
"Yeah! Why stick the old geezer's neck out in the open?", Naruto finished, cutting straight to the point.
"Dobe. We need a way to lure Zabuza out."
"So, he's like a scapegoat?"
"He's not a scapegoat, Naruto", Kakashi sighed in exasperation whilst glaring briefly at Sasuke, "Tazuna needs to resume building in order not to raise suspicion. We can't let Zabuza in on the fact that we are aware of his plans, in any way possible. Besides, he will be much safer out in the open than within these walls. I, personally, will be coming along with him."
"Then, what about the rest of us?", Kyuubi interjected.
"Maa, you will continue your training. Chojuro will be here to watch over the household." He raised a hand to prevent the youth from speaking. "I'm sure you want to avenge your colleagues but we won't rush into things. We will do this my way or you will never get your chance."
He then proceeded to look around the table, "As for the rest of us, we should all make sure we don't stray too far from this house. If we must leave, we go in pairs, with a mercenary on each team. Pull Inari from school for the meantime, for his own safety. Explain to the teachers that he's had a flu."
"A-ano, I-I can contact my company to send some backup", Chojuro offered, "Zabuza might not be a threat to the Oniwaban but the Sekihotai might mobilize forces to..."
Kakashi shook his head, "Highly unlikely. All networks are dead and the only available payphone has been sabotaged. Besides, it will take days for your request to be processed and backup to arrive. We're winging this solo."
"Yeah right, sensei", Kyuubi stated dryly, gazing pointedly at Chojuro, "But for all we know, he might be an elaborate accomplice of Zabuza. How do we know we can even trust him?"
"How do we know we can trust Haku?", Naruto fired back, a hint of venom creeping into his voice.
Kyuubi's eyes widened.
"Naruto-kun", Tsunami ushered, hoping to play peacemaker before fireworks erupted, "Haku has been a family friend for quite sometime. I can personally vouch for him. The poor boy is an immigrant, who lost all his relations a while back, he's been living in the Wave ever since."
A flash of emotion crossed Kyuubi's face at this albeit Naruto did nothing more than sneer, "Great. More reason to distrust him then."
"Why? Because he doesn't have a family?"
"That's about it."
"Then why do we bother with you?"
Kakashi's final words saved the meeting from what would have been a major disaster, "If we're done here. We can all get back to our duties then. Chojuro, Tazuna-san. I'd like a word with the both of you."
Kyuubi was first to leave, hopping off her chair and stalking to her room. Her eyes were livid with rage, burning with unshed anger towards her blonde teammate. Naruto followed suit, growling as he grabbed his backpack and heading towards the woods. The rest of the group dispersed a bit more subtly.
Kakashi sighed as he watched his genin go. 'Kami, what had he gotten himself into?'
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The labored breathing of the man on the bed was the only sound to be heard in the darkened room. Suibachi frowned as he looked down at the perspiring man, laid comatose by the power of the analgesics coursing through him.
Bastard. The cocky fool thought he was a god in his own right, but here he was, reduced to little over dung by nothing but mere crap in a bag.
Suibachi sneered. He really loathed the demon and his googoo-eyed sidekick. The pay he got was nothing compared to the insults he was meted out on a near-constant basis. Imagine he, former chief-medic of the Sekihotai!, reduced to catering to the needs of a drug-abusing nincompoop who couldn't even complete a job to save his life! It was one thing to fail the pre-planned assassination of the Mizukage but that of a common civilian bridge builder? Good Lord! No wonder they call him the demon of the Mist!
He gazed once more at the sleeping brute beneath him and frowned. He had swallowed enough as it was for this useless venture. They had promised him the world when they approached him in need of his services but so far, all he had seen was naught. He was still as broke as he ever was and to make matters worse, the true brains behind the entire scheme was dead. The uprising was now in shambles.
Suibachi mused as he walked along the darkened halls of the room, towards his medical cabinet. He had never wanted to be in this for the long run. His greed had been the only reason he had joined forces with the demon but for now, the pros far outweighed the perks. The way it stood, hanging around Zabuza would sooner lead to his death than gain.
Glancing once more at the demon, he steadily pulled his mobile from his pocket. He had always wondered the benefits of tipping the ANBU off about their proximal location but the more he thought about it, the more foolish his plan seemed. There was no material gain behind such a move even if it was only personal vendetta.
Most especially when he could satisfy himself much, much more by killing his employer and attaining the bounty on his head.
Oh yes, that was much better.
He dialled Haku.
"Suibachi", the boy wonder greeted cordially, "What is it?"
"I wanted to update you on Zabuza-san's status. He's doing better now that I've flushed most of the toxin out of his system. It'd be a while till he's fully recovered so how is your mission thus far?"
There was a brief pause before Haku's soft voice came over the speaker once again, a dangerous lilt in its words, "I thank you, Suibachi, but unless it is extremely life threatening, do not jeopardize my assignment again."
The beep of the call cut off any argument Suibachi would have made.
Sucker, the chief medic thought, advancing on Zabuza with a loaded syringe. By the time Haku was done with whatever he was doing, he would be long gone; the demon's head in a bag as show of his superiority.
He made for the IV, intent on introducing the doubly concentrated coagulant into the sleeping man's veins when a large hand lashed out, grabbing his tightly in a painful vice grip. Suibachi paled.
Zabuza's beady eyes glared up at him.
"You've been a bad, bad boy. Haven't you, Suibachi?", the demon croaked.
"Z-zabuza-san! I d-didn't k-know you were awake. I-I s-swear! I w-was only..."
"Ha! Awake? I could never sleep! Not with a weasel like you around!"
A second hand lashed out and grabbed the medic around the neck. Suibachi's eyes bulged.
"(sniff) I wonder what could be in that syringe. Probably something nasty... or dangerous... Or both."
"I-I swear!", the medic choked, "It's only a drug!"
"Then why don't we test it out on you!", and he ripped the needle away with great force before plunging it straight into the doctor's neck.
The gurgling sounds the man made justified the demon's suspicions and he retrieved the phone from him before casting the writhing body aside.
"What did I tell you, Suibachi?"
"Haku."
"Oh Zabuza-san? I thought you were still recovering?"
"I'm fine!"
"What about the doctor?"
"His contract has just been terminated. Where are you now?"
"I'm close to the Dozuki home. I've managed to successfully infiltrate the household without suspicion."
"Good. I'm coming now."
"No, Zabuza-san. That will ruin all my work", Haku said softly, "We'll wait for the right time."
"I can't wait forever, Haku! What is the status report?"
"The copycat is injured but for all I know, it might just be a ruse. His genin won't be a problem and I've managed to acquire the trust of their female member. However, there might just be a little setback."
Zabuza didn't reply so Haku continued.
"It seems they have made contact with an operative of the Sekihotai. It's highly doubtful he knows of my identity but he could possibly present them with valuable information. I'll have to watch him carefully."
"There would be no time for that (sniff). It's either we get rid of them now or that rat will get someone else to do the job. We'll have to push our plans forward now."
"Understood, Zabuza-san."
"Begin setting things in motion. We'll do this carefully. I'll get rid of Sharingan Kakashi once and for all!"
He turned to glance at Suibachi's still writhing corpse, now frothing and bleeding from the eyes. He sneered.
"They would regret ever crossing the demon of the Mist!"
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Naruto panted as he balanced gingerly on the upside of a thin branch. The ground seemed so far away, enough incentive to urge himself not to fall. His hair swayed with the breeze as he tried to wrestle fatigue and gain control of his dense chakra both at the same time.
Fucking ass-hat sensei. He had asked Kakashi to begin teaching them the delayed jutsu but the jonin had cringed and complained of back ache, something the blonde knew he was obviously faking. The lazy motherfucker. He wondered how team three would have fared if they had gotten a different sensei. One who wasn't as perveted and didn't giggle at odd hours of the day. Was he just doomed to be so unlucky?
He heard a peal of laughter and looked over at his teammates who were sitting on the topmost branches of their trees, some distance away from his. He cursed. Kyuubi couldn't seem to stand his presence at the cost of her life and neither could he. Not when she was frolicking with a possible enemy, for kami's sake! Why do most redheads have to be so difficult?
Taking a leap, he thudded back to the ground and tried to organize his thoughts. Zabuza was still alive which meant the longer they stayed, the more dangerous it became for them. Kakashi wanted to avoid a head-on collision as much as possible which put them at risk of being caught off guard, irrespective of all the counter measures put in place.
Naruto didn't know if he could trust Chojuro but their teacher deemed him fit to watch the household while he supervised the building. But what if Chojuro truly was the enemy? Wouldn't that mean that Tsunami and Inari be placed in perpetual danger? What if...?
Unsure about this revelation, he grabbed his backpack and headed back to the household, leaving his teammates to continue with the exercise. He had done enough as it was.
Tsunami was the first sight that greeted him as he rounded into the kitchen. Inari lay sprawled on the living room working on his color books. Naruto glanced suspiciously at Chojuro who was timidly sipping a cup of tea.
The ANBU trainee didn't look like much though the blonde had learnt from experience that strength wasn't always about one's looks. He'd seen Itachi take down mercs thrice his size after all. For that matter, he'd even once seen an old hag outrun a boy; a quarter her age!
Still, he doubted if Chojuro had what it took to square off with the demon of the Mist.
"Oh Naruto-kun, back so soon?", Tsunami called, "Do you mind helping me with these dishes. It's been a chore trying to cook to feed so many."
The blonde sighed. Although he detested cooking, which he saw as a very feminine (and gay) occupation, he couldn't bear to think of refusing the pretty brunette standing before him. She had been a good host after all.
"No problem. Whaddya need help with?"
"Oh thank you, Naruto-kun. You're a dear", Tsunami chirped, passing him a knife and pan, "You can help Haku cut the vegetables over there."
The blonde almost broke his neck as he swivelled sharply, only to see the androgynous youth sitting out in the patio. Naruto growled angrily but was soon ushered out the house by a bumbling Tsunami.
"Naruto-kun?", Haku asked as he approached.
The urchin didn't bother with a greeting, preferring instead to grunt and grab his own share of vegetables. Haku smiled genially as he did so.
They worked in silence for a bit, Naruto throwing wary glances all the time (he didn't exactly fancy the knife Haku held), before the long-haired boy finally decided to speak up.
"I know you don't like me too much, Naruto-kun."
"Yeah?", the blonde grunted disinterestedly, "Wonder what gave that away."
"Is this because of Kyuubi-san? I assure you, she is not my girlfriend."
Naruto almost choked on his own lungs, "W-what?"
"I had no idea you two were romantically involved. My apologies but I do not think of her in the manner you suspect."
"Kyuubi-chan's not my girlfriend!", Naruto croaked out in shock, although a part of him wished the statement to be false, "There's nothing going on between us!"
"Then what is this discomfort I sense? The way she spoke of you earlier made it seem like you disapprove of my company around her. Or... is it the other way round? If so, I'm very flattered. I may look like this but I don't swing that way, Naruto-kun."
This time, the blonde really did choke successfully. After a few seconds of gasping on oxygen and alveoli, he composed himself and glared at the boy beside him, "Don't even joke like that! I'm a hundred percent straight!"
"Oh?", Haku said, looking perplexed as if his simple theory stood no chance of being wrong, "So, you're not attracted to either of us, then?"
Naruto's growl solved the question.
"Then what may be the matter?"
"Trust", he scowled, "Call it survivor's instincts but I just don't trust you. When you spend all your life watching your back on the streets, you learn to take nothing at face value. Even one as pretty as yours."
Haku's face deepened in realization, "I understand now, Naruto-kun. I am not offended."
Naruto snorted and cut deeper into a slice of cucumber.
"Sometimes, I find it hard to trust even myself", the brunette stated in a softer voice, "But then again, it's what we urchins have to live with."
Naruto's knife stilled a bit before resuming their slicing motion. The two worked in silence for the rest of the evening.
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"We're home!", Tazuna called, as he barged into the house, moments after killing the engines of his truck. Tsunami breathed a sigh of relief before quickly ushering him to the bathroom. ("You're getting mud and cement all over the carpet!", she cried)
Kakashi was next and the jonin-sensei seemed remotely unconcerned as he hobbled towards the kitchen, plopping down on the first stool he saw. He raised a lone eyebrow at Chojuro who nodded in reply. The blue-haired youth seemed even more depressed than before. It was no longer hypothesis the fate that had become of his teammates.
"I kept my ears to the ground but I didn't uncover anything of undisclosed corpses", Kakashi began, "I'm sorry but whoever killed them did a good job of covering their tracks - that or it might just be because I'm unfamiliar with the Wave."
"I-I understand, K-kakashi-san. Thank you", the boy simply replied. He uneasily adjusted his katana which he always kept at hand.
"Don't do anything stupid, Chojuro", Kakashi warned wanly, "You will get your chance."
The blue-haired boy didn't reply for at that moment, Sasuke and Kyuubi arrived, sweaty and dirtied from their training. Naruto and Haku were next, helping Tsunami lay out the tables. Kyuubi smiled softly upon noticing the long-haired boy while the quiet Inari took a seat by her side.
Dinner was an awkward event, filled with scraping china and unsure banter. It was obvious that after the day's events, the Dozuki family were simply glad to be reunited once again, while the mercenaries all seemed on edge, the threat of Zabuza looming over their heads. It seemed there would be little fitful sleep gotten tonight.
After dinner, Haku helped Tsunami clean up while Naruto made for the door once again. Kakashi stopped him in his tracks.
"No training tonight, Naruto", the jonin ordered, "It's nighttime hours. Considering the circumstances, you'll need all the rest you can get."
The blonde grunted and headed to his shared room with Sasuke, the Uchiha following shortly after.
"I'll help", Kyuubi offered, gingerly collecting the dishes from Tsunami, "You should get some sleep."
The matron smiled genuinely and left the kitchen to the two teens. They immediately got to work, loading the plates into the sink. Kyuubi began rinsing.
"Hey, what's wrong?", she asked after a while, noticing an uneasiness permeating the boy. Twice, he'd almost broken Tsunami's priceless china were it not for her lightning quick reflexes. Haku was never this unfocused.
"Oh nothing", he said, smiling briefly at her.
Kyuubi frowned. She could tell that something had been bothering him ever since this morning but she never liked to intrude upon one's personal perimeters. If it was something truly important, he'd be sure to tell her sooner or later.
Sooner, if she had any say in it.
In no time they were finished and Kyuubi was just about bading Haku goodnight when he asked tentatively.
"Would you like to go for a walk?"
The girl raised an eyebrow. Haku making a move? Now, that was unusual.
When she didn't say anything, the boy became flustered and started yabbering, "I-I j-just thought it would be nice out, is all. B-but you shouldn't worry, if you don't feel up to it, we can s-still..."
Kyuubi grinned, "I'll come if you promise to tell me a story."
The androgynous youth settled for a small smile, "Deal."
Briefly checking the dining (only Chojuro was still up, looking sullen where he sat), the redhead grabbed Haku's hand and began pulling him out the backdoor.
"Why are we headed this way?"
Kyuubi rolled her eyes, "A lecture from Kakashi-sensei is enough. I don't need another one from Mr-ANBU-guy-I-don't-trust about why it wouldn't be wise to step out after dark."
The two teens left the house, shutting the door behind them. Kyuubi breathed in the scent of the sea breeze. It was much more calming than the heavy industrial air of Konoha. She looked expectantly at Haku who just pointed in any random direction. The two began their walk, settling into a companionable silence.
Kyuubi shivered. She rarely ever got cold but there was just something about the weather today. Something ominous. She looked back at Haku and her breath caught in her throat. His large eyes were shining brightly, reflecting the stars clustered above. Chuckling silently, she wondered when last she had felt free to act so giddily.
"So, what story did you want me to tell?", Haku said, shocking her that he knew she was watching, "I know quite my fill of the local folklore. I've heard from the people that I'm actually quite entertaining."
Kyuubi's mein turned serious, "Tell me about yourself."
The boy looked at her in surprise, "Kyuubi-san?"
"I just want to know what your past was like. Before you started living in the Wave."
"I'm not sure that would be an entertaining story, Kyuubi-san."
"Let me be the judge of that. Besides, it's a story nontheless and you promised."
Haku sighed, wondering just how much to tell the girl. He never burdened people with the details of his past, but then again, he'd never had any real life outside of Zabuza-san. He'd given his life to the mission all those years ago and had never looked back since.
But there was something about Kyuubi. Something dark, dank and deep, despite her bubbly nature. Something he saw everytime he dared to look inside her crimson orbs. And it was that something that compelled him to tell her, even if he had to leave out the parts that jeopardized his mission.
So, mildly aware of the figure now trailing them within the shadows, he began his story.
He had been raised in the Water Nation, precisely in the city of Shochu; a place renowned for its strong breed of o-sake which also shared the same name. He had lived with his mother and father; ordinary civilian workers, at a small home in the outskirts and from what he remembered of those times, he was happy. Then the war broke out.
The mercenaries from the capital had begun a coup against the government and the Prime Minister was ruthless; employing all of his forces to square off against the power of the Mizukage. The results were disastrous. The once peaceful nation was swept aside in a violent tide of unrest and civil war, as the military and mercenaries wrestled for control; civilians becoming nothing more than mere gravel in the resulting chaos.
Being a city by the ports, Shochu was soon hit hard by the war and it became so unbearable that his father, along with a few locals decided to escape to the peaceful shores of nearby Wave. Unfortunately, their boat had been suspected of harboring mercenaries and ended up being attacked by a government warship. Haku had been the only survivor.
The poor boy found himself washed unto the land wherein he had been revived and taken in by a local fisherman. Left with no family, money nor means of getting back home, Haku had no choice but to settle into the Wave and learn the trade. He had traveled for a while but eventually found out that his home resided here and had continued doing so even after the fisherman passed. He held no resentment towards his former home and has been relieved to learn that the fighting had calmed some.
Wave was now his true home and after meeting the Dozukis, he'd never wanted to change that in any kind of way.
Kyuubi's eyes glistened with unshed tears as Haku finished his story. She'd never met someone who had endured such a painful past or was even strong enough to lightly discuss it. She grabbed his arm impulsively, suddenly feeling ashamed for bringing up such dreadful memories.
"I'm sorry, Haku", she uttered.
The boy looked kindly at her and waved off her apology, "Don't be, Kyuubi-san. I don't feel pained by it anymore. If any, it was rather refreshing to share with someone at the least. It isn't usually the best to keep such memories bottled up."
"But I made you relieve them again! Aren't you bothered by this?"
The boy shrugged, "Some people are worth more than a truckload of memories, Kyuubi-san."
The redhead stared at him hard, an unseen emotion crossing her face - then she kissed him fiercely, almost causing the short youth to topple to the ground.
Haku went wide-eyed as her soft lips fused to his but in seconds, against his better judgement, he was kissing her back.
Within moments, they separated. Two sets of pink ears adorning already scarlet faces.
"Sorry", Kyuubi muttered, avoiding the gaze of a still wide-eyed Haku. Her curtain of hair fell over her still burning face and her dark eyelashes shadowed her bloodswept eyes from the rest of world.
Prior to popular thought, Kyuubi wasn't as outgoing as she always appeared to be. She loved chatting, gossip, dating boys and the like, but truth was, she was only but a rookie in the field as much as the next person. This was the second time she had ever been kissed in her entire life! (excluding kindergarten) and she didn't even know what to make of it now.
What did this mean? What should she do? Why was she always so impulsive, dammit?
But Haku had turned and started walking away and Kyuubi had no choice but to follow after him. The house was already in sight and even so, she hadn't gotten rid of the blush still adorning her cheeks.
Her eyes widened. Wait, what if he didn't like her like that? But he said he was straight, didn't he? Or could he be lying? What if he loved someone else?
She had to talk to him. Things would end up awkwardly if left this way.
She looked up at him surprised to notice that he had already stopped, hair blowing slightly in the wind.
"H-haku?"
And that was when she felt the rush of wind behind her.
Turning sharply, she withdrew the kunai hidded within her belt only to gaze up at...
"Zabuza", she gasped silently. Her kunai thudded to the floor.
The demon was posed in a half-crouch, one hand gripping the hilt of his infamous sword laxily. His peculiar aura was nowhere to be found which meant that he had to have been cloaking it.
Kyuubi's knees trembled in fear but then she remembered that she wasn't alone. There was someone else she had to protect. Even if he killed her, she couldn't let him kill Haku!
Snarling, she picked the kunai from the ground and fired it off all in a single motion, coming close to the assassin's groin. Zabuza caught the bladed end deftly, an irked expression on his face.
The redhead filled her lungs, ready to shriek Kakashi's name only for something sharp to plunge deep into her neck.
Then the world went black.
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"Haku", Zabuza drawled, noticing that the boy had grabbed a hold of the girl right before she had fallen, choosing instead to place her gently on the ground, "I hope your little girlfriend here wouldn't be a problem for us because I see no reason for you to interfere with my handiwork."
The youth looked up at his master, "It wouldn't be necessary to finish her off, Zabuza-san. Their teacher might get alerted by the scent of blood. We'll take what we want and leave."
"Haku", came the dangerous warning, "You better not be showing compassion."
"I'm not. You know I'll readily kill any who stand in your way, Zabuza-san."
"Good. Then begin the operation. We have until dawn. I'll head toward the bridge, make sure everything's set at the warehouse."
The boy nodded, standing to turn towards the household; his face now an emotionless mask, devoid of warmth and pity.
"I won't fail you, Zabuza-san."
But the Mist demon had already vanished, disappearing into the shadows around.
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Ending theme: Hymn to the People Of the Satanic Nation (Anton Lavey)
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Hey, does anyone know if Haku has a surname? I can't remember it.
Also, if you like this story, do try to share it with as much people as possible, the more the merrier!
See you next week and thanks for the review, juubes! Ja ne.