NOTE: Some changes have been made to Tomoko's outfit, I've adjusted this in past chapters as well, but if you don't want to go through all that I'll briefly tell you here:

A white, cropped tank top that show's off the stomach.

A black, buttonless, sleeveless, waist coat (very thin material, kinda like a cardigan, only made of cotton) that Tomoko ties into a knot just above her belly button.

Black and grey cut off trousers.

ninja headband around her waist.

normal ninja sandals with her ankles and tiber bone wrapped in bandages.

Thanks and enjoy the chapter!

xox

Me and Naruto talked a little while longer, before we both decided that it was time for him to rest. As Quietly as I could, I stepped into the hallway and gently closed the door.

"So you and the idiot are friends now?"

I let out a squeak of fright and nearly jumped out of my skin. "UCHIHA!" I exclaimed "That wasn't funny!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes, "it wasn't supposed to be, and you didn't answer my question."

Finally catching my breath, I answered his very odd question "yeah I suppose so, is that a problem?"

Sasuke was silence for a moment "no, I guess not."

He had been acting really weird lately, almost like he was trying to make conversation with me. Problem was, we both made it incredibly awkward. It became obvious to me that Sasuke, still had no clue why I am so distance, even though it was him that put the distance between us.

"Did something happen today?"

I blinked, not understanding what he was talking about.

"Kakashi asked you to stay behind this morning, did something happen?" he repeated.

I raised an eyebrow "what makes you ask that?"

Sasuke closed his eyes "I've known you for nine years…"

"Five" I cut in.

He reopened his eyes in confusion "five?"

I kept a stern gaze "you've known me for five years. The past four do not count."

"Are you saying that you've changed since then?" he questioned.

"Everyone changes" I answered simply "you of all people should know that."

He didn't have a comeback to that, because he knew I was right. Eeven so, no matter how long we've actually know each other, I can tell when something is bothering you."

I shook my head at him, with a sad smile "I'm afraid you lost the right to ask of my well-being a long time ago Sasuke."

"What! So you can tell Naruto your problems and not me?!" he snapped, clearly insulted.

"Yes!" I shot back "at least he actually values friendship, unlike you! Who threw it away at the click of a finger."

"Oh here we go," he droned out, "this cryptic speaking on what I did to you, but you won't actually tell me what it is!"

I laughed sarcastically "well one thing sure hasn't changed, you're still as naive as ever!"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at me. "Look, we are on the same team now" he told me, "which means we have to start being on the same page. Now I don't particularly like it, but I've come to accept it, so maybe you should to and let bygones be bygones."

"No."

And that's when the switch happened, that Uchiha anger came out full swing to its one target… me.

"NO!?" he bellowed "This is getting stupid! What did I do Tomoko!? Huh!? We grew apart?! At least that's what I thought but you are clearly still bitter about it all!"

"You want to know why I'm so bitter about everything!?"

"Yes!" Sasauke answered "enlighten me Mori! What did I do to make you hate me so much!"

"YOU TOLD ME I NO LONGER MATTERED!"

Silence followed, Sasuke's jaw was to the floor and his eyes like saucers. It was only now I realised that I had tears running down my cheeks.

"You looked at me dead in the eye" I sniffed, "and told me that I would only be a distraction, and you had more important things to worry about than a pathetic girl like me, who didn't even belong in the village."

Sasuke shook his head in disbelief, as if he didn't believe me.

"It was after the massacre, when you decided on your revenge" I confirmed, now wiping the tears away "That week was the worst ever, because not only did I lose our family… I lost you to."

I turned my back on him "Do you understand now?" I asked him harshly "you weren't the only one effected by their deaths, I mourned for weeks. Haruo was hardly there, so all I had left was you…"

I turned my head to look at him, "don't you understand that it was you and your family that gave me a reason to smile again? To cope with my mothers lose?"

Sasuke still stared at me with a shocked expression "Tomoko… I…"

"Save it!" I interrupted, once again silence followed...

"You know" I said softly "that night the Uchiha clan died, my heart broke." I paused "the day you pushed me away… my heart shattered."

I walked away, leaving Sasuke standing there… and not looking back.

Kakashi, Tazuna and Tsunami, who were still in the kitchen, sat there stunned at the conclusion of Tomoko and Sasuke's fight. Yes… they had heard every word. Sakura had long, gone to bed before hand, but it would be no surprise if she had heard it to. Kakashi not long returned after his chat with Inari.

"Shouldn't… we go see if they're okay?" Tsunami asked gingerly.

Kakashi shook his head back and forth "no, that fight needed to happen… I'm surprised it boiled for this long."

"You sound almost pleased Kakashi-san" noted Tazuna.

Kakashi laced his hands together and leaned on his elbows. "Both Sasuke and Tomoko have gone through a lot of turmoil" he explained "but even so, they've always had one another, even if they fight all the time."

"So… you're saying they need each other?" Tazuna asked.

"Yes," the sensei answer "well, in a sense. Sasuke has been in a very dark place for a long time and has isolated himself from everyone. In the past, Tomoko always brought out the best him, made him think rationally. He's alway's cared for her, even when they weren't talking."

He paused to take a breath "as for Tomoko, even though she has her brother, is just lonely. She went from a well structured clan and family to absolutely nothing in a matter of weeks. The only thing that really sustained her, the Uchiha clan, was ripped from her grasp, and the repercussions of losing her second family came flooding back full force."

"So…" Tsunami spoke "what's to happen now".

"Baby steps" Kakashi replied "baby steps back to the friendship they once had."

To say things were awkward the next day, was an understatement. After my fight with Sasuke, I felt incredibly embarrassed at breakfast, because it seemed everyone but Kakashi was giving me a wide birth.

'Great… now everyone thinks I'm a loose cannon.'

"Well," spoke Kakashi "we best be off you lot."

"Shouldn't we go get Naruto?" I asked.

Kakashi shook his head "Naruto used to much energy in his training, he needs to rest."

"Fair enough" I replied as I followed everyone out of the house.

"Please take care of Naruto for me" Kakashi asked turning back to Tsunami, who was seeing us out. "He used his body to the max, so I think he won't be able to move for today."

Tsunami nodded "Kakashi-san, is your body feeling well now?"

Kakashi laughed a little "yes, somehow…"

"Bye!" Tazuna yelled as we began walking. Once again, things got incredibly awkward. I glanced at Sasuke, he hadn't looked in my direction nor whispered a word to anyone.

If Sakura heard anything about the fight, I'm guessing she was trying to pretend it didn't happened, due the fact she was talking way too much.

"You know, I'm looking forward to the end of this mission." Sakura chirped.

I glanced at her "don't we all?"

"Ah come on" she chimed "you gotta admit, due to this being our first major mission, its gonna be pretty gratifying when we're home."

I closed my eyes "we got attacked by a high level ninja, Kakashi was out for days, I haven't had a moments peace and my body clock has gone completely out of whack! So for me… this has been hard. What do you think of that?"

"I…" Sakura began, but it seems she was at a lost of words.

I sighed "the first thing I'm doing as soon as I get home, is go into hibernation for a week!"

Kakashi glanced at me, seemingly taking a note of my grumpiness "I'm not sure that's the best solution Tomoko, besides… don't start thinking about home just yet. Whether the bridge is nearly complete or not, we still have a job to do."

I waved my hand dismissively "yeah, yeah I know, the worse that could happen is we get ambushed or killed, I got it."

We finally reached the bridge, but there was something off about it.

'I can't hear any construction work…'

"What is this!?" Tazuna bellowed.

In front of us all the workers laid sprawled out on the floor, they didn't seem to be mortally injured but still…

Me and my big mouth…

"What's wrong?" Tazuna demanded "What happened?"

"It can't be…" I heard Kakashi say under his breath. Thick, white mist surrounded the bridge.

"I think you'll find it is" I said sarcastically.

"Sasuke, Sakura, he's coming!" he told them.

We all formed a circle around the bridge builder, weapons at the ready.

"Tomoko… can you sense anything?" he asked me.

I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds around me. Faintly I could hear heavy footsteps, that sounded very familiar "oh yeah its him all right, but I can't tell whether he's alone or not."

It seemed that was all the confirmation that he needed, as Kakashi immediately made a hand sign to gather up his chakra.

"Kakashi-sensei, this is his Mist Concealment technique, right?" Sakura asked.

I could feel my heart pounding, my vambraces, pulsing with heat up my arm… telling me danger was coming.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kakashi" came the voice of Zabuza from the thick mist "and you're still carrying those kids."

Where was he? I have to keep trying.

"He's shaking again, how pitiful."

I opened my eyes to see what he was talking about, turns out it was Sasuke.

Suddenly, I could sense several people coming around us.

"Watch it! He's cloned himself!" I shouted. As is on cue, four Zabuza clones surrounded us, but I was prepared.

A 'ahem' could be heard from beside me "I'm shaking with excitement" Sasuke replied confidently.

"Go for it Sasuke" Kakashi ordered.

I heard more footsteps about a metre away, "they're all clones, I sense the real one further back".

Sasuke didn't hesitate, one by one, as quick as a flash, he took the clones down with one swipe of his kunai.

'Is it just me… or are his senses getting much keener.'

"Oh… He can defeat the water clones."

"To your right Sensei!" I spoke "there's two of them!"

Zabuza and the other person finally revealed themselves "and the girl's senses have gotten better, they both got stronger."

I looked up in surprise at his partner, "its you…"

"Two rivals has appeared for you, Haku" Zabuza mused to the young boy wearing the mask.

"It seems like it" Haku answered calmly.

"So that's your name" I stated.

Haku tilted his head to the side, "I remember you being a bit of a problem for me" he calmly said.

"Well, what can I say" I replied "you can never be too careful."

"Indeed" he agreed.

"Oh my… My prediction was right." Kakashi spoke.

"Your prediction?" Tazuna repeated, not understanding.

"The masked guy" he confirmed.

Sakura made a weird, confused but angry face, obviously she wasn't expecting it to be right.

"Just as I thought, too…" Sasuke cut in making me glare at him.

'Yeah right!'

"So it was a lie that he was a pursuing ninja from the Hidden Village in the Mist" Tazuna told himself.

Kakashi replied with "he's on Zabuza's side no matter how you look at it. They're lined up so nicely."

"Nicely, isn't the word I'd use to describe our current situation" I spoke harshly.

Sakura huffed "Who does he think he is, coming out like that…"

"I hate conceited kids like that" stated Kakashi, which caused a mortified expression to cross my face.

"Say that a little louder Sensei! I'm not sure he heard you!"

"He's better than you in that field, Kakashi-sensei" Sakura said 'oh-so-matter-factly'. For the first time ever, I agreed with her snobbish remark.

"Ah… really?" he asked rather surprised.

I shook my head "seriously Sensei, you cease to amaze me."

"I'll fight him" Sasuke suddenly announced, reminding us once again where we were.

"What?" I heard Sakura gasp.

I to looked at him, as he said very calmly "he pulled that stupid act on us… I hate conceited guys like that."

"What is it with you lot and insulting the enemy!?" I said through gritted teeth.

Sakura gushed "you're so cool, Sasuke-kun."

I noticed Kakashi sigh deeply in disbelief "Sakura never corrects Sasuke…"

I raised my eyebrow "are you seriously that surprised?"

"He's quite a boy" I heard Haku say. It seemed he was talking to the swordsmen "even if a water clone only has one-tenth of the original person's power… He dealt with those clones well."

"What's he saying?" Sakura asked.

"He's complimenting Sasuke" I answered. Zabuza took notice of my ability to hear so well from my distance.

He then smirked through his bandaged face "but we made the first move. Go. And watch out for the girl, she's going to make things a lot more complicated."

I narrowed my eyes at him "Get ready…" I told Sasuke.

Haku agreed, and as quick as blink, approached us in a tornado like motion. The sound of his movements created a high pitched scream, which caused me to cringe. "Ah that bastard!" I cursed, I could feel my ears ringing from the sudden volume.

I became disorientated, and wasn't sure what happened next.

"Tomoko!?" Sakura called noticing my stumble slightly.

I shook my head then held my hand up "I'm alright, the guy just threw me off a little." With my sight less fuzzy and my hearing returning, I now saw that Sasuke had engaged in battle with the masked ninja, Kunai against needle.

"Oh?" Zabuza mused "he was able to catch up to his speed."

Once again I glared at him, which notified Kakashi that my earing was back. "Sakura, stick with Tazuna-san and don't get too far away from me" he told her, "We'll let Sasuke deal with him."

"What about me?" I asked.

"Assist Sasuke, use your wind reading to warn him of anything" he ordered.

I nodded and continued to watch the two boys fight, it was pretty even so far…

"I don't want to kill you, but you won't back off right?" I heard Haku ask.

Sasuke smirked "what are you stupid?"

"Don't get so cocky idiot!" I yelled "focus on the task at hand."

"Hm… as I thought" Haku breathed. "But you won't be able to keep up with me for my next move."

I raised my eyebrow, what could he possibly mean?

"And I'm already two steps ahead of you" he concluded.

'Two steps ahead? What is he talking about?'

I moved my body to the side slightly, which caused me to reposition my foot, a tiny splash echoed against my eardrums.

Looking down I finally noticed we were surrounded by water… and Sasuke's arm was kept busy, therefore not able to mold chakra.

"Shit!" I cursed as I got out my kunai, "Sakura stay here!"

As I ran to aid my teammate, my suspicions were corrected, he could create seals with one hand!

"Flying water of a Thousands Kills" I heard him say and stomped his foot. The water, once liquid mirrors on the ground, shot up in a violent manner, blocking me from them. They then hardened into needles.

"Sasuke watch out!"

But he was already planning a counter, as he focused his chakra to his feet, the needles went for their target, and he managed to dodge them.

"Sasuke he's moved further back by two jumps" I informed him.

Sasuke took note of my instruction and threw three shuriken stars at him, which Haku dodged as well. But that was what Sasuke wanted, as he suddenly appeared behind his opponent.

"You're pretty slow" he told him which got me riled up again.

"God dammit Sasuke, focus!"

But he clearly ignored me "Now, you can only receive and block my attacks." They both went in for the blow, only to block each other, Sasuke though, hid a kunai behind his back and threw it, causing Haku to duck.

Seizing the opportunity, Sasuke kicked him square in the face, sending him flying. I ran to catch up with him again and hear him boast about how his speed was better.

Great, he was becoming arrogant, which leads to stupid mistakes. I've given up trying to tell him now… he clearly isn't listening.

"You can't make fun of our team just because we have children" I heard Kakashi say proudly. "Sasuke is one of the village of Konoha's top rookies, Tomoko is the best young wind reader I've ever known, Sakura is the village's shrewdest child."

I felt a wet drop form at the back of my head "then what's Naruto?" I quietly asked myself.

"And the other one likes to show off and is number one in surprising people, he's the noisy ninja Naruto" he concluded.

'Well… I guess that description is pretty accurate.'

Zabuza found this amusing, as he began chuckling "Haku, do you understand that you're going to get defeated like this?"

His partner stood up "yes" he answered.

I blinked "so he was holding back, I knew it was too good to be true!"

I stopped speaking when I saw the amount of Chakra that was radiating off his body, it was bright, navy blue… something I'd never seen before.

"What is that?" Sasuke asked.

"Trouble" I replied.

Zabuza chuckled again "that girl is being a pest, get rid of her first if you can" he ordered.

Haku nodded, accepting his order "it's a shame" he said to us "you are quite beautiful…"

I blinked "are you complimenting me?"

He nodded "I wish you didn't get involved, but I must do what I am ordered."

The air became bone chilling cold in a matter of seconds, Haku began to form a hand seal I'd never seen before. His index fingers where pressed together, with his middle fingers over the index, pressing each other over the top.

Behind me, I could hear a strange crackling sound, like frost under a foot, only with ten times the ferocity. The same sound now surrounded us, I stared in shock as the water rose from the ground like a feather, and like a cold harsh winter, frozen into rectangle mirrors. I couldn't tell you how many there were, but I can say that these mirrors covered the both of us from every angle. The left, the right, and the top. There was no where to turn or direction to look without having a mirror blocking your path.

"Mirror of Ice Crystals" I heard Haku say.

He then preceded to walk towards one of the mirrors, stepped into it like a doorway, and slowly sunk into the glass, like a rock thrown into the sea. Both me and Sasuke stared, stunned, Haku could now be seen within the mirror.

"This is insane!" I breathed "how did he do that!?"

Sasuke was rendered speechless, light came across the mirrors, and as quick as it came, Haku was now appearing in every single mirror, staring at us.

"What is… he going to do?" Sasuke stuttered.

I looked around, hoping to find a way out "this isn't good…"

"Now…" said Haku, but I'm not sure where "lets begin."

"No, the mirrors are reflecting the vibrations of his voice" I cried.

Sasuke shot me a look "meaning what?"

"Meaning…" I began "I can't pin point where he'll be coming from and when… my wind reading has been rendered useless."

"I will show you my true speed" Haku told us. I needle came flying out of one of the mirrors, ripping the sleeve of Sasuke's shirt, another shot down, ripping the other.

"Sasu-" I was cut off, feeling a needle shoot past my thigh, ripping the cloth.

"SASUKE! TOMOKO!" I heard Kakashi shout to us.

Needles began showering upon us, scratching our bodies from head to toe. I screeched from the sudden pain, throwing my arms over my face to shield it. I could hear Sasuke screaming beside me, clearing hurting as well.

I went to grab a weapon, only to have a needle scrape the top of my hand and stop me.

"Ahh" I cried cradling my hand, even though the metal of my vambrace protected it, the pain from the thrown force was still painful.

The shower of Needles was relentless, pushing me to the ground in a fertile position, I glanced up to see Sasuke crouched own, his hands over his head. The needles scratching his skin, blood splurting from his wounds. His screams sounded like something out of a horror movie, a victim being tortured continuously.

By now I had tears rolling down my cheeks, the cries of agony would never justify the pain I was feeling. If you could imagine a deep cat scratch, only with ten times more force and sharpness, over and over again, all over your body… it was like that…

'Why isn't anyone trying to save us?' I asked myself, closing my eyes, only just remembering Zabuza was out there, blocking my sensei's path. This is what he wanted, to get me and Sasuke completely isolated and very vulnerable.

"T-Tomoko…" I heard him gasp, I looked up at him, blood know trickling down from his forehead "h-hang on…"

I could now feel blood oozing out of my wounds, I was completely covered in raw red cuts, the pain paralysed me from moving. I could see Sasuke slowly crawlimg closer to me, whilst still attempting to shield himself and crying out in anguish.

Suddenly I heard someone yell something, it sounded like Sakura. I noticed a kunai flying towards one of the mirrors, Haku however, stepped out of the mirror, ceasing his attack, and caught the knife flawlessly.

Sasuke collapsed, his hand about an inch away from mine as we both laid there, the affliction still aching.

"S-sas… Sasuke" I heaved, it hurt so much to talk. He lifted his head up slightly, his face creased with distress.

"Are… are you… alright?" he managed to asked.

I laughed slightly, although it was a struggle "you kidding?" I joked "this is like a whole new beauty regimen for me."

Sasuke chuckled slightly "that's one way of describing it."

Seriously… only we can go from screaming at each other, to not talking, to cracking jokes in a very sticky situation.

Our humorous moment was cut short when two shuriken stars were flung at Haku, a direct hit and caused him to collapse out of the mirror. Now you'd think this would give myself and Sasuke a chance to run for an escape, but I know for me I was in too much pain to move.

I attempted to look around, to see where it came from, but it was no use, so I dropped my head back onto the ground.

I could see Haku slowly sit up, followed by a sudden explosion of smoke to my right…

I managed to move my head to look at the smoke, smoke that came from a ninja smoke bomb.

"oh god… please don't tell me…"

"The noisy ninja that's number one in surprising people…" Haku retold.

The smoke cleared, and there stood a certain, orange dressed ninja.

"Uzumaki Naruto is here!"