Disclaimer: Naruto is property of Masashi Kishimoto and Bleach is property of Tite Kubo. I don't own either manga in anyway so please don't sue me.
Chapter 6: Zabuza Returns
Haku was walking through a forest clearing picking flowers and herbs when she saw Naruto lying face up in the grass with charred land around him. Haku instantly recognizes him as one of the boys that gave Zabuza so much trouble.
"I would kill him right now but I don't have any weapons on me so I'm a little shit out of luck here." Haku thinks and walks towards Sasuke intent on stomping his throat and killing him. Just as Haku is about to harden her heart Sasuke's eyes open and he springs up Ryujin Jakka in hand.
"You know it's considered suicide to sneak up on a shinobi." Sasuke says.
"I am sorry I was unaware of your state of consciousness." Haku looks around and sees the destruction around them. "Did you do all this?"
"Yes I did this so that way I can get stronger."
"If you did all this you seem plenty strong to me."
"But I'm not strong enough to protect those precious to me."
"If you have someone precious to you then you will get strong very strong."
"Thank you miss, by the way you're very pretty." Haku turns away and blushes
"Well you're not that bad looking yourself." Haku says.
"What are you doing out here?"
"I am gathering healing herbs for my precious person."
"Want some help?"
"Sure I would appreciate that greatly." Sasuke walks over and uses his mom's old books to help gather the plants necessary. After 10 minutes Sasuke looks at the plant that Haku was picking up.
"I wouldn't if I were you that one is poisonous if mixed with some the plants we have gathered." Haku looks down at the plant she was gathering and indeed noticed that combined with several other plants would indeed result in a poisonous concoction.
"Whoopsie." Haku looks down in her basket and notices the amount of herbs. "Well I thinks that's enough I thank you for your help." Haku starts to walk away when Sasuke calls out.
"Tell Zabuza I look forward to our rematch." Haku's eyes widen in shock.
"How did you know?"
"I'm an expert in sensing Reiatsu you have the same Reiatsu as the Oinin Butai who took Zabuza's body away."
"But what are going to do?"
"Nothing at all I am not going to interfere." Sasuke walks away towards Tazuna's house, and as he walks away Haku sees the Uchiha clan symbol on his back and her eyes widened as she remembered what Hyōrinmaru told her. Haku clutched her Kimono and fought the urge cry her eyes out, after a while she walked back to the hide out where she and Zabuza were staying.
(With Naruto and the others)
Kakashi had awoken and was standing in front of his Gennin team a crutch holding him up.
"Well since I'm still incapacitated I'll by training you in chakra control." Kakashi said.
"If it's all the same to you Kakashi-sensei Naruto and I already know how to walk up trees and walk on water." Sasuke said.
"Oh well, then you two can guard Tazuna while he works on his bridge." Kakashi eye smiled. "Right after you prove you can perform the chakra control exercises."
"Of course." Sasuke and Naruto looked at each other and they both ran up the trees in front of them and reached the top in seconds. Naruto and Sasuke smiled at Kakashi then they jumped down and landed on the surface of the water and dashed towards the middle of the lake and started clashing with each other swords clashing against one another.
"Well that pretty much proves it you can control your chakra."
"Well let's go Naruto." Sasuke said as he and Naruto walked over to Tazuna's house while he and the Naruto followed Tazuna towards the bridge and after a while of working one of the workers walks over to Tazuna.
"May I have a word with you, Tazuna?" The man says
"What is it, Giichi?"
"Well after thinking about it… Can I quit this bridge building?"
"W-why all of the sudden?! Not you too."
"Tazuna, I've known you for a long time. I want to help, but if I get too involved, Gato will come after me, too. Everything will lose meaning if you die. Why don't we stop building this bridge?"
"I can't do that. This bridge is our bridge. This is the bridge that we've been building with the people of the town in hopes that distribution and transportation will increase to this our poor Land of Waves, which possesses few resources."
"But if we die."
"It's already lunch time. Let's stop for now." Tazuna starts walking off.
"Tazuna!" Tazuna stops and looks back.
"Giichi, you don't have to come anymore." Tazuna says then continues walking off. Naruto walks after him looking concerned.
"So how many have quit the project so far?" Naruto asks.
"Giichi will make the 12th at this rate I'll be the only one left building this bridge."
"Need some help?"
"Unless you can find twelve workers for me there isn't much you can do." Sasuke smiled at Naruto.
"Do it." Sasuke smiled.
"I'll do you one better, I can get you 66." Tazuna's eyes widen in shock at the concept. Naruto brings his hands together in his familiar cross seal. "Kage Bunshin No Jutsu!" then a plume of smoke 66 clones appear
"Whoa kid I heard ninjas could perform miracles but this takes the cake but how will illusions help?"
"These clones are different they're all solid, comprised from my chakra the clones take shape and can interact with the world around them."
"Ready Naruto?" Sasuke asked as he jumped off the bridge and started floating in midair.
"Yep." Naruto jumped to and he too landing in the middle of the air as if he was walking on the ground. Tazuna's eyes widened in shock.
"Surprise." Sasuke and Naruto said laughing with that the clones Naruto and Sasuke got to work on the sections of bridge.
(8 hours of working latter.)
"You know something you kids are a real god send you know that. Thanks to your help we will have the bridge done by the end of the week."
"All in a day's work." Naruto and Sasuke smiles, a few minutes later they arrive at the market and Naruto sees everyone with dirty rags and tattered clothing everywhere. "It reminds me of how I used to live." Naruto looks around sadly. "Mr. Tazuna why are we here?"
"I asked told to pick up supplies for dinner."
"Why does everyone look like this?"
"It's been like this ever since Gato arrived. That's why we have to finish the bridge so we can increase trade with other countries and finally get back on our feet." Tazuna and Naruto walk into a store and Naruto looks around and sees that there are so few supplies.
"There is barely anything here." Naruto observes sadly.
"Welcome Tazuna." The shop keeper says. While Tazuna is picking up what fresh supplies he can afford Naruto's eyes harden as he observes the destitute state of the shop. After a while they all arrived back at home, when they arrive Tazuna hands Tsunami the food they bought and ten minutes later the meal was set and everyone sat down and grabbed a set of chopsticks.
"Ikadaimasu!" they all say as one then they dig into the meal. After a couple of hours Naruto walks over to where he would be sleeping.
"Naruto you're not going to stay for dessert?" Tsunami asks
"No I need to practice more with Zangetsu if I hope to reach Bankai in the near future."
"I'll reach Bankai before you do Naruto." Sasuke smirked.
"Sure you will." Naruto said sarcastically Naruto went up to his room and quickly fell asleep.
Naruto wakes up to the sounds of scuffling down stairs. Naruto grabs Zangetsu and runs down stairs to see two thugs holding Tsunami's throat while Inari tries to fight them off.
"LET GO OF MY MOM!" Inari yells
"Make us kid." The thug with the eye patch says as he chuckles.
"How about I make you?" Naruto says Zangetsu in his hand.
"Oh and what's a kid going to do?" the one with the ski cap mocks.
"This. GETSUGA TENSHO!" Naruto swings Zangetsu blasting the two thugs out the door and then Naruto leaps and grabs tsunami just before she hits the ground.
"Thanks Naruto." Tsunami says rubbing her throat.
"That was sooo cool!" Inari says in awe of Naruto's power.
"I told you heroes exist." Naruto smiles.
"Maybe he can kill Gato." Inari looks on with a new fire burning in his eyes.
"You did well Inari defending your mom." Naruto smiles then he turns to Tsunami with concern. "Where are my teammates?"
"They went with your sensei to the bridge with my father, your girlfriend wanted to let you sleep and personally I'm glad she did." Tsunami says
"Thanks Tsunami-san I'll leave a shadow clone with you incase more come." Naruto makes the cross seal. "Shadow clone jutsu." A clone with the rinnegan appears and Naruto runs off after his teammates to make sure they're ok.
(Uncompleted Bridge)
"On your guard you two this mist is chakra laced." Kakashi says. "I knew he was still alive he just couldn't wait for round two."
"Sorry I kept you waiting Kakashi." A voice calls from the mist that is all too familiar to all of them. Next to Kakashi Sasuke started trembling. "I see that boy is still trembling how pathetic."
"I'm trembling with excitement." Sasuke says. Just then 10 Zabuzas appear around them.
"Sasuke do it." Kakashi says, and Sasuke nods then with a swift series of movements takes down all the Mizu Bunshin and they burst into the puddle.
"I can see it."
"Oohh you could see they were Mizu Bunshins the brat is improving, looks like you've got a rival Haku." Zabuza says
"So it seems." Haku says
"Well, well so I had it right." Kakashi says. "It was all an act."
"An act." Tazuna says confused.
"With a cute little mask."
"Big phony." Sasuke glares.
"So I guess being a tracker ninja protecting her village was just a bunch of bull." Tazuna says.
"They look pretty chummy I'd say that they've been pulling scams like that for a long time." Kakashi says then Sasuke glares at Haku Sharingan blazing. "And hiding behind a mask who does she think she's fooling."
"Speak for yourself sensei." Sasuke smiles then he glares. "That's it I'm taking him out."
"He is quite the man. Even if a water clone has only 10% of the original person's power. He dealt them with them nicely." Haku says
"We've made the first move now attack." Zabuza says.
"Yes, Zabuza-sama." Haku steps and starts spinning and Sasuke blocks the katana with a Ryujin Jakka.
"He caught up with Haku's speed impressive." Zabuza says
"Sakura, stick with Tazuna-san and don't get too far from me. Let Sasuke handle this." Kakashi says. Haku and Sasuke start spinning clashing kunai to senbon over and over.
"I don't want to kill you, but you won't back off, right?" Haku asks
"What are you stupid?" Sasuke asked
"As I thought but you be able to keep up with me or my next move. And I'm already two steps ahead of you."
"Two steps ahead?"
"The first one is the water on the ground, and the second one is that I'm keeping one of your arms busy, so you're only able to take and block my attacks." Haku raises her hand and starts weaving hand signs with a single hand.
"Hand signs with only one hand." Kakashi's eyes widen in shock.
"Hyoton: Sensatsu Suishō" Haku stomps the ground and the water that was left from the water clones dispelling rose up and formed into a thousand needles and surround Sasuke and Haku.
"'I don't want to kill you.' He said but is that what she really thinks." Zabuza thinks as he observes the battle unfold.
"Sasuke!" Sakura shouts in concern her crush, Sasuke closes his eyes and starts to focus his chakra and then Haku leaps back just before the attack connects and Sasuke leaps into the air, however in the explosion of water Haku fails to notice this. When Haku looks back at where Sasuke was she didn't Sasuke anywhere.
"He disappeared." Just then Haku looks up and sees Sasuke floating there kunai in hand then he throws a few shuriken at Haku who leaps back to avoid them. Just then Sasuke appears right behind Haku.
"You're pretty slow. Now you can only receive and block my attacks." Both Haku and Sasuke move and a blur of speed and end up and an crossed arm position then Sasuke smirks at he swings his Ryujin and Haku ducks to dodge it but only ends up walking right in to Sasuke's kick which blasts her back towards Zabuza.
"Haku lost in a contest of speed?" Zabuza thinks in shock then he looks at Sasuke
"Looks like my speed is just a bit faster."
"You shouldn't underestimate my team just because there kids." Kakashi eye smiles. "Sasuke here is a true prodigy of the hidden Konoha. Sakura is the kunoichi of the year and Naruto well he's got great power.
"So does Haku."
"I see that our Ninjutsu and Taijutsu won't get this done so let's move on to our Zanpaktou." Haku said.
"Sounds good to me." Sasuke replied. Sasuke unsheathed Ryujin Jakka and Haku unsheathed Hyōrinmaru.
"Reign over the frosted heavens/Reduce all creation to ashes!" Haku and Sasuke shouted at the same time. "Hyōrinmaru/Ryujin Jakka!" at each wielder's command their released powers clashed against one another the ice dragon Haku shot from her Zanpaktou was countered with a wave fire from Ryujin Jakka, when Sasuke fired another shot with his next swing only to be countered with another ice blast from Hyōrinmaru. Haku and Sasuke dance back and forth one striking at the other counter blow for blow. Eventually the two of them separated both breathing heavily.
"You're…not…bad…" Haku huffed out.
"You're…not…bad…yourself…Haku…" Haku's eyes widened.
"How…?"
"Your…Reiatsu…" Sasuke smiled. "Our…Zanpaktou…directly…counter…each other…"
"Yes…they…do…however…I still…win…"
"How…so?"
"Ban…kai!" Haku's Reiatsu exploded and ice started to cling onto Haku, starting at her right arm, which ice forms onto in the shape of a dragon's head around her sword hand, encasing the sword up to the hilt, which also changes from the shape of a four-pointed star to that of an eight-pointed star. The ice continues forming up over her shoulders, with two large wings sprouting from her back and a long tail. The ice forms down her left arm and encases her hand, which ends in a claw. Haku's feet are encased in ice in a similar manner to her left hand, as they also end in claws.
"Oh…crap."
"Daiguren Hyōrinmaru. Be honored you are only the second person to see my Bankai and you will be the first to fall to my Bankai." Haku took a stance and glared at Sasuke. "I'm sorry, maybe in another life…we could have been friends…maybe more…Ryusenka!" (Dragon Hail Flower) Haku charged Sasuke with the intent to run him through when a cry was heard from overhead.
"GETSUGA…TENSHO!" A blue crescent blast sliced right in between the two warriors destroying a small section of the bridge but interrupting the dash and the connection. Naruto landed in front of Haku with a stern look on his face.
"Naruto." Sasuke said happily
"Soooo." Naruto said evenly. "What's up?"
"This is Haku. She is currently handing me my ass." Naruto looks back at Sasuke.
"Lets' take her together."
"Right." Sasuke stands then they both charge striking at Haku who parries only to get struck by Sasuke but her Bankai regenerates from the mist in the area and she goes on the attack striking and flying around Naruto's and Sasuke's counter attacks. Sakura watches the clash desperately holding a Kunai.
"Is this what real power is?" Sakura asked as she trembled. "I…can't believe this…have I really been this weak all along…I'll never make it as a Kunoichi at this rate but I've lost too much time…this is real power at this rate if Sasuke and Naruto-baka fall I'll die and there won't be a thing I can do against this power how can such power exist?"
"You idiot girl just need to get that power then Sasuke-kun will love us forever…Shannaro." Inner Sakura
"But I can't get that power I'm too weak."
(Meanwhile back at the Plot)
Naruto and Sasuke were breathing very heavily and so was Haku.
"Sasuke." Naruto said as he looked at his friend. "Let's use, that attack."
"Right." Naruto and Sasuke crossed blades and a blazing blue light radiated from Zangetsu while flames erupted around Ryujin Jakka. The powers swirled tighter and tighter eventually the exploded out but still very much controlled.
"It's all over."
"I see we're ending this with our strongest attacks." Haku said
"Yeah." Sasuke said.
"Then come!" Haku charged again. "Ryusenka!"
"Nenshō Getsuga…TENSHO!" (Burning Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer) Naruto and Sasuke shouted then the blast of fiery Reiatsu rocketed toward Haku who's blade wilted against the intense heat the last of Haku's Reiatsu left her as her Bankai vanished, it's time limit reached.
"Damn." Haku cursed. Just then slow asshole clapping was heard, as Gato and an army of thugs came into few.
"Well, well, well, looks the Kirigakure no Kijin was just a baby demon after all."
"Seems you were right, Haku." Zabuza said then he dispelled what little mist hadn't frozen over from Daiguren Hyōrinmaru. "Stand down Kakashi we're no longer enemies Haku and I knew that Gato would betray us but now I'm wounded and tired do you mind giving me a hand in cleaning up the trash.
"I'll help." Sasuke said. "Stand a side I'll kill them all." Sasuke held out his hand. "The thunder god roars as his dragon splits the sky and strikes my foes, Hado 88: Hiryu Gekizoku Shiten Raiho!" Sasuke fired a blast of lightning and obliterated the army and Gato. "That was easy." Just then a group of town's folks arrived only to see Sasuke's attack.
"H-he's dead." Inari said shocked.
"Gato's dead." Another member of the mob said the message quickly traveled around and the crowd started cheering as their nightmare was finally over.
(Time Skip 3 days later)
Haku, Zabuza and Team 7 were looking at the completed bridge.
"So." Sasuke was twitching nervously. "Zabuza what do you think about you and Haku coming to Konoha to stay I could offer both of you the protection of the Uchiha clan."
"Well you've just got to make sure Haku's protected from the stupid Clan Creation Act that will turn Haku into a baby making factory." Sasuke started blushing like crazy. "W-well there is only one way I know of."
"What is it?" Zabuza asked looking at Sasuke.
"Shehastobemarriedorengagedtoaclanheir." Sasuke said quickly.
"Come again?" Zabuza said not understanding a word the young boy had just said.
"She has to be married or engaged to a clan heir." Sasuke said nervously not daring to look at Zabuza. Zabuza looked at Sasuke an emotionless look on his face.
"She has to be what?" Zabuza asked dangerously.
"Father, stop messing with him." Haku said.
"I'm sorry but if you think I'll just I'll just let some pompous asshole who will probably treat you like a sex object you've got another thing coming."
"Zabuza-sama I already know a clan heir who won't treat me like a sex object." Zabuza looked at Haku shocked.
"Who?" Haku smiled mischievously and grabbed Sasuke and kissed him on the lips.
"HOW DARE YOU LOCK LIPS WITH MY SASUKE-KUN?!" Sakura screeched but Naruto knocked her out with a chop to the back of the neck. Zabuza looked at Sasuke who was blushing a deep crimson after he and Haku separated.
"Y-you saw what happened she kissed me." Sasuke said backing up slowly but to his surprise Zabuza wasn't reaching for his sword or any weapon.
"Promise me that you'll treat her right and I approve of you two being together." Zabuza said
"You have my word as Sasuke Uchiha that I will treat her right, I swear it on my Zanpaktou Ryujin Jakka." Zabuza's eyes softened.
"Very well."
"Anyway lets head back to Konoha." Kakashi said as he picked up the unconscious Sakura and the five conscious shinobi dash towards Konoha.
(A/N: Sorry I haven't uploaded anything in a while. I started collage and had to take a second class and as such my writing time has been seriously slashed into and now I also have work so my days are pretty full. I HAVE NO INTENTION OF ABANDONING NARUTO SENJU UCHIHA, MADARA'S LEGACY OR THIS STORY! Many thanks for all the support CJShikage.)