CHAPTER 17
TITLE: Hope for the Future
The Nine-Tailed Fox groaned in pain, his feeble, yet rebellious growls and moans of anguish swallowed up by the cataclysm that he faced. In front of his eyes a hurricane of crimson, luminous energy whipped, and tore at him.
He was surrounded by a vibrant, throbbing haze of white and red. A thunderous, painfully loud rushing noise vibrated through the air, assailing his eardrums with nothing but sheer volume, drowning nearly everything else out.
His long wicked claws dug deeply into the ground, his shoulders hunched as he felt his own chakra, his own essence, rebel against him. His vulpine form betrayed him, thin fabric of energy that wove his physical body together ripping apart strand by strand.
It felt like his soul was being crushed, the walls of his own chakra condensing, collapsing onto itself. His eyes failed him his eyes feeling like they were being ripped apart, his physical form wavering like ripples in the ocean.
He managed to catch a glimpse his surroundings. A veritable storm of red chakra raged about him, the energy so intense it brushed against his fur as if it were made of sandpaper and broken glass. The storm raging louder, and more destructive than any monsoon he'd ever seen in the several thousand years he'd existed.
This was worse than last time. His very existence felt as if it wavered, shaking his very core. It transcended pain, every second feeling like utter agony.
It felt like it was hardly a week earlier that he'd felt this way. Assailed for hours on end with his own chakra. Only then it seemed like his chakra was growing, contained within his charge. His chakra building to some kind of crescendo, likely meant to result in the permenant deaths of both him, and his container.
Only now it seemed different, corrupted somehow. The waves of energy, looked like a crimson blizzard, the wind coming and going, inconsistent, yet furious and alive.,
His screams reached an even higher peak as the pain he felt nearly doubled, sending him sprawling to the surface of his prison. His head impacted the floor of the prison with a thunderous slam. He raised his head, baring his long fangs at the red cacophony before him.
'T-This... What new devilry have these Humans constructed. What new blasphemy have they invented for themselves.
His surroundings were nothing short of chaos incarnate. The bars, damn them, remained standing in front of him. Barely visible beyond the red haze of condensed chakra. For the first time in eight years he felt fear grip his heard, the awful sense of dread and panic settling in his gut like a physical weight.
Kurama gritted his teeth against the pain, moving his mighty form was painful now, paying for every inch of movement. He looked around, his red slotted irises flitting about. Spying his surroundings for any trace of the threat that seemed to assault him.
His gaze sharpened, spotting a flash of white beyond the haze of crimson energy. It disappeared as fast as it came, flashing in and out with the intensity of the 'wind' of the storm.
The Nine Tailed Fox growled, hate and outrage churning in his breast, yet also curiosity. For despite the situation, he was indeed curious as to how this event had come about. And Kurama would find the one who did this, and extract the information out of whatever lowly, crawling creature had dared attack the Kyuubi no Kitsune.
He braved the caustic winds, never flinching as his power was used against him. Searing his flesh in mighty, broiling gusts. The flesh in his body nearly instantly repaired. He clawed his way forwards, keeping low to avoid the worst of the winds, his powerful vision catching the sight of something flapping violently in the wing.
He reached forwards, crawling a few more steps, and all at once, he saw it.
Or rather, him...
The boy was limp on the ground, his shirt, sporting the loathsome seal of the Uzumaki clan on the back of it. He was face down, nearly motionless aside from a few twitches and small movements here and there.
He growled when he saw him, the shock of short golden hair reminding him keenly of the boy's father. For the thousandth time, he cursed the Yondaime, and his bastard of a son for the bars the kept him from tearing him limb from limb.
His eyes scanned the human, spotting red blood pooling under him, a red circle growing slowly on his back. Dark, vein-like abrasions raising on his skin, looking eerily like cracks. The wind pearled at them, the acid-like gusts of power lashing against his skin and fur, making the Fox grit his teeth against the pain. The liquid that always seemed to cover the ground in this human's mindscape whipped and was sent flying into mist. It's rage tearing at the boy's clothes so fiercely it was a wonder they remained attached. He made a low pitiful sound when the wind hit him, the chakra turning his skin red momentarily, the effect fading after a few moments.
The Fox felt a hint of amusement at the knowledge that if he must suffer, so must the bane of his existence. He felt his mouth twitch upwards, then his smile dropped as he leaned closer, inspecting the child. He wasn't unconscious, or else he wouldn't be here, and yet Kurama did not summon him.
The Fox watched the boy writhe with a passing interest, more confused than anything.
"D-Damn... D-Damn it..." The boy whispered between clenched teeth, his fingers scratching into the ground at his sides. Kurama noticed then more blood, his fingers and fists splattered with the crimson fluid, small particles of debris under his cracked and splintered fingernails.
The boy's frustrated mutternegs dissolved into sobs, his chest heaving and shaking, "Why am I so weak?"
He raised a hand, slamming a clenched fist to the ground, "He... Iruka-sensei... He's gonna die, and I can't do a damn thing."
A moment passed, and slowly, the boy's head turned his head, crystal blue ones meeting his. The Nine Tailed Fox saw many things flash in the young one's eyes. The first being extreme confusion and dismay, followed by a mixture of fear and panic as his eyes roamed his mighty, magnificent form. Then his eyes widened in recognition, then back to fear as he realized what he was looking at.
The Fox would've been pleased to see the sheer amount of terror he saw in his eyes, were it not for their current situation. Still, despite it all, he did have a reputation to maintain.
He pushed past the pain, grinning widely at the boy, "Naruto..."
The boy didn't move for several long moments, the Kyuubi laughed, At last my container graces me with his presence. It pleases to see you prostrate yourself like the vile worm you are. The Fox smiled widely, vast rows of sword-like teeth leering savagely at the small human.
The human known as Naruto shook silently, his wide eyes focused on his own. The Fox enjoyed the terror in his eyes, and was vaguely put out when the fear turned into something else, something he couldn't recognize.
The boy hesitated, his eyes shifting warily before he opened his mouth to speak, "A-Are you okay?" He asked, his voice edged with sincere concern.
All the thoughts and machinations in the ancient Fox's mind came to a screeching halt. Of all the vile, selfish, disgusting remarks the Fox expected to hear from his most recent container, sentiments of empathy were not one of them.
He'd lived for hundreds, perhaps thousands of human lifetimes, centuries blurring together as easily as the currents of to conjoining rivers merging into one. But in all that time, hardly any, if any at all every inquired after his own health or well being.
The Fox faltered, his smile fading as he considered the human's words. He frowned, "What concern is it of yours?" He barked out, snarling.
Naruto flinched, "Um, well. You're bleeding and all, I just—" He trailed off, turning his head to look around at the storm of crimson chakra. "Did, did I do this?" He asked quietly.
Kurama looked at his body, watching as the redish orange fur that made up his physical form seemed to be melting away. It's color darkening to the dark crimson that surrounded him. He scoffed, making Naruto jump, I believe that is a question I should ask of you."
Naruto stiffened suddenly, his eyes flying wide open, "Sensei..." He whispered softly.
The injured boy reached out a hand, his shirt whipping about in the storm. Naruto grunted with pain as he grabbed the heavy gates, hoisting himself up. Kurama could see from here that the boy was in no condition to move, let along save anyone. He snorted, disgusted with the pitifully weak display, "Cease your pointless struggling brat. I'm sure this 'Sensei' of yours can handle himself. Worry more about your own predicament. There is no guarantee that you will even be able to leave this place."
The boy known as Naruto merely tried all the harder, never managing to lift himself more than a few inches off the ground. "I... Have to... He's... Dying. And I... I can't..." To his horror, he watched as two solitary beads of liquid pooled in the corner of the brat's eyes.
The boy snarled, surprising Kurama as he seemingly found his second wind. Naruto reached out with both hands, his grip shaking, but holding as he raised himself up. He was nearly standing now, blood trickling from the wounds on his chest and back, his legs shaking underneath him.
Then, a particularly nasty bit of chakra laced wind pearled at Naruto, a red swirl manifesting out of nowhere striking him hard, throwing Naruto into the air. The human flailed, twisting in midair, landing harshly on his back half a second later.
Naruto croaked, a long sigh passing his lips, barely moving as he lay on the floor.
The Fox laughed deeply, his eyes fixed on the unmoving form of his container, "Interesting, I told you, you stupid brat. It serves you right. You were weak enough to be injured to this extent. Consider the death of your 'Sensei' to be payment for your failure."
Naruto made no sound that he could hear above the raging whirlwind around them, but was able to see the human regain his breath he saw as the boy clenched his fists tightly.
Naruto snarled, breathing hard as he lay on his back, "Masaru..." Naruto hissed, his face contorting with rage. "Why? Why do this, I thought you were my friend! And now..." The boy growled, trying to rise again, this time barely able to lift his head about the ground.
The Fox quirked an eye at that, knowing that familiar feeling of hatred concentrated on one person. Recalling many a night cursing the name of his previous container, the boy's mother Kushina. Remembering having dreams of killing her. Of ripping her precious village, and everyone she loved to shreds, just to hurt her.
He saw the rage in the boy, the emotion seeming so familiar to him that it ached.
It was a feeling he'd not experienced in years, a sort of kinship. A connection forged in pain and suffering. And true, his own suffering dwarfed those of mere humans, he was a Bijuu. An eternal truth of the physical and spiritual worlds.
It was strange to see such an emotion in a human, and not entirely unpleasant to watch.
A plan began to form in his mind, his thoughts planting a seed there that was apt to grow someday. He could feel it even now, a once disgustingly 'human' emotion.
Hope, that was it's name. But hope for what?
He knew not. He wasn't his his father, who seemed to know how all paths would end. He knew only how to choose the path, and begin walking. So, he chose his path.v And he chose to start with a gift.
He felt a smile tug at his lips, jagged, razor sharp canines shining white in his dingy dark cage, 'No.. Not a gift.' He thought to himself, staring at the blonde boy in a new light.
'A loan.'
There was a loud snapping noise as she picked the herb, the rest of the plant swinging back, momentum carrying a spritz of dew along with it.
She giggled, shaking her head to water from her face, and stood up. Brushing herself off as she walked away from the bushes. She walked back to the trail, her eyes scanning the brilliant, green landscape.
Her well trained eyes scanned the undergrowth, searching for a particular weed famous for it's use as both a poison, and a powerful anticoagulant.
The rare leaf was common in this part of the world, and often grew in shaded areas, reaching peak potency in the time between fall and winter. She looked up, spying spots where the forest canopy would've blocked the sun. Tracking the trunks to find the trees with the longest branches, and the strongest leaves, spots where the shade was darkest.
She resumed her brisk pace, her pink Yukata swaying in the cool breeze.
It was far out of season, the thin fabric doing little to shield her from the wind, but Haku was more than used to it. Compared to the brutal winters of Kiri, this was more akin to a day on the beach than the cool autumn morning it was right now.
So in that way, wearing her favorite pink Yukata was fitting.
She enjoyed this time that Zabuza afforded her, using it as often as she could to escape breathing the same air as that cretin Gato, and his pathetic underlings.
She gripped her basket hard, the frail straw creaking loudly. She calmed herself, sighing out a long, controlled breath.
After a few seconds of walking, taking care to observe her surroundings, she heard a noise that made her stop. The grass crunched softly under her feet, the gentle wind rushing softly in her ears.
"...Hzsm... S-Stop..." She heard it clearly now, a soft mumbling of someone speaking a boy perhaps. She instinctually felt at her waist for her senbon, aware of 5 there, another 2 in each sandal, and a kunai at the bottom of her basket.
She approached the sound quietly, concentrating briefly, focusing her chakra to enhance her senses as she walked. She weaved past a copse of trees as smoothly as a wraith, eventually turning a corner to reveal a boy she recognized.
It was the blonde loud one, the one who'd apparently conjured up the plan that was effective enough to distract her master from the technique that kept Kakashi of the Sharinagan at bay.
He was young, younger than she'd thought at first, not a day over twelve or thirteen. He was dirty, and scratched up, and shivering in his sleep. He'd probably trained himself to exhaustion overnight.
Haku's eyes narrowed, a strong sense of pity filling her, 'They're only kids. Why are they training so hard to protect this bridge builder?'
The boy stirred, his once serene face twisting in discomfort. He groaned, twisting and turning as if to fight, or to run. Haku didn't know which, but it bothered her to see him in pain. She reached out a hand to wake him.
In a flash, a hand struck as quick as a viper, crushing her wrist in a iron shod grip. She cried out, trying to lean back and wrench herself free. She looked down, and locked eyes with the genin from the leaf, his bright blue iris's seeming as startled as she felt.
She brutally clamped down on her emotions, forcing herself to calm down, slowly releasing her grip on the senbon she wore at her waist.
The blonde gaped like a fish for a few seconds, his mouth opening and closing, with no words escaping at all. Then he seemed to grasp where he was, and what he was doing, snatching his hand away as if she were on fire.
His face darkened a few shades of red, "O-Oh, uhh. S-Sorry about that. Didn't mean to scare you, dattebayo."
She tilted her head to the side, but allowed herself to slip into the role she'd fashioned for herself, giggling into her hand. "It's no trouble. But I have to say Stranger-san, it's pretty dangerous to sleep out here all by yourself."
Naruto rose from the ground, stretching his back with a strained groan, "Ahh, I've slept in worse places, I'll be alright."
Haku smiled at him, "I'm glad." She stepped back, and bowed quickly, "I apologize for prying. It's just, well. You're a ninja aren't you?"
Naruto face instantly went alive with pride and enthusiasm, "Hell yeah I am." He said with a quick pose, looking off to the side. A confident smirk on his face. She giggled, finding his blind enthusiasm for his choice of work quite adorable.
Haku nodded, "Is that why you were sleeping out here, you were training?"
Naruto seemed to deflate, his smile cracking, now appearing more chastened than proud, "Yeah, wasn't really planning on that, hehe." He scratched behind his head in embarrassment, then his eyes widened, "Oh yeah."
He backed up, holding his hand out to her, "My name's Uzumaki Naruto by the way."
She smiled softly back at him, grasping his hand in hers, "I'm Haku."
'This one's a strange one to be sure.' She remarked to herself, inspecting him.
The terribly out of fashion back hoodie with orange highlights, along with the orange cargo pants were basically useless when it came to stealth. She knew little about how Konoha shinobi armed themselves, but based on his master Hatake Kakashi, and his companions, this one seemed to be the odd one out.
She spied signs of training on him, both recent and old.
She did her best not to look obvious as she spied the crack-like scars that seemed to trace from his wrist and up his arm, but he seemed to catch her staring anyway. Crossing his arms, a self conscious look on his face.
She bowed quickly, "I apologize for staring. It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable." He shrugged, "It's ok. I don't exactly look like my best right now. I stayed out training for way too long. Oh man, Hinata's gonna kill me!" He exclaimed, holding his hand on his face.
Haku frowned, "Training, what are you training for?"
Naruto smirked at her, clenching one fist in front of his face, "I'm training to be the strongest shinobi who's ever lived. And also to stick it to my asshole of a teammate."
Haku nodded along, having heard the bluster of fools many times traveling with Zabuza. So many 'elite' shinobi who'd challenged her or her master always seemed to meet their end when trying their mettle against theirs.
Every time she'd pondered the same question. A question she knew for herself, but she was sure they never thought to ask themselves.
"Why?"
The boy known as Naruto flinched, narrowing his eyes at her, "What do you mean 'why'?" Haku shrugged, "Well, why do you want to be the strongest? I thought ninja usually fight for their village."
A fleeting emotion shone in the boy's eyes then. An sudden intense indignance that looked so out of place on a child it startled her. Naruto's lips pursed, as if about to speak, then hesitated, blowing out a sigh.
"...Not me. I just want to be strong enough to protect myself." He said briskly, his voice sharp as a kunai. Naruto stopped then, his previously foul mood gone in an instant as Naruto hummed to himself. "Myself, and few people I care about."
Haku smiled then, raising an eyebrow, "So you DO fight for your village."
"Pfft, alright well, kinda I guess. But not everyone, just a few.."
Haku shrugged again, guessing that there was a story there. She herself only had loyalty to Zabuza, even thought she'd come to know quite a lot of interesting shinobi in her years of traveling and training.
But even then, she knew that Naruto himself felt like he owed a debt, similar to her. It made her uncomfortable at the thought of it, knowing how they were likely going to die in the next coming days.
She looked up, spying the scuffs and imprints of shinobi sandals in the wood. She looked down at Naruto, "Well, you seem pretty strong to me if you're a ninja when you're so young. Why train this hard?"
Naruto shook his head seriously, "There's always someone better, someone stronger or smarter. I have to be better, faster." He said. Haku had to give him that, 'Smart kid. Looks like this one's no dummy.' She had to be careful not to give herself away.
'Underestimating him could be dangerous. I can't allow myself to be captured or killed. I'd sooner open my wrists than fail Zabuza-sama.'
Naruto went on, unaware of the conversation happening in her mind. "But it never feels like it's enough." Naruto said.
Haku shrugged, "Well, you said you were training to protect a few, I think that's enough."
Naruto looked at her questioningly, "Enough for what?"
The sound of rushing air overtook her hearing as she flew through the air. She managed to pull her feet under her just a fraction of a second before she impacted the old hardwood of the cabin.
She grunted as she landed, the sudden movement jostling the various scattered wounds that dotted her chest and back. She slid to a stop, breathing several quick, small puffs of steam as she caught her breath.
Her opponent staggered forwards, a grey hulking shape to her eyes, the only light in the room being the half-hidden moon that hung over them. Her keen eyes scanned the room for anything she could use, but she saw nothing but old, rusted scraps of a crib, along with other useless objects that may have once been toys for a child.
The light in the room flared suddenly, as the clouds suddenly parted, allowing the moon to illuminate her surroundings. It became clear to her at once that the roof, along with a sizable portion of the wall was gone. Blown away by one of her master's Justu at the start of the fight. Her opponent took another step, his movements followed by a half dozen drips of blood pouring from one of the several dozen projectiles she's hit him with.
She'd thrown nearly everything in her pouch at him, and then some. Most had missed, but a few, which should've been enough to put him down.
The ANBU staggered forwards, katana in hand, lurching forwards. One single eye managed to peek through the eye hold of his Kiri ANBU mask, glaring at her with all the hatred he possessed.
She couldn't blame him, knowing that between the six of them that had arrived earlier that night, it was likely that he was the only survivor. And based on the hate in his eyes, he probably knew that too.
They'd hunted her and Zabuza for four days. Pushing her to run faster and longer than she ever had in her life. Running day and night, avoiding traps, ambushes, and all other manner of surprises. The most sinister of which involved a food cart, a few bandits and a five year old girl made a hostage. Until they finally made up their minds to fight, laying a trap for them here, only for them to catch up far sooner than expected.
And after all of that, Haku still did not want to kill this man.
He stepped closer now, hacking up blood as she approached. He panted for a few moments, "We won't stop coming you know. We'll hunt you until we find you, and kill you. No matter where you go."
Haku said nothing, could do nothing but focus on catching her breath.
The ANBU scoffed and cursed bitterly, reaching up behind his head, fumbling with the tight knot that kept his mask in place.
Haku shook her head subutly, 'No, don't...'
The mask came off at once, a burst of steam following as his sweaty, bloody face was suddenly exposed to the bitterly cold air. His face was fair, and unfortunately young. He kept his hair short and shaggy, his face still rounded and boyish. The only marks on his face being several thin scars the decorated the far left corner of his face.
He panted, his eyes creased with pain, "We're only after Zabuza you know. Just let us take him, and we won't ever bother you again."
Haku frowned, taking a deep breath, knowing her answer immediately.
"Wherever Zabuza-sama goes, I follow. I'm his most obedient, and humble tool to use as he sees fit."
The man's face darkened, and his breathing slowed. "It may not be up to you. Four of my comrades including my captain are after him. You may not have a master to protect any longer."
She felt panic surge in her chest for only a split second before it was instantly overtaken by determination. She narrowed her eyes, "Then the faster I defeat you, the faster I may come to his aid."
And with that, she charged.
A plan formed in her mind as she went, her brain firing at all cylinders. His reaction was fast, squatting low to defend against her, but unbeknownst to him, he'd just sealed his own fate. Her chakra was low, so she went with the safest option, considering her situation.
She built the chakra in her gut, as if to prepare for a Hyōton technique. The chakra swirled to life in her hands as she ran, the man across from her preparing a technique of his own.
In a heartbeat she was only an arms reach away, and then she leapt in the air, quickly weaving the signs for an Ice Clone.
At her command, an identical clone of hers appeared behind him, just over his head. He whipped around with surprising speed, and brought two fingers to his lips. Condensed from around him, and fired a dense, fist sized bullet from his mouth.
He guessed wrong, the clone shattering into a thousand crystal-like pieces, the bullet passing through, and rocketing into the night air, vanishing from sight.
Haku quickly materialized an ice senbon, aimed, and threw, all before she hit the ground. The lightning fast projectile thudded against his flesh, catching him right in the neck, right on top of a nerve Haku knew would cause instant paralysis.
The man spasmed once, then fell face first onto the ground.
She panted hard, and turned around to look for Zabuza.
"You took your time." He said, his arms crossed as he leaned against the railing of the stairs. He was filthy, his bandages held no hint of white on them at all. Nearly every inch of him covered in grime, sweat and blood.
Haku flinched once, then went still, "I take it the others are dead then."
Zabuza stared at her, his eyes looking like pools of utter darkness to her. "No thanks to you." He said as he bounded from the railing, marching over to her.
"I took care of the sixth man. He's downstairs." She said, knowing that he should be halfway thawed by now.
Zabuza glared at her, "Yeah, so did I."
Haku said nothing, her eyes drifting over to the man she'd just beaten. A thin pool of blood spread from underneath him, the various scores and puncture wounds having taken their toll.
Zabuza grunted, pointing at the man, "Is he dead?"
Haku shook her head, "Paralyzed. He'll be awake as soon as my senbon thaws."
Zabuza scoffed, "He'll be dead soon enough. He's bleeding out."
Haku bit her lip, knowing that it was true. She reached for her medical pouch behind her, "I'll heal him—"
Zabuza whirled on her, looming over her as he roared, "No you will not!"
Haku froze, and looked down, suddenly ashamed.
Zabuza glared for a few seconds longer, taking his time as he assesed her. She withheld a shiver of fear as she looked at him. Every inch of him was covered in blood, it dripped off of every inch of him, even his eyes seeming bloodshot as he stared her down. Appearing much like the demon as he always was.
He stared a few seconds longer, then snorted, "Let's go. We don't have time to waste. We don't know if they were alone." He walked off, unsheathing his massive sword, and stabbing the man through in one stroke.
Haku felt a stab of guilt stab through her as he breathed his last, but forced herself to move, knowing that her master was right.
She quickly made her way over to the man, feeling his neck, if only to confirm his death for herself. She waited, and hearing nothing, sighed out a long, forlorn breath before she began combing his body for anything useful.
She stole his kunai pouch and pulled free whatever useful senbon she could from his corpse. She picked up his mask, inspecting the blood spattered thing, turning it over in her hands. It was undamaged aside from a few knicks, so she took it as well. She stopped when she felt eyes on her, looking up to meet Zabuza's. He was studying her intensily, staring for a few seconds more before he shook his head, "You need to get over this 'pacifist' phase you're in Haku. Or pretty soon, you'll cease to be useful to me."
The words shocked her to her core, the prospect of being abandoned by her master, almost too unbearable to even comprehend. Zabuza had given her everything, the skills she needed to survive, a home, food, shelter... But most of all, he'd given her purpose.
She pulled out the mask again, staring at it.
'I'm not a girl, not a person, not a ninja. A tool. That is what I am.'
She put it on, tying it about her head without a word. Following her master down the stairs, and out the door into the cold, windy night.
"Haku?"
She gasped lightly, suddenly back in the present once more. She looked up into Naruto's blue eyes, slightly narrowed in concern, genuine concern for a stranger.
Her heart ached a bit more, and she narrowed her own eyes back at him, looking at him seriously, "I believe that when a person has something important to protect, that's when they're at their strongest."
Naruto's leaned back, his eyebrows raised at her words.
She nodded, smiling as she though of her Sensei, her savior. "A person may fight for themselves, knowing that whatever discomfort or pain they endure, they endure knowingly. But the source for that kind of fighting isn't courage, but fear. Fear of death, fear of loss, perhaps even simply fear of failure. But fear nonetheless. But I believe that true courage is accepting unnecessary risks to protect someone you love."
She looked at watching his reaction to her words. Naruto just stared for a while, his eyes wide with surprise, and a hint of wonder.
For a moment they sat there. Naruto, the strange, orange and black Konoha-nin, and her. The servant of a rogue ninja who now sat discussing philosophy with who should've been her enemy. The birds chirped, and flew overhead, the brilliant green expanse of nature surrounding them.
After a moment, Naruto seemed to snap out of it, his eyes turning downcast all of a sudden. "I... Think I know what you mean." He said softly, looking guilty all of a sudden.
Naruto turned away from her, gazing off to the side, "People... hurt me, a while ago. I thought that all I needed to do was get strong enough to protect myself and become a great ninja."
His eyes brightened suddenly, a bold smile creasing his lips, "But then I met my team. They... help. Sensei, Hinata, even Sasuke. Now, I wanna protect them. So I think I understand what you mean."
Haku studied him, feeling a growing respect for the strange blonde. She knew that look. Knew it as intimately as she did her own reflection.
Isolation. Isolation and tragedy had befallen Naruto Uzumaki, and yet he did not fall.
She smiled to herself, thinking that perhaps he found someone, like Zabuza found her. "I'm glad." Was all she said, really meaning it.
Naruto stood up straight, bowing awkwardly, clearly still exhausted, "Thanks for the advice Haku. I'm happy I got to meet you."
She smiled warmly, "Likewise Uzumaki Naruto. I wish you luck on your mission."
He nodded, "Hai." Then his face dropped, his eyes growing wide all at once. Haku frowned, suddenly feeling very exposed. "...Shinobi-san? What's wrong?"
His eyes flitted to her, his cerulean pupils fixed onto her dark brown ones, then he smiled awardly, suddenly looking nervous, "Oh! Uh, nothing. It's just that, uhh."
Haku cocked her head to the side, smiling innocently, "Yes?" She said, her teeth nearly grinding together in anticipation. A bead of sweat dripped down the side of Naruto's face, and she felt her stomach drop.
The Uzumaki smiled nervously, "Well, uh. You're prettier without that weird looking mask Dattebayo!"
A gust of wind picked up behind them, flowing a could of yellow flower petals and green leaves into the air. There was a single second, a few heartbeats of utter silence. Then she moved.
In the blink of an eye she'd already reached into her basket, grasping the sharp needles with expert precision. Hurling them at the orange Konoha ninja. He responded surprisingly quickly, springing away with his hands together in a strange hand sign, summoning six exact copies all around them.
They crowrded together as they all ran for the woods as soon as she moved, all but one falling victim to her senbon. The lone survivor dashing into the cloud of smoke the clones created.
After only a few short seconds, the cloud dispersed, leaving many of her senbon sticking out of trees. One in particular stood apart, the base just wide enough to hide the orange genin who now leaned with his back agaisnt it, breathing hard.
Haku stood crouched, her fingers primed and ready to throw again, when she heard a shaky, high pitched voice come from behind the tree, "H-Hold on!" He said, holding out a hand from behind the tree. Haku didn't move, her eyes trained on the tree, waiting for anything. Naruto's head peeked past the tree, blue eyes peeking out from the side, "Woah, calm down! I don't want to fight you!"
Haku frowned, her instincts screaming at her to attack, to press the advangage while her enemy was weak. It was the right, proper thing to do. What her master always taught her to do to win, to be useful.
That is, if she thought she was in danger.
And was she?
She straighten slightly, still tense, "What gave me away?" She asked, genuinely curious.
Naruto blinked, perhaps not expecting her to ask, then gestured to his nose, a vulpine, yet almost apologetic smirk on his face, "I could smell him on you. I guess when the wind picked up, it carried your scent right to me."
Haku sighed, it made sense. And it was also something she could never have properly accounted for without prior knowledge of his sensitive senses. "What does Zabuza smell like?"
Naruto's face scrunched up, apparently not enjoying the smell very much, "Like a butchers shop, a dank pond and a fuck ton of B.O all mixed together." Haku laughed at that, a bit of the tension leaving her.
She stood up straight, "Well, what about me. How could you tell us apart?" She asked innocently.
Naruto's eyes widened and his face colored, looking away from her while scratching his head, "Uh, well. You smell like, um. A... Not so dank pond." She frowned, one hand unconsciously reaching for another sharp object to throw, but Naruto recovered, tilting his head in thought, "Kinda like the rivers back in Hi no Kuni." He said.
Haku hummed in thought not to sure how she felt about that. But her mood plummeted when she remembered who she was talking to, enjoying herself with. She frowned, looking at him seriously, "We do have to fight eventually Naruto. Zabuza-sama won't stop. As long as you're protecting that bridge builder, you're my enemy."
Naruto deflated, his smile fading into a frown so deep and sincere it made her feel even worse than she felt already.
She felt compassion tug at her heart when she saw his face, knowing how hard it can be to face death on the behalf of another. But something hard and uncompromising leaked into his eyes, he glanced down at his left hand, flexing briefly. Then he looked back up, all traces of sadness were completely gone the Uzumaki as her stared back at her, "I'm sorry Haku, but I promised Inari and the old man that I'd protect them, and help them accomplish their dream for their village."
Haku's eyes widened by a fraction, feeling very conflicted at his declaration. She was surprised at the strong edge in his tone, knowing that his determination must run very deep indeed. Yet she also felt angry, angry that she was not bieng forced to fight, and kill someone she respected, someone she maybe even liked, for something as flimsy as a promise made to a child, and a sad old drunkard.
She never blamed Zabuza-sama. Beyond the debt she owed him, she knew of his ultimate mission's importance. But to kill Naruto and his companions now, almost felt like a bridge too far.
Almost.
She narrowed her eyes, leaking Killing Intent, "I warn you for the last time Naruto. You must abandon your mission. Warn your sensei, he will listen to reason. Please. Go back to Konohagakure. If My master orders me to kill you all, I'd risk everything. Fight to my dying breath to make it so. Down to Tsunami, and that child of hers. I would do anything, for my master."
Naruto's eyes widened with fear, but only for a split second. He surprised her once again with how easily he seemed to rebuff the effects of killing intent, only glaring back at her, and looking her up and down.
"No you wouldn't" He said simply.
Haku felt the words hit her as if they were a physical force, staring back at Naruto, his blue eyes cold, yet also pleading. "You're no demon. And believe me, I would know. You're different from Zabuza."
Haku heard the words as if they were the most cutting of accusations, the whole of her being railing against the idea. She could do nothing else but gather her nerves, sighing long and deep, "I'm whatever my Master needs me to be." She said. Knowing that she meant it.
She let her basket sag, the handle leaning against her shoulder, "Take care Naruto-kun." She said sadly as she began to walk away.
Then she paused, a smirk on her lips as she tossed her head back to stare at the blonde haired shinobi, "Oh, by the way, I'm a boy."
She felt herself smile with scandalous mirth as his eyebrows shot up, then he looked confused, then smirked himself. Shaking his head, and gesturing to his nose again. She paused, then felt blood rush to her cheeks in realization, flashing one more glare at Naruto before she left in a huff.
"Tch, damn Hyuuga." Sasuke snapped as he stomped his way past the backyard, and into the lush green forest.
Naruto, the idiot that he was, had been gone for hours now, and didn't show up for breakfast this morning. If it were up to him he'd leave the Uzumaki to fend for himself, content to leave him to whatever kind of trouble he'd gotten into.
But after voicing his opinion to his remaining teammates, he'd received an ice cold tongue lashing from Hinata, who figured that he could easily have been captured by Zabuza. Kakashi thought this as well, but was unwilling to go as a group, lest they expose Tazuna and his family.
So Sasuke had been chosen while Hinata made herself busy helping Tsunami around the house. He shook his head, not understanding the point in helping the civilians do their household chores. They were shinobi. 'I thought the whole point in taking this mission was to avoid doing meaningless work.'
A sudden crunch of leaves snapped him into focus, his eyes settling on a figure faced him, walking on the same road. It was a girl in a bright pink Yukata with red flowers on it. She was a few inches taller than him, and he guessed she was likely a few years older. She had long dark hair, with light brown eyes that matched the bark of trees that surrounded them, carrying a small picnic basket.
She caught his eyes, and smiled politely, bowing quickly as she passed him.
There was something about her that made him stop in his tracks, a sudden sense of wrongness that nagged at him. He caught a quick glance at her, scanning her for weapons. He saw none, but did see the contents of her basket.
He was no expert in herbs, only casually studying some for their uses in certain poisons. She recognized one, knowing it for it's signature white roots. It had no practivcal uses for anything, except for particularly fast acting poisons. And it was highly unlikely that some girl in a poor town in Wave Country would know of it.
Not to mention, he could barely hear her move at all...
He looked closer, a strange sense of deja vu overtaking him, "Hey." He said, walking after the girl. She didn't respond, only walking a little faster. Sasuke narrowed his eyes increasing his stride to something close to a run.
"Hey, stop!" He commanded, reaching out a hand to grab her.
The instant he touched her, the air around him seemed to drop a hundred degrees in a heartbeat. The air condensed around them, drawn to the girl like a moth to flame. A sheen of thick ice froze around her in an instant, and a puff of ice crystals flew into the air. Sasuke reeled back, using his hands to shield his face, his breath clouding in front of him as he stood there. Shocked and panting.
All that was left of the girl was a statue. 'A clone.' His mind corrected, as he stood there. It was in the same position the girl was when he touched her, her lithe fingers grasping at nothing.
He looked around him for a moment, but he didn't see a single hint that the strange girl was even there. Sasuke calmed himself, approaching the statue, inspecting the detail. It was a perfect, although inert copy. A Justu made from a Kekkei Genkai probably. Perhaps an offshoot of a substitution Justu.
He circled the clone, inspecting the face and hair. Intense eyes stared back at him, the face a mask of concentration. His eyes were drawn to the face for a reason that eluded him. The only thing to distract him being a noisy crash coming from the forest. Sasuke shot up, kunai in hand as he knelt close to the ground, ready for any threat.
But all he saw was his orange idiot of a teammate bumble down the path towards him.
Sasuke groaned in exasperation, holstering his kunai and standing up. Naruto was no more of a mess than usual, with the exception of a few twigs and leaves in his hair and on his back. He stared at Sasuke, eyes wide, "I thought I felt..."
"You did. I think I just ran into the fake ANBU."
Naruto looked up, his eyes curious, yet anxious. As if he were looking for someone, "Yeah, me too." He said, sounding sad.
Sasuke frowned, and was about to ask what was upsetting him, but came to the conclusion that he'd had enough Naruto-related-antics for one day.
"Are you dying?" He asked in a bored tone. Naruto looked alarmed, then confused, "Uh, no?"
Sasuke switly turned back around, "Then get your ass back to the house. Kakashi said if you're not back by breakfast then he's banning you from ramen for a month."
Sasuke tuned out the swift, and terribly loud cry of outrage, and just kept walking, shaking his head, 'Dobe'.
"Hinata, time to get up."
The Ex-Hyuuga Heiress opened her eyes, blinking a handful of times before she sat up. She yawned and stretched, standing up on wobbly, sore legs. She looked up to the door, still closed when Kakashi spoke again, "The bridge is nearly done, lets all go out as a team just in case."
She looked over at Sasuke, who was already swinging his legs from under his sheets, folding them carefully. Hinata shook her head drowsily, "We'll be right out." She said, shaking her head vigorously to wake herself up.
She was dressed and ready after only a few minutes, doing her best to change quickly to prevent any embarrassing peeks from Sasuke or Naruto. Her cheeks warmed just at the thought of it, and her eyes turned to the Uzumaki. Who, predictably, was still fast asleep.
Hinata sighed, walking quickly over to Naruto. He was wrapped in a tight coccon, only the back of his head and his shaggy yellow hair visible. She knelt beside him, shaking him gently, "Up Naruto-kun. It's we have guard duty." Naruto was silent, limply swaying with her every shove.
She frowned, "Naruto-kun." She pushed more roughly, letting some of the blankets fall away, revealing Naruto's calm features.
Sasuke marched over next to him, fully dressed and kitted, "Oi dobe. Get up."
Naruto didn't move, he didn't even stir. Hinata looked up at Sasuke, their frowns a mtached expression of confusion and worry, although his was much better disguised.
Kakashi seemd to pick up on their distress, openeing the door and striding into the room. He stopped in front of Naruto, turning to Hinata.
"Check his breathing." She nodded, immediately forming the seal of confrontation, "Byakugan!"
Her world unfolded before her, Naruto's sun kissed skin fading into a haze of blue as her vision deepened. His lungs were clear and healthy as far as she could see, "He seems fine, although his breathing is a little more shallow than it usually is." She said.
Kakashi sighed, "Chakra exhaustion. Looks like Naruto went a little too far in training." He said resolutely. "We'll leave him here to rest, his body needs it."
And with that, the remaining members of team 7 set out after a wave of goodbye from Tsunami, and a silent nod from Inari. Hinata noted the huge difference in morale the building of the bridge was already making. With many cheering and thanking them and Tazuna for their work. A few kids even holding out meager, moldy lumps of bread as a way of thanks. Hinata smiled sadly at their offerings, and politely declined them.
After they'd passed the edge of town they finally came to the bridge, and resumed the remainder of their short trek with Tazuna in relative silence.
Sasuke frowned beside her, "Wait, what did you mean 'more shallow than it usually is'? Hinata's face went crimson, and she was about to stutter out a response when something caught her eye.
'Fog...' She instictigvely activated her Byakugan, and as she feared, she couldn't see past the mist. It surrounded the bridge, slowly creeping up on them as it crossed the construction. Then she saw the blood, as well as the parts of the bridge that the fog didn't cover.
Hinata's heart dropped, "Oh no..."
Naruto opened his eyes, and was almost immediately aware that he wasn't in Tazuna's house right now. He sat up quickly, glancing cautiously at his body, patting it down. He felt a familiar detachment, a cold awareness that he was now in his 'mindscape'.
He felt a little scared at first as he glanced around him, seeing the same dull haze of light that seeemed to come from everywhere, and nowhere all at once. The lukewarm water lapped idly at his ankles, the steady ripples shining a broken reflection of him and the thick, grandiose bars that separated him from the Kyuubi's permanent cell.
He frowned, standing up with a groan. He'd never awoken in his mindscape, before he'd only arrived here summoned by the Fox. But as Naruto stood up, he realized that he didn't like it. He yawned and stretched, feeling his muscles stretch, but never feeling the satisfying pull of well exercised muscles.
He didn't have time to feel disappointed, because he then heard a low rumbling coming from somewhere far beyond the bars as he could feel the Fox approach. The crippling fear and uncertainty he'd felt at the Kyuubi no Kitsune's presence had long faded to a sense of cautious amusement. The real fear that he'd certainly harm him had passed, but there was always the lingering doubt remained.
He was no longer certain that he'd really hurt him. But there was no real possibility that he wouldn't.
Nevertheless Naruto smiled wide when he saw the telltale orange of his fur coat, "Good Morning Kyuubi-jiji!"
The Fox snarled, walking on all fours towards him. Graceful, as always, "Never, call me that. And WHAT, pray tell, is good about this morning over all the others. Naruto's answer came instantly, "Today's another chance to get stronger! And to finally kick that eyebrowless freak into a pulp!"
The Fox let himself collapse into a comfortable pose in front of the bars, "As well as that other masked fool. The one you so mercifully allowed to escape."
Naruto winced, both at the caustic, angry tone of the Fox, as well as the memory of how well that news had gone over upon his return. Kakashi had been rightfully upset at putting them all in danger, outlining to him the many ways how that could've gone wrong.
But what really scared him was Hinata. Who said very little, but her eyes.
Naruto shook violently at the memory. He wasn't really one of the ones to find the eyes of a Hyuuga particular weird or scary. In fact finding Hinata's eyes more appealing than that of the rest of their family. But the way she looked at him bespoke of intense fear, anger and pleading that Naruto had never experienced, and never wished to as long as he lived.
Naruto swallowed, "I guess that's the reason you called me here?"
The Demon Fox rumbled, "That, among other reasons. It was time we discussed the weak, permissiveness you have allowed to corrupt your heart.
Naruto stared blankly for a moment, groaning, "Ugh, it's too early for your 'old-people-speak' Kyuubi-san."
The Fox groaned, "You're cowardice. You chose not to kill the girl. It should not have been a question. She must die. To do so sooner would've cost you nothing, and only saved us all the time, and the effort.
Shaking his head he gave the Fox a look, "She's not like Zabazu, or whatever his name is. He's the one trying to kill Tazuna, she's just following him!"
The Fox snorted loudly, "Then they both must die. If she follows his order to kill your entire team she'd do so gladly. Even if it meant her own demise. Killing her would've been a kindness."
Naruto threw his hands up, "How is killing someone a kindness!?"
The Fox turned his massive head towards him, "You are thinking, like a human. You must think like a Bijū. Like a Jinchurriki. They are small, hapless things that never change. You are different. If you truly plan to save your... 'team'. You must, or they will perish.
Naruto felt his anger rise, "It's not that simple!" He declared, sure as anything that for once the Fox was wrong.
The Nine Tailed Fox's eyebrows dropped in sympathy, his eyes losing a bit of their heat for one split second. "If we were discussing largely anything else, you'd be correct." He said quietly, with such sad resignation that it shocked Naruto into silence. Then the melancholy was gone in a flash, a red flash that emanated from the Fox like the cracking of a bonfire. The Fox growled, his two slotted irises staring him down, "But I speak of the single most contradictory, self important, despicable and evil organisms that have ever cursed the earth's surface."
The Fox drew himself up as he spoke, deflating back to the ground, his head rested on the back of one paw, I am not wrong, although a very, very small part of me wishes I was." He said.
"Mark my words Uzumaki, I am not wrong. Someone will die on that bridge soon enough. Make certain it is not the both of us."
And with that, the Fox sent him on his way. The last image before he left being his two glowing eyes, staring at him. Warning him.
Naruto's first thought upon waking up suddenly in the guest bedrooms in Tazuna's house was how much his head hurt. Followed closely by a realization at just how hungry he was.
He sat up gingerly, "Ohh, man..." He rubbed his forehead gingerly, groaning as he swept the blankets off his body. He glanced around, surprised at only seeing the scattered belongings of his teammates.
Naruto felt the realization hit him like a tidal wave.
"SHIT!"
Inari watched amused as the door in front of him exploded outwards, watching as the boy called Naruto ran across the room like a madman, hastily tugging on his sandals, nearly falling down the stairs in his hurry. He sped past him in a orange blur, hearing the heavy patter of footsteps trail down the stairs, into the kitchen, and out the door, hearing the door slam shut an instant later.
Inari scratched his head at the display, 'Man, Oji-san really picked up some weird ninja."
Inari's mind went back to Naruto's words a few nights before, even muffled he heard the strange shinobi's declaration to his grandfather, 'I'm gonna prove that heroes do exist.'
Despite himself, he felt the corners of his mouth rise against his will as he picked up the broom next to him, resuming his sweeping, heading down the stairs.
He'd more or less made up with his mother, apologizing to her the night before for how he'd been behaving the past few days. He'd honestly expected a much harsher punishment than this, having to help her clean around the house for the day, but decided to count his blessings.
He made his way sweeping downstairs, sweeping up the dust and crumbs down the stairs with him. He eventually made it to the kitchen, and was greeted with the smiling face of his mother.
"Good morning Inari! You just missed Naruto-san, did you see him?" She said, turning back to the dishes she was cleaning. Inari nodded along, concentratiing on finishing his chore. His mother turned back around to face him, flashing him a familiarly knowing smile, "Did you apologize to Naruto-san?
Inari flinched, shaking his head slowly, "No..." He said quietly. His mother tutted crossing her arms, "Well, he was in a pretty big hurry. You'll get plenty of chances before they leave. But I wouldn't procrastinate if I were you, I heard that the bridge is almost finished!"
That was enough to make the typically downcast boy smile, the thought of the shiny finished bridge standing there, essentially a middle finger to Gato.
Gato...
Inari frowned deeply, gripping the broom in his hands a little harder, forcully sweeping all the dirt and dust out the back door. He felt a gentle hand on his back and turned to see the smiling face of his mother, "I won't make you. But I have a feeling that he'd appreciate it."
Inari blinked, a swirl of emotions in his heart that he couldn't even begin to recognize. He said nothing, and just nodded to his mother, the shadow of a smile on his face. She giggled and kissed him on his forehead, turning to go back to the kitchen.
Inari turned back to the back door, sliding it closed, then freezing.
He turned back to the door, almost certain that he'd never opened it. It was already open, when Naruto went out the front door.
Inari's eyes flashed to the wall adjacent to the door, his crossbow leaning against it. He backed away from the door, a nervous, frantic fear building in him. "Uh, mom? Did you open the back door?"
"Hmm? No, Naruto-san left out the front but I closed it when he left. Oh, by the way, I meant to ask you. When your grandfather and the shinobi get back, what should I cook for—"
His mother stopped mid sentence, and Inari's blood ran cold. He quietly crept around the corner to see her, but as he peeked aropiund the corner, he saw someone else there.
It was a man, bald with tattoos covering much of his bald head, a tattered sleeveless shirt and old cargo pants. He was tall, carrying a large sword in his right hand. He smiled broadly at her, "So you're Tazuna's daughter eh?"
Hey guys, me again
Chapters 1-17 have been edited to make some revisions, and add some life and much needed substance to this story. As such, they're worth a read through, both to catch up as I release more chapters, and to alert you on what is different about the story.
I can't say for sure when the next full chapter will be up, but I am sure that it won't be too long until then. Again, I'm glad that I'm back, and plan to make the most of the time that I have back home.
Stay safe,
KCMC66