CHAPTER 19
TITLE: Red
CW: Blood and Gore
Kakashi cursed as he leapt to his side, the honed, razor sharp Kubikiribōchō singing past him by a few inches. He bent low, avoiding the counter swing he knew was coming, squaring his legs, and diving past the rouge-nin, his sharp kunai scoring a deep cut in his side.
Zabuza grunted, pivoting on his foot, and slamming his fist hard into his back. Kakashi grunted too, just barely correcting midair to land on his feet. He slid a few meters away, staying low, prepared for anything.
He took a quick glance at his surroundings, a quick check showing him that Hinata was still near Tazuna while Naruto and Sasuke fought the one with the mask. He frowned gravely, his eyes trying to pierce the thick mist, 'Dammit. The longer I take to bring Zabuza down, the worse it will be for those two. I have to—'
Something in the air changed, and any and all thoughts he had were halted at once. Every synapse in his brain ceasing completely as something exploded right where his two students fought. A wave of compressed air hit them both, the shockwave eliciting two grunts of surprise and shock as they were nearly taken off their feet.
They both stopped, turning to look at the disturbance, their mutual hatred forgotten. Kakashi could feel a sickening dread laced with malice creep into his bones, the feeling so intense it made him want to run far, far away.
Wind swept across the bridge, splattering shattered ice and salt water across his face and arm as he raised a hand to sheild his eyes. A continuous, unnatural gust of wind roared at them, chilling Kakashi to his bones.
He swallowed a lump in his throat, recognizing that chakra anywhere. Wishing dearly that he didn't.
As he stared into the swirling abyss of white snow and the red, ominous light behind it, Kakashi's eyes widened, his jaw dropping at the sight before him.
This 'Haku's' mirror-like structures had all cracked. Though they still hovered in a dome-like shape over two figures standing in the middle. One was clearly Haku, her hand raised to protect her face as the wind tore at the bridge, making it rock up and down.
The other, standing surrounded by a raging bonfire of ethereal orange-red flames, in a familiar orange jackets and bright yellow hair, was... someone Kakashi didn't at all recognize.
He was hunched over, his hands spread wide, staring at Haku.
Then he moved. And Kakashi's heart dropped like a stone.
Kakashi gasped at his speed, his Sharingan was the only reason he could track his movement from this far away. Naruto lurched and leapt like a beast, punching, kicking and striking at Haku like a housecat playing with a ball of yarn.
Kakashi wiped at his face, 'The Fox, it's free...'
"Fucking hell... What kind of power is this?" Zabuza said, his eyes sunken, and unnervingly afraid. His pupils danced and vibrated in his eye sockets, like he wasn't believing what he was seeing. He shook his head, "What kind of beasts have you brought here Hatake? The chakra is so dense it's fucking visible!"
Kakashi stared at Zabuza for a moment, then looked back to Naruto. 'No, not free. It's still contained, but it's power is leaking out. This is bad, Naruto could get hurt, or worse.'
Kakashi swallowed, fixing his gaze on Zabuza, "Hey, you're the one who picked a fight. Let's finish this already."
Zabuza didn't move, still looking at Naruto for a few more seconds, tearing his view away. He locked eyes with Kakashi, a mistake he wouldn't have made thirty seconds ago.
He didn't even need to use hand signs. He let the chakra freely flow, his mind and body remembering the chakra pathways easily, letting the genjutsu take hold.
He steeled himself, "He's off balance. Time to finally finish this."
Haku screamed, as a scalding hot hand grabbed her ankle, pulling her out and throwing her across the snow peppered bridge. She tumbled head over heels, her world a swirling, white and red spinning hellscape that seemed to go on forever. The sound of roaring wind filled her ears, until she finally slammed into one of the bridge's rails. Her head snapped back, her neck stretching painfully as it whipped backwards.
She cried out in pain, everything blurring in and out of focus as she summoned every bit of willpower within her. She squared her feet, her legs shaking as she rose, barely able to stand.
Haku exhaled a long breath of white mist, then gasped quickly as she saw something moving rapidly towards her. She tried to dodge, leaning to one side. Just barely escaping being crushed by a clawed hand wreathed in orange, glowing chakra.
She turned on one foot, trying to scramble away as the railing was crushed as effortlessly as if it were made of straw.
She stumbled unceremoniously, using her hands and knees to get as far away as possible. But all the breath in her lungs, and nearly her lunch, exited her body as an orange glowing leg slammed into her side. She skipped and skidded across the floor, coughing blood as she slid to a stop.
Her fear gave her the strength to scurry to her feet, panting quickly and harshly. Her heart beat like loud drums in her ears, as she stared through the storm at a nightmare made real.
Naruto had completely transformed. He leaned forwards, hate filled eyes; now piercing red, with shed tears glistening against his skin as he glared at her past his wild, coarse hair. The marks that once appeared as whiskers on his face, had deepened and darkened into what looked more like deep, black gashes in his flesh. The rips in his jacket and pants had widened, revealing intricate black lines that traced over every limb on his body. Something glowed under his jacket, certain tattoos pulsing with energy, the light reminiscent of hot, burning magma.
Haku could do nothing but stand and stare at Naruto, and what he'd become. Haku's instincts sent her conflicting orders for her to stand still, and run at once.
Neither were options for her. She'd been given a task by her master. And she would, see it through.
She looked around for any ideas or options, her gaze landing on the Uchiha.
She heard noise, and her head snapped back to Naruto. He snarled at her, the deep, guttural sound making her skin break out into goosebumps. Naruto growled, stepping to one side, blocking her view of his teammate from her.
Haku felt a stab of guilt, and frowned, avoiding Naruto's furious, judgemental gaze.
She opened her mouth to speak, and hesitated, "I'm truly sorry for your teammate. Believe me, I wish there were some other way to fix this..." She paused, her head lowering, "But I must obey my master..."
She raised one hand, flashing through her seals as quickly as she could, not wanting Naruto to get the jump on her. "Secret Jutsu: One Thousand Ice Needles of Death!"
At her command, mist condensed and hardened, forming slivers of sharp icicles. She wasted no time. Swinging both her arms at Naruto, sending the blades flying forward. Naruto groaned, his deepened voice crying out as more and more needles penetrated it's flesh.
Naruto panted, suddenly lurching forwards, then throwing his arms out. He opened his mouth, and roared.
Haku covered her ears, screaming in pain. She fell to her knees, barely able to watch as the needles she'd thrown at him either melted into mist, or flew from him with far more force than she'd thrown them. Waves of pure energy shook in the air, slamming into her mirrors, causing all of them to crack or shatter. Her eardrums shook violently inside of her, the pain only getting worse and worse.
Then it stopped.
Haku gasped in sudden relief and trepidation, taking the time to breath before gingerly rising to her feet. She stumbled, the world shifting and swaying beneath her.
Her ears rang as she focused herself, gasping when she saw Naruto.
He was perched on all fours now, still growling lowly, completely unharmed.
Haku swallowed a lump in her throat, 'Kami... What... What is he?'
"Hinata-san? Hinata-san what's wrong!? What's going on? What... What is that?"
Tazuna shook her, huddled down low as he held her, shaking her by the shoulders. But Hinata couldn't answer him. She stood there, holding her hand over her mouth, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Naruto's chakra signature had completely changed, even without the Byakugan she could feel the pressure this strange, evil chakra gave off. Her ears still rang from that awful noise he'd made, and now Hinata stood crouched down with Tazuna, trying to see as much of what was going on as possible.
That was when she saw him. Sasuke, unmoving on the ground.
She gasped, her eyes filling with tears as tried to assure herself that he was just stunned or, unconscious or anything but...
But he wasn't moving at all, not even to breathe.
Tazuna's eyes widened, "What is it Hinata! What's wrong."
Hinata withheld a sob, holding a hand to her mouth as she tried to watch what was happening. She shook her head, not trusting her voice enough to speak.
Hinata's breaths slowly grew in frequency as the grim truth began to dawn on her. But, with an iron will she didn't know she had, she shoved those emotions aside, trying her best to focus, Naruto was going to need her help after all. Her vision blurred, unshed tears obscuring her vision. She wiped at her eyes, sniffling softly. As soon as she did, Naruto moved. Hinata gasped at his speed and ferocity, her eyes only barely able to follow his movements, even with her powerful bloodline limit.
Naruto bent over, galloping towards her on all fours, leaping up to towards the masked ninja. She brought her hands together, weaving several strange hand signs Hinata had never seen before, a dozen clones appearing from her mirrors. They ran at Naruto, who skidded to a stop, his red, slotted eyes moving quickly, focusing on every single one.
Naruto roared once more, slashing at the clones wildly. Throwing punches, kicks and swipes with his long claw-like nails, tearing through the clones as if they were nothing.
By the end, every clone had erupted into a cloud of ice crystals, Naruto heaving heavy breaths in the center of it all.
She saw movement, and gasped as she saw Haku freefalling from one of her crystal mirrors, a long senbon wielded with both hands.
"Naruto look out!"
'Now!' Haku said to herself, launching from her mirror and plummeting towards Naruto's exposed back. His orange and red form grew as she fell, then she struck. Her senbon cracked as if it had hit something very hard, and she landed hard on her knee. She winced at the pain, but shrugged it off.
Then her heart dropped as the cloud of ice and dust faded, revealing her broken kunai in the hard wood of the bridge. She squared her feet, but felt a tug on her arm.
She turned, and was faced with rage incarnate. Naruto seethed with rage as he drew back a fist, tears streaming down his cheeks, hurt, betrayal, and anguish clear in his eyes. Haku felt all the energy leak from her body, knowing she gave her all for her master, she let her arms drop.
'Forgive me...'
Naruto threw a punch, she heard a pop, and Haku's world went black.
Naruto's world was on fire. The world pulsed and screamed at him from every direction. His every sense on overdrive, every little aspect of the world fought for his attention. Every noise or movement he made displaced the air, sound reverberated off of every surface. Every color seemed deeper and more complex, every gust of air on his skin felt like gale from a hurricane.
And yet, all of it was drowned out by his rage, and the caustic, intoxicating power he drew from it.
The feeling was incredible, and indescribable. The power was suffocating, blinding... It leeched from his rage and grief, those darker emotions feeling outshone by the sheer level of anger in his veins.
He felt like an apex predator. A creature of such certain surety in his position he need not fear a thing. For who, or what at all could challenge him.
"Yes Naruto, feed on my power. Our power. Show this insect what it means to face the Kyuubi no Kitsune!"
Naruto roared once more, the sound so fierce and loud he could see the waves of sound reverberate through the air. His eyes fixed on Haku's mask. Images flashed by, their meeting in the woods, Sasuke's face, his eyes closed forever... He reared back, and threw a punch with everything he had. His fist slammed into Haku's face, cracking the mask, sending her headlong though one of her mirrors.
He heard a loud wooden cracking sound, and a half a second later, every mirror started to fall apart. The chakra pulsing from them fled, vanishing like smoke on the wind.
Naruto stomped off in Haku's direction. She wasn't far, slouched against a broken railing, one arm supporting her as she rose shakily. Her mask quivered a moment, the lower part falling off, revealing her mouth, trails of blood leaking past the edges.
Naruto growled, speeding up to Haku, panting hard, hot blood pumping loudly in his ears. Air rushed past his ears, his anger growling steadily as he approached.
All around him the ice shifted and parted like melting glaciers, large shards slamming to the ground all around him.
It didn't matter. Nothing mattered except for making Haku PAY!
Naruto ran on all fours, his long claws scraping the wood as he galloped closer and closer. The mist parted slightly, his enhanced vision zoning in on her...
She was standing now, blood tricking from a wound on her head, tracing several lines down her mask. He slammed to a stop, coming to rest less than 10 feet away from her. Haku breathed heavily, using one hand to prop herself up on the railing. She shook violently, wincing in equal parts effort and agony as she lifted herself up to stand.
She stood wobbly, her mask broken and cracked, revealing the lower part of her face. More blood leaked from both corners of her mouth, shallow scrapes and bruises on her chin and neck. Then she smiled, "Naruto-kun..." She said quietly.
His nostrils flared, how dare she, after everything, how dare she talk to him like nothing had happened, like she was meeting a friend...
They weren't friends, in the end Haku was right. They were enemies, it was unavoidable. And he was an idiot to think it could ever be different...
In his head, the Fox stirred, shaking his head, "The young and naive are often prone to failure. To become wise, one must learn from these failures, to grow strong. The Fox leaned down, and Naruto could almost feel the hot breath on his face, his deep voice whispering in his ear, "You know what you must do. Become the Jinchurriki Naruto. Her life is now forfeit. Take what is yours!"
He growled in approval, bending low as he readied himself. Haku raised her arms, almost as if expecting a hug. But Naruto knew she was accepting death to claim her. Or rather, for him to claim her. He leapt into a sprint, opening his hand to swipe his claws through her throat—
"N-Naruto..."
His sandals screeched as he slid across the bridge, sending water everywhere in jagged splashes as he came to a stop. Everything was dead quiet, save for each others breathing. One quiet and calm, the other frantic. Naruto's hand was left suspended in the air, his body hunched savagely towards Haku. Five sinisterly sharp claws floating mere centimeters from her neck.
Naruto grunted in effort, resisting the allure of the fox's chakra. The never-ending power that ordered him to move, to act, to kill.
It pounded along to the beating of his heart, a sweltering heat growing hotter and hotter in his chest. Naruto grit his teeth, biting his own tongue in the process. The taste of blood in his mouth only made it worse, the bloodlust raising higher and higher. Haku stared at her, her calm acceptance changing into shock and confusion.
He should hate her. He should want to kill her, and a big part of him did. But...
"Why?" He asked her, the chakra in his body accentuating the words, deepening his voice.
Haku jumped at the sound of him, frowning in consideration.
It was then that he realized, he didn't want to kill her. He didn't want to kill anyone. He was angry, very angry, but he just, couldn't hate her. He just wanted to understand...
It was then that power left him, slowly but surely it leaked from him like a cracked teapot. He felt control return to him, his hand dropping limply to his side.
Tears began to fall then, warm streaks dripping from his eyes as he stood up straight to face her. He grit his teeth, "G-Goddamn you... this... this all coulda been different. Why do this? Why serve Zabuza, kill Tazuna, kill..." His voice caught, cutting him off. Images of Sasuke flashed in his mind, he forced his neck not to move and look at him. Knowing what would happen if he did.
Haku stared, and Naruto quickly averted his eyes, breathing heavily. Every time he saw her it only made him angrier. It made him want to finish what he'd started, even though it wasn't what he really wanted.
"Because he saved me."
Naruto looked up, seeing that Haku had taken off what remained of her mask, innocent brown eyes staring back at him earnestly.
Haku retuned his gaze, dropping her eyes, "I don't know how much you know of Kirigakure no sato. But it's been in civil war as long as I've been alive." She said.
"The people in Hi no Kuni love Kekkei Genkai, perceiving it as a mark of hereditary strength. But those in Kiri..." She trailed off, holding her chest with a wince. "Anyone, anyone who even looked like they had what I have... It didn't matter where, where, or who you were. You'd be killed on the spot."
Haku opened her mouth to say more, but wavered, looking away, "My, my Kaa-san. She tried to protect me, but I just couldn't understand why she'd make me hide who... what, I was... In the end, my father found out, and murdered her."
Haku's voice was so low she spoke almost at a whisper, her words chilling him more than her ice ever could. Naruto stared slack jawed, "J-Just like that?" He said airily, hardly able to believe what he was hearing.
She nodded stiffly, "I know that Bloodline Limits are praised where you're from, but in Kiri, they're feared more than anything else. People used to say that those with powers like mine sought out to kill and enslave them. My father believed them. He would've killed me too if I didn't..." She trailed off into silence. Not finishing the thought, the message as clear as day.
Haku shuddered, sighing long and hard, "He saved me. Plucked me out of the gutter and trained me to be his weapon. His treasure, his ace in the hole. For once in my life I was valued. I was wanted... Needed. I owe Zabuza-sama everything. I'll never let him down, never show him that I'm anything less than essential."
She looked up into his eyes and smiled, happy as could be, "That's why I know that you and I are the same."
Naruto stilled, swallowing thickly, "What, do you mean?"
Haku just kept smiling at him, although looking more piteous than sincere, "I used to think it was your sensei, Hatake Kakashi. And although you respect him as a sensei, he's not the one you serve."
Naruto felt like he'd swallowed a lump of stone, a pit forming in his belly. He took a step back, "W-wh—"
Haku took a step forward, then another. Her suddenly intense eyes staring unblinkingly, "I don't know who you serve, or what power you hold, but I can see the same thing in you that I have. A debt to repay. And the unstoppable need to repay it one day, no matter what."
She stopped, raising her arms again, "That's why you have to do it Naruto. You know I'll never stop. You know it. To save your comrades, you have to kill me."
Naruto shook his head immediately, never in his life feeling this conflicted. One side of him desperately wanted to make her pay. One glance at Sasuke's unmoving form and he nearly let the Fox's chakra out again. Instead, Naruto fought it. Grabbing every inch of anger within himself.
He took in a breath, looking down at himself. Every bit of orange on his clothing was blemished with either dirt, blood or both. His hands were filthy, one clenching a kunai so hard he was surprised the thin metal didn't snap in his hand.
He sighed, hating every syllable of what was about to leave his mouth, "I won't." He said.
But Haku wasn't deterred, pleading in her expression, "You have to. You know you have to. Zabuza and Gato won't stop until Tazuna is dead and buried."
Naruto shook his head, "No! There has to be a way! You're better than this damn it! I get how you feel about Zabuza, but you've gotta admit the man isn't worth your life! How could you care for a guy that sent two goons to kill an innocent mom and her kid!?"
Haku's smile disappeared, "Zabuza wouldn't do that..." She said quietly.
Naruto pointed a finger, "You know damn well he—"
Haku shook her head, looking suddenly worried, "Zabuza has no issues with getting blood on his hands, but he never, would send anyone to do his dirty work for him. Not even me." She dropped her arms, her eyes narrowing, "And if he sent men to Tazuna's house, knowing that we'd be here..."
"Naruto!"
The blonde genin's heart beat twice at the sound of Hinata's voice. He ran instantly for her, cutting through the dissipating fog until she was within eyesight. She was right where he'd seen her last, Tazuna on his knees, looking panicked.
"Hinata, what's wrong?" He asked, panting lightly.
She pointed towards Kakashi and Zabuza, her eyes intense, thin veins bulging around her eyes, "There people on the other end of the bridge, they have weapons, with a short man with a cane at the front!"
Naruto's head turned to look behind him when he heard Haku groan in pain. She limped over to them, her face twisted into a grimace, "Gato." She snarled.
Hinata flinched, raising her arms as if to strike when Naruto leaped in front of her, "W-Wait, hold on!" He turned towards Haku, "If Gato's here..."
Haku nodded, "He's betrayed us. Sending men to kill Tazuna means that he doesn't trust us to get the job done. Sending an army here knowing that Zabuza and I would try to kill you means either his army is the back-up plan..."
"Or that you're the distraction." Hinata said softly, lowering her arms.
Haku nodded, "He probably hoped we'd kill each other off. And even if he didn't, he'd finish off whoever won. Maybe even reap the reward for the price on Zabuza-sama and Kakashi's heads."
Naruto nodded along, though his eyebrows rose at the mention of a bounty on his sensei.
The blonde nodded at Haku, "So, we're not enemies anymore?"
Haku said nothing at first, staring at Naruto intensely, "So it seems. We should warn my master before he kills your sensei."
Naruto rolled his eyes, 'More like the other way around.'
He made to walk towards the center of the bridge when Hinata stopped him, grabbing him by the arm. "Naruto-kun? Where's Sasuke?"
Naruto felt his muscles lock up, all the previous red-hot emotions he'd felt only minutes before, rushing back to the surface of his mind. Naruto bit his lip, and Hinata shook him.
Her eyes widened in mounting horror, her voice quivering, "Naruto. Where. Is. Sasuke!?"
He opened his mouth to say something, say anything, but a bright light cut him off.
All three of them turned to look, Hinata flinching at the source of the disturbance. Naruto's eyes widened. A brilliant blue light, followed by the sound of a thousand chirping birds...
Blood dripped steadily to the floor, pooling beneath Zabuza in a thin, ghastly puddle. The razor sharp teeth of his ninken tore into Zabuza just as they'd trained, holding him fast for Kakashi's technique.
Each ninken bit into the murderous ninja, their teeth piercing every joint on his body, keeping him from moving even an inch. Their chakra-enhanced muscles were far too much for the already drained Momochi to handle. Nevertheless, he struggled in vain. Pulling at his wounds, stretching the flesh further and further apart, increasing the severity of his bleeding. Yelling obscenities, threats and goading remarks all the way.
Kakashi tuned him out, it was all in vain after all. Even Zabuza himself knew he was beaten. Kakashi scoffed, "Are these really the last words of the famous 'Demon of the Bloody Mist'?"
Zabuza stopped mid sentence, slowly raising his head to glare at Kakashi. He had to admit, the blood streaming from nearly every inch of his body, compounded with that fearsome glare of his made for scary visage.
But Kakashi had stood before far more terrifying that him. And lived to tell the tale.
Zabuza scoffed after a moment, turning his head to spit a globule of blood, "Hehe... Expect me to beg 'Kakashi of the Sharingan'?" Zabuza taunted.
Kakashi sighed long and hard, feeling a primal sense of rage and long repressed grief. He silently raised his hands, weaving hand seals.
The smell of ozone filled his nostrils, an explosion of lightning erupting from his palms. The intense light cut through the mist, illuminating them both, his Raikiri reflecting in Zabuza's wide eyes.
Kakashi took another breath, "I expect nothing." He said quietly. He looked up, his eyes focused on his target, "I already told you how this would end."
The light flashed as bright as a second sun, even from this far away. Kakashi holding his arm down, a bright blue light coming from his hand.
Naruto stared, his mouth agape, "W-What kind of jutsu is that?"
Hinata just shook her head. Naruto turned to Haku, just for her to brush past him. Her eyes locked on her master.
Naruto turned it face her, "Haku? Where are you going?"
Haku didn't turn to face him, only inclining her head slightly, "Thank you, for everything Naruto-kun. And for listening. I... I wish it could've been different."
Naruto felt his heart drop, his eyes moving from Haku, to the malevolent chakra in his sensei's hand. 'No...'
Naruto squared his legs, reaching out a hand, the other primed and ready, "Haku. What are you doing?"
Haku smiled, her brown eyes wide and hopeful, "To fulfill my purpose."
Then she was gone, his eyes only barely able to track her as she ran headlong for Kakashi.
He didn't think. He poured as much chakra into his legs as he could, but it wasn't enough. He trailed behind Haku by a wide margin, pitifully slow compared to his quarry.
Naruto felt his panic rising higher and higher, his throat closing, his breathing getting heavier and heavier. He pushed himself to the limit, but his previous fight had taken nearly everything he had.
The world moved in slow motion as he tried to keep up, but some part of him knew that he'd never reach her.
He felt tears prickle at the corners of his eyes, "KYUUBI!"
He opened his eyes to see the Fox. Standing tall behind the bars, looking more irritated than usual.
Naruto wasted no time. He didn't know how much time passed in the real world when he was here.
"She's too fast! Let's fuse our chakra again, I can catch up to her that way." Naruto said quickly, the words coming so fast he nearly fumbled his words.
The Kyuubi no Kitsune stood tall, looking majestic and aggressively natural as always, but behind the usual shitty mood he was in, now there was something else. A look he'd never seen on the fox's face before.
Confusion.
"...Why did you spare her?" He said slowly, sounding so genuinely curious it made him pause.
He said nothing for a moment, contemplating his answer. After a few seconds, the Fox scoffed cruelly and shook his head, "You could've killed her and been done with it. Power. OUR power is not used lightly, it is for exerting our form of dominance upon the world, and any who would DARE to cross us. She is as human as the rest of them. If you had ended her as you should've you would not be in this predicament."
Naruto grit his teeth, glaring up at the monstrous Fox, "Kyuubi, this is NOT the time for some big-worded lecture! I need that chakra NOW!"
The Fox sighed dramatically, And why, pray tell, is that?"
Naruto balled up his hands into fists, throwing his hands towards the ground, "Or she'll die! Haku, will die!"
The Fox huffed a short bit of laughter, looking amused, "And so she should! She's a weak, stupid child who's out of her DEPTH. Any fate that becomes her is of her own choosing. Her death matters little.
"That's not true!" Naruto screamed, stomping a foot to the ground. He didn't know why, but he could feel the truth in his answer. It was just something he knew.
"Back at the village people used to say that about me. Talk behind my back like I couldn't hear them. They all think that we don't matter. That it'd be better if we were dead, or just left the village and never came back!" Naruto snarled. He clenched his fists as hard as he could, taking a step for ever word he spoke, getting closer and closer to those thick metal bars.
"She DOES matter. I don't really get why, but I know she does. We don't HAVE to let her DIE."
Naruto stood there panting after his empassioned speech, watching for the fox's reaction. The Kyuubi stood as still as a mountain. Watching him, his glowing red eyes scanning his face as the seconds dragged on.
Naruto tensed up, feeling uncomfortable with the attention. What was he looking for? He threw his hands to his sides, "Well!?"
The Fox's eyes snapped up to meet his, "...No."
Naruto felt his heart drop into his stomach, he saw the stubborn, determined look on the Fox's face. His rage bubbled over, but despite this, he felt calm. It was strange, but he knew there was something else he could do.
What he had to do.
Naruto felt the Fox try to eject him from his own mind. It felt almost like a physical blow, like a strong gust of wind hitting you all at once. He winced, but dug in his feet, using every bit of willpower he could to remain.
The Fox raised both eyebrows, shifting his posture from sitting tall, to a low crouch. The ground shook as the Fox moved, Naruto's entire being shaking in time with his low, bestial growls.
"Boy, what is the meaning of this?
Naruto dipped his head, obeying his instincts, pulling on something in his mind. "I'm not just a boy..." He said quietly.
Then Naruto's skin exploded with light. He could feel the orange-yellow chakra before he saw it. Three pillars of light burst from the shallow waters of the mindscape, twirling and twisting in the air, then all converging on him. Covering him with living chakra.
The Kyuubi snarled, leaping at the bars furiously, his claws screeching as he swiped and tore at the indestructible barrier, "You—
He was cut off when Naruto raised a hand, an invisible force striking the Nine-Tails, "I'm also a Jinchurriki! Remember?" He could feel the power growing, flickering from Orange, to yellow, then red as the power grew in concentration.
The Fox raised his head andscreamed in fury, looking down to glare at Naruto. The young Uzumaki couldn't help but flinch when he saw the sheer anger in his gaze, "We take what we want right? I'll take her! I'll take what I need to save myself, AND those I want to save!"
Naruto focused the energy inside him, directing it as he prepared to leave the mindscape. "I'll apologize later, but right now, I've got to save Haku."
And with that, he was thrust back into his cold reality.
For a split second, it wasn't Zabuza who stood before him now, but another, painfully familiar face.
She looked the same as ever, locked in eternal youth in his mind. Her purple Nohara clan markings shown proudly on her face, an understanding, sympathetic half-smile on her lips.
If not for him, she'd have remained the undamaged, kind, gentle ninja he'd always seen her as. If not for the lightning encased hand that impaled her heart.
Her deep brown eyes met his, a brief, weak cough sending a spurt of blood from her mouth trailing down her chin.
"K-Kakashi..."
Then she was gone. Zabuza replaced her, a piss poor substitute for his long dead teammate. He shook off the horror and grief those memories always drudged up.
'Every time...' He lamented, pouring even more chakra into the technique.
He launched into motion, his eyes determined to see this through as he ran. Propelled by the force of the technique, he knew that it was nigh impossible for the technique to be stopped. Even by him.
Then he felt a shift in the air, and then Zabuza's accomplice was there, her arms raised in a protective posture. She was bloodied, undoubtedly injured by one or both of his students based on the amount of blood that covered her.
Kakashi's stomach flipped upside-down, "No."
He reeled hard against the push of the technique, but the ninja in him told him that there was no use.
His heart dropped as he was forced to carry on, every step bringing him one step closer to a young girl who looked so much like Rin.
Then Haku was launched forwards, Zabuza, and Naruto not too far behind him. Her lower body made contact with his chest at a high rate of speed, followed by Zabuza and Naruto.
He heard a hard thunk, the second before everyone else hit the ground. He'd managed to land on his feet, but no one else was that lucky. Zabuza bled from every limb on his body as the teeth of his ninken were so violently ripped from his flesh.
He shuddered so violently as he rose that Kakashi though he wouldn't be able to rise at all. But he managed, raising one leg and using his elbow to leverage himself up to stand.
Naruto was right behind him, nursing a fresh bruise on his forehead. Kakashi stood, faltering slightly, "Naruto. Are you alright?" He asked tentatively.
He still remembered the malevolent chakra from only a few minutes ago, the deep growls echoing from the mist...
Naruto opened his eyes, revealing the cool blue eyes of his father as he looked at his sensei, "Yeah, I'm good." He said, nodding.
Kakashi released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, feeling relieved that the newly forged seal had done it's job. He heard footsteps, and saw Hinata's form fade in from the mist. She stopped, panting lightly, "Everyone ok?"
Naruto nodded, then Kakashi's heart sped up when he noticed that a certain Uchiha was missing. "Naruto, where's Sasuke?" Hinata looked to Naruto, whose face dropped immediately. Kakashi felt his stomach drop, and he instantly reached out with all his senses, looking for his lost student.
He couldn't find him, but he did find a few others. More than a few in fact.
Kakashi turned to the source of the chakra signatures, "Everyone. Prepare yourselves!" Naruto and Hinata appeared at his sides, and Zabuza grunted with pain as he turned from side to side, his head swiveling around. He grunted lowly, "Where the hell is she!?"
"Hohoho, I believe I can answer that..."
Naruto's head whipped around, and exhaled a short breath when the mist cleared, showing a gang of thugs with various weapons. And a short, tubby man in front. The man was significantly shorter than he expected, with frizzy hair and dark sunglasses. Brandishing a short cane, the tip jabbing into the side of Haku's head.
Naruto leapt forwards, only barely kept in place by Kakashi, who held him fast with one hand.
"Haku! Get up and fight!" Naruto yelled, but she didn't even move an inch.
Kakashi yanked him backwards, and Naruto whirled on him, glaring angrily at his sensei. But despite his anger, Kakashi was as cool and calm as the water beneath them, "Use your head and calm yourself."
Naruto ripped away from Kakashi, "I am calm. We've gotta save Haku, or that bastard will kill her!"
The jounin shook his head slowly, "And if we rush in without a plan, we'll all die." Gato laughed, turning over Haku's head, looking at his face, "Well boys, look who it is..."
The portly man raised the cane and slammed it down on Haku's chest, a loud crack coming from her body. Naruto screamed, surging forwards again, held again by Kakashi. Gato wailed on Haku, bringing the wooden cane up and down, seemingly without end.
Gato roared in laughter, the sound of his jubilant nearly drowned out by the jeers and shouts of the men behind him. Naruto hurled every insult and curse he could think of, stopping only when Gato ceaced his torment. Before he pulled on the cane, revealing the cool shine of gleaming metal.
"No!" Naruto said, trying to get around Kakashi, but his sensei held him fast, "Naruto think about it. We're fresh from a battle, most of us are hurt, and Gato has a mob of thugs at his back."
Kakashi turned Naruto around, facing him, "Gato timed his reveal well. It's likely no coincidence that they're only showing up here now. They were waiting for us."
Naruto's muscles tensed, growing in frustration as his body rebelled against anything that didn't include a fight. He gestured to Zabuza, "But it's not just us! Zabuza isn't out enemy, and Haku is HIS partner! If we all work together—"
"Great plan, boy." The missing nin said.
Naruto turned to Zabuza, who now stood, his arms hanging limply at his side, "Except I have no reasons to help you at all."
All of Naruto's attention was zeroed on Zabuza now, he narrowed his eyes, his anger growing steadily, "What." He asked numbly.
Zabuza said nothing more. He merely stood there, watching as Haku breathed his last. Naruto's nostrils flared, "Fucking coward. You and Haku were together for years, and now you're just gonna let her die?" He spat, glaring up at the so called "Demon of the Hidden Mist".
"Haku doesn't deserve you. You're no demon, you're nothing at all."
Zabuza growled at him, turning around to glare at the blonde genin, "Shut up before I cut out your tongue. Don't speak about things you know nothing about." He grated, turning back around to stare at Haku's motionless body. "Haku's doom is of his own making. If she'd have killed the both of you from the start she would'nt be here. What does it matter."
Naruto wrenched himself free of Kakashi's grip once again. He saw red, stomping over to Zabuza, "What. Does. It. MATTER!?" He screamed.
"You two worked together for YEARS! You trained her, fed her, defended her, clothed her, hell you practically raised her! She saved your worthless life, and now she's about to die, and you'll do nothing!?"
Zabuza kept his eyes on Haku, sighing raggedly, "I was using her. That's all. I needed her to fulfill a purpose. Now its over. Haku's proven herself a useful tool, but the carpenter doesn't just give up when his favorite knife breaks, he gets another one and moves on. I employed her for her skill. Now she's nothing more than a loose end. If I was able, I'd leave right now, and leave Gato to you. He's no longer my employer, so I'm not bound to do anything at all."
Naruto felt the jounin's callous words as if he'd punched him in the face. And for a moment, Zabuza wasn't there. It was someone else, someone he'd been running from for years.
Masaru stood there now, his yellow hair fading white, defiantly still wearing his Konohagakure headband, scars tracing up his neck and along his scalp.
Naruto shook his head, and the image was gone. He pursed his lips, shaking his head, "If what you just said is true, you're an even worse rat than Gato."
Hinata walked up next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Come on Naruto-kun, Zabuza's not the enemy anymore. Focus on the present."
Naruto shook his head, the heartlessness of his words affecting Naruto more than he'd admit. He shook her hand off, pinning Hinata down with the intensity of his stare. Tears falling down his face, "A guy like that will always be my enemy."
He ignored Hinata's shocked look, pointing up at Zabuza, "You're just a coward. If Haku killed me, you'd be dead right now! And even then, it shouldn't even matter! You're so much worse than scum. After everything Haku did for you, Haku worshiped you! You're her world, her everything. And you have the balls to say that she means nothing to you, that you'll just turn your back on her after EVERYTHING?"
He hiccuped a sob, the pain getting to be too much, "That's... That's just so. Wrong." He said, lowering his head.
Hinata approached again, putting a hand on his shoulder again. Her presence somehow lessening the pain somewhat, but not enough.
"Heh." Zabuza huffed. Naruto raised his head at his words, then he gasped. His eyes growing wide at the sight of tears flowing down Zabuza's face, dripping to the cold wooden floor.
He gave an empty, mirthless laugh, "And they call me... A master swordsman." He said quietly, his eyes never leaving Haku. "But your words cut deeper than any blade I've ever known."
He turned his body to face Naruto, his eyes carrying more emotion than Naruto hand ever seen in the missing nin. "You, understand her don't you. You and Haku, you're birds of a feather..."
The blonde genin started, not expecting Zabuza to guess their connection right away. But he nodded slowly, walking forwards, turning to face the crowd of thugs, "Yeah. That's why I just can't sit here and do nothing."
Kakashi reached out for him, but he sidestepped him, evading his sensei's restraining hand.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed, "Naruto..."
Then cruel laughter cut through the air, drawing Naruto's attention. Gato stood over Haku, laughing gleefully as he kicked at Haku's limp body over and over again, "That'll teach you to fuck with Gato kid. Too bad, it's the last lesson you'll ever get..."
He pulled at his cane, and the cover slid off polished metal, the sound of an blade being freed from it's sheath ringing through the air. Naruto's heart dropped as he saw Gato raise the metal high, preparing to thrust the sword deep into Haku's flesh.
Naruto's shock transformed into hot rage once again, fire alighting in his veins. He growled, 'No! Not this time you fuckin' bastard...'
Naruto pulled on something inside him, eliciting a screech of pain and outrage from the Fox. The chakra hit him like a tidal wave, his anger multiplying infinitely. The power of the Fox radiated off of him like flames on a bonfire, his teammates and Zabuza alike sheilding their faces and eyes.
His overloaded senses caught everything in slow motion, the facial expression of the thugs shifting from cocky to terrified, their arms; which held crude, rusty weaponry lowering slowly, and the slow fall of Gato's arms as he thrust his sword closer and closer to Haku's chest.
Naruto leapt forwards, his sandals chipping the wood, sending splinters in the air as he ran.
He swiped a claw blindly, cutting through fabric, flesh and bone alike. Cutting deeply into Gato's arm, sending his cane sword flying out of reach. The crime head screeched in pain, the impact sending him flying into the arms of his men. Naruto landed deftly on his feet, hunched over, knashing his teeth at the invaders.
Gato shook in terror, hardly able to conjure words as he raised a quivering finger at him, "K-K-Kill it!"
At his order, nearly a hundred soon to be dead man charged at him.
Instinct took over, jumping up a dozen feet in the air, spinning wildly as he fell. His claws struck the metal of an old katana, snapping the metal in two, slicing a man from neck to groin on his way down.
He was far too quick for any of them. Lashing out again, slicing off the fingers of another man, the long sickle in his hands sliding to the ground.
He struck again and again, over and over, each leading to the same result. Carnage. Utter carnage. Blood streaked his jacket, covering his hands in red, viscous liquid.
A part of him was shocked and disturbed by his actions, but his mind was too overcome with rage to care. He continued on his rampage, until suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, followed by a glob of blood erupting from his mouth.
The pain jarred him back to lucidity, stunning him for just long enough for one of the thugs to rear back, and slam a huge club into his chest. He spat blood for a second time, the impact throwing him against the bridge's railing. He curled over in agony, feeling as if someone had just drilled a hole through his chest over and over again. He dry heaved, grunting with effort as he tried to straighten himself, 'What, the hell, is this..."
The Fox growled in frustrated anger, "Your body has used too much of my chakra! Your feeble, young chakra system has been corroded. Cease this mutiny at once!
Naruto grimaced, grinding his teeth as he shook his head, pulling on the Fox's power again, empowering him just in time to notice a pickaxe headed straight for his temple. He leaned forwards, slashing at the man's midsection. He went down screaming, prompting his companions to surge forwards to avenge their fallen friend.
Naruto tried to strike again, but a fountain of blood burst forth from his mouth, the pain sapping all the strength from him. In an instant, all his strength left him, sending him to his knees.
The haft of an axe caught him over the head, and the world cut to black for a moment, nearly knocking him out right there and then.
Somehow he managed to stay awake, and tried to strike at whoever had just hit him. But his swing was far too slow, and he felt a strong hand grip his wrist, throwing him to the ground. Someone else grabbed his other arm, then his legs. He tried to lean forwards, but he leaned right onto the edge of sharp steel.
Past the haze of mist and his own head trauma, he saw Gato looming over him, a long thin sword in his hand, a cruel, cocky smirk on his face.
"Hehe, hold em' tight boys." He said, leaning close to Naruto.
He tried to struggle, but the thugs only held tighter and tighter. The Fox's chakra was completely gone now, the pain of his many wounds now calling for his attention in full force. He groaned in pain and effort, but he stopped when he felt the blade pushed farther against his neck.
Gato winced suddenly, looking down at his other arm, "Fuck me! What the hell is up with this tiny, backwater town and all these wannabe heroes!?" He shouted, shaking the blade in his hand with every syllable, the steel biting into his skin.
Naruto growled, glaring daggers into the little stump,
"You stole from this village, treat your own like trash, and murder anyone just to get what you want! Someone has to do something!." Naruto spat at Gato.
Gato just adjusted his narrow sunglasses, and threw his head back, laughing so hard he started to cough, "Me and everyone else kid! I take because I fucking can. I'm just my own hero. I fight, for me!"
Naruto growled again, and Gato sighed, smiling wide, "All you shinobi just can't understand. Power isn't the strength to kill someone else with your bare hands, it's the power to make people do what you want. Money is the easiest way to do that." The criminal scoffed, looking off to the side, "That idiot, Kama, or Kaizo or whatever his fucking name was, he could've been king of this shithole. Ate like a king, fucked whoever he wanted, even kept that little tribe of vermin's of his safe!" Gato yelled, shaking his head, "But, he wouldn't take my money, so I used that money to send a message that meant more than keeping him alive ever would."
Then he smiled again, leaning close to Naruto, "And now, I'll send another."
He grabbed the back of Naruto's head, pressing on the blade even harder. Naruto's fear spiked in that moment, the moment of his demise looming ever closer. But his men held him fast, his fear morphing into despair.
Gato smiled, chuckling to himself, "Whoever anyone sends, they'll only be sending them to their deaths. Look around, I don't need weapons to make myself strong, I can do whatever I want!"
Gato shook suddenly, a spurt of blood erupting from his neck, dripping quickly off the blackened edge of an arrow that jutted from the side of his neck. The criminal mastermind's eyes bulged, and a steady flow of blood leaked from the corners of his lips. Naruto reeled back, shocked at this development. Gato stumbled forwards, revealing his wound, shocking his subordinates.
As Gato shuffled away, Naruto saw the shooter.
A small frame, with a tan hat, a stripe of blue in the middle, worn by a young boy who'd nearly lost everything. Holding a crossbow up high.
Inari moved quickly, but calmly. Replacing the bolt as quickly as he could, raising the weapon once more.
"Inari..." Naruto whispered, never regretting calling someone a coward more in his entire life.
Gato turned to where Naruto was looking, grunting in pain and fury, glaring at Inari with all the hatred he could muster, "Agh... L-Little... Fucking... Brat... I'll... I'll..." Every syllable sent more and more blood spilling from his mouth, finally choking off any other words he could say.
Inari said something then, too quiet for Naruto to hear, then pulled the trigger. A sharp thwap cracked through the air as he loosed another bolt. The projectile streamed through the air, hitting Gato in the head, impaling his right eye. His head whipped back, the end of the arrow sticking out the rear of his skull.
His sunglasses shattered on impact, , sending the frame spinning into the air, dropping at his feet. Gato shuddered, and toppled over. Landing flat on his back, a pool of blood spreading underneath him.
In an instant, the hushed shock and gasps from the thugs faded into utter silence. Naruto stared in open shock at the development. It felt like the whole world had taken a breath, and Naruto waited for the exhale, for someone to say or do something.
Finally harsh, panicked whispers broke out, "The boss is dead!"
"What the fuck just happened!"
"Is that a kid!?"
"Helluva shot..."
"What do we do now?"
Faster than he could blink, the thugs were off him. They grunted in pain and surprise as an something solid slammed into him, sending them sprawling. Naruto looked up, and saw his sensei. Standing bruised, bloody, and serious as death.
Gato's henchman spread out, shuffling away from Kakashi. Then Hinata sprinted next to him, settling into an aggressive stance, glaring at the crowd.
"Hehe..." Then a big brute stomped towards them, holding a huge scythe in his hands. He was a head bigger than Zabuza, and twice as muscular. With scars decorating his bald head.
"I say we just kill these guys and pillage the town. Look at 'em. They're on death door! Shouldn't be too hard!"
"CLANG!"
A heavy pot slammed into the thug's head. He yelped in pain, dropping the scythe to hold his head. He turned to glare at whoever threw the pot, then his face dropped. Naruto turned to look, and saw what looked like the whole town jeering threats from behind Inari.
"Get the hell out of our town!"
"The land of waves doesn't bend that easily!"
The stamps and shouts of the villages shook the bridge, their sheer volume sending ripples of fear in the crowd of cutthroats. One by one they all stepped back, either to avoid some thrown appliance, or in terror of the sudden resistance from the meager village.
Then Zabuza loped towards them, heading towards Haku slowly. The skittish thugs backed up, forming a horseshoe around him. Zabuza took a long look at her crumpled form, snapping his head up to stare wide eyed at the thugs. He released a massive wave of Killing Intent, uttering a single word.
"Run."
The crowd immdieatly dispersed, many dropping their weapons in utter terror, and all of them running clear of the mist. After less than a minute, silence descended on the bridge once again.
The crowd of villagers erupted in joy. Many raising Inari up on their shoulders, praising them and the ninja who were hired to protect them.
Naruto watched silently, rising slowly and painfully, still suffering the effects of overusing the Fox's chakra. Everyone crowded around Haku as Zabuza bent down to inspect her. He tried to move his arms, his hands shaking as the grew closer to Haku.
Hinata sprinted forwards, bending over Haku, checking her pulse and her injuires. Zabuza frowned, "How is she?" He asked in a bleak tone.
Hinata shook her head, "She's lost a lot of blood, but she's breathing. She'll probably be out for quite a while." Hinata reached into her kunai holster, breaking out several rolls of gauze. She wrapped the cloth around her arms and torso, turning to Zabuza, an intent look in her eyes. Zabuza hesitated, his black eyes narrowing, but Hinata's narrowed in turn, daring the missing nin to say something.
Zabuza sighed, muttered something under his breath, and presented his arms. Hinata smiled at him, and went to work.
Naruto watched in mute, stifled releif. Happy that all of this was over. Then his eyes drifted to the other side of the bridge.
He got up and walked over to where Sasuke lay. He heard several muted voices calling out to him, but he ignored him. Walking sluggishly to Sasuke, spotting his dark clothing against the wood of the bridge.
He was right where he'd left him, where he'd failed him...
"...you have another chance. That you have a chance to get stronger, to make sure that you're never that helpless again!
Naruto bit his lip, tears spilling down his cheeks, an impossible, emptiness in his chest. "Goddammit..." He whispered, sinking to his knees.
All the guilt, all the emotions he'd repressed deep inside him burst forth like a dam. He bent his head down low, bawling. Feeling more helpless and worhtless than he had in a long time.
'All that training, all that suffering, for nothing. Nothing at all...'
He heard a shrill gasp from behind him, followed by rushed footsteps, accompanying other heavier ones. Hinata sprinted past him, sliding down to the ground, holding Sasuke.
"Nonononono no!" She cried, holding him close, crying softly.
Her cries cut deep into his soul, deepening his grief. Somehow he managed to scrape up enough strength to rise, kneeling beside Hinata.
Then she gasped suddenly, "Naruto..." She whispered.
Naruto heard a cough, and looked down. Sasuke moved, wincing as he looked up at Naruto, "What are those tears for, crybaby?"
The blonde's eyes flew wide and he laughed, all his worries and doubts vanishing, replaced by sheer joy. New, sweeter tears fell from his eyes as he reached out to grip Sasuke's shoulder, "R-Relief. Now I don't have to pick up your slack, teme."
Sasuke grunted, sittting up, "Tch, what slack?"
Hinata laughed loudly, grabbing them both, pulling them in for a hug. Naruto laughed with her, ,much to Sasuke's annoyance, "Hmph, that hurts you know." He said, half-jokingly.
They stayed like that for a while, content for the first time in what felt like an eternity. Sasuke tried to get up, but winced, holding his chest gingerly, still sporting senbon protruding from his body. Naruto wrapped his arm around him, helping him to his feet.
Hinata helped, grabbing Sasuke as well as they walked back to their sensei.
Sasuke groaned, "Ugh, my head is pounding. What the hell happened?"
Naruto was about to answer, when a pungent, awful smell hit his nose. He gagged, covering his mouth and nose with his other hand. Hinata looked startled, "What?" She asked urgently.
Her question was answered when the mist parted. A cruel, visceral tapestry of blood coated the bridge. Several thugs lay dead, identical claw marks having torn them open. Some had their throats slit, other were effectively eviscerated. With Gato lying in the middle, the end of a crossbow bolt protruding from the back of his head.
The trio's faces showed identical levels of disgust and shock, only broken when Kakashi and Zabuza walked up to them. The missing nin holding Haku in his freshly bandaged arms.
Kakashi's face melted with relief when he saw Sasuke, "Ah, Sasuke. I'm glad you're alright." The jounin sensed their emotion, walking over to Naruto, and laying a hand on his shoulder. Guiding him away from the bridge.
"Come on, lets go."
He pulled, but Naruto woudln't budge. Still staring at the dead thugs. The ones he'd killed.
Zabuza looked confused, "Hm? What are we lookin' at?" He said. He turned around, tracking their gaze, nodding along. "Oh yeah." He said distractedly, "Nice work kid."