Within the Lair of the Nine-Tailed Fox...
So much time he spent recuperating, so much time of rest and boredom, now he has a chance for a little bit of fun.
This old Fox enjoyed licking his wounds and the decadence that comes in the form of the finest things in life. Ah yes, his previous host was most generous to live's personal dreams and details as he could heal with style. But over time, he has been feeling restless, hungry for battle, and thirsty for the hunt. The little girl host was not really much of an adventurer thanks to the humans. She had lived a very sheltered life and there were rare times for her to use his powers, but things were getting boring. He would mostly watch through her eyes what was going on in the outside world.
Things were getting interesting out there.
Sasuke was breathing hard as was his future sister-in-law. Their only hope was to destroy the mirrors and find the real Haku. That proved near impossible as the raining senbons were proving deadly for them. The younger Uchiha was feeling pain in his body and stress on his mind. Despite, not liking Naru marrying his beloved brother, he wasn't going to let the dobe die.
That is when the power came and an idea.
"Dobe, listen to me very carefully." He uttered under his breath as the girl turned to him while she was barely awake, "We are not going to die. We are going to win."
Haku said nothing as he threw a senbon at Naru but Sasuke was fast enough to grab her and avoided the needles, shocking Haku and Naru. He tried again but it had the same result as Sasuke becoming more confident.
"How is this possible?" He questioned the boy.
"It's very simple, I am an Uchiha."
An Uchiha, huh?
That was a name he hadn't heard in a while. He doesn't know what his sweet little host would even continue the courtship with them, she could do so much better with mates. Though the elder one does bring delicious meals.
Sasuke was dodging the senbons and watching over Naruto, who fainted from her wounds as Haku knew that he needed to change his plans.
If he cannot kill the boy… then he'll sadly have to kill the nice girl. It broke his heart, but he had to do it, for him. He flung the senbon that would kill the girl. But it never hit her. She woke from the wound and was stunned by what she saw before her.
Sasuke, her rival, her brother-in-law, her teammate was covered in senbons, shielding her!
"SASUKE! SASUKE!" She shrieked as the boy collapsed as she caught him, using her legs as a pillow for him, "Why? Why did you save me? I thought you hated me?"
"I… don't know…. My body just moved…" Sasuke rasped as his breathing became slower, "Itachi… I am so sorry… I couldn't avenge our clan… I couldn't… find your treasure… Naru… please… tell Itachi I am sorry…"
Then he went limp.
He could feel her pain, he could feel the rage in her heart and that was something that needed to be rectified. Time to show the true power of the fox.
"He hurt him… He hurt you… HURT HIM BACK!"
On the Bridge…
Itachi gasped as he and Kakashi felt the old power coming from the dome!
'The Nine-tailed Fox? He's free? No, he's just possessing her, he can feel her pain and sees it as his own.' The elder Uchiha thought, 'Sasuke, you better be okay or you're grounded for an entire month.'
It seemed the battle was already won as Haku was defeated by her as Naru approached him. Instead of finishing him off, she asked why he would want that. It seemed Haku had the same feelings with Zabuza the same as Naruto had for Itachi, thrown into a world of hate, he was that one person who really saw him, really believed in him, and wanted him, he would do anything for the man who saved him. His story was so much like hers, but Itachi returned those feelings and did love her, Zabuza saw Haku as a tool.
Then as the ultimate act of loyalty and love, Haku sacrificed himself for her master as Kakashi's lightning was fatal!
Naru was shocked by this as Haku fell dead. Such horror for someone who risked everything for the one person who told him he was worth loving.
Then Gato arrived, firing the Water Ninja and kicking Haku's body like it was nothing, enraging Naru.
She only saw Zabuza really care for him when she saw the tears.
"Gato, the leaf's thirteenth most wanted. The Hokage wishes to have a few words with you, and I am here to be certain you are delivered there." Itachi coldly informed, "Alive or dead."
"Like you have what it takes to take me in! I have spent years escaping from your village and I am still richer than any one of you combined, earning the best help money can buy." He told him as his ninjas were ready to kill.
Zabuza asked for Naru's kunai as he did something that surprised them all, he killed Gato! Without a master, they decided to raid the small village, but the people had enough! With Inari leading the charge and Naru with her clones to back them up, they would soon be over as Itachi would take them in for questioning.
Itachi and Kakashi brought the dying Zabuza near Haku as he spent the last moments with him, the look on his face was one Itachi knew well, it was love, the love he has.
Sasuke stirred then awakened as his brother and sensei were looking at the damage done.
"Naru, Naru, Sasuke's alive!" Sakura told her as Naru turned around to see her friend alive and started to cry.
Then she ran up and hugged the injured boy.
As they had their tender moment, and everything was in order.
"Sasuke, Naru, you are both grounded." Itachi calmly told them.
"Ah, what!?" Naruto whined as Sakura giggled at their reactions.