Pairings:

Naruto/Ch'en

Sasuke/Talulah

Haku/Frostnova

TBA

They reached the dry lands in just a few days, and the supplies, though meager it may have been, was still enough. Catching enough fish for food and gathering up tools and supplies, as Gozu and Meizu taught the Yetis on how to utilize shinobi tools in addition to lending them wires filled with kunais and shurikens. The tools not just for combat but also for hunting wildlife, and as well as skinning meat with the former. The Yetis adapted quickly, as many became proficient with the new weapons given to them.

Due to their presence and as both Gozu and Meizu left with one of Buldrokastee's own to scout ahead, they had confirmed it to be the town that they had first visited. Zabuza had ordered both Haku and the Demon Brothers to purchase what little Ryo they had left, before the group departed quickly.

Yet for Zabuza Momochi, his heart pounded and blood burned for the challenge. Buldrokastee gave it to him, keeping his promise.

Buldrokastee drew his halberd and his shield, though aged, was still strong. He stood towering over Zabuza. "Get ready, Zabuza Momochi."

Buldrokastee's own men and Yetis stood back. Haku and Yelena watched, and both Gozu and Meizu were on the lookout.

The empty field was perfect. Perfect for a match. A lake was situated, full of fresh water for use.

Zabuza recalled his clash with Yagura and even his own former team of the Seven Swordsmen, memories of Kisame Hoshigake. And for the first time ever since, he finally let his blood flow, freely craving the battle before him.

"Same goes for you."

Their weapons met in a shower of sparks as both reappeared from where they were standing, wind bellowing around them as a crater formed from the very power of their strikes. A single thought emerged from the two of what they thought of each other within exchanging the first few blows: Strong.

Breaking off the engagement, Zabuza rapidly weaved through hand signs, Buldrokastee waited for the ranged Jutsu to come, only to watch as mist surrounded the vicinity, and Zabuza's arm was raised up in a single arm above him, while his lower arm was bent chest level.

"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu!" Zabuza intoned.

Buldrokastee kept his senses sharp as he recalled the Jutsu. It allowed a user to create a mist of their own chakra and utilize it for stealthy kills or assassinations.

Swinging his halberd, Buldrokastee sent a gust of wind from the force of his swing, temporarily parting the mist, but the mist reappeared seconds later, and Buldrokastee knew he was forced to fight handicapped.

Then the Demon let his true bloodlust show.

Buldrokastee felt the surge of it leaking as it emanated from the mist, and for a moment, he saw a visage of the demonic face. This is what the Mist had met when they had seen Zabuza.

Many foes would have been afraid, but Buldrokastee was not one of those people.

"Come, Demon of the Mist!"

A chuckle sounded from the mist, and then he spoke. "With pleasure!"

Both Haku and Yelena watched as Buldrokastee blocked the powerful blows of his Master, and were both astounded and interested. The Executioner Blade swung wildly that would have turned any lesser foe to mincemeat but not Buldrokastee. He blocked the powerful blows with his shield, sparks showering as they exchanged blows.

"Your…. Master is holding his own."

Haku nodded, "Master Zabuza looks happy. It seems the Mist did not satisfy him in a while since he rarely ever had equals in combat. Sir Buldrokastee is quite formidable in his own right."

Both the pairs of ice watched, as the brothers and sisters that formed the Yetis watched their Eldest Sister. Unaware that they had formed their own conversations.

"Sister Yelena seems close to Brother Haku." A younger brother commented.

"Brother Haku?" Another pondered. "Do you think…"

"Are you concerned about Brother Haku?"

A head shook no. "If Elder Sister trusts in him, then we shall too." The brother turned to look at his Eldest Sister, as both sat in comfort, watching the battle before them. Though he did suspect and swore that he saw Sister Yelena's cheeks turn rosy… It was not his business, and he was probably overthinking it. He shook his head. Whether their relationship would become something far more, it did not change how they felt of him.

Far before Haku Yuki, far before Yelena had realized it, the former became part of the Yetis and was accepted into the ranks as a Brother.

Zabuza put his strength and even chakra into his blade for his strikes, but he watched as the armor and halberd blocked and pinned his blade down. Another strike and the heavy shield slammed into his jaw, rattling his head and stunning him.

Loosening his mask to spit out blood, Zabuza snarled, though not in anger. A wide grin decorated his face, unseen, as he fully salivated the battle and his foe before him! Finally!

His hit and run attacks failed. It seemed that the Hidden Mist Jutsu would not be effective.

Buldrokastee fell back to a defensive posture once more as his weapon was readied. Zabuza Momochi was much faster than the Mist shinobi of the village, and stronger. He was able to defend against the blows, clearly intended to gut, skewer, and tear his adversaries apart, though he had to utilize his senses, tuned by years of combat, in order to stay in the fight, deflecting blows that came everywhere seemingly at once in the mist.

With a single hand sign, Zabuza released the mist. If he had been around during the time during his tenure in the Mist ANBU or the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he would have given me or any one of us a hell of a challenge. He may have had the potential to even outmatch Mangetsu, though that was probably pushing it.

Better than the fodder now he faced.

Zabuza felt no regrets and didn't take back his actions, but he felt a twinge of disappointment with the towering giant in front of him now. It was a damn shame that once they went off their own ways, he would go back to fighting against low level fodder and would never receive a challenge until he finally met face to face with Yagura.

All the better to make this fight as long as he could.

The problem was with the armor. Despite his Executioner Blade, he was unable to break through the armor or shield. Both remained strong enough as Zabuza could watch as there was not even a scratch or dent on the shield. Further compounding his predicament was that the giant matched him in strength. Kenjutsu was out of the question as he was successfully able to counter him and Taijutsu he did not utilize as he was sure that even with a chakra enhanced punch, he would break his arm.

Ninjutsu was his only option. His lips turned up. Fighting handicapped made it more exciting.

He began to form hand signs once more. Buldrokastee's crimson gaze lighted up as he recognized the familiar signs.

He's going for…

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

From the lake came a roaring behemoth. As it came crashing down at him, Buldrokastee leaped up to avoid it, but was forced to refocus his attention as instead of hitting from his former position it curved up, ready to swallow him in its jaws.

But he was ready. Letting gravity take him to the lake, Buldrokastee landed hard onto the body of water, splashing water on himself, and turning tides up momentarily, before he returned his gaze up, just in time to see the Water Dragon.

With a powerful swing of his halberd, Buldrokastee dismembered the dragon, the roars of currents dying as the beast stared into its enemy's eyes before it splashed lifelessly back, returning the lake into the tranquil state it was.

"Water Style: Water Bullet Jutsu!"

Leaping to the side, Buldrokastee leaped away as the aquamarine orbs slammed into where he once stood, the rest he blocked with his shield, the impact forcing him back. A final bullet came speeding towards him, while a splash sounded as he registered Zabuza swinging from behind him once more.

All the spectators watched as a massive wave was upturned, the battle between the Demon and Wendigo continued, unperturbed. Neither of the forces of Zabuza or Buldrokastee moved, knowledge that their duel, vicious as it may be, was a simple spar to test their skills against each other. Despite knowledge of Zabuza Momochi's reputable status via exchanged words and garnered knowledge of the shinobi of this world, the most prominent tool that the man had that was well regarded, for even Kazimierz would have at least acknowledged him if they had heard of Zabuza Momochi, was honor.

Honor was a tool to show an opponent that they were worthy of respect. Worthy an adversary that one side would acknowledge the other. Honor was a promise that was held far before a physical fight. It was also to give respect to one's foe.

Zabuza Momochi was a man, Buldrokastee's men, knew he would keep his word of honor.

Streams of water splashed heavily down Buldrokastee's armor. The pools and waves were now calmed, as Buldrokastee held Zabuza back. A closer look, and Buldokastee was unharmed by the water bullet.

Buldrokastee watched the man in front of him swing his blade just as it clashed against his own weapon.

Parrying the blow, he made a subtle shift of movement, as his foe could only attempt to push him back. With a powerful blow of his own, he sent the Demon of the Mist back.

Zabuza backflipped away as he landed on his feet, simply forming a Ram sign. Buldrokastee halted in his approach and waited, waiting for his foe to move, but he did not.

Confusion for a moment filled Buldrokastee's mind, then the water trembled, as if a whirlpool was forming.

What Jutsu is he-?!

And before Buldrokastee could even predict the Jutsu, the whirlpool exploded and he saw the four copies of his foe. Their own blades were swinging at him at breathtaking speeds, and Buldrokastee could only defend himself.

Water Clones!

Forced to turn and bend his halberd to a unique position, Buldrokastee blocked the sweeping guillotines and locked them in place. His eyes could only widen as with their free hands expelled water, as they intoned.

"Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!" The water beneath him began to circle around but he could do nothing, as he could only watch as the water below entrapped him.

Buldrokastee fought and struggled against the prison they held him against but he could do nothing as the original went up and pointed his blade at him, a sign to yield and surrender. He considered all his options, yet he could do nothing. The layers of the Water Prison Jutsu forced him into a position where he could not break out.

That had been his entire plan, he realized. Forcing him onto the lake where it would give him the necessary terrain to allow him to utilize a bubble of water to trap him. The Clones he must have placed down during when he released the Water Dragon.

Buldrokastee had lost.

With a nod, the prison was released, water drenching him, the clones gave a look of satisfaction at their win before they lost their mass, turning back to water.

For the rest of their comrades and allies, silence was the only thing that followed. Buldrokastee had been the wisest, knowledgeable, and powerful warrior they had seen. Though he did not claim to be such, they had believed that he had been undefeatable, and many who did stand against him found themselves with the tip of his halberd pointed at their throats. Despite it, many clapped for the winner regardless.

"Master Zabuza won…" Haku stated all what they were thinking, but he was uncertain.

Yelena's gaze narrowed only slightly, still pondering the battle. And from Haku, she knew that he was beginning to suspect as well.

"Well, this is it. See you bunch later." A week of more travel, and Zabuza hefted his Executioner Blade once more as supplies were gathered up for both groups, he was certain that they were near the border in the Land of Waves, as he informed that he, Haku, and the Demon Brothers took up a new job that gave them the funds necessary to jumpstart another rebellion with fresh supplies.

Buldrokastee returned a nod, remembering their spar from the few weeks prior. "You fought formidably, Zabuza Momochi. Until we meet again."

"Sure. You were tough as hell. I bet even Mangetsu, if he was still around, would have jumped at the chance to challenge you."

A polite bow was given to them by Haku. "Please take care everyone."

Buldrokastee glanced down at the boy who wasn't far different from Yelena. In the week that followed, he had spoken to the boy about Zabuza, and learned of him. Though what Haku had informed and described of him with his relationship to Zabuza, he had seen the pair far more closely.

"Remain strong, young Haku."

"Of course. Thank you, Sir Buldrokastee. Please take care of yourself." Haku turned to Yelena and lowered his head in a bow. "Take care and be safe, Yelena."

Though she did not smile, the tilt of her head acknowledged the words.

"Maybe we'll meet again someday." Gozu shrugged.

Buldrokastee didn't disagree with that. He had a feeling that one day, that one day, he and Yelena would meet Zabuza and Haku and the Demon Brothers, and he had a feeling it would be in Terra. For how, he did not know yet. But he knew.

But for now, it was goodbye. Goodbye until they met again.

"Goodbye, and take care."

Zabuza nodded, "Good luck with your Infected shit."

"And I wish you luck with your rebellion of the Mist." Buldrokastee returned it.

"Thanks."

With final parting words from their new acquaintances, both groups separated, as Zabuza, Haku, and the Demon Brothers took a boat that took them to the Land of Waves, waving at their acquaintances goodbye.

As Zabuza sat back and let the boat drift them to their destination he glanced at Haku. "Is there something the matter, Master Zabuza?"

He thought of Buldrokastee, a strange name and that girl Yelena, and could not help himself but let himself smirk at the thought of the two together. "Do you have feelings for that girl, Haku?"

"I'm not sure exactly what you mean, Master Zabuza."

"That girl. Do you have feelings for her, Haku?"

Haku blinked as his mind wandered back to conversations with Yelena, confused at what his Master could mean. Feelings were emotions, and he could not have any. As shinobis and as tools of which they obeyed, which path they took, all shinobi were their own. For Haku, that meant Zabuza. The man had given him a chance to live, a chance at life, even while he was meant to die all those years as a child. Zabuza had told him that he was his weapon to lash out at those who would stand against them, and so he acted accordingly.

Now Zabuza was asking him if he had emotions? A test to his loyalty since they had met in their battle with the Mist?

The emotions he had felt around Yelena… They were not faked, as he had complete control over his emotions and knew when to lie and deceive, as all shinobi were expected to keep their own emotions in check. But he was unsure of what they represented, as they were not a fabrication.

He smiled. "Of course not, Master. We are simply well acquainted during the time we traveled together." He spoke.

It was a simple connection, and nothing more.

Zabuza looked at Haku, the smile on his face, and it made him scoff once more. "Damn brat."

The trip to the Wave was short, as the group of the former Mist shinobi entered an immaculate and wealthy building, with embroidered carpets and expensive paintings, it looked more like a castle, or akin to a religious church.

Flanked by two guards of their contractor named Zori and Waraji, the ex Mist shinobi were led up the stairs, to where their contractor had hired them, where a large number of mercenaries congregated or were milling about.

"Ah! Welcome, welcome! I am Gato! Of course, you must know who I am-"

"Save me your speeches. I want to see the Ryo. I want to make sure I get paid."

Both the guards and mercenaries immediately drew their weapons as a show of force, but Zabuza pointed his blade at the man. "You dare-" None got any closer as Zabuza let loose his bloodlust, and both the guards trembled as they saw a visage of a demon staring back at them.

To his very credit, Gato was able to muster up words. "O-of course! Orion, bring up the Ryo. Please!" Zabuza didn't fail to detect the hint of panic in the coward's vocie. Pathetic.

But his temporary dissatisfaction at his contractor was immediately replaced as he saw the large stacks of Ryo in the briefcase. He counted, and at the very least, he, Haku, and the brothers were able to possibly last a month or more with this amount.

"Seems like you're not lying. But if you want us longer, then you're going to have to pay me more than that."

Gato nodded feverishly. "Of course!"

Yelena did not realize it until the familiar cold wind blew where they back in the Tundras.

They moved once more to defend the Infected. Though no Infected sites had been found by the third day they had returned, Yelena's mind wandered back to the boy known as Haku.

"Sister Yelena?"

Her eyes fell back to one of her sisters, who had not been resting yet. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, "I'm quite alright. Please rest. I am simply taking watch." As her mind wandered to Haku, it also extended to Zabuza, and she reminisced of the spar.

Buldrokastee sat besides her in the empty Tundras. "Yelena."

Yelena turned her gaze up to him as she recalled the spar, in an attempt to push her mind off the boy. "That time… You threw your fight with Zabuza."

He didn't answer, but it was confirmation that he had held back in the large portion of their fight.

Hmph… He would definitely want a rematch.

"You should rest."

Yelena did not need to be told. She laid down on the mat and the makeshift pillow, watching the dying embers of their fire, and her memories filled with the masked boy Haku, until sleep finally claimed her.

I hope people like the Zabuza vs Patriot mock battle/duel and the final chapter of the mini arc of Zabuza and Haku and Patriot and Frostnova. Let me know your thoughts. I did want to make it longer but decided that once they would meet again in the future, that they'll have a rematch, so I cut it down short, and I know people want me to go back to either Naruto and Sasuke. This chapter will be the last of Patriot and Frostnova in some time.