Author's Notes: Yes, I know I'm starting another story out of nowhere. In my defence, however, this one has been brewing for a good few years now, and I am doing my best to keep my other stories up to date. There might be no proper way to display this, but the next chapters for Bound by Blood, Blade of the Blizzard Redux, and Fox-Bound Traveler are in the works.

I'm unsure how good or bad this might eventually turn out, so I suppose the only way to find out is to let you all judge. Hopefully, you'll enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. And as usual, Stronger!Naruto, and Smarter!Naruto.

"Talking"
'Thinking'
"'Talking/Thinking but Emphasised'"
"'Jutsu'"

-Middle of Nowhere, Kirigakure-

Under a monstrous bout of pouring rain and raging thunder, a solitary tavern stood amidst it all, its roof shielding the occupants within from the horrific storm overhead until it didn't. A flash of lightning illuminated the surrounding, war-torn area as the roaring thunder was accompanied by the panicked footsteps of those fleeing the tavern's premises, emptying it until only two remained within it.

There stood a cloaked figure, his hood pulled down to reveal long locks of yellow and gold, whilst his face carried in itself an indication that its bearer was no older than fourteen at most. Carrying a smirk amidst the blond bangs which framed his face and the whisker-like marks adorning his cheeks, the figure stepped forward, unfazed by the errand kunai flung at him as he ducked down, ramming the bottom of his right sandal into the opponent's left shin, before crouching down to be level with him.

"So... Let's try that one again, what say you?" Naruto began to say, his right hand extending to plunge a tanto's blade into the man's hand, pinning him to the wooden ground and eliciting a torturous scream. "I'm glad to have your cooperation. So, what is this grand plan I've heard of?"

"W-what plan?" The man croaked out, receiving a slap in the face in return. "I-I swear! I know nothing of-"

"Come on now... Don't make me regret this method," Naruto stated, slapping the pinned man beneath him once more with his right hand whilst holding up two fingers on a bandaged left hand, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he looked downwards. "Lying is a sin, you know? I'll even extend this professional courtesy... A countdown. Five..."

"Please! I... I don't-" The man began to say.

"Four..." Naruto continued, causing the man to pale.

"I promise! I wouldn't hide-" The Kiri shinobi belonging to the Loyalist Faction croaked out.

"Three..." The blond stated, his manic glance appearing to the shinobi as one of ever-growing malice and resignment. "Two..."

"I... W-wait!" The shinobi began to say, only to stop in his tracks before continuing onward.

"One...?" Naruto suggested, his hand wrapping around the handle of his tanto once again.

"Okay, okay, I confess it! I know of a plan!" The Loyalist shinobi stated, prompting the blond to stop his countdown and fall silent. "I... Some of us were planning to disguise ourselves as those rebel scum and attack the Konoha envoy who are coming to visit... And-"

"And thus draw Konoha into this conflict?" Naruto finished, narrowing his eyes in a mix of curiosity and bemusement. "Really?"

"Y-yes!" The shinobi croaked, fear and desperation colouring his eyes as he stared up at the boy who held his life on a thread. "That's all I know! I swear!"

"... An ambitious plot, I admit. A creative one at that, yet... Did you think that was ever going to work? You're telling me... This whole process has gained me nothing but your bounty?" Naruto questioned, his tone half amused and half serious, as he reached into his pocket with the bandaged left hand, before reaching out again with a string of ceremonial beads.

"W-wait, bounty?!" The shinobi trembled, fear and realisation further setting in.

"Quiet now, let me read you a prayer," The blond stated, shaking his head and standing up, before stamping a foot on the back of the man's head. "Which would you prefer? Redemption, or punishment?"

"P-please?! I... I beg of you, don't..." The shinobi began to say, "Don't kill me! I... I'll give you anything!"

"Oh, ye of little faith," Naruto sighed, muttering a prayer which echoed through the silent room they found themselves in. "Hmm?"

'Soon... Soon, child... You shall be the instrument of my vengeance...' An unknown, unnerving, yet oddly familiar voice rang out in his head, prompting the blond to look around the room, only for it to be followed by another voice, this one more serene and gentle. 'Naruto... Be at peace. Let go... Be at peace. You're in control. Peace... Peace...'

Naruto tilted his head slightly, puzzled by the voices he heard, before shrugging and continuing with his prayer, only for another voice to find itself within his head.

'I'm so very sorry... One day, if you live, you may come to see my perspective,' A voice whispered in his head, its tone and nature resolute yet sorrowful, fading as the blond neared the end of his prayer. 'Farewell, Naruto.'

'Not this again...' Naruto thought to himself, shaking his head at these thoughts as he clasped his hands together. "And... May your will absolve this soul, otherwise of a wretched nature, of the torment he so deserves."

The blond took a step back, tapping the tanto against a table to shake off the blood, before slipping it back into its sheath. Taking one last look around, Naruto took a deep breath, before holding up a one-handed seal.

'Fire Release: Dark Flames Technique,' Naruto whispered in his mind, pointing the index and middle fingers of his right hand at the squirming man before flames of blue and black erupted from the held-up fingers and blasted themselves at the man. 'That should do it.'

Turning around from the screaming and shrieking mess on the ground, Naruto lifted his hood over his head and stepped out of the izakaya, the smoke garnered from the ordeal soon dissipating into the ongoing storm.

-Rebel Headquarters Anbu Section, Kirigakure, Half an Hour Later-

"... No, payment rejected," The Anbu at the counter stated after a moment of silence, leaving the comparatively shorter Naruto bewildered. "Sorry kid."

"Rejected? I got the guy, no?" Naruto questioned, crossing his arms and looking up. "Surely I deserve some form of compensation. Is it because I'm of no village?"

"An oddity for sure, though that plays no part in our reasoning," The Anbu member continued, "You simply provided no proof of the deed."

"I burnt him to a crisp," The blond deadpanned, "What proof is there that I could've brought back? His ashes?"

"You should have thought about that beforehand, shouldn't you? It's not like this is the first bingo book bounty you've completed, quite the contrary, actually," The Anbu asked back, shaking his head before looking around. "If nothing else, you may leave now."

"You doubt I did it?" Naruto asked with a sigh. "The least you could do would be a thank you. I did just stop a plot on their behalf to pit Konoha against this side of the war, you know?"

"You believe any of us to believe such a plot?" The Anbu deadpanned, looking around before sighing soon after and placing a small bag of coins in Naruto's hands. "... Fine. I'll give you this because you have helped us with Bingo Book bounties so many times. 500 Ryo, take it. Thank you for being so helpful."

"Well... It's something," Naruto mumbled, placing the bag in his pocket before bowing. "You're welcome? I suppose. I bid you farewell, then."

"... Odd kid," The Anbu mumbled, watching as Naruto exited the venue. "He's already completed so many of these too... I ought to notify Terumi-sama."

-One Hour Later-

"Let's see here..." Naruto mumbled to himself, perched on a rooftop as he flipped open his newest copy of the Bingo Book, skimming through the details of each target. "Hmm... Nope. Got him already. I'm not hunting an Akatsuki member... Hmm?"

The blond flicked back to several pages before, having droned off and not fully realising what was on it earlier, his eyes narrowing upon reaching the page.

"... What's a bridge builder doing here? And what's with the high bounty...?" Naruto mumbled, tilting his head and scratching the back of it, before shrugging and circling the page with a brush. "Well, guess I could always use an easy reward. Let's see here..."

The blond rolled open the map he had always used, studying it momentarily before marking out the Land of Waves as his next location, nodding to himself before storing both the bingo book and his crumpled map. Standing up moments later, Naruto stretched his arms out wide, relieving aching muscles before hopping down from his perched position, and beginning on his journey.

"Wonder why a bridge builder of all people would be worth so much... Though, who am I to judge," Naruto contemplated, walking along a war-torn path beneath the darkness of the night and the fury of the raging storm. 'That said... How do I get there before someone else claims the bounty? All of this is quite odd, it'd be the first time I'd have to report to the person issuing the bounty before getting the target, and why only limit it to one party? Is this a trap?'

Locked deep within his thoughts, the blond continued walking onward, seemingly unaware of the several figures stalking along his path, seemingly murmuring to themselves as they edged ever closer to Naruto's position.

'I guess this could be some scheme to make sure that the employer gets the target as soon as possible, competition does encourage faster results...' Naruto reasoned, still unaware of the figures behind him, and the others that now surrounded the area, masked in darkness as the blond approached the planned point of convergence, only for him to pause in his steps. '... Though, I suppose this current situation would resemble that of a trap.'

Dipping his head to the right, a flash of lightning illuminated the surrounding area, revealing the presence of several Kiri shinobi, specifically those of the loyalist faction, who had been quietly stalking around Naruto, just as the blond dodged a kunai from behind. Quickly taking in the numbers he had been faced with, the blond dropped his hood, looking around soon after as he withdrew his tanto.

"I don't suppose this is because of the man I killed earlier?" Naruto questioned.

"Oh, you won't believe just how much of it is..." One of the Kiri shinobi practically growled. "You killed our captain. And for that, we'll be sure to kill you, and hang you here for all your worthless rebel friends to see..."

"Wait, wait," Naruto began to say, lifting his bandaged hand before pointing to his naked forehead, just as lightning flashed behind him whilst the thunder crumbled. "See? No forehead protector. I have nothing to do with the rebels, you realise? I just wanted to get your friend's bounty. And I didn't even get that."

The blond took a few steps forward, rainwater dripping from his soaked locks. His tanto shone slightly in the sparse light from the lightning bolts, as he lifted it to be level with the speaking shinobi's face.

"I know that look, you're worried that somehow, I'd get away," Naruto began to say, a coy smirk coming over his lips as he stepped closer. "Or worse yet, that all I've said is a lie, and that this is just an ambush for the rebels. You won't know until it happens. So, let me offer you a deal."

The shinobi shook slightly, an irrational fear seeping through him as his comrades converged closer around them, whilst Naruto continued to speak.

"Either, you all leave me well alone and let me continue with my journey, or..." Naruto began to say, tilting his head before dodging a sloppily thrown kunai from the side. "... Or I'll make sure to redefine the phrase Village of the Bloody Mist."

Not allowing a moment for the shinobi before him to respond, Naruto flicked his arm back, slashing twice at the shinobi's chest with his tanto and launching him back with a swift kick, leaving him reeling in pain as loud shouts and screams erupted around them.

"Though it seems your comrade has made that choice for you," Naruto stated, pulling his arm back into a stance as the small army of shinobi rushed at him. 'I probably should work on learning how to properly negotiate before reaching the Land of Waves...'

Glancing around briefly, Naruto dashed forward, slamming his forehead into one of the shinobi in front of him, wincing in pain from the impact with the man's forehead protector before he slashed to the side, cutting down one of the other shinobi whilst he recovered. Moving swiftly, the blond ducked to the side, ripping off the seals of the explosive tags hung at the belt of the stunned shinobi, before he rolled to the side, a large explosion soon erupting from his prior position.

Rising to his feet once again, a swift kick soon connected with Naruto's right cheek, prompting him to launch his tanto into the chest of one of the shinobi, ducking a follow-up kick before throwing a fast combination of multiple punches and palm strikes at the shinobi that had caught him with a strike.

'Calm down, don't get careless now,' Naruto thought, launching his elbow into the shinobi's chin, only to be launched into the ground by a punch from behind. 'Remember, at peace. At peace...'

"Heh, not so tough now, are you?" The shinobi stood behind Naruto taunted, stomping on the blond's back once and attempting a second, only for Naruto to roll onto his back and dodge the second attempt. "What the..."

'Calm down now,' Naruto contemplated, taking a deep breath before using his hands as a springboard and launching both feet into the man's chin, throwing him back a considerable distance and knocking him out, before the blond rose to his feet, spitting some blood from his mouth and slipping back into a stance. 'You can win this, just focus.'

Taking another swift breath, Naruto slipped to the side, dodging an attempted slash from a katana, before throwing a quick punch to the jaw and a kick to the knee, knocking the man down and causing him to drop the katana. Tilting his head, Naruto caught the falling katana by the handle, before slashing at the several shinobi encroaching upon him, only for a kunai to dig into his shoulder from another.

"Tch... Might just be a little too much," Naruto mumbled, blood seeping from the wound as he held up his bandaged palm to the attacker, right as a chain with a bladed end composed of pure chakra burst out through the bandages and impaled the shinobi, before retracting back under the bandages, carrying with it the blood it captured. "Anyone else?"

Holding up the katana as the next wave of shinobi approached, Naruto narrowed his eyes, raising his wielding hand, just as a large crystalline mirror abruptly appeared behind him, causing the remaining Kiri Loyalists to stop in their tracks.

"Huff... What's wrong? Considering my deal now- Woah!" Naruto began to say, only to be cut off as a hand grabbed his hood from behind, dragging him into the mirror before it closed, leaving behind a small army of bewildered shinobi.

"That- No way..." One of the shinobi mumbled, looking around at the fallen around them. "I thought they were all wiped out..."

-An Unknown Distance Away-

In front of a crackling fire despite the rain, a crystalline mirror would materialise and ripple slightly, only for a wounded Naruto to tumble out through the other end immediately after, still clutching his earlier opponent's katana in his unbandaged hand. Panting momentarily, the blond rose to his feet, looking around whilst wincing from the pain in his shoulder, before tilting his head and slashing at the space behind him, only for the presence he detected to parry the attack.

'What the... I knew someone was here,' Naruto thought, his disorientated eyes still unable to fully make out the masked figure standing before him. 'Can't... Quite see who...'

Not wanting to leave anything further to chance, the blond leapt forward and slashed at the blurred figure, only for the blade he wielded to be stopped mid-slash by what resembled a small needle. Not to be perturbed, Naruto reached forward with his bandaged hand, launching the chakra chain forward, only for the figure to catch the chain by its rings, before pulling the blond over, pointing a senbon to his throat immediately after.

"Calm down, calm down..." A feminine, yet firm voice whispered in his ears, as the figure tugged on the chain before wrapping Naruto around in it. "I'm not here to fight you. I'm trying to help... Well, we're trying to help. You don't want to keep on with this, do you?"

"... No," Naruto admitted, deciding not to push his luck further as he released his grip on the katana's handle. "Who are you? And not just you... Who's the big guy between those bushes?"

"And I will tell you, but please, take a seat first. Having to survive with a bounty on your head is no easy task," The young woman assured, gently ushering Naruto to a seated position by the fire, before slowly unwrapping the chakra chains she had used to bind him. "My name is Haku. Yuki Haku, to be exact. That man right there... Well, he's my master."

"... I taught you better than to reveal your name so simply, Haku, but... Considering we're in the same boat, I suppose an exception can be made," The large man stated, stepping over to the fire's side to the point that his spiky black hair, dark brown eyes, and Kirigakure headband could be seen. More distinct was a large broadsword attached to his belt, the blade itself possessing two cutouts in the shape of circles. "Easy there, kid. You're in peaceful company, for now..."

"... I know you," Naruto sputtered, slowly attempting to rise only to wince in pain as Haku ripped the kunai from his wound. "Momochi... Zabuza."

"Hah! So even children know of my reputation!" The newly identified Zabuza guffawed, placing Kubikiribocho on the ground before taking a seat on a fallen stump. "Should've known it'd take one target to recognise another."

"Target...? I don't quite follow," Naruto explained, still wincing in pain even as the wound on his shoulder began to slowly but surely patch itself from the inside. "My apologies if this comes across as rude, but... Why is it that you're helping me?"

"Poison, and a strong one at that," Haku cut in, analysing the wound before soon placing a hand over it. "Please hold still. This may sting a little, so... Do attempt to relax."

"What might sting now- Gah!" Naruto began to say, only to be cut off midway through by a groan of pain as Haku began to slowly freeze and patch the wound with ice.

'Right, this should be able to keep the poison out until I can get the proper herbs,' Haku thought to herself, retrieving some bandages before pulling off Naruto's cloak, leaving him in a plain tunic of orange and black, as she began to wrap the cloth around the wound. "There. Just... Try to relax, I'll help you with the poison tomorrow."

"And if you must know, kid," Zabuza began to say, only for Naruto to hold up his uninjured hand.

"Naruto," The blond cut in, pointing to himself with the same hand momentarily after. "I know not my family's name... Nor do I much care. So I'll go with Naruto."

"... Right, Naruto," Zabuza grumbled, his patience tested by the blond's odd behaviour and mannerisms. "If you must know, we simply helped you out of that poor situation... Only because Haku wanted to. It's about time you recognise your situation and return to whence you came."

The blond paused momentarily, scratching his head as he tried to absorb the information before raising his hand again.

"Okay, one thing at a time," Naruto began to say, looking between the two and noticing a distinct hint of worry in Haku's eyes, before opting against lingering on it. "First... What's this situation you mentioned?"

"Hmm? Well, I thought you'd be able to figure that part out quite quickly," Zabuza explained, retrieving a scroll from the pouch attached to his belt. "When it happened to me, I figured it out immediately. Granted, the many attackers were an indication."

"What's that?" Naruto questioned, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Why don't you have a look for yourself?" Zabuza suggested, tossing the scroll over.

Catching the scroll in his unbandaged hand, the blond felt its weight momentarily, before unrolling the scroll and its contents after unhooking the binding at the top, finding nothing more than line after line of kanji within it.

"Well... I must say, this is quite interesting," Naruto whispered, looking through the words before looking up. "Though, I'd say sadist is a bit of an over-exaggeration... And isn't it just a little too harsh for them to put a kill-on-sight order on a fourteen-year-old?"

"In that case, you're the fool for believing the Loyalists who still believe in Yagura's cause... Have any such morality left," Zabuza stated in return, spitting in the crackling fire at the mere mention of the name. "That said, you are no saint yourself."

"I am no saint. A saint at least knows his name and life," Naruto explained, sighing as he shook his head, leaning back as Haku sprung to help ease him into his descent to ensure no further injury. "For me... Well, everything before the last three years is quite a blur."

"A blur? Well, I'd suggest you regain your bearings fast," Zabuza replied, looking over whilst Naruto struggled to move, and Haku attempted to help. "You won't last long in these parts as a declared enemy of the village whilst unfocused."

"I suppose you would know, you've been one for years. Say, think I'd be back in their good graces if I turned you in?" Naruto quipped, only to jolt from his spot upon seeing a twitch from Zabuza's hand, wincing in pain soon after, right before being swatted on the back of the head by Haku.

"Please don't move like that," Haku warned, holding Naruto in place before repositioning him against a stump. "You'll open your wound again. And do relax, Zabuza-sama won't hurt you for no reason, even less so, a mere joke."

"If it is any consolation, the joke was funny," Zabuza mocked, pulling out his copy of the Bingo Book moments after. "Where are you headed, kid?"

"Naruto," The blond insisted, receiving a silent grunt but a nod from Zazbua immediately after. "Well, in light of recent events, or rather, the events occurring moments prior... I think I'll get some time away. I was headed in the direction of the Land of Waves, so I think I'll settle for that as of now."

"Hmm, we were headed in that direction as well," Haku commented, picking up a leaf and placing it on Naruto's wound, watching as it slipped off before placing it back on. "We saw an entry in the Bingo Book we were interested in."

"Funny you say that. Does it happen to be a bridge builder on that page? And for an absurdly large sum?" Naruto asked, pausing momentarily as Haku and Zabuza looked at one another. "... I assume you two had the same idea?"

"Kid, what would you-" Zabuza began to say.

"Naruto," the other two deadpanned in perfect unison, cutting off Zabuza and causing a sigh and a shake of the head. Haku and Naruto glanced at one another, momentarily confused by the sudden synergised statement. "Err... What?"

"Right. Naruto, what would you say about coming with us?" Zabuza proposed, pointing at the sum displayed in the book. "I doubt this would be a difficult task, even if the builder would get some form of escort, which I'm certain the other two we're corresponding with there will be more than capable of handling. After which, we can split the fee amongst us, and you can be far enough away from Kiri. What do you say?"

"We could use the extra help if things do turn out messy," Haku added, placing the leaf back on the blond's wound before gently securing it with a small blast of ice. "In addition, if you wanted... You can follow along on future bounties as well."

"... You raise a fine bargain," Naruto mumbled, taking a moment to absorb the information before reaching into the pocket of his discarded robes, and withdrawing the ceremonial beads he carried. "Can I borrow a coin?"

Zabuza tilted his head at Naruto, then at Haku, who nodded momentarily before he tossed a coin from his pocket, which the blond caught. Closing his eyes, Naruto whispered something under his breath, the air around them lifting momentarily before the beads glowed a gentle green.

"How are you..." Haku mumbled, unable to believe what she was seeing as she reached outwards, stopping herself right before contact and pulling back. 'It's... Oddly beautiful and serene. There must be more to Naruto than I first thought...'

"Funnily enough, I did forget to offer prayers to them earlier... Eh, I'll do it later, now..." Naruto joked, shaking his head before closing his eyes to focus, whispering a silent prayer as he did so. 'As you have before, I come to you again, to seek your guidance and will. I beseech you... Shall I follow them? Or does my fate lie elsewhere? Heads for the first, and tails for the second. Your will is absolute, and whichever you point toward, I will follow.'

Nodding gently, the blond wrapped the string of beads around his bandaged wrist, before flipping the coin with his other hand, eyes opening as the three present watched the coin slowly spin in its descent. Immediately after, the air flattened around them once more, as the glow from the beads vanished, lightning flashing behind them as the momentary light revealed the sign of a flower on the coin.

"Heads it is," Naruto stated, flicking the coin back at Zabuza before leaning back against the stump. "Alright then, I'm game. I'll go with you for a small cut of the prize, then decide on my path after the bounty is done with."

"Very well," Zabuza nodded, rising to his feet and offering a hand for Naruto to stand. "Then we must leave. With any luck, we'll be able to get on a ship headed to the Land of Waves, and arrive before the next sun rises."

Nodding, the blond accepted the hand, slowly rising to his feet again as Haku held his arm gently to maintain his balance. Stretching as much as he could, Naruto slipped the beads back into his pocket and flung his clock back over his rain-soaked clothing. Before long, the three departed, Zabuza walking ahead towards the ports held by Kiri's rebel faction, whilst Haku stood slightly behind to assist with Naruto's walk over.

"Apologies... It is a little too far away for me to use my mirrors, so walking is the only way," Haku explained, gently guiding Naruto and allowing him to lean against her side, even if they both stood at roughly equal height. "Worry not, though. I'll make sure you get there in one piece. You're already recovering from the poison faster than anticipated, so that's a good sign."

"... Thank you," Naruto assured, his tone slightly sheepish as he attempted to keep pace, despite his limbs feeling as if they weighed heavier than anything else in the world. "I suppose I do heal slightly fast... Not sure why, but it wouldn't be the first time."

"I see. In any case, do let me know. I'd prefer to be safe than sorry," Haku assured, continuing to walk whilst guiding Naruto along. "If I may ask too... About those beads earlier, how did you make them glow like that?"

"Hmm? Oh, well, you see..." Naruto began to say, wondering how to phrase it, before opting for a question in exchange. "I'm not sure if I should say, so... Are you sure that you wouldn't think I'm insane, irrespective of what I say? Can't have you throwing me overboard later..."

"Heh, don't worry," Haku assured, breaking her mostly monotone expression up to that point with a brief chuckle, before returning to indifference. "I make mirrors appear and step into them. I'm also a girl who swore to be nothing more than my master's tool. I find it hardly likely that anything said would prove that odd."

"Well, I was taught to do so by a group of talking foxes who took me in for a bit," Naruto explained, "And they taught me how to pray to their Goddess, who in turn offers me advice when I ask?"

"... Eh," Haku began to say, pausing for a moment before shaking her head. "I'll believe you. It's just odd enough that I can reasonably see it being real. Now, let's keep up the pace. We're almost there, believe it or not."

"Well, thank you for finding my words somewhat believable, then," Naruto joked, quickening his pace slightly as they soon found themselves overlooking a port with crowded ships seeking to depart. "Well... I suppose like you did just then, I'll believe you."

As a small smile she couldn't explain herself came over her lips, Haku nodded, slipping on the mask of a hunter-nin before creating a mirror over the ledge they stood, soon leaping in with Naruto in tow, before Zabuza jumped in after them.

-Half an Hour Later, A Room in a Ship-

"Here's your room," Zabuza instructed, pointing towards a room as Haku guided Naruto in through the doorframe. "Don't get too comfortable, now. I know you're both getting along very well, but you'll have more time for that after we're done. Good night."

Leaving Haku with a light tinge of crimson on her cheeks, Zabuza stepped over to his assigned room, as the cryogenic girl assisted Naruto to one of two beds in the room.

"... Never mind that statement, Naruto," Haku sighed, shaking her head as she positioned him on his back. "Zabuza-sama is as cutthroat as they get, but... I suppose even he can't resist cracking a joke once in a while."

"Well, I didn't really see an issue," Naruto assured, sighing and leaning back into the thin cushion and pillow. "We have just met, but I can tell you're nice enough. Either way, thank you for everything. I... Well, wouldn't be here without your help."

"The pleasure is all mine, Naruto," Haku assured in turn, crouching by the bedside and nodding gently. "Get some rest now. I'll check on your wound in the morning, when we'll likely be at the Land of Waves."

Giving one last nod, the blond sighed, his head turning over as his eyes fell shut, allowing himself to drift away into unconsciousness immediately after. Haku watched on, unable to fully process how she felt about the events of today, nor the possible events they may find themselves in for the next. Shaking her head, Haku continued to observe Naruto's slumber, intending to fully ensure the poison would not plague him in an overly negative manner, even as she unintentionally dozed off by the bedside, her head resting against the thin cushioning provided as the ship set sail for the Land of Waves.

Author's Notes 2: And there we have it for this chapter. I understand that a lot may be left up in the air for now, but it'll be revealed gradually as this story goes on, whenever I get around to writing it. Either way, hopefully, you've enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it.

Regardless of which, do feel free to leave any thoughts regarding the chapter, or the story as a whole, in the review section below. I am always eager to see what you've thought.