Chapter 19

-Earlier, with Sasuke and Naruto-

I could feel the coldness of Haku's gaze, and the warmth beneath trying to break free. Haku was still the same kind-hearted kunoichi as before. It's almost impressive, the fact that she could be so effective as a shinobi, and yet so calm and caring.

Haku looks between us and pulls out some senbon. "I am sorry about this. I wish we didn't have to fight at all, but if you stand between me and my master, I must put you down."

I exchange a look with Haku, and she nods. Good, she still remembers the plan. Naruto though, he doesn't. He growls a bit and yells, "Like hell, you will! I'm going to be Hokage someday, dattebayo! I refuse to die now!"

This garners a small smile from Haku. "Very well then. Let us see whose dream is stronger." With that final statement, Haku begins running through hand signs. Naruto runs straight at Haku, while I step back and run through hand signs of my own.

"Water Style: Tidal Wave Jutsu!"

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

The wave of water and blast of fire collide in the center, a massive cloud of steam forming from the impact. I shield my eyes from the heat, and then I smirk as I hear Haku grunt in pain. It's obvious that Naruto caught the kunoichi off guard.

I rush through the steam and land on the other side, watching as Naruto runs at Haku with everything he has.

"TAKE THIS! WIND STYLE: GALE FORCE JUTSU!" A powerful gust of wind explodes from Naruto's mouth. Haku jumps upwards out of the range of the attack. She pulls out a couple of senbon and throws them at Naruto.

Seeing the incoming threat, Naruto quickly jumps away, the senbon barely missing his body. The genin lands next to me and looks at Haku. "Any idea on what to do here?"

I look at the fake hunter-nin and smirk. "I have one idea. Let me take the lead. Attack on my signal!" Naruto nods and I run in, quickly approaching Haku with my immense speed.

Kunai and senbon clash as the two of us stop in a deadlock. I smirk, watching Haku's every movement closely. "You seem strong, but can you beat my Sharingan?"

Haku simply raises a hand. "With one hand occupied, yes I can." Haku begins moving through hand signs at a rapid pace. My eyes widen slightly, forgetting about this moment.

"Ice Style: Thousand Ice Needles!" The water around us condenses into razor-sharp senbon made of ice. I quickly jump into the air, not willing to try my hand at blocking so many senbon.

I land and instantly run at Haku. Haku jumps back, throwing senbon in the process. I simply deflect them, grab one midair, and chuck it back at Haku. Naruto, seeing this, yells out "Wind Style: Gale Palm!"

The concentrated force of wind hits the senbon and nearly doubles its speed. Haku, prepared for a normal senbon through, is caught off guard by the senbon's increase in speed. She grunts in pain as half the stick buries itself into her left thigh.

The mist ninja lands, limping a little and favoring her right leg. She takes off her mask and smiles. "Well done, that was an excellent use of my senbon. You two make an amazing team."

I smirk, but Naruto blushes a bit at the sight of Haku. He mumbles a bit, then yells, "I'm fighting a girl?! She's prettier than Sakura!"

My eye twitches at this statement, but Haku simply smiles. "Well, thank you for the comment. But, I am a boy."

I can see Naruto's brain smoking from just trying to decipher this comment. I nudge his side and whisper, "Hey, don't listen. I'm pretty sure Haku is a girl. I can tell with my Sharingan now."

This makes Haku blush a bit, who heard the comment. She frowns and pulls out some senbon. "I hope you aren't looking where you shouldn't, Uchiha."

The temperature drops and I shiver slightly. "Ah, no. I am not like that." I stand up straight, satisfied that Naruto recovered. Then, I smirk and run at Haku again.

Haku jumps back, quickly evading me, but not fast enough. I get inside her guard and send up a kunai strike. The blow cuts the kimono she is wearing, even drawing blood from the thin cut. She jumps back and begins going through rapid hand signs.

I step back, watching in curiosity. I knew Haku wouldn't kill us, so I'm curious as to what she'd do. Her hand signs finish and she yells out, "Ice Style: Crystal Ice Mirrors!"

This makes me pause a bit. A mirror forms in front of Haku, then more forms around us. I look between them in slight worry, but not that much. Naruto though, he simply looks at the mirrors in confusion. "Ice mirrors? I can melt those easily!"

Naruto runs through his own hand signs and I jump back, not willing to step in the way of this. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

The wave of fire that is released from the jutsu astounds me, even after seeing it in action. I can hear sizzling, which perks my interest. Is Naruto melting the mirrors?

Then, out of nowhere, a senbon connects with Naruto's leg. Naruto lurches in pain, grunting, and the jutsu drops. I look at the mirrors and smile as I see the mirrors half-melted, something I couldn't do the first time.

Haku appears within all the mirrors, the melted ones reforming. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you escape. Within this attack my speed is unmatched. I'm sorry, but you can't escape this jutsu."

I smirk and bring up one hand. With a quick gesture, my challenge is loud and clear. "Bring it"

Haku obliges, as hundreds of senbon are rained down on us at once. I am able to dodge the needles, using my Sharingan to watch Haku's movements and act accordingly. Naruto has a much harder time, but with his increased training, he is able to become semi-decent compared to the pincushion I ended up as the first time.

Another senbon flies past me and I jump back. I run through hand signs, and then I place my hand near the ground. I grin as the sound of a thousand birds hits my ears. "Ah, finally! CHIDORI!"

With a massive burst of speed using my lightning, I flash forward in a streak of light. As I pass Naruto, I see him look at me with immense surprise. I grin, just for that split second, and then refocus on Haku. I watch in slow motion as she tries to leave the mirror. At the last second, I dissipate the jutsu and reach up. I grab Haku's leg and slam her into the ground.

The kunoichi grunts in pain, luckily having removed the senbon from earlier to prevent more damage. She stands up slowly, then mirrors disappearing. "That technique, it could've killed me, or injured me, and yet you dispelled it. Why use the jutsu if you won't damage me with it?"

I look at my hand, lightning sparking between my fingers. "The Chidori is special in that the lightning chakra surging through you enhances your speed immensely. The original issue with the jutsu was the tunnel vision that was caused, offset only by trained eyes like the Sharingan. But for this purpose, all I needed was the speed boost. I wouldn't have been able to turn fast enough either way, so I needed to dispel the jutsu to grab you."

Haku stands straight and nods while Naruto looks at me in awe. "Woah, teme. You thought all of that on your own?!"

I nod and smirk. "I am quite the strategist." Naruto grins widely in response, which I return with a small grin of my own.

"AH! SASUKE!" My eyes snap open and I turn to the voice. Sakura?! What happened? I look and see Sakura staring at the edge of the bridge. I look at the edge of the bridge and go wide-eyed.

Bandits, hundreds of them, all led by a short businessman in the front. Gato sneers at the three of us and yells, "NOW!"

An arrow is launched at high speeds, soaring down the bridge. The projectile hums with energy, and I realize something shocking. "WIND CHAKRA! Someone had ninja training!"

The arrow, moving much faster than it should, flies right past my face. I stare with wide eyes, turning around, as a loud scream of pain is heard. My mouth falls open as I see Haku's body fall over, the arrow embedded deeply in her stomach.

My mind can barely register what happened as Naruto yells, "HAKU!" The hyperactive ninja turns to the bandits with a growl. "SHE DIDN'T DESERVE THAT!"

Then, he pauses. I turn to him, then to the bandits, and my blood freezes. I can see, thanks to my Sharingan, that an arrow is inches from my body. I stare with wide eyes as the arrow creeps closer, but my body is too slow to move out of the way.

With one final nudge I manage to angle my body to get the least damage, but the arrow still strikes my shoulder. With the wind chakra, despite how clumsy the technique was, the arrow still slips right through my shoulder, leaving a wide gaping hole. The last thing I remember is excruciating pain before blacking out.

Naruto couldn't believe his eyes. They were just fighting, when suddenly, Sakura screams. In a panic, Naruto turns to see what's wrong and is shocked at the number of bandits at the edge of the bridge.

A scream rings out. "WIND CHAKRA! Someone has ninja training!" Naruto barely has time to process it before an arrow soars past his body. A sickening squelch is heard and a pained scream comes a split second after.

The jinchuriki turns with shocked eyes as he sees Haku fall over, an arrow in her stomach. Anger begins rising within himself. Despite Haku being an enemy, she was becoming one of the few people he respected. Someone who chased their dreams and protected others, he thought of her as a respected opponent!

Now though… Naruto grits his teeth and screams "SHE DIDN'T DESERVE THAT!" Naruto's only response is another arrow, but this one misses as well. A pained grunt echoes behind him as Naruto turns quickly in a panic.

Sasuke, a hole blown straight through his shoulder, is lying on the ground unconscious. Naruto shakes, fear rising in him. Is Sasuke dead? His only brother, dead?! The ones who took over the country, they are killing his family!

The world washes over with red.

Gato laughs loudly at the pink-haired kunoichi's terrified expression and the blond one's shock. "Serves that boy right! Breaking my arm as he did, he deserves the worst possible pain ever! And that black-haired one, I heard Zabuza mumbling about Uchiha's and their power, so I took it upon myself to end that brat!"

The businessman sees Sakura and Tazuna step back in fear. He smirks wickedly. "Oh, come on. Let the job get done and over with! Then I can finally take over this country!"

With a snap of his fingers, a few bandits rush forward. They grin sadistically, eager to get some kills. Then, red.

Everyone freezes as the air grows heavy, thick with malice. Sakura shivers, trying desperately to keep herself calm. She turns around, the source of the heavy KI behind her, and looks in shock.

Naruto twitches, his teeth grit in pure rage. A bubbling red chakra slowly forms over his body, spreading farther and farther. Right at his lower back, the chakra extends outward, one tail forming.

Sakura sees the fox-like chakra ears above Naruto's head. She shakes in absolute terror. "K-K-Kyuubi!"

Naruto glares at the bandits, his eyes flashing red with anger. The bandits, all despite themselves, step back in fear. Naruto growls, then roars loudly.

The ancient power looms over the bridge. Wind howls as the beast roars at the intruders. Malice fills the air, anger riding the wind. One thing is certain. The beast needs vengeance.

The very power of the roar creates a wind, blowing back some of the mist around the bridge. Each bandit screams in terror and tries running, pushing away their comrades.

Naruto growls loudly, seeing his prey escaping. He moves through hand signs, much faster than normal. He ends in the dragon sign and screams one phrase. "WIND STYLE: MILLENIA TURMOIL!"

At first, nothing happens. Sakura looks at Naruto, still scared, and stutters, "D-Did you d-do it wrong?"

Naruto doesn't respond and simply smirks, the normally friendly expression turning wild with Naruto's long canines and red eyes.

Sakura turns back to the bandits and gasps in shock. Every single one lay dead, massive gashes throughout their body. All but one.

Gato stands up, pushing the bloody body off himself. He looks around, his smug look replaced with horror. All of his men, dead. Not a single one survived.

The corrupt businessman turns to Naruto with wide eyes filled with terror. Naruto grins wickedly, slowly walking toward Gato. Gato turns to run. He can't fight that… that demon!

Then, Naruto falls over unconscious. Kakashi lowers his raised hand and frowns at the body of his student, the red chakra receding. "It wasn't Sasuke, but Naruto." Kakashi turns to the bodies of the fallen ninja. He grimaces. "We need to get those two healed as fast as possible."

"Sakura!" Sakura snaps to attention. Kakashi points at Haku and Sasuke. "Sasuke will be healed by the Kyuubi, but he needs assistance. Focus on Haku first, she needs as much healing as she can get!" Sakura nods and runs over to Haku's unconscious form, her hands shaking in fear.

"DAMN IT KAKASHI!" Kakashi turns and sees Zabuza bolt out of the mist. He runs at Gato, screaming, "YOU SAID HAKU WOULDN'T GET INJURED!"

Kakashi shrugs and watches as Zabuza quickly reaches Gato. The businessman scrambles back as he sees Zabuza grin wickedly beneath his bandages. Gato stutters as he tries to stop Zabuza. "W-Wait! I-I can s-still pay y-you!"

This makes Zabuza grin wider. "I've already got better payment from cyclops over there. You're no longer needed in this world."

Gato screams as Zabuza brings Kubikiribocho down. The screams stop abruptly as Gato's body splits in two, falling off the bridge and into the river.

Kakashi watches this, then runs over to Sasuke and Haku, Naruto under his arm. Despite his seemingly indifferent attitude, Kakashi is terrified about what is going to happen. He reaches the two and quickly scans Sakura's healing with his Sharingan.

The copy ninja presses his hand against Haku's stomach, the arrow having been removed by Sakura. Kakashi and Sakura begin using the healing chakra to close the wound on Haku's stomach. Kakashi, being a combat ninja, couldn't do any more than that. Sakura, being inexperienced, has the same issue, but to a lesser extent than Kakashi.

Zabuza walks up next to them, staring down at his student's injured form. He growls, his grip on Kubikiribocho tightening. "Damn it Kakashi. I thought you said Haku wouldn't get hurt like this."

Kakashi shakes his head. "She shouldn't have. Something changed. One of the bandits had wind element training. Nothing else could've put a hole like that through Sasuke's shoulder."

The missing-nin looks at the body of the Uchiha and grimaces. "Yeah, you're right. Damn it, I should've been there!"

The leaf jonin looks up at Zabuza, then back to Haku. Sakura sighs and retreats her hands, Kakashi following suit. "She'll be fine for now, but she needs rest and medical treatment as soon as possible. Tazuna." The bridge builder looks at the young girl. "If Gato is gone, can you and the villagers raid Gato's base for supplies? We need medicine and herbs, stat."

This makes Tazuna grin widely. "I'll gladly raid that bastard's home. Let me round up the villagers, I'll be back soon!" With that, the bridge builder runs off, eager to take back his home's supplies.

Zabuza stabs his sword into the bridge and kneels down. He brushes Haku's hair as the two leaf ninja back off. The mist ninja grabs Haku's body, puts Kubikiribocho on his back, and walks toward the village. "Come on, we need to put these two somewhere safe."

The ninja who are still conscious all follow Zabuza, Naruto and Sasuke in Kakashi's arms. They leave the bridge behind them, the decimation there left to rest. The battle was won.

A man grins from atop of a nearby building, watching the ninja retreat from the bridge. He turns back to the pile of dead bodies on the bridge. "Damn kid, that's some power you have. I'd almost think the big guy was wrong for sending me. Ah well, work's work, and I doubt my family's gonna be too happy if I skip this job up!"

The man stands and stretches. A sigh of relief is heard as his muscles smooth out. "Alright, I think I've done enough observing. Time to finally meet the ninja I need to train." The man jumps down, his trench coat billowing in the air, the imprint of an hourglass planted on the back.

-Author Notes-

I'M BACK BABY! Finally, I can start this again! Alright, I am impatient, and I decided that I am going to introduce someone. Who is he? You'll find out next chapter! What can he do? I'll leave that up for you guys to decide.

Anyways, I can finally get started on this again! I've got a rhythm to college and I should have time to write up a chapter or two per week if I don't have other things taking my attention. Either way, Sasuke is continuing and I am very happy to do this again!

Also, please leave a review if you can! It's been a while and I'm not sure I managed to quite nail the writing of this fight, so I'd like to hear some feedback from you all. Thank you for reading!