Chapter 14

Kakashi looked around for Zabuza, he was wondering what was going on. He thought that the seal holding the Kyuubi had broken but he realized that it was just weakened a bit. It must mean that something happened with Naruto, Sasuke and that nin. He needed to end this fight now and get to Naruto. He flipped open a pocket on his vest and pulled out a scroll.

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Naruto didn’t care about how he got this power or where it came from. Right now he thought about Sasuke’s killer. The masked nin was about to die for it. He charged at the nearest mirror with amazing speed. He watched as needles flew at him. He roared and deflected them with the chakra. He continued to charge at him when he stopped. His opponent disappeared and reappeared all around him. He was stuck from all sides with needles but with a burst of chakra, he pushed every needle out of him.

Suddenly he smelt him and charged again at a mirror. With one punch, he destroyed the mirror. He missed him but quickly dodged the attack from above. He saw as his prey attempted to get to another mirror but he moved quicker and caught his forearm. He sent another blast of chakra and focused it into his fist. He threw everything into the punch and sent his opponent flying through another one of the mirrors. As he watched the person tumble, the mirrors broke into tiny shards.

That when Naruto saw the ninja get up. A sick smile appeared on Naruto’s face. He would kill this ninja with this power. With a snarl, Naruto charged at the ninja. His hand dug into the ground as he sped toward him. He was creating claw markings as he ran. He was just five steps away. He let loose a roar as he thrust his hand toward the boy’s throat.

“DIE!!!”

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Anko jumped with a start. Her heart was racing and she was beginning to sweat a little.

‘What the hell was that?’ she thought.

“Anko?” a voice called. She got out of her musings as she stared at Iruka. “Are you all right? You look pale.”

“Oh, I-I’m all right Iruka-kun. You don’t have to worry about me.” She answered

“You’re worried about Naruto, aren’t you?” he asked

“N-No I’m not.” Iruka just raised an eyebrow. Anko just sighed. “Is it that noticeable?”

“If it helps, I’m worried about him too. He’s a little hotheaded and tends to rush into things.”

“It isn’t really that I’m worried about.”

“Oh, what are you worried about?”

“I can’t really tell you because I really don’t know myself. I’m just…” she trailed off. Iruka was never a witness to Anko so subdued and so worried. He knew that he may regret the decision that he was about to make but if it helped he would have to sacrifice himself.

“Hey, would you like to go out for tea later?” he asked. That snapped Anko out her funk. A sly grin appeared and she placed her elbows on the desk. She bent over, placed her chin on her hands and was giving Iruka a very predatory grin. Iruka blushed as she puffed out her chest a little.

“So, what was this about tea?” she asked in seductive tones. Iruka gulped but swore that Naruto owed him one.

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It was an eerie scene on the bridge. Two nins stood among the mist. One nin had his hair messed up, was bleeding from the mouth and neck. He had the look of defeat on his face. The other was slightly dirty. He had his out stretched hand on the neck of his enemy; a small trail of blood was running down his fingers. He had the look of total confusion on his face.

“It’s you. Haku, what are you doing here?” Naruto asked. Instead of answering the question, Haku asked him a question.

“Why did you stop? I thought you were going to kill me?” he asked

“What!?”

“What about your friend? Are you not going to avenge him?” Naruto eyes flash and he hit him with a crushing punch. Haku did not fall to the ground however and turned back to Naruto. “That will not do. What about that power you had? Use it and finish me off. It is your duty as a shinobi.”

“Shut up!!!” Naruto roared. He glared at the boy with a cold demeanor. “The hell is wrong with you. Why do you want to die so badly?”

“I am nothing but a useless tool. Zabuza has no need for tools that can not work.” He said

“You’re throwing your life away for that eyebrow less freak?” Haku chuckled at the nickname. “Why him of all people?” Naruto asked. Haku went in his life story and Naruto had a look of understanding. He had lived a life so similar to his. If the shoe was on the under foot, then he would have don’t the same thing for Anko. Haku looked at Naruto and saw his face.

“You have lived the same life as me, haven’t you?” Haku asked

“Yes but wouldn’t it be better to live and get stronger? For Kami’s sake, we’re humans not tools.” Naruto shouted.

“If we had met, we would have become good friends. You and I are alike but you must realize that when we became shinobi we are not longer human.”

“No, you’re wrong. I won’t kill you. I won’t kill an unarmed man or a person with a death wish. You want to end your life then do it on your own.” Naruto shouted and ran off to get Sasuke. Haku just looked at Naruto retreating form when he felt it.

‘Zabuza!’ Doing so quick one hand seals, Haku disappeared in a cyclone. Naruto reached Sasuke’s body and looked over him.

“Stupid bastard, why did you have to do that?” he said. He then noticed the needles. The deathblow that was delivered to Sasuke was off. He remembered what Kakashi said about someone with enough knowledge could put someone in a near death like state. Anko sometimes used senbons as well. There was still a chance. He gently lifted Sasuke’s body and ran to the sounds of crackling lightning.

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Sakura watched as the mist lifted and she could clearly see her sensei. She noticed that he hand was covered with lightning and his hand was through someone body. It wasn’t Zabuza but his partner.

‘What happened to Naruto and Sasuke?’ she thought.

“Sakura.” She turned to see Naruto carrying the body of Sasuke. Her face went pale as Naruto walked up to her. Seeing her face, he knew what she was thinking.

“He’s alive. Haku put him in a near death state just what he did with Zabuza.” Naruto said

“But…”

“The death blow that was supposed to kill him is way off. Anko-oneesan also uses senbon needles plus she taught me some about human anatomy. Believe when I say that he’s alive.” Sakura nodded and wiped some tears away from her eyes. That is when he saw Haku. Giving Sasuke to Sakura, he rushed over to the boy. He noticed the large hole where his heart used to be. It was no surprise that he was dead. He knew that he had saved Zabuza again and the bastard was busy fighting. Anger welled up in him again and his chakra began to rise. He turned to the fighting men and slammed his hands into the ground. As Kakashi backhanded Zabuza away, eight snakes shot out of the ground and restrained him. The two looked at the source and saw Naruto. He was quite angry.

“Naruto, where’s Sasuke?” Kakashi asked

“He’s in a death like state. Sakura is watching over him. Let’s finish this bastard off for what he did to Haku.” Naruto growled. Zabuza chuckled at the two.

“So, you were the one that beat Haku? If you’re looking for his killer then look to your sensei.”

“SHUT UP!!! IT’S YOUR DAMN FAULT. He gave you everything and you treated him like a tool. He’s a human being not a thing that you could just throw away.”

“He did his duty to me. He has no more use to me.”

“Did you care about him at all? Was he nothing more than a tool to you? Damn it, he gave his life and his dreams for you and now he’s dead. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

“I was wrong about you. You’re too emotional to be a shinobi.”

“Fine then,” he turned to his sensei. Kakashi nodded and did some hand seals. The sound of crackling lightning filled the air for a second time. Kakashi gave Zabuza a threatening glare.

“Make sure you hold him tight Naruto.” Kakashi ordered.

“Right!” Naruto said

“This time, there will be no escape.” Kakashi charged at Zabuza with such speed. Zabuza could not escape this time as Kakashi thrust his hand forward. “Raikiri!!! (Lightning Blade)” The attack plunged into Zabuza’s chest with ease. Kakashi watched as blood poured out of the mouth of Zabuza. Pulling his hand out of Zabuza’s chest, he turned to his student.

“Let him go, Naruto. This fight is over.” Naruto obey and released the now dead Zabuza. As the snakes retracted into the selves of his coat, Naruto stared at Haku’s dead body.

“I’m sorry Haku. Maybe you will have a better life in the next world.” He said. He felt Kakashi come up behind him. “Is it really that way sensei? Are we nothing more than tools?” Before Kakashi could answer, a clap was heard. Everyone turned to see Gato and an army of thugs at the end of the bridge.

“I must congratulate you. You saved me the trouble of killing them myself.” He looked at the dead Zabuza. “Demon of the Mist, what a joke.” Gato taunted. He then turned to where Naruto and Kakashi stood over Haku. “That little punk, he did this to my arm. Only regret I have is not making him pay for it.”

“I dare you to even make a move. I’ll slit you throat and feed you to the wolves.” Naruto growled

“Little punk has some spunk. Hey, do what you’re paid to do and get rid of the rest of these guys.” He ordered. The thugs smiled and charged at the group. Naruto crossed his fingers and channeled his chakra.

“Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!!!(Shadow Clone Technique)” he said. Two dozen clones appeared and waited. There were several thugs that were upon them but before they even had a chance to use a weapon they were all cut down. Confusion on Naruto’s face changed into shock when he saw who did it. Everyone was surprise as Zabuza stood between them. With his sword held by one hand, Zabuza glared at every thug.

“That’s not possible. How can he be standing?” asked one thug

“Look at the hole in his chest.” Said another thug. Zabuza did indeed have a hole in him. Blood flowed freely that he was standing in a puddle of blood. Zabuza turned slightly toward Naruto.

“You’re wrong you know.” Zabuza said while turning his attention back to Gato’s men. “I did care for him. Yes, he was a tool toward my ambition but I did care for him. It broke my heart to know what I was putting him through. He is just like you in a way. He didn’t have the heart of a shinobi but he stayed with me. I would gladly let him dream if I could.” Zabuza took steps toward the thugs. He gave them all a glare. Under his bindings, he had a twisted smile. “You wish to know why I am called the Demon of the Mist. Well, get ready to see it. I’m going to send all of you to hell.” With that, Zabuza Momochi charged at the men. Naruto wanted to stop him but found that he couldn’t. Kakashi came up to him and turned him away from the scene that was happening. Naruto looked at him with a questioning gaze.

“You’re eyes are not ready to see this yet. Go to your comrades.” He ordered. Naruto nodded at walked toward his teammates. He turned slightly to see but Kakashi stood in his line of view. He walked back to Sakura, Tazuna and Sasuke who was now standing with Sakura’s help. They saw him walking toward them.

“Naruto, what’s going on? What is all that horrible screaming?” Sakura asked. Naruto just stayed quiet and sat down. He leaned against the railing and closed his eyes. It would be the last thing he would see as he went into the land of unconsciousness.

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It had been about three days after the deaths of Zabuza and Haku. Team seven was currently eating lunch while Tazuna took a break from building. The bridge was almost complete and soon they would be able to go home. Kakashi had finished eating and was reading his book, Sasuke was training activating and deactivating his Sharingan and Sakura adored Sasuke. There was an uncommon silence that flowed through the room however because of a missing person. Inari looked at the empty spot that with a sad expression. Tsunami saw her son’s expression and smiled at him.

“I’m sure he’s fine Inari.” She said. Inari looked at his mother.

“I know but I’m worried about him. This is the seventh time he’s been to their graves. He explained it to me and I understand what he meant but this is becoming a sickness. I just wish I could help him as he helped me.” Inari explained. Everyone stopped doing what they were doing and got a somber look on their faces.

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Naruto wished he was old enough to drink. It seemed to him that alcohol washed away certain problems. He was currently at Zabuza’s and Haku’s graves again, sitting with his back to a tree. He went here to think about the words that were said by the former Mist ninja. Was he not ready to be a ninja? Did you first have to rid yourself of emotion so that you could do you duties more efficiently? Anko wasn’t like that. She was more like him only a bit crazier than him. She didn’t hide her feelings like Kakashi did, so was Zabuza and Haku wrong? He had thought that being a ninja would be fun. Sure, he knew that he would have to be serious but he could have some laughs on the way. This mission had changed his whole outlook on that. He suddenly heard foot steps coming his way. When the steps stopped in front of him, he looked up to see Kakashi. The two stared at each other in silence until Kakashi faced the graves himself.

“The way of the shinobi is hard. It is not a life that allows feeling or closeness. We are the tools of the people and village.” Kakashi said

“Should it be that way? To be nothing but a mindless robot?” Naruto asked

“If the need calls for it, yes.” Naruto looked at the grave of Haku. He gave up everything to become a robot just so Zabuza could realize is vision. He asked himself if he would do the same. His dream was to be Hokage and to gain the respect of the village he lived. He would never accomplish that if he gave it up for just anyone. Not even for Anko would he give up his dreams.

“That’s dumb.” He exclaimed. Kakashi looked at Naruto. “I could probably understand but it seems like a waste to me.”

“Maybe but that is what you would have to do if the time calls for it.”

“Screw that! I’m Uzumaki Naruto, future Hokage of Konohagakure. I’ll just change that way of thinking. I’ll find a different way, a different nindo. One that I live by until a get the title of Hokage, hell, until the day I die.” Naruto stood with a new vigor and looked at the graves. Giving them a bow, he turned and walked away. Kakashi looked at the retreating blond then back at the graves.

“It seems that you were wrong, Zabuza. He will make a fine shinobi.”

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The bridge was finally finished and it was time for the Konoha team to leave. Everyone was gathered to give them a farewell.

“We thank you for all your help.” Tsunami said

“It was no problem.” Kakashi said

“Hey, you’ll come back right Naruto?” Inari asked

“Hell yeah, you’ve got to let me know how it works out.” Naruto grinned. Everyone was confused by that statement. Everyone waved good-bye to the villagers and they waved back to them. As they walked away, Sakura looked over to Naruto.

“Naruto, are you better now?” she asked

“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t tell me you were worried about me?” Naruto teased

“Please, you’re nothing but an annoying pest. Right, Sasuke-kun?” Sakura said to Sasuke but he was no longer standing next to her.

“Ohhh, burn! Don’t worry pinky, you snag him somehow. Maybe you should try the direct approach but unless you to dignify to pin him down and ravish him for hours then…”

“YOU PREVERT!!!” Sakura chased the laughing Naruto across the bridge, blushing a bright red. Kakashi smiled under his mask while Sasuke scoffed.

“They are both losers.”

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Authors' Notes: I decided to make this a bit longer. I have an important note about one of my stories. 'Only human' will be on hold until next week. While re-reading this story, I noticed that I lost sight of what I wanted to do, so I'm going to start over. It will still be the same pairing but it will be quite different. Any way, I hope you like this newer chapter. Later.