Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Girl Named Yama ❯ Chapter 7 - Zabuza & the Wave Country ( Chapter 7 )

A Girl Named Yama

 

Author: XoXSilverDragonXoX

 

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from `Naruto'. The only thing I own is my main character, Umari Yama, and maybe some unrecognizable characters that you may see.

 

Brief Summary: A girl finds herself dumped into Hatake's bed one day in a different world to deal with an emotional Sasuke, a hyperactive Naruto, a flirty Genma and lazy Kakashi. And of course, to deal with all the glory of life in Konoha to boot.

 

Last Chapter:

 

After a few mishaps within the team were over and done with; another problem arises! Actually, multiple problems arise… Who was their assailant in the dark waters? And now who has Kakashi spotted?

 

Warnings: Seeing as this story is rated `M' be expecting a bit of language now and then.

 

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

 

Chapter 7 - Zabuza & the Wave Country

 

"Who's here?" I asked in confusion, raising an eyebrow and carefully scanning the grounds.

 

"What have we here?" a voice echoed eerily. I frowned, gently waving my hand back and forth in front of my face; a mist was starting building up—it wasn't just my imagination. Maybe it was that fog from before? Had it moved inland?

 

"Get down!" Kakashi shouted out in warning, and as a result, the rest of us threw ourselves to the ground in fear.

 

Woop, woop, woop, woop.

 

I glanced up in time to see a giant sword swing right by us, barely missing our heads. If we would've still been standing, we would all be in halves by now.

 

"'Kuso!" I muttered.

 

Snap! We all jerked our heads up, spotting a man standing on said sword (which was about the length of 4 to 5 meters), now embedded deeply into the bark of a young tree.

 

"..." Everyone was silent.

 

"Momochi Zabuza..." Kakashi muttered.

 

The man had half his face wrapped in a white cloth and strangely enough, no eyebrows. As he laughed, we could clearly see his torso shake slightly; seeing as it was not cloth-covered. His intense gaze surveyed all of us, and I could help but gulp when his eyes passed over me. He stopped at Kakashi.

 

"Hatake Kakashi." he murmured. "I have you in my bingo book. Copy Ninja Kakashi."

 

Sakura and Naruto glanced at Kakashi in confusion. "Sensei?" Sakura started meekly, "Copy Ninja?"

 

Kakashi didn't answer and I saw Sasuke narrow his eyes at the Jounin. He was in a defensively position, knees bent, and feet shoulder-width apart - kind of like the 'ready' position for badminton, or volleyball. So was Sakura, for that matter. Naruto seemed content to just stand where he was, gaping up at the huge sword.

 

"Che… Just a bunch of brats." The man now deemed Zabuza, scoffed. "Hand over the old man if you are smart. If not, you will all die." I saw Tazuna back up a few steps, genuinely frightened.

 

"It looks like we can't do that." Kakashi murmured as his hand reached up to his forehead, tapping it a few times thoughtfully. "I will need more than just my regular methods to fight you, Zabuza." He pulled his forehead protector up and I saw the others staring at the Kakashi's back in curiosity.

 

"Ooo..." Zabuza whistled appreciatively. "It's the first time fighting you and I already get to see the legendary Sharingan. Impressive," I saw Sasuke start in surprise. I watched his reaction carefully, but he concealed his surprise quickly and resumed his regular stone expression. I could only imagine what he thought about Kakashi's eye. Mmm... Wasn't the Uchiha clan known for it's Sharingan?

 

"Sharingan..." Sasuke whispered softly.

 

"Sharingan?" Naruto asked, dumbfounded. "What's that?"

 

"Sharingan." Sasuke repeated darkly. Sound like a broken tape recorder, anyone? "A power born through the eyes. It's a bloodline limit," Naruto glared at him.

 

"That really explained a lot." he grumbled. Sakura remained silent, her eyes focused warily on the enemy.

 

Before we knew it, he had disappeared and reappeared in droplets of water, now standing on the lake. I narrowed my eyes. That was the jutsu that I was working on, before I had to go on this mission, that is.

 

It was the jutsu that allowed to user to travel from place to place using water. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to use it yet. I didn't have the precise control that it required quite down pat yet.

 

Naruto growled and snapped out a kunai, ready to fight, "Let me at him! I can handle an eyebrow less freak like him!" Just when he was about to leap forwards, Kakashi held an arm out, stopping the hyperactive ninja.

 

"Naruto! Stay back with Sasuke and Sakura to protect Tazuna-san. This is no ordinary enemy, you cannot handle him." It seemed that that remark only made Naruto more enraged.

 

"Nani?! I can handle him fine! Don't you underestimate me! I'm going to be Hokage one day!" Naruto raised an angered fist at his teacher and growled at him.

 

“Naruto.” Kakashi's voice chilled me to the bone. I have never heard him talk like that. I think Naruto realized it too, because he took a shaky step back.

 

"Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto, Yama-chan," I raised an eyebrow. Back to 'chan,' now, were we? "Guard Tazuna-san. This is my fight... and mine alone." he finished darkly.

 

"Very well then," I saw Zabuza smirk. "Let's begin, shall we?"

 

I saw him make a few lightning fast seals, before the air around us began to thicken and moisten. I stepped back uneasily, carefully unsnapping my side pouch and retrieving a kunai. All those months of training with Iruka flashed back to me, and for some reason, I didn't feel nervous at all. However, my hands felt clammy and I my heart was racing. My second battle...

 

I knew I could do it, but there was still that nagging feeling in the back of my mind that told me if I didn't focus I was as good as dead.

Despite all the training I had, I never really considered myself a real ninja. I wasn't from this world, my world was different, and you didn't fight other people unless it was over a parking spot in a parking lot or if it was in war. But when there were wars, governments dealt with that, not citizens. It was different. This was different. This was very different.

 

I didn't know if I could do what others would expect me to do in this world... They... They and I were different. Whereas they were brought up in a world of training and fighting, our world was brought up with education in books and knowledge and how to live out a pretty laid back life. However, there were also civilians here, but they were living in a society where people going out on dangerous missions' everyday was normal. But then again, we had people going out to war everyday as well. I suppose it was because the village seemed like a small society, and the smallest thing would affect everyone, unlike our world.

 

The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it like a knife through butter. It had fogged up even more and now I couldn't even see Kakashi, who was only 20 yards ahead of us. I jerked my head to the right. I had heard something.

 

I felt a swish of air and suddenly my eye widened. I was standing beside Tazuna while Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto stood out in front. But now… a figure was standing between us, separating Tazuna and myself from the others. I pushed Tazuna back, none too gently, and stood in front of him myself, kunai raised.

 

'Damnit! Where's Kakashi?' I thought furiously, heart pounding as I saw the three 12 year olds in front stiffen. I should've stayed back in Konoha... I really should've stayed in Konoha.

 

'Don't think that way! Would you leave right now... then? And leave these four to defend this man by themselves?' Taka growled at me.

 

I suppose not.

 

'Then get to work!'

 

What work? All of the things that I've learned… doesn't seem to be coming to be at the moment.

 

'...'

 

That's what I thought.

 

Zabuza was standing there, sword held out in a striking position. His eye shriveled towards me and a spark of interest seemed to appear there, "What do we have here?" he murmured in a deep voice. "Another Jounin accompanying Kakashi? A bit old to be a genin, arent' you?" I gulped and backed up slowly, fear filling my senses.

 

"Don't think you're a jounin though.”

 

I saw his eyes widen and I froze as Kakashi suddenly appeared between us and stabbed a kunai into Zabuza's abdomen. As soon as the kunai entered Zabuza, I grabbed Tazuna's arm and leapt back several meters. No point in getting saved if we ended up getting killed in the crossfire.

 

'Ha!' I cheered inwardly. Take that you mist freak!

 

The victorious feeling inside faded, as the 'Zabuza' just burst into water. A water clone! Shit! I felt a tingling feel to my right and-

 

"Get down!" I shouted as I pushed Tazuna to the floor. That was when the real Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi, right in front of us and with a swipe, sliced Kakashi in half. My eyes widened and my heart felt like it twisted in anxiety.

 

He burst into shards of water.

 

I sweat dropped. Despite how serious the situation was, this was getting far too confusing. And then, another Kakashi appeared behind that Zabuza, causing the mist-nin to freeze in shock on impulse.

 

"It's over." Kakashi snarled. I winced. I really haven't ever heard Kakashi speak in that tone before. Back when Kakashi was pissed at me wasn't even close to how he was now. So maybe Kakashi hadn't really been mad at me before? Just... annoyed? Okay, maybe not... I don't know anymore. Kakashi's too confusing for my head.

 

I froze as I felt a presence behind me and before I knew it, I was punted forwards and moving straight towards the water.

 

SPLASH!

 

Sputtering, I rose to the surface, only to see Zabuza beside Tazuna with his sword raised. My eyes widened and I saw Sasuke leap at the missing nin, only to get knocked back to slam heavily against a tree.

 

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura's terrified voice echoed across the waters' as I struggled to get out of the liquid. Why the hell was it so heavy? Swimming over to the edge, I pulled myself out of the water, staring at it strangely, breathing hard. Something was definitely wrong with that water.

 

Suddenly Kakashi sailed over my head. I ducked on instinct and saw Kakashi disappear into the waters and not come back up. Worried, I looked back over towards the others, only to find Naruto staring at the water, eyes wide and frightened. Sasuke was struggling to his feet and Sakura was staring at the water as well. Zabuza was no where to be seen. I narrowed my eyes.

 

That was when I heard a gasp and a laugh behind me. I whipped around, only to find Zabuza holding Kakashi in a ball of water. A water prison!

 

'What the hell?! This is happening waaaay to fast!' I thought frantically. I made my way back towards the other quickly. Time to regroup and figure out a plan!

 

'Because this is a real battle, not a mock one,' a voice answered.

 

'Bug off,' I growled, 'This is not the time,'

 

'I'm here to help,' Taka protested angrily in my head.

 

'Right,'

 

'Fine, you don't need my help.' Taka grumbled.

 

'You are correct,' I snorted.

 

'Don't come crawling back, crying,' Taka warned.

 

'I won't,' I assured him. When I reached the others, I pulled Sakura to her feet and gave her a light slap on the cheek. “Oi! Sakura, get a hold of yourself! This isn't over yet.” Sakura's eyes seem to clear slightly and when she finally seemed to be standing of her own accord, I released her and turned my attention to Naruto.

 

To my surprise, he was already helping Tazuna up and ushering him closer towards the treeline. My eyebrows rose slightly. It seems like he's starting to think now. Hearing a weak cough to my left, I found Sasuke struggling to his feet, a trail of blood leaking down his chin. He wiped it away hastily and drew out a kunai. When he trailed closer, I gave him a bop upside the head.

 

“Ow!” He glared at me. I replied with a grin. “Well, you seem fine.”

 

He ignored me and turned his attention towards Zabuza.

 

"Ha, ha, Kakashi. And here I thought that you were actually smart. You're stupider than you look." Zabuza cackled and smirked as he raised his left hand, forming a one hand seal.

 

"Mizu Bunshin no jutsu," he said in a low voice, eyes focusing on our little group. "Let me finish these brats off before we fight later on, Kakashi. I don't want us to be disturbed."

 

In horror, I stared as a figure rose from the water edge, and a Zabuza climbed out of the water, starting to advance towards us. Sakura stared at it horror, eyes flicking towards Sasuke, who shouted an order at her.

 

"Sakura! Protect Tazuna-san!" he snapped. Sakura, snapping out of her daze at her his voice, nodded quickly and darted quickly in front of the older man, "Stay back, Tazuna-san!" her voice was strong, but if you listened closely, you could sense a tremor in it. I didn't blame her. Anyone would freak if an enemy that strong came at you.

 

Sasuke growled as the Water clone stopped, about 2 meters away from me. His cold eyes narrowed at me. "Still going to stay in my way, are you?"

 

I bit my lip, not answering and retrieved another kunai (since the first one had been lost in the water) while carefully trying to scooting backwards slowly - trying not to make it obvious. Crap...

 

He mused, "... You have a strange chakra pattern - perhaps worth something. What is your name?" he asked curiously. When I didn't answer, he gave me a sadistic smile. "Don't make me repeat it again. My patience would not last." he warned cautiously. When I still didn't answer, he smirked. "Forget it, it wouldn't matter if I knew your name or not if you are dead," His cold, beady eyes narrowed at me.

 

I kind of stared stupidly at him. All I managed to do was steady myself as my mind raced. What to do, what to do?! If I moved, I would be giving him a clear path towards Sakura and Tazuna. If I didn't move, I need to find some way to defend myself without getting decapitated.

 

Before I knew it, he was in front of me, a mere foot away.

 

`Move!' I shouted at myself, trying to will myself to move. Agonizing seconds... minutes... passed as Zabuza glared at me, studying me. I tightened my grip on the kunai and decided to go for it.

 

I whipped out my right arm, but as quick as lightning, Zabuza's hand shot out and gripped my wrist, immobilizing my right hand. I jerked my hand to test his grip and kicked my foot up, but he dodged it and swung me around, so that he now held both of my hands behind my back.

 

I growled and threw my head back and moved it forwards, successfully bopping him on the forehead. Startled, he let go of me, allowing me to leap forwards and put quite a distance between us.

 

The clone smirked. "Feisty, aren't you?" He rubbed his forehead and drew his sword in front of him and focused on Tazuna. "I'll deal with you first," he grinned wickedly and looked at me, "You're next." I stood there in shock; the move he had pulled now had Tazuna closer to him than I was. He had it all planned from the start!

 

Zabuza narrowed his eyes at the person that was now nearest to him.

 

Naruto.

 

"Brat," he miffed, before appearing before Naruto and knocking him backwards. "These... are leaf nins? Pathetic," Naruto's head protector clattered to the ground, no longer on Naruto's head.

 

"Not a chance!" Sasuke darted forwards from his spot by the tree, lashing out his right hand and releasing 3 shurikens. As he continued his run, Zabuza whipped his sword sideways, deflecting the shurikens' off effortlessly.

"Weak," he snorted. Sasuke let out a battle cry and jumped at the mist-nin. I heard Sakura cry out Sasuke's name in warning and Naruto was still sitting on the ground, paralyzed in fear.

 

I looked back at Sasuke, only to find him being held by the throat by Zabuza. I wanted to do something. But just like before, I couldn't seem to move. I hated feeling so helpless! Growling at myself, I flipped two shuriken out of my pouch, readying it to throw.

 

As if sensing my intentions, Zabuza swung Sasuke so that the Uchiha was like a shield. I cursed colorfully, glaring hatefully at the mist-nin. Coward! It was cowardly to use a boy as a shield.

 

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried out in horror, green eyes welling up with unshed tears.

 

"Arrhhhhhh!" Sasuke yelled out in pain, clutching the hand that was encircled around his neck. Zabuza smirked and tightened his grip, before dropping him, as Naruto suddenly stood up, and charged forwards, kunai in hand. I wasn't sure if he had forgotten about me, but I was going to take this chance.

 

Carefully standing up straight, I hitched thin lines of fishing wire (I had found them when Tazuna had retrieved it from his pack to fish earlier) that were connected to my top to the 2 kunai I now held, whipping then at Zabuza. He hadn't noticed yet. Naruto was proving to be a very useful distraction.

 

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Zabuza turned his gaze onto the blonde attacker, "Back again, are we?" He threw Sasuke back, and the dark Uchiha landed by me. At that moment my kunai hit the target, slicing into the clone and leaving it a pile of water. I grinned, jerking the kunai back on the thread, freezing when I felt cold metal on the left side of my throat.

 

"Well now... it seems I have underestimated you..." In two quick slashes, the kunai heading back towards me fell to the ground, unmoving. He had cut the thread. But it doesn't matter; I had been ready for it. Obviously my little thread trick wouldn't work. It was merely to disguise what I had done.

 

Before this new clone could do anything, a quick glance told me that it was ready.

 

“Suiton: Ryuusui Suraisu!” (Water slice) Two crescent moons of solid water made their way towards my back. In other words, towards Zabuza, who was holding me from behind. It may not have surprised him, but it certainly made him move.

 

Zabuza released me and dodged left, leaving the solid water to shoot at me. But I was already prepared. I dropped the jutsu, leaving me unharmed but wet from the released water. The mist-nin snarled and that was when my clone stepped out of the tree line. Zabuza didn't even glance at it.

 

He smirked. “So… That previous attack was to hide this?” He disappeared momentarily. “Too naïve!” Something slammed into my back, sending me flying forwards. A second hit from the front sent me slamming into the dirt. Hacking up blood, I curled up on my side, trying to quell the pain.

 

I blearily managed to open my eyes when I noticed that Zabuza was now standing in front of me.

 

"Now, now... I'm sure that this will be quick." He raised his sword, reading to bring it down. I didn't - couldn't move. Closing my eyes quickly, I didn't move... until I felt the unmistakable splash of the clone down my front.

 

I opened my eyes. Naruto grinned at me, twirling a kunai before disappearing with a poof. A shadow clone? I pushed myself off the ground to see Sasuke collapse against the ground. He had thrown the Naruto clone at Zabuza.

 

"Sasuke!" I took a few steps forward to help him sit up, managing to say a, “Are you all right?"

 

He coughed, more blood trickling down the side of his mouth. That hit that Zabuza had delivered to his abdomen after grasping Sasuke must have hit harder than it looked like it did.

 

"I'm fine," he said lowly, pushing me away and sitting up slowly by himself. I narrowed my eyes.

 

"You have to learn to rely on others, Sasuke.” I snapped, losing my patience with his behavior to me. He was like that with everyone else, but it seemed to be worse with me from what I had seen so far. He at least tolerated the others, "You can't be alone you're entire life. Besides, I'm not your enemy; stop acting like I am."

 

With that said, I turned away from him, missing the shocked expression on his face.

 

I glared at the water, watching as another water clone formed quickly, "Mmmmff... This is taking too long. This shall be the last hit - no more games."

 

Naruto suddenly appeared by us, bleeding from the side of his head, but his head protector was in his left hand. I let out a small grin; he had risked his life for that flimsy thing? But I suppose it had more sentimental value than material value.

 

"Naruto...?!" Sakura asked in confusion, staring at the head protector, "...Your... forehead protector...?"

 

"Sasuke!" the blonde yelled, "Lend me your ear... I have a plan," Sasuke stood, wavering slightly beside me, staring at Naruto in confusion, "A plan?"

 

Naruto smirked, tying the Konoha protector around his forehead again, "Yama-chan's taken the spot light enough. Isn't it our turn now? Well? How about we begin now?" He stood up straight and clasped his hands together, forming seals, "Kage Bunshin no jutsu!"

 

I sweat dropped. He didn't tell Sasuke anything...

 

Almost immediately, over dozens of Naruto's appeared, surrounding Zabuza. Zabuza's eyes darted around and I heard him snort, "Oooo, Shadow clones... and a great number of them, too." I saw a lone Naruto dart by Sasuke, whispering something into his ear before disappearing in a poof of smoke.

 

"Naruto! Get away!" Kakashi's voice rose above the din, "You cannot handle him! You all have to run away!" his voice had a dangerous edge to it, and even Naruto hesitated.

 

I cocked my head. Run away? No, if we ran away, he would fight Kakashi, and if he succeeds, he'll come after us anyway. Besides, the worst possible thing we could do right now was separate. What if this wasn't the only ninja hired by Gatou? What if there were others waiting in the woods to pick us off one by one? And we couldn't complete the mission without Kakashi. That option had been deleted the moment Kakashi got captured. Therefore we only had a chance by staying and fighting.

 

It was only a moment's hesitation before all of the Narutos' were charging at the mist-nin, kunais' out.

 

"Arggg!" They all cried out. "You want some of this?" All of them were in the air and on top of Zabuza in seconds, covering him completely from view. But I could still see a part of Zabuza's face, his mouth from my point of view. I saw him smirk and my eyes widened as I ran forwards.

 

"Naruto!" I cried out, "Get back!" I wasn't talking about his clones. I was more worried about the real Naruto in the group.

 

Just as I yelled out, Zabuza cried out, throwing all the clones off of him and in all directions. I let out a grunt as a Naruto flew right into me, throwing me back as it disappeared in a poof!

 

Poof! Poof! Poof, poof, poof!

 

All the Naruto's started to disappear into smoke, covering the battlefield.

 

I stopped, seeing only one Naruto left as the smoke dissipated, "There's only one thing left that can defeat you!" he cried, reaching into his pack as he continued to fly backwards, "SASUKE!"

 

Sasuke's eyes darted towards Naruto and he suddenly caught something. I stared for a second. It was Sasuke's Throwing Star.

 

Sasuke twirled on the ground, and I saw something flash. I narrowed my eyes. For a second, I could've sworn I had seen two of those stars...

 

Narrowing his eyes', Zabuza stared at the raven haired boy curiously, eyeing the throwing star, "You think that will defeat me?"

 

"Evil Wind Shuriken... Shadow Windmill," Sasuke mumbled, eyes darkening at the enemy. I struggled back to my feet, carefully using the advantage and making some seals, before disappearing into the woods for safety. Staying behind a bush, I kept watch, watching Sasuke and Naruto play out their plan.

 

I saw Sakura, who had taken Tazuna to hide behind a couple of large boulders... smart girl. It was best to sit in the shadows and wait for an opportunity as the two acted. I contemplated joining them but decided against it. The enemy would have a harder time finding us if we were split up.

 

Sasuke smirked, and hurled the shuriken at Zabuza. The clone only readied to block it, but the large star swung past it. My eyes widened. It was headed for the real one! "Smart move, Sasuke..." I muttered lowly. If he managed to injure the real one then, well - let your imagination run wild. It was be a huge advantage to us. Well, maybe not that huge, since he could probably still kick our asses if he were injured, but I'm try to look at the bright side of things all right? Work with me here!

 

Zabuza only grinned, before catching the weapon easily. His eyes widened, however, when another shuriken appeared as soon as he had caught it, "A shuriken hiding in its shadow?!"

 

He managed a smirk. "But… still... it's not enough!"

 

I heard Sakura gasp as Zabuza leapt over the second shuriken. I ground my teeth together. Their plan didn't work...

 

My eyes widened in surprise along with Kakashi's, Sakura's, and Tazuna's; as the shuriken behind Zabuza disappeared with a poof and a big orange ball of energy popped out.

 

Naruto!

 

I was cheering wildly inside. I smirked as Naruto threw a kunai. If this worked... wait... if this worked that means Kakashi would be released! Yatta! Then we would still have a fighting chance with this mist-nin.

 

But to our absolute horror, the stupid nin quickly blocked it using the shuriken that he had caught earlier. Naruto's and Sasuke's eyes' bugged out. It didn't work!

 

`Shit!' I cursed silently. I needed to do something... quickly... while Zabuza was still distracted with Naruto.

 

Splash!

 

Naruto landed into the water, staring incredulously at Zabuza, "Unbelievable! Eyebrow less freak dodged it all?!" he yelped in surprise. Sasuke's eyes hardened and I saw Kakashi's eyes' narrow. It didn't work... I had to... had to... Swallowing hard at what I was about to do, and saying a quick prayer to my mother and to the gods above, I took a deep breath. It was now or never...

 

'Okay... Yama… you can do it' I stomped my fear down. '... You can do it!'

 

That's when Zabuza's eyes snapped to the left and there, I appeared, smirking and going straight for him, running in a straight path across the water.

 

Boom!

 

His hand lashed out and the shuriken sliced right through me. I stood, stock still as the weapon sliced cleanly through me. I felt no pain... all I could see was the shocked expressions of my friends.

 

"Yama-chan!" Naruto cried out.

 

Zabuza smirked, "One down."

 

I didn't care. Why?

 

Splash!

 

My body dissipated into water, and everyone stared in surprise. The real me, appeared behind Zabuza, about 3 meters away, and I launched another kunai. I ignored the urge to stick my tongue out at him. `Baaaaka! I didn't release the clone from earlier!'

 

"Nani?!"

 

At the speed that the kunai was traveling at - and at such close distance, I was sure that he would be taken by surprise. I saw his hand draw out of the water prison, releasing Kakashi and dodging the kunai. Fortunately, it managed to skim the side of his chin. I grinned, got ya! I began to backtrack but before I knew it, his hand was around my neck.

 

"Why you...!" he growled.

 

'Shit,' I cursed inwardly. Well, at least Kakashi was now free.

 

"Where did you learn how to use a water clone?" Zabuza said. I choked. What? Had he seen the clone earlier? Wait… he hadn't seen it! Maybe that's how I surprised him. He hadn't seen the clone earlier! He might've assumed… that the water slice was from another teammate! "Kakashi, perhaps?” he snarled. His grip tightened around my neck.

 

Choking slightly, I whipped my hand out, catching him in the chest. He lurched, but did not release me, "Hrmp. Clever girl. It seems like you are versed in the water elements. So… I am curious, who trained you?"

 

I growled. I refused to answer.

 

"Answer me," he snapped. Kakashi whipped his hand out, but Zabuza easily stopped him, bringing his sword in his other hand out and catching Kakashi on his knuckle plate.

 

"Release her." Kakashi snarled. Zabuza smirked, "It would be wasteful to lose such a fine and capable kunoichi, wouldn't it, Kakashi? She has talent, I can see it. Give her to me, Kakashi. I can raise her well. It's almost as if you have trained her for the Mist village."

 

I growled and my eyes flashed. Both Kakashi's and Zabuza's eyes flicked to me, staring at me, almost frozen.

 

"Kimi... Kimi wa..."

 

I frowned. What was going on?

 

Kakashi let out a small noise of surprise and my eyes flicked to him, anger fading and confusion replacing its place.

 

I glanced down at the water, looking at my reflection. Nothing was wrong...

 

Suddenly, something sliced by, forcing Zabuza to whip his head sideways. In his surprise, his grip loosened and I brought my knee up to land a harsh blow to his stomach. He released me with a grunt.

 

Coughing, I spit out some blood, landing on my hands and knees on top of the water. Who had thrown that?

 

Sasuke.

 

He was standing a few meters away from us, eyes flashing and frighteningly cold. What... wait... when did he learn to stand on water?

 

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

 

Iruka was teaching me to walk on water - in order to practice maintaining and controlling chakra. I think he figured that I would get less injured doing this than climbing up trees. I have to agree with his way of thinking. I've already fallen more than a dozen times.

 

Splash!

 

"No, no, no! You have to focus just the right amount of chakra into your feet! Not your toes! Your entire foot!" Iruka shouted, tapping his foot impatiently. I grumbled in annoyance. He was watching my chakra distribution.

 

I bobbed on the surface, hair plastered to my head, glaring at my so called 'sensei'. Some sensei, all he'd been doing so far was throw insults at me. What kind of sensei was he?!

 

I saw something move in the woods, and I moved, watching it. It was behind one of the trees.

 

Iruka yelled something at me. "Yama! Stop day dreaming about Genma and start practicing!"

 

Flushing, I whirled towards the chuunin, "I am not - nor will I ever be daydreaming about that Genma-san!" I retorted. He was a senseless flirt. Well... he wasn't that senseless... Plus, the guy was also kind of cute too, I had to admit that. Cute in an odd, childish kind of way - you know. He's like a little boy trying to get candy from the candy shop.

 

"Prove it."

 

"Okay, I will," I swam ashore and pulled myself out, before carefully focusing chakra into my feet once again. I opened my eyes again, before taking a cautious step out onto the water.

 

And... voila!

 

"Yay!" I walked a few wobbly steps out and grinned smugly at Iruka, "See? Told yo-!"

 

Splash!

 

Iruka snorted. "See? If you hadn't lost concentration, you wouldn't have fallen down! Now stop daydreaming!"

 

I let myself float up and down with the gentle waves of the river, "Shut up… You... you... you Naruto-lover!" I huffed, the figure in the woods completely forgotten.

 

"Nani?!"

 

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

 

Was that Sasuke who had been watching us back then? In the woods? It was a possibility...

 

"Leave her alone." Sasuke growled menacingly.

 

Zabuza grinned. "And who might you be?"

 

"Uchiha... Sasuke."

 

"So... there are two of you? Hmmmm. I had thought that Uchiha Itachi had annihilated his clan." The statement caused Naruto and Sakura to start in surprise, but it wasn't anything new to me. The Uchiha clan massacre was a pretty big thing; my memory would have to be in shreds if I hadn't remembered that one.

 

Besides, two? What was he talking about? Oh, never mind— he was probably including Uchiha Itachi.

 

"Let's see what you got, Uchiha." Zabuza smirked, completely forgetting about me.

 

I think Itachi's name might have motivated Sasuke some more, because the boy snarled and started forwards, but Kakashi's voice startled him.

 

"Sasuke... this is my fight, stay out of this."

 

Sasuke hesitated; he didn't want to stay out obviously. An aura of hatred was still being emitted from him.

 

"Sasuke." Kakashi growled. Sasuke's hands were shaking and I could see red drip from his clenched fists. He nodded abruptly before retreating.

 

"Now then... I believe this belongs to you," I grunted when Zabuza lifted me up and tossed me clear across the water, straight towards the trees. I heard a woosh and I managed to turn around, just in time to see Sasuke's overlarged shuriken... headed straight for me.

 

Eyes widening, I tried to block it with my arms, but only ended up getting both my arms cut. The only thing that stopped it from cutting my arms farther was the metal forehead protector that I wore on my right arm. It clanked against the spinning blade and fell to the ground, motionless.

 

Crying out in pain, I felt my back slam against the harsh bark of a tree. As a result, my head slammed into it as well. I groaned.

Groggily, the last thing I remembered before I passed out was a loud call of "Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu!"

 

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

 

"...when will... wake?"

 

"It's... quite... a... time now..."

 

"Kaka... sei... is she... right?"

 

Blearily, I grabbed the covers and pulled it over my head, murmuring, "Shut up... I'm trying to sleep here." in the process.

 

I head a few gasps.

 

Then someone pulled the covers down and I blinked in the light. "Wh... hell... is going on?" I growled. I sat up straight and immediately regretted it, lying back down quickly.

 

"Some of us are trying to rest here..." a lazy voice murmured beside me. My eyes widened and I turned my head to the right. And guess who was laying on another futon beside mine?

 

"Gah!" I yelped, staring into Kakashi's face.

 

What the hell? Shouldn't they have placed us in different rooms or something?

 

"Yama-chaannn!" a familiar voice called out and Naruto burst into the room. Sasuke and Sakura were already in the room and staring at us in amusement. Naruto stared at us.

 

"Did I miss something?"

 

"Why am I in the same room as him!?" I shouted. Sakura winced, “You know… male-female separation ring a bell to you guys?!”

 

"There was a shortage of rooms." Sasuke explained emotionlessly, "So you two were put in the same room.” He was having waaaaay too much fun with this. There was no way that there could be a shortage of rooms!

 

"Liar..." I grumbled. I winced as I sat up, feeling pain slice up my back. "Then where were you guys sleeping?"

 

Sakura answered immediately and seemed unaware of the consequences, "Naruto and Sasuke are sharing a room and I have my own." She clapped her hands over her mouth, "Opps." she finished sheepishly, giving Sasuke an apologetic look. Sasuke glared at her.

 

"Fine." he grumbled, "We had to move you here quickly and the first thing we did was place you by Kakashi until we could find another room. But after we analyzed your injuries we realized that moving you could be worse for your back injuries."

 

"Sasuke-kun seemed really worried about you!" Sakura quipped, shutting up when Sasuke gave her another cold look. Ohhhh... I understand now. Sasuke didn't want me to know that he... cared? Mmmf. Cold hearted bastard is right - but only as a mask. I didn't say anything to his explanation, only groaning and feeling my back.

 

"I suggest you don't move." Kakashi's sly voice spoke up. "You have quite a nasty bruise there. The concussion you got didn't help either. You also have internal injuries. Please try not to move so much."

 

I sighed in defeat. He had a point. I didn't want to damage myself anymore. I settled back down carefully, but gave Kakashi a warning look, "Try anything and I'll make sure you can't have any kids anymore," I raised my arms, noting the carefully bandaged arms. I also felt a bandage around my waist, most likely bandaging up my back. I glanced at it curiously. I had received no open wounds there…. So why?

 

As if Naruto had sensed my questioned, he jumped to answer. “We had to apply some salve to help with the bruising!” He grinned at me, settling down at the foot of my futon.

 

I groaned. Oh.

 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kakashi stiffen slightly. I turned to face him; feeling tired and a mumbled, "What?"

 

"That... hunter-nin..."

 

"Hunter-nin?" I blinked in confusion.

 

"Why are you talking about that mist hunter-nin? Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked. "What's wrong?"

 

I blinked. I must have missed this part. I distinctly remember blacking out earlier.

 

"He only used mere needles to kill Zabuza.. And he took the body as well...” Kakashi went on.

 

"Hn,"

 

"So?"

 

"Nani? Nani, nani, nani?" Naruto asked excitedly.

 

"When you're a hunter-nin, you have to be very skilled in acupuncture therapy. They know how to paralyze the body with just one needle. It is possible to put one's body in a 'state of death', making them seem like they are death... but only momentarily." Kakashi paused. “I knew there was a reason I was feeling uneasy about the hunter-nin's appearance.”

 

"Are you saying... that Zabuza is still alive?" Sasuke asked dangerously.

 

"Hai,"

 

"Oh goodie! Now I can kick that eyebrow-less freak's ass back to hell!!" Naruto cried triumphantly, pounding a fist into his other hand, "Yatta!!"

 

"Uh... What did I miss?" I cut in.

 

No one answered.

 

"Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke, you three can go train in the forest. I'm feeling rather worn out. I might train you guys tomorrow," Kakashi said in a tired voice, settling down back onto the futon.

 

"Hai, Kaka-sensei," Sakura spoke up.

 

"But why?" Naruto whined, "I want you to train us, Kakashi-sensei!"

 

"Hn… dobe... let's go,"

 

"Nani? Bastard!"

 

"Moron."

 

And thus, this continued out the door.

 

Back to me, "Why isn't anyone answer me?!"

 

To be continued…

 

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

 

XoXSilverDragonXoX

 

Revised August 07, 2008