Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Irony of it All ❯ A Shinibi Way of Life ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter 13: A Shinobi Way of Life

 

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled again as more Narutos appeared. This time Sasuke didn't stop him. Rayne, kekki genki deactivated, looked over to Sasuke to find him doing familiar handsigns. As Narutos began to disappear, fire shot from Sasuke's mouth. The blurs were becoming more visible now. Rayne was certain it was Haku. Glancing at Sasuke again, shows positive he could see more than blurs. All the Narutos disappeared, along with the blur and Naruto flew past them. Haku reappeared in a mirror.

"Naruto!" Rayne ran over to him. Kneeling down, she put a hand on his shoulder to help him sit up.

“Slowly… but I'm starting to get the timing down” Sasuke smirked. Rayne gave a questioning look to the smirk on Sasuke's face as she and Naruto stood beside him. She turned her attention back to Haku.

“He… tracked my movements? That can't be...” Haku thought.

"Dammit, we were close.." Naruto stated. Then she caught it. On Haku's left leg, the bottom of his pants was singed. She looked over to Sasuke.

“So… Sauke got him? But… how?” Rayne's eye widen, remember something,

"You guys keep saying 'Sharingan' 'Sharingan', what is it?!" Naruto asked. Sasuke started explaining after a moment.

"Sharingan...the eye creates it and it is the power that the pupils generate. Those who use doujutsu are said to have eye powers that can see through all genjutsu, taijutsu and ninjutsu and cancel their affects. Sharingan is one of the various types of eyes that those doujutsu users possess, but that's not the only ability the Sharingan possesses," Sasuke explained, not taking his eyes off of Kakashi.

"You're quite right, but you only scratched the surface," Zabuza said facing your group. "The frightening part of the Sharingan is that it can understand how an opponent's technique works and copy it." The sunny clear sky started to turn into fog all around you.

 

“Can't anyone learn it? Or is it a bloodline trait? And how do you know so much about it?” Rayne asked quietly to Sasuke. Sasuke shook his head.

“No… only limited amount of people of the Uchiha clan…” He whispered back.

 

Rayne gasp, eyes widening.

“Sasuke's an Uchiha, maybe…” She glanced at him while he talked to Naruto, “Maybe… he's activating it. But I did too, before. So that means that…” Rayne closed her eyes, focusing, trying to activate the Sharingan that she activated weeks ago. “I would be able to activate it too.” Rayne reopened her eyes to show red with the dots.

“What are you doing Rayne! Get out of here!” Sasuke shouted. Rayne stood her ground,

“I didn't hear a word you said before, cockatoo.” Sasuke growled and Rayne smirk. “Besides, even if I did why would I leave you here, huh?” She saw Naruto running to his left and got knocked out again.

“There!” As Haku neared Naruto Rayne shot a stream of fire from her mouth. Haku was almost hit but dodged just in time.

“Dammit...” Sasuke eyes widened as a needle was shot at him. As Haku landed in front of Naruto and blasted him back, he took a needle from his shoulder. He kneeled and started to pull the needle from his body.

"Aaahhh!!" Sasuke looked over to find Rayne rolling back to him.

“Rayne?" Sasuke asked, with worry in his voice if they listened heard enough. Blood was dripping from her mouth as she struggled to sit up. He had seen that before.

"I-I'm fine..." she said managing to sit up on her knees. Naruto stood up from beside him.

“Dammit!"

"That was good..." Sasuke said standing up.

"What?"

"Let's do it again," he commanded.

"Okay!" Naruto agreed. He looked over to Rayne who was struggling to stand up. “I don't know why she's this torn up already...” None the less, he offered her his hand. Rayne hesitated for some reason but took his hand and he pulled her up. Rayne wiped the blood from her mouth as she looked at Haku. She nodded.

"Okay, let's do it." Naruto let out a battle cry and ran left. Rayne nodded toward herself then ran toward the right, trying to get out of the mirror.

RAYNE'S POV

I ran forward, heart pounding. I was definitely slowed down. I was positive it was result of what's been bothering me since our first encounter with Zabuza, whatever it was. I heard the familiar yell of Sasuke from my right and stopped.

"Sasuke!" The next second, I yelled out as several needles pierced my skin. Naruto yelled out too from somewhere to my left.

KAKASHI'S POV

“It's been a while since I've been in a battle like this...I need to help Sasuke, Naruto and Rayne but…” I glanced back at Sakura and Tazuna. I faced forward and closed my eyes.

“Be calm. Think, where will he be most likely to strike?” My eyes snapped opened and I turned my head around. Sakura and Tazuna gasped as Zabuza appeared behind them. He raised his sword but I appeared in between the three. Blood splattered as Sakura screamed.

 

 

“Sakura!” Sasuke and Rayne's head snapped to the left side of the mirrors. Rayne, Sasuke and Naruto were all, once again, in the center of the ice dome. Sasuke was on her right, kneeling as he pulled some needles from his body.

"Sakura..." Naruto murmered as he lay on Sasuke's right. Rayne looked at Haku then over at her teammates.

“We have to do something...” Naruto weakly got to his knees then to his feet. Rayne watched him in awe.

"Let's go!" Sasuke looked shocked.

“H-how...? H-he....” Rayne watched as Naruto ran forward. He was blocked off by Haku so he did a backflip and ran backwards. But it was no use, Haku matched every move he made.

"Naruto! Behind you!" Sasuke shouted as Haku stopped and pointed needles at Naruto. Naruto screamed out as he was hit.

"Naruto!"

"It's impossible to get out of here," Haku said. Rayne got up and ran over to Naruto, Sasuke following. She kneeled down by him, holding her bleeding side.

"Naruto, can you stand up?" Sasuke asked, kneeling by him.

"You can't waste chakra like that Naruto. That's what he wants us to do," Rayne explained.

"I...know...that.." Naruto said then fainted.

“Crap...” Rayne looked over to the mirror that held Haku. She let out a small gasp as suddenly, needles were sent at them. Sasuke picked up a needle and stood in front of her, blocking all the oncoming needles.

"Sasuke...” Rayne closed her eyes and her hand started glowing green. “Hold him off for a moment.”

“What are you doing? Get Naruto and move, now!" Sasuke ordered. Rayne ignored him and continued to heal her side, just enough for her to move.

“This time, I was aiming for vital areas...and he blocked them all...” Haku looked over at Rayne. “And they weren't even sent at him.” Rayne stood as Naruto struggled to his feet as well. Haku sent needles at them. She narrowed her eyes as she hugged Naruto close and a black raven, seemly coming out of nowhere, protected them. Naruto landed on his side as Rayne landed by his feet, breathing hard with her kekki genki on.

“Rayne!” Sasuke shout. She looked over to find him knocking down needles with the one he had picked up.

"We're fine!" She yelled back bringing the needle back to defend herself.

“I won't be able to do anymore of those for a while…” Rayne thought.

“A Kekki genki?” Haku thought.

“What kind of jutsu are you using, Rayne?” Haku asked. Rayne smirk. “Kouseki Kekki Genki, kousaharigan, or the Cross Crystal eyes. It helps me see heat, but on my right eye, I have two crystals, which allows me to predict where the needles will hit. It's not fully developed yet though. As for the raven, that's the special Kouseki jutsu.” Haku threw more needles at the two, Sasuke manage to block all of them while Rayne was hit by two. She ran toward Naruto,

"Come on Naruto, don't give out on me!"

"I...w-won't.." Naruto told her but the next second his eyes closed again.

"Naruto!" She glared at Haku as he started to laugh.

"Looks like that boy has reached his limit..." Haku looked at Sasuke and spoke to him. Rayne was too busy trying to shake Naruto awake to actually listen. She gasp though when she saw Haku send needles at Sasuke. Sasuke dodged but that drove him further away from her and Naruto.

"Movement, reflexes and analyzing...all of your senses will soon be dulled," Haku said to Sasuke as he raised a hand full of needles. Rayne jumped surprise as the needles were sent at them. She picked up Naruto and jumped back while trying to block them however some still hit her. An arm wrapped around Rayne's waist and pulled her out of the way of the needles. She looked up as she and Naruto were set down. Sasuke hovered over them, glaring at Haku. Rayne stood up and her eyes widen in surprised.

“His eyes, they're red! They're the...”

“Sharingan...” Sasuke smirked, realizing he had finally obtained the power of the Uchiha.

"I see...so you also possess a kekki genki," Haku commented.

“So his ability was awakened during battle? This means I cannot fight him for much longer. If I do, he will start to predict my movements...” Haku thought. Haku sent an attack at Sasuke which he dodged with ease by jumping right. Rayne realized that there was a distance between Naruto, herself and Sasuke. She stood in front of Naruto and closed her eyes, concentrating.

“Come on… I did it before, I can do it again!” Rayne reopened her eyes to reveal that her eyes were also red.

“Sasuke!” Sasuke glanced at her, not noticing her red eyes until he looked again and gasp.

“I'll protect Naruto and you while you find a way to get us out, okay?” Rayne said to him while blocking needles. Haku looked at her. Rayne narrowed her eyes and held a needle in both her hands, ready to block, with Sasuke clost by.

“I'll protect Naruto and Sasuke with my life!”

KAKASHI'S POV

Blood dripped from the wound that my hand grasped.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura exclaimed from behind me.

"You were slow to guard yourself, Kakashi. Your wish to help those kids got the best of you," Zabuza spoke from in front of me. I glared. my Sharingan was completely useless now. With such dense fog, there was no way it could read any movements. Zabuza picked up his sword.

"Haku will be finished with those brats soon. You can forever apologize for failing them when you meet again." I scowled as Zabuza began to disappear in the fog.

"Sasuke-kun...is going to be beaten?" Sakura shook her head, refusing to believe it. "No! Sasuke won't...won't lose to a guy like that! Nor Naruto nor Rayne!"

"That's right," I spoke.

"Huh?" I turned to face her. "I believe in their power." I spoke out into the mist so Zabuza could hear.

"Naruto...is the number one noisy ninja in surprising people." There was silence but I continued.

"And then there's Sasuke, from Konoha's most superior clan..."

"So he's..." I heard Zabuza's voice.

"Yes, his full name is...Uchiha Sasuke. He is the genius ninja that possesses the kekki genki of the Uchiha."

"He's a survivor of the clan tragedy?" Zabuza spoke from somewhere in the mist. Images of Sasuke and Haku fighting flooded back to him.

"So that is why he learned so fast..." Zabuza understood.

"And then we have Kouseki Rayne," I smirked.

"Kouseki..."

"That's right. I haven't even seen the full extent of her power."

“She didn't even show me any of her jutsus…”

"Your students are good. But Haku...is better," Zabuza said. "No one, has been able to defeat Haku's technique."

“I have to put an end to this...”

"Sakura, don't move," I ordered.

"O-okay!" came Sakura's response. I ran forward into the mist.

SASUKE'S POV

 

I messed up, and now I'm going to die.

 

“Sasuke! Behind you!” I turned around to block some attack, but I couldn't turn around fast enough to block the ones from behind me. I turned but slipped; knowing this might be my last battle.

 

I didn't feel any pain, I felt someone push me. I opened my eyes to see Rayne sitting on the ground.

“Oi Sasuke…” She said softly. I rushed to her.

“You messed up…” she then started to fall. I caught her head with my left arm while I took her hand with my right. She had needles everywhere.

“Why'd you do that stupid!” I shouted at her angrily. I knew I shouldn't be feeling this. I shouldn't be so worked up, so defenseless since that mask kid was still there. I shouldn't feel the want to cry. I shouldn't be trying to hold back tears! They're not supposed to be there.

“I couldn't live with myself… knowing that Sakura will cry forever with you gone…” her eyes glazed over. I heard Naruto shifting over and watching us.

“You damn stupid girl…” I said softly. I stroke her hand while Naruto came closer.

“How about Mitsu?” I asked softly.

“Take care of him…” She answered.

“Ray-nee-chan…?” he asked softly. Rayne was going in and out of focus.

“Not matter what… you two have to promise me that you'll never give up on your dreams,” Naruto slumped next to her and took her other hand.

“Promise me…” she asked again. Both Naruto and I nodded. She gave us a smile, a true smile.

“Naruto…you're like another brother to me… my family…” I felt her face, tears coming down. She then gave one final look at both of us and closed her eyes.

“I hated you Sasuke,” For some reason, my breath stopped short after hearing that.

“But I realized…” Her breath shortens. “That I…” She couldn't say anything else. Her hand went limp in my hands and her head tilted to the side, facing away from me toward Naruto. I don't know what came over me; I wanted to know what she wanted to say. What she realized. I stroke her face, moving her hair from her face. Naruto was silently crying now, and I wish I could do the same. However, I'm not supposed to have these feelings. Therefore I placed her head and hand down.

“Was this the first time you've seen your friends die?” I glared at Haku with hatred. I still have my Sharingan on and noticed that needles were aimed for Naruto. He gasps and closed his eyes. I didn't know what happened, the rest was a blur. All I know was that I moved.

 

 

NARUTO'S POV

 

I opened my eyes, not feeling any pain.

“Am…I dead?” But I wasn't. My eyesight fell upon Haku's body, that was laying on the ground.

“Huh?" I looked to see Sasuke in front of me, a puddle of blood underneath him.

"Sasuke...?"

"You...total...moron..." He spoke turning to face me. A trail of blood ran from his mouth.

"Why did…” I whispered, eyes wide.

“Why did you saved me?”

"How should I know…” Sasuke spoke weakly as he...smiled. He looked forward, eyes glazing over. My words began to echo through his mind.

 

“I'll become Hokage! And them the whole village will look up to me!” All of his memories came back to him too, while he was asking himself why he saved me.

Sasuke smiled. "I.... Hated you..."

"Then why!?! Why save me!? You should mind your own business!!” I yelled, trying to keep my voice from cracking. It wasn't working.

“My body just… moved on its own… fool…” He began to sway and fall backwards. I scrambled forward and caught him before he hit the ground. My arm holding his head.

“I...promised myself...I wouldn't die until...I killed that man...my brother... but don't you dare die…" I then felt that I was loosing him.

“Sasuke…” he looked over at Rayne, taking in her face one last time, “I'll put you next to her.” He smiled, then tilted his head back and went limp. I took him and put him next to Ray-nee-chan. I spent a moment, looking at both of them; both of their faces were unmoving, so lifeless.

“I used to hate you too…” I thought to Sasuke. Looking at Rayne I thought of how she came to me. “I think of you as my family too…”

“They were shinobis worthy of the utmost respect… who in order to protect someone they cared about, threw themselves headlong into what they knew full well was a trap. This is such a path for a ninja.” Haku said to Naruto getting up and retreating into the mirror.

“Rayne sacrifice herself for Sasuke and me…. Sasuke sacrifice himself for me….” I thought. I heard what Haku said.

“I'm never gonna forgive you for this,” I crouched down over the two bodies,

“I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!”

 

3rd POV

 

Naruto was on all fours. He looked different now. The thin whiskers that usually resided on his face became more noticeable and thicker. His eyes shown blood red, with slitted blue pupils. He stood on all fours, his nails long and bared newly founded fangs. Naruto closed his eyes as more chakra started to surround him. It was red, looking like fire as it swirled around Naruto. Naruto glared at Haku in pure hatred.

"You're going to pay!!!" Naruto's voice was cracked and unharmonized again.

“Th-this boy. The aurora about him is completely different! The only thing within him is bloodlust now!” Haku thought, starting to fear. Naruto started charging at Haku. He had such immense speed! Everything was happening too fast, even to Haku!! Haku gasped and threw a tracker needle at Naruto. With a burst of chakra, the needle was deflected and it fell harmlessly to the floor.

"Nani!?" Haku disappeared from his mirror as Naruto charged to it and broke it to pieces with a single punch. Haku's mind raced as he appeared in all of the mirrors. He raised one hand and sent out needles from every direction. All the needles pierced into Naruto's back, he hunched over. The next second, Naruto stood and with a battle cry, all the needles flew out of him with a large burst of chakra. Haku held an arm in front of himself and was forced back into one mirror. Naruto ran at it and punch the mirror to shards. The little pieces flew everywhere as Haku flew out of the mirror and headed at Naruto with a kunai. Naruto jumped, spinning in the air as Haku drove the kunai into the ground, making a large hole. Naruto's feet touched the pavement and he skidded back, his eyes never leaving Haku.

"This isn't good!" Haku went to retreat into a near mirror but his arm was caught. Haku looked in fear as he was swung around by Naruto.

 

Outside of the mirror dome, Kakashi watched astonished.

"Did the seal break?" Kakashi questioned himself. His worst fear at the moment: Naruto's seal breaking.

"No...it hasn't broken yet...but it's about to. I can feel it, the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra is leaking through, and Naruto must be using it. As long as the seal isn't completely broken yet..." Kakashi unbuttoned a pocket on his Jounin vest. A scroll slid out and Kakashi tossed it in the air, the scroll unraveling. Kakashi wiped blood on his left thumb and spread the blood in a line on the scroll as it opened.

"Can you hear me Zabuza? Sorry to ruin your fun, but how about we end this sooner?" Kakashi spun the scroll around him self and around his arms as he talked. After a moment he held the scroll in his hand, retied together. Kakashi put his hands together in a praying gesture but with both his index fingers pointing up. His thumbs held onto the scroll as he closed his eyes and concentrated.

"Interesting...but what can you possibly do? Show me what you can do Kakashi." Zabuza's voice echoed through the mist. Naruto's hand squeezed Haku's arm, almost breaking it. His chakra was so strong, you could see it generating of his body. Naruto's chakra became so immense it pounded against the mirrors, shattering them into small pieces. The pieces flew everywhere, scratching at the two ninjas fighting.

“I cannot hold back his powers!” Haku thought, holding his free hand in a handsign. Naruto's free hand turned into a fist as he pulled his arm back and punches Haku in the face. Haku flew out of the dome, shattering through one of the mirrors that wasn't broken. Haku impacted with the ground, rolling and skidding on his body. A crack appeared in the middle of his mask. Naruto stood at the edge of the dome, hunched over. Any mirrors that weren't broken began to shatter, pieces raining down. The bottom of the mirror Keoko was hunched over began to crack. Everything happened in slow motion for Haku.

“Zabuza......” Haku's mask broke and began to fall off as Naruto let out a battle cry and charged.

“I cannot compete with him....” Naruto leaped, pulling back his fist as the other side of Haku's mask began to fall. A small 'clunk sound' was made as the second half of Haku's mask hit the ground. Naruto was slightly hunched, staring and his fist an inch away from Haku's face. Haku stared at Naruto, whose eyes were their regular sky blue and everything about him was once more, human.

"You're the guy...from before..." Naruto said. A flashback of Haku in the pink kimono from yesterday's morning came to his head.

"Why did you stop?" Haku asked. "I killed two people important to you and yet, you cannot kill me?" Naruto looked back to Sasuke, lying on the ground. He turned his attention to Rayne, her neck and chest bent so it looks like she was watching him. Naruto turned back to Haku. With an angry cry, he punches Haku on the side of the face. Haku stumbled backwards, and fell to the ground face first. Haku pushed himself up half way, coughing out blood. Naruto breathed heavily, staring at the ground.

"Where did your energy go? You cannot wish to defeat me at the state you are now.." Haku told Naruto, getting into a kneeling position. Haku wiped away blood from his face.

"Were they not important to you?"

Haku, in a pink kimono, smiled at Naruto in the forest. "Do you have someone that is important to you?"

Haku wore his outfit with his fake tracker ninja mask. He stared at Naruto, Keoko and Sasuke from inside a mirror. "I want to protect somebody close to me; to make his dreams come true." Haku held up a needle. "That is my dream."

Haku stood up, wobbily at first.

"There are people who make a bad decision. They fail to defeat the enemy. Show them mercy and decide not to take his life....If you ask me, doing something like that is not being merciful. Do you know the pain of living without a dream? Knowing you are not needed by anyone?" Haku spoke.

"What are you saying?" Naruto asked.

"Zabuza has no need for a weak ninja. You have stolen my reason for existance.." Haku said.

"Why? Why do you fight for a guy like that!? He's nothing but evil, a horrible person! Is he the only person who is important to you!?" Naruto was mad at that fact.

"I had people who were important to me...a long time ago..." Haku responded. "My...parents..."

HAKU'S POV

Images ran through my head as I spoke. My mother and father stood there, holding me as a child. It was snowing, and they looked happy.

"I was born in a small village of the Country of Water where it was always snowing. All we did was farm, but we were happy. Poor...but my parents were happy. My parents were kind...and I was happy." I stared blankly at Naruto as the images went away. "But when I took notice of my surroundings… Something happened...."

"Something happened? What? What happened?" Naruto asked. I wiped the blood away from my mouth and looked at it. "This blood..."

"Blood?" Naruto echoed. I was silent until Naruto asked again. "What? What happened!?" I looked at him once more, showing no emotion. "My father killed my mother, and tried to kill me." Naruto gasped so I explained.

"The Country of the Water has been through many civil wars, and those who possess a kekki genki were hated."

"Kekki genki?" Naruto questioned.

"It is passed down from parent to child, or grandparent to grandchild. It's a special technique that is passed down the family. Because of the special abilities they possessed, the families were used in many disputes and even their country forced them to be the harbingers of disasters and wars. After the wars, those families hid their special abilities and lived on. The reason: only death awaited them were their abilities revealed. That boy and girl probably know what I speak of.." I explained, glancing at Naruto's comrads. Naruto looked back at them as I continued.

"Those who possess kekki genkis are feared by everyone. My mother possessed a kekki genki. She kept it secret, and married my father and must have believed she could have an ordinary life for a while...forever.."

A small child was playing around in the snow. It was Haku, maybe only four or five years old. He stared in amazment at water in his hand. What was so amazing about it, he was manipulating it into a squishy form. Haku's mother walked outside. Looking at Haku, she dropped the blanket she was holding. Haku stood up happily, walking towards his mother.

"Mommy look! Look what I made! Isn't it amazing!" The small Haku asked, looking back at his orb of water. Haku's mother grabbed Haku by the arm, making the water splash to the ground.

"Why!! Why!? Why do you have it too!?" She called frantic, shaking Haku.

"Mommy! Mommy stop it!"

"You wicked child!" Haku's mother slapped Haku in the face. Tear whelled in Haku's eyes as his mother fell to her knees, hugging Haku.

"I'm sorry...I'm so so sorry.."

 

"But my father had seen, now he knew about out secret,my mother's and mine..."

A plate shattered as it hit the ground. Haku was maybe a year older stumbled backwards, falling into some plates. He stared in fear as his back was up against the wall. Haku's mother lay dead on the ground. His father walked towards Haku, a sword in his hand and tears streaming down his face. His father raised his sword, tears whelling in Haku's eyes. The next second, blood was everywhere. Haku walked away from his home, leaving tracks in the snow. He fell to the ground, snow falling ontop of his cold body. His house was behind him, large spikes of ice going through it in every direction.

 

"When I came to, I realized I had killed my own father. And it was then that I also realized, I was feeling the most horrible feeling one could feel..."

"Most painful feeling?" Naruto questioned.

"The feeling that you are not needed by anyone...." Naruto's eyes widened. “He is the same as me...”

"You said to me: 'I want to become the number one ninja of my villlage and make everyone recognice me'. When someone who accepts you from the bottom of their heart appears, that person should become the most important person to you. Zabuza knew that I came from a family with a kekki genki and raised me. He wanted my ability that everyone else hated."

A young Haku sat on a deserted bridge. It was snowing,in the middle of winter and it was cold. A younger Zabuza with a Jounin vest walked up, his shadow spreading over the small Haku.

"A kid like you who is not needed by anyone. To live with no dreams and die a begger," Zabuza spoke. Haku smiled.

"You know what mister? You have the same eyes as me." It was silent for a moment. Zabuza and Haku stared at each other. Obviously, Zabuza didn't know Haku was going to say something like that.

"Kid, do you want to be needed by someone? Can you give everything to me?" Haku stared at Zabuza for a minute,thinking over Zabuza's proposal. Haku nodded.

"Then starting today, your abilities are mine," Zabuza said. Haku got up and walked in front of Zabuza. Zabuza put his hand on Haku's head,ruffled his hair, and then placed his hand on Haku's shoulder, leading him as they began to walk.

"I...was happy..." I spoke, in a daze. I thought back, giving an oath to Zabuza, letting him own me, my powers.

"I am sorry Zabuza, I couldn't be the tool you wished for me to be..." Haku started to walk towards Naruto, who took a step back. "Naruto...please kill me..."

THIRD PERSON POV

Kakashi stood in the mist, his hands together with the scroll held by his thumbs. He started doing handscrolls, not even dropping the scroll.

"Ninpou Kuchiyose Doton Tsuiga no Jutsu (Summoning move,Earth element: Dogging Fangs)!" Kakashi slammed the scroll on the ground. The words on the scroll came out of the scroll, snaking along the ground like chains.

"Whatever you do, it is pointless. You cannot do anything to me if you cannot see me," Zabuza's voice came. Suddenly the ground around Zabuza began to crack and dogs from all around lept at him. They latched onto his body. Growling reached Sakura's and Tazuna's ears.

"What's that sound?" Sakura asked.

"W-what's going on?" Tazuna asked. Kakashi stood up, leaving the scroll on the ground.

"I may not be able to see you or hear you, but there is still the nose." The clear started to clear from around Zabuza. About a dozen dogs were hooking onto Zabuza using teeth and claws.

"I let your attacks reach me on purpose. That way my blood got onto your blade and my ninja dogs could smell that." Kakashi put his hand to his ear.

"The mist has cleared. Your future is death."

"Zabuza, you fooled around too much. Your ambitions were too big. You failed in the assassination of the Mizukage. You ran away with the few followers you had and became an exile ninja. The news of your whereabouts reached the village of Konoha. For money, you even lowered yourself to working for a vermin like Gatoh." Kakashi continued.

"Do you think I survived just using my Sharingan? I'll show you my orignal technique,not just some copy." Kakashi began forming handseal. Ending with his palm facing up; blue chakra began gathering in his hand. Streaks shot out of his like lightning.

"Lightning Edge!" Kakashi held his chakra in his hand,glaring at Zabuza.

"I'll say it again, your future is death."

"Please kill me..." Naruto only stared.

"Why do you hesitate?" Naruto clenched his fist and and stepped back a few steps.

"I can't believe that bull story! Weapon? Tool? How can you call a person like that important!?"

"Is it wrong?" Haku asked. "What's wrong with that?

"B-but...that's..."

"Zabuza had hopes for me. He needed me.." Flashbacks ran through Haku's head. "But I have lost the purpose that made me, me. Zabuza will no longer need me. That is why I am asking you...kill me." Kakashi and Zabuza stared at each other, both standing a few feet from each other. Zabuza still had Kakashi's ninja dogs attached to his whole body.

"Zabuza, do you think I survived using the Sharingan alone? I will show you my jutsu; not some copy of another ninja's. This jutsu is totally original." Kakashi began a series of handsigns. He ended as blue chakra began to form in his hand. It formed a blue orb of chakra in his hand, streaks of what looked like blue lightning came from the orb.

"Lightning Edge!" Zabuza watched Kakashi,his eyes wide. “His chakra is so powerful he can hold it in his hand!” Kakashi glared at Zabuza. "Your future....is death."

"Naruto, please, kill me!" Haku pleaded. Naruto stepped back but Haku just stepped toward him again. "Please, hurry, do it now!"

"Why are you hesitating?" Haku asked as Naruto just stepped back, eyes quivering.

“I-I don't understand! Is being strong the only reason for you to be alive!? Something other than fighting...you could be known for something else!" Naruto spoke to Haku. Haku just stood there.

"The day I met you in the forest, I thought you were like me...." Naruto's eyes shook as Haku continued.

"You should be able to understand. I am sorry you will have to stain your hands."

"Is...is this, the only way?" Naruto asked quietly.

"Yes." Naruto bowed his head and closed his eyes.

"If we had met under different circumstances...we could have been friends..." Naruto's eyes opened. As he pulled out a kunai, he charged at Haku.

“Please, fulfill your own dreams...” Haku thought as Naruto drew closer. Naruto's mind went to Sasuke, his cold body laying on the ground. “He...he also had dreams!” Naruto's mind wander to Rayne, blood now flowing freely from her body. “And so...so did Rayne!” The kunai in Naruto's hand gleamed as he rushed towards Haku. Haku smiled. “Thank you...” Haku closed his eyes. “You will become strong...”

"The mist is starting to clear..." Tazuna observed from behind Sakura. Sakura continued to look forward, kunai in her hand.

"It looks like two people are fighting over there. It looks like they're just standing...staring at each other..." Tazuna turned to look in the direction Sakura was.

"I can't see clearly...which one is Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura saw one dark figure move. It was Kakashi, charging at Zabuza. Haku's eyes suddenly snapped open. As Naruto's kunai came at Haku, Haku caught Naruto's hand. Naruto's eyes widened.

"I am sorry, Naruto..." Haku began preforming handsigns. "I cannot die yet..." and Haku disappeared. Kakashi charged, ball of lightning growing strong as he neared Zabuza. Zabuza could not move, the dogs held him tightly in place. Kakashi's arm pulled back then rammed his chakra at Zabuza. Blood splattered everywhere as Zabuza's eyes widened. They began to twitch slightly as blood went all over him and Kakashi.

"Wh-what happened!?" Sakura exclaimed as a large amount of wind flew back at them. Kakashi's eyes widened as his chakra began to disappear and the ninja dogs poofed away. Blood dripped at a heavy rate, forming a crimson puddle on the ground. Kakashi's arm had not gone through Zabuza like intended, but through Haku. Haku had reappeared right in front of Zabuza, sheilding him from Kakashi's attack. Everyone stared in horror, including Tazuna and Sakura. Haku slumped, his hand on Kakashi's arm.

“Za....bu....za...." Zabuza stared at Kakashi.

"My future is death? You're wrong again Kakashi." Naruto turned this way and that in confusion.

"W-where'd he go?"

“Hey, the mist is starting to clear...” Naruto realized. Naruto looked forward to see three dark figures. He began to run towards them. As he made out the scene in front of him, he halted. Blood dropped from Haku's body in a mass rate.

"W...what's going on here!?" Naruto asked astonished.

"That's the masked boy..." Tazuna noticed.

"He jumped in....to protect Zabuza..." Sakura said quietly. Haku was looking at Kakashi, blood everywhere. Kakashi looked at the boy. “This boy...is already dead...”

"Good job Haku," Zabuza said quietly. Kakashi narrowed his eyes and began to pick up his sword quickly.

"Kakashi-sensei!!" Sakura yelled.

“He plans to cut through both of us!?” Kakashi thought.

"I sure picked up a useful thing," Zabuza said as he swung his sword at Kakashi. Kakashi jumped backward, bringing Haku with him.

"Unforgivible!" Naruto yelled, watching.

"Naruto! Stay there!" Kakashi yelled. Kakashi laid Haku down in front of him. Kneeling down by him, Kakashi closed Haku's eyes, giving Haku a peaceful look. Sakura blinked a few times.

"Naruto... Naruto! You're alright!" Sakura exclaimed. Naruto looked at her, then down.

“Sakura....”

"What about Sasuke!" She stopped waving, as Naruto didn't respond. "Naruto, where's Sasuke?" Naruto began to shake, and Sakura followed suite.

"Kakashi!" Kakashi looked from Sakura to Zabuza. Zabuza charged at Kakashi, but Kakashi kicked Zabuza hard in the chest, sending him backwards.

"I'll go with you. Then you won't be breaking your sensei's orders..." Tazuna said quietly, looking down at Sakura. Sakura took Tazuna's hand, and began to run to what use to be a dome of mirrors. They ran past Naruto, his hands clenched at his sides. "Rayne....Sasuke..." he spoke quietly. Sakura ran until she reached Sasuke's body. Sakura stared in horror at the needles sticking from his body, the scratches on his body, and blood running from his mouth. Tazuna shook, turning his head away from Sasuke. Sakura fell to her knees beside Sasuke. A shaky hand went to the side of his face.

"He's cold...this...isn't an illusion..." Sakura said, her voice cracking.

"Don't pay me any mind. Go ahead...you can cry..." Tazuna said.

"I....always scored 100 percent on my Ninja Academy exams. I memorized over 100 shinobi sayings, I always wrote the correct answer. One test.. the question appeared 'Write down shinobi saying number 25'. I wrote down the correct answer as usual..." tears began to roll down Sakura's cheeks. "A shinboi must keep emotions on the inside, no matter what the situation. You must make the mission top priority, and possess a heart that never shows tears." Sakura suddenly broke and bawled. She cried on Sasuke's chest, her arms around her face.

“So this...is the way of the shinobi...it's too harsh!” Tazuna thought, his fists shaking at his side.

"Sasuke....Sasuke!!!" Sakura bellowed. Naruto quivered, several feet away. Naruto clenched his chest as Sakura cried loudly. Kakashi and Zabuza faced-off. Zabuza was losing badly; he had kunais sticking out of his arms and was breathing heavily. Zabuza let out a battle cry and ran at Kakashi. As he was about to swing his sword Kakashi punched him in the face with no effort. Zabuza flew back but skidded, stopping on his feet. Kakashi ran up to Zabuza and punch him hard, Zabuza skidded back again. Zabuza cursed and swung his sword at Kakashi. Kakashi jumped back and Zabuza swung his sword again. The blade crashed into the ground as Kakashi appeared behind Zabuza. Kakashi hand gripped around the back of Zabuza's neck.

"You cannot beat me as you are now." Kakashi spoke.

"Nani?"

"You have not yet realized, what true strength is." A laugh rang out. A short man in a black suite was standing on the bridge, a cane in hand.

"So, what is going on?" Kakashi swung two kunais around on his fingers. Stopping, he held them both in his hands and aimed at Zabuza.

"This is goodbye, devil!" Zabuza turned around slowly in shock. As Kakashi's hand went towards Zabuza, Zabuza swung his sword behind him at Kakashi. Kakashi quickly stabbed Zabuza in his right arm and jumped away before the blade of Zabuza's sword hit him. Zabuza's sword was flung away, skidding to the other side of the bridge. Naruto watched, eyes quivering.

"Now both your arms are useless. You can't even perform a handseal.." Kakashi spoke as he stood up and Zabuza glared. The little man took a step forward, attracting Kakashi's attention. Naruto and Zabuza looked also.

"You're getting your ass kicked. How disappointing, Zabuza." Behind the man was hundreds of men, probably all ninjas in some way. The man seemed like their leader, standing in front all superiors and everything. They stared at the small group, menacingly.