The next day, we left Naruto at home. He had exhausted his supply of chakra, and needed the extra rest. Me? I was feeling extremely well rested. I slept for a solid four hours. Four hours! Of course, I was woken by nightmares of abandonment, being chased, hurt, fear… but it was the best sleep I had gotten in… years.

We were just about to leave. “Okay. I leave Naruto in your hands. He’s pushed his body to the limit. Overdoing it, as usual. So he may not be able to move today at all.” Kakashi informed Tsunami. But knowing the regenerative ability of the nine tails… He thought.

“What about you? You’re still recovering yourself!” Tsunami worries.

“Why, do I look wobbly? I’ll be okay.”

“Come on,” Tazuna interrupted. “Let’s go.” We turned and left as a whole, leaving Tsunami to gaze after us in worry. We arrived at the bridge. “Hold on, what the heck is this?”

I tilted my head. “It appears to be men, Tazuna-san. Some injured, some dead.” I replied. He shot me a dirty look.

“What happened?” He rephrased. I felt it would be wiser to remain silent. “Someone was here, someone got to them!”

Could it be? Kakashi thought. Mist started to trickle around us, covering the bridge. This mist… “Sasuke, Sakura, Keira, get ready!” Kakashi commanded. I leapt in front of Tazuna, Sakura to my right, Sasuke to my left, and Kakashi behind Tazuna.

They all readied Kunai, while I pulled out my twin daggers. They would hold up better against a sword. I knew he was alive… he just couldn’t wait for round two. Kakashi thought, making a hand sign. “Kakashi-sensei, it’s Zabuza, isn’t it? It’s his hidden mist jutsu!” Sakura asked.

Sasuke started trembling. I could sense the excitement and adrenaline coursing through him. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Kakashi. I see you’ve still got those brats with you. That one is still trembling… pitiful.” Oh, you’ve done it now, Zabuza. Never insult an Uchiha.

Several Zabuza water clones surrounded us. “Hn.” Sasuke smirked. “I’m trembling with… excitement!” He declared.

“Go on, Sasuke.” Kakashi gave him permission. Dang, I wanted to destroy something. Zabuza’s bloodlust was getting me worked up. I was itching to kill something. Sasuke sped around all the water clones, destroying them in an instant. Lucky.

I can see it! Sasuke thought. Uchiha… I thought slowly. He’s seeing better. Is his Sharingan developing!?! “Ooh, so you could see they were water clones, huh?” Uh, yeah. There were like, six of you. How could they not be clones? “The brat’s improving. Looks like you’ve got a rival, Haku.”

I saw the boy in the mask next to Zabuza, obviously his ally. “So it seems.” He replied calmly, quietly. I grinned. Time to start the real fight. One of us will die here… and it won’t be me or my comrades!

“Well, well. So I had it right. It was all an act.” Kakashi says slowly.

“An act?” Tazuna acts, ruining the moment.

“With that cute little mask.” Kakashi continues.

“Whaa?” Sakura shrieks, dumbfounded.

“Fake phony.” Sasuke mutter. “Heh.”

“So I guess all that about being a tracker nin protecting his village was a bunch of bull.” Tazuna accuses.

“They looked pretty chummy to me. I’d say they’ve been pulling scams like that for a long time.” Kakashi clenches his fist.

“He’s got some nerve, facing us again after pulling that trick.” Sakura states.

“Hiding behind a mask. Who does he think he’s fooling?” Kakashi mocks. I was growing angrier with every word.

“Well speak for yourself sensei.” Sakura disagrees.

“Well, I’m taking him out. Who does he think he’s fooling? Hiding behind that mask like some sort of clown.” Sasuke mutters.

“Sasuke-kun… you’re so cool!” Sakura compliments. Kakashi seems put out by this.

“I don’t agree.” I mutter. They turn to me in surprise.

“What don’t you agree with, Keira-chan?” Sakura asks.

“I don’t agree with insulting that boy, Haku, like this! What has he ever done? He saved someone who is precious to him… You are treating him like absolute dirt just because he protected Zabuza! He has never personally wronged us! You only hate him because he’s different, an outsider! He is simply protecting the reason for his existence!” I shouted.

I didn’t know why I was reacting this way. Maybe it was the way everybody ganged up on him to insult him. Maybe it was the way he just stood there and took the hate. Maybe it was because in a way… I saw myself in him. That could’ve easily been me standing there.

“Well, we still have to fight him.” Kakashi murmured.

“I understand.” I nodded.

This girl is different… she… Understands. I heard Haku think. “Even though it was only 1/10 of the strength of the original water clone jutsu, he did destroy them all.”

“That move gave us the first advantage. Now use it." Zabuza commanded.

"Right." Haku moved so fast that he became a blur, but my eyes could keep track of him. He began twirling, creating a mini tornado.

"What's this?" Sasuke asked, bracing himself. With one move, he blocked Haku's needles with a kunai, bringing his spinning to a halt. So... he can keep up with Haku's speed, huh? Zabuza thought in surprise. 

"Sakura, cover Tazuna and stay close to me! Keira, I want you to protect Tazuna but help Sasuke if he needs it! Otherwise, let Sasuke handle this." Kakashi yelled. Sasuke and Haku exchanged several blows, testing the others strength, not yet getting serious.

Suddenly they both exchange a rapid series of blows, spinning, blocking and striking, attempting to upset the others rhythm. But they both managed to protect themselves. They were in a deadlock, arms shaking as they attempt to overppower one another.

"We want the bridge builder, not you. If you back down, I wont be forced to kill you." Haku said calmly, trying to avoid conflict. But did he really expect us to back down?

"Save it." Sasuke said.

"You're making a mistake." Haku murmured earnestly. "You won't be able to keep up with my speed! I've already gained two key advantages."

"Yeah?" Sasuke called his bluff. "What are they?"

"First, we're surrounded by water. Second, I've blocked one of your hands. Therefore, you only have one free hand to defend yourself." Haku explained, coming through. Sasuke's eyes widen as he realizes what Haku said was true. Haku began to create a hand sign using one hand.

What? Creating a hand sign with one hand? Sasuke thought in shock.

Hand signs with a single hand? I've never seen that before! Kakashi tought, fearful for Sasuke's safety.

"Secret Jutsu: A Thousand Needles of Death." Haku whispered, then stomped on the ground, raising ice particles.

He doesn't want to kill the kid... does he mean that? Zabuza asked silently.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried out. 

"Concentrate on your task, Sakura!" I cry out, "Don't let you emotions get the better of you!"

"Easy for you to say," She shoots back, panicked, not even thinking straight, "You don;t have any feelings!" I stiffen at what she says.  I thought we started over, clean slate? Kuso, I wish I hadn't said that. She thinks. I'm just so worried about Sasuke-kun. 

Needles formed in thin air, all pointed towards Sasuke. Remember the training. Focus. Summon my chakra at once... He thought, creating a handsign to help focus his chakra. The needles began to move in.

Haku jumped away just as the needles rained down. I saw Sasuke move away at the last second, moved quickly by the chakra he had brought to his feet. The cloud of ice dissappeared, revealing that Sasuke had escaped. He vanished! Haku thought in surprise.

Sasuke revealed his presence, throwing shurikan down on Haku, who dodged every one. Sasuke appeared behind Haku. "You're not as fast as you think!" He mocked. "From now on, you'll be the one defending against my attacks!"  He and Haku fought quickly, and Sassuke kicked him across the face, throwing him backwards.

It's not possible. No one's faster than Haku! Zabuza thought, shocked. "Thougt you were quicker, huh?" Sasuke insulted, "Now, what else were you wrong about?" 

"You made a big mistake in insulting these ninja and calling them brats!" Kakashi informed Zabuza. "That just guarentees to bring out Sasuke's attitude. He's the best young fighter of the hidden leaf village. Sakura here is our sharpeat mind."

Sakura giggles innocently, but I hear her thinking, Cha! Am I bad or what? "And our number one hyperactive knuckleheaded ninja, Naruto Uzumaki." Kakashi continues.

Haku sits up. "What about the girl?" He asks quietly.

Kakashi glances at me. "I was getting to that. Keira Boukyaku, one of the wisest genin I know. She has great judgment, and always knows how to react in a situation." He says. A wave of gratitude overcomes me. He rarely compliments us, but when he does... he knows just what to say.

Zabuza laughs. "Haku, if we keep going like this, we'll be the victims instead of them. Get on with it." He barked out.

"Right." Haku agreed, sounding slightly regretful. Blue chakra began to leak out of Haku into the surrounding air.

"What's that?" Sasuke asked.

"I'm sorry it's come to this," Haku murmured, Ice began forming all around Sasuke. "Secret Jutsu: Crustal Ice Mirrors!" Haku called out, sounding sad yet determined. 

"What is that?" Kakashi stared in alarm, "How does it work?" Hak stepped into one of the mirrors, his image appearing in it. The same image reflected all around, until Sasuke was surrounded by Haku's.

Mirrors. Sasuke realized. What... how? He thought in alarm. Kakashi growled slightly, then began sprinting towards the mirrors. Zabuza appeared between him. "If you enter this fight... you fight me!" Zabuza declared. "Your boy has no chance against that jutsu... he's finished."

I glance at Sakura. Should I help Sasuke now and leave Tazuna pretty much defenseless, or stay and protect the bridge builder. I hesitate, then decide to stay with Tazuna. Sasuke may have a chance against Haku's jutsu if his Sharingan developes in time.

"Now, we'll begin," Haku said sinisterly, "And I'll show you what speed really means," Haku through several needles, teasing him, ripping his clothes, barely scratching him. Sasuke! Kakashi thought in alarm.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried out. I narrowed my eyes in worry as he drops his kunai, trying to protect his head. Get a grip, Sasuke. Don't make me go save you!

"Just try to help him... and I'll kill the other three in a heartbeat!" Zabuza warns Kakashi. That makes my choice that much harder. If only Sakura is protecting Tazuna... well, he would be dead in an instant. 

"Keira, it's you job to go help Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried out. I glanced between Sasuke and Tazuna.

"Yes, but if I leave, Tazuna will be left defenseless! I apologize, Sakura-chan. The mission takes precedence over Sasuke-kun's safety." I say quietly. How can she say that my life is worth more than her teammates? She's so cold... Tazuna thought. 

"Tsumetai kokoro o motta mesu inu!!!*" Sakura insulted. I frowned. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay with you!" Sakura told Tazuna, "Forgive me." 

"I understand." Tazuna says, glaring pointedly at me. "Go now." Great. I do my duty, and everyone thinks I'm a mesu inu**. Sakura grabs a kunai and sprints at the mirrors.

Sakura! Kakashi iinternally yells. 

Sasuke. Sakura thinks desperately. Sakura jumped into the air, throwing the Kunai. "Take this!" She shouted. Way to warn the enemy, Sakura. Haku reacges out, easily grabbing the kunai. He examines it for a moment in contempt.

"He caught it!" Sakura cries out in shock. Sasuke collapses, and Haku changes his grip on the Kunai, preparing to throw it at Sasuke. Suddenly, a shurikan came out of nowhere, scratching haku's mask and throwing him out of the mirror.

"Huh?" Sakura tilted her head in confusion. I smirked. Naruto. Haku groans, sitting up, and several smoke bombs go off. "Who is it?" Sakura asks. I shake my head. Only you don't know, Sakura.

Your a fool, Sasuke thinks, Such a show off! 

"Number one, hyperactive, knuckle head ninja." Haku mutters. 

"Naruto Uzumaki... is here! Yeah, believe it!" He cries out. That baka. "Now that I'm here, everything will be all right! You know how the hero usually shows up a the last minute than kicks butt? Well, that's what I'm gonna do!"

This kid... Zabuza thinks.

Shut up Naruto! Sasuke grits his teeth.

What. An. Idiot. If he'd stayed hidden, he would have been so much more effective! Kakashi thought.

Ever heard of a sneak attack? I shook my head.

That boy... I see Haku's flashback of meeting Haku before. Oh... that's going to hurt Naruto. 

"Alright, you're history! Shadow clone Jutsu!" Zabuza turns, throwing shurikan at Naruto. Before anyone could do anything, I threw my own Kunai, faster than even Haku's needles, blocking it. Haku's needles fell to the floor, uneeded. But everybody notices that he had made a move to defend Naruto.

"They didn't get him! Why'd you protect Naruto-baka and not Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asks accusingly.

"Because I didn't need to abandon my post to save him." I reply calmly.

"The weapons cancelled eachother out, amazing!" Tazuna gasped, "Now that's what I call lucky, I think." I rolled my eyes. Skill, not luck Tazuna.

"Haku, what are you doing?" Zabuza demanded. Haku stood.

"Zabuza, this boy. Let me fight him my own way," Haku requests. "Please,"

"You're to soft, as usual. Fine," Zabuza gives in.

"Forgive me," Haku apologizes to Zabuza.

I clench my fist. Maybe... maybe together they can win. But I should go help soon. Zabuza didn't attack when Sakura tried to help... Maybe I can get away with it as well. Haku goes back into the oce mirrors. 

"Sasuke!" Sakura and Naruto cry out. Help him from the outside, Naruto! That's what they need to do! And they're perfectly positioned to do it. Naruto hits on the outside Sasuke on the inside!

"Hey! I snuck in here to save you! Pretty cool move, eh Sasuke?" Naruto whisper shouts. There's absolute silence, then,

"YOU BAKA NARUTO!" Facepalm.

_______________________________________________

* cold-hearted b*tch

*b*tch

Wow, Chapter Twenty four! Zabuza series is almost done! Praise the Lord, no more pastel colors!

Seriously, though, this series is to long for its own good. I can't wait for the fight to be over. Not to mention, after this Team Seven sees a certain red headed ninja...

That's right, Kushina comes back from the dead! o.O

Sorry, really bad joke.

Oh well! Till next time!

Comment! Vote!

Bye!

gaara119