Sakura was absolutely elated when Kana and her wolves showed up, and while Kakashi was still wary of her, he appreciated the help.

"Are you all alright?" Kana asked, glancing behind her. "I was just passing by the bridge when I noticed you all."

"We're all fine, thanks for coming to help." Kakashi replied.

"No problem!" Kana grinned, keeping her expression joyful.

"Haku, take them out." Zabuza grunted.

"Sasuke," Kakashi said, glancing at him.

Haku and Sasuke engaged in battle, leaving Kana and Sakura to defend Tazuna as Kakashi ran off to fight Zabuza. Yuki and Gray stood close to Tazuna, awaiting orders.

"I'm sure we can win with you here!" Sakura exclaimed. 

"You should be glad that your sensei is here," Kana replied. "I've seen him in bingo books, he is a formidable shinobi."

"But I think you're really cool," Sakura blushed. "It's so amazing to see someone who's the same age as me and a girl be so strong."

"Strength comes with training," Kana said, brushing back a strand of hair. "Although, it also comes with wit and intelligence."

Sakura nodded.

Kana bit her lip, glancing at the girl she knew admired her. Yuki and Gray shot her concerned looks, but they stayed at her side, awaiting the order to switch sides.

~~~~~

Haku had Sasuke trapped in an ice dome and Kakashi was occupied with Zabuza. Naruto hadn't shown and only Sakura remained to guard Tazuna. Kana stayed with Sakura 'guarding' Tazuna with her. 

Zabuza was holding Kakashi at bay, and he glanced at Kana, mouthing a single word. A command.

'Now.'

Kana twirled around and grabbed Sakura, tossing her to the side and making her slam into the side of the bridge. Her eyes teared as she gasped for air, her eyes attempting to focus on her attacker. Gray scooped Tazuna onto his back, bounding past Kakashi and behind Zabuza.

All the fighting stopped and Kakashi turned to Kana, pure rage in his eyes. He watched as Sakura's eyes slowly shut and Kana stood next to her white wolf, who snarled at Kakashi.

"I know my words probably mean nothing to you," Kana said. "But I am sorry."

Haku's dome of ice shattered and he leapt away, leaving Sasuke barely conscious on the ground, needles sticking out of him everywhere. Kana pulled some spare rope from her pack and tied Tazuna's legs and hands, draping him over Gray's side.

"Why are you helping them?" Kakashi sneered.

"Orders from my surperiors." Kana replied, pulling out her kodachi.

"I thought they were your friends." Kakashi said, glancing at Sakura and Sasuke.

"Friends are nice, but I put my family and my superiors first." She sighed. "I am very sorry, but I have to do this."

"I'm not just going to let you walk away." Kakashi growled.

"I wasn't expecting it to be easy." Kana chuckled hollowly.

Before fighting could break loose, Naruto arrived, panting as he ran onto the bridge.

"Kakashi-sensei, what's happening? What's going on?" Naruto gasped.

"They have Tazuna and we have to get him back," Kakashi replied. "Sasuke and Sakura are down."

Naruto clenched his fist, but again, they were interrupted.

"Go ahead, kill them, I don't need them. Missing-nin are way too expensive." A short man chuckled. "But leave the old man to me."

Zabuza turned to the short man, heaving his sword onto his shoulders and not seeming to care that there was an army of thugs behind him.

"So that's how it is?" Zabuza chuckled, turning to Kana and Haku. "Change of plans, let Tazuna free."

Kana cut the ropes, lowering the old man back onto the ground. Tazuna scoffed and rubbed his sore wrists.

"Sorry about all this Kakashi," Zabuza chuckled. "Change of plans, looks like there's some trash to be taken out."

"For what those two have done to my genin I'm not forgiving any of you," Kakashi sighed, then moving his icy glare onto the short man Gato. "But I propose a temporary truce to get rid of them."

"Alright, let's set to work." Zabuza grinned, turning to the army of thugs.

"Who's first?!" Naruto exclaimed, pulling out two kunai.

Kana twirled her kodachi and Haku readied more senbon, facing the group of about a hundred men. Kakashi and Zabuza leapt into battle first, with Haku, Naruto, Kana and her wolves hopping into the battle afterwards. Naruto landed knockout blows, clearly not wanting to kill anyone, but no one else was afraid of slaughter. Screams filled the air as the wolves tore the men apart, and Kana was downright terrifying with her accurate slashes. Kakashi and Zabuza worked fairly well together and were quicking putting down enemies one by one. Until only Gato remained.

"I never liked you anyway." Zabuza scoffed, watching as the man trembled.

"I-I can pay you!" He squealed.

"Not interested."

Zabuza's sword came down, cleaving his head clean off his shoulders. Naruto cringed away but was quick to busy himself with checking on Sakura and Sasuke. 

"So, since we didn't have to bring Tazuna to Gato, can we get going now?" Kana asked, then lowering her voice. "Leader-sama wanted me back sooner than this."

"Yeah kid," Zabuza grinned. "We can get going now."

"Wait," Kakashi called out. "Before you go, can you tell me the real reason you're here, Kana?"

"I suppose," Kana sighed. "I was sent to get Zabuza and bring him to Amegakure."

"What does Ame want with a missing-nin from Kiri?" Kakashi asked.

"I couldn't tell you even if I knew." Kana shrugged, knowing that she was lying.

Kana turned to leave but paused when she heard a weak voice.

"...Kana..?" 

Kana walked towards Sakura, squatting down beside her.

"I'm sorry Sakura," She sighed. "I had to do this for the sake of my village. But I want you to know that I wasn't lying to you, I want you to get stronger and I know you can do it."

Sakura just nodded. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke."

Kana walked back to Haku and Zabuza, placing a hand on Yuki's neck.

"Haku, get on Yuki with me, Zabuza, feel free to hop on Gray if you want to." Kana said, jumping onto Yuki's back. "We should try and reach the docks as soon as possible so we can get a boat back to the mainland."

"I'll run," Zabuza said. "Now let's move it."

They quickly dashed away, leaving Tazuna and the Konoha nin to deal with the unconscious workers.

~~~~~

"What a day," Tazuna sighed while on their walk home. "I wasn't expecting any of that at all."

"I really didn't think Kana would show up out of nowhere and then help Zabuza." Sakura said, a hand on her bruised side.

"How could she just do that?!" Naruto exclaimed, gritting his teeth.

"She does what she needs to for her home, just like you would do anything to help Konoha, Naruto." Kakashi replied, much calmer.

"Still, I don't like it." Naruto grumbled.

"That's how things work," Sasuke grunted. "Deal with it."

"You're not wrong about that Sasuke." Kakashi sighed.

~~~~~

Kana's stomach had been acting up again, which was unusual, to say the least. She didn't need to eat all that often, yet she already felt peckish after having a meal just a few days ago. The thugs she killed on the bridge had bled a lot, and she assumed that was what caused her slight hunger.

Nonetheless, it still bothered her.

A/N

Big plans for coming chapters! Including the introduction of a new character! If any of you follow the book "Little Monster" on my profile, then you may have a guess as to who will soon make their appearance! That's all I have to say, peace out!