Chapter 8- Mission to the Land of Waves PT 4

Yep Two Updates Today. An Apology For Not Updating Since May. Enjoy!!

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Fun Fact: I kept referring to Haku as a she while I typed this.
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Naruto went to attack Haku and Haku moved from mirror. The chakra he released became stronger every passing moment. Haku seemed to think he could strike at Naruto from behind. I covered Naruto in a water dome and released it after the senbon hit the dome. Naruto released more chakra and then he ran for the mirror Haku had been in. Naruto destroyed the mirror only having punched it.

Haku dropped from a mirror above Naruto and I rushed in tackling him away even though Naruto had dodged his attack. Haku tried to retreat into another mirror but Naruto ran past me and grabbed his arm. Naruto seemed to have gotten tired of Haku's jutsu and he destroying the mirrors releasing a wave of chakra. Naruto clenched his hand into a fist and pulled his fist back. Naruto punched Haku on the face and sent him through the mirror behind Haku which still stood. Naruto ran at Haku again and when Haku's mask finally fell apart Naruto wavered once he saw Haku's face.

"So that guy in the woods, that was you?" Naruto asked.

"Why do you not strike?" Haku questioned Naruto.

"Huh?"

"Did you not just vow to avenge your comrade's death by killing me? Or was that vow empty words?" Haku asked Naruto. Shi laid down by Sasuke protecting him after we had pulled every senbon out of his body.

Naruto wavered on whether to punch Haku on the face again but then he did, "And now, that won't do. Your still holding back. If that is all the strength you can put into it, you will never keep your vow. Perhaps he didn't mean as much to you as you pretend." Haku taunted Naruto.

"There is only one person who matters to me, and I live to protect and serve him. That is my purpose, to show mercy to those who oppose the one you serve, to allow his enemies to live when you could strike them down. This is not compassion. It is betrayal of your life's very purpose. For what reason do you exist then? You're of use to no one. You're life has no meaning. It is mere existence. Day after day of pain and struggle, signifying nothing." Haku stated.

"Yeah, well, speak for yourself." Naruto retorted.

"Are you really that blind, little one? I am speaking of myself. This day has shown that I am no longer of any use to Zabuza." Haku stated.

"Zabuza. Why that guy anyway? To devote your life to a rotten skunk who doesn't know the meaning of the word honor. If he's really the one person that matters to you, man, that's the sorriest thing I've ever heard." Naruto told Haku.

"There were once others who mattered to me long ago. My father and my mother. I was born in the Land of Water in a small village where the snow lies deep in the winter. My parents were farmers and very poor. Our life was hard, but we were content. My parents were good to each other and kind to me. Yes, we were happy once. But then everything changed. Because of something that happened long before I was even born, everything changed." Haku told us.

"What do you mean? What was it? What happened?" Naruto asked.

"Your bloodline made itself known, huh?" I asked.

Haku nodded, "It wasn't my doing. It is in the blood."

"Blood? So what was it? You said something happened that changed everything!" Naruto asked wanting to know.

"It was my father who changed. He killed my mother and he almost killed me. After years of suffering the horrors of civil war, the people of my land had come to fear and hate anyone who carried the Kekkei Genkai in their blood." Haku informed us.

"Kekkei Genkai?" Naruto asked.

"It's the advanced bloodline trait of a clan. Its jutsu and abilities passed down from generation to generation. Because of their unique abilities, the clans were used as mercenaries. They fought in many battles and were much feared. But when the war was over, they were despised and shunned by the people who feared their presence would only bring more war and misfortune. So it was that after the wars, these clans went into hiding, denying the bloodline trait that flowed in their veins, concealing their unique abilities, knowing that to be discovered meant certain death. If you had searched that boy's memories, I'm sure you have found it there, too. The cruelty of people, their fear of things they don't understand. For years, my mother was successful in hiding her bloodline trait. She met and fell in love with a simple farmer. And they were married. And after that, my mother thought she would lead a peaceful, ordinary life to the end of her days." Haku stated.

"Your father, he saw you didn't he?" I asked.

Haku nodded, "When at last I was myself again, I was no longer myself. My father and mother were gone, but I knew that something else had been taken from me, something even more important. And that is when I truly despaired." He said.

"More important than your mother and father? What?" Naruto asked.

"My purpose. In all the world, there was no one who needed me. I was unnecessary. Why is it that you're so determined to be Hokage? Because you want all eyes in your village to look on you and recognize you as a great ninja. You see it is only through the eyes of others that our little lives have any significance. When there is no one who sees you or will even look at you, it's as if you do not exist. Then Zabuza came along and looked at me, and his eyes were not full of hate or fear. He did not shun me for my strangeness. Indeed, my special powers were just what he wanted. He made me necessary again. I was happy. I have failed you, Zabuza. I am like a weapon that has been broken and is of no further use." Haku walked towards Naruto.

"Naruto. Kill me." Haku ordered. I heard the screeching of lightning by where Zabuza and Kakashi were facing off on.

"Go on. Strike. Kill me. Why do you hesitate?" Haku questioned Naruto. I pulled a kunai out and walked to Haku.

"Because unlike you and I Haku, Naruto is a genin on his first A-Ranked mission." I said and pushed Naruo back.

"That's the most ridiculous story I've ever heard! I mean, he treats you like a slave. You're a human being, not a weapon or a tool. How can you care about someone like that?" Naruto asked peaking around me.

"For that very reason." Haku started.

"Huh?"

"Does that seem so strange to you?" Haku asked.

"Well, yeah. A little." Naruto said.

"When he found me, I was without a purpose or reason for living. Zabuza gave me both, just as your sister does to you. But now, my usefulness is over. The only thing that gave my life meaning, it's gone. I am a broken tool, a blunted weapon of no use to anyone. Go on, Naruto, do it. For both of our sakes. Do it... quickly." Haku stated.

I attached my shadow to Haku, "Finish it. Kill me." Naruto backed away, "Why do you hesitate? I thought you wanted to be a mighty warrior." Haku taunted.

"That's not what it's about. Do you really believe that's all there is to it, just fighting and killing until there's only one man left standing?" I asked Haku.

"There's a lot more to being shinobi than that, and there are other ways of showing your strength than just by beating someone in battle." Naruto said.

"I've had a feeling all along, from the first moment we met in the woods. We are a lot alike." Haku said.

"Huh?"

"I'm sure you both know what I mean. I'm only sorry that it must be your hand that is untainted with my unworthy blood." Haku said while turning his gaze to me.

Looks like he does wish to fight me, "Sure about his? And you're positive that it's the only way?" I asked him.

"Yes." Haku answered.

I heard Naruto grunt from behind me, "The weird thing is, if we met in another time and place, I think maybe we could have been friends." Naruto stated from behind me.

I ran at Haku after I released my shadow on him and met him head on. He blocked my kick to his face and aimed to punching me in the face. I bent backwards allowing his fist to fly above my face and somersaulted backwards kicking him the face. Haku pulled out a kunai and slashed at my head completely missing when I blocked it. It looked like Haku was about to teleport away when I drove my kunai through his chest. Just as he fell back I caught him and set him on the ground gently, "Thank you." Haku whispered and stopped breathing. I started trembling in anger. Haku was innocent, he didn't deserve to die like this let alone lead a life running from danger. He deserved better but because I have a duty to my village I blew his flame out.

"Rest now Haku. May Kami-sama welcome you into her home." I whispered and closed his eyes.

"Sis..." I heard Naruto, looking back I saw he was worried.

"I'm fine. Look, go help Sakura with protecting Tazuna. I'll look over Sasuke." I said.

"*sigh* Okay." Naruto walked away and I went back to Shi and Sasuke.

Shi looked at me and glanced me over, "How is he?" I asked.

"He's fine. His pulse is rising, he will be waking up in a while." Shi stated.

"Shi, I want you to stay with him while I go help my partner out with the other threat. I will come dismiss you when we have eliminated the threat." I said and walked back to Kakashi and the group carrying Haku's body. I set his body down away from the group and watched as Zabuza's eyes widened.

"Naruto! Over here! Naruto! So you and Sasuke are all right?" I heard Sakura yell.

I did not hear Naruto answer her. I facepalmed, I forgot to tell him Sasuke was all right. Minako, you had one job!

"What's wrong? Where is Sasuke anyway? No." Sakura looked like she was about to cry.

I put my hand on Naruto's head and ruffled his hair, "Sakura." Kakashi stated.

"Kakashi, I'd stay focused if I were you." Zabuza said.

I pointed at Zabuza, "How are you still alive?!" I yelled.

Zabuza ran at Kakashi with the intent to kill and I watched as Kakashi kicked Zabuza in the face, "Didn't you charge a lightning attack to kill him with?" I asked.

Sakura ran past us and didn't even stop to see if Naruto was alright. I shook my head in disappointment. Her fan-girlish ways will be her undoing in the end if she doesn't change her ways soon. My wolves followed after her when I signaled them to, "Naruto, he's alright." I said.

I watched as Kakashi beat Zabuza and I noticed that at this point Kakashi was toying around with him. Naruto looked at me, "Sasuke is dead sis." Naruto said.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, "Look he was put in near death using the senbon needles. Why do you think I love using those needles a lot on my missions." I said but it looks like what I said went in one ear and out the other.

I noticed a small figure at the end of the bridge, "Well. Well. So this is how it turns out, huh?"

Kakashi was behind Zabuza and ready to kill him, "Game over. You lose." Kakashi said. Zabuza swung his sword back and Kakashi was pushed away while he drove two more kunai into Zabuza's other arm, "Now both of your arms are useless. What now? You can't even make hand signs."

The figure got closer and I saw the shrimp, otherwise known as Gato, "Did quite a job on you, didn't he, Zabuza? You look like yesterday's sashimi. I must say I'm disappointed." Gato said and standing behind him were thugs.

"Gato, I don't understand. What is all this? Why are you here? And who are these thugs you've brought with you?" Zabuza asked him.

"Well, you see, there's been a slight change in plan. According to the new plan, you die right here on this bridge, Zabuza." Gato stated.

"What?"

"That's right. You're too expensive. So I've decided to take you off the payroll. Of course, even these thugs I brought with me cost something. So if you would manage to slaughter a few of them before they take you down, I'd appreciate it. Think you could manage that? Do you, the Ninja of the Mist?" Gato snickered, "Look at you. You look about as demonic as a wet kitten." Gato joked and the thugs laughed.

"Well, well, Kakashi. It would seem our fight is at an end. Since I am no longer in Gato's employ, Tazuna's safe. We have no quarrel." Zabuza said.

I moved away from Gato and his thugs, "Yeah, I suppose you're right." Kakashi said.

Gato walked up to Haku's body, "That reminds me, you little punk. You grabbed me and nearly broke my arm! I've been meaning to repay you for that." He kicked Haku's body, "Huh, I only wish he was alive to feel it."

"Get away! Get away from him, you scum!" Naruto yelled and started to run over.

Kakashi caught him and restrained him, "Hey stop! Use your head." Kakashi told him.

"Well, what about you, Zabuza? You gonna let him do that?" Naruto questioned him.

"Be quiet, you fool. Haku's dead. What does it matter?" Zabuza questioned.

"What? You mean, you could just stand there and watch him get treated like a dog? You and Haku were together for years. Doesn't that mean anything?" Naruto angrily questioned Zabuza.

"You don't understand the way of shinobi. I merely used him just as Gato used me." Zabuza said.

"Huh?"

"Now, it's over. His usefulness is at an end. The loss of his strength and skill, yes, that means something to me. But the boy-- Nothing." Zabuza said.

"If you mean that, you're an even bigger rat than I thought." Naruto said.

"Okay, that's enough. Calm down, Naruto. He's not the enemy. Not right now." Kakashi said as he laid his hand on Naruto's houlder.

"Aah! Shut up! As far as I'm concerned, he's enemy number one! Why you... You ungrateful-- After everything he did for you. Haku lived for you! You were the most important thing in the world to him. And he meant nothing to you? Nothing at all? While he was sacrificing everything for you, you never felt anything at all for him? And if I become stronger, does that mean I'll become as cold-hearted as you are? He threw his life away. And for what? For you and your dream! You never let him have a dream of his own. But he didn't care. And you just tossed him aside like he was nothing. A broken tool. Man, that's so wrong. So wrong!" Naruto yelled while he shed some silent tears.

"You talk too much." Zabuza stated.

"Huh?"

"Your words cut deep-- Deeper than any blade. While he fought you, his heart was breaking in two. You see, Haku was always too soft and too kind. He felt pain and sorrow. And now, curse him, I feel them too. And something else, I feel content that this is the way it ends." Zabuza ripped the bandages off his face with his teeth, "Well, cat got your tongue? Are you so surprised to discover that I'm human? Even shinobi are human. No matter how hard we try to escape that simple fact, we always fail. Well, at least I have failed. Boy!"

"Huh?"

"Give me your kunai." Zabuza said.

"Here." Naruto said and he tossed it.

We watched as Zabuza ran after Gato in the crowd of thugs. Zabuza seemed to have thrown Gato off the bridge after he had delivered some blows on him. Zabuza made his way back and collapsed in the middle of the thugs. I saw Naruto turn away, "Don't turn away. When you live as a warrior, this is how it ends." I said.

"Naruto! Over here! Look, it's Sasuke! He's all right! He's all right!" Sakura yelled. Naruto looked back and I watched as Sasuke lifted his left arm.

"Huh. But how?" Naruto questioned.

"I already told you." I whined.

"Well, well, will wonders never cease? Amazing." Kakashi said.

"Hey, yoo-hoo!" Some thug tried to get our attention.

"Huh?" Naruto and Kakashi turned their heads back to the group of thugs.

"Don't go getting too comfortable." Idiot thug number one said.

"This party ain't over yet. Who's gonna pay us now that Gato's gone?" Idiot number two said.

"No way we're gonna leave here empty-handed. So we'll just have to hit that village and see what they got for us." Idiot number one spoke.

"Yeah! Come on, let's go!" The group of thugs agreed.

"Not good." Kakashi said.

I whistled and my wolves were beside me, "Come on Kakashi-sensei. You must have a jutsu that could take care of this bunch of losers!" Naruto said.

"Not right now. I used up too much of my chakra." Kakashi informed Naruto.

"Get 'em, boys!" Idiot number one yelled.

"Well you all know the routine, kill as many as you can. Now. Scatter!" I yelled and watched as my wolves took out people from the outside of the group.

An arrow landed on the ground before the thugs could even get closer or counter my wolves. Looking back we saw people from the village, "There's one little thing you're forgetting about. Before you set one foot in our village, you'll have to go through all of us." Someone from the village said.

I watched as Naruto preformed the shadow clone jutsu and joined him just as Kakashi did too. I looked at how many clones Kakashi had made and stared down at him, "Not a lot of chakra, huh Hatake?" I asked.

We watched as the thugs basically jumped off the bridge. My wolves destroyed the bodies of the thugs and then I released the summoning for the time being. Kakashi carried Zabuza over to Haku's body. Snow started to fall from the sky and everyone looked confused. Looks like its Haku trying to bid farewell. Kakashi settled Zabuza on the ground besides Haku, "Thank you, Kakashi. Minako, I want you to take my sword, I can only see you wielding it in my absence. Plus you gave me a run for my money years ago." Zabuza said.

I nodded and gave him the privacy he needed while he talked with Haku. I went to jump Sasuke, "You know, you shouldn't be moving idiot." I whispered and checked his pulse. Shi didn't even tell me if there was anything else wrong with Sasuke.

We made a small shrine for Haku and Zabuza which overlooked the bridge, "Is that really it, sensei?" Sakura said not even bothering to clarify which one of us she was talking to.

"Hm?"

"Is that the ninja way? To use and be used by people like tools?" She asked.

"Well. Kakashi, you answer this." I elbowed him in the ribs.

"Shinobi are all merely tools in the hands of destiny. No point in wondering whether it's right or wrong. It just is. Its the same in the Village Hidden in the Leaves." Kakashi told them.

"Well, if you ask me if that's what being a ninja's all about, something's out of whack. Ugh. Is that why we go through all this training? Just to end up like them?" Naruto asked.

"What is the reason for that?" Sasuke asked.

"*Coughs* Well, it's a question without an answer, really. And that is something we ninja have to deal with every day of our lives, like Zabuza and Haku." I said.

"Okay." Naruto said.

"Hm?"

"I've just come to a decision. From now on, I'm finding my own ninja way. A way that's straight and true and without any regrets. From now on, I'm following the way of Naruto!" Naruto exclaimed.

Kakashi chuckled behind me while I hugged my brother, "No one can deny it now, you are my brother." I said.

Sasuke glared at me while I fawned over him before we left the bridge, "Are you sure you're alright? I can carry you if-" Sasuke shoved something sweet into my mouth.

I munched on the cookie, "We could have never finished the bridge without you. I can't tell you how much we're going to miss you." Tazuna said.

"Do be careful." Tsunami told us.

"Thank you for everything." Kakashi said.

"Now, now, don't get all choked up. We'll come back and visit real soon." Naruto said.

"You swear you will?" Inari, who was almost in tears, asked.

Naruto almost started crying, "Of course. You know, Inari, it's alright to cry if you want. There's nothing wrong with that. Go for it." He said.

"Who says I wanna cry? Anyway, if there's nothing wrong with it, then why don't you go on and cry?" Inari asked holding back his tears.

Naruto hoarsely responded, "No, you first." I was trying not to laugh at both of them. Naruto turned around first, "Forget it!" Both started crying.

I went to Inari and kissed his forehead, "Keep strong kid." I said and followed after the group. A week ago I had found Gato's hidden place and took everything he had and gave it all back to the people. Using the money from my account was useless in the end and I was returning to Kohona with a trade treaty for Sensei to sign.

"Ha, ha! As soon as we get back, I'm gonna let Iruka-sensei fix me up a whole mess of ramen to celebrate a mission accomplished. Oh, and just wait till I tell Konohamaru about all my adventures! The kid's gonna worship me!" Naruto said.

"Hey." Sakura spoke.

"Yeah?" Naruto answered.

"Not you, Naruto. Sasuke, when we get back, you wanna go out and do something together?" Sakura asked.

"I don't think so. Thanks." Sasuke rejected her.

"Oh, okay." Sakura stopped walking.

"Sakura, I'd do something with you if you want." Naruto offered.

"What? Hey, that was a private conversation!" Sakura yelled while she shook Naruto like a rag doll.

"Ahh! Ow!" Sakura threw Naruto off the bridge and I jumped after him while Raiden made Sakura his chew toy for the moment. After we pummeled into the water I had us walk on it slowly just so that I could piss off the team.

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Well as for who Minako ends up with. This person won by a huge landslide. Like seriously I stopped counting after he got past forty.

Itachi won.

Kakashi-49
Itachi-50+ (stopped counting at 50 actually lol)
Triangle-40

This is Wattpad and Quotevs comments all together in case you are wondering.