The Path of the Dead

Ok, I\'m back.



I\'ve been really busy with college and other things but here is the chapter. Thank you to Peppermint Quartz for helping me out with the chapter.

Ok, here it ends the \'introduction\' and again a lot of things happened in here that would affect a great deal later on in the story. This means that in this chapter things happened diferent, way to diferent, from the anime or the manga and there may be some OoC. Either way I expect you to enjoy this chapter. Before I forget, I don\'t do to well the Orignal characters so I used some of the people that had appeared on Bleach and Naruto\'s filler arcs. Juts so you know.



-This- - is Kyuubi talking



and



This - is ...someone else talking or thinking



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Chapter 3



Friend or Foe



The morning had been a productive one for Naruto. He had gone over his normal routine running and jumping from tree to tree, then sharpened his aim with some kunai and shuriken. After that he proceed to practice the tree-walking exercise and he ended with a small training on his reiatsu and his katana. He was so engrossed practicing some movements that Yoruichi had taught him that he didn’t notice the newcomer that was observing him with the gleam of curiosity.



Naruto was breathing hard. His hands held the hilt of the sword tightly and he concentrated in front of the tree he was battling. A bright light started enveloping him and Naruto let some of his reiatsu leak out of him when he launched the attack on the unfortunate tree. The newcomer’s eyes opened wide in shock at the attack and the fact that an orange aura was visible around the boy.



‘Is that…chakra?’ was the first thought of the young observer. ‘No, this feels different… but familiar. I should kill him; he is a threat to Zabuza-sama’s mission… Yes, I should kill him.’



But the young man couldn’t bring himself to do it, not yet. He stood there watching as the other kept working out with the sword and the tree. Haku remembered the first time he saw him. The blond genin had been so close to discovering the places where he was hiding from the others. The moment the blond appeared Haku knew there was something special about him, something different and yet familiar at the same time.



Naruto slashed to the side and stopped before the blade came into contact with his target. He stood still for a moment before straighten up and sighing heavily.



“Uuff, I am tired,” he said, cleaning some of the sweat falling on his face. He turned around and found himself in front of a boy.



The boy had long black hair and was wearing a blue kimono with a green obi on his waist. He was carrying a basket. His eyes were focused on Naruto. The blond boy looked over at him with curiosity.



“Um, hi.”



“Hello.” Naruto felt a little uncomfortable under the steady regard the boy was giving him. “Erm…is there something wrong?”



The boy seemed to startle awake. He pulled his left hand from behind his back and smiled gently at Naruto.



“Sorry, I was just a little surprised at what you were doing,” he said, Naruto grinned at that. “I can only assume with that performance and the Hitai-ate on your forehead that you are a ninja, am I right?”



“Yes, I am Uzumaki Naruto and I am a genin of Konoha,” said Naruto, stretching his right hand to the other boy.



“It’s a pleasure Uzumaki-san. My name is Haku.” Both of them shook hands.



“Just called me Naruto, Uzumaki sounds too formal for me,” said Naruto.



“Very well, Naruto. Tell me, are you like a Kenjutsu master or something?”



“Me? Well, you could say that!” said Naruto, chuckling a little. Haku merely lifted an eyebrow at that but didn’t say anything else. “So, what are you doing here?”



“I am here to pick some medicinal herbs.”



“Is that so? You know about medicinal herbs?”



Haku nodded. Naruto flashed him a big grin. “Ok, I have finished my training routine, so do you mind if I help you out?”



“No, of course not.”



For over an hour he and Haku spent their time collecting some herbs. The boy explained that they were for someone special to him who happened to be sick. Naruto hadn’t known how easy it was to make a new friend. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know how to talk to people or make friends, it was just that every time he tried to approach someone in the village their parents or other villagers always prevent him from socializing with other kids his age. They always ended up insulting him or calling him names, which meant the kids ended up following the example of the adults. It wasn’t until he became a genin that he started to interact with others and to call them his friends. But with this boy, with Haku, it was new. He didn’t know how easy small talk could be and how good it felt to laugh so easily.



“Tell me Naruto, why do you train so hard?” The question had come as a surprise to the young genin. He looked over at Haku but the black-haired boy was concentrating on the herbs he had in his hand. Naruto turned his head to the side and contemplated the question before answering.



“I want to become strong. I want people back in my village to acknowledge me.”



Haku said nothing for a beat, but he was watching Naruto carefully. “So, you fight because you want to be noticed?”



“It’s more complicated.”



“How?”



Naruto turned around and looked directly in Haku’s eyes. Haku couldn’t help but recognize the same look he had a few years ago, before he met Zabuza and dedicated his life to serving him. It was a look of loneliness and rejection.



“I am not loved back in my village. I would dare to say that many of them want me dead, even some of the shinobi.”



“Then why fight for a place like that? Why look for acknowledgment from people like that?”



“Why not?” said Naruto, shrugging. Then turning to the side he asked, “What do you fight for, Haku?”



Haku stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes opened in surprise and his whole body tensed up at that question.



“I don’t understand what you are talking about, Naruto.”



Naruto snorted at that and Haku’s hand went directly to the pouch he kept on his back.



“I may look like a fool, but I am not one,” said Naruto. “Besides, I can feel you”



“Feel me?” Haku sound confuse at that statement.



Naruto narrowed his eyes at Haku, thinking of the possibilities of the young man not knowing what Naruto was talking about. He was about to reply when he felt a presence behind him. Shocked, Naruto jumped to the side. Where he had been moments before now lay a big claw attached to a huge monster.



“Well…that was unexpected,” snickered the Hollow.



Haku had an expression of pure surprise on his face while Naruto was staring at the Hollow. ‘How could he appear out of nowhere? I didn’t feel him coming at all!!! And he is big and strong!!’



Naruto’s hand went immediately to his sword. He looked over at Haku and then at the Hollow.



“You can see him too Haku?” Haku merely nodded his head while Naruto cursed mentally. “Then, run. Leave. Now!”



Naruto launched an attack with his sword, startling not only Haku but the Hollow as well. However, Naruto didn’t have a zanpakutou and his attack did nothing to the big creature who laughed out loud at the poor attempt. He punched Naruto and slammed him against a tree.



“Today is my lucky day…I came here looking the source of such tasty reiatsu and found two humans that are capable of see me.” Once again the Hollow let out a laugh. This time it sounded less amused and more bloodthirsty.



Naruto stood up groaning in pain, he looked to the side and saw that Haku was still there. The boy was sprawled on the ground and his eyes couldn’t leave the monster in front of him. ‘I can’t let him fight. Not this thing…but I don’t have a Zanpakutou and Nanao-chan told me not to use it unless she was near…what to do?’



“Trash…I can’t believed that it was you I felt,” sneered the Hollow, launching another attack to Naruto who barely evaded it.



“Haku, leave!” screamed Naruto, lifting the sword over his head and then stabbing it into the Hollow, who just punched Naruto on the stomach and sent him reeling. Naruto fell to the ground with a groan. He lifted his eyes to the Hollow that was nearing him. Naruto saw Haku who was trying to recover from his shock struggle to stand, and then the blond returned his attention to the Hollow.



Naruto glared at the beast looming over him. How had he ended up in a situation like this one? Naruto stood up, ready to fight once again. He was trying to find a way out but it always came to the same conclusion. Naruto didn’t like the idea, because the last time he tried to use one of the kidou spells Nanao-chan had taught him he ended up destroying training field 44 and in the hospital with a broken arm. ‘I have to use it…I just hope this goes better than the last time…’



“I have played with you long enough…time to eat.”



Naruto stood up and, pointing at the Hollow in front of him, he gathered some of his reiatsu, ready to launch the spell when a voice behind him interrupted his chant.



“Shoot him dead, Shinsou!”





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Kazama Arashi was pacing around the room. Just like he had promised Yamamoto Soutaichou a long time ago, as soon as he had enough to work with he had gone to the Central 46 Chambers. And now, here he was, expecting a verdict to what he was about to do.



In other circumstances the only thing Arashi had to explain to the Central 46 was matters of great importance concerning the Kidou Corps and not the clan. But seeing as this was about the son of one of the former Clan heads of one of the four principal Clans in Soul Society was a matter that concerned everyone. Add to that the fact that the boy was part human and the son of a traitor and you have a whole case.



Arashi sighed and growled in frustration. He hated waiting. He had already exposed his reasons and why it was good to bring the boy to Soul Society. How difficult could making a decision be? As if perceiving his exasperation the room’s door opened to reveal a person.



This person was dressed in the customary attire for the Central 46, but the most impressive thing he had on was a white mask over his head that left an opening for the eyes. The number 5 was painted on the lower part of the mask. It was well-known among Soul Society that the identities of the men that formed the Central 46 Chamber had to remain unknown, and the Four Principal Clans did not know exactly who the Central 46 members were. However, the moment the man spoke, he knew without a doubt who it was behind the mask.



“We, the Central 46 Chambers, have decided that your arguments are strong enough to bring the boy known as Uzumaki Naruto to Soul Society.” The man’s voice was full of authority, deep and dry, not allowing space for nonsense. Arashi stood there with all the dignity his position allowed him. “However, we do have some conditions.”



“Conditions?” asked Arashi before smiling ironically. “I guess that was necessary. Of course for the well-being of Soul Society and my Clan I will hear your conditions.”



“The boy, while part shinigami, is still part human. On top of that he is the son of a traitor.” The last part was said with such venom that Arashi had to contain himself to not let any emotion show in his face. “He will be trained and has to prove himself worthy by one of the other clans. Seeing as he is family to you, and taking into consideration the role your Clan plays in Soul Society, until the boy is deemed worthy he is not allowed to have contact with his clan.”



“What if he… doesn’t want to become a shinigami?” asked Arashi.



“You came here telling us that the boy was interested in his legacy,” said the man with obvious annoyance. “But if he doesn’t want to come here and pay the price, then he has to die. It’s as simple as that.”





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“Kazama-sama,” greeted Kariya Jin with a respectful bow. Arashi merely dismissed him with a hand shake before started making his way to the eight division barracks.



“The nerve of some people. Can you believed what they said to me?” started the young captain of the Kidou Corps. Kariya looked curiously at his superior.



“No, Sir.” After a moment of silence Kariya spoke again.” What did they say to you, Sir? Did they deny you the mission?”



“No, those old geezers wouldn’t dare to say no to me. Not when I put up a good case and talk to them about the benefits of bringing my nephew to this place,” said Arashi, striding rapidly through the streets of Seireitei.



“Then, if may I ask what happened to put you in such a foul mood Sir?”



“Well, apparently if Naruto is found to be a threat, or if he is found to be ready to follow in his father’s steps, they decreed the boy to be killed.” Kariya widened his eyes in surprise and started thinking about what his Captain had said. Arashi snarled again. “On top of that I am not allowed to train or talk to Naruto in a familiar way until he is part of the Gotei 13 and a seat member. That could take years!”



“If I can may point out,” said Kariya tentatively, “I thought you were going to have more problems about that demon sealed inside him that the fact that his father was a traitor.”



Arashi stopped and turned to glare at Kariya coldly. The white-haired man lowered his gaze, embarrassed at what he had just said. Being the right-hand man of Arashi and the fukutaichou of the Kidou Corps he knew how much Arashi had loved his brother. Traitor or not.



“Next time refrain from making such comments, Kariya-fukutaichou.”



“My humblest apologies Taichou. It wasn’t my intention.”



“I know. That’s why you’re getting away with that statement earlier,” said Arashi, resuming his walk. “Either way, you are right. I thought they were going to put more of a fight due to the demon and not my brother. It seems that they trust Minato’s and my own work to keep the demon at bay.”



“Kazama-dono, we were waiting for you” said Ise Nanao when Kariya and Arashi finally arrived at the 8th division. The three of them made their way to the main office where Kyouraku Shunsui lounged in his seat.



“Ah, Kazama-dono, such great timing!” said the jovial taichou, lifting a small bottle of sake. Kariya merely lifted an eyebrow and Arashi looked amusedly at the man.



“So it seems.” said Arashi sitting in front of Kyouraku and taking the cup that the man was offering to him. Both men ignored the glare that Nanao sent their way.



“So, it seem like you came here with their final decision.”



“Yes, it seems like we can make our way to the Shinobi World as soon as Ichimaru-taichou returns from his mission.”



Kyouraku nodded and took a sip from the cup of sake; he let his eyes travel to where Nanao was looking at him and Kyouraku smiled softly at her.



“What is going to happen to Naruto-kun?” Arashi glanced at the eight division taichou and could see real concern and affection directed at the blond boy. To his nephew. For a moment Arashi wondered if he would have the same feelings for the boy or if he was going to despise his existence. After all, he was a living reminder that Minato had found happiness in a place other than the one he swore to protect since they were little kids.



“He is going to become a shinigami; but his education and approbation is going to be watched closely by another of the four principal clans.”



“Really? Do you know which clan it is going to be?” asked Kyouraku completely surprised. Arashi revealed a faint smile before answering that particular question.





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Naruto was breathing hard; his whole body was aching from the pain of being kicked against a tree, three times. Now with a single command and a really large zanpakutou the big Hollow had gone and he was looking at the strangest shinigami he had seen so far.



“Now, that wasn’t so difficult, was it?” said the man, turning to face Naruto. The man was smiling at him and Naruto had to wonder how in hell that man saw anything at all with his eyes closed.



“Who…who are you?” It was Haku who spoke first. He was looking at the newcomer warily, gripping a kunai in his hand.



Naruto stepped back, equally careful. “He is a shinigami.”



The man’s smile was replaced with an expression of surprise, which gave Naruto the opportunity to see crimson eyes for a few seconds. The surprise was only momentary; the man’s smile returned almost immediately.



“My, my, it seems like not only ya can see me but ya know what I am.” Ichimaru Gin put his zanpakutou away and scratched the back of his head. “It seems like ya have met people with big mouths.”



“Well, according to Nanao-chan Kyouraku-jii does have a big mouth, especially where women are involved,” said Naruto sitting himself on the ground.



“Shinigami? Is he dangerous?” Haku asked Naruto in a soft voice. The blond boy looked at Haku and then at Ichimaru who was grinning widely at him.



“How rude!” exclaimed the man, pretending to be insulted.” And here I was helping some unfortunate souls.”



The comment only made Haku more wary and ready to attack and Naruto eyed the man with more suspicion. His attire was different from the one Kyuoraku-jii and Nanao-chan usually wore. The power emanating from the man was also making Naruto a little nervous.



Suddenly Haku cursed and went to pick up the basket in which he had the medicinal herbs. He turned to look at Naruto sadly. “In other circumstances, we could have been friends, Naruto-kun. But unfortunately, the next time we see each other, we are going to be enemies.” And with those words the boy disappeared.



Naruto sat there dumbfounded at the speed in which Haku left without giving him any chance to talk. He whirled around to see that the shinigami was still behind him. The blond frowned and noticed his sensei and Sasuke approaching. ‘So, that’s why Haku left…’ Naruto thought.



He is a good person, isn’t he?



‘Yes, he is. But he is right: the next time we see each other we will be enemies.’



Then you better started hearing my name…so you can honor an enemy like him…



He had just finished his conversation with his zanpakutou when Kakashi and Sasuke arrived.



“What the hell did you do, dobe?” asked Sasuke, staring around at the destruction.



Naruto wasn’t really aware of his surroundings until Sasuke asked him that. When he glanced about he noticed that the place was literally ripped apart. The trees he had been training with had deep cuts and some were a little burnt due to the force and concentration of reiatsu he had used. The vegetation was as good as thrashed from the fight with the huge hollow’s claws.



“Eh…well, it’s just, um. I was training,” said Naruto, smiling sheepishly at his sensei and Sasuke, who gaped at him with incredulity.



“I don’t think they believe you, boy,” drawled Ichimaru in a singsong voice. Naruto almost screamed before focusing his eyes on the shinigami. He had forgotten about him, but the man was still there.



“What the hell are you trying, Naruto?” asked Sasuke.



“Naruto, how could you possibly destroy all these in training alone?” Kakashi inquired.



“Come on sensei, you don’t actually believe that Naruto - the Uzumaki Naruto, prankster of Konohagakure – did all of this, do you?” said Sasuke, amused and disbelieving.



“Why not? You don’t know how powerful…” Naruto trailed off at that last part. Sasuke merely raised an eyebrow, more amused than ever. It was evident that the young Uchiha didn’t believe Naruto.



Kakashi however was taking this very seriously. He studied Naruto and then at the space he had said he was training in, and his eyes focused once again in the blond and then on the katana that he still had in his hand.



“Sasuke, go to the house and tell Sakura that we found Naruto, so she can go to Tazuna and guard him,” said Kakashi. “Then go over the spot where we were a few minutes ago and started the exercise I told you about.”



Sasuke was about to protest but thought better of it. While he liked Naruto’s company he hadn’t become a shinobi to make friends. His training was more important than watching his sensei scold Naruto or cheering the blond up after the scolding.



When they were alone, Naruto was looking everywhere but at his sensei. Ichimaru had sat on a branch and his slitted gaze moved from the newcomer and the blond boy that he now knew was called Naruto. Ichimaru’s smile deepened. ‘Such a great coincidence…he looks exactly like you, Minato-kun.’



“Tell me Naruto, and tell me the truth,” said Kakashi with a serious voice. “Why did you leave the house knowing that a jounin-class shinobi is here, and that he probably has some allies of Chuunin or jounin level with him?”



“I was training,” said Naruto, sullen at being rebuked.



“He doesn’t look too happy. So is he a ninja like ya?” Naruto glanced at the shinigami who spoke and nodded his head. Kakashi frowned a little but continued.



“And did you really do all this?”



“My, my… this is the first time I see a teacher scolding a student for training and doing a good job at it,” commented Gin. Naruto was a little exasperated at the man who kept talking to him as if there wasn’t anyone else there. ‘Doesn’t he know that I can’t talk freely?’



“Well, yeah. I was training with my katana and it went kind of… out of control,” muttered Naruto trying to sound casual about it. In the background he could hear not only the shinigami’s chuckle but his zanpakutou’s as well.



“He doesn’t seem the type of person you can lie to easily, does he? Oh, look. He is frowning in disapproval.”



Naruto lifted his gaze and he found himself looking directly in his sensei’s one eye. Just as the shinigami had said, Kakashi was looking at him in a disappointed and suspicious manner.



“Who gave you that katana, Naruto?” The question was so unexpected that Naruto took a few seconds to recover before answering.



“Yugao-chan did. After I became a genin,” he lied smoothly. He peeked at Kakashi and saw relief pass over his eye before he hid his emotions from Naruto’s eyes once again.



“Ok, let’s go. You are going to finish the tree-walking exercise and be ready for tomorrow. I am sure that tomorrow we are going to have a hard day if Zabuza and his companion appear.”



Naruto started walking when he stopped and said, “Sorry sensei, I left my katana. I’ll be right back.” Not giving Kakashi enough time to respond, Naruto left the jounin who gazed suspiciously at his student.



“Oi, fox-face shinigami!! Where are you?” hissed Naruto in a loud whisper.



Ichimaru Gin landed behind him, pouting. “Fox-face? How rude! Is this the way you thank the person who saved your lives?” Naruto jumped about a meter in the air before he whirled around gripping the front of his shirt.



“What the hell? Why did you appear so suddenly?” The man merely grinned at him but said nothing. “Besides, I came here to thank you. So stop complaining!”



“How nice of you…” Gin trailed off and waited for Naruto to give him his name.



“Naruto. My name is Uzumaki Naruto, fox-face shinigami,” said the boy, smirking a little.



“Naruto, huh. Well, I am Ichimaru Gin, taichou of the third division of the Gotei 13,” said Gin, adding, “and I am certainly not fox-face.”



“Taichou? So, you know Kyouraku-jii!!!”



“Of course I know Kyouraku-taichou.”



“So, is he here? Did he come?” asked Naruto, excited at the prospect of seeing Kyouraku-jii and Nanao-chan once again. Gin observed the boy’s reaction with interest.



“Nah, he had something of greater importance than this so he couldn’t come. I am his replacement.” Naruto appeared disappointed but he recovered quickly and directed at Gin the most astonishing smile that anyone, besides Rangiku, had given to him.



“Oh, well. It’s okay. I guess it’s good to meet new people from Soul Society,” said Naruto. Gin nodded his head and put a finger over the boy’s mouth before he continued talking. Naruto frowned, confused. Gin studied him seriously; the expression looked alien on the man.



“Someone has just arrived and is watching you Naruto-kun,” he said and Naruto opened his eyes. “Do not worry. I think it is just your sensei. They don’t seem to trust you that much, eh?”



Naruto lowered his eyes as a pang of sadness hit him hard. Gin examined the boy and seeing the mood he was now in ,the taichou of the third division took the opportunity to try and clear his suspicious.



“It was good meeting you and saving your life,” said the Taichou of the third division walking away from the scene. “I would tell Kyouraku-taichou that you said hi. Take care, Naruto-kun. I would hate the son of Minato-kun dying before time.”



Naruto stood there with his eyes wide opened, shocked at the name Ichimaru Gin had tossed out so casually. ‘Minato…was that my father’s name? Did he… did he know him?’ Naruto’s hand went immediately to his necklace and a small smile grew on his face. He had just made two new friends, one of them another captain from Soul Society and probably knew about his father; as soon as he saw Kyouraku-jii again he was going to ask him about this Ichimaru Gin.



Kakashi stood there on the tree even after Naruto left with his katana. He had watched the boy stand there for a good two minutes, talking to no one. Kakashi sighed, tired of the entire situation. ‘This would be easier if your son hadn’t decided to become a shinobi and follow that absurd dream of becoming Hokage, sensei.’





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Naruto woke up to the sound of screaming and crying. After pulling his clothes on, he grabbed his katana and jumped out from the window. Once he landed, his eyes hardened and his whole body tensed up at the scene.



Inari was on the ground with blood and tears on his face. He was obviously terrified and he was watching while two guys pinned his mother to the ground and were trying to take her clothes off. Naruto’s burst of chakra mixed with reiatsu called the two guys’ attention.



“What do you think you are doing?” roared Naruto, his vision narrowing to the two trespassers. Inari gasped in fear at the blond shinobi’s transformation. The two bandits from Gatou looked at him, half consumed with fear and the other half filled with annoyance at being interrupted.



“Kill the brat, while I take care of her,” said one of the men.



The nerve, you have to do something Naruto… you have to say *#*#*



Naruto didn’t bother to listen to his zanpakutou. He disappeared and re-appeared in front of one of the men, sending him flying with a vicious kick to the stomach. The other guy didn’t have time to react when a fist connected with his face. Naruto helped Tsunami stand up; the woman had tears in her eyes but was gazing at Naruto with gratitude.



“Inari.” Tthe little boy stared at Naruto with wide, tearful eyes, stunned by the change in the blond’s demeanor. Naruto commanded, “Take your mother inside and help her out. I’ll be right back.”



Naruto turned to where the two guys were. One of them was ready to attack Naruto but he never managed to locate his opponent since Naruto moved at an unnatural speed. The blade of his katana went through the enemy’s gut. Sliding his sword out, Naruto turned and saw the other man looking at him, petrified, before he sprinted away. Naruto followed but an explosion of reiatsu called his attention. He knew that reiatsu, because he had spent a good portion of his morning near the source. Haku. And where Haku was his team mates and Kakashi-sensei should be as well.



It seems like the time has come for you to finally fight seriously…



‘Yeah, you sound excited. Are you going to finally let me know you?’



I have wanted that since the first time Naruto. You just have to say my name.’





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Sasuke was on the ground trying to breathe properly, but the task was very difficult. Whatever the shinobi in front of him was doing, it was working very well. At first Sasuke thought it was a genjutsu to make him feel as if there wasn’t enough air but it wasn’t. He had tried to disperse it but failed to remove the odd pressure on his chest. If he had his sharingan this guy wouldn\'t have the opportunity to hide himself behind some mirrors made of ice!



“You are a good shinobi, Uchiha-san,” commented the boy from inside one of the mirrors. The pressure started to fade a little and Sasuke was able to stand up once again. The Uchiha licked his lips, breathing steadily. “However, you are useless against a person like me.”



“Mmhpf, says the coward that hides behind some trick,” Sasuke scoffed, pulling out a kunai. “You talk big and all, but if it wasn’t because of this trick of yours I could have kicked your ass easily.”



Haku let out a chuckle at that statement, which only made Sasuke angrier and more frustrated. Sasuke sent his kunai flying but it didn’t work against the mirrors. The figure of Haku kept leaping from one mirror to another.



“No, Uchiha-san. You are not my match,” said Haku quietly. He flung a senbon Sasuke’s way and it hit the target. Sasuke let out a growl before he tried his fire jutsu, to no avail.



“Your teammate however may be a more interesting opponent. Where is Uzumaki Naruto?”



That was it: the trigger Uchiha Sasuke need. How dare that commoner tell him that Uzumaki Naruto was more of a challenge? He was going to show him that no one was allowed to despise an Uchiha.



Sasuke grabbed another kunai and launched himself against one of the mirrors. He tried to cover the kunai with his chakra. In that way, he gave the kunai enough strength to probably break one of the mirrors, but again, he failed. He saw Haku in time to prevent more of those senbon from landing on target. Haku watched with interest as Uchiha Sasuke started fighting more aggressively but not with less talent. Haku decided that it was time to end the fight; he didn’t want to kill the boy so it was better if he just incapacitated him.



Haku positioned himself in one of the mirrors and sent a handful of senbon Sasuke’s way. Then while the boy was distracted with the senbon he emerged from the mirrors and went to kick Sasuke on the stomach but was stopped by a hand that appeared out of nowhere. Sasuke’s eyes opened in surprise as the sudden halt in the battle and he was even more surprised to see that the hand belonged to none other than his teammate.



“Sorry, I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything important, Sasuke, Haku,” said Naruto, grinning hugely at the two boys.



Sasuke’s fists clenched in anger at the appearance of the blond boy but Haku was pleased. He had wanted to fight the boy since the first time they met and now it was his opportunity.



“What the hell are you doing here Naruto?” exclaimed a very heated Sasuke. Naruto turned to his teammate in confusion at the anger he heard in Sasuke’s tone.



“I came here to save you?” replied Naruto, which only make the Uchiha more infuriated.



Sasuke shoved Naruto out of the way and got ready to fight Haku. “I don’t need your help Dobe, now disappear and let me fight.”



Dodge!!!



And Naruto did, dodging just in time from the flung senbon, but his friend didn’t have that luck. A fistful of senbon ended up directly in his arms and two of them were embedded in his chest. Sasuke groaned in pain and Naruto peered at the Uchiha who looked like a pincushion.



“You shouldn’t distract yourself in the middle of a fight that may cost you and your friends their lives,” remarked Haku, speeding up his transition between mirrors while throwing senbon.



Naruto barely evaded them, but Sasuke was a little slow in his movements and some of them hit him.



“Sasuke!!” Naruto dashed over to Sasuke but a kick to the face sent him crashing into one of the mirrors.



“I told you not to distract yourself, Naruto-kun.” This time Naruto scrambled upright before Haku had the opportunity to kick him. Naruto rolled to the side and recovered the katana that had fallen when he had arrived to save Sasuke. Haku pulled out a kunai and both weapons clashed together with metallic scrapes and sparks.





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Sakura was really worried.



She had been there beside the bridge builder since Sasuke-kun and that strange shinobi had started fighting and that dome had formed around them. Then, when Kakashi-sensei went to help Sasuke-kun the jounin stopped him and they both started to fight. Her mission was to guard the bridge builder, but she was dead worried about Sasuke-kun. ‘If only Naruto had woken up earlier…uuughh, he is so useless!!’



Every time she sensed a sound or a tendril of chakra, Sakura got more and more nervous. When she felt pressure from inside the dome, she considered moving towards it to help out, mission or not. But she stayed there beside Tazuna, trembling a little and begging whoever could hear her to protect her love interest. A few moments passed and then the same pressure was felt, along with another… The two pressures were enough to make her tremble. Behind her Tazuna was already on the ground.



“Wh-what the hell is this kid? Is this some kind of ninja trick?” asked the old man.



“I…I don’t know,” answered Sakura. “Tazuna-san, my teammate… he… he needs my help.”



Tazuna looked at the girl, wide-eyed with fear, before gulping and nodding.



“Very well, let’s go!”



Tazuna and Sakura made their way very slowly through the mist that had been formed earlier in the fight to the dome. The clash of metal could be heard and when Sakura was near enough to recognize something, she saw a shadow on the ground and two blurs fighting. ‘What the hell? Naruto? Did Naruto come? Is Sasuke-kun fighting with that guy?’



“What’s happening? I can’t see anything,” whispered Tazuna. Sakura nodded to herself before looking at the old man.



“I don’t know... It seems Naruto came to help and got knocked out. I am going to pull him out… While he is an idiot, he is my teammate and can be hurt even further if Sasuke-kun or that guy hit him. Tazuna-san, please wait here.”



And with that said Sakura ducked inside the dome.



Haku had a theory about Naruto. He was more that met the eye, that much was evident. His speed, movements, and the way he worked with the katana said to the young man that Naruto had been working his ass off training and improving his abilities. It was kind of nostalgic for the young man. To see someone like him grow so much was quite remarkable. Haku smiled behind his mask and decided to enjoy the fight.



On his part Naruto was thinking almost the same thoughts. To fight a human who could sense and use reiatsu just like him, a person whose suffering was evident from the expression in those clear eyes, and who was working hard to protect. Naruto was truly enjoying the fight, finally putting to test the abilities he had been working on with Yoruichi and Kyouraku since the age of six.



Both boys were too absorbed by the fight that they never noticed the pink-haired girl that crept towards the unconscious Sasuke.



The fight grew more and more violent as the two of them became comfortable with the other’s fighting style. Naruto was starting to use his knowledge of reiatsu to immobilize Haku, but the black-haired boy was doing the same. Naruto wondered, not for the first time, when Haku had learned to use his reiatsu so well. Naruto gripped his katana and drew a deadly arc, slicing down the right, but the boy was expecting that and ducked into one of the mirrors.



“This has been a good fight, Naruto-kun. But I am afraid that I have to end it soon,” said Haku feeling the fluctuation in Zabuza’s chakra.



“That’s too bad, I was enjoying myself!” said Naruto with a fierce smile. Haku wanted to return it, but Naruto couldn’t see behind the mask. Haku pulled out five senbon with his right hand and a kunai with the left.



He threw the weapons. Three senbon hit the target, two missed and the kunai sliced past Naruto. The boy flinched at the feel of thick needles stabbing into his flesh. He was about to rip them out when a gasp of surprise and a scream of pain startled him.



Naruto turned to see Sakura with the kunai in her back and Sasuke, half-conscious, cradling the girl.



“Sa-Sakura?” Sasuke’s voice was full of pain.



Time stood still the instant Naruto saw his two teammates on the ground, one of them with a kunai in her back.





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Naruto…



Once again he was in the forest, but this time it was a little different. The weather was wild; a thunderstorm with strong winds was rocking the inner world. Naruto looked in front of him and saw himself at the foot of an immense mountain. There was an entrance to a cave and the space between the forest and the cave was desolate. A small burst of power came from it. Naruto was about to make his way there when a familiar voice stopped him.



He is in there…your tenant.



“The Kyuubi?”



Yes, your anger is making the seal weak. Now Naruto …you have to make a decision…



Naruto whirled around, trying to find the owner of the voice. A deep growl interrupted his search and Naruto turned to the cave that was emanating red chakra.



-Do you feel it kid? The power…-



Just like the first time, the voice had a mean edge to it. It made Naruto’s head throb in pain.



-Come…Come to me and I will give you what you need…-



Naruto hesitated for a moment, but he turned to the forest instead, ignoring the red chakra that was starting to touch his feet.



“My friends are in trouble. I let them get hurt. I want to protect them.”



I don’t see how is that my problem… or even the Hairball’s over there. However, I did choose you as my owner, so you better use my power well, kid. I can take away whatever I , make me proud! Now scream my name!”







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An orange cloud of reiatsu surround Naruto and the katana he was still holding with his right hand. Haku watched, as amazed by the scene as Sasuke who was watching with blurred vision.



“Make our enemies bleed, Ryuujin Raikaze!!!”



The cloud of reiatsu exploded and made Haku and Sasuke cover their eyes. The mirrors of ice disappeared with the strength of the wind coming from Naruto. Haku was launched to the other side and his mask fell broken to the ground. Sakura and Sasuke also were thrown away from the strength of the wind. Sasuke made sure that Sakura was alright before he returned his eyes to Naruto.



The blond boy stood there with the wind whipping at his clothes and his hair, that strange chakra surrounding him and creating a weird pressure, just like the one Haku had when he fought Sasuke. Around him Sasuke could see small silver lights in the form of thunder bolts. Then Sasuke noticed something different. The katana wasn’t a katana anymore and Sasuke felt a pang of jealousy at the surge of power that he could feel in Naruto.



The sword had changed its form. It wasn’t as tall as Naruto, but probably it would be around the height of his shoulders. The blade was crimson, while the hilt was silver and black. Curiously, the hilt was in the form of a dragon, from whose mouth came the red blade and was a perfect image of a dragon belching flames.



Naruto goggled at his released zanpakuto. It was incredible! And the power he felt pulsing through him was just as good. He looked at the red blade and smiled, before turning his attention to Haku and to Sasuke.



“Sasuke, help Sakura. I am going to fight this guy and then help Kakashi-sensei.” Naruto disappeared before Sasuke could say anything.



“Wow. If that is the idiot of the class, I don’t want to imagine how the rest is like,” said Tazuna, who then returned his attention to Sakura. Sasuke clenched his fist and saw the old man trying to cure his teammate.



Haku stood up in time to stop Naruto’s attack with his new blade. The blond was no longer smiling or enjoying the fight, Haku had hurt the people he cared about and Naruto was really pissed off at that. Haku was thrown backwards and the boy felt blood dripping from his face.



‘How? I didn’t let the blade touch me!’ Haku thought, touching his face and noticing the cut and the blood. But Haku didn’t have time to wonder because Naruto once again attacked. The boy formed some hand seals rapidly and a water dragon appeared to assault Naruto; the blond swung his zanpakutou in a semi-circle and beheaded the water dragon, which splashed to the groung. Haku moved once again and threw senbon and he opened his eyes in surprise when the senbon touched an invisible barrier and bounced off.



“It seems like Ryuujin uses wind,” said Naruto, “and this time he used it to protect me.”



Naruto darted around with shunpo and surprised Haku from behind. Haku felt the force of the kick on his lower back and he was sent flying against the bridge rail. He stood there panting, too tired and hurt to move. He felt Naruto behind him again and Haku couldn’t help the smile that appeared on his face. He turned around and locked his gaze on Naruto. Naruto blinked, confused at that beatific expression.



“You’ve won, Naruto-kun. “ Haku sat and bowed his head. “I can’t keep fighting against you. Please kill me.”



“Wh-what?” Naruto stammered, shocked at those words. “Why would I kill you?”



“You won.” When the reason did not seem to be enough to sway Naruto, Haku continued, “I almost killed your teammates.”



“Those are not reasons to kill you,” said Naruto. Haku lifted his head, surprised by the statement. Naruto was looking uncomfortable at the situation but he kept talking. “I… I regret what you did and that we ended up on different sides on this fight. You were right: under other circumstances we could have been friends.” Naruto smiled faintly before continuing, “We still can be friends.”



Haku was silent for a moment before saying, “I…I only live with one purpose: to serve Zabuza-sama. I only train and tried to become strong to protect him because he is an important person to me. My only important person. Without that purpose I am nothing. Please, Naruto-kun. If my friendship means something to you - kill me.”



Naruto kneeled in front of Haku and looked directly in the boy’s eyes.



You can do it.



´What the hell?! You’re asking me to kill a human being, a... a friend?’



I did not; he did.



‘Well, I am not about to kill him jut because he asked…’



“Haku, there is still another way. You have reiatsu. Maybe I can teach you how to use it and that way you can keep protecting Zabuza,” said Naruto.



“Reiatsu? What’s that?” asked a perplexed Haku.



“That is the power you have and that you sense in me. It is called reiatsu; it is also the force that allowed you to see ghosts and hollows. You must have a lot of it because it is really weird for humans to be able to see anything at all.”



“You mean that our powers…are called reiatsu?”



Naruto nodded, Haku had hope in his eyes when he looked at Naruto. “And you said that you could teach me about it and I can…”



“Yes.”



Haku nodded and stood up with Naruto’s assistance. “I think I can…” Haku trailed off and his expression changed into one of fear. He swallowed. “Sorry, Naruto-kun.”



Naruto wasn’t fast enough to grab the black-haired boy who disappeared. He was about to search for him when a sound called his attention. It was a very strange and loud sound. Naruto felt his sensei’s chakra and then Haku’s presence. Fear stabbed his spine and Naruto ran towards the place he thought Kakashi-sensei and Zabuza were fighting. While he was running the mist started to fade away and Naruto sprinted faster.



“Haku!!” Naruto’s scream broke the silence. He then noticed that the silence stemmed from Kakashi, Zabuza and Haku. Kakashi’s arm went through – went through! - Haku’s chest and the boy had a sad smile on his face. Kakashi pulled his hand out and let the body of Haku collapse. Naruto ran towards the three and tossed his zanpakuto aside try to hold Haku. Zabuza was too shocked to move or even said anything.



“Haku! “



“Don’t f-feel sad, Na-naruto-kun…” Haku coughed up blood and Naruto saw with growing horror the hole in the boy’s chest. “I …I did what I was meant …to do…protect...Zabuza-s…sama.” And with a final choking gasp Haku died. Naruto sat there without reacting, just like Zabuza, while Kakashi peered at the two boys oddly.



“How touching. I am a little sad that the little piece of scum died before I could make him pay for what he did to my arm. “



Gatou had arrived; at least two hundred men were behind him. The man had a satisfied smile on his face. Zabuza looked at the man with narrowed eyes.



“Momochi Zabuza, the Demon of the Mist,” mocked Gatou. “Trash is what you are! You couldn’t take care of three brats and their sensei or even the old man.”



“Idiotic boy had to die in a situation like this,” mumbled Zabuza. Naruto lifted his eyes to Zabuza’s face and a burst of reiatsu surprised the man. He was having problems breathing.



“He died for you! The only thing he thought about was becoming strong so he could protect you. You were important to him, and that is how you repay him? Was he just another of your tools? Don’t you have any feelings?!” yelled Naruto, tears streaming down his face. “He was happy when I said that I could teach him something so he could become stronger, and all for what? For a man that didn’t even like him!!”



Zabuza ignored him, but a lonely tear rolled down his face. He looked at Naruto and then at Kakashi.



“It seems like we are not longer enemies, Kakashi,” said the man, then directed his gaze at Gato. “Kid, do you have a kunai?”



Naruto seemed puzzled by the request but threw the kunai to Zabuza anyway. The shinobi inclined his head once and charged forward at Zabuza, slashing the kunai across his throat, killing him immediately.



It took a few seconds before the servants and the rogues around Gato reacted and tried to kill Zabuza. But the jounin of the Mist honored his nickname: He became a demon, slashing here and there across whoever came close enough. Suddenly he heard metal clash behind him and when he swerved to avoid an attack he saw the blond kid fighting at his side.



“Haku… Haku saved you because he wanted you alive” was all Naruto said before he swung his blade once more. Beside them Kakashi had joined the fight so he could protect his student. His thoughts were concentrated on the fight, though part of him wondered where Naruto had found that sword.



Just when the fight was about to turn on Kakashi, Naruto and Zabuza, Inari and the rest of the town arrived. Naruto smiled at Inari before forcing reiatsu into the blade and stabbed it in the ground. A strong whirlwind whipped over their enemies, sending them flying into the river or to the other side. Naruto was satisfied. He went to search for Haku’s soul; now that he has a zanpakutou he could perform Soul Burial. He tried to move but then his world went black.





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Naruto woke up two days later. He had returned to the bridge even after his sensei told him that it would be better for him to rest more. Sasuke had been silent but was recovering just like Sakura. Naruto, however, had gone to the bridge, but he didn’t find anything, not a single trace of Haku. It made him feel guilty and fearful that maybe Haku had fallen into the hands of a hollow.



“He was a good boy.” Naruto turned to see Momochi Zabuza behind him. The man had his arms covered in bandages and he had been allowed to stay at Tsunami’s place until his arms recover. “You and he became friends so fast. How did that happen?”



“We had similar lives” was all Naruto said.



“I see. Well, you shouldn’t feel guilty about his death. If there was one thing I learned about Haku, it was that he always did what his heart told him to do,” said Zabuza, then added sadly, “I wish his heart hadn’t told him to stand up between me and Kakashi.”



The waves lapped below the bridge. The ever-present sea breeze stirred up and blew the scent of salt over Naruto.



“You and Haku, what’s the similarity? You can see them too?” asked Zabuza. Naruto turned around to see a smirking Zabuza. Naruto’s face must have given away the answer. Zabuza nodded curtly. “Thought so. Do not worry, your secret is safe with me, It’s not as if someone is going to believe me.”



“What are you going to do after you heal?” asked Naruto.



“Well, try to become stronger and look for another job. Whatever I want. “Zabuza swiveled about and started walking away. “Become strong, kid, and keep practicing those skills of yours with the sword, because next time I am not going easy on you.”



Naruto laughed at that, and then he said his last good-bye to Haku’s grave, promising the boy to find him through Kyouraku-jii and Nanao-chan as soon as he arrived in Konoha.





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Back at Tazuna’s place Sasuke was on the bathroom looking down and recalling recent events. He was frustrated and angered by Naruto’s performance and the fact that Sasuke had made a fool of himself. Mainly the Uchiha thought about Naruto’s sudden burst of power and his thoughts always ended up with one item: Naruto’s new sword.



He would have that sword.



He would get that power.



Even if he had to steal it.



When Sasuke lifted his gaze to the mirror in front of him, his eyes were red with two black tomoes and a dark smile adorned his face.



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Ok, here it ends the introduction, until next time! Once again, thank you Lanier for your reviews, I\'m glad you like the story!



Don\'t forget to review!